writing by Libby Hanssen
Happy National Kazoo Day, dear readers. This is the day decreed that we celebrate the kazoo - an American invention that has filled our hearts and ear drums with joyful hums since the 1840's. The kazoo was invented by Alabama Vest and Thaddeus Von Clegg. It magnifies and transforms the human voice to fulfill the... Continue Reading →
I reviewed the Russian National Ballet Theatre's "Swan Lake" for The Kansas City Star.
Last weekend was New York's Winter JazzFest. Being in Kansas City, though, I, needless to say but nevertheless, missed it. We spent our time in a separate spectrum of music, celebrating my husband's birthday with a snow-speckled night out on the town. The Grand Marquis played the stylish Kill Devil Club, then we headed to... Continue Reading →
Now in its second year, the Kinnor Philharmonic can attest to their devotion to "tradition." They are the Kansas City variant on the Vienna Philharmonic's long standing tradition of a New Year's concert. Their biannual season also hosts a concert around July 4th, and the ensemble is led by conductor Christopher Kelts. The program is full of... Continue Reading →
I contributed a piece about Krystle Warren for The Kansas City Star's year-end review for experiences in the arts. Kansas City is a great community to live in and I consider myself very lucky to comment on the experience on a consistent basis. For a short time, the piece is available here. (No longer available... Continue Reading →
Our family vacation to London turned into a bit of a KC reunion. As the Fates decreed, our friend Jake Blanton was on tour with the Killers and Krystle Warren was singing with Rufus Wainwright on back-to-back shows that weekend. Saturday night, we took a boat from Tower Bridge Pier to the O2 (which in... Continue Reading →
I reviewed the male quartet New York Polyphony for The Kansas City Star. They performed in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
I reviewed Kansas City Ballet's 40th production of "The Nutcracker."
I reviewed the Haitian modern dance ensemble Compagnie de Danse Jean-René Delsoin for The Kansas City Star.
A decade ago, on this day, at this time, I was in London wearing a paper poppy and listening to a British military band play Elgar outside Westminster Palace. There was some anti-American sentiment abounding, not specifically at that time, but within the general culture for sure. It was a year past 9/11, and America... Continue Reading →
Proust Eats a Sandwich 