writing by Libby Hanssen
I gotta admit, even though I have less than a decade of regular contributions to The Kansas City Star, I get a little ... itchy ... when I don't have a byline in Monday's paper from a weekend review. As a freelance contributor, my office is my home, more specifically my couch. I've never set... Continue Reading →
A Picnic on My Dress: Gorgeous women in gorgeous gowns in a gorgeous setting making gorgeous art. Sounds like an easy win, huh? But the catch, here, was that each artist had to perform despite her garment, constrained by it, each gown (though created with both the artist's body and the performance space in mind) crafted... Continue Reading →
New Ink No. 2: Ferdinand (Gillet Singleton Duo) and The Print Factory I cracked open my 75 cent Pepsi. According to the lore, my grandfather invented this system of opening cans but didn’t get the patent in time. Every time I have a can of soda I think about that claim. I listened to the... Continue Reading →
In Issue 6, Preservation, Jennifer Wetzel, co-founder and photo editor of Kawsmouth, has assembled a visual collection of treasured objects. Each comes with a description from the contributor. Our items belonged to our grandparents.
The title above appears in John Cage's "A Long Letter" from Empty Words: Cage is either a yes or a no, depending on your particular philosophy. He's a through-the-looking-glass figure in American history. Once you find him and try to understand, you can't go back; you can't arrange a musical life without him. I've written about his... Continue Reading →
Over a year ago, maybe closer to two I guess, I was handed a concert flier. Everybody hands out concert fliers all the time and how often do you look at them? You stick them in a pocket or leave them at the bar. This flier, I saved. I didn’t even make it to the... Continue Reading →
Wouldn't it be great if someone came in from off stage and brought you up to speed every once in a while in your own life, highlighting the pertinent points? I get so caught up in day to day ephemera that I lose my grip on the plot, the characters, and the over-arching themes, and can’t help... Continue Reading →
Forgive him - he just flew in from Moscow. Paul D. Miller, AKA DJ Spooky That Subliminal Kid, presented an eclectic performance/lecture loosely connected to the work of Romare Bearden, whose work and process are currently exhibited at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Friday evening’s lecture was disjointed, jumping from topic to topic, making narrative... Continue Reading →
Today's the big day - 14 years and millions of dollars later and an art lover's dream is a reality. The Kansas City Star has run innumerable articles as the project has progressed - yet another on the eve of the opening. Numerous season previews from both the Star and KCMetropolis.org have began with, "In... Continue Reading →
I wrote an article about the visit/discussion with (le) Poisson Rouge founders, hosted by the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance. Does Kansas City need a venue like this? Could it support one? Read it here.
