writing by Libby Hanssen
I want to recap a show that opened last month here in Kansas City. Well, more event than show, at least for my involvement and observation. “America: Now and Here” ran at the Leedy-Voulkos Art Center in the Crossroads over the course of May. The project was conceived and spearheaded by artist Eric Fischl. The prescribed... Continue Reading →
I reviewed the Bach Aria Soloist's "Bach & Jazz Inventions" concert, which featured saxophonist Bobby Watson and bassist Jeff Harshbarger. The program contained many selections of J.S. Bach's work, obviously, along with some jazz pieces, a few jazz-ish interpretations of Bach, and songs from Brazilian composer, Guinga. And you can read a review of my review... Continue Reading →
I reviewed the music for the KC Symphony/Quixotic Fusion collaboration Symphonic Quixotic, a multi-media performance work with musicians, dancers, aerialists, visual and sound artists. Read the double review here.
I reviewed the Kansas City Chorale's Sunday, May 15th concert of "Shakespeare in Song." They performed song settings of Shakespeare's text interspersed with dramatic readings by actors from the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival: Robert Gibby Brand, Merle Moores, Jon Rensenhouse and Cinnamon Schultz.
It was announced Tuesday, May 10th, that Brownback's Secretary of Administration sent a letter to the Commission telling the five government employees of the Kansas Arts Commission they were out of a job - laid off immediately and unemployeed come June 10th. Brownback had pushed to disband the Kansas Arts Commission back in January, but... Continue Reading →
I reviewed singer/pianist Karrin Allyson for the final performance of the 2010/2011 Folly Jazz Series for the Kansas City Star. She performed a number of pieces from her latest album, 'Round Midnight, with an amazing band: Rod Fleeman (guitar), Steve Nelson (vibes), Gerald Spaits (bass), and Matt Wilson (drums).
I reviewed the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra for the Kansas City Star. They performed with legendary musician Gary Foster, vocalist Kathleen Holeman and performed a tribute to Tony DiPardo, long time leader of the KC Chiefs Pack Band. This was the first concert under new artistic director Kerry Strayer.
Finishing off their second year, Black House Improvisors Collective performed their 7th cycle of original music in a reed heavy line-up Friday night at City Center Square. Staged in an abandoned floor of an office building downtown, the group works with the support of the Charlotte Street's Urban Culture Project. During each cycle, they rehearse once a week leading up to the performance. ... Continue Reading →
Filling the historic Folly Theatre with brilliant riffs and prolonged melodic concepts, Joe Lovano and Us Five were the latest installment for the Folly Jazz Series. Lovano has a heady, esoteric style of building sound, but his eclectic background meant Saturday’s performance was interspersed with Latin, swing, and bebop influences, allowing for accessible moments throughout... Continue Reading →
March 31: WE! This collaboration transformed a ubiquitous floor of a downtown office building into a strange and delightful exploration of the tensions and frustrations of the worker bee's daily grind. Set in a muti-stage, tour-guided format, groups were led by artists dressed in business casual through a maze of cubicles and torn open drywall, plastic straw and yarn installation,... Continue Reading →
Proust Eats a Sandwich 