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 →
“Painterly” is not a term I’ve ever ascribed to dance, but the Mark Morris Dance Group’s “Acis and Galatea” was a complete integration of the arts with each brush stroke - song, sets, movement, orchestra - contributing cohesively to the telling of an everlasting love story. “Lend your ears to music, open your eyes to... 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 →
I spent the weekend camped out at Helzberg Hall. I reviewed the esteemed and unparrelleled Bobby McFerrin on Friday night and "A Night of Tango" with the Bach Aria Soloists with special guests Héctor del Curto, Alon Yainaz and Jeff Harshbarger for The Kansas City Star. That was a good way to spend a weekend.... Continue Reading →
I reviewed the Lyric Opera of Kansas City's new production of "The Mikado" for The Kansas City Star. I'm more of a "Penzance" girl myself (anyone raised on the Kevin Kline version would be) but "Mikado" is all fun, once you get past the steroetypes. The language itself is witty and amusing and takes multiple... Continue Reading →
I reviewed the Kansas City Symphony's pops concert with guest vocalist Jennifer Holliday and pianist Rich Ridenour for The Kansas City Star. The late, great Marvin Hamlisch was originally booked for this performance and the performers offered tribute and memories to him. For a short time, the review is available here.
I reviewed pianist Garrick Ohlssohn with the Kansas City Symphony for The Kansas City Star. They played Dvorak Symphony No. 6 for the first half, earning a standing ovation. The second half featured American composers Aaron Copeland and George Gershwin, for their seminal works "Piano Concerto" and "Rhapsody in Blue," respectively.
Kansas City often boasts it's jazz heritage, but the musical scene doesn't discriminate. We have it all, with a population to support it and the enthusiasm to sustain. The latest thing on the scene is Union Station's "The Science of Rock 'n' Roll" exhibit, the world premiere presentation in a touring show here through May, where the visitors... Continue Reading →
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 →
Proust Eats a Sandwich 