Arts & Culture
Stories and videos about music, dance, visual and performing arts and film in the Kansas City metro.
Trad A Burns | Becoming a Lighting Designer
“[I] fell in love with something I didn’t know I was going to like.” Trad A Burns, Lighting Designer for the Kansas City Ballet’s world premiere of “The Wizard of Oz,” thought he wanted to be an actor, but it was only after petitioning for a class in college that he found his calling. Now, he…
Michael Raiford | Becoming a Set Designer
“Just go out and find it and do it.” Michael Raiford, set designer for the Kansas City Ballet’s “The Wizard of Oz,” says he “fell” into the profession, but encourages other aspiring set designers to get their feet wet wherever they can. Every Tuesday and Thursday through Oct. 12, Flatland looks at the various people…
Devon Carney | Becoming an Artistic Director
As the Artistic Director for the Kansas City Ballet, Devon Carney knows the significant impact he can have on a ballet dancer’s career, which often is only 15 years or so. Along with that commitment to his dancers, he’s equally as committed to the audience experience, and ensuring their first visit isn’t their last. Every Tuesday and Thursday through…
Ciderfest & Other Weekend Possibilities
Update: Ciderfest has been postponed because of the weather. It’s been rescheduled for next Saturday, Oct. 13, and Sunday, Oct. 14. The Louisburg Cider Mill hosts Ciderfest on Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Louisburg, Kansas. You can watch cider being pressed, eat apple cider donuts,or get a caramel apple. This is…
Sympathetic Vibrations | The Great Wide Open
It was a tensely muted scene at The Rino on Monday night, especially considering the small crowd. Almost all of the room’s high-top tables were occupied by parties of one – many of whom sat quietly with a fidgety, nervous energy. Assorted instruments, packed away tightly behind soft, zippered bags and road cases, lined the…
Ramona Pansegrau | Becoming a Music Director
At the age of four, Ramona Pansegrau decided she was going to be a concert pianist. And that’s exactly what she did. Now, as the Music Director for the Kansas City Ballet’s world premiere of “The Wizard of Oz,” she stresses to other young musicians that loving what you do is the driving force behind success. Every Tuesday and…
Wiener Dog Derby & Other Weekend Possibilities
Strawberry Hill Blocktoberfest is from noon to 9 p.m. Friday on Sixth Street between Ann and Tauromee in Kansas City, Kansas. The festival, put on by Better Block, is meant to re-envision Sixth Street with bike lanes, pop-up shops, a beer garden and street art. The Liberty Fall Festival is in historic downtown Liberty, Missouri, and runs…
Nicholas Mahon | Becoming a Puppet Designer
Growing up in rural Quebec, Nicholas Mahon learned about the arts by watching “Sesame Street.” The more he explored the arts, though, the more he was drawn to the art of puppets and the variety of mediums — drawing, mechanics, animation — that go into making a puppet. Now, as the puppet designer for The…
Liz Vandal | Becoming a Costume Designer
After making her first fashion drawing at 9 years old, Liz Vandal knew she’d become a costume designer. But she also knew it would take more than just innate talent to get her there. Now, as the the costume designer for The Kansas City Ballet’s world premiere of “The Wizard of Oz,” she gives her tips on how…
The Art of (KC Structures)
Our photography series, “The Art of (KC),” brings you beautiful, thought-provoking and compelling images of what makes our city tick. There’s no doubt Arrowhead Stadium will be rocking this weekend in what may be the most anticipated home opener since Joe Montana put on his No. 19 jersey. With that in mind, we turn our artistic eye to other…