Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

This Volunteer Appreciation Week, the Kauffman Center would like to thank each one of our volunteers for their service. We are grateful that they so generously give their time to make our vision of enriching the lives of everyone in our community through extraordinary and diverse performing arts experiences a reality.

Can you make a rhyme anytime? In honor of National Poetry Month, we’re looking for writers and poets to share their love for spoken word by entering the Center’s first poetry competition. Winners will have the chance to perform their piece on the Kauffman Center stages, be featured on the Center’s website and social media accounts PLUS have a recording of their performance played on @kkfi901fm. Apply by April 30, 2021. kauffmancenter.org/artful-poetry Artful Poetry is underwritten by Joan Horan and Barbara Koval Nelson.

You're the best, Kansas City. That's why we need your help to nominate us in Kansas City Magazine's Best of KC 2021 contest. Before April 23, head to vote.kansascitymag.com to nominate us in a few categories, including City Life for Best Attraction, Best Building, Best Local Landmark and Best Festival (for Future Stages Festival.)

Nominations are open for Kansas City Magazine's Best of KC 2021 competition, and we need your help! Head to vote.kansascitymag.com before April 23 to nominate us in a few fun categories, including Arts & Culture for Best Music Venue, Best Live Theater Venue, Best Music Festival (for Future Stages Festival) and Best Arts Festival (for Future Stages Festival).

Join us at virtual Future Stages Festival on June 12 and 13 to celebrate these local youth performers! Heartland Chamber Music, Harmony Project KC, MSA Crescendo Project Orchestras and Kansas City Youth Percussion Ensemble - KCYPE will captivate audiences through inspiring instrumental performance videos. RSVP for the event at kauffmancenter.org/futurestages

Artful Poetry judge Glenn North delivers "21st Century Ars Poetica" from the Muriel Kauffman Theatre stage. You could record your poem in the same spot! To enter this contest: Write an original poem, film a video recitation, then submit it at kauffmancenter.org/artful-poetry by April 30.

Join the Harriman-Jewell Series as they present their next livestream Discovery Concert featuring the incredible pianist, Zhu Wang! An active chamber musician a...nd champion of new music, Zhu Wang performed the world premiere of American composer Timo Andres’ Moving Études on his national tour. Zhu Wang will play the Andres work on his upcoming livestream concert in Kansas City. Tune in on SATURDAY, APRIL 17 at 7 PM. Visit HJSERIES.ORG for details! See more

We are thrilled to announce some of the virtual Future Stages Festival performance groups taking center stage this year. These five groups will pre-record videos on the Kauffman Center’s stages to debut online June 12 during the weekend-long virtual festival. For the first time in the festival, you’ll see Pythons Drill Team, The Culture House Conservatory of Dance Youth Ensemble and Gurukul Dance Company. They’ll be joined by returning Future Stages Festival performance groups, Crescendo in Motion and HK Chinese Folk Dance Group. To register for the event, go to kauffmancenter.org/futurestages

The Kauffman Center staff was pleased to celebrate members of our volunteer corps at two Missing You Drive-Thru events during Volunteer Appreciation Week. On April 21, volunteers drove down the south drive to cheers from our team and received themed treats created by our own Executive Chef Laura Comer as a small token of our appreciation. We are grateful for their service and generosity!

Executive Chef Laura Comer brings joy to the Kauffman Center through her incredible cuisine and positive attitude. If you've ever dined with her, you know what we mean. Nominate her for Best Chef in Kansas City Magazine's Best of KC 2021 Eats category. Nominations close TODAY, so don't wait. While you're there, take a few moments to nominate us in a few of the other categories: Weddings, City Life and Arts & Culture. vote.kansascitymag.com

The Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant Organ, Opus 3875, is unique in a plethora of ways, and it takes someone special to understand the ins and outs of it. That's where Grammy-nominated Organ Conservator Jan Kraybill comes in. Watch Part II of "Behind the Curtain at the Kauffman Center | A Day in the Life of Organ Conservator Jan Kraybill" as she takes you inside the organ, an experience few have ever had.

Celebrating your wedding at the Kauffman Center is a magical experience. Our incredible special events team can create the fairytale rehearsal dinner, wedding and reception of your dreams. Nominate us in Kansas City Magazine's Best of KC 2021 contest for "Best Wedding Venue" and "Best Place for a Rehearsal Dinner." Head to vote.kansascitymag.com to nominate us before April 23.

It's time for Kansas City Magazine's Best of KC competition! Head to vote.kansascitymag.com to nominate the Kauffman Center in the following categories before April 23: Arts & Culture: Best Music Venue, Best Live Theater Venue, Best Music Festival (for Future Stages Festival), Best Arts Festival (for Future Stages Festival) City Life: Best Attraction, Best Building, Best Local Landmark, Best Festival (for Future Stages Festival) Wedding: Best Wedding Venue, Best Place for a R...ehearsal Dinner Eat: Best Chef (Executive Chef Laura Comer) See more

Talented poets such as Rupi Kaur have performed on our stages, but now it’s YOUR turn to take the stage! The Kauffman Center’s first poetry competition, Artful Poetry, offers six winners a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. For more information and to apply, head to kauffmancenter.org/artful-poetry The deadline to apply is April 30, 2021. Artful Poetry is underwritten by Joan Horan and Barbara Koval Nelson.

Talented poets such as Rupi Kaur have performed at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, and now it’s YOUR turn! The Kauffman Center’s first poetry compe...tition, Artful Poetry, offers six winners a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. For more information and to apply, head to kauffmancenter.org/artful-poetry The deadline to apply is April 30, 2021. Artful Poetry is underwritten by Joan Horan and Barbara Koval Nelson.

The Kauffman Center is thrilled to announce some of the youth performance groups involved in this year’s virtual Future Stages Festival! Kansas City Ballet School, Kansas City Boys Choir/Kansas City Girls Choir, A-Flat Music Studio Inc. and Lily Zhang Li Taylor Dance Academy will return to the festival this year to showcase their breathtaking talents virtually! For more info and to RSVP, head to kauffmancenter.org/futurestages

The Kauffman Center's Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant Organ, Opus 3875, is the crown jewel of Helzberg Hall, but few ever have the chance to explore it up close. It's a magical musical machine, with 5,548 pipes in total. Learn more about it from Grammy-nominated Organ Conservator Jan Kraybill. This two-part installment of our Behind the Curtain series begins with Kraybill at the organ console detailing her role and how this beautiful, complex musical instrument works. Watch this, then tune in next week for Part II, which explores the complexities inside the organ!

It's grilling season, and The Dining Experience: At Home has all your cookout essentials covered. Call 816.994.7208 by April 12 to pre-order a family-style barbecue package for April 16. More information: kauffmancenter.org/dining-at-home Happy grilling!

You may be a poet and not even know it! Or perhaps your poetry is polished, published and professional. Either way, don’t miss your opportunity to compete in the Kauffman Center’s first poetry contest, Artful Poetry! Winners get the chance to have themselves filmed performing their poem on the Center’s stages, be featured on our social media and have their piece played on @kkfi901fm. The deadline to apply is 11:59 on April 30. Visit kauffmancenter.org/artful-poetry

It's trivia time! Join the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts online at 6 p.m. Feb. 25 to compete for exciting prizes, like a Charlie Hustle Kauffman Cente...r T-shirt, a Buffalo State Pizza Co. gift card and a Mildred's gift card and bag of coffee. Plus, receive a gift just for playing. More info at kauffmancenter.org/trivia. See more

Kev Marcus and Wil B, the duo behind Black Violin, combine hip-hop and classical influences to create a unique style that resonates with audiences of all ages. They performed for a packed house at the Kauffman Center in 2016 and 2018, and they recently released a student matinee for children to enjoy virtually! The duo accompanied Alicia Keys at the 2004 Billboard Awards, played at the Kids' Inaugural Concert for President Barack Obama and worked with artists like Wu-Tang Clan , Linkin Park and JAY-Z.

The Kauffman Center’s Ensemble business members were treated to an at-home delivery earlier this week! Members received a goodie bag filled with nautical-themed hors d’oeuvres and a cocktail pairing crafted by Executive Chef Laura Comer. Kauffman Center President and CEO Paul Schofer, along with other staff members, had the pleasure of delivering these goodie bags and enjoyed many socially distant greetings from our members. After deliveries were made, members joined a Zoom ...call happy hour with Paul Schofer and Director of Marketing and Community Outreach, Bess Wallerstein Huff, to share a behind-the-scenes look at the success of the Kansas City National Geographic Live series and speaker selection process. Thank you to PNC for sponsoring this extraordinary group of business leaders. For more information about Ensemble, visit: kauffmancenter.org/support-us/

It's trivia time again! Join us online at 6 p.m. Feb. 25 to compete for exciting prizes, like a Charlie Hustle Kauffman Center T-shirt, a Buffalo State Pizza Co. & Bar - Crossroads gift card and a Mildred's gift card and bag of coffee. Plus, receive a gift just for playing. More info at kauffmancenter.org/trivia.

Have you ordered your Charlie Hustle Kauffman Center tee yet? Visit bit.ly/Kauffman-Center-Gifts to order the classic heart shirt and pin, and visit bit.ly/2M9vCVA to shop the whole collection.

Calling all youth performance groups the Kauffman Center’s Future Stages Festival is going VIRTUAL this year! We’re looking for entertaining performing arts groups to showcase their talents and be featured in video content for our eighth annual festival. For more information and to submit a performance group application visit: kauffmancenter.org/futurestages The deadline to apply is Friday, Feb. 26.

Recalibrating after the holidays can leave you in need of a break after your break. So, treat yourself to a little respite and leave dinner to us. Place your order for the three-course dinner by Jan. 12 for pick-up Jan. 15 on the Kauffman Center's south drive. Call 816.994.7208 to order and learn more at kauffmancenter.org/dining-at-home.

Happy Valentine’s Day from the Kauffman Center! Share with us one of your favorite love songs.

Make room in your T-shirt drawer! For the first time ever, Charlie Hustle and the Kauffman Center have teamed up to bring you a collection inspired by our iconic building. As part of the Communi-Tees program, a portion of every shirt or pin purchased helps us keep our building in tip-top shape. Purchase the classic heart-design adult shirt and pin here: bit.ly/Kauffman-Center-Gifts or shop the entire collection here: bit.ly/2M9vCVA.

Farewell, frigid February. Say goodbye with a heartwarming seasonal meal from The Dining Experience: At Home on Friday, Feb. 26. Pre-order this healthy gourmet dinner by Feb. 19 for pick up Feb. 26 on the Kauffman Center’s south drive. To order, call 816.994.7208. More info: kauffmancenter.org/dining-at-home. This seasonal Dining Experience: At Home meal is presented by Premier Partner Saint Luke's Health System.

Ring in the new year with The Dining Experience: At Home's New Year's Eve menu, available to pre-order now through Dec. 24 with pickup on Dec. 30. This menu includes a dual entrée of a crab cake and beef tenderloin, loaded potato duchesse, honey-glazed rainbow carrots, sparkling wine, a beautiful raspberry Champagne ganache tartlet and two handmade truffles. Call 816.994.7208 to place your order before Dec. 24.

It’s the best news you’ve heard all year. Charlie Hustle Kauffman Center tees are here! Celebrate the start of 2021 with a purchase from the brand-new collection, which includes two adult T-shirt designs, one youth option and a lapel pin.... Purchase the classic heart-design adult shirt and pin from the Kauffman Center Gift Shop Online here: bit.ly/Kauffman-Center-Gifts Or visit Charlie Hustle online here: bit.ly/2M9vCVA or in-store to purchase the entire collection. Share how you sport the Kauffman Center by tagging us on social media and using #KCHustle.

The most wonderful time of the year calls for a dinner that matches the magic of the season! Pre-order your Christmas dinner before Dec. 17 or your New Year’s E...ve dinner before Dec. 24 from The Kauffman Center Dining Experience: At Home. Call 816.994.7208 to place your order, and don't forget to add on a holiday cookie decorating kit! Learn more at kauffmancenter.org/dining-at-home.

Our next collaboration craft video with Scraps KC debuts Friday! For this one, all you'll need is a CD, some fun-colored yarn, a piece of tape, and if you have it, a yarn needle. Visit kauffmancenter.org/crafts to download the instructions and supply list, then follow along with the CD weaving tutorial to make your very own masterpiece.

Trivia is back! Join us for our second Kauffman Center Virtual Trivia Night Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. Compete for prizes from Buffalo State Pizza Co. & Bar - Crossroads, Mildred's and The Roasterie Kansas City Air Roasted Coffee. Plus, we'll email you a small prize just for playing the game! Visit kauffmancenter.org/trivia for more information.

This holiday season, surprise your loved ones with unique gifts from the Kauffman Center’s gift shop. Items include a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle of building images, a commemorative Kauffman Center book, custom-made ornaments created by Sav-Art Studio/Gallery and more! Contactless pickup is available on the Kauffman Center’s south drive, or we are happy to ship your gifts to anywhere in the continental U.S. for a flat-rate of $9.95. To learn more, visit kauffmancenter.org/gifts.

How does a beautiful autumn salad, roasted strip steak and cranberry almond tart sound for dinner next Friday? Order this Dining Experience: At Home meal before Nov. 9, and pick it up Nov. 13 on our south drive. It's really that easy! Visit kauffmancenter.org/dining-at-home for more, or call 816.994.7208 to order.

Attention college students! Looking for a spring internship opportunity? Apply today for the Marketing and Digital Media internship at the Kauffman Center. Deadline to apply is Monday, November 16. Visit kauffmancenter.org/internships for more details.

In The Workshop an 8-episode digital social-emotional learning supplement for educators of PreK 2nd grade. Schools - $300 to $1,000, Families and individu...als - $5 per episode for 48 hours access. A partnership between Mesner Puppet Theater and Carlsen Center at Johnson County Community College's Arts Education program. See more

Tune into FOX4 News Kansas City tomorrow morning at 8:45 a.m. to see some of our Executive Chef Laura Comer’s delicious food and hear about The Dining Experience: At Home menus available to pre-order now! Visit Kauffmancenter.org/dining-at-home for more information.

At our recent Ensemble member photo shoot event, we had the honor of meeting Jack Naylor. He attended the photo session with his daughter Gwenn and son-in-law, Dale Klose, regional president of PNC Bank. During their visit, we learned that Jack was visiting from out of town and is an avid puzzle lover. We knew just the gift to commemorate his time in Kansas City and his visit to the Center! Looks like he made quick work of our puzzle! Thanks for the photo and for visiting, Jack! We look forward to having you in again in the future.

Our next Dining Experience: At Home seasonal menu is available to pre-order through Nov. 9! Pick up your meal Nov. 13 and enjoy an autumn salad, roasted strip steak and a cranberry almond tart. More info: kauffmancenter.org/dining-at-home or call 816.994.7208 to order.

Feliz Día de los Muertos Local artist Vania Soto, whose work can be seen in murals and galleries throughout Kansas City, brought her talents to the Kauffman Center. Watch as she paints a portrait of traditional Day of the Dead makeup while explaining the holiday, its traditions and what it means to her.... Soto, who moved from Mexico at the age of 6, draws on her Mexican culture and heritage as inspiration for much of her art. Her work can be found online at vaniasoto.com, and follow her on Instagram @artista_vaniasoto for more.

Our Spooky-Sweet Cupcake Decorating Kits are just a scream! If you placed an order for our special Halloween treats, share a photo of your creative decorations with us using #KauffmanCenterDining. Then, on Nov. 1, visit kauffmancenter.org/dining for two new menus to pre-order.

Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble. Your Halloween fun is about to double. Theater lore of haunts and ghosts, Which one will scare you the most? Have a seat and then press play. ... We’re sure this spook will make your day: bit.ly/KCHalloween In collaboration with Mesner Puppet Theater. Presented by Premier Partner Saint Luke's Health System See more

That’s a wrap for the PNC Pop Up Series powered by PNC Bank! Special THANK YOU to all the talented PNC Pop Up artists and Kansas City Power & Light District for their participation and support. We can’t wait to welcome each of you to perform live at the #PNCPLAZA in the Power & Light District in 2021! Artists: Eems Beau Bledso - Ensemble Ibérica Kelly Hunt - Kelly Hunt... Jake Wells - Jake Wells Music Eboni Fondren - Eboni Fondren Music Barnaby Bright - Barnaby Bright Calvin Arsenia - Calvin Arsenia Hermon Mehari Donate to support Artskc Inspiration Grants! https://artskc.org/donate/pncpopup/ See more

On Halloween when the moon is full and the hounds begin to bark, To calm your nerves, you might decide to whistle in the dark. But don’t you whistle on the stage, I’m telling you firsthand. In Muriel Kauffman Theatre, whistling should be banned! If you don’t believe us, or you’re just feeling brave.... Let out a whistle, but you’ve been warned, the implications may be grave. In collaboration with Mesner Puppet Theater. Presented by Premier Partner Saint Luke's Health System.