Emily Frankoski, Community Arts Director for Joplin’s arts agency Connect2Culture, joined me once again for a “Spotlight on Joplin” segment focusing on arts events as well as arts camps and classes for kids in June 2019. Here are the events Emily brought up—first, performances.
May 29–June 2: Joplin Little Theatre: “9 to 5 The Musical,” Wednesday–Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm at Joplin Little Theatre (3008 W 1st St). 9 to 5 The Musical, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick, is based on the seminal 1980 hit movie. Set in the late 1970s, this hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era is outrageous, thought-provoking, and even a little romantic. Pushed to the boiling point, three female coworkers concoct a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss. In a hilarious turn of events, Violet, Judy, and Doralee live out their wildest fantasy – giving their boss the boot! While Hart remains "otherwise engaged," the women give their workplace a dream makeover, taking control of the company that had always kept them down. Hey, a girl can scheme, can't she? Directed by James Boone. This production is rated PG-13. Tickets: $18 Adults, $15 Seniors (55/up) & Students (Any). Tickets may be purchased online at www.joplinlittletheatre.org or by calling the box office at 417.623.3638. All seats are reserved. Early reservations are highly recommended for this popular show. More information: Cecie Fritz, info@joplinlittletheatre.org, (417) 623-3638.
June 6: The Glenn Miller Orchestra in the Courtyard, 7:00pm at Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School (3401 Newman Rd). Stop by the Hershewe Family Courtyard at TJ for an evening of excellent music under the stars. With its unique jazz sound, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is considered to be one of the greatest bands of all time. The present Glenn Miller Orchestra was formed in 1956 and has been touring consistently since, playing an average of 300 live dates a year all around the world. Tickets: $15 Adults, $12 TJ Parents & Seniors (60/up), $10 Students (Any), $7 TJ Students. More information: Robert Carlson, rcarlson@tjeffschool.org, (417) 781-5124.
June 8 and 9: Rick Estrin & The Nightcats will perform two house concerts—one electric, the other acoustic—both at 7:00pm (doors 6:30pm) at The Coda Concert House (2120 E 24th St). For more than 40 years, Rick Estrin has provided audiences with an unforgettable combination of soulful music and compelling lyrics. Together, with his talented guitarist, brilliant drummer, and a skilled bass and piano player, Estrin and the Nightcats provide a striking blend of blues and rock ‘n’ roll. Suggested donation: $25. More information and reservations, email Jeff Morrow, info@codaconcerthouse.com. In response to reservations, a confirmation email with the address, directions, parking etc. will be sent in return. All proceeds benefit the artist performing.
June 26–29: Missouri Shakespeare Festival: As You Like It by William Shakespeare, 7:30pm at Missouri Southern State University, Bud Walton Theatre (3950 E Newman Rd). Set in the fanciful forest of Arden, As You Like It is like Shakespeare on holiday. The joys are joyful, the humor is humorous, and the problems are … temporary. Above all – love is in the air! As You Like It contains some of Shakespeare’s most memorable characters: the love-struck Rosalind, the cynical Touchstone, and the melancholy Jacques, who reminds us that, "All the world's a stage.” Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door. More information: Terri Spencer, spencer-t@mssu.edu, or (417) 625-9393.
Next, the visual arts in Joplin:
June 1 – July 27: Family Affair: A Multi-Generational Exhibit at Spiva Center for the Arts, Regional Gallery (222 W 3rd St). Spanning three generations, four members of the Perry family bring their own unique styles together to create a contemporary exhibit featuring a wide-range of mediums. More information: Jade Henning, jhenning@spivaarts.org, (417) 623-0183.
Also at Spiva, June 1 – June 30: Darral Dishman: The Artist as Mentor at Spiva Center for the Arts, Main Gallery (222 W 3rd St). Mentors often have a powerful effect on artists and the decisions they make regarding their personal styles. Former Missouri Southern State College professor, Darral Dishman, mentored numerous students during his career. The Artist as Mentor explores the significant impact Dishman had on his students through both his and his former students’ work and reflections. More information: Jade Henning, jhenning@spivaarts.org, (417) 623-0183.
On Monday June 3, Connect2Culture will hold The Cornell Complex Launch Party at 2:30pm at Joplin Memorial Hall Parking Lot (7th & Wall Ave). Come visit the site of Joplin’s future home for the arts – the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex – for a launch party! Join Connect2Culture and Spiva Center for the Arts, and enjoy music, get the latest update, recognize donors, and preview next steps for this exciting project. Free and open to the public. More information: Emily Frankoski, emily@connect2culture.org, (417) 625-6683.
June 6–June 8: FilmSpiva 48-Hour Film Competition, at Spiva Center for the Arts (222 W 3rd St). Back for its 10th year, Spiva Center for the Arts’ FilmSpiva 48-Hour Competition allows participants to exercise their creativity while working with a limited time frame. Contestants are to meet at Spiva in the Main Gallery on June 6 at 6:00pm. Teams will receive the criteria needed to create a 3-minute short film. They have until 6:00pm on June 8 to submit their films to Spiva. All entries will be shown on at 5:30pm on June 13 at Bookhouse Cinema and awards will be presented at 7:30pm. More information: Jade Henning, jhenning@spivaarts.org, (417) 623-0183.
Emily also mentioned numerous art camps for kids in the Joplin area, starting in June and continuing through the end of July. Spiva Center for the Arts, 222 W. 3rd Street will hold camps/classes in glass, drawing, printmaking and more.
Karen’s Dance Studio, 2113 Davis Boulevard, will offer 6-week summer sessions for ages 2-adult, June 10-July 18. Information at http://karensdancestudio.com or (417) 623-1093.
Midwest Regional Ballet, Company & School (2101 Stephens Blvd) offers various dance camps for ages 3-10, June 3-7. Visit http://midwestregionalballet.com/ or call (620) 235-4831.
This year marks the 27th year of Joplin Little Theatre’s Children’s Workshop. There are two workshops available this year: “Around the World” June 17–21, and “Time Travel” July 8–12. For information, http://www.joplinlittletheatre.org or (417) 623-3638. Address: 3008 W. First Street.
Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School (3401 Newman Road) offers a “Summer Discovery Academy” for ages pre-K through grade 12, including strings, studio art, and essay writing. For information, http://tjeffschool.org or call (417) 781-5124.
Also (and this isn’t in June, but Emily wanted to make sure Joplin area listeners knew about it): A Jazz Camp for kids in grades 6-12, held July 8-11 at Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School (3401 Newman Road) from 9am-3pm; cost $150. Attendees will learn about the jazz idiom through classes and rehearsals that emphasize improvisation, theory, jazz history, ear training and transcription of solos, melodic patterns, and jazz style and interpretation. To register, visit http://tjeffschool.org/jazz.
For more information on any or all of these Joplin-area events, visit http://connect2culture.org or call (417) 625-6683.