Young performers still will shine online at 2020 Future Stages Festival
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the Future Stages Festival online this year, but the event still will shine a spotlight on Kansas City-area youth.
An annual tradition at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, the Future Stages Festival features acts that have survived an audition process to be included in the live final show. Among this year’s performers are the Kansas City Boys and Kansas City Girls choirs, Harmony KC, Starlight Stars and Lily Zhang Li Taylor Dance Academy.
The festival also will include live-streamed tours of the Kauffman Center and a Q&A with Kansas City Ballet dancer Fiona Lee, Kansas City Symphony associate principal flutist Shannon Finney and local actor Chioma Anyanwu, as well as videos of at-home crafts, activities and demonstrations.
With live shows at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. June 14, it’s all free to the public.
Go to kauffmancenter.org for more information and to facebook.com to watch performances live.
Here are four more online ways (and one phone-based) you and your family can spend your coronavirus-induced stay-at-home time:
▪ Stellar Image Studios will showcase emerging talent on the local music scene with a virtual concert featuring Regina Del Carmen, Kadesh Flow, Flare Tha Rebel and Kelley Gant, 7 p.m. June 13 at facebook.com/stellarimagestudios.
▪ With help from her hand-puppet friends, storyteller Priscilla Howe will share folktales, songs and stretches, 11 a.m. June 16 at jocolibrary.org and 6:30 p.m. June 16 at jocolibrary.org.
▪ A panel on “College Sports in the COVID-19 Era” will feature University of Missouri athletic director Jim Sterk and University of Kansas athletic director Jeff Long with the Kansas City Public Library’s Steve Wieberg, a former USA Today reporter, 6:30 p.m. June 16 at youtube.com/kclibrary.
▪ Children’s author Niki Lenz will discuss her book “The Stepmom Shake-Up” and answer questions as part of the Story Center Speaker Series, 7 p.m. June 17; register at mymcpl.org.
▪ The Mid-Continent Public Library has launched Dial-A-Story, a storytime experience with recordings of library staff members reading children’s books; call 816-701-6904.
Here are five in-person activities to consider for the next week:
▪ The bingo games have returned each Thursday at the Ararat Shrine Temple. Early-bird games at 5 p.m., regular games at 7 p.m.; face masks are required, and entries are limited to 150. shrinebingo.com.
▪ The wind ensemble of the American Legion Band of Greater Kansas City will perform a free Flag Day concert, 1:30 p.m. June 13 on the Memorial Courtyard at the National WWI Museum and Memorial. theworldwar.org.
▪ The annual Union Hill Garden Tour will take plac as planned, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. June 14 at 31st and Grand ($10 donation). facebook.com.
▪ Check out the Garment District Grooves concert series featuring folk singer/songwriter Deanna Ray with the Taste of Brazil food truck, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. June 17 at Garment District Place, Eighth and Broadway. kcparks.org.
▪ The Northern Kansas City Miniature Railroad in Line Creek Park, with three historic engines – including one from the Kansas City Zoo – is operating again, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and 12:01-6 p.m. Sundays and holidays (75 cents). kcnrr.com.
