March 2020
The Pavel Haas Quartet with pianist Boris Giltburg
The Pavel Haas Quartet with pianist Boris Giltburg are proud to present the U.S. premiere of L’ubica’ Cekovska’s stunning quartet, The Midsummer Quartet. Paired with works by Pet’r Ilyich Tchaikóvsky and Czech legend Antonín Dvořák, this epic concert will delight and astonish listeners from start to finish. The prestigious Pavel Haas Quartet has recorded six critically acclaimed CDs and has established themselves as one of the world’s most exciting contemporary chamber ensembles. They will be joined by Boris Giltburg, praised…
Find out more »The Folly Jazz Series presents Luciana Souza
Grammy winner Luciana Souza is one of Jazz’s leading singers and interpreters. Born in São Paulo, Brazil, in the late sixties, she grew up in a family of Bossa Nova innovators – her father, a singer, and songwriter, her mother, a poet, and lyricist. Luciana’s work as a performer transcends traditional boundaries around musical styles, offering solid roots in jazz, sophisticated lineage in world music, and an enlightened approach to new music.
Find out more »The Harriman-Jewell Series presents Daniil Trifonov
The Times (London) calls Daniil Trifonov “without question the most astounding pianist of our age.” In 2011, he won the First Prize and Grand Prix at the International Tchaikovsky Competition. Trifonov has since acquired a mountain of awards and has performed with every major orchestra in the world. This will be his Harriman-Jewell Series debut.
Find out more »An Evening with the ‘Rents
For the seventh year, Camp Encourage will host An Evening With the ‘Rents, a unique comedy event that brings humor and empowerment to the autism community. With roughly 500 anticipated guests, this event is unique in that all the comics are individuals on the autism spectrum or parents of children with autism who are working alongside local comedians to craft their very raw life experiences into hilariously touching stories.
Find out more »Benjamin Grosvenor at The Folly
Benjamin Grosvenor, acclaimed as “a keyboard visionary” (Süddeutsche Zeitung), will be performing solo piano music by Beethoven, Liszt, Debussy, and Scriabin. Grosvenor is internationally recognized for his electrifying performances, distinctive sound, and insightful interpretations.
Find out more »The Harriman-Jewell Series presents Mistuko Uchida
Mozart’s piano concertos are among his greatest works, and no one plays Mozart like pianist Mitsuko Uchida. In the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, she has found her perfect Mozartean partner. With 45 players from 20 different countries, the Mahler Chamber Orchestra is truly an international ensemble with the highest standards of performance.
Find out more »June 2020
Heartland Men’s Chorus presents Smitten with Britain
The United Kingdom rocks the airwaves with its incredible variety of musical genres, artists and musicals! British talent is celebrated all over the world from The Beatles to Adele, Sam Smith to Sir Elton John, and musicals like Billy Elliot and Kinky Boots! This ode to some of the Queen’s most distinguished musicians will take you on a global musical journey from folk to pop!
Find out more »August 2020
The Folly + 90.9 The Bridge Americana Series presents Sam Baker Trio
Austin, Texas-based folk musician Sam Baker returns to The Folly Theater with his trio in a tribute to Bill Shapiro. Influenced by writers like Ken Kesey, Ernest Hemingway, Bob Dylan and Townes Van Zandt, Baker's songwriting has been compared to that of John Prine. His 2013 album, "Say Grace," was listed by Rolling Stone as one of the Top 10 country music albums of the year. This show is part of The Folly + 90.9 The Bridge Americana Concert Series.
Find out more »Awakening Events presents Steven Curtis Chapman – Solo Tour
SCC SOLO celebrates over three decades of music from Chapman, who is the most-awarded Christian artist and a best-selling author. This memorable tour is catered to the entire family, so you won’t want to miss Chapman in an intimate setting like you’ve never seen before.
Find out more »September 2020
Folly Jazz Series presents the John Pizzarelli Trio for Centennial Reasons: 100 Year Salute to Nat King Cole
John Pizzarelli recently released his new album, For Centennial Reasons: 100 Year Salute to Nat King Cole on Ghostlight Deluxe, an imprint of Ghostlight Records. Following high-profile collaborations with Sir Paul McCartney and Michael McDonald, Pizzarelli returns to his roots to honor his hero, the legendary jazz/pop vocalist and pianist Nat King Cole, whose centennial is being celebrated around the world this year with various concerts, books and recordings. For Centennial Reasons… completes an epic trio of Pizzarelli albums saluting Cole, starting with “Dear…
Find out more »October 2020
10th Annual Kansas City Burlesque Festival
”Anything goes”! From Aerial, to fire, to classic jazz accompaniment, it’s all happening on the historic Folly Theater Stage! The 10th Annual Kansas City Burlesque Festival is at it again! Experience the best of the best in variety and burlesque with Fire, Aerial, Sideshow, and of course Burlesque are prime for the first half of this extravagant show! Next, a handful of top competitors who have been chosen to perform, accompanied by our live jazz band, A La Mode, take…
Find out more »Jackson Galaxy: Total Cat Mojo LIVE
Popularly known as “The Cat Daddy,” Jackson Galaxy is the host and executive producer of Animal Planet‘s long-running hit show “My Cat From Hell.” Jackson, an animal advocate and cat behavior and wellness expert, is also a two-time New York Times best-selling author with more than 25 years of experience working with cats and their guardians. True to his goal of helping to save all animals, Jackson started the Jackson Galaxy Project in 2015, now a Signature Program of GreaterGood.org, which seeks to better the lives…
Find out more »November 2020
Harmony Project KC’s Winter Concert
Harmony Project KC is an evidence-based orchestral music and mentorship program serving the children of KC’s Northeast neighborhood and two KCMO public schools. In its 5th year, HPKC is the flagship program of the Northeast Community Center and serves 250 children. Join our talented young musicians, ages 6 to 18 years old, for a morning of music! This concert is presented thanks to the Metzler-Copaken Initiative(a program of the Folly Theater to help expand the performing arts in Kansas City) and is free…
Find out more »December 2021
A Renaissance Christmas with Kansas City Chorale and Stile Antico
Stile Antico, scheduled for December 9, will now include an exciting partnership with the Kansas City Chorale at The Folly Theater! When our friends from Stile Antico were forced to cancel their 2021 tour, we commissioned them to record portions of the original program which will be interspersed with a LIVE PERFORMANCE by the KC Chorale.
Find out more »January 2022
The Bretano String Quartet 30th Anniversary
The Brentano Quartet, the first winners of the prestigious Cleveland Quartet Award, have appeared multiple times on the Friends stage. We are pleased to welcome them back as they celebrate 30 years. This concert opens with Joseph Haydn’s String Quartet in D-Major, Op. 71, No.2, the first work Brentano performed on their first recital plus Beethoven’s Op. 135 and works by Bruce Adolphe, and Steve Mackey.
Find out more »Garrick Ohlsson, Master Pianist
When Garrick Ohlsson became the first American to win the International Chopin Music Competition in 1970, he made history. Since that historic victory, he has risen to prominence as one of the top pianists in the world. Garrick will be performing works by Chopin, Beethoven, and Prokofiev.
Find out more »February 2022
Vladimir Feltsman, Master Pianist
Russian-American pianist Vladimir Feltsman, celebrated for his powerhouse performances, will perform works by Bach, Beethoven, and Schubert.
Find out more »Goldmund String Quartet
Winners of the 2018 International Wigmore Hall String Quartet and the 2018 Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition, The Goldmund Quartet is a rising star in the string quartet world. Goldmund will celebrate their Kansas City premiere with works by Schubert, Dvořák, and Beethoven’s Op. 59, No. 3.
Find out more »March 2022
Beethoven Festival featuring the Morgenstern Trio
This two-day festival presents the entire Beethoven Piano Trio Cycle performed by the Morgenstern Trio. This two-day event also features several panel discussions led by Dr. William Everett and much more!
Find out more »Sergei Babayan, Master Pianist
Sergei Babayan, one of the world’s most celebrated pianists and teachers, takes the Kansas City stage with an impressive array of works, including works Schumann’s dramatic Kreisleriana, Op. 16.
Find out more »April 2022
Rafał Blechacz, Master Pianist
Rafał Blechacz, winner of the 2005 International Chopin Piano Competition, has distinguished himself for his breadth of repertoire and intelligent interpretations. Blechacz will perform works by Bach, Beethoven, Franck, and conclude with Chopin’s Sonata No. 3 in b minor, Op. 58, considered one of his most difficult works technically and musically.
Find out more »March 2023
Sweet Honey in the Rock
The setlist for the Sweet Honey in the Rock Kansas City concert at Folly Theater should feature some of the most memorable songs from Sweet Honey in the Rock mixed in with some more recent work. The Sweet Honey in the Rock Kansas City setlist may be slightly different than the list of songs performed at other Sweet Honey in the Rock shows.
Find out more »Inon Barnatan, Master Pianist
Described as “one of the most admired pianists of his generation” by The New York Times, Inon Barnatan takes us on a fascinating journey through time and space with his Time Traveler’s Suite.
Find out more »Tenebrae, Choral Ensemble
The award-winning choir Tenebrae is one of the world’s leading vocal ensembles, renowned for its passion and precision, the founder was acclaimed singer Nigel Short, a member of The King’s Singers from 1994–2000. He brings his experience and pin-point exactitude to the ensemble’s exquisite sound. Through its continued dedication to the performance of the highest quality, Tenebrae’s vision is to deliver dramatic programming, flawless performances, and unforgettable experiences, allowing audiences around the world to be moved by the intimate power…
Find out more »After All: 60 Years of Cher!
Lets turn back time through six decades of hit after hit! Once again, in collaboration with Grammy-nominated composer/arranger David Maddux, join the magic of Heartland Men’s Chorus-Kansas City for another choral pop world premiere celebrating the one and only Cher!
Find out more »Special Engagement: Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott
A special engagement not-to-be-missed! Welcoming famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma and long-time collaborator, pianist Kathryn Stott, for a very special night in season 58 of the Harriman Jewell Series. The performance will be played without pause—music that zips from classic to traditional to modern to folk and tango. They will begin with Songs without Words, Op. 109 from Felix Mendelssohn, then the lyrical and evocative Scarborough Fair, Caroline Shaw’s spare and elegant interpretation of Shenandoah, and Jean Sebelius’ Was It a Dream?
Find out more »April 2023
Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Piano
From the very start of his career, pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet has delighted in music beyond the standard repertoire, from jazz to opera, including works which he has transcribed himself for the piano. His profound professional friendships crisscross the globe and have led to spontaneous and fruitful collaborations in film, fashion, and visual art. His lifelong passion for education and fostering young musical talent is profound and genuine. He is the first-ever artist-in-residence at the Colburn School in Los Angeles, where…
Find out more »Modigliani Quartet with Pianist Fabio Bidini
Founded in 2003, the Modigliani Quartetis recognized as one of today's most sought-after Quartets, performing on the world's greatest stages. The Friends of Chamber Music KC are pleased to welcome them to Kansas City for the first time as they perform with the incredible pianist Fabio Bidini, a regular on the Master Pianist series.
Find out more »Anne-Marie McDermott, Master Pianist
The formidable Anne-Marie McDermott approaches the music of Haydn and Schubert with “heft and translucence, structural certainty and seasoned humanity...” (BBC Music)
Find out more »An Evening with Renée Elise Goldsberry, Broadway Star in Concert
Hamilton. Rent. The Lion King. With an impressive career spanning nearly 25 years in the world of film, television, and stage, Tony Award-winning actress—plus Grammy Award and Drama Desk too—performer Renée Elise Goldsberry is Broadway royalty and can now be seen in film and television frequently. Following her unforgettable performance as Angelica Schuyler in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway hit Hamilton, she joins us in Kansas City for a captivating evening of Broadway standards and show tunes that are familiar to all…
Find out more »El Otro Oz
Folly Kids Series.
Find out more »Rob Schneider: I Have Issues Tour
Rob Schneider is an accomplished actor, comedian, screenwriter, and director. A stand-up comic and veteran of the award-winning NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live, Schneider has gone on to a successful career in films, television, and continues his word-wide standup tour.
Find out more »Doric String Quartet
The “sumptuous sweetness and laser-like clarity” (BBC Music) of Doric Quartet is known around the world and will be on full display in the not-to-be-missed Elgar String Quartet in E minor, which culminates their program with The Friends.
Find out more »May 2023
Richard Goode, Master Pianist
Master Pianist Richard Goode has been hailed for music-making of tremendous emotional power, depth, and expressiveness. He's been acknowledged worldwide as one of today’s leading interpreters of classical and romantic music. In regular performances with the major orchestras, recitals in the world’s music capitals, and through his extensive and acclaimed recordings, he has won a large and devoted following.
Find out more »Jordan Bak, Viola: Free Discovery Concert
Award-winning Jamaican-American violist Jordan Bak is building an exciting career as a trailblazing artist who is praised for his radiant stage presence, dynamic interpretations, and fearless power. A proud new-music advocate, Bak champions and performs works by collaborative composers alongside traditional viola repertoire. He makes his Kansas City debut with the Harriman-Jewell Series in partnership with the students of Harmony Project KC, a long-time partner of the Series.
Find out more »