In 1986 a time bomb went off in a train killing 7 people and wounding at least 38 – New York Times. Among those 38 wounded, was Sam Baker. It took years to heal and reconnect. It wasn’t easy, but it had an amazing effect on Sam, opening him to new art, poetry, and the…
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Kansas City Art Institute and The Folly Theater Jazz Series KCAI and the Folly Theater are collaborating again for the 9th year in a row to help engage KCAI students with Kansas City history, Jazz music, and marketing. This year’s collaboration will be bigger than ever incorporating several graphic design students, judges from various industries that…
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35 Years Ago… The Folly Theater took on the passion project of developing an annual Jazz series. This series would bring unknowns, big names, and even local talent to the historic stage to showcase new and loved styles of Jazz. The Folly Theater Jazz Series has brought some world renowned artists to Kansas City including Eliane Elias,…
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A Little History First… Every year the Folly Theater hosts around 6,500 kids from around Kansas City to come and see plays that help them expand their knowledge of history, culture, and diversity. The folly has been running its, Kids’ series since the doors reopened. The directors and board at the time noticed a lack…
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KKFI Presents: Collaborations Live! at the Folly Theater! June 30th, we will host an exciting night of innovative, original music, film, and dance. KKFI 90.1 is bringing seven sets of arts organizations that will perform a series of original & collaborative creations live! This will be a great evening of modern and classic performances fusing…
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Prior to the Folly Theater re-opening in 1981, one of the major renovations that was needed was to clear the 9.5 TONS of pigeon…well…doodoo. I promise you there’s a point to that fact, so keep reading! On Wednesday, June 13th, we hosted our annual Volunteer Recognition Night…and WOW! It was truly a FIESTA! For those that may not…
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Sunday, June 4th, 2017, we celebrated Eat, Drink, and Be Jolly for the Folly, a fundraiser for our general operations fund. This fundraiser is an amazing way for us to celebrate the Folly’s years of success with our patrons, donors, and Board of Directors that love the acts and music that come to the Folly’s…
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On Friday, June 16th we’ll have the 3 time Grammy nominated, soul-diva, Ruthie Foster! Ruthie has been noted for her amazing performances and her unique sound blending together Soul, Gospel, Rock, and Blues. Below is a wonderful bio from Ruthie’s team that really shares her defining moments leading to her successful career. In the tightknit…
Continue Reading →Many of us who listen to Cecile McLorin Salvant for the first time comment on the fact that she reminds us of both Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. But we mustn’t sell Ms. Salvant short–she has her very own style as is evidenced by the high praise she has received from jazz critics at the…
Continue Reading →Bob James and Fourplay: Folly Theater October 15, 2016 8pm (tickets on sale now) FEATURING: BOB JAMES-KEYBOARDS/PIANO (YAMAHA ENDORSED PIANIST), RON OTIS-DRUMS, CARLITOS DEL PUERTO-BASS GUITAR, PERRY HUGHES-GUITAR September 15, 2016 There are a few things that the Bob James and Fourplay fans may not know about the music, the man, and the quartet. Firstly, he is a…
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