Samara Joy
Folly Frolic 2025
Folly Jazz Full Series Subscriber Presale August 1 (will be connected to your account)
General On Sale August 5
About Samara Joy
Samara Joy is returning to Kansas City for the first time since her 2023 sold-out concert at the Folly Theater. Critics are already comparing this 25-year-old, 5-time GRAMMY® winning, once-in-a-generation vocalist to Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, and Billie Holiday. She gained recognition at age 19 after winning the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition and became known for her rich, velvety yet precociously refined and masterful interpretation of jazz standards.
In 2023, she won her first two GRAMMY® awards for “Best New Artist” and “Best Jazz Vocal Album.” Her concerts sell-out around the world as she continues to demonstrate that she is a rightful heiress of the sound, technique, and charisma that defined her jazz heroines – including Vaughan, Betty Carter, Abbey Lincoln, and Carmen McRae. In 2025, she won additional GRAMMYS® for A Joyful Holiday. Her latest album, Portrait, co-produced with Brian Lynch, highlights her lyrical talents and earned her an NAACP Image Award.
About Folly Frolic
Sponsors will join us for a festive party with fellow Folly fanatics! Enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres, craft cocktails, and a gourmet chocolate & bubbly bar while supporting our iconic, 125-year-old jewel box theater and the show-stopping artists presented inside it. However, the celebration of 125 years is too big for our intimate venue so we’re moving the party down 12th street to the equally historic Oliver Building! Originally constructed in 1889 for The Oliver Plow Company, the Oliver building has been lovingly restored over the past decade to preserve the history of the building while also creating a unique and beautiful event space. Instead of squeezing everything into one night, the party will take place on November 13, and the stunning performance by Samara Joy will be held (at the Folly) on November 22nd at 7:30pm.
Become a 2025 Folly Frolic sponsor today!
| Presenting Sponsors | Patron Party Sponsors |
| Herb and Bonnie Buchbinder | Ann Baum – G. Kenneth and Ann Baum Philanthropic Fund |
| City of Kansas City, Missouri, Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund | Inspired Occasions |
| Kissick Construction | |
| Lockton Companies, LLC | |
| Media Sponsor | Platinum Sponsors |
| Kansas City Business Journal | Randell Sedlacek and Mary Ventura |
| Theater League | |
| Gold Sponsors | Silver Sponsors |
| Americo | Karen and Jim Carns |
| Stephen and Alison Paddock | Donald J. and Adele C. Hall |
| Linda and Mike Lyon | |
| Edward P. Milbank | |
| Travelers | |
| Elizabeth Williams | |
| Patron Party Sponsors | |
| David and Beth Bock Cliff and Jordan Brazen Sandy and Steven Geduldig Patty Hayden and Nathan Anderson Kane Hosmer and Danny Ramón Carol and Tom Hynek Steve Joss Dan Nilsen Patrick and Jamie Pribyl Palle and Dennis Rilinger Rosetta and Wayne Robins Doris and Robin Royals Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. J. Michael Sigler and Greg Oborny Hoang-Anh Tran and Frank Diez Angela and John Walker Mary Wurtz and Robert Thompson |
ADDITIONAL FUNDING SUPPORT
This project is supported in part by the City of Kansas City, Missouri, Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund. Folly Frolic is also made possible through the generous support of the Mark Edelman Theater Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City; Estate of Joan Hubbard; Missouri Arts Council, a State agency; the National Endowment for the Arts; and Theater League.
SPECIAL THANKS
We extend our sincere gratitude to our entire Folly Frolic Steering Committee for their exceptional leadership and dedication to the success of this year’s 11th annual Folly Frolic. We are very grateful to Inspired Occasions for catering and underwriting a significant portion of our Frolic Patron Party. Additionally, we applaud Amanda Dampf for her beautiful graphic designs, Judy Lanes for her tireless efforts in selling program ads, add Craig Sole for his stunning floral arrangements.
We are especially grateful to our dedicated volunteers!
FOLLY FROLIC STEERING COMMITTEE
Mark Carlson
Lorece Chanelle
Melanie Clark
John Hudson
Judy Lanes
Cassidy Manetta
Josue Montes
Steve Paddock
Patrick Pribyl
Stacy Purvis
Stephanie Spatz-Ornburn
Jennifer Smart
Melissa Stan
Hoang-Anh Tran
Rick Truman
Mike Warren
Sara Welch
Brian Williams
Karenbeth Zacharias