“Blast II” to send shockwaves through Lied

The show that won the 2001 Tony Award for “Best Theatrical Event” is back for a second round with “Blast II l Shockwave.”

The production, which has its roots in the marching-band performance style, will appear at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Lied Center.

Though the 38-member company plays traditional brass, percussion and woodwind instruments, the entire cast is in constant motion, performing choreographed drill movements. Just like “Blast,” the new production has no story line. Instead, it is a musical journey that combines instrumental and vocal music, movement and color.

The show’s musical arrangements will include Billie Holiday’s “God Bless the Child” and contemporary songs like Alanis Morissette’s “Uninvited” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

Music service celebrates churches’ founding father

A musical service today at St. Luke A.M.E. Church will recognize Richard Allen, founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in America.

The celebration will feature spirituals, gospels, contemporary African-American music, African songs, African drumming and instrumental music by the combined choirs of St. Luke A.M.E. Church, 900 N.Y., and St. James A.M.E. Church, Seventh and Maple streets.

The life of Richard Allen (1760-1831) will be narrated by Marcus Murphy Jr.

African attire is encouraged at this event, which is open to the public.

The Rev. Verdell Taylor Jr. is pastor of St. Luke, and the Rev. Gregory Gray is pastor of St. James.

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A Kansas-born singer/songwriter who lives in Lawrence will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday at Cafe Luna, 12th and Oread.

Lisa Moritz, who just released her first album called “Dream of Blue,” is a contemporary folk musician.

Moritz, a paralegal at a Kansas City law office, is the youngest of 10 children. Her mother died when she was 5 months old, and her father raised her and her siblings in Tipton in north central Kansas. Track 13 on “Dream of Blue” memorializes her father.

She received an English degree from Fort Hays State University, and aside from two years in Salina, has lived in the Kansas City area since 1989. She performs at clubs and coffeehouses in Lawrence and Kansas City.