Young Kansas writers wanted to create book

Kansas Action for Children will publish a children’s book written by Kansas Kids.

The book theme will be “Helping Hands” and will contain stories by Kansas children about how they’ve helped someone, or someone has helped them. This could be as simple as a volunteer crossing guard who helps a child cross the street every day, or as inspiring as a brother who becomes a bone marrow donor.

KAC is calling for Kansas children of all ages to submit either a short story (150 words or less) or a poem. The selected works will be illustrated by professional illustrators in a book that will be published next December. All entries are due by June 18.

Send entries to KAC’s “Helping Hands” Writing Contest, c/o MB Piland, 3127 S.W. Huntoon, Topeka 66604.

Kansas Action for Children is an independent, nonpartisan, citizen-based corporation founded in 1979. More information on KAC can be found at www.kac.org.

Institute to train jazz music teachers

Kansas City, Mo. — The International Association for Jazz Education and the National Association for Music Education will have a training session June 19-21 at the American Jazz Museum.

The curriculum will be designed to help general music, vocal, private piano and instrumental music teachers. Topics covered include improvisation, building a jazz music library, a jazz history overview, coaching the jazz rhythm section. The training session will also feature special topics on strings and Latin and auxiliary percussion.

The session package costs $199, with a special discount for IAJE members. The fee includes instruction, supplemental materials and a certificate of completion.

For more information, call 776-8744 or e-mail info@iaje.org.

UMKC alumni to stage benefit concert

Kansas City, Mo. — Two University of Missouri-Kansas City alumni, soprano Celena Shafer and baritone David Okerlund, will return for a UMKC Conservatory of Music benefit concert. The concert will be 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Performing Arts Center at White Hall, 4949 Cherry.

Ticket prices are $25 for the general public, $23 for seniors and $12.50 for students. For tickets, call (816) 235-6222.

Youth theater to open musical ‘Cinderella’

Mission — “Cinderella” opens Tuesday at Theatre for Young America’s new home in the Dickinson Top Two Theatre, 5909 Johnson Drive.

This musical version by Jim Eiler and Jeanne Bargy of the Prince Street Players is based on the Charles Perrault version of the popular fairy tale. The show runs through June 29.

The show is directed by Valerie Mackey with musical direction by Molly Jessup. April Bauman plays the title role of Cinderella, and Javier Rivera plays Prince Charming I.

Tickets are $6.50 with group rates available. The play is suitable for ages preschool and up. For more information, call (913) 831-2131.

Theatre for Young America is a nonprofit professional theater for young people and their families.

Auditions planned for musician showcase

Liberty, Mo. — The Liberty Performing Arts Theatre will have auditions starting Monday for its 2003 New Musician Showcase, which highlights amateur musicians from the KC Metro area.

Performers accepted will have the chance to perform up to eight times between Aug. 18-31, depending on the number of entries.

Each Showcase will feature four to six musical groups, with each night’s winner determined by audience applause. Each winner will receive a cash prize and other awards sponsored by KC-area music related businesses. The grand-prize winner will receive complimentary studio time, a live radio interview and a “concert package,” which includes stage time, production and ticketing services, and other amenities to stage a full-scale concert.

There are no charges or entry fees for the Showcase, and performances are free and open to the public. All performers must be able to perform all aspects of their music live on stage, without assistance from backing tracks or electronic sequencing.

Audition dates are Monday and June 23. Each musician must send an audition packet containing basic details and a “no frills” tape or CD of their work. Packets can be found online at LPAT.org or by calling the theater at (816) 792-6130.