Event to celebrate music of Bach

The Greater Kansas City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will have its 26th annual Bachathon, a celebration of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, from 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. today at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, 13th and Broadway, Kansas City, Mo.

Admission is free and open to the public.

Organists featured in the program are: John Ditto, professor of organ at the University of Missouri-Kansas City; Jieun Kim Newland, Curdy organ scholar at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral; Ernest Oelkers, principal organist at Village Presbyterian Church; Sharon L. Hettinger, director of music and organist at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church; Barry Wenger, organist at Central United Methodist Church; Ann Marie Rigler, professor and college organist at William Jewell; Kevin Vogt, director of Schola Cantorum, St. Cecilia’s Cathedral, Omaha; William T. Stewart, organist/director at Immanuel Lutheran Church; Rick Deasley, director of worship arts and organist, Trinity Lutheran Church; and O. Wayne Smith, music director/organist at Faith Lutheran Church.

For more information, e-mail dinapevans@sbcglobal.net or call 843-2090.

Performance to benefit cancer research

Genuine Imitation, an 11-member Kansas University a cappella mixed ensemble, will present a program of vocal selections at 8 p.m. Monday at the Granada, 1020 Mass., to benefit cancer research. Proceeds from the $5 ticket price will be donated to Relay for Life.

The group’s varied repertoire includes oldies, choral works, rock, carols and traditional arrangements, with music from “Ave Maria” and KU fight songs to selections by the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Five for Fighting, Elliot Lurie, The Nylons, Desree, Evanescence, Fastball and others spanning several generations and a multitude of sounds.

The show is one of several Genuine Imitation philanthropic activities for Relay for Life events in May. The group will participate with musical performances and walking for 12 consecutive hours to benefit cancer research in Relay for Life 6 p.m.-6 a.m. May 6 and 7 at KU’s Memorial Stadium.

John Paul Johnson, professor of music and dance at KU, is the group’s faculty sponsor.

For more information about upcoming auditions or events, go to www.genuineimitation.org.

KU professor to perform at recital

The works of composers Sondheim, Bernstein and Ives will be the focus of a faculty recital by mezzo-soprano Joyce Castle, professor of voice at Kansas University, at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Swarthout Recital Hall.

Mark Ferrell will be at the piano.

New York City Opera recently presented Castle with the Christopher Keene Award for her portrayal of Madame de Croissy in Poulenc’s “Dialogues of the Carmelites.”

Music ensemble to present ‘Nuclear’

Contemporary chamber music ensemble newEar will present “Nuclear,” at 8 p.m. Thursday at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 1307 Holmes St., and 5 p.m. May 8 at Unity Temple on the Plaza in Kansas City, Mo.

The performance will feature “Sextet” by Krzysztof Penderecki.

Tickets for “Nuclear” are $18 for adults and $8 for students with an ID. For more information, call (888) 286-4849.

Crafts, artwork to be showcased

Ladies of Lawrence Artwork will showcase crafts and artwork from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at Crafty and Co., 918 Mass.

The showing features jewelry design, printmaking, clothing and fine art. Participants in the third LOLA event include Kristen Ferrell, Kendra Herring, Molly Murphy, Kylie Grater, Kate Von Achen, Whitney Jacobs, Andiy Sullivan, Sara Rich and Erica Harper.

For more information, contact Grater at 865-9907 or kygrater@yahoo.com.

Author to sign novel about college life

Jeremy Iversen, author of the coming-of-age novel “21,” described as “a Catcher in the Rye for Generation Y,” will discuss his book from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Traditions Lounge at the Kansas Union.

Based on the author’s real-life experiences, “21” is a novel about events leading up to one young man’s 21st birthday, traditionally celebrated with downing 21 drinks. The novel’s central character begins to wonder how he came to his school and what he really wants out of life.

Iversen began writing the book during his freshman year at college, continued to work on it during the next four years, and completed it shortly after graduation. He then entered the New York publishing world and took the manuscript through several agents and editors, an experience into which he offers a unique perspective for aspiring authors or students considering entering the literary field.