FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / April 4, 2006
Contact: Andy Graham, Communications Manager
Mid-America Arts Alliance
andy@maaa.org
Phone: 816-421-1388

Mid-America Arts Alliance Adds Cool Jazz to Hot Monthly Events
New concert series will coincide with First Fridays in the Crossroads Arts District

Kansas City, MO—From May through October, one of Kansas City’s hottest monthly events, First Fridays in the Crossroads Arts District, will get a cool new addition—Mid-America Arts Alliance Presents: Just Jazz. The free, six-part concert series, presented by Mid-America with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, will take place on the first Friday of each month from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Mid-America Arts Alliance Presents: Just Jazz will be staged across from Mid-America’s new headquarters at 2018 Baltimore Avenue in the Crossroads Arts District. Performers for the Just Jazz concerts will include four members of Mid-America’s performing artist registry—Alaadeen & group 21 (May 5), The Doug Talley Quartet (June 2), The TurpinTyme Ragsters (July 7), and Susie Thorne (October 6)—as well as Dan Kozak from Topeka (August 4) and The Sons of Brasil from Kansas City (September 1).

“We are very excited to offer a new performing arts opportunity to everyone who attends First Fridays, especially since we’re new to the neighborhood,” says Amy Zoe Schonoff, Mid-America’s New Ventures Coordinator and Just Jazz organizer. “These performances will add an exciting new dimension to the monthly Crossroads events and introduce Kansas City arts enthusiasts to our performing arts programs.”

After more than 30 years in downtown Kansas City, Mid-America moved in March 2005 to its new headquarters at 2018 Baltimore in the heart of Kansas City’s Crossroads Arts District. Mid-America is currently conducting a $2.1 million capital campaign to fully purchase and renovate the building. When completed, a multipurpose Culture Lab will provide Mid-America with a venue in which to stage diverse programming for local audiences.

Mid-America’s mission is to enrich communities through cultural experiences. Founded in 1972, the organization is governed by a board of directors drawn from its partner states of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. Additional major support for Mid-America is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, participant state arts agencies, and leading foundations and corporations. For further information, visit the website at www.maaa.org.

###