Connect2Culture’s April schedule includes a variety of musical performances at the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex. Here’s what you’ll find:

THE REMINDERS

      The band’s lead singer, Samir, built his musical portfolio from some of life’s toughest lessons. “I grew up in the Congo and immigrated to this country to remind myself, my family and my friends dreams can come true,” he said. “Some of my early challenges became my biggest assets for my creativity and gave me endless inspiration.”

     For example, the band’s song, Dreams Come True, and its chorus: All praise due, Peace be with you, Regardless where you’re from, Or what you’ve been through, Tap into your higher self and make your dreams come true” is an anthem for those to move forward after a difficult period. 

     Samir said the band is a family affair; his wife plays guitar and their three children are part of the band and the crew. “It gives them skills they will use in their futures when it comes to meeting people easily and using their creativity in tough situations.” They have enjoyed playing the big venues like the Apollo and the Red Rocks, and they’re looking forward to coming to Joplin.

Want to go?

The Reminders
April 7, 2023
7 p.m.
Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, Beshore Performance Hall
Tickets: $25-$35
Series: Curtains Up Series

 

*C2C and MSSU are collaborating to have them offer a workshop at MSSU the day before that is open to the public.

Miss Jubilee and the Yas Yas Boys is a St. Louis band that specializes in early blues, jazz and hokum. Vocalist Miss Jubilee (aka Valerie Kirchhoff) leads the group, paying homage to the female blues singers of the 1920s and ‘30s and to the rich musical heritage of St. Louis. 

“I can’t remember what age I was when my mother put me in the church choirs, which led me to join all of the choirs I could in school,” Kirchhoff said. “I remember observing my older sisters going to the library and bringing back records to listen to and browsing albums at record shops to find something new. It was rarely about hearing the latest band but more about finding anything we had never heard before. Because of this, I formed the same habits and listened to as much music as I could, purely to see if I liked it or not.”

Kirchhoff heard an album of Bessie Smith that showed her there was a wealth of female singers from the ‘20s and ‘30s, and she began to study and learn the music of these greats.

“Having a band was something I had always dreamed of,” she said. “But focusing on obscure singers from a different time can be difficult. I use pro players and they are really committed to the vision of the band. Every musician has an important role in getting this music right. We are all so fortunate to play with one another and the support from our hometown of St. Louis is a really big deal to us.”

Kirchhoff is thrilled every time she does a show. “What I love the most is that you don’t have to do anything to these songs and they can still feel relatable and they become a way to converse and have a good time with new people,” she said. “We’re looking forward to sharing the music with Joplin.”

Want to go?

Miss Jubilee & The Yas Yas Boys
April 22, 2023
7 p.m.
Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, Beshore Performance Hall
Tickets: $20
Series: Cornell Series

PIANO BATTLEa

     Paul Cibis and Andreas Kern may be the dueling pianists, but it’s the audience who will be the star of the show when they vote to determine which of these two accomplished musicians win the piano battle. 

     And you know the show is going to be lively when you check out their website for a preview performance, marvel at the music and decide to look at the dropdown menu of merchandise available for sale: CD, t-shirt and ear plugs (they really do sell them). This playful approach will be the theme to their evening’s entertainment, something they’ve been sharing with audiences around the world and to much acclaim. 

     Educated in Hanover, Berlin, and London, Paul Cibis has performed on five continents and has been invited to international festivals, featured in radio and television programs around the world and has released several albums.

     Andreas Kern studied in Cologne and Berlin. As a soloist and chamber musician, he has extensive experience abroad and has always worked to present classical music in unconventional ways. He is proud to say those efforts have successfully drawn a much wider and younger audience than traditional classical concerts.

Both pianists define ‘concert’ in unique terms. Cibis said, “A concert is a time for the audience to enjoy the beauty of classical music, though not necessarily in a traditional format.” And Kern said, “A concert is the opportunity to make new and interesting musical experience and to go home with the feeling that you did not only have a great time but have also expanded your artistic horizon.”

Want to go?

Piano Battle
April 29, 2023
7 p.m.
Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, Beshore Performance Hall
Tickets: $30-$40
Series: Curtains Up Series t in available online or by bookings