Crowded fall arts calendar in Columbia features Roots N Blues, One Read and abundant art
Fall in Columbia arrives with a serious uptick in cultural activity.
Artists and organizations who laid low during summer's dog days restart their motion; and those who churned through the past few months just keep the rhythm going.
Big-name artists, favorite festivals and exciting exhibit pairings await. Here's a brief glance at what's ahead, with more of the calendar waiting to be filled in.
September: Lucinda Williams, One Read and a host of artful exhibits
All month: Pata Rajada at George Caleb Bingham Gallery: The work of the late, Mexican-born artist David Cuatlacuatl arrives on the University of Missouri campus in an exhibit curated by his brother. The work is informed by the artist's "experience growing up as an undocumented immigrant and coping with the notions of adaptability and constantly reinventing oneself as a mode of diasporic survival," according to a gallery description. https://visualstudies.missouri.edu/gallery/bingham/
All month: Sager Reeves Gallery September Exhibit: Each monthly exhibit at the Walnut Street gallery commends itself, but September's edition pairs the gallery's namesake owners — Joel Sager and Hannah Reeves — with dynamic artists Justin Allen and Kensuke Yamada. https://sagerreevesgallery.com/
All month: One Read events: Each September, Daniel Boone Regional Library hosts a month-long series of events pulling at threads and emphasizing themes in its One Read selection. This year, the library system and community members draw out the colorful ideas within M.O. Walsh's novel "The Big Prize" through an art exhibit, tarot readings, John Prine listening party, author talk with Walsh and much more. https://oneread.dbrl.org/
9 Cadence at the Montminy Gallery: A terrific pairing of local artists defines this exhibit with John Fennell and Cristina Núñez showing works on paper. Runs through Nov. 6. https://www.themontminygallery.org/exhibitions
13 Repeat at Columbia Art League: In this group exhibit, artists will examine how repetition plays a part in their making, "often adding deeper and nuanced meaning to the work," according to the CAL website. Runs through Oct. 20. https://columbiaartleague.org/
22 Pat Bianchi Trio at Rose Park: The veteran musician kicks off the 2022-23 "We Always Swing" Jazz Series season with his organ-guitar-drums configuration. Dubbed "one of the monster Hammond B3 organists on today's scene" by AllAboutJazz, Bianchi has done his own thing and played with the likes of Joey DeFrancesco and Pat Martino. $10-$20. https://www.wealwaysswing.org/season/2022-2023/
28 Lucinda Williams at The Blue Note: One of the true royals of American roots music, Williams' songs combine the bitter and sweet, the ragged and redemptive. Her most recent record, 2020's "Good Souls Better Angels" is "a remarkable piece of work that proudly and nakedly puts Williams' heart and soul on display," AllMusic's Mark Deming wrote. $35-$55. https://thebluenote.com/
29-Oct. 2 "Side by Side" at Stephens College: The standout Stephens performing arts program offers a lovely gaze at Sondheim, which includes selections from the likes of "Company," "Follies," "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" and more. $10-$18. https://www.stephens.edu/box-office/
October: Roots N Blues returns; a number of promising theater options
3 Mindy McGinnis at Skylark Bookshop: Ohio-based novelist McGinnis recently won the Missouri Gateway Award for the novel "Heroine"; the book, which revolves around a hobbled young athlete tempted by painkillers, won on the basis of votes from readers in grades nine through 12. McGinnis will discuss the work at Skylark. https://www.skylarkbookshop.com/
7 The Evolution of the African American Spiritual: Finale at First Baptist Church: Billed as "the culmination" of an impressive series of concerts spanning several years, the Odyssey Chamber Music Series teams with a serious list of performers and scholars to trace the arc of Black music in America. The lineup includes Brandon Boyd, Maya Gibson, Jolie Rocke and Marques Jerrell Ruff. $10-$20. https://www.odysseymissouri.org/
7-9 Roots N Blues festival at Stephens Lake Park: Roots N Blues returns with an exciting array of headliners, including Wilco, Jon Batiste, Chaka Khan and Old Crow Medicine Show. Artists such as Cautious Clay, The Steeldrivers, Kassi Ashton and Hippo Campus — as well as strong local talent — round out the lineup. Pass options vary. https://rootsnbluesfestival.com/
13-16, 20-23 and 27-30 "No Sex Please, We're British" at Columbia Entertainment Company: Everyone needs a good farce in their theater diet; now more than 50 years old, this British offering follows a young married couple who unwittingly orders an increasingly ridiculous amount of pornography. $12-$20. http://www.cectheatre.org/
14-16, 20-23 "Murder Ballad" at Talking Horse Productions: Writers Julia Jordan and Juliana Nash crafted this musical love triangle about a woman choosing between two men, and between stability and something wilder. $15-$17. https://www.talkinghorseproductions.org/
30 Terell Stafford All-Star Quintet at Murry's: The seasoned jazz trumpeter has bent experiences and notes from playing with the likes of Bobby Watson and McCoy Tyner into his own dynamic artistic voice. $20-$47. https://www.wealwaysswing.org/season/2022-2023/
November: Columbia Experimental Music Festival and a jazz gem
3-6 Columbia Experimental Music Festival: Led by local music and art collective Dismal Niche, this festival unites innovative musicians across genre. This year's lineup includes Godspeed You! Black Emperor, RAP Ferreira, Marisa Anderson and more. Ticket options vary. https://cargocollective.com/dismalniche
13 Bill Charlap Trio at Murry's: The jazz pianist owns a remarkable touch, and applies it both to his own band and collaborations with the likes of Tony Bennett, Houston Person and his wife, pianist Renee Rosnes. $20-$47. https://www.wealwaysswing.org/season/2022-2023/
Aarik Danielsen is the features and culture editor for the Tribune. Contact him at adanielsen@columbiatribune.com or by calling 573-815-1731. Find him on Twitter @aarikdanielsen.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Roots N Blues, One Read and more on full fall arts calendar
