Latest news with #Conservatory
CBC
14-05-2025
- General
- CBC
The Palm House at Allan Gardens reopens after vital restoration work
After nearly three years of construction at the historic Allan Gardens Conservatory in Toronto, the Palm House reopened to the public featuring an array of greenery. CBC's Britnei Bilhete gives an inside look into the newly restored facilities.
Business Upturn
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
UMKC Publicly Announces Campaign For Conservatory Expansion
Kansas City, Missouri, April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory unveiled a significant expansion Tuesday of its campus home for music, dance and theatre. The plan includes a 35,000-square-foot addition to the Olson Performing Arts Center, adding crucial performance and rehearsal spaces in a striking glass- and light-filled addition on the east side of building that will stretch toward Volker Boulevard. Leaders of UMKC made the announcement at the 2025 Crescendo in Concert performance at the Kauffman Performing Arts Center and said they have raised about half of the $35 million needed for the first phase of the project. The new space will increase performance, classroom and collaboration opportunities for students and the Kansas City community. The announcement fittingly occurred at one of the Conservatory's premiere events of the year, Crescendo in Concert, an hourlong, non-stop performance featuring students from virtually every discipline. Many Kansas City leaders attended, underscoring the Conservatory's deep connections and strong support from the community. 'This project isn't just about bricks and mortar,' said UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal. 'It's about creating a space worthy of our students' talent. It's about giving our faculty the tools they need to teach and inspire. And on the practical side, it's also about building capacity – so we can welcome more students, more collaboration and more connection with the community.' Along with the plans, the university announced a substantial leadership pledge from the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation, as well as other gifts and support for the project. The university is about halfway to the $35 million goal for phase 1 of construction. 'The Conservatory is an integral resource for performing arts in the region and we believe that this project will further enhance their significant contribution to the Kansas City music and arts community,' Julia Dennie-Kauffman said. 'The Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation is proud to be a catalyst for progress, and we hope that others will join us in supporting this important project.' The UMKC Conservatory offers more than 35 academic programs in dance, music and theatre. The Conservatory attracts internationally renowned faculty, including composer Chen Yi, jazz musician Carl Allen, pianist Sean Chen and more. In addition to teaching, faculty conduct research and perform worldwide. The graduate program in costume design has frequently been recognized as one of the best in the nation. 'This project is about people, and every step we take is driven by a shared purpose,' said Conservatory Dean Courtney Crappell. 'We are entering a bold and inspiring new chapter for the Conservatory – one grounded in community, creativity and connection.' The expansion and renovation aims to attract new talent and increase enrollment, particularly in the dance and theatre programs. Additional classroom space will also support the newly created minor in integrated performing arts, which will make performing arts training available to students in other disciplines. With these facilities upgrades, the Conservatory estimates it could increase enrollment by up to 40%. The plan has two phases. Phase One includes the new addition which would house a large music ensemble performance and rehearsal space, two dance rehearsal rooms and support spaces for the dance program and a new, accessible black box performance space to be used by all three programs. The addition of the black box space will create a 'theatre district' complementing White Recital Hall, Spencer Theatre and the McIlrath Lobby. Phase Two involves the renovation of current facilities, including White Recital Hall. Renovations will increase classroom and theatre spaces and create a central hub for student resources and collaboration. Facility renovations will allow the spaces to be used in flexible ways, creating more opportunities for special events and performances. 'This project supports academics and the learning environment for our students, but it's much more than that,' Crappell said. 'We're investing in the cultural future of Kansas City – and in the next generation of artists whose art and performances will inspire us all.' The Conservatory prides itself on playing a vital role in the community, and community programming was a priority during planning. The expansion will increase current opportunities for the Kansas City community, including more summer camp and after-school lesson offerings, high school credit programs and competitions, master classes taught by Conservatory faculty, professional development for arts educators and expansion of the Conservatory Bridges program. The Bridges program provides exceptional young performers with the intensive, one-on-one instruction and experience necessary to prepare for auditions into selective university programs; the expansion will increase the number of K-12 students served from 80 to 500. Planning also includes more opportunities for students to take part in community-centered learning, bringing their skills to hospitals, schools, libraries, parks and more. Learn more about the Conservatory building plan and how you can get involved Attachments Rendering Concept 1 Rendering Concept 2 Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same.
India.com
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Sholay's Sambha's daughter is as glamorous and beautiful as any Bollywood actress, holds record for..., her name is...
Every character of the film Sholay, recorded in the history of Hindi cinema, still lives in the hearts of cinephiles. From Gabbar to Thakur, Jai-Veeru to Basanti-Radha and Sambha to Kalia, all these characters have made the film Sholay memorable with their acting. We will talk about actor Mac Mohan, who played the role of Sambha, who is no longer among us. When Gabbar asked Mac Mohan in the film, 'Hey O Sambha, how many men were there?', the answer was 'Sardar Do'. This dialogue is still on people's lips. Today, Mac is no longer among us, but this dialogue of his has become immortal. Now Mac's birth anniversary is coming on 24 April. Before that, we will talk about his daughter Manjari Makijany, who is earning a name here, away from the world of acting. Bollywood's Sambha has two daughters, Manjari and Vinati. Both the daughters of the actor are no less beautiful than any actress, but the actor's daughters did not choose the path of acting. Talking about Manjari, she lives in Los Angeles. Manjari is a writer and director. Manjari has worked not only in Bollywood but also in Hollywood. She has worked with Vishal Bhardwaj and Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan. She has also directed some short films. It is worth noting that in the year 2016, 8 women were selected for the AFI Conservatory's Women's Directing Workshop, in which her name was also included. She is the second Indian to participate in this workshop. Manjari has also shown her talent at the International Cannes Film Festival. In 2014, Manjari's short film The Corner Table was selected in the Emerging Filmmakers Showcase category of Cannes. She is the only Indian filmmaker to be selected in this category. In Bollywood, she has worked as an assistant for Saat Khoon Maaf, Wake Up Sid. Mac opened Mac Productions House, which she is managing. Talking about Viniti, she supports her sister. She is a producer as well as a writer. Apart from this, she is also a production designer and artist director. She is also the founder of 'The Mac Stage Company' and 'Living Grace Foundation'.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Simon Armitage ‘excited to be northerner' getting City of London freedom
Simon Armitage has said he is 'excited' to receive the freedom of the City of London, despite being a northerner all his life. The Poet Laurete, who was brought up in Marsden, West Yorkshire, attended the ceremony on Wednesday at the Barbican Centre's Conservatory, the first time it was held there. The Freedom ceremony is mostly held in the Chamberlain's Court at Guildhall or The Mansion House. Armitage's recognition was for 'his outstanding achievements in the written word and his enthusiastic promotion of poetry, in particular, to the younger generation'. He said: 'This is a wonderful and exciting honour. I'm a northerner and have lived in West Yorkshire all my life, but through poetry and all its different manifestations, London has become a home from home, the place I know best outside my own postcode. 'The city itself has always been something of a mystery to me until recent years when I've started exploring it more for work and pleasure. 'The freedom feels like an invitation to spend even more time in a place that feels truly historic yet determinedly futuristic, a sort of visa in my poetic passport. Thank you – expect me any moment.' Following the ceremony, the poet gave a reading of his works, and in addition two people from the Barbican's artist development programme recited an original poem inspired by his writing. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Simon Armitage (@simonarmitage_official) Armitage was appointed as Poet Laureate in May 2019, succeeding Scottish poet Dame Carol Ann Duffy. He is professor of poetry at the University of Leeds, and has written around 30 collections of poetry – starting with Zoom! in 1989. The former probation officer's work is studied by children as part of the national curriculum, and he most recently released Magnetic Field: The Marsden Poems in 2020 and Blossomise in 2024, a limited-edition collaboration with artist Angela Harding. Armitage, nominated for the Freedom by the recorder of London, his honour Mark Lucraft KC, and honorary secondary of London, Fiona Adler, from the Old Bailey, follows in the footsteps of comedian Sir Lenny Henry and British actor, musician and filmmaker Giles Terera. Mr Lucraft said: 'As prolific and versatile as he is popular and accessible, Simon Armitage is one of our finest poets – now, almost six years into the historic position of Poet Laureate – and also a talented musician, playwright, and novelist. 'It has given my colleague, Fiona Adler, and I tremendous pleasure to support his admission into the Freedom, which is richly deserved, and we hope that he will have fond memories of his ceremony for many years to come.' Armitage has translated major classic texts, including the Odyssey and medieval romances Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, written non-fiction work Walking Home: Travels With A Troubadour On The Pennine Way and is the frontman of the ambient post-rock band LYR. For the Platinum Jubilee, Armitage wrote a poem, Queenhood, to mark the late Queen's 70 years of service, and when she died he put out Floral Tribute in remembrance of her reign. The tradition of the freedom of the city is believed to date back to 1237.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Brutalist Barbican unveils plans for biggest renewal since it opened in 1982
The Barbican Centre has unveiled a £230 million plan for the biggest overhaul of its famous Brutalist concrete spaces since its was opened in 1982. The arts complex in the heart of the City has launched a public consultation on the proposals to fix 'significant deterioration' of many of the Grade II listed structures, upgrade ageing building systems, and open up underused spaces in time for its 50th anniversary. The centre, designed by architects Chamberlin, Powell and Bon, was constructed on London's biggest post-war bombsite and hailed by Queen Elizabeth II at its 1982 opening, as 'one of the wonders of the modern world.' Its two theatres, three cinemas, two art galleries, tropical conservatory, restaurants and cafes attract around two million visitors a year. The City of London Corporation has already pledged a £191 million contribution which represents around 80% of the estimated £231 million total cost of the first five-year phase of works. A major fundraising campaign for will be launched later this year to make up a £50 million shortfall. The plans include a major overhaul of the centre's 'dark and gloomy' foyers and 'confusing, inconsistent' public areas 'to create flexible, inclusive spaces that bring art and performance out into the heart of the Barbican Centre.' There will also be improvements to lighting, decluttering, new facilities and upgrades to doors and lifts. The Lakeside area will be repaved to prevent leaking, and the fountains upgraded so they work properly and 'provide passive cooling to help mitigate growing summer temperatures.' There will also be new planting to boost biodiversity and lighting and glazing improvements will reduce energy use and bring the building back to its best. Plans to revitalise the huge Conservatory will fix leaks that damage the theatre below, repair broken planters and restore the currently closed arid house. Despite being the biggest glasshouse built in London in the twentieth century its poor state of repair means the Conservatory is currently only regularly open to the public on Sundays and only 30% is fully accessible. The repairs will allo free The plans have been drawn up by architects Allies and Morrison with Asif Khan Studio, and engineers Buro Happold. Landscape designers Harris Bugg Studio have been appointed to overhaul the Conservatory planting scheme. Philippa Simpson, director of buildings and renewal at the Barbican, said: 'The Barbican has always been about Renewal, a beacon of an optimistic future in the wake of the Second World War. 'This project is rooted in the vision and ambition of its founders, to reimagine what an arts centre can be in the 21st century, a vital, creative space for everyone. 'This consultation is crucial to ensuring the plans reflect the needs of audiences, while celebrating the history and heritage of this special site. Oliver Heywood, director at Allies and Morrison, said: 'The Barbican is one of London's most iconic spaces. Our goal is to honour the centre's original bold architectural legacy, while making it more inclusive, sustainable, and fit for the future.' It is hoped that planning consent will be granted later this year with construction starting in 2027. Further phases will focus on renovating and modernising other parts of the Barbican site.
