SNARKY PUPPY And NAPOLEON DYNAMITE to Screen At The Kauffman Center

Today, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts announced two performances in the 2018-2019 Kauffman Center Presents series.

Snarky Puppy brings its exploratory blend of jazz, funk and rock to Muriel Kauffman Theatre on June 11. Praised by NPR Music for being "big, rich and funky," Snarky Puppy has earned three GRAMMY Awards. Tickets for this event range from $29 to $79 plus applicable fees and go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 7.

Fans of the classic indie film Napoleon Dynamite will have a chance to see its characters live on June 28 in Muriel Kauffman Theatre. This unique evening includes a full screening of Napoleon Dynamite, followed by a freewheeling moderated discussion with cast members Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite), Efren Ramirez (Pedro) and John Gries (Uncle Rico). Tickets for the event range from $29 to $129 plus applicable fees and go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 7. VIP tickets include premium seating and a meet-and-greet with the actors.

Tickets will be available through the Kauffman Center Box Office at (816) 994-7222, via the Kauffman Center mobile app, or online at www.kauffmancenter.org.

Snarky Puppy features a wide-ranging collection of more than 30 musicians known as "The Fam," centered around bassist, composer and bandleader Michael League. Each live performance highlights a rotating cast of about a dozen musicians, ensuring every show is different. The group has earned GRAMMY Awards for Best R&B Performance (2014) and Best Contemporary Instrumental Album (2016, 2017). Formed in Denton, Texas in 2004, Snarky Puppy has grown to represent musical cultures from around the world.

Snarky Puppy's website

The beloved indie classic Napoleon Dynamite (2004) hit theaters almost 15 years ago. Since then much has changed; but the characters, as enduring as they are endearing, stay in our hearts. "Napoleon Dynamite" (Jon Heder) comes from the rural town of Preston, Idaho. He is a new kind of hero with his red 'fro, sweet moon boots and stellar ninja moves. When Napoleon isn't fighting with his brother Kip (Aaron Ruell), trying to avoid his conniving Uncle Rico (John Gries), or feeding his Grandma's pet llama, he spends his time drawing magical creatures. After making two new friends, Deb (TINA MAJORINO) and Pedro (Efren Ramirez), it's Napoleon's job to get Pedro elected class president by unleashing his secret weapon. Appealing to the inner-teenager in each of us, the story, and more importantly the dialogue, makes Napoleon Dynamite one of the most quoted movies for its generation.

The Kauffman Center Presents series features extraordinary and diverse artists from a variety of musical genres and performance styles. Upcoming events include:

2018-2019 Kauffman Center Presents events:

• Wednesday, December 12 - George Winston - 7 p.m., Helzberg Hall
• January 8-9 - National Geographic Live: Social By Nature - 7:30 p.m., Muriel Kauffman Theatre
• Saturday, January 12 - Live from Here with Chris Thile - 4:45 p.m., Muriel Kauffman Theatre
• Tuesday, February 19 - National Geographic Live: Life On The Vertical - 7:30 p.m., Muriel Kauffman Theatre
• Wednesday, March 13 - Anoushka Shankar - 7 p.m., Helzberg Hall
• Tuesday, March 19 - National Geographic Live: When Women Ruled The World - 7:30 p.m., Muriel Kauffman Theatre
• Saturday, March 30 - The Summit: The Manhattan Transfer Meets Take 6 - 7:30 p.m., Muriel Kauffman Theatre
• Tuesday, April 30 - National Geographic Live: Day To Night - 7:30 p.m., Muriel Kauffman Theatre
• Tuesday, June 4 - National Geographic Live: Adventures Among Orangutans - 7:30 p.m., Muriel Kauffman Theatre
• Tuesday, June 11 - Snarky Puppy - 7:30 p.m., Muriel Kauffman Theatre
• Friday, June 28 - Napoleon Dynamite: A Conversation with Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite), Efren Ramirez (Pedro) and John Gries (Uncle Rico) - 7:30 p.m., Muriel Kauffman Theatre

*Events announced to date. Additional performances will be announced throughout the 2018-2019 season. Updates are available at www.kauffmancenter.org/events-tickets/kauffman-center-presents/.

Photo credit: Stella K

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