A look at April events, performances, and exhibits in Joplin

The hustle and bustle of Joplin never stops! Connect 2 Culture released their April events, performances, and exhibits schedule.

April 4: Speed Networking, 6:00–8:00pm at the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, Beshore Performance Hall (212 W 7th St). Are you a Joplin arts and cultural organization representative? Do you want to put names to new faces and make meaningful connections? Connect2Culture’s Speed Networking event is the place to do just that! Participants will have the chance to meet nearly everyone in the room at this Connect2Culture Roundtable. Come prepared to tell your organization’s story and brainstorm potential collaborations with your creative peers. Light appetizers and beverages will be served. This event is meant for representatives of arts and cultural organizations in the Joplin area. Registration required.. Free and open to arts and cultural organizations. More information: Lauren Brown, info@connect2culture.org, (417) 501-5550.

April 7: The Reminders, 7:00pm (doors 6:30pm) at the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, Beshore Performance Hall (212 W 7th St). The Reminders are a remarkable musical duo that seamlessly blend soulful sounds and roots music with insightful messages and thoughtful lyrics. With a unique mashup of razor sharp rhymes, raw vocals, reggae-tinged hip- hop beats, and inspiring themes, these musicians present high energy shows that uplift audiences and leave them wanting more. This performance is part of Connect2Culture’s Curtains Up Series 2022–2023. Doors open at 6:30pm. Tickets may be purchased at connect2culture.org, by calling (417) 501-5550, or at the C2C box office inside the Cornell Complex (Tue–Sat, 1 5pm). Tickets: $25–$35. More information: Lauren Brown, info@connect2culture.org, (417) 501-5550.

April 8: Market Egg Hunt, 10:00am–2:00pm at Joplin Empire Market (931 E 4th St). Celebrate Easter weekend with the Joplin Empire Market! Along with all of the usual vendors, patrons can enjoy a few fun activities. Throughout the day, kids and adults alike can search through the market to find hidden eggs—all will have small treats and a lucky few golden eggs will containdebit tokens that can be redeemed for merchandise at any vendor booth. Patrons can also decorate beautiful paper eggs to take home and display! Free and open to the public. More information: Ivy Hagedorn, ivy@downtownjoplin.com, (928) 514-7713.

April 13–16: Seussical JR., 7:00pm (Sundays 2:30pm) at Stained Glass Theatre Joplin (2101 Annie Baxter Ave). Stained Glass Theatre Joplin’s latest production, Seussical JR., is a fantastical musical extravaganza where classic Dr. Suess characters spring to life onstage. The Cat in the Hat narrates the story of Horton the Elephant, who discovers a speck of dust containing tiny people called the Whos. Horton must protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, and he must also guard an abandoned egg that’s been left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Tickets can be purchased online at sgtjoplin.square.site. Tickets: Adults $10, Children (ages 4-14) $5, Children ages 3 and under admitted for free. More information: Amanda Klein, amanda@sgtjoplin.com.

April 16: Board Game Night, 4:00–9:00pm at Bookhouse Cinema (715 E Broadway St). Nothing brings people together quite like a board game! Head to Bookhouse Cinema to play a variety of games, including card and board games as well as cooperative and competitive games, with members of Joplin Board Games. Bring your own game or choose from a wide selection. Plus, get 10% off all food and drink at Bookhouse’s pub! Free and open to the public. More information: Glenn Dikeman, joplinboardgames@gmail.com.

April 20: Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Wind Ensemble, 7:00pm at the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, Beshore Performance Hall (212 W 7th St). Pro Musical’s 43rd season finale features the Wind Ensemble of the famed Academy of St. Martin in the Fields with pianist Caroline Palmer! The ensemble will present beautiful music from the wind and piano repertoire, with works by Mozart, Beethoven, Poulenc, and Reinecke. This performance is part of Pro Musical’s 2022-23 series. Free and open to the public; donations appreciated. More information: Emlyn Johnson, info@promusicajoplin.org, (417) 625-1822.

April 22: Art in the Park, 10:00am–1:00pm at George Washington Carver National Monument (5646 Carver Rd, Diamond, MO). Celebrating George Washington Carver’s love for art, this annual event features local artists at work across George Washington Carver National Monument’s grounds. See plein air artists set up along the trail; participate in hands-on art workshops, including some featuring natural dyes, rock painting, flower prints, and more; hear from featured artist and guest speaker Linda Jarvis Teeter; explore the commemorative artwork along the trail during Casting A Legacy – An Outdoor Art Walk; see images of George Washington Carver’s artwork; and more! Free and open to the public. More information: Sarah Martin, GWCA_Interpretation@nps.gov, (417) 325-4151.

April 24 – 25: Two Dumb Dogs: The Amazing Adventures of Ferdo and Floof Auditions, 6:00–8:00pm at Stained Glass Theatre Joplin (2101 Annie Baxter Ave). Audition to be in Stained Glass Theatre Joplin’s next production, Two Dumb Dogs: The Amazing Adventures of Ferdo and Floof! Ferdo and Floof are two not-very bright dogs well, at least not to your average fifth grader. The dogs strongly desire to break the rules of their owner, Roger, and are constantly getting into trouble in the process. Ferdo and Floof decide to run away and seek fame and fortune on their own. Despite the warnings of a wise old owl, they enter the enchanted forest. There, they encounter a cursed prince who has been turned to stone by Queen Malevella; a hapless poodle, Mimi, who is a minion of the queen; the legendary Dog Shouter; and finally, the terribly wicked queen herself. Ferdo and Floof must rally their brainpower to release the prince and escape from the queen’s dungeon. For a list of available roles, visit sgtjoplin.square.site. Performance runs Thursday–Sunday, June 15–25. Free and open to the public. More information: Amanda Klein, amanda@sgtjoplin.com.

April 27: Open Mic Night, 7:00–9:30pm at Joplin Avenue Coffee Company (506 S Joplin Ave). Musicians, singers, poets! Looking to showcase your talent? Look no further than Joplin Avenue Coffee Company’s Open Mic Nights. Performers are each allotted five to eight minutes per set. Two vocal mics, a quarter inch plug in for guitar/piano, and an aux cable will be available. To sign up early, message them at facebook.com/joplinavecoffeeco. All ages welcome! Free and open to the public. More information: Autumn Zimmerman, autumn@joplinavenuecoffeecompany.com, (417) 483-5558.

April 29: Piano Battle, 7:00pm (doors 6:30pm) at the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, Beshore Performance Hall (212 W 7th St). The brainchild of internationally accomplished pianists Andreas Kern and Paul Cibis, the Piano Battle pins the duo head-to-head on stage. The two artists, with distinctly different performance styles, take turns performing pieces by famous composers or improvise based on requested tunes. At the end of each round, audience members cast their votes to decide the winner. Part serious classical recital, part tongue-in-cheek performance, the Piano Battle is a unique concert that pleases both the ear and the eye! This performance is part of Connect2Culture’s Curtains Up Series 2022–2023. Doors open at 6:30pm. Tickets may be purchased at connect2culture.org, by calling (417) 501-5550, or at the C2C box office inside the Cornell Complex (Tue–Sat, 1–5pm). Tickets: $30–$40. More information: Lauren Brown, info@connect2culture.org, (417) 501-5550.

April 1–30: Looking Back by Philip Ledbetter at Club 609 (609 S Main St). Good food and great art—what more could you ask for? See an exhibit that explores Philip Ledbetter’s first decade of being an artist and grab a bite to eat, all at Club 609! Free and open to the public. More information: Stacey Stotts Cobb, (417) 529-9612.

You can see the complete list of Connect 2 Culture events here.