Winter Carnival was a success!

A big thanks to all who attended and volunteered last weekend for the Gladstone Winter Carnival. It was great to see all the cuties getting their picture taken with Santa Claus! A warm thank you to Gladstone Applebee's who donated and gave out free, delicious hot chocolate to the community. 3Girls Cupcakes food truck was another great addition to the festivities! Many children had a great time jumping in the bounce house or playing carnival games.  The bounce house was donated for the evening from the Gladstone, Independent Order of the Odd Fellows a local independent Fraternal organization. Ice skaters were serenaded by Dickens Carolers and the Northland Community Choir. We will definitely be planning on making this an annual event for Linden Square! We would love to hear from you if you came out to our event. How can we make it better and what did you love?! Feel free to comment below. 

Here are a few pictures of the evening.

Winter Carnival is this Saturday!

This Saturday, December 15th from 4-8 PM come and enjoy a festive Winter Carnival in Gladstone! The City is very excited to host this seasonal event at our new and beautiful Linden Square, located at 70th and North Cherry. Savor the sounds of the season with performances by nostalgic Dickens Carolers and the Northland Community Choir. There will be carnival games, ice skating, a bounce house and much more. You are sure to find something fun for the whole family!! For only $2.00 you can get your picture taken and printed on site with Santa Claus from 5-7 PM. (Please note that photo's with Santa will be a cash only exchange). We look forward to seeing you as we celebrate the holiday season in Gladstone! For more information please contact artsinfo@gladstone.mo.us

Revealed: New Works by Christina Prestidge

On Friday, November 30th from 5:30-7:30 PM, the Gladstone Arts Commission will host an art opening for new works by Christina Prestidge at the Gladstone Community Center, located at 6901 N. Holmes. Kansas City based visual artist Christina Prestidge utilizes fiber, painting, and sculpting techniques to create her unique works of art. Prestidge uses mostly translucent materials, Mylar and mono-filament, which are painted and dipped in acrylics to create her captivating works. By taking painting not only outside the restrictions of the canvas, but into the detailed realm of crocheting, knitting, knotting, and basket weaving, Prestidge has been able to create a unique language that is all her own. Christina has twice been awarded with a prestigious studio residency from Charlotte Street Foundation’s Urban Culture Project. The Arts Commission is thrilled to bring her exciting body of work to the Gladstone Community Center.

If you have any questions please contact artsinfo@gladstone.mo.us

Tis' the Season!!

Last evening the City of Gladstone came together for a wonderful celebration of tradition, family and Christmas cheer! Marking our annual celebration the city pulled out all the stops! Last night our community came together with the sounds of Antioch Middle School and Oak Hill Day School, complimentary hot chocolate and cookies, free ice skating, thousands of lights and fireworks to top it all off! The lighting of the Mayors Christmas tree is held every year in order to raise money for the Mayor's Christmas tree fund. This fund supports various causes for the Northland and has been blessing Gladstone for years. Last night our community graciously donated over $14,000 dollars! A big thank you again to all who showed their support, helped out and celebrated the start to a wonderful 2012 holiday season!! You can see a recap of our fabulous night in all the images below.  

Lighting of the Mayor's Christmas Tree!

Tonight, tonight!! The City of Gladstone is proud to be hosting the first official event in our new and beautiful Linden Square. Mayor Carol Suter will be keeping tradition in Gladstone with our annual Mayor's Christmas Tree lighting! This year we have gone above and beyond to include all the community in our new and exciting Linden Square, located at 70th and N. Cherry. The festivities will all begin around 6 PM and will include FREE ice skating on our new synthetic ice rink. Skates will be provided through the city. Christmas carolers, hot chocolate and even fireworks will be part of tonight's holiday ceremony. We look forward to seeing our whole community out this beautiful November day! If you have any questions please call 816-423-4200 you can also click here for more details.

A new season of Art in Gladstone!

This Friday evening's art opening will mark the first in our new season of rotating art exhibitions at the Gladstone Community Center. We are very excited to be starting our season with an amazing opening of new work by photographer Mike Sinclair. This opening is not only celebrating new work by the acclaimed artist, but also the success of 25 years for Gladstone Theatre In the Park. Mike Sinclair, who has been featured in numerous collections, museum's and even on the cover of Time Magazine has captured the intimate look at our successful community theater. He has followed the process of this 25th season from start to finish in stunning photographs. He attended rehearsals, band practices and opening nights to artistically capture perhaps the unseen of the staged ensembles. Mr. Sinclair is just the first of our exciting artist lined up for 2012/2013 season. Art works will range in all mediums. We are very excited to be moving the opening from Tuesday's to Friday evenings! This will allow more art lovers to come out and see new and inspiring art from local and regional artist. We look forward to seeing all of you there as we honor and enjoy great art in this terrific community!

Click Here for more info!

Celebrating 25 years of Gladstone Theatre in the Park!!

This Saturday marks the 25th Anniversary Season of Gladstone Theatre in the Park! 

     In the summer of 1988, on a plywood stage, Gladstone Theatre in the Park presented its first show, Oliver! That first season was performed without a band, dressing rooms, or programs. Now, more than 100 performances later, Gladstone Theatre in the Park is very happy to invite you to celebrate their 25th year! The party, themed “We are Family”, will start at 5:30 PM. There will be lots of family friendly activities, such as face painting, karaoke and free ice cream compliments of Kemps Ice Cream. A ceremony honoring all of those who have ever been involved in a show, both cast and crew will begin at 7:30 PM followed by Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The celebration will end with a magnificent fireworks display.

     Everyone is invited to come together, reflect on our past and toast to another wonderful 25 years of community theater. We look forward to celebrating with you!

So, to give some well deserved homage to the years gone by, below are few items that are definitely a flash from the past!

Art Opening: Dale Grosbach

Dale Grosbach is a consultant by trade but he will tell you that his true passions can be found in both his family and the photographs that he captures. On Tuesday, August 7th, the Gladstone Arts Commission along with the Gladstone Community Center will be hosting an opening for Dale Grosbach's photography work. Dale will be exhibiting for the first time and has chosen a wide variety of subject matter to reveal his talent. His eye has captured stunning images from all over the world, including memorable images of Kansas City's landscapes. If you enjoy crisp and beautiful photographs... you will love this show! 
     Please join us for an evening of art connecting with community. The opening will be held from 5:30-7:30 PM at the Gladstone Community Center located at 6901 N. Holmes.

If you have any questions please contact artsinfo@gladstone.mo.us

 Here are a few sneak peaks of Grosbach's work!

Well...HELLO DOLLY!

 

     It's finally here!! Opening night for the 25th Anniversary Season of Gladstone Theatre in the Park. The first show is Hello Dolly, which will run consecutively for the next three nights starting with tonight's opening performance. Hello Dolly is the enchanting story of a well known matchmaker, Dolly Levi, and all her antics in New York City during the turn of the century. This beloved musical will begin at 8:30 pm. on all three nights (July 6th, 7th and 8^th) at the Gladstone Amphitheatre in Oak Grove Park. All productions are FREE to the public so come early and grab a great spot. This year Gladstone Theatre in the Park is holding a raffle for the "Best Seat in the House"! You can click HERE for all the details; winners will receive prizes, get red carpet treatment and literally have the best seat in the house to watch the show! The raffle will be ongoing for all the productions this year; including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which will run August 3rd, 4th and 5th. 

     All of the Gladstone Theatre in the Park productions are made possible by a love for community theater seen through the dedication of our citizen volunteers and many committed individuals. So we welcome you to come and enjoy the tradition of Gladstone with Hello Dolly!

Questions?

Contact KayM@gladstone.mo.us OR call 423-4091. We are excited to see you out tonight! 

FYI: There will be concessions for sale, but don't forget to bring water and bug spray!

Fun, Freedom, and FIREWORKS!

      This Wednesday evening come and enjoy a fun and family-friendly Fourth of July Celebration in Gladstone at Oak Grove Park!  The celebration will begin with a patriotic concert performed by the North Star Community Band. Immediately following will be a spectacular fireworks display to remember! All the fun will begin around 8:30 pm; but be sure to arrive early for a good spot! 

Parking and festivities are both free and concessions will be available for purchase thanks to the Gladstone Rotary Club! 

Please remember:

                 *NO Smoking

                 *NO Personal Fireworks

                 *NO Alcohol 

 If you have any questions please contact Parks and Recreation at  kaym@gladstone.mo.us

Summer is Heating UP!

Well, it's official... summer is here, and with the heat wave this week it is not hard to notice. Last night the Gladstone Amphitheatre heated up with the talents of "Touch and Go". A sister act so-to-speak, Barbara Ely and Lisa Brenton who are the two front women, were just awesome with their harmonies. They performed rock favorites of the 70's & 80's and covered hits from Joan Jett, Heart and Journey just to name a few. Barbara Ely is a local music teacher at Oak Hill, and many of the other band members are on staff at Maple Woods Community College. What talented folks we have in Gladstone!

If you did not get a chance to come out to any of the June Tunes concerts this month, there are lots of other events on the schedule for this summer at the Gladstone Amphitheatre. Just next week is Gladstone's annual 4th of July celebration, with a patriotic concert by North Star Community Band and a huge fireworks display. Check back for details; until then enjoy the heat and cool off in at the municipal pool open to the public! 

COOL OFF AT THE MUNICIPAL POOL!!

Airy Northwinds, and the breeze was nice too!

Last night the Northwinds Jazz Band performed as the third installment of our June Tunes concert series. They were just wonderful, and played a fabulous ensemble of Big Band hits and jazzy favorites. There were fans from all over the metro present to hear the band play into the warm summer evening. Although the day was very warm, the evening air was just lovely and quite enjoyable. Be sure to catch our next (and last) June Tunes concert next Tuesday night when "Touch and Go" perform! Look forward to seeing you all there.

 Here are a few more photos of the evening!

 

June Tunes: Great for your health!

 

     If you have been considering making it out to one of the free outdoor concerts this summer in Oak Grove Park, it's quite possible your body will thank you. Not only can you have a great time out: a date, a social gathering, or a family outing— you may also be enriching your health. 

     Numerous studies have found that music can increase or decrease heart rates and blood pressure depending on the tempo and type of music. It can relax and reduce anxiety as well as stimulate and heighten your general awareness. Listening to live music can also promote relaxation of tense muscles, enabling you to easily release some of the tension you carry from a stressful day. One study has reported that just 10 minutes of classical music a day can actually increase brain stimulation by 30 percent. Who couldn't use that?!

     These are just a few of the overwhelming benefits that listening to music can achieve. Take time for your self and enjoy the sounds of summer at the Gladstone Amphitheatre in Oak Grove Park every Tuesday evening in the month of June. We would love feed back on how you enjoyed your experience of our June Tunes concert series. Have you been able to relax with your loved ones yet? We encourage all our citizens to take part in this great summer program! Click HERE for the schedule.

Come enjoy our parks!

If you have any questions please contact artsinfo@gladstone.mo.us

Do you feel Jazzy?!

The Corbin Theater in Liberty has been a musical hive for local talent in the Northland for decades. One of the staples for the theatre is the Corbin Jazz Ensemble. They are lovingly known as "the band that never rehearses" but can play anything they are asked to. Tonight from 7:30-9 pm they will perform as part of Gladstone's June Tunes Summer concert series in Oak Grove Park. Gladstone is pleased to bring the community fun and free events to enjoy all summer long. You can view our whole Summer schedule HERE. If you have any questions please contact tinas@gladstone.mo.us. 

Hope to see you all tonight!