Arts and Entertainment | Sedalia Democrat

Frederick Hodges played his ragtime chops at the Fox Theater Friday, May 30, as people came in for a free dance lesson.

Ragtime music causes spontaneous dancing

The Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival was in full swing Friday, May 30, as pianist Paul Orsi played to a large audience under the Stark tent on Fifth Street. Jeanette Watts, dressed in vintage garb, … more

By Chris Howell, chrish@sedaliademocrat.com | 5/30/25

Scott Joplin Festival Books Team: Larry C. Melton, Becky Imhauser, on left, and Deb Biermann. The Books Team produced the current book, "Now I've Played Sedalia" and “Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival Memories,” released for the 50th Anniversary Festival in 2024.

New Ragtime book, 'Now I've Played Sedalia' available

Released right in time for this year's Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival, the book "Now I've Played Sedalia: The Story of America’s Music Emerging from Sedalia, MO 1860 — … more

By Faith Bemiss-McKinney faith.bemiss@sedaliademocrat.com | 5/30/25

Arrow Rock to host first Saturday Lecture Series

Join Missouri Folk Arts and the Friends of Arrow Rock for a special First Saturdays Lecture Series. On June 7, at 10 a.m., the audience will learn about Missouri's Traditional Arts Apprenticeship … more

5/30/25

: During the 2024 Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival, Royce Martin smiles after performing the "Temptation Rag." This year, the Festival will begin on Wednesday, May 28, and conclude on Saturday, May 31.

Scott Joplin Festival returns Wednesday

It's festival time again. The Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival returns with a full lineup of live music, beginning Wednesday, May 28, with celebrations at the Pavilion in downtown … more

By Faith Bemiss-McKinney, faithb@sedaliademocrat.com | 5/26/25

On Wednesday, May 21, Linda Hoover, right, and friend Linda Rhoads-North pose for a photo with two paintings of each other that are included in their exhibit, "Out and About Sedalia," showing at the Hayden Liberty Center.

The 'Two Lindas' open an art show at LCAA

"Out and About Sedalia," an art show by the "Two Lindas," opened at the Hayden Liberty Center on May 8. Former Sedalia Visual Art Association President Linda Hoover, of Houstonia, and member … more

By Faith Bemiss-McKinney, faithb@sedaliademocrat.com | 5/23/25

$Lisa Payne’s acrylic on canvas ‘The Weight of All I Am’ evokes the fracturing effect of constant pressure on women as they try to remain creative, the theme of the Nevertheless, She Persisted exhibit at the Daum Museum of Modern Art.$

'‘Nevertheless, She Persisted’ set to open at Daum Museum

The Daum Museum of Contemporary Art, 3201 West 16 th St, is hosting a unique look at female creativity with “Nevertheless, She Persisted,” running May 31 through Sept. 7. Garry … more

By Chris Howell, chrish@sedaliademocrat.com | 5/22/25

Scott Stephens, of Sedalia, recently published a political thriller, "Black Monday." Stephens, who lived in Germany for a time, resided in Stover for almost 10 years before moving to Sedalia.

Local man writes political thriller, ‘Black Monday’

Scott Stephens' political thriller "Black Monday" paints a scenario of "espionage, corporate secrets and geopolitical warfare" in the oil industry. Stephens, of Sedalia, was a student at … more

By Faith Bemiss-McKinney, faithb@sedaliademocrat.com | 5/20/25

S-C Senior Glaster receives Hagan Scholarship

Smith-Cotton High School senior Jeffthan Glaster, who graduated Saturday, May 17, has received a $60,000 scholarship as a Hangan Scholar. Glaster , the son of Ruth Martinez, plans to attend the … more

By Democrat Staff | 5/19/25

Isla Kempton, an elementary school student, works on a Matisse fishbowl painting during a 2024 summer art class at the Cooney Studio at the Hayden Liberty Center.

Cooney Studio prepares for summer classes and activities

Area youth and adults will be in for a treat as they participate in summer art classes at the Cooney Studio, located upstairs in the Hayden Liberty Center. The studio's Facebook page noted that … more

By Faith Bemiss-McKinney, faithb@sedaliademocrat.com | 5/15/25

Entertainment Briefs for May 16

Central Missouri Coin Club to host event The Central Missouri Coin Club will host its 65th annual Coin & Hobby Show from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, May 16 and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on … more

5/15/25

“A Strange Place,” by Anne Hassell received the Best of Show Award, in the Professional category of the 2025 Mid-Missouri Artists 43rd Fine Arts Show in Warrensburg..

Mid-Missouri Artists Fine Arts Show awards presented

Art and photography filled the gymnasium in the Warrensburg Community Center May 3 and 4 during the 2025 Mid-Missouri Artists 43rd Fine Arts Show. Show visitors were able to enjoy music while viewing … more

5/12/25

Sedalia award-winning artist Paul Allen and his wife, Kim, give a thumbs up during the Liberty Center Association for the Arts’ first MayFair on Saturday, May 10. The event brought in numerous local and regional artists, including live music and children’s activities. Allen is a former art instructor at State Fair Community College.

PHOTOS: Liberty Center MayFair celebrates art, music and life

5/12/25

Award-winning artist/photographer Brett Butler has published a coming-of-age fiction book, “Catholic School Boys in Trouble.”

Local artist Brett Butler publishes book

Well-known artist and photographer Brett Butler recently published a coming-of-age book that highlights the differences youth can face while growing up and finding their own identity. … more

By Faith Bemiss-McKinney, faithb@sedaliademocrat.com | 5/8/25

On Jan. 18, 2019, artist and State Fair Community College Art Department Head Don Luper works on a metal sculpture project at his Sedalia home. The large-scale sculpture lights up with a golden glow as Luper welds a portion of it in his studio. Luper created the sculpture with almost 500 pounds of wire.

SFCC's Don Luper to retire

Longtime art instructor and department head Don Luper of State Fair Community College will bid the college goodbye on Friday, May 16, when he retires after more than three decades. Luper, … more

By Faith Bemiss-McKinney, faithb@sedaliademocrat.com | 5/5/25

In a photo in 2020, the late Richard Luehrman, Professor Emeritus of Art at the University of Central Missouri, focuses on a watercolor painting of his family home in Lexington, Missouri.

Art Show and Sale benefits Richard A. Luehrman Art Scholarship

The UCM Gallery of Art and Design will host an art show and sale featuring the work of the late Dr. Richard A. Luehrman, Professor Emeritus of Art at the University of Central Missouri from May 19 … more

By Faith Bemiss-McKinney, faithb@sedaliademocrat.com | 5/5/25

Entertainment Briefs for May 6

New exhibit opens at Liberty Center A new exhibit, “Linda Hoover & Linda Rhoads-North” will open with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 8 at the Hayden Liberty Center. … more

5/5/25

The nuns of St. Katherine's Convent sing joyously, but not exactly in tune, prior to Deloris Van Cartier's arrival.

Liberty Center presents ‘Sister Act’

When “Sister Act: The Musical” opened on The Liberty Center stage Thursday, May 1, the 22-member cast showcased actors with years of experience and others who took the stage for the first … more

By Kayla Nilges Special to the Democrat | 5/1/25

The cast of “The Most Epic Birthday Party” ever have been working on this weekend’s production since January and will perform Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m.

‘The Most Epic Birthday Party Ever’ opens Friday at SCJHS

The cast of “The Most Epic Birthday Party Ever’” ran a dress rehearsal of the play at Smith-Cotton Junior High’s auditorium on Tuesday, April 29. First-time … more

By Chris Howell, chrish@sedaliademocrat.com | 5/1/25

Jett Jewell, left, and his grandmother Roberta “Bobbe” Anson, right, pose for a photo in front of their model train set depicting the town of Colleville-sur-Mer, France, on Thursday, April 24, in Anson’s garage in Warrensburg.

Grandmother, grandson construct model train set

WARRENSBURG -— June 6, 1944, better known as D-Day, was the day when Allied forces invaded Normandy, France, and is seen as one of the first of many turning points in World War II. … more

By Zach Bott zachb@warrensburgstarjournal.com | 4/28/25

From left, Natasha Penman, recipient of the Excellence in Studio Award, and Garry Holstein, director of the Daum Museum of Contemporary Art.

SFCC announces 2025 Student Art Show winners

The annual State Fair Community College “Student Art Show,” a tradition dating back to the late 1960s, is being held this year from April 14 to May 11 in the Daum Museum of Contemporary … more

4/24/25