FIRST JEWISH BABY CONTEST — Once again we are looking for that one lucky little baby, the first one born in the Jewish community in 2015, who will win some great prizes. Will the baby be born on Jan. 1 or will we have to wait until later in the month until we hear the good news?
This year, as is our custom, The Chronicle will shower the first Jewish baby of 2015 with prizes. Information about The Chronicle’s annual contest, and the 2014 prize package, appears on pages 12, 13, 14 and 15 of this edition of the newspaper.
Last year’s first Jewish baby, Raelee Linn Welch, the daughter of Lori Lentenbrink and Adam Welch, was born Jan. 8.
The Chronicle’s First Jewish Baby contest is limited to residents of the five-county greater Kansas City area (Jackson, Clay and Platte in Missouri and Johnson and Wyandotte in Kansas), and the birth must take place in greater Kansas City.
Parents should call The Chronicle editor Barbara Bayer at 913-951-8425, or contact her via email at as soon as possible after the child is born, preferably the day of the birth. A winner may not be declared immediately and could take as long as 24 hours after the initial contact with The Chronicle. The parent or parents must agree to be interviewed and photographed along with the baby for a story in the newspaper to be awarded prizes. The official rules can be found on page 15.
YEFIN BRONFMAN RETURNS TO KC — The Kansas City Symphony welcomes back GRAMMY® award-winning pianist Yefim Bronfman to perform Brahms’ sweeping second Piano Concerto from Jan. 9 through 11. This concert opens with the familiar Debussy favorite, “Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun,” a mythological work. In the second half of the show, symphony-goers can hear the work that nearly caused a riot after its premiere just more than 100 years ago, Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring.” Born in Tashkent in the Soviet Union in 1958, Bronfman immigrated to Israel with his family in 1973, where he studied with pianist Arie Vardi, head of the Rubin Academy of Music at Tel Aviv University. Bronfman has given numerous solo recitals in the leading halls of North America, Europe and the Far East, including acclaimed debuts at Carnegie Hall in 1989 and Avery Fisher Hall in 1993. In 1991 he gave a series of joint recitals with Isaac Stern in Russia, marking Bronfman’s first public performances there since his emigration to Israel at age 15. Widely praised for his solo, chamber and orchestral recordings, he was nominated for a GRAMMY® Award in 2009 for his Deutsche Grammophon recording of Esa-Pekka Salonen’s piano concerto with Salonen conducting and with whom he won a GRAMMY® Award in 1997 for his recording of the three Bartók Piano Concerti and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. For his upcoming appearances in Kansas City, on Friday, Jan. 9, and Saturday, Jan. 10, performances start at 8 p.m., and on Sunday, Jan. 11, the concert begins at 2 p.m. For ticket information, call the Kansas City Symphony box office at 816-471-0400.
WIN FOR KC — The Women’s Intersport Network for Kansas City (WIN for KC), recently announced those it will honor at its annual Sports Awards Celebration Luncheon on Feb. 12. One of those honorees is Robin Sterneck, who is the Jewish Community Center’s vice chair for fund development. Sterneck is the BKD WOW Award Winner and has been a dedicated member of the WIN for KC family for over 10 years, serving in many capacities. She served as interim director of WIN for KC in the winter of 2013-14 after serving on the WIN for KC Advisory Board and as board chair in 2011-2012. WIN for KC was established in 1994 with the mission to empower girls and women through advocating and promoting the lifetime value of sports and fitness, while providing opportunities for participation and leadership development. WIN is a volunteer, membership-driven organization that operates as a division of the Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation.
MTKC PRODUCES ‘BRING IT ON’ — Paris Naster, a finalist for the 2014 KC SuperStar, will star as Campbell in Music Theatre Kansas City’s production of the musical “Bring It On.” Alex Bigus is doing the lighting for the show, which takes the stage Friday through Sunday, Jan.2-4, at the White Recital Hall on the campus of the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 2 and 3, and a 2:30 p.m. matinee on Jan. 4. A cast of 38 will be joined by two local competitive cheer teams, KC Cheer-Fierce Five and Nash Jem Obsession.
“Bring It On” is based on the popular movie with the same title. It follows the story of Campbell, played by Naster, who is a senior at Blue Valley North High School. Naster’s character Campbell is also a high school senior who is captain of the cheerleading squad. Set for the best year ever, Campbell’s plans are sidetracked when redistricting forces her to a different school with a totally different culture. However, things shape up for Campbell after she befriends the dance crew girls and their leader, the strong-willed Danielle. Together, the form a dynamite team and head for the National Championships.
MTKC is a professional program committed to bringing quality musical theatre and preparatory training to the Kansas City community. To purchase tickets, visit www.mtkc.org or call the Central Ticket Office at 816-235-6222.
