A look at C2C's list of April performances and events

Performances

• April 6: Pirate School: Sea Dreams! 2:00pm (doors 1:30pm) at Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, Beshore Performance Hall (212 W 7th St). A swashbuckling solo show by David Engel with music, mischief, and lessons on pirate behavior. Part of Connect2Culture's Ignite Series 2024–2025. Tickets: Adults $16.90, Kids $4.42. Info: Lauren Smith, lauren@connect2culture.org, (417) 621-9824.
• April 10–13: Reefer Madness 7:30pm (doors 7:00pm) at Dream Theatre Co. (124 S Main St). A satirical musical about teens spiraling into chaos after trying marijuana. Reservations required at cur8.com/17275/project/129958. Tickets: $20. Info: Becki Arnall, becki_arnall@yahoo.com (mailto:_arnall@yahoo.com), (417) 291-5345.
• April 12: The Rats & People Motion Picture Orchestra 4:00pm (doors 3:30pm) at Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, Beshore Performance Hall (212 W 7th St). St. Louis ensemble performs live scores for Buster Keaton’s silent films The High Sign and Sherlock Jr. Part of Connect2Culture's Cornell Series 2024–2025. Tickets: $22.10–$27.30. Info: Lauren Smith, lauren@connect2culture.org, (417) 621-9824.
• April 16: Davy Knowles House Concert (Ages 13+) 7:00pm (doors 6:30pm) at The Coda Concert House (2120 E 24th St). Blues/rock artist Davy Knowles performs. Reservations via email: info@codaconcerthouse.com. Suggested donation: $35. Info: Jeff Morrow, info@codaconcerthouse.com.
• April 24–26: Southern Showcase, Onstage! 7:30pm at Missouri Southern State University, Bud Walton Theatre (3950 E Newman Rd). Features MSSU’s Chamber Singers, Concert Chorale, and soloists. Ticket details TBD. Info: Natasha O'Brien-Davies, obriendavies-n@mssu.edu, (417) 625-9594.
• April 26: Shaun Johnson Big Band Experience 7:00pm (doors 6:30pm) at Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, Beshore Performance Hall (212 W 7th St). Big band and vocal jazz with Shaun Johnson. Dedicated to the late Senator Ron Richard. Part of Connect2Culture's Curtains Up Series 2024–2025. Tickets: $42.90–$48.10. Info: Lauren Smith, lauren@connect2culture.org, (417) 621-9824.
• April 27: Ozark Festival Orchestra Marty Beckwith Memorial Benefit Concert 3:00pm at Monett High School (1 David Sippy Dr, Monett, MO). Features J.C. Fisher, Marcus Collins, and the Ozark Festival Orchestra. Tickets: VIP $50, General Admission $20, Students (18 and under) free. Info: Carla Wootton, ozarkfestivalorchestra@gmail.com, (417) 849-6865.
• April 28: Ben Miller's Songwriter Night feat. Eddie 9V 6:30pm (doors 6:00pm) at The Coda Concert House (2120 E 24th St). Original songs and stories with Eddie 9V and Ben Miller. Reservations via email: info@codaconcerthouse.com. Suggested donation: $45. Info: Jeff Morrow, info@codaconcerthouse.com.

Events

• March 9–April 27: Call for Art: Behind the Mask Spiva Center for the Arts invites artists to submit portrait work exploring external appearances vs. internal truths. Juried exhibition on display June 21–August 9, 2025. Entry fee: $40. Info: Paige Mock, spiva@spivaarts.org, (417) 623-0183.
• March 31 & April 1: Absurd Person Singular Auditions 7:00pm at Joplin Little Theatre (3009 W 1st St). Audition for a play about three couples over three Christmas Eves. Needs 3 women, 3 men, ages 20–60. Performance: May 14–18, 2025. Free. Info: Ann Lile, info@joplinlittletheatre.org, (417) 623-3638.
• April 1–30: National Poetry Month 29th annual celebration of poets and poetry by the Academy of American Poets. Info: poets.org/national-poetry-month.
• April 1–30: Joplin Reads Together (Ages 18+) Month-long event at Joplin Public Library centered on The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal, with programs and an author visit. Free. Info: Sarah Turner-Hill, sturnerhill@joplinpubliclibrary.org, (417) 623-7953 x1030.
• April 1: Art and Anatomy in Italy Lecture: History of Human Anatomy Studies 5:00pm at Missouri Southern State University (3950 E Newman Rd). Dr. Joel Katz discusses the history of anatomy studies. Free. Info: Dr. Christine Bentley, bentley-c@mssu.edu, (417) 625-9563.
• April 1: Opening Reception: Joplin K-12 Art Show 5:30–7:30pm at Joplin High School, Performing Arts Center (2104 S Indian Ave). Celebrate Joplin Schools students’ artwork. Free. Info: Lacey Santillan, laceysantillan@joplinschools.org, (417) 529-8269.
• April 1: Chat & Craft: Cookie Cutter Stamped Tea Towels (Ages 18+) 6:00–8:00pm at Joplin Public Library (1901 E 20th St). Craft tea towels or bring your own project. Part of Joplin Reads Together. Free. Info: Sarah Turner-Hill, sturnerhill@joplinpubliclibrary.org, (417) 623-7953 x1030.
• April 3: Friends Members Event: From Page to Pint 5:30pm at Chaos Brewing (112 S Main St). Joplin Homebrew Club discusses brewing, with samples and pizza. For Friends of Joplin Public Library members. Free. Info: Sarah Turner-Hill, sturnerhill@joplinpubliclibrary.org, (417) 623-7953 x1030.
• April 3: First Thursday ArtWalk 5:30–8:30pm in Downtown Joplin. Features artists, live music, and art for sale. Free. Info: Linda Teeter, lteeter00@gmail.com, (417) 438-5931.
• April 4: First Friday WineShare (Ages 21+) 6:00–8:00pm at 417 Refine Medspa (516 S Virginia Ave). Bring a bottle of wine or craft beer to share. Free. Info: Ivy Hagedorn, ivy@downtownjoplin.com, (928) 514-7713.
• April 7: MSSU Choral Society Rehearsal 7:00pm at Missouri Southern State University (3950 E Newman Rd). Open to college-age and older singers, no auditions. Cost: $30/semester. Info: Wally Bloss, wbloss@gmail.com, (417) 208-9654.
• April 7 & 8: Mary Poppins, Jr. Auditions 6:30pm at Stained Glass Theatre Joplin (2101 Annie Baxter Ave). For ages 6–18, needs 7 males, 9 females, 10 any gender. Performance: May 29–June 8, 2025. Free. Info: Amanda Klein, sgtjoplin@gmail.com.
• April 8: Art and Anatomy in Italy Lecture: Louise Palette 5:00pm at Missouri Southern State University (3950 E Newman Rd). Dr. Michael Stanley discusses a patient’s disease through her artwork. Free. Info: Dr. Christine Bentley, bentley-c@mssu.edu, (417) 625-9563.
• April 8: Beer, Bodies, and Being: Gender and Identity 6:00pm at Joplin Public Library (1901 E 20th St). Dr. Megan Bever lectures on beer and identity in American culture. Part of Joplin Reads Together. Free. Info: Sarah Turner-Hill, sturnerhill@joplinpubliclibrary.org, (417) 623-7953 x1030.
• April 9: Adult Take-Home Kit: Painted Cork Coasters (Ages 18+) 11:00am–6:00pm at Joplin Public Library (1901 E 20th St). Pick up a kit to paint cork coasters. Part of Joplin Reads Together. Free, first-come, first-served. Info: Sarah Turner-Hill, sturnerhill@joplinpubliclibrary.org, (417) 623-7953 x1030.
• April 10: National Poem In Your Pocket Day Pocket poems distributed at Joplin Public Library and Harry M. Cornell Arts Complex. A National Poetry Month event by Connect2Culture, Post Art Library, and Pub Hound Press. Info: Lauren Smith, lauren@connect2culture.org, (417) 621-9824.
• April 10: Opening Reception: Missouri Wildflowers by Ken Southwick 5:30–7:00pm at Joplin Public Library (1901 E 20th St). Celebrate Ken Southwick’s paintings. Free. Info: Jill Halbach, jill@postartlibrary.org, (417) 623-7953 x1041.
• April 10: Joplin Writers' Guild 6:00pm at Joplin Public Library (1901 E 20th St). Open to all writers, first meeting free, annual dues $10. Info: S.V. Farnsworth, s.v.farnsworth@gmail.com, (417) 691-0480.
• April 11 & 12: Wildcat Glades Rummage Sale 8:00am–5:00pm (Sat: 8:00am–3:00pm) at IBEW (3316 Hearnes Blvd). Supports Wildcat Glades Nature Group. Free, donations accepted. Info: Colvin Paige, colvin@wildcatglades.org, (417) 708-7713.
• April 12: Wildflower Walk 10:00am–Noon at Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center (201 Riviera Dr). A one-mile walk to identify wildflowers. Registration required at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/206988. Free. Info: Tim Smith, Shoal.Creek@mdc.mo.gov, (417) 629-3434.
• April 12: Board Games & Brews 2:00–3:00pm at Chaos Brewing (112 S Main St). Learn about brewing and play board games. Part of Joplin Reads Together. Free. Info: Sarah Turner-Hill, sturnerhill@joplinpubliclibrary.org, (417) 623-7953 x1030.
• April 14: MSSU Choral Society Rehearsal 7:00pm at Missouri Southern State University (3950 E Newman Rd). Open to college-age and older singers, no auditions. Cost: $30/semester. Info: Wally Bloss, wbloss@gmail.com, (417) 208-9654.
• April 15: Art and Anatomy in Italy Lecture: Role of Observation in Diagnosis 5:00pm at Missouri Southern State University (3950 E Newman Rd). Dr. Joel Katz discusses observation in medical diagnosis. Free. Info: Dr. Christine Bentley, bentley-c@mssu.edu, (417) 625-9563.
• April 15: Pie Making with Carla from Big R's Pies 6:00–7:00pm at Joplin Public Library (1901 E 20th St). Learn pie-making basics. Part of Joplin Reads Together. Free. Info: Sarah Turner-Hill, sturnerhill@joplinpubliclibrary.org, (417) 623-7953 x1030.
• April 17: Makerspace Take & Make: DIY Bread in a Bag (Ages 18+) 11:00am–8:00pm at Joplin Public Library (1901 E 20th St). Pick up a kit to bake bread. Part of Joplin Reads Together. Free, first-come, first-served. Info: Sarah Turner-Hill, sturnerhill@joplinpubliclibrary.org, (417) 623-7953 x1030.
• April 17: Let's Dish Book Discussion 1:00pm & 6:00pm at Joplin Public Library (1901 E 20th St). Discuss The Lager Queen of Minnesota. Part of Joplin Reads Together. Free. Info: Sarah Turner-Hill, sturnerhill@joplinpubliclibrary.org, (417) 623-7953 x1030.
• April 17: Beyond the Booth: Braker Farm Tour 1:00–2:30pm at Webb City Farmers Market (106 E Tracy St). Tour Braker Farms. Tickets: $25 at square.link/u/phWQ7tby. Info: Roen Procter, webbcityfm@gmail.com, (417) 438-5833.
• April 17: Third Thursday 5:30–8:30pm in Downtown Joplin. Features artisans, music, and food. Free. Info: Lori Haun, info@downtownjoplin.com, (417) 501-9649.
• April 19: Spring Fresh Fest 9:00am–1:00pm at Webb City Farmers Market (106 E Tracy St). Kick-off for the market’s 25th season. Free. Info: Roen Procter, webbcityfm@gmail.com, (417) 438-5833.
• April 19: Market Egg Hunt 10:00am–2:00pm at Joplin Empire Market (931 E Newman Rd). Easter egg hunt with treats and tokens. Free. Info: Ivy Hagedorn, ivy@downtownjoplin.com, (928) 514-7713.
• April 19: MSSU's World Music & Cuisine Festival 5:00–7:30pm at Missouri Southern State University (3950 E Newman Rd). Features food, music, and dance. Cost: $15. Info: Brian Palmer, Palmer-B@mssu.edu, (417) 625-3597.
• April 21: Downtown Poetry Reading and Open Mic 6:00–8:00pm at Joplin Avenue Coffee Company (506 S Joplin Ave). Features Laura Lee Washburn, followed by open mic. Free. Info: Julie Ramon, julieramon0802@gmail.com.
• April 21: MSSU Choral Society Rehearsal 7:00pm at Missouri Southern State University (3950 E Newman Rd). Open to college-age and older singers, no auditions. Cost: $30/semester. Info: Wally Bloss, wbloss@gmail.com, (417) 208-9654.
• April 22: Dontcha Know Midwest Trivia Night 6:00–7:30pm at Joplin Public Library (1901 E 20th St). Midwest-themed trivia with prizes. Part of Joplin Reads Together. Free. Info: Sarah Turner-Hill, sturnerhill@joplinpubliclibrary.org, (417) 623-7953 x1030.
• April 24: J. Ryan Stradal Author Visit (Ages 18+) 6:00–8:00pm at Joplin Public Library (1901 E 20th St). Author of The Lager Queen of Minnesota speaks and signs books. Part of Joplin Reads Together. Free, books for purchase. Info: Sarah Turner-Hill, sturnerhill@joplinpubliclibrary.org, (417) 623-7953 x1030.
• April 24: Open Mic Night 7:00–9:30pm at Joplin Avenue Coffee Company (506 S Joplin Ave). For musicians, singers, and poets. Free. Info: Autumn Zimmerman, autumn@joplinavenuecoffeecompany.com, (417) 483-555.
• April 26: 7th Birthday Bash! + Goats in the Garden 10:00am–2:00pm at Joplin Empire Market (931 E Newman Rd). Celebrate the market’s 7th birthday with cake, crafts, and goats. Free, food/drink for purchase. Info: Ivy Hagedorn, ivy@downtownjoplin.com, (928) 514-7713.
• April 28: MSSU Choral Society Rehearsal 7:00pm at Missouri Southern State University (3950 E Newman Rd). Open to college-age and older singers, no auditions. Cost: $30/semester. Info: Wally Bloss, wbloss@gmail.com, (417) 208-9654.