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26 Issues

In addition to receiving 26 issues of The Independent Kansas City’s Journal of Society, your subscription will include our annual publication, the Charitable Events Calendar and a subscription to our e-newsletter, The Insider. Questions about your current subscription? Contact Laura Gabriel at 816-471-2800.

#AAPI TRAILBLAZER: Karen Lisondra

Karen Lisondra is the associate director of Peter Pan and Wendy at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre. She is the fourth child of Filipino immigrants who settled in Hutchinson, Kansas, in 1973. During her childhood, Karen performed with Sinag-Tala, the Filipino dance troupe based in Kansas City. She studied anthropological theater and martial arts in Argentina, where she was an original cast member of Fuerza Bruta, an aerial theater company. In 2007, Karen joined the company of El Teatro de los Andes where she spent four years touring as Calypso in their version of Homer’s Odyssey. Next up was a one-woman show of her own devising, Mocambo. Karen returned to Kansas City in 2014. She and her husband, Amado Espinoza, the Bolivian musician, have co-created several theatrical projects, including We are the Landscape at The Arts Asylum, El Amor que Mueve el Sol y las Demas Estrellas at Kansas City Public Theatre, and the Storytelling Project at UMKC. Karen is an arts educator at InterUrban Art House. At the Kansas City Rep, she was a featured performer in Ghost Light 2022, (an event held on two evenings in October in Roanoke Park, with songs and stories for families), and was an understudy for Flood, a recent production. She teaches the Indian healing arts of yoga, ayurveda, and pranayama (breath control), and she practices Tai Chi. Karen is a cancer survivor who believes that every breath is a blessing. 

@KarenMayLisondra

Karen Lisondra in Mocambo (Photo Credit: Eduardo Osorio)

Featured in the May 13, 2023 issue of The Independent. 

Features

War Horses For Veterans – The Derby Party

War Horses for Veterans, founded by Andy and Patricia Brown, held its third annual fundraiser, The Derby Party, on May 4th. More than 400 guests watched the Kentucky Derby race…

Symphony League of Kansas City – Spring Luncheon

Lidia’s was the lovely location for the Symphony League of Kansas City’s annual Spring Luncheon on May 8th. Mandy Burditt and Trish Mayer were the co-chairmen. Nearly 60 members and…

Symphony League of Kansas City – Ball Kickoff

Symphony League members gathered at Amy Volini’s beautiful home recently to kick off preparations for the 2024 Symphony Ball, “NOVA.”Amy and Julie Sykes hosted the fun event, where Ball Chairman…

Saint Luke’s Foundation – Spirit of Philanthropy Awards

In the spirit of gratitude, Saint Luke’s Foundation hosted its Spirit of Philanthropy Awards celebration on April 18th at the 1900 Building. Being honored this year are: Philanthropists of the…