About
The HEAR Now Festival will be a gathering place where the work of master storytellers is celebrated and shared.
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Our Mission
HEAR Now is the audio equivalent of a film festival for contemporary audio story-telling in all its forms: live and scripted solo performances; multi-voiced, classic radio drama; experimental narrative; and much more. This four-day Festival offers a multi-faceted program showcasing the many genres of audio fiction and sound art storytelling in theaters and other “listening” venues throughout the Country Club Plaza and Westport communities in Kansas City, MO. The Festival presents audio fiction programs that exemplify traditions of craftsmanship, as well as aesthetic, and technological innovation. The HEAR Now Festival is a gathering place where the work of master storytellers is celebrated and shared. In addition, the Festival exposes its audiences to recent developments in audio preservation by showcasing newly restored and archived award-winning audio dramas. The Festival's live and recorded programming bring together invited Guest Artists and registered participants in shows that vary from classic radio to sound art installations. Audio drama, audiobooks, recorded, and live story-telling, including spoken word, sketches, and poetry are all featured. Important also to HEAR Now's programming are academic level presentations focusing on audio art and story-telling, with an eye toward contemporary media outlets for work produced. These are offered as moderated discussions and panels to encourage an exchange of ideas between artists. Workshops presented by invited faculty, whose award-winning skills, offer performers, producers, and podcasters registered in these master classes, tools needed to grow their performance, production, and marketing and distribution abilities. HEAR Now is a truly immersive experience in all aspects of the art and craft of audio fiction and sound art story-telling. |
HEAR Now: The Audio Fiction and Arts Festival
June 6-9, 2019
Kansas City, MO A project of the
National Audio Theatre Festivals (NATF) |
About Kansas City, MO
Kansas City, MO (KC) is one of the most beautiful cities of the Midwest--the Paris of the Plains--with a history of artistic achievement and unique cuisine. Founded in 1838, the City is situated at the junction of where the Missouri and Kansas rivers meet and almost dead center in the middle of the U.S.
In the 1870s, when the railroads brought the boom in meatpacking that was responsible for the development of the huge stockyards, KC became a nexus for commerce, industry, finance and power. With vast wealth pouring into the City, political bosses reigned. Boss Tom Pendergast, an outrageous figure who KC both feared and applauded, was largely responsible for the flourishing music scene from the mid-20s onward. Because of Pendergast’s influence, Kansas City's clubs continued to sell alcohol during Prohibition. Jazz clubs, in particular, were recognized for their exemplary musicians and new Kansas City jazz style. As in Chicago and New Orleans, speakeasies, brothels, and gambling dens went hand in hand with superlative jazz--and, to a lesser extent, blues--spawning the careers of Count Basie and Duke Ellington. And, in the Fifties, Kansas City native Charlie Parker took KC by storm.
Kansas City has many unique neighborhoods where one can browse through eclectic and interesting shops. Families are particularly attracted to the City because of its child-friendly events and venues. Science City features hands-on exhibits including a mock television studio where kids can deliver a weather forecast, while the Zoo houses impressive African and Australian exhibits plus an IMAX Theater. The City's museums cover everything from the history of jazz music to a celebration of African American baseball players.
Kansas City is also the home of distinguished universities and a number of significant festivals. This makes Kansas City a very youthful city, but one with an incredible historic and artistic heritage.
Kansas City is renowned for its fountains, boulevards, Art Deco and Mediterranean-style buildings. KC's resurgent jazz scene, fine restaurants, professional football and baseball teams, and theme parks help make the City a popular short-break destination. Once a trading post for pioneers heading to the Western United States, today Kansas City is a burgeoning metropolis with activities and attractions for visitors of all ages and interests
In the 1870s, when the railroads brought the boom in meatpacking that was responsible for the development of the huge stockyards, KC became a nexus for commerce, industry, finance and power. With vast wealth pouring into the City, political bosses reigned. Boss Tom Pendergast, an outrageous figure who KC both feared and applauded, was largely responsible for the flourishing music scene from the mid-20s onward. Because of Pendergast’s influence, Kansas City's clubs continued to sell alcohol during Prohibition. Jazz clubs, in particular, were recognized for their exemplary musicians and new Kansas City jazz style. As in Chicago and New Orleans, speakeasies, brothels, and gambling dens went hand in hand with superlative jazz--and, to a lesser extent, blues--spawning the careers of Count Basie and Duke Ellington. And, in the Fifties, Kansas City native Charlie Parker took KC by storm.
Kansas City has many unique neighborhoods where one can browse through eclectic and interesting shops. Families are particularly attracted to the City because of its child-friendly events and venues. Science City features hands-on exhibits including a mock television studio where kids can deliver a weather forecast, while the Zoo houses impressive African and Australian exhibits plus an IMAX Theater. The City's museums cover everything from the history of jazz music to a celebration of African American baseball players.
Kansas City is also the home of distinguished universities and a number of significant festivals. This makes Kansas City a very youthful city, but one with an incredible historic and artistic heritage.
Kansas City is renowned for its fountains, boulevards, Art Deco and Mediterranean-style buildings. KC's resurgent jazz scene, fine restaurants, professional football and baseball teams, and theme parks help make the City a popular short-break destination. Once a trading post for pioneers heading to the Western United States, today Kansas City is a burgeoning metropolis with activities and attractions for visitors of all ages and interests
