Skip to main content

The Electric Lady, Born from the Heartland

Janelle Monae may be globetrotting superstar, but she has her roots in Kansas City


              Janelle Monae is an award-winning R&B artist, owner of the record label Wondaland Arts Society, and actress in award winning films such as Hidden Figures and Moonlight. Monae is well known for her presence in the Afrofuturism movement, which reimagines the African tradition in the framework of science fiction. However, despite becoming an immense success, Monae has humble routes. She was born in Kansas City, Kansas, Dorothy Gale from the Wizard of Oz becoming a childhood source of inspiration. Monae attended F.L. Schlagle High School before being awarded a scholarship to the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. Her mother was a janitor and her father a truck driver for Deffenbaugh. Although Janelle moved on from Kansas City to escape poverty, she has roots here – family members, friends, and even an old band, The Weirdos.
          Although the Midwest is often considered ‘flyover country’ – a black hole of culture and art, Monae stands out as a unique and exquisitely strange artist. Her style was cultivated by the thrift shops of Westport and the music and acting scene at the time had a profound affect on her. She even attended the play writing seminars by the Coterie, a well-known children’s theatre in Crown Center. Monae shows Midwesterner that we too have interesting perspectives that the world wants to see. Avila students can take inspiration from her, both as someone from this area and from someone who came from absolutely nothing. There is worth in the perspectives of people from Kansas City, and from people who come from poor neighborhoods.


Monae Headlined her first Kansas City show at Uptown theatre in 2013, a sold out affair with an audience that included family members, friends, and former teachers. 


F. L. Schlagle High School is the school Janelle Monae once attended, and some teachers still have happy memories of her time there. 



Janelle Monae may be a world-famous recording artist and actress, but she came from one of the most impoverished neighborhoods in Kansas City, Kansas. 


Please Click here for the video
https://youtu.be/Sze2M01gkDg  



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Theatre in Kansas City

Kansas City Embraces the Performing Arts               When many people hear the word “theatre,” they may think of the glitz and glam of a Broadway show, or of New York City or Chicago in particular. However, there are many cities around the country with thriving theatre scenes, including Kansas City. From the cutting edge shows of The Unicorn, to the major commercial shows of Starlight Theatre, and even a dinner theatre in the New Theatre, Kansas City has a great deal of variety to offer to those interested in the performing arts. In addition to this, there are several well-regarded theatre programs in the area, such as Avila’s own theatre program, University of Missouri – Kansas City, Johnson County Community College, and Rockhurst University.               Kansas City has had a thriving theatre scene for quite some time, with the oldest theatre being the historic Folly Theater, which was established in 1900 as a vaudeville theatre, hosting acts such as the Marx Brothers and
Post a Comment
Read more

Kansas City Folklore and Oddities

Haunted Kansas City: The Ghosts That Roam Our Town Like any city with a storied history, Kansas City is home to many local legends and odd happenings. Stories of hauntings span the entirety of the city, and the surrounding area. From Independence’s Lady in Gray on Nolan Road to Freeman’s Gravity Hill, strange rumors are abound. The nearby Stull Cemetery in Lawrence, Kansas is even said to be one of the seven entrances to hell, and the devil has been said to appear there twice a year. The rumor was so well known that it drew in large crowds, who caused a great deal of chaos on their own. Several other buildings have claimed to host otherworldly tenants, including the Folly Theatre, Union Station, the John Wornall house, and the Alexander Majors Home. Many of the local schools in the area seem to have their own resident ghost, as well. The Epperson House at the University of Missouri-Kansas City has its own ghost following, with the building being dubbed one of the top five ha
Post a Comment
Read more