Avila University’s Thornhill Gallery will present its next exhibit, “Sense Memories, Cut Paper Landscapes” by Anne Devaney, through Dec. 14 in the Dallavis Centre.

The community band tradition continues when the Spirit of Independence Concert Band presents its fall concert at 3 p.m. Sunday in the William Chrisman High School Auditorium, U.S. 24 and Noland Road, Independence.

“Oklahoma” opened Thursday. The next performance is Saturday at Fort Osage High School, 2101 N. Twyman Road. Because of the Fort Osage High School football game Friday evening, the usual Friday performance has been moved to 7 p.m. Monday.

Addison Newberry is a senior at Fort Osage High School. He is playing Ike Skidmore in the high school’s fall theater production “Oklahoma.” After an absence of two years, Newberry returns to the stage doing something, he said “that he loves.”

Stephen Finkle is a senior at Truman High School. He is playing Mayor Shinn in the fall theater production of “The Music Man.” A theater veteran, Finkle also participates on Truman’s speech and debate team, winning awards in areas such as humorous interpretation.

“The Music Man” is at 7 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday at Truman High School, 3301 S. Noland Road. Admission is $6 in advance or $7 at the door.

The famous fairy tale ballet, "The Nutcracker,"  set in two acts, will be performed Saturday and Sunday at the Barbara Landes Performing Arts Center at Blue Springs South High School. Times are 7 p.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Jake Owen will be playing at Whiskey Tango at 10 p.m. Friday in Grain Valley (Doors open at 5:30, with opening band Echo Creek starting around 7). Owen’s venture into country music has not been a casual walk in the park, but an outright sprint from 2006 to now with a record deal with RCA, a successful first release, “Startin With Me” and his second CD, “Easy Does It.” He has toured with a long list of superstars and garnered his first Grammy, Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association nominations. His current single is “Eight Second Ride.”

From socks to gun cozies, you can knit up a storm to relieve your boredom.

Kodie Burns is a senior at Grain Valley High School. He is playing the King in this fall’s production of “Cinderella.” A honor roll student at Grain Valley, this is the second theater production for Burns who was also in 2008’s “Footloose.”