In the Pink

After two previous local stops with the Kansas City Symphony, Pink Martini goes it alone tonight, but don’t expect a reduction in sound or ambition. Founded by Thomas Lauderdale and China Forbes (he at the piano, she at the microphone; both write), the Portland, Oregon, 12-piece offers plenty of sweep, sparkle and flam for the buck. The ensemble is touring behind last year’s aptly titled Splendor in the Grass, its fourth record of multilingual ballroom flirtations. Any album that features cameos by Emilio Delgado (Sesame Street‘s Luis), NPR correspondent Ari Shapiro, and Courtney Taylor-Taylor of the Dandy Warhols risks a certain preciousness, but Grass might be Pink Martini’s best since its mighty 1997 debut. Tonight’s concert at the Midland (1228 Main, 816-283-9900) starts at 8. Tickets run $29.50 to $59.50; see midlandkc.com.

Mon., June 7, 2010