ABOUT THE CONCERTS
The Temple Sanctuary is a world class performance space in Independence, MO. As you sit beneath a 195 foot nautilus inspired spiral ceiling, you will feel the music soar in this unique acoustic environment.. We host unique artists like Peter Mayer, Joel Ansett, Spencer LaJoye, Madisen Ward, and Carrie Newcomer— gifted folk musicians who write and perform songs that evoke inspiration and peace. There is no ticket fee for the concerts, but we do suggest donations based on concert expenses. Cost shouldn’t be a barrier to participation. This series is sponsored by Community of Christ and the Independence Square Association. Learn more about our artists and reserve tickets below!
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Spencer LaJoye
September 12 at 8 PM
Spencer LaJoye is performing on Friday, September 12 at 8 PM in a partnership between the Community of Christ Under the Spiral Concert Series and a local Peace Colloquy event addressing houselessness and action in the KC Metro area. The doors for the concert open at 7:30 PM. Ticket proceeds will support the efforts of the Peace Colloquy event.
LaJoye is a coast-to-coast singer/songwriter with Midwest roots, a classically-trained violinist with a proclivity for Broadway vocals, and a student of Americana music with a theology degree hanging in their studio. They’ve been writing and touring their own autobiographical folk/pop music for over a decade, but the virality of their 2021 anthem “Plowshare Prayer” secured them a permanent place in hearts and households across the world, as well as a peculiar career as a veracious songsmith with an unshakeable pastoral presence. Charming and banter-heavy, Spencer’s live performances at theaters, listening rooms, church sanctuaries, backyards, folk festivals, spiritual conferences, and queer clubs keep diverse audiences laughing one moment and weeping the next.
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Peter Mayer
October 18 at 7 PM
We are excited to welcome Peter Mayer back to the Temple for his fourth year running! Peter is performing on Saturday, October 18 at 7 PM. The doors for the concert open at 6:30 PM.
Peter's universal music, intricate guitar playing, and poetic lyrics speak to wide and diverse audiences. The Minnesota native has been singing and songwriting full-time for over 20 years, performing in venues across the United States and beyond. He writes songs for a small planet--songs about interconnectedness and the human journey--songs about life on earth and the mysterious and wondrous fact of our existence. He also writes songs about dress hats, pumpkins and pajamas, and other important stuff! Peter has eleven albums to his credit, and has sold over 100,000 of them. Don't miss this joyful, soul-nourishing concert experience!
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Carrie Newcomer
featuring Gary Walters
November 8 at 7 PM
We are excited to welcome Carrie Newcomer to the Under the Spiral Concert Series! Carrie is performing with Gary Walters on Saturday, November 8 at 7 PM. The doors for the concert open at 6:30 PM.
Carrie Newcomer is a songwriter, recording artist, performer and educator. She has been described as a "prairie mystic" by the Boston Globe and one who "asks all the right questions" by Rolling Stone Magazine. Carrie has 19 nationally released albums on Available Light & Concord/Rounder Records including Until Now, The Point of Arrival and The Beautiful Not Yet. Newcomer has released three books of poetry & essays, A Permeable Life: Poems and Essays, The Beautiful Not Yet: Poems and Essays & Lyrics, and Until Now: Poetry by Carrie Newcomer. Her song "I Should've Known Better" appeared on Nickel Creeks' Grammy-winning gold album This Side, and she earned an Emmy for her PBS special An Evening with Carrie Newcomer.Recent appearances include PBS Religion and Ethics and Krista Tippett's On Being.
Carrie is known for her low and resonant voice "..as rich as Godiva Chocolate" according to The Austin Statesman, for her musical depth and the progressive spiritual content of her songs, poetry and workshops, and for her continued work in justice, spiritual and interfaith communities, and health and hunger organizations.
