Archives: June 2011

Da Kine Love

Even if you aren’t a fan of romantic comedies, there’s no denying that the Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore flick 50 First Dates goes above typical Saturday-afternoon, basic-cable viewing. Shot on location in Oahu, Hawaii, the 2004 movie stars Sandler as Henry, a mack-daddy marine veterinarian hellbent on wooing Lucy (Barrymore), a cute art teacher who suffers from anterograde amnesia…

First Friday top pick: The Keyhole

Jessica Logsdon and her Crossroads gallery have found success with the live painting formula that pits teams of local artists against one another to create images of live models posed and dressed as larger-than-life figures. Tonight, Marc Saviano assumes the role of Uncle Sam to be painted by Victoria Strong, Mary Ware, Christina Gandy, Cortney Jarisch, Jason Sierra and Logsdon…

First Friday top pick: The Gallery at 19 Below

The Gallery at 19 Below (5 West 19th Street, 816-471-1019). Graphic designers Robb Smigielski and Jamie Gray present Dead Modern, a modernist exhibition and poster sale. Their featured works are centered on the themes “Objectivist Advertising” (large street-poster illustrations of novels by everyone’s favorite rational egoist, Ayn Rand) and “Día de los Modernist” (small-sized screen prints that pay tribute to…

Transgender Platforms

The sounds of drag racing emanate from Washington Square Park today — high-pitched squeals and giggles, not roaring engines. Foot races in flats and 3-inch (and higher) heels are among the festivities planned for Midwest QueerFest: A Celebration of Activism for the Anniversary of Stonewall. Presented by the organization Empowering Queer Activists and Leaders, the festival is timed to mark…

Phantom Opportunities

Supernatural happenings and ghostlike orbs aren’t just reserved for Halloween — they can be found year-round, even in Lawrence. Brave souls can take Ghost Tours of Kansas when ghost hunters meet at the Eldridge Hotel (701 Massachusetts, Lawrence, 785-749-5011), a rumored hot spot for paranormal activity, at 8 p.m. “The Eldridge is one of the more haunted locations on the…

Shout at the Devil

It’s been about 10 years since Nashville gospel artist Mike Farris found God, but the 2008 Americana Music Award winner has had soul for decades. Last year, his efforts went into an album, The Night the Cumberland Came Alive, that was recorded to raise money for Tennessee flood relief. See him at Knuckle­heads Saloon (2715 Rochester, 816-483-1456) when he teams…

Fireworks at Powell Gardens

Flee the urban scene on Saturday, July 2, for this festival that allows picnics and coolers. Hear music by the Lee’s Summit Symphony, let the kids splash around in the Fountain Garden, and marvel in the beauty of the daylilies. Idyllic, yes? Admission costs $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $5 for children aged 5-12. The rain date is…

Free Fireworks in Independence

Traditional patriotic music by the Spirit of Independence Community Concert Band begins at 8:30 p.m. on the lawn of the Mormon Visitors Center, and fireworks begin at dark. Bring chairs and blankets. The gates open at 8 p.m. Mon., July 4, 8 p.m., 2011 Tags: Mormon Visitors Center, Night & Day

Fourth of July weekend fireworks at Worlds of Fun

Fireworks are scheduled at 10 p.m. on three nights: Saturday, July 2, through Monday, July 4, at the amusement park off Interstate 435. Single-day tickets for adults start at $44.95. Parking is $10 a car. Sat., July 2, 10 p.m.; Sun., July 3, 10 p.m.; Mon., July 4, 10 p.m., 2011 Tags: 2900, Night & Day

Free Fireworks in Overland Park

The gates open at 4 p.m. Monday, July 4, for this free event, which includes live music beginning at 5:30, food and drink vendors, and an official welcome by 3rd District Congressman Kevin Yoder. Fireworks start at 9:30. The rain date for fireworks only is Tuesday, July 5. See starspangledspectacular.org for more information. Mon., July 4, 5:30 p.m., 2011 Tags:…

Beefy Beverage

On July 5, 1937, Spam (“shoulder of pork and ham”) in a can was dropped on the American marketplace. (It had previously been known as “Hormel Spiced Ham.”) Seven decades later, the nation’s palate tolerates such variations as Spam Garlic, Spam Cheese, Spam Spread, Spam Hot & Spicy and, for the calorie-conscious, Spam Lite. Raise your glass to this mystifying…

Ringo with Cheese

You already know that the Burger Stand at the Casbah (803 Massachusetts, in Lawrence, 785-856-0543) has insanely tasty food. But were you aware that the restaurant puts on karaoke every Wednesday? Fuel up on your favorite burger, a side of fries and any of the Stand’s Wednesday drink specials — $2 well, $4 double well, $3 selected bottle of beer…

Bow to the Bird

Before refrigeration, fried chicken made for the best summer meal. It was ideal for traveling long distances or for outdoor picnics — it was already cooked, it stayed crispy, and it was inexpensive. Today is National Fried Chicken Day, which pays homage to the deep-fried delicacy. Kansas Citians so love the dish that the two locations of the iconic Stroud’s…

Missouri banned gay marriage in 2004. But what about 2012?

In 2004, Missouri voters approved a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Here’s an interesting question: Would voters make the same decision in 2012? Acceptance of gay marriage has increased at a rapid pace in recent years. Polls show that a majority of Americans now favor the idea. Last week, state lawmakers in New York rewrote the marriage law to make…

Doctors sue to stop Kansas abortion clinic regulations

Two Overland Park doctors are suing Kansas in federal court over strict new regulations that abortion clinics must comply with by July 1. Dr. Traci Nauser and her father, Dr. Herbert Hodes, who run the Center for Women’s Health, have filed suit arguing the new restrictions are unconstitutional. KCUR’s Alana Gordon reports that the doctors canceled their inspection by the…

Meat Puppets discount with Elvis Costello ticket stub

Thursday’s an embarrassment of riches here in town. Elvis Costello and the Imposters are playing Crossroads KC at Grinders, and later in the evening the Meat Puppets are at RecordBar. (Read about both on our Forecast page.) What to do? Both! Bring your Elvis Costello ticket stub to RecordBar after the show and get $5 off entry.   Categories: Music…

NPR: Westboro Baptist Church used to train FBI agents

Waking up to news about Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church is never a good way to start the day. But, thanks to an NPR report on Morning Edition, that’s what millions of Americans did today. And the news was bizarre, even by WBC standards. Reporter Dina Temple-Raston told the story of the FBI inviting WBC members to training…

Marlins outfielder Logan Morrison gets yelled at for Twitter use

Fans of Florida Marlins outfielder Logan Morrison — a Kansas City native — might enjoy him more for his constantly updated and frequently amusing Twitter feed. We wrote about it earlier this summer when the club’s president warned him about his feed. At the time, Morrison didn’t seem concerned about Twitter interfering with his work. But the fun might be…

Out of Time & Space Astrology

Cancer/Cancer Rising* (Jun 21-July 21): You wake up Friday, July 1 to a New Moon Partial Solar Eclipse. Did you know that ancient royals would manipulate the common folk and say that a dragon would swallow the Sun? Sound familiar? Can you say Debt Ceiling alert? Are we acting out a Henny Penny reality? Oh, back to my original point…