Adios, Tejas
10/6-10/10 </b
“People think, Midwest? There’s not Latinos there,” according to Elisa Gonzales, project coordinator for the National Association of Latino Arts and Culture. For the first time, the organization convenes its biennial national conference outside Texas — right here in Kansas City. “This conference will show the dynamic of Latinos in the Midwest. It will show the community that they’re here, they do have a voice. They have a lot to bring to the table.” Check out panel discussions about independent filmmaking and workshops like “The Beat of Social Movements” as well as Latin jazz, hip-hop, folk music and comedy performances. The conference takes place at the Downtown Marriott (200 West 12th Street), starting with a reception Wednesday and ending Sunday afternoon. Day passes are available for $100. We’re especially looking forward to Danny Rivera and Los Pleneros de la 21 at the Folly Theater Thursday night, and Lila Downs at the Gem Theater Friday. For information, call 816-472-6767. — Joe Miller
Docs in a Row
10/4-11/2
The city’s Unitarian Universalist churches, Shawnee Mission (7725 West 87th Street in Overland Park) and All Souls (4501 Walnut), show Outfoxed on Monday; the documentary series concludes with live election results on November 2. Call 816-531-2131. — Annie Fischer
Just Say Blow
SUN 10/3
Rejecting medical studies on the effects of marijuana that found it to be relatively harmless, Harry Anslinger, the first American drug czar, pushed a law in 1937 criminalizing cannabis on the grounds that it drove teenagers to commit rape and murder. But that’s not all. The Australian documentary Billion Dollar Crop, which the Community of Reason shows at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Hogan College Preparatory Academy library (1221 East Meyer Boulevard), claims not only that Anslinger was a power-hungry paranoiac but also that he had a vested interest in the synthetics industry, then led by DuPont, which was threatened by industrial hemp production. Call 816-561-1866 for more information. — Jason Harper
House of Pain
10/2-10/3
Fixer-uppers sound so charming — and like a hell of a lot of work. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, the Historic Hyde Park Homes Tour showcases seven houses in various stages of renovation, from a sweet little bungalow to a fabulous Gothic mansion. Best part: Leaky roofs and collapsing foundations are someone else’s problems. House hunters can also board mini-coaches on Janssen Place just south of 36th Street for an exploration of the neighborhood. Call 816-561-4762 for tickets. — Fischer
