Custom Blade
FRI 7/15
Take it away from an impending gang rumble, and a switchblade opening can be a compelling time-lapse artistic phenomenon — like the blooming of a flower or the decay of an apple. Painter Erick Warner captures such a blade in four stages, from its first emergence until its full erection from a flame-decorated ivory case. The sexual overtones are obvious, suggesting a correlation between lustful urges and heat-of-passion violence. But what really stands out are his vivid colors, the way fiery oranges complement a blue backdrop. Such primary-color settings define Warner’s switchblade series, which captures other knives at full extension in single images. Similarly, a simple chair becomes an engaging subject, in stark relief against a dense black-and-red speckled square. And when he’s working with the human body, Warner uses a graceful geometry: His striking female silhouette strings together shapes, with interlocking angles, pert triangles and semicircles forming every feature; the piece resembles an animation still, as if it were a screen capture from Tim Burton’s upcoming Corpse Bride. Warner’s show opens from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday at the 525 Gallery (525 Gillis) in the City Market. For more information, call 816-587-1487. By Andrew Miller
Code Breaker
A philosophy Freke stops in KC.
FRI 7/15
One review of Elizabeth Kostova’s best-seller The Historian describes it as “The Da Vinci Code for smart people” — a remark that likely offends Timothy Freke (pronounced freak, much to his critics’ delight). He has appeared as a “Da Vinci Code expert” on the History Channel, and Da Vinci author Dan Brown has acknowledged Freke’s Jesus and the Lost Goddess as an inspiration. But even Da Vinci discarders might embrace The Laughing Jesus and Lucid Living, Freke’s slim volumes that address people who fret about fundamentalism and new-age enthusiasts, respectively. The books might incite profound epiphanies for readers who live at the intersection of alternative philosophy and peaceful solutions. But they’ll definitely enrage anyone who can’t consider the question “What if the Old Testament is fiction, Jesus never existed and Muhammad was a mobster?” without breaking blood vessels. Freke speaks at 7 p.m. Friday at Unity Temple on the Plaza (707 West 47th Street). Admission is $20; register by calling 913-681-2459. — Miller
Thirty Candles
Celebrate Rainy Day’s birthday with Harry and Charlie.
FRI 7/15
Rainy Day Books’ recent policy change regarding admission to author events (you must buy the book from RDB to get in) has us a little bummed. But — let it be known — we will always be up for a birthday party. Particularly one that includes Andre’s milk-chocolate truffles. The Fairway bookstore celebrates 30 years of business with a screening of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from 9 p.m. to midnight Friday at Cinemark Palace at the Plaza (500 Nichols Road). The film’s opening happens to coincide with the book release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, distributed at midnight with the aforementioned slices of heaven. Call 913-384-3126 for prices on various package deals. —Annie Fischer
Beer Giggles
Everything’s funnier when you’re drinking.
7/14-7/19
The Kansas City-based sketch comedy troupe Stuck in a Straightjacket has finally completed its first movie, which includes scenes with Vikings, vampires and Cyndi Lauper. After a one-night stint at Tivoli Cinemas, the group is now screening its baby in bars. See it at 8:45 p.m. Thursday at Downing’s Bar and Grill (3916 Rainbow, 913-671-8861; stay for karaoke!) or at 9 p.m. Tuesday at Molloy Brothers Irish Pub (1020 Westport Road, 816-753-5207). — Fischer
