Destroyed! By MADNESS!

Hypothetically, a William Shatner reading of Allen Ginsberg’s Howl would be the performance-poetry equivalent of Ultimate Fighting. But at least we have the Opus poetry ensemble, which gathers on the first Sunday of each month at the Writers Place (3607 Pennsylvania, 816-753-1090) for dramatic live poetry. The group rehearses together, creating more of a monthly revue than a reading. (Performers are required to memorize their poems.) Following the Opus performance, poetic extroverts share an open mic for 45 minutes. Sign up tonight at 7 for the open mic, but remember: Those who memorize get preferential treatment.

First Sunday of every month, 7:30 p.m., 2007