Down ‘n’ Dirty
SAT 6/28
Bill McKelvey studied botany and ecology in college, worked for the Forest Service and became adept at the fine art of rare plant surveys. He was a professional, with a career in ecological restoration — which he says means asking what a piece of land was like before it was developed, then “returning that land to the ideal of its original state.” He enjoyed that work, but he wanted to do more with his hands and was inspired by a college buddy who had a 1-acre farm. McKelvey is a quiet man. Even so, you can tell by the shift in his demeanor when he begins talking about the farm that doing dirty work is his real calling — or callings.
Now, in addition to running a children’s gardening program, McKelvey maintains two Kansas City Community Gardens plots of his own. He grows too much food to eat himself, so on Saturday mornings he leaves the house at 5:30, picks vegetables from his plots, and has them bundled and ready for sale at the Troost Community Market (Linwood and Troost) by 8.
At the market, vendors sell crafts and fresh vegetables, and friendly conversation is free and plentiful. It may not be ecological restoration in the strictest sense, but what’s going on at the Troost Community Market is a kind of restoration, a returning to the way things were before.
The vendors — several of whom farm alongside McKelvey on community plots — are happy to tell you their stories for the price of a cabbage. Ask Jimmie Collier about his Adventurer’s Travel Club. Ask Sherri Harvel about the Zucchini Lady. Want to become a market vendor? Sherri can hook you up. (Or call the hot line at 816-931-8800.) Need a place to grow your veggies first? Why, they’ll be happy to help you at the KC Community Gardens, 816-931-3877.
Take a cue from Bill McKelvey. Get your hands dirty.— Kelly Sue DeConnick
Sinatra
Being Frank
FRI 6/27
Dubious biographers are cashing in on Frank Sinatra’s sometimes shady past, rehashing rumors of Mob connections that 60 Minutes put to bed in the 1980s. But nobody questions the music, least of all Quality Hill Playhouse (303 West 10th Street), which is reviving its 2002 hit My Frank. Whether “Swingin’ on a Star” or enmeshed in “Something Stupid” with his daughter, Sinatra deserved the title of industry heavyweight. With a bouncy instrumental trio backing Jim Korinke and Melinda MacDonald at the mics, My Frank could rightfully be retitled Everybody’s Frank. The show opens Friday and runs through July 27. For information, call 816-421-1700.— Steve Walker
Goin’ to KCK
SAT 6/28
For free entertainment, it’s hard to beat the Kansas City, Kansas, Street Blues Festival, an internationally recognized street party that draws close to 10,000 blues fans. For Missouri dwellers, it’s a good reason to cross the state line and show some love to KCK, which nearly all the festival’s performers call home. Old favorites like Myra Taylor will be on hand, and the festival will honor King Alex — a Louisiana native who has spent the past fifty years in Kansas City — with a Living Heritage Tribute Show. The festival starts with the national anthem at 10:55 a.m. at 3rd Street and Parallel Parkway. For more information, call 913-441-2888.— Sarah Smarsh
A Side of Tree
TUE 7/1
A few weeks ago, James Calder (yep, he’s the great nephew of well-known experimental sculptor Alexander Calder) came to town to do a wood carving for Succotash in the City Market (15 East 3rd Street). Sitting on the front walk near the outdoor tables is the hefty piece of tree trunk etched with a wrinkly man’s face and letters that spell out the restaurant’s name, all following the bumps and curves and crevices that naturally exist in the wood. Not that you need a lot of reasons to go out to eat, but this impressive piece is joined by a worthwhile collection of local art hanging inside the restaurant, too. For information, call 816-421-2807.— Gina Kaufmann
