Fairey Tale

11/4-11/5
Hipsters looking for an outmoded pastime to subvert might consider reintroducing the world to sticker collections, those books lovingly tended by young girls as a way to honor their prized scratch-‘n’-sniffs, Hello Kitty puffies and glittery unicorns. The updated sticker book would definitely include reminders of erstwhile bands (Pavement, perhaps?) and at least one “Andre the Giant has a Posse” sticker. Shepard Fairey, for example, started covering Providence with his Andre stickers while attending the Rhode Island School of Design in 1989. Fifteen years later, his work has evolved into crisp prints, and what started as an art-school project has spawned a giant empire that includes a clothing line and design firm. Fairey’s recent work, in a limited palette of red, black and cream, evokes Communist propaganda — but not in a “Comrades, Plant Seeds!” sort of way. In one print, a woman with a spray-paint can urges viewers to “Think & Create, Paint & Destroy.”

Fairey presents his manifesto at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Kansas City Art Institute’s Epperson Auditorium (4415 Warwick, 816-802-3458). Shepard Fairey: Supply and Demand opens from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday at the Paragraph Gallery (23 East 12th Street, 816-695-7734).—Rebecca Braverman

Point Taken
How does one shit a hit?

ONGOING
The Hit Shitters, the guys who host open-mike night in the basement of the Point (917 West 44th Street), bring a farcical enthusiasm to a genre that can often be difficult to endure. Known separately as Quiziminicon and Goddamnula, they join forces around 10:30 p.m. every Thursday to become purveyors of what the two have dubbed “Gonzo musical theater.” The Hit Shitters host without pretense, welcoming anyone who can muster enough courage to take the stage. All talents are welcome, including spoken-word poets, stand-up comedians and ventriloquists. “We try to approach this thing with an anything-goes mentality,” Goddamnula says. And when there’s a shortage of volunteers, the Hit Shitters fill the void. Part Beastie Boys, part Dick Van Dyke, they shout twenty somethings’ poetic truths and untruths to the sounds of old-school hip-hop, R&B and even country hits. Call 816-561-7660. — Todd Broockerd

The Handmade Tale
A letterpress continues to impress.

FRI 11/5
Despite Hallmark’s meticulously researched product lines for all human demographic groups and several animal phyla, when it comes to our greeting-card needs, the Gold Crown just gets us down. That’s why we’ve been going to Hammerpress at 1919 Wyandotte (816-421-1929), where Brady Vest and his team of letterpress virtuosi peddle, among other handmade wonders, greeting cards that are gifts in themselves. We’ll line up this First Friday when Hammerpress unveils its first-ever holiday product line, featuring a dozen or so new Christmas-card designs and, for that special gal on our list, durable clutch purses made from Hammerpress posters and test prints, co-designed by Kristina Bresoni of XYZHandbags.com. — Jason Harper

Pass It On

SUN 11/7
This Sunday, check out Queer as Art, hosted by Passages, a nonprofit that supports gay and lesbian teenagers. There’s an art auction and open house from 6 to 7 p.m.; poetry readings start at 7:30. It takes place at 4007 Central (913-961-5932), and apparently age costs — those 20 or younger get in free, but folks who are 21 and older pay $10. — Annie Fischer