Night & Day Events

18 Thursday

With only 12 months in a year, it’s amazing how many months are designated to certain causes and celebrations. Among other things, May is Mental Health Month, and The Mental Health Association of the Heartland wants to share its stories of success. “Teaming for Success and Wellness” takes place tonight from 6:30 to 8:30 at Old United Methodist Church (Shawnee Mission Parkway & Mission Road) in Fairway, Kan. A psychiatrist and a family will share their story, explaining how the use of medication, and an understanding of mental illness, can help people diagnosed with mental disorders recover. If you’d like to know more, call 913-281-2221.

19 Friday

Kansas City designer and author Kelee Katillac has helped homeowners of all backgrounds make their houses “homes” through belief-based home design. What exactly is belief-based design? Katillac explains, “Even the smallest actions of creativity in the home can lead to larger belief in our potential.” She points out that if you find a beat-up chair on the side of the road and restore it, you’ll find that you and that chair have a lot in common: Creativity can change your life. You can meet Katillac as well as Habitat for Humanity homeowners, such as poet Sonja Brown, who have benefited from Katillac’s philosophy as they celebrate the release of Katillac’s new book, House of Belief: Creating Your Personal Style. Ten percent of the sales from her book will go to expand her Habitat for Humanity-House of Belief program nationwide. Also meet other local artists and homeowners who have contributed to House of Belief and view their work during the presentation tonight at Unity Temple on the Plaza, 707 W. 47th St., at 7. For more information, call 816-931-3496.

20 Saturday

Despite innovations in technology that have made toys cooler these days, it’s safe to say that, as far as toys go, nothing has surpassed the pedal car. In homage to the pedal car, the Toy and Miniature Museum of Kansas City is displaying Joe Moncado’s exhibit Foot-Powered Fun. While collecting die-cast replicas of pedal cars three years ago, Moncado, an Olathe, Kan., resident, started thinking about the turquoise Murray Comet he had as a child. Since that day, he has collected and restored 30 pedal cars and still hankers for more. Moncado will be on hand today at the museum from noon to 4 p.m. to answer questions about his array of foot-powered funmobiles. The exhibit closes on May 27. The museum is located at 5235 Oak St. For more information, call 816-333-2055.

21 Sunday

In the world of opera, Maria Callas‘ name will live forever. Callas (whose real surname was Kalogeropoulos) was born in New York in 1923. When she was 13 years old she moved to Athens, Greece, with her mother and studied singing. Her tutoring under a famous singing master took from morning till night. After several school performances she was offered a part in the Royal Opera in Suppé’s Boccaccio. This sparked the start of her professional career. Callas soon became the pre-eminent soprano of her day, reviving forgotten operas of the bel canto repertoire. In the early ’70s playwright Terrance McNally attended a series of master classes held by Callas at the Juilliard School of Music. His observations inspired him to write the play Master Class, which is showing at the Missouri Repertory Theatre through May 28. John Ardoin, a friend of Callas, and actress Angela Iannone (who portrays Callas) will discuss the life of the first lady of opera today at 5 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry. For more information, call 816-235-2700.

22 Monday

“Emerging Issues and Opportunities Among First-Ring Suburbs” may not be terms you’re familiar with, but if you happen to live in this particular ring — the one closest to urbanland — consider attending the Mid-America Regional Council and the Development and Retention Council of Northeast Johnson County’s forum from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. today at the Woodside Tennis and Health Club, 2000 W. 47th Place, in Westwood, Kan. The program will feature William Morrish, director of the Design Center for American Urban Landscape at the University of Minnesota; and Kenneth Montlack, vice mayor for the city of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, a first-ring suburb in the Cleveland area. The registration fee is $25. For more information, call 816-474-4240.

23 Tuesday

A “Circle of Lights” will encompass the J.C. Nichols fountain and the Gorman Memorial Foundation in the Northland tonight at 8:15, in memory of loved ones who have passed, as part of the annual Kansas City Hospice-sponsored ceremony. Luminary bags bearing the names of those being honored will be placed around the fountains as the vigil takes place. Mary McNeive, director of bereavement services at Kansas City Hospice, says, “As human beings, we need rituals, and this is a ritual to honor and remember someone we’ve shared our lives with. It is a way we can help people make sense of what has happened.” Be a part of the Circle and support those who are mourning, or find support yourself. For more information, call 816-276-9297.

24 Wednesday

Walt Disney’s release of Beauty and the Beast raked in millions with just the soundtrack — not to mention memorabilia featuring animated talking teapots and dust pans. It also gave Angela Lansbury a faceless last grasp at fame. We haven’t seen the last of the classic fairy tale yet: Beauty and the Beast hits the stage of the Music Hall today. You can watch as Belle gets closer to finding out that the Beast is really a young prince trapped in the throes of an evil spell — all he has to do is learn to love to vex the hex. Performances run through June 4. Tonight’s show begins at 8. For more information, call 816-931-3330.