Night & Day Events
Thursday, June 9
We always think of book clubs in a touchy-feely, share-your-thoughts, Oprah sort of way. The Flavor of Great Books discussion group, however, lays down the law. Proceedings begin tonight at 7 at the Johnson County Central Resource Library (9875 West 87th Street in Overland Park), and instructions require that attendees have given the book not just one thorough read but two. Who reads books twice? We’re interested to find out — and, OK, to read at least one time David Lodge’s Thinks, a comedy of manners set in the world of British academia. We checked, and there aren’t any Cliffs Notes, so don’t front. Call 913-495-2472 to register.
Friday, June 10
As a young lass, one of our favorite shopping trips was the one to the drugstore before we shipped off to sleepaway camp for the summer. Once inside, we checked our list with military precision, amassing Neutrogena shampoo, insect repellent, saline solution and Q-tips like we’d be cut off from anything we’d ever need once we were in the wilds of Minnesota. Several years later, things haven’t changed much. Even if we were only picking up a prescription, 20 minutes later we’ve found six shades of nail polish we can’t live without — and some Twizzlers. So even though we’re a little surprised to see that Osco (315 West 75th Street, 816-361-4639), hosts a wine tasting today from 5 to 7:30 p.m., we think it’s a perfect excuse to mix shopping and sipping. The wines are from Cedarville Vineyards, and owner and winemaker Jonathon Lachs will be there — but he won’t take the blame if you also end up with an inflatable pool and a family-sized bottle of Tums.
Saturday, June 11
Growing cacti is not a task for the impatient. It can take up to 15 years to grow a big one from seeds. And if you want a saguaro — the archetypal cactus with the arms — well, start searching for the fountain of youth, because those babies don’t get called mature until they’re at least 125 years old. The Kansas City Cactus and Succulent Society understands that you might like plants before you enter your centennial years, though, and today’s sale at City Market (Fifth Street and Walnut) offers an array of hardy cacti and succulents. The plants are, thankfully, already growing, and they’re easy to tend — just the thing for gardeners who can’t be bothered to water. The sale starts at 7 a.m. Call 816-353-8203 for more information.
Sunday, June 12
We’re always annoyed when we hear the stupid cliché that guys go to Hooters only for the wings, but we don’t eat them, so we can’t honestly say if it’s bullshit or not. Besides, all the wing eaters we know go to the Peanut when they have a hankerin’. “They’re so huge it almost feels pornographic to eat them,” says a co-worker. Perhaps the reputation of those delicious chicken parts will prove too great for us to refuse tonight at the Peanut’s Hip-Hop and Hot Wings, where every Sunday from 8 p.m. to midnight a guest DJ teams up with a guest artist to create music and art and truth and beauty and … um … sauce stains. Weeks past have seen the partnerships of Sike Style and Johnny Quest, Luke Rocha and Cosigners, and Lou and Dan Matic; slated to appear together tonight are Clandestine and Gear. It remains to be seen whether this event is so successful because of its originality or because someplace — finally! — is offering drink specials on Sunday nights. The kitchen closes at 11 p.m. at the bar’s downtown locale (418 West Ninth Street, 816-221-7470).
Monday, June 13
Now that the Crossroads Infoshop has closed, where are the budding anarchists to turn for a hardcore metal fix? Particularly now that it’s summer and Mom and Dad can’t shut down their plans by pointing out that it’s a school night. Luckily, Mott-ly has offered up his gallery space for the all-ages show without a home. Check it out tonight at 7 when Motheater, When Good Robots Go Bad, Crap Corps and Alert Alert play the MoMo Gallery (1830 Locust, 816-474-4814). No booze. No drugs. We mean it. Call 816-695-1329.
Tuesday, June 14
There was a time not long ago when we lived in the concrete jungle in an itty-bitty studio apartment and tended to three wee plants on our windowsill. We vowed that one day, we’d live in a house with a yard and a whole Hello Kitty-themed room and we’d have multiple closets. So we got the house and the closets, and we’re still working on the Hello Kitty room, but the yard — oh, the yard. We fear we lack a green thumb or, hell, even a green fingernail, when we look out our windows. Which is why tonight’s landscape design class at the Kansas City Art Institute (4415 Warwick Boulevard) may save us. Horticulturist Drew Sparnicht will be instructing gardening newbies on everything from plant selection to color schemes — and hopefully laughing with us, not at us. Classes are held from 6 to 8 p.m. through July 19 in room 117 of the Art Institute’s Irving Building and cost $95. Call 816-802-3505 to register.
Wednesday, June 14
If you’re as broke as we are and occasionally have to participate in incredibly degrading activities for cold, hard cash — and yes, we do mean baby-sitting — today you’re in luck. Get the parents to pony up some money, honey, and load up that minivan; you’re headed to Unity Temple on the Plaza (707 West 47th Street) for the Paul Mesner Puppet Company’s opening-day production of Jack and the Beanstalk. In this version of the classic fairy tale, Jack’s mother is still stingy and the beans are still magic, but the setting’s been updated — this stalk sprouts in the Dust Bowl of Oklahoma circa 1930-something. Tickets are $7.50 for adults and $6 for children, and show times are at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Call 816-756-3500 for more information.
