Night & Day Events

Thursday, March 31
Apparently the film industry is hoping that Oscar hog Million Dollar Baby prompted a boxing boom rather than beginning and ending one in 132 minutes. After all, there’s this summer’s highly anticipated Cinderella Man, the story of Depression-era fighter Jim Braddock starring Russell Crowe and Renée Zellweger, which is sure to be this year’s Seabiscuit (minus the horse). And there’s Black Cloud, a film written, directed and co-produced by Ricky — oops, Rick — Schroder, which premieres at 7 tonight at Liberty Hall (642 Massachusetts, Lawrence). The title character is a Native American boxer who declines an offer to join the Olympic boxing team because he’s dedicated to fighting solely for the Navajo Nation, only to discover later that he’s of “mixed blood,” all of which leads him on “a journey of self-discovery.” Not interested? Then consider showing up just to tease the baby-faced Silver Spoons boy, who leads a question-and-answer session after the screening. Tickets are $7 ($5 for students); call 785-865-4494.

Friday, April 1

The unusually good weather back on March 4 seemed to breathe new life into First Fridays — we’ve heard more buzz about April’s openings than we have the past few months. We’ll swing by the MoMO Studio (1830 Locust), where Kevin McGraw has a solo show not at #8 Gallery for the first time since 2001. The Vault (2016 Baltimore) hosts Laura Faye Sirkin’s Sculptural Fashion, where models reportedly “display the beauty of ridged forms in function.” Troy Swangstu and Alex Whitney Studio (516 East 18th Street) has Villa de Mutante, a show of “epic acrylics.” A couple of new spaces have opened as well, including the Monarch Gallery (3829 Main), with its student-centered show called New Blood — an exhibit not to be confused with one displaying the work of photography students at the KCAI Crossroads Gallery (1908 Main). But more likely than not, we’ll be at Grinders (417 East 18th Street). Beer and pizza. Mmmm.

Saturday, April 2

We love to shop. Yes, it’s frivolous. Yes, it’s vain. Yes, we could support eight Ethiopian children for the green we spend at Anthropologie every month. But new skirts make us feel special! So when we learned that Lynn Steely was opening Dingle Dry Goods to offer “androgynous, stylish, antique and vintage furniture, linens, tableware, decoratives and clothes,” we applied for another credit card. Located in the old Curious Sofa space across the street from Shiraz, the store aims to create the environment of an old-fashioned department store. The problem is, it’s really small. And because it’s only been open since March 16, it’s a work in progress. But it definitely has potential — and a kick-ass antique croquet set that will be ours. As soon as the new credit card comes. Dingle Dry Goods (329 Southwest Boulevard, 816-472-1897) is open seven days a week — today from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, April 3

The seventh annual KC Jewish Film Festival, which started yesterday, promises a week of international movies that have our interest piqued — but none so much as one of today’s offerings, Bonjour Monsieur Shlomi. It’s an Israeli coming-of-age drama about a boy who, at home, bathes his grandfather, reminds his brother to take his medication, calms his mother and mediates family fights. At school, he’s a social outcast with undiagnosed learning disabilities. His life changes with two events: A new principal arrives, and he notices the girl next door. Saucy. The screening is at 7 p.m. at Rio Theatre (7204 West 80th Street in Overland Park). Single-night tickets cost $7; passes for the series are $45. Call 913-327-8000 or see www.jcckc.org for festival details.

From 7 to 9 p.m. at the Uptown Theater (3700 Broadway), Ida McBeth and friends perform to raise funds for Friends of Summer, the group trying to keep Summer Shipp’s disappearance in the public eye. (Shipp vanished on December 8, 2004, while conducting door-to-door market research in Independence.) Comedian David Naster plays host at the jazz extravaganza; vintage clothes and hats are encouraged. Admission is $10; see www.friendsofsummer.com.

Monday, April 4

It might sound ridiculous, but we hate working out with guys. It’s the terrifying grunts, the spandex shorts, the hideous displays of testosterone-driven competitiveness. So we’re checking out Women in Training, an eight-week series that starts tonight from 6:30 to 8 at St. Luke’s East-Lee’s Summit (700 Southwest Pryor Road) and costs $30. Betcha everybody there sweats roses. Call 816-932-6220.

Tuesday, April 5

The first thing we wondered when we heard that Miss Saigon was coming to Lawrence was how the hell the University of Kansas was going to pull off that helicopter bit. We made a couple of calls — we know people who know people — and happily found our answer. But we don’t want to spoil it for you. You should go watch the heartbreaking musical for yourself. Set in the days before the American evacuation of Saigon in 1975, the sixth-longest-running show in Broadway history comes to the Lied Center (1600 Stewart Drive) at 7:30 tonight and tomorrow. Tickets are $39 and $44; call 785-864-2787.

Wednesday, April 6

Our favorite foodies kick off their Spring Zing Fling Thing series at 6:30 tonight at the Family Tree Nursery (8424 Farley in Overland Park) with a class on herbs and a tasting. Yeah, those herbs. The American Institute of Wine and Food loves getting stoned. And then they all get naked and have hippie orgies bathed in the light of the fire. We asked for a membership this past Christmas, but Grandma knew exactly what we were up to. So instead she joined up herself. OK, so the herbs refer to, like, dill or something — but we aren’t kidding about wanting a membership. The rest of the classes sound scrumptious — Coffee and Coffee Liqueurs at the Roasterie, Feng Shui in the Kitchen in some guy’s loft and Chocolate Tasting with Christopher Elbow at Shiraz. Tonight’s class is $22 for outsiders ($17 for members — lucky); the entire series is $99 ($75 for members). Call 913-851-2375.