Night & Day Events
Thursday, November 3
A media announcement tells us that Crosby Kemper III is hosting a “special event” Sunday for Tibetan scholar Achok Rinpoche — but we aren’t allowed to come. It’s invitation-only. Well, screw it — we can meet the master on our own today through Sunday at Unity Temple on the Plaza (707 West 47th Street). The fourth incarnation of Achok Geshe Sonam Chopel, a 15th-century lama, speaks on “Compassion and Wisdom in Everyday Life” and “The Six Perfections” throughout the weekend. Each session costs $15 (no advance tickets are available); catch all five for $50. (Private time costs $30 per half-hour.) Request a full schedule or make an appointment by e-mailing Stephanie Sabato at ssabato@jccc.edu.
Friday, November 4
Just because we don’t have a tattoo doesn’t mean we’re free from tattoo envy. It’s just a fear of commitment. We change outfits four times in the morning, so how the hell could we live with a single design permanently inked into our skin? Don Ed Hardy does not have such problems. He has wanted to be a tattoo artist since age 10, and some consider him responsible for the form’s artistic evolution. (He’s also responsible for getting his tattoo-covered trucker hats on the likes of Paris Hilton, but we won’t hold that against him.) Tonight we head to the Dennis Morgan Gallery (2011 Tracy, 816-842-8755) for the opening of Recent Paintings, Drawings and Prints, which includes Hardy’s paintings on synthetic paper, mounted like Chinese scrolls. Hardy’s work hangs alongside that of Michael Krueger, whose pencil drawings and prints are inspired by American history. The reception is from 6 to 9.
Saturday, November 5
Rocks rock! We used to tromp up and down our suburban street, searching for interesting mineral forms with our best friend, Judy. Think that’s slightly dorky? We’d go back to the house and diligently clean our new rocks with the care that some kids show Matchbox cars or Barbie dolls; then we’d spread them out on the floor and examine them as if we were scientists. Did we ever stop to consider that maybe we were just collecting gravel off the road? Nope. Now that we’re older and wiser, we’re ready to hit this weekend’s Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show at the KCI Expo Center (11730 North Ambassador Drive). Of course, this time we’re a little more interested in the gem and jewelry components. Today’s hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the show continues through tomorrow. Five dollars gets us in. Call 972-542-7370 for more information.
Sunday, November 6
Kurt Andersen is our idol. For eight years, he was Time magazine’s architecture and design critic, later becoming the editor-at-large and writing a weekly entertainment and media column. He acted as a cultural critic at The New Yorker for three years (could there be a better job?), co-founded Spy magazine and Inside.com, and was editor-in-chief of New York magazine. He’s the author of two books — Turn of the Century, a highly praised novel, and The Real Thing, a collection of humorous essays — and is working on a third. Additionally, he hosts Public Radio International’s Studio 360, a kick-ass arts-and-culture program. Tonight marks the national launch of a sort-of spin-off show, the Andersen-hosted American Icons, which explores how the likes of Barbie, Miles Davis and The Wizard of Oz eventually became enduring symbols. Tonight’s offering is a rebroadcast of the Peabody Award-winning pilot, about Moby Dick. If you aren’t familiar with our boy Kurt, tune into KCUR 89.3 at 7 tonight.
Monday, November 7
The Johnson County League of Women Voters wouldn’t even exist if it weren’t for the 19th Amendment, added to the Constitution in 1920: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” Learn more when the group shows the HBO film Iron-Jawed Angels, starring Hilary Swank and Anjelica Huston, at the Johnson County Central Resource Library (9875 West 87th Street in Overland Park) tonight at 5:45. The screening is a fund-raiser for the JCLWV’s Education Fund; $15 seems like a small price to pay for a journey to suffragette city. Call 913-495-2400 for more information.
Tuesday, November 8
Baxter Black doesn’t have much in common with fellow NPR dude Kurt Andersen (see Sunday). A former large-animal veterinarian, Black bills himself as a “cowboy poet.” (We doubt Andersen has ever gotten on a horse.) Black gets reviews in Cowboys & Indians magazine, to boot, which is just another reason to love the author of Hey, Cowgirl, Need a Ride?, the sequel to the also saucily titled Hey, Cowboy, Wanna Get Lucky? Black’s style has been called “Kinky Friedman meets Carl Hiaasen” — what else do you need? We’re talking about a man who gives characters names like Teddie Arizona (aka T.A.), F. Rank Pantaker and Ponce de Crayon. He reads tonight at 7 at Unity Temple on the Plaza (707 West 47th Street). Admission for two comes with the purchase of the $23.95 book from Rainy Day Books. Call 913-384-3126 for information.
Wedneday, November 9
Back in the July 21 issue of the Pitch, the editors of Night & Day included a slightly insensitive but innocuous mention of the unfortunate reputation of the pit bull. Here at the Pitch, we think all dogs go to heaven — but (at least) one reader didn’t appreciate our brand of humor. In fact, the pit-bull defender wrote a letter, which began with this affectionate salutation: “Dear fucking Annie and fucking Rebecca.” We silently vowed never to write about those lovable little maul rats again, but then we heard about tonight’s Don’t Believe the Bull Beer Blast. From 6 to 9 p.m. at the Dark Horse Tavern (4112 Pennsylvania, 816-931-3663), Missouri Pit Bull Rescue offers a damned good deal: Buy a pizza for $20 and score all the free beer you can drink. We liked the name too much to let it pass without mention. Apologies in advance to anyone who might be offended.
