Night & Day Events

Thursday, August 5
With so many worthy cultural organizations in Kansas City, we’re never sure which ones to join, if any. There are so many things to consider. Who has the most attractive members? Whose happy hour offers the best specials? Whose dues are the cheapest? Luckily, they’re all convening from 5 to 7 tonight at Harry’s Country Club (112 East Missouri Avenue), so we can conveniently size them up all at once. Representatives from the Bacchus Foundation, Young Friends of Art, SAFARIZ (KC Zoo), the Bohemians (Lyric Opera), the Kansas City Symphony, the Missouri Repertory Theatre, the Kansas City Ballet, Union Station and others will answer questions about their respective societies. There’s no cover charge, and a cash bar provides the drink specials. Call 816-421-3505 for more information.

Friday, August 6

Who do Patrick and Brandon Sumner think they’re kidding? The “Sumnerve Brothers,” as they call themselves, work under the guise of documentary filmmakers, but we’re pretty sure their foray into film was an excuse to tape the pretty ladies at the Italian Summer Fashion Show. They promise it’s only the first in a series exploring regional cultural events called Natives and Alternative. The DVD sounds comprehensive — it includes the entire show, designer chapter marks and interviews with event coordinators Peregrine Honig, Corrie Van Ausdal, Blair Schulman and Hadley Johnson, among others. The brothers are calling it a “behind-the-scenes glance of more than just behinds.” Some nerve, indeed. Check out the release party from 8 to 10 p.m. on 18th Street between Baltimore and Wyandotte. Call Patrick at 816-931-7561 for more information.

Saturday, August 7

John Edward, the psychic medium who hosts the television series Crossing Over, offers this sage advice: “Don’t put earthly expectations on a heavenly experience.” We think John is a very strange man — he might have good intentions, but his show is ultracreepy. He’s the authority, though, so we’ll keep his suggestion in mind at the Spirit, Body and Soul Fair from noon to 7 p.m. today and noon to 6 p.m. tomorrow at the Best Western Inn (501 Southwest Boulevard in Kansas City, Kansas). Cyndy Green, who promises to deliver some crossing-over messages of her own, is among the 10 to 15 interpreters who will be in attendance. Others offer psychic readings, information on past lives and aura photos, as well as a host of new-age products for sale. General admission is $8. Call 918-407-3392 or e-mail Green at seagreen11@aol.com for more information.

Sunday, August 8

One of the only things we know about crooner Robert Goulet is that Will Ferrell once did a pretty hysterical sendup of him in a staring contest with a fake ram. If that’s indicative of all things Robert Goulet, we’re tempted to skip his performance as a great king in the final production of Camelot at 8:30 p.m. at Starlight Theatre (6601 Swope Parkway). However, we never made it to this summer’s not-so-blockbuster King Arthur (though we dug the idea of Guinevere as a badass), and we like the irony that Goulet’s Broadway debut was as Lancelot — in 1960. We knew Arthur was older than his hunky protégé, but come on … by 44 years? This we gotta see. Tickets start at $9; call 816-363-7827 to purchase.

Monday, August 9
We aren’t sure if this counts as practice, but every Thursday night from 8 to 10, we’re glued to Bravo watching Celebrity Poker Showdown. And it’s not just because we have a minicrush on poker expert Phil Gordon. As a result of our obsession, we now know the meaning of flush-draw, the flop and all-in — which means we feel fully prepared to take on anyone who’s willing in a rousing game of Texas hold ’em tonight at The Jazz (1823 West 39th Street). Games start every Monday at 8 p.m. (registration begins an hour before), and though it’s not for money, the lucky soul with the most points at the end of October wins a trip to New Orleans. Players can attend as many or as few weeks as they wish, and it’s free. Dare you challenge us? Call 816-531-5556 for more information.

Tuesday, August 10

We were totally on top of that knitting trend. We learned to knit months ago. We also promptly disposed of our needles about a week later. It’s kind of hard. And sort of tedious. Plus, we thought for sure that the woven look would be a short-lived fad. Alas, we were wrong — knitting ain’t goin’ nowhere. And we’re pretty much dying for a powder-blue capelet. So after a quick stop at Urban Arts and Crafts (507 Walnut, 816-234-1004) to pick up some supersoft yarn (and a new pair of No. 13 needles), off we go to the Parkville branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library (8815 Northwest 45 Highway) for a 2 p.m. beginning knitting class. Needles and yarn are also provided in an optional kit for $10. Call 816-741-4721 for more information.

Wednesday, August 11

When Kirby Cobb founded the Independent Film Coalition in 1993, it consisted of about ten people and a coffee shop. Since then, the organization has grown significantly, and the weekly meetings at the Westport Coffee House have brought filmmakers such as Julie Lynch and Eric Chaikin to town. Now the group has a DVD to show for all of its work. At 7:30 p.m. at the Tivoli Cinemas (4050 Pennsylvania), the group screens The Best of the IFC: Volume 1, which includes 22 films and covers several styles and genres. Among the selections are Ty Jones and Chris Swartz’s notorious comedy Man’s Best Friend, John Bergin and Shari Elf’s animated music short Seamstress, and Gino Lacata’s satirical W.A.H.M.O. Seeing as how these folks aren’t really the bake-sale type, the DVDs are for sale to raise funds for future IFC endeavors. Call Joe Heyen at 816-753-7243 or see www.ifckc.com for more information.