Peace the F*** Out

FRI 1/28
For everything, there is a season. But we’re pretty sure the area pacifists who organized a Season for Nonviolence aren’t suggesting that there is also a season for violence. Rather, they hope to promote the proliferation of peace from January 30 to April 4, the respective anniversaries of Mohandas Gandhi’s and Martin Luther King Jr’s. assassinations. The campaign is part of an international grass-roots effort to shed light on the principles and practices of those who prefer to turn the other cheek. The local Season for Nonviolence Kansas City Task Force holds an opening celebration at 7 p.m. Friday at the Center for Spiritual Living, 1306 West 39th Street. David Nelson of the Kansas City Interfaith Peace Alliance gives a keynote address, and spiritual leaders from various faiths will be on hand, sporting their distinctive ceremonial regalia — Buddhists in robes, Native Americans in buckskin, Religious Scientists (in lab coats?) and others. Musicians Bukeka Shoals and Monique Danielle lend their artistry, as do poets Joel Brown and Damon Banks. After this free event, the task force will spend the next two months reaching out to area schools and organizations, offering educational materials and programs on nonviolence. For more information, call 816-718-0500. — Sarah Smarsh

Hungry Hearts
Rock the cash bar to stop starvation.

SAT 1/29
The title Rock Against Hunger makes loud music and growling bellies sound like fierce adversaries, but the show takes place around dinnertime (7 p.m. Saturday) at a food-serving coffee bar and bistro (Cup and Saucer, 412 Delaware), so hunger is at a distinct disadvantage. Fresh-faced local emo-punk bands A Dead Giveaway, Special Guest, Only Entry and Attempt to Fall aren’t just screaming for their suppers, though. The $5 cover charge benefits the Catholic Worker House, which provides meals for people who can’t afford to splurge on concert-and-food combos. Created as a service project by Rockhurst High School seniors, Rock Against Hunger raises money for a worthwhile organization while letting young bands score a gig at an all-ages venue. It sounds like the noblest charitable effort to spring from high school halls since the Save Ferris fund. For more information, call 816-474-7375. —Sarah Smarsh

Hook, Line and Meter This poet catches those averse to verse.

THU 1/27
Poetry is rarely audience-friendly. “Serious” verse can be downright euthanizing, and puerile street rants against the corruption of everything only make us want to join the country club. So when a poet comes along who is funny, earthy, colorful and easy to understand, we sit up like Walt Whitman at the sight of bathing farmboys. Marilyn Kallet is a great find for the local lit peddlers at BkMk Press. With opening lines such as In hell I’ll be wearing Ralph Lauren, Kallet’s poems are witty and weighty, assuring grateful applause when she reads from her new collection, Circe, After Hours, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Rockhurst University’s Sedgwick Hall, 1100 Rockhurst Road. Call 816-501-4607. — Jason Harper

Great Scott

SAT 1/29
Westport’s Scott Fitness hosts monthly art parties (free drinks!), so when we heard about the second location’s grand opening from 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday at 200 Wyandotte, we anticipated more of the same. But when we heard a superhot graffiti artist named Caesar painted the interior, we decided to go scope out the real eye candy — and his walls. Call 816-960-0502. — Annie Fischer