Pro-Boob

SAT 8/30

As kids, we found it incredibly annoying that, on hot days, boys could take off their shirts but girls could not. Either we haven’t grown up much, or we were onto something. Sometimes, you gotta show a little boob.

Breast-feeding mothers, especially, have cause to bust one loose every now and then. So nursing moms will be suckling en masse in Mill Creek Park on Saturday in an event that The Red Fruit: A Women’s Musepaper and Wise Woman Wellness are touting as that good summertime sororal bonding ladies have been looking for since the Lilith Fair folded its tent. They’ll be joined by all the people who support them, even when their bras don’t.

Some people think, OK, fine, breast-feeding is good for kids; why can’t these women just take care of it privately? Because until we become comfortable with it, breast-feeding will remain a difficult choice, and people shouldn’t have to be embarrassed about caring for their kids — publicly or privately.

It’s just some naked breasts, right? We thought everybody liked those. To celebrate their biological function, head to the Breast Fest at 47th Street and Broadway from 1 to 3 p.m. For information, call 816-444-7223.— Gina Kaufmann

Play a Part

Local thespians want you.

8/28-8/31

For most of us, involvement in the arts is usually limited to the role of observer. We attend art openings, get on mailing lists and hit local shows, but does that really constitute involvement? The Just Off Broadway Theatre Association’s Playwright Festival of Kansas City encourages participation in the creative process by lending feedback to local playwrights. “Unlike authors or poets, playwrights really don’t know what has been created until actors are reading lines for an audience,” says playwright David Hanson (whose play is about what would happen if corporate America adopted Polynesian sacrificial rites). “With an audience, we get to find out what we’ve got.” Twelve plays — and one workshop — by playwrights ranging from high school students to professionals are presented at the Just Off Broadway Theatre (3051 Central) through Sunday. For a detailed schedule, call 816-784-5020 or see justoffbroadway.org— Michael Vennard.

Dubliners

It’s more than just another festival.

8/29-8/31

We know what you’re thinking: Can’t somebody in this town add one more festival to the myriad of blues, barbecue and ethnic celebrations that enliven the streets of Kansas City year-round? Over Labor Day weekend, someone does, with the new Irish Fest on the riverfront. Twenty-four Celtic bands perform on two stages at Berkley Park at First Street and Grand. The festival also offers Irish food, children’s activities and presentations on Irish heritage. Gates are open from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 10 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $5 a day; children ages twelve and younger get in free. For more information, call 816-997-0837.— Sarah Smarsh

Keeping It Real Reel

WED 9/3

If the Main Branch of the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library (625 Minnesota Avenue) hasn’t already astounded you with its vast collection of obscure videos and DVDs, then its free film series featuring 16-mm prints of rare and classic war films should do the trick. The World War Free series features Abbott and Costello’s breakout comedy, Buck Privates, at 6 p.m. Wednesday. For information, call 913-551-3280.— Vennard