Rave New World

SAT 5/14
Though it enlisted everyone from mashed-potato-wrestling strippers to backlit-screen-silhouetted dancers to electronica-spinning DJs, Chakra (1308 West 11th Street) couldn’t sustain its early attendance figures and folded before reaching its first anniversary. Undaunted, another dance-minded venue has set up shop in Chakra’s massive empty shell. The new spot, Rust, won’t introduce itself with a corporate-sponsored, swing-band-soundtracked bash the way its predecessor did last June. Instead, its Saturday unveiling (dubbed “Circus of Sound”) will be an underground affair, so much so that the opening-night hours of operation remain unannounced. (Precedents suggest that 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. is standard for such events.) Promoters leaked a list of performers, so we know that the Kansas City Collective (Tony Markham, Johnny Tremayne, Rick Roberts, Skizm and Shadow Runner) and the Chicago club fixture Victor R headline a local-talent-heavy bill that includes techno (DJ PDP and Trevor Matthews), trance, house, drum ‘n’ bass (DJ Aldrin) and jungle artists. Many details about the event remain shrouded in secrecy in order to re-create the old-school rebel rave feel, but keep an eye on the calendar at phocas.net and watch the fliers at DeepFix Records (410 West 39th Street) for more details. — Andrew Miller

Totally ’80s
That crimper’s got to be here somewhere …

THU 5/12
We’re busting out our lace gloves for Heart of Glass, Neon’s annual spring prom. DJs Konsept and Cruz take us back with a mix of ’80s (and some early ’90s) tunes guaranteed to bring out the Marty McFly in anyone; we can’t wait to give Duckie a call and cruise our TransAm down to The Granada (1020 Massachusetts in Lawrence) at 10 p.m. Thursday. It’s a night to remember the days when Reagan was the one who scared us, unironic mullets were everywhere, and (sigh) Michael Jackson was just a monkey-hugging pop god. (We’re also prepared for the 75-cent draws and $2.50 double wells that, the next morning, will make us feel like the Iron Curtain is still weighing down on us.) Admission is $7 for those 18 through 20 and $5 for those 21 and older. Call 785-842-1390 for information. — April Fleming

So Special
Artists and skaters, unite!

MON 5/16
One-of-a-kind implies special. Even if the unique object is remarkably heinous, the one-of-a-kind tag generally saves it from dying a lonely, loveless death. Not that any of the decks for sale at the Lawrence Skate Association‘s fund-raiser at the Jackpot (943 Massachusetts) will be ugly. We don’t mean that. But they will be one-of-a-kind. The organization provided 20 local artists with blank boards to use as canvases, and each of the designers’ lovely creations — along with T-shirts — are available for purchase from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday. Proceeds benefit Larrytown’s skate park. DJ Aether brings the beats, and admission is free; call Stephanie Pugh at 816-516-2833 for more information. — Annie Fischer

Personal Pest

Through 6/4

Jessa Huebing-Reitinger, known for her insanely detailed bug paintings, has set up an interactive studio at the Johnson County Central Resource Library (9875 West 87th Street in Overland Park, 913-495-2400). Her Project Insect, a combination of art, science and performance, has produced 14 works. Catch her working on No. 15, the honeybee, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays until June 4. — Fischer