Red Menace

FRI 7/2
About a year ago, a few dozen social and political activists decided it was time to create a central resource for the Kansas City community — or at least those who agreed with them. On Friday, the idea becomes reality when the Crossroads Infoshop and Radical Bookstore (1830 Locust, next to the MoMo Gallery) opens its red door to the public at 6 p.m. According to Alex Dajkovic, the Crossroads Infoshop intends to support radical perspectives, such as opposition to the World Trade Organization. However, it also will be an outlet for voices outside the mainstream in general. Ordering its stock from the AK Press, the shop’s organizers promise to fill its shelves with books, ‘zines, pamphlets and journals about everything from anarchists and the Black Panther Party to ecology, civil liberties, and gay and lesbian issues. They also plan to present book signings, political performance art, film screenings, music, poetry and spoken-word presentations.

But before any of this happens, there’s going to be a party. Local musicians representing the punk, indie-rock and hip-hop factions perform at 6 p.m. While the music plays, graffiti artists will hope the wind stays calm as they spray-paint sheets draped over the building’s outside walls. For information, call 913-940-7426.— Michael Vennard

Moon Us
Pi Gallery takes liberties.

FRI 7/2
Rarely do two full moons occur in the same month — which is too bad, because we love blaming our seemingly random hookups on the lunar cycle. But because this astronomical event is so uncommon (and by uncommon, we mean once every 2.7 years), the Pi Gallery (419 East 18th Street) celebrates with Between Truth and Beauty: A Month of Visual Art, Poetry and Music. In a benefit for MoveOn.org, proceeds will be generated by, among other events, an Independence Day Drum Circle and an evening of dance and poetry ominously billed as “Under the Dark Moon, Terror Comes.” The series begins with an opening reception for Elaine Mills’ exhibit of paintings, War: Reflection on the Bush Years, from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday — July’s first full moon. For a calendar, call 816-210-6534 or see www.elmtreepub.com/Truthand Beauty.html.— Annie Fischer