Saucy
WED 5/22
Tango lovers — folks who love the tango and lovers who tango together — congregate every Wednesday night at Fedora’s Club 210 (210 West 47th Street). At 7 p.m., novices take free lessons on the Argentinean brand of the saucy dance. The milonga, or open dance, begins at 8, as old pros start across the floor with their barridas (sweeping motions of the feet) and caminars (the familiar tango strut). The 2/4 beat is provided by Tango Lorca, adding a taste of jazz, flamenco and classical to traditional tango music. People who are unsure of their dancing prowess can relax — the basic tango is surprisingly easy to learn. A greater challenge awaits those who are uncomfortable pressing their hips against someone else’s. The enganche is quite intimate (one partner wraps a leg around the other’s leg), but in a beautiful way — not like the unimaginative and offensive groin grinding that somehow replaced the structured dance step. Milongueros, or tango fanatics, who dance up appetites can order from Fedora’s full kitchen. Be sure to wear something lovely. You may love your Eckos, and your girlfriend may love your Eckos, but the tango does not. For more information, call 816-561-6565.— Sarah Smarsh
Dive In
There’s a buzz about Benders.
SAT 5/24
When driving on McGee, you’d better slow down if you don’t want to miss Benders, a newish bar and music venue sitting between 11th and 12th streets. It looks like a hole in the wall from the outside, but it’s huge inside. A few bartenders who wanted their own place opened Benders almost a year and a half ago, and it’s just starting to generate a weird buzz. It’s a friendly joint offering food for lunch and a stiff drink for dinner, a basketball net on the wall and a pool table that’s open for nonshark action. On Wednesday nights, DJ battles pit punk music against straight-up rock. This Saturday’s live-music lineup boasts Tommy Hoskins, the Trelese, Shut Ins, Stella Link, National Fire Theory and Dirtnap. Benders is rough around the edges, but that’s the appeal. For information, call 816-221-7722.— Gina Kaufmann
Coffee Shop Sampler
DAILY
Hiding out in the corner of the City Market at 305 Main is the City Market Coffee House, where coffee guzzlers can sit around the cozy handful of streetside tables viewing Angela McDaniel‘s digital photographs. McDaniel knows that photographs of flowers are easy for people to dismiss, but hers are not your typical flower photos. Still, her work looks right at home with fruits, vegetables and flowers all around. For information, call 816-718-3005.— Kaufmann
Pieced Together
Good music fits good clothes.
SAT 5/24
There are two kinds of smart dressers in the world: those who have great clothes, and those who have great pieces. If, having embraced this subtle distinction, you long for the latter but are unwilling to refinance your mortgage for fashion, fear not. Instead of worrying about Off 5th, consider Off 18th for clearance couture. The quirky ladies of the 18th Street boutiques host a Viktor & Rolf-inspired fashion auction at the Cup and Saucer (412-B Delaware) from 9 p.m. to midnight on Saturday. Five dollars buys spectator rights and music by the “dreamy-psycho-jazz-rock” sextet Eudora. For $2 more you can bid — and with starting bids of $20, it’s like buying Prada pieces at Penney’s prices.— Kelly Sue DeConnick
