The Clash
SAT 10/2
Some decidedly nonapathetic teenagers have organized Capital City Clash, a community festival to benefit a mural painting project in Tennessee Town, a historic neighborhood in Topeka. To make a day of it, score lunch at the chili cookoff at noon, check out local musicians of all sorts throughout the afternoon and find dinner at the Soul Food Fest, which is organized by the House of BBQ. Proceeds help artist Stan Herd and others re-create Aaron Douglas’ “An Idyll of the Deep South” from his 1930s series, Aspects of Negro Life. The painting recalls the suffering of Southern blacks when field work and lynchings were part of everyday life, and its Kansas incarnation will be the subject of a Kevin Wilmott documentary. Even more causes are on the festival agenda — people can register to vote through Rock the Vote and talk issues with candidates for local and state offices. Capital City Clash runs from noon to 10 p.m. at the corner of Eighth and Quincy streets in downtown Topeka. For more information, call 785-249-2862. — Sarah Smarsh
Hay There
10/2-10/3
Fall has a way of inspiring bouts of nostalgia for even the nerdiest high school misfits, who grow wistful for how those bonfire pep rallies should have gone. (Believe us, we know.) The Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame is giving second chances, though, with weekend hayrides throughout October. Pulled by a tractor through the woods, sipping cider and roasting marshmallows in the slightly chilled fresh air, we can at least rejoice in the fact that we’ll never be 15 years old again. The rides start at 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through the end of the month at 630 Hall of Fame Drive in Bonner Springs; call 913-721-1075 or see www.aghalloffame.com. — Annie Fischer
Northern Lights
Don’t get mad,
get Gladstoned.
10/1-10/3
Because Gladstone has a population of only 26,365, we’re surprised that the coordinators of the city’s fall festival, Gladfest, expect 30,000 to show up this weekend. Perhaps they’re taking a cue from Mexico’s famous celebration, El Día de Los Muertos, and calling forth departed ancestors to add to the numbers — and buy a funnel cake or two? More than likely, though, the crowds will come out to see which talented teen will be crowned the next Gladfest Idol. The winner gets $250, which might be just enough to hitchhike to San Francisco for the last American Idol audition on October 5. One of the judges, KMXV 93.3’s Ponch, says he’s looking for “the shining star of the Northland.” Or at least “someone that won’t make people leave.” Call 816-436-4352 for more information. — Jason Harper
