This Weeks Day-By-Day Picks
Thursday, August 28
It is a Labor Day tradition here at the Pitch to provide the working person with outings and adventures that won’t break the bank. We want you to have your day off and enjoy it, too. So you’ll note that no event mentioned in this week’s day-by-day picks costs more than $6. Most of ’em cost less than that. We’d like to start by pointing out that the Cup and Saucer (at 412-B Delaware) never charges a cover — even when there’s live entertainment. That’s because it is first and foremost a coffee shop and bar; the music, though often worth a trip by itself, is a bonus. Tonight’s live show is provided by the band Elevator Division. It’s also Martini Night; provided you aren’t some kind of martini lush, you could get a little buzz from one of those for just $4. For information, call 816-474-7375.
Friday, August 29
Today, Our Country, a documentary tracking the parallel development of America and country music, makes its local premiere on Union Station’s Extreme Screen (30 West Pershing Road). The forty-minute film features performances from more than fifty country music stars, from Alabama to Dwight Yoakam. If that doesn’t do it for you, consider this: You will see Dolly Parton’s moving image on a five-story-tall, 75-foot-wide screen. Our Country was produced by the folks at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, so you know it has hardcore country cred. Tickets cost $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and $4 for children. Tickets Sunday are half-price. Call 816-460-2020 or visit unionstation.org for showtimes.
According to the official Web site for the city of Ann Arbor, Michigan, the big news there is that the water is safe to drink. But even though water is the elixir of life, mention of its cleanliness does not — perhaps because of our poor values — make us want to catch the next flight to Michigan. We’d much rather make the trek to see a show by the noisy punktronica duo Viki and Mammal. Fortunately, however, they’ll be in Kansas City tonight at Jilly’s for a special, Your Face-sponsored installment of the weekly series known as DJs Take Control. If you don’t know what punktronica is, don’t let on — you’ll look way cooler if you keep that under wraps. We recommend wearing something fluorescent, something more ’80s-infused than the decade itself. Admission is only $2. Jilly’s is located at 16th Street and Broadway; for information, go to dontyoufeelbetter.com.
Saturday, August 30
The fact of the matter is, the Wayne Thiebaud exhibit at the Kemper, the one you had all summer to see, is closing. Tomorrow’s the last day. Basically, you have to go. If you don’t go, you are a bad person. If you don’t like cakes, gumball machines, pies, lollipops and the occasional landscape, you are downright suspicious — in a McCarthy kind of way. The Wayne Thiebaud Retrospective is the exhibit to see if you’d like your weekend to be about hitting the reset button on your cynicism, starting anew and noting the physical beauty of a food display instead of scoffing at its role in consumer culture. The Kemper — which boasts free admission — is located at 4420 Warwick. For information, call 816-753-5784.
Sunday, August 31
We love parks! Among this city’s finest is Roanoke Park, just north of 39th Street in midtown, with it’s red-brick road, kick-ass selection of swing sets and dog-walking camaraderie to spare. Sundays there are very busy, with dodgeball matches sponsored by the Kansas City Dodgeball Association beginning at 1 p.m., and kickball games starting at 5 p.m. (There is no official sponsoring organization for kickball, just some people named Justin and Taylor.) For more information, go to www.kcdba.com or just show up.
Monday, September 1
If you go somewhere today, like Cabela’s (10300 Cabela Drive in Kansas City, Kansas), you might notice that, although it is Labor Day, people are working. Please be nice to them. We recommend Cabela’s mostly for its amazing aquarium with colorful and well-maintained saltwater tanks, which you can explore free of charge. There’s also a shooting gallery, if you’re into that kind of thing; all you have to buy are tokens. This is one of the few places on Earth where you can buy hunting supplies, see taxidermy and then swing by the deli for some hearty lunch meat. For information, call 913-328-0322.
Tuesday, September 2
We know so many people who stopped eating hamburgers after reading Fast Food Nation, it’s not even funny. These people might be able to form a support group by attending a Sierra Club book-review session, where participants report on a favorite “environmental/nature/corporate muckraking, etc.” book for the group. The three books set to be discussed tonight are Fast Food Nation, Toxic Sludge Is Good for You and Trust Us — We’re Experts. Got something else on your shelf that will freak out fellow liberals, forcing drastic changes of habit? Bring it on. Everyone is welcome, Sierra Club member or not. The group meets at the Discovery Center, 4750 Troost, at 7 p.m. For information, call 816-274-8062.
Wednesday, September 3
Most people are aware of the weekend farmers market at the City Market (Fifth Street and Walnut), but the Wednesday-night organic version is less known. That’s practicing organic, not certified organic, mind you — some people at the Food and Drug Administration want to be perfectly clear about that. The Wednesday night farmers market offers yummy and healthy seasonal fruits and vegetables that haven’t been sullied by pesticides or other chemicals. And by supporting local farmers, you get to put money straight into the pockets of the people who grow your grub. The market operates from 4 to 8 p.m., but we suggest timing your arrival around 5 for the best selection. For information, call 816-842-1271.
