TV Buffs

THU 6/12

Why does one anonymous, local thirty-year-old male want to take the Communiversity class called Reflections of Society in the Buffyverse? “If I can’t score in a class like that,” he says, “I definitely need to go live in a cave somewhere.”

But there are better reasons to sign up. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is more than a minor craze, and the course description says that the demons who inhabit Buffy’s Sunnydale High School reflect evils battled by teens in real high schools every day. Each week, students watch two episodes and discuss how their plots mirror dilemmas we face in our own society.

Besides, Buffy devotees frequent chat rooms and compete to attribute and contextualize the greatest number of Buffy quotes. For example: “I don’t think the forces of darkness are even trying”; “I love syphilis more than you”; “Nobody deserves mime”; and, the most cryptic, “What? Whating a what?”

If you know who said each of these things, you don’t need this class. If these sarcastic quips mean nothing to you and don’t make you laugh, you’re probably not interested. If you recognize one to three of these quotes, call 816-363-6310 for information. Classes begin Thursday at 7 p.m. in UMKC’s Haag Hall, 52nd Street and Rockhill Road.— Gina Kaufmann

Street Deal

Neighbors get money to party.

ALL SUMMER

One of the coolest things about a block party is the requisite city permit. The city actually grants permits that allow people to barricade their streets for the purpose of uninterrupted beer drinking! One of the least cool things about block parties is that such endeavors require cash. Block parties need hot dogs, chips, juice boxes and coolers full of beer. And maybe Pixie Sticks. The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation will pick up the tab for all the partially hydrogenated goodies your block desires. In an effort to bring neighbors together and foster grassroots neighborhood-improvement schemes, the third Summer of Block Parties allots $100 stipends to 450 blocks in the five-county area. For more information, call 816-753-8600. For applications, go to kcna.org/blockparty.htm.— Sarah Smarsh

Macho, Macho Hombre

Latino artists get manly.

DAILY

The group exhibit Machismo focuses on what it means to “be a man.” Our first thought was, doesn’t everything focus on men? But a sneak preview revealed rich imagery of Catholicism and Latino cultures, with no shortage of inflammatory subject matter like cockfighting and domestic violence. This multimedia exhibit of pieces by local and international Latino artists is a celebration of diverse views of “maleness” — each work is a vibrant, valid comment on the roles of men. Thus, we recommend straying from the Crossroads District to the Mattie Rhodes Art Center (1740 Jefferson Street). The show runs through late June, and related workshops occur all month. For more information, call 816-471-2536.— Kym Griswold

Whatever’s Clever

TUE 6/17

Members of the Eclectic Book Group say they’re “apt to read just about anything!” It’s the club for bookish sorts who want to fly by the seats of their pants. At 7 p.m., members discuss The Nanny Diaries, by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus, on the second floor of Barnes & Noble on the Plaza (420 West 47th Street). And next month? Nobody really knows yet. For information, call 816-561-4114. — Kaufmann