Underwear!

SUN 7/6

Freedom lovers whose knickers are in a twist over a more invasive, post-9/11 government can take a stand — and donate some knickers — at Liberty’s On the Line: A Festival Celebrating and Defending Our Civil Liberties. The alternative Independence Day event features no colorful explosions but will include a clothesline hung with delicates contributed by attendees. The message: “Protect our privacy and civil liberties.” People should bring new skivvies, which will go to the Redemptorist Center Emergency Assistance Program, as well as folding chairs or blankets for enjoying the music of fusion band Eudora and folk singer Iris DeMent. For the liberty festival, DeMent, who has recorded with Emmylou Harris and Merle Haggard and is en route to tour with Rosanne Cash, might offer her own songs “There’s a Wall in Washington” and “Wasteland of the Free.” The free event runs from 6 to 9 p.m. on Sunday at Mill Creek Park, 47th and Main streets. For more information, call 816-931-5256.— Sarah Smarsh

Good Buds

FRI 7/4

Even in the grisliest, gloomiest of big cities, the sidewalk flower shop is a staple of urban life. The Crossroads has been coming into its own in this arena. There’s a flower shop inside The Cube, and the artsy Dan Meiners Studio recently opened a retail space at 1700 Wyandotte, in the building that used to house Universal Film Companies. This flower shop isn’t just someplace you go for Valentine’s Day or prom; it offers decorative possibilities for inside and out, along with workshops on flower arranging. Anyone trying to fancy things up for Fourth of July get-togethers — or just hoping to avoid the heat — should step into the walk-in cooler, where items range from individually plucked lamb’s ears (those big, fuzzy plant leaves) to sunflowers afloat in water. For information, call 816-842-7244.— Gina Kaufmann

Sparkling

THU 7/3

Independence Day coincides with the First Friday art openings this month, possibly leading the art crowd away from the Crossroads District. But there are plenty of reasons to stay downtown. Some galleries will remain open despite the holiday, and one area restaurant is set to unleash a star-spangled alcoholic concoction. It’s a one-time opportunity to down the Red, White and Blue Martini at Zin (1900 Main, 816-527-0120), which offers several special menu items for the Fourth of July weekend. Festivities should abound beyond the bar, too. Martini lushes can run outside to catch the fireworks. If the view disappoints, proprietor Alex Pryor promises to stand on the sidewalk with a sparkler.— Smarsh