Visual Victuals

FRI 1/21
At the Urban Culture Project‘s latest openings, a single city block separates two compelling yet extremely different works: a harrowing depiction of atrocities and an abstract installation with a goofy title. The traveling display Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals, 1933-1945 opens at 5 p.m. Friday at the Bank Gallery (11th and Baltimore). Organized by the National Holocaust Memorial Museum, the exhibit details how Nazi leaders used brutal means to try to scare German gays straight; after destroying same-sex gathering places, the Nazis began placing gay men in concentration camps. Berlin native Richard Grune documented these conditions in lithographs. Hundreds of photographs show gay prisoners marked with pink-triangle badges on their pinstriped uniforms.

Just a few steps away, Deanna Skedel unveils “I Played a Ruse to Untie My Tongue. “ Inspired by the Art Deco detailing of the Jenkins Building at 1217 Walnut, Skedel incorporates gold-leaf panels into an elaborate display that includes paper dandelions and actors in cowboy gear. Thanks to the Jenkins gallery’s wide windows, visitors can see Skedel’s creations at any hour — but the live performance takes place only on Friday. For more information on these exhibits and other Third Friday openings, call 816-221-5115. — Andrew Miller

Top Choice
Join rubber lovers at the Brick.

THU 1/20
Those Planned Parenthood folks are totally the proactive types. Instead of waiting for foggy, hungover clients to rush in pleading for morning-after pills, they’re going to beat them to the punch — and show up at the bar. Thursday night at the Brick (1727 McGee, 816-421-1634), two nights before the 32nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, our favorite responsible-sex advocates host a “choice evening,” where they’ll no doubt serve up Captain and Cokes with caveats on chlamydia and PBRs with pamphlets on pregnancy. And we think that’s really important. But with a 12-pack of Trojans ringing in at $13.99 at our local Walgreens, we’ll be there for the free condoms. Call 913-312-5100, ext. 251, for more information. —Annie Fischer