TAC-KC: 03.30.12

Tracy's Art Calendar — Kansas City for March 30, 2012
Whoop Dee Doo, and Lawrence Final Friday, too!

Gemma Correll, United Kingdom, various paintings on canvas for installation, Altar to Mr. Noodles, one of the new works featured at Wonder Fair's Cat People, opening in conjunction with Final Fridays in downtown Lawrence, Kansas. "Cats: they're not just for the Internet anymore."
Image: courtesy of the artist via Wonder Fair for promotional purposes; may not be reproduced without permission

Actually, there are four major visual arts events taking place today, and one starts quite early, should you be available from "two to four in the afternoon." That's the way the publicity people at The American Jazz Museum worded their invitation, and I rather like the old fashioned charm.

Did you know that the legendary Betye Saar is in town? Really!

There are relatively few artists who were "new" to me back when I took on some art history classes (before dropping out, as I do from all graduate programs) whose name and work I remembered without trouble.

The lady behind The Liberation of Aunt Jemima (1972) makes an impression. I am not sure whether she's come to scope out installing an exhibition in the museum's Changing Gallery* or to give a talk or presentation tomorrow, but I am sorry I can't make it to the reception this afternoon. She happens to be 85 years old, so I understand the early hour; if you can, don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Out in Lawrence, Kansas, before it becomes a basketball bedlam tomorrow, Final Friday means the streets are full of gallery goers instead of mad March hares (pretty sure I can't type Ma___ Ma______® without being swooped upon by the owners of SportBrands™: ) whooping about the chance to have a free day off school while hating on Ohio State.

As usual, the team of Final Friday organizers has put together a comprehensive listing of what's happening on and around Mass. Street tonight, from 5 to 8 p.m. (later in some spots). The Lawrence Arts Center is in full swing with its annual auction, Teller's has work by Jonathan Metzger, Pachimama's is showing Justin Marable, and Wonder Fair is pushing the cat-envelope (see preview below).

Speaking of whooping and hollerin', this evening is the second annual Telebration fundraiser for the faux-public-access TV variety show / arts education group, Whoop Dee Doo. There are plenty of tickets available — Jaimie Warren said that there's room for hundreds — and that's counting gangling costumes, props, open bar, lots of food, large personalities such as that of Ron Megee, and a big pink monster who'll be anchoring the faux phone bank.**

Last, but not least, though certainly much quieter and subdued, a new exhibition of work by Corey Antis and Anna Neighbor opens at the Greenlease Gallery. My initial reaction (see their sites) is that personally I'd prefer viewing this exhibition without a crowd. Don't underestimate the value of hearing from the artists themselves, though.

Make your own way.

Friday's visual art events:

Cat People
at Wonder Fair, 803 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, Kansas: 785-856-3247
Final Friday opening reception: March 30, 6-10 p.m., with original art, 'zines, and installations by Faye Moorhouse, Gemma Correll, Liz Prince, and Nicole Georges, who take on the "ubiquitous and banal subject of cat fancying to unexpected, unsettling, or absurd new places." Featuring a pop-up cantina reconfigured as a gourmet Milk Bar and a YouTube cat video theatre, accessed via a special "Nyan Cat" tunnel.
Open Wednesday-Friday, Sunday: noon-6 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. through April 22, 2012
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Final Fridays
in Lawrence, Kansas, supported by Lawrence Arts Center, Downtown Lawrence, Inc., and the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission, since 2009
March 30, generally 5-8 p.m.
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Goo Goo Ga Gala — Whoop Dee Doo's 2nd Annual Telebration
at Lathrop & Gage, LLP, 2345 Grand Boulevard, 22nd Floor, Kansas City, Missouri
March 30, 7-11 p.m., with big show at 8:30 p.m.; a great view of the city, games, prizes, open bar, hors d'oeuvres from 15+ KC restaurants, and special guests
Tickets are $25 in advance (816-582-6395), $30 at the door, and $50 for pairs
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Plainsight, Plainspoken
Corey Antis and Anna Neighbor
at Greenlease Gallery, Rockhurst University, between Van Ackeren and Sedgwick halls, 54th Street (turn east into the parking lot from Troost)
Opening reception: March 30, 7-9 p.m., with artists' talk at 6:30 p.m.
Open Thursday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m., through May 12, 2012
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Reception to Welcome and Greet Betye Saar
at Changing Gallery at The American Jazz Museum, 1616 East 18th Street, Kansas City, Missouri: 816-474-8463
All are welcome: March 30, 2-4 p.m.; wine and hors d'oeurves served

Notes:

* Ella: First Lady of Song, a group exhibition with work by Michelle Beasley, Ned'ra Bonds, Michael Brantley, Myles Cheadle, Kelly Dickens, Clifford Doyle, Reilly Hoffman, Howard Lazarus, Robert Quackenbush, Joseph Smith, and Michael Toombs, is showing there through June 1st.

** Someone you may know was paid to write something about it for the Pitch. Pictured below is WDD's mural on the outside wall of their space at 17th and Walnut, 2011, designed by Rachel Helm.
Image: photo courtesy of WDD volunteer and gala coordinator, Megan Mantila

PS, All opinions here are my own, and no one edits this — besides me — so any errors are also solely mine. Corrections are appreciated: needsaneditor@gmail.com