Gallery exhibit should please youngsters

Kid-at-heart Lawrence artist Geoff Benzing will open his whimsical exhibition, “Elephant Trike,” with a reception from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. today at Olive Gallery and Art Supply, 15 E. Eighth St. It features paintings of “as many colors and cute characters” as possible by the artist, who also aspires to write and illustrate children’s books. The opening is just one of dozens of entertainment options this weekend:

Miscellaneous

  • “Sawdust Circus,” performed with marionettes by the Puppetry Arts Institute, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. today, Kansas City Museum, 3218 Gladstone Blvd., Kansas City, Mo., (816) 483-8300.
  • “Ladybug Weekend – Ladybug Launch,” 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. today and Sunday, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. today, Powell Gardens, 1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50, Kingsville, Mo., (816) 697-2600.
  • “Aids or Obstacles to Self-Expression of African American Filmmakers,” with “Within Our Gates” producer/director, writer Oscar Micheaux, 1:30 p.m. today, Mulvane Art Museum, Washburn University campus, Topeka, (785) 231-1010, ext. 2103.
  • “We are the dead: Works for the future,” a retrospective of the poems and songs of Joseph Griffin,” 8 p.m. today and Sunday, Ad Astra Gallery, 205 W. Eighth St., 766-9921.
  • Create: Fern Pattern Stepping Stones, 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Powell Gardens, 1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50, Kingsville, Mo., (816) 697-2600. Two part session. Second part: 9 a.m.-10 a.m., June 7.
  • Create: Botanical Print Stationery, 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Powell Gardens, 1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50, Kingsville, Mo., (816) 697-2600.

Elephant

Theater

  • “Gypsy,” 8 p.m. today and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Lawrence Community Theatre, 1501 N.H., 843-7469.
  • “Living Out,” 8 p.m. today and 7 p.m. Sunday, Missouri Repertory Theatre, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo., (816) 235-1579.
  • “Over the Tavern,” 6 p.m. today dinner, 8 p.m. today show, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy, 3028 S.W. Eighth Ave., (785) 357-5211.
  • “Seven Short Plays,” 7 p.m. Sunday, Studio 116, UMKC Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry, Kansas City, Mo., (913) 649-0244.

Music

  • Hawkfest ’04 with Jessica Lurie’s Living Daylights, Angela Hagenbach, Mike Metheny, Everet DeVan, Lory Lacy, DKzkJazz and more, today and Sunday, Bullfrog’sLive parking lot, Huntoon and Gage, www.hawkfest.org.
  • Open Jam with Billy Ebeling and The Late For Dinner Band, 1 p.m.-5 p.m. today, Knuckleheads, 2715 Rochester, Kansas City, Mo., (816) 483-1456.
  • Billy Ebeling and The Late For Dinner Band, 7 p.m.-11 p.m. today, Jazz Louisiana Kitchen, 39th and State Line, Kansas City, Mo., (816) 531-5556.
  • P.O.D., Blindside, Hazen Street, Lacuna Coil, 7 p.m. today, Uptown Theatre, 3700 Broadway St., Kansas City, Mo., (816) 753-8665.
  • David Roth, 7:30 p.m. today, Unity Church, Ninth and Madeline streets, 865-FOLK.
  • Kansas City Women’s Chorus, “It’s A Girl Thing,” 7:30 p.m. today, Southminster Presbyterian Church, 6306 Roe Ave., Prairie Village, (816) 292-KCWC.
  • Michael Buble, 8 p.m. today, Folly Theater, 12th and Central streets, Kansas City, Mo., (816) 474-4444.
  • Jazz Disciples, 8:30 p.m. today, The Blue Room, 18th and Vine, Kansas City, Mo., (816) 474-8463.
  • Flying Debris, 9 p.m. today, Stu’s Midtown Tavern, 925 Iowa, 749-1666.
  • The Capsules, Namelessnumberheadman, The Billions, 9 p.m. today, The Bottleneck, 737 N.H., 841-LIVE.
  • Detachment Kit, Shots Fired, 10 p.m. today, Replay Lounge, 946 Mass., 749-7676.
  • Steel Blue Reign, 10 p.m. today, The Jazzhaus, 926 1/2 Mass., 749-3320.
  • Kansas City Women’s Chorus, “It’s A Girl Thing,” 4 p.m. Sunday, Southminster Presbyterian Church, 6306 Roe Ave., Prairie Village, (816) 292-KCWC.
  • Billy Ebeling and The Late For Dinner Band host The Blues Jam, 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, Triple Tree Lounge, 8917 Leavenworth, Kansas City, (913) 788-8484.
  • Frank Lee, 7 p.m. Sunday, Gaslight Tavern and Coffeehouse, 317 N. Second St.
  • The Esoteric, Hope and Suicide, The Escape, Eyes of the Betrayer, 7 p.m. Sunday, El Torreon, 3101 Gillham Road, Kansas City, Mo., (816) 561-8349.
  • Glenn Jones and Tony Terry, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, The Beaumont, 4050 Pennsylvania St., Kansas City, Mo., (816) 561-2560.
  • Scott Holt, 8 p.m. Sunday, Stu’s Midtown Tavern, 925 Iowa, 749-1666.
  • The Cheekstrap Steamers, The Naildrivers, Andy Smith, Betti Ford, Rooster Blastoff, 10 p.m. Sunday, Replay Lounge, 946 Mass., 749-7676.

Art events

  • “Elephant Trike,” by Geoff Benzing, today through June, Olive Gallery and Art Supply, 15 E. Eighth St., 331-4114. Reception: 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, with musical guest Matt Rice. Kid’s Corner features Elias Beeson.
  • “American Etchers Abroad, 1880-1939,” White Gallery, ends Sunday, Spencer Museum of Art, 1301 Miss., KU, 864-4710.
  • “Fallen Paintings” by Polly Apfelbaum, through Sept. 5, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, 4420 Warwick Blvd., Kansas City, Mo., (816) 561-3737.