Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee

30ThursdayWho is the guardian tonight of the Gates of Paradise? asks Agha Shahid Ali in his poem "The Farewell." He may not know the answer, but he'll be in Kansas City today along with other well-known poets, such as Dana Gioia, Donna Masini, Liam Rector, Henry Taylor, and Carolyn Beard Whitlow. Don't know who they are? Get thee to the library, or just get to the Kansas City Marriott Downtown, 200 W. 12th St., this afternoon at 4:30. The Poetry Society of America is responsible for bringing this mighty pen brigade to town in this event that looks at "Visions for America: Poetry in the 21st Century." Because April is the fifth annual National Poetry Month, the Poetry Society of America thought this was as good a time as any to present this series of discussions and readings, reflecting on the legacy of the American poetic revolution, even though it's still March. (Don't ask; the day a poet is understood is the day Whitman shows up at the Dixie Belle.) However, poetic events continue through April 1, sponsored by the Associate Writers Program. Admission is free. For more information, call 816-421-6800.

31FridaySomalia and the United States don't have much in common, except when it comes to not ratifying the United Nation's Convention on the Right of the Child (CRC). One-hundred and ninety-one countries have committed to the human rights treaty. So what's the problem in the United States? Maybe it's lack of information. To remedy that, some of Kansas City's most prominent people are backing a conference to be held today through April 2 at the Kansas City Marriott Country Club Plaza, 4445 Main, "to promote awareness and understanding of the provisions of the CRC." Former Mayor Charles B. Wheeler, AFL-CIO leader Bridgette Williams, and Missouri National Education Association leader Carol Howard, among others, are on the convention's steering committee. For more information, call 816-753-2372.

1Saturday

The Fruit of the Loom guys are going to make a special appearance. April Fool's! Actually, April Foods! Today is April Foods Day, which promotes the practice of buying direct from local farmers. Forget Farmland, this really is farmer-owned. The Farmers Exhibition wants Kansas Citians to pull the plug on factory farms by purchasing their organic vegetables, humanely produced meats, and veggie seedlings. Health specialists also will graze around, speaking about the pleasures of eating locally grown food. The exhibition takes place today from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Penn Valley Community College Gymnasium, 3201 Southwest Trafficway. Admission is free. For more information, call 816-374-5899.

If a guitar player could choose any name, "Mr. Hand" might just be the best name a picking and strumming fool could have. Yes, Frederic Hand wears his name on his sleeve, strumming out songs that strike many a chord in the heart of the guitar world. Hand is lauded as one of the most versatile guitarists performing today, composing songs that resist classification. Hand breaks all the rules, stroking his guitar with his own eclectic style. Numerous films, including This Boy's Life, Kramer vs. Kramer, and The Next Man, have used his scintillating sounds. Thanks to the Kansas City Guitar Society, the Hand begins playing tonight at 7:30 in UMKC's White Hall, 4949 Cherry. Tickets are $13. For more information, call 816-235-2700.

2Sunday

The Lied Center: Australian for a good place to play chamber music. The musical wonders from down under, The Australian Chamber Orchestra, join pianist Anne-Marie McDermott on the Lied Center stage in Lawrence, Kan., this afternoon at 3:30. This youthful group is known as one of the world's greatest small orchestras. Founded in 1975, the orchestra is Australia's most globally traveled arts association, with the largest audience subscription base of any chamber orchestra in the world. That means they get a lot of donations so they can keep on playing. Supposedly they are so well-loved on their dingo-ridden continent, Paul Hogan might even show up in his trusty little Outback with a case of Fosters beer. Wouldn't that be surprising? The fact that Hogan ever became famous in the first place proves anything could happen. Tickets are $27. For more information, call 785-864-ARTS.

3MondayKKFIcelebrated its 12th birthday on Feb. 28, and today the station is throwing a party. Twenty-three years ago, the nonprofit radio station began as a communiversity course called Radio Free Kansas City. Eleven years of garage sales and bingo events gave way to the "on air" signal, and KKFI has been going strong ever since. The radio hoopla is a benefit to keep the volunteer KKFIers on the air. It all takes place at The Beaumont Club, 4050 Pennsylvania. They're calling it "Blow Out The Keys," as it hopes to be the quintessential answer to what has been called Kansas City's standard for blues stations. Entertainment tonight includes Larry van Loon and The Midnight K.C. Band, Greg Camp, Tom Hall, Rick Yord, and lots of their friends. Tickets are $8 at the door. For more information, call 816-510-3001.

4Tuesday Come sail away, come sail away.... Climb on board all you seamen and seawomen -- the Show Boat sails into town tonight, where it will dock until Sunday, April 9. Set on the Mississippi in the late 1800s, Show Boat will take you to the era of real riverboat gambling. On the boat, meet Captain Andy Hawkes and his family, gambler Gaylord Ravenal, and heartbreaking singer Julie, a victim of the racial oppression of the time. The New York Times calls it "the great American musical" that incorporates four decades of history. Performances are set for today through Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 and 7 p.m. at the Music Hall, 13th & Central. Tickets range from $28.50 to $37.50. For tickets, call 816-931-3330.