High Planes

6/18-6/19
The Kansas City Radio Control Association flies model aircraft, and not the dinky kind. Flights start at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Pattern Contest, and plane spotters are welcome at Fleming Park Field (two miles east of Interstate 470 and Highway 291 on Woods Chapel Road). See www.kcradiocontrol.org. -- Rebecca Braverman

Hope Floats
Everybody loves a parade -- especially on a lake.

SAT 6/18
In his definitive ode to time wasting, Otis Redding describes the subtle pleasures of watching ships roll in and roll away. But "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay" also contains downer lines such as I've had nothing to live for/And looks like nothing's going to come my way. Evidently, serene seaside settings aren't enough when loneliness won't leave you alone. It would probably help if the passing pontoons sported radiant colors, as they will on Saturday, thanks to creative paint work from students in the Lawrence arts program Van Go. These brush-stroked boats parade down Clinton Lake from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Three area district-court judges will rule on the vessels' aesthetic appeal. Following this design contest, a barbecue buffet at Clinton Lake Marina (1329 East 800th Road in Lawrence) should lift any still-sagging spirits, as should an auction at which bidders can vie for a fiberglass Jayhawk adorned with Vincent van Gogh's works. For more information, call 785-842-3797. -- Andrew Miller

Fight Night

FRI 6/17
The Art of War IV rages through Sports City (425 Northeast Mock Avenue, Blue Springs) at 7:30 p.m. Friday, pimping a guest appearance by legendary mixed martial artist Frank Shamrock. General admission is $25, but hotshots can pony up an extra $50 for VIP status -- it's practically mandatory. Call 816-686-4952.-- Annie Fischer