Art and Spirits

With an exhibition of ancient Chinese art and a display of some vital contemporary art from across the African continent, it's not as though the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art isn't moving people through the "lensed" gallery spaces of its Bloch Building (4525 Oak, 816-751-1278). So what's your story, exactly? Been a little too busy? In violation of a Pitch editorial mandate against talking like used-car salesmen, what do we have to do to put you into this gorgeous building today? You want deals? They got deals. How about this one — Cultural Cocktails at the Museum Café every week on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. The chef is cooking up a changing menu of savory and sweet tapas — you get three selections for $5 or five selections for $8. Not to mention the drink specials at the caf's full bar. It's kind of like a happy hour, only instead of yard beer and peanuts, you get Asian pork spring rolls, cheese, and wine by the glass. Really neat and classy is how your dad would describe it. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Thursdays, 6-8 p.m., 2008