The Real Thing

In recent years, American developers have been giving strip malls the façade of European villages, trying to convince consumers that they're meandering through some Old World marketplace rather than another fluorescent outlet of Bath and Body Works. For a real taste of traditional European commerce — the kind that really does occur in the shadow of medieval buildings — check out Margarita's Muge. Since 1998, the Kansas City Lithuanian community and the Aidas Folk Dance Group have put on the Lithuanian holiday market, decking the halls of the Lenexa Community Center (13420 Oak in Lenexa) with home-country crafts and culture (and serving traditional cuisine). Items for sale include jewelry and tortes; get a taste from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. And stop by at 1:30 to watch a folk-dance performance. For more information about the free event, see aidasdancers.org.