Do What, John?
3/4-3/5
In the 2004 presidential race, John Edwards' stumping on poverty was convincing because it was obvious that if law and politics weren't such profitable professions, the vice presidential nominee would be poorer'n dirt. Now, while Howard Dean is living it up as Democratic National Committee chairman and Hilary Clinton is rumbling inexorably toward 2008 like a blond glacier, Edwards is, well, pretty much fighting to stay in the news. Maybe the cuddliest Southern politician ever will reveal some new plans when he speaks to the Kansas Democratic Party on Friday and Saturday at the 100th anniversary of Washington Days at the Downtown Marriott in Topeka (420 Southeast Sixth Avenue). Only the rich and well-connected are welcome, but schedules are free at www.ksdp.org. -- Jason Harper
Dog Days
Jason Brunson sees de-light.
FRI 3/4
Despite the frothy psychedelic images on his flier, Jason Brunson says his show, Afternoon Delight, has nothing to do with drugs. What about the two yellow-eyed, beret-wearing bulldogs set against a neon-green background under hot-pink lettering? Coulda fooled us. But things are weird in Cincinnati, where Brunson resides. After all, locals there swear by Skyline Chili, an unsettling concoction of spaghetti and watery tomato-meat sauce. Compared with that, Brunson's acrylic-and-enamel images of humans in bear suits and said mongrels seem almost natural. The show, which opens from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Leedy-Voulkos Art Center (2012 Baltimore, 816-474-1917), also includes 50 limited-edition 'zines full of stickers and original drawings by Brunson and KC graphic artist Scribe, which gallerygoers can snag for $20 a pop. -- Nadia Pflaum
