He originally planned to use a life-size rendering of John Cusack for the polar explorer but was worried that people would lose sight of what he was trying to tell them. We aren't quite sure what that is, but we hope to find out Friday at the Opie Gallery (2012 Baltimore, 816-474-1919). "Get ready for bad craft meets good craft," warns Byers. -- Julia Westhoff
Hip Trip
THU 12/2
"The last interest living poets have is reaching a scholar or academic," says Robert Stewart, director of the Midwest Poets Series. Stewart should have no trouble reinforcing this point when his series brings up-and-coming African-American bard Terrence Hayes to read from his collection Hip Logic at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Mabee Theater on the Rockhurst University campus (Sedgwick Hall, 1100 Rockhurst Road). Stewart says Hayes's poetry combines a rhythmic, urban edge -- both onstage and on the page -- with powerful reflections on African-American family life. Hayes will be a hit, then, not just with us but also with the people who live in the community around Rockhurst, who, Stewart says, frequently attend the Midwest Poets Series readings and enjoy the hell out of them. Call 816-501-4607 for more information. -- Jason Harper
Slam It
12/3-12/5
Artists are often sensitive -- and thin-skinned fledgling art students can be even more so. But we think it's important to support their creative efforts in those formative years, so we're attending a Media Slam at 7 p.m. Friday at the Kansas City Art Institute's Epperson Auditorium (4415 Warwick), where students showcase their video, audio and new-media works. An exhibition and sale of color, black-and-white, digital and analog photographs also runs from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday and from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the East Building of the campus. Call 816-802-3327 for more information. -- Annie Fischer
