All Threats Are Off
Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell honors her brother — and veterans.
SAT 11/5
Yellow-ribbon magnets might remind drivers to "support the troops," but Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell wonders about the support troops get once they're home. Her first book, No Immediate Threat: The Story of an American Veteran, is about her brother, a Vietnam veteran who committed suicide.
Fivecoat-Campbell, a former crime reporter for The Kansas City Kansan, worries about soldiers coming home today. "What Vietnam vets experienced with things like post-traumatic stress disorder is being repeated with those returning from Iraq," she says. "I wanted to understand what went wrong in my brother's life and help others understand that our VA system is overburdened in dealing with all kinds of issues."
Fivecoat-Campbell reads from and signs her book Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Writers Place (3607 Pennsylvania, 816-753-1090). — Kate Smith
Drag Doc
We know who wears the pants in this film.
SAT 11/5
Director Sonia Slutsky should've adapted The Real World's catchphrase for Drag Kings on Tour: "This is the true story of six drag kings, picked to live in an RV and have their lives taped." We bet the drama in her cross-dresser documentary might be more authentic. The filmmaker followed the performers — six women who adopt male personas — on their three-week, 16-stop "Kingdom Come" camper tour, combining individual interviews with footage from the shows and family interactions. Catch a screening at 9 p.m. Saturday at Screenland Theater (1656 Washington, 816-235-1708), where Slutsky, Canadian drag star Carlos Las Vegas and local kings lead a post-viewing performance and discussion. Admission is $7. — Annie Fischer
Civil Libations
The ACLU raps it up,
THU 11/3
With its barroom ACLU 2uesdays, the American Civil Liberties Union recently earned our nod as the "Best Place to Find Intelligent Women." Now the group sponsors "Let's Rap About Free Speech" at the Red Vine (1700 East 18th Street), a mixer and forum with a focus on artists' rights and hip-hop. Drink specials and door prizes start at 7 p.m. Thursday. Call 816-616-6924. — Rebecca Braverman
