Kansas City News Blog

The Leavenworth Animal Control Shelter, at 1720 South Second Street, could use the canine equivalents of a Johnny Cash animal shelter tour and multiple stays of execution from the governor, because they’re reporting overcrowded prison conditions this week. Sixteen dogs currently need adoption (including the pup pictured above). You know what Johnny Cash would say – he’d say that he’s wearing the black “for the prisoner who has long paid for his crime, but is there because he's a victim of the times.” In this case the only crime is being too cute, and they’re all guilty.

The catch is that many of these dogs are scheduled to be euthanized this Friday, and more on Monday. The only dog that doesn’t deserve to live is that one that caused all that starvation and genocide over in that country I read about once. Y’know – that dog who totally does not exist. Click here to read about these unjustly incarcerated pups. For more information, call 913-683-2948 or 913-758-6644.

The Pitch Music Awards

There’s an unimpeachably cool list of nominees who contended for this year’s Pitch Music Awards with their sweat, talent, shredding and the awesome ending-wankery guitarists do in order to “bring the house down” when the main part of the song is over. Although the Pitch has totally failed to acknowledge ending-wankery excellence with its own award category AGAIN. Guitarists: Rest assured, there’s one person in Kansas City who’s a giant fan of that improvised noodling you do at the very end of the song. Sometimes I fast-forward to the end of a song just to hear it.

At any rate, come to the 2007 Pitch Music Awards Friday night at the Uptown Theater, 3700 Broadway Street. Tickets are $5, $20 for a V.I.P. ticket that includes a private pre-party with drinks and appetizers and stuff. The party starts at 6 p.m.

Sweat and Sweet Art

Scott Fitness, which will soon have as many area locations as I have fingers on a single hand, not counting my thumb, hosts an opening reception for artist Rachelle M. Gardner at their Westport location at 1820 Westport Road. John Scott says, via his Web site, “It used to be the Hot Yoga place... before that it was a liquor store. I used to buy potato chips from the liquor store. But I never took hot yoga, and they didn't sell chips. Now Scott Fitness has the building.” Friday’s show includes a 12-foot drawing Gardner created especially for this exhibit. There will be liquid refreshments and snacks. -- Chris Packham