No Cost but Pride

Is it in our DNA to crave free stuff? Did Freud, Nostradamus or even Adam Smith ever mention a deep-seated freebie radar that humans would develop as the consumerist culture became more and more cutthroat? Whether it’s reality show contestants consuming cow anus to win money or grown men tackling old ladies to catch a hot dog shot out of a wiener-shaped cannon at Kauffman Stadium, there’s ample evidence that people lose all common sense when something’s free. That said, drink free beer until your other senses are dulled at the Crossroads at Grinders (417 East 18th Street) tonight and tomorrow night starting at 6 p.m. The Pitch is sponsoring Big Beer-O-Rama to celebrate the Best of Kansas City issue that you’re reading. More than 40 beers and other drinks, from the varied likes of behemoth Miller and small Kansas liquor operation Evil Monk, will be available to sample. Use the brew to wash down food from the Mango Room, T.G.I. Friday’s and Thai Place. U2 cover band Rattle and Humm performs tonight. Tickets for the gig are free in advance from crossroadskc.com. For information, call 816-472-5454. crossroadskc.com Pitch
Fri., Oct. 5, 6 p.m.; Sat., Oct. 6, 6 p.m., 2007