Even the heat of August holds cool entertainment options

Here’s a sampling of entertainment options around town this month.

Golden voice and mystery hair

Singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett is known for a high-standing coif that has taunted gravity for decades. David Letterman once quipped that only master scientist Stephen Hawking could explain how mere follicles could achieve this feat. Kansas City’s Robert Altman used Lovett’s unusual looks to great effect in two of his better movies: “The Player” and “Short Cuts.”

Fortunately, Lovett and His Large Band are also known for sincere and thoughtful tunes that are labeled country but could easily qualify for any genre that includes worthy songs. They’ll be playing songs from Lovett’s new album “Release Me” at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 28 at Yardley Hall at Johnson County Community College on College and Quivira. Tickets are $55 and $65. There’s also a dinner at 5:00 p.m. for $25 at the Capitol Federal Suite at the Regnier Center. Dinner tickets are $25.

For more information, go to http://www.jccc.edu/performing-arts-series/events/2012-2013/lyle-lovett.html.>

The Hawks at Corinth Square

KU’s new football coach Charlie Weis will greet Jayhawk fans along with the KU Band on Friday, Aug. 17 from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m. at Corinth Square at 83rd Street and Mission Road. There will also be food and beverages from local vendors. Little Jayhawks can enjoy a moonwalk and other inflatables.

‘Beauty’ in the burbs

Anyone who thinks suburban life is dull probably hasn’t seen Sam Mendes’ “American Beauty,” a pitch black comedy with breathtakingly beautiful photography by Conrad L. Hall (“In Cold Blood”). It’s playing as part of the Johnson County Museum’s Suburban Film Festival at 7:15 p.m. Aug. 9 at the Rio Theatre at 7204 W. 80th St., Overland Park. Tickets are $5 and two for one for Film League members.

Kevin Spacey and Topeka native Annette Bening star as a prosperous couple who deal with their midlife crises in radically different ways. While she sells houses and has an affair with her boss (Peter Gallagher), he quits his white collar job, slings burgers and becomes infatuate with one of his daughter’s pals (Mena Suvari). The R-rated film won five Oscars, including Best Picture, as well as statues for Mendes, Hall, writer Alan Ball (who later gave us “Six Feet Under” and “True Blood”) and Spacey. It’s also worth catching simply to see Kansas City’s Chris Cooper as the cranky colonel living near Spacey and Bening. Go to www.fineartsgroup.com.>

Tunes for the heavens

The Chestnut Fine Arts Center at Chestnut and Santa Fe in Olathe is presenting “How Great Thou Art!,” a review of gospel songs from now until Aug. 19. Tickets are $23 for adults and $20 for seniors. For more information go to http://www.chestnutfinearts.com.>

Doo-Dad Mike, on his own

When he’s not playing kid friendly rock ‘n’ roll with the Doo-Dads, Doo-Dad Mike plays similar gigs on his own. He’ll be stopping by the Johnson County Museum on 6305 Lackman Road in Shawnee on Wednesday, Aug. 1 at 10:00 a.m. Tickets are $3 for each child. Museum members get to save a dollar on each kid. To buy tickets in advance call, 913 715-2575. There should be at least one adult for every three children.