A neighborhood block party and silent art auction Saturday in East Lawrence will raise funds for Somos Lawrence and the annual Día de los Muertos celebration.
Somos Lawrence is a local grassroots organization that advocates for non-English speakers with a focus on outreach to Spanish-speaking communities. Each year, the group hosts a Día de los Muertos celebration for the Lawrence community.
The block party, Somos Unidos (We are United), is set for 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30 at 900 New Jersey St. Organizers suggest a donation of $5.
Kyla Love, board chair for Lawrence Percolator, said the Día de los Muertos event last year — in addition to coordinating hundreds of volunteer hours and welcoming more than 800 neighbors — had received about $14,500 in grant funding from the county and city.
This year, though Somos Lawrence received a grant for separate initiatives, the event received $5,667 from the Heritage Conservation Council’s new Heritage Events and Celebration Fund program — less than half the funding received last year.
“With the current political climate, and our funding reduced to $5,667 this year, it matters more than ever that we come together to support Somos Lawrence’s work, and continue the Día de Muertos tradition of creating a joyful, welcoming, and accessible event for the Lawrence community,” Love said.
She said Somos Unidos came to be after Dan Huston, owner of Danielsan Electric, had reached out to Lawrence artist and Percolator board member Paul Punzo about hosing a solo art show.
“Paul proposed turning it into a benefit for Somos Lawrence and Día de los Muertos, and the idea blossomed into Somos Unidos – a night of live music, local art, and food that feels like Lawrence at its best,” Love said.
Maria the Mexican, Elvis by Gibson and Page 7 will perform live music. Hazel’s Hut & Hawaiian Shave Ice will have snacks onsite, and Lawrence Beer Co. will have local brews on tap. More than 20 local artists are contributing paintings, prints and mixed media works.
Funds raised will cover artists’ travel expenses to and from Mexico, lodging, supplies for artist workshops, overnight security to guard family altars so they can set up the day before, and more, Love said.
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Mackenzie Clark (she/her), reporter/founder of The Lawrence Times, can be reached at mclark@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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