Arts & events


Irish singer-songwriter to kick off Midwest tour with Lawrence show
A local music promoter is excited to bring Pat Byrne to Lawrence for a concert that will launch the Irish singer-songwriter’s tour of the Midwest.

‘The Exultant Stag’ musical aims to encourage mental health support; it premieres this weekend
Taking audience members through a journey of magical dreams, a new musical strives to destigmatize seeking mental health support. “The Exultant Stag” is set to open this weekend at the Lawrence Arts Center.

‘Crowns’ musical gives hats off to a Black culture staple
“Crowns” is premiering at Theatre Lawrence soon after the city became the first in Kansas to pass a CROWN Act ordinance. Though unplanned, the timing was divine, Director Annette Billings says.

Haskell Welcome Back Pow Wow coming up this weekend
Haskell Indian Nations University’s annual Welcome Back Pow Wow is set to return Saturday.

Jamie Ulmer brings his act to a larger stage at Theatre Lawrence
Jamie Ulmer, the new executive director of Theatre Lawrence, has a tough act to follow. Here he discusses his experience coming from small-town Beatrice, Nebraska, the new season, and his plans for the community theater.

Ribbon cutting to celebrate new mural decorating La Estrella
A gathering on Thursday will celebrate the completion of a colorful new mural adorning a Lawrence restaurant and tienda mexicana.

Photos: Art in the Park brings color and community to South Park
The long-running tradition of the Lawrence Art Guild’s Art in the Park continued Saturday, with more than 100 artists and creators at South Park to sell their works.

Lawrence Art Guild’s Art in the Park returns this weekend
More than 150 artists will display their work Saturday and Sunday for Art in the Park, one of the Lawrence Art Guild’s biggest annual shows.

Taco Wars competition will support Lawrence nonprofits, feature live music and local restaurants
Joey Pauda wants to create more spaces to celebrate Latino culture in Lawrence. He’s one organizer behind Taco Wars, a fundraiser in which four local restaurants will compete Saturday to serve the best taco.

Audio-Reader’s next audio sale set for Saturday
Audio-Reader, the KU-based reading and information service for blind, visually impaired and print disabled people, will hold its next audio sale this weekend.

Numerous authors, storytellers with Lawrence ties to participate in Kansas Book Festival
Several Lawrence authors, storytellers, librarians and more will be present for the 12th annual Kansas Book Festival, coming up Saturday in Topeka.

Be there and be square: Nerd Nite Lawrence to celebrate 100th event
Nerd Nite Lawrence this week will celebrate its 100th gathering, as the intellectual exchanges now span more than 12 years “of glorious nerdy stories and sharing.”

Haskell events to celebrate 50th birthday of preeminent text in American Indian studies
Vine Deloria Jr.’s influential book, “God is Red,” is turning 50 this year, and Haskell Indian Nations University has a week of events planned to celebrate.

KU professor to present new poetry collection at Raven event
Lawrence local writer R.B. Lemberg will present their new poetry collection, “Everything Thaws: A poetic cycle,” during a Tuesday evening reading and conversation at the Raven Book Store.

MixMaster Music Conference fosters community, demystifies music industry
Rachel Chang said she had only recently started engaging in the Lawrence music community and was not very familiar with the scene. But her demo wowed judges at the MixMaster Music Conference on Saturday.

Artists at Haskell Indian Art Market share significance of their work
The Haskell Indian Art Market was off to a successful start Saturday. Artists from tribes across the country united at Haskell Indian Nations University to show off their artwork, including pottery, metalwork, beadwork and beyond.