Arts & events

Chloe Anderson/Lawrence Times
Valentine’s Day events around Lawrence for kids, adults and everyone in between
From a romance-themed night of Slavic fortunetelling to sugar cookie decorating for kids, here’s a list of heart-fluttering events happening around Lawrence for Valentine’s Day and the week leading up to it.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Patrons invited to preserve, relive memories in Lawrence Public Library digitization lab
Tucked next to the local history room in the library’s basement, patrons can find a DIY Memory Lab dedicated to digitizing older media formats from MiniDV camcorder tapes to Super 8mm film to shellac 78 rpm records.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
St. John’s Mexican Fiesta set for this weekend in Lawrence, will feature La Yarda art preview
The annual St. John’s Mexican Fiesta is set to return for its 42nd year on Saturday.
Abby Bayani-Heitzman
Lawrence Music Census results highlight local music ecosystem needs and opportunities
The Lawrence Music Census has shown that a rising cost of living is a key concern for musicians, and local musicians are some of the lowest paid across 25 cities studied.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Celebration of Sacred Red Rock’s return to the Kaw Nation scheduled for this weekend
An upcoming rematriation celebration will honor the Sacred Red Rock’s arrival to its home on Kaw Nation land.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Midsummer Night on Mass, the reimagined sidewalk sale, to return to downtown Lawrence
Downtown Lawrence Inc. will again host Midsummer Night on Mass, the community celebration and big sale that replaced the annual Sidewalk Sale for the first time last year.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
‘Just to make sure she has everything that we didn’t’: Celebrating Black fathers this Father’s Day
Stephen Wanjohi and his family had a table at the Lawrence Juneteenth celebration Saturday where they were promoting their local businesses, including the kids’ handmade bracelets. As Father’s Day is recognized Sunday, we interviewed three Black fathers about their life challenges and joyful moments.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
‘We’re very community-oriented’: Lawrence celebrates Juneteenth with parade, street party
Community advocate Sheryl Sanders said her mother used to say, “You cannot have a sense of self unless you put yourself into the service of others.” She and others gathered downtown Saturday for the annual Juneteenth celebration.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Raven Book Store to celebrate Dashiell the cat’s retirement with donation drive, discounts
If taking naps and looking cute while doing so factor into this bookstore cat’s job performance, an exceptional rating will accompany Dashiell as he heads into retirement from the Raven Book Store.
Lawrence community members invited to immerse themselves in ‘here-ing’ labyrinth
Events coming up Friday and Saturday invite Lawrence community members to become immersed in an ear-shaped tallgrass labyrinth, learn about the environment and participate in a poetry exercise.
Mark Potts/Lawrence Times
Lawrence’s Summerfest to feature drone show instead of fireworks this year
The rockets’ red glare is going to be a little different in Lawrence this year. And bombs won’t be bursting in air.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence to celebrate Juneteenth with parade, live music, vendors
Lawrence community members will soon celebrate Juneteenth with bus tours of Underground Railroad sites, a parade, and a street party with local vendors, live music and family fun.
Production to showcase connection between Black heritage and fashion, celebrate Juneteenth
Fashion is just one way Black people have molded their own identities throughout history, according to Nicole Rials, and an upcoming play will celebrate how clothing relates to African American heritage.
‘Dolly and Desserts’ concert, fundraiser to return to Lawrence
A handful of tickets are still available for the second “Dolly and Desserts,” a fundraiser concert featuring Dolly Parton covers that will help a local group keep providing books to kids at no cost to their families.
Natasha Torkzaban/Lawrence Times
Community members to exchange skills, knowledge at Lawrence library’s free How-To Festival
Presenters will share with the community how to do card tricks, dance Argentine tango, cook by using sun rays and more at an annual Lawrence festival.
Lane Rozin/Lawrence Times
Community members share what Lawrence PRIDE events mean to them
Several community members who gathered for Lawrence PRIDE parade and party Saturday shared that inclusivity, self-expression and acceptance make the events what they are.
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