Arts & events

Chloe Anderson/Lawrence Times
Lawrence community events to celebrate Hanukkah
Upcoming local celebrations of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah will welcome all ages of the public.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Community can reflect on Sacred Red Rock, returned to the Kaw Nation, during storytelling circle
The Spencer Museum of Art is hosting a storytelling circle focused on the Sacred Red Rock as part of a current exhibit exploring how the boulder was returned to the Kaw Nation.
Contributed
Lawrence creators to host interactive multimedia art shows, holiday concert
Whether you’re hoping to catch a holiday music performance or looking to explore the connection among art, music and community, a hometown artist and his collaborators have you covered in three upcoming shows.
Contributed Photo
Clint Smith, author of ‘How the Word is Passed,’ to speak in Lawrence Monday
Clint Smith — poet, journalist and author of “How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America” — will speak at Liberty Hall Monday evening.
KU Holiday Vespers, Jazz Vespers free to attend this year; livestream available
Tickets are free for the University of Kansas School of Music’s 97th annual Holiday Vespers and Jazz Vespers, and there is an option to livestream the performances this year.
Photo courtesy of KU Theatre
KU Theatre’s fall finale centers trans woman, ‘disrupts’ idea of classic American play
KU Theatre is preparing for the grand finale of its fall season this Friday: a contemporary play that centers on the story of a transgender woman returning to her childhood home in the American South.
Contributed image
Young artists of Van Go to open holiday art show Sunday
For this year’s Adornment show, the apprentice artists of Van Go have created artwork with the guiding theme of “A Seat at the Table,” inspired by Shirley Chisholm. The show opens to the public Sunday.
Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel/Contributed Photo
Chabad Center to ‘Light up the Night’ in Lawrence with menorah lighting Sunday
The Lawrence community is invited to the annual lighting of a 9-foot-tall menorah in front of the Lawrence Public Library.
Drone Lawrence/dronelawrence.com
Santa rescue to return to Downtown Lawrence
A beloved Lawrence tradition will return Friday after taking 2020 off + more opportunities to see Santa
2021 Edition: Where to see holiday lights in Lawrence
We’re mapping out holiday lights and decorations in Lawrence, KS.
Artist Heap of Birds, who created ‘Native Hosts,’ to give virtual lecture
Hock E Aye Vi Edgar Heap of Birds (Cheyenne, Arapaho), the artist who created the five-panel “Native Hosts” installation at the University of Kansas’ Spencer Museum of Art, will give a virtual lecture next week.
Contributed Image
Save the date: First in-person Paper Plains Literary Festival coming in April 2022
Lovers of the written word, mark your calendars — the Paper Plains Literary Festival has set dates for 2022 events, which will be in person and livestreamed.
Tricia Masenthin/The Lawrence Times
Fairytale faves and zombies mix it up in West Middle School production
With two casts and two endings, there’s a lot to keep organized in West Middle School’s all-school play, “The Walking Dwarves.” There’s no sugar-coating the scene at Thursday morning’s preview show: It’s pure, loud chaos. It’s also a celebration.
Theatre Lawrence / Contributed Photo
All are invited to embrace their inner elves at Theatre Lawrence’s winter production
Lawrence community members — even cottonheaded ninnymuggins — are invited to Theatre Lawrence’s in-person and streamed winter production, “Elf: The Musical.”
Tom Harper / Contributed Photo
A moment in Lawrence: Community celebrates new mural at Cottin’s Hardware
A crowd gathered Sunday to celebrate the completion of a new mural at Cottin’s Hardware in Lawrence.
Lucie Krisman / The Lawrence Times
Lawrence-based sculptor wins design title in nationwide metalworking competition
Lori Norwood took inspiration from Lawrence’s Pooch Plunge tradition to create a steel sculpture. Her piece was recently selected for a metalworking award.
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