Events Calendar
An events calendar brimming with cultural delights, proof that the people of Lawrence have the art of living perfected to a science.
- Before submitting your event, please check the calendar first to make sure that it isn't already listed.
- In the interest of uniformity, when submitting your events, please DO NOT USE ALL CAPS! It will be changed.
- All events must be open to the public, visitor oriented and happening in the Lawrence area.
- All events are subject to review before being posted to the CVB website.
Upcoming Events
Displaying 1-20 of 281 events | Print a detailed listing of these events.
Niche Art Installation
From February 25, 2008 to February 1, 2009 | The Commons, Spooner Hall | A mixed media art installation by Marguerite Perret & Bruce Scherting in collaboration with Betsy Knabe Roe, Niche presents the images of the tree of life as a symbolic construct and as an illusion of natural selection. The result is reminiscent of a strange fairy tale where the beautiful and peculiar occupy the same space.
6 Gallery Exhibit "Horses"
From June 27, 2008 to August 22, 2008 | 6 Gallery | 6 Gallery features group shows by Lawrence area artists. Each show is tied together by a common theme. Donations are accepted to various local causes. Thursday - Sunday, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Folding Light
From July 8, 2008 to September 6, 2008 | Pachamamas | Collaborative Multimedia Presentation "Folding Light" featuring artwork by Nancy Bjorge, produced by Jim Jewell.
Civil War on the Western Frontier
From August 6, 2008 to August 21, 2008 | Sites throughout Lawrence | Living history events that focus on historic Lawrence and Douglas County during the early Territorial days and the Civil War. === Schedule == Love, Death, Memory: The Story of Human Hair Work *August 6, 2008* *7 p.m.* *Presented by Helen Sheumaker* Love, Death, Memory: The Story of Human Hair Work with Helen Sheumaker, author of Love Entwined: The Curious History of Hair Work in America. *Lawrence Public Library* *707 Vermont St.* Lawrence, KS *785-843-3833* *Admission Charge: No* == A Song on the Wind *August 8-10, 2008* *8 p.m. Friday & Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday* *Presented by Lawrence Community Theatre* Local historian and playwright, Betty Laird, gives a fictionalized account of events in Lawrence during the time of Quantrill's raid. *Lawrence Community Theatre* *1501 New Hampshire St.* Lawrence, KS *785-843-7469* Admission Charge: Yes == Film: Bad Blood *August 9, 2008* *10 a.m.* Presented by Lawrence Convention & Visitors Bureau With the eyes of the nation watching, the thorny issue of slavery ignited the border between Missouri and Kansas Territory. The years 1854 to 1860 saw fraud, treason and terror leading all the way up to (and into) the Civil War. *Lawrence Visitor Center* *402 N. 2nd St.* Lawrence, KS *785-865-4499* Admission Charge: No == Tour of the Black Jack Battlefield *August 9, 2008* *3 p.m. – 4 p.m.* Presented by Black Jack Battlefield Trust Guided tour of the Black Jack Battlefield where John Brown and Henry Clay fought what most consider to be the first battle of the Civil War, June 2, 1856. *Black Jack Battlefield* *163 E 2000 Rd.* Wellsville, KS *info@blackjackbattlefield.org* Admission Charge: No == Hey Kids, Let’s Build a Mud Fort *August 11 – 12, 2008* *9 a.m. – 11 a.m.* Presented by Lawrence Parks & Recreation Civil War on the Western Frontier for kids. Day one: Learn how six mud forts were built to protect early Lawrence, make a model of a fort with real mud, have a snack and take a walking tour of historic places. Day two: Teams will dig and build mud forts north of Constant Park. One adult registration required for each child. Registration begins Sunday, April 13, 2008 and pre-registration is required. *Lawrence Visitor Center* *402 N. 2nd St.* Lawrence, KS *jellis@ci.lawrence.ks.us* Admission Charge: Yes == I, Quantrill *August 12, 2008* *7 p.m.* Presented by Lawrence Public Library Award-winning author Max McCoy will read & discuss his new book, “I, Quantrill” in which the notorious perpetrator of the deadly attack on Lawrence tells his side of the story. *Lawrence Public Library* *707 Vermont St.* Lawrence, KS 785-843-3833 *Admission Charge: No* == Judge Louis Carpenter – Victim of Hate *August 14, 2008* *7 p.m. – 8 p.m.* Presented by Douglas County Law Library Story of Judge Louis Carpenter, a rising star in Kansas, shot dead during Quantrill’s Raid. *Watkins Community Museum of History* *1047 Massachusetts St.* Lawrence, KS *785-838-2477* Admission Charge: No == Civil War Encampment *August 16, 2008* *9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.* Presented by Battery B, 3rd KS Frontier Brigade Civil War-era camp with Union Soldiers and civilian reenactors. Camp will include displays of Civil War military and civilian items in military camp environment. *South Park – Eastside* *12th & Massachusetts St.* Lawrence, KS *Admission Charge: No* == Civil War Miniature War Gaming Demonstration *August 16, 2008* *10 a.m. – 4 p.m.* Presented by Lawrence Miniature War Gaming Club Miniature re-creations of Civil War battlefields, complete with soldiers and horses, will be set up. Come and watch, ask questions, or even join in a game. *Lawrence Public Library* *707 Vermont St.* Lawrence, KS *785-843-3833* *Admission Charge: No* == Quantrill’s Raid Walking Tour *August 16, 2008* *8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.* Presented by Katie Armitage Come with us on a walking tour and listen to Katie Armitage tell stories of Quantrill's Raid. These stories will cover the Pinckney and Old West Lawrence area. All participants must pre-register through Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department. *Constant Park Parking Lot* *6th & Tennessee St.* Lawrence, KS *785-832-7930* *Admission Charge: Yes* == Watkins Museum Run for History (Formerly Quantrill's Run) *August 16, 2008* * 7 a.m.* The benefit run/walk for the WCMH follows Quantrill’s Aug. 21, 1863 route through downtown Lawrence, Old West Lawrence, and past the victim’s monument in Oak Hill Cemetery. Check-in begins at 7 a.m. *South Park, East Side* * 785-841-4109* *Admission Charge:* $15 runners pre-registration, $10 walkers pre-registration, $20 runners/walkers day of event == Tour Historic Lecompton *August 16 & 17, 2088* *1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.* Presented by Paul Bahnmaier & Charlene Winter Tour Historic Lecompton, the Territorial Capitol. Visit Constitution Hall, National Landmark Kansas Historic Site tour, Territorial Capital Museum National Register Site. Also tour Territorial Democratic Headquarters. *Territorial Capital Museum* *640 E. Woodson* Lecompton, KS *785-887-6148* *Admission Charge: No* == An Afternoon with John Brown *August 17, 2008* *3 p.m.* Presented by Kerry Altenbernd Come spend an afternoon with John Brown as he tells of his life and his time in Kansas. *Lawrence Public Library* *707 Vermont St.* Lawrence, KS *785-843-3833* *Admission Charge: No* == Great American Medicine Show *August 19, 2008* *7 p.m.* Presented by Watkins Community Museum of History Authentic Civil War period entertainment! Historic narrative, comic chronicles, tall tales and unabashed balderdash. A unique attraction of notable historic significance. *Watkins Community Museum of History* *1047 Massachusetts St.* Lawrence, KS *785-841-4109* *Admission Charge: No* == Outdoor Screening of “Dark Command” *August 21, 2008* *Music: 8 p.m.; Film: 9:15 p.m.* Presented by Downtown Lawrence Film Festival The next best thing to a drive in! See an outdoor screening of “Dark Command” starring John Wayne, loosely based on Quantrill’s Raid on Lawrence. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. *SW Corner of 9th & New Hampshire St.* Lawrence, KS *785-842-3883* *Admission Charge: No* ----
Thursday Lawrence Farmer's Market
August 21, 2008 | Downtown Lawrence | The Farmers' Market in Downtown Lawrence has become the premiere place to obtain the freshest, most nutritious locally produced agricultural products in the region. As a strict "producer-only" market, our patrons are presented with the unique opportunity to directly connect with the grower, rancher or cook of what they purchase.
Downtown Lawrence Film Festival presents Dark Command
August 21, 2008 | Downtown Lawrence | Screenings of classic film noir offerings in an outdoor setting in historic Downtown Lawrence presents "Dark Command (1940)." Dark Command is a western film loosely based on Quantrill's Raiders in the American Civil War. Directed by Raoul Walsh from the novel by W.R. Burnett, the film features Claire Trevor, John Wayne and Walter Pidgeon. Dark Command is the only film in which western icons John Wayne and Roy Rogers appear together, and was the first film Wayne and Raoul Walsh made together since Wayne's first leading role in the wide screen western The Big Trail a decade before. Also a part of the Civil War on the Western Frontier event.
Hawk Week Film: Back to the Future
August 21, 2008 | Spencer Museum of Art | Hawk Week Film: Back to the Future at the SMA Auditorium, sponsored by the SMA Student Advisory Board. Shown in conjunction with the exhibition Time/Frame/Back to the Future is the story of a teenager from 1985 who is accidentally sent back in time to the 1950s after commandeering a time-traveling DeLorean sports-car invented by his wacky scientist friend.
Lied Center Annual Free Outdoor Concert & Family Arts Festival
August 22, 2008 | Lied Center | Best known for the group's frequent appearances on NPR's A Prairie Home Companion, Peter Ostroushko & The Heartland Band join together for the Lied Center's outdoor concert to create magnificent contemporary American music from the heartland with traditional European influences at its roots. Join us on the lawn for family fun, outstanding music and the kickoff of the new Lied Center season!
Busker Fest 2008
From August 22, 2008 to August 24, 2008 | Downtown Lawrence | A two-day festival of street performers in historic Downtown Lawrence. Professional buskers from around the country will flock to Lawrence for the first annual Busker Fest. These talented street performers will bring their unique form of public entertainment to the sidewalks and streets of Downtown Lawrence for a two-day festival.
Saturday Downtown Lawrence Farmers' Market
August 23, 2008 | Between 8th and 9th St. & | With more than 80 vendor members, the Farmers' Market in Downtown Lawrence has become the premiere place to obtain the freshest, most nutritious locally produced agricultural products in the region. As a strict "producer-only" market, our patrons are presented with the unique opportunity to directly connect with the grower, rancher or cook of what they purchase.
Time/Frame
From August 23, 2008 to December 14, 2008 | Spencer Museum of Art | In Fall 2008, the Spencer Museum of Art will consider the ways in which artists have pondered and pictured time. Assembling works from North and South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia, and across various media, the exhibition Time/Frame considers how time is manifested visually in art and material culture from around the world. Time/Frame is organized collectively by the 2007-08 Spencer Museum of Art graduate student interns: Robert Fucci, Shuyun Ho, Lauren Kernes, Lara Kuykendall, Ellen Raimond, and Stephanie Teasley.
Historic Downtown Lawrence Walking Tour
August 23, 2008 | Departs from Farmer's Market Square | Join KU Architecture and Urban Design students for an entertaining and enlightening tour of historic Downtown Lawrence. Join KU Architecture and Urban Design students for an entertaining and enlightening tour of historic Downtown Lawrence. Departing from the Farmers Market, tours will wind through Downtown with stops at various locations and return to the Farmers Market. Three distinct tours will run in repertory throughout the summer and fall. Come early and enjoy breakfast at the Farmers Market. Shop for fresh produce following your tour. Advance reservations required.
State Fiddling & Picking Championships
August 24, 2008 | South Park | Open competition in fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, dulcimer, miscellaneous acoustic instruments and ensemble folk singing. Free concerts, children's activities.
Your Smallest Sins Are My Greatest Accomplishments
From August 24, 2008 to September 12, 2008 | School of Fine Arts
Tuesday Lawrence Farmers' Market
August 26, 2008 | Downtown Lawrence | The Farmers' Market in Downtown Lawrence has become the premiere place to obtain the freshest, most nutritious locally produced agricultural products in the region. As a strict "producer-only" market, our patrons are presented with the unique opportunity to directly connect with the grower, rancher or cook of what they purchase.
Thursday Lawrence Farmer's Market
August 28, 2008 | Downtown Lawrence | The Farmers' Market in Downtown Lawrence has become the premiere place to obtain the freshest, most nutritious locally produced agricultural products in the region. As a strict "producer-only" market, our patrons are presented with the unique opportunity to directly connect with the grower, rancher or cook of what they purchase.
Artist Lecture: Gonkar Gyatso
August 28, 2008 | Spencer Museum of Art, Auditorium
KU Football: KU vs. Florida International
August 30, 2008 | Memorial Stadium | KU Football: KU vs. Florida International
Saturday Downtown Lawrence Farmers' Market
August 30, 2008 | Between 8th and 9th St. & | With more than 80 vendor members, the Farmers' Market in Downtown Lawrence has become the premiere place to obtain the freshest, most nutritious locally produced agricultural products in the region. As a strict "producer-only" market, our patrons are presented with the unique opportunity to directly connect with the grower, rancher or cook of what they purchase.
Historic Downtown Lawrence Walking Tour
August 30, 2008 | Departs from Farmer's Market Square | Join KU Architecture and Urban Design students for an entertaining and enlightening tour of historic Downtown Lawrence. Join KU Architecture and Urban Design students for an entertaining and enlightening tour of historic Downtown Lawrence. Departing from the Farmers Market, tours will wind through Downtown with stops at various locations and return to the Farmers Market. Three distinct tours will run in repertory throughout the summer and fall. Come early and enjoy breakfast at the Farmers Market. Shop for fresh produce following your tour. Advance reservations required.
