Lawrence Magazine | Winter 2025

Conjuring Calm

The Organizing Witch talks about her trauma-informed approach to helping

THE DOCTOR WILL SEE YOU NOW. AND YOUR WHOLE FAMILY.

One medical home for those you love. Primary care is different here. Not only are our doctors board-certified, they also truly know you and your family. It’s how we make your medical care feel more like home – and what you can expect from your community healthcare system. Doctors right here with you.

Welcome to the winter 2025 edition of Lawrence Magazine! It goes without saying, but it’s that time of year again. My ugly sweaters have been pulled out of storage, my favorite treats are beckoning me, and Mariah Carey is defrosting.

What I love most about the season is how it brings everyone together. With work, kids and sports—so many sports—syncing schedules throughout the year can be challenging. But the holidays are my chance to gather friends and family to eat, laugh and catch up. Naturally, that means I could use a little extra inspiration. Between meal planning, cleaning, and decorating, the to-do list can get overwhelming.

That’s why this issue is packed with ideas from Lawrence residents. In our feature article, “Culinary Passport” on page 38, writer Nick Spacek visits COOKshop on 8th, a hands-on cooking class in downtown Lawrence. If you’re looking to master the perfect pie crust or searching for a fun spot to host a small get-together, this local shop’s calendar is full of fun and creative possibilities.

For cleaning motivation before hosting family members, turn to “Practical Magic” on page 24, where writer Rochelle Valverde chats with Chloe Sheridan of The Organizing Witch. What I love about Sheridan’s approach to cleaning is her compassion toward her clients. She recognizes that one of the biggest obstacles a person can face when cleaning is the mental and emotional weight they carry. I think that’s an obstacle that many of us face this time of year. Her tips are a gentle reminder that cleaning—or any journey, really—is about progress, not perfection.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the holidays are about giving back. On page 33, our feature article, “The Spirit of Community,” highlights three local nonprofits that could always use an extra set of hands. Consider reaching out to donate your time or your resources. Any kind of contribution helps strengthen the Lawrence community.

However you observe this time of year, I hope your winter is filled with warmth and wonderful memories. Cheers to the start of a new year!

EDITOR

Gina DeBacker

DESIGNER / ART DIRECTOR

Shelly Bryant

ADVERTISING

Joanne Morgan 785.832.7264

jmorgan@sunflowerpub.com

AD DESIGNER

Alex Tatro

COPY EDITOR

Leslie Clugston Andres

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Wende Dailey Amber Fraley

Lauren Kanan Susan Kraus

Nick Spacek Rochelle Valverde

Darin M. White

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Fally Afani Jason Dailey

Carter Gaskins Susan Kraus

Nick Krug Doug Stremel

PUBLISHER

Bill Uhler

DIRECTOR

Bob Cucciniello

CONTACT SUNFLOWER PUBLISHING 1035 N. Third Street, Suite 101-B Lawrence, KS 66044 | 785.832.7264

EMAIL COMMENTS OR SUBSCRIPTION INFO TO lawrencemagazine@sunflowerpub.com

Gina DeBacker, editor

Lawrence Magazine is a publication of Sunflower Publishing, a division of Ogden Publications, Inc.

features smorgasbord

33 The Spirit of Community

Small acts can make a massive impact on the community

38 Culinary Passport

This hands-on, downtown cooking class is building community, one recipe at a time

8 The Beat Goes On

Local musicians keep Lawrence’s music scene thriving with a new venue playing a diverse lineup of bands, and new music rooted in the Red Dirt movement

12 For the Love of Kansas

Two local authors release new works that show their love for the Sunflower State

18 Cut, Slice, Repeat

Artist Alicia Kelly’s work with paper has become a practice of meditation and concentration

23 Lawrencium Christmas Bird Count people

24 Practical Magic

The Organizing Witch brings order to overwhelmed spaces with her compassionate, peoplecentered approach places

28 The Great Comeback City

Detroit is once again a destination that invites exploration

The Beat Goes On

Local musicians keep Lawrence’s music scene thriving with a new venue playing a diverse lineup of bands, and new music rooted in the Red Dirt movement

Blood Bank Welcomes Everyone

Perched atop the hill, on the University of Kansas campus across the street from the Oread, sits the Ecumenical Campus Ministries (ECM). Founded in 1905, ECM is a nonprofit organization that has taken residence in this unassuming 65-year-old building at 1204 Oread Avenue. Over the years, the organization has evolved into a space where KU students and members of the Lawrence community can explore their faith in an inclusive environment, seek opportunities to engage in social action, and, starting almost two years ago, enjoy the all-ages music venue Blood Bank.

To watch a show at the Blood Bank stage, run by Hannah “Ham” Mason and musician Nash Rosado, just follow the stairs to the ECM’s basement. Although the stage has hosted various musical events over the years, the first show under the Blood Bank banner took place in April 2024. Every few weeks, Blood Bank draws in crowds who are eager to listen to a diverse lineup, with a focus on queer- and fem-fronted bands.

“For two full summers of shows, the walls have been sweaty,” Mason says. “It’s been so moist here that the walls are wet. We would move every single fan except for two in the building down here.”

That said, it’s a joyous place. As Rosado puts it, describing Blood Bank doesn’t do justice to the way it feels to be there. “This building is not the same when it’s empty,” he says.

Most importantly, it’s become a safe and welcoming space. “I mean, I know people who have come to shows just to hang out,” Mason says, adding that even the folks who collect money at the door end up hanging out with everyone by the end of the show.

“At our core, we are a pay-what-you-can venue. We’re not turning you away at the door if you don’t have the funds.” –

Hannah “ham” mason –

But this endeavor has not been without its difficulties. The basement is a concrete room.

“The acoustics are pretty brutal,” Rosado explains. Thankfully, the recent addition of sound-dampening blankets has mitigated some of the sound issues, as has partnering with KU student-run radio station KJHK to help cover the sound equipment.

Until late summer 2025, Blood Bank had also been without a working air conditioner.

In keeping with their welcoming nature, Blood Bank ensures its shows are financially accessible.

“At our core, we are a paywhat-you-can venue,” Mason explains. “We’re not turning you away at the door if you don’t have the funds.”

This business model means that some folks will pay with random gift cards from their wallet, and others will pay more than the suggested price. Proceeds go toward paying the bands, sound costs, and the ECM itself. (The ECM takes a percentage of the door, rather than a flat fee.) Mason and Rosado work gratis.

“Based on the reactions of the people who play here, everyone has a really good time, and they want to come back,” Rosado says. “It is such a great feeling.”

“I think we’ve formed a community of people who feel safe and are open to reaching out if they ever

feel unsafe,” Mason adds. “I think we’ve set up good protocols and procedures to navigate those things and have a very welcoming space.”

Jessie Duke, ECM executive director, has been a big part of helping Mason and Rosado navigate procedures and create a space where all attendees feel safe and accepted.

“Jessie has been a really great support system for us. We are students and the people who are in this space are our peers,” Rosado says. “Having somebody—an adult—we trust to help guide us and support us when we have to do difficult and scary things has been really helpful.”

It is through an outsider’s eyes that Mason and Rosado realize just how much Blood Bank means for the community.

“Sometimes I’m like, ‘Oh, it’s just this little thing that I run in this little basement,’” Mason says. Then a guest or an artist will remind her what a big opportunity this place is.

Best of all, the people who come to Blood Bank bring their passion with them, especially the musicians. “It’s really nice to see other people passionate about something that you’ve helped create,” Mason says.

“We wouldn’t be here if people didn’t show up or if bands weren’t excited to play,” Rosado adds.

For show information, follow Blood Bank on Instagram @bloodbank.lfk.

Ryan Manuel Gives Back

If you like to attend local singer-songwriter nights, there’s a good chance you’ve been struck by the commanding voice of Ryan Manuel. Whether on stage with just his voice and acoustic guitar or fronting his band, Ryan Manuel and the Getaway, he tells powerful stories through his songs.

His sound is rooted in the Red Dirt movement, a style of music he grew up listening to that blends country, folk and rock ’n’ roll. To escape the pop-country movement, bands such as The Great Divide, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Turnpike Troubadours, and the Randy Rogers Band have all strongly influenced Manuel over the years.

What Manuel loves best about this music is how it attracts an open-minded audience, giving him the freedom to try on different roles—he can play the party rocker followed by a folksy storyteller. Connecting with people in these various ways is why he started playing music in the first place.

“People here come with open hearts and open arms. Lawrence is a big old heart in the middle of Kansas.”

ryan manuel –

“We all go through it,” Manuel says. “We all go through tough times. We all go through sad times. We all go through happy times. It’s just kind of the human experience.”

Originally from Sedalia, Missouri, Manuel grew up listening to country music. He would watch the Grand Ole Opry on TV with his grandparents and see big Nashville acts play at the Missouri State Fair each summer. At age 12, he received his first guitar for Christmas, followed by an electric guitar just a few years later.

When he was older, Manuel would play “cruise nights” around town, or, as Manuel describes it, “when the kids would park their cars, and I’d play guitar and we’d get drunk.” In 2011, his friends goaded him into trying out for the Missouri State Fair Idol, which he won. The prize was an opportunity to open for Randy Rogers at the fair’s main stage.

“The first time I actually met [Rogers] was when I opened for him at the Granada,” Manuel says fondly. “He gave me some book recommendations. Letters to a Young Poet was one of them, and he talked to me about songwriting for 45 minutes backstage.”

Meeting one of his songwriting heroes— someone who actually took the time to offer genuine advice to an up-and-coming artist—fortified Manuel’s resolve to pursue music.

He moved to Lawrence in 2012, a city he first fell in love with at age 19.

“Being a 19-year-old, coming into a college town, seeing all the girls, the shopping, the bars, the food, the music—my God!” Manuel says. “It was just like, ‘I have to be here.’”

Thanks to local musicians such as Melvin Litton, Megan Luttrell, and Outlaw Jake, Manuel felt immediately accepted into the music scene.

“[Lawrence] opens up to new artists really easy … They did that for me,” he says. “There were instantly open arms, like ‘Let’s make some music, man.’”

Since then, Manuel has played all over the area. In 2013, he released a solo album titled Kansas and, in 2018, the album On the Run with his band, Ryan Manuel and the Getaway. In May 2025, he put out his first single in several years, “The Hammer Going Down,” which explores deeper emotional territory. The wait for new music was due, in part, to his decision to get sober last year.

“I was having a hard time writing music while I was drinking heavily,” Manuel admits. “That’s easier now … being honest with my emotions and not keeping them in. I had a lot.”

One of the emotions Manuel has never shied away from is gratitude. Since 2018, he’s helped run Willow Rose’s Country for the Kids Toy Drive, a live music toy drive dedicated to the memory of his niece, Willow, who passed away at age 5 from cancer in 2019.

“We spent a couple of Christmases at the hospital. In 2018, we wanted to give back,” says Manuel, who was grateful not to have to leave the hospital to celebrate the holidays with his family.

“We could go into what they called the Snowflake Shop.” This shop provides gifts, free of charge, for families whose children cannot leave the hospital during the holidays.

This December marks the eighth year of this successful event. In 2024, Willow Rose’s Country for the Kids donated $12,710 to Children’s Mercy; they’ve donated nearly $80,000 since their inaugural event.

“People here come with open hearts and open arms,” Manuel says. “Lawrence is a big old heart in the middle of Kansas.”

The annual Willow Rose’s County for the Kids Toy Drive, featuring music from Ryan Manuel and other musicians, will take place at Lucia (1016 Massachusetts Street) on Saturday, December 13.

STORY BY Lauren Kanan

Carter Gaskins

For the Love of Kansas

Two local authors release new works, both of which show their love for the Sunflower State

Why Kansas Matters

About a year and a half ago, the “godfather of Kansas literature” invited author Leslie VonHolten to lunch. As you might expect, he made VonHolten an offer she couldn’t refuse.

Amid the tables at Olive Cafe in Topeka, prolific Kansas writer and scholar Thomas Fox Averill asked VonHolten if she would join him in his latest project: editing a collection of writings by 21st-century Kansans.

“I was quite surprised and honored,” VonHolten says, who refers to Averill as the “godfather.” “I was very happy to jump on board.”

Their co-edited book, Kansas Matters: Twenty-FirstCentury Writers on the Sunflower State (University Press of Kansas, 2025), was released this past fall.

This is not the first time Averill has taken on the challenge of collecting work from Kansan storytellers. More than 30 years ago, he edited an anthology of Kansas writers titled What Kansas Means to Me: Twentieth-Century Writers on the Sunflower State (University Press of Kansas, 1990). That book was scholarly in nature, Averill says, and included “seminal essays about Kansas that everybody should read.”

For Kansas Matters, Averill wanted to capture the emotions Kansas inspires.

“Early on, Tom said this would not be a history book or an explainer,” VonHolten says. “He was looking for an evocation … a feeling of Kansas.”

This time, Averill wanted help.

“I wanted to enlist somebody who, like Leslie, knew the entire state, had connections with libraries and educational institutions … and who knew people I didn’t know,” says Averill, who is 76. “I wanted to enlist someone who was younger, too, and who shared my values … It’s been a great collaboration.”

Averill is well known for his work in Kansas literature. A professor emeritus of English at Washburn University, he spent 37 years teaching creative writing and Kansas studies. About half the books he reads each year are written by Kansas writers. He has even written story collections and novels set in Kansas. In 2010, he created the Thomas Fox Averill Kansas Studies Collection—which includes more than 9,000 texts—at Washburn’s Mabee Library.

VonHolten, who is 54, is an art and environmental essayist. She has written about arts and culture for decades, including stints writing for the Lawrence Journal-World and Kansas City Pitch

Kansas Matters will be her first book and Averill’s 11th.

The book includes 35 writers, six of whom are current or former Lawrencians: Rex Buchanan, Kelly Erby, Megan Kaminski, Andrew Malan Milward, Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg and VonHolten. Their pieces delve into topics such as bison, tornadoes, water and, of course, basketball. Erby’s essay, “Why I Like to Drink at a Bar Named after John Brown, and Other Musings on Why John Brown Is Everywhere,” references a beloved downtown bar.

Milward, who grew up in Lawrence but now works as a professor of English at the University of Kentucky, says it was a “real honor” to be included in the anthology. Averill’s previous book, What Kansas Means to Me, helped him understand what it meant to be a Kansan and a writer.

“I don’t know if I’d have been able to write some of my books without it,” Milward says. “Tom has been very supportive and encouraging to me as a writer trying to follow in his big Kansas-size XXL writerly bootprints.”

Milward’s piece, “Basket Ball,” is about the origins of basketball and the relationship between James Naismith and Phog Allen.

Mirriam-Goldberg, a former Kansas Poet Laureate, says she hopes Kansas Matters will enlarge Kansans’ sense of place.

“Kansas holds so much depth, history, beauty, and diversity of landscape, humans, and other species,” she says. “Our open skies afford us a wider view of life in many forms, revealing how climate and weather are interwoven with place and people.”

Mirriam-Goldberg’s poem “Respect the Storm of the Storm” is included in the anthology.

In addition to co-editing Kansas Matters, Averill and VonHolten have contributed pieces as well. Averill’s piece, “Digging with Darwin,” is about a young girl who grows up along the Saline River and finds fossils. VonHolten’s essay, “A Prairie Channel,” reflects on the environment, geography and history of the Kansas River.

When asked about the titles they find most provocative in the reader, Averill and VonHolten mention Robert Rebein’s “Why I Hate The Wizard of Oz” and Al Ortolani’s “Resurgence: Milk Jugs and Duct Tape in the Strip Pits,” among other titles.

VonHolten said she sees Kansas Matters as the type of book readers “dip into” over time. The anthology is split into sections by topics such as family and community, landscapes and traditions.

Averill and VonHolten agree that choosing writers to include in this anthology was difficult.

“The book sort of gave itself a shape. … Who’s in it and who’s not in it has nothing to do with any sort of judgment of the quality of the writers,” Averill says. “We are kind of in a golden age of really incredible writing by people who are from here or still living here. … There’s a richness that we can only suggest with the selections we’ve made.”

“This book could easily be three times bigger,” VonHolten adds.

Who is Farieh?

For Lawrence residents and anyone who has attended the University of Kansas, Bill Sampson’s new novel will feel familiar. Farieh (Flint Hills Publishing, 2025) follows its title character, Farieh Bukhari, an international student from Iran. Set against the backdrop of KU and the Lawrence community, it explores the complexities of campus life from an insider’s perspective.

Farieh is the second novel from this KU alum. Sampson’s first novel, Wheat Fields (Flint Hills Publishing, 2022), also focused on campus life with a cast of characters navigating their first year at KU.

After the publication of Wheat Fields, Sampson asked his readers which of his characters they found the most compelling. Everyone answered Farieh, so Sampson made her the focus of his second novel.

“Farieh is a persistent person. I think persistence is important,” Sampson says. “I think opening oneself up to other people is important, and she does that. I think being courageous is very important, especially today. Farieh is courageous.”

In Farieh, we see the title character have a rocky start to her sophomore year at KU. During the course of the book, she visits her parents in Tehran, gets involved with a charismatic but exploitative man and protests legislative pushes to outlaw DEI.

Intended for adult audiences interested in world affairs, Farieh is set in the present day and features many local landmarks, including Jayhawk Boulevard, Strong Hall and Memorial Stadium.

Although Sampson strove to make Farieh a stand-

alone novel, he says reading Wheat Fields first would give readers “a much deeper look at Farieh.”

Sampson, 78, wrote both novels after retiring from law in 2021. He attended KU for his undergraduate history degree and law degrees. He always wanted to be a novelist, but having a family and practicing law did not allow him much time to write. During his career, Sampson served four years active duty as a Navy judge advocate, worked with Foulston Siefkin in Wichita for 12 years, then worked with Shook, Hardy & Bacon in Kansas City for 35 years.

His writing journey, however, began in the early 2010s with a blog dedicated to KU basketball. A decade later, the fall before he retired, he pivoted to writing fiction and developed the character of Richie for his

novel Wheat Fields. Richie is a young basketball player from Salina who moves to Lawrence in his senior year of high school and eventually plays basketball for KU. He catches the interest of a local sportswriter, whom Sampson modeled after Tom Keegan, a longtime Lawrence Journal-World writer. Farieh appears in the story as the object of Richie’s infatuation.

Although Wheat Fields features a handful of characters and storylines, Sampson says his second novel is more cohesive.

The late Lawrence artist Louis Copt designed the covers for both of Sampson’s books. Sampson approached Copt with an idea for Wheat Fields

“We talked about it for maybe 15 minutes, and [Copt] literally said, ‘I think I’ve got it. Why don’t you give me about 10 minutes?’” Sampson says. Copt went into his studio and returned with a pencil sketch that ended up on the cover.

Sampson also spoke with Copt about an idea for the cover of Farieh. “Louis was uncanny in his ability to represent what I had in mind,” he says.

Both covers feature the Campanile, a KU landmark that Sampson says is one of the most beautiful structures on campus.

When asked about what advice he would give aspiring writers, Sampson stresses that writers should read a lot, read good writing and read what entertains them. He also recommends writing down ideas. “Even if it’s 2:00 in the morning … especially if it’s 2:00 in the morning … write it down,” Sampson says. “Otherwise, there’s a good chance you will lose it.”

At its heart, Farieh champions the importance of acting with integrity, especially when faced with adversity. “Act in a way that’s consistent with who you are and with what your principles are,” Sampson says.

“In the end, positive things happen to Farieh,” he adds. “Even though, along the way, there are some very, very challenging times.”

STORY

Jason Dailey

For local artist Alicia Kelly, art is a process of subtraction. Wielding her X-Acto and craft knives, she cuts away at paper, focusing as much on the empty space she creates as on what she leaves behind. This negative space, creating a dramatic contrast with the cut paper, is the focus of Kelly’s work. Her work explores the ways paper can be punctured, cut, sculpted and hung.

“My work focuses on the manipulation of cut paper, repetitive processes and the use of large-scale sheets,” Kelly says. “My love of paper and its suspicious delicacy developed alongside my love of the printed multiple.”

Cut, Slice, Repeat

Artist Alicia Kelly’s work with paper has become a practice of meditation and concentration

“I would not be where I am in my art career without this community’s support and belief in my work,” Kelly says.

She credits her father for inspiring her creative passion. Once a code breaker in Vietnam, he turned down an offer from the CIA to pursue a life of craftsmanship, finding purpose in building, woodworking, and stained glass. He passed these skills on to Kelly, and they tackled restoration projects together in their 1900s home.

Today, she lives in a historic East Lawrence home, where she’s maintained a studio for years. Soon, though, her creative space will move to a new location in the same neighborhood—allowing her to better separate her work and home life. She hopes to turn this space into a venue for pop-up shops, screen-printing workshops, and community events, building on the success of her 2025 “FEAST Dining Experience,” which combined an art exhibition with a curated meal.

“Lawrence is such an art city, but I think there’s still space for grassroots art spaces,” Kelly says. “I work at Lawrence Arts Center, and I love their galleries—we need those. But I also think there’s something important about community members building each other up.”

ABOVE Alicia Kelly loves paper and figuring out different ways it can be punctured, cut, sculpted and hung.

OPPOSITE Kelly’s latest public art piece is on display outside the Vermont Street parking garage, next to the Lawrence Public Library. She compares it to looking at cloud shapes.

Originally from Sapulpa, Oklahoma, Kelly has lived in Lawrence almost half her life. She first came to Lawrence to visit friends and enjoy live music, and she left feeling drawn to the city’s energy and overall vibe. After moving here, she enrolled in the University of Kansas and earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts in printmaking, with a minor in art history. Since then, she’s been teaching at nonprofit art centers and community spaces in Lawrence.

Before picking up a knife, she practices mindfulness rituals. She sweeps her space to clear her mind, sometimes lighting a candle and putting on music to properly set the mood. Much like raking a Zen garden, these routine acts create a meditative state that allows her to channel her motions into her work.

“I cut as I breathe,” she says, linking the repetitive motion of cutting with the rhythm of breathing. “Using a utility knife as a pen, intertwined with obsessive mark making, each of my papercut works becomes a practice of meditation and concentration.”

Kelly finds inspiration in the intrinsic structures and patterns of the natural world, which she simplifies and repeats as motifs in her papercut work.

“With loose mental plans of each cut-out, I welcome the spontaneous patterns that imitate a foreign, undiscovered world,” she says. “Ephemeral in nature and material, my works allow for play on the subtlety of our everyday rituals and how quickly they evolve by our moment-to-moment decisions.”

One of her most recent works, a sculpted piece titled “Raised and Removed,” features a symmetrically mirrored organic form airbrushed in a variegated reddish-orange. This shape overlaps the intricate cut pattern, creating a dramatic contrast with the white paper beneath. Its title directly references the physical process—forms both protrude from and are cut away from the paper—while inviting broader philosophical interpretations.

“The piece itself is very playful and is the first time I’ve used color out in public … color has always been kind of scary to me,” Kelly says. “But it’s playful and accessible. I compare it to looking at cloud shapes because I want people to find something in it that is relatable to them.”

She recently produced wearable art for the Lawrence Art Center’s fall fundraiser, Rhythm + Runway. Working with designer Courtney Vardar, who owns Nida Lu, a line of Turkish clothes and shoes, she created papercut pieces for nine models to wear with Vardar’s clothing. Her favorite piece, she says, was a stunning white and yellow headpiece that partially concealed the upper half of the model’s face.

ABOVE “Raised and Removed” is a sculpted piece by Kelly where forms both protrude from and are cut away from the paper.

OPPOSITE “I cut as I breathe,” Kelly says, linking the repetitive motion of cutting with the rhythm of breathing.

Some of her work is expanding beyond twodimensional frames to include wearable paper sculptures, multidimensional installations and public art. One of her latest public art pieces, titled “Hangin’ In, Hangin’ Out,” is a quilted piece on display outside the Vermont Street parking garage, next to the Lawrence Public Library. Funded by a grant from the Cultural Arts Commission and part of the city’s annual art program, the Unmistakable Public Art Exhibition, the art piece is a series of blue and white banners printed on Tyvek, a synthetic material known for its durability.

She has also become fascinated with architectural lines in both landscape and cityscape. Looking forward, she hopes to draw inspiration for her papercut works from alternative building methods like Earthships and geodomes.

Kelly has a number of upcoming group and solo exhibitions. In February 2026, she’ll have a solo show in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at 108 Contemporary; in spring 2026, look for her work on display at Le Lounge in Kansas City, Missouri. In the summer, an installation work will be on display at the Robert C. Williams’ Museum of Papermaking in Atlanta, along with other paper artists, in an exhibit titled “Craft of Paper Exhibition.”

In 1900, ornithologist Frank Chapman proposed a new holiday tradition. The Christmas Bird Count was his conservation-minded alternative to traditional Christmas side hunts, in which hunters would compete to see who could kill the most birds. Instead, volunteers counted birds in a specific area during a specific period of time.

The first Christmas Bird Count took place in 25 cities across America and Canada. Today, the National Audubon Society runs the event from December 14 to January 5, and more than 80,000 volunteers count birds in 2,600 locations worldwide. Participate in Lawrence’s Christmas Bird Count through the Lawrence Bird Alliance on December 20.

Practical Magic

The Organizing Witch brings order to overwhelmed spaces with her compassionate, people-centered approach

ISTORY BY Rochelle Valverde

n some ways, becoming Lawrence’s resident home organizer with a flair for the occult started with a simple Facebook post. In 2021, Chloe Sheridan shared with a local group that she was available for professional organizing services. Before she knew it, her schedule was booked months out.

Even though this post helped launch her business, Sheridan says her passion for caring for people and their homes began decades ago.

“This has been a lifetime in the making,” Sheridan says. “At a very young age, I was very entrepreneurial. I was a hustler, the odd-job kid, asking, ‘Can I do your dishes?’ ‘What can I do for you around the house?’ And it really just kept on going into adulthood.”

Sheridan, who grew up in Lawrence, began caregiving at 18 and spent her 20s traveling to festivals across the country to sell her handmade jewelry. Whenever she stayed in one place for a while, she would find work in caregiving roles and take on the occasional cleaning and organizing gig. It was here that her tidying skills and her compassion for people intertwined, turning into something greater.

“I was taking care of people, and part of that would be taking care of their home,” she says. “That can be planning groceries, meal-planning, getting their bills in the mail or just keeping their home cared for.”

In 2021, Sheridan returned to Lawrence full-time. Having grown up in Lawrence, she had already built a deep local network working as a nanny, artist and baker under the moniker Witch in the Kitchen. After the success of her Facebook post, she officially launched her business, The Organizing Witch.

With a certification in professional organizing from IAP Career College, Sheridan’s business draws on her

“This has been a lifetime in the making. At a very young age, I was very entrepreneurial. I was a hustler, the odd-job kid, asking, ‘Can I do your dishes?’ ‘What can I do for you around the house?’ And it really just kept on going into adulthood.” –

Chloe

Sheridan

–

years of experience as a caregiver. Her people-centered approach sets her apart from other cleaning and homeorganization services. The Organizing Witch specializes in organizing the homes of people with disabilities, neurodivergence, and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

Most notably, her work is trauma-informed, meaning she works to create a safe and supportive environment for clients who have experienced traumatic events. Sheridan goes beyond decluttering, organizing or deep cleaning by supporting her clients’ the mental and emotional needs, on top of tackling the practical tasks of maintaining a home. She often works with clients whose needs fall outside the scope of a typical maid or organizing services, such as hoarding situations or handling the belongings of someone who recently passed away.

OPPOSITE “Every single item in your house takes energy,” Sheridan says. Releasing an item to clear clutter reclaims the energy it took to manage it.

“It’s more emotional labor, what I’m doing,” she says. “It’s not just coming in and cleaning and moving some things around.”

Depression, for example, can make even simple daily tasks, like putting away the dishes or taking out the trash, feel overwhelming, causing the mess to snowball and fueling shame and guilt. Situations such as these require extra care and, most importantly, no judgment and no pressure, Sheridan says.

Of course, her work would be easier if she just rented a dumpster and purged the unnecessary items, but her clients’ complex needs require nuanced solutions. Sheridan keeps her focus on a home’s functionality and on her client’s well-being. Sometimes, that means choosing a starting point and clearing a path to the bathroom. Other times, that means cleaning stacks of moldy dishes so the kitchen can be functional again.

Because of this compassionate and functional approach, she gets many referrals from therapists. “I meet people at their level, at their capacity, and I’m not pushing them beyond that,” Sheridan says. “I think that is huge.”

Sheridan came up with the name for her business, The Organizing Witch, to reflect the power that comes with decluttering and cleaning—simple acts that can shift a home’s entire energy. When you release an item, for example, you’re not just clearing clutter—you’re also reclaiming the energy it took to manage it.

“Every single item in your house takes energy,” Sheridan says. “Its mental and physical energy is directly correlated with your space, and you have to decide where it goes. That’s where I come in. I truly believe everything has a place—or at least it should.”

This emotional discernment resonates with her clients and the people who care about them. Sheridan, who charges clients on a sliding scale, says her schedule is consistently booked out months in advance. She is accepting new clients and hopes to hire her first

Organizing Tips from the Organizing Witch

• Start in the space that’s weighing you down the most. Pick a room, a corner, or even just a small surface. You don’t have to finish the entire space in one day.

• If starting with a space is too overwhelming, start with a category such as clothes, shoes or kitchen utensils. Take it one piece at a time.

• Let go of comparisons and the idea of a “traditional home.” Instead, customize your space to fit your family’s needs. Put a laundry basket in the middle of the living room, if that makes sense for your family. This is your home—make it work for you!

• Everything has a place. Assign a “place” to every item in your home, then get in the routine of returning it to that place when you’re done with it.

• Practice letting go of the scarcity mentality and embrace abundance! You can attract abundance with the mindset of “I will attract what I need and release what no longer serves me.”

• When decluttering, ask yourself these questions: How often do I use this? Would I buy it again today? Is this adding value, or just taking up space? Am I keeping this out of guilt?

employee soon. Once this person is trained, Sheridan says they will handle some of her straightforward cleaning jobs, allowing her to focus on more complicated situations. These are the ones she finds the most fulfilling.

“I can’t fix everything in one session, but I will leave it better than I found it,” she says. “And time after time, the amount of people who have cried after sessions and asked to hug me because they feel such an emotional release is by far the most rewarding experience.”

The Great Comeback City

Detroit is once again a destination that invites exploration

It was a lovely autumn day in Detroit, and I set out to explore the city—absent an agenda. I’m not sure what I expected, but I found myself surprised around every corner.

First, I made my way to Campus Martius Park, a 2-acre oasis filled with food trucks serving Detroit favorites, people lounging in Adirondack chairs, and kids playing make-believe. A vendor explained that in winter, the city opens a skating rink that is bigger than the rink at Rockefeller Center in New York City.

To get a feel for the city, I hopped on the free QLine, a streetcar that runs up and down Woodward Avenue, connecting downtown and midtown. On my return, I hopped off at Grand Circus Park, a historic park in the heart of downtown. Its surrounding buildings showcase a mix of architectural styles, from Art Deco and Gothic Revival to Romanesque, Renaissance and Beaux Arts.

While downtown, I walked Woodward, Washington and Griswold Streets to take in some of the historic sights and sounds. I marveled at the friezes, mosaics and sculptures in the Guardian Building, a 43-floor skyscraper. I saw the Fox Theater from the outside and intend to catch a concert during my next visit. I also ducked into the lobby of the Shinola Hotel (pronounced Shy-nola) and felt seduced by its subdued elegance and comfort. I could easily have napped but restrained myself.

On my next visit to Detroit, I am resolved to take a guided architecture tour to gain a deeper understanding of these buildings’

history and context. I also want to take the Underground Railroad Tour at the Second Baptist Church, which was once the last stop for travelers making their way to Canada on the Underground Railroad, and spend more time on the Riverwalk, a 3½ mile promenade on the banks of the Detroit River.

With murals at every turn, Detroit is a public canvas. I strolled both Parker’s Alley and The Belt, two downtown destinations that show off local artistry.

Before I called it a day, I wanted to make sure I saw the sunset from the Detroit People Mover, a free elevated metro that circles downtown with 13 stops. Across the river, the Canadian city of Windsor was beginning to light up.

“Do you know you’re looking south now?” a woman asked me. (She could tell I was a tourist because locals don’t snap photos.)

“Wait, isn’t that Canada?” I asked. “Canada is north.”

“Not from here it isn’t,” she answered. “Get a good map and you’ll see what I mean.”

I did, and she was right: Parts of Canada lie directly south of Detroit. Wrap your head around that!

I walked back to a small park near my hotel, which was lined with restaurants. I ended up at La Lanterna, a pizzeria opened in 1956 by an Italian immigrant who wanted to taste his family’s recipes. I ordered a Peroni and a Fiorentina pizza … perfection!

After a quick stop at Cannelle by Matt Knio for a French pastry, I ambled back to my hotel. As I looked out at the city lights, sipping tea, taking small bites of my lovely French pastry, I wondered why I’d never come to Detroit before. Why hadn’t it been on my list of interesting cities to visit?

In the 1950s, Detroit was the richest city in the country, driven by its dominance in the automotive industry. But the interim decades saw bankruptcies deplete its resources and civic unrest leave deep scars. Racism was exploited for profit, white flight prevailed, and TV images of the 1967 uprising became etched into the nation’s memory. Once a city with 1.85 million people, Detroit’s population is currently less than 650,000. That leaves a lot of empty buildings.

The city’s past blurred my vision of the present. And even though Detroit is having an uneven recovery, the city is showing signs of improvement. The crime rate is at a 60-year low, entrepreneurs are flourishing, and the population is growing—Detroit is moving forward and upward.

I spent a week exploring Detroit alone, and I never felt afraid. People were friendly and helpful, and its rise as a foodie destination is well deserved. Most importantly, Detroit openly welcomes immigrants and values diversity. If you value diversity and inclusion in your travels, start with Detroit.

World-Class Museums to Explore

• Detroit Institute of Arts: Housed in a magnificent 1927 Beaux-Arts building, this art museum is among the top six in the nation. You can spend a few hours here, or even a few days. During my visit, I learned that the Detroit Institute of Arts commissioned Mexican muralist Diego Rivera to paint the Detroit Industrial Murals in 1932. Rivera spent months visiting Detroit factories and workplaces so that he could create these 27 frescoes of allegorical, symbolic and pragmatic depictions of labor. More than 90 years later, these murals still elicit controversy.

• Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History: Founded in the 1960s, this museum relocated in 1997 to its current location, where it significantly expanded its exhibits. The museum’s collection explores the cultural history of African Americans, spanning ancient history through the civil rights movement. Here I learned that, from 1918 to 1947, Ford Motor offered equitable wages to all of its workers, regardless of skin color. This was a radical DEI move at the time.

• Detroit Historical Museum: This museum’s signature exhibit recreates the streets of Detroit from the 1840s to the 1920s, offering a glimpse into the city’s transformation. The “Detroit 67: Perspectives” exhibit, which explores the 1967 uprising and its lasting impact, offers a powerful teachable moment.

• Motown Museum: While programming continues at Rocket Plaza and retail spaces remain open, tours paused on October 1 for the final phase of a major expansion being built behind and around the current Hitsville USA house, the original Motown space. The much-anticipated reopening was originally scheduled for summer 2026, so check the website before planning your visit. This museum celebrates triumphs over bigotry and the joy of making music.

• The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation: It is easy to spend a full day in this museum. Located in Dearborn, just a short drive from Detroit, it illustrates pivotal historical moments, offering much more than “just cars.”

Community THE SPIRIT OF

Small acts can make a massive impact on the community

Lawrence is a community

that looks out for one another. Their stories are all around us, through quiet acts of care, persistence and purpose carried out by people who believe in their neighbors. This spirit of care is visible through the numerous nonprofit organizations that shape the city.

Working tirelessly behind the scenes, these organizations don’t seek recognition. They exist to fill the gaps, meeting fundamental human needs such as safety, access, expression and belonging. Their work happens in food pantries and art studios, at voter registration tables and after-school programs. It’s seen in the volunteers who provide havens for the LGBTQIA+ community and in the teachers who make sure music reaches every child.

Together, these efforts define the character of Lawrence itself—proof that a community’s strength is measured by how it looks after its own. The following organizations embody that spirit of community … and could use your help this winter.

Loud Light

Loud Light builds community through civic empowerment. Founded a decade ago, the Kansas-based nonprofit took root when its founder, Davis Hammet, was working on the Equality house and fell in love with the people and their sense of community. He was struck, though, by the disconnect between Kansans’ fierce local pride and youth voter turnout.

“Our original bread and butter was getting young people educated on the civic process and, more importantly, out to voting,” explains Donnavan Dillon, a Loud Light organizer who started as an intern with the nonprofit four years ago while a freshman at KU. “It’s about accessing the power people have to vote. It’s not about who’s getting elected; we care that young people are accessing the power they have.”

Since then, Loud Light’s mission has grown from voter registration to advocacy, taking on the systemic issues that create political apathy. Today, they mobilize communities around causes such as reproductive and LGBTQIA+ rights, often working to block harmful legislation. “Every year [that] we’re able to stop a harmful bill for our base of support is a great year,” Dillon says.

The group’s work is deeply collaborative. Loud Light partners with other state nonprofits and relies on a team of volunteers, many between 18 and 35, who help shape strategy and build momentum. For many, the experience doubles as leadership development, giving them a chance to learn advocacy and organizing while making a real difference in their community.

“I would truly not have a job if it weren’t for the people in the community being a part of what we do,” Dillon notes. “It means a lot more when 50 people show up alongside me.”

If you’re looking to “build community power that has an impact on decision makers,” as the website explains, Loud Light offers opportunities to register voters, organize events, and be a part of community-wide advocacy.

Lawrence PRIDE

Few volunteer opportunities carry as much joy—or urgency—as those connected with the Lawrence Pride Organization. Founded in early 2023, its mission is simple but vital: “to create a safe and inclusive space for all LGBTQIA+ people to celebrate their identities and empower them to live their truth.”

Organizer Shania Lopez-Cabrera says the organization addresses critical dual needs in the city: celebration and safety. “The opportunity to all get together and celebrate our identities … [is crucial] to address the increasing attacks on our community,” LopezCabrera explains. This relatively young organization has built an impressive coalition of local groups and businesses. The inaugural Pride Block Party in 2023 drew an estimated 3,000 people downtown—this number grew to an impressive 7,500 in 2025. This annual event supports LGBTQIA+ artists and vendors, demonstrating the city’s commitment to connecting with and visibly supporting marginalized groups.

Volunteer help is essential to sustaining that energy, whether that’s helping out on the day of an event to help set up, man the tables, or sell merchandise, or joining the organization’s committee to help plan upcoming events. Anyone is welcome to committee meetings, which take place at the Lawrence Public Library on the fourth Sunday of each month, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Supporting Lawrence Pride ensures that the community remains a welcoming place for all.

Americana Music Academy

If advocacy and celebration form one part of the city’s spirit, then music forms the other. For nearly 25 years, the Americana Music Academy has been Lawrence’s home for accessible music education, an open door for anyone, regardless of age, background or income.

“The last reason somebody should not take music lessons is money,” says Christy Miller, the academy’s executive director. This year alone, the organization awarded $22,000 in scholarships to 38 students, making sure both children and adults could continue their musical journeys.

Recently, the academy made the ground floor of its historic 1910 building fully wheelchair accessible with a new ramp, widened doorways and a renovated restroom. The project, made possible by investments from local businesses and private donors, reflects the academy’s commitment to inclusion and access. “If we want to really be serious about being welcoming to everyone … this is a nonnegotiable,” Miller notes.

Volunteers help in countless ways, depending on the season. In the winter, tackling indoor repairs allows staff to focus on the music. During spring, helping with landscape maintenance creates an inviting atmosphere for outdoor programs. A major need arises in April for the academy’s second annual Music Crawl, a free downtown live music event. Finally, the organization’s plans to expand family-focused programming will rely on volunteer support to succeed.

“We are adamant that everyone who walks through our doors belongs,” Miller says. And for volunteers, it’s a way to be part of something that truly fosters a sense of community.

Though their missions differ—civic engagement, safe celebration, and music education— the same thread runs through Lawrence’s numerous nonprofit organizations: the belief that every person in Lawrence deserves a voice, a place, and a sense of safety and belonging. For residents looking to give back this holiday season, these organizations make it easy to start small: lend a few dollars, give a few hours or attend an event. As Christy Miller, executive director of Americana Music Academy, puts it, “Your $5 may not feel like it makes much of a difference, but you add it to 10 other people’s $5, and that adds up fast.”

This hands-on, downtown cooking class is building community, one recipe at a time

Stepping into COOKshop on 8th is more like being welcomed into a great dinner party than a classroom. People can go to this downtown shop to hone their knife skills, prepare an international dish or learn how to bake the perfect pie crust. But COOKshop on 8th is as much about conversation and meeting new people as it is about cooking.

When I first arrived at the French Bistro Cooking class on a Friday night in September, I was treated to top-notch appetizers, including pickled shrimp and pâté made from equal parts smoked and poached salmon. True to my Midwestern roots, I was eager to get in the kitchen and help with dinner.

My class included a mix of regulars eager to broaden their kitchen skills, talented home chefs honing their techniques, a handful of guests taking advantage of gift cards and me, a writer with more than 20 years of baking experience. Everyone brought a unique perspective to the classroom. Part of the fun was hearing owner Carolyn Kumpe’s answers to everyone’s cooking questions.

Meet the Cook

In 2023, Kumpe opened COOKshop on 8th, 745 New Hampshire Street, bringing an unbridled joy to her cooking, thanks to a wealth of culinary experience. Used to feeding hundreds of people at a time in California wine country, Kumpe’s quieter Friday evenings at the shop often revolve around teaching eight people how to make culinary delights.

at the counter at the Casbah Deli (now the Burger Stand at the Casbah). Eventually, she moved into the deli’s kitchen and has since gone on to work in kitchens in California and even France.

Kumpe says she’s “been into a little bit of everything,” though that hardly begins to cover it. Over her 37 years in the culinary industry, she’s worked as an executive chef in kitchens up and down California, managed cooking class programs and run her own catering business. Sacramento Magazine even voted her the “Best Foodie to Learn How to Cook From” during her time as a culinary instructor there.

“ These classes can really bring the community together … anyone can come. We’ve had people who work in state government, and we’ve had people who work down the street.”

—Natasha Olliso

“ It’s a full-time job,” Kumpe says. “And it totally took off.”

Each week can look a little different, she adds. The shop teaches a variety of small-group, hands-on classes, focusing on seasonal meals and international cuisine. (Think bao buns, ravioli, paella, tamales.) This holiday season, look for classes on winter hors d’oeuvres and desserts. COOKshop on 8th often hosts parties for big groups, including sorority events, bridal showers and corporate team-building programs. In the summer, they even offer kids’ cooking camps.

Amid the busyness, Kumpe relies on her experience—a skillset that first took shape in Lawrence. In 1981, she worked

The pandemic was hard on her businesses, as it was on so many others during that time. She moved back to Lawrence, knowing it was a good place to pick up where she left off. “I knew I could move back because of shops like On the Rocks, WheatFields and The Merc, which has great cheese,” she says. “I just need good cheese, good bread and good quality, cheap European wine.”

Getting Started

After enjoying our snacks and spending some time getting to know one another, my class was seated at the shop’s long wooden countertop, where we were given our first instruction: tenderize the chicken. We began to wail on the chicken breasts with our mallets, joking that we were working out the week’s frustrations on the poultry.

Next, we rolled them up with slices of ham, grated Gruyère, and a healthy chunk of Butterkäse (a semi-soft butter cheese from Germany), using bamboo skewers to hold everything together. Then we breaded them in panko mixed with herbes de Provence and partially fried them.

Once the chicken was transferred to a convection oven, to keep it from getting too greasy, we set about making a Dijon cream sauce to plate with it, as well as an orange vinaigrette for our salads.

Throughout the entire process, we asked Kumpe questions and consulted with our fellow cooks to see how everyone’s meal was coming along. We had all just met, but within the hour, we were chatting like old friends. An exceptional host, Kumpe kept things moving along, offering advice and chatting right along with us.

While Kumpe focuses on her lesson plan, Natasha Olliso, the manager of COOKshop on 8th, was close by to also offer advice on our technique. It’s second nature to Olliso, who attended Johnson County’s culinary school and has been managing people in the hospitality industry for 14 years.

“A lot of it is training people with a variety of skill levels but the same enthusiasm for learning,” Olliso says.

“She’s a great instructor,” Kumpe adds. “She’s used to training employees, so she’s a natural teacher.”

Both Kumpe and Olliso have traveled extensively—to Spain, Portugal, Guatemala and France, among others. Olliso did her internship for the Kansas State University agriculture program in Upper Brittany.

“ I feel like I’m in the right spot,” Olliso says. “Everything that I’ve done adds something to what I’m doing right now because we get to explore different cultures with the foods we’re cooking.”

COOKshop on 8th is a big supporter of local businesses, sourcing materials for its classes from Lawrence markets such as Cosmos Indian Store & Café, as well as the Lawrence Farmers Market located just down the street.

“We try to source authentic ingredients and we try to stay true to the culture,” Kumpe adds.

Dig In!

Once everything is prepared, we plate the chicken cordon bleu with its Dijon cream sauce, accompanied by a salad tossed with the vinaigrette and garnished with strawberries and pistachios— it’s delicious. The sharpness of the vinegar and mustard contrasts with the richness of the ham and cheese. The crunch of the pistachios and panko coating complement one another, as well.

We joke about whose chicken turned out best as we mop up the last of the sauce with pieces of baguette. Soon, everyone starts to head home, saying their goodbyes like old friends.

“ These classes can really bring the community together … anyone can come,” Olliso says. “We’ve had people who work in state government, and we’ve had people who work down the street.”

“We’ve hosted two to 140 people, who all make friends,” Kumpe agrees. “It’s because you’re at that big, long table.” That, and someone else tackles the dishes.

Char Siu Pork Tenderloin

Char siu, otherwise known as Chinese barbecue pork, is a sumptuous, sweet, salty and spiced Cantonese dish that we love to pile on our bao buns. It’s also delicious diced and added to fried rice, or served atop steamed rice or noodles. Slice it, then pile it high on either brioche or bao buns for a succulent sandwich slathered with mayonnaise and a sweet and tangy coleslaw.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 pork tenderloins

• ¼ cup raw or white sugar

• 2 teaspoons fine sea salt

• ½ teaspoon five-spice powder

• ¼ teaspoon white pepper

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

• 1 tablespoon Shaoxing rice wine

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce

• 1/8 teaspoon red food coloring (optional)

• 3 cloves finely minced garlic

• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger

• 3 tablespoons maltose or honey

• 1 tablespoon hot water

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a medium bowl, whisk the sugar, salt, fivespice powder, white pepper, sesame oil, wine, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, maltose, food coloring, garlic, ginger and hot water.

2. Reserve ¼ cup marinade and set it aside.

3. Place the pork in a large non-aluminum baking dish or gallon-size zip-top bag. Rub the pork with the rest of the marinade.

4. Cover or seal the container and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 8 hours. Place the reserved marinade in the refrigerator, covered as well.

5. Preheat grill to medium. Remove marinated pork and marinade from refrigerator.

6. Place the room-temperature pork on a cleaned, oiled hot grill. Cook for 5 minutes. Turn and cook for another 5 minutes. Repeat the process until the entire exterior is seared, being careful not to burn the pork. The marinade and glaze are laden with sugars, so it burns easily.

7. Once the exterior is seared, start basting the pork with the remaining marinade. Grill the pork, turning and basting until you reach 140 degrees. Let the pork rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

—Courtesy Carolyn Kumpe

BUILT FOR BOLD

2 .9 BALANCE TRANSFER RATE PURCHASE RATE 4 .9 % INTRO

% INTRO

Festival of Trees

November 28–December 7

oconnellchildrensshelter.org/festival-of-trees

View decorated trees, wreaths and gingerbread houses at this annual holiday event that benefits O’Connell Children’s Shelter.

Adornment

November 29–December (various dates)

van-go.org

The award-winning youth arts program opens its holiday market with original, creative gifts at affordable prices.

Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market

December 4–March 5

cottinshardware.com/farmers-market

Every Thursday, this indoor farmers market offers fresh local produce, eggs, meats and jams.

101st Holiday Vespers

December 4

lied.ku.edu

The Lied Center presents a beloved holiday tradition, featuring appearances by the KU Chamber Choir, Lawrence Children’s Choir and KU Trumpet Ensemble.

White Christmas

December 5–21 (various dates)

theatrelawrence.com

Theatre Lawrence presents this feel-good holiday classic filled with treasured Irving Berlin tunes such as “Blue Skies” and “I Love a Piano.”

Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade

December 6

lawrencechristmasparade.org

Authentic horse-drawn wagons and carriages make their way through downtown Lawrence at this popular event.

Tails and Traditions: Family Festival

December 6

watkinsmuseum.org

Hobby horses and scavenger hunts take center stage at the Watkins Museum–hosted holiday crafts festival.

A Christmas Story: The Musical

December 8

lied.ku.edu

The Lied Center presents the classic holiday tale about a young boy and his dream gift—an official Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle.

Ashley Davis

December 11

lied.ku.edu

The singer-songwriter performs her 15th annual winter-solstice show at the Lied Center.

The Nutcracker: A Kansas Ballet

December 12–14

lawrenceartscenter.org

The Lawrence Arts Center presents its annual retelling of a winter family favorite.

Welcome to the Lu-niverse

December 12

liberty-hall.com

Luann de Lesseps from The Real Housewives of New York performs her traveling cabaret show at Liberty Hall.

Willow Rose’s Country for the Kids Toy Drive

December 13

lucialawrence.com

Singer-songwriter Ryan Manuel and other musicians perform at Lucia to benefit Children’s Mercy Hospital.

Big Band Christmas

December 13

liberty-hall.com

Liberty Hall presents Kansas Public Radio’s annual holiday jazz concert, featuring performances by the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra.

Meet Krampus

December 13

1313mockingbirdtoys.com

Forget Santa. Have your photo taken with the legendary Krampus at 1313 Mockingbird Lane. Donations will be accepted for the Lawrence Humane Society.

Holiday Farmers Market

December 13

lawrencefarmersmarket.org

The grower-vendors of Lawrence Farmers Market present their annual one-day sale of holiday gifts, baked goods, fresh foods, handmade crafts and more at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.

events

winter 2025–26

Inclusive Winter Market

December 13–14

lied.ku.edu

The Lied Center hosts around 100 local vendors during this two-day holiday shopping event that features Black, Indigenous and queer creators, among other small businesses.

Hanukkah Rocks

December 14

thegranada.com

The Granada celebrates Hanukkah through Jewish singers and songwriters in popular culture, with performances by Benjamin Cartel & The Mavens.

Home for the Holidays Director’s Tour

December 14

spencerart.ku.edu

Spencer Museum director Saralyn Reece Hardy spends an afternoon welcoming visitors and leading informal tours to celebrate the holiday season.

Lawrence Christmas Bird Count

December 20

lawrencebirdalliance.org

Join volunteers in helping carry out the annual census of Lawrence’s bird population.

Lawrence Restaurant Week

January 15–25

lawrencerestaurantweek.org

Restaurants across Lawrence create special prix fixe menus for this foodie-favorite event.

Takács Quartet with Joyce Yang

January 20

lied.ku.edu

The world-renowned string quartet and acclaimed piano virtuoso perform at the Lied Center.

The Mountaintop

January 30–February 8 (various dates)

theatrelawrence.com

Theatre Lawrence presents a deeply poignant reimagining of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s last night at the Lorraine Motel.

Ovation!

February 1

lied.ku.edu

The Lied Center presents the Lawrence Schools Foundation’s annual district-wide talent show for middle and high school students.

St. Patrick’s Day Bowling Tournament

February 8

lawrencestpatricksdayparade.com

This is one of several charity events leading up to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Shall We Dance?

February 14

lawrenceorchestra.org

The Lawrence Community Orchestra performs a special Valentine’s Day concert at the Lied Center.

Mardi Gras Parade

February 17

lawrencemardigras.org

Bringing music, beads and glitter to downtown Lawrence, this funky parade starts in front of Lucia and makes its way to Terrebonne Po’ Boys.

Kings Return

February 17

lied.ku.edu

The soothing a cappella quartet performs at the Lied Center.

Frozen: The Broadway Musical

February 20-March 1 (various dates)

lawrenceartscenter.org

The Lawrence Arts Center presents a musical production based on the Academy Award–winning animated feature film.

Kings