Fans can get sneak peek at 2004 KU football team

The Kansas University football team will have its annual Fan Appreciation Night on Wednesday at Memorial Stadium. Fans will be allowed into the stadium at 5:30 p.m. to watch the conclusion of the team’s practice before head coach Mark Mangino addresses the crowd and introduces the 2004 team captains. Following the presentations, fans will have the opportunity to take photos and get autographs from KU players and coaches.

The first 1,000 KU fans at the event will receive special T-shirts and schedule cups to commemorate the evening. Other giveaways include 2004 football posters, schedule cards and key chains.

Business

Lt. Gov. Moore to discuss state economic initiatives

Lt. Gov. John Moore will be the featured speaker at the Lawrence-Douglas County Economic Development Board meeting at 7:30 a.m. Friday at City Hall, Sixth and Massachusetts streets. Moore, who also is the state’s secretary of commerce, is expected to discuss new economic development initiatives in Kansas.

Music

Band to bring unique sound to The Bottleneck

The Asylum Street Spankers bring their unique brand of acoustic blues and early jazz of the 1920s and ’30s to Lawrence. The Austin, Texas, cult band performs live without the use of microphones or amplifiers, and draws from a repertoire that includes Robert Johnson and Bessie Smith with many quirky (and occasionally nasty) original tunes thrown into the mix.

The ever-evolving group is led by vocalist/washboard player/poet Wammo and vocalist/guitarist Christina Marrs. The act first formed in the early ’90s at a hotel outside of Austin. After an all-night acoustic tune swap, the musicians decided to exploit this old-fashioned approach.

Eight albums later, the vaudevillian revivalists are touring on the strength of their latest effort, “Mercurial,” which brings them Wednesday to The Bottleneck, 737 N.H.

Lawrence airport marks birthday with open house

Lawrence’s airport turns 75 this year, and the city will celebrate from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday with an open house.

Highlights will include a breakfast from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., door prize drawings, helicopter rides and aircraft exhibitions.

A 1 p.m. ceremony will feature an aerial ribbon-cutting ceremony and speeches by dignitaries including U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore, D-Kan.

The airport is north of town, one mile east of the intersection of U.S. Highways 59 and 24/40.