KU children’s theater marks 50th anniversary

Kansas University Theatre for Young People celebrates its 50th year this weekend with a reunion, guest speakers and performances.

KU alumnus James Still will be in town to see University Theatre stage his prize-winning play “Amber Waves.” The show follows a family struggling to hold on to their farm in a small town outside Lawrence. Performances are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday in Crafton-Preyer Theatre. Still will speak an hour before the Saturday show about “Why TYP Matters to KU.”

Also on the Crafton-Preyer stage will be “Still Life with Iris,” a KU Theatre for Young People production about a little girl in a fantastical land who reconnects with her past through a magical journey. It shows at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

Tickets to both shows can be purchased by calling 864-3982 or visiting www.kutheatre.com.

Art

Residents can receive sneak peek at exhibition

For the first time in the 10-year history of the Lawrence ArtWalk, potential patrons will be able to scope out artwork before the weekend of the annual self-guided tour.

A preview opens with a public reception at 6 p.m. Saturday at Ad Astra Galleria, 205 W. Eighth St. The party will feature a retrospective of promotional items from years past, food catered by Pachamama’s and live music by folk-rock band Uncle Dirty Toes.

The exhibition will be open through the ArtWalk, which is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 23 and noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 24.

Sports

Baker football team, KU soccer team in action

Baker University’s football team will play its Homecoming game against Avila at 2 p.m. Saturday. On Sunday, Kansas University’s nationally ranked women’s soccer team will entertain Baylor University at 1 p.m. at the Jayhawks’ soccer field.

Kansas University

Presidential debate watch party Thursday

Want to watch Thursday’s presidential debate with several hundred of your closest friends? Kansas University is playing host to a debate watch event at the Lied Center.

It kicks off at 7 p.m. with a lecture by Gary Hart, a former U.S. senator and presidential candidate. The topic is “Security in the New Age of the 21st Century.”

Then, the debate between George Bush and John Kerry will be shown on a big screen, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Hart about the debate. The event is free and open to the public.