Concerts, crimes, gallery closings among top A&E stories of 2006

There never seems to be a shortage of happenings in the Lawrence arts and entertainment scene. And 2006 was no exception.

We’re asking readers to help select what were some of the biggest A&E stories – or most memorable, depending on your perspective – to happen this year.

To help jog your memory, here are a few standouts:

¢ Split Lip Rayfield frontman Kirk Rundstrom diagnosed with esophageal cancer; friends stage slew of benefits to help cover medical costs.

¢ Lawrence poet Denise Low named poet laureate for the state of Kansas.

¢ Wakarusa Music & Camping Festival hits sour note with police road blocks and drug arrests.

¢ Lawrence filmmaker Kevin Willmott’s “C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America” released nationwide in theaters and on DVD.

¢ Those affiliated with the Lawrence hip-hop scene react against violent image perpetuated by fatal shooting outside rap concert.

¢ Kansas University’s Day on the Hill concert returns for first time since 2002.

¢ Fields Gallery and Olive Gallery & Art Supply close.

¢ Wichita darlings of the 1970s and early ’80s, The Embarrassment, stage reunion concert in Lawrence.

¢ KU grad student pens play about Randy Leach disappearance.

¢ Liberty Hall celebrates the 20th anniversary of its reinvention as a performing arts venue.

¢ Friends of former KU student Billy Brimblecom, best known for drumming in Lawrence bands Stick and Creature Comforts, stage concert benefit to help him pay for a prosthetic leg to replace the one he lost to cancer.

¢ CBS stages “Jericho” publicity event in North Lawrence.