Weekend Guide: Folk music, blessed animals, farm tours and a chili hoedown

Weekend Guide for Friday, Oct. 2, 2015.

On the docket this weekend: plenty of down-home fun, from folk tunes to farm tours to chili, cornbread and square dancing. And for the demonic dog or cursed kitty in your life, pet blessings galore!

Posted by Beppe Gambetta on Saturday, May 9, 2015

West Side Folk presents Beppe Gambetta

7:30 p.m. Friday, Unity Church of Lawrence, 900 Madeline Lane

West Side Folk, Lawrence’s “premier concert series for singer-songwriters and folk musicians,” is kicking off its 20th anniversary season with a performance by Italian guitarist and crooner Beppe Gambetta.

The Walnut Valley Festival veteran (he’s also gigged at such illustrious venues as Ryman Auditorium in Nashville and New York City’s famed Metropolitan Museum of Art) boasts a signature sound that’s “grounded in American roots music and bluegrass but infused with elements of his native Italy.”

Tickets cost $20, and can be purchased online at www.westsidefolk.org, at Mass Street Music and at the door on the night of the show


St. Francis Animal Blessing

9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Trinity Lutheran Church, 1245 New Hampshire St.

What better way to celebrate St. Francis of Assisi’s birthday (the patron saint of animals and ecology is probably one of the most beloved saints worldwide; we all know the Pope’s a big fan) than with a true-blue critter blessing? “All social pets and peeps” are welcome at this second annual event.


Kaw Valley Farm Tour

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, various farms along the Kaw River Valley

Explore the “agricultural sights, tastes and traditions” of the Kaw River Valley on this annual tour. More than 30 farms spanning six counties are opening their gates to the public this weekend, giving visitors an up-close look at all things agricultural, from “zucchinis to alpacas.”

Tickets are $10 per carload, and include both days of the tour. For more information, including where to get tickets and a map, visit www.kawvalleyfarmtour.org.


Chili Hoedown and Cornbread Competition

5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 5700 W. Sixth St.

“Come say howdy and get rowdy” at this annual fundraiser for the United Way of Douglas County. Apparently, “rowdy” in this case entails sampling delicious chili (and cornbread!) and square dancing with professional square dance callers, so we’re betting this one’s family-friendly.

Competition entry costs $20, and gets you free admittance to the event. Volunteers also get in free; otherwise, tickets range from $10 to $25. Learn more at www.unitedwaydgco.org.