photo by: Journal-World File Photos

On tap for the coming week: Anniversary celebrations at the Lawrence Beer Company (pictured at left), works from artist Roger Shimomura (center) and the Taste of Lawrence Fall Mixer (right).

If I had to boil down what I love about Lawrence to one thing, I would have to say it’s the amount of fun, interesting and exciting things available for local people to go out and do.

That’s a big reason I recently moved back to the city where I received my college degree and I plan to make my home again. Luckily for me, the Journal-World asked me to keep an eye out for all those fun, interesting and exciting events to share with you.

So from here on out, I will be looking for events for readers to consider attending each week. But that’s enough about me. Let’s get to it.

Here are some things you can go, see and do in the next week:

photo by: Contributed photo

Ben Ahlvers, left, assists local artist Roger Shimomura hang one of his pieces in the Fayman Gallery. Shimomura’s work will be on display in the gallery Friday, Aug. 31, 2018.

Visit a new local gallery and Final Friday exhibits

Lawrence has a long history of loving the arts, and Final Friday is a great way to check out new work from local artists while also visiting local businesses in the process. This month, a new gallery is joining the tradition and featuring the art of a Lawrence art legend.

Fayman Gallery – 927 1/2 Massachusetts St., located above Sarah’s Fabrics – is a new gallery that will solely focus on featuring the art of local artists, said Katie Winter, gallery associate.

“We’re just trying to support local artists and their work,” she said.

Winter said the gallery opened earlier this year, hosting two previous showings. For Final Friday, the gallery will feature the pop art of Roger Shimomura, a highly accomplished local artist.

Shimomura’s work is featured in museums throughout the nation, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and the National Portrait Museum and the Smithsonian National Art Museum in Washington, D.C.

Shimomura, who was born in 1939, spent two years of his childhood imprisoned in a Japanese internment camp during World War II. His art focuses on identity, ethnicity and the combination of American culture and his Asian heritage. He taught at KU from 1969 to 2004.

Along with the art, the event will include the tunes of a jazz band, Winter said. The gallery will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday.

Many other galleries will be on display throughout downtown and East Lawrence for the Final Friday event. Those interested can find a full list of events on the Lawrence visitors bureau website.

Lawrence Beer Company one-year anniversary

The Lawrence Beer Company, located at 826 Pennsylvania St., has been pumping out new brews for a year now.

The East Lawrence business is celebrating Friday night with a street party and performances from ska bands Save Ferris and Page 7, among other acts.

Doors open at 5 p.m. and tickets are $10. The brewery is also offering a VIP package for $60, which allows all-you-can-drink beer, access to a special viewing and hangout area and some free anniversary merchandise.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a party for a brewery without beer. For the party, the brewery will unveil several beers crafted in collaboration with Half Acre Beer Company in Chicago. Additionally, artist Wayne Propst will create a new piece of art live during the party as part of Final Friday.

If you’re a parent, don’t worry. Kids under 12 get in for free.

Fast & Loud Friday Car Show

While enjoying art is often a quiet and reflective activity, Sound Innovations in Lawrence also promotes the kind of art that is fast and loud.

Similarly to the Final Friday events in town, Sound Innovations hosts a car show every last Friday of the month during the summer and fall. The cars will be on display from 6 to 9 p.m. at 1501 W. Sixth St., Suite A.

Pat Hinrichsen, owner of the store, said the event may be the final car show for 2018. He said he’ll try to have another in September, but last year it was rained out.

The show is meant as a customer appreciation event, but the whole community is invited, Hinrichsen said. Food and drinks will be available and raffle tickets for prizes will be on sale.

“Anybody is welcome to bring cars and it’s all free,” he said. “I grill up some hamburgers and hot dogs and that’s all free too.”

photo by: Contributed photo

Sophfronia Scott

An Evening With Sophfronia Scott

Sophfronia Scott, an author of three books, will appear at the Lawrence Public Library on Tuesday to read a selection of her fiction and nonfiction, take questions and sign books.

The Raven Book Store will be at the event to sell her books.

Scott co-wrote her recent book “This Child of Faith” with her son Tain Gregory. After surviving the Sandy Hook school shooting, Gregory said God was the most important thing in his life when he was asked. His response inspired Scott to explore the depth of Gregory’s faith and her experience raising a child in a secular world.

Her third book, “Love’s Long Line,” includes essays on faith, race, motherhood and other topics. Scott previously published ” Unforgivable Love,” a retelling of the French novel “Dangerous Liaisons” set in Harlem when Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball.

Scott will speak at 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday in the library’s auditorium.

Taste of Lawrence

(The location of this event moved to Crown Toyota, 3430 S. Iowa St.)

One of the best ways to spend a night out is to try local restaurants. Well, visitors to Thursday’s Taste of Lawrence Fall Mixer can try more than 20 restaurants in one day.

The annual event is held at the outdoor area of Meadowbrook Apartments, 2601 Dover Square. Tickets for general admission are $40, but chamber of commerce members can get in for $25.

Educators in Douglas County can get in for a steep discount. Lindsey Slater, communications director for the chamber of commerce, said teachers are allowed in for just $12.50 as a back-to-school appreciation gift.

Local restaurants participating in the event include 23rd Street Brewery, 6 Mile Chop House, The Basil Leaf Cafe, Eileen’s Colossal Cookies, Free State Brewing Co., Grinders LFK, J. Wilson’s, Jefferson’s Restaurant, Paisano’s Ristorante, Papa Keno’s, Quinton’s bar and deli, RnD Corner Grille, Wheatfields Bakery Cafe and many others.

The tasting begins at 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6.

Do you have an event you’d like to share with us? Please email Dylan with information of your event at dlysen@ljworld. Submitting information does not guarantee it will be included in future articles.