photo by: John Webb

This antique Flanders motorcycle appeared at the 2013 Sante Fe Trail Antique Motorcycle Show and Swap meet, an annual event hosted at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.

For the 11th year in a row, an antique motorcycle show is coming to the Douglas County Fairgrounds, and one of the organizers wants the public to know that youth are encouraged to attend.

“The antique motorcycle enthusiasts are a bunch of gray-haired guys,” said John Webb, one of the chief organizers of Sunday’s Santa Fe Trail Antique Motorcycle Show and Swap Meet. “We’re kind of aging out.”

In order to encourage youth participation, Webb said there will be a “youth class” portion of the competition, in which young people can bring in mini-bikes or dirt bikes for a chance to win a trophy.

The event will showcase many antique motorcycles — Webb said the show normally gets about 80 to 100 entries — and will also include vendors selling food and motorcycle-related items.

Anyone with a motorcycle that’s at least 35 years old can enter it in the show. Participants can either register their bikes in advance at sftrail.org or bring them in on the morning of the event.

Most of the winners will be chosen by the show’s attendees, who can fill out ballots in several categories, including single-cylinder bikes and three-wheeled bikes.

“I think a good portion of people who are not exposed to antique motorcycles come every year,” Webb said, noting that there are normally between 300 and 500 attendees. “We always have a great show.”

The 11th Annual Santa Fe Trail Antique Motorcycle Show and Swap Meet runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St. Tickets are $5.

photo by: Contributed by the Lawrence Arts Center

This photo from the Lawrence Art Center’s 2017 Souper Bowl Saturday event shows attendees viewing the handmade bowls for sale.

Souper Bowl Saturday

Souper Bowl Saturday returns this weekend with over 1,200 bowls for sale — and complimentary soup and bread provided with each purchase.

“It’s like a big community lunch hour,” said Margaret Weisbrod Morris, CEO of the Lawrence Arts Center, which puts on the annual event.

Weisbrod Morris said the event helps the center fund its ceramics program and provide financial aid.

It’s “part of our effort to make sure that art is for everyone,” she said.

The bowls are handmade and come from a variety of local artists. They will range in price from $10 to $50. In addition to the bowl sale on Saturday, the center is also running a silent auction on its website, where it is selling 10 handmade platters. The silent auction will close at 2 p.m. on Saturday, when the Souper Bowl event ends.

Souper Bowl Saturday is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St.

photo by: Marlo Angell

Performers (from left) Sadie Barbee, Sharon McCaman and Rachel Cross entertain their young audience, who sit on cloud pillows, during Lawrence Art Center’s “Atmosphere” show.

“Atmosphere”

Also happening this weekend at the Lawrence Arts Center: “Atmosphere,” an interactive theatrical performance and art installation for young children.

This weather-themed show, part of the center’s “Theatre & Dance for the Very Young” program, is geared toward children ages 2 to 6. The show explores themes of light, wind, rain, snow and sky.

Amanda Pintore, associate director of performing arts and education, called the show a “social and emotional artistic experience.” Audience members should expect live dance and music featuring instruments such as the harp, xylophone and melodica.

Children are encouraged to talk and make noise during the performance, and they will sit close to the performers on cloud-shaped pillows.

The art installation in the performance room, designed by visiting artist Sharon McCaman (who also is a performer in the show), has a variety of touchable features. If a visitor touches the blue crocheted panel hung on one of the walls, for example, a sensor built into the panel will produce a sound as if the person had just dipped their hand in water.

“Atmosphere” runs this weekend at the following dates and times: 6 p.m. Jan. 31; 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Feb. 1; and 1:30 p.m. Feb. 2. Tickets are $15 for one adult and one child and $10 per additional adult or child.

When there’s no performance going on, the art installation can be visited free of charge. It will remain up until Feb. 22.

photo by: Marlo Angell

Lawrence Art Center’s “Atmosphere,” an interactive theater program designed for young audiences, has its final shows this weekend, Jan. 31-Feb. 2.

Super Bowl watch parties

The Kansas City Chiefs take on the San Francisco 49ers Sunday at 5:30 p.m., and two Lawrence organizations are hosting free community watch parties: Liberty Hall and the Salvation Army of Douglas County.

At Liberty Hall, doors will open at 4:30 p.m., and beer and food will be available for purchase.

At the Salvation Army, doors will open at 5 p.m. The center will provide free food, including chili, chips and sweets. They will also have some board games.

Liberty Hall is located at 644 Massachusetts St., and the Salvation Army of Douglas County is located at 946 New Hampshire St.