photo by: Chris Conde

Christina and Kyle Clemons at Gold Medal BBQ. Lawrence Restaurant Week is Feb. 18-27.

This mid-February weekend includes events for gardeners and other folks with green thumbs, trivia experts, music fans and anyone who enjoys dining out. Given our unpredictable weather, you might want to call ahead to check on scheduling for some of these happenings.

FRIDAY

• The eighth annual Lawrence Restaurant Week kicks off, with more than 35 restaurants in the area offering a wide variety of special menus through Feb. 27. Local food fans can enjoy old favorite restaurants as well as newer Lawrence eateries. In addition to showcasing restaurants, this year’s event will bring attention to the Lawrence Hospitality Workers’ Relief Fund. See lawrencerestaurantweek.com for specifics, and follow along on social media with the hashtag #EatLawrence.

SATURDAY

• Also celebrating its eighth season is the Lawrence Public Library Seed Library. To launch the program this year, the library is joining up with local Community Supported Agriculture groups. Come to the library, 707 Vermont St., from 1 to 3 p.m. and meet with local farmers, learn about this year’s CSA programs, sign up for their fresh, locally grown food and take home some free seeds.

• If your green thumb also extends to houseplants, you might be interested in “Houseplant Parenthood 101,” a free program offered at the Eudora Giving Garden by Rachel Guffey, owner of Jungle House. Guffey will give a presentation on maintaining indoor plants and will conclude with a Q&A session. Garden crafts will be offered for children. The workshop begins at 1:30 p.m. in the greenhouse at 545 W. 20th St., Eudora.

• The Sustainability Action Network will hold its annual meeting online at 2 p.m. After a brief business meeting and officer elections, there will be an airing of “The Story of Plastic” followed by a discussion of the issues raised in the film. For more details and a Zoom link, see sustainabilityaction.net.

• A brick wall in downtown Lawrence will be brought to life at 3:30 p.m. with the unveiling of “SUSTENANCE,” a mural on the east side of the U.S. Bank building at Ninth and Massachusetts streets. The public is invited to participate in this free event celebrating Van Go’s Apprentice Artists and the local food and hospitality industry.

• If you’re feeling a little chilly after Thursday’s winter storm, change your snow boots for dancing shoes and enjoy some local music.

Singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus will be performing an all-ages show at Liberty Hall, 644 Massachusetts St., at 7 p.m. See libertyhall.net for ticket info and COVID protocols.

Conga lines have been known to form at BongoTini’s shows; the local lounge/cocktail jazz artists are performing at North Lawrence’s Kaw valley Public House, 444 Locust St., from 7 to 9 p.m. There is a $5 cover charge, and proof of vaccination is required.

Also Saturday evening, a full slate of musicians, with special guest Tyler Gregory, will perform at Jake Keegan’s Grass Bash at The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St. Doors open at 8 p.m., and the show starts at 9 p.m.

SUNDAY

• The Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade committee continues the pre-parade events with an Irish Pub Quiz at 6 p.m. at Abe & Jake’s Landing, 8 E. Sixth St. The in-person trivia contest will include questions on Ireland, Lawrence, current events and much more. Doors open at 5 p.m., and Terrebonne will have food available for purchase. Come test your wits and help support this year’s parade beneficiaries: Watkins Museum, Lawrence Public Library, Lawrence Unchained Bicycle Co-op and The Jefferson Foundation. See lawrencestpatricksdayparade.com for ticket and other info.

• Cellist Oliver Herbert is performing at 7:30 p.m. at the Lied Center, 1600 Stewart Drive. This award-winning musician from San Francisco has been getting rave reviews for his technical acumen and individual style. See lied.ku.edu for more details and ticket information.