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Friday

• It’s the last weekend of the month, which means that art lovers can enjoy the Final Fridays event. See explorelawrence.com/events for details on the monthly citywide art extravaganza.

• The Watkins Museum of History will also be hosting a live online event featuring one of the museum’s oldest artifacts, the cannon “Old Sacramento.” Eduardo Rosa-Molinar will share how his University of Kansas team investigated the mysterious cannon’s origins. Event begins at 7 p.m. Friday on the museum’s Facebook, YouTube and Twitter page.

• “Collected Stories” is in its final weekend at Theatre Lawrence. Catch a performance of the Donald Margulies drama that was a Pulitzer Prize finalist. The play is about the relationship between a writing student and her successful mentor and examines issues of honor and betrayal. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Vaccination proof and masks are required. Call 785-843-7469 for ticket information or go online at theatrelawrence.com.

Saturday

Speaking of history, Kansas Day falls on a Saturday this year, and Lawrence is offering a full slate of celebrations for our state’s birthday. Here are some of the events taking place on Jan. 29, the day Kansas turns 161 years old:

• Runners and walkers can get their day off to an energetic start with a morning run beginning at the appropriately named Ad Astra Running, 734 Massachusetts St. This run was originally scheduled for New Year’s Day but was postponed because of inclement weather. Now commemorating our state’s special day, the free walk/run is open to all in the community, whether you’re a 10k athlete or just walking around the block. The event starts at 8 a.m.; participants will receive a finisher’s medallion. Light refreshments will follow.

• Watch for events at local and state museums this weekend. Kansas-themed children’s activities are available at the Watkins Museum of History, 1047 Massachusetts St.; see www.watkinsmuseum.org. Visitors to the Dole Institute, 2350 Petefish Drive, can make a special Kansas postcard, explore the state seal, and visit the “Field of Sunflowers” installation. See doleinstitute.org for more details and hours of operation.

• Several local restaurants and other businesses are having Kansas Day specials. Check their social media or advertising for details – but be sure to call ahead for COVID restrictions.

• In the evening, head over to the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St., for “Windswept Glory: Classical Music, Poetry & Images from the Heart of Kansas.” This interdisciplinary multimedia program, directed by Brian J. Nelson, will feature original music from Kansas composers, more than 60 photographs of Kansas landscapes and weather, plus live readings by Kansas poet laureate emerita Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg. The Lyric Arts Trio, with soprano Sarah Tannehill Anderson, clarinetist Elena Lence Talley and pianist Daniel Velicer, will perform the world premiere of “Windswept Glory,” composed by Nelson for this event. This composition showcases Mirriam-Goldberg’s poetry, backed by photographs. The evening will also include Nelson’s “Ad Astra per Aspera” with Kenya Patzer, violin, and Leigh Muñoz, bassoon, and original piano works by Kansas composers Shane Spangler and Evan Hunter. A talk-back session with Nelson will conclude the program. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. and is available for both in-person and livestream attendance. Ticket prices range from $15 to $25; see lawrenceartscenter.org for more details.