photo by: Mike Yoder/Journal-World

Kansas fans come out of the bars and restaurants to fill up Massachusetts Street and celebrate a Jayhawk win Sunday against the Miami Hurricanes to advance to the Final Four on Saturday, April 2, in New Orleans.

This weekend’s events will include the ultimate in March Madness, plus politics, food, fundraisers, art, music and much more:

THURSDAY

• Thinking ahead to the next election cycle? Tune in Thursday to “Fall Forecast: Predicting the 2022 Midterm Elections,” a program from the Dole Institute Student Advisory Board. Colleen McCain Nelson, executive editor of The Sacramento Bee and the California regional editor for McClatchy, and Gerald F. Seib, executive Washington editor of the Wall Street Journal, will lead a discussion on our evolving national parties and the challenges and factions in political candidacy. Live online streaming begins at 7 p.m.; see the doleinstitute.org for the event link.

FRIDAY

• St. John the Evangelist Church, 1234 Kentucky St., holds its weekly Lenten fish fry from 5 to 7 p.m. To-go options will be available. See the menu and other details at facebook.com/events/1635995620085206/.

• Another dining fundraiser awaits at the Chili Cook-Off, held at Plymouth Congregational Church, 925 Vermont St., for the benefit of the church’s youth and mentors team. A $10 donation is suggested.

• Bolokada Conde, master drummer from Guinea, will teach a workshop on djembe drumming at 5:30 p.m. in Room 118, Murphy Hall, 1530 Naismith Drive. The public is welcome at this free workshop. Some drums will be available for use. Email africandrumensembleatku@gmail.com with questions, or see facebook.com/events/326007136169681/.

• The Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St., screens “The Iron Monkey” from 6 to 8 p.m. Discussion on the kung fu film genre will follow. See lawrence.bibliocommons.com/events/621cd80b3354c62f00b85df0 for details.

• Cinema a Go Go holds another Virtual Cinema at 7 p.m. The double feature begins with “The Avenging Shadow” (1954) followed by “The Ship of Monsters” (1960). See kansaspublicradio.org for movie details and virtual tickets.

• “Show Up for Survivors,” a fundraising event for the Sexual Trauma and Abuse Care Center, takes place at the Cider Gallery, 810 Pennsylvania St., from 7 to 10 p.m. Entertainment includes drinks, snacks, a silent auction and a trivia contest. Visit www.eventbrite.com to purchase tickets and get more information.

• Mary Baker & Friends Broadway Cabaret begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St. This main-stage event will feature show tunes and more. Tickets at https://ci.ovationtix.com/35591/production/1110290.

SATURDAY

• The big news today is KU’s Final Four semifinal against Villanova. Massachusetts Street will close to vehicular traffic but will feature sidewalk sales, buskers, fitness demonstrations, live music, games, giveaways and prizes.

• Watch parties for the game will take place at several venues, including Abe and Jake’s Landing, 8 E. Sixth St. (all ages; doors opening at noon; cover charge $5 after 2 p.m.); the Granada, 1020 Massachusetts St. (entry for outdoor area begins at noon, indoor availability at 2 p.m., cover charge $5); and Liberty Hall, 644 Massachusetts St. (free entry, ages 21 and older, bar and concessions available). Allen Fieldhouse will open its doors at 4 p.m. for the 5:09 p.m. tipoff; admission and parking are free.

• FANCON 56, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2110 Harper St., will feature 33 exhibitors at 58 booths of comic books, action figures, artwork, crafts, gaming figures and more.

• Live “spring baskets” await your creative touches at the Eudora Giving Garden, 545 W. 20th St., Eudora, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. The workshop is free and open to the public.

• “Awakening New Sounds,” at 7 p.m. at Bales Recital Hall, 1600 Stewart Drive, will feature a range of organ and choral works. Free admission.

SUNDAY

• The Dishinger family, Tom Harper and The Merc Co+op will hold an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. at 700 Maine St, a structure that served as a local grocery from 1933 to 1977, as the first home of The Merc from 1977 to 1993, and thereafter as a private residence. At 2:30 p.m., speakers will discuss the various phases of the building’s life in the community. The public is welcome to bring photos and memories to this event.

• New Morse Code, “The Language of Landscapes,” will feature Hannah Collins on cello and Michael Compitello on percussion at 2 p.m. at the Lied Center Pavilion, 1600 Stewart Drive. For details and tickets, see lied.ku.edu.

• The Indigenous Arts Initiative: Artist Talk at 4:30 p.m. at the Cider Gallery, 810 Pennsylvania St., will offer a chance to hear several artists speak on their experiences creating works for this project.