photo by: Elvyn Jones

A pogo stick performer known as Pogo Fred clears a rope held by two audience volunteers on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, at the Busker Fest's Eighth Street stage.

It’s a big weekend in Lawrence as the four-day Busker Festival makes a return to the downtown streets. Also on tap: Final Friday art, the Art Tougeau parade, Broadway tunes, quarks and galaxies, and more.

THURSDAY

• The University of Kansas Physics and Astronomy Department sponsors Yale University professor emeritus John W. Harris at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St., for “An Odyssey through our Universe from the Big Bang to Black Holes.” The talk begins at 7:30 and is free and open to the public.

FRIDAY-MONDAY

• Lawrence Busker Festival 2022 – this annual event, in its 15th year, is now a four-day festival with its epicenter at Eighth and Vermont streets. Come see the area’s largest gathering of street performers from around the world and enjoy the wide range of fun and funky music, art and performance. Free admission; tips at audience members’ discretion. Friday, 5-11 p.m.; Saturday, noon-11 p.m.; Sunday and Monday, noon-6 p.m. See full performance schedules at lawrencebuskerfest.com/attend/schedule.

FRIDAY

• It’s a perfect storm of art and entertainment as the annual Busker Festival coincides with this month’s Final Friday.

The Art Tougeau parade gets a celebratory pre-party at 6 p.m. at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St. Come enjoy live music and get a preview of some of the parade entries.

Other Final Friday events and exhibits include:

• Mobile Art Supply Cart presented by Kāli Deno, 5-8 p.m., Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St.

• Abstract landscapes by Bill Kutilek, with live music from The Courtyard Collective, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Tallgrass Studios, 840 Delaware St., No. 2.

• Group exhibition: FOLKLORE, 5-9 p.m., Cider Gallery, 810 Pennsylvania St. Terrasoul performing acoustic music 6:30-7:30 p.m.

• Contemporary work by Margie Kuhn, 5-9 p.m., Curiosa Art & Object, 1904 Massachusetts St.

• “Making it Work: Art and Parenting,” 5-9 p.m., curator walk-through at 7 p.m., Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St.

• “The Art of Looking: Making Digital History,” 6-8 p.m., Watkins Museum of History, 1047 Massachusetts St. Visitors can also enjoy four additional exhibits on display at this time.

• “In the Abstract Tradition” from local artist Stephen T. Johnson; live entertainment from musical duo Cucharada. 6-9 p.m., Phoenix Gallery, 825 Massachusetts St.

• “Still Kickin,” 6-9 p.m., REHAB Gallery, 123 W. Eighth St., No. 102.

• Works by Chris Tolle, 6-9 p.m., The Bourgeois Pig, 6 E. Ninth St.

• Garage Door Gallery, 6-10 p.m., 2111 Tennessee St.

SATURDAY

• Getting ready for water sports and other outdoor activities this weekend? Help get your children prepared at the Life Jacket and Bike Helmet Giveaway, beginning at 8 a.m. just outside the park office at Clinton State Park, 798 N. 1415 Road.

•The Busker Festival, partnering with local circus school The Last Carnival, presents a “Busking Workshop for Kids,” 9 a.m.-noon, on the green space next to the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St. In case of rain, the workshop will move to the library auditorium. Registration required at https://www.sihkaanndestroy.com/ee/event-registration/.

• After a two-year COVID hiatus, the Art Tougeau Parade rolls down Massachusetts Street at noon. This annual favorite features odd vehicles and other creatively decorated “things on wheels.” Come early for a curbside seat.

• “Broadway Comes to Trivedi Wine” this evening, 5-8 p.m. Local musicians will present favorite show tunes. Trivedi wine, plus Cajun and Creole food from Duke’s Place, will be available for purchase. 1826 East 1150 Road.

SUNDAY

• Vigil in support of Ukrainian people, 1-2:30 p.m., in front of the Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts St. Bring signs if desired.

WEDNESDAY

• The Lawrence City Band concert series, canceled the previous Wednesday because of rainy weather, is planning to kick off at 8 p.m. in South Park, 1141 Massachusetts St. Tonight’s musical theme is “Downtown Dance Mix.” Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy this free summer evening concert.