photo by: Chris Conde

The Festhaus-Musikanten band entertains the crowds at the Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Parish.

It’s an event-packed weekend in Lawrence, with book launches, historical remembrances, live theater, free music lessons, two days of Art in the Park, St. John’s Oktoberfest, Haskell’s fall powwow and more:

Sept. 22

• The Raven Book Store’s 35th anniversary celebration continues with a book launch for the second edition of “How to Resist Amazon and Why” by Raven owner Danny Caine. The event is from 7 to 10 p.m. at the bookstore, 809 Massachusetts St. Mask and proof of COVID vaccination are required.

• Another book discussion will take place at the Lawrence Public Library with drummer/record executive Nabil Ayers, who will speaks about his memoir, “My Life in the Sunshine: Searching for My Father and Discovering My Family.” This event begins at 7:30 p.m. at the library, 707 Vermont St., and is co-sponsored by KU’s School of Music and Departments of American Studies and African and African American Studies. Books will be available for purchase. The event will also be streamed; a link is available at lawrence.bibliocommons.com/events/62f15f4d4a1d3a32008535ab.

Sept. 23

• The Watkins Museum of History will host a remembrance of the February Sisters, a group of women who occupied a KU building in February 1972 to advocate for changes in policies affecting female faculty, students and staff. Readings and discussions will take place in person, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the museum, 1047 Massachusetts St., as well as via a live stream on the museum’s social media pages.

• Just Food and the Free State Festival co-sponsor a screening of “Food for the Rest of Us,” a documentary on farmers, gardeners and other food producers in Hawaii, Kansas City, Colorado and the Arctic coast. The screening is from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Lawrence Arts Center’s 10th and Mass Studios, 1000 Massachusetts St., Suite D. A discussion will follow the film. Admission is $10.

• The musical “Priscilla: Queen of the Desert” opens tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Theatre Lawrence, 4660 Bauer Farm Drive, and runs through Oct. 2. For complete information on schedule and tickets, visit the theater’s website.

Sept. 24

• The Lawrence Art Guild celebrates the 60th year of its public art fairs, which were first held indoors in 1962 and then moved outdoors and rebranded as “Art in the Park” in 1964. These days, the event typically draws more than 100 artists from across the nation. This year’s event will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in South Park, 1141 Massachusetts St. Expect live music and food vendors, as well.

• Affordable housing nonprofit Tenants to Homeowners will hold its annual fundraising event, beginning with a Fun Run 5k at 9 a.m. and continuing with live music, refreshments and a bouncy house from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at 704 Beatnik Court. See the nonprofit’s social media pages to register for the run and for other event details.

• Guitar and ukulele players of all skill levels are invited to sign up for free lessons at a workshop offered in memory of Lawrence musician John Jervis. The lessons will be at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St.; register at lawrence.bibliocommons.com for a time slot.

• Haskell Indian Nations University hosts its Fall Welcome Back Pow-Wow today at the Haskell Powwow Grounds, 2535 West Perimeter Road. The gourd dance will begin at 2 p.m., and the Grand Entry is at 6 p.m.

• Celebrate World Bollywood Day at the Lawrence Public Library. A screening of “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” will be held at 2 p.m. at the library auditorium, 707 Vermont St. Free refreshments will be available.

• Visitors can enjoy German food, beer, music and dancing at St. John’s Oktoberfest from 4-10 p.m. at 1234 Kentucky St. The menu includes bratwurst, schnitzel, bierocks, cabbage rolls and more. The church will also hold a polka mass at 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 25

• Weather permitting, the Astronomy Associates of Lawrence will offer telescope observing tonight from 8 to 10 p.m. at Baker Wetlands Discovery Center, 1365 North 1250 Road.