photo by: Mike Yoder

Mardi Gras parade participants play music and walk along Massachusetts Street on Tuesday, March 1, 2022.

Friday

• Lawrence Arts Center’s Theatre & Dance for the Very Young opens a new play, “My Name is Loofa Tutu,” at 6 p.m. The script began with pictures that were shown to children ages 2-6 in the theaters play labs, where the story was developed through imaginative play, dance and music. Admission is “pay-what-you-can,” but everyone will need a ticket, including children and babies. Repeat performances Saturday and Sunday at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. See lawrenceartscenter.org for more information and tickets.

• The experimental 1929 “Man with a Movie Camera” will be screened as part of the Free State Festival’s microcinema series. This film, listed by the British Film Institute in the top 10 of all movies, will be presented with a live, original soundtrack. 7:30 p.m. at the Cider Gallery, 810 Pennsylvania St. Tickets are $15; see lawrenceartscenter.org for more information.

Saturday

• The 14th annual Kaw Valley Seed Fair takes place at 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. in Building 21 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St. Sustainability and biodiversity are the themes as growers meet to exchange seeds and discuss gardening. Dozens of vendors will be on site, and a speaker’s corner will feature talks by experts. Please bring saved seeds or packaged seeds for the exchange table. See “Kaw Valley Seed Fair” on social media platforms for more information.

• The regular Third Saturday legislative update will be provided at 9:30 a.m. by the Douglas County Democratic Party. Local representatives will be on hand to give details on the 2023 session of the Kansas Legislature. Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St.

• Seeking inspiration for your home projects? Visit the Lawrence Home Show, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., also Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Crown Toyota Pavilion, 3430 Iowa St., for dozens of exhibits showcasing products and services for your home. Area experts will be staffing the booths and answering questions on remodeling and building projects. Tickets are $5 for adults; children are admitted free. See www.LawrenceHomeShow.com for more information.

• Now that you’re in the gardening mood, you’re ready for the Lawrence Public Library’s Seed Library Launch, happening 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 707 Vermont St. Prepare for spring by visiting the library and choosing up to five varieties of fruit, vegetable and flower seeds, free of charge.

• The “Art Cart,” a free drop-in activity station, offers children and adults an opportunity to interact with, and be inspired by, art as they enjoy a hands-on project together. Today’s Art Cart, 1-4 p.m. at KU’s Spencer Museum of Art, 1301 Mississippi St., will feature inspiration from a Japanese tale as participants create a folded paper zine.

• “Ball at the Hall” continues today with KU men’s basketball taking on Baylor at 3 p.m. Watch the game on Liberty Hall’s big screen for free, 644 Massachusetts St. All ages welcome (with supervision); no outside food or drink.

• Robyn Toledo Meahl presents “Musical Mirrors,” a benefit concert for Ukraine, at 6 p.m. at the Cider Gallery, 810 Pennsylvania St. Free entry; donations will be accepted.

Sunday

• Experienced and beginner birders are all welcome at the Great Backyard Bird Count at the KU Field Station, 350 Wild Horse Road. Audubon of Kansas Executive Director Jackie Augustine will lead this bird-watching adventure as the group documents as many birds as possible between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Bring your binoculars (a few extras will be available). See https://www.facebook.com/events/2372998369542119 for directions to the field station.

• One Hundred Good Women will host the Accessory Exchange at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St., 1-3 p.m. New and gently used accessories will be available for $1 per item.

• RSVP to attend Science Sunday at 2 p.m., KU Field Station, 350 Wild Horse Road. This monthly series of public talks are free and open to the public. Sunday’s topic is “Plant Diversity & the Carbon Cycle.”

• Lawrence’s own Chaeyoung Park, now based in New York City, presents a piano recital at 2 p.m. at the Lied Center Pavilion, 1600 Stewart Drive. After winning the 2019 Hilton Head International Piano Competition, Park held her solo recital debut at Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall. Her program for today’s performance is listed at lied.ku.edu along with ticket information.

Monday

• People interested in applying for public benefits can meet one on one with a resource agent from the Kansas Department for Children and Families for free enrollment and application assistance. The experts will be available 1-5 p.m. on a walk-in basis (no appointment needed). Information will be available on utility bill payment assistance, cash assistance, child care subsidies, Medicaid and more. Study Room 5, Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St.

• The Raven Book Store presents a book signing and author talk from Anne P. DePrince, 11 a.m.-noon, at the Burge Union Forum B, 1565 Irving Hill Road on the KU campus. DePrince’s book, “Every 90 Seconds: Our Common Cause Ending Violence Against Women,” addresses the interconnected societal issues around domestic violence and assault. The author will also be at the Raven, 809 Massachusetts St., 5-6 p.m., for a book-signing and discussion.

• Drop by Liberty Hall for KU vs. TCU at “Ball at the Hall,” where you can watch the game on the big screen with a theater full of fans, 644 Massachusetts St.

Free entry; concessions and drinks available for purchase.

Tuesday

• Needing to connect with community resources? Come to the library lobby, 3-5 p.m., and talk to providers from various Lawrence area organizations. Agencies featured this month are by-donation thrift store Give It Get It Inc., health care coverage specialists from COVER Kansas, and ECKAN, a Douglas County agency with a variety of services.

• The Mardi Gras Parade returns to downtown Lawrence. Meet up before noon at Lucia, 1016 Massachusetts St. Bring your beads and costumes, if desired, and join the celebration.

• Several spots remain for “Gray Anatomy: Memory Loss & Fine Motor Skills,” a free online event from LMH Health and Lawrence Public Library. Local medical experts will speak about neurological changes that can come with aging, 4-5 p.m.; see lawrence.bibliocommons.com for registration.

• Adult readers are welcome at BYOBB (Bring Your Own Book and Beverage), a free monthly book club that meets online. Lawrence Public Library’s Book Squad will be sipping beverages and discussing books, 7-8:30 p.m. Contact Polli at pkenn@lplks.org for the Zoom link.

• Come to the Dole Institute to hear a lecture from NPR’s Juana Summers, 7 p.m. (also available online). Summers, co-host of “All Things Considered,” has a deep background in covering national politics, including presidential elections, congressional debates and more. Free and open to the public; see doleinstitute.org or kansaspublicradio.org for more details and a livestream link.