Get ready y’all, Lawrence is in the giving SPIRIT. It’s December, so there will be lots of fundraisers happening. It’s also a time to reflect on the year and send it out celebrating with family, friends, and loved ones. From country crooners to hardcore hotheads, there’s something for everyone to help round out the year. Here are the best shows in Lawrence for celebrating the season.
Queens of Country Christmas: Fundraiser for ALS
Lucia | December 6
Oh goody! We are so excited about this show because it’s like a crash course in country music from the Queens themselves. Betsy O and the Hollaback Boys are throwing this event as a fundraiser for ALS. None for their rootsy cuteness and folky takes on covers you would NEVER expect in that genre, they’ve been a big hit around the Kaw River Roots Fest fans. On this night they’ll be taking on Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, you name it. There may even be a few surprise guests. The Kawsies open the night.
RIYL: Unfit Wives, Tammy Wynette, Patti Loveless
Better Lovers
The Granada | December 6
Hardcore band Better Lovers are coming to the right place. Lawrence was a hotspot for die-hard fans of Every Time I Die. After the band called it quits, members reformed as Better Lovers along with vocalist Greg Puciato (from Dillinger Escape Plan), who sports an impressive octave range. What’s resulted is a high-intensity experience that will help you burn all the anxieties of the year away. Seriously, get your butt to a mosh pit. You’ve earned it. They’ll be on tour in support of their latest album, Highly Irresponsible, which can double as a defibrillator in an emergency (for legal reason I have to tell you NOT to actually use it as a defibrillator).
They’ll be joined by Gouge Away, Spy, and Cloakroom.
RIYL: Every Time I Die, Speed, getting kicked in the teeth.
The 100th Year of Vespers
Lied Center of Kansas | December 8
Full disclosure of conflict of interest: I am employed by the KU School of Music and work with this event.
Vespers has been a holiday tradition for decades in Lawrence, a can’t-miss event featuring grand performances by choirs, a symphony, and more. This will now officially be the 100th year for the annual tradition, and as a result they will have some special appearances. Alumni will be traveling in from across the country to perform in the Alumni Choir, alongside the current choirs at the KU School of Music.
If you’re into classical music and also want something a little more traditional this holiday season, this is the event for you. There will be TWO showings on Sunday, December 8th, one at 2:30 p.m. and one at 7:30 p.m.
RIYL: Afternoon shows, traditional holiday experiences
Rock the Halls: A Rock N Roll Benefit for the Ballard Center
The Granada | December 14
In the spirit of the giving season, we’ll be eager to rock out for this special event. Keep in mind, Lawrence loves cover bands. Like, LOOOOOOVES cover bands… and this is some of the cream of the crop. Thunderkat, Coversmith, and Soundwave will all band (heh) together for the Ballard Center. These bands dress in costume year-round and bring out the party in everyone, so expect good tidings of comfort and joy.
RIYL: Famous songs sung by your neighbor
The Roseline / LYXE / Liney Blu
December 28 | The Replay
There’s nothing better than that chill, relaxed, gap week between Christmas and New Year’s. If you play your cards right, you have nothing to do. You may have family in town, you may be meeting up with friends coming into town for the holidays, or you may just have a movie marathon scheduled. But to me, these are the best days to hit Downtown and see who you run into from your past because this is when everyone is sick of staying with family and heads (or RUNS) to nightlife.
Well, it’s also a great opportunity for you to introduce your friends-in-town to the local music scene! This is a great example, as The Roseline, LYXE, and Liney Blu have been pulling in some of the bigger crowds all year. This is the kind of show where suddenly it’ll be 2:00 a.m. and you’re wondering how the night got away from you. Come for the roots music and rock and roll, stay to hear your east coast friend go “What?! This show is only THREE DOLLARS?!”
RIYL: Hometown shows with hometown folks
This is the place where Nirvana & Green Day played in a small, standing-room-only shack. This is the place where Janelle Monae packed in her hometown crowd. George Clinton has funked up our streets and we “fought the power” with...
