We hope you’ll forgive us, but it appears we lied. Last month, we told you that May was the month for street parties. But really, June is the month where it all pops off. We can’t see a single week in the month where there isn’t an opportunity to hit the streets and dance the summer away. Every single Saturday has a big, can’t-miss event. You’ll feel like you’re in the middle of a musical, it’s going to be so lit. Here are five events, one for every week, that will have you dancing in the streets.
PRIDE
Downtown Lawrence | June 1
Full disclosure, yours truly is on the Lawrence PRIDE board
The moment you wake up on June 1st, the town will be a more fun and colorful place. That’s because everyone will be gathering downtown for the annual PRIDE festival.
In addition to all the drag performers, there’s a more musical element this year. Both the main stage and family stage (in the back) will have local bands performing (with Lawrence’s MellowPhobia coming in hot off an album release). If the block party at South Park is too much for you, you can enjoy the marching band in the parade. Though some of y’all will be coming out just to dance with somebody, which is why the DJs have you covered.
The event starts much earlier this year, with the parade kicking off at 11:00 a.m. and the block party starting right after. See you at PRIDE!
RIYL: Gay stuff, fighting homophobia with love, extremely talented performers
The Big Pig
The Bourgeois Pig | June 8
There are two big entities celebrating a 30th anniversary on this one. The first one we’re highlighting is The Bourgeois Pig, celebrating 30 years in Lawrence with a street party in front of the downtown hot spot. Normally, this is where you’ll see the most fashionable (and sometimes fashionably pretentious) crowds gather on any day of the year. This was an extremely fun event last year, and the lineup looks killer. Sweeping Promises returns (they were the standouts at the festival last year) and will share the stage with Frogpond, Kaw Tikis, LYXE, and Blanky.
RIYL: Local rock and roll bands
Juneteenth
Downtown Lawrence | June 15
Juneteenth was one of our favorite musical surprises of the year last year. We can’t believe how packed it was as a musical event. The stage, centered in the street at South Park, hosted so many wonderful local musical acts (primarily rap and hip-hop). We remember it being SO HOT at that time last year, but no one was bothered by the heat because the trees provided such beautiful shade, and the vibes were just perfect. It was the feel-good event of the summer, and we’re thrilled to see the line-up for this year:
RIYL: Supporting local artists, community events, good vibes and good food
Kaw River Roots Fest
Abe & Jake’s | June 21 – 23
The big story this month is Kaw River Roots Fest. Previously, this major local music festival for folk and bluegrass lovers landed in August. This year, however, it’s been bumped to June 21 – 23. This came as a bit of a surprise to the public, since generally August was bluegrass month in Lawrence (with FidPick being the other major event). But with so many fans torn between the quickly approaching Walnut Valley Bluegrass Festival in Winfield at the end of the Summer, swinging both events became a challenge. So the festival moved up.
Not to worry, that’s all that’s changed. They are still pulling in heavy hitters (Tim O’Brien Band, Arkansauce), regional favorites (Opal Agafia, Pretend Friend), and more locals than we can count (Sky Smeed, Tonganoxie Split, Betsy O and the Hollaback Boys to name a few). The latest big news is that Split Lip Rayfield will be headlining, returning to the stage for the first time in 5 years.
This is always a can’t-miss event of the Summer, and we’re happy to see it in (hopefully) less sweltering hot times.
RIYL: Any bluegrass whatsoever, dancing without shoes on
Son Venezuela
The Granada Starlite Stage | June 29
No one, absolutely no one, is having a better year than Son Venezuela.
Yes, everyone’s favorite band to shake their booty to is having one heck of a time in 2024. Not only have they been bringing joyous music to the masses for more than 30 years, they also were inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame. Even the Governor of Kansas signed a special proclamation recognizing their accomplishments.
So they’re keeping the party going with a special performance at the end of the month on the Granada’s Starlite stage. That’s the space between the venue and the bagel shop (normally where the tour busses park).
Best part? The show is FREE.
RIYL: Latin music, shaking your booty
Other events to keep on your radar:
Death to All
The Granada | June 7
Strung Out
The Bottleneck | June 7
Punk vs. Metal 3
The Bottleneck | June 8
Underrated Society / Dre Logic / Big Mack / OG Dutch / Southside Von / XXXtended
The Replay | June 8
Baroness
The Bottleneck | June 12
Greg Wheeler and the Poly Mall Cops / Whippets / Day Sleeper
The Replay | June 15
Hot Water Music 30th Anniversary Tour Featuring: Quicksand
Liberty Hall | June 17
IV and the Strange Band
The Bottleneck | June 22
High Lonesome
Lucia | June 27
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...
