Free entertainment in Lawrence, KS

Lawrence is a great place to live for frugal entertainment. You may be aware of some of these no-cost recurring events, but hopefully you will learn something new too. If you know of other fun, free things to do, please leave a comment!


Free Music: 

• Acoustic Music - Tuesday Nights 7:30p @ Lawrence Arts Center - Free (suggested donation) 
• Lonnie Ray's Open Jam Session- Tuesday Nights 6:00p @ Slow Ride Roadhouse - Free
•  KU School of Music Student Recital Series- varies, see calendar of events @ KU Campus - Free
• Junkyard Jazz - Thursday Nights 7:00p @ American Legion - Free
• Jazz Quintet - Thursday Nights 7:00p @ iBar at Ingredient - Free
• Live Music- Most Friday & Saturday Nights 9:00p @ Slow Ride Roadhouse - Free
• December Music Series - Saturdays in December 1:00p @ Watkins Community Museum - Free
• The Mariachi Band- Every Other Sunday 8:00p @ Cielito Lindo - Free

Free Art:

• Art Exhibition - Daily 9:00a to 9:00p @ Lawrence Arts Center - Free, exhibitions change frequently.
• Kids Programming @ Spencer Museum of Art - Most are Free - see calendar
• Lectures, Gallery Talks & Peformances @ Spencer Museum of Art - Most are Free - see calendar
• Final Fridays Artwalk - Last Friday of the Month 5:00p - 8:00p @ Downtown Lawrence - Free

Other Free Activities:

• Free Kid's Programs - Saturdays 10:00a & Sundays 1:30p @ Prairie Park Nature Center- Free
• Holiday Activites List @ Lawrence Convention & Visitors Bureau Website- Many free- see list
• Poetry Social - third Wednesday of the Month 7:00p @ Lawrence Public Library Gallery - Free
• Book Signings, Book Talks, Readings- Free Events @ The Raven Bookstore - Free- see list
• Salsa Dancing - Wednesdays 9:00p @ Taste Lounge - Free

I found many of these events at Lawrence.com Events and Visit Lawrence Events - check them out for more ideas! 

Driving slower saves $$ - told you so!

Proof that you do save money by driving slower! Finally. Now my husband should stop teasing me and telling me I drive like a grandma. Because, while I do drive like a grandma, its for a good reason.

One of my favorite money blogs, The Simple Dollar, did the math for us. Thanks!

This is why I'm not a fan of the increased speed (75 MPH!) on I-70. I typically go 65 or 70, but feel like people are going to run over me. Anyone else driving under the speed limit on I-70, or elsewhere?

Remember the library!

The value of checking prices- Here is my real life example.

For some reason, I have had a very strong urge to watch Cool Runnings. Don't ask me why. John Candy? Reggae music? 

 It is not on Netflix On Demand, but I still want to see it, so I started checking around. This took me about 10 minutes.

To buy online:

Best price was Amazon: $8.17 with shipping, used.

To buy locally (my preference):

Walmart - not in stock locally (checked online)

Best Buy- $12.99 in stock (checked online)

Half Price Books - not in stock (called local store)

Game Nutt - not in stock (called local store)

Hastings- $10.40 in stock (checked online)

To borrow:

Asked friends on facebook, no one has it.

Miracle Video (rental) - don't have it (called local store)

Lawrence Public Library -  HAVE IT, for FREE. 

(It feels pretty silly calling places and asking for Cool Runnings, by the way.) The point here is, when you have a whim to buy something, think about it a few minutes before you do. Think about how quickly you need it, can you borrow it, can you buy it used?

P.S. I also posted a "Want to Buy" ad on cragislist a few days ago, but no bites. I can't believe no one wants to sell their copy of Cool Runnings, which I would just bet they haven't watched recently.