Free State Festival of 2015 was held in June (22nd - 28th). It is a celebration of film, music, art and ideas. There were innumerable activities going on in this whole week. Lawrence Arts Center's Director of Film and New Media, Marlo Angell started this as an independent film festival in 2011. Now, it has become an interdisciplinary festival featuring outdoor concerts, documentaries, art exhibitions, cycle race (Tour of Lawrence) etc.
Lawrence Arts Center hosts many film screenings, performances etc. in it's beautiful theater!
Lawrence Arts Center
There were many outdoor performances like George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic with the Phantastics, Black Joe Lewis, Split Lip Rayfield etc! More than hundreds attended the concert.
Playing of the band 'Split Lip Rayfield'
The African drum ensemble at KU (ADEKU) is a performing ensemble made of University of Kansas (KU) students and community members. They perform throughout the region in each semester. They were performing in Abe & Jake's Landing in the Free State Festival.
African drum ensemble at KU (ADEKU)
Thanks to my friend who volunteered for the festival, I got free tickets to few movies! :D One of them was screened in Liberty Hall. I got to see it for the first time.
Liberty Hall
Also, the Downtown Lawrence, Inc. has organized the event "Dinner and a movie free", in which there is a screening of the old movies and people can have dinner and drinks served at stalls. We could also bring our own chair or blanket to sit and watch the movie with family and friends! There was free popcorn and door prizes too! It is an outdoor event. Due to the probability of thunderstorm, the first movie screening was arranged in Abe & Jake's Landing in Lawrence. It is located by the riverside and gave a amazing view of the Kansas river! We had great time watching 'Back to the future 1'!
Abe & Jake's Landing
The gushing Kansas river!
There are art exhibitions in the Downtown, known as "Final Fridays". As the name indicates, exhibitions are scheduled on final Fridays of each month! There are beautiful artifacts, paintings, and lot more, made by different artists around the world, at display!
Free State festival provides excellent platform for the artists to perform and entertain the masses. The summer season is best for such festivals!
Great blog you have shared here. I just loved the decorations of Hall. The scene of the Kansas River looks amazing. I really want to go there. Well do you have suggestions for any beach side venues in San Francisco? Please share some venues here.
ReplyDeleteThanks you! :)
DeleteI haven't visited San Francisco yet. Hence, I don't have any idea. When I do, I'll make sure to upload the pictures!