Sounds Good: Elephant Revival @ Bottleneck, Kansas State Fiddling & Picking Championships @ South Park

It’s another LFK weekend folks…

Beginning with what has become, over the past few years, one of the most interesting events on Mass. Street – The Lawrence Busker Fest.  A few things you should know:  First, it’s free.  So that rocks.  Second, it goes down Friday thru Sunday in beautiful downtown Lawrence.  Another plus.

And third, it features some truly entertaining and odd performers, freaks, geeks, artists, and musicians.  Now, I know what you’re thinking – will there be a fire eater?  Why yes there will.  And a “comedy cowboy,” a burlesque show, a world champion unicyclist, and more, much more.

Find out more here.  To the picks!…

Thursday, August 22nd

Elephant Revival at the Bottleneck in Lawrence

It’s not that surprising, I guess, that tiny Nederland, Colorado birthed two fantastic bluegrass bands – Yonder Mountain String Band and Elephant Revival.  After all, the secluded mountain town is just a stone’s throw from the music hotbed of Boulder, and the area features several annual bluegrass and other music festivals.

ER embraces a bit more of the folk vibe than YMSB, and they have two girls in the band, so the vocal harmonies can be pretty interesting.  Plus the electric washboard and musical saw are both prominently featured, so there’s that.

Friday, August 23rd

Kansas State Fiddling & Picking Championships in Lawrence

Keeping with the country barn-burning theme, this event is in its 33rd year.  There’s a full lineup of bands and events, playing on different stages all around South Park, the big city park just on the south edge of downtown Lawrence.  This year, there’s a pre-part on Friday night at the Granada featuring Ashes to Immortality, Fast Food Junkies, and Kasey Rausch.  Check out the full schedule right about here.  See y’all there.