photo by: Chris Conde/Journal-World File Photo

Pinckney Elementary School, 810 W. Sixth St., is pictured in this Journal-World file photo from Sept. 15, 2018.

The ever-changing Kansas weather looks fairly promising for the many outdoor events taking place this weekend, including nature walks, farmers’ markets, outdoor parties and plant sales. Other opportunities for weekend entertainment include dance, art, music, board games, burlesque and much more.

FRIDAY

• Trinity Lutheran Church, 1245 New Hampshire St., holds its “Bloom, Book and Bake Sale” from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday and Saturday. There will be homemade pies, cakes and cookies; plants and flowers; a wide selection of books and a selection of kitchen supplies for sale. Proceeds will be donated to local and international charities.

• Pinckney School supporters are invited to “PinckneyPalooza – The End of an Era” from 5 to 8 p.m. Celebrate one of Lawrence’s oldest elementary schools, now slated for closure. Bouncy house, photo booths, face painting, food trucks, live music and more.

• All ages are welcome at the Lawrence Barn Dance Association’s Contra Dance and Potluck, starting at 6 p.m. at Stony Point Hall, 1514 North 600 Road in Baldwin City. A caller and live band will be there to lead beginners through a free lesson at 7 p.m., and the main dance is from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. No partner is required, and a flexible donation is requested; see lawrencebarndance.org for more information.

• The Lawrence Arts Center School of Dance presents its End of Year Showcase, highlighting senior soloists and select class performances. This all-ages event takes place at 7 p.m., with repeat performances Saturday at 11 a.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St. See lawrenceartscenter.org for ticket information and livestream access.

SATURDAY

• Come see what recent rains and sunshine have produced for local growers at this morning’s Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. at 824 New Hampshire St.

• Bird Walk at the Baker Wetlands is from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m.; meet at the west parking lot of the Baker Wetlands Discovery Center, 1365 North 1250 Road. Spring migrations will provide the chance to view many species. The walk is about a half-mile round trip and might be muddy. Some binoculars will be available to borrow.

• The 11th annual Grassland Heritage Foundation Spring Native Plant Sale will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1011 Vermont St.

• Free tickets are still available for “Lawns to Landscapes” from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St., where the Douglas County Master Gardeners will explain options for making your lawn more pollinator-friendly and less dependent on chemicals.

• At the Plant Swap at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St., you can meet with other plant owners and trade plants or share cuttings from 1-3 p.m. Staff from Jungle House will be there to assist. Plants brought for swapping may be bare-root or potted, but must be pest-free. See more details at lawrence.bibliocommons.com.

• The “Art Cart,” a free drop-in activity for creating art, is from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Spencer Museum of Art, 1301 Mississippi St. Today’s inspiration is “Cups and Saucers”; drop by and create your own from mixed media. Suitable for children and adults.

• The Lawrence Community Handbell Choir presents a concert at 3 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church, 1501 Massachusetts St. This fast-paced musical event will feature handbell music in multiple genres. A second performance will take place at 7 p.m. Sunday at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1011 Vermont St.

• Audubon of Kansas presents a nature walk at the KU Field Station from 4:30 to 6 p.m. All levels of experience welcome. The walk will last about 90 minutes and will be on mostly gravel or dirt paths through one of the premier birding woods in the area. Park at the Roth trailhead and walk to the Fitch Tract entrance; see biosurvey.ku.edu/field-station-trails for directions.

• “Beers and Boards,” a free board game event held every third Saturday, begins at 6 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1011 Vermont St. Many tables will be available to spread out and play games until midnight. Plenty of games are available, or provide your own favorites. Bring your own beverages and snacks.

• Local alternative burlesque troupe Foxy By Proxy holds its Audition Showcase tonight at the Granada Theater, 1020 Massachusetts St. The show is for ages 18 and up and there is a $15 cover charge. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m.

SUNDAY

• All ages are welcome at today’s “Biodiversity Day” with the Kansas Post-doctoral Outreach Project, from noon to 2 p.m. at the KU Natural History Museum, 1345 Jayhawk Blvd. This free event is the first in a series of three to be offered in the summer science series. Search for camouflaged serpents, learn animal behavior, explore insect diversity and more.

• Tickets must be purchased in advance for the Oak Hill Cemetery Tour: Black Civil War Veterans from 2 to 4 p.m. at 1605 Oak Hill Ave. Local historian Jeanne Klein will meet participants on the south side of Section 1 and travel through the historic parts of the cemetery. See watkinsmuseum.org for registration and ticket information.

• The latest “Science Sundays” event, “Mapping Kansas Ecosystems,” is from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the KU Field Station, 350 Wild Horse Road. Bring a mug for coffee or tea and hear ecological scientists speak about the diversity of Kansas and a new interactive map of the state’s ecosystems.

TUESDAY

• The Tuesday evening farmers market is from 4 to 6 p.m. in South Park, 1141 Massachusetts St.

WEDNESDAY

• The Clinton Parkway Nursery Farmers Market started its 2023 season last week and will continue every Wednesday through the end of September from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 4900 Clinton Parkway. See clintonparkwaynursery.com for more details.

• The Raven Book Store, 809 Massachusetts St., presents a discussion with Jim Minick, author of “Without Warning: The Tornado of Udall, Kansas,” at 7 p.m. Minick will speak about events that happen in our changing climate. See ravenbookstore.com for more information.

THURSDAY, MAY 25

• Before the Summer Youth Theatre’s 50th anniversary reunion, the program’s alumni can share and listen to their stories and memories at a gathering at 8 p.m. on the main stage of the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St.

• Summer reading programs kick off with festivities at the Lawrence Public Library from 6 to 8 p.m. The party will include Beatles covers by Carswell & Hope, snacks, games, free snow cones, a bouncy obstacle course, Free State beer for purchase and more. Summer reading programs extend through Aug. 19; visit lawrence.bibliocommons.com for more information.