An old-fashioned concert in the park is one of many musical events in Lawrence.
Former factory hosts events
For groups that want a different feel, Abe and Jake’s Landing – a converted barbed wire factory on the banks of the Kansas River – “is the complete opposite of a hotel ballroom,” owner Mike Logan said.
“We’re on the river. We have so much natural light. People are looking out the windows,” he said. “It’s really a charming, rustic space.”
The 1884 building was abandoned for about 20 years before it was renovated in the early 1990s. From 2001 to 2006, Logan managed the venue, which was a reception space by day and a club at night. He bought the building Dec. 31, 2012, shut it down to refresh the 18,000-square-foot space and opened again in March.
Floor-to-ceiling windows line the 14,000-square-foot banquet hall, which has refinished hardwood floors, industrial metal beams, a stage, two projectors, two screens, a sound system and complimentary wireless access. There’s a view of the stage from a 1,000-square-foot mezzanine; an 1,100-square-foot deck off the hall has views of the river.
Abe and Jake’s Pub, separate but connected to the banquet hall, has a fireplace and a bar with 16 beers on tap.
Logan also owns the 900-person Granada Theater downtown, where he books about 20 live music events each month, “so there are some neat possibilities there with conferences coming to town,” he said. For example, a firefighters association is having a dinner at Abe and Jake’s in October, and Logan has worked out a bulk ticket deal for the group to attend a concert at the Granada on another night.
Theatre Lawrence has new home
A new off-site option is Theatre Lawrence. The community theater has been producing shows for several decades, but only since June has it been working out of a $7.2 million suburban theater that doubled the number of seats of its old facility.
The 35,000-square-foot facility seats about 300 in the auditorium and has a conference room for 50. Planners can also book three classrooms, a lobby with its own bar and catering area or a patio with its own bar.
Executive director Mary Doveton called Theatre Lawrence a “cool facility” that adds to the city’s rich arts community, lively music scene and youthful vibe.
“It’s a very active place,” she said. “With all of the students, there’s certainly a pulse to the city.”
