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Lawrence Busker Festival

Starting up at noon today, the Lawrence Busker Festival returns with wilder and weirder street performing. Strong woman Mama Lou and Sword Swallowers The Wicked Liars join a large group of jugglers, magicians, musicians, chalk artists, living statues, aerialists, and other variety artists on selected sites throughout downtown Lawrence.

Kansas State Fiddling and Picking Championships

Also at noon, this annual event kicks up with concerts, jam sessions, dances, workshops, and family events at various locations around downtown Lawrence. Check out the schedule for times and stage locations. There will be an ice cream social and jam session beginning at 6 p.m in South Park.

LOLA Mini Show

At 1 p.m., the Ladies of Lawrence Artwork host this mini show and sale in an old renovated church in East Lawrence. It's a rare chance to buy affordable art, jewelry, crafts, unique greeting cards, and more from this select group of top-shelf Lawrence artists.

Steve Earle at Liberty Hall

This evening's attractions include this musician, author, activist, and reigning weight-loss champ Steve Earle. The rock/country guru has been churning out middle-finger-to-the-man anti-hits for years now, and his 2005 album "The Revolution Starts ... Now" may have been his bluntest yet. Given his dedication to causes like prisoner rights, labor outsourcing and fair health care, Earle's indignant message is one of hope ... and kick-ass alt-country and rock and roll. His latest disc pays tribute to Townes Van Zandt. Tonight he'll perform solo acoustic; doors are at 8 p.m.

E.M.U. Theatre presents "Boston's Final Borning"

This one-man play by Ron Willis at 8 p.m. at the Lawrence Arts Center tells the story of Boston Corbett, the man who shot and killed Lincoln's hated assassin, John Wilkes Booth. Because of that single deed, many regarded him as a hero. He was also mercilessly hounded by Booth defenders who threatened Corbett's life. In his later years, he lived in Concordia and Topeka for over a decade before inexplicably disappearing without a trace. His life was tempestuous and controversial, marking him a truly complex historical personage.

Drakkar Sauna CD release at the Jackpot

Tonight's best bet for a night cap is this Lawrence duo's CD release show. On the heels of their Louvin Brothers tribute record "Wars and Tornadoes," Drakkar Sauna presents "20009" (pronounced two thousand-ousand nine) — a return to established Sauna subplots like spears, space, and old people. The music is less old-timey and more present-timey, rife with blaring trumpets, barroom piano tinkling, regal harmonies, and sing-along melodies. Head on over to The Jackpot at 10 p.m. and get amped up by listening to our Drakkar Sauna self-podcast.

Of course, our full listing of happenings tonight is here and all movie listings are here.