February 25, 2005
Lawrence - a city with a "lovely campus, many funky shops and a top-notch regional music scene" - was featured as a destination of choice in [Friday's New York Times "Escapes" section][1]. Times writer Seth Sherwood told readers how to spend 36 hours in the city, recommending a stroll down Massachusetts Street, breakfast at Milton's Coffee, barbecue at Gran-Daddy's - "next to a strip club and indifferent to decor" - and stops at the Lied Center, the Spencer Museum of Art and Allen Fieldhouse. Sherwood also recommended Lawrence as "perhaps the most vital music scene between Chicago and Denver," directing readers to the Replay Lounge, Jackpot Saloon, the Bottleneck and Granada Theater. [1]: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/25/travel/escapes/25hour.html?8hpib
Comments
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Joel (Joel Mathis) says...
I will not diss any Lawrence establishments, but it's unfortunate that, if they had to choose a steakhouse, they didn't also go for the authentic old-time Lawrence tradition -- Don's Steakhouse.
If it was good enough for Dick Schapp (RIP) it's good enough for me.
February 25, 2005 at 11:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
davidryan (David Ryan) says...
I had no idea Oscar Wilde gave a lecture at what's now Liberty Hall. Very cool -- as cool as Walt Whitman's sitting on the porch of that stone now-frat house on Tennessee just past 14th.
February 25, 2005 at 11:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Snoop (anonymous) says...
Joel I hope, please tell me you were kidding about Don's steak rag. This is the worst damm steak place one of the worst restaurants I have EVER been to. The worst was a Ho hangout in South Wichita (Broadway). Villiage Inn I think.
February 25, 2005 at 12:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
citizen_insane (anonymous) says...
yes, walt whitman visited the usher family (John Paul Usher, secy of Interior under Lincoln, who was an attorney for the railroads and bought the land for his mansion from one of the first Kansas senators). the cool part of the story is that Whitman had a little too much fun drinking with the Usher boys and didn't make it to his poetry reading in Topeka, to commemorate Kansas day or something.
I think the major omissions from the NYTimes 36 hours in Lawrence were:
Free State Brewery...not that other college towns don't have similar breweries with similar beer, but Free State definitely has an atmosphere that is quintessential Lawrence - bustling, loud, diverse.
The Wagon Wheel following a sporting event...this may not appeal to everyone but it is something I will always think of when I think of Lawrence, KU, and sports. So overpriced cans of Coors and Bud may not make up for the wooden booths or the slow bartenders, but again, it's an atmosphere thing, it's seeing all these loaded alums in the pullovers and older sorority girls trying to drink like they used to.
February 25, 2005 at 1:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
citizen_insane (anonymous) says...
and the NYTimes did a nice job of recognizing Gran Daddy's, Love Garden, and Lawrence as an oft-overlooked nexus of great music. Just because we don't have a poster boy like Conor Oberst or a label named Saddle Creek doesn't mean that there aren't some amazing local bands and respected concerts.
February 25, 2005 at 1:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cadence (anonymous) says...
ok, yeah, love garden rocks...but we only think it's so awesome because we don't have much else. if you look at other record stores (the music exchange, vintage vinyl, record rags) it doesn't even begin to compare. we do have a great scene....with some killer bands.
February 25, 2005 at 4:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pissykitty (Melissa Lynch) says...
why doesnt anybody mention the things directly outside lawrence? i mean, it is an island of sorts, but what about the beautiful, hilly countryside? has anyone been to lone star lake? i must be missing it really bad, but there was nothing better when i lived there than taking the scenic river road to topeka (then turning right around and coming home) or cruising to clinton lake or lone star and getting out and exploring. i miss countryside; we dont have that here. (sorry i couldnt read the article, but im not allowed certain actions on this computer)
February 25, 2005 at 7:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mitzibel (Misty Nuckolls) says...
Soon, pissykitty, soon!!
I'm going to have to back Joel up on Don's steakhouse--I adore it. And for God's sake, don't anybody take Snoop's opinion on food seriously--he lives with an accomplished and enthusiastic gourmet cook but routinely turns his nose up at what she makes in favor of sandwiches. I love the man, but jesus tits, his taste in restaruants and food in general is SHIT.
February 25, 2005 at 11:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pissykitty (Melissa Lynch) says...
i know, hugs to you misty. we'll tear that town a new one.
February 26, 2005 at 12:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Jester (Nick Spacek) says...
Cadence: I think Love Garden is fantastic. Granted, it's not as eclectic or oddball as Alley Cat used to be, nor as exhaustive as the Music Exchange, but the prices are better, and they lack snobbery.
I wish they'd have mentioned something about a good bar. Or do we not have those now the Jayhawker's gone?
February 26, 2005 at 12:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
monkeywrench (Tim vonHolten) says...
i've been to record stores all over the country, in huge cities like chicago, san francisco, and seattle, as well as smaller cities known for their music scenes like portland and omaha, and i've never found a record store that isn't paled by love garden. chicago comes close with jazz record mart, but that's really specialized. i've heard that laurie's planet of sound is no longer shitty, but i haven't been there in years.
regarding music scenes, lawrence is again topnotch in the sheer number and variety of bands here, not to mention the quality of acts that come through. omaha does indeed have bright eyes, but overall omaha's music scene is a myth. saddle creek should be proud of their label, but putting merge records in paola wouldn't give paola a music scene.
if shows started earlier, lawrence would not only have a superior music scene - it'd have a thriving one.
February 28, 2005 at 11:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Jester (Nick Spacek) says...
I always thought that people bitched too much about shows starting late. Then I stopped working nights and got a day job. Now I think shows could stand to start an hour earlier.
KC is worse, tho'.
February 28, 2005 at 3:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
toreador (Michael Austin) says...
I have been to a coupld of weekday shows the past couple of months, and when the opening bands start at 9-10 and the headliner doesn't start until Midnight, the morning comes way too early. It would be nicer if they started earlier, but KC is just as bad about that, and the drive can take about as long as it takes to go to Lawrence and back.
February 28, 2005 at 9:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )