Live Lawrence! Traveling Cafés Celebrate The Sights, Sounds and Tastes of Lawrence

LAWRENCE, MA - Live Lawrence!, a citywide partnership intended to celebrate local arts and culture, and stimulate economic development in Lawrence through a summer-long series of free concerts, continues its third season on Thursday, July 31st, with an evening of blues and barbecue at the Lawrence Heritage State Park. Sweet Willie D and the Continental Walk will headline the first of Live Lawrence's Traveling Cafés, four outdoor concerts featuring musical performances and local fare from the city's best restaurants at distinctive locations throughout Lawrence. The Traveling Cafés will take place from 5:30-7:30 PM. All are free and open to the public, and will take place rain or shine.

The first Traveling Café will feature the "Deacon of Blues," Sweet Willie D, and his six-piece band, The Continental Walk, playing jump/swing blues, R&B, jazz and 70's soul. The concert will take place at the historic Lawrence Heritage State Park at One Jackson Street. Barbecue-style fare will be available from Clock Tower Café.

On Thursday, August 14th, the dulcet tones of renowned baritone Robert Honeysucker will fill the courtyard at the Lawrence History Center, now celebrating its 30th anniversary. Joining Honeysucker on the bill will be Aine Minogue, whose traditional Irish music has entertained Irish presidents and prime ministers. North End Deli, a Common Street favorite for fine Italian foods and catering, will provide the food for this multicultural event.

Island music on Island Street will be the theme of the August 28th Traveling Café, when reggae from Roots Nation rocks the Essex Art Center Courtyard at 56 Island Street. The block party will be fueled by delicious food available from Mill City Gourmet, and will feature two of 181 Canal Street's fine retailers, Rose and Dove and Brissonte, showcasing their unique wares for the home and table.

On Thursday, September 18th, Live Lawrence! celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with an evening of salsa music and dancing by local favorite Edwin Pabon & Orchestra at the Campagnone North Common. Café Azteca will serve up handmade, traditional Mexican food for a hot, hot, hot way to say goodbye to summer.

Live Lawrence! is a partnership between the City of Lawrence and cultural, educational and environmental organizations dedicated to promoting and preserving Lawrence's rich history, diversity and cultural traditions. Live Lawrence! brings the sights, sounds and tastes of Lawrence together in a series of free events to take place during the summer and fall months. In addition to the Traveling Cafes, Live Lawrence! also presents the Farmers' Market Concert Series at the Lawrence Farmers Market on Wednesdays through July and August, and culminates on Sunday, October 12 with the popular Canal IllumiNations, a late afternoon-into-twilight celebration highlighted by a flotilla of handmade lanterns (luminaria) launched in the city's historic North Canal.

The partners in Live Lawrence! are: Cambridge College, Northern Essex Community College, Lawrence Heritage State Park, Essex Art Center, Groundwork Lawrence, Lawrence CommunityWorks, Lawrence Cultural Alliance and the Lawrence History Center. Live Lawrence! is managed by Groundwork Lawrence and made possible through funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the City of Lawrence's Community Development Block funds, the Lawrence Cultural Council, and the White Fund, in addition to corporate and individual donations.

For more information about Live Lawrence! and complete concert schedules, visit http://www.livelawrence.org.