Join us at the Laurent House for our first house concert! We are excited to welcome cellist Mike Block to the Laurent House for an intimate house concert (limited to 30 people). There will be a reception with Mike Block prior to Saturday’s concert from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Visitor Center. For Sunday’s concert, the reception will take place at the Visitor Center after the concert from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Each concert is limited to 30 seats, and tickets are expected to sell out quickly!
Mike Block is a Grammy Award-winning cello player, singer and composer passionate about cross-cultural collaboration through music, and committed to inspiring individuals and connecting communities. Acclaimed by the New York Times for his “vital rich-hued solo playing”, and by Salt Lake City Desert News as “a true artist… a sight to behold”, Mike Block “is one of the bravest, most intriguing musicians on the American fusion scene.” (Gramophone). Mike Block’s solo show offers a rich mixture of classical repertoire, folk music, original compositions and songs that draw inspiration from his diverse collaborations.
Mike Block regularly tours his engaging solo show of cello and voice through the unique living spaces designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for a one-of-a-kind concert experience. Explaining the inspiration for this unique project, Block says “I actually wanted to be an architect for much of my childhood, and FLW was one of my biggest inspirations. This tour is a fun way for me to bring my two passions together, and share them with a like-minded audience in an intimate and beautiful environment designed by Frank Lloyd Wright himself.”
This concert is sponsored in part by the Dean Alan Olson Foundation.
Come out to the Laurent House Museum Store for our Holiday Open House on Saturday, November 15th!
Shop a great selection of Frank Lloyd Wright books, home decor, jewelry, and unique merchandise, as well as carefully curated Scandinavian gifts to honor the Laurents’ Swedish heritage. We have been working with Karin and Gary Lindberg, former owners of Finials Scandinavian Gift Shop, to curate our selection of Scandinavian Christmas items. They will be with us from 12-2 on Saturday to greet you! In addition, we’ll have special holiday treats and gift wrapping, and everything in the store will be 10% off. Be sure to join us!
Join us on Saturday, November 22nd at 2:30 pm when Professor Emeritus Kimiko Gunji will introduce the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, featuring a special Japanese sweet from her newly published Wagashi (Japanese sweets) book.
The tea ceremony, with over 500 years of history, has developed into a unique art form in Japan. While many people around the world drink tea, only in Japan has it been elevated to such a time-honored art form. The tea ceremony is a compilation of Japanese arts and culture, encompassing philosophy, ethics, aesthetics, and various arts such as architecture, landscape architecture, flower arrangement, incense, calligraphy, fabrics, metals, bamboo, lacquer, and ceramics.
The tea ceremony will take place in the living room/cove of the Laurent House and is limited to 10 people.
Join us for a traditional English high tea to celebrate the holiday season! Set in the cove, dining, and garden rooms of the Laurent House, beautifully decorated for Christmas, guests will enjoy tea, finger sandwiches, and sweet treats in the unique beauty of the Laurent House – a rare opportunity! Our tea will be catered by Tracey Vukalovich, owner of The Vintage Goose Cafe.
holiday tours for 2025!
Holiday Tours are back in December! Enjoy the beauty of the Laurent House and Visitor Center, both decorated for the holidays with the Laurents’ personal collection of ornaments, as well as many mid-century Christmas decorations. Each guided tour will end with holiday refreshments (Swedish Christmas cookies and hot chocolate) at our Visitor Center. Our Gift Shop will be open for holiday shopping.
Sunday, December 7th
Saturday, December 13th
Sunday, December 14th
Saturday, December 20th
Sunday, December 21st
Tours are at 1:00 pm, 2:30 pm, and 3:30 pm
Cost:
$25 for Adults,
$5 for Students ages 7-18.
NOTE: the Laurent House is not recommended for children younger than 7 years old. Exceptions can be made by speaking with our Director of Tours, Mary Beth Peterson, at 815-877-2952.
Make a Holiday Tour at the Laurent House part of your celebrations this year!