All About Wichita

Recap: First of all, Liz and I hope that everyone had a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend.

This week ended on a sad note for the Kennedy household. We had to put our Labrador Retriever, Gracie, down Sunday morning. She had been with us for over twelve years. Putting a companion animal down is the most difficult decision a “best friend” can make, so Liz and I would like to thank the staff at the Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital of Wichita for the sensitivity they have consistently shown us. Gracie was the third dog we have had to take there to begin a passage to Rainbow Bidge, and the staff has always made a difficult process somewhat easier.

Gracie was another of our faithful canine companions who came with a story. In her case, she was living in an abandoned railroad car in Andale. After a brief and disruptive stay with my daughter, she came to live with us. She was as out-of-control as was Marley in the book, Marley and Me. However, Liz and I persevered, and Gracie matured to the point where there is now a very empty spot in our home and hearts. Even Rogan, from whom she consistently stole snacks, dinners, and toys, seems to be somewhat lost without her.

This last week, Liz attended the monthly meeting of Wichita Professional Communicators. The guest speaker, Bill Gardner of Gardner Design and LogoLounge.com gave a fascinating presentation on current trends in logo design.

What’s Coming September 6 – September 12, 2010: Events of potential interest going on in Wichita and surrounding communities this week.

Wichita Community Theatre opens its 2010-2011 season with Almost Maine, which, according to the New York Times, is a “…a whimsical approach to the joys and perils of romance. Magical happenings bloom beneath the snowdrifts.” Showtimes are Wednesday through Saturday at 8:00 pm and Sunday at 7:00 pm. Tickets are available by calling (316) 686-1282 or at the Community Theatre box office.

This weekend, the Salina Community Theatre begins its’ 50^th season with Hello, Dolly. Full of memorable songs, this production takes you on a whirlwind race around The Big Apple at the turn of the twentieth century. while following the adventures of America’s most beloved matchmaker. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm and Sunday at 2:00 pm. Ticketing information is available at the Community Theatre website.

On Friday, the Kansas State Fair opens. As in the past, this year’s Fair has a bit of everything – a world class midway, agricultural and educational displays, grand stand entertainment, and much more. The State fair is a piece of Americana and not to be missed. The Fair runs through Sunday, September 19. A schedule of all events and ticketing information can be found at the Fair’s website.

Flora Kansas is on Saturday (8:00 am to 4:00 pm) and Sunday (12:00 pm to 4:00 pm). Sponsored by the Dyck Arboretum, this event is subtitled, “The Great Plains Plant Bazaar” It is the largest native plant sale in Kansas and offers hundreds of varieties of hard-to-find native and adaptable plants, many locally grown. In addition, knowledgeable staff and volunteers are on hand to answer questions and give suggestions. For additional information including a list of available plants, visit the Dyck website.

Lastly, Saturday night is “Zoobilee,” the Sedgwick County Zoo‘s annual fund raiser. The event, which lasts from 6:00 pm to 12:00 am, features great food from a number of Wichita’s restaurants, dancing to the New Orleans beat of The Iguanas, and both silent and live auctions. Tickets may be obtained online at the Zoo’s website.

There are still more things to do. Check the All About Wichita calendar for additional events and exhibits that we didn’t have the room to list here. In the meanwhile, have a good week.

(Blog Monday 8/30/2010)

Recap and What’s Coming: Liz and I had a very family oriented week. First, on Wednesday evening, we attended the big sports kickoff event at Andover High School. The evening could best be described as being a pep rally for students and parents. Our presence was requested by our grandson, a member of this year’s freshman football team. After the rally, the football team suited up and then held a scrimmage. We also attended another football scrimmage on Friday night.

Saturday night, we enjoyed a family dinner at Mike’s Wine Dive in honor of our daughter’s birthday. Most everyone had something different to eat, and everything was well prepared and served. The highlight was dessert. Our favorite was the Vanilla Bean Ice Cream in a Chocolate Bag, which is described on the menu as “Homemade vanilla bean ice cream served with fresh berries in a bag of rich dark chocolate specially designed for Mike’s by local Chocolatier Cocoa Dolce.” It was fabulous! Of course, the secret ingredient was no calories.  Mike’s menu can be found on the restaurant’s website.

Last, we distributed posters for the McPherson Scottish Festival and Games, which is coming up on the 24^th through the 26^th of September. Liz and I have attended this colorful annual event for the last ten years or so. The many events and activities include bagpiping, clogging, Celtic entertainers, food, vendors, dogs herding sheep, British cars, and clan displays. For several years, we took our border collie, Socks, so that she could see what a working dog had to do, but she never seemed to be interested in trying it.

August 30- September 5, 2010: Events of potential interest going on in Wichita and surrounding communities this week.

First, as I have a tendency to forget, September 3^rd is First Friday. This means live music! Many Wichita venues schedule special entertainment on the first Friday of the month. Most do not have a cover charge. Restaurants which are participating in this month’s First Friday may be found at the First Friday website.

On Friday and Saturday, the Wichita State University Volleyball team opens its home volleyball season. Teams from Stephen F. Austin and Portland will be in town. Game times are noon and 7:00 p.m. each day. Games are played in Charles Koch arena. Ticketing information is available on the WSU website.

The Wichita Shakespeare Company will be offering MacBeth as part of its Shakespeare in the Park program. All shows start at 7:00 p.m. This week’s productions will be at Central Riverside Park (Friday), Hap McClean Park (Saturday). and Riggs Park (Sunday). Additional performances will be offered on September 12^th (College Hill Park), 13^th (Buffalo Park), 14^th (Andover Sports Park), 17th (College Hill Park), 18th ^th (College Hill Park), and 19^th (High Park Amphitheater).

There are still more things to do. Check the All About Wichita calendar for additional events and exhibits that we didn’t have the room to list here. In the meanwhile, have a good week.

(Blog Monday 8/23/2010)

Recap and What’s Coming: First of all, our apologies for being a day late in posting this week’s blog.

We enjoyed breakfast at Jimmie’s Diner and dinner at China Inn, but it was mostly another quiet weekend avoiding the heat and planning for cooler weather. The brochures are out for Woofstock and we’ll be setting up a Woofstock page and seeking donations for the Kansas Humane Society. Mark your calendars now for Woofstock, and plan to celebrate peace, love and pets and help support the Kansas Humane Society on Saturday, October 2, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.. at Sedgwick County Park.

August 16-August 22, 2010: This week seems to be a bit slow from an entertainment perspective, but here are some events of potential interest going on in Wichita and surrounding communities.

First of all, Botanica and the Sedgwick County Zoo provide opportunities for relaxation on Tuesday evening. Botanica offers “Tuesdays on the Terrace ~ Salvia & Screwdrivers” which mixes things up with live music, mixology and horticulture. The Zoo features “Twilight Tuesday,” special evening hours for visitors to relax with family and friends while strolling through the Zoo after a long day. Hours for the Botanica event are 5:30-7:30 pm while the Zoo is open until 8:30 pm. Normal admission applies to both events.

Michell Hoover, author of The Quickening will be at Watermark Books and Café on Wednesday evening for a reading and signing. The reading begins at 7:00 pm. While speaking of Watermark, I would like to inform you that this bookstore offers a variety of book discussion groups throughout the month. This week’s offerings include the Longitude (Tuesday 6:30 pm) and the Spanish (Wednesday 6:30) Book Clubs. Information about this and other book clubs may be found at the Watermark website. In addition, the Wichita Public Library hosts a series of reading groups in various locations throughout Wichita. This week’s meetings include the Masters of Mysteries club (Wednesday 7:00 pm) which meets at the Alford branch. Check with the Library website for information about this and other reading groups.

If you like sighing for the dainty heroine, cheering for the hero, and booing the villain, Mosley Street Melodrama‘s current production is THE HARLOT LETTER … or JACK TO THE FUTURE. Show dates/times are Thursday through Saturday. Buffet dinner begins at 6:15 pm and the show starts at 7:50 pm. Ticketing information is available at the Mosley Street website.

The Crown Uptown‘s offering is Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. The show is a musical comedy about two fraudsters, living on the French Riviera, in a town that is not big enough to support two con men. Show dates/times are Thursday through Saturday with a buffet dinner begins at 6:00 pm and the curtain rising at 7:30 pm. On Sunday, dinner begins at 4:15 pm with the show starting at 5:45 pm. Ticketing information is available at the Crown website.

On Saturday the Kansas Acoustic Arts Association is sponsoring “Acoustic Arts in the Park.” This week’s performers will be Katie Vanderford, Curt Turner, and Trevor Stewart & Earthlines. Showtime is 11:00 am. This free concert will be at the bandstand in Central Riverside Park.

There are still more things to do! Check the All About Wichita calendar for additional events and exhibits that we didn’t have the room to list here. In the meanwhile, have a good week.

(Blog Sunday 8/15/2010)

Recap and What’s Coming: The humans at the Kennedy household did not do very much out of the ordinary this week.

Liz and I had a low key celebration of our 46th anniversary with dinner at Sweet Basil. As usual, the food was excellent, as was the service. Turns out that Liz and I have a geographic connection with Kevin, our favorite server. We graduated from Brown University which is located in Providence, RI. Kevin, it turns out, grew up in North Kingston, RI which, in Midwestern distances, is a short distance from Providence.

Our standard poodle, Rogan, however, had a relatively full schedule. As noted last week, on Monday the Kansas Humane Society hosted an event, “Dog Days of Summer,” that offered our canine friends an opportunity to swim at a local pool. We took Rogan, and though he did not actually swim, he did wade. More importantly, he had an opportunity to socialize with other dogs. The event was well attended, and Rogan definitely has it on his calendar for next year.

Then on Saturday, Rogan went to Purr-D-Paws for his every other month grooming. While he doesn’t seem to particularly appreciate being bathed and clipped, the “before and after” makes it a worthwhile undertaking.

Our adoption of Rogan makes for an interesting story, particularly since he is the only dog I know of who was “rescued” at a bookstore, specifically Wichita’s Watermark Books and Café. The scene was about a month before Christmas, and I had been reading a book entitled, A Dog Named Christmas by Greg Kincaid. On the Thursday before Thanksgiving, I had stopped at the bookstore to purchase a couple of their delicious chocolate chip cookies. I noticed a sign that said the author would be giving a reading and signing that evening. I called Liz and arranged for her to join me. At that point, I had no intention of adopting another dog.

Unbeknownst to me, when Greg Kincaid, the author, does signings, a local rescue group is invited to bring some animals who need “forever homes.” In this case the organization was Lifeline Animal Rescue. Somehow, the handler who was in charge of Rogan and several other dogs, dropped his leash. I was seated in the front row, and Rogan took a straight-line path to me and immediately rested his head in my lap. Now, I am an admitted dog person, and I cannot resist petting one who is snuggling up to me, so the rest is, as they say, history. For more information on Rogan’s adoption please go to the author’s Petfinder.com blog. You will have to use the search box in the right hand column to find Rogan’s story. Just type in “Rogan.”

August 16-August 22, 2010: Events of potential interest going on in Wichita and surrounding communities this week include:

On Tuesday evening, Norah Jones will be appearing at Century II. Showtime is 8:00 pm. Tickets are available through Wichitatix.com.

Lake Afton Public Observatory offers an astronomical program entitled “Reflections of the Moon” on Friday and Saturday night. Join astronomers as they use the Observatory’s telescopes to explore sunlight reflecting off the surface of the Moon showing craters, mountains and smooth dark Maria. Showtime, as it were, is 9:00 pm. There is a modest admission charge.

For those who like to reenact medieval times, the Cherokee Strip Renaissance Festival offers an opportunity to see royalty, knights, wenches, fairies, wizards, belly dancers, dragons, magicians and more! Days/times are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 am thru 7 pm. The faire is held at the Paris Park in Arkansas City, KS. Tickets may be purchased online or at the gate.

There are still more things to do! Check the All About Wichita calendar for additional events and exhibits that we didn’t have the room to list here. In the meanwhile, have a good week.

(Blog Sunday 8/8/2010)

Recap and What’s Coming: This was a busy weekend for the Kennedy household. On Friday evening, a group of us had an excellent dinner at the Hyatt’s new restaurant, the HARVEST Kitchen/Bar. Not only was the food good and the service prompt, but we parked in the Hyatt garage, had our ticket validated by the restaurant, and after dinner, walked through the Hyatt and the convention center to see the Music Theatre of Wichita production of “Curtains,” which was a riot.

Then, on Saturday evening we enjoyed the Celtic Woman show at the Intrust Bank Arena It was our first visit to the arena, and we were impressed! Parking was no problem; neither was traffic bad after the performance. We always enjoy Celtic Woman and this time, they brought a special performer with them, an award-winning bagpiper who also played for the crowd outside the arena after the performance.

August 9-August 15, 2010: Events of potential interest going on in Wichita and surrounding communities this week include:

On Monday evening between 5:00 and 7:30 pm the College Hill Pool will host the “Dog Days of Summer.” This event, sponsored by the Kansas Humane Society, invites all dogs to try wading, paddling, swimming, or diving. The event allows dogs to experience the joy of swimming in a pool without chlorine. Owners can wade only knee‐deep with their dogs in the shallow end of the zero‐depth entry family swimming pool or let the dogs jump by themselves into the deep end. Or compete in the long jump contest, frisbee catch, or largest and smallest dog contests. All dogs must be leashed when not in the pool or participating in contests and current on all vaccinations including rabies. All proceeds go to benefit the Humane Society.

Janet Williams AKA “The Tennessee Tramp” will be appearing at the Looney Bin Wednesday through Saturday. Her audiences consist of folks 18 to 80 as her subject matter encompasses all ages, genders, and ethnic groups. She has an endearing stage presence that makes her audiences think of her as a crazy grandmother, a wacky aunt, or a nutty neighbor. All can relate to her in some way. Showtimes are 8:00 pm Wednesday through Saturday with 10:30 pm performances on Friday and Saturday.

Friday offers Loretta Lynn at the Wichita’s Orpheum Theatre. For over four decades now, Loretta has fashioned a body of work as artistically and commercially successful—and as culturally significant—as any female performer you’d care to name. Her music has confronted many of the major social issues of her time, and her life story is a rags-to-riches tale familiar to pop, rock and country fans alike. Showtime is 8:00 pm. Tickets are available through Select-A-Seat or at any Dillon’s Superstores, and Plant Employee Clubs.

“A Taste of Wichita” will be held on Saturday between 11:00 am and 7:00 pm. This is a benefit for the Lord’s Diner and the City of Wichita’s No More Hungry Children Program The event will feature food sampling, music, art, car show, and childrens activities. It will be held at Naftzger Park which is located downtown at Douglas and St. Francis streets.

On Sunday, Gordon Lightfoot will be performing at the Cotillion. He is the author and voice of many other timeless songs including Early Morning Rain, Sundown, and If You Could Read My Mind. Showtime is 8:00 pm. Tickets are available through the Cotillion or Select-A-Seat.

There are still more things to do! Check the All About Wichita calendar for additional events and exhibits that we didn’t have the room to list here. In the meanwhile, have a good week.

(Blog Sunday 8/1/2010)

Recap and What’s Coming: Both Liz and I attended the Mid-America All Indian Center’s 39th Annual Powwow. The event was held on Saturday and Sunday and featured dance competitions, arts & crafts booths, and food. Despite having lived in Wichita for more than 30 years, this was a first for us. We really enjoyed the experience, particularly the regalia-clad dancers. Our single complaint was one of those “good news – bad news” things. The crowd was much larger than expected (good news for the Indian Center) with the result that there was a long, long wait for Indian Tacos (bad news for those of us who had planned to eat our dinner there). Even though we did not get to eat any at the Powwow, we should remind you that the Indian Center offers Indian Tacos on Tuesdays (11:00 am thru 2:00 pm) and Wednesdays (11:00 am thru 2:00 pm & 5:00 pm thru 8:00 pm) . Call in orders can be placed at (316) 350-3346.

August 2-August 8, 2010: Some of the things of potential interest going on in Wichita and surrounding communities this week include:

The nation’s largest and most historic summer amateur baseball championship, the National Baseball Congress (NBC), began last Friday evening. The tournament continues daily through Saturday, August 14. Timely information about pairings and game times may be found at the NBC website. The tournament is an opportunity to maybe see a future Major League Baseball star or two. According to the NBC website, “…the legendary Leroy “Satchel” Paige…won the first NBC title with his pitching prowess and his Bismarck, ND, Corwin-Churchill barnstorming, integrated ball club.” Some of the many Major League ball players who have passed through the NBC on their way to “the show” have included Bob Cerv, Roger Clemens, Joe Garagiola, Tony Gwynn, Whitey Herzog, Billy Martin, Mark McGwire, Craig Nettles, Tom Seaver, and Dave Winfield.

Curtains is Music Theatre of Wichita‘s (MTW) season show-biz finale. The show is a recent Broadway Tony-winner that celebrates the things we love about musical comedy. From John Kander and Fred Ebb (the creators of Cabaret, Chicago, and New York, New York) comes this uniquely entertaining murder mystery musical, set backstage at Boston’s Colonial Theatre in 1959. During out-of-town previews for the new western musical “Robbin’ Hood,” the leading lady is murdered, and everyone is a suspect! Can the stage-smitten young detective solve the case, fix the show, and still find time to fall in love? If you want to find out, you won’t want to miss Curtains!. The show runs Wednesday through Thursday. Time and ticket pricing information is available on the MTW website.

Thursday offers the August installment of the Ulrich Museum‘s “Art For Your Ears Series.” This month features the Nouveau Quintette, which plays ’20s and ’30s classics like “Sweet Georgia Brown” and “Dark Eyes,” but also pushes the tradition in surprising, modern directions, including American bluegrass and Brazilian choros. Behind the powerful, four-to-the-bar rhythm section of Shane Marler (guitar) and Jim Keefer (bass), soloists Ken White (guitar, mandolin), Rob Loren (violin) and Bill Harshbarger (clarinet, soprano saxophone) take flight. It’s music from a Parisian cabaret, played for you on the Ulrich esplanade.

Friday is First Friday which features a variety of live music performances throughout Wichita. A complete list of this month’s performers may be found at the First Friday website.

Saturday offers two opportunities of special note.

First, in lovely Cottonwood Falls, the Tallgrass Express String Band will be debuting “Clean Curve of Hill Against Sky,” their unique new CD of all original songs about life in the Kansas Flint Hills. Written by local rancher and band member Annie Wilson, these songs will take you to a world of stunning landscapes, working cowboys, runaway horses, Indian buffalo hunts, Victorian balls, ranch romance, and prairie walks among native birds and grasses. Blended harmonies complement the group’s wide-ranging instrumental skills on strings including fiddle, mandolin, banjo, dobro, guitar, and bass, with occasional fills from concertina and harmonica. The Emporia Gazette says: “This group is the real deal; their music rises from the land they love.” The concert will be outdoors by the historic Chase County courthouse on the Emma Chase “Broadway Stage.” Should you want, you can enjoy a special concert menu at the Emma Chase Cafe from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Second, not quite so far afield, at the Intrust Bank Arena, Celtic Woman is returning to Wichita in support of their latest CD release, “Songs From The Heart.” Liz and I have seen this group, and we both agree that their performance is a powerful experience. The group combines the melodies of traditional Irish music with modern American musical techniques. David Downes, former musical director of Riverdance combines ethereal, yet powerful, vocal pieces supplemented with traditional instruments to obtain an almost spiritual experience of the auld sod. Showtime is 8:00 pm. Tickets may be purchased at the Arena box office, by telephone (316-755-SEAT), or Online.

Finally, on Sunday the Hot Club of Cowtown will be performing in the Bartlett Arboretum‘s Treehouse Concert Series. The group performs jazz and western swing. Showtime is 3:00 pm. Tickets are available at the gate.

There are still more things to do! Check the All About Wichita calendar for additional events and exhibits that we didn’t have the room to list here. In the meanwhile, have a good week.

(Blog Sunday 7/26/2010)

Recap and What’s Coming: This week both Liz and I attended the Music Theatre of Wichita (MTW) production of Annie. It was a good show packed with wonderful songs, delightful comedy, and a bracing dose of optimism! The good show was made great through the efforts of a talented cast. Michael DeVries played Oliver Warbucks to a tee on somewhat of a “busman’s holiday” as he took a brief vacation from the Broadway cast of Wicked to perform at MTW. Miss Hannigan was very ably portrayed by Jennifer Perry in her MTW debute. The Annie role was very capably handled by Alyssa Danley, a 14 year old with an outstanding vocal presence. The role of Sandy was played by Labradoodle named Dudley. He is a trained therapy dog whose trainer and companion, Kelly Spencer is affiliated with the Family Dog Training and Behavioral Center. This large cast had too many others to recognize each and every one. However, there was one little gem who deserves special recognition. Laura Smith, age 7, played Mollie in a particularly charming and endearing way. The Wichita Eagle has put up a photo gallery of the MTW production.

July 26-August 1, 2010: Some of the things of potential interest going on in Wichita and surrounding communities this week include:

The Wichita Wingnuts, Wichita’s professional baseball team, host the 2010 American Association All-Star Game on Tuesday. Game time is 7:05 pm at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Ticketing information is available at the Wingnuts’ website or by calling (316) 264-NUTS.

On Wednesday night the Cotillion features Seasons After with special guests 2 Cents plus Taking Dawn. Seasons After is a five piece Rock/Metal band from the Wichita that was formed in late 2006. Showtime is 7:00 pm. Tickets are available through Select-A-Seat online or by calling (316) 722-4201.

On Thursday evening Watermark Books and Café and Artifacts present a a special “Poems & Polaroids” two-part event. At 7:00 pm, writer and filmmaker Kate McBride will read and sign books at Watermark. She will then appear at an art show and reception five doors down at Artifacts. Both businesses are located in the Lincoln Heights Shopping Center. Both events are free.

Also on Thursday night at the Cotillion there will be a fundraiser for Heartspring featuring Magic Slim & The Teardrop. The show starts at 8:00 pm. Tickets are available through Select-A-Seat online or by calling (316) 722-4201.

On Friday night, the Museum of World Treasures will be holding a fundraiser entitled “A Night of Treasures – Bella Note.” A romantic Italian evening will include handsome Roman Gladiators roaming throughout the museum, complimentary wine and beer, souvenir glasses for purchase to enjoy “Bottomless Bellini’s,” a caricature artist to capture your enjoyment, silent and live auctions, and commemorative photos of your Night of Treasures! The event will be emceed by B98’s Tracy Cassidy and Brett Harris. Music will be by Roberto Bernardinello and Il Portico with food by Blue Moon Caterers. A live auction will be conducted by auctioneer Ryan Caffrey. Tickets may be purchased online at the Museum’s website or by calling (316) 263-1311.

Also on Friday, Watermark Books and Café will be holding an exhibit opening and reception for artist Lee Shiney. The reception is from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. As a special bonus, KMUW 89.1 FM will be there with Freddy’s Frozen Custard to “fill your mug!” Bring your KMUW mug that night from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m., and Freddy’s will fill it with frozen custard. There will also be live music and a fun tchotchkes table! This is one of several free Final Friday events.

Three other Friday events are the Power 93.9 Freaknic Jam with Plies at the Hartman Arena, Joan Armatrading at the Cotillion, and Marvin Hamlisch at the Orpheum Theatre. Showtimes and ticketing details may be found at the appropriate venue’s website.

The 39th Annual Powwow will be held at the Mid-America All-Indian Center on Saturday (1:00 pm to 10:00 pm) and Sunday (12:00 pm to 6:00 pm). This event features dance competitions, arts & crafts booths and a court. Admission to the powwow is free, and admission to the Museum is discounted.

There are still more things to do! Check the All About Wichita calendar for additional events and exhibits that we didn’t have the room to list here. In the meanwhile, have a good week.

(Blog Sunday 7/18/2010)

Recap and What’s Coming: We didn’t do much this week except try to stay cool and figure out where to put all of the stuff Liz brought home from work. Liz has been making big changes this week as she officially retires from Arts Partners. She plans to spend a lot of her time writing articles and reviews for her website for About.com, which is part of the New York Times Company. Liz does the About Children’s Books site and has an About Children’s Books Facebook Fan Page. Check them out.

July 19-July 25, 2010: Some of the things of potential interest going on in Wichita and surrounding communities this week.

The Babylon Saints perform Monday night at the Blue Lounge. One of the group members is Joseph “Panhead” Peck, a Wichita native and a friend of Liz. The cover charge at $3.00 is quite modest.

Music Theatre of Wichita’s latest show, Annie opens Wednesday with performances Wednesday (8:00 pm), Thursday (8:00 pm), Friday (8:00 pm), Saturday (2:00 & 8:00 pm, and Sunday (2:00 & 7:00 pm). A perfect show for the whole family, this great Broadway treat is packed with wonderful songs, delightful comedy, and a bracing dose of optimism! Ticketing information is available through the MTW website.

Rascal Flatts will be performing at the Intrust Bank Arena on Thursday evening. This country music group is one of the decade’s top-selling and most awarded acts. Showtime is 7:30 pm. Tickets are available at the Arena’s box office or through Select-A-Seat online or by calling (316) 755-SEAT.

Kissin’ Country 102.1 Summer Splash will be held late Sunday afternoon. Featured acts are Eli Young, Randy Rogers Band, Kevin Fowler, and more! Showtime is 4:00 pm at the Hartman Arena. Tickets are available through Stage 1 Tickets.

There are still more things to do! Check the All About Wichita calendar for additional events and exhibits that we didn’t have the room to list here. In the meanwhile, have a good week.

(Blog Sunday 7/11/2010)

Recap and What’s Coming: All of the high energy dancing and singing was a big hit with the audience at Music Theatre of Wichita’s Crazy for You. Liz is already looking forward to Annie two weeks from now.

Liz also attended the Wichita Public Library’s news conference this week to learn about the library’s latest NEA grant for The Big Read. In October, residents of Wichita and other parts of south-central Kansas are invited to read Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God, discuss the book and attend related programs. To learn more, visit The Big Read – Wichita, the new website about the project.

July 12-July 18, 2010: There are a number of events of interest this week.

First on Tuesday evening, two acts that were regulars on the charts in the early ’80s, REO Speedwagon and Pat Benatar, will join forces for a summer co-headlining tour dubbed “Love On The Run.” They will be performing at the Intrust Bank Arena. Showtime is 7:00 pm. Tickets are available through Select-A-Seat online or by calling (316) 755-SEAT.

Also on Thursday, “Weird Al” Yankovic will be appearing at Wichita’s Cotillion Ballroom. The undisputed king of pop culture parody, “Wierd Al” has sold more comedy recordings than any other artist in history. In a career spanning nearly three decades, he has amassed 30 Gold and Platinum albums, 7 Gold and Platinum-certified home videos and 3 Grammy Awards (with 11 nominations). Showtime is 8:00 pm with tickets are available through Select-A-Seat online or by calling (316) 755-SEAT.

Wichita Community Theatre opens a new show this week. Entitled Almighty Bob, the play is about Bob who is being checked into a nursing home. Problem is that sometimes Bob thinks he is God. And sometimes he is right. Bob has become too much of a handful for his daughter Karen, so they’re trying a trial period at Dr. Wally’s nursing home with miraculous results. The show runs Thursday thru Saturday through July 31st. Showtime is 8:00 pm for all performances. Tickets are available at the door.

On Saturday (8:00 pm) and Sunday (4.00 pm) the Heart of America Men’s Chorus will be presenting a show called “Let Music Live.” This show will be a concert featuring music to stir the emotions and illustrate why we sing. The show is at the Orpheum Theatre. Tickets may be obtained online at the Chorus’ website or by calling (316) 708-4837.

There are still more things to do! Check the All About Wichita calendar for additional events and exhibits that we didn’t have the room to list here. In the meanwhile, have a good week.

(Blog Sunday 7/4/2010)

Recap and What’s Coming: First of all, let us wish you a somewhat belated, “Happy Independence Day!”

Next, an apology because we didn’t post anything last week. Liz and I left on a road trip to North Carolina on the 21st, and we just returned to town last Friday. The purpose for the trip was my daughter’s wedding on the beach. As I don’t fly, we spent three days driving there and back. I don’t know about Liz, but I was able to add three states (Kentucky, South Carolina and North Carolina) to my lifetime list of states visited. Though the wedding was held on the beach adjacent to the Surf Club, our accommodations were at the Comfort Inn in Shallotte, NC.

The wedding was beautiful. We had an opportunity to meet and socialize with our new vastly extended family. After several days I was able to put names and faces to the bridegroom’s brothers and their wives but it seems like that every time I turned around there was a new uncle or cousin or whatever. However, the family was wonderfully accepting, and we received several invitations to come back. I could see how my daughter and her children were part and parcel of the family already.

July 5-July 11, 2010: There are a number of events of interest this week.

First, for those not aware of it, Botanica has a weekly event called “Tuesdays on the Terrace.” Every Tuesday through September, the Garden mixes things up with live music, mixology and horticulture. You can enjoy cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages from The Bar’s Open from 5:30-7:30pm and enjoy the summer garden until 8:00pm.

Thursday evening from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm the Ulrich Museum of Art presents “Art for Your Ears” featuring Ray Bonneville. Described as a roaming blues poet, Bonneville is inspired by the road and the many places he has called home. A one-man band, he backs up weathered, storytelling vocals with a highly percussive guitar style, dramatic harmonica lines and a floor that keeps the rock steady beat. The event will be held in the McKnight Outdoor Plaza. Admission is free, and everyone is invited to bring chairs and blankets for the lawn, bask in the evening air, and converse with friends and family.

Also on Thursday, the Sedgwick County Zoo’s Summer Concert Series features the Honey Island Swamp Band. The concert begins at 7:30 but the Zoo opens at 6:30 for this event. Ticket information can be found at the SCZ website.

Friday also offers two events. The first is the 3rd Annual BAND TOGETHER Concert featuring Lotus and 3 Ring Circus. This is a benefit for the Mental Health Association. The concert venue is the Beech Activity Center and starts at 7:15 pm. Ticketing information is available from Select-A-Seat.

Friday also offers two events. The second is KMUW’s Literary Feast. This monthly dinner-and-book discussion series is the most delicious book club in town! Attendees enjoy appetizers, a gourmet dinner, dessert, coffee, and a rousing roundtable discussion of a major new book. This month’s book is Beatrice & Virgil by Yann Martel. The event is held at Watermark Books. Ticketing information by calling (316) 682-1181 or visiting the store.

There are still more things to do! Check the All About Wichita calendar for additional events and exhibits that we didn’t have the room to list here. In the meanwhile, have a good week.