(Blog Monday 10/04/2010)

Recap: This last Saturday was Woofstock 2010, another event that Liz and I attend faithfully. This celebration of love, peace, and canine companionship is one of the Kansas Humane Society‘s major fund raisers. The event drew some 17,000 pet fanciers and grossed somewhere around $200,000 for the Society. Unfortunately, Liz was out of town on Saturday, so it was up to Rogan and me to represent the Kennedy family. It was an interesting experience attempting to take pictures while handling a leashed 67 pound standard poodle who was bound and determined to greet every other of the estimated 6,000 dogs in attendance. That probably explains the scarcity of pictures taken by yours truly at this year’s event.

The reason Liz was out of town was the About.com semi-annual guide meeting which was held in New York City. She left at 4:00 am Friday and returned at 4:00 pm Sunday. She reports that she learned a lot which will help make her Children’s Books site more useful to users. Needless to say, she was exhausted when she returned. Of course, she still had enough energy left to enjoy a Sunday evening meal at Sweet Basil which is one of our favorite restaurants.

What’s Coming October 4 – October 10, 2010: Events of potential interest going on in Wichita and surrounding communities this week.

The Wichita State University Fine Arts Department is presenting The Chairs. Written by Eugene Ionesco in 1952, this play represents a classic example of Theatre of the Absurd. This movement emphasized the absurdity of the modern condition. The plot focuses on an old man and his wife as they prepare to host a series of important guests (that only they can see). Through it all, the audience is led to believe the world has ended and all depends on the discoveries of the Old Man. Performances are at 7:30 Wednesday through Saturday with 2:00 pm matinee show on Saturday and Sunday. All shows are at the University’s Welsbacher Theatre in the Hughes Metropolitan Complex. Ticketing information is available at (316) 978-3456.

The week also features another major fund raiser, this one for the Junior League of Wichita. The event is entitled Holiday Galleria and will be held in Century II’s Expo Hall. This annual upscale shopping event features more than 115 regional and national merchants. Held Thursday through Saturday, the objective of this event is to raise funds to fulfill JLW’s mission of building a better community. A more specific schedule may be found at the event’s website.

The week concludes with another of Dennis’ “must attend events.” Specifically, it’s time for the Fall Great Plains Renaissance Festival. The event will be held between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm at Sedgwick County Park on both Saturday and Sunday. It’s an opportunity to see knights, ladies in waiting, circus acts, dancers, pirates, and a host of other things too numerous to note. For more specific information, visit the event 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 9/27/2010)

Recap: As noted last week, one of our favorite events is the McPherson Scottish Festival and Highland Games. Liz and I generally attend every year, and this one was no exception. As this is a very dog-friendly event, we typically take one of ours, and this year it was Rogan’s turn. We missed the “Parade of Dogs,” because there is a Perkins Restaurant between the Interstate and Lakeside Park.

However, once we arrived, there were many things to see and do. Progress was slow because Rogan’s admirers kept stopping him. However, we managed to take in an Alex Beaton performance. I was going to request that he sing “Maggie,” which is one of my favorite Scottish songs, but before I could ask, he started singing it. I should note that Mr. Beaton specifically singled Rogan out and commented on his good behavior. We also sat in on several dance performances, one by the Sunflower Stompers and the other by the Scottish Country Dancers.

Liz and our friend Jean watched the sheep dog demonstrations while Rogan and I listened to RoJean Loucks Celtic Harp. As is usual, I toured all the vendors and spent my week’s allowance on Celtic-related apparel for various family members. All in all, it was a relaxing enjoyable afternoon.

What’s Coming September 27 – October 3, 2010: Events of potential interest going on in Wichita and surrounding communities this week.

First, there is a fundraiser for the Orpheum Theatre. Entitled, The Red Chair Affair, this is a benefit at which hand-crafted red chairs of all shapes and sizes designed by local artists will be on display and available for bid. It is also an evening of food, drink, fashion, art, music, door prizes and festivity. The event culminates in a live auction. The event location is the Wichita Marriott where festivities will begin at 6:00 pm. Additional information is available at the event’s website.

On Thursday night, Tommy Emmanuel will be performing at the Orpheum Theatre. Showtime is 8:00 pm. A two-time Grammy nominee, Emmanuel is one of Australia’s most respected musicians. He has a professional career that spans almost five decades and continues to intersect with some of the finest musicians throughout the world. Ticketing information is available at the Orpheum website.

On Friday night, Salina’s Stiefel Theatre presents Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway. This musical event features five dazzling Broadway stars from such hit musicals as Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Chicago, Little Shop of Horrors, and Man of La Mancha performing the Broadway classics from the biggest shows that they starred in. It’s a scintillating, tune-filled, two hours of treasures from over 20 of Broadway’s biggest shows. Showtime is 8:00 pm and tickets are available through the Stiefel’s website.

There are two animal rescue related events on Saturday. The first is Woofstock 2010, which will be held from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm. at Sedgwick County Park. This large event, which encourages participants to celebrate peace, love and pets while helping the Kansas Humane Society, is a huge favorite with pet lovers. There are fun events all day long, like groovy pet contests, cool demos, live bands, a hip silent auction and the Paws and Play area just for pets and kids.

The second event, FireWalk For LAPP, will be held at the Sedgwick County Extension Center. According to the event planners, this event has the potential to change your perception of life, and whether you personally walk on fire or choose to witness others “do the impossible,” you will benefit from the experience. They say you will break through obstacles and beliefs that have been holding you back and you will bring fresh energy and inspiration to your life. In addition, you will be supporting Lifeline Animal Placement and Protection, which is a “no kill” shelter. The event will be held between 5:30 and 8:30 pm. Additional details are available through the event website.

On Saturday evening, the Friends University football team will be playing Bethel College. The Falcons were picked first in both the KCAC Preseason Media Poll and the Coaches Poll. The game will be played at Adair Austin Stadium, with a game time of 7:00,pm. Tickets are available at the stadium box office.

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 9/20/2010)

Recap: Well, allergy season for me (Dennis) is still operating at full force, so my efforts this week have been somewhat limited.

However, despite my constant sneezing and watery eyes, Liz and I managed to find a new dog. Friday afternoon we were introduced to Nicholas at Meadowbrook Safe Harbor. He is a 21 month old black Standard Poodle. Supposedly his “aunt” won at the Wesminster Dog Show several years ago. Right now Nicky is having a difficult time adjusting to a new household. He is very skittish with Liz and me though he has bonded with Rogan, our other Standard Poodle. Everywhere Rogan goes, Nicky soon follows, so whenever we want Nicky in a particular room or outside, Rogan gets sent there first. Canine Good Citizen that he is, Rogan leads where directed even though he is not really sure that he wants or needs another dog in the house. However, both dogs have sweet dispositions, so there has been no aggression.

On Saturday afternoon Liz went to Bradley Fair‘s Autumn & Art. This was the first of what is anticipated to be an annual event. This inaugural event feature local, regional, and national artists from across the country, as well as from the state of Kansas and Wichita. Prizes totaling $10,000 were awarded to participating artists. In addition to the visual arts, the event featured Bradley Fair culinary artists. Liz reports that she thoroughly enjoyed the event.

What’s Coming September 20 – September 26, 2010: Events of potential interest going on in Wichita and surrounding communities this week.

The first event is one that I (Dennis) wait for all year long. It is the McPherson Scottish Festival and Highland Games. Perhaps my Celtic DNA explains it, but I love the music of bag pipes, particularly when they play Scotland The Brave (Scottish Gaelic: Alba an Aigh). This year’s Festival is subtitled “Year of the Dance” which promises lots of Celtic dancing. There will also be extensive clan representation one or more of which might help you start delving into your Scottish heritage. This is one event I faithfully attend, ragweed season or not. Liz and I will probably be going up on Saturday which tends to offer the most activities.

For the Shakespeare fans amongst us, Wichita State University‘s Theatre Mainstage Series offers Twelfth Night. The show runs from Thursday through Sunday. Showtimes are 7:30 pm except Sunday which is 2:00 pm. The venue is Wilner Auditorium on the WSU campus. Additional information may be obtained by calling (316) 978-3360.

This year’s WICHITAflightfestival will be held on Saturday and Sunday. The Festival is a community-wide celebration that honors Wichita’s rich aviation heritage and the Air Force presence in the community. The 2010 festival is being produced through the cooperative efforts of the City of Wichita and the 22nd Air Refueling Wing and volunteers from McConnell Air Force Base. The event offers more military and civil aviation related events than can be enumerated here. A complete listing may be found on the Festival’s website.

Just a reminder that this Friday is the last one in September. That means it is Final Friday. Many art galleries and other venues will be offering free art showings and related events. The art crawl schedule can be found at the Wichita Eagle site.

This week also offers two fund raisers of note. First, at 10:00 am at All Star Adventures, KMUW is sponsoring the 9th Annual WRRS Mini-Golf Tournament. This event helps provided free, closed-circuit radio broadcast readings of local and national newspapers, magazines and novels to area citizens who suffer from vision, physical or cognitive handicaps that limit their ability to read the printed word. Further information can be obtained by calling (316) 978-6789.

Next starting on Friday (11:00 am ~ 5:00 pm) but continuing thru Saturday (11:00 am ~ 5:00 pm), the Friends of the Wichita Public Library are hosting a used book sale consisting of books donated throughout the year. Books of all interests and reading levels will be available for $.50 or $1. All proceeds will benefit the Library.

Finally, for Blues fans, Sunday is the 2010 Fall Blues Crawl. This event which starts at 5:00 pm offers eight Old Town venues featuring members of the Wichita Blues Society. Further information is available on the Society’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 9/13/2010)

Recap: It’s been a slow week at the Kennedy household primarily because it is allergy season for me (Dennis). Frankly, I find it difficult to get involved in much of anything when my eyes are constantly itching and I spend a great deal of time sneezing.

However, I did manage to start the search for another dog to rescue. Liz and I are specifically looking for a Standard Poodle or a Labradoodle. MeadowBrook Safe Harbor has a black poodle available and we are making plans to meet him next Friday. In addition to MeadowBrook, we also looked for a dog at Caring Hands Humane Society, the Kansas Humane Society (KHS), Kansas K-9 ResQ, Lifeline Animal Placement & Protection (LAPP), and PALS Animal Rescue. We have had personal experiences with two of these rescue organizations. We adopted Rusty and Socks from the KHS and Rogan from LAPP. All of these organizations have many animals from which to choose. If you are looking for a pet you might find a new “best friend” at any one of them.

On Sunday night, Liz attended the Wichita – Metro League of Women Voters’ progressive dinner, which featured delicious food, interesting company and updates on issues from several Kansas legislators.

What’s Coming September 13 – September 19, 2010: Events of potential interest going on in Wichita and surrounding communities this week.

We’ve been getting ready for Big Read – Wichita in October. Liz bought the book that everyone in the community is encouraged to read, Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God and has downloaded the Reader’s Guide from the National Endowment for the Arts. Dennis is adding all of The Big Read events to our calendar of activities.

The Kansas State Fair continues this week in Hutchinson. Grandstand entertainment for the week includes Terry Fator (Monday), the Oak Ridge Boys (Tuesday), Loverboy (Thursday), Blake Shelton with James Otto (Friday), MercyMe (Saturday), and Selena Gomez (Sunday). Showtimes and ticketing information can be found on the State Fair website.

On Tuesday night superstar picture-book author and illustrator Lane Smith returns to Watermark Books and Café with It’s a Book, a hilariously clever new book for book readers of all ages. This event begins at 7:00. This is an event that is of particular interest to Liz because of her involvement with the About.com Children’s Book site.

The Wichita Center for the Arts opens its 2010-11 theatre season with a production of “Lost In Yonkers.” By Neil Simon, the play is a touching story about finding one’s way through the tangled web of family relationships without losing a sense of self or sense of humor. Showtimes are 8:00 pm Wednesday through Saturday and 2:00 pm Sunday. Ticketing information is available on the Center’s webpage.

Saturday evening offers two performances of note. First, with 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm shows at the Mary Jane Teall Theatre, the Wichita Chorus of Sweet Adelines presents an A Cappella Celebration. Second, the Wichita Wind Ensembles is presenting a 7:30 pm show entitled “Mysteries of Music” at Friends University’s Sebits Auditorium. Ticketing information is available at the respective websites.

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 9/6/2010)

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 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 8/1/2010)

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 5/16/2010)

Recap and What’s Coming: Liz and I visited the 44th Annual Woodcarving Show this afternoon. As noted last week. the event featured woodcarvers from around the country. The variety of work was quite broad. I tend to like cartoon-type carvings (click photo at left), but there were also carvings of animals, birds, people, mythical figures and more. Though it is only May, my sense is that the most popular carving was of Santa Claus. Unfortunately, I was unable to photograph one of the most impressive works at the show, which was a bas relief, approximately four by eight feet in size, in which the artist had carved an intricate series of birds, branches, and leaves. A label noted that he has spent the last ten years working on this project. The show was well worth the visit. Being someone whose only attempts at woodcarving have resulted in self-inflicted cuts, I was amazed at the talents on display.

May 17-May 23, 2010: Though the River Festival is done for another year, there are a variety of things to do this week and in upcoming weeks.

First, for those who enjoy Norman Rockwell’s Americana, the Wichita Art Museum is featuring an exhibit entitled, American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell. Rockwell was known for his carefully choreographed reflections on childhood innocence and documentation of popular culture. This exhibition traces the evolution of Rockwell’s art and iconography throughout his career. American Chronicles includes forty-two original artworks and many archival Saturday Evening Post cover tear sheets, which span forty-seven years. Museum hours and other visitor information can be found on their web site.

Are you an artist looking to stock up on supplies? The Society of Decorative Painters, as part of their Annual Conference and Expo, features an open to the public painting and art supply expo. This event features more than 125 booths of art supplies including paints, brushes, surfaces, books, videos, demos, make-it-take-its and more.
Lots of bargains and new products. Dates and times are Thursday (10am – 6 pm), Friday (10 am – 5 pm), and Saturday (9 am – 2 pm) at Century II Expo Hall.

Professional minor league baseball is back! The Wichita Wingnuts open their home season Tuesday evening at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. The Wingnuts are a member of the American Association, an independent league which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. In 2009 the team won the North Division title for the first half of the season. In 2010 the Wingnuts will host the American Association All-Star Game. Check the Wingnut web site for the complete 2010 schedule.

We normally don’t highlight garage sales, but this one is for a good cause. Our friend Denise Townsley who runs Corgi Rescue, has been collecting items for a massive sale this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I don’t know what all Denise has collected, but Liz and I have donated a couple of laser printers, paperback books, clothing, luggage, vases, costume jewelry, and the like. All proceeds from the sale will go to support her corgi and her friend Joy’s minpin rescue efforts. The sale starts at 8 am each day. The address is 915 North Brookfield.

This seems to be an appropriate time to remind you again that farmers’ markets are beginning to open for the season. These markets provide an opportunity for shoppers to reduce the burden on the environment by buying locally grown produce. We have found three groups that hold markets in the area. They are Kansas Grown Farmers’ Market, Old Town Farmers’ Market, and the Reno County Farmers Market. Check websites for locations and hours.

Last, but by no means least, new this year is the first Wichita Highland Games & Celtic Festival. It is anticipated that this will become an annual event. This year’s event will feature athletic contests, entertainment, vendors, and other activities all with a Celtic flair. The Festival is being held in Sedgwick County Park on Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 6 pm.

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