This week in Wichita: What’s going on Nov. 20-26
Hip-hop at the Cotillion: Lil Boosie and Currensy
Lil Boosie has six studio albums to his name in a rap career that spans almost two decades. His fifth album, aptly titled “Incarcerated,” was released in 2010 while he was serving a lengthy prison sentence. His passionate fan base pleaded for his freedom on social media with the hashtag #freeboosie. Now that Boosie is back, he’s ready to bring the house down at the first of two rap shows at the Cotillion this weekend. Adding a bit of local flavor will be Wichita rap veteran Bo Pessi.
Part two of the Louisiana rapper double header at the Cotillion kicks off Saturday night with New Orleans native Currensy. One of the first signees to Lil Wayne’s Young Money Entertainment label a decade ago, Currensy now works independently, with a prolific release schedule since 2009. His newest album, “Canal Street Confidential,” comes out on Dec. 4. Local rap fans can also look forward to appearances by Damien Styles aka Styles the Kid and Paris Mason.
Details: Lil Boosie – Door opens at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m. Fri., $35-$125; Currensy – Door opens at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m. Sat., $25 advance, $30 day of show; The Cotillion, 11120 W. Kellogg. 316-722-4201, www.thecotillion.com
“The Book of Mormon” makes its Wichita debut
Trey Parker and Matt Stone (of “South Park” and “Team America: World Police” fame) turned the world of musical theater upside-down with Tony-winning, critically acclaimed “The Book of Mormon.” Co-written with “Frozen” lyrical scribe Robert Lopez, Parker and Stone tackle missionary work in impoverished nations – with plenty of irreverent humor and foul language that is definitely not appropriate for kids.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Tue.-Wed., 2 and 8 p.m. Nov. 27-28, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Nov. 29, Century II, 225 W. Douglas. $50-$135. 316-303-8100, www.wichitatix.com
Jazz concert with Tanya Darby
Trumpeter Tanya Darby is bringing her musical mastery to Friends University this weekend. Darby is the jazz trumpet professor at the University of North Texas and has played with several groups, including the Diva Orchestra.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Fri., Riney Fine Arts Center at Friends University, 2100 W. University Ave. $9 adults; $6 seniors and students. 316-295-5677, www.friends.edu
“The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical” at Roxy’s
“The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical” rolls into Roxy’s Downtown this holiday season. Experience the joy of Christmas spirit through the lens of a northern Florida trailer park where the drinks come in kegs and no chair is safe from being thrown.
Details: Dinner at 6:45 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Wed.-Sat., Sun., Nov.20-Dec. 26 (select Sundays at 7 p.m., dinner 5:45 p.m.). Roxy’s Downtown, 412 1/2 E. Douglas. $25 dinner, $15 show. 316-265-4400, www.roxysdowntown.com
Free alert
Bradley Fair Christmas tree lighting
The shopping center is holding its annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony on Saturday. The 35-foot tree will be lit with the help of Santa Claus and his reindeer, and they will be available for photos afterward. Free horse-drawn carriage rides will be offered after the lighting. The event benefits the Ronald McDonald House Charities Wichita.
Details: 5:30 p.m. Sat., Bradley Fair, Rock Road at 21st. Free. 316-630-9990, www.bradleyfair.com
Free alert
Kansas Watercolor exhibition
Embrace your artistic side with the Kansas Watercolor Society National Exhibition at the Wichita Center for the Arts. The exhibition opens with a reception that features a cash bar and light hors d’oeuvres and a chance to speak with some of the artists. Following the reception, watercolor works submitted by artists from all over North America will be on display in the art gallery through Jan. 3. Eighty-one works were selected for the show, with first place going to “Trail Town Wagons” by Dean Mitchell of Tampa, Fla. Wichitan Dianne Howard’s “Flying Cloud” received second place. Admission to the opening reception and the art gallery are free.
Details: Opening reception 5-7 p.m. Fri., gallery open 1-5 p.m. Tue.-Sun. until Jan. 3, Wichita Center for the Arts, 9112 E. Central. Free. 316-634-2787, www.wcfta.com
Johnny “Two-Bags” at Barleycorn’s
Social Distortion guitarist Johnny “Two-Bags” Wickersham is coming to Wichita to put on a display of sweet riffs and hot licks. The longtime guitarist released his debut solo album last year after more than two decades of rocking with bands such as The Cadillac Tramps, Youth Brigade and U.S. Bombs before joining Social Distortion in 2000.
Details: 6 p.m. Sat., Barleycorn’s, 608 E. Douglas. $10. 316-866-6792, www.barleycornswichita.com
Jackson Browne at Stiefel
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Jackson Browne, known for hits such as “The Pretender” and “Running on Empty,” is playing the Stiefel Theatre in Salina on Sunday. With 14 studio albums and an untold number of collaborations, Browne has certainly been prolific throughout his career.
Details: 8 p.m. Sun., Stiefel Theatre, 151 S. Santa Fe Ave., Salina. $79-$119. 785-827-1998, www.stiefeltheatre.org
Turkey Trot and Say Grace Thanksgiving Day Race
Two races in the Wichita area will help reduce any guilt following Turkey Day gluttony. The Turkey Trot has a new location this year, starting at Northrock Lanes and featuring a 2-mile race and a 10-mile race. The Kansas Food Bank will be present to accept plastic 18-ounce jars of peanut butter for its food drive.
The Say Grace Thanksgiving Day Race offers a 5K for runners, walkers or anyone who just wants to stroll through the course with their families. Proceeds will benefit the GraceMed Medical Clinic.
Details: Turkey Trot – 8 a.m. for 10-mile, 8:20 a.m. for 2-mile Sun. , Northrock Lanes, 3232 N. Rock. $30-$45. www.wichitaturkeytrot.com; Say Grace – Race starts at 9:30 a.m. Thu., 1122 N. Topeka. $35; $15 for ages 5-15. 316-866-2000, www.gracemed.org
Free alert!
Thanksgiving carillon concert
Head downtown Wednesday for a musical interlude courtesy of the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum’s carillon concert. A carillon is a large, complex instrument made up of several bells, and it is usually played from places like church towers. A carillon player will sit in the museum’s tower and perform for an hour for anyone within earshot. It actually cannot be heard well from within the museum itself, so this concert is best experienced outdoors.
Details: noon-1 p.m. Wed., Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, 204 S. Main. Free. 316-265-9314, www.wichitahistory.org
This story was originally published November 20, 2015 at 7:25 AM with the headline "This week in Wichita: What’s going on Nov. 20-26."