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Concerts and the Art, Craft and Book Fair will kick off the Wichita River Festival.
Eagle staff
The Wichita River Festival opens Friday with the promise of a weekend jam-packed with activities.
Friday night's opening concert features pop singer Colbie Caillat, who came to fame after her site on the social network MySpace generated millions of hits as fans went to it to hear her songs, most notably the hit "Bubbly." Her concert will start at about 8:50 p.m. on the West Bank Stage. Admission is $10 and a River Festival button.
On Saturday, the '70s band Three Dog Night will perform at 8:30 p.m. on the West Bank Stage. Known for hits such as "Joy to the World," "Mama Told Me Not to Come" and "Shambala," the band still tours with several of its original members. A River Festival button is required for admission to the concert.
Sunday's concert at West Bank Stage will feature the '70s funk band War, taking the stage at about 6:30 p.m. The band's hits included "Low Rider," "Spill the Wine" and "Why Can't We Be Friends." A festival button is required.
The weekend will also feature the 49th Annual Art, Book and Craft Fair, at Kennedy Plaza and inside Century II Exhibition Hall. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. A festival button is required for admission.
And the annual River Run starts at 8 a.m. Saturday and will include a 10K as well as a 2-mile run.
Festival buttons cost $5. For a guide to this year's River Festival, see Friday's GO! section in The Wichita Eagle.
Come to the Casbah
The Museum of World Treasures closes its spring fundraising events for KPTS, Channel 8, with a show titled "An Evening at the Casbah." The event will feature Middle Eastern dances by Safira's Center for World Dance, a magic show, entertainment by the Museum of World Treasures Singers, traditional food of the region and a cash wine bar. The night begins at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Museum of World Treasures, 835 E. First St. Admission is $40. To make reservations, call 316-263-1131 or 888-700-1311.
Church ladies
The popular musical-comedy "Church Basement Ladies" is being presented through June 15 at theCrown Uptown Professional Dinner Theatre, 3207 E. Douglas. This weekend's shows begin with a buffet dinner at 6 p.m. today through Saturday and at 4:15 p.m. Sunday. The show revolves around four women in a small Minnesota town who help prepare and serve food during times of celebration or crisis in their Lutheran church during the 1960s. Tickets range from $25.95 to $32.95, and include dinner. To make reservations, call 316-681-1566.
Flowers for Mom
After you take Mom out to brunch on Sunday, extend the celebration with a Mother's Day visit to Botanica, the Wichita Gardens at 701 Amidon. Admission to the gardens will be free for everyone, as a gift from AngelWorks, a nonprofit foundation that provides opportunities for those facing poverty, homelessness, grief or addiction. Hours will be from 1 to 5 p.m. and light refreshments will be available for purchase. For more information, call 316-264-0448.
Colbie Caillat _ Friday, West Bank Stage ($10 at the gate, plus River Festival button; concert will begin about 8:50 p.m.)
Three Dog Night _ Saturday, West Bank Stage (River Festival button required; concert at 8:30 p.m.)
Little Joe & La Familia -- Sunday, West Bank Stage (River Festival button required; concert at 1:30 p.m.)
War _ Sunday, West Bank Stage (River Festival button required; concert at 6:30 p.m.)
Jordan Pruitt and Drew Seeley _ Monday, Kennedy Plaza Stage (River Festival button required; concert at 6:30 p.m.)
Split Lip Rayfield _ Tuesday, Century II Convention Hall (River Festival button required; concert at 8:30 p.m.)
Phil Stacey and Tracy Lawrence _ Wednesday, Kennedy Plaza Stage (River Festival button required; concert at 6:45 p.m.)
Lavay Smith and her Red Hot Skillet Lickers _ May 15, Kennedy Plaza Stage (River Festival button required; concert at 7:30 p.m.)
Tech N9ne and Paul Wall -- May 15, Cotillion ($27.50; 316-722-4201)
Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels _ May 16, Kennedy Plaza Stage (River Festival button required; concert at 8:30 p.m.)
Stoney Larue _ May 17, Cotillion ($12.50; 316-722-4201)
Pat Green, Randy Owen, Bucky Covington --May 28-31, Winfield Fairgrounds ($75; 316-755-SEAT)
Billy Currington _ June 6, Cotillion ($27; 316-722-4201)
Mindless Self Indulgence, The Birthday Massacre and Tub Ring _ June 10, Cotillion ($17.50; 316-722-4201)
Kingston Trio --June 13, Orpheum ($30.50, $40.50, $50, $65.50; 316-263-0884)
Grateful Not to Be Dead, The Fabulous Shirtheads and Lotus -- July 3, Cotillion ($20; 316-722-4201)
Chris Cagle _ July 18, Cotillion ($26; 316-722-4201)
