Eight things to do in Wichita this week
There are still a lot of free events on the schedule but we have a few fee-based events this week, too. Most remain virtual, though two of the farmers markets are gathering. Here’s a selection of activities to consider during the week ahead.
Free: Watermark Books presents Lunch with John Grisham and Alafair Burke
Noon Friday, virtual
Watermark Books & Cafe is hosting a series of online conversations with authors using Zoom. On Friday, grab lunch near your computer so you can Zoom with New York Times bestselling authors John Grisham and Alafair Burke. Both will talk about their most recent novels, and they’ll take questions from participants. The event is free but you need to register at watermarkbooks.com.
Free: Digital Underground, a livestream music festival
6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, virtual
Old Town’s Enigma Club & Lounge and local electric dance music organizers are bringing together a two-day lineup of local and regional DJs for this livestream music festival. They promise “killer visuals” during the live performances, which will be hosted on twitch.tv. See a list of DJs on the Facebook event page, where you can find a link to join the festivities. The event is free though tips will be accepted for the artists.
Free: Farmers markets online and in person
8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, 835 E. First St.
7 a.m. to noon Saturday, 7001 W. 21st St.
Another longstanding Wichita farmers market opens this weekend. The season-opening, open-air Old Town Farm & Market is 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will stretch from the Farm & Art Plaza down Rock Island to Second Street. Organizers have added a page with COVID-19 precautions to their website, oldtownfarmandartmarket.com, and encourage customers thinking of attending to read it in advance. A list of this year’s approved vendors is under the website’s Meet the Market tab, where you can also link to those vendors and, in many cases, order their products for delivery or pickup away from the market.
In west Wichita, the first hour of the ongoing Kansas Grown Farmers Market is reserved for elderly and immune compromised customers. The market remains open until noon and encourages social distancing protocols. A list of the week’s vendors is posted on the market’s Facebook page.
To minimize your time at these open-air markets, consider contacting the vendors in advance to preorder and bring only those interested in shopping to not congest the limited space available. You can also still access locally produced foods through the virtual Funky Fresh Farmers Market, which replaced the indoor market held at Wave. See what’s available at order at waveict.com. Delivery and parking lot pickup is available on Wednesday and Saturday.
Free: Music Theatre Wichita’s ‘Newsies’ and Jester Awards
Anytime Friday, virtual
4 p.m. Sunday, virtual
Music Theatre Wichita’s Flashback Friday this week is an insider glimpse at the 2017 production of “NEWSIES.” Producing artistic director Wayne Bryan also uses the recorded segment to pay tribute to one of the stars of that show, Hal Davis, who died in April. Find this online feature on MTW’s Facebook page, along with other recorded and live online features.
The company is holding its annual Jester Awards Ceremony online at 4 p.m. Sunday. Wichita theater artists Rachel Downs and Steve Hitchcock will host the show, which recognizes excellence in high school musical theater. Get a link and password on MTW’s Facebook page.
Mark Arts’ Zoom & Taste: The Four
8 to 9 p.m. Saturday, virtual
Most people’s drinking habits have been affected by the pandemic, but if you’re looking for a more direct connection register for Mark Arts’ online tour of red wine from four countries heavily affected by COVID-19. Certified wine expert Jamie Stratton of Jacob Liquor Exchange is leading an online discussion as you sip reds from the U.S., Spain, Italy and France. Cost is $30 per household and the session is limited to 30; register at markartsks.com to receive a Zoom event link. The liquor store’s east location has a bottle of each on hand for the tasting (ask for the special bundle, less than $80).
Community Cinema Convo and wine tasting
4:30 p.m. Sunday, virtual
You must plan ahead to fully participate in this wine-themed group watch and conversation. Start the 2020 Netflix movie “Uncorked” no later than 2:30 p.m. Sunday, then join Wichita’s mamafilm microcinema on Zoom at 4:30 p.m. for a free Community Cinema Convo and winetasting led by Jenny Dawn Cellars owner Jennifer McDonald.
RSVP for the event via the ticket link on mamafilm’s Facebook event page to receive the Zoom link you’ll need. Jenny Dawn’s 2018 Chardonnay is the wine that will be tasted, and she’s offering 10% off (use code mamafilm). Wine is available for pick up at the store, inside downtown’s Union Station, from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Registration ending soon! Wichita Park & Rec esports leagues
Various times, virtual
Wichita Park & Recreation is inviting ages 13 and older to put their gaming skills to the test in head-to-head video game leagues including Madden 20, Rocket League and Super Smash Bros. Hurry, though, as you need to register at least two days before the esports leagues start. Choose from seven leagues, three that start Monday, one Tuesday, two Wednesday and one Thursday. Visit wichita.gov/parkandrec/online to see the full schedule.
Five-week league play is done on your own gaming consoles – XBox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC – using a free Mission Control GG app. Entry fee per league is $10.
Botanica storytime, garden tips and more
Various times, virtual
Botanica director Marty Miller showed us the progression of beautiful tulips blooming over the past month through video tours, now the team is adding gardening tips every Wednesday at noon on Facebook. You’ll also find recorded Storytime videos with Miss Laurel at 10 a.m. each Tuesday and Thursday.
For those who want to practice gardening, Botanica staff and volunteers dig up the bulbs in three phases to sell to the public for $5 bag (25 bulbs). The first round sold out but round two is expected to be ready around May 4. Watch their website or Facebook for details of the sale and the drive-through pickup system.
This story was originally published May 1, 2020 at 2:46 PM.