This week in Wichita
Confirm details of in-person events you plan to attend in case of last minute changes. Protect yourself and others from COVID-19 by avoiding close contact, washing your hands often and covering your mouth and nose with a mask.
Free: Meet the Artist Fridays
11 a.m. to noon Friday, virtual and at Mark Arts, 1307 N. Rock
Join artist Troy Becker, head of the ceramics department at Mark Arts, for this week’s Meet the Artist Friday as part of the “100 Years of Instruction” exhibition. Space is limited to 14 participants; call 316-634-2787 to attend in person or watch Mark Arts’ Facebook page for recorded segments.
“General Horsepital” melodrama
6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon Sunday through Sept. 5 at Mosley Street Melodrama, 234 N. Mosley
Eight shows remain in Mosley Street Melodrama’s production of “General Horsepital,” set in 1916 and following a ragtag medical staff dealing with mysterious poisonings. Musical-comedy revue “Healthcare Heroes” follows the melodrama. Tickets are $32 for dinner and show or $22 for the show only; visit mosleystreet.com for 4-ticket and 6-ticket discount packages. Advance ticket purchase is required by reserving online or calling 316-263-0222.
Kansas Maze Sunflower Festival
Aug. 22-Sept. 12 at Gaeddert Farms, 13209 E. 82nd Ave. in Buhler
Gaeddert Farms, about 50 miles north of downtown Wichita, planted more than 16 acres of sunflowers and hopes to launch its third annual Kansas Maze Sunflower Festival on Saturday. Walk one and a half miles of paths cut into the fields and cleared of weeds, take photos and enjoy the playland activities of more than a dozen attractions ranging from jumping pillow to tire mountain or sand volleyball. All visitors age 4 and older pay $7 admission for access to the above, plus you can pick one sunflower to take home.
The plan is to open from 5-8 p.m. this Friday, 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday through Sept. 12, plus 2 to 8 p.m. on Labor Day. Hours and dates are subject to weather and crop conditions; call 620-543-3073 before driving out.
They’ve also scheduled the second annual Sunflower Trail Run for Saturday, Aug. 29. Visit kansasmaze.com for registration details for the 5K and 1 mile options.
Prairie Smoke in concert
9 p.m. Saturday at Wichita Union Stockyards, 6251 W. MacArthur
Doors open at 8 p.m. and Prairie Smoke takes the stage at 9 p.m., playing classic country and red dirt music. Bring $10 cash cover paid at the door and your own beverages.
Carload Sundays at the drive-in
Sundays in August at Starlite Drive-In, 3900 S. Hydraulic
Watch a double-feature at Starlite Drive-In on Sundays in August for $14 per carload. If you’re attending and regular entry pricing is cheaper, you’ll pay the regular admission of $8 for ages 12 and older, $4 for ages 3-11 and free for ages 2 and younger). Concessions and bathrooms are open and spaces are marked for social distancing. Watch starlitefun.com or Facebook for each week’s lineup, released on Wednesday. Carload pricing must be purchased at the box office.
Free: Virtual artist talk with Hank Willis Thomas and Deborah Willis
6 p.m. Tuesday, virtual
Hank Willis Thomas, whose painting “I Am a Man” is featured in the Ulrich + Artists + You Community Billboard Project, is a conceptual artist working primarily with themes related to perspective, identity, media and popular culture. He is also the co-founder of For Freedoms, a platform for creative civic engagement, discourse and direct action. Thomas and his mother Deborah Willis will give the Ulrich Museum of Art’s next virtual artist talk. Willis is a celebrated photographer, acclaimed historian of photography, MacArthur and Guggenheim Fellow, and professor and chair of the Department of Photography & Imaging at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. Register for the free event at ulrich-new.wichita.edu/programs.
Free: Online fall gardening series
6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, virtual
“Fall Lawn Care – Tips for Growing the Best Lawn on the Block” is the final installment of the fall gardening series offered by the Wichita Public Library and K-State Research and Extension – Sedgwick County. Register for the free online event at wichitalibrary.org/gardening.
Late nights at the Museum of World Treasures
5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Museum of World Treasures, 835 E. 1st St.
The fourth Thursday of each month, the Museum of World Treasures stays open two hours longer and admission is reduced to $6 per person (always free for ages 3 and under). Due to reduced capacity, reservations are encouraged but not required; you can call 316-263-1311 as early as 4 p.m. day-of to make a reservation.
Mark Arts’ Zoom & Taste: Mysterious Spain Wine
8 to 9:15 p.m. Thursday, virtual
Certified wine expert Jamie Stratton of Jacob Liquor Exchange is leading an online sip and learn that will take you beyond the powerhouse winemaking regions in Spain to uncover the lesser known values. Cost is $30 per household; register at markartsks.com. A package of the four wines to be tasted can be preordered through Jacob Liquor Exchange for $50.18.
Wichita Flea Market
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Kansas Star Casino Arena, 777 Kansas Star Dr. near Mulvane
After a four-month hiatus due to the coronavirus, this family-run flea market hopes to get back to a monthly schedule inside the arena at the Kansas Star Casino. Expect more than 200 booths selling antiques, crafts, vintage items, collectibles, primitives, reclaimed items, comics, artwork, jewelry and toys.
Masks or face shields are mandatory and will be enforced and there will be temperature checks upon entry, Among other safety precautions, there will not be a kids zone or a grown-up zone, but meet and greet and photos from a safe distance with a princess is available from noon to 1 p.m. each day: Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) on Saturday and Princess Elena of Avalor on Sunday.
Admission is $3/one day or $5/both days; ages 12 and under are free. Purchase tickets at the door.