Brickyard fundraiser, Otep at the Cotillion, big comedy show

Brickyard fundraiser for one of its own

The Brickyard, the open-air bar at 129 N. Rock Island, is putting on an event Sunday designed to help raise money for the family of one of its longtime employees, who died unexpectedly. Walter Thonen III, 36, was a security guard at the bar and was known for his large stature, long beard and easy smile, said Brooke Russell, a co-owner at the adjoined gastropub, Public at the Brickyard. Thonen is survived by his wife and two young children. Sunday’s event will run from 8 p.m. to midnight and will feature music by Bucko and Monterey Jack, who are donating their time. The Brickyard will give donations taken at the door and a portion of its sales from the evening to Thonen’s family. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.brickyardoldtown.com.

Otep, a Los Angeles-based metal band fronted by female singer Otep Shamaya, will perform at the Cotillion, 11120 W. Kellogg, on Friday. The opening acts are Reaktion, Downfall 2012, Apparition and Librium. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 7:30. Tickets are $20 at the door, at www.thecotillion.com or by calling 316-722-4201.

Comedians Andy Andrist and James Inman will headline a show on Saturday at The Elbow Room, a comedy club at 1507 E. Pawnee. Andrist is a former writer for “The Man Show” and appeared in the recent documentary “The Unbookables” about standup comedians on the road. Inman was the 1997 winner of the San Francisco International Comedy Competition. Saturday’s event, which starts at 7:30 p.m., also will feature local comedians Romie Lee, Elijah Graves and Aaron Scott Hahn. Admission is $12 in advance at www.wichitacomedy.com or $15 at the door. For more information, visit www.wichitacomedy.com or www.unbookableswichita.brownpapertickets.com.

Denise Neil

This story was originally published June 24, 2015 at 6:10 PM with the headline "Brickyard fundraiser, Otep at the Cotillion, big comedy show."