What to do in Wichita this weekend: Comic Con, start of holiday fun, new film festival
Thanksgiving is drawing closer, and several annual events are returning to Wichita, some after a year off because of COVID-19.
As usual, there will be plenty of art, music and fun to soak up in Wichita.
Here are some of the options this weekend:
Air Capital Comic Con
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Century II Exhibition Hall, 2250W. Douglas
The Air Capital Comic Con comic book and pulp culture convention returns to Century II this weekend. It will include comic book vendors, toy vendors and “geeky” handmade items. Numerous comic book writers and artists, authors and cosplayers will be featured, and the event will also include a kid zone and video games. The convention is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday in the Century II Exhibition Hall. Tickets can be purchased in advance at wichitatix.com or at the door. Visit wichitatix.com for ticket prices.
ABBA Mania
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadway
ABBA Mania is a popular ABBA tribute band that regularly plays at The Orpheum, and the band is returning this weekend. The band is known for recreating ABBA’s last ever concert complete with costumes, staging, lighting and effects on songs like “Mamma Mia,” Dancing Queen” and “Waterloo.” The band’s concert starts at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets range from $25 to $49.50 and can be purchased at wichitaorpheum.com.
Kai Wachi at Wave
7 p.m. Saturday, Wave, 650 E. Second
Producer and bass musician Kai Wachi will perform at Wave this weekend as a part of his Muscleville Tour. Wachi is known for his big productions, sound design and his signature hip-hop sound. The show is at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at waveict.com or at kaiwachimusic.com.
Roadside photography
6 p.m. Tuesday, Wichita Art Museum, 1400 W. Museum Blvd.
The Wichita Art Museum is hosting a lecture about a collection of photos called “Roadside Culture and American Photography in the 20th Century.” The exhibit, which is at Kansas City’s Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, includes photos that show unique scenes from American roadways from the 1930s through the 1970s. Nelson-Atkins’ curator of photography, April Watson, will lead the lecture and share work by artists including Dorothea Lange, Walker Evans, Robert Frank, Ed Ruscha and Stephen Shore. The lecture will start at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Reservations are required and can be made at wichitaartmuseum.org. Admission is free.
New film festival
Friday through Sunday, Mid-America All-Indian Museum, 650 N. Seneca
The new alterNative Film Festival, put together by local filmmaker and Wichita Eagle film columnist Rodrick Pocowatchit, happens this weekend. The festival will include many genres of film and allow audiences to learn more about Native culture. The festival will be held from Friday to Sunday at the Mid-America All-Indian Museum, 650 N. Seneca. For more information and a lineup of films, visit alterNativeFilmFestival.org. Admission is free.
Holiday Tables
10 a.m.-4 p.m Friday and Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Mark Arts, 1307 N. Rock Road
The annual Holiday Tables exhibit returns this weekend to Mark Arts, 1307 N. Rock Road, and will feature nearly 30 exhibitors who have created lavish holiday tables meant to inspire home decorators. The event is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 per person, and no children under 8 will be permitted. For more information, visit markartsks.com/holiday-tables