What to do this weekend in Wichita: Tiptoe through tulips, see a concert, take in a fight
Another busy weekend has arrived in Wichita, and entertainment opportunities abound. People with spring fever can get out and take in the tulips and some outdoor music. Those who prefer to stay indoors can hear live music, peruse the flea market or even take in a bare knuckle fight.
Here’s a look at some of the events happening in Wichita this weekend:
Art at the Arb
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Bartlett Arboretum, 301 N. Line St., Belle Plaine
Tulip season continues this weekend with Art at the Arb, an annual springtime event that always draws crowds to the Bartlett Arboretum in Belle Plaine. This year’s event happens on Saturday and Sunday and will feature visual and culinary artists as well as performances by local bands including The Mudbugs, The Ghost of Mead’s Corner and Little Big Twang. Visitors will also be able to enjoy over 30,000 tulips and get food from vendors including Nieve’s Tacos, The Lemon Lady and more. Art at the Arb is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. A $10 donation per person is requested at the gate, and kids get in free.
Sweden’s ‘Queen of Swing’
8 p.m. Friday, Crown Uptown Theatre, 3207 E. Douglas
Swedish performer Gunhild Carling, also known as “Sweden’s Queen of Swing,” will be in Wichita on Friday for a performance at the Crown Uptown. Carling’s list of talents include singing, playing several different musical instruments, and playing three trumpets at once. The former “America’s Got Talent” contestant will perform at 8 p.m. on Friday. Tickets are $40, $35 and $28 and must be reserved in advance at crownuptown.com
Easter comes early at Botanica
3-5 p.m. Saturday, Botanica, 701 N. Amidon
Botanica will get a jump start on Easter this weekend when it hosts a Saturday-afternoon egg hunt. The Easter Bunny will hide thousands of eggs throughout the Downing Children’s Garden, including some special golden eggs, and kids can grab as many eggs as they can find. There will also be fun activities like games, crafts, free carousel rides, a petting zoo and more. Kids will hunt in two separate age groups: ages 5 and under go at 3 p.m. followed by ages 6 to 11 at 4 p.m. Tickets are $20 for children, $10 for adults. Children may be accompanied by one adult while hunting. Tickets are available at botanica.org/easter-egg-hunt/
Boyz II Men are back again
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Kansas Star Casino, 777 Kansas Star Drive, Mulvane
Iconic R&B group “Boyz II Men” will perform some of its top hits this weekend in Wichita. The Grammy-winning group, best known for hit songs like “End of the Road,” “One Sweet Day,” and “Motownphilly,” will perform starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Kansas Star Casino arena in Mulvane. Tickets are $35 and $65 at and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com
Return of the Flea Market
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Farha Sports Center, South YMCA
It’s Wichita Flea Market weekend again at the Farha Sports Center at the South YMCA. The monthly market, which features vendors selling antiques, artwork, jewelry, food items and more, will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The Easter Bunny will be at the market from noon to 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and Windy the Wind Surge mascot will be there from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday. Admission at the door is $3 for a one-day ticket and $5 for a two-day ticket. Kids 12 and under get in free.
Bare Knuckle Fighting
7 p.m. Friday, Intrust Bank Arena, 500 E. Waterman
The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship will return to Wichita’s Intrust Bank Arena on Friday and include a headline fight between Mike “The Marine” Richman and Dave “The Caveman” Rickels. Another featured fight will be between Isaac Dolittle and Jared Warren. Additionally, hometown fighter Marciano Hernandez will compete. The doors will open at 6 p.m. and the fights will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $35 to $75 and can be purchased at www.selectaseat.com, by phone at 316-755-7328 or in person at the Select-a-Seat box office inside Intrust Bank Arena.
Two country concerts
8 p.m. Friday, Hartman Arena, 8151 N. Hartman Arena Drive, Park City, and Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadway
Two different well-known country artists will perform at two different concerts in the Wichita area on Friday. One is Koe Wetzel, who will perform a Friday-night concert at Hartman Arena. Texas-born Wetzel is best known for songs like “Something to Talk About,” “Good Die Young” and more. The doors for the concert will open at 6:30 p.m., and the show will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $38 to $78 and can be purchased at the Hartman Arena box office or at ticketmaster.com. Meanwhile, in Wichita, the Orpheum Theatre will feature Grammy-nominated artist Ashley McBryde, whose hits include “Girl Goin’ Nowhere” and “A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega.” She’ll also perform at 8 p.m. Tickets for that show are $24.50 to $34.50 at selectaseat.com, by calling 316-75-7328 or at the Select-a-Seat box office inside Intrust Bank Arena.