What to do in Wichita this weekend: Sea creature exhibit, live music, all-day block party
Wichita will be full of diverse opportunities for fun this weekend and into next week, including the opening of a colorful sea creature sculpture exhibit at Botanica, an all-day brewery block party, and lots of live music.
Here’s a list of some of the fun happening:
‘Washed Ashore’
Daily at Botanica, 701 Amidon
Washed Ashore, a national traveling exhibit that will fill the gardens at Botanica with oversize sea creatures made entirely of sea debris, opens Saturday and will be on display through Oct. 23. Visitors can stroll the gardens and see 14 groupings of colorful sculptures that include an 11-foot-long shark, a swimming sea turtle and a giant octopus. The exhibit, meant to build awareness about plastic pollution in the sea, is free with regular Botanica admission. Botanica is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays for the duration of the exhibition. The venue extends hours to 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursdays through September.
Return of the Boogiedown
Noon-11 p.m. Saturday, Central Standard Brewing, 156 S. Greenwood
Central Standard Brewing’s annual Sunflower Boogiedown — a block party that features live bands and collaboration beer releases, is returning this weekend after a two-year hiatus. The event is from noon to 11 p.m. Saturday at the brewery and will feature headliners Josue Estrada Band at 8 p.m. plus Wasamara’ Trio at 6 p.m., Prodigals at 4 p.m. and Baby Blue and the Midnight Special at 2 p.m. Admission is free.
Shop til you drop
Saturday and Sunday
It’ll be a good weekend for shopping in Wichita when two of the city’s big monthly markets open their doors. One is the Wichita Flea Market, which lasts from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Farha Sports Center at the South YMCA. A one-day pass is $3, and a two-day pass is $5. Children 12 and under get in free. Tickets are available only at the door. On Sunday, FestiveICT’s Shop & Grub market returns to Naftzger Park for its May installment and will have vintage clothing, jewelry, accessories, food and more for sale. A bar will be provided by Wave ICT. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, and admission is free.
Symphony in the Gardens
7 p.m. Friday, Botanica, 701 Amidon
Symphony in the Gardens returns to the new stage at Botanica on Friday and will feature the Wichita Symphony Orchestra performing water-themed music from movies like “Jaws” and the “Titanic’‘ in honor of a new Washed Ashore exhibit opening on Saturday. Ticketholders will be able to stroll the gardens, enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drinks and watch the show from the grand lawn. The show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $125 and can be purchased at botanica.org or wichitasymphony.org
Paw Patrol Live
6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Intrust Bank Arena, 500 E. Waterman
Paw Patrol Live is back in Wichita, and this time, the pups are going on “A Great Pirate Adventure.” Fans can follow Chase, Marshall, Rubble and Skye as they work together to save Cap’n Turbot from a dark and mysterious cavern. Shows are at 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at Intrust Bank Arena, and ticket prices range from $15 to $115. They’re available at selectaseat.com, by phone at 316-755-SEAT or in person at the Select-a-Seat box office inside Intrust Bank Arena. Ages 1 and up must purchase a ticket to enter.
Robert Earl Keen in concert
8 p.m. Wednesday, Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadway
Texas musician Robert Earl Keen is wrapping up 41 years on the road and will bring his final tour, “I’m Comin’ Home: 41 Years On The Road” to Wichita on Wednesday. Keen, who has recorded 21 albums, is best known for songs like “The Road Goes on Forever,” “Feelin’ Good Again” and more. His concert starts at 8 p.m. at the Orpheum Theatre. Ticket prices range from $39.50 to $69.50 and can be purchased at selectaseat.com, by phone at 316-755-SEAT or in person at the Select-a-Seat box office inside Intrust Bank Arena. Ages 1 and up must purchase a ticket to enter.
Concerts announced this week
Wichita’s many music venues were busy booking shows this week. Here’s a look at the additions made to Wichita’s concert calendar:
Durry, July 15, Wave, tickets at waveict.com
Robert Earl Keen, Stiefel Theatre, Aug. 14, Salina, tickets on sale noon Friday at stiefeltheatre.org
A Day to Remember, Aug. 20, Wave, tickets at waveict.com
Joe Bonamassa, Nov. 15, Orpheum Theatre, tickets on sale Friday at selectaseat.com