Things to do this weekend: Valentine’s Day events, concerts, book swap and more
It’s the weekend before Valentine’s Day — plus Super Bowl weekend — so there’s lots to do in Wichita. Here’s a look at some of the fun things happening:
Valentine’s Day events
Various venues, Friday through Tuesday
Valentine’s Day is Tuesday, and businesses all over town are putting on events. Grow, the plant shop at 320 S. Market, is putting on a party on Saturday that features sweet charcuterie boards, half-off drinks from a special menu and more. Admission is free. Nortons Brewing at 125 St. Francis will offer a special beer and cupcake pairing from 3 to 10 p.m. on Tuesday that is $40 a couple. Hopping Gnome Brewing is putting on its big Galentine’s Day bash from noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday. And several other venues around town are putting on Valentine’s events including City Arts, Wave and the Flying Pig. Check all the venues’ websites for more details.
Duets for my Valentine
8 p.m. Saturday, Crown Uptown Theatre, 3207 E. Douglas
The Crown Uptown will be home to a show by the Regina Klenjoski Dance Company, which happens at 8 p.m. on Saturday. The show, meant as a celebration of Valentine’s Day, will also feature works by choreographers Denise Calestin and Riley Reavis, and will last from 8 to 10:30 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., but a special early “rendezvous” for guests starts at 7 p.m. and includes sweet treats, a wine tasting by Grace Hill Winery and music. Admission to that is $15 extra. Tickets to the show are $17.77-$47.80 and available at www.crownuptown.com
Hairball at Hartman
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Hartman Arena, 8151 N. Hartman Arena Drive
Hairball, a Minnesota-based 1980s arena rock tribute band that regularly performs in Wichita, returns this weekend for a show at Hartman Arena. The band, which performs hits from groups like Journey, KISS and Alice Cooper. will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. Doors open at 6:30. Concertgoers are encouraged to wear 1980s attire. Tickets are $28-$40 and available at ticketmaster.com
ABBA tribute
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadway
Another tribute band — this one paying homage to the Swedish supergroup ABBA — will perform Saturday at the Orpheum. The group, called MANIA, has been around since 1999 and has sold out theaters around the world. Its two-hour show includes performances of some of ABBAs biggest hits, including “Dancing Queen, “Mamma Mia,” “Winner Takes It All” and more. Tickets are $25-$49.50 and are available at selectaseat.com, by calling 316-755-SEAT or in person at the Select-a-Seat box office inside Intrust Bank Arena.
#ReadICT book swap
10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Advanced Learning Library, 711 W. Second St.
The next #ReadICT Book Swap happens from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Advanced Learning Library and will give attendees a chance to learn about books they might want to read. They can swap their own already-completed books for ones they haven’t read. People are encouraged to bring single books or a bag of books and be prepared to talk about them as they trade with others. Leftover books will be donated to the Friends of the Wichita Public Library. Suzanne Perez from KMUW, the founder of the #ReadICT challenge, will be there.
Large screen Super Bowl party
1 p.m. Sunday, Wave, 650 E. Second St.
Need someplace to watch the Chiefs take on the Eagles in the Super Bowl on Sunday? Wave, the big music and event venue at Second and St. Francis, is putting on an indoor watch party, during which it will broadcast the big game on a 16 x 8 foot screen with a full concert sound system. It starts at 1 p.m., and all ages are welcome. There’s no cover charge, but table reservations are $20 a person at waveict.com.
Recent concert announcements
Wichita’s many music venues have been busy booking shows lately. Here’s a look at the recent additions made to Wichita’s concert calendar:
Matt Andersen & Mariel Buckley, Feb. 15, Stiefel Theatre, Salina, tickets on sale at www.stiefeltheatre.org
Chew, March 23, Wave, tickets on sale at waveict.com
Randy Rogers Band, March 25, The Cotillion, tickets on sale at thecotillion.com
Bass Drum of Death, April 12, Wave, tickets on sale at waveict.com
Blackberry Smoke, April 16, TempleLive, tickets on sale at ticketmaster.com
Emily Nenni, April 17, Wave, tickets on sale at waveict.com
Jo Dee Messina, April 28, TempleLive, tickets on sale at ticketmaster.com
Three Dog Night, May 18, Stiefel Theatre, Salina, tickets on sale at www.stiefeltheatre.org
Little Big Town, May 19, Hartman Arena, tickets on sale at ticketmaster.com
Eddie Griffin, May 20, The Cotillion, tickets on sale at thecotillion.com
Zach Bryan, Aug. 27, Intrust Bank Arena