What to do in Wichita: Cinco de Mayo, Open Streets NoMar, pre-dawn coronation party
It’s Cinco de Mayo, and several parties and celebrations will be happening around Wichita, including at the Sedgwick County Zoo on Sunday.
But the entertainment calendar also includes an Open Streets event, concerts, a powwow and even a pre-dawn coronation party for King Charles III.
Here’s a look at some of the best entertainment options in Wichita coming up this weekend and into next week:
Cinco de Mayo celebrations
Public at the Brickyard on Friday, Sedgwick County Zoo on Sunday
Bars and venues and bars around Wichita are celebrating Cinco de Mayo this weekend with parties that include tacos, margaritas and more. Among them is Public at the Brickyard, the Old Town bar at 129 N. Rock Island that has a huge open-air patio for partying. Its event starts at 6 p.m. Friday and will include tacos from the venue’s on-site food truck, drink specials including cocktails served in fresh coconuts, and music from the band Tumbao. Then on Sunday, the Sedgwick County Zoo at 5555 W. Zoo Blvd. will throw a belated Cinco de Mayo party filled with Mexican food vendors, exhibitors and live music on the main stage. The fiesta lasts from noon to 6 p.m., and admission is free with regular zoo admission. Zoo members get in free. Check with your favorite bars and restaurants for information about other local Cinco de Mayo celebrations.
Ben Rector’s acoustic tour
7:30 p.m. Friday, The Cotillion, 11120 W. Kellogg
The Old Friends Acoustic Tour starring indie superstar Ben Rector arrives at The Cotillion in Wichita on Friday. The opening acts are Jordy Searcy and Stephen Day, who will also perform with Rector during his set. Rector, who grew up in Tulsa but is now based in Nashville, is best known for his hit “Brand New.” Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the show is at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35-$79 at thecotillion.com
Melodrama at Cowtown
Friday-Sunday, Old Cowtown Museum, Empire House Theater, 1865 Museum Blvd.
The Empire House Players have started their 2023 season at Old Cowtown Museum with a production called “Treasure of Shiver River.” The show, which opened last weekend, concludes its runs with performances Friday through Sunday at Old Cowtown’s Empire House Theater. The melodrama follows the adventures of the “nasty scoundrel” Rod Enreel and his book-loving partner-in-crime Paige Turner on their quest to take over the treasure-filled Shiver River Ranch. Shows are from 7 to 8:30 p.m., and tickets are $15 for ages 13 and up, $7 for children 12 and under. They’re available at buytickets.at/empirehouseplayers or by calling 316-350-3323. More melodramas will be performed at the theater in August, October and December.
Coronation party
4-8 a.m. Saturday, Exploration Place, 300 N. McLean Blvd.
Perhaps you can’t hop across the pond to see King Charles III’s coronation. But you can go to Exploration Place’s cleverly titled coronation watch party — Charles in Charge. The event is scheduled for 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. (sorry, it’s London time) on Saturday in Exploration Place’s Kemper Theater. Tickets are $18 for members, $20 for non-members, and the event will include a catered breakfast that includes quiche, fruit, pastries, coffee and juice. Attendees 21 and over also can get mimosas. They also can make fascinator hats to wear as the coronation progresses. Tickets are available at exploration.org/event/charles-in-charge-coronation-watch-party/
Benefit Powwow
2-10 p.m. Saturday, Calvary United Methodist Church, 2525 N. Rock Road
The Wichita All-Nations Community is putting on a benefit powwow from 2 to 10 p.m. on Saturday that will include gourd, two step and potato dances, and the day will include face painting, vendors and raffles. The powwow, which will be staged at Calvary United Methodist Church, is a fundraiser organized by a small group hoping to put on a Wichita All-Nations Powwow in the fall. Admission is free.
Open Streets ICT NoMar
Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, 21st Street from NoMar Plaza to Woodland Park, 841 W. 21st St.
Open Streets ICT just keeps moving its block parties to different areas of town, and on Sunday, it lands on the North End for Open Streets NoMar. The event will shut down 21st Street from NoMar Plaza at 21st and Broadway to Woodland Park from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. It’s a community-building event that will include biking, live music, dancing and food. Along the one-mile stretch of city streets, organizers will have activities for participants, and vendors will be selling food, art and more. Admission is free.
Uptown Soul
9 p.m. Wednesday, Crown Uptown Theatre, 3207 E. Douglas
Crown Uptown’s new series called Uptown Soul Night, which features some of the city’s most talented soul and jazz musicians, returns for a second installment from 9 p.m. to 11:55 p.m. on Wednesday. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. for general admission seating. Drinks will be for sale, and dancing will be encouraged. Tickets are $15 at www.showpass.com/uptown-soul-night-2/
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:
Tab Benoit, May 30, Wave, tickets on sale at waveict.com
Ann Wilson, July 21, Stiefel Theatre, tickets on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at stiefeltheatre.org
St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Sept. 10, Wave, tickets on sale at waveict.com
Bert Kreischer, Sept. 22, Intrust Bank Arena, tickets on sale at selectaseat.com
Ancient Aliens LIVE, Sept. 22, Cotillion, tickets on sale at www.thecotillion.com
The Gaslight Anthem, Sept. 27, Cotillion, tickets on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at www.thecotillion.com