This week in Wichita: What’s going on Nov. 27-Dec. 3
“Elf” interactive screening at WAM
Relive Buddy the human elf’s (Will Ferrell) journey to find his real father in an interactive, adults-only screening at the Wichita Art Museum. Audience members are encouraged to participate alongside the 2003 modern Christmas classic. You must be 21 or older to attend, and a cash bar will be available.
Details: 7 p.m. Thu., Wichita Art Museum, 1400 W. Museum Blvd. $20 general admission, $15 members. 316-268-4921, www.wichitaartmuseum.org
Illuminations at Botanica and The Arc’s Lights
Formerly known as the Lights on St. Paul, this Wichita holiday tradition is back for its 19th year. Visitors to the Arc’s Lights are welcome to drive through a beautiful, shimmering arc of more than 1 million lights. To set the mood, drivers can tune their dials to a special radio station that will play holiday music. In addition to the luminous display, the young ones can take pictures with Santa Claus on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. Donations will benefit programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
If you prefer to stroll through light displays, Illuminations at Botanica, with its themed lights, is your best best. The gardens will be adorned with more than 1 million lights and turned into a gorgeous tribute to the holidays. There will also be hot drinks and food for sale, live music and yet another opportunity to meet Santa.
Details: Arc’s – closed Friday because of weather; 5:30-10 p.m. Sat., 5:30-9 p.m. Sun.-Thu., Santa photos available 5:45-9 p.m. Fri.-Sun., starts at Douglas at St. Paul. $5 suggested donation each for lights and photo. 316-943-1191, www.arc-sedgwickcounty.org; Botanica – 5:30-8:30 p.m. Fri.-Dec. 31, Botanica, 701 N. Amidon. $8, $7 members, $6 ages 3-12, under 3 get in free. 316-264-0448, botanica.org
Michael McDonald at the Orpheum
Five-time Grammy winner Michael McDonald is bringing his soulful sound to Wichita on Sunday. The former Steely Dan and Doobie Brothers vocalist has carved out a successful solo career since the 1980s, performing hits like “On My Own” and “Sweet Freedom.”
Details: 7:30 p.m. Sun., Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadway. $65-$75. 855-755-7328, selectaseat.com
“A Christmas Story” at Wichita Community Theatre
See the glory of the leg lamp, eating soap to wash your mouth out and other iconic scenes from Jean Shepherd’s classic memoir live at Wichita Community Theatre. The film adaptation of “A Christmas Story” is shown on television nonstop starting Christmas Eve, but you can get a head start with this stage production.
Details: 8 p.m. Wed.-Sat., 7 p.m. Sun. Nov. 27-Dec. 12, 2 p.m. Dec. 13, Wichita Community Theatre, 258 N. Fountain. $14; $12 seniors, students and military. 316-686-1282, www.wichitact.org
“Nutcracker” by Moscow Ballet
Forty professional dancers from Russia are coming to Salina next week to perform Tchaikovsky’s unfortgettable ballet “The Nutcracker.” Debuting in 1892, the ballet has become a Christmas staple, and the critically acclaimed Moscow Ballet will bring it to life with elaborate costumes and gigantic puppets.
Details: 7 p.m. Wed., Stiefel Theatre, 151 S. Sante Fe, Salina. $28-$102. 785-827-1998, ticketmaster.com
“Nuncrackers” at Crown Uptown
Billed as a “nunsense” Christmas musical, “Nuncrackers” is unique in that it is a live production styled after a cable access TV special filmed in a convent basement. Featuring new songs like “Santa Ain’t Comin’ to Our House” and “Twelve Days Prior to Christmas,” the show promises plenty of nun-themed laughs and famous carols.
Details: 7:30 p.m. (dinner at 5 p.m.) Sat., Dec. 5, 12, Dec. 17-19; 2 p.m. (11:30 a.m. lunch) Sun., Dec. 3, 6, 10, 13, 20, Crown Uptown, 3207 E. Douglas. $20-$50 dinner and show, $20-$35 show only. 316-612-7696, http://crownuptown.com
Free alert!
Mayor’s Tree Lighting and An Evening with Santa
Century II will host an evening of fun next week with a tree lighting outdoors and indoor activities for the little ones. The night starts with Wichita Mayor Jeff Longwell on hand for the lighting of a massive Christmas tree on Kennedy Plaza. Then the event shifts indoors, where activities include visits with Santa, carnival games, drawings, inflatables and more.
Details: Tree lighting 6 p.m., indoor events 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thu., Century II, 225 W. Douglas. Free; donations of nonperishable foods accepted. 316-268-4259, www.wichita.gov
Candlelight Concert at WSU
The Wichita State School of Music brings together four different choirs for the 52nd annual Candlelight Concert. The vocalists, with brass, percussion and organ accompaniment, will ring in the holiday season with pieces like “Personal Savior” and the world premiere of “Magnificat,” written by WSU conductor Tom Wine.
Details: 4 p.m. Sun., 7:30 p.m. Mon., Wiedemann Hall on Wichita State campus, 1845 Fairmount. $7; $6 military; $3 students. 316-978-3233, www.wichita.edu
“Amahl and the Night Visitors” at Century II
Presented by Kansas Opera, this Christmas opera tells a story of wise men, holy children and divine intervention. Performed in English libretto, “Amahl and the Night Visitors” was the first opera composed for American television, premiering on NBC in 1951. It will be staged with a full orchestra at Century II on Sunday.
Details: 4 p.m. Sun., Century II, 225 W. Douglas. $15-$25. 316-303-8100, www.wichitatix.com
Miss Kansas USA and Miss Kansas Teen USA
Who will be the next Miss Kansas USA and Miss Kansas Teen USA? Find out this weekend at the preliminaries at Kansas Star Arena. On Saturday, contestants will compete in swimsuit, evening gown and interview segments. The top scorers will be named semifinalists. Then on Sunday, the contestants will compete again, with the winners being crowned at the end of the evening. They advance to the national competition and receive a prize package.
Details: 7 p.m. Sat. and Sun., Kansas Star Event Center, 777 Kansas Star Drive, Mulvane, $45-$60, ticketmaster.com
This story was originally published November 27, 2015 at 7:26 AM with the headline "This week in Wichita: What’s going on Nov. 27-Dec. 3."