This week in Wichita: What’s going on Jan. 15 - 21
‘Visual Justice’ opening at Ulrich Museum
Wichita State University has been dedicated to preserving and displaying the works of African-American trailblazer and native Kansan Gordon Parks for decades. Starting this weekend, the on-campus Ulrich Museum of Art is presenting some of his most important works, ranging from photographs taken during the civil rights movement to experimental color work Parks did later in his life.
Details: 1 to 5 p.m. Sat. and Sun., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tue. to Fri. until April 10, Ulrich Museum of Art, 1845 Fairmount. Free. 316-978-3664, wichita.edu
Smallgrass Film Festival at Exploration Place
The little ones probably aren’t ready for the annual Tallgrass Film Festival, but you can give them a more kid-friendly version of that experience at the Smallgrass Film Festival this weekend. Alongside short films, the festival will showcase three feature films: the animated giraffe adventure “Zarafa,” the 1991 cult favorite “The Rocketeer” and the astronaut training film “Space School.” Admission price includes one film, activities and access to Exploration Place exhibits.
Details: Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Sat., Exploration Place, 300 N. McLean Blvd. $7 for non-members, $5 Exploration Place and Tallgrass Film Association members, $2 for each additional movie. 316-660-0620, www.exploration.org
‘Turquoise: Stone of the People’ at Mid-America All-Indian Center
Ancient cultures used turquoise in jewelry, and the stone is still popular today as evidenced in the new exhibit “Turquoise: Stone of the People” at the Mid-America All-Indian Center. The exhibit will feature around 40 pieces of American Indian jewelry, including bracelets, rings and necklaces, primarily from the Navajo and Zuni tribes.
Details: Starts Sat., open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tue. to Sat. until Nov. 26., Mid-America All-Indian Center, 650 N. Seneca. Included in admission. 316-350-3342, www.theindiancenter.org
Martin Luther King Jr. celebration
The Kansas African American Museum is holding its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration this weekend. The celebration kicks off with a pancake feed, followed by a parade that goes through downtown Wichita. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., attendees can donate toiletries and personal items at the museum for the Union Rescue Mission, which serves the homeless and poor. The day will culminate in a celebration of King’s life through song with a performance by the Wiley College Choir and an awards ceremony to recognize local leaders for their community service.
Details: Pancake feed starts at 7 a.m. Sat., parade at 10 a.m. Sat., both at Christian Faith Centre, 1130 S. Broadway. Donation event is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Kansas African American Museum, 601 N. Water. Celebration starts at 6 p.m. Sat., Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 1550 N. Chapel Hill. $3 button available at the museum and participating QuikTrips. www.tkaamuseum.net
Big K.R.I.T. at the Cotillion
Dirty South rapper Big K.R.I.T. is bringing his Mississippi hip-hop sound to Wichita. Working with everyone from Wiz Khalifa to B.B. King, Big K.R.I.T. has scored critical acclaim over the past five years with two studio albums, two extended plays and seven mixtapes.
Details: Doors open at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Thu., the Cotillion, 11120 W. Kellogg. $30 in advance, $40 day of show. 316-722-4201, www.thecotillion.com
Tomas Kubinek at Fox Theatre
A Tomas Kubinek performance is difficult to describe. Called a “hodgepodge of lunacy” by the Boston Globe, Kubinek’s one-man show combines magic and vaudevillian antics to create a unique experience. See the “certified lunatic and master of the impossible” for yourself when Kubinek, who had a sold-out run on Broadway, performs in Hutchinson on Thursday.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Thu., Fox Theatre, 18 E. 1st Ave., Hutchinson. $25 to $35. 620-663-1981, www.hutchinsonfox.com
‘Putnam County Spelling Bee’ by Signature Theatre
If you don’t think that kids spelling out words you’ve never heard of is especially thrilling, don’t worry. This is actually a musical comedy about six middle school students competing in an absurd spelling bee. The performance is being put on by the Signature Theatre, a community-based group open to performers of all ages.
Details: 8 p.m. Fri. and Sat., 2 p.m. Sat., 7 p.m. Sun., Scottish Rite Center, 332 E. First St. $10 to $18. 316-648-9043, www.selectaseat.com
School of Rock Live at the Orpheum
Talented young musicians from Wichita pay tribute to some of the world’s biggest bands in School of Rock Live. From the punk edge of Green Day to the classics of Queen, they’ll rock cover versions of iconic hits. Three full rock shows will be performed: The Best of Green Day, Journey vs. Foreigner and a Tribute to Queen.
Details: Doors open at 1:30 p.m., Green Day at 2 p.m., Rock 101 at 4 p.m., Journey vs. Foreigner at 5 p.m., Queen at 7 p.m. Sat., the Orpheum, 200 N. Broadway. $12. 316-351-7600, www.wichitaorpheum.com
Betse Ellis and Ike Sheldon at Dyck Arboretum
Betse Ellis and Ike Sheldon reunite this weekend at Dyck Arboretum of the Plains. The former members of The Wilders are putting on a special performance among the arboretum’s flowers, which you can enjoy alongside the folksy tunes.
Details: 4 p.m. Sun., Dyck Arboretum of the Plains, 177 W. Hickory, Hesston. $20 for adults, $10 for children 18 and under. 620-327-8127, dyckarboretum.org
‘The Producers’ at Century II
A musical adaptation of the classic 1968 Mel Brooks film “The Producers” is one of the most beloved Broadway shows in history. Experience the joyful absurdity of “Springtime for Hitler” for yourself as “The Producers” comes to Wichita, courtesy of Theater League.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Tue. to Thu., Century II, 225 W. Douglas. $40 to $70. 316-303-8100, www.wichitatix.com
This story was originally published January 15, 2016 at 7:08 AM with the headline "This week in Wichita: What’s going on Jan. 15 - 21."