One of Wichita’s biggest car shows of the year is gearing up for this weekend
It’s January, which means it’s time for another installment of one of Wichita’s biggest and oldest car shows: the Cars for Charities Rod & Custom Car Show, which will fill Century II on Saturday and Sunday.
And that’s not the only event that will entertain Wichitans who have been cooped up with the cold temperatures. The rodeo is also in town, and a couple of music venues will be putting on a couple of tribute concerts.
Here’s a look at some of the fun things happening in Wichita this weekend and into next week:
Cars for Charities
Saturday-Sunday, Century II Convention Center, 225 W. Douglas
The annual Cars for Charities Rod & Custom Car Show returns to the Century II Convention Center this weekend for two days of car viewing, kids activities and more. It’s one of the longest-running indoor car shows in the country and was started by Darryl Starbird in 1957. This year’s event will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Money raised will benefit Starkey and AbilityPoint. Admission to the show is $14 for adults, $13 for members of the military and seniors, $8 for ages 12-17 and free for children 11 and younger. Tickets can be purchased online at selectaseat.com and at local QuikTrip stores. For more information, visit carsforcharitiesshow.com
Ulrich Museum’s spring celebration
5:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Ulrich Museum of Art, 1845 Fairmount
The Ulrich Museum of Art at Wichita State University — which is celebrating its 50th anniversary all year with special programming — is putting on a spring exhibition opening celebration from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday. Those who attend will get a first look at the museum’s new shows. One is “Fully Dimensional: Artist of the Outdoor Sculpture Collection,” which explores the larger bodies of work created by artists whose sculptures appear in the museum’s Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection. Another is “Urban Canvas,” which celebrates the public murals on display all over Wichita. Admission to the party is free, and people will be able to enjoy music, food, art demonstrations and create-your-own-art projects.
The rodeo is in town
7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Hartman Arena, 8151 N. Hartman Arena Drive, Park City
The PRCA Championship Rodeo is happening on Friday and Saturday at Hartman Arena. The rodeo will feature contestants from across the United States competing for spots at the Wrangler National Finals in Las Vegas. Doors open both nights at 6:30 p.m., and the action starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $27-$47 for adults and $10-$47 for ages 2-12. Children under 2 will be admitted free. On Friday, children 2 to 12 get in free with a paid adult. Tickets increase by $5 the day of the show. For tickets and more information, visit hartmanarena.com
Meat Fest at Kirby’s
Friday-Sunday, Kirby’s, 3227 E. 17th St.
Kirby’s, the longtime bar near Wichita State University known for its live music, is putting on its annual Meat Fest music festival this weekend. It runs Friday through Sunday, and each evening it features a long lineup of local and regional acts including The Comfort Revue, Pretend Friend, The Travel Guide and more. A complete lineup can be found on Kirby’s Facebook page. Attendees must be 21 or over, and though admission is free, people are asked to bring cash tips for the acts and meat to grill. (Grilling happens on Saturday.) The party starts at 5 p.m. Friday, 4:30 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday.
‘Within Her Storied Walls’
7 p.m. Friday, Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadway
Curious about the history of Friends University and the iconic Davis Clocktower building? On Friday, the school will premiere a documentary called “Within Her Storied Walls” that chronicles 125 years worth of stories and history and includes lots of historical footage. The screening is at 7 p.m., and doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $12.50 at www.selectaseat.com
One week, two tribute shows
Friday at the Cotillion, 11120 W. Kellogg; Thursday at Wave, 650 E. Second St.
Wichita is the tribute concert capitol, and two more are about to come to town. One is a Tom Petty tribute by a group called Insider. It happens at 8 p.m. Friday at the Cotillion, and tickets are $17. Then, on Thursday, a group called Red NOT Chili Peppers will perform a tribute show featuring songs by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. That show is at 7 p.m., and tickets are $15 at waveict.com
