What to do this weekend: Hit the city pools, celebrate margaritas, see a rock show
Memorial Day weekend isn’t all about boats, camping and barbecuing. Several events still are going on around Wichita, including the annual Margaritas & Mojitos party and several plays and concerts. And on Monday, all of the local swimming pools, splash pads and water parks will open.
Here are some of the things you can do this weekend in between the typical Memorial Day stuff:
Pools opening
Monday, all Wichita city pools, splash pads and YMCA Water Parks
Memorial Day weekend always means that it’s time for the local swimming pools to open up for the season again, and on Monday, the city pools and the YMCA water parks will do just that. All six city pools — Aley, College Hill, Harvest, McAfee, Minisa and Orchard — will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. on Monday. Daily admission to city pools is $3 for children or adults or $15 for families of eight people, including one adult. Season passes also are available. Check www.wichita.gov/ParkandRec/Aquatics/ to find the hours for each of the local pools. The City of Wichita plans to have its 12 splash pads all open by Monday, and they’ll operate daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Also: Local YMCA members will find that the four area YMCA water parks — at the North, Northwest, South and Andover branches — will open for the season starting on Saturday. Their hours will be 1 to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 1 to 6:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Aug. 5. After that, they’ll be open weekends only through Sept. 4.
Margaritas & Mojitos
6-10 p.m. Friday, O.J. Watson Park Seasons Venue, 3022 S Mclean Blvd.
FestiveICT, the group responsible for Wichita Taco Fest, is putting on its fourth annual Margaritas & Mojitos event from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday at the O.J. Watson Park Seasons Venue. Ticket holders will be able to sample handcrafted margaritas and mojitos from local establishments like Jumbo’s Beef & Brew, Red Robin, Douglas Social and more. They’ll also get bites of food from places like Doma and Los Compadres Mexican Grill. Attendees and judges both will choose the best margarita and the best mojito, and the evening will include music by DJ Marcobiotics. Tickets include drinks and food and are $70 a person at www.festiveict.com/margaritas-mojitos-tickets
Wichita Pride Kickoff
6-10 p.m. Saturday, Kirby’s Beer Store, 3227 E. 17th St. North
Wichita Pride is about to begin a monthlong celebration and will start with a Pride Kickoff Concert from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday at Kirby’s Beer Store. The concert, which will feature The Cavves, Keo & Them, Junior Retreat and more, will offer free food, including vegan and non-vegan fare, while it lasts. Wichita Pride Festival activities will continue throughout June and will include a Unity March on June 11, a skate party on June 22, a swim party on June 23 and a parade and festival on June 25. For more details on all Wichita Pride Festival activities, visit wichitapride.org/events/
Jazz Night Out
Crown Uptown Theatre, 3207 E. Douglas
The Crown Uptown Theatre will be home on Saturday to a concert called “A Jazz Night Out: Time Machine” featuring Robert Banks & Positive Production — winner of the Best Live Band award in Oklahoma City — plus Vearl Tolbert, Cara Black and Nick Solomon. Tickets include a catered dinner of barbecue chicken and pulled pork, green beans and cheesy potatoes. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show is at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50-$65 at www.crownuptown.com
‘No Weddings & a Funeral’
Friday through July 8, Mosley Street Melodrama, 234 N. Mosley
Mosley Street Melodrama in Old Town has just launched a new production called “No Weddings & a Funeral,” written by Tom Frye. The show tells the farcical tale of Thelma and Louise, two sisters whose lives change when they learn they have inherited 500 acres of prime property in Derby. The show opens Friday and runs Fridays and Saturdays through June 10 then Fridays through Sundays through July 8. Friday and Saturday shows are at 6 p.m., and Sunday shows are at 10:30 a.m. Assigned seat tickets are $39 for dinner and a show, $29 for the show only. Standard seats are $35 for dinner and a show, $25 for the show only. Get tickets at www.mosleystreet.com/shows
Buckcherry in concert
8 p.m. Sunday, Wave, 650 E. Second
Buckcherry, the California rock band known for songs like “Sorry” and “Too Drunk…”, will perform with opening act Dusty Grant at 8 p.m. Sunday at Wave, the downtown music venue near Second St. and St. Francis. The group still features original lead singer Josh Todd. Tickets to the show are $35 and are available at waveict.com
Meet the Chef
6-7 p.m. Thursday, Mid-America All-Indian Museum, 650 N. Seneca
The Mid-America All Indian Center on Thursday will feature a talk by Chef Pyet DeSpain, who last year was named the winner of Gordon Ramsey’s Fox show “Next Level Chef.” The chef, who is Prairie Band Potawatomi, will talk about her journey from Kansas City, Kansas, to becoming a top-ranked private chef in Los Angeles. Admission to the event, which lasts from 6 to 7 p.m., is free.
Recent concert announcements
Here’s a look at the recent additions made to Wichita’s concert calendar:
The Travel Guide, June 1, Wave, tickets on sale at waveict.com
Shamarr Allen, June 28, Wave, tickets on sale at waveict.com
Hellzapoppin: Circus Sideshow 2023, July 23, TempleLive, tickets on sale at wichita.templelive.com
Black Joe Lewis, Aug. 5, Wave, tickets on sale at waveict.com
Treaty Oak Revival, Aug. 12, Cotillion, tickets on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at thecotillion.com
The Dave Matthews Tribute Band, Aug. 21, Wave, tickets on sale at waveict.com
The Ozzy Osbourne Experience, Oct. 19, Cotillion, tickets on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at thecotillion.com
