What to do this weekend: Riverfest launch, 25th anniversary concert, and a Big Gay Market
Opening weekend for the Wichita Riverfest has arrived, and if you’re looking for information about the big events like the parade, the fireworks and the big-name concerts, you’ll find it here. But the Riverfest isn’t the only thing happening in Wichita this weekend and into next week. People looking to be entertained can also check out a couple of tribute concerts, a movie singalong, a First Friday art opening and a Big Gay Market.
Here’s a list of what’s going on in Wichita:
Wichita Riverfest opening weekend
Friday-Sunday, downtown Wichita near Century II
The 51st Wichita Riverfest has arrived, and the first weekend has plenty going on. And admission to all events is a festival button that’s $15 for adults, $5 for kids 6-12 at QuikTrip stores. Among the biggest events:
▪ Sundown Parade: starting at 6:30 p.m. Friday and moving through downtown Wichita
▪ Shaggy with Cash Hollistah and DJ Carbon: The concert follows the parade on the Kennedy Plaza Stage
▪ Opening night fireworks show: It will start around 9:45 p.m. Friday and will be launched from the Douglas Avenue Bridge.
▪ River Run: Several different races, including a new one-mile Family Fun Run, will go on from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday.
▪ Riverfest Artfest Pop Up Market: runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Century II’s Exhibition Hall and includes lots of arts and shopping vendors.
▪ Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors with Wilderado and Reid Haughton: Saturday’s main concert happens at 9 p.m. on the Kennedy Plaza Stage.
▪ Downtown Get Down: This block party-style event lasts from 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday on Douglas between Waco and Main.
▪ Parker Milsap: Sunday night’s concert starts at 9 p.m. on the Kennedy Plaza Stage.
Big Fat Fun anniversary show
8 p.m. Friday, Wave, 620 E. Second
This well-known Wichita cover band will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a concert starting at 8 p.m. Friday at Wave. The group, which performs popular music from the 1960s forward, is promising a three-hour show. The doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the band will be joined by Lucy Shipley. Tickets for the all-ages show are $15-$60 at waveict.com
“Greatest Showman” singalong
7 p.m. Thursdays in June, Exploration Place, 300 N. McLean Blvd.
If you love the movie “The Greatest Showman,” you’ll want to be at Exploration Place on Thursdays throughout June for movie singalongs. The museum, which is putting on the events in conjunction with its new exhibit “Circus! Science Under the Big Top,” promises singing, dancing and a live performance from “American Idol” star McKayla Stacey. The screenings are at 7 p.m. Thursday and June 15, 22 and 29 at Exploration Place’s Kemper Theater. Tickets are $18, $15 for members at exploration.org/event/the-greatest-showman-singalong/
ICT Big Gay Market
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, 11th and Bitting
The third annual ICT Big Gay Market happens from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at 815 W. 11th St. which is at the corner of 11th and Bitting in Riverside. The street will be closed and filled with nearly 70 plus LGBTQIA and allied vendors plus food trucks, drink vendors and more. Live music and activities for kids also will be included. Admission is free. For a map of vendors, visit www.landsapothecary.com/bgm-map
Tribute band
Thursday, Wave, 650 E. Second St.
On Thursday, tribute band Led Zeppelin 2 will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the band’s album “Houses of the Holy.” The show starts at 8 p.m. with doors at 7 p.m., and tickets are $20 at waveict.com
“In(flux)” opening
6 p.m. Friday, Mark Arts, 1307 N. Rock Road
The opening reception for a new exhibit called “(In)flux” happens at 6 p.m. Friday at Mark Arts. The show features recent work by two contemporary artists based in Wichita: Brenda Lichman and Tim Stone. Lichman’s specialty is ceramics, and Stone is a painter. The artists will be present at the opening, which will feature a cash bar and live music. The show will be on display through July 27. Admission to the reception is free, but those who wish to attend are asked to RSVP at markartsks.com
Recent concert announcements
Here’s a look at the recent additions made to Wichita’s concert calendar:
Midnight Tyrannosaurus, Sept. 23, Wave, tickets on sale at waveict.com
The Foolers, Oct. 5, Orpheum Theatre, tickets on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at www.selectaseat.com
Ryan Adams, Nov. 18, Stiefel Theatre, Salina, tickets on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at www.stiefeltheatre.org
