General News in the 316

[SubGod22]

A list of shows coming to Wichita this year. I'm sure more will pop up down the road.

Johnny Cash: The Official Concert Experience, Feb 9, Orpheum Theatre
Cody Johnson, Feb. 9, IBA
Rockin' The Fe with the Sunset Sinners, Feb 9, Stiefel Theatre (Salina)
Mountain Deer Revival, Feb 10, Wave
Hariball, Feb 10, Hartman
Extreme with Living Colour, Feb 13, Cotillion
Wade Bowen, Feb 15, Cotillion
That Arena Rock Show, Feb 16, TempleLive
The Legends Tour, Feb 17, Century II
Jukebox, Feb 17, TempleLive
Yo La Tengo, Feb 20, Wave
Postmodern Jukebox, Feb 20, Orpheum Theatre
Tommy Emmanuel, Feb 21, Stiefel Theatre
Matt Anderson, Feb 22, Stiefel Theatre
Mr. Big, Feb 23, Cotillion
Social Cinema, Feb 23, TempleLive
Vehicles, Feb 24, Wave
Arkansauce, Feb 24, Wave
Steel Panther, Feb 24, TempleLive
Josh Abbot Band, Feb 24, Cotillion
Gregory Alan Isakov, Feb 28, Cotillion
Kolby Cooper, Feb 29, Cotillion
Killer Queen: A Tribute to Queen, Feb 29, Stiefel Theatre

Bob Wills' Texas Playboys, Mar 1, Cotillion
My So Called Band, Mar 1, Wave
Carrie Nation & The Speakeasy, Mar 2, Wave
Whitey Morgan and the 78's, Mar 3, Wave
Winter Jam, Mar 3, IBA
Drew Lynch, Mar 6, Orpheum
Boy Named Banjo, Mar 6, Wave
Zach Rushing, Mar 9, TempleLive
Anthony Gomes, Mar 9, Cotillion
Flogging Molly, Mar 9, Kansas Star Casino
Brian Seltzer: Rockabilly Riot, Mar 9, Stiefel Theatre
Tropidelic: Il Nino Tour, Mar 14, Wave
Me Like Bees, Mar 15, Wave
Frank Foster, Mar 15, TempleLive
Jo Koy, Mar 15, Orpheum
The Ultimate Doors, Mar 16, TempleLIve
Liverpool Legends, Mar 22, Orpheum
Jackyl, Mar. 22, Cotillion
Ed Bassmaster, Mar. 22, Century II
Kansas, Mar 22-23, Stiefel Theatre
Rock and Roll Never Forgets: A Tribute to Bob Seger, Mar 23, Cotillion
Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, Mar 23, TempleLive
Darkest Hour, Mar 23, TempleLive
The Astronauts, Mar 23, Wave
Vincent Neil Emerson, Mar. 27, Wave
Blake Shelton, Mar 29, IBA
Cinderella's Tom Keifer, Mar 29, Cotillion
Gary Owen, Mar 29, Century II
Trey Kennedy: Grow Up, Mar 30, Orpheum
Not.Greenday, Mar 30, Wave
Jaret Ray Reddick, Mar 30, TempleLive
Three Dog Night, Mar 30, Kansas Star Casino
Chicos de Barrio, Mar 30, Cotillion

The Bright Light Social Hour, Apr 3, Wave
Mo Lowda & The Humble, Apr 3, Wave
Bumpin' Uglies, Apr 4, Wave
Night Ranger, Apr 5, Kansas Star Casino
G-Space, Apr 5, Wave
Glenn Miller Orchestra, Apr 7, Orpheum
Galactic Empire, Apr 7, Temple Live
Dust City Opera, Apr 8, Wave
Toto, Apr 12, Stiefel Theatre
ABBAFAB, Apr 12, Cotillion
Uncle Lazer, Apr 12, TempleLive
Johnny Woods, Apr 12, Wave
The Offspring, Apr 12, Wave
Slaughter Beach, Apr 13, TempleLive
Fit for a King, Apr 13, TempleLive
When Doves Cry, The Prince Tribute Show, Apr 13, Orpheum
Voyage - The Ultimate Journey Tribute Band, Apr 18, Cotillion
Dexter and the Moonrocks, Apr 18, Wave
The Mountain Goats, Apr 19, Stiefel Theatre
Flux Pavilion, Apr 19, Cotillion
Sum 41, Apr 20, Wave
The Tierney Sutton Band, Apr 20, Orpheum
meth. w/Dreamwell, Leech Fetish, Virgins, Apr 22, Wave
Icon for Hire, Apr 23, TempleLive
Jeff Dunham, Apr 25, IBA
John Craigie & Mason Jennings, Apr 25, Wave
Rend Collective, Apr 25, Orpheum
Home Free, Apr 26, Stiefel Theatre
The Wallflowers, Apr 26, TempleLive
Terri Clark, Apr 26, Crown Uptown Theatre
Tom's Elton Tribute, Apr 27, Century II
The Comedy Function, Apr 27, Orpheum
Joe Satriani & Steve Vai, Apr 29, Stiefel Theatre
Wild Party, Apr 30, Wave

Creed Fisher, May 2, TempleLive
Pony Bradshaw, May 2, Wave
Turnpike Troubadours, May 3, IBA
Peter Antoniou, May 3, TempleLive
Little Miss Nasty, May 4, Wave
Whiskey Myers, May 4, Hartman
Hippie Sabotage, May 4, Cotillion
Earth, May 4, TempleLive
City Morgue, May 5, Cotillion
P.O.D., May 5, TempleLive
Eidola, May 5, TempleLive
Josh Turner, May 9, Cotillion
Flaw, May 9, Wave
Damage Inc./Noise Pollution, May 10, Cotillion
Steel Skarecrow, May 10, TempleLive
Zach Top, May 10, Wave
Ashley McBryde, May 11, Stiefel Theatre
Nekrogoblikon, May 11, Wave
Get the LED Out, May 11, Cotillion
Emo Orchestra: Escape the Fate, May 12, Orpheum
Lacuna Coil, May 14, TempleLive
Havoc, May 15, TempleLive
Cake, May 16, Wave
Chicago, May 17, Hartman
Ian Munsick, May 17, Wave
Josh Gates Live, May 17, Orpheum
Parker Ryan, May 18, Wave
The Steel Wheels, May 22, Wave
Pete Davidson, May 22, Orpheum
Paleface Swiss, May 22, TempleLive
Flatland Cavalry, May 23, Stiefel Theatre
Mo B. Dick, May 24, Wave
Shaggy 2 Dope, May 25, Wave
Uriah Heep & Saxon, May 25, TempleLive
Alien Ant Farm, May 28, TempleLive
Rivers of Nihil, May 29, TempleLive
Southall, May 30, Wave
Legends of Country Rock: Firefall and Richie Furay of Poco & Buffalo Springfield, May 31, Stiefel Theatre
Digital Underground/C&C Music Factory/Tag Team, May 31, Riverfest

Hunter Hayes, Jun 1, Riverfest
From Ashes to New, Jun 2, Cotillion
Brit Floyd, Jun 4, Orpheum
The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, Jun 4, TempleLive
Drake White, Jun 4. Riverfest
Starship featuring Mickey Thomas, Jun 5, Riverfest
Danielle Nicole, Jun 6, Riverfest
Randy Travis, Jun 7, Orpheum
Banda Cuisillos, Jun 7, Riverfest
Kool & The Gang, Jun 8, Riverfest
Of Montreal, Jun 11, Wave
Punch Brothers, Jun 17, Stiefel Theatre
Brad Williams, Jun 21, Orpheum
Elsewhere Fest, June 21-22, Downtown Wichita locations
Ally Venable, Jun 23, Wave
Lyle Lovett and his Large Band, Jun 26, Cotillion
Sunset Sinners, Jun 27, Wave
Burning Spear, Jun 27, Stiefel Theatre
James McMurtry, Jun 29, Wave

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, July 11, Wave
The Wallflowers, July 13, TempleLive
Left to Suffer, July 13, TempleLive
Kingdom Collapse, July 16, TempleLive
The Beach Boys, July 17, Cotillion
Maddie & Tae, July 19, Kansas Star Casino
Muscadine Bloodline, July 19, Cotillion
Jo Dee Messina, July 19, Dam Jam
D'Aydrian Harding, July 19, TempleLive
Brantley Gilbert, July 20, Dam Jam
Stone Temple Pilots, July 20, Dam Jam
Ryan Upchurch, July 20, Dam Jam
Wheeler Walker Jr., July 20, Dam Jam
Demun Jones, July 20, Dam Jam
Killer Queen, July 23, Cotillion
Eazybaked, July 25, Wave
Gabby Barrett, July 25, Kansas Star Casino
Sara Evans, July 26, Stiefel Theatre
Arkansauce, July 27, Wave

BlackHawk, Aug 2, Stiefel Theatre
Piano Men Generations (Billy Joel/Elton John tribute), Aug 4, Cotillion
Blues Traveler & Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Aug 6, Wave
I Prevail & Halestorm, Aug 6, Hartman Arena
Magic Sword, Aug 7, Wave
The Head and the Heart, Aug 8, Cotillion
Samantha Fish, Aug 9, Cotillion
Graham Nash, Aug 10, Steifel Theatre
Ben Folds, Aug 10, Cotillion
Bored Teachers, Aug 10, Kansas Star Casino
Graham Nash, Aug 10, Stiefel Theatre
The Steel Woods, Aug 10, Wave
Alice Cooper, Aug 11, Hartman Arena
Tracy Lawrence, Aug 14, Cotillion
Bulls, Bands and Barrels featuring Koe Wetzel, Aug. 16, IBA
George Lopez, Aug 17, Stiefel Theatre
Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood, Aug 18, Orpheum
Fitz and the Tantrums, Aug 20, Wave
Dwight Yoakam, Aug 22, Hartman Arena
Taylorville (Taylor Swift Tribute), Aug 24, Orpheum

Shawn James, Sep 1, Wave
Wynonna Judd, Sep 6, Kansas State Fair Grandstand
Goo Goo Dolls, Sep 7, Kansas State Fair Grandstand
Ice Nine Kills, In This Moment, Sep 9, Wave
Gary Clark Jr., Sep 10, Wave
Casting Crowns, Sep 11, Kansas State Fair Grandstand
Broadway's Rock of Ages Band, Sep 12, Kansas State Fair Grandstand
Pop Evil, Sep 13, Kansas State Fair Grandstand
Riley Green, Sep 14, Kansas State Fair Grandstand
Oak Ridge Boys, Sep 15, Kansas State Fair Grandstand
38 Special, Sep 21, Kansas Star Casino
Intocable, Sep 26, Century II
Zach Williams, Sep 27, Hartman Arena

John Lyndon, Oct 1, Cotillion
Celtic Thunder, Oct 4, Orpheum
Kansas, Oct 5, Hartman Arena
John Michael Montgomery, Oct 11, TempleLive
The Phil Collins Experience, Oct 12, Cotillion
Jelly Roll, Oct 15, IBA
Ana Barbara, Oct 24, Orpheum
#IMOMSOHARD, Oct 25, Stiefel Theatre
Michael Jackson Tribute, Oct 27, Cotillion

Barenaked Ladies with Toad the Wet Sprocket, Nov 2, Stiefel Theatre
Mark Normand, Nov 2, Orpheum
Lewis Black, Nov 3, Stiefel Theatre
Heart, Nov 16, Intrust Bank Arena
Joe Bonamassa, Nov 19, Hartman Arena

That Arena Rock Show, Dec. 13, TempleLive

Some things to look forward to. Just for fun, I went through and highlighted the ones I'm most intrigued by.

New adds since the last update are in green.

[SubGod22]

KFDI - Wichita accepting bids to build new transit facility

After several years of planning and design work, the City of Wichita is now going out for bids on the construction of a new transit facility in the Delano neighborhood.

The city is planning a multimodal transit center that will be called The Hub, and it will be constructed on the block bounded by Sycamore, Oak, Texas and Burton. The design of the facility was done by the firm of TranSystems and the city will be accepting bids through June 7th. A pre-bid conference for interested vendors will be held May 13th at City Hall.

The City received a Federal Transit Authority grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation in 2019, and the City Council later approved a budget of $19.2 million for design, infrastructure and utility work, construction and project management.

[SubGod22]

WBJ - Empower seeks $3 million to make full multi-building revitalization project a reality

Another piece of the vision for reimagining a prominent area within Wichita's North End is coming into clearer view.

So is its fundraising target to make it happen.

Empower — a local nonprofit focused on educational, workforce and small business development for the city's Hispanic community — says it needs to raise $3 million by February 2025 in order to advance the final phase of a $9.9-million Nomar District project revitalizing three buildings on the southwest corner of 21st Street and Market.

"It's a big vision to raise this type of capital," Empower executive director Ariel Rodriguez said.

The Mabee Foundation, a Tulsa-based nonprofit with a history of giving in the Wichita area, recently awarded Empower a $1 million capstone challenge grant, but it's contingent on the organization raising the rest of its needed project funds. That means Empower, which has raised $5.9 million so far, must bring in an additional $3 million, so that the challenge grant gets the multiphase effort's funding to the finish line.

I really do think this is a wonderful project for that portion of the city and I really hope their fundraising efforts are a success..

There's a slideshow in the link with some renderings if interested.

[SubGod22]

WBJ - Textron Aviation opens expanded parts distribution center in Wichita

Textron Aviation celebrated the grand opening of its expanded parts distribution center in Wichita this week, though it's been in operation since October.

The $20-million investment added on 180,000 square feet to the building in a move to meet the company's growing aftermarket demand, with close proximity to Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower Airport to ship parts to 170 countries worldwide.

"Logistically, it's a great spot to be in," said Brad White, who is senior vice president of global parts and distribution at Textron Aviation, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company.

Previously, the manufacturer was running parts out of five buildings within Wichita, adding up to 30,000 driving miles annually, "and we were able to consolidate all that into one single footprint here," White said.

Aftermarket is a large portion of the company's business — approximately 33% of annual revenue.

[SubGod22]

Andover getting another emergency room hospital.

WBJ - Health-care provider to break ground on Andover facility later this month

Wesley Healthcare is set to break ground on a $14 million emergency room location in Andover later this month. A groundbreaking at the location was set for Thursday but the date has been postponed due to weather conditions.

Andover Planning Commission director Les Mangus said the project is located at 126 West Cloud Avenue, one block west of Andover Road. He added that the zoning and planing application of the project originally started in July 2023.

Mangus said that the emergency room location will be 11,200 square feet and will have a dropoff area and 14-17 emergency and treatment rooms. Wesley Healthcare said in a release that it will have 12 emergency beds in the building. Mangus also said that Wesley Healthcare will have 15 on-site employees for the location. The medical facility will be an emergency room only, providing full services identical to their Derby, Woodlawn and west Wichita locations.

The emergency room project is across from Flint Hills Medical Clinic to the east and behind Auto Zone, Spangles and Flint Hills Wine & Spirits to the west of the location.

This is off the SW corner of 54 and Andover Road. The Dillons is across the street to the east.

The other ER is off of 21st street just west of Andover Road. Not sure how many emergency beds they have off the top of my head.

[SubGod22]

I like.

WBJ - Novacoast shepards employment for blind cybersecurity workers

When Paul Anderson started a cybersecurity and software business 28 years ago, he knew he would be working in a cutting-edge field. What he didn't know was that he would be a pioneer.

Last year, he hired his first blind employee to work in cybersecurity. Now, he is on a mission, looking to help the visually impaired in other ways along with giving qualified blind people technical jobs.

In 2022, Anderson, the CEO of Novacoast, moved the corporate headquarters from California tothe Epic Center in downtown Wichita. But it was before the move that he learned about Envision Inc., a Wichita-based nonprofit that works to provide opportunities for those who are blind or visually impaired through employment, rehabilitation, education and research.

"The Greater Wichita Partnership are the ones that reached out to me and got me to come look at Wichita initially as a potential office location," Anderson said. "They were just introducing me to a lot of local companies."

Envision was one of those companies.

This really is a cool story. Novacoast even takes a loss financially on the training as the tuition doesn't cover salary costs. He also helps hook up these individuals with other companies if their skill set is better off elsewhere.

I've long been a fan of Envision and what they do for the visually impaired. It's pretty cool to see a company like Novacoast reaching out to that community to try and help them achieve their goals as well.

I'm also glad they set up shop in Wichita as there's a lot of potential in cybersecurity and Wichita would do well to be in the center of it.

[SubGod22]

WBJ - How this Love's brand will serve the trucking industry at its new Wichita location

The Love's Travel Stops brand is known by many across the country for its red and yellow heart logo and the cleanliness of its stores and bathrooms.

But, as construction on Wichita's first Love's ramps up in north Wichita with eyes toward opening by the end of the year, the Oklahoma City-based company is also bringing with it a wide range of services for professional truck drivers beyond the store itself.

As part of the Love's development on the northwest corner of I-135 and 21st Street, the company's Speedco brand will also be opening a 20,000 square-foot spacethat provides preventive maintenance and total truck care.

The Speedco will have four service bays and up to two roadside service trucks, depending on demand, a Love's spokesperson said. It'll be located on the north side of the 19-acre Love's development within the ICT21 Industrial District.

"The Speedco is set to open shortly after the store," the Loves's spokesperson said. "Typically, our truck care services open within a month after the store."

Speedco locations provide comprehensive lube, tire and light mechanical services for professional drivers and fleets. It also provides emergency roadside technicians that are available 24/7 throughout the year.

[SubGod22]

Are there any other Froyo places still around Wichita? There was a period of time when Orange Leaf and a few others were huge, and then the slowly disappeared.

Wichita by EB - First look at Cuppa Yo, a new frozen yogurt shop in Andover

I can’t remember the last time a frozen yogurt shop has opened in the Wichita area. Years ago there was a big boom of new froyo spots. That has since slowed down and now that I think about it, my daughter has never experienced frozen yogurt.

So, Cuppa Yo was going to be a great opportunity to knock out a new eatery around town and show my daughter something that I’ll probably be hearing about for weeks.

At Cuppa Yo, there were multiple stations with different flavor options to choose from. My daughter was floored by it; it’s like she was shown some new technology brought down to Earth by aliens.

Everything starts by deciding the cup size. If you’re interested in a waffle cone or cake cone, those are available by request.

After that, you select the flavor you want. There were little disposable tasting cups available, so people could sample ones they were unfamiliar with.

Then it’s time to pick the toppings. Cuppa Yo had a wide arrangement of candies, boba, fruit, and sauces to layer over the top of the frozen yogurt. I’m not good at common core math, so I couldn’t determine the number of combinations, but my guess is “endless combinations”.

This part was probably the favorite of the kids, browsing through all the options and feeling like a kid in a candy store…. literally.

Anyone that's been around knows how these places work, but I'm glad to see one again. I always like Orange Leaf myself. Should be a nice addition to the Andover community and is something a little different than what you're going to get at DQ or Braums.

[SubGod22]

Towne West is without power once again.

[SubGod22]

FYI

KWCH - I-135, K-96 ramps closing this weekend

On May 4, the Kansas Department of Transportation will temporarily close the southbound ramp from I-135 to eastbound K-96 and the westbound K-96 ramp to northbound I-135 in Wichita.

Additionally, there will be temporary lane restrictions on northbound I-135 for new striping alignment. These closures are necessary for the removal of a crane and concrete safety barriers. The ramps will be closed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with completion expected by late Saturday afternoon. During the closure period, detour signs will be in place to guide drivers to alternative routes. Motorists are advised to exercise caution while navigating through the area.

[WstateU]

WBJ - 'LESSONS THAT WE LEARNED' - Leaders of the Wichita Biomedical Campus look to Phoenix for inspiration



The potential of this campus is endless.



PHX has had massive downtown growth since they started their campus, and there's no reason to believe Wichita can't experience something similar. WSU already has some experience with such things with the IC, and we can be hopefully that the City of Wichita will be smart and do what they can to help try and attract the right types of businesses to that area.

Wichita might finally knock one out of the park… thanks to Muma’s vision. We can never discount his tutelage under The Bardo.

[SubGod22]

WBJ - 'LESSONS THAT WE LEARNED' - Leaders of the Wichita Biomedical Campus look to Phoenix for inspiration

The other is the Phoenix Bioscience Core.

In 2019, when Muma started conversations with the leadership at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita about a shared campus with WSU and WSU Tech's health professions programs, he discovered the PBC.

The PBC is a 30-acre life sciences campus that has helped transform downtown Phoenix and its city's economy — generating a $1.3 billion annual economic impact and 9,700 jobs.

Muma has visited three times, taking delegations of leaders from the city of Wichita, KU, and the Greater Wichita Partnership.

"That wouldn't be totally out of the realm of possibility to do something like Phoenix here in Wichita," Muma said. "I wanted to show people that this is what this could be."

The potential of this campus is endless.

"There's just a lot of similarities that we're trying to do in downtown Wichita," he said. "... That's definitely what we're aiming for, kind of the same model of the Innovation Campus."

Nearly a dozen companies and organizations have a presence on WSU's 120-acre Innovation Campus, including the likes of Airbus, Deloitte and NetApp, which has been under development since 2014.

"That really has drawn all this private investment and these businesses to join our campus," Muma said, "because they have that basic research and development space if they needed it."

Private developers have already taken a keen interest in tapping into the Wichita Biomedical Campus.

Consider the medical office uses that a pair of developers are looking at — among other uses — for three nearby buildings they've recently purchased and plan to redevelop. Sedgwick County decided to locate its new COMCARE crisis center next to the biomedical campus to create a talent pipeline.

"We've been having lots of conversations about and hearing about a lot of other people, entities, who are either in the process of purchasing land or wanting to purchase land that will be complementary to the biomedical campus and patient-care areas," Muma said.

PHX has had massive downtown growth since they started their campus, and there's no reason to believe Wichita can't experience something similar. WSU already has some experience with such things with the IC, and we can be hopefully that the City of Wichita will be smart and do what they can to help try and attract the right types of businesses to that area.

[WuDrWu]

KSN - Kelsey Grammer talks to KSN about upcoming performance with Wichita Grand Opera



I always enjoyed him as an actor. He's had some fun roles in his life. I'm not really an opera guy, but having him a part of it has to be good for Wichita and I hope these are well attended/supported.


Video of the interview is in the link, as well as how to buy tickets if you're interested.

This will be phenomenal and I would love to see and hear KG in person, but just can't make myself pull the trigger @ $300 for 2. Plenty of tickets remain though for anyone so inclined.

[WstateU]

KSN - Kelsey Grammer talks to KSN about upcoming performance with Wichita Grand Opera



I always enjoyed him as an actor. He's had some fun roles in his life. I'm not really an opera guy, but having him a part of it has to be good for Wichita and I hope these are well attended/supported.

Video of the interview is in the link, as well as how to buy tickets if you're interested.[/QUOTE]

He was outstanding in Jesus Revolution... I highly recommend the film. Take a box of tissues.

[SubGod22]

The first, that I'm aware of, store to move out of Towne West due to the continuing issues there.

Wichita by EB - Shop Local: Rebellious Rose

A store recently relocated from Towne West Square to their new space at 2910 E. Douglas. It’s the women’s clothing store, Rebellious Rose.

What originally started as an antique furniture store, soon relocated to Towne West Square a year and a half later. Rebellious Rose originally started in a 900 square foot space but then relocated to a 2,300 square foot space due to the increase in business. It was a nice boom in business.

But due to the well documented issues at Towne West Square, the owner made the tough decision to relocate to the Douglas Design District. It’s an area of town that really fits the vibe and essence of Rebellious Rose.

The women’s store officially made the move in April 2024.

Probably not a store that effects many of us personally, but I still like to see local businesses have success and who knows, maybe some of you have wives/girlfriends/kids that shop or might want to shop here.

Sounds like they also try to work with women on fashion and have a lot to offer.