General News in the 316

[shoxlax]

KWCH - 75th Annual Tony Awards includes strong connections to Music Theatre Wichita

If you needed any more reason to, or are maybe on the fence, to support a new, state of the art performing arts center in Wichita, here you go.



Wichita has strong ties to Broadway and definitely deserve much better than they currently have at CII.

There are some on this board that have strong ties to South Broadway, too.

[WstateU]

There are some on this board that have strong ties to South Broadway, too.

[Kung Wu]

My ***** betta have my money, through rain sleet or snow!

[Veritas]

Been a while since I've heard anything about Penumbra. I believe there were questions with their financing and if they really could make the investment that they said they would. They were talking an insane amount of money ($2B?) and all from private funds if I remember correctly. I like the ambition and would love to see something like what they envision take place.

I'm guessing things have fallen apart as one would assume if they were really in this to do this and truly believed in it, they wouldn't have fallen into the shadows.

Thanks… I liked their presentation. Wish Wichita had something cooking though.
The city needs to drive for change. I’m not sure if the present form of commission-manager government is conducive to progress and change.

Tulsa did something pretty cool…

https://www.gatheringplace.org

[Downtown Shocker Brown]

SN: Wichita needs to do SOMETHING!

Wichita: Does SOMETHING!

SN: Wichita doesn’t know how to do anything!

also,

SN: Wichita needs to do SOMETHING!

Wichita: Does nothing!

SN: Wichita is so behind, they won’t do anything!

[BOBB]

Wichita needs to stop giving tax breaks to real estate developers and start giving them to businesses that build and design **** people want to buy and services people want to use. Do that successfully and the developers will trip over themselves to build in a dynamic market.

[Ta Town Shocker]

The City of Wichita one has been of value to the parks department. They're getting over $150K a year in royalties from them and who doesn't like the Wichita Flag? It is a nice looking plate.

I realize 150k a year isn't much considering the number of parks Wichita has, but surely there are other revenue streams to help out. That said, the maintenance and upkeep at SCP is almost non-existent. Every fishing dock is in disrepair. Don't even dare to venture off a blacktop with open toed shoes otherwise you'll have a million stickers in your feet. This includes some of the children's play areas. Many of the structures in the play areas are broken. There are tires in the ponds. The list goes on and on.

[SubGod22]

Thanks… I liked their presentation. Wish Wichita had something cooking though.
The city needs to drive for change. I’m not sure if the present form of commission-manager government is conducive to progress and change.

Tulsa did something pretty cool…

https://www.gatheringplace.org

I believe I shared something a week or two ago about the leader of Exploration Place is currently looking into doing something like The Gathering Place on a portion of the property. He's studying not only Tulsa, but a number of other cities around the world who have done similar things. Exploration Place is also doing some remodel and expansion of a portion of the building to be able to attract more traveling exhibits, like Beyond van Gogh, as well as looking into developing some sort of Amphitheater on the property.

[SubGod22]

As gas prices continue to rise, along with everything else, Wichitans are looking at ways to save. I've seen articles about the uptick in sales of both bicycles and motorcycles and apparently, Wichita Transit is getting involved.

KSN - Wichita Transit seeing more riders as gas prices continue to climb

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — With the steady increase at the pump, many cities are seeing an increase in riders on city transit.

In Wichita, ridership was arguably at its highest before the coronavirus pandemic. During the month of May in 2019, just under 113,000 people rode the city bus. The 2020 coronavirus pandemic drastically lowered that number.

In 2021, when the transit system was trying to build back the number of riders, they saw an average of just under 60,000 riders, a more than 48% dip in two years.

However, with both the lessening of the coronavirus pandemic and the large increase in gas prices, there has been a huge jump from 2021 to 2022.

The City is not looking at any price increases for riders as the expense of operating the buses has gone way up as well.

I also know there's a lot of talk about how to improve Wichita Transit in general to help be of more service to more people, but the overwhelming majority of people drive cars it may be hard to find that expansion and improvement as it just won't make sense. It's a tough spot for the city as well as those who would benefit from more.

[SubGod22]

Eagle - After 3-year hiatus, Nico Hernandez returns to ring for USA Boxing event at Koch Arena

For the first time in three years, Wichita native and 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Nico Hernandez is returning to the boxing ring.

Wichita will play host to USA Boxing’s National Junior Olympics for the first time in the city’s history, while Hernandez will headline a new amateur-professional fight series titled “USA Fight Night” that will debut at Koch Arena on Saturday, July 9. Tickets are already on sale through the Wichita State ticket office starting at $30.

“We’re thrilled to welcome USA Boxing and its athletes and fans to the heart of the country for the first time this summer and we’re especially excited to host such a prestigious USA Boxing event combined with the debut of a new fighting series featuring Wichita’s own Nico Hernandez,” Josh Howell, Visit Wichita’s vice president of sports development, said in a release. “It will be an amazing week of boxing in Wichita and we encourage the community to get their tickets to support both of these competitions.”
.....
The National Junior Olympics competition, which lasts from July 11-16, will be hosted at Century II. Tickets can be purchased through selectaseat.com/boxing.

“You will see every level of amateur and professional boxing when USA Boxing comes to the heart of the country next month,” said USA Boxing Events and Operations manager Michael Campbell in a statement. “It’s truly a unique opportunity to witness professional boxing in front of both fans and those aspiring to get to that level of the sport.”

I'm kind of surprised this is the first I'm seeing of the event even existing here in Wichita. Someone has done a poor job of promoting it.

[SubGod22]

Wichita by EB - The 41st Annual Wichita Asian Festival coming this October

For the first time, there will be a $5 admission fee for individuals above the age of 10 at the Wichita Asian Festival. Half of the proceeds from the admission fee will go back to supporting the community, specifically towards the youth in the form of academic scholarships.

If you’ve never been, this is the premiere event for multiple cultural stage performances, food, drink, and art vendors representing multiple Asian countries and the Miss Wichita Asian Festival Scholarship Pageant.

The event is four months away, be sure to follow the Wichita Asian Association and this event page for updates and announcements as they get closer to the Festival date.

[SubGod22]

Wichita by EB - What's Happening This Weekend in Wichita (June 17-19)

A few of the ones I find potentially the most interesting.

■ Wichita Open – Korn Ferry Tour | June 17-19
Where: Crestview Country Club
Formerly known as the Air Capital Classic, the Wichita Open began over 30 years ago and is one of four original Tour events still played. The tournament brings more than 50,000 people to Crestview Country Club’s North Course each June, and is part of the Korn Ferry Tour, which is on the path to the PGA Tour. Some of the best golfers in the world compete in multiple events on a challenging course with many 3- to 5-par holes. Crestview is the only 36-hole country club in Kansas.

■ Apparition Blackbeard | June 17-18
Where: Apparition: Wichita
Apparition is setting sail for the high seas! Join the crew of the notorious Blackbeard and explore flavors and sensations like never before! Whether ye be a gentleman pirate like Stede Bonnet, a clever devil like Jack Sparrow or a dread captain like Blackbeard, we have drinks a plenty for you at this one of a kind pop up bar – and the rum is never gone! Enter our pirate cove to enjoy souvenir pirate punch bowls, filled with delicious dead man’s treasures, frozen drinks served in coconuts, and GROG! Whether you are here to carve your destiny and sit on the throne as Pirate King or build a sand castle on the beach – we’ve got you covered! This pop up will run Wednesday – Saturday in June & July.

■ Canine Stars Dog Stunt Show | June 17-19
Where: Exploration Place
You’ve seen them on America’s Got Talent – now see them in person at Exploration Place! A team of adopted dogs will wow you with stunts including dock diving, freestyle disc tricks, agility skills and high jumping.

■ Night In Delano – Food Truck Rally | June 17
Where: Delano Food Truck Court
Join us for the the Night in Delano Food Truck Rally at the Delano Food Truck Park, 220 S Handley. Food trucks & vendors, Beer & Wine from Grace Hill Winery, Live music.

■ Vine, an Alfresco Event | June 17
Where: Botanica
Join us on June 17th for an unforgettable night at Vine, an Alfresco Event to support Botanica, the Wichita Gardens. Mix and mingle in our beautiful gardens and experience a mouth-watering farm-to-table dinner, enjoy fully stocked bars, and dance the night away to live music.

■ 15th Annual Fly-In at Stearman Field | June 18
Where: Stearman Field Bar & Grill
15th Annual Fly-In at Stearman Field Bar & Grill. Food Tents – Beer Garden – Breakfast Buffet. Come See the Planes. Live music by Steve Warren and Road 23 from Noon to 4 p.m. Evening Show by Lucky People

■ Giraffe Weekend at Tanganyika Wildlife Park | June 18-19
Where: Tanganyika Wildlife Park
Join us for our Connect and Preserve Giraffe Weekend to help us celebrate their species!

■ Rock The Park | June 18
Where: O.J. Watson Park
Three Bands, EPIC, RAVEN and the Cartunes at OJ Watson Park. Three Food trucks, and it’s FREE!

These are just the ones that popped out to me. There are plenty of other events in the link that others might find enjoyable.

[SubGod22]

Wichita by EB - The 103.7 KEYN Summer Concert Series is back at Hartman Arena starting in July

Bring plenty of bottled water as this is an outdoor event and held at the Hartman Arena parking lot. Food trucks will be available onsite, as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for purchase.

The gates for the Summer Concert Series open at 6 p.m. with the show running from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Here’s the schedule of events for live music and food trucks:

CROSSWINDS CASINO STAGE SCHEDULE:
JULY 15: King Midas
JULY 22: Lucky People
JULY 29: Across the Pond
AUGUST 5: Annie Up
AUGUST 12: The Banned

Looks like there will be at least four food truck options for each event.

[Veritas]

I haven’t been to Hartman arena though I recall Ringo Starr played there. Was a bit surprised he didn’t play at the Orpheum Theater.
Is Hartman a nice venue or a smaller version of the infamous Kansas Coliseum? Nothing about the place looks very exciting from the exterior.

Attending a concert on the Hartman parking lot in the summer sounds like a nightmare.

[shoxlax]

Wichita by EB - The 103.7 KEYN Summer Concert Series is back at Hartman Arena starting in July



Looks like there will be at least four food truck options for each event.

I went to Crosswinds this past spring and it was okay but packed and smoke filled.