What to do this weekend: Art at the Arb, Renaissance Fest, ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ and more
Wichitans can either get outside this weekend with popular events like Art at the Arb at the Bartlett Arboretum or the Great Plains Renaissance Festival at Sedgwick County Park, or they can stay inside and take in concerts, stage performances and more.
Either way, there’s plenty to do over this spring weekend. Here’s a list of some of the best options:
Art at the Arb
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Bartlett Arboretum, 301 N. Line St., Belle Plaine
Ever since the pandemic let up a bit in 2021, Bartlett Arboretum’s Art at the Arb has become an event that draws big crowds of people ready to get outside, enjoy the spring weather, gaze at 40,000 just-bloomed tulips and hear live music under a big canopy of trees. This year’s installment is this weekend, and it runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday at the Belle Plaine venue. The event includes food and art vendors spread throughout the grounds and a different lineup of live music both days. Saturday’s music starts at 10:30 a.m. with a new act every hour or so throughout the afternoon. Acts include Ghost of Mead’s Corner, Dear Friends Band, the Aerotones, Lisa Hittle and Jazz Plus and Monica Taylor and her Red Dirt Ramblers. Sunday’s lineup includes Acme Rock Band, John Depew, Sometimes on Sunday and the Mudbugs Cajun & Zydeco Band. Admission is $10 at the gate. Visitors should bring lawn chairs and blankets for enjoying the music on the big lawn.
Spring Renaissance Festival
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sedgwick County Park, 6501 W. 21st St. North
The Great Plains Renaissance & Scottish Festival’s annual spring installment happens this weekend at Sedgwick County Park and will include jousters, bagpipers, birds of prey, blacksmiths, fire breathers and more. The event also will have food, including those famous giant turkey legs. It lasts from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets purchased in advance online at www.greatplainsrenfest.com/onlinetickets/ are $11 for adults. Those same tickets will be $14 at the gate. Online tickets also come with one free pass for a child 12 and under. Those who shop online also can get an $18 weekend pass for an adult that includes admission both days and one free kid’s pass. Extra kid’s passes are $5, and admission is free for children 2 and under. For more information, visit www.greatplainsrenfest.com
Last chance for Tulip Fest
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Botanica, 701 Amidon
Tulip time at Botanica is almost over, and the Tulip Festival, which has been going on the last two Saturdays, will conclude on Saturday of this weekend. Visitors can see around 66,000 tulips in 110 different varieties blooming throughout the gardens. The event includes live music, food trucks, face painting, carousel rides, a petting zoo and more. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Adult admission is $12 and youth are $10. Members are admitted free. Visitors also can add on tickets for informal guided walking tours of the tulips at 9:30 and 11 a.m. They’re $5 for members and $10 for non-members. All tickets must be purchased in advance at botanica.org/tulip-fest
Last chance for ‘Dear Evan Hansen’
Friday through Sunday, Century II Concert Hall, 225 W. Douglas
This weekend marks Wichita’s last chance to see American Theatre Guild’s production of the hit Broadway show “Dear Evan Hansen,” which won six Tony Awards in 2017. The show tells the story of an isolated high school student who’s trying to belong in the age of social media. The show, which opened on Tuesday on the Century II Concert Hall stage, continues with performances at 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $50-$130 selectaseat.com/deh, by calling 316-755-7328 or in person at the Select-A-Seat box office inside Intrust Bank Arena.
‘Potted Potter’ at the Orpheum
7 p.m. Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday, Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadway
A “gloriously irreverent” show called “Potted Potter — The Unauthorized Harry Experience — A Parody” will be performed at The Orpheum in Wichita on Saturday and Sunday. The show features two actors who condense all seven “Harry Potter” books into a hilarious 70-minute performance. Created by Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner, the show is appropriate for ages 6 and up. Tickets are $49-$59 and are available at selectaseat.com, by calling 316-755-7328 or in person at the Select-A-Seat box office inside Intrust Bank Arena.
Koe Wetzel in concert
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Intrust Bank Arena, 500 E. Waterman
Texas-born country artist Koe Wetzel, who performed last year at Hartman Arena, got an upgrade this year and will headline a show at Intrust Bank Arena that starts at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and also includes The Steel Woods and Red Shahan. Wetzel, who is best known for hits like “Something to Talk About” and “Good Die Young,” is on his “Road to Hell Paso” tour. Tickets are $30 to $55 and are available at www.selectaseat.com, by calling 316-755-7328 or in person at the Select-A-Seat box office inside Intrust Bank Arena.
Paint and learn
5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, City Arts, 334 N. Mead
Wichitans who want to learn more about suicide prevention can attend a Suspenders4Hope event sponsored by the Wichita Journalism Collaborative on Thursday. The event will allow attendees to pick up tips while painting and enjoying hors d’oeuvres and mocktails. It’s from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at City Arts. Admission is free, but registration is encouraged at https://airtable.com/shrYcvj0DGfrcgLwu. Those who participate will get a free Suspenders4Hope T-shirt.
Recent concert announcements
Wichita’s many music venues have been busy booking shows lately. Here’s a look at the recent additions made to Wichita’s concert calendar:
Buckcherry, May 28, Wave, tickets on sale 10 a.m. Friday at waveict.com
Led Zeppelin 2, June 8, Wave, tickets on sale at waveict.com
Agriculture, June 13, Wave, tickets on sale at waveict.com
Pam Tillis, June 24, Stiefel Theatre, Salina, tickets on sale at noon Friday at stiefeltheatre.org
Melissa Etheridge, June 29, Stiefel Theatre, Salina, tickets on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at stiefeltheatre.org
Fitz and the Tantrums, July 18, Wave, tickets on sale at waveict.com
In This Moment & Motionless in White, Aug. 1, Hartman Arena, tickets on sale 10 a.m. Friday at www.hartmanarena.com
Granger Smith, Aug. 23, Cotillion, tickets on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at thecotillion.com
Devon Allman and Donavon Frankenreiter, Sept. 9, Wave, tickets on sale at waveict.com
