What to do this weekend: ICT Bloktoberfest; Music in the libraries; Boy band dance party
Wichita has lots of entertainment options to offer this weekend, from a beer-filled Oktoberfest party in Naftzger Park to a production of “Snow White” by Ukrainian ballet dancers to an adults-only art-and-wine party at Great Plains Nature Center. Fans of 1990s boy bands can even find a dance party at The Cotillion.
Here are some of the best bets for the weekend:
ICT Bloktoberfest
Friday-Saturday, Naftzger Park. 601 E. Douglas
The big ICT Bloktoberfest party put on by Xclusive Events returns for its eighth annual installment this weekend, but it will have a new home. This time, the two-day party, which happens Friday and Saturday, will be staged at Naftzger Park, 601 E. Douglas. It will include food, beer, games, wiener dog races, eating contest and a “dad bod” contest. The event starts Friday with a Beer Fest featuring a long list of beers to sample. It requires a ticket that’s $60 in advance (or $100 for VIP early entry.) Admission on Saturday is free, and attendees will be able to eat at food trucks, shop at vendor booths and participate in a long list of contests. The Llew Brown Band will perform that day from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.. For Beer Fest tickets and more information, visit ictbloktoberfest.com
Boy band party
8 p.m. Friday, The Cotillion, 11150 W. Kellogg
If you still miss your favorite 1990s boy band, The Cotillion’s Fool House event this weekend might suit your needs. The show, which bills itself as “The Ultimate 90s Dance Party,” starts at 8 p.m. on Friday at the venue and will pay homage to the “golden era” of boy bands, hip hop and pop punk. Fans can expect to hear performances of songs from bands like NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, Nelly, Spice Girls, TLC, Blink-182, Britney Spears and more. The show starts at 8 p.m., and doors open at 7 p.m. Local band Monterey Jack will open the show. Tickets are $20 at thecotillion.com
Disney songs at the libraries
10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, various Wichita library branches
Musicians from the Wichita Symphony Orchestra will be playing songs from beloved Disney movies at libraries around Wichita on Saturday, and admission is free. The musicians originally planned to perform in local parks, but on Wednesday, Wichita’s Park & Recreation Department decided to move the event indoors to account for chilly weather. The event, which will hit three local libraries between 10:45 a.m. and noon, will include live performances of songs like “A Whole New World” from “Aladdin,” “Be Our Guest” from “Beauty and the Beast” and a medley of songs from “Frozen.” Performers will be at the Ford Rockwell branch, 5939 E. Ninth St., at 10:15 a.m.; at the Advanced Learning Library Children’s Gallery, 711 W. Second St., at 10:45 a.m. and at noon; and at the Alford branch, 3447 S. Meridian, at 11:30 a.m.
Steampunk Saturday at Cowtown
Noon-8 p.m. Saturday, Old Cowtown Museum, 1865 W. Museum Blvd.
Saturday is Steampunk day at Wichita’s Old Cowtown Museum, and the venue will be filled with events related to the genre, which mixes science fiction with the Victorian era. The day will feature live steampunk music, steampunk performers, a costume contest and a beard and mustache contest. It lasts from noon to 8 p.m., and regular Cowtown admission applies: $10 for adults, $9 for seniors age 62 and over; $8 for youth ages 5 to 17; free for children 4 and under and for members.
‘Snow White’ ballet
7 p.m. Saturday, Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadway
The Grand Kyiv Ballet, which is a troupe of traveling Ukrainian dancers, will perform the ballet “Snow White” on Friday at The Orpheum Theatre. The show, based on the fairy tale by The Brothers Grimm, is appropriate for all ages. It starts at 7 p.m., and tickets are $32-$89. Tickets are available at selectaseat.com, by phone at 316-755-7328 or in person at the Select-a-Seat box office inside Intrust bank Arena.
Art on the Trail
4-7 p.m. Saturday, Great Plains nature Center, 6232 E. 29th St. North
The Great Plains Nature Center is again offering its adults-only Art on the Trail event from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday. Attendees will be able to buy glasses of wine from Grace Hill Winery then stroll the nature trails and watch more than 25 different Wichita artists create original art. Admission is free, and the event is open to ages 21 and older.
Recent concert announcements
Here’s a look at the recent additions made to Wichita’s concert calendar:
The Whispers, Oct. 28, Kansas Star Casino, Mulvane, tickets on sale at www.ticketmaster.com
Chad Prather, Nov. 11, Century II Mary Jane Teall Theater, tickets on sale at selectaseat.com
Glenn Miller Orchestra, April 7, Orpheum Theatre, tickets on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at selectaseat.com
