Here’s how you can help celebrate the Keeper of the Plains’ 50th birthday this weekend
The big party this weekend will be at The Keeper of the Plains, at the confluence of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas rivers. Wichita is celebrating the sculpture’s 50th birthday — and all it has meant to the city — with a big “Party for the People” that happens on Saturday.
Read on to learn how to participate in that party and about the other fun things happening around town this weekend, including a tattoo expo, a show by comedian Pete Davidson and a concert by iconic group Chicago.
Celebrating The Keeper
1-9 p.m. Saturday, Mid-America All-Indian Museum, 650 N. Seneca
Wichita will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the dedication of The Keeper of the Plains at a big “Party for the People” that happens Saturday at the Mid-America All-Indian Museum. The event starts at 1 p.m. with a re-dedication of the famous statue, then activities will continue all day leading to a finale fireworks show set to Native music that starts at 9 p.m. In between, people can enjoy food trucks, a kids zone, Native performances, indoor powwows and an Indian taco sale. Admission is free.
Pete Davidson at The Orpheum
7 and 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, The Orpheum, 200 N. Broadway
Well-known comedian, actor and “Saturday Night Live Star” Pete Davidson is coming to Wichita on Wednesday for two back-to-back performances, and tickets are still available – especially for the later show. Davidson, who has appeared in movies such as “The King of Staten Island” and “Trainwreck,” will perform his first “Prehab Tour” show at 7 p.m., and a few “platinum-level” tickets are still available. More tickets are available for the 9:30 p.m. show, and they range from $39 to $59. They’re available at www.selectaseat.com, by phone at 316-755-SEAT, or in person at the Select-a-Seat box office inside Intrust Bank Arena.
Chicago at Hartman Arena
7 p.m. Friday, Hartman Arena, 8151 N. Hartman Arena Drive, Park City
Legendary rock band Chicago, known for hits like “Saturday in the Park,” “Hard Habit to Break” and “You’re the Inspiration,” will be at Wichita’s Hartman Arena for a concert on Friday. The Grammy-award winning group, whose lineup has changed over the years, is also a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee. It recorded its 38th studio album, “Born for the Moment,” in 2022. Tickets for the show, which starts at 7 p.m., are $59 to $129 and are available at www.hartmanarena.com
Wichita history, updated
Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, 204 S. Main, 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays
The Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum has renovated two of its feature exhibits and added graphics and artifacts from the city’s history. The updates to “Wichita – The Magic City” and to “Spirit of Wichita” will be on display starting on Sunday. The update is part of an ongoing gallery and exhibition renovation at the museum, which has a collection of more than 70,000 artifacts. People can check them out during the museum’s regular hours, which are 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for ages 6-12 and free for 6 and under.
Tattoo Expo
Friday-Sunday, Century II, 225 W. Douglas
The 2024 RiverCity Tattoo & Lifestyle Expo will be at Century II Friday through Sunday and will feature nearly 50 tattoo artists doing live tattooing as well as tattoo-friendly vendor booths. Attendees can get piercings and hair styling on the spot or compete in the “Biggest Beard” and “Coolest Mustache” contests. And famous tattoo artist Chris Nunez from television shows “Miami Ink” and “Ink Master” will also be there. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Single-day tickets are $20 for adults, $5 for ages 13-17; two-day passes are $30, $5 for ages 13-17; and three-day passes are $50 for adults, $10 for ages 13-17. They’re available at www.selectaseat.com
Piano marathon
Finale concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Friends University’s Alumni Auditorium, 2100 W. University
Saturday is “Satieday,” according to Friends University, which is attempting to put on a city-wide performance of eccentric composer Eric Satie’s piece “Vexations.” The university has been seeking piano players from across the state to perform the piece, which consists of four presentations of a theme that must be repeated 840 times in a single performance, lasting from 18 to 35 hours. Pianists of all ages have signed up to play the piece for 15 minutes at a time all day on Saturday. People can see the piano relay in action from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at CityArts, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Exploration Place, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sedgwick County Zoo’s Stingray Cantina, and from noon to 4 p.m. at Mark Arts. That night, Friends will present a finale concert performed by James Knight, assistant professor of piano, and Nathanael May, fine arts division chair. It’s at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Alumni Auditorium. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and students. They’re available at www.friends.edu/finearts/fine-arts-tickets/
