What’s under that big tent at Towne East? A water circus, of course
Towne East Square will have another big tent show this weekend — a family-friendly “water circus” by a traveling troupe called Cirque Italia. It will include water and high-flying acrobats but is not affiliated with the famous Cirque du Soleil brand.
And that’s not the only entertaining event happening this weekend. Wichitans also can catch lots of First Friday art openings, celebrate spring at a block party-style event at Wave, or laugh along with the Harlem Globetrotters.
Here’s a look at some of the best bets for fun in Wichita this weekend:
Cirque Italia’s Water Circus
Friday-Sunday, Towne East Square parking lot, 7700 E. Kellogg
Cirque Italia is bringing its traveling “water circus” to Wichita, and shows will happen under a tent set up in the Towne East Square parking lot this weekend. Though the shows have no relationship to Cirque Du Soleil, they feature clowns, pirates and flying acrobats performing on a custom-designed “water stage” that holds 34,000 gallons of water. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Friday; 1:30, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; and 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday. The performance is family friendly, and tickets are $15-$55 at silver.cirqueitalia.com
Braille art
6-9 p.m. Friday, Envision Arts Gallery, 801 E. Douglas, suite 106
Envision Arts Gallery in Wichita will put on an opening reception from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday for a show by Clarke Reynolds, a blind braille artist from England. Reynolds, who has been visiting Wichita as a “artist in residence,” has created a show called “American Way Words” that features pieces that incorporate the interactive use of braille. The reception will be in Envision’s main gallery, and Clarke will speak at 6 p.m. Admission is free. The show, one of many opening around town for First Friday, will remain on display through June 28.
Harlem Globetrotters
7 p.m. Friday, Intrust Bank Arena, 500 E. Waterman
The Harlem Globetrotters come to Wichita every year, and they’ll return on Friday for an event that starts at 7 p.m. at Intrust Bank Arena. Shows always feature an exhibition game between the Globetrotters and their rivals, the Washington Generals, and the players wow crowds with trick shots, dunks and lots of comedy. Tickets are $25 to $110, and fans also can add on extras, like a Celebrity Court Pass that allows access to the athletes during the pre-game warm up. Tickets are available at www.selectaseat.com, by phone at 316-755-7328 or in person at the Select-a-Seat box office inside Intrust Bank Arena.
Ballet in the hangar
7 p.m. Friday, Doc Hangar, Education & Visitors Center, 1788 Airport Road
Ballet Wichita is putting on a contemporary dance show called “Innovations + The Promise” on Friday. The performance will be in the Doc Hangar at 1788 Airport Road from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and will include two dances: “Innovations,” a performance in five pieces set to the “Dohnanyi Serenade,” which will be performed live by the Fairmount String Trio, and “The Promise,” a short piece set to the music of Bach. The show has been choreographed by Ballet Wichita’s guest choreographer Logan Pachciarz. Tickets are general admission and are $29 and $59. They’re available at balletwichita.com/performances/
Glenn Miller orchestra at Orpheum
7 p.m. Sunday, Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadway
The Glenn Miller Orchestra, featuring 18 musicians and singers, will be in Wichita on Sunday for a show that includes classic hits like “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” “String of Pearls,” “In the Mood” and “Moonlight Serenade.” The performers aim to recreate the sound that made Miller, a dance bandleader in the 1930s and 1940s, a star. Tickets to the show are $68.50 to $90 and are available at www.selectaseat.com, by phone at 316-755-7328 or in person at the Select-a-Seat box office inside Intrust Bank Arena.
‘Blithe Spirit’
8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday, St. James Episcopal Church, 3750 E. Douglas.
The Guild Hall Players, the theater troupe at St. James Episcopal Church, will put on their latest production — “Blithe Spirit” by Noel Coward — this weekend. The show is a supernatural comedy about love and marriage. It will be directed by Mary Newman. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 7 p.m. Sunday at St. James, 3750 E. Douglas. Tickets are $12, $10 for students. Call for reservations: 316-683-5686.
ICT Block Party
3-9 p.m. Saturday, Wave, 650 E. Second St.
Celebrate spring at the ICT Block Party, scheduled for 3-9 p.m. Saturday at the Wave venue at Second and St. Francis. The event will feature music by DJ Cadence plus a long list of food vendors, including Big B’s Beef, Honey & Rue’s, Tacos Pina and more. Vendors also will be selling their wares at the party, and the Wichita Public Library will have its book bus there. A bar will be set up, and the party is for all ages. Even dogs are welcome. For more information, visit waveict.com.
