Wichita Weekend

The 70th annual Home Show, sponsored by the Wichita Area Builders Association (WABA), is scheduled for March 7-10 at the Century II Convention Center Expo and Convention Halls. And, for the first time ever, a WABA Build My Future event will be held on Wednesday, March 6th, the day before the Home Show opens, for area High School students. We visit with WABA CEO Wess Galyeon about this year's event...

HumanKind Wichita's Greer Cowley stops by to tell us all about the Big Game Raffle. it's a chance for you to win a trip to the 2025 Big Game in New Orleans. And the proceeds go to help HumanKind in its mission to serve those living in poverty. www.humankindwichita.org/BigGameRaffle

Rainbows United was formed in Wichita over 50 years ago, as a developmental training center for kids from birth through the age of 21, and their families. Now through May 9th, you're encouraged to buy a raffle ticket for $100 to help Rainbows in their mission, and you could win a 2024 Lexus RX 350 from Walser Auto Campus. Michelle Eastman from Rainbows and Kristin Willis from Walser stop by to tel...

The Spectacular Extreme Circus returns to Hartman Arena February 16th through 18th. We visit with Mayerly Murcia, one of the showgirls. She comes from a long line of circus professionals and she tells us about her lifelong career as a performer. Get circus tickets online at www.spectacularcircus.com

Kansas Special OIympics' Polar Plunge Event is back. Join us for a real cool time on Saturday February 17th at Mystic Lakes in Maize. Special Olympics Athlete/Ambassadors Abbi and Tyler Griswold fill us in on this annual event! www.soks.org

Ever dream of becoming an actor, costume or set designer, stagehand, director, choreographer? MTW's Academy is a great place to get started. Wichita Weekend sits down with MTW's first-ever Education Director Josh Larson, and Audra Bryant, director of "Finding Nemo Jr," coming to Century Two's Mary Jane Teall Theater March 2nd and 3rd. www.mtwichita.org

The Salvation Army is pleased to announce the times, dates, and locations of three "low barrier" food pantries this month in Wichita. Jami Scott, the Salvation Army's Director of Social Services, tell us all about these special opportunities on February 12th at Goldenrod, February 20th at Colvin, and February 21st at Fairmount Park. www.salvationarmyks.org

If you're a caregiver for, or know of, someone with Alzheimer's, you need to know that the Central and Western Kansas Chapters of the Alzheimer's Assocation are working hard to improve the life of every patient. Our guest is Jamie Gideon. She's the Kansas Public Policy Director for the Alzheimer's Assocation. She gives us a sneak peek at this year's Advocacy Day and how you can get involved. www.a...

The red kettles of the Salvation Army are everywhere during the holidays. But once the season's over and we get into the long cold days of winter, The Army's work is just beginning. Wichita Weekend visits with Associate Area Commander Major Nancy Powers about the various challenges and opportunities they'll be facing in 2024. www.salvationarmyks.org

On this year-end edition of Wichita Weekend, we thank our listeners and guests from 2023 and take a look ahead to 2024, where the first show of the year at Roxy's Downtown is "The Legend of Georgia McBride." Roxy's House Manager and Stage Performer Brad Thomison stops by to fill us in on all the details. www.roxysdowntown.com

We visit with Kevin Fish, Ability Point's Executive Director, about the he 27th Annual Ability Point Lights on St. Paul, at the corner of St. Paul and Douglas. Open nightly at 5:30. Just 10 dollars a carload, and Mondays are “donation only.” All proceeds go to fund programs for the developmentally disabled at Ability Point. Get into the spirit of the holidays with One Million Festive Lights!

Back in the 60s, 70s, and 80s -- Wichita children hurried home from school during the holiday season to catch "Santa's Workshop" on KAKE-TV. The popular program featured Santa and his helper, KAKE Man. Now "A Home For KAKEman" tells the story of your favorite puppet and his journey to his new home in the North Pole at Santa's Workshop. Get your copy today at www.kakeman.com. All proceeds benefit R...

Wednesday evening, December 13th from 6 to 9, Fosters ICT presents "Hope and a Future," at Wichita Sports Forum. This is a Christmas celebration for all foster, adopted, and kinship kids and their families. All are invited to enjoy an evening of fun including gifts and pajamas, plus food, games, and more. To receive gifts, you must register at fosterict.com/hope. Jill Ayers and Nathan Paulus from...

In a joint effort with the Wichita Police Department, Midwest Kia is offering free anti-theft software updates OR a free steering wheel lock to all Kia owners who qualify. This event is meant to "help drive installations of Kia's free anti-theft software upgrade that is designed to make it more difficult for criminals to use methods of theft popularized on social media. We visit with Midwest Kia's...

For nearly four decades, Cirque Du Soleil has set the gold standard for live performance, worldwide. Their latest production, "Corteo," comes to Wichita's Intrust Bank Arena November 9th through 12th. Senior Tour Director Michael Veilleux calls in to tell us all about the show and how to get tickets. www.cirquedusoleil.com

For many, the most wonderful time of the year can also be the most mentally stressful time of year. Eric Litwiller from the Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas offers some helpful hints on how to maintain sanity during the holidays. www.mhasck.org

Rock With Doc is Ronald McDonald House Charities Wichita's fall fundraising event featuring a silent and live auction, tasty food, delicious cocktails, live music, and an inspiring program. Some of the live auction items you can bid on will be a flight on the B-29, "Doc", a trip of a lifetime to Africa, a private dining experience in your home....and more. RMHC Events and Volunteer Director Hayley...

Multiple Grammy- and Dove-Award winning artist Amy Grant is coming to Wichita on Saturday night, October 14th. Wichita Weekend gets a rare opportunity to visit with Amy about the upcoming show, and her plans for the holidays! Get tickets now at selectaseat.com or call 316-755-SEAT. www.amygrant.com

October 5th through 8th, downtown Wichita will host what has been named one of the “Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World” by MovieMaker Magazine: the 21st Annual Tallgrass Film Festival. Executive Director Melanie Addington tells us all about this uniquely Wichita event. For schedules and information, see www.tallgrassfilm.org

Greater Andover Days is now in its 56th year in the Andover community, and this year's event will be bigger and better than ever. Andover Mayor Ronnie Price and Public Information Director Meghan Schapaugh stop by to invite you and your family to this fun-filled weekend event Thursday September 28th through Sunday October 1st. www.andoverks.com/GAD

Saturday night, September 30th in Century II Concert Hall, you're invited to Recovery Idol. It's a talent competition like American Idol, but with an important difference -- all the contestants are currently in recovery. Come see and hear top-notch talent while you help the recovery community in Wichita and all around Kansas. Our guests are Elka Roth, Intensive Care Coordinator for SACK, and Victo...

Autumn and Art is a boutique, high-quality, outdoor art show at Bradley Fair, 21st and Rock Road. Wichita Festivals Director of Marketing and Communication Jen Remsberg stops by to tell us about the 14th Annual Event. It's free and open to the public. www.autumnandart.com

Put Saturday October 14th on your calendar for a day of family fun and celebration in Central Riverside Park. It's the Downs Syndrome Society's Parade of Stars and Annual Day of Giving. Executive Director Natalie Rolfe stops by to tell us all about the event and exciting new developments at DSSW. www.dsswichita.org/parade-of-stars

Enjoy a hearty breakfast and help a very worthy cause. GraceMed Health Clinic invites you to Hotcakes for Hopecare, Tuesday September 12th from 7 to 10 a.m. at Jimmie's Family Diner, 3111 North Rock Road. Kianga Crowley, GraceMed Development Director, stops by our studio to tell us all about this delicious fundraiser. Get tickets now at www.gracemed.org

Friday, September 8th, from 11:30 'til 12:30, in Wichita's Old Town Square, you're invited to "Stand Up for Suicide Prevention" during a special event is to raise awareness about Opioid Abuse and Mental Health in construction during the National Suicide Prevention Month. Aaron Maxwell from Bel Aire Recovery Center tells us all about it. www.ksconstructionsafetynetwork.com; belairerecovery.com