Next Up

First up this time is Carnival of the Animals, presented by Ballet Wichita. The free, family-friendly production is described as a “colorful journey through the animal kingdom.” It’s Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at Naftzger Park, so firm up your plans now.

For parents wondering how to keep their kids occupied this summer, the Wichita Public Library has a few options:

Wichita Art Museum has two events this weekend: First, a virtual Art Chatter featuring talks from a lineup of local creatives gets underway at 6:30 p.m. this Friday on Zoom. Registration is at wichitaartmuseum.org. There you’ll also find more information about Saturday’s Yoga in the Art Garden, an all-levels yoga class that starts at 9 a.m.

The Starlite Drive-In has been a great option for watching movies on the big screen this past year, and tomorrow is a special Art House at the Drive-In screening presented by mama.film and Wichita Jazz Festival. At 8:30 p.m., catch Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings The Band, profiling the jazz pianist, composer and innovator. The screening also includes a filmmaker Q&A with the film’s director, hosted by KMUW’s Carla Eckels. Details are at mama.film.

Naftzger Park, downtown at the corner of Douglas and St. Francis, has three upcoming events.

Spring began on March 20, but it’s finally feeling official as the outdoor events and activities we look forward to each year start back up.

February is Black History Month, and there are several local opportunities to be entertained and informed this month and well beyond.

Wichita’s NEA Big Read kicks off this Saturday with a live celebration at 2:30 p.m. on KPTS Channel 8. Usually held in October, last year’s program was pushed back to January 9 through February 21 of this year. The selection is Circe by Madeline Miller — a novel that focuses on the lesser known Greek goddess.

One of my favorite things to do over the holidays is curl up with a blanket and some hot cocoa and watch something festive. Once you’ve blown through all six episodes of The Great British Baking Show: Holidays specials on Netflix, consider adding these local offerings to your queue.

Yes, the winter holidays are going to be different this year, but rather than sulk, let’s look for new ways to come together and honor the holiday season.