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KMUW's Media Circus

Media Circus is KMUW's signature, annual fundraising gala that benefits student internships.

Media Circus 2019 With Korva Coleman

KMUW

Published January 16, 2020 at 4:53 PM CST

Thank you to the hundreds of public radio fans who joined us for KMUW's Media Circus 2019 presented by NetApp, featuring NPR's Korva Coleman.

As KMUW's annual fundraiser, Media Circus benefits diverse internships at KMUW, helping local news coverage and quality journalism thrive. KMUW's first, full-time summer internship geared toward training college students of color to be part of the next generation of public radio reporters and newscasters is planned for the summer of 2020. KMUW will announce the first recipient of the Korva Coleman Diversity in Journalism Internship in the spring of 2020.

Special guest Cindy Klose meets a penguin from Tanganyika Wildlife Park.

On Saturday, June 29, over 300 attendees enjoyed circus games complete with ringmaster Jonathan Huber, fortune teller Lu Anne Stephens, and magician Stephan Bisaha. Special guests from Tanganyika Wildlife Park included a sloth named Chewbacca, a penguin, and a baby lynx and serval.

The pre-show entertainment included performers from When I Grow Up Circus and actors from Hutchinson's Stage 9, along with custom balloon animals, music by DJ Carbon and Lamphouse Photo Booth.

Emcee Bonnie Bing joined us for a second year to host our live show, this time at The Cotillion. NPR's Korva Coleman shared her experience and insight as a live newscaster. Local journalists Cindy Klose, Denise Neil and Jay Prater competed in news trivia games, while Wichita icon Karla Burns aced "Name That Tune."

Special guest Karla Burns wows the audience with her operatic mezzo-soprano.

We enjoyed festive appetizers, cotton candy and a buffet dinner provided by The Anchor, along with treats and drinks from Bagatelle Bakery, Kernel's Popcorn Express and Beyond Napa. Silent and live auctions added to the success of the evening, helping to further support KMUW's journalism internships.

KMUW would like to give a special thanks to all of the volunteers, donors and sponsors who gave their time and support to further KMUW's mission of quality, in-depth journalism.

Click here to view more photos from KMUW's Media Circus 2019.