No matter how innovative they are, virtual events will never be as engaging as the real thing. And that’s why this segment is called Next Best Thing, and not Absolute Best Thing. But, virtual programming can be more convenient, and that factors highly into my own decision-making now that I can’t be bothered to change out of sweatpants.
Thankfully, the Orpheum Theatre and the Ulrich Museum of Art have launched some online programming that I’m genuinely looking forward to.
The first installment of the Orpheum Alive! concert series premiered last Friday with a performance from Injoy Fountain, the Wichita native who recently competed on The Voice. There are more concerts to come, all filmed live on the Orpheum stage, and can all be streamed at wichitaorpheum.com for a donation, even long after their debut. Next up is the Terry Quiett Band tomorrow, the 23rd, and Jenny Wood on August 7.
The Ulrich Museum of Art has a robust virtual lineup of public programs for the rest of the year, complemented by billboards across Wichita that feature selections from their collection.
Sculptor Alice Aycock will join the Ulrich for an artist talk from her New York studio on July 28. Her work, a massive whirling form of powder coated aluminum, will be added to the Ulrich’s acclaimed outdoor sculpture collection on the WSU campus on August 4. Click here to register in advance for the Zoom chat.
You’ll find many more virtual events, like studio visits with Wichita’s own Patrick Duegaw and Ann Resnick, monthly book discussions, and community forums at ulrich.wichita.edu.
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"Disco Sheik" by Podington Bear courtesy of the Free Music Archive, CC BY NC
