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Next Best Thing
Next Best Thing is a new, limited-run commentary from KMUW. Every other Wednesday, KMUW's Jordan Kirtley will take a look at ways we can stay connected from a far via virtual events and outdoor activities.

Next Best Thing: Getting Social From Home

If, like me, you miss trivia night at your favorite local bar, get a cocktail to go instead and check out nprpresents.org. There you’ll find the virtual trivia nights that NPR hosts on a regular basis, with a rotating lineup of familiar NPR voices. Next up is trivia night with the hosts of the Throughline podcast at 7 p.m. on February 11. You can sign up to participate solo or in a group of up to 5 on this page.

 

Wichita’s Big Read got underway a few weeks back, but the activities and events are still coming. On Saturday, February 13, the Wichita Public Library is hosting a Day of Creativity Activity Series relating to this year’s selection — Circe by Madeline Miller.

 

The four virtual events taking place that day are: a pinch-pot workshop with CityArts, a class on growing Mediterranean herbs with K-State Research & Extension, a story weaving workshop, and accordion-style pocketbook-making with WSU’s Art Education. All activities require advance registration, which you can find at wichitalibrary.org/events.

 

Another social activity I miss is going to live performances. Several local venues have been experimenting with virtual performances, and there’s one coming up from Roxy’s Downtown. Hi-Hat Hattie is a one-woman show that stars Karla Burns as Academy Award-winning actor, and Wichitan, Hattie McDaniel. Roxy’s is offering a special encore performance that can be streamed in your own home at 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 14. More information is at roxysdowntown.com.

 

Jordan Kirtley is KMUW's Marketing Manager and the host of Next Up, a local events commentary. More casually she is known as KMUW’s “in-house artist,” having designed the many facets of KMUW’s visual identity.