What Up Wichita?
Want to know what’s going on in Wichita? We got you covered with The Eddytorial.

In today’s email:

• The City Rallies: Fred Winter

• Closing: Wichita Orpheum

• Fishing Derby: Get the poles out

FEATURE STORY
The city rallies around Kobe Japanese Steakhouse Chef

It was the diagnosis that nobody ever wants to hear. The longtime chef at Kobe Japanese Steakhouse, Fred Winter, was recently diagnosed with late stage liver cancer.

And now the restaurant, it’s staff, and the community are rallying behind Winter to help him.

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting both Winter and his partner Nina, especially when they ran a small pop-up called MOKKO Cuisine. He’s a kind, soft-spoken soul. And the love he provided through food, it’s our turn to pay it forward back to him.

Doctors have given Winter up to 3 months if he doesn’t respond to chemotherapy which starts this month.

If you would like to help, a GoFundMe was created with over $15,000 raised so far.

On top of that, Kobe Japanese Steakhouse, where Winter has worked for 20 years, is holding a fundraiser on Saturday, May 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with all proceeds going to help the family with medical expenses. The restaurant isn’t typically open for lunch but will for one day to support Winter’s fight against cancer. You can call and make a reservation: 316-558-3331.

EDDYTORIAL EXCLUSIVE
Wichita By E.B. Trivia

Did you know Wichita is home to one of the most prestigious bowling programs in the nation?

COMMUNITY
Wichita Orpheum to close for a year

The event countdown is on! Wichita’s historic Orpheum Theatre is preparing to close for a year-long restoration project beginning in June, but not before hosting four events and wrapping up their show schedule with the May installment in their annual Anniversary Film Series.

• Jay Leno at 7:30 p.m. on May 8
  Acclaimed TV late night show host, admired stand-up comedian, best-selling children’s book author, much-in-demand corporate speaker, TV and movie voice-over artist, pioneering car builder and mechanic, and philanthropist…Jay Leno is widely characterized as “the hardest working man in show business.”

• Jeremy Camp at 7 p.m. on May 9
  Between 2002 and 2024, Jeremy has released twelve albums, five of them RIAA- certified as Gold. He has sold over 6 million albums with 43 #1 singles across all formats. His music has earned him numerous awards and nominations across the Christian and secular music industries, including five GMA Dove Awards, Grammy nomination, three American Music Award nominations, and four ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Awards. Camp was named Billboard’s #2 Christian artist of the decade as well.

• Paula Poundstone at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 10
  Paula Poundstone is known for her smart, observational humor and a spontaneous wit that has become the stuff of legend. Time magazine, in the March 2020 “Best of” issue, listed Paula’s HBO special, Cats, Cops and Stuff as one of The 5 Funniest Stand-Up Specials Ever. Paula was the first female comic to perform at the White House Correspondents dinner. She was the first female standup to win the ACE award for Best Comedy Special on Cable television. She is included in innumerable lists, documentaries and literary compendiums noting influential standup comedians of our time.

• 2025 Anniversary Film Series: To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 15
  The 2025 Anniversary Film Series, presented by Emprise Bank, continues with a 30th anniversary of the cult classic road trip movie, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar.

  The film series will continue with movie screenings every third Thursday at Century II’s Mary Jane Teall Theater.

Tickets to all remaining events can be purchased through Select-A-Seat— online at selectaseat.com, by phone at 316.755.SEAT, and in person at the Select-A-Seat Box Office at INTRUST Bank Arena.eets.

FEEDBACK
City Fireworks

July is right around the corner, which means fourth of July and fireworks! The City of Wichita wants your feedback regarding the current fireworks ordinance. They want you to let them know what you want to see in regard to fireworks usage in Wichita!

Take the poll

Learn more about fireworks

GIVEAWAY
Exploration Place Premium Membership Winner

Congrats to winner kevinclarson@******.com. There’s only one subscriber with that email! Please send us an email within 72 hours to claim your Exploration Place membership!

GUIDES
Upcoming Arts Calendar

I’ve been hard at work putting together the next iteration of event coverage in Wichita.

The performing arts scene is something that gets little love. Well, let’s change that. Get a sneak preview of what’s to come. This is just a preview and many changes are still coming.

WATCH NOW
Wichita Dinner Table

This week we are joined by Music Theatre Wichita to learn about the upcoming season!

And shout out to our new show sponsor Landmark Commercial Real Estate.

Available on Facebook, YouTube, Apple Podcast and Spotify.

NEWS
Blogs You Missed

Let’s catch you up on the blogs you may have missed over the past week from our website, Facebook or Instagram.

Looking for a free fishing derby event? This year’s Riverfest Fishing Derby is free to attend and no button is required. There will also be fishing poles for people to use! (more)

• Revisiting Chico’s (more)

• An axe bar closes (more)

• Inside James & Rye (more)

EVENTS
What’s Coming This Weekend

Events have moved over to our Wednesday Wichita Weekender email. Make sure to check yesterday’s emails to see what events are coming this week!

Or you can view the online version here.

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