Talking books
The Emporia Public Library 2007 Book Discussion Series, “Kansas Connections,” continues with the discussion of “Picnic” by William Inge at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the library large meeting room.
Books remaining to be discussed are “Behold a Pale Horse” by Cotton Smith, June 6; “The Last Cattle Drive” by Robert Day, July 11; “Kansas Troubles” by Earlene Fowler, Aug. 1; “The Center of Everything” by Laura Moriarty, Sept. 5; “A Breed Apart” by Max McCoy, Oct. 3; “Virgin of Small Plains” by Nancy Pickard, Nov. 7; and “The Persian Pickle Club” by Sandra Dallas, Dec. 5.
Multiple copies of the selected titles will be available for checkout. For more information, call Lynette Olson at 340-6451 or emailolsonlyn@emporialibrary.org.
ESU Art
The ESU Department of Art will present the “Graphic Design Senior Exhibition” opening May 4 at the Sauder Alumni Center, 1500 Highland St. The “Annual ESU Juried Student Exhibition” continues through May 11 at the Norman H. Eppink and Gilson Room art galleries in King Hall. Information: 341-5246.
A fine night
for Gershwin
The Community Theatre of Emporia is going Gershwin with a dinner theater performance at the Emporia Country Club starting May 10. The evening includes a steak and lobster dinner (audience members get both) along with the music of George Gershwin in a revue directed by Pennie Speedie.
Tickets for “A Salute to Gershwin” are $40 and must be purchased in advance. The price includes dinner. Reservations may be made by calling 341-9283 or by going online to www.cteks.com. Dinner will start at 6:30 p.m.
‘Sound Advice’
The Grace United Methodist Church will be host for the “Sound Advice Quartet,” singers of gospel music, in concert at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the church, 2 Neosho St. The group, regionally known in the Midwest, has been singing together for nearly three years in churches, concert halls and county fairs. They have appeared with Legacy Five, The Lesters, the New Horizons and many other artists. Admission to the concert is a free will offering. For more information, call 343-2240.
Bird fair
The Parrot Education and Entertainment People Annual Spring Bird Fair will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday at the Sedgwick County Education Extension (4-H) Building, 21st and Ridge Road, in Wichita. Admission for adults is $2; children 12 and younger, no charge.
Proceeds from the fair help finance speakers, educational seminars and provide written materials for new bird owners, along with providing toys for the parrots at the Sedgwick County Zoo and make donations to rescue and research groups. There will be many vendors with bird toys, cages and birds for sale. The Great Plains Nature Center will have native animals at the fair from1 to 3 p.m.
Information: (316) 943-7708 or fax at (316) 943-7732, email: parrotpeople@PEEPClub.org.
The write stuff
The National Writers Workshop will be held May 19 and 20 at the Hyatt Regency in Wichita. The cost is $75 for professionals and $40 for students. New this year: “The first 125 students can apply to register for free.”
For more information about registration, hotel rates and more, see kansas.com/nww or call (316) 268-6337 or nww@wichitaeagle.com.
Wichita Symphony
plays pops
The Wichita Symphony Orchestra will present a Pops Concert, “Showstoppers!,” favorite hits from Broadway and film, at 8 p.m. May 12 at Century II Convention Hall, 225 W. Douglas. Tickets are $27.50, $15, $8 and $4. Call (316) 267-7658.