Category: Arts and entertainment

Weekend activities ongoing at World War I Museum and Liberty Memorial

Memorial Day weekend events are planned this weekend at the National World War I Museum and Memorial.

There is free admission to veterans and active-duty military, with half-price general admission to the public during Memorial Day weekend, through Monday, May 31.

A few of the highlights will include:


• Great Balloon Glow — Kick off the summer with the Great Balloon Glow. Enjoy picnicking, live music and food trucks on our 47 acres, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, May 30. There will be food available for purchase. Live music will be performed. Vendors of handmade items will be present.

• Memorial Day Ceremony — Free to the public, this annual ceremony will feature dignitaries and a keynote address from Lt. Col. Eric Jacobson at 10 a.m. Monday, May 31. Lt. Col. Jacobson was formerly director of medical operations at the Javits New York Medical Station, the temporary response to the city’s COVID-19 pandemic.

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• Memorial Day Bell Tolling Ceremony — A bell-tolling ceremony, presentation of colors and wreath laying to remember the bell rung every day in Kansas City during World War I, at noon Monday, May 31. It is free and open to the public.

• Old Glory Flag Ceremony — Old Glory has participated in ceremonies throughout the United States and American outposts in several countries. The flag will be raised at the Museum and Memorial to honor all who served and sacrificed in World War I, at 12:15 p.m. Monday, May 31.

In addition, the public may view the 140 U.S. flags in front of the museum and memorial that call attention to the 140 veterans lost to suicide every week.

Also, 46 flags that represent the 43 units of the Allied Expeditionary Force during World War I are on display, along with three flags representing four boats that were sunk with AEF troops aboard.

Individuals who visit the museum will be able to use research stations to help find personal connections to World War I through May 31.

Another event scheduled is the Walk of Honor brck dedication at 2 p.m. Monday, May 31.

Also, visitors will have the opportunity to view special museum exhibitions, include “”Why Keep That?,” “Silk and Steel: French Fashion, Women and WWI,” “Votes and Voices,” and “100 Years of Collecting.”

The National World War I Museum and Memorial will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday. Visitors are encouraged to allot additional time and thought for parking during the weekend.

Providence supports new naming sponsor of amphitheater

It was announced this week that the amphitheater, formerly Providence Amphitheater, an entertainment venue in Bonner Springs, Kansas, will now be named Azura Amphitheater.

Providence Medical Center has worked with New West Management the past six years to highlight and support the venue and community, a Providence spokesman stated. The relationship of Providence and the amphitheater was strong and remains strong, according to the spokesman.
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“We have been proud to support this local institution the past several years and we are very excited to learn about their new sponsor, Azura.” said Karen Orr, CEO, Providence Medical Center.


“It is part of our history to support and help promote our local partners and we look forward to learning about future concerts planned for this summer at the Azura amphitheater,” she said.

Providence Medical Center will continue to engage and invest into the community through new partnerships and affiliations that it believes will further the mission to provide quality accessible health care to Wyandotte County residents, a spokesman stated.

Providence officials helped the amphitheater identify and work with potential sponsors during the past year, according to the spokesman.

As entertainment attractions, especially outdoor entertainment venues, are able to open safely this spring and summer, there is a lot of growth opportunity for the amphitheater, according to the spokesman.

“We congratulate the amphitheater and the new sponsor Azura Credit Union and wish them ongoing success,” the spokesman stated.

New name announced for amphitheater in Bonner Springs

The Providence Medical Center Amphitheater, formerly the Sandstone Amphitheater, is getting a new name this season.

The Azura Amphitheater will be the new name for the outdoor concert venue at 633 N. 130th St. in Bonner Springs, Kansas, according to a spokesman.

The amphitheater’s website now is AzuraAmp.com.

New West Presentations Inc. will continue to be the managing organization of the amphitheater, according to the announcement.

“We are thrilled to be the naming sponsor of this iconic Kansas outdoor music venue. The Azura Amphitheater partnership provides a multitude of opportunities that include unique benefits for Azura accountholders, exciting potential for Azura events, future growth and substantial economic benefits for the community. This partnership allows Azura Credit Union to reinforce our commitment to the Northeast Kansas community and support an entertainment venue we are all excited to see open again,” said Allyson Shove-Chard, vice president of marketing at Azura Credit Union, in a news release.

The amphitheater opened in 1984. Through the years, the area around 130th and State Avenue has grown, and now it is close to more entertainment, sports and dining at The Legends Outlets and Village West.

Some of the past names of the amphitheater in Bonner Springs have been Sandstone, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Capitol Federal Park at Sandstone, Cricket Wireless Amphitheater and Providence Medical Center Amphitheater.

“We are proud to have Azura Credit Union as naming rights partner for the amphitheater. Azura Amphitheater is very appropriate for us since Azura means ‘blue sky.’ Azura and their staff have been wonderful to work with and we are excited to have a long and creative partnership with them for years to come. I’m also thankful to our former naming rights partner, Providence Medical Center, and the great partnership we shared with them. Providence is a community-minded hospital that is a great asset to the amphitheater and to Wyandotte County. We are looking forward to seeing you all this summer at Azura Amphitheater,” said Chris Fritz, president of New West Presentations, in the news release.

Naming rights sponsor Azura Credit Union is the third largest Kansas credit union and has served northeast Kansas for more than 80 years. It started in 1939 as the Topeka Teachers Credit Union.

According to a spokesman, the amphitheater can hold up to 18,000 visitors. The amphitheater works closely with local government officials to open safely by lowering attendance maximums and taking safety precautions, according to the announcement.

Upcoming shows at Azura Amphitheater include June 25, Styx and Collective Soul; July 17, for King and Country with Company, A Summer Tour; Aug. 3, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit; Aug. 21, Flyover; Aug. 28, Throwback Throwdown; Sept. 2, Yallapalooza; Oct. 1, The Avett Brothers; and Oct. 3, Machine Gun Kelly.

Additional shows are expected to be announced later on www.AzuraAmp.com.