Students staying in Emporia who are looking for inexpensive activities to do over the summer are in luck.
Many local businesses are hosting events this summer that fit those criteria. Emporia Main Street, The Granada Theatre and ESU Summer Theatre are all hosting inexpensive – and some free – events for students.
Dynamic Discs, 912 Commercial Street, is hosting a block party for the Glass Blown Open at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 3 on the 800 and 900 blocks of Commercial Street. Students that will be in Emporia after the end of the spring semester can also catch the Dirty Kanza block party at 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 31 in the same location.
The Granada Theatre, 807 Commercial Street, is hosting many summer events, such as the P-Funk Finals Party next weekend, with a screening of 1994 college comedy “P.C.U.” at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 9. Admission for the screening is $2.
Following the screening of “P.C.U.,” the Granada Theatre will host a funk and R&B concert featuring The Bernie Worrell Orchestra at 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 10. Kenji Bolden, senior music major, will be opening for The Bernie Worrell Orchestra.
Admission for students to the concert is $5 in advance and $10 at the door with student ID. Students that purchase a ticket for the concert in advance also get free admission to the screening of “P.C.U.”
The Granada Theatre is also hosting several free events this summer, including a concert featuring country musician Ricky Fugitt on May 16, the Fast Times 80’s Dance Party on June 20 and another concert featuring acoustic folk duo Ali Holder and Christy Hays on July 25.
The Granada Theatre is also hosting The Rockin’ Blues Show featuring Moreland & Arbuckle with Cassie Taylor on June 13 and 80’s metal tribute band Dead Metal Society on July 19. Admission to both events is $10.
ESU Summer Theatre runs four shows every summer season.
“Students that are looking for something cheap over the summer will probably find something they will enjoy during the summer theater season,” said Erin Mullane, theater alumni.
“Blithe Spirit,” the first show of the theater department’s 60th summer season, premieres June 11 and will run through June 14. Jim Bartruff, theater director, said “Blithe Spirit” is a revival from ESU Summer Theatre’s inaugural season in 1955.
Other shows being produced during the summer season will be musical comedy “Nunsence,” running June 25-28; the farce “Too Many Cooks,” running July 9-12 and the Aurand Harris family classic, “The Arkansaw Bear,” running July 23-26. Admission for all four shows is $5 for students with a student ID.
Students looking to find fun things to do outside of Emporia this summer can find inexpensive entertainment in other areas of Kansas, as well.
Hank Osterhout, local musician and senior interdisciplinary studies major, hosted the Tunesdays open mic events at The Bottleneck in Lawrence every Tuesday night in March and April. The Tunesdays open mics have begun to build steam, drawing in many Kansas musicians.
Osterhout said Tunesdays will pick back up on Tuesday, May 20 and he plans to continue the event through the summer. The admission for the Tunesdays open mic shows is $3 and the doors open at 8 p.m.
