Wichitalks Big Read Edition. Presented by KMUW Wichita 89.1, Wichita Public Library and NEA Big Read.

Wichitalks is back for a special Big Read edition

Wichitalks is back! Join us Friday, April 29, at Roxy’s Downtown. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and the show starts at 7:00 p.m.
Wichitalks is an event that brings together passionate individuals and an active audience for an evening of diverse presentations. We look to surface unique perspectives, passion projects, and compelling stories that add value to our community.
This special edition of Wichitalks is co-presented by Wichita Public Library as part of the NEA Big Read: Wichita. Together we invite presentations pertaining to the concept of home. Like Esperanza in “The House on Mango Street” — this year’s Big Read book — we all have unique experiences, colorful communities, and stories of personal growth that contribute to our ideas of the meaning of home. Sometimes they are harsh realities and sometimes they are deeply joyous. At this Wichitalks we celebrate those stories.
Ten handpicked individuals will each share a five-minute presentation on the theme of home. With only 20 slides, each auto-advancing every 15 seconds, presentations are brief, insightful, and passionately delivered.
The deadline to apply is March 31. Selected presenters will be notified on 5 p.m. April 6. Presenters will then work with a committee of KMUW and Wichita Public Library staff to hone and finalize presentations in advance of the big event on April 29. Presenters must be available for a dress rehearsal and group dinner on April 28.
Literary Feast, a book club for public radio listeners. KMUW Wichita 89.1. Julie Otsuka Author of The Pen/Faulkner Award Winner The Buddha In The Attic. The Swimmers, a novel. "Here comes the new Julie Otsuka nova, so we can begin to live again." Colson Whitehead, author of Harlem Shuffle.

KMUW’s Literary Feast pick for April is ‘The Swimmers’

Literary Feast is KMUW’s monthly book club, featuring selections made by KMUW staff. For April, we’re reading and discussing “The Swimmers” by Julie Otsuka.

“From the best-selling, award-winning author of ‘The Buddha in the Attic’ and ‘When the Emperor Was Divine’ comes a novel about what happens to a group of obsessed recreational swimmers when a crack appears at the bottom of their local pool. This searing, intimate story of mothers and daughters — and the sorrows of implacable loss — is the most commanding and unforgettable work yet from a modern master.” — Penguin Random House

Please join us virtually via Zoom from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20. Reserve your free spot below, and we’ll email you the Zoom link.

March’s Engage ICT providing legislative session overview

Find out what’s up for debate at the Topeka legislative session at 5 p.m. Tuesday March 15 via Facebook Live. The staff at KMUW is convening a panel to answer the local community’s questions.

To submit a question for the panel, comment on the live Facebook video or email the KMUW staff in advance at info@kmuw.org.

Literary Feast. The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros. Wichita Public Library. KMUW Wichita 89.1. National Endowment for the Arts. NEA Big Read.

Join KMUW’s Literary Feast to discuss ‘The House on Mango Street’ by Sandra Cisneros

The next KMUW Literary Feast will take place from 5-6 p.m. Wednesday, March 16 via Zoom.  Literary Feast is KMUW’s monthly book club, featuring selections made by KMUW staff. For March, the staff has selected “The House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros To join, reserve a free spot by signing KMUW’s digital Literary Feast form.
To attend, sign KMUW’s Literary Feast digital form to receive the Zoom link. You can also subscribe to KMUW’s monthly Literary Feast e-newsletter.
Engage ICT. Mental Health & Homelessness. February 15.

Engage ICT to discuss mental health, homelessness in Wichita today

Join KMUW’s next Engage ICT virtual event at 5 p.m. today, Feb. 15. This edition will feature a discussion about mental health and homelessness in Wichita.

The number of people experiencing homelessness in the Wichita area has increased during the last few years. This challenging issue affects many parts of the community. A panel of experts will discuss the problems and possible solutions. The panelists include:

  • Lacey Cruse, Sedgwick County Commissioner
  • Brenda Dietzman, Wayfinder Consulting
  • Regina Hafner, Comcare
  • More to be announced
Tune in to the live conversation here and ask questions at the Engage ICT website and on KMUW’s Facebook page.
Literary Feast, a book club for public radio listeners. KMUW 89.1. By the author of All The Light We Cannot See, Winner of the Pulitzer Prize. Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr.

Join KMUW’s Literary Feast to discuss ‘Cloud Cuckoo Land’ by Anthony Doerr

The next KMUW Literary Feast will take place from 5-6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16 via Zoom.  Literary Feast is KMUW’s monthly book club, featuring selections made by KMUW staff. For February, the staff has selected “Cloud Cuckoo Land” by Anthony Doerr. To join, reserve a free spot by signing KMUW’s digital Literary Feast form.

To attend, sign KMUW’s Literary Feast digital form to receive the Zoom link. You can also subscribe to KMUW’s monthly Literary Feast e-newsletter.

Digital Democracy on Tap. Covid-19 Community Update. 5:00 p.m. on January 25.

Engage ICT providing COVID-19 community update Jan. 25

Join KMUW’s next Engage ICT virtual event at 5 p.m. Jan. 25. This edition will include a discussion about the pandemic and how it is affecting the Wichita area today. We’ll hear from local doctors, healthcare providers and community leaders, including:

  • Dr. Sam Antonios, Ascension Via Christi
  • Adrienne Byrne, Sedgwick County Health director
  • Dr. Thomas Moore, Infectious Disease Consultants of Kansas

Tune in to the live conversation here and ask questions at the Engage ICT website and on KMUW’s Facebook page.

The image consists of the Literary Feast Logo with a plate with words on it and says, "A book club for public radio listeners." There is the KMUW Wichita 89.1 logo. And the book cover for Address Unknown by Kathrine Kressmann Taylor. There are houses on the cover and it says, "Fierce, clever, and timely in today's world." -Julian Barnes.

Join KMUW’s Literary Feast to discuss ‘Address Unknown’ by Kathrine Kressmann Taylor

The next KMUW Literary Feast will take place 5-6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19 via Zoom. Literary Feast is KMUW’s monthly book club, featuring selections made by KMUW staff. For January, KMUW has selected “Address Unknown” by Kathrine Kressmann Taylor. To join, reserve a free spot at the link below.

The image has a blue background with red hearts. It says "Digital Democracy on Tap. Kindness Revisited. 12:00 p.m. on December 14. KMUW Wichita 89.1. Engage ICT Democracy on Tap" There is a beer mug with blue and white stars and red, white, and yellow strips. On the right there is an image with a light blue background with red hearts and dots, it says "Viral Kindness. KMUW Wichita 89.1."

Join special edition of Democracy on Tap: Kindness Revisited

For the next edition of Democracy on Tap at noon Tuesday, Dec. 14 the staff of KMUW will revisit highlights from KMUW’s Viral Kindness. Host Sarah Jane Crespo will also catch up with people previously featured on the commentary series for an update on their causes.

Join KMUW’s Literary Feast to discuss ‘The Lincoln Highway’ by Amor Towles

The next KMUW Literary Feast will take place 5-6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15 via Zoom. Literary Feast is KMUW’s monthly book club, featuring selections made by KMUW staff. For December, KMUW has selected “The Lincoln Highway” by Amor Towles.

To join, reserve a free spot at the KMUW Literary Feast website the KMUW staff will email the Zoom link.

For more information about “The Lincoln Highway” and Towles, participants can listen to Beth Golay’s recent interview with the Towles.