Rockin’ Summer The Press partners with Arts in the Park for summer concert series

KIRA BISHOP copy chief

As warm weather arrives, the excitement of summer is fresh in the air and new entertainment is on the horizon. Arts in the Park, a longstanding Manhattan Department of Parks and Recreation program, is partnering with The Press to bring nine performances to City Park this summer.

Chris Curtis, recreation superintendent for parks and recreation, said Arts in the Park has been around for 40 years.

“It is a summer concert series intended to bring people and families out to City Park in the summer to enjoy free music,” Curtis said. “This year, we are hoping to bring food vendors to add to the overall experience.”

The Press is Manhattan’s newest up-and-coming concert venue, and the owners, Derek Richards and Eric Kleiner, are excited about the opportunity to partner with the city for Arts in the Park 2023.

“Arts in the Park is probably going to be a little bit different,” Kleiner said. “We are trying to make it more … of like real acts that are touring right now that would attract more demographics to Arts in the Park. We are looking at bringing different entertainment things like a bar out there, just doing things that haven’t happened with the program. It has usually been pretty low key.”

Kleiner said the Arts in the Park events will run from the first weekend of June to the last weekend in July.

“For Juneteenth they are bringing in a national act,” One of the Arts in the Parks weekends will be incorporated with Mid Fest. The full lineup for Arts in the Park will be released re-

EDITORIAL BOARD 2022-2023

ally soon.”

Curtis said parks and recreation saw this year’s Arts in the Park program as a chance to collaborate with an experienced and connected external organization, such as Richards and Kleiner.

“Eric … he has the tieins, and he is in a band,” Curtis said. “He has got the contacts. The other side of it, sometimes the city staff isn’t as effective at securing sponsorships. Sometimes, being the city, people are reluctant to give money to the city, give money to the government, so we thought that may be another area where somebody that is in the industry and has those connections might be more successful.”

In addition to their connections, Richards and Kleiner intend to infuse the event with a renewed energy and draw a larger crowd to the area.

“A lot of times in Manhattan it is either country or rock,” Kleiner said. “We are trying to bring everything in, even like hip-hop. Just trying to … bring more events to the student population; we are just trying to bring people out for events.”

Natassja Norwood, junior at Kansas State and year-round resident of Manhattan said she would be interested in attending some of the events.

“I think this is a cool move, because for a lot of the students that do stay, they wouldn’t [normally] want to go,” Norwood said. “When it comes to the culture of art and music here in Manhattan, we are so behind. It would offer a fresh, new perspective to people here.”

Curtis thinks the partnership will ultimately bring growth to the program.

“If we can create that buzz that maybe had not been present in other years, then I think the citizens of Manhattan will benefit by having something bigger and better and making it more of a festival setting without taking away from the family-oriented feel of the event,” Curtis said. “I do see it growing. By having this partnership, I think that is very possible.”

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GRACE NEEDHAM arts & culture editor

The Latte Art Throwdown was a tournament-style competition hosted at The Dusty Bookshelf on Tuesday. Competitors from Manhattan, Lawrence, Topeka and the Kansas City area traveled to compete for prizes and bragging rights.

Judging criteria included symmetry of design, use of space in the mug, contrast between milk and coffee and overall impression. The six rounds were as follows: the competition alongside Ben Motley and Rachel Motley from Arrow Coffee Co. and Nat Bjerke-Harvey and Alison Bjerke-Harvey from Piccalilli Farm. While Tang said he didn’t know what to expect from the competitors, he was thoroughly impressed by everyone’s performance.

“It was incredible,” Tang said. “I learned so much about lattes and the skill you have to have with the pour and the science of the milk and the difference between oat milk and whole milk. It was just incredible to see the talent level of everybody here today.”

Prizes for winners of the competition included various coffee makers, such as a pourover machine and an AeroPress. Additionally, Acme shirts, Intelligentsia coffee and more were raffled off to community members.

“We’re just excited to be here, excited to be a place for the community,” Othick said. “We just want to be a place where people can come. Obviously Aggieville right now, it’s kind of difficult to get here, so it’s great that people are willing to come and show up to see something different.” on,” Copeland said. “They’ve really done a really great job, and it’s cool that they’re bringing all this to Manhattan. We have a heart in Topeka to show kindness to our community through creative ventures like coffee and fun events. It’s cool that they’re doing it here.” excited about the art.”

Ryane Bieker, sophomore in entrepreneurship, said she loved how much of the community supported the event.

After six rounds of latte art, David Vincent, owner of Circle Coffee in Topeka, was announced the winner of the Latte Art Throwdown.

Jerome Tang, Kansas State’s men’s basketball head coach, was chosen to judge

Kara Othick, manager of The Dusty Bookshelf, helped put the throwdown together and said she was happy with the number of people interested in the event.

Lyndie Copeland, barista at Circle Coffee in Topeka, said she was happy to see events like the throwdown emerge in Manhattan.

“I’m really proud of everyone who put [the throwdown]

“This is highlighting my favorite thing about Manhattan,” Bieker said. “It’s very communal. What they said about bringing the coffee community together — I really love that.”

Olivia Eby, sophomore in business administration, echoed Bieker.

“It’s a really fun vibe in here,” Eby said. “Everyone’s just

“I feel amazing,” Vincent said. “I was really nervous the entire time and I kept wanting to lose my round so I could just be a spectator, but I kept advancing. It was a lot of fun. I’m really happy that there was such an awesome turnout.”

Vincent said he was impressed with the work The Dusty Bookshelf put into the throwdown.

“It’s an amazing event,” Vincent said. “I love that they’re doing this for the community. This type of stuff should be rewarded with business and dollars.”

The Dusty Bookshelf hosted the Latte Art Throwdown on Tuesday. Special guest Jerome Tang was among the panel of judges. Competitors from Manhattan, Topeka, Lawrence and the Kansas City area competed in six rounds of latte artistry. David Vincent, owner of Circle Coffee in Topeka, won the throwdown.

ALYSSA FULLINGTON marketing / pr manager

On Sept. 24, 2022, Tara Gieber, entrepreneurship instructor at Kansas State, and her husband Greg Gieber launched MHK Caravan. Within a week of launching their business, MHK Caravan was booked; the business has had great success ever since.

MHK Caravan provides unique and interactive event experiences through vintage trailer rentals. The company is located in Manhattan. Its caravans are perfect for graduation parties, private parties, weddings and corporate functions. Each caravan has a different theme and function.

WANDA THE WHISKEY WAGON: VINTAGE CAMPER BAR

Wanda is a 1965 Nomad travel trailer and a full-service bar. Wanda has a variety of beverages stocked, ranging from Busch Light to signature cocktails, offering the same selection found at any standard bar. Gieber said both mocktails and cocktails are available on tap, in addition to a frozen drink machine. Customers can choose between an open bar, host bar or cash bar.

Bella The Bougie

BOOTH: PHOTO BOOTH

Bella is a 1954 Bellwood vintage camper photo booth that allows guests to step inside and take fun photos with family and friends. The booth prints 2x6 strips and offers unlimited prints. Photostrips are customizable. The photobooth itself is also customizable and portable. After the event is over, MHK Caravan will send the customer a digital file with all the pictures taken at the party.

BESSIE THE BIG BUS: PARTY BUS

Bessie is MHK Caravan’s newest addition — a party bus. Bessie is a classic vintage school bus renovated to be an event venue on wheels. It offers a three-hour ride for the customer’s party. Each guest gets three drinks and music is played throughout the ride. Bessie has a capacity of 40 people and is planning to host themed popup events on the bus with live music, drinks and fun. Besie will also be available for private rentals perfect for Greek life, weddings and corporate functions.

PHOEBE THE FAB

PHONE: AUDIO GUEST BOOK

Guests have the option to leave personal messages on a rotary phone at each event. The messages are recorded and emailed to the customer at the to have a company that brings gest reasons I love this business.”