Music Theatre lights up summer

Music Theatre WichitaMusic Theatre Wichita’s 47th season continues July 11-15 with the area premiere of a new musical, “Freaky Friday,” based on the popular 1972 novel and the hit Disney films.

Circus spectacle and Fosse-style choreography are front and center in MTW’s reimagining of the 1972 Broadway hit “Pippin” July 25-29. The musical features an unforgettable score by Stephen Schwartz (“Wicked,” “Hunchback of Notre Dame”).

Closing the season is Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” Aug. 8-18. Performances are Wednesday-Sunday evenings with weekend matinees at Century II Concert Hall.

For details, visit Music Theatre Wichita website.

For more Fun Things to do in Wichita, check out our calendar of events page.

Exploration Place

State’s largest dome theater gets upgrade

Exploration Place’s Digital Dome Theater and Planetarium – the largest in the state – has been upgraded to a two-projection system to offer brighter and clearer images on the screen.

The new film “Great White Shark” debuted in June on the 60-foot tall screen with 360-degree views. Also currently showing is “Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag.” Watch for “Pandas: The Journey Home” on the dome screen in October.

Admission may be purchased separately for $5 or as part of a combo ticket with exhibits.

For details, visit Exploration Place website.

For more Fun Things to do in Wichita, please visit our Calendar of Events.

Wichita Public Library

Check out the new library

Wichita Public LibraryAfter years of waiting and planning, Wichita’s new Advanced Learning Library is now open.

One highlight is a Children’s Pavilion that’s twice as large as the former central library’s children’s area. The new 10,000-square-foot area sports interactive learning centers, a quiet room and learning garden.

In addition to more computers and modern meeting facilities, the new library offers drive-up service, an automated materials handler, outdoor reading area and a coffee shop operated by Reverie Roasters

Explore the new space at 711 W. 2nd St. The museum is open daily; the coffee shop is open 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

Exploration Place launches aviation exhibit

After five years of planning, the new permanent exhibit Design Build Fly at Exploration Place give visitors an up-close look at aviation.

The 50 activities in the 5,100-square-foot space include piloting an unmanned aerial vehicle, testing landing gear, repairing a wing, designing a plane exterior and airplane seat, creating and flying paper airplanes, and watching air patterns on a wind wall. Exhibits also answer such questions as why you can’t use a cell phone during takeoff and what happens when you flush a toilet 25,000 feet in the air.

The aviation exhibit is included in regular admission. For more information, visit exploration.org.