Well, apparently I lied last week about sweater weather coming... buckle up for another 10 days of high 90s 🫠. Anyway, check out how dirty my AC unit was! Consider this your reminder to get yours cleaned so it actually cools your house and doesn't break down on you. I clean mine every year and I still couldn't believe it was this bad. On the bright side, our sandbox has been getting plenty of use once things cool off in the evenings!

In other news, the historic Orpheum Theatre is officially back open after a 15 month, $13 million restoration, I've got a full lineup of weekend events from the Hatch Green Chilefest to the Monarch Festival at Botanica, and this week's video digs into why Wichita's $850 million tax proposal failed in a landslide... with about 82% of voters saying no.

Let’s get into it!

– Caleb Claussen (your favorite Realtor 😉)

After 15 months and a $13 million restoration, Wichita’s historic Orpheum Theatre is officially open again! The theater closed in May 2025 for a major restoration aimed at bringing its 1922 atmospheric design back to life while also giving the building the modern upgrades it needs for the next century.

And this wasn’t just a fresh coat of paint. The project included new seats throughout the theater, improved ADA accessibility, upgraded sound and lighting, new HVAC, acoustic improvements, upgraded stage rigging, renovated dressing rooms and updated concessions. At the same time, restoration experts painstakingly brought back the theater’s historic details, including its original color palette, decorative plasterwork, Andalusian-style architectural details, hand-painted fire curtain and the famous twinkling “stars” across the ceiling.

The Orpheum originally opened in 1922 and was the first atmospheric theater in the United States, designed to make audiences feel as though they were sitting outside beneath a Spanish courtyard and night sky. After decades of work to save the theater from demolition, this restoration marks a pretty incredible new chapter for one of Wichita’s most historic buildings.

And the plan moving forward is to make the Orpheum much more than a place to see a concert. The theater is returning as a full-time entertainment and community venue, with concerts, films, performances, tours, rentals and other events planned. The theater also plans to begin offering public restoration tours in the future, giving people a chance to see all of the details that are easy to miss when you're simply there for a show.

After years of wondering what the future would look like for the Orpheum, it’s pretty exciting to see the doors open again—and even more exciting to know this Wichita landmark is being preserved for the next generation.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’ THIS WEEKEND?

🍿 RiverFlix: Moana 2
Kick off the weekend with a movie night at Exploration Place! Bring the blankets, grab some food from the food trucks and settle in for Moana 2 under the stars. Seating and food trucks open at 6 PM, with the movie starting at sunset. Best of all, it’s FREE!
📍 Location: Wichita Foundation Amphitheater at Exploration Place
📆 Date & Time: Friday, September 4
🎟️ Tickets: Free
🔗 More info

🌶️ Hatch Green Chilefest
If you like a little (or a LOT) of heat, head to Johnson's Garden Center for their annual Hatch Green Chilefest. You’ll be able to enjoy all things Hatch chile while celebrating one of the best flavors of late summer. It’s a FREE event and a fun way to spice up your Saturday!
📍 Location: Johnson's Garden Center West
📆 Date & Time: Saturday, September 5 | 11 AM–2 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Free
🔗 More info

🦋 Monarch Festival at Botanica
Monarch season is here, and Botanica is celebrating with its inaugural Midwest Monarch Fest! Thousands of monarch butterflies pass through Wichita during their incredible migration to Mexico, and this festival is all about celebrating these tiny travelers with hands-on activities, education and plenty of opportunities to learn about pollinators.
📍 Location: Botanica Wichita
📆 Date & Time: Saturday, September 5 | 9 AM–5 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Adults $12 | Children $10 | Seniors $10 | Ages 2 & under FREE
🔗 More info

🐝 ICT Bee Fest
Buzz over to the Mid-America All-Indian Museum for the 4th Annual ICT Bee Fest, a celebration of Wichita's native bees and the important role they play in our ecosystem. Expect plenty of opportunities to learn about bees, native plants and ways to help pollinators right here in our own community. The event runs 10 AM–1 PM and is completely free.
📍 Location: Mid-America All-Indian Museum
📆 Date & Time: Saturday, September 5 | 10 AM–1 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Free
🔗 More info

🎤 Ty Myers: The Legal Tour
And if you're looking for a Saturday night concert, Ty Myers is bringing his tour to the Capitol Federal Amphitheater. The show starts at 7:30 PM, with tickets starting at $57.
📍 Location: Capitol Federal Amphitheater
📆 Date & Time: Saturday, September 5 | 7:30 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Starting at $57
🔗 More info

In March, Wichita asked voters for permission to raise up to $850 million dollars. About 82% of people who showed up said no. Not a close vote, a landslide. I dug into what the money was actually for, why it failed this badly, and what city leaders are saying now about earning that trust back. If you watched my water plant video, this one connects directly to it. Click the video to hear the whole story!

(Click Each One To See The Full Listing!)

If you—or someone you know—is thinking about buying, selling, or investing in real estate around Wichita, I’d love to help! And even if you’re just tackling a home project and need a solid contractor recommendation, I’ve got plenty to share. The easiest way to reach me is by call or text at 316-259-1995. Or if it’s easier, you can grab a time on my calendar and I’ll follow up with you!

That’s all for this week! I hope you have an awesome weekend!

-Caleb Claussen

P.S. If you or a friend is looking to buy, sell, or invest around the Wichita market, I’d love to be your real estate resource of choice! Reach out anytime!