Wichita, KS

The Levitt VIBE Wichita Music Series, presented by Exploration Place, brings free, live music to the Arkansas River corridor, celebrating the city’s musical legacy while creating a dynamic space for community gathering.

 

In Wichita in 1932, the strums of the electric guitar premiered onstage for the first time in history—an achievement rooted in artistic innovation yet often overlooked. The Levitt VIBE Wichita Music Series embraces this legacy through its Saturday music series spotlighting exceptional guitarists across genres including folk, blues, rock, surf, and Latin styles.

Hosted at the Wichita Foundation Amphitheater near the Arkansas River and the iconic Keeper of the Plains—the 44-foot-tall steel sculpture by Kiowa/Comanche artist Blackbear Bosin honoring the Great Spirit that keeps watch over the city of Wichita—the series transforms a newly revitalized riverfront venue into a vibrant, inclusive gathering place for families, students, and visitors. With open lawn seating, food vendors, and Exploration Place’s museum and six-acre playscape extending the experience, the site becomes an immersive destination that blends music, movement, and community life in this city of roughly 400,000 people. By establishing a recognizable rhythm of weekly concerts, Levitt VIBE Wichita strengthens local identity, increases positive use of the riverfront, and positions the amphitheater as a civic commons where residents gather to connect and create joyful memories.

Presented by Exploration Place, a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring deeper interest in science and technology through creative, hands-on experiences for all.