Historic Stiefel Theatre in Salina, KS

Historic Stiefel Theatre in Salina, KS Providing quality experiences that enrich, educate, and entertain W. Watson and the Fox Theater Company which purchased it just before its completion.
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The Stiefel Theatre was opened in February 1931 as the Fox-Watson Theater, named after its founder W. The Fox-Watson, designed by the prominent Midwest architectural firm of Carl and Robert Boller, and was built for $400,000. It featured a lavish Art Deco style, with gleaming chandeliers, mirrored ceilings, a glamorous staircase and glittering gold leaf throughout. At the theatre’s opening, Salina

Mayor Charles F. Dobbs stated, “This is an event of great importance, not only to the citizens of Salina but the entire central and northwestern territory. It brings to our door a dream of metropolitan entertainment and a place in the front rank of theaters second to none of any city in the middle-west.”

The primary mission of the theatre was to entertain the community with films and indeed it did, playing all of the great films of its six decades in the film business: “Gone With the Wind,” “The Grapes of Wrath,” “You Can’t Take it With You,” “Shane,” “Carousel,” “The Sound of Music,” “Star Wars,” “ET” and hundreds more. These were promoted with many ingenious gimmicks including “Bank Night,” when filmgoers could win money, “Copper Collection Day,” during World War II when a person could get in for four ounces of copper, and “Bond Premieres,” when Savings Bonds were sold in the lobbies. Many live performances and events took place here through the years as well, beginning with a style show sponsored in 1931 by Stiefel’s Department Store. Others included live theatre productions, beauty pageants, big bands such Gene Krupa’s and Paul Whiteman’s, rock and roll bands and cooking schools sponsored by the Salina Journal. In 1950 as a part of Dr. Franklin’s Hypnotist Show a man was hypnotized, buried alive at 3rd and Iron streets and was then unearthed and reawakened two days later on the Fox Watson stage. The theatre closed as a film house in 1987, and in 1989 its current owners, Dickinson Theatres, gave the theatre to the city of Salina. The city repaired the roof of the theatre and mothballed it until 1997 when it was turned over to a non-profit group for restoration, which was completed in 2003. The grand re-opening took place in March 8, 2003, with a sell-out concert by Jim Belushi and The Sacred Hearts.

06/18/2026

The engines will be revving downtown for the Kustom Kemps of America Thursday Night Cruise... and when the last classic car rolls by, the night is just getting started.

Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country takes the stage at the Stiefel Theatre on July 23 for a late-night concert packed with blazing guitar work, improvisation, country roots, rock energy, and pure musical adventure.

If you're coming downtown for the cruise, make plans to keep the party going afterward. Check out this live performance and see why Daniel Donato is one of the most talked-about rising acts on the road today.

🗓 July 23
🚪 Doors: 9:00 PM
🎵 Show: 9:30 PM
📍 Stiefel Theatre

Get your tickets now before they're gone! https://www.stiefeltheatre.org/shows/daniel-donatos-cosmic-country

Send a message to learn more

🎶 "I come from a land down under..." 🎶On August 10, those unforgettable songs come to life at the Stiefel Theatre when M...
06/17/2026

🎶 "I come from a land down under..." 🎶

On August 10, those unforgettable songs come to life at the Stiefel Theatre when Men at Work headline a night of legendary music featuring Toad the Wet Sprocket and Shonen Knife!

Sing along to classics like:
🎵 "Who Can It Be Now?"
🎵 "Overkill"
🎵 "It's a Mistake"
🎵 "Down Under"

From "Do you come from a land down under?" to "I can't get to sleep, I think about the implications," Men at Work's songs have been part of the soundtrack of the '80s and beyond.

The evening begins with Shonen Knife, followed by Toad the Wet Sprocket performing favorites like "Walk on the Ocean" and "All I Want," before Men at Work close out the night with the hits everyone knows.

Don't wait until somebody asks, "Who can it be now?"—secure your seats today and join us for an incredible night of music at the Stiefel Theatre!

🎟 Tickets available now. https://www.stiefeltheatre.org/shows/men-at-work
📅 August 10
📍 Stiefel Theatre, Salina

🎶 One Night. Two Hitmakers. Countless Memories. 🎶Some concerts are worth remembering.On June 27, the Stiefel Theatre wel...
06/15/2026

🎶 One Night. Two Hitmakers. Countless Memories. 🎶

Some concerts are worth remembering.

On June 27, the Stiefel Theatre welcomes Edwin McCain and Five For Fighting for an evening packed with the songs that have been the soundtrack to road trips, weddings, graduations, first dances, and unforgettable moments.

From "I'll Be" and "I Could Not Ask for More" to "Superman (It's Not Easy)" and "100 Years," this is a night of unforgettable music, memories, and sing-along moments.

Don't wait until someone tells you how great the show was. Be there.

📅 June 27
📍 Stiefel Theatre
🎟 Get your tickets today and secure your seats before they're gone. https://www.stiefeltheatre.org/shows/edwin-mccain-five-for-fighting

🎶 One of the most celebrated duos in American roots music is coming to the Stiefel Theatre!Join us on Friday, August 7, ...
06/11/2026

🎶 One of the most celebrated duos in American roots music is coming to the Stiefel Theatre!

Join us on Friday, August 7, as Gillian Welch & David Rawlings bring their award-winning songwriting, stunning harmonies, and masterful musicianship to Salina for an unforgettable evening.

For more than two decades, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings have been at the forefront of Americana, folk, and bluegrass music, earning Grammy Awards and critical acclaim while inspiring countless artists along the way. Their live performances are intimate, powerful, and filled with the songs that have made them legends of modern American music.

Whether you're a longtime fan or discovering their music for the first time, this is a rare opportunity to experience two of the finest storytellers and musicians performing today in the beautiful setting of the Stiefel Theatre.

🎟 Tickets are on sale now—secure your seats before they're gone!
https://www.stiefeltheatre.org/shows/gillian-welch-david-rawlings

📅 August 7
📍 Stiefel Theatre | Salina, KS

🎉 Congratulations to the Smoky Hill River Festival on 50 incredible years! 🎉For half a century, the Smoky Hill River Fes...
06/10/2026

🎉 Congratulations to the Smoky Hill River Festival on 50 incredible years! 🎉

For half a century, the Smoky Hill River Festival has brought our community together through unforgettable art, music, food, and creativity. It's become one of the region's most beloved traditions, and we're proud to celebrate this milestone year with them.

The celebration begins tomorrow night with Festival Jam, kicking off a weekend packed with outstanding live music, talented artists from across the country, delicious food, and activities for all ages. Whether you're a longtime Festival fan or experiencing it for the first time, this year's 50th anniversary is one you won't want to miss.

Here's to 50 years of memories—and many more to come! See you at the Festival! 🎶🎨🌞

🎶 This summer, let your creativity take center stage at the Stiefel Theatre's Summer Music Workshops!Whether you're pick...
06/10/2026

🎶 This summer, let your creativity take center stage at the Stiefel Theatre's Summer Music Workshops!

Whether you're picking up an instrument for the first time, looking to sharpen your skills, or simply wanting to connect with other music lovers, our workshops offer a fun, supportive environment for musicians of all ages and experience levels.

🎸 Learn from experienced instructors
🎹 Build your confidence and skills
🥁 Meet fellow musicians and make new friends
🎵 Experience the joy of making music together

Spots are limited, so don't wait to reserve your place. Make this the summer you discover a new passion, develop your talent, and create memories through music at the Stiefel Theatre!

Learn more and register today. https://www.stiefeltheatre.org/school-of-music

🎤👑 ONE NIGHT OF QUEEN'S GREATEST HITS! 👑🎤Get ready to rock with Killer Queen, the internationally acclaimed Queen tribut...
06/09/2026

🎤👑 ONE NIGHT OF QUEEN'S GREATEST HITS! 👑🎤

Get ready to rock with Killer Queen, the internationally acclaimed Queen tribute band, live at the Stiefel Theatre on July 31!

Experience the music, energy, and spectacle of Queen's legendary catalog, including:
🎶 Bohemian Rhapsody
🎶 We Will Rock You
🎶 Somebody to Love
🎶 Don't Stop Me Now
🎶 We Are the Champions

From stunning vocals to authentic costumes and unforgettable stage presence, Killer Queen delivers a concert experience that captures the magic of one of the greatest rock bands of all time.

📅 Date: July 31
📍 Venue: Stiefel Theatre
🎟️ Tickets Available Now

Don't miss this chance to relive the music of Queen with friends and family. Secure your seats before they're gone!

🎫 Get Tickets Today! https://www.stiefeltheatre.org/shows/killer-queen

On July 23, Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country brings one of the most exciting live shows in Americana and jam music to the ...
06/08/2026

On July 23, Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country brings one of the most exciting live shows in Americana and jam music to the Stiefel Theatre!

Daniel Donato has built a national following through appearances at major festivals and legendary stages, including the Newport Folk Festival, Bonnaroo, The Caverns, and Nashville's iconic Ryman Auditorium. His unique "Cosmic Country" sound blends classic country roots, blazing guitar work, psychedelic jams, rock energy, and improvisation into an unforgettable concert experience.

If you love great musicianship, adventurous live music, and discovering artists before they outgrow intimate venues like ours, this is your chance.

🎟 Tickets are on sale now. Grab yours and experience the Cosmic Country movement live at the Stiefel Theatre on July 23! https://www.stiefeltheatre.org/shows/daniel-donatos-cosmic-country

We can't wait to have Grand Funk Railroad on June 26! Great tickets remain!
06/05/2026

We can't wait to have Grand Funk Railroad on June 26! Great tickets remain!

On June 5, 1971, Grand Funk Railroad sold out their upcoming appearance at Shea Stadium in New York, breaking The Beatles' box office record.

Address

151 S Santa Fe Avenue
Salina, KS
67401

Opening Hours

Monday 12pm - 4:30pm
Tuesday 12pm - 4:30pm
Wednesday 12pm - 4:30pm
Thursday 12pm - 4:30pm
Friday 12pm - 4:30pm

Telephone

+17858271998

Website

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