• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Lost Prairie Press

Lost Prairie Press

Trending News from the Midwest - IA, IL, KS, MO, NE

  • Home
  • MIDWEST
  • ILLINOIS
  • IOWA
  • KANSAS
  • MISSOURI
  • NEBRASKA
  • About Us
    • Contact Us

After 46 years, the old Aztec Theater in Shawnee is back open

after-46-years,-the-old-aztec-theater-in-shawnee-is-back-open
Aztectheater Calebconditrebeccanorden Web
Photography by Caleb Condit & Rebecca Norden

It’s been forty-six years since the last reel spun to a stop at the old Aztec Theater on the main drag in Shawnee. You’d never know it from the enthusiasm around the recent reopening. Even before a deal was struck, people were packing meetings to show support for the revival of the long-dormant venue, which shuttered amid the mid-seventies rise of the multiplex. “Really, it’s the heart of the city,” says Jeffrey Calkins, one of the theater’s new owners. “And it’s been that way a long time. A lot of people who live here remember going to the Aztec—it’s one of those things that everybody wanted to be a part of. They wanted it back.”

The new theater has been refurbished in its original art deco style, with the help of Calkins’ expertise in the electrical supply business. The original door, salvaged from a dumpster, has been restored. The original marquee was destroyed, but the new-old one has its own history—it’s from Abilene, and Dwight Eisenhower stood underneath it while announcing his run for president. The old 35mm projectors have been replaced with budget-friendly digital ones, as even with funds kicked in from the city, the project expects to remain in the red for some time. If a projectionist were needed, they’ve got leads, says Calkins: “It probably tells you something about Shawnee that off the top of my head I can think of four people in the area who ran the old projector.”

GO: Jam band Mark Doty and The Cause will perform at the Aztec Theater on February 13. Tickets are $10 and extremely limited. 7 pm. Aztec Theater, 11119 Johnson Drive, Shawnee.

Filed Under: MIDWEST

Primary Sidebar

More to See

tyler-shane’s-beautiful-bonbons-have-a-deeper-meaning

Tyler Shane’s beautiful bonbons have a deeper meaning

Mesoamericans called it food of the gods. From central Mexico down to Honduras, where the cacao tree grows native, ancient Olmecs, Mayans and Aztecs would gather the oblong fruit and break open its … [Read More...] about Tyler Shane’s beautiful bonbons have a deeper meaning

review:-brookside-restaurants-brady-&-fox-and-earl’s-premier-bring-homestyle-cooking-from-opposite-sides-of-the-atlantic

Review: Brookside restaurants Brady & Fox and Earl’s Premier bring homestyle cooking from opposite sides of the Atlantic

The definition of “comfort food” tends to vary depending on who you ask. At two new Brookside restaurants, Brady & Fox and Earl’s Premier, the term applies both to time-honored Irish recipes and East … [Read More...] about Review: Brookside restaurants Brady & Fox and Earl’s Premier bring homestyle cooking from opposite sides of the Atlantic

the-king-of-cass-county’s-bold-vision-for-harrisonville-imploded.-can-anyone-revive-it?

The King of Cass County’s bold vision for Harrisonville imploded. Can anyone revive it?

The King of Cass County’s bold vision for Harrisonville imploded. Can anyone revive it? It’s 5 pm on a Monday night in downtown Harrisonville. Only one other car is parked in the square. … [Read More...] about The King of Cass County’s bold vision for Harrisonville imploded. Can anyone revive it?

melissa-etheridge-believes-in-kansas

Melissa Etheridge believes in Kansas

She says in her long life, the only constant is change, and she knows important changes are coming in Kansas. She’s faced battles/discrimination and stood up for LGBT+ rights throughout her life, and … [Read More...] about Melissa Etheridge believes in Kansas

melissa-ethridge-believes-in-kansas

Melissa Ethridge believes in Kansas

She says in her long life, the only constant is change, and she knows important changes are coming in Kansas. She’s faced battles/discrimination and stood up for LGBT+ rights throughout her life, and … [Read More...] about Melissa Ethridge believes in Kansas

Footer

WELCOME!

Thanks for visiting Lost Prairie Press!

We hope you’ll enjoy news and perspective from the Midwest – specifically, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas and Missouri.

About/Contact

Privacy Policy

Recent

  • Review: Brookside restaurants Brady & Fox and Earl’s Premier bring homestyle cooking from opposite sides of the Atlantic
  • Tyler Shane’s beautiful bonbons have a deeper meaning
  • The King of Cass County’s bold vision for Harrisonville imploded. Can anyone revive it?

Search

Copyright © 2022 · Lost Prairie Press