9 16 23 EVENTS A GENERATION OF HOPE: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF THE HEARTLAND

Th rough September 3 at Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S 20th St. Th is exhibition is a celebration of the people who have called this region home for thousands of years. Children can learn about their culture and traditions throughout this interactive exhibit. 9 am to 4 pm Tuesday—Friday; 9 am to 5 pm Saturday—Sunday. 402.342.6164 —ocm.org

ABOVE & BEYOND: PRESENTED BY BOEING

Th rough September 10 at Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, 28210 W Park Hwy, Ashland. Above and Beyond celebrates the power of innovation. Packed with interactive challenges, vehicle concept models and prototypes, immersive media presentations, and inspiring innovator stories, this exhibition invites visitors to experience what it takes to make impossible dreams take fl ight. Open daily, 9 am to 5 pm. 402.944.3100

—sacmuseum.org

PRESENCE IN THE PAUSE: INTERIORITY AND ITS RADICAL IMMANENCE

Th rough September 17 at Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, 724 S 12th St. Features work focusing on the complexity of everyday relationships through portraits and domestic scenes that examine personhood, memories, and the speeding up and slowing down of contemporary life. 11 am to 5 pm, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; 11 am to 9 pm Thursday. 402.341.7130. —bemiscenter.org

ART FROM THE HEART BY TELAGIO BAPTISTA

Th rough September 23 at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. Award-winning artist Telagio Baptista tells stories with a single image. Drawn to visual arts from a young age, he worked in graphic design and then fully dedicated himself to his passion, watercolor painting. His paintings are rooted in realism as he depicts people, places, plants, and animals. Open daily, 9 am to 5 pm. 402.346.4002.

—lauritzengardens.org

GLASS IN FLIGHT 2 BY ALEX HEVERI

Th rough October 15 at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. Guests can discover 16 life-like installations in a sculpture exhibit that showcases the beauty and importance of butterfl ies, bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. They can see the giant insects made of steel frames and Dalle de Vera glass, and witness the interaction of sunlight and colored glass alongside the garden’s plant collection. Open daily, 9 am to 5 pm. 402.346.4002.

—lauritzengardens.org

ERIN HANSON: COLOR ON THE VINE

Th rough November 5 at Bone Creek Museum of Agrarian Art, 575 E St, David City. Acclaimed California impressionist painter Erin Hanson presents a solo exhibition of coastal vineyard landscapes. 10 am to 4 pm, Wednesday—Saturday; 10 am to 6 pm, Thursday; 1 to 4 pm, Sunday. 402.367.4488.

—bonecreek.org

JURASSIC NEBRASKA

Th rough January 2024 at Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S 20th St. Children can experience what life would be like if dinosaurs were around in their everyday lives; toss a football against some ferocious defenders; explore and discover fossils in a giant dig pit; climb Chimney Rock to look a T-Rex in the eye; and more. 9 am to 4 pm Tuesday—Friday; 9 am to 5 pm Saturday— Sunday. 402.342.6164

—ocm.org

// 8 // SEPTEMBER 2023

Five venues, five unique celebration experiences Hosting events for 100 - 1,000 guests, Omaha Event Group boasts 15 years of experience with over 300 events each year, including Omaha Fashion Week Schedule a consultation with our team of experts today

Concerts

Happy Together Tour

September 1, 7:30 pm, at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Starring The Turtles, Little Anthony, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Vogues, Classics IV, and The Cowsills. The tour will delight audiences with a show full of chart-topping hits from the ’60s and ’70s. 402.345.0606

—o-pa.org

Blackberry Smoke

September 7, 7 pm, at Steelhouse Omaha, 1114 Dodge St. The southern rock band might be known for fuzzed-out electric guitars, but their songs translate equally well to being acoustic play. 402.345.0606.

—steelhouseomaha.com

Here Come The Mummies

September 7, 7 pm, at The Astro, 8302 City Center Dr. With Perpetual Groove. Here Come the Mummies is an eight-piece funk-rock band of 5000-year-old Egyptian mummies with a one-track mind. Their “Terrifying Funk from Beyond the Grave” is sure to get audiences moving and grooving. —theastrotheater.com

5th Annual Shadow Ridge Music Festival

September 8, 5 pm, at Shadow Ridge Country Club, 1501 S 188 Plaza. Th is fun festival is headlined by the Barenaked Ladies and Collective Soul and will also feature Toad The Wet Sprocket and The Samples. Attendees can enjoy live music, local foods, and cold brews. 402.333.4020

—shadowridgecountryclub.com

Staind

September 10, 8 pm, at Harrah’s Casino Stir Concert Cove, One Harrah’s Blvd., Council Bluff s, IA. Over the course of their career, Staind has released seven studio albums and eight Top 10 singles, selling over 15 million albums worldwide. 712.329.6000.

—caesars.com/harrahs-council-bluff s

Jai Wolf

September 11, 8 pm, at Slowdown, 729 N 14th St. With Evan Giia and Myrne. Evoking the heart-tugging feeling of a cinematic score, Jai Wolf makes electronic pop that conjures a dazzling spectrum of emotions. His audiences will no doubt feel the magical sense of connection. 401.345.7569

—the slowdown.com

Coheed And Cambria

September 13, 8 pm, at The Admiral, 2234 S 13th St. With special guest Deafheaven. Th is four-piece band from Nyack, New York, incorporates aspects of pop, heavy metal, and post-hardcore to create their progressive rock sound. 402.706.2205.

—theadmiral.com

DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS

September 14, 8 pm, at Th e Admiral, 2234 S 13th St. With American Aquarium. Drive-By Truckers pay homage to the Muscle Shoals honky-tonk where founding members Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley got their start: a concrete-floored dive lit like a disco, with the nightly promise of penny beer and truly dubious cover bands. 402.706.2205

—theadmiral.com

JONAS BROTHERS “THE TOUR” 2023

September 16, 7:30 pm, at CHI Health Center, 455 N 10th St. One night. Five albums. The Jonas Brothers’ latest tour will include hits from fi ve of their biggest albums. So whether audiences grew up with hits like “S.O.S.” or are fans of the new stuff, they’ve got it covered. 402.341.1500.

—chihealthcenteromaha.com

BETH HART

September 16, 8 pm, at Th e Astro, 8302 City Center Dr. Th is blues-rock artist is as real as it gets. In a music industry full of glossy production and airbrushed photoshoots, this is one artist who throws down her cards to give audiences an authentic experience.

—theastrotheater.com

PARLIAMENT-FUNKADELIC

September 17, 8 pm, at Steelhouse Omaha, 1114 Dodge St. Headed by George Clinton, this American funk collective has been performing for decades. Audiences can enjoy music from the two groups, Parliament and Funkadelic, that include inductees to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. 402.345.0606.

—steelhouseomaha.com

Swans

September 19, 8 pm, at Th e Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St. With Norman Westberg. Swans are an experimental rock band formed in 1982 by Michael Gira. Initially part of the new wave scene, Swans have, through various iterations, contributed to the development of noise rock, post-punk, industrial, post-rock, and more. 402.884.5353. —waitingroomlounge.com

Medium Build

September 21, 7 pm, at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. With Rent Madison. Medium Build fi nds levity in the rough edges and complications, crafting slice-of-life songs about growing up and making mistakes. Medium Build is an amalgamation of genres and influences centered on approaching life and music with humor, empathy, and casual absurdity. 402.884.5707. —reverblounge.com

MSSV

September 21, 7 pm, at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. Featuring Mike Baggetta, Stephen Hodges, and Mike Watt. With Bad Bad Men. MSSV blends industrial vigor and impressionistic languor into a lingering impression of pressure, combustion, and power. 402.884.5707. —reverblounge.com

Casey Donahew

September 22, 7:30 pm, at Th e Astro, 8302 City Center Dr. Over the last 18 years, Casey Donahew has risen from a favorite on the local Texas music scene, racking up 21 #1 singles, to a nationally hot touring act who consistently sells out venues all across the country. —theastrotheater.com

Explosions In The Sky

September 22, 8 pm, at Th e Admiral, 2234 S 13th St. Features Austin, Texas, natives performing passionate, powerful instrumental music. Equal parts romance and tragedy, their beautiful melodies have the tendency to ignite into head-spinning walls of noise. 402.706.2205 —theadmiral.com

Ax Plays Mozart

September 22-23, 7:30 pm, at Holland Center of Performing Arts, 1200 Douglas St. World renowned pianist Emanuel Ax joins the Omaha Symphony in a performance of one of Mozart’s greatest piano works, Piano Concerto No. 25. 402.345.0606

—omahasymphony.org

The Used

September 23, 7 pm, at Steelhouse Omaha, 1114 Dodge St. The American punk rock band from Orem, Utah, brings their distinctive sound to Omaha. 402.345.0606.

—steelhouseomaha.com

Goo Goo Dolls

September 23, 7:30 pm, at Th e Astro, 8302 City Center Dr. With special guest Fitz & The Tantrums. Multi-platinum, four-time Grammy-nominated rock band the Goo Goo Dolls have spent the summer taking their “Big Night Out Tour” all over the country, including a stop in La Vista.

—theastrotheater.com

KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD BAND

September 24, 7:30 pm, at Th e Astro, 8302 City Center Dr. Twenty-fi ve years into his recording career, Kenny Wayne Shepherd continues to create genre-defi ning, blues-infused rock & roll. Shepherd has built an enviable resume as an accomplished recording artist and a riveting live performer.

—theasrtotheater.com

Everclear

September 27, 6pm, at Barnato, 225 N 170th St, Suite 95. With The Ataris and The Pink Spiders. Everclear returns to Barnato, this time for an indoor, intimate headlining tour experience with big production and a full night of music. 402.964.2021

—barnato.bar

THE BABYLOK TOUR

September 28, 7 pm, at Steelhouse Omaha, 1100 Dodge St. Featuring BABYMETAL and Dethlok. Th is Japanese kawaii metal band BABYMETAL has earned success abroad and is joining forces with Dethlok to embark on the Babylok tour. 402.345.0606

—steelhouseomaha.com

311

September 29, 7 pm, at Th e Astro, 8302 City Center Dr. With special guests AWOLNATION and Blame My Youth. Th is American rock band was founded here in Omaha. Now with 13 studio albums, the band is returning home during their fall tour.

—theastrotheater.com

JORDAN DAVIS

September 28, 7:30 pm, at Liberty First Credit Union Arena, 7300 Q St. With Mike Ryan and Dylan Marlow. Country Music star Jordan Davis will perform hits from his latest album Bluebird Days, among his other hits. 402.934.9966 —libertyfi rstcreditunionarena.com

SAM HUNT

September 29, 8 pm, at Harrah’s Casino Stir Concert Cove, One Harrah’s Blvd., Council Bluff s, IA. With Lily Rose. Earner of nine No. 1 Billboard Country Airplay chart hits, Sam Hunt is bringing his notable country sound to the metro area with his “Summer on the Outskirts” tour. 712.329.6000.

—caesars.com/harrahs-council-bluff s

NEXT FROM NASHVILLE WITH TY MARCH

September 29, 8 pm, at Barnato, 225 N 170th St, Suite 95. Nashville up-and-comer Ty March is a unique artist with any equal mix of energetic and emotional tones that will undoubtedly get stuck in your head. 402.964.2021

—barnato.bar

STEWART COPELAND: POLICE DERANGED FOR ORCHESTRA

September 30, 7:30 pm at Holland Center of Performing Arts, 1200 Douglas St. Th e highenergy orchestral evening celebrates the work of legendary rock star and composer Stewart Copeland and focuses on the epic rise of his music career that has spanned over four decades. 402.345.0606

—omahasymphony.org

BRETT YOUNG: DANCE WITH YOU

September 30, 7:30 pm, at Steelhouse Omaha, 1114 Dodge St. Features the American country pop singer. 402.345.0606.

—steelhouseomaha.com

STAGE PERFORMANCES

Meredith Masony

September 1, 7:30 pm; September 2, 6 & 8:30 pm, at Funny Bone Comedy Club, 17305 Davenport St, Village Pointe. Meredith Masony is a wife, mother to three, and the emotional support person to one dog and two cats. Life isn’t supposed to be easy, but at least we can fi nd the funny. Meredith recently fi nished a 76-city national tour and is ready to get intimate on all of the dirty jobs she does as a mom. 402.493.8036.

—omaha.funnybone.com

THE MOUSETRAP

September 1-3, 7-10, check for showtimes, at Lofte Community Th eatre, 15841 Manley Rd, Manley. After a local woman is murdered, the guests and staff at Monkswell Manor fi nd themselves stranded during a snowstorm. It soon becomes clear that the killer is among them. Th is murder mystery features a brilliant surprise fi nish from Dame Agatha Christie, the foremost mystery writer of her time. 402.234.2553

—lofte.org

STEVE HOFSTETTER

September 3, 7 pm, at Slowdown, 729 N 14th St. Author, columnist, and comedian Steve Hofstetter has made appearances on several primetime series and is one of the top booked acts on the college circuit. He has performed live to sold-out venues across the country and may be adding the Slowdown to that list. 402.345.7569. -–theslowdown.com

Quinn Dahle

September 6, 7:30 pm, at Funny Bone Comedy Club, 17305 Davenport St, Village Pointe. Dahle’s comedy appeals to all age groups and ethnicities, and he loves to talk about them all. However, audiences often come back just for his improvisational crowd work where he can be the most spontaneous. 402.493.8036. —omaha.funnybone.com

Opera Outdoors

September 8, 7 pm, at Turner Park 3110 Farnam St. Join Opera Omaha’s annual kick-off to the 23/24 Season with the return of Opera Outdoors. In its 11th year, this free, family-friendly opera concert for the community will include highlights of the upcoming season in addition to some of opera’s greatest hits. 402.346.7372 —operaomaha.org

ARTHUR & FRIENDS MAKE A MUSICAL

September 8-24 at Th e Rose Th eater, 2001 Farnam St. From books to screen and now to the stage! Arthur is confronted with the biggest challenge of his life: writing a story about what makes you special. Come along with Arthur & Friends through this musical exploration of what makes us awesome, just as we are. 402.345.4849 —rosetheater.org

Kerwin Claiborne

September 10, 7 pm, at Funny Bone Comedy Club, 17305 Davenport St., Village Pointe. Featuring comedy from one Mississippi native who has gained a following from his social media videos and nationwide shows. 402.493.8036. —omaha.funnybone.com

BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL

September 15—October 15, at Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St. Tony Award winner

Beautiful: Th e Carole King Musical is the inspiring true story of singer/songwriter Carole King’s remarkable life, her journey to fame, and the mammoth impact she and her work had on the music industry. While not without strife and heartache, King’s story and unbreakable spirit will capture audiences’ hearts. 402.553.0800 —omahaplayhouse.com

ANCIENT ALIENS

September 21, 7:30 pm at Th e Astro, 8302 City Center Dr. Featuring Giorgio A. Tsoukalos, William Henry, Nick Pope, and David Childress. The 90-minute live experience celebrates the long-running program “Ancient Aliens” on The History Channel. The panel will discuss thought-provoking extraterrestrial theories on fan-favorite topics from Ancient Egypt to the moon. —theastrotheater.com

PSYCHIC MEDIUM CINDY KAZA

September 21, 7:30 pm, at Funny Bone Comedy Club, 17305 Davenport St, Village Pointe. Cindy Kaza is a psychic medium who had her fi rst memorable encounter with a spirit when she was just 10 years old. Kaza now travels across America providing people evidence and messages from the other side. 402.493.8036 —omaha.funnybone.com

MACBETH

September 21—October 22, at Bluebarn Theatre, 1106 S 10th St. Murder, witchcraft, and superstition are steeped into William Shakespeare’s darkest play. The story follows one man and his wife who will stop at nothing to get the Scottish crown. 402.345.1576 —bluebarn.org

MORE:

Hutchfest 2023

September 3, 10 am at Millwork Commons, 1229 Millwork Ave. Attendees of this makers’ fair can peruse 200+ handmade artists and makers from across the midwest, feast on street-style brunch fare, sip gourmet cocktails and coff ee, get goofy in the oversized lawn games park, and enjoy local music performances.

—hutchfestomaha.com

Towers Of Tomorrow With Lego Bricks

Th rough September 3 at Durham Museum, 801 S 10th St. Features 20 skyscrapers from North America, Asia, and Australia constructed in breathtaking architectural detail by Ryan McNaught, one of only 21 LEGO®-certified professionals in the world. Noon to 4 pm Sunday; 10 am to 4 pm Tuesday—Saturday. 402.444.5071.

—durhammuseum.org

ALL-EUROPEAN SHOW AND SHINE

September 10 at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. The All-European Show and Shine will feature fi ne European cars and motorcycles on display surrounded by the beauty of the garden. Guests may walk the 100 acres of gardens or they may take a narrated tram tour for $5 per person ($3 for garden members). The café will be open from 11 am to 2 pm for lunch and snacks. 402.346.4002. —lauritzengardens.org

Once Upon A Time At The Castle

September 18, 5:30 pm, at Joslyn Castle, 390 Davenport St. Once Upon a Time at the Castle is a storytime adventure featuring a youth librarian from Omaha Public Library reading classic fairy tales from around the globe. After story time, the group can reenact tales using costumes, props, and the Castle gardens as their land of imagination. 402.595.2199

—joslyncastle.com

Sleeping Bag Safari

September 18, 6 pm, at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, 3701 S 10th St. Join the Zoo for an overnight program where adult guests spend the night at the zoo’s Tent Camp Site and experience the exhibits after hours. Program includes picnic dinner and drinks, an evening hike, movie, snacks, “grab-n-go” breakfast, morning hike, and a free day at the zoo. Th is event is for guests ages 21 and older. 402.733.8401

—omahazoo.com

2023 River City Rodeo

September 22—23, 7:30 pm, at CHI Health Center, 455 N 10th St. River City Rodeo is a weekend Western festival featuring two nights of high-caliber PRCA rodeo where world champion cowboys will compete for their official entry into the National Finals Rodeo. The seven thrilling rodeo events include steer wrestling, team roping, and bull riding. 402.341.1500.

—chihealthcenteromaha.com

Fall Equinox Hike

September 23, 7 pm, at Camp Wa-kon-da, 402 Forest Dr. Join Fontenelle Forest this autumn and enjoy their Fall Equinox Hike. The hike will be about 1-1.5 hour in length over moderate terrain. After the hike, guests will meet at the bonfi re to make s’mores. 402.731.3140

—fontenelleforest.org

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On Monday nights, the North Omaha Music and Arts near 24th and Lake streets becomes a magnet for multi-generational jazz talent, featuring a lineup that's worked with some of the most trailblazing icons in contemporary music. At no cover charge, attendees are introduced to seasoned artists who’ve played for Wynton Marsalis, jammed at Lauryn Hill’s house, and toured for national Broadway shows. Open mic kicks off around 7pm. About an hour later, eager young musicians are invited to hone t heir chops.

For the “pro” set, Dana Murray—executive director of North Omaha Music and Arts—usually sits behind the drums. For Jeff Jenkins, it’s behind the ivory keys.

On a warm Tuesday evening in June, Jenkins strolled into NOMA looking the part of a jazz pianist. Wearing a dark blue plaid blazer, a black pork pie hat, and sporting a neat goatee, Jenkins watched with anticipation as fellow musicians set up for the night’s session.

Born in Hebron, Nebraska, Jenkins and his family moved to Nebraska City when he was 2 years old. His father, Bill, a trumpet player, was a high school music director. He encouraged the young Jenkins to play trombone, but it was his mother, Ellie, who taught him piano. More than 50 years later, Jeff ’s son, Ellington (named after famous jazz pianist Duke Ellington), still has the Baldwin Acrosonic piano that Jeff learned to play on when he was 4.

After graduating from Nebraska City High School, Jenkins spent two years at Midland Lutheran College in Fremont when his father sent him to the Jamey Aebersold jazz camp in Kansas. While there, he met composer and jazz pianist Dan Haerle, who encouraged Jenkins to finish his schooling at the University of North Texas.

“At that point, that was one of probably a half-dozen places in the country where you could actually study jazz,” Jenkin s recalled.

Jenkins followed Haerle’s advice, earning his Bachelor of Arts in jazz performance before spending time in Dallas to learn the ropes of live gigs. In 1983, he decided to move to New York City. He sold the piano he had in Dallas to buy a new one in New York, and braced himself for intense competition.

“People are nice in New York, but they’re brutally honest,” Jenkins said. “If you’re not cutting it, they’ll tell you.”

During his fi rst year in New York, Jenkins didn’t perform for audiences. Living off his savings, he focused exclusively on practice. Putting a piano in a New York studio apartment meant sleeping beneath it atop a rolled-out futon mattress.

“I thought it was romantic and cool. Now, I wouldn’t think that,” Jenkins laughed.

Jenkins’ fi rst big break came with the off-Broadway musical Little Shop of Horrors in 1984. After fi lling in for a friend in the off-Broadway version, Jenkins was hired to play keyboards for the national tour. For two years, he traveled throughout the United States. When he returned to New York in late 1985, he took over the keyboard position for the New York production of Little Shop of Horrors. As one of the most successful off-Broadway productions in New York City’s history, the coveted slot offered both fi nancial stability and musical credibility.

In 1990, Jenkins moved to Denver, Colorado, to be with his then-wife. Even though Jenkins was no longer living in New York City, he continued to encounter some of the most influential figures in jazz, including Bobby Hutcherson and Freddie Hubbard. Along with playing festivals, Jenkins was part of a music ensemble that opened for David Byrne at the world-famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

In 2008, Jenkins joined the faculty of the University of Colorado at Boulder as a jazz studies professor. In addition to teaching, Jenkins ran his own recording studio, Mile High Music. Brad Goode, a trumpet player and an associate professor of jazz studies at the University of Colorado at Boulder, recorded his album Chicago Red at Jenkins’ studio. Jenkins plays keyboards on Goode’s latest album, The Unknown, which was released this year. During a Zoom interview, Goode said Jenkins’ deep knowledge of jazz extended to other genres, like Latin music and Broadway musicals.

“He’s not a ‘dabbler'—he’s an expert in so many different areas of music,” Goode noted.

Jenkins moved to Omaha in August 2022 with his wife, singer Terri Jo Jenkins. Th is past spring, he retired from the University of Colorado. He cited his health as one of the main reasons he chose to retire. He was diagnosed with Adrenomyeloneuropathy, or AMN—an inherited genetic disorder that affects the spinal cord, requiring Jenkins to use a cane.

Growing restless in his fi rst year of retirement, Jenkins began playing at The Jewell in Omaha’s Capitol District, where he caught the eye of drummer nad music producer Dana Murray. In addition to the Monday night sessions, Jenkins teaches a jazz improvisational class at North Omaha Music and Arts.

“There’s a soul and organic nature about how he plays,” Mu rray said.

Visit northomahamusic.org, jewellomaha.com, and Jenkins’ YouTube channel @allkeyspro6606 for more information.