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DAYTRIPS IN NEBRASKA, IOWA, KANSAS, MISSOURI, AND SOUTH DAKOTA

NEBRASKA

FLATWATER SHAKESPEARE PRESENTS

JULIUS CAESAR, Sept. 1-12 at Swan Theater at Wyuka Stables in Lincoln.

NORTHWEST NEBRASKA ROCK SWAP,

Sept. 2-5 at City Park in Crawford. ART IN THE GARDEN, Sept. 10 at Sunken Gardens in Lincoln. Noyes

Rock, fossil, mineral, and gem aficionados gather in Crawford City Park to buy, sell, and trade their unique geological The Flatwater Shakespeare Co. performs treasures. At 8 a.m. each day, guided a “less-cut” rendition of one of history’s field trips to the nearby Agate Gravel most infamous betrayals—and one of Beds are undertaken with intrepid the Bard’s greatest tragedies—with stone enthusiasts invited to meet at Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Audiences the information booth prior. Guest will be transported to ancient Rome and speakers at 2 p.m. and a rock auction watch with a keen sense of dramatic irony 7 p.m. take place Saturday. 308.432.3006. as Julius Caesar’s grip on power is —discovernwnebraska.com/crawfordcarefully conspired against, fought rock-swap/ over, and relinquished in harrowing, poignant fashion. 402.413.1586 —flatwatershakespearecompany.org PLATTSMOUTH HARVEST FESTIVAL, Sept. 8-11 in Plattsmouth. Celebrating its 91st year—and once NEBRASKA UNWRAPPED: SELECTIONS heralded as a corn festival in the 1930s— FROM THE COLLECTION, Sept. 1 through this four-day festival evolved into a multiDec. 31 at Nebraska History Museum faceted harvest extravaganza that now in Lincoln. History Nebraska presents includes carnival rides, talent show, a craft nearly 150 archeological and historic fair Saturday, music and entertainment, artifacts for public intrigue and education, contests, and a ‘Grand Parade’ along some dating pre-statehood. According their Plattsmouth’s historic Main Street. website, the contents of the collection “… —plattsmouthharvestfestival.com reveal our challenges and accomplishments, our heritages, and cultures. They help chart the paths taken and forsaken by the unique and distinctive peoples of Nebraska.” Adult tickets are $5, youth tickets (age 5-18) are $3, and kids under 5 get in free. 402.471.4782 —history.nebraska.gov/visit/nebraskaunwrapped-selections-collections MOVIES IN THE PARK, Sept. 9 at Antelope Park in Lincoln. Biographical sports drama American Underdog (2021) screens under the stars in Antelope Park, just in time for football season. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for this movie, which begins between 8:45-9 p.m.. 402.441.7847. —lincoln.ne.gov/City/Departments/Parksand-Recreation/Calendar-and-Events/ Movies-2022

Art Gallery hosts artists, musicians, and food vendors among the winding trails, dreamy colors, and enchanting scents of the Sunken Gardens for a sensual artSEPT. 2-5 collecting experience. 402.475.1061. —noyesartgallery.com

40TH ANNUAL OLD TRUSTY ANTIQUE

AND COLLECTORS SHOW, Sept. 10 in Clay Center. This two-day event exhibits antique tractors, engines, cars, SEPT. 01 and trucks, revealing a bygone age of industry and engineering gear-heads and history-buffs are certain to appreciate. The event also includes exhibitions on oldtime craftsmanship, such ascandlemaking, weaving, and blacksmithing. The Bobby Lane Orchestra performs Saturday night at 7 p.m., while Navy veteran and Nashville artist Justin Kane strums up excitement Sunday, 11 a.m. with his masterful fret work and melodious voice. Passes are $7 per day for adults, $1 for children over 5. 402.762.3685. —oldtrusty.org

BEGINNER’S MEDITATION CLASS,

Sept. 12 at Lincoln Zen Center in Lincoln. The Lincoln Zen Center invites those new to meditation to pause, center, and take a deep breath in this free, guided session. Instruction begins at 5:30 p.m., no reservations required. —lincolnzencenter.org

scripteddaunted and

Great things for the whole family, and Mom too! Conveniently located just off the interstate

Gems • Minerals • Fossils • Jewelry

CODY JOHNSON WITH SPECIAL GUEST

RANDY HOUSER, Sept. 16 at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln. Known for his electrifying stage presence and forecasted by MusicRow as potentially being “the future of real country music,” Nashville sensation and Platinum recording artist Cody Johnson hits the stage at Pinnacle Bank Arena with special guest Randy Houser. Hits like “Til’ I Can’t” will be performed alongside new entries from Johnson’s freshly released, critically acclaimed Human: The Double Album. 402.904.4444. —pinnaclebankarena.com SEPT.

APPLEJACK HARVEST

FESTIVAL, Sept. 16-18 in Nebraska City. Between 60,000 and 80,000 people converge in this town’s of around 7,000 residents to get to the core of their apple cravings. The festival website touts, “Apple pie, apple cider, apple cider donuts, candy apples, caramel apples, apple fritters, apple salad…pretty much anything you can image made from apples is available at the AppleJack Festival”. The event also includes activities such as extreme bull ridding, water barrel fights, a parade, and a downtown flea market. 402.873.6654. —nebraskacity.com/festival/applejack-festival/

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LUKE BRYAN, Sept. 22 at Stock Hay and Grain in Murdock. True to the

Farm Tour 2022 ethos, country music superstar and American Idol judge Luke Bryan arrives in small town Nebraska—and with Murdock’s population of 236 citizens, that’s no understatement. Bryan is set to raise the roof at the Stock Hay and Grain farm, fulfilling a promise to attendees that his highly celebrated, multi-national brand of country stardom is home-grown and remains rooted in rural Americana. —lukebryan.com

INCUBUS, Sept. 23 at Pinewood Bowl Theater in Lincoln. Forming in 1991,

Calabasas, California, alternative rock outfit Incubus has sold more than 23 million albums, containing generational classics like “Wish You Were Here,” “Nice to Know You,” “Dig,” and many more. The all-ages show is outdoors between the pines, rain or shine; tickets are available via TicketMaster and at the Pinnacle Bank Arena ticket office Tuesdays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. —pinewoodbowltheater.com

JERRY SEINFELD LIVE, Sept. 23 at Lied Center for Performing Arts

in Lincoln. World-beloved Seinfeld actor and co-creator Jerry Seinfeld brings his brand of snarky, high-brow comedy to Lied Center for Performing Arts, heralding a night of outrageous humor and gut-busting laughter. —liedcenter.org/event/jerry-seinfeld-live

NORFOLK OKTOBERFEST FAMILY

FESTIVAL, Sept. 23-24 in Norfolk. Having reached a decade of consecutive annual celebrations, this two-day festival continues to bring families together in celebration of German heritage with live music, traditional German cuisine, inflatables, a Husker tailgate, activities and competitions, and of course, a beer garden stocked with a wide variety of German brews. —norfolkareachamber.com for a night of celestial wonder and lipsmackin’ barbecue. Children’s activities and educational opportunities are held throughout the evening, until darkness settles to reveal the stars. Through the observatories numerous telescopes, and through those of amateur astronomers, planets, nebulas, and even galaxies will fill the lenses— and the imaginations—of attendees. —branchedoakobservatory.com/events R.E.O SPEEDWAGON AND STYX, Sept. 4 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

For the first time in four years, ’70s rock sensations REO Speedwagon and Styx join forces in their co-headlining “Live & UnZoomed” tour to deliver hard rock guitar riffs, enthralling synth percussions, and signature power ballads with special guest Loverboy at Wells Fargo Arena. —iowaeventscenter.com

IOWA

DAY OUT WITH THOMAS, Sept. 11 at the Scenic Valley Railroad and Museum

IOWA CITY SUMMER BASH, Sept. 3 on the Pedestrian Mall in Iowa

2022 FALL STARBQ Sept. 24 at the Branched Oak Conservatory

in Lincoln. Lincoln’s annual StarBQ returns to the Branched Oak Conservatory for the eighth time, bringing together area stargazers City. To celebrate the first Iowa Hawkeyes football game of the year, this free, all-ages event promises 10 hours of music—with performances by Damn Juhl, DJ Amru,

Ketamonster, and more—brought to attendees in “turbosound” by iowa|techno at the Ped Mall Weather Dance Fountain Stage. The bash runs from 1noon-10 p.m. for a full day of outdoor grooving. —allevents.in/iowa

in Boone. Beloved children’s book and cartoon character Thomas the Tank Engine makes a stop at the Scenic SEPT. 3 Valley Railroad and Museum in Boone, picking up passengers for a fun and educational ride on the historic tracks of this designated heritage railroad. Tickets are $17 on Friday, and $20 on Saturday and Sunday, with interested parents encouraged to SEPT. buy them ahead of time. Food is not 24 included with price of admission, though numerous food vendors pepper the site. —bsvrr.com/wp/events/day-outwith-thomas

WORLD FOOD AND MUSIC FESTIVAL 2022,

Sept. 16-18 at Western Gateway Park 44TH ANNUAL CIDERFEST Sept. 24-25 at Louisburg Cider Mill in Louisburg. SHAWN MENDES WITH TATE MCRAE, Sept. 26 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.

in Des Moines. Taking place at downtown Des Moines’ Western Gateway Park, this three-day festival celebrates all things cosmopolitan, having grown from around two dozen vendors in 2005 to being able to support 90,000 unique visitors today. Produced by the Greater Des Moines Partnership, the festival promises “international cuisine, live music and performing arts, cooking demonstrations, interactive programs, wine and craft beers and much more.” —dsmpartnership.com/worldfood andmusicfestival/about-the-festival

HARVEST MOON SONG AND DANCE FEST

2022, Sept. 25 at Dan Nagle Walnut Grove Pioneer Village in Longe Grove. For the low price of $6 ($3 for children), festival attendees are entreated to jig, reel, and hoedown to 1800s folk music and early 20th century traditional, ragtime, and jazz; plus some midcentury country tunes by ensemble “Fifth of Country.” Lawn chairs are welcome at this rain or shine event, with local food vendors serving up cool drinks and hot plates. —scottcountyiowa.gov

KANSAS

DANCEFESTOPIA 2022, Sept. 6-11 at Emerald City in Lacygne. This explosive, six-day music and camping festival promises attendees a frenetic, heart-pounding blitz of performances by over 150 EDM artists, including genre legends like Seven Lions and deadmau5. Ranked “a Top-5 festival for new festival goers” by EDM.com, this event offers an incredible experience for rave-sceneveterans and curious newcomers alike. Campsites are available in the adjoining Emerald Forest, encouraging intrepid attendees to lose themselves in the various nooks and crannies of natural wonder. —dancefestopia.com This free-admission event extols all things apple cider, with tours of the mill in action—from washing to press— allowing attendees a window into the process behind the festival’s crisp, delicious treats before taking a bite (or sip!). Bluegrass and country classic musical performances intermingle with the scent of fresh apples and warm cider, the perfect atmosphere for attendees to enjoy hot or cold ciders, cider doughnuts, caramel apples, and the Louisburg Cider Mill’s home-made Lost Trail Root Beer. Kids will enjoy hayrack rides, corn mazes, and homemade toys for sale. —louisburgcidermill.com/ciderfest FIREWATER MUSIC FESTIVAL, Sept. 29 through Oct. 1 at Wildwood Outdoor Education Center in Kansas City. In the second rendition of their self-curated event, country rock outfit Whisky Myers invites attendees to enjoy three days of live music, forest camping, and a menagerie of local food vendors. Myers’ curated list of performers includes favorites such as the Old 97s, the Red Southall Band, and Nikki Lane. —firewatermusicfestival.com/

MISSOURI 20TH ANNUAL KANSAS CITY IRISH FEST,

Sept. 2-4 at Crown Center Square in Kansas City. Over Labor Day weekend, Kansas City celebrates its 20th annual Irish Fest, offering attendees “the chance to see some of the top Irish entertainment in the world.” The festival includes a medley of Irish musical and dance performers, traditional food and drink vendors, Irish whiskey tastings, an educational Irish genealogy showcase, children’s activities, and more. —kcirishfest.com/

Although the Omaha performance was canceled, fans have a chance to see multi-platinum singer/songwriter, and generational heartthrob Shawn Mendes deliver his silky, wide-ranging vocals to cherished hits like SEPT. 16-18 “Señorita,” “Treat You Better,” and “Wonder” at Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center. The show includes special guest Tate McRae. —t-mobilecenter.com/events/detail/ shawn-mendes

SOUTH DAKOTA

I LOVE THE ’90S TOUR, Sept. 9 at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls. Those feeling nostalgic for the rose-colored, buttery-smooth rhymes of the ’90s will find the I Love the ’90s tour is certain to hit that sweet spot, with performances by Coolio, plus Rob Base, Montell Jordan, and the ever-ubiqSEPT. uitous music stylings of Vanilla Ice. 29+ —dennysanfordpremiercenter.com/ events/2022/i-love-the-90s SIOUX FALLS GERMANFEST, Sept. 10 at Fawick Park in Sioux Falls. The Sister Cities of Sioux Falls presents Germanfest, a free one-day fundraising event honoring Sioux Falls sister city, Potsdam, Germany, with Bavarian hats and lederhosen abound, plus traditional music and entertainment from 2-10 p.m., a Dachshund Dog Race commencing at 4:30 p.m., a Kinder “Children” area, a wide range of traditional food, and German beer tents organized by Beal Distributing. —siouxfallssistercities.com/event

EVENT TIMES AND DETAILS MAY CHANGE.

Visit omahamagazine.com for complete listings. Check with venue or event organizer to confirm.

GABRIEL “FLUFFY” IGLESIAS, Sept. 11 at Kansas State Fair Grandstand in

Hutchinson. Few possess a larger stage presence than beloved comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, who masterfully combines relatable, day-to-day experiences with outrageous, over-the-top humor. Known for coining the term “fluffy” to describe his large-and-in-charge proportions, Iglesias invites audiences to laugh with him, at him, and most importantly, at themselves, bringing levity and joy to Hutchinson’s Kansas State Fair beginning 7:30 p.m. —visithutch.com

COLLECT-A-CON FEATURING VANILLA ICE,

Sept. 17-18 at Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City. “Yo VIP, let’s kick

it” the opening lyric of Vanilla Ice’s megahit “Ice Ice Baby” is an invitation by the ’90s hip-hop sensation to join him at the Kansas City Convention during Collect-aCon—billed as “the nation’s largest trading card, anime, and pop culture convention”— for a nostalgic, unforgettable performance. —collectaconusa.com/kc