AN OMAHA MAGA ZINE PUBLIC ATION
NYAME BROWN
Bemis Series Episode Three
WHERE PINK PIGEONS FLY
Gabi Quiroz ARTS/CULTURE
VOL. 23 × MAY/JUN 2018 | ISSUE
3
HEART & SOUL
Edem K. Garro
OLD MARKET • 11th & Harney
kith-kin.us
“Good Vibrations” “California Girls” “I Get Around” “Surfin’ USA” “Fun, Fun, Fun” Let’s go on a surfin’ safari! The one and only Beach Boys return with the world’s favorite soundtrack to summer. Surf’s up!
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20 06 DESTINATIONS
NYAME BROWN
Encounter the City
Bemis Series Episode Three
10 TODD “FOX” HANSEN Forging Ahead
14 WAKANDA Connecting Through the Spirit of Music
16 MARCUS ROSS It’s Not All Fish and Fun
18 JENNIFER CASTELLO Harnesses Her Creativity
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32 TYLER CHICKINELLI Smashing Stereotypes
EDEM K. GARRO
36 FASHION
Heart and Soul
“I Work in Three Shades of Black”
42 CALENDAR
26
May/June 2018
GABI QUIROZ
46 TRANSITORILY YOURS The Music Lesson You Never Got in School
ISSUE 3 | VOL. 23 | MAY/JUN 2018 instagram.com/encounter_magazine
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Big Daddy/Spiritual Advisor Eric Stoakes
Senior Branding Specialist Mary Hiatt
Executive Editor Doug Meigs
Senior Sales Executive & 60Plus in Omaha Contributing Editor Gwen Lemke
Managing Editor Daisy Hutzell-Rodman
Publisher's Assistant & OmahaHome Contributing Editor Sandy Matson
Associate Editor Tara Spencer
Branding Specialist George Idelman
Editorial Assistants Will Patterson • Lindsay Wilson
Local Stubs Ticketing Representative & Branding Specialist Joshua Peterson
Interns Matthew Bogseth • Claire Bromm
Digital Sales Manager Jillian Dunn
Contributing Writers Brent Crampton • Kyle Eustice • Anthony Flott • Mark McGaugh Sean Robinson • Carrielle Sedersten • Sarah Wengert
Senior Sales Coordinator Alicia Hollins
Creative Director Matt Wieczorek Senior Graphic Designer Derek Joy Graphic Designers Mady Besch • Katiuska Nuñez Fashion Editors Jared Spence • Nicholas Wasserberger
497 TREES
trees have been refores ted due to the printing our las t round of public ations. More information at printreleaf.com
Where Pink Pigeons Fly
Guest Photographer Keith Binder Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing Gil Cohen
Sales Assistants Dawn Dennis • Sophia Galardi • Sherry Lorence Accountant Holley Garcia-Cruz Distribution Manager Mike Brewer Publisher Todd Lemke Vice President Greg Bruns Associate Publisher Bill Sitzmann Chief Operating Officer Tyler Lemke
Destinations | May/june AKSARBEN VILLAGE
BLACKSTONE
Come May, it’s time to get your groove on again at Aksarben Village’s Stinson Park. That’s because Saturdays @ Stinson concerts return with perhaps the best lineup to date. The sounds begin May 5 and run for 11 Saturdays through July 28. Did we mention the concerts are free? Concertgoers are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, an umbrella, and coolers (don’t forget koozies or plastic cups—leave the bottles at home). Food and drink vendors will be on hand, along with face painting and balloon artists, and don’t forget the fountain and playground equipment for the kids. The full slate:
Things really perked up at Archetype Coffee (3926 Farnam St.) in February thanks to the showing java experts Isaiah Sheese and Jason Burkum put on at the U.S. Coffee Championships Qualifying Competition in New Orleans. Sheese finished second in the Barista Qualifying Competition, in which competitors prepare and serve coffee beverages for sensory judges while being assessed on preparation abilities by technical judges. Burkum placed second in the Cup Tasters Competition. Tasters receive eight sets of three cups, or triangles, where two cups are identical and one is different. Those with the most correct answers in the shortest amount of time wins. Sheese and Burkum qualified to compete in the national championships in Seattle in late April. Any wonder why business at Archetype is so…brisk? In fact, it is brisk enough that they are opening a second location this fall in Little Bohemia. Keep a caffeinated eye open for updates.
May 5 - Taxi Driver May 12 - Hi-Fi Hangover May 19 - Blue House with the Rent To Own Horns May 26 - Lemon Fresh Day June 2 - Gooch and His Las Vegas Big Band June 9 - Charm School Dropouts June 16 - Finest Hour June 23 - Soul Dawg July 7 - The Confidentials July 21 - High Heel July 28 - The 70’s Band aksarbenvillage.com/venues/stinson-park
BENSON Tired of that sad-looking produce you were stuck buying all winter? With the return of spring comes the return of Benson Bounty and its fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The family-run outfit will host a stand at Benson’s Ted & Wally’s (61st & Maple streets) every Saturday morning beginning May 12 until Oct. 13. Benson Bounty also is offering shares in its Community Supported Agriculture. Members receive special bulk pricing on produce, which they pick up weekly as a share of harvests. Contents vary by week, reflecting what’s in season at the Benson Bounty farm. bensonbounty.wixsite.com/localfood
drinkarchetype.com
CAPITOL DISTRICT There’s plenty of opportunity for fun with friends for those who live in the Capitol District. But there’s also time for fun with Fido. Among the more popular features at the Capitol District Apartments is its dog park—the only resident dog park in Downtown Omaha. And it comes with real grass. There’s plenty more, of course. The apartments are within walking distance from numerous food, entertainment, and cultural venues. And on-site amenities include a community lounge with games and an outdoor deck, an attached garage parking, and a stateof-the-art fitness center. Fido would approve.
Add the Omaha Farmers Market to things that go bump in the night at Midtown Crossing. But there’s nothing to fear about the expanded night market series coming to Midtown beginning in May. The Turner Park Night Market debuted along 31st Avenue in 2017, featuring eclectic pop-up festivals with music, markets, games, themed food, and fresh produce from Omaha Farmers Market. Oh, and moonlight yoga. The four Friday evening dates last year drew nearly three dozen vendors and 5,000 guests each outing. Night Market grows to five dates in 2018—the last Friday evening in May, June, July, August, and September at Turner Park. Attendance is free, open to the public, and dog-friendly. midtowncrossing.com
NODO If it’s June in NoDo, that means bats, baseballs, brats, beers, and…bicycles? Yup. Omaha Bikes, for an eighth consecutive year, will be hosting Bike to the Ballpark—free bike parking during the College World Series. Why come to the games at TD Ameritrade Park stressed because of traffic congestion and high-priced parking? Pedal in then park your ride in a safe, fenced area monitored by Omaha Bikes volunteers. Bike valet starts at least one hour before the first pitch and goes until 30 minutes after the game. Don’t have a bike? Don’t worry. Check out B-Cycle, Omaha’s public bicycle sharing system. There are three stations located downtown. omahabikes.org.
livecapitoldistrict.com.
OLD MARKET DUNDEE
Dundee denizens who want a taste of the South now don’t have far to go. Not since December, that is, when Kith & Kin Southern Kitchen took over the former Paragon Dundee space at 5018 Underwood Ave. The menu features hush puppies, crab cakes, Gumbo Nachos, po’ boys, Cajun burgers, Southern Rubbed Ribs, and much more from the Land of Dixie, all served with a healthy portion of Southern hospitality. Kith & Kin is open every day for lunch and dinner, offering brunch instead of lunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m until 2 p.m. kith-kin.us
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MIDTOWN
Seriously?! We’re on year 44 of the Omaha Summer Arts Festival? Well, if art appreciates with age, then so does the OSAF, Omaha’s premier destination for arts and entertainment. Set for June 8-10, the 2018 edition will feature 135 of the nation’s finest visual artists, a stage of continuous free music, and a hands-on children’s fair. The fun takes place on Farnam Street from 10th to 15th streets, just one block north of the Old Market. summerarts.org
VINTON STREET You gotta figure a place that serves fried Oreos is a place you wanna try, right? Right. And the place in question is Smoking Jay’s BBQ at 2524 S. 13th St. The family-owned restaurant has been pleasing Vinton Street palates since it opened in January 2015. Menu favorites include the Heart Attack Burger (cheeseburger topped with pulled pork, barbecue sauce and homemade onion rings), Jay’s Lil’ Griddle (grilled cheese sandwich stuffed with pulled pork and barbecue sauce) and Pork Nachos (crispy waffle fries topped with baked beans, pulled pork, barbecue sauce, shredded cheese, green onions, and jalapenos). There’s plenty more, too (again: fried Oreos). Smoking Jay’s is open every day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. jayssmokinbbq.com
24TH AND LAKE Did you know Jewish settlers were the first to populate the historic 24th Street and Lake District, doing so in the 1890s and referring to a stretch between Cuming and Lake streets as the “Miracle Mile?” Or that it later became known as the “Street of Dreams” to African-Americans who helped the area thrive? You can learn that and much more during a North 24th Street Walking Tour, held the second Saturday of each month, April through October. The tours begin at 11 a.m. at Dreamland Park (24th Street and Lizzie Robinson Drive) and cost $10 per person or $15 per couple. restorationexchange.org/events/walking-tours
Always Local, Always Beautiful
Human interest pieces, profiles, maintenance columns, room spotlights, neighborhood profiles, home transformations, green design features, and much, much more.
The Orig inal Old Market Irish Bar Nightly Specials Live Irish Music Weekends Open 12 p.m.
1205 Harney St. 342 -5887
dublinerpubomaha.com ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM 7
HEART AND SOUL
8 MAY/JUN 2018
EDEM SOUL MUSIC GETS TO THE HEART OF LIFE AND MUSICAL MATTERS Story by Sarah Wengert photography by Bill Sitzmann design by Derek Joy edemsoulmusic.com
able place and it reaches everyone—no matter what language or belief, it reaches everyone— that is true soul music,” Garro says. “My genres are all over the place, but I am soul music in every essence of the word. I produce music and words from my soul and I can’t do anything else.”
Edem K. Garro has a penchant for spontaneous musical combustion—meaning that it’s quite common for her to break into song mid-sentence. Like a chemical reaction right before your eyes, elements of passion, sheer musical talent, and miscellaneous magical mystery ingredients move Garro to express herself musically.
Garro, a 26-year-old Maryland native who’s lived in Omaha since age 11, when her father died and her mother relocated the family, says her work as a motivational speaker is an extension of her music.
Garro says a love of music has always been within her and she’s been breaking into song her whole life. As a child, she religiously tuned in for Showtime at the Apollo—where the talented are cheered on and the talent-challenged are booed offstage—determined to become “undeniably good.” Her innate musical knack and her mother’s “brutally honest” guidance steered her toward that goal. Much like the ethos of the Apollo, Garro believes that “both negativity and positivity help mold and shape us into the Davids or the Mona Lisas we really are.”
“Everything I do, from songwriting to speaking, focuses on bringing awareness to identity,” Garro says. “I’m a first-generation American and my whole family comes from Ghana, West Africa. My culture teaches that it’s important to know where you come from, because once you understand where you come from, you’ll know why you are where you are, and then
Edem Soul Music consists of a wide array of styles and production. Garro sings and plays the ukulele, harp, piano, guitar, djembe, violin, and alto saxophone. As a multi-instrumentalist, she is largely self-taught. Often, she plays with flutist/percussionist Jason Horacek and support vocalists/dancers Brittney Thompson and LaTryce McAnderson. Garro had a banner year in 2017. She was a fellow in The Union for Contemporary Art’s inaugural cohort where she created her emotive Sounds of 24th St. project, incorporating the 24th and Lake soundscape into her music. She also earned Omaha Creative Institute’s Omaha Gives Back Grant, which birthed her three-act project African Body, Soul, & Movement, a musical exploration of generations affected by the African slave trade through African drumming, singing, and dancing. Garro kept the momentum and mojo flowing, winning her first Omaha Entertainment and Arts Award for Best Soul in February 2018.
“When people think of soul music they think of the Temptations, Motown Records, James Brown, but soul has no genre. Soul is something that comes from an indescribable, immeasurable place and it reaches everyone—no matter what language or belief, it reaches everyone—that is true soul music.”
“I would sing and my mother would say, ‘Why are you always singing somebody’s else’s song? Why not sing your own song? You’re just as good.’ So I started writing my own music,” Garro says. “Her constructive criticism helped shape me into who I am today. Even though at the time I just wanted to enjoy my TV show, she instilled this sense that I could be great if I worked at it. That you can do anything with practice and passion.”
Garro, who typically performs as Edem Soul Music, is a composer, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, motivational speaker, and “a musician at heart.” Similar to her diverse pursuits, Garro’s musical style is a delicious gumbo of genres including world, soul, R&B, folk, and more—bordered only by what moves her soul and the souls of her listeners. Her musical mission, after all, is “to revive music, and to bring it back to the loving arms of the people who long for it.” “When people think of soul music they think of the Temptations, Motown Records, James Brown, but soul has no genre. Soul is something that comes from an indescribable, immeasur-
once you know that, you can better figure out where you’re going. With that comes a sense of power and certainty that no one can take from you. Finding out your identity, staying true to it, and loving yourself, is the best way to navigate this life and ensure some form of growth. That’s my message.” Although it’s a shame to box it in, Garro’s music is most easily defined as world music because she sings in English and Ga, a language spoken in and around Ghana’s capital of Accra. She also sings in what she calls “no language.”
“In 2017 I started to feel like the community that wants to support and advocate for artists was really coming together,” Garro says. “My [Union] residency allowed for my growth as an artist and an individual—to define who I really want to be and how I want to serve this community. It was a road to self-discovery.”
Garro embraces Omaha’s influence on her identity. She muses that had her father not passed and her mother not subsequently been called to move the family to Omaha, Garro may never have met her husband or “come to know music the way I have.” “I’ve grown a lot here and become who I’m meant to be,” Garro says. “I always say that one person’s ripple in the ocean can create a tsunami on the other side of the world. We have each others’ destinies wrapped around our hands. Who I am is understanding that, being mindful of my words and actions, and trying to help others be mindful as well.”
“I mostly sing in Ga and English, sometimes both. But when I sing in no language, it’s just pure, raw, emotion and intent,” Garro says. “I find it beautiful because you and I are on the same page regardless of language. Music crosses all barriers and you don’t have to understand the language to find it beautiful. It promotes a different kind of thought and understanding.” ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM 9
tODD "FOX" HANSEN FORGING AHEAD Story by Tara Spencer photography by Bill Sitzmann design by Mady Besch facebook.com/Empyrean-Metalworks
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ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM 11
“I’m basically a prostitute,” Kemp says. “I pretty much do whatever people pay me to do.”
T
odd “Fox” Hansen looks like a guy you’d see hiking up a mountain, followed by his loyal dog pack, maybe carrying a whittled, wooden staff and helping out lost, less fortunate hikers.
In reality, he only recently started climbing mountains, taking his dogs with him when it’s allowed. Sometimes things are exactly what they seem. For Hansen, that last statement couldn’t be more true. He has a kind smile and a soft chuckle that comes easily. He would readily fit in one of those old-timey museum settings, hammering away as a fire blazed in front of him. Since the age of 16 he’s been creating, learning the age-old trades of black- and silversmithing and later moving on to experiment with more intricate metalworking practices. Sitting in a booth sipping on a stout at the Crescent Moon Ale House, (where he also works on the package side, Beertopia) he picks up a coaster from the table as he explains what he does. “There’s a distinction between making, like knife making, where you can take a bar or something like that and cut your shape out of it and just grind it to form,” he says. “But there’s not many people where you could give them something like that,” indicating the salt shaker in front of him, “and they can form that into a different shape.” Hansen has been working on that second practice for years, though he started with simpler stuff at the age of 16, when he attended a class on silversmithing with his mom at Pipal Park Community Center. Tom McDowell, a member of the local group Prairie Blacksmiths Association, was the instructor. 12 MAY/JUN 2018
“They were doing some casting and ring making, so I started to play around with that a little bit,” he says. McDowell invited him to one of their ‘hammer-ins’ they had once a month. “I was the youngest one there by about 40 years, at that point…I got to pick their brains.” Hansen says he “putzed” around on his own for a couple years before attending college at the Kansas City Art Institute, where he majored in sculpture and minored in philosophy, literature, and science. But he was still kind of on his own. “There wasn’t really anyone there [at the time] who knew what I was doing,” he says, adding that while there were some good professors who pushed him to work on the conceptual side of the work, there were others who didn’t really consider what he was doing art. A look at the pieces Hansen is doing now would probably change their minds. He is working in the Japanese styles of MokumeGane, a process where you alternate fusing different metals, such as copper and silver. He also started learning Uchi Dashi, which is the process of manipulating a thin piece of metal into the artist’s desired shape. The results are intriguing. He brought an emblem and a small copper frog he’s been practicing on as examples. At first glance, they may not seem that impressive. But once he’s explained the process that goes into making them, it’s clear that there is an artistry that goes into their making. However, there is certainly a more practical side to metalworking. Chris Kemp, owner of CK Fabrications, says he got his start working at a fencing company that did ornamental ironwork. He really enjoyed what he was doing, and when he left, over “creative differences,” he started his own business out of Hot Shops Art Center.
But there is still an artistic aspect to his work. He says while he rarely gets to do his own thing, he does collaborate with other designers. Though Kemp hasn’t had a chance to work with Hansen in that aspect, they have talked about it. “It’d be nice,” Kemp says. “I could really use the (experienced) help.” A part of the problem is that mistakes are expensive in this line of work, and not just monetarily. “It’s the kind of equipment where it’s a life-changing accident, not just a ‘Whoops, I screwed up.’” For Hansen, this is especially true. In January of 2017, he found out he has the vascular form of Ehlers Danlos syndrome, a rare, inherited disorder that affects connective tissues—primarily skin, joints, and blood vessel walls. Symptoms include bruising easily and overly flexible joints. While that may sound innocuous, there can be life-threatening complications, including aneurysms. “One day I’ll probably just be like, ‘Oh gosh, I’ve got a really bad headache’ and I’m just gonna lie down and someone will find me in a couple days,” he says, in the most goodhumored way possible. Hansen believes the disorder may not be as rare as it seems, but possibly underdiagnosed, as it requires genetic testing to determine whether or not you have it. Despite warnings that he should stop his work because of the potential dangers, Hansen doesn’t intend to give up on his life’s passion just yet. The 35-year-old Hansen says he is currently apprenticing with the American Bladesmith Society, always working on his smithing education. “I enjoy all of it,” he says. “It’s nice to have a broader palette to draw from and then I can combine those into things that are suited to each other.”
“They were doing some casting and ring making, so I started to play around with that a little bit. I was the youngest one there by about 40 years, at that point…I got to pick their brains.” —Todd Hansen
ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM 13
CONNECTING THROUGH THE SPIRIT OF MUSIC Story by Mark McGaugh photography by Keith Binder design by Mady Besch facebook.com/WakandaONE What’s really in a name? For some, a name is an arbitrary label. For musicians Shomari Huggins and Coleman Hunter, better known by their stage name Wakanda, it’s more than a simple way to identify themselves. It’s a mission statement. “We want to empower our community to overcome the turmoil,” Huggins says. “It’s about who can we reach that really needs the help or the message.” Huggins and Hunter met in the third grade at Springhill Elementary School where their mutual affinity for music was evident. They joined forces for the third and fifth grade talent shows, covering the likes of Carlos Santana and Jagged Edge. Eventually, they came together again after a performance in 2015, when the two decided to officially join as a group under the moniker Wakanda. “Wakanda really chose us,” Huggins says, looking back at the inception of the group and how its name was inspired by Native American culture. Often spelled “Wakonda,” the word translates to “Great Spirit” or “Creator” in indigenous Omaha, Ponca, and Osage languages. The sacred word is present in Lakota, too. In light of the blockbuster film Black Panther, Wakanda has also become synonymous with the fictional African country of the Marvel comic book hero. “The obvious Black Panther connection was deep too because our precious resource that we are protecting is our vibrations, our music,” Huggins says, explaining the correlation between Wakanda, Africa, Black Panther, and Lakota spirituality. “There’s a Great Spirit that’s in us that comes out when we create our music. Wakanda is a creative spirit,” Huggins says. “With the musical gifts we’ve been given we know we must say something that’s for our people and not against our people, so [we’re] selective about what we say with our platform.”
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Given the importance of Native American culture for the Great Plains region, the duo (who do not claim tribal heritage) have chosen quite the name. Less than a year after officially becoming a group, Wakanda found themselves using their musical gifts on the front lines alongside the Lakota Sioux in a fight for human rights. They stood with native tribes and thousands of other protesters against the Dakota Access pipeline. Accompanied by other local artists in 2016, Wakanda performed at the Love Movement music festival, which was organized as an artistic counter to the negativity, and sometimes violence, the protesters faced. “We were able to connect ourselves deeper with the global civil rights movement and human rights movement,” saxophonist Hunter says. “Personally, everyone’s lives were changed. The trip made us more aware of the need for music that was able to reach people’s spirit and make them vibe but also make them think.” For Wakanda, the Great Spirit of change and community upliftment doesn’t stop with their music. Since their transformational trip to Standing Rock, the duo has continued to create and inspire, staying true to their mission of empowerment. They are currently working on youth mentorship and college prep projects as well as planning an arts and agriculture festival for this fall. “Whatever will bring our community together around positive energy is what we plan to be doing. We want to create as much as we can for our community, local and international,” Huggins says. “We want to inspire the youth. We want to help young artists find their passion and influence them to use their whole mind to create without fearing what others will think.” The group was nominated for a 2018 Omaha Entertainment Award for Best R&B, no small feat considering they haven’t released an album yet. Although they did not win, they say the experience was a win for the local arts community as a whole. “Whenever art [or] artists get a platform in our city, we clap for it,” Hunter says. “We understand how tough it is sometimes to get people to respect many art forms, so we are glad the OEAAs provide the platform. Ultimately, we lost, but our category was full of great artists.”
“There’s a Great Spirit that’s in us that comes out when we create our music. Wakanda is a creative spirit. With the musical gifts we’ve been given we know we must say something that's for our people and not against our people so [we’re] selective about what we say with our platform.” —Shomari Huggins
“I thought ‘What would I be doing if I was just doing what I wanted to do?’” Ross says. “And I thought, ‘Game designing.’ So, I started just trying to spin up something like that.” 16 MAY/JUN 2018
IT’S NOT ALL FISH AND FUN Story by Will Patterson photography by Bill Sitzmann design by Derek Joy waterbeargames.com Marcus Ross can frequently be found at Spielbound, one of Omaha’s hottest spots for board game enthusiasts. While Ross thoroughly enjoys board games, he’s not content just playing them—he also designs them. With three games officially published and more on the way, this Omaha native has taken his gaming passion to the next level. As Ross describes it, his “real job” is working as a programmer for Hatch, an app that helps consumers compare prices between different services. His duties consist of backend programming; while other programmers may be concerned with the app’s appearance and interface, Ross is focusing on the actual data the app provides to users. Ross first took the plunge into game development several years back. He had been working long hours at a job he didn’t like, and his father had recently passed away. “I thought ‘What would I be doing if I was just doing what I wanted to do?’” Ross says. “And I thought, ‘Game designing.’ So, I started just trying to spin up something like that.”
homemade cards, hand-drawn boards, and just about anything else needed to make a board game function. The first leg of his journey began in 2012, when he roped his cousin, Cara Heacock, into a “startup weekend.” This event required small groups to come together and pitch a business idea. Thus, Ross’ game development company, Water Bear Games, was born. Of the eight groups participating, they placed fifth. Despite the rough start and most of the other group members quitting, Ross kept moving forward with his business idea. “I think we’re the only company that’s still going,” Heacock says. She says she admires Ross’ determination. Even after experiencing several hiccups, Ross kept moving his vision forward. Designing board games isn’t as glamorous— or as simple—as one might think. Countless hours of critiquing, crafting, and redesigning are poured into each of Ross’ projects, and some of them never even make it out of early development. “I was just playing games, appreciating them, and saying ‘I think I can do this, it should be fun,’” Ross says. Ross’ mid-development demos look far different from their polished, final forms. Game prototypes are a mishmash of various game pieces,
Ross’ first big break came in 2013, when Water Bear Games submitted a game design to a development contest hosted by the creators of Cards Against Humanity. Out of 500 contestants, Ross’ game, Discount Salmon, rose to the top. With guidance and publishing provided by Cards Against Humanity, Discount Salmon became a reality within a year. As a joke, Ross had said he would wear a fish costume to promote the game if they won. Discount Salmon’s victory was a surprise, but that didn’t stop him from wearing a full body fish costume at the country’s largest gaming convention to promote it. “The fish costume did the perfect thing,” Ross says. “The game is absurd. If the fish costume would bring you over, you’re already the right audience. The game sold itself.” Spielbound guests pulling one of Ross’ games off the shelves might find themselves meeting the creator. He’s not shy when it comes to introducing himself or his games. Ross is looking to the future of his game development career. He’s putting the finishing touches on his latest game before sending a prototype off to the publisher. If they choose to pick up the game, Ross could have his fourth game hit the shelves in 2019.
ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM 17
“She pulled out a stack of papers, stapled them together, and told me to make a book. The pride she took in the stories I told her made me feel like it was something special to be a writer. She was a teacher, and it was also through her and that pride that I realized I wanted to be a teacher, and make some other kid feel just as special as she made me feel.�
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CASTELLO HARNESSES HER CREATIVITY
Story by Kyle Eustice photography by Bill Sitzmann design by Mady Besch jennifercastello.com Thirty-year-old Jennifer Castello lives by a simple philosophy: “Art is power.” As a writer, educator, and actor, the Omaha native has tapped into all areas of her deep imagination to carve out her path. She unequivocally believes creativity was put here to bring out a person’s voice, and that’s exactly what she’s doing. “I think art has worked best when someone isn’t being listened to, then grabs the audience by the scruff of the neck, and through art that person says, ‘Shut up and look,’” she says. “When I’m teaching, it’s not about me. It’s about making sure that at the end of the session, residency, or workshop, the students are equipped to express themselves—be it in a story, in a song, or just in everyday life. Art is self-advocacy. Art is power. Art is resistance.” Castello began her writing career at the ripe age of 4, when her grandmother discovered how often she was coming up with original stories. “She pulled out a stack of papers, stapled them together, and told me to make a book,” she recalls. “The pride she took in the stories I told her made me feel like it was something special to be a writer. She was a teacher, and it was also through her and that pride that I realized I wanted to be a teacher, and make some other kid feel just as special as she made me feel.” At 18 years old, Castello scored her first teaching job, participating in the Teacher Academy Project program at the University of NebraskaOmaha, and eventually got her teaching license. Now, she freelances at a variety of local organizations, including the Omaha Community Playhouse.
“I go out into schools and community spaces and engage students in creating something,” she explains. “If that’s creating a clever way to win a drama game, learning how to make their own characters with makeup on their faces, or write their very own script, that’s where my heart is. When I was a kid in Omaha, teachers reached out to me and taught me that my brain had a purpose and a worth, and I’m always trying to pay it forward.” In terms of her acting, Castello credits her father. “He signed me up for a class at the Emmy Gifford Theatre,” she says. “Then when the Emmy Gifford turned into The Rose, he made me audition for one of the main stage plays and I got in. It was a community for me to hold onto when things got rough, and I’ll forever be grateful for that community.“ As an author, the Central High School grad was compelled to write The Messiah of Howard Street when she was still an undergrad at DePaul University in Chicago. It was inspired by the colorful characters that have become a staple of the Old Market district.
“I had read My Antonia in my American English class,” she explains. “This wasn’t the first time I read it, I’d read it at Central High my junior year of high school. But comparing and contrasting a Chicago classroom to an Omaha classroom, I realized how fantasized Nebraska is in the minds of people who don’t live here. I mean, there are some obvious stereotypes we’ve all heard, but also the idea that there are rolling fields, and peace, and nature, and all that, it was just weird.” Like so many other Central High teenagers, the Old Market was Castello’s meeting spot during adolescence. But over the years, she had many other experiences on and around Howard Street that helped shape her life. “One of my first tastes of freedom was walking down to the Old Market and going to all the shops, getting Ted & Wally’s, and eating way too much spaghetti. Mom would take me to Little King before a dance recital, my best friends held my 18th birthday party as Zio’s, I sang and performed there, and I actually had my first date with my husband at Spaghetti Works.” Armed with a Master of Science in secondary education from UNO and a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from Stonecoast at the University of Southern Maine in Portland, Maine, she recently held a One-Act Festival, finished a semester-long scriptwriting residency at Central High, and has become a member of the Nebraska Arts Council teaching roster. In short, Castello stays busy. “In undergrad, my professor warned me I might not be able to make a living in the arts,” she says. “But being a teaching artist and an arts educator has been something I truly enjoy. I really appreciate being able to do it every day. I get to help kids play pretend. That’s like... the dream.”
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BEMIS SERIES EPISODE THREE Story by Sean Robinson photography by Bill Sitzmann design by Derek Joy bemiscenter.org/residency ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM 21
When Oakland, California, artist Nyame Brown arrived in Omaha for a four-month residency at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, Nebraska’s biggest city wasn’t what he expected. No, he wasn’t under the impression we all drove John Deere tractors through the streets. The more-fierce-than-friendly winter weather, though? Well, he knew January in Omaha was bone-chilling cold, but negative wind chills that rivaled the Antarctic wasn’t exactly the welcome he was looking for. It wasn’t until he found out Malcolm X was born here in the heartland that he learned Omaha held its fair share of good surprises too. “In light of the fact that Malcolm X was from Omaha and the breadth of Black Panther pride and history here, I saw Omaha in a new light. I saw a place my work could make a bigger impact,” Brown says. As a multimedia illustrator, printmaker, and painter, Brown has devoted much of his work to exploring the perception of black people, merging aspects of the traditional with the imaginative and illustrating how the larger African diaspora has affected today’s pop culture. He continued this trend while serving as one of Bemis’ artists-in-residence from Jan. 10 to April 6 with his New Black Mythologies series. “It’s got a narrative base with this mega story where random characters come into play,” Brown says. “Fantasy is the key element, but the catalyst was really the idea of slaves having to create an internal world outside of their reality to survive each day.” To bring to life the inspired and inventive pieces, Brown looked at different folk symbols ranging from tribal tools to signs used by the Crips in Compton, and illustrated them to exist within one canvas. He also strived to be self-referential by including characters from previ-
ous work to create new myths where historical-based Afrofuturism meets abstractionism. Further adding meaning, many of the pieces are symbolically made on blackboards. Instead of chalk, oil paints are used to show that the story of black culture is one that’s permanent and can’t be erased. “The blackboards also harken back to the classroom,” Brown says. “These stories should already be known, so there’s an urgency to learn.”
“Being exposed to art at an early age that showed African Americans in a non-typical, hyperrealistic way had a profound impact on me,” Brown says. “I then wanted to create images that showed us not as stereotypes and not in the ways popular culture spoke to us.”
Brown’s own story began during the summer of love in late ‘60s San Francisco when his mom, a fashion designer from New York, met his dad, a West Coast painter and sculptor. Watching two creators and growing up in a progressive city, Brown quickly learned art has the power to break down walls and shatter ceilings, especially for those at the fringe of society. “Being exposed to art at an early age that showed African-Americans in a non-typical, hyper-realistic way had a profound impact on me,” Brown says. “I then wanted to create images that showed us not as stereotypes and not in the ways popular culture spoke to us.”
“In all my work now and (in) the future, I hope the community sees themselves reflected back as who they really are.”
This drive led him to receive a bachelor’s degree from the Art Institute of Chicago and later a Master of Fine Arts from Yale University. He now hopes to inspire a new legion of young minds in the same way he was, currently serving as a faculty member at the Oakland School of Arts.
“Every day I see extraordinary talent and hope I show my students, especially those of color, that this career is possible for them,” Brown says.
Even with his devotion to the classroom keeping him busy more than 1,000 miles away, he was drawn to the Bemis artist-in-residence program and knew a break from teaching would be worth the opportunity. From peers and publications, he’d heard about Bemis for years and was itching for the chance to trade coastlines for cornfields.
Not only was he attracted to the prestige of the program, he says the ample creation and living area provided to each artist was a huge draw as well. After all, he comes from a city where space is at a premium, with average rent for a one-bedroom apartment stretching beyond $3,000. Additionally, the program offered access to a multitude of creative resources in the form of tools and actual human beings. “Ultimately, I wanted to broaden my professional network and propagate the work I’m doing,” Brown says. In today’s political environment, Brown says it’s never been more important for programs like this—one that’s built on attracting artists that make statements on identity, race, and culture—to connect creators and inspire them. “With the climate we’re in now, black artists have a heightened responsibility,” Brown says. “There’s so much racism going on, so we have to be bold and put forth images that speak to that.” Rocking a short-sleeved Malcolm X tee while showing off his work during one of those bonechilling winter nights, it’s clear Brown has gone full blown Omahan. And when his residency is done, he hopes to make the trip from Big O to Big O (that’s Oakland to Omaha, of course) again, creating pieces that bring awareness to the Malcolm X Foundation. “In all my work now and [in] the future, I hope the community sees themselves reflected back as who they really are,” Brown says. “We’re not mutated characters, we’re not stereotypes, we’re fully realized and that’s powerful.” ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM 23
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& GA BI QUIROZ ’S ART FINDS WINGS Story by Carrielle Sedersten photography by Bill Sitzmann design by Derek Joy gabriellaquiroz.com
Coming from a very artistic family, Gabi Quiroz’s parents always encouraged her creative endeavors. Her mother taught her to shade, her father used to draw, her grandmother quilts, and she has an aunt who draws and writes. After being raised in such an environment, full of inspiration and creative energy, it’s no wonder Gabi became the artist she is today. But her upbringing also fed another passion— animals. Growing up an only child, Quiroz was never lonely with all her animal siblings keeping her company. “We started off with one dog and then it kind of became a zoo,” she says. “From there—fish, guinea pigs, hamsters, a cat, and another dog.”
After leaving the nest, Quiroz couldn’t imagine life without animals. Today, she has three cats, a miniature pinscher named Bella, and Wilbur, a potbelly pig, who will be 3 years old this May. Quiroz loves all animals, but especially pigeons. That admiration is evidenced by the name of her business, Pink Pigeon Studio. “I’ve always admired pigeons for how beautiful they are, but they’re always commonly referred to as rats that can fly,” she says. “Pink Pigeon is about recognizing the beauty in something that isn’t usually considered beautiful.” Finding beauty in the unusual is evident in her work. Quiroz begins her creative process looking up the symbolism she wants to convey in multiple references, and then constructs the scene to take her source pictures for the piece she’s creating in a series, which normally consists of 10 pieces. > ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM 27
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Life and death symbolism is everpresent in Gabi’s pieces. She considers herself a spiritual person and believes in the afterlife. In her current series, she’s using local flora, such as peonies and poppies, along with animals bones found in the Midwest. < From there, she works in her two primary
disciplines—oil paints and colored pencils—to develop works of symbolic imagery and figurative study. Her pencil drawings are intricate and hyperrealistic while her paintings tend to be more fluid, yet both are always rooted in nature.
Life and death symbolism is ever-present in Quiroz’s pieces. She considers herself a spiritual person and believes in the afterlife. In her current series, she’s using local flora, such as peonies and poppies, along with animals bones found in the Midwest. At her Hot Shops studio, you’ll find Quiroz pouring her inspiration into her creations while drinking coffee and, depending on the day, listening to an audiobook, music, or watching a movie she’s seen a million times. She loves the challenge of making something out of nothing, but admits being an artist is hard. In the next couple of years, her goals are producing four pieces a month and having her work show in regional and national galleries. Quiroz also one day aspires to teach art on the collegiate level, and ultimately, she wants to have a stand-alone studio and a couple acres of land for a farmstead of her own, with lots of animals. “If I were to work just when I felt inspired, this would be a hobby for me,” she says. “The artist stereotype that we lah-tee-dah all day and create something is wrong because most of the time, it’s not like that.” On those especially trying days, she brings Wilbur to the studio and stops for cuddle breaks.
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ARTIST TYLER CHICKINELLI I S A L L A B O U T COMMUNITY Story by Kyle Eustice photography by Bill Sitzmann design by Derek Joy tylerchickinelli.daportfolio.com Thriving Omaha artist Tyler Chickinelli wants to smash a couple of stereotypes—one, not all artists are pretentious and, two, they aren’t noninclusive. The idea that artists are elitist snobs who only welcome the upper echelon of creatives into their circles isn’t what Chickinelli has experienced in the local community. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. “I can’t say it’s true everywhere, but in Omaha there are people doing things on every level— from do-it-yourself to professional grade shows,” Chickinelli says. “We have a very inclusive art scene here. I’m not even very good at being involved here, but you can definitely do it if you want.” Chickinelli, who started taking art “slightly seriously” while a student at Millard West High School, grew up surrounded by it. His uncle, Mark Chickinelli, is an oil painter and illustrator, while his grandfather ran Omaha Antique and Job Plating, an antique refinishing and plating shop on 24th and Mason streets, which was founded by his great-grandfather. Currently, the 28-year-old Chickinelli is preparing for an art show in Hanover, Germany, where he will show off his penchant for geometric shapes before flying back for a local show. “What captivates me about geometric shapes is the virtually endless possibility of combinations—in color, shape, size, what you can turn them into, what canvas or surface to use,” he explains. “They are found all around us, all the time. I think they just resonated with me at some point and I’ve been twisting them every way I can since. It’s definitely not all I want to do, though. I have some very different things stylistically for myself on the horizon.”
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S Sma MA ST ERE Stere
ASHIN\G ashing EO TYPES eotypes One of those things is an art show he is working on in collaboration with Drew Newlin of Skate for Change.
“I love the idea of art on skateboards,” he says. “It’s always so fascinating and super stylized, perfectly smooth. It also gets destroyed. I really like the idea of making something that just gets scratched into oblivion because someone else enjoys it so much.”
“We are curating a show together with Skate For Change consisting of 12 skateboards, which will be designed by 12 different artists,” he says. “We are then going to distribute the boards to 12 skaters. I will just wait until it happens so people can see it, but I am stoked about it.” While Chickinelli has only painted a few skateboards, he’s still fascinated by the concept of them—not just as a mode of transportation or something you can do tricks on but also the disposable graphics that come along with them. “I love the idea of art on skateboards,” he says. “It’s always so fascinating and super stylized, perfectly smooth. It also gets destroyed. I really like the idea of making something that just gets scratched into oblivion because someone else enjoys it so much.” At this stage in Chickinelli’s burgeoning career, he’s clearly grateful to be part of such a supportive and endlessly creative community. Chickinelli embraces an all-inclusive attitude towards his fellow creatives, again, bashing the stereotype that artists are self-righteous and self-absorbed. “There are so many people doing different kinds of creative things here,” he says. “Whether it’s traditional, craftsmen, culinary, or musically, there is no shortage of creativity in town in a lot of different areas. Sometimes I joke that almost everyone I know is an artist or a musician, and it’s not too far off really. They are playing shows in basements and in traditional venues, touring big and small, displaying in galleries, and opening up businesses. It’s a really cool thing to see everyone just doing their own thing, but maintaining a community as well.”
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“What captivates me about geometric shapes is the virtually endless possibility of combinations—in color, shape, size, what you can turn them into, what canvas or surface to use.”
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MAY/JUN CALENDAR OF EVENTS Sponsored by Pinnacle Bank ART & MUSEUM EXHIBITS BFA & BASA Thesis and Senior Shows Through May 5 at UNO Criss Library and Weber Art Gallery, 6001 Dodge St. Thesis students in the art gallery and BASA graduating seniors from UNO showcase their work. Admission: free. 402-554-3206. unomaha.edu Word/Play: Prints, Photographs, and Paintings by Ed Ruscha Through May 6 at Joslyn Art Museum, 2200 Dodge St. The first major exhibition featuring Ruscha in his home state of Nebraska, Word/Play brings together prints, photographs, and artist books, complemented by a selection of major paintings. Ruscha’s use of the written word is a signature element of his work. Admission: $10 ($5 on Thursday 4-8 p.m.), $5 students with valid ID, free to members and youth 17 and under. 402-342-3300. joslyn.org Metamorphosis: Works by Sayaka Ganz and Aurora Robson Through May 13 at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. This exhibit is constructed of found, recycled, and reused plastic objects. Equal parts artistic and educational, it will feature fine art accompanied by a message of environmental stewardship. Admission: $10 adults, $5 children 6-12, free for garden members and children under 6. 402-346-4002. lauritzengardens.org beginning.break.rapid: Kenji Fujita & Barbara Takenaga Through June 2 at Bemis Center, 742 S. 12th St. These artists use a variety of mediums including vinyl, paint, spray paint, gesso, paper, calcium carbonate, wood, plywood, and linen. Admission: free. 402-341-7130. bemiscenter.org Sick Time, Sleepy Time, Crip Time: Against Capitalism’s Temporal Bullying Through June 2 at Bemis Center, 742 S. 12th St. The artists in this exhibit examine how support for the body in states of illness and rest prompts us to re-imagine the world collectively. The exhibit aims to bring attention to how the body is articulated in capitalism and health-related discourse. Admission: free. 402-341-7130. bemiscenter.org Widespread Flowering Through June 4 at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. Motivated by the beauty and passage of time, space, and geometry of the world of nature, Ann Brugenhemke explores life and love through art. Admission: $10 adults, $5 children 6-12, free for garden members and children under 6. 402-346-4002. lauritzengardens.org Wedes Through June 4 at Darger HQ, 1804 Vinton St. Artists Angela Simione and Sarah Rowe are inspired by traditional craft. Their work embodies illustrations of everyday objects as metaphors of self-identity, boundaries, and protection. Admission: free. 402-209-5554.dargerhq.org
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Wearable Art—Kiss of the Wolf May 3-6 at Anderson O’Brien Art, 1108 Jackson St. Artist Lori Bacigalupi explores different techniques in fabric design, such as screen process, natural dyeing, and mono-printing in wearable art. 10 a.m. Admission: free. 402-884-0911. aobfineart.com Awakening Starting May 4 at Omaha Artists’ Co-op, 405 S. 11th St. Enjoy works of art by Jasmine Greenwaldt, Alan Smith, and George Skuodas. Admission: free. 402-342-9617. artistscoopomaha.com Amy Haney Starting May 25 at Fred Simon Gallery, 1004 Farnan St. An Omaha native, Haney has practiced her artwork in several U.S. cities. Currently a professor in the college of communication, fine arts, and media at UNO, she is excited to share her printmaking pieces. Admission: free. 402-595-2122. artscouncil.nebraska.gov Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle: Secrets of the Sewer Starting May 26 at Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20th St. Leap to the rescue and learn teamwork, collaboration, and problem-solving through puzzles, mazes, and obstacles just like Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Donatello. Also showing at this time is: “Children’s China: Celebrating Culture, Character, and Confucius.” Admission: $12 adults and kids, $11 seniors, free for children under 2 and members. 402-342-6164. ocm.org Reality Starting June 1 at KANEKO, 1111 Jones St. Reality will dissect the notion of truth, history, and the presentation of what is “real.” This exhibit will investigate art, science, and technology that creates, alters, and reflects upon the sense of real. Admission: free. 402-341-3800. thekaneko.org The Eye Perceives Starting June 1 at Artists Co-op, 405 S. 11th St. View works by Richard Markoff, Gabriella Quiroz and Duane Adams. Admission: free. 402-342-9617. artistscoopomaha.com Fighting for the Right to Fight: African-American Experiences in World War II Through July 15 at Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St. This exhibit features artifacts, photographs, and oral histories to highlight some of the extraordinary achievements and challenges of African-Americans during World War II, both overseas and at home. Admission: $11 adults, $8 seniors (62+), $7 children (3-12), and free to children age 2 and under and members. 402-444-5071. durhammuseum.org
STAGE PERFORMANCES Comedy shows Recurring Thursdays-Saturdays at The Backline Comedy Theatre, 1618 Harney St. Primarily long-form improv, the Backline also hosts standup shows, short-form improv shows, and occasionally sketch shows. INTERROGATED, the Backline’s
premiere show, recurs every Friday. Times vary. Tickets: $3-5 Thursday, $5-10 Friday and Saturday. 402-720-7670. backlinecomedy.com Three to Beam Up Through May 13 at Shelterbelt Theatre, 3225 California St. Directed by Roxanne Wach, this performance tells the story of a man who believes he is the captain of a Federation starship trekking around space. His children have to fight to keep their father’s feet firmly planted on Earth. 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. 6 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets: $12 on Thursdays. $20 general, $15 students, seniors, and TAG Members on weekends. 402-341-2757. shelterbelt.org The Mountaintop May 4-27 at Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St. This Olivier Award-winning play of historical fiction, The Mountaintop imagines the final night in the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Times vary. Tickets: $24. 402-553-0800. omahaplayhouse.com A Midsummer Night’s Dream May 5-6 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. Shakespeare’s best-loved romantic comedy comes to life in the form of ballet. 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets: $27-$92. 402-345-0606 ticketomaha.com An Evening with David Sedaris May 7 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Master of satire and observant writer of the human condition David Sedaris is one of America’s preeminent humor writers. Hear him live and be ready to laugh. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $50-$55. 402-345-0606. ticketomaha.com Jessica Lang Dance May 10 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. Choreographer Lang has a knack for blending modern design elements and classical ballet to create emotionally moving performances. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $20-$45. 402-345-0606. ticketomaha.com Omaha Symphony: The Planets May 11-12 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. From Mars, the Bringer of War, to Neptune, the Mystic, Holst depicts the planets of myth and mystery, leaving the audience breathless. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $19-$72. 402-345-0606. ticketomaha.com Wicked May 16-June 3 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. This Broadway sensation tells the untold story of what happened in Oz long before Dorothy, and from a different perspective. Times vary. Tickets: $54-$164. 402-345-0606. ticketomaha.com Arturo Sandoval: The Dear Diz Tour May 17 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. This renowned trumpeter and 10-time Grammy Award-winning artist brings his tour celebrating the legendary jazz master Dizzy Gillespie to Omaha. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $20-$45. 402-345-0606. ticketomaha.com
A N E W L O CA L WAY t o T i c ke t Yo u r E v e n t
Bench Intro to Woodworking May 12th and June 9th
Table Grace Ministries Mother’s Day Brunch May 13th seating starts at 9:00 am
Prairie Crossing Vineyard Winery Mother’s Day Brunch and Live Music by Jessica Errett 11:30 am to 4:00 pm
Urban Abbey Interfaith Speed Dialogue June 7th
Arts for All Spring Arts Classes for Adults A Taste of the Arts Summer Camp
Sweet Cases Car Show June 9th
Nebraska Invitat ional Dance Fest ival June 1st - 3rd
Midwest Paranormal History Tours Starting in May
Bodega Victoriana Winery Wedding Barn Wine Tasting for 2
More events coming to Local Stubs, Omaha’s destination to support local events.
> Localstubs.com
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The City in the City in the City May 17-June 17 at BlueBarn Theatre, 1106 S. 10th St. After the death of her mother, Tess and a mysterious woman set off to the ancient citystate of Mastavia and together encounter strange places and people. 7:30 p.m. (Thursday-Saturday), 6 p.m. (Sunday 6/3 & 6/17), 2 p.m. (Sunday 6/10). Tickets: $30 adults, $25 students, seniors, TAG members. 402-345-1576. bluebarn.org Tiffany Haddish: #SheReady May 19 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Dubbed the “funniest woman alive” by Vanity Fair, Haddish is quickly establishing herself as one of the most sought-after comedic talents in TV and film. She recently starred in the hit comedy Girls Trip. 7 p.m. Tickets: $35-$55. 402-345-0606. ticketomaha.com Life on the Vertical with climber Mark Synnott May 22 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Rock-climber Synnott has made legendary first ascents of some of the world’s tallest, most forbidding walls. Although he has many passions, one of Synnott’s hobbies includes sharing his life as a professional climber and explorer. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $11-$26. 402-345-0606. ticketomaha.com Lazarus Syndrome May 31-June 24 at SNAP! Productions, 3225 California St. Elliott has spent most of his adult life as a person living with AIDS. He struggles with the emotional toll of Lazarus Syndrome. A quiet evening is suddenly interrupted with the unexpected arrival of his brother and father, who arrive carrying homemade matzo ball soup and family baggage. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 6 p.m. for Sundays. (June 24 show is at 2 p.m.) Tickets: $20 general, $20 for students, seniors, and military (Friday-Sunday). All Thursday shows are $20. 402-341-2757. snapproductions.com Big Canvas (Short-Form) May 12 and 25, June 9 and 29 at various locations. Looking for the kind of improv you see on Whose Line Is It Anyway? Big Canvas performs every month’s second Saturday (The Backline at 1618 Harney St.) and last Friday (Sozo Coffehouse at 1314 Jones St.) Times vary. Tickets: $5. 402-720-7670. bigcanvasne.com Omaha Symphony: The Beach Boys June 1-3 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. The one and only Beach Boys return with favorite hits like “Good Vibrations,” “California Girls,” “Surfin’ USA,” “Fun, Fun, Fun,” and more. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $29-$109. 402-345-0606. ticketomaha.com Disney’s Newsies June 1-3, 8-10, 15-17 at The Rose Theater, 2001 Farman St. This Disney musical tells the story of Jack Kelly, a rebellious newsboy who dreams of life as an artist away from the big city. 2 p.m. or 7 p.m. depending on the date. Tickets: $22-$27. 402-345-4849. rosetheater.org Shakespeare On the Green: Much Ado About Nothing June 21-24 at Elmwood Park, 411-1/2 N. Elmwood Road. A story of quick tongues and a false death kick off this Shakespearean tragedy of misunderstandings, love, and deception. Don’t forget to bring a picnic basket and seats. Times vary. Admission: free. nebraskashakespeare.com Shakespeare On the Green: King John June 28-30 at Elmwood Park, 411-1/2 N. Elmwood Road. Pack a picnic and bring lawn chars or blankets as John must fight his family, the French, and the Pope in order to keep his throne. Times vary. Admission: free. nebraskashakespeare.com
CONCERTS MisterWives May 1 at the Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. This American indie-pop band, who has opened for bands like Panic! at the Disco, American Authors, and Twenty One Pilots, will now take center stage. 9 p.m. Tickets: $25 advanced, $28 day of show. 402-345-7569. theslowdown.com
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Ingested, Signs of the Swarm, and Bodysnatcher May 3 at Lookout Lounge, 320 S. 72nd St. These three heavymetal bands will be in Omaha during the beginning leg of their “Devastation On the Nation Tour.” In addition, three other artists: Carnographer, Blessed Are the Merciless, and Xenophonic, will open for the main acts. 6:30-11:30 p.m. Tickets: $13 advanced, $15 day of show. 402-391-2554. lookoutomaha.com Jake Miller May 5 at the Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St. The 23-year-old recording artist, performer, model, and actor has over 11 million Spotify streams and counting. 8 p.m. Tickets: $20 advanced, $25 day of show, $35 early entry. 402-884-5353. waitingroomlounge.com Davina and the Vagabonds May 10-11 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. This Minneapolis band breathes new life into old-school jazz. Come see their lively performance, filled with New Orleans charm, Memphis soul, and tender gospel. 7:30 p.m. (Thursday), 8 p.m. (Friday) Tickets: $40. 402-345-0606. ticketomaha.com Black Veil Brides May 14 at Sokol Auditorium, 2234 S. 13th St. This American rock band was formed in Ohio back in 2006. They are known for their use of black makeup, body paint, black studded clothing, and long hair. They take inspiration from KISS and Mötley Crüe. Musical guests Asking Alexandria and Blessthefall will also be performing. 6:30 p.m. Tickets: $30 plus fees. 402-346-9802. sokolauditorium.com A Perfect Circle May 15 at Baxter Arena, 2425 S. 67th St. This American alternative rock band is known as a supergroup in the rock community, meaning the band’s members have successful solo careers or are part of other well known groups. The band brings their four albums of work to Baxter Arena. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $39-$79. 402-554-6200. omavs.com The Golden Pelicans May 23 at O’Leaver’s, 1322 S. Saddle Creek Road. This alternative/indie band will perform in Omaha with special guests, Rusty Lord and David Nance. 9 p.m. Tickets: $6. 402-556-1238. facebook.com/oleavers Brent Cobb & Them May 26 at the Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. This Georgia-grown country singer makes his way to Omaha, with guest Savannah Conley, to debut his album Shine on Rainy Day. 9 p.m. Tickets: $12 advanced, $15 day off show. 402-345-7569. theslowdown.com Keith Harkin May 27 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. After leaving the popular Irish music group, Celtic Thunder, Harkin has since released four solo albums and toured around Europe, North America, and Australia. 8 p.m. Tickets: $35 advanced, $55 VIP. 402-884-5707. reverblounge.com Caroline Rose June 7 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. Rose’s new album LONER is the perfect mix of emotion, satire, and humor, all wrapped up in angsty pop songs. 8 p.m. Tickets: $10 advanced, $12 day of show. 402-884-5707. reverblounge. com Days N Daze June 12 at Lookout Lounge, 320 S. 72nd St. This folk-punk band from Houston independently records, produces, and promotes all their own music. See them in Omaha with band Dummy Head Torpedo. 8-11 p.m. Tickets: $10 advanced, $15 day of show. 402-391-2554. lookoutomaha.com First Aid Kit (with Jade Bird) June 13 at Sokol Auditorium, 2234 S. 13th St. The Swedish, sister duo of First Aid Kit combine their vocals with drums and a steel guitar to produce sweet folk tunes. 8 p.m. Tickets: $29. 402-346-9802. sokolauditorium.com Imagine Dragons: EVOLVE TOUR June 24 at CenturyLink Center, 455 N. 10th St. This American rock band has won three American Music Awards, five Billboard Music Awards, one Grammy Award, and one World Music Award from just three albums. 7 p.m. Tickets: $36-$101+. 800-754-3000. centurylinkcenteromaha.com
Post Animal June 29 at the Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. This Chicago-based band of brothers is good at incorporating slick riffs, pop hooks, and psychedelic tendencies in their music. They come to Omaha in 2018, only their second year of touring ever. 9 p.m. Tickets: $10 advanced, $12 day of show. 402-345-7569. theslowdown.com Twista June 29 at the Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St. This American rapper is in Omaha promoting his recent album Dark Horse. The rapper is best known for once holding the title of “Fastest Rapper in the World” in 1992, according to Guinness World Records. 9 p.m. Tickets: $20 advanced, $25 day of show. 402-884-5353 waitingroomlounge.com
FAMILY AND MORE Farmers Markets Gardening season is open in Omaha, and those desiring fresh produce will find plenty of options in the area, along with artisan cheeses, farm-raised meats, freshly baked breads, assorted treats, and craft items. •
Aksarben Village (67th and Center streets) 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays starting May 6
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Benson (4343 N. 52nd St.) 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays starting May 5.
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Gifford Park (33rd and California streets) 5-8 p.m. Fridays starting June 1.
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Florence Mill (9102 N. 30th St.) 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays starting June 3.
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Old Market (11th and Jackson streets) 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays starting May 5
Cinco de Mayo Parade May 5, along 24 St. from D to L streets. This dazzling parade—one of the largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the Midwest—features floats, marching bands, and more. Other event festivities take place May 4-6, before and after the parade along L to P streets. Rain or shine. 10 a.m. Admission: free. cincodemayoomaha.com Saturdays @ Stinson Concert Series Starting May 5 at Stinson Park, 2285 S. 67th St. Food, drinks, face painting, and balloon artists will all be available during these live concerts, which feature talented bands in Omaha. 7-10 p.m. Admission: free. 402-496-1616. aksarbenvillage.com Renaissance Festival of Nebraska May 5-6 and 12-13 at Bellevue Berry Farm, 11001 S. 48th St. Step back in time to the days of knights in shining armor with full contact sword play, equestrian jousting, six unique performance locations, 100+ costumed characters, and free make-and-take crafts. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission: $13 adults, $8 children. 402-331-5500. renfestnebraska.com Yoga Rocks the Park Starting May 6 at Turner Park, 3110 Farnam St. This healing arts festival takes place on Sundays and combines yoga and live music as a way to heal your mind and body. 4 p.m. (3:30 registration). Admission: free; donations accepted. midtowncrossing.com Leashes at Lauritzen May 7 and 14, June 4 and 11 at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. Bring your canine friends to explore the grounds and enjoy the outdoors. Heel for family photos, learn about local dog-related nonprofits, and enjoy treats/ samples with your pup. 5-8 p.m. Admission: $10 adults and $5 for dogs; free for garden members. 402-346-4002. lauritzengardens.org Soundry Workshop: Instrument Building May 10 at KANEKO, 1111 Jones St. Adult learners (18 and up) will investigate the art of sound installation, instrument building, and 21st compositional techniques. Participants will be able to create, play, and take home their very own instrument. 6-7 p.m. Admission: $20. 402-341-3800. thekaneko.org
Omaha Rollergirls Roller Derby May 12 at Ralston Arena, 7300 Q St. It’s double the action with this double header on Star Wars/Family Night. Get a $1 beer while watching the show, during the first hour only. 6-8 p.m. Admission: $12 adults, $6 children (4-10), free for children 3 and under. 402-980-5579. ralstonarena.com
Omaha Oddities and Art Expo June 2 at Comfort Inn and Suites, 7007 Grover St. This first annual expo and sale will offer a variety of oddities, curiosities, and art from over 30 vendors. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission: $5 ($4 with can food donation), free for children 13 and under. 402-506-5852. voodoosoddshop.com
Polish Fest June 23 at Crescent Moon and Huber-Haus German Bier Hall. Try a variety of Polish beers at this festival, which celebrates food and drink from the land that gave us Pope John Paul II. Food includes Polish sausage, glombki, and perogies. Noon-11 p.m. Admission: free. 402-345-1708. beercornerusa.com
Florence Days May 12-13 in downtown Florence, 30th St. between State St. and I-680 N. Historic Florence retains its own small-town feeling with this annual event. Activities include a parade, art displays, a melodrama, talks about the historic Florence Mill, and more. 10 a.m. Admission: free. historicflorence.org
Castlepalooza June 2 at Joslyn Castle, 3902 Davenport St. This community festival will take place on the grounds of the historic Joslyn Castle. Enjoy a historic neighborhood tour on bicycle that concludes on the castle grounds, where live music, family activities, vendors, food trucks, and craft beer will be waiting. 4-10 p.m. Admission: free. 402-595-2199. joslyncastle.com
Zydeco Festival June 23 at Turner Park, 3110 Farnam St. Enjoy a day of Creole and Cajun-style food, as well as activities and music from artists from throughout the New Orleans region. 3-10 p.m. Admission: free. midtowncrossing.com
Kevin Hart May 17 at CenturyLink Center, 455 N. 10th St. Comedian and actor Kevin Hart brings his standup comedy show to Omaha on his “Irresponsible Tour”. 7 p.m. Admission: $35-$125+. 800-745-3000. centurylinkcenter.omaha.com Benson Beer Fest June 2 in Benson, 60th and Maple. This beer lovers festival hosts hundreds of breweries, local food vendors, raffles, giveaways, and music for one day. 3-8 p.m. Admission: $35 general, $40 day of event, $45 VIP. bensonbeerfest.com Taste of Omaha June 1-3 at Omaha Riverfront and Heartland of America Park, 800 Douglas St. This annual food-filled festival features eats from nearly 50 restaurants. Accompanied by live music, entertainment, and activities at Heartland of America Park, Lewis & Clark Landing, and River’s Edge Park. Times vary. Admission: free. 402-346-8003. showofficeonline.com
Santa Lucia Italian Festival June 7-10 at Lewis and Clark Landing, 345 Riverfront Drive. Come experience the richness of Italian history and culture at the 94th annual event. Carnival rides, authentic Italian foods, music, and nightly entertainment will all be available. Times vary. Admission: free. 402-342-6632. santaluciafestival.com Summer Arts Festival June 8-10 at Gene Leahy Mall, 1302 Farnam St. Over 135 artists from across the country will showcase and demonstrate their work here. Food and live entertainment also available. Times vary. Admission: free. 402-444-5900. summerarts.org
Heartland Pride Festival June 29-30 at various locations. This festival is about the celebration, recognition, and integration of LGBTQ+ people and culture. Events include a parade in Council Bluffs, a youth pride festival, and a pride festival at Baxter Arena. Times vary. Admission: $52 VIP, $12 festival entrance, free for outdoor festival grounds. heartlandpride.org
EVENT TIMES AND DETAILS MAY CHANGE. CHECK WITH VENUE OR EVENT ORGANIZER TO CONFIRM.
Tempo of Twilight June 12, 19, 26 at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. This outdoor concert series brings local entertainment to the garden, perfectly blending music and nature. Bring chairs, food, and the family for a night of fun. 6-8 p.m. Admission: regular garden admission, free for members. 402-346-4002. lauritzengardens.org
ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM 45
club for largely black gay men, began attracting straighter, whiter crowds who normally might not have gone there. Knuckles left to open his own club, the Power Plant, in 1983. House music went on to birth techno, trance, and electronic dance music (aka EDM and those pop-ish dance tunes produced by Calvin Harris, Skrillex, and Avicii). But house music is actually disco reincarnated. The July 1979 radio campaign against disco, which some perceived as being anti-black and anti-LGBTQ, culminated in a promotion at Comiskey Park in which a crate of disco records was blown up on the field. While many saw this as the “death of disco,” house music rose from the ashes, hence why some people cunningly call it “disco’s revenge.” House music doesn’t owe its roots to raves, and disco wasn’t created by a white guy in bell bottoms. As journalist Barry Walters wrote in Billboard: “The history of dance music in America and the history of LGBT folks—particularly those of color—coming together to create a cultural utopia, was and still is inseparable. Neither would have happened without the other.” When I figured this out, I was blown away. Did my friends and DJs know this info? No one seemed to talk about it. It felt like I was let in on some secret history of American dance music. As I went further down the historical path of music, the revelations kept coming.
TRANSITORILY YOURS:
Before disco was called disco, it was known as danceable R&B. Danceable R&B is an amalgamation of things like funk, soul, and jazz. R&B, of course, breaks down to rhythm and blues. All of these genres came from the African-American experience.
THE MUSIC LESSON YOU NEVER GOT IN SCHOOL
Column by brent crampton Illustration by derek joy Through my time as a DJ for the past 16 years, it’s been my career and passion to study music. And I’ve learned one important fact along the way—the modern legacy of American dance music owes its roots to black, Hispanic, and LGBTQ spaces. Most folks probably know that genres like hiphop, jazz, and R&B originated from AfricanAmericans, but what about EDM or rock ’n’ roll? Let’s explore that. As a teenager, I caught the tail end of the ‘90s rave era. At these all-night raucous gatherings, I assumed what I was seeing and hearing was completely different, edgy, and transformative. And while the crowd was eclectic, it was mostly white. The DJs I played with and the friends that we got down with were mostly white. So I came to think about dance music as a white cultural expression. Turns out I was wrong. 46 MAY/JUN 2018
Everything we were into could be traced back to “The Godfather of House,” Frankie Knuckles. Born Francis Nicholls, Frankie Knuckles was a gay African-American man. Growing up in the Bronx, Knuckles frequented discos as a teenager during the 1970s. He eventually began working as a DJ, playing soul, disco, and R&B at two of the most important early discos, the Gallery in Manhattan and the Continental Baths, a lavish gay bathhouse on the Upper West Side. In the late 1970s, Knuckles moved from New York City to Chicago at the behest of Robert Williams, who was opening the now-legendary Warehouse nightclub. When the Warehouse opened in 1977, Knuckles was invited to play on a regular basis. His style was a mix of disco classics, unusual indielabel soul, European synth-disco, the occasional rock track, and other rarities. This would all eventually become the genre we know as “house music,” (derived from “Warehouse music,” of course). Knuckles was so popular that the Warehouse, initially a members-only
What about rock music? Let’s take Elvis Presley—a man who we call the “King of Rock and Roll.” His massive hit, “Hound Dog,” came out in 1956. Presley’s version is a remix. In 1953 Big Momma Thornton, a black woman artist, wrote and performed, “Hound Dog.” Whether it be his lyrics, aesthetic, or melodies, Elvis was just mimicking African-American artists, as he himself acknowledged. And for the record, Ol’ Man River declared that Chuck Berry was actually the King of Rock and Roll. All that to say, without the cultural influence of African-Americans and the LGBTQ community, American music would be incredibly estranged from what we know and appreciate today. And if we’re to be fair, we need to recognize, honor, and share the origins of our music, the circumstances that brought it about, and the people who made it happen. I’d like to address the role Hispanic music plays in this as well, but that’s another story for another time.