September/October 2017 Encounter

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ROOTS DOWN

True Believer Keith Rodger All About Letting the Music Grow

PIGEON BROS

The Story of Two Siblings & How #Socialmedia Shapes Their Future ARTS/CULTURE

VOL. 22 × SEP/OCT 2017 | ISSUE 5

DOWNTOWN · OLD MARKET · DUNDEE · BENSON · AKSARBEN · MIDTOWN · NORTH 24TH STREET · SOUTH 24TH STREET

VISUAL NARRATOR

Kristin Zahra Embraces Sincere and Honest Projects

OLD MARKET • 11th & Harney

24

05 DESTINATIONS ROOTS DOWN

What’s Going On in the ’Hoods

True Believer Keith Rodger All About Letting the Music Grow

18 HAVE MARCEY! Yates Aims to Bring Music to the Masses

28 BUG OUT With Photographer Dave Crane

32 WITH A BEARD AND A SMILE Kyle Fertwagner Opens Door for Bands

34 NIPPLE Future Punk Avant Garde

10

40 GREAT SCOT! Glasgow Native and LGBTQ+ Activist

PIGEON BROS

42 CALENDAR

The Story of Two Siblings, Their Art, and How #Socialmedia Shapes Their Future

September/October Arts, Music, Theater,

20

46 TRANSITORILY YOURS Generational Journey Through Nightlife

VISUAL NARRATOR

Kristin Zahra Embraces Sincere and Honest Projects

ISSUE 5 | VOL. 22 | SEP/OCT 2017

For advertising information: 402.884.2000 omahamagazine.com Owned and Managed by Omaha Magazine, LTD. All versions of Encounter are published bimonthly by Omaha Magazine, LTD P.O. Box 461208, Omaha, NE 68046-1208. Telephone: 402.884.2000; fax: 402.884.2001. No whole or part of the contents herein may be reproduced without prior written permission of Omaha Magazine, excepting individually copyrighted articles and photographs. Unsolicited manuscripts are accepted; however, no responsibility will be assumed for such solicitations.

32 T R E E S

have been reforested due to the printing of this publication.

More information at printreleaf.com

Publisher Todd Lemke

Guest Photographers Justin Barnes • Sarah Lemke • Kieth Binder

Executive Editor Doug Meigs Managing Editor: B2B, Family Guide, special projects Daisy Hutzell-Rodman Managing Editor: Encounter Eric Stoakes Editor-at-Large Tara Spencer Editorial Assistant Lindsay Wilson Interns Margaret Davenport • Blair Emsick • Callie Olson Contributing Writers Anthony Flott • Sarah Wengert • Kara Schweiss Sean Robinson • Kyle Eustice • Brent Crampton

Vice President Greg Bruns

Creative Director Bill Sitzmann Art Director Matt Wieczorek Senior Graphic Designer Derek Joy Graphic Designer Mady Besch Fashion Editors Jared Spence • Nicholas Wasserberger

Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing Gil Cohen Senior Sales Executive Gwen Lemke Branding Specialists Kyle Fisher • Mary Hiatt George Idelman • Joshua Peterson Assistant to the Publisher Sandy Matson Senior Account Assistant Alicia Smith Hollins Account Assistant Dawn Dennis • Sherry Lorence Stacy Tills Operations Tyler Lemke Accounting Holley Garcia-Cruz Warehouse Distribution Manager Mike Brewer Resident DJ Stephen Bils

Destinations story by Anthony Flott design by Derek Joy

AKSARBEN VILLAGE Everyone knows drinking beer is good for you, right? Turns out when you have a cold one, it’s good for others, too.

You can prove that Sept. 7 at the 11th annual Brew Haha, supporting Habitat for Humanity of Omaha. Some of the Big O’s best breweries and restaurants will distribute samples from 5-9 p.m. in Aksarben’s Stinson Park. Tickets are $50 in advance, $60 day of event. aksarbenvillage.com

Old Market

Benson

1120 Jackson Street • 402.341.5827 6023 Maple Street • 402.551.4420 tedandwallys.com

10 Years In A Row

STORIES OF

BENSON The pizza gods taketh and the pizza gods giveth. It didn’t take long for Benson pizza partisans to have that giant hole in their pizza-loving hearts filled after the March closing of longtime favorite Pizza Shoppe.

Satisfying the void at 6056 Maple St. is Virtuoso, operated by David and Brenda Losole. If the surname founds familiar, it should—David is a member of the family that runs South O’s Lo Sole Mio restaurant. He knows Italian fare, but he really knows pizza as the only certified pizzaioli—pizza maker—in Nebraska to graduate from Tony Gemignani’s International School of Pizza. Virtuoso is promoted as Omaha’s sole artisan slice house—you can only get the stone-baked pizza by the slice. facebook.com/virtuosopizza23

BLACKSTONE DISTRICT Emerging as one of Omaha’s most popular street festivals, the Blackstone District’s Farnam Fest blows up the neighborhood Saturday, Sept. 16. The annual event celebrates the district, its patrons, and all the businesses that call it home. The fun starts at 11 a.m.—music at 4 p.m.—in the parking lot behind Mula at 3932 Farnam St. The 2017 slate features local and national acts, including Timmy Williams of the Whitest Kids U' Know, Shannon and the Clams, White Mystery, Miwi La Lupa, and BOTH. Craft beers, food, and fun also on tap. blackstonedistrict.com

Continued > ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM 5

. Locally Owned Since 1970

Featuring Omaha’s Most Popular Patio

. The Old Market’s Longest Jazz Gig . Live Music Every Sunday 9pm and Wednesday 7pm-10pm

. Never a Cover Charge

402.345.4488

10th and Howard St. MrToadsPub.com

CHECK OUT THE TEA SMITH AFTER 5:00!

Tired of the bar scene?

We have fun drinks, small bites, plus comfortable chairs!

Cubby’s Old Market Grocery 13th & Jackson 6 sep/oct 2017

• Large Selection of Loose Leaf-Teas • Bubble Teas & Milk Teas • Fresh Brewed Teas: Hot & Cold • Free Wi-Fi • Unique Tea Accessories • HEALTHY HARMONY HERBAL Blends

TWO LOCATIONS IN OMAHA

Old Market

1118 Howard St (402) 932-3933

Tower Plaza

345 N 78th Street (402) 393-7070

www.theteasmith.com

<

Continued

CAPITOL DISTRICT A place to park. A place to visit. A place to live. What a difference the change from spring to summer made in the Capitol District, which opened three facilities in June. First came the 500stall parking garage along Capitol Street between 10th and 12th streets. Then the Capitol District Apartment models opened and pre-leasing began. The 218unit structure offers tons of first-class amenities, including wicked views of Omaha. Finally, in July, the district’s anchor feature opened its doors—the 12-story, 333-room Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District. capitoldistrictomaha.com

DUNDEE Kevin Alexander knows burgers. That’s why thrillist.com sent the food and travel site’s “national burger critic” on a year-long odyssey to find the best beef between buns. He hit 30 cities and downed 330 burgers. Alexander’s stops included Omaha, where he crowned the cheeseburger at Dario’s Brasserie in Dundee as No. 1 in O-town. No wonder given the creation’s “salty-and-peppery outer crust,” Gruyère cheese, caramelized onions, and toasted bun. Don’t buy it? Go try it: Dario’s is at 4920 Underwood Ave.

Always Local, Always Beautiful

dariosbrasserie.com

MIDTOWN CROSSING “Night, the beloved. Night, when words fade and things come alive. When the destructive analysis of day is done, and all that is truly important becomes whole and sound again.” Okay, chances are French novelist Antoine de SaintExupéry wasn’t talking about the Turner Park Night Market when he wrote that.

But Turner Park will come alive Sept. 22 when it hosts a mash-up of live music, games, a mini food festival, and arts, crafts, and produce vendors.

Human interest pieces, profiles, maintenance columns, room spotlights, neighborhood profiles, home transformations, green design features, and much, much more.

Thank you for voting us Best of Omaha for 12 straight years!

midtowncrossing.com

Continued >

4 Locations 8906 Maple Street • (402) 393-7888 4102 N. 30th Street • (402) 455-0135 2717 Leavenworth Street • (402) 346-1040 301 Fort Crook Rd. N. (Bellevue) • (402) 293-1800

takeit2thehouse.com

ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM 7

Four Old Market

Unique décor, ornaments and collectibles for every season. oTannenbaum.com • 402-345-9627

Destinations Fresh chocolates and fudge made in our own kitchen.

<

OldMarketCandy.com • 402-344-8846

Travel essentials plus souvenirs and Nebraska-made gifts.

OldMarketSundries.com • 402-345-7646

SOUTH OMAHA/ VINTON STREET

Continued

NODO It will be a couple of really loud nights Sept. 29-30 at Slowdown for the second annual Stoned Meadow of Doom Fest. The name originated with a YouTube channel that features the world’s largest subscriber base for underground rock artists. But why stream when you can get it live? Stoned Meadow of Doom Fest will feature 26 independent, underground, and metal bands from across the United States. The lineup includes Bongripper, Cambrian Explosion, Telekinetic Yeti, Year of the Cobra, and others blasting away at Omaha’s premier music venue.

DolciOldMarket.com • 402-345-8198

All located at 10th & Howard 8 sep/oct 2017

oracleartsupply.com

NORTH OMAHA/ 24TH & LAKE DISTRICT

Nothing on the calendar for Sept. 1 or Oct. 6? Then book the Old Market’s First Friday art crawl right now. The free event is held 6-9 p.m. on the first Friday of each month and celebrates creativity with a visit to galleries and with artists. Get creative while exercising.

Put on your walking shoes and take a trip down the historic “Street of Dreams” in the 24th and Lake District. The North 24th Street Walking Tours begin at 11 a.m. at Dreamland Park at 24th and Lizzie Robinson Drive. Hosted by Restoration Exchange Omaha, the tour features more than two dozen points of interest, including the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Cornerstone Memorial, Love’s Jazz and Arts Center, the Carnation Ballroom, the Omaha Star, and plenty of other stops where history was made—and still is. Tour cost is $10 per person or $15 per couple.

facebook.com/OmahaOldMarket

restorationexchange.org

theslowdown.com

Authentic Italian desserts, coffee, and FlavorBurst TMice cream.

The oracle has moved to Vinton Street.

No, not that oracle (the one with billions).

Rather, Oracle Art Supply, which opened shop at 1808 Vinton to provide artists of all levels and abilities everything they need to get their Bob Ross on. They also offer a book-lending library—with free checkout—and one-on-one customer service.

OLD MARKET

A N E W L O C A L WAY t o B u y T i c k e t s

> SEPTEMBER EVENTS Midwest Paranormal History Tours Tours on Fridays and Saturdays, depending on availability

-Happy HourMon.-Thurs. from 3-7pm $2 Busch light bottles/cans $2.75 domestic bottles $3 well drinks

> O C TO B E R E V E N T S Omaha Coffee & Donut Festival Oct. 14 (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

VIP packages available Midwest Paranormal History Tours Tours on Fridays and Saturdays, depending on availability

Located “Just a Wink from the Link”,

we have everything you might desire for lunch & dinner, a night out or in planning your next event.

More events coming to Local Stubs, Omaha’s destination to support local events. > Localstubs.com Please join the Omaha Magazine event’s newsletter to discover what is happening in the community. > omahamagazine.com/newsletter

Walking Distance to CenturyLink Center & TD Ameritrade Park

402.346.9116 | 501 N. 13th Street | theMattOmaha.com /oldmattressfactory Brought to you by:

@Matt_factory

ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM 9

10 sep/oct 2017

story by Sean Robinson photography by Bill Sitzmann design by Derek Joy illustrations by pigeon bros. instagram.com/thee _ owL

instagram.com/score6

I

t's like watching two parts of the same brain. When Jack Blanket and Ryan Showers are together, it's just the two of them, taking turns finishing each other's sentences and stories. Their words flow back and forth, forming a single curse-word-laden stream of consciousness. But that's not to say these brothers are free from a little sibling rivalry.

"Stop. Stop. STOP. Don't draw on my drawing," Blanket says as his pencil glides over paper, doodling out shaded shapes, while Showers makes a move to add his own creative contribution.

"I wouldn't..." Showers begins.

"Wouldn't be an ass? Yes, yes, you would," Blanket continues.

Believe it or not, this exchange, like most of their conversations, is all said with deadpan, sarcastically saccharine love. To them, calling one another an ass is a compliment. While the duo play brothers, friends, and roomies in life, they're yin and yang in the world of local Omaha artâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Blanket an accomplished stop motion animator and Showers an eccentric and eclectic illustrator.

"As far as I know, we've always been drawing and creating," says Blanket, the younger sibling by approximately one year. "There's always been paper and pencil around."

Born and raised across the river in Council Bluffs, Blanket and Showers are just two of eight siblings, each one living in different parts of the country, all of them dabbling in art either full-time or for fun.

However, given their upbringing, it's no surprise the family is now made up of everything from illustrators and animators to video game creators and programmers. They were homeschooled by their mother, who based her curriculum largely on creative expression.

Their father illustrated. >

ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM 13

< Even though their childhood was awash

in arts, crafts, doodles, and drawings, the two brothers didn't graduate high school as mini Monets. It was through years of selflearning and discovery that their artistic talents began to bloom.

Blanket taught himself to animate through online tutorials. After all, who needs a fancy-shmancy liberal arts degree when you've got Google and YouTube as professors? Years of plugging and playing and numerous "crashed crappy computers" later, Blanket acquired the skills to land freelance animation work.

He's made several animated games and music videos for local musicians and labels, One of his favorites was for a Chicagobased hip-hop and soul group, Sidewalk Chalk. Though simple, his flashing red, white, and black drawings in the video for their song "Dig" helps bring to life the message behind the lyrics, which details the effect media has on the public's perception of police violence. >

14 sep/oct 2017

"Life is f***ed sometimes, so I strive to create work that takes people somewhere else," Showers says. "The potency of expanding imagination is so valuable. Maybe my pieces help with that."

ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM 15

â&#x20AC;&#x153;As far as I know, we've always been drawing and creating," says Blanket, the younger sibling by approximately one year. "There's always been paper and pencil around.â&#x20AC;?

< "To create it, you just go step-by-step, lineby-line, translating lyrics to images," Blanket says. "Three minutes might really be three months of work."

 As for his artistic name, a high school girlfriend's mother created it in an instant years ago.

She said she knew too many Nathans, his real name, and chose to call him Jack Blanket instead. More than a decade later and the moniker has survived, further separating his work and artistic identity from his brother.

"Artists need to have an online presence now," Blanket says. "As a low-level artist, you do a lot better putting yourself out there and responding to your audience through these mediums."

When they're not turning news feeds into galleries, the two brothers share an apartment but hardly see one another. Showers admittedly disappears for days, often to look high and low for inspiration, even sifting through dumpsters and exploring vacant buildings. Since art isn't always a field filled with money, especially for up-and-coming creators, the two spend even more time apart working odd jobs to pay rent.

"We're cut from the same cloth but we really are very different, both personally and with our art," Blanket says.

"We've grown accustomed to a humble lifestyle," Showers says. "I'm willing to wash dishes for a living if it means I can have an imagination."

One glance at their work and any viewer would agree. Showers steers clear of animation, instead creating detailed drawings, often sparse in color but big in imagination. Haunting images of monsters, animals in human clothes, and cartoonish people, he's done it all.

So when they get together, it's a nostalgic celebration. On a particularly warm June day, the siblings got the chance to share an afternoon on the back patio of Caffeine Dreams. Showers veiled his eyes from the gleaming sun with oversized sunglasses while Blanket embraced the warmth, sitting outside the shade with his painted fingernails gleaming in the light.

Just as with art, the two take different paths, each enjoying the summer day in their own way.Â

"My process is much slower than my brother's. I'll start by making a rough skeleton and then sit on it for a really long time," Showers says. "Music, my medicine, is always a huge catalyst to get me going."

While you may not see pom-poms at their sides as they sip coffee and share memories, these two really are one another's biggest cheerleaders, bonded by blood and a love for all things creative.

Beyond the musical styling of bands like King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Showers is inspired by anime and fashion magazines, which he spent hours copying and drawing to perfect his craft.

"Our fields are so highly different," Showers says. "In my mind, there is no competition, no rivalry, no..."

"Life is f***ed sometimes, so I strive to create work that takes people somewhere else," Showers says. "The potency of expanding imagination is so valuable.

Maybe my pieces help with that."

"No reason not to be supportive," Blanket finishes. "There's just mutual respect."

While he avoids collaborations, including with his brother, Showers aspires to create pop-up shops around town that feature work from a variety of local creators. For now, he shows pieces for sale in Caffeine Dreams and uses his Instagram as an online portfolio to market himself and gain more work. By displaying animations on YouTube, Blanket harnesses the power of social media.

youtu.be/rb _ lw4LeyDY

ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM 17

Story by Kyle Eustice photography by scott Drickey typograhpy by Mady Besch op2mus.bandcamp.com When North Omaha native Marcey Yates talks about music, his face lights up and it’s as if everything makes sense in his world. From conversations swirling around hip-hop to his wild tales of past encounters with various artists, the 31-year-old lives and breathes his passion for music—and it all started at church.

Yates grew up on 49th and Fort streets, just north of Ames Avenue, where religion played an integral role in his community. The young Yates would often spend time with grandparents, who lived on 19th and Sprague streets, not too far from the home he shared with his mother and father. His grandfather was a pastor at the Church of God and Christ, and would routinely take him to service, where Yates started singing.

“I would say religion was big in my family and the black community,” Yates says. “It was definitely passed on through generations. Church got me into music on both sides of family, and it kept me in church until I was in high school. I sang in the choir.”

18 sep/oct 2017

After graduating from Benson High School in 2003, he went on to take a few classes at the University of Nebraska-Omaha before leaving for Arizona, where he enrolled at the Conservatory School of Recording Arts and Sciences. By this time, his older brother Jeff had already introduced him to underground hip-hop and artists like Mobb Deep, Wu-Tang Clan, Slum Village, Jay-Z, and Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth. He felt it was time to learn how to make his own signature style of music and establish himself as a credible MC/producer.

“I wanted to focus more on the tech side of music and the other side of the industry,” he explains.

“I learned how to make this a business and not just be a rapper. I was able to get a lot practice working on my skill and style doing shows. I got turned down in Arizona, but I had some great experiences. I met Canibus [rapper], who told me about his beef with LL Cool J, and once I was with Method Man passing around a joint in the VIP section.”

Shortly after, the self-proclaimed hip-hop head relocated back to Omaha in 2012. Since then has put much of his energy into the hip-hop collective Raleigh Science Project, which he founded in 2009.

“I established the Raleigh Science Project after my last son [Raleigh] was born,” he explains.

“It started as my imprint for my music, but I expanded into a collective after bringing artists on board who shared my vision on hard work and good music. [We had] a focus on building up the hip-hop scene in a positive light, so I wanted to strip the negative vibe associated with hiphop in my community. That means consistency, quality, showmanship, and being professional.”

The father of three is currently working on the annual New Generation Music Festival—now in its second year—an all-inclusive concert that promotes community awareness, drives traffic and support to other local nonprofits, and provides a platform to retain local talent.

“Our mission is to provide a world-class music festival that promotes inclusion and provides economic opportunities for local businesses, organizations and artists,” he says. “We want to cultivate local talent and artistry as a means to a more secure and sustainable economy in the urban core communities. There are so many resources out here that the people don't know about because information isn’t made readily available to everyone.”

Aside from the festival, which is scheduled for Sept. 16 at Aksarben’s Stinson Park, the busy creative is working on a documentary about the life and times of Marcey Yates, a solo EP, a mixtape series titled Chicken Soup, and the Flamboyant Gods II project with local rapper Mars Black.

“I’m constantly working on a new project,” he says.

“I want to be one of the hardest-working guys in the industry.

“Music is the only freedom that is really free,” he continues. “There are no rules to making music. It’s total creativity and a space you can go to anytime. Music is your life soundtrack for every genre in your life—from comedy to drama to suspense. When I get depressed or really bugged out, I create music to pull myself out of the sunken place. Everyone should have a creative hobby or passion because what is important to you, you will cherish and be passionate about.”

KRISTIN ZAHRA EMBRACES SINCERE AND HONEST PROJECTS story by Tara Spencer | photography by Bill Sitzmann | design by Derek Joy | 3d models by kristin zahra kristinzahra.com

K

ristin Zahra says she knew from a young age that she wanted to work in film. “Maybe, 12 to 13ish? I remember really loving Pixar animation film shorts,” she says. “So I had a desire to do more of the 3D animation work.”

Despite her dad’s urging to go into engineering, Zahra attended College of Saint Mary and earned her bachelor’s degree in computer graphics.

“He was a civil engineer and also tried to get all my sisters to pursue that path,” she says. “He was one in four for that battle.”

After graduation, Zahra went on to Vancouver Film School, which she says was a great option for her.

“Their program is unique in that it’s essentially a condensed version of traditional four-year film schools.

It made a lot of sense to me, being able to invest one year solely to focusing on film, and I viewed it as an opportunity to really do something challenging and completely out of my comfort zone.”

While at film school, she studied 3D animation and visual effects, and kind of fell in love with the city and Canada.

“Vancouver’s film scene was really apparent when I was there, which heightened the experience in a lot of ways,” she says. “My two roommates were extras and had boyfriends that were stuntmen, one was a screenwriter—I’m guessing a lot like L.A. in that way.”

“I realized there was something missing for me, What drew me into film was just how alive I felt when I was able to tell stories.”

After film school, Zahra moved around the country—Chicago, Houston, New York City, Norfolk (yes, Nebraska)— but she ended up back in Omaha in 2011. She says she knew she would be “calling this home again for quite a while.” >

ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM 21

< Like most creatives, Zahra struggled when she first started working in the industry. Since she didn’t live in Los Angeles or a place more conducive to filmmaking, she was using her animation degree more in advertising and motion graphics than anything else.

“I realized there was something missing for me,” she says. “What drew me into film was just how alive I felt when I was able to tell stories.”

Over the last few years, she’s been trying to get back into that. She started reaching out to, and trying to work, with local filmmakers.

Which is how she ended up working with Shelly Hollis on his project, The Black O, a film about black crime in Omaha.

Strangely enough, the two happened to run into each other on the street. Zahra says they met one night at a falafel truck downtown. They started talking while waiting for their food and he told her he was in town visiting his family and filming a documentary.

“It piqued my interest and we got to talking more about the work I did and wanting to be involved in film here in Omaha,” she says. “I had been searching for people to collaborate with, especially on film projects that come from a sincere and honest place.”

Hollis’ background is rooted more in the documentary format, which Zahra says brought her back to some of that storytelling she was missing.

“I HAD BEEN SEARCHING FOR PEOPLE TO COLLABORATE WITH, ESPECIALy ON FILM PROJECTS THAT COME FROM A SINCERE AND HONEST PLACE.”

For his documentary, Hollis says they spoke with people in the black community—victims of gang violence, ex-gang members, and city council members—and asked them what they thought the issues were.

“We wanted to give the people their voice, to identify their own problems,” he says.

His passion for the project interested Zahra from the start.

“Shelly is that person, void of ego, and his intentions for the film had inspired me from our first conversation,” she says. She adds that working with Hollis, whom she describes as an “exceptional filmmaker,” has been an honor and he has reminded her not to underestimate her skills.

The admiration is mutual.

Hollis says Zahra helped him out a lot with the film.

“She’s awesome,” he says.

“Just incredible."

“So yeah,” Zahra says, “it seems we were meant to meet, being that we shared an interest in both film and a good falafel pita."

While The Black O is in its editing process, Zahra still has to make her money. “I keep moving with my projects, that’s for sure.”

She says she continues to do a lot of animation designs that are strictly for income, but adds that she is currently working on a new passion project with a production/animation studio, Edison Creative.

"For me, the passion I have for filmmaking includes that feeling I get when I'm on a set collaborating with a crew or in a studio working on animation or post-production."

She says this current project is more of a cartoon piece. "It's got a lot of potential. I’m really excited for it.”

22 sep/oct 2017

Sunday • $3 Captain Morgan Drinks Monday • $6 PB&J’s (PBR and a shot of Jameson) Open Mic Night Tuesday • America’s Pub Quiz from 8-10pm $2 PBR’s All Night Wednesday • $1 Busch Light Bottles from 3pm-2am Thursday • $3 Aluminum Bottles /Bar Olympics Friday • $3 Wells $5 Bombs Saturday • $2 PBR’s $3 Shot Specials

St. Frances Cabrini The spiritual home of the Little Italy and Old Market neighborhoods since 1857.

Sign-Ups for Bar Olympics League are happening now!

See our Facebook page for more details!

Join Our Volleyball Leagues Now

stcabriniomaha.org 10th and Williams Street

2130-4502 Capital District EncounterAd.ai

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Facebook.com/maloneysirishpub | Twitter: @maloneysomaha

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ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM 23

Roots

24 sep/oct 2017

TRUE BELIEVER KEITH RODGER IS ALL ABOUT LETTING THE MUSIC GROW story by Kyle Eustice photography by Bill Sitzmann design by Derek Joy soundcloud.com/kethro

Down

“OMAHA STILL HAS A LONG WAY TO GO AS FAR AS MUSICIANS AND DJS CAREERS BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY PEOPLE OUTSIDE MUSIC INDUSTRY”

A

sk Keith Rodger where he got his sharp musical tastes and his answer will be simple—from his mother. The 28-year-old Omaha musician, recording engineer, and co-owner of Make Believe Recordings grew up with an eclectic range of influences, which truly shaped his preferences.

“My mother always had a solid taste in music,” Rodger explains. “She gave birth to me as a teenager and I think that had a huge difference on what I was exposed to compared to other kids my age. She was never a musician, but always had an ear for interesting music. She introduced me to the reality of Prince’s lyrics, the anger of Prodigy’s sound, and the essence of Bjork’s personality. There were few limits in our household.”

He also credits his older brother, Alan, with inspiring him to pursue music despite the fact they grew up in separate households.

“When he visited with a guitar and amp one day is when I really wanted to become a musician,” he recalls. “He also introduced me to computer software that was used to make beats, which was what really changed my life forever.”

As he stumbled through various phases of what he refers to as “extreme attachment” to a bevy of different musical genres, he quickly realized there was an infinite amount of exploring to do.

He tasked himself with learning the history and adapting to the culture as a young, inquisitive student.

Rodger eventually met Motor City native Rick Carson, another aspiring entrepreneur who was obsessed with music and had recently completed a course in recording/audio engineering at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. The two would establish Make Believe Records and Make Believe Studios in 2012.

“I met Rick in a dusty basement when I was in a band called Lightning Bug while recording our first record,” he says. “I really enjoyed his vision for the music industry and Omaha. What he was trying to build aligned with what I was interested in pursuing as a career. We came from completely different backgrounds and share very different interests in music, but our goals and views are very similar.”

Make Believe Records has been steadily working its way into the publishing realm. The masterminds behind the label have hit a point where their catalog is ready to be launched into the musical stratosphere. With artists like rapper Conny Franko, hip-hop duo BOTH, and soul group Sam Ayer & The Lover Affair—as well as Rodger himself—on the roster, there are several full-length projects on the horizon.

Similarly, Make Believe Studios is buzzing.

Carson recently engineered Grammy Awardnominated artist Terrace Martin’s 2016 album Velvet Portraits, and recently mixed and mastered Danny Worsnop’s 2017 effort The Long Road Home. There’s a sense of exciting things coming together behind the scenes.

“We are busy, busy, busy,” he says. “We have some projects coming through this year that I never would’ve imagined getting the opportunity to experience.”

For now, Rodger, Carson, and Tristan Costanzo are hard at work on one of their latest endeavors, the Kismet production team, which recently scored a documentary series for boxing promotions company Top Rank about boxer Terence Crawford and his team at B&B Boxing Academy.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg.

“I’ve also been working on an EP and film titled Evoleno,” he says. “This has been a project years in the making. It took me several attempts to try to lock in a concept that was worth pursuing to become my first release. Over time, I got the opportunity to work with a wide variety of musicians that helped me shape my ideas into the concept it has become.”

“I also recently locked in a very small crew for this film to keep our ideas consistent and confident without our own bubble,” he adds. “I tapped Miguel Cedillo to direct and Maria Corpuz as one of our main characters. These people believe in the project as much as I do, and I believe we will make something that challenges everything we know about making a film that is timeless.”

Rodger has undoubtedly blossomed into a key player in Omaha’s consistently evolving music and art scenes. From touring with The Faint as a stage technician and DJing for Omaha Fashion Week to writing music and co-helming the Make Believe Records empire, his tireless work ethic parallels that of any successful artist or entrepreneur. However, he always sees room for improvement.

“I think it’s growing into a scene that is more diverse sonically,” he says. “I’ve noticed there are more younger people embracing new types of popular music, and putting down guitars and picking up synthesizers. My inbox is usually filled with musicians asking me about sound design and I find it exciting and refreshing.

“I truly wish there were more women creating electronic music,” he continues. “I always try to encourage parents to allow their daughters to learn how to program and edit in a DAW (digital audio workstation). Fair balance between genders, race, and cultures helps create better ideas within communities.”

"I THINK IT’S GROWING INTO A S C E N E T H AT I S MORE DIVERSE S O N I C A L LY, I ’ V E NOTICED THERE ARE MORE YOUNGER PEOPLE EMBRACING NEW TYPES OF POPULAR MUSIC, AND PUTTING D O W N G U I TA R S AND PICKING UP SYNTHESIZERS. MY I N B O X I S U S U A L LY FILLED WITH MUSICIANS ASKING ME ABOUT SOUND DESIGN AND I FIND IT EXCITING AND R E F R E S H I N G . " The ambitious Rodger finds surrounding himself with creative individuals, staying focused on his goals, adopting routines that exercise his mental and physical health, and teaching others is the way to reach his ultimate nirvana. He’s ready to put in whatever amount of work it takes.

“Omaha still has a long way to go as far as musicians' and DJs' careers being taken seriously by people outside of the music industry,” he says.

“We plant seeds and starve during their growth, but when they bloom, we will have a garden to feed families. Music is about to change very drastically for consumers and creators. I’m very excited about the future and want to be a part of it when it happens.”

ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM 27

At the 2016 event, Crane’s younger brother (Omaha artist Dan Crane) shouts a question, “Because I find them so fascinating, why are they called boring beetles?” The elder Crane responds to his brother, and other hecklers’ comments, with a genuine enthusiasm that is contagious.

WITH PHOTOGRAPHER D AV E C R A N E Story by Doug Meigs photography by Bill Sitzmann design by Derek Joy facebook.com/omahabugsymposium Sexy moths flap their wings (and cleavage). Some dude dressed like a lightning bug flashes his butt.

The audience swarms the stage at Midtown Art (formerly Midtown Art Supply)—with antennae, arms, and legs flailing—rocking to performances by local hardcore noise bands.

There are edible snacks made of insects.

Bug-themed artwork covers the walls of the adjacent Harney Street Gallery.

It’s like a mosquito trap for Omaha’s weirdest and most creative. But the main event? That would be the keynote bug lecture and photo slideshow

by Dave Crane.

Crane—a wetlands biologist with the Army Corps of Engineers—is the co-founder and cocurator of the Omaha Bug Symposium, the strangest science-artmusic combo this side of the topsoil.

Crane’s lecture is a psychedelic crash course in entomology (i.e., the study of insects), a legit science presentation packed with big words and Latin binomial names. His photo slideshow features beautiful imagery (zoomed and panned to show macro views of tiny insects like you’ve never seen before) along with ludicrous commentary.

His passion for bugs started at a young age. “I’ve been interested in nature, in general, all my life,” Crane says. “I was an adventurous, outdoorsy kind of kid. I wore holes in my clothes faster than anyone else I knew. Around the age of 7, I started attending week-long day camps at Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods every summer. I think it was at these camps when I really honed in on bugs. I’d come home from the camps and start looking for the things I found while in the wild. Around this time, I started collecting bugs I’d find around my neighborhood. My parents picked up on this and started buying me field guides and insect preservation boxes. I started making my own collection tools, like a plastic bag duct taped to a long stick for catching butterflies and dragonflies. I had a terrarium out in the back yard that I would put captured praying mantids into to watch them fight, mate, and eat prey. I amassed a rather large insect collection—probably 40 species—by the time I was 12, but without knowing about proper preservation methods, the specimens were consumed by pests and all turned to dust.”

Discouraged by early attempts at insect preservation, Crane’s insectophilic tendencies lay dormant until roughly age 21. That’s when he received his first digital camera as a birthday gift.

“I was snapping away outside one day and noticed a damselfly on my car antennae,” he says. “I snapped a photo of it, and when I reviewed the image, it was like all the memories I had chasing bugs as a kid came rushing back to me.

That moment revived my interest in bugs. I was hooked. Taking photos of all sorts of macroinvertebrates became my No. 1 hobby, if not obsession. From then on, I would dedicate more and more time to taking photos of bugs all around me—when I traveled, when I went camping, when I went to the bar, etc. I took photos for the sake of seeing things up close and learning about them, never really with the intention of printing them out as pieces of art.”

Crane’s photographic work captures the essence of bugs’ behavior, rather than focusing on images “that would look nice on a wall.” He prizes subject matter with informative storytelling potential over aesthetics. >

ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM 29

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< “I feel that presenting my photos in this style

does them the most justice. I have some very high-definition photos, and they deserve to be blown up, zoomed in, and explored. The content in the photos is very well served by being plastered on a 10-foot-by-10-foot projector screen so every little detail can be magnified and scrutinized by the crowd. Before these bug shows, I started making calendars in 2007 for family and friends. Otherwise, I basically just stockpiled my photos for seven years—until I started showing them off as the bug shows.”

The 2017 Omaha Bug Symposium takes place at Midtown Art and Harney Street Gallery on October 7. It will be Crane’s fifth (and fourth annual) bug show. The inaugural event in 2014 went by the name “Nebraska Insect Showcase” because it was held at the same venue and the weekend following the Nebraska Hardcore Showcase.

That first year of the event consisted of Crane “giving a two-hour presentation, followed by multiple sets of bug-themed noise bands, and topped off with one of the most bizarre, horrifying bug worship performance art piece I have ever witnessed,” he says. “It was a blast, so we started planning the second one instantly.”

The event’s format has since remained essentially the same. Bug food, bug art, and

dance competitions joined the lineup in 2015.

The original Nebraska Insect Showcase coorganizer, Ethan Happe, parted ways with the event to focus more on entomophagy (eating insects). But Crane wasn’t ready to call it quits.

He met Andy Matz in 2016 while planning his third bug show.

Matz, who has a degree in entomology, became a co-lecturer and co-organizer for the 2016 event, the first to go by the name “Omaha Bug Symposium.” Joining the party were bug costume contests, insect snacks prepared by local chefs, and kegs sponsored by Upstream Brewing Co. Crane and Matz continued their collaboration in planning a special 2017 Omaha Moth Night to coincide with National Moth Week in July (which, despite the name, is a worldwide citizen science initiative encouraging the public to learn more about moths). Omaha Moth Night used the same Bug Symposium format with music, art, lecture, and costume contest.

“Ours had to be the weirdest National Moth Week event, but it fit right in with the spirit of the week, as well as the concept of the Omaha Bug Symposium,” Crane says. “The moth night really was a bit of an experiment just as much as it was something we were genuinely excited to put on. The turnout was similar to last year’s

symposium, and I’d say we were highly successful in our attempts to interweave moth art, information, music, and the human connection with moths into a fun night for all.”

Attendance grows each year. Insect artworks continue to surprise. Meanwhile, Crane is thrilled to encourage others to share his love for bugs and the greater outdoors.

“A lot of people go ‘birding,’ but I go ‘bugging,’” Crane says, describing his photo-shooting sessions. “The most important part of bugging is to do it frequently. I think as you start out you’re just fascinated by everything, you’ll see a lot of things from angles and magnifications that you’ve never seen before. It’s like seeing the world the way it really is for the first time.”

Crane has developed what he refers to as “bugeyes.” He’s usually the first (or only) person to spot a bug while out walking the streets or out in the field.

“If I’m walking through a field of weeds, I’m not searching for the next pretty flower, I’m subconsciously scanning every bit of green for that one bug-shaped discrepancy,” he says. “After so many years, I’m still fascinated with snapping a photo just to look at something around me close up. I love using my camera as a portable, photographic microscope, revealing truth that’s just beyond the naked eye.”

With a Beard

and a smile When asked about his work with local promoters and artists, Kyle can’t quite hold back a grin. Lookout is known around Omaha as a starting point for bands that have never played in public before. Its owner is the main reason for this reputation. His voice softens when asked about his role in helping young local artists get their music off the ground: “I think it’s important when you’re first starting out to have a venue you can call home.” This determination to give back to the music community makes Lookout special.

KYLE FERTWAGNER LOOKS OUT FOR LOCAL MUSICIANS Story by Lindsay Wilson photography by Bill Sitzmann Illustration & design by Derek Joy lookoutomaha.com

W

alking into Lookout Lounge is a different experience than entering other music venues around Omaha. Admittedly, it feels a little strange driving into a business plaza just south of 72nd and Dodge streets for a punk show. But what distinguishes Lookout (formerly The Hideout) is more than just location. It is the bearded man sitting at the entryway, checking IDs and working on his laptop, that sets this venue apart.

Kyle’s unique philosophy on booking shows is “to not try to take everything on ourselves.” This means more cooperation between venue staff, bands, and promoters. “It’s a team effort.” The additional networking and communication is more work, but well worth it.

From his days in small punk bands growing up, he knows the obstacles and struggles of getting a band onstage.

This knowledge helps him guide others through the process.“We try to use our experience to help younger bands grow,” Kyle says. “That’s good for everybody.” He is always happy to reach out to local promoters and say “we’d love to work with you.”

Raised in Copperas Cove, Texas, Kyle Fertwagner knew from a young age that his destiny lay in music. At 6 years old, he was mesmerized by blues concerts in nearby Austin.

“Those experiences are ingrained in my memory. There were thousands of people out there enjoying music, sharing that common bond of whatever that music meant to them.”

By the time he moved to Omaha at age 15, he and his younger brother, Keith, were playing together in punk bands. They got their start at The Cog Factory. Like many area music fans, Kyle is eager to share fond memories of that nonprofit venue, which closed in 2002. “That was our stomping grounds," he says. "That’s where I basically grew up as a musician, as a punk rocker, as a person.” Before their first show at The Cog Factory, Fertwagner recalls that the owners greeted the band and “it just immediately felt like home.”

Recreating that welcoming DIY vibe is what drove him to quit his job as general manager of a local restaurant and take over The Hideout in 2015. Keith had already learned how to work sound systems, and Kyle had learned how to run a business from years in the restaurant industry.

With “a little TLC” and a lot of elbow grease, the brothers made the place their own. Kyle proudly showcases a sign from the original Cog Factory over the pool table. Next to it is the handpainted mural featuring the venue’s name and the radio tower logo that has become an Omaha icon. Endless layers of screen-printed posters paper Lookout’s walls, and concert-goers have enthusiastically decorated the bathrooms with a vibrant collection of friendly graffiti.

Kyle describes himself as “owner/operator,” but upon attending a show at his venue it is immediately apparent that he does much more than the typical owner. Besides personally welcoming patrons into shows and tending bar, he works the lights and often shadows his brother on sound. But before any of that can happen, “it starts with the band.”

When Kyle works to foster those relationships to put a show together, that’s when the energy of the DIY venue is created. “It’s 'Alright, cool, we did it, we sold the place out!’ Instead of ‘I sold the place out.’ It’s more of an ‘us’ thing.”

Shows that are assembled with teamwork are more rewarding for the band, everyone behind the scenes, and the audience. Those packed concerts are a staple of Lookout’s imprint on the musical community.

After taking care of the band, Kyle’s next focus is his role as head of security. At any show, he can be seen roaming around the audience, keeping out a watchful eye for any sign of trouble. He accepts personal responsibility in creating a positive energy at Lookout, and takes the security of the audience very seriously: “People shouldn’t feel unwelcome here for any reason.”

In order to ensure that everyone feels welcome, anyone exhibiting abusive behavior of any kind will be personally warned and, if need be, escorted out by Kyle himself. He is quick to explain, “Anything that happens here I take to be a personal reflection on me.”

ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM 33

F U T U R E P U N K AVA N T E G A R D E photography by Bill Sitzmann styled & Modeled by Nicholas & Jordyn design by Derek Joy All clothes are Nicholas' own vintage or created by Jordyn

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He began serving as the vice president of LGBTQ+ advocacy organization Heartland Pride last fall, but David Kerr hails from nowhere near Nebraska. The Glasgow, Scotland, native followed love to Omaha in 2013, and although his relationship ended, his business venture, The Tavern, blossomed in the heart of the Old Market.

Today, Kerr jokes about printing cards to answer the daily question of how and why he ended up in the middle of America, but maintains he’s found a good fit in his adopted city.

“Omaha is hugely supportive of young entrepreneurs and business startups, and they have a sense of community here that you would never find anywhere else to nurture someone like that,” he says. Kerr prides himself on running an inclusive establishment that welcomes all; he’s even one of the first locally to offer genderneutral bathrooms.

In turn, his business supports numerous nonprofits by serving as an event venue, participating in giving program Together A Greater Good (TAGG), and even directly supporting fundraising efforts.

Kerr’s interest in giving back to the community began an ocean away, but one particular cause will always be close.

“Before I called Omaha my home, I volunteered for an LGBTQ+ organization in London called ‘The Albert Kennedy Trust,’ and they did some incredible work. And it really gave me an appetite to work for change no matter where I am,” he says.

40 sep/oct 2017

Great Scot!

G L A S G O W N AT I V E A N D LGBTQ+ ACTIVIST D AV I D K E R R S E T T L E S I N story by Kara Schweiss photography by Bill Sitzmann design by Derek Joy heartlandpride.org The 1969 Stonewall riots are largely regarded as the catalyst that brought forth the U.S. gay pride movement. Heartland Pride’s official beginnings trace back to 1985. It’s a better world today for most LGBTQ+ people, Kerr says, but there’s still work to be done.

“Since then it’s remained crucial to our community to remain visible and proud. It’s easy to get complacent when we make strides,” he says. “For the gay community, it’s still relevant because honoring and celebrating our culture is still relevant.”

Dozens of countries around the world still criminalize same-sex activities, Kerr points out, and in eight countries death is a legal punishment.

“It’s important to remember the tradition of honoring those who went before us, the ones who were denied their human rights, and the ones who physically lost their lives as well. It’s important to still get out and be proud to honor those lives and shine a beacon of hope to people around the world. There are people who are suffering way more than people here in the United States,” he says. “We’re not acing it here by any means, but at least we’re making strides.

Allies should take notice, too, he adds. Locals may associate Heartland Pride with its annual June parade and surrounding events, but it’s also an important fundraiser for the nonprofit—run completely by volunteer efforts—whose activities include a scholarship program, a community action grant, and several youth programs.

“It’s obvious in this political climate that anyone’s rights can be called into question at any point by any government, and that’s not just true for the United States. Things are not static; they’re constantly moving, so we need to remain proud and visible so that no one ever does infringe upon our rights again,” Kerr says. “And that’s true for many communities, not just LGBT.”

T HE

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Marks of Genius: 100 Extraordinary Drawings from the Minneapolis Institute of Art Oct. 7-Jan. 7 at Joslyn Museum, 2200 Dodge St. Drawings, watercolors, oil sketches, and pastels dating from the Middle Ages to the present day reveal the distinct hand and inspired touch of the most important artists from the past five centuries, including Guercino, Tiepolo, Delacroix, Degas, Kollwitz, Nolde, Hopper, and Ruscha. Tickets: $10 adults (18+), free for members, children, and college students with ID. 402-342-3300. joslyn.org

POG32_OLDMARKET_DIRECTORY_AD.indd 1 ART AND MUSEUM EXHIBITS KINETIC Through Oct. 14 at KANEKO, 1111 Jones St. KINETIC at KANEKO explores the art and science of movement, and the perception of motion. This collaborative exhibition will feature visual art, interactive sculpture, and experiential learning opportunities developed to strengthen the understanding of kinetics in everyday life. Admission: free. 402-341-3800. thekaneko.org Christina Narwicz Sept. 1-Oct. 20 at Fred Simon Gallery, 1004 Farnam St. This exhibit displays several works by local abstract painter Christina Narwicz.

Admission: free. 402-595-2122. artscouncil.nebraska.gov A Century of Omaha Steaks: The Story of America’s Original ButcherThrough Nov. 11 at The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St. This exhibit celebrates 100 years of one of Omaha’s most well-known businesses. Founded in 1917, today Omaha Steaks sells over 14 million pounds of beef annually to their 3 million active customers around the nation. The exhibit will showcase photographs, archival documents, and historic facts from the company archive. Admission: $11 adults, $8 seniors (62+), $7 children (3-12), free for children under 3. 402-444-5071. durhammuseum.org A momentous collection: pivotal moments in byron reed’s lifetime Through Jan. 14 at The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St. Byron Reed established the first real estate agency in Omaha before Nebraska achieved statehood. In his spare time he had a passion for collecting rarities. Today, he is thought to be one of the greatest collectors of the 19th century.

Admission: $11 adults, $8 seniors (62+), $7 children (3-12), free for children under 3. 402-444-5071.

—durhammuseum.org Zoom Into Nano Oct. 7-Jan. 7 at The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St. This new exhibit will magnify the microscopic world of nanotechnology by 100 million times with interactive exhibits, such as a virtual RNA molecule. Admission: $11 adults, $8 seniors (62+), $7 children (3-12), free for children under 3.

402-444-5071. durhammuseum.org

42 sep/oct 2017

Benefit Art Auction Exhibition Oct. 14-27 at Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, 724 S. 12th St. Preview works from more than 250 local, regional, and national artists selected to participate in this year’s benefit auction, the Bemis’ annual fundraiser. 402-341-7130. bemiscenter.org

Performing Arts Babe the Sheep Pig Sept. 8-24 at The Rose Theater, 2001 Farnam St. Babe the piglet is brought to Hogget Farm, where, with some help from a dog named Fly, he discovers he has a unique talent for herding sheep.

7 p.m. Fridays; 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturdays; and 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $10 for members, $20 for nonmembers. 402-345-4849. rosetheater.org How Very Unfairy: Into the Wicked Woods Sept.

14-23 at Apollon, 1801 Vinton St. This dinner and show presents fairy tales in their true forms. Created to scare children into good behavior, these pre-Disney fairy tales are full of gore and terror. Tickets: $29. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. 402-884-0135. apollonomaha.com Big Canvas Improv Sept. 16 at Apollon, 1801 Vinton St. An entirely improv show from family-friendly comedy troupe Big Canvas. This unique show is created from a series of improv games and scenes. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Tickets: $5. 402-884-0135. apollonomaha.com Every Brilliant Thing Sept. 21-Oct. 15 at Bluebarn Theatre, 1106 S. 10th St. This solo show, performed

by Bluebarn founder Hughston Walkinshaw, tells the tale of a 7 year old who attempts to cheer up his mom, who’s in the hospital, by making a list of every brilliant thing about the world. Tickets: $30 general admission; $25 students, seniors (65+), TAG members, and people in groups of 10 or more. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 6 p.m. Sundays. 402-345-1576. bluebarn.org

Mamma Mia Sept. 15-Oct. 15 at Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St. Packed with favorite ABBA songs such as “Dancing Queen” and “Take a Chance On Me,” it is no surprise that this musical is one of the top 10 longest-running Broadway musicals. 7:30 p.m.

Wednesdays through Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets: $42 adults, $22 students with valid ID. $10 discount for TAG members. 402-553-0800. omahaplayhouse.com

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G2K Cinderella The Underwater Bubble Show Oct. 7 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. This story follows the adventures of downtrodden businessman Mr. B as he is miraculously transported to a place called Bubblelandia. This show blends drama, mime, dance, puppetry, juggling, contortion, visual effects, and more. 3 p.m. Tickets: $15 and up. 402-345-0606. ticketomaha.com Omaha North Hills Pottery Tour Oct. 7-8 at various locations. The annual North Hills Pottery Tour starts at the Florence Mill before continuing northward to Dennison Pottery in Ponca Hills, Too Far North Wines in Fort Calhoun, and Big Table Studios in Herman. The tour features 19 local and national clay artists. The Florence Mill also features a pumpkin patch and bake sale. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. omahanorthhillspotterytour.com Finding Neverland Oct. 11-15 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. Learn the story behind one of the world’s most beloved tales: Peter Pan. This musical follows J.M. Barrie’s real life experience and inspiration behind the magical world of Neverland. 7: 30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday; 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $35 and up. 402-345-0606. ticketomaha.com Shatner’s World: We Just Live In It Oct. 26 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Walk down memory lane with William Shatner in this two-hour show where he poignantly reflects on life’s trials, romance, and some of his wildest memories from a lifetime in show business. 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $35 and up. 402-345-0606. ticketomaha.com “Move Over, Sir”: Women Working on the Railroad Through Oct. 28 at Union Pacific Railroad Museum, 200 Pearl St., Council Bluffs. This exhibit traces the contributions that women have made to the railroad industry throughout the past 150 years. Admission: free. 712-329-8307.

Stupid F@#%ing Bird Oct. 13-Nov. 12 at Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St. A wacky and brazen adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull, written by Aaron Posner, who presents a story of art, love, and success. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 2 p.m.

Sundays. Tickets: $42 adults, $22 students with valid ID. $10 discount for TAG members. 402-553-0800. omahaplayhouse.com

Momentum: Fosse Style Oct. 20 at Joslyn Art Museum, 2200 Dodge St. Broadway legend Ann Reinking is coming to Omaha to stage a Bob Fosse medley.

Fosse’s iconic choreography set new standards for theatrical dance, and Reinking is a principal authority on his style and work. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $22-$53.

402-345-0606. balletnebraska.org

music Benson First Friday Femme Fest Sept. 1 and 2 in Benson. Up to 80 female-fronted bands will take over the Benson strip during this two-night event. The headliner Friday night is Freakabout; the Saturday night headliner is Pleiades and the Bear. Tickets: $10 per night. 402-953-8849. bensonfirstfriday.com Spoon Sept. 11 at Sokol Auditorium, 2234 S. 13th St. Longtime indie rockers Spoon embark on a world tour for the release of their ninth album, Hot Thoughts, lauded by New York Magazine as “another knockout.”

8:30 p.m. Tickets: $29.50 in advance, $35 day of show. 402-346-9802. ticketmaster.com Ed Sheeran Sept. 12 at the CenturyLink Center, 455 N. 10th St. The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter comes to Omaha to promote his latest album, Divide.

The setlist may include such favorites as “Photograph,” “Thinking Out Loud,” and “Castle on the Hill.”

7:30 p.m. Tickets: $87-$280. 402-341-1500. centurylinkcenteromaha.org Get the Led Out Sept. 15 at Ralston Arena, 7300 Q St., Ralston. Get the Led Out is a Philadelphia-based group deemed “The American Led Zeppelin.” The group is dedicated to recreating the music of Led Zeppelin. Fans can expect favorites and some Zeppelin songs rarely played live. 8 p.m. Tickets: $25-$35.

402-934-6291. ralstonarena.com Thundercat Sept. 16 at The Slowdown, 728 N. 14th St. Bassist Stephen Bruner is making waves with his third studio album, Drunk. The star-studded album features Kenny Loggins, Kendrick Lamar, Wiz Khalifa, and Pharrell Williams. 9 p.m. Tickets: $18 in advance, $20 day of show. 402-345-7569. theslowdown.com Farnam Fest Sept. 16 at The Blackstone District, 40th Street between Farnam and Dodge. This year’s musical lineup features Tennis, Shannon and the Clams, and White Mystery. Essentially a block party, the events’ purpose is to celebrate the Blackstone District, it’s business’s, and all of the people that make this unique neighborhood what it is. Festival also features local craft breweries and food vendors. Gates open at 3:30 p.m. Music starts at 4 p.m. farnamfestival.com New Generation Music Festival Sept. 16 at Stinson Park in Aksarben Village, 2285 S. 67th St. This music festival, which began last year, features legendary rappers Rakim and Talib Kweli, along with lots of local musicians and artists. 1-11 p.m. 402-496-1616. newgenerationmusicfestival.com NEEDTOBREATHE with Gavin DeGraw Sept. 21 at Stir Cove, 1 Harrah’s Blvd., Council Bluffs.Christian rockers NEEDTOBREATHE and special guest Gavin DeGraw bring their “All the Feels” tour to Omaha. The performance will include songs from their latest album, Hard Love, and other fan favorites. 7 p.m. Tickets: $34-$113. 712-329-6000. ticketmaster.com J Balvin Sept. 24 at Ralston Arena, 7300 Q St. This Colombian artist is one of the top Latin pop stars of today.

His most recent album, Energia, was listed on Rolling Stone’s “10 Best Latin Albums of 2016.” His musical style is described as “reggaeton”—a combination of hip-hop, Latin American, and Caribbean music. 7 p.m.

Tickets: $49-$99. 402-934-6291. ralstonarena.com

Herb Alpert and Lani Hall Sept. 28 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Iconic trumpeter, composer, and record label executive Herb Alpert joins forces with his partner in music and life, Lani Hall, to bring 50 years of hits like “Tijuana Taxi” and “A Taste of Honey” to Omaha. Tickets: $29-$85. 402-345-0606. ticketomaha.com

The Avett Brothers Oct. 5 at Stir Cove, 1 Harrah’s Blvd., Council Bluffs. This will be The Avett Brothers’ fourth performance at Stir Cove. The Grammy-nominated ensemble will bring their alternative folk sound that merges musical genres from bluegrass to EDM. 8 p.m.

Tickets: $40-$153. 712-329-6000. ticketmaster.com

Fleet Foxes Sept. 29 at The Waiting Room Outdoors, Military Avenue and Maple Street. The Waiting Room will move outdoors for Fleet Foxes’ first performance in Omaha. After a six-year hiatus, the indie-folk band is back with the release of their new album Crack-Up. 7 p.m. Tickets: $36. 402-884-5353. waitingroomlounge.com

Wynonna and Big Noise Dubbed Oct. 12 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Dubbed “the greatest female country singer since Patsy Cline”

by Rolling Stone, Wynonna Judd, with her band The Big Noise, delivers a show that’s part nostalgia, part comedy, and all rich, soulful music.

7:30 pm. Tickets: $35 and up. 402-345-0606. ticketomaha.com

Future Islands with Explosions in the Sky Sept. 30 at The Waiting Room Outdoors, Military Avenue and Maple Street. The Baltimore-based band is on tour to promote their latest album, The Far Field. Future Islands entertains audiences with an energetic, furious, and bare-boned performance from frontman Samuel T. Herring. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $35. 402-884-5353. waitingroomlounge.com

Deer Tick Oct. 25 at The Slowdown, 728 N. 14th St. Deer Tick will release two albums Sept. 15. The albums, titled Deer Tick Vol. 1 and Deer Tick Vol. 2, will showcase the band’s diverging sounds. From gritty garage-punk to folky jams, their live show is sure to be an unexpected culmination of the two genres. 8 p.m. Tickets: $20 in advance, $23 day of show. 402-345-7569. theslowdown.com

ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM 43

sep/oct calendar of Events

Sponsored by Pinnacle Bank

The British Invasion with Billy McGuigan Oct. 28 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Relive the mania in an all-new show when Billy McGuigan and his band perform the music of the Beatles, the Dave Clark Five, the Animals, the Rolling Stones, the Kinks, the Who, and more. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $19-$79.

402-345-0606. omahasymphony.org

Misc.

The Orig inal Old Market Irish Bar Nightly Specials Live Irish Music Weekends Open 12 p.m.

1205 Harney St. 342-5887

dublinerpubomaha.com

Canoe the Great Marsh Through Sept. 30 at Fontenelle Forest, 1111 Bellevue Blvd. North. Canoe the wetlands and explore the great marsh and its amazing array of wildlife.

Canoers can find beavers, owls, and much more. Recommended for ages 10 and up. Advanced registration required.

6-8 p.m. Wednesdays; 5:40-7:40 a.m. Saturdays. $5 for members, $15 for nonmembers. 402-731-3140. fontenelleforest.org Garden Yoga Sundays in September at Joslyn Art Museum’s sculpture garden, 2200 Dodge St. Instructors from Omaha Yoga and Bodywork Center will guide people through basic poses to lengthen and strengthen the body and center the mind. In case of rain, this event will be held in the fountain court. 10:30 a.m. $5 suggested donation. 402-342-3300. joslyn.org SeptemberFestSept. 1-4 at Century Link Center, 455 N. 10th St. The 40th annual SeptemberFest includes live music in the beer garden, a carnival, arts and crafts, food, a mobile game theater, a steak cook-off, and more. 5 p.m-midnight Friday; noon-midnight Saturday-Monday. Admission: $5 adults and children ages 6 and up, free for children 5 and under. septemberfestomaha.org Labor Day Weekend Sept. 2-4 at Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. The zoo says goodbye to summer with bounce houses, airbrush tattoos, special animal presentations, and gate prizes. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: $19.95 adults, $18.95 seniors (65+), $13.95 children (2-11), free for children 2 and under. $1 discount for military members and their families. 402-733-8400. omahazoo.com

Bringing Italy to Omaha Since 1919

Chuck Berry: Hail Hail Rock and Roll Sept. 3 at Film Streams, 1340 Mike Fahey St. A 1987 documentary featuring a concert to celebrate the 60th birthday of Chuck Berry, who died in March 2017. The film features performances from Linda Ronstadt, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Etta James, and Julian Lennon. 7 p.m. Tickets: $9 general admission; $7 for students, teachers, active military, and those arriving by bicycle.

402-933-0259. filmstreams.org 46th Annual Art Fair Sept. 9-10 at Rockbrook Village, 108th and Center streets. More than 140 national, regional, and local artists will display and sell their oneof-a-kind works of art. Spend the day browsing quality art and chatting with those who create and appreciate it. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: free. 402-390-0890. rockbrookvillageartfair.com

Take a Taste of Italy Home Today!

Tues-Thurs: 8:30am-8pm Friday: 8:30am-8:30pm Saturday: 7:30am-8pm Sunday: 7:30am-6pm

402.345.3438 621 Pacific St, Omaha NE orsibakery.com

44 sep/oct 2017

Midtown Car Show Sept. 10 in Turner Park at Midtown Crossing, 3110 Farnam St. The Midtown Car Show features the area’s finest one-of-a-kind cars in a show-and-shine format. Chicago Dawg House will serve grilled hot dogs and cold beverages in the park.

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Admission: free—to show a car or attend. 402-934-9275. midtowncrossing.com Second Annual Food Truck Rodeo, Part 2 Sept. 15 outside of Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. This event includes 15-20 food trucks, a DJ, beer gardens, outdoor seating, and multiple outdoor bars.

4-11 p.m. Admission: Free. 402-884-5707. reverblounge.com/events

Night Market Pop-up Festival Sept. 22 at Turner Park in Midtown Crossing, 3110 Farnam St. Highlights of this event include a mini food festival, giant outdoor games, moonlight yoga, live music from local musicians, and 20+ local vendors. 6-10 p.m. Free for the public and dog-friendly. 402-934-9275. midtowncrossing.com 26th Annual Fort Omaha Intertribal Powwow Sept. 30 at Metropolitan Community College’s Fort Omaha Campus, 5300 N. 30th St. This celebration of Native American culture honors the traditional dance, music, artistry, oral history, and foods of various tribes across Nebraska and the surrounding region. 1-7:30 p.m. Admission: free. 531-622-2253. mccneb.edu Omaha Ramen Fest Oct. 1 at Stinson Park in Aksarben Village 2285 S. 67th St. This noodle fest will feature Omaha’s top chefs crafting traditional and creative bowls of the delectable Asian soup. There also will be local breweries serving beer and artists crafting colorful ceramic bowls for your ramen. 2-7 p.m. Admission: $5 (does not include food or drink).

402-496-1616. omaharamenfest.com Governor’s Lecture in the Humanities Oct. 3 at the Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner T.J. Stiles will speak at the 22nd annual governor’s lecture in the humanities.

He will draw from his work on historical figures, such as General Armstrong Custer, to address Nebraska’s centrality to American history. 7:30 p.m. 402-4742131. humanitiesnebraska.org Omaha Bug Symposium 2017 Oct. 7 at Midtown Art, 2578 Harney St. Dave Crane and Andy Matz deliver heart-pounding, mind-blowing entomological and microscopy lectures. Event includes musical entertainment, insect art and costume contests, and delicious edible insects. Refreshments provided. Admission: $5, age 21+ only. facebook.com/omahabugsymposium Japanese Ambience Festival Oct. 7-8 at Laurtizen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. The Omaha Sister Cities Association helps host this event with a variety of activities to celebrate Japanese culture. Activities include calligraphy, origami, koinobori, traditional Japanese games, food tastings, and more. Performances will include martial arts demonstrations, traditional Japanese music, and dance. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: $10 adults, $5 children (6-12), free for children under 6 and members. 402-346-4002. lauritzengardens.org HutchFest Oct. 21 at Midtown Crossing, 3110 Farnam St. HutchFest is a celebration of Midwestern artisans.

The event includes food, drinks, live music, and 100+ vendors, selling everything from homemade jewelry to elegant handdesigned stationary to beard balm. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: $5 adults, free for children under 12.

402-926-6747. hutchfest.co

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Omaha Design Center September 28, 2017 Doors open at 6:30pm Tickets start at $125 for more information & to Buy Tickets visit

www.fashioninstitutemidwest.org THE 4TH ANNUAL FASHION IMPACT AWARDS

Honoring individuals and organizations making an impact on the Midwest through the art of fashion design.

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7/20/2017 1:20:54 PM 45 ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM

There’s an entire industry dedicated to studying generations to predict buying behaviors, and when you study the research, millennials tend to say terrible things about nightclubs.

Complaints often touch on high cover charges, rude bouncers, long waits, overcrowding, and loud music—all things that didn’t seem to bother Gen X. This notion—supplemented with social media, dating apps, and streaming music—meant that you didn’t really need to leave your house in order to feel connected to your friends, to what’s happening with cutting-edge music, or even to find a date. All compelling reasons to go out for generations before.

Because of these factors, I believe millennials developed a sense of economic conservatism as a response to the Great Recession. Because they didn’t have the expendable income like previous generations, they adapted by finding reasons why the commercial-party atmosphere of a club wasn’t worth it, perhaps merely as a means to justify their inability to participate.

This was all, of course, reinforced by the needs technology filled in. But that doesn’t mean our generation doesn’t like a good party.

TRANSITORILY YOURS: GENERATIONAL JOURNEY THROUGH NIGHTLIFE

Column by brent crampton illustration by Derek Joy

W

hen I was 19, I could be found illegally sneaking into nightclubs. As the youngest person in the room, I was essentially walking into a raucous Generation X party.

Back then, around 2003-2004, the height of the ’90s rave era had passed and the post-rave scene was acclimating into the then-emerging ultra-lounge wave. House music and techno reigned supreme in the underground, Red Bull and vodka covered everything, and Gen Xers lived by this credo to make the most of the weekend. At the time, this apparently meant binge drinking with friends to loud music for long periods of time—every weekend.

As time went on and the millennial flavor began to form, I remember how exciting it was when all the indie kids started dancing. Parties like Goo at Slowdown and Gunk at Waiting Room spawned a new infusion of creativity into nightlife. Along with Bar 415, Loom at España, and

46 sep/oct 2017

Nomad Lounge, it looked as though millennials were headed down the same work-hard, play-hard path as Gen X. That is until the Great Recession struck.

Along with 9/11, and later the technological advancement of social media, the recession of 2008 would become a defining feature of our generation, shaping the millennial psyche and influencing collective movements.

In the face of layoffs and widespread economic downturn, here in Omaha I witnessed early 20-somethings foregoing the cover charges and high drink prices of bars and clubs. Instead they grabbed a gas station six-pack and headed to the nearest midtown house party to aptly channel their youthful angst and economic anxiety through the jaw-grinding sounds of electro.

That same year, PBR sales took off and Google searches for “electro music” peaked.

But the millennial taste began to evolve, and all of those sweaty basement experiences transmuted to the rise of micro-breweries, Netflix, and Instagramming your farmer’s market foodie experience as a way to say, “Hey, I didn’t waste away my Friday night like you all did, so now I’m eating this farm-to-table cucumber at 9 a.m.”

Yes, nightclubs have been closing in record numbers all across America and the United Kingdom.

We are witness to this even in our own city. But festivals have been on the upswing. Think about the rise in awareness of Burning Man, Coachella expanding to two weekends, or even our own Maha festival, which sold out the last two years.

To put it another way, instead of going out every weekend—a routine Gen X had ritualized—millennials decide to save up for the big moments.

And with social media and smart phones, they can capture the experience and #TBT-it over the course of many weeks and months as a way to make the moment, and their dollars, last.

All of this in mind, if someone were to ask me today if opening a nightclub was a good idea, I’d tell them, "No." Throw a festival instead. One that offers coffee with amazing floral and acidic notes, and a fast-casual gastro pub that offers a saffron, foie gras, and grass-fed beef burger.

Now, Generation Z is beginning to pump out its first 21+ers. As they enter into the nightlife picture amidst the Trumpian era, it’ll be interesting to see how they respond to present circumstances. Will the pervasive fear, racial tension, and stagnant wages turn our youth inward, or will they tap into the collective anxiety of our times as a source of inspiration to compel the use of art, music, and dancing as a means to escape, to find solutions, and propel our society forward, like generations have done before?

I sure hope so.

6 OMAHA AREA LOCATIONS

DOWNTOWN

10th & Capitol | 402-763-9974

AKSARBEN VILLAGE

67th & Center | 402-933-3533

DJSDUGOUT.COM

MIRACLE HILLS

114th & Dodge | 402-498-8855

MILLARD

180th & Q | 402-933-8844

BELLEVUE

23rd & Cornhusker | 402-292-9096

PLATTSMOUTH

Hwy 75 & Oak Hill | 402-298-4166