The Reader September 2016 by PioneerMedia.Me

SEPT. 16– OCT. 16, 2016

OCT. 14– NOV. 20, 2016

NOV. 18– DEC. 23, 2016

NOV. 25– DEC. 31, 2016

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The part time retail associate is responsible to ensure top quality guest service and compliance with health codes. The incumbent provides positive guest interaction and is responsible for carrying out functions that provide revenue growth and assisting with the facilitation of museum special events as it pertains to these retail areas. Provides assistance and support to relevant staff and volunteers in the retail areas. For more information, visit OmahaJobs.com.

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SEPTEMBER 2016

Conference Designed to Make Neighborhoods Stronger

o you want to make a difference in your neighborhood? Are you working hard to make it a better place? Would you like to meet others doing similar work and gain access to resources you may not be aware of? Plan to attend the third annual IN (Iowa/Nebraska) the Neighborhood

The conference will get under way with a welcome and opening remarks by Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert and Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh. Following the welcome, attendees can choose from a variety of breakout sessions ranging from saving energy to asset based community development. At 10:45am, all attendees will gather

Chris Foster

Brent Lubbert

Conference Saturday, Oct. 1, at Metropolitan Community College’s South Omaha campus. The event – hosted by ONE Omaha, Neighborworks Home Solutions, the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency and Omaha by Design – runs from 8:30am to 4:30pm. “The goal of the conference is to strengthen the quality of life in the Omaha/Council Bluffs metro by strengthening our neighborhoods,” said Julie Smith, ONE Omaha program manager. The 2016 theme is “Building Connections.” It’s intended for all interested neighborhood advocates, representatives from community organizations, and civic and business leaders. For the first time in the conference’s history, registration is free. Those who’d like to attend must make a $10 deposit to reserve a seat, and the money will be refunded at the conclusion of the event. A complimentary lunch is included. The keynote luncheon address will be delivered by a trio of leaders from the Gifford Park Neighborhood Association (GPNA) in midtown Omaha – Chris Foster, Martin Janousek and Brent Lubbert. The GPNA, founded in 1988, places a high priority on inclusion and has become a model for successful grassroots revitalization efforts.

SEPTEMBER 2016

Following the visioning sessions, all interested attendees will be given three minutes to pitch a neighborhood project or idea they’d like to get off the ground. Smith will facilitate the pitch sessions. Those who present at the conference will be eligible to receive a micro grant to help implement their project or idea.

Martin Janousek

for “Civic Speed Dating” – an interactive information exchange that will feature facilitated discussions in small groups. “It’s a chance to meet other attendees, gather information from potential community partners and solicit feedback on what’s working and what isn’t in your neighborhood,” Smith said.

“This year’s conference is about empowering neighborhood leadership,” said Julie Reilly, executive director of Omaha by Design. “Our goal is to give those who step forward as volunteers the tools to be more effective in bringing about positive change.”

Following the luncheon, Omaha attendees will have the unique opportunity to participate in a visioning session by city council district with their respective representatives. Scheduled to attend are Pete Festersen (District 1), Ben Gray (District 2), Chris Jerram (District 3), Garry Gernandt (District 4), Rich Pahls (District 5), Franklin Thompson (District 6) and Aimee Melton (District 7). Council Bluffs attendees will attend a visioning session with Mayor Walsh. The sessions, which will include an asset mapping exercise, will be facilitated by neighborhood representatives trained by ONE Omaha. “Let’s revive the splendor of the Magic City,” said Gernandt, whose South Omaha district was once known by this name.

ONE Omaha, a public-private initiative founded in 2015, is dedicated to actively facilitating the development of neighborhoods in the City of Omaha through communication, education and advocacy. Nebraskans for Civic Reform serves as its fiscal agent. For more info, visit www.oneomaha.org

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An opening reception is set for Friday, Sept. 30, at Love’s Jazz and Arts Center from 5:00 to 7:00pm. In addition to providing attendees with the opportunity to network prior to the conference, ONE Omaha will be presenting a series of awards that evening that recognize local grassroots revitalization efforts.

Funding for this year’s IN the Neighborhood Conference is provided by the Peter Kiewit Foundation. To register or for more information, visit www.intheneighborhood.org.

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 6 VO L U M E 2 3 N U M B E R 1 8 08 COVER STORY FALL ARTS PREVIEW 18 PICKS COOL THINGS TO DO IN SEPTEMBER 24 HEALING MASSAGE IN A BOTTLE 26 GREEN GREEN BELLEVUE 28 OVER THE EDGE MAHA RECAP 30 FEATURE BLACK LIVES MATTER 33 ART STEPHEN ROBERTS 38 FEATURE DICK HOLLAND 42 CULTURE WHYARTS? 44 CULTURE SARAH MCKINSTRY-BROWN 47 EAT BOHEMIAN CAFE 52 MUSIC SEE THROUGH DRESSES 54 BACKBEAT SUPERSTAR AND STAR 56 HOODOO JUMP FOR JOY 58 FILM FALL CINEMA PREVIEW 61 SPORTS HUSER PREVIEW 62 MYSTERIAN DOCTOR IS IN

Publisher John Heaston john@thereader.com Creative Director Eric Stoakes eric@thereader.com Managing Editor David Williams david@thereader.com Assistant Editor Mara Wilson mara@thereader.com Assistant Editor Tara Spencer tara@thereader.com Graphic Designer Katiuska NuÃ±ez katiuska@thereader.com CONTRIBUTING EDITORS heartland healing: Michael Braunstein info@heartlandhealing.com arts/visual: Mike Krainak mixedmedia@thereader.com eat: Sara Locke crumbs@thereader.com film: Ryan Syrek cuttingroom@thereader.com hoodoo: B.J. Huchtemann bjhuchtemann@gmail.com music: James Walmsley backbeat@thereader.com over the edge: Tim McMahan tim.mcmahan@gmail.com theater: William Grennan coldcream@thereader.com SALES & MARKETING Dinah Gomez dinah@thereader.com Kati Falk kati@thereader.com DISTRIBUTION/DIGITAL Clay Seaman clay@thereader.com OPERATIONS AND BUSINESS MANAGER Kerry Olson kerry@thereader.com PHOTOGRAPHY Debra S. Kaplan debra@thereader

MOREINFO:WWW.THEREADER.COM

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SEPTEMBER 2016

VoteforArt Harvest of Plenty Offers Relief From Political Fallout BY MICHAEL J. KRAINAK

hile the 2016 presidential election drones and drags along for another two months, you may understandably elect to choose another way to pass the time for fun and enlightenment, let alone distraction. But if Go Big Red, Bluejay basketball, the World Series and the Great Debates aren’t enough to take the edge off, then put aside politics and sports for awhile and take advantage of what the Metro art scene has to offer for the next three months. What follows is your annual Reader Fall Visual Arts Preview, brought to you by virtually all the prominent venues in this area of every size and shape. This schedule includes events and exhibitions in all media, none of which ironically seem to take sides or express a provocative POV in this most politically climactic year. While the listing below is not complete, it highlights key exhibitions. Check The Reader weekly for updates and individual gallery and art center websites for details and hours. Omaha’s largest art spaces, Joslyn Art Museum, KANEKO and the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts have much on their plate this fall, including key fundraising events for the latter two. Kicking off the Bemis Center’s Benefit Art Auction, Friday, Oct. 28, is a two-week preview of the more than 250 pieces of art for sale in the silent and live auction. A members-only preview reception with exhibiting artists will be held Oct. 14 followed by a general preview and Open House/Open Studios, Oct 15. continued on page 10 y

SEPTEMBER 2016

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“Red Rock Road” may be seen in Dirt Meridian: Photographs by Andrew Moore.

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Patrons can expect the usual party atmosphere with hors d’oeuvours, open bar, and live entertainment. Tickets will go on sale mid-September for $100 and $125 the day of the auction. All net proceeds from the benefit will go towards Bemis’ yearround residency program as well as its commitment to exhibition and community-based projects. KANEKO will sweeten its own annual fundraiser, Open Space Soiree, with a special exhibition, From the Collection: Passion and Obsession. The fundraiser commences Friday, Nov. 11, but the exhibition continues through May 6. 2017. Passion and Obsession will include ceramic sculpture, glass 3D and installations, drawings and paintings from international artists such as Viola Frey, Tony Hepburn, Leiko Ikemura, Jun Kaneko, Manuel Neri, Annabeth Rosen, Therman Statom, Goro Suzuki, Akio Takamori and Sunkoo Yuh. Not only is this an impressive draw deserving of multiple visits to this museum-quality exhibition, Soiree will also feature epicurean delights from The Grey Plume which will serve “one of a kind flavors using seasonal ingredients to parallel the exhibition’s themes of passion and obsession,” according to an event statement. Tickets and details can be found at thekaneko.org/soiree. Joslyn will open three promising exhibits the first week in October, all of which will continue to about the first of the year. David (Shannon) Goes to the Museum (10/1/2016 - 12/31/2016) will include paintings and cover art for many of Shannon’s acclaimed books including No, David! and other David stories, including Alice the Fairy, Bugs in My Hair, How Georgie Radbourn Saved Baseball, and A BIG Fish Story, among others. Hayv Kahraman (10/8/2016 - 1/8/2017), which will show in the Riley CAP Gallery, draws on sources including Renaissance painting, Japanese woodblock prints, and Persian miniatures to create work that considers the repercussions of being displaced from one’s home. Joslyn’s most prominent exhibit this Fall will be Dirt Meridian: Photographs by Andrew Moore (10/9/2016 - 1/8/2017). During the past decade, Moore made over a dozen trips to photograph along the 100th meridian from North Dakota to the Texas panhandle. According to the show statement, “His images record vistas that can be both elegant and severe, as well as the lives of the people that have made their home in this challenging landscape.

His camera found an unassuming landscape that is both elegant and austere, one enriched by its history and the families that have settled in this challenging region.” Photography is also prominent at another museum, El Museo Latino, currently featuring Anacronías / Anachronisms 1984 – 2015 by Ygnacio Rivero, which continues through Oct. 29. Rivero includes a selection of 30 black and white as well as color photographs that he has taken between 1984 and 2015, all of which share a common human experience: how the passage of time influences how we remember images from the past while looking at them in a new way. The public sector continues its strong presence in the Metro with promising exhibitions planned in the Fred Simon Gallery of Nebraska Arts, the Michael Phipps Gallery of the Omaha Public Library, Creighton University’s Lied Gallery and the UNO Fine Arts Gallery. The Fred Simon Gallery presents Comedy for All, Tragedy for None, curated by the very active in the arts, Alex Priest. The exhibition runs from Sept. 2 to Oct. 28, and it includes artwork from Omaha artists Sarah Jones, Norman Melichar and Dawn Smith. Priest describes the work as “Exploring the obtuse nature of nothingness. Comedy for all, Tragedy for None hesitates to directly identify meaning or intent.” If nothing matters, the exhibit challenges, “Then, what’s the point?” Despite the alt premise, you will still have to see the work to answer that question. Following such successful exhibitions this year as The Fractured World and Self-Governance, the Michael Phipps Gallery will feature two group shows: Science Future, Sept. 9 – Oct. 30, a multimedia exhibition featuring the scientific and futuristic visions of Travis Apel, Launa Bacon, and Regan Pufall; and In Social Geography, Omaha-based artists Camille Hawbaker and Gerardo Vazquez explore collective identity through a shared sense of oneness and language. In a striking, counter-intuitive fashion, the UNO gallery takes the lead with Sensory: Please Touch the Art, opening Thursday, Oct. 6 and closing Nov. 10, 2016. Multi-media artist and instructor Jamie Burmeister, the curator, says the exhibit “challenges artists to create works that invite visitors with low or no vision to experience artworks using all the senses. “Our goal is to embrace an accessible art atmosphere for all. We expect to provide information about works in Braille, large print, and high contrast text. We have two international artists who primarily work as tactile artists, Ann Cunningham and Rocontinued on page 12y

Jun Kaneko’s “Resting Nude” at From the Collection: Passion and Obsession at KANEKO

SEPTEMBER 2016

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Jess Benjamin’s “Dried Up on the Ogallala Aquifer 10, 2016, Stoneware, 27x20x2.75” Photo: Colin Conces

Swan ake L OCTOBER 22, 2016 ORPHEUM THEATER

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SEPTEMBER 2016

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salyn Driscoll. The rest of the show is the best local and regional artists working in a variety of disciplines that can be experienced in other ways than through sight.” In a more traditional vein, the Lied Gallery offers two solo exhibits: Kristin Pluhacek: Drawings which opens Sept. 9 and continues till Oct. 9: and the oil paintings of Rachel Mindrup in Portrait of a Disorder: Neurofibromatosis, which runs from Oct. 24 to Nov. 22. Artist receptions are planned for Pluhacek, Friday, Sept. 9 and for Mindrup, Oct. 28. Both events are from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The private sector also has several worthy candidates for your consideration this fall beginning with offerings from such alt venues as Project Project and Darger HQ on Vinton St. and Petshop Gallery in Benson. Project Project, enjoying its second year of exposing emerging artists from the region, will host yet another curatorial effort from Alex Priest in October and exhibit Lincoln artist Nancy Friedman in November. Priest says his group show Open Gym, while inspired by the international CrossFit phenomenon, “looks at athleticism in contemporary art, specifically at athletic communities and the objects that build and bond them together. The exhibition addresses themes of competition, communal space, fitness equipment as sculpture, physicality and performance.” Three or four doors east on Vinton in its new digs, Darger HQ will exhibit a two-person show, Oct. 17 to Dec. 17 featuring the art of Kristina Estell and Michael Ian Larsen. Estell creates sculpture, installation, interactive and watercolor works that generate sensitive and dynamic material experiences. Larsen’s art balances an innate interest in the organic with contemporary sculptural practice, creating installations that engage space and perception. Meanwhile, Petshop has two very interesting exhibits on its docket: Blinder, Sept. 2 to Oct. 28, which highlights the art of Zachary Clement along with Kelly Olson who are using technology and social and mixed media to create Blinder, a character capable of blocking out interruptions and the outside by wearing a mask to help one focus on what’s important; Sarah Jones will have a solo show, Oct. 7 to Nov. 25, that features her installations that draw inspiration from music videos and blipster culture “where people can easily immerse themselves in their imaginations.” Between PP and Darger HQ on Vinton we have the veteran art venue Gallery 72 gearing up for Empty and Full, a collaboration of two Omaha established artists, Jess Benjamin and Susan Knight, with strong credentials in 3D objects and the water environment. Empty and Full opens Sept. 9 and closes Oct. 1, and it features Benjamin’s ceramic sculpture and Knight’s hand cut 3D concepts that, combined, continue their mutual interest in water rights, protection and pollution.

In the downtown Metro area, the Moving Gallery, Gallery 1516 and the RNG Gallery in Council Bluffs are planning a variety of exhibitions that celebrate both emerging and established regional and national artists. The Moving Gallery will open its Garden of the Zodiac space to two significant exhibitions of photography: Alexander Bonham Carter, 9/22--10/21, the first solo exhibition by this Kansas City artist’s portraiture and still life’s; and on Oct. 27, New Mexican photographer David Michael Kennedy will exhibit his sublime palladium prints of celebrities, Native Americans and landscapes. Across the river, at 157 West Broadway in Council Bluffs, RNG Gallery has scheduled the provocatively titled group show, My God Can Beat Up Your God in October and a solo show by the late muralist Louis Grell, who was born in Council Bluffs in 1887 and died in Chicago in 1960. Grell worked as an instructor at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts for five years and at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) for fifteen. One of the most anticipated exhibitions this fall season, Tubach + Tubach—Preservation, will open at Gallery 1516 with a member’s preview Oct. 6 and a public showing Oct. 7. As part of its mission to exhibit Nebraska and regional artists, often in cooperation with the Museum of Nebraska Art in Kearney, Gallery 1516 has been exhibiting several mid-career artists, many of whom who haven’t shown in this area in some time, and thus reintroduced to a younger audience. Now, add to that list, the collaboration of Allan and Lisa Tubach, father and daughter, who individually have added his paintings and her works on paper, video and painting to the Nebraska art scene in Preservation, which continues till Nov. 27. The show statement says “these artists share a deep empathy for our natural and cultural worlds…this exhibition highlights both their individual passions—cultural heritage for Allan and environmental sustainability for Lisa—but also presents a unique synthesis of these visions.” Patrons can anticipate another exhibition this fall at Midtown Modern Arts that also celebrates established artists with Nebraska connections. MAM presents its two-month Legacy, Nov. 4 to Dec. 30, that offers selections of painting and sculpture from the national retrospective tour of artist John Himmelfarb. The exhibit also includes work from Catherine Ferguson, Martha Horvay, Michael James, Stephen Dinsmore, Jean Gaudaire-Thor, Don Williams, Roberto Kusterle, Gary Day and Peter Hill. Yet another Midtown venue, Connect Gallery, will showcase two additional mid-career local artists, wife and husband Nancy Lepo and Dan Klima. Lepo will exhibit her striking pen and ink pointillism on paper and Klima his turned wood pieces, some functional, all of it fine art. The two-person show opens Nov. 2 with an artist reception Nov. 11, and closes Nov. 26. ,

John Himmelfarb’s “Hope” at Modern Arts Midtown

“Untitled “ by Zachary Clement at the Petshop Gallery in Benson

SEPTEMBER 2016

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DECEMBER 10 - 18

Spectacular Music & Entertainment Choose from over 50 dazzling performances in our MasterWorks, Pops, Rocks, Family, Movie Music and Symphony Joslyn series!

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SEPTEMBER 2016

OMAHACOMMUNITYPLAYHOUSE

stage

To Kill a Mockingbird

SEPTEMBER 2016

LIGHTSDOWN E

xcitement abounds as Omaha theaters prepare to launch into another season of productions all across the artistic spectrum. Let’s do the rundown.

Omaha Community Playhouse With artistic leadership now firmly in the hands of Kimberly Faith Hickman, OCP starts its latest season in the Howard Drew Theatre with To Kill a Mockingbird by Christopher Sergel. Based on the famed novel by Harper Lee and directed by Ablan Roblin, the playhouse said the time was right to revisit the classic work. Also on the docket in the Howard Drew will be the indie rock musical Murder Ballad opening October 14, a thriller that revolves around a love triangle gone wrong. After that, the Playhouse digs into its Western sensibilities with The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, based on the

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The Curtain Rises on New Stage Season BY BILL GRENNAN

short story by Dorothy M. Johnson and made popular by the 1962 film of the same name. The Drew Season finishes out with the Tracy Letts play Superior Donuts. Set in Chicago, the show deals with the relationship between a Polish pastry shop owner and his young balck employee. The Howard and Rhonda Hawks Mainstage series starts things off with recent Broadway musical Sister Act, based on the 1992 Whoopi Goldberg movie of the same name. Soon after, the Playhouse institution that is A Christmas Carol returns with Jerry Longue in the lead role for yet another year. In January, the adaptation of Around the World in 80 Days takes the stage, using only five actors to tell the whole tale. March brings about another Broadway hit, the 1980s jukebox musical Rock of Ages, featuring songs like “Sister Christian,” “Dead or Alive” and “Here I Go Again.” The Ken Ludwig comedy Leading Ladies opens April 14 telling

the tale of a pair of down and out actors who try to con an old lady out of her fortune by portraying her neices. The mainstage season finishes with Disney’s Beauty and the Beast on May 26. When asked about the new season, Hickman said, “We truly have something for everyone this season at Omaha Community Playhouse: plays, musicals, comedies, dramas, classics and contemporary work, as well as productions for the entire family to attend. It’s going to be a fun, entertaining and thought-provoking year of great storytelling at OCP.”

Blue Barn Theatre “What do you think defines you? What will you do when your identity is challenged, changed or ignored?” That’s what Artistic Director Susan ClementToberer asks audiences when they attend seacontinued on page 16 y

stage

First time you felt magic at the theater. The arts exist to inspire and nourish our community. They allow us to tell stories, to express ourselves, to feel. Without the arts, the place in which we live would have no personality or luster. That’s why we passionately support all things that inspire and add to our culture, as both spellbound fans and members of the community.

Thursday 7 PM September 15

What was the first performance that moved you? #UnforgettableFirsts

PRECIOUS DAVIS

•

UnforgettableFirsts.com

Who Do You Say That I Am? Performance Artist. Diversity Educator. First transgender bride on Say Yes to the Dress. White House Emerging Black LGBTQ Leader

Thursday 7 PM October 6 In Our Son’s Name: 15 Years After 9/11 Phyllis & Orlando Rodriguez

After losing their son in the World Trade attacks, the couple’s journey led them to forgiveness, befriending even the mother of Zacarias Moussai, one of the hijackers. They have dedicated their lives to peaceful resolution of conflict and speaking against the anti-Muslim rhetoric sweeping our nation. Featured in the PBS film In Our Son’s Name. See CFS website for screening dates. Countryside Community Church –8787 Pacific Street (The Christian Partner of the TriFaith Initiative) $10/$5 students. Group discounts available 402-391-0350 kellyk@countrysideucc.org www.centerforfaithstudies.org Click on CFS events for links to register Member FDIC

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SEPTEMBER 2016 Approval

15 DATE / INITIAL

y continued from page 12 son number 28 at the Blue Barn Theatre. The identity-themed season starts September 22 with The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui. Written by Bertolt Brecht in 1941, it was a satirical allegory to the rise of Adolf Hitler with more than a few relevant teachings for today. The Ultimate Christmas Show (Abridged) by Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor takes over the holiday spot starting November 25. The show welcomes audiences to “the Annual Holiday Variety Show and Christmas Pageant at St. Everybody’s Non-Denominational Universalist Church, where all faiths are welcome because we’ll believe anything.” Taylor Mac’s play Hir opens February 2. The show revolves around a young veteran returning home to find his family in disarray after his mother renounces the patriarchy, his sibling comes out as transgender and his ailing father needs aid in his time of decline. Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson opens March 23. The new play follows the life of Henrietta Swan Leavitt, the late 19th and early 20th century astronomer who worked at the Harvard Observatory as she traverses a world not used to a strong woman in the world of science. The season closes with the May 19th opening of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert — The Musical by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott. Based on the 1994 film, the show follows two drag queens and a transgender woman as they hop on a bus named Priscilla to take their show across the Australian outback. Walk the Night returns for a third rendition on September 28 with Spencer Williams directing a unique immersive adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream mixed with Washington Irving’s The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon.

Shelterbelt Theatre The new season at Omaha’s theater dedicated to local and original works has Artistic Director Beth Thompson excited. “Our 24th season will be the first in quite a while that is 100% local and will showcase some of the Omaha area’s brightest playwrights,” she said. “Coupled with another star studded Before the Boards season we are excited to continue fostering the amazing local talent that Omaha has to offer!” The season starts October 7 with Revelation by Samuel Brett Williams. The show is a post-apocalyptic venture about faith, love and the American landscape of the end days. Noah Diaz’s play The Motherhood Almanac opens January 27, touching several situations revolving around what it means, what it costs and what one gains in being a mother. The new musical Catherland by Becky Boesen and David von Kampen opens April 21. It tells the story of Susan, an emerging writer in the land of Willa Cather; Red Cloud, NE.The season wraps up on July 14 with Marie Amthor Schuett’s Neighbors,

Lovers and All the Others, a play about a fabulous composer with writer’s block and his handsome neighbor.

SNAP! Productions SNAP! brings together a collection of shows ranging from the newest hit comedies to famed but endearing Broadway flops. The Quality of Life, Jane Andersen’s play about two different couples dealing with loss the only ways they know how. Robert Askins’ comedy Hand to God open November 18, telling the story of a confused Christian teenager ‘whose life is taken over by a foul-mouthed Satanic sock puppet.’ Opening March 10 is Detroit 67, by Dominique Morisseau, which follows a pair of siblings during the race riots of 1967 set to the Motown music of the era. The season closes out on June 2 with Carrie: the Musical by Michael Gore, Dean Pitchford and Lawrence D. Cohen. Based on the novel by Stephen King, 17-year-old Carrie White unleashes her terrible powers against her terrible classmates.

The Rose Theater With more than 11 productions on the docket for The Rose, Artistic Drector Matt Gutschick said, “We are extremely proud to expand upon our initiatives to reach pre-teens with programming like Huck Finn and The Jungle Book, which brings the remarkable director John Hardy (Nebraska Shakespeare’s Othello and Rose Theater’s Jackie & Me) back to Omaha. Prancer is a world premiere, featuring War Horse-style puppetry and a script by the accomplished screenwriter of the movies Jumanji and Harriet The Spy. Prancer promises to upend holiday show expectations with its breathtaking stagecraft and heartfelt story. Meanwhile, we are thrilled to be expanding our Every Single Child Program this year to include preschools for the first time. Mouse on the Move invites early learners to travel to outer space and Thumbelina will make them feel as small as the main character. Shrek rounds out the season in a hilarious musical adaptation by Tony Award-winner Jeanine Tesori and Pulitzer Prize Winner David Lindsay-Abaire.”

SEPTEMBER 2016

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The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui

Ballet Nebraska Ballet Nebraska packed plenty into three shows for its seventh season. Swan Lake opens October 22 at the Orpheum Theater. The company said the show ‘is a benchmark for companies dedicated to classical excellence.’ The annual tradition of The Nutcracker opens November 20, playing at both Iowa Western Community College and the Orpheum Theater. The season closes out with their award-winning Momentum series. This year’s mixed-repertory program will showcase a number of different styles from all over the dance spectrum. ,

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SEPTEMBER 2016

Monday, Sept. 26 GAVIN DEGRAW AND ANDY GRAMMER WITH WRABEL SumTur Amphitheater, 11691 South 108th St. 7 p.m., $34.50-$75 sumtur.org

The last time Gavin Degraw was in Omaha, Dec. 2014, he played at the Ralston Arena and was sick with a cold, which left him, regrettably, to end the concert early. Andy Grammer opened for him and it was the first time I had seen either of them. Since then, I have been to two Andy Grammer concerts. You better believe I already bought my tickets to this concert and you should too. Grammer is one of those artists you can never be sick of seeing because each performance is so full of life and energy, it feels like it’s the first time. He brings a passion and crowd interaction that makes you feel like an old friend. With Degraw’s illness last time, I am excited to see him perform with just as much energy as Grammer. After checking out Wrabel online, he has a similar style to the other two artists and it is always a great experience to discover new artists at concerts.

— Mara Wilson

SEPTEMBER 2016

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Through Sept. SEPTEMBURTON Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 12750 Westport Pkwy Thursday, Sept. 1-Wednesday, Sept. 28 7 p.m., $8-$14 drafthouse.com

Through Sept. ZOO FUN Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, 3701 South 10th St. Saturday, Sept. 3-Monday, Sept. 5, Sunday, Sept. 11 and Sunday, Sept. 18 Omahazoo.com

The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema La Vista location is participating in the month-long celebration of the peculiar filmmaker who produced such works as Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow, Beetlejuice, Batman (1989), and Alice in Wonderland (2010). You guessed it, the Johnny Depp loving, out of the ordinary, freakily entertaining, the one and only, Tim Burton. With a new movie being released this month, Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children, the cinema is giving the director a tribute for his achievements by returning his movies to the big screen. There will also be special movie parties, themed food and drinks created by inspiration from Burton’s world. You can also purchase exclusive collectibles and an all-Burton edition Birth.Movies.Death. Magazine, wrapped in a cover designed by Burton.

If you haven’t been to the zoo yet this summer, time is running out. Luckily, September will be an excellent time to head down. There will be a celebration on Labor Day weekend featuring bounce houses, airbrush tattoos and animal presentations for all the kids, big and small. But if you’re looking for something a little more high-energy, you can head down on Sept. 11 for the 36th annual zoo run. Choose between the one-mile or five-mile run. The cost is $25 for members and $30 for non-members. Need more? The annual Family Fiesta, Sunday, Sept. 18, will celebrate Latin American culture with dancing, activities and a live mariachi band. Get out of the house while you still can and head on down to check out the all the newly born animals, while they’re still babies.

— Mara Wilson

— Tara Spencer

Friday, Sept. 9 4TH ANNUAL OPERA OUTDOORS Midtown Crossing’s Turner Park, 33rd and Farnam 6:30 p.m., Free operaomaha.org Summer is winding down, make the best of it by joining Opera Omaha in kicking off the 2016-17 season, at this outdoor concert featuring their greatest hits. With performances by the Opera Omaha Chorus, Ragazzi Chorus and internationally acclaimed artists from the Company’s season, soprano Leah Partridge and tenor Jonathan Boyd. They will be accompanied by pianist Scott Arens and conducted by Aaron Breid. Opening the concert will be the string students from the Omaha Conservatory of Music. The performance will be projected onto screens ensuring a great view for everyone in the audience. Lawn chairs, blankets and picnics are encouraged.

— Mara Wilson Sunday, Sept. 11 PATRIOT DAY PROGRAM AND LUNCH SAC Museum, 28210 West Park Hwy 12:30-2 p.m. sacmuseum.org The Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum will honor the fallen victims of 9/11 and those who have fought for and defended our nation over the years. An RSVP is required for this lunch and presentation covering national security and how it has changed since the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

— Tara Spencer Through Sept. 14 SACRED EARTH AND HEALING ARTS OF TIBET OM Center, 1216 Howard St. Begins Wednesday, Sept. 7 compassionomaha.org

SEPTEMBURTON AT ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE

An art show will be on display during the various events over the week. The artists were challenged to create art inspired by the Five Days of Compassion event centered on Post-it Note suggestions for a more compassionate Omaha. Each event is individually priced and a donation is suggested for the opening Sand Mandala ceremony.

Monks from the Gaden Shartse Monastery are coming to the OM Center to recreate ancient traditions and perform rituals, ceremonies, cleansings and mediations.

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MONKS FROM THE GADEN SHARTSE MONASTERY

All of the events are a fundraiser to benefit the Gaden Shartse Monastic College’s effort to preserve the educational, spiritual and cultural traditions of Tibet.

— Mara Wilson Friday, Sept. 16 NEEDTOBREATHE Stir Concert Cove, 1 Harrah’s Blvd 7 p.m., $34 caesars.com/harrahs-council-bluffs Tour de Compadres is coming to Stir Concert Cove and this is one lineup you are not going to want to miss. Needtobreathe presents this tour and with them they bring Mat Kearney, John Mark McMillan and Welshly Arms. Having seen two out of the four live, I am willing to bet all of the talent on stage will fill the audiences happy meters to the fullest point. On Needtobreathe’s website it states Parachute is a part of this tour for certain shows, but with their own tour underway and hav-

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SEPTEMBER 2016

West Bound and Down Tour, Smith is making a stop in Omaha. Luke Combs will be opening the show.

— Mara Wilson Sunday, Sept. 25 KORN AND BREAKING BENJAMIN Baxter Arena, 2425 South 67th St. 7 p.m., $44.50-$69.50 ticketmaster.com Grab your night vision goggles and head to Baxter Arena on Sept. 25. KORN is bringing their Nocturnal Underground Tour to Omaha this month, and it promises to be everything KORN is: loud, fun, and a little dark. They’re also bringing Breaking Benjamin with them, so it may get a little rowdy, too.

— Tara Spencer VIA NEEDTOBREATHE.COM

ing just been to Omaha, we unfortunately will not be graced by their soothing sounds. The other four will make up for their absence. Needtobreathe has a focused enlightening energy that simply leaves you feeling good as each song comes to an end. Their rock and roll sound somehow matches the Christian lyrics they have created. Mat Kearney has a rare talent of being able to mix genres in the middle of his songs. One second he is belting out this beautiful voice and the next he is rapping his way through unique rhymes. John Mark McMillan is a Christian singer, which matches Needtobreathe’s genre. While the band Welshly Arms seems to fit more into a category with Kearney. Buy your ticket and help Stir Cove say farewell to this set of summer concerts.

race is one of the flatter courses that can truly help set your next PR. I was born and raised in Omaha, which is why I wanted to accomplish such a big goal in my city. It is great to travel and race in other cities to explore new running worlds, but there is something that really gets the heart pumping as your feet hit the pavement each mile on your own turf and cross the finish line with your

— Gordon Spencer

— Mara Wilson Saturday, Sept. 17 TAKING BACK SUNDAY The Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St. 8 p.m., $35 ADV/$40 DOS Waitingroomlounge.com The band that keeps evolving has done so once again, with their new album Tidal Wave. The album is still hardcore, and definitely more than a little punk. So, if you’re a long-time fan, this show is not to be missed! But if you haven’t been keeping in touch and you’re looking forward to some good old, emo-centric Taking Back Sunday, you may be a little disappointed. Although, who am I to say they won’t play some of your old favorites? Or their new stuff won’t become your new favorites? Let’s just say if you’ve ever liked them, you should definitely be at this show, I know I will.

— Tara Spencer Sunday, Sept. 18 OMAHA MARATHON TD Ameritrade Park, 1200 Mike Fahey St. 5 a.m., $15-$140 Omahamarathon.com Presented by HITS Endurance, the 41st annual Omaha Marathon is not just a race for the avid runners crossing the finish line after 26.2 miles. Now there are five different options for runners to participate. A friends and family run, 5k, 10k and of course the half and full marathons. Having run the half marathon last year, this

SEPTEMBER 2015

rhythms. The concert also features The Passion of Angels a two-harp concerto by Marjan Mozetich. The soloists are Omaha Symphony principal harpist Mary Bircher and Omaha’s Kathleen Wychulis, principal harpist of the Lincoln Symphony and Boulder Philharmonic. An equally audience-friendly work on the program, likewise performed by Symphony members, is Francis Poulenc’s 1935 Suite Française. Making the most and best of these delights, Music Director Thomas Wilkins is on the podium. Five days later, he conducts the Symphony in more Beethoven, the Symphony No. 7 at the Holland Center.

COREY SMITH

friends, family and community cheering for you. With a pasta dinner and nice workout long sleeve shirt included, it’s hard to say no. Did I mention you finish the race in TD Ameritrade, running the length of the stadium is your last challenge as you race towards the finish line.

KORN

Wednesday, Sept. 21 COREY SMITH Slowdown, 729 North 14th St. 8 p.m., $18-$30 theslowdown.com

Through Sept. 25 PURA VIDA: IMPRESSIONS OF COSTA RICA Hot Shops Art Center, 1301 Nicholas St. Opening Reception: Friday, Sept. 9, 6-9 p.m. hotshopsartcenter.com

Corey Smith released his first album in 2003 and has just released his 10th. He says this album, While the Gettin’ Is Good, was created for those dedicated and supportive fans who have made his career. On his website, Smith discusses how much he owes to his fans, “When my fans show up and buy a ticket and a t-shirt, they’re investing in what I’m doing.” Smith wanted to make sure he repaid them by creating an album they would love and many say he has done that and more. As part of The

Six artists share work inspired by their travel in Hot Shops newest exhibition, Pura Vida: Impressions of Costa Rica. The exhibit showcases the work of five local artists and one Costa Rican native artist who participated in an artistic, cultural exchange coordinated by the Artists’ Cooperative Gallery in Omaha. Co-op members Lori Elliott-Bartle, Cheri Ginsburg, Linda Hatfield, Judith Anthony Johnston and Katrina Methot-Swanson made the trip, which was originated by Elisa Morera, a Costa Rican

— Mara Wilson Sunday, Sept. 18 OMAHA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Joslyn Art Museum’s Witherspoon Hall, 2200 Dodge St. 2 p.m., $33 omahasymphony.org As the leaves begin to consider changing color and the temperatures contemplate adjusting downward, Symphony Joslyn comes to life again this month in a genial concert. Beethoven’s 4th Symphony gets top billing. The least-frequently-heard of his nine has charmed hearers over and over with its many tender moments, humorous passages, song-like elements and energetic

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ACRYLIC ON WOOD PANEL PAINTING OF LINDA HATFIELD FEATURED IN PURA VIDA

SHAKESPEARE’S DOG UNO Theatre, Weber Fine Arts Building, 6001 Dodge St. Opens Wednesday, Sept. 28 Wed.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., $5-$16 Unomaha.edu

native and incoming member to the gallery. New people, terrain, plants, animals, colors, textures and ideas experienced while traveling inspired Pura Vida: Impressions of Costa Rica, an exhibit that features art in a variety of media including paintings, prints, drawings and 3D work as well. In addition artists will host demonstrations, printmaking workshop (all ages) and studio tours from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11 and Sunday, Sept. 18. — Michael J. Krainak Through Sept. 30 MYSTERIUM Modern Arts Midtown, 3615 Dodge St. Opening Reception: Friday, Sept. 2, 6-8 p.m. modernartsmidtown.com In early chemistry “Mysterium” was what alchemists called any of various unknown elements thought to make up existing forms of matter. This old definition seems perfect for defining the special, enigmatic relationship we have with art. Mysterium is also, fittingly, Modern Art Midtown’s newest exhibit. The show focuses on abstraction and features six artists whose work and process gives a nod to unpredictability, texture and consciousness. John Andrews’ graphic circular paintings layer wax and pigment in thin layers to reveal intricacies beneath their surfaces. Janet Eskridge uses combinations of encaustic, paper, objects and stitching for her assemblages that serve as containers for memory. Justin Meyers balances simple subject matter with an eccentric approach, utilizing graphite and charcoal to connect more immedi-

SUSAN KNIGHT, HAND CUT PAPER ON THE BANKS OF THE AMAZON, PHOTOGRAPH

ately with viewers. Medium becomes the focus in Steve Mueller’s works that combine mined pigments, paper, and reactive process to establish unique, unexpected compositions. Michael Tegland showcases the intimacy of his process with meticulous markings in graphite, connecting the viewer to the artist’s hand. Graceann Warn’s layered surfaces in encaustic, oils and paper reflect her abstractions inspired by archaeology.

— Melinda Kozel Through Oct. 1

“LUKE MATT,” AN ACRYLIC ON CANVAS BY PAIGE MODLIN

JESS BENJAMIN AND SUSAN KNIGHT Gallery 72, 1806 Vinton St. Opening Reception: Friday, Sept. 9, 6-9 p.m. Gallery Hours: Wed.-Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. gallery72.com Jess Benjamin and Susan Knight combine art and science in their new exhibition, Empty and Full in a hope to gather the attention of the audience and teach them about conserving and improving our water sources. Gallery 72 explains on their website, “Benjamin uses her western Nebraska heritage and ceramic artworks to make us consider droughts.” They also state, “Knight’s hand cut forms and pods address water’s physical and metaphysical powers to unite, circulate, connect and sustain.” Through experiencing something and then sharing that experience, it is the artists hope we will continue the discussion. The same would ring true if you purchased a piece of the artwork. You may also continue the discussion on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. during the exhibition’s gallery talk.

Shakespeare’s Dog is taking the UNO stage in the play by Rick Chafe adapted from Leon Rooke’s comic novel. Therein Hooker convinces the sometime Elizabethan actor to give up the makeup and pick up the ink feather, positing that long-lived fame never comes from performances that flicker and flame but once each time, while words on paper can endure eternally. Hooker must use all his verbal skills to get his master’s voice to turn to a new page. Sitting in while the human writes, trying to inspire him, Hooker makes it clear that they live in a wild world full of unpredictable creatures, some of them human, and does all he can to get Will to wage a battle for the underdog. The animal companion is in trouble, too, accused of killing a deer on a lord’s private property, thereby facing his own dismemberment. You might also consider this a kind of a preamble to A War of Roses: Part 1: Foreign Flames, also taking the stage at UNO in November. It lets slip the dogs of war.

— Gordon Spencer

— Mara Wilson

Through Oct. 9 KRISTIN PLUHACEK: DRAWINGS Lied Art Gallery, 2500 California Plz Opening Reception: Friday, Sept. 9, 5-7 p.m. Gallery Hours: Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-6 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 1-4 p.m. creighton.edu

Through Oct. 2 KENT BELLOWS MENTORING PROGRAM Artists’ Cooperative Gallery, 405 South 11th St. Opening Reception: Friday, Sept. 2, 6-9 p.m. Gallery Hours: Sun. and Tues.-Thurs. noon-6 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. artistscoopomaha.com

“The thing that I am drawing is always the most real thing to me,” Pluhacek said in her artist statement for her new exhibit, Drawings. “Most of the drawings in this show were made over a period of one year, and as part of the continuous experience of my life.” Pluhacek’s drawings and paintings have been exhibited extensively in fine arts galleries and museums all across the Midwest. She is a

BFA graduate of Creighton University and is returning to the campus for this exhibition. “In order to shed the narrative language of the everyday and fully experience the things as I drew them, I often visually warmed up with quick, small drawings made on scraps of my regular drawing papers. When grouped together in this gallery, I think that they make a powerful statement about the beauty of the inconsequential.” Her other work can be viewed at Anderson/O’Brien Gallery and MLB Designs in Kansas City, MO.

— Mara Wilson Through Oct. 16 SISTER ACT Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St. Opens Friday, Sept. 16 Wed.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2:00 p.m., $32-$42 Omahaplayhouse.com Sister Act, the movie from 1992 was a hit, because Whoopi Goldberg rocked the character of Deloris Van Cartier or perhaps better known as, Sister May Clarence. The catchy tunes mixed with the paradoxical humor of a

Students participating in the Kent Bellows Mentoring Program at Joslyn Art Museum will exhibit their own creations in a professional setting at the Artists’ Cooperative Gallery. The artists will exhibit a wide range of media including ceramics, digital art, fashion, painting and drawing in this exhibition at the Artists’ Co-op, which includes outreach and education activities as part of its nonprofit mission. Kent Bellows Mentoring Program enrolls teenagers from over 25 local high schools including schools from OPS, Blair, Council Bluffs, Treynor, La Vista, Bellevue, Lincoln, Norfolk and Gretna. The program began in 2008 with 15 students and currently enrolls over 70 students. KBMP is designed to support the needs of emerging youth artists and is shaped by talents of the professional artist community and the fundamentals of fine arts practices.

— Michael J. Krainak Through Oct. 8

FROM KRISTIN PLUHACEK’S NEW EXHIBIT, DRAWINGS

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SEPTEMBER 2016

Through Oct. 28 COMEDY FOR ALL, TRAGEDY FOR NONE Fred Simon Gallery, 1004 Farnam St Opens Friday, Sept. 2 artscouncil.nebraska.gov

PHOTOGRAPHER ALEXANDER BONHAM-CARTER’S “UNTITLED” FROM HIS SERIES BELONGINGS

Reno nightclub singer being thrown into a convent carried the show through whimsical, yet anxious climactic chase scenes. Broadway has taken this movie and turned it into a smash musical comedy. This uplifting show, nominated for five Tony Award, features original music by eight-time Oscar winner Alan Menken. Experience the adventure of Deloris and her sisters in a new way, as you witness this exciting show with a touching story.

— Mara Wilson

is dangerous. Is it a possible future? Well, it is history. See Adolf Hitler personified at Bluebarn Theatre in The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, Bertolt Brecht’s blunt picture of a citizenry hoodwinked by image-makers, then dominated by such a deadly hoodlum and his vicious gang. Brecht’s style is well-known for eschewing realism and, instead, depicting detached behavior by characters taking inevitable steps. Director Susan Clement-Toberer has underscored the almost vaudevillian potential of the production by having some of the 17-person cast performing on musical instruments, but further intends to be more contemporary by using videography.

— Gordon Spencer Through Oct. 21 ALEXANDER BONHAM-CARTER Garden of the Zodiac Gallery, 1042 Howard St. Opens Thursday, Sept. 22 Gallery Hours: Tues.-Sat. noon-8 p.m. and Sun. noon-6 p.m. facebook.com/TheGardenOfTheZodiac

THE RESISTABLE RISE OF ARTURO UI

Through Oct. 16 THE RESISTIBLE RISE OF ARTURO UI Bluebarn Theatre, 1106 South 10th St. Opens Thursday, Sept. 22 Thurs.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. (Oct. 2, 9, 16) 6 p.m., $25-$30 www.bluebarn.org A sleazy, ignorant thug whose physical presence seems almost a cartoon achieves massive fame and seizes power in spite of reasonable people warning the public he

SEPTEMBER 2016

One adage in defense of art is “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” but when the eye is prompting the art, what happens? The Nebraska Arts Council ventured to answer this question with its first exhibit featuring a curator rather than an artist to fill the Fred Simon Gallery. Alex Priest has been granted the task to bring together three artists to comprise Comedy for All, Tragedy for None. Priest’s eye for the curious, the distinct and the memorable has shown itself before as both a curator & an architectural historian. The group of artists and the works he’s selected intend to place the audience as beholder to search for their own personal meaning. Installation artist Sarah Jones creates spaces by layering form, color and light in both recognizable and abstract objects so viewers can create their own experiences. Norman Melichar embraces the eye of the beholder philosophy in his mask and assemblages—created from items others have deemed as trash. He injects joy and character into his pieces to reveal a story. Dawn Smith’s paintings reveal her own personal reflections and attempt to ignite common themes amongst the audience.

— Melinda Kozel

PAINTING BY DAWN SMITH

referred to as science future combining elements of science and fiction in all mediums that defy easy classification. Who are the visionaries of today, and what do they forecast about the uneasy, yet necessary relationship of science, nature and the creative impulse the future so depends upon? This is the subtext along with others that concerns the next group exhibition organized by the Omaha Public Library in its downtown venue, the Michael Phipps Gallery. Science Future is a multimedia exhibition featuring the scientific and futuristic impulses of Travis Apel, Launa Bacon, and Reagan Pufall. Together, the show statement says, their work mines imagery from science and science fiction, exploring and complicating relationships within their parallel worlds.

— Michael J. Krainak

Through Oct. 30 SCIENCE FUTURE Michael Phipps Gallery of the W. Dale Clark Library, 215 S 15th St. Opening Reception: Friday, Sept. 9, 4-6 p.m. omahapubliclibrary.org Science fiction (The Martian), science myth (Star Wars Epic) and science fantasy (The Avengers) continue to capture the imagination of filmgoers regardless of age group or point of view. The genre and its subtext live on. But the world of fine art has explored a broader vision often

Still-life photographer Alexander Bonham-Carter uses his lens as a window to the past as well as the present, reminding us we are the product of what we collect and consume. Born in Omaha, but now a Kansas City resident, Bonham-Carter has not only fond memories of the home in which he grew up, but realized in college that he and his fellow students were bringing with them objects that connected them to their pasts, squeezing photos and other collectibles into their cramped living spaces. Belongings, a series of color photographs of domestic interiors, display those uniquely personal treasures that have found enshrinement on the walls, tabletops and bookshelves of our homes. A separate photographic series, Junk Food Misconceptions, seems to challenge the industry’s attempts to “healthify” our favorite comestibles with lame tweaks to their lacking nutritional values. With their juicy cheeseburgers and bowls of sugary cereal placed into fine dining tropes — complete with silver service and linen tablecloths — Bonham-Carter’s emulations of professional cuisine photography smilingly call attention to the veneer of respectability we confer on such guilty pleasures.

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— Janet L. Farber

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THE ARTWORK OF REGAN PUFALL IS INCLUDED IN THE EXHIBITION, SCIENCE FUTURE

Bicycle Friendly Destinations Bike racks and fist bumps

The concept is simple: people who bicycle love those who support them. Whether you offer a discount to those who ride in, provide showers for your employees, or just give a smile and a fist bump when someone rides in, we want to tell everyone about you! Businesses, employers, and property managers are partnering with Omaha Bikes to get more folks out riding and we love them for it.

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If you want to be added to our list, email us at bfd@omahabikes.org with why you are bike friendly and we’ll get in touch with the next steps.

What do you get out of it?

Aside from bicyclists flocking to your door, you’ll get a sticker for your window/ door with your score, listed on our website, and free promotion of your destination via our email newsletter, social media, and/or space in our monthly ad in The Reader!

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saveayou a seat.) .) (We’ll save(We’ll you seat

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heartlandhealing HEARTLAND HEALING is a metaphysically-based polemic describing alternatives to conventional methods of healing the body, mind and planet by MICHAEL BRAUNSTEIN. It is provided as information and entertainment, certainly not medical advice. Important to remember and pass on to others: for a weekly dose of Heartland Healing, visit HeartlandHealing.com. .

HOLISTICVSCONVENTIONAL T

here are two kinds of medicine being practiced in the United States and mostly they are diametrically opposed. One form is of the traditional sort, used for thousands of years, that engages nature and our human relationship to healing. It treats the human being as whole, acknowledging that the entire essence of a human works together in achieving health. It supports the natural ability of a human to heal. Every part of a human cannot be disengaged from any other part. It treats the whole being. This system can be called holistic. To summarize, it works with nature by supporting the whole being’s ability to heal. The other kind of medical approach can be called allopathic or conventional. It sees illness as an isolated malfunction to be attacked with pharmaceutical drugs and technologies. It targets a specific rather than the whole system. When it sees a malady in the body, it narrows in on what it believes to be the exact cause of that symptom. For example, it sees influenza as the result of one specific cause: a flu virus. Allopathic medicine believes that if that virus is targeted and killed by a chemical agent (the drug Tamiflu, for example) the illness will go away. An arthritic knee will be replaced by a titanium mechanism. Diabetes will be “cured” by injecting insulin. An earache requires antibiotics that kill bacteria even though the exact cause of the earache is not understood. A sleep disorder like apnea is treated by cutting away part of the interior of the buccal cavity or attaching a machine to pump air all night long, rather than addressing the underlying causes; causes that may range from diet, alcohol use, overweight, stress. Admittedly, the Western approach is the “quick fix” and the holistic approach may take some commitment. We’ve gotta get something straight here. Unless we call something by its right name, how can we know what we’re talking about? Let me explain. Viewers of American television coverage of the recent Olympic spectacle saw media types go all google-eyed (yes, that was an adjective before a certain monolithic internet empire appropriated part of it as a brand) over bruises and marks on our swimmers’ bodies. Media kindly informed that the bruises were due to the ancient Chinese healing technique known as “cupping” the USA trainers were using on our swimmers to heal and relax muscles. Well, that’s close to true, just about a solar system away. Actually, calling what they were doing an “ancient Chinese technique” is like referring to vodka as “potato juice”: there is some slight, remote, distant relationship but boy, what a difference. The American sports trainers’ version of “cupping” used mechanical vacuum pumping cups placed against the swimmers’ skin, violently sucking tissue and dermis into the cup. And they presumably did mechanically release adhesions and draw blood to the muscles. But the way, means and results were far removed from the method used by the traditional Chinese practitioner. And this is precisely the misguided consequence from the Western adaptation of a traditional medical practice. American medicine continually thinks it can take something that works subtly in tune with nature and make it bigger, harder, more concentrated, more violent and that it’s going to work better. If something is good, the Western mindset says, “More, bigger is better.” It’s just not so. Oh, and coincidentally, “more, bigger,” usually means “more profitable,” too.

East Doesn’t Meet West

America’s recent love affair with “alternative” medicine has been evolving for over 60 years. Even in the earliest part of the 20th century, with the exposition of India and China to the modern world, we dabbled in mysticism and the Eastern world’s deep-seated connection to nature, including its application of natural practices for healing. Along with the metaphysical side of Eastern culture, embraced by such as Madame Blavatsky, Henry Olcott and William Judge, Western culture was re-introduced to naturalistic medicine, which, though not fully previously abandoned by the West, had

SEPTEMBER 2016

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heartland healing

Good Medicine Gone Bad BY MICHAEL BRAUNSTEIN

been overtaken by the technological and industrial revolution that commandeered much of European and American development. Historically and parallel to the East, the West had developed its own naturalistic approaches to healing based on what was available to a relatively younger culture in a totally divergent geographical region. But a battle was engaged. Pharmaceutical companies were in the lead and taking charge. Mankind had lived in and with nature for all of time, and when experience and tradition taught man that certain practices and certain plants could alleviate suffering and promote healing, man took to it and passed it on by oral, then written, tradition. In the 19th century, the compendium of medical knowledge in the West included herbs and techniques proven by time. But along came Big Pharma. Well, it wasn’t actually that big to start with, but it was successfully profit-driven.

Massage in a Bottle

Nascent drug companies were smart. They had seen plant-based remedies work for centuries. Herbalists found willow bark (as well as dozens of other plants) eased pain. Jesuit apothecaries watched natives of South America cure malaria with bark of the Cinchona tree in the 1500s and followed suit. The milky juice of the poppy slurred speech and eliminated pain. Teas of the common foxglove could stem chest pain and cure dropsy. But leave it to Western medicine to observe, analyze, reduce and monetize Mother Nature. You can’t patent a willow tree but you can extract the alkaloid, call it aspirin and make billions of dollars from it. Same with quinine, morphine and digitalis. And 150 years later, our greatest health crisis is addiction to pharmaceutical drugs — derived initially from whole-plant medicines. Look, I’m not a physiologist or a doctor. But I do understand what bruising is. If one stops but for a moment to consider the American sports trainers use of their perverse version of cupping and apply some common sense to it, how can a bruise of that severity be a good thing? Bruising doesn’t facilitate healing. It’s an anomaly and results from blood being in a part of the body where it shouldn’t be, the interstitial spaces outside of the vessels, capillaries and tissues where blood should remain. It’s not doing any good outside the tissue. Getting blood into the neighborhood of the stressed muscle is like a bald man eating hairballs in the hope of growing hair on his head. Granted, their “cupping” may get some blood back into the damaged muscles but using a hammer to kill a gnat is going to cause more collateral damage than a drone war. Westernizing a traditional medical approach obscures the reasons that the holistic approach worked in the first place and will likely result in either no benefit or limited benefit. In this case, the cup is half-empty. Be well. ,

Caffeine Dreams opened at the turn of the century in a building that was built at the turn of the century before that. Located in midtown Omaha at 4524 Farnam Street, a beautiful example of Sullivanesque commercial architecture, the small-batch coffee roaster has wonderful food and drink to go along with its historic atmosphere. Caffeine Dreams serves its own house-roasted singleorigin and house-blend coffees along with a selection of coffee drinks, truly fine teas, smoothies, hot chocolate, sodas and other beverages. Patrons can enjoy artisanal baked goods and light cafe fare like wraps and sandwiches, with some vegan-friendly and gluten-free offerings in the mix.

OLIBA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

FREE WIFI IS AVAILABLE ONSITE, and local artists often showcase works for sale on the premises. Caffeine Dreams also hosts occasional entertainers and speakers, so no two visits are quite the same. Caffeine Dreams is open seven days a week. For more information, visitÂ www.caffeinedreams.com, search @CaffeineDreamsOmaha on Facebook or call 402.932.2803.

Everyday Heroes Oct. 9, 2016

Baxter Arena & Aksarben Village 67th & Center

honor one. save one. be one.

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SEPTEMBER 2016

greenscene

‘greenmeansGO: Don Preister believes now is a great time to focus on renewable energy with costs decreasing and efficiencies improving. He said the benefits all point to renewable energy being a good way to move the city forward.

SEPTEMBER 2016

greenbellevue

on Preister, Green Bellevue president and Bellevue City Councilman (Ward 5), started Green Bellevue in 2009. Through the organization, approximately 600 volunteers work on a host of different activities including Earth Day and Arbor Day programs, recycling efforts, wildlife habitat cleanup, Green Schools and Clean Energy programs. Preister said they also focus on water quality and sustainable gardening. “This year, we dispersed milkweed bombs with the help of cyclists from Nebraska and Iowa. People participating in RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa)

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green scene

Embracing Renewable Energy BY CHERIL LEE PHOTOGRAPHT BY DEBRA S. KAPLAN

took the bombs with them and disseminated them along the roadways in spots where the plants have the best chance of taking. The milkweed plant is great for attracting butterflies,” Preister explained. Green Bellevue has been working to help educate people through its monthly meetings which are open to the public. The last one was on solar energy, which is a renewable energy Preister said is becoming much more viable as prices go down and the technology matures. “Some students at Creighton University did a study in conjunction with the city and county on the Cedar Island landfill in Bellevue,” he said. “Its 35 acres with a good slope for solar

panels. The students presented that study to both the city and the county so that now we have a good foundation of what we might be able to do.” Bellevue is also developing a community solar project, so they have been working with OPPD to get their approval so the city can move ahead with that effort. “Tim Burke, CEO of OPPD, said he is working on putting something together for the OPPD board to look at and pass,” said Preister, “so we are just waiting for that to happen.” In the meantime, Bellevue has made some changes to its zoning codes that have streamlined the process homeowners, businesses

and those interested in installing solar energy have to go through. “In 2011, the city was updating all of its zoning codes,” he said. “During that process, we made a number of changes to the boilerplate standard code. We had things put in and made the code more user-friendly,” he said. Part of the problem was that Bellevue had outdated zoning codes that contained certain height requirements and specific locations of where solar panels could be located. Preister said there were also connectivity and hookup installation requirements that required having more technical engineering work done. He said those requirements have been eliminated. So rather than having to pay expensive professional engineers, professional installers trained with the same skill sets are able to do that work. This means that while you still need a permit for solar panel installation like you do for any electrical hookup, there are now no additional fees or charges as was previously the case solar projects. “Our process has been tested by installers and homeowners who have had them put on since we upgraded the code and they found the process easy, user-friendly and convenient,” said Preister. For its part, the city has already started working with renewable energy. Green Bellevue has partnered with the city since its inception and worked with them to install 25 megawatts of solar energy on the new public safety building located at 1510 Wall Street. “It’s a retrofit of an old building,” Preister said. “Now it’s all energy-efficient with highefficiency HVAC, added insulation, dimmer switches and motion detectors on the lights and solar panels on the roof generating electricity.” And that’s not all. The city got a grant from the Nebraska Environmental Trust to purchase two electric vehicles and two charging stations with four ports. They purchased the vehicles at less than half the normal sticker price with grant money and rebates. “And we used the electricity that is generated from the solar panels on the roof to charge those vehicles,” Preister added. And students at the University of Nebraska at Omaha are recording and collecting data on the vehicles. After about a year of use, the city has put just under 14,000 miles on the vehicles that have used approximately 4,200 kilowatt hours. They have saved approximately $1,200 in fuel costs and reduced their CO2 emissions by over 11,000 pounds.

“So we are not just using the electric vehicles by charging them from energy generated from coal,” he said. “We are actually charging them from clean electricity and getting a pretty closed loop in the energy process. The first step was changing the code that applies to any resident or business and having the city set the example by installing solar panels and purchasing electric vehicles and charging stations.” The city has given one of the charging stations to Bellevue University who installed it on their campus. Preister said it’s a good way for the city to spread a message of thinking green. The city also has plans to renovate a second building on its campus. “We are looking at repeating the original process by installing more solar panels to generate more electricity in that building,” Preister said. “Now that we have this experience and can see the cost saving and benefits to the taxpayers, we will also install additional charging stations and purchase a couple more electric vehicles.” A lot of the citizens of Bellevue wanted their city to be a cleaner, greener place and that is the main reason Preister started Green Bellevue. Now, the mayor sees the value of the organization’s initiatives and the city council sees the cost savings to the taxpayers. Preister believes now is a great time to focus on renewable energy with costs decreasing and efficiencies improving. He said the benefits all point to renewable energy being a good way to move the city forward. “Community solar gardens will be good for those who live in apartments or who live in a house that doesn’t face the right direction or has too many trees. Certain houses have challenges that make it difficult to put up a solar collector,” he said. And doing it yourself can end up being expensive. Plus, not everyone knows how to install solar panels. By pooling resources, a larger, more utility-scaled solar garden can be developed so that the cost per kilowatt is lower than an individual project on a single house would be. “A resident could get something that has better angles, generation and capacity and have someone else put the package together for them,” he explained. “They would just have to invest in it. Then they could get the benefits of clean solar energy and take advantage of the energy generated from it.” , Visit greenbellevue.org for additional info.

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SEPTEMBER 2016

MahaMoved

Annual Music Festival Struck a Fine Balance Between Rock, Punk and Dance STORY AND PHOTO BY TIM MCMAHAN

overtheedge

ocal history will look upon the 2016 Maha Music Festival maybe not as a game changer, but certainly as a course change from the direction the festival was headed after seven years of growing success. It was a course that had to change if Maha wanted to keep it moving forward. After last year’s “sold out” festival that featured Modest Mouse, Purity Ring and Atmosphere among others, a satisfied indie music audience was left scratching their heads wondering, “What can Maha do to top this?” The answer: Don’t try to “top” anything. Instead of bigger, make it different by catering to a younger crowd while not losing track of who brought you to the party. Or, as singer/songwriter/musician Matthew Sweet said from the stage, the festival appeared to be “somewhat divided.” He didn’t say exactly where that division fell, but it was obvious to anyone with a modicum of pop music knowledge and a set of functioning ears. Matthew Sweet’s band fell into the more mainstream rock acts that included somber alt-country band Jay Farrar Trio, British alt-power trio The Joy Formidable and local indie-blues showman Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal. The dance-centric / beatcentric bands included CJ Mills, Vince Staples, Grimes and official headliner Passion Pit. While punk was defined by Diarrhea Planet, Car Seat Headrest, Diet Cig and See Through Dresses. So yeah, this year’s Maha Festival (which took place Aug. 20 at Aksarben Village) enjoyed a sort of a personality disorder that some might consider divisive and others might consider eclectic. I fell into the latter category. Or as one person told me— this year’s festival had a level of diversity matched only by the crowd itself (at least from an age perspective. From a racial point of view, Maha’s audience still lacked color). Notes from the day: Heavy rains that had struck Omaha the night before had their way both with Stinson Park’s turf — a soaking mess — and the sound system on the massive Weitz stage. Not only did the festival get a late start, but early-day bands scheduled to play the big stage were moved to the smaller Javlin stage. When I arrived after 1 p.m., Josh Hoyer and his band were in the middle of their usual swinging, professional set. Punk rock duo Diet Cig followed with a performance that far outshone their rather lax effort a few months earlier opening for Front Bottoms at The Slowdown. Front woman Alex Luciano said from the stage she thought she had a concussion at that Slowdown show, but her head trauma wasn’t enough for her to forget that Ted Cruz had dropped out of the race that same night leaving “He Who Shall Not Be Named” alone in the GOP race. “We’re living in a Harry Potter world, do you realize that?” she said before kicking into another high-kickfueled punk song. Diet Cig’s crowd looked larger than early-day crowds from past Mahas — a testimony to the band and festival organizers’ chutzpah for putting on such a comer so early in the day. A sharp, road-hardened See Through Dresses, whose sound isn’t dissimilar to Diet Cig’s, took the Javlin stage next, pounding out a short set of ‘90sflavored indie rock songs that vacillated between Dinosaur Jr. (when Matt Carroll sang leads) and, I don’t know, Juliana Hatfield? when Sara Bertuldo sang (though no one quite has Sara’s sweet coo). Throughout the festival, time between acts was filled with other local entertainment — slam poetry readings, swing dance lessons and, best of all, a performance by two Omaha Girls Rock! bands: Fear the Wisteria Juice and, my favorite, Citrus Mountains, who had the audience clapping along. Future Maha stars? Which brings us to the food portion of our show. Foodwise, the festival had more options than last year, most resembling food truck fare. I mistakenly ordered lunch

SEPTEMBER 2016

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over the edge

from the lone “healthy option” — a strawberry salad that lacked strawberries. Don’t let anyone tell you that it’s impossible to screw up an $8 salad. My fish & chips for dinner was far more satisfying, though a lot less healthy. I would like to say I got loaded on Boulevard beer, except Maha continues to use a “drink ticket” system. I tea-totaled because I was too lazy to walk all the way to the fairway to get more tickets. Jay Farrar Trio, the first band to take the big stage, came on at around 4 p.m. Consisting of an acoustic, electric and pedal steel guitar, the group played soothing renditions of songs from the 1995 Son Volt album Trace that would have been perfect had the set been scheduled two or three hours later when the sun was going down. Farrar fans watched with pride, little knowing what they were in for next. One of Diarrhea Planet’s claims to fame is the fact they have four —count ‘em four — guitar players. Some might call it overkill; their fans only wanted more. Not so much punk as pop-metal, the band was massive in its audacity, sounding much better live than on their records. Moshing did ensue. Unwilling to be topped in the power category, The Joy Formidable took the big stage and crushed a set of arena-quality hard rock. Imagine a band like Stars but with epic guitar riffs that pushed songs into Garbage (the band) territory. I admit to knowing little if anything of their catalog, and, afterward, was unlikely to seek it out. Which brought us to the five-band home stretch and the act I was most excited to see. After a quick pitch job by billionaire Warren Buffett to get out and vote (“Your vote could decide the election!”), Car Seat Headrest played a sweet set that included at least three songs from the album Teens of Denial (2016, Matador), including “Vincent,” “Destroyed by Hippie Power” and anthem “Drunk Drivers / Killer Whales,” not

to mention a daring, soaring version of David Bowie’s “Blackstar” that recently has become a standard part of their set. Throughout Car Seat Headrest’s performance, some guy stood on the big stage and did a mic check. “Look, it’s Grimes,” said frontman Will Toledo. I guess that’s what happens at rock festivals when two stages are so close together. Reaction after their set: People were either thrilled with Carseat Head Rest or indifferent. The same was true for hip-hop act Vince Staples. Staples’ highly lauded full-length debut, Summertime ‘06 (2015, Def Jam), ain’t my thing. I prefer a

more tuneful brand of hip hop and, as such, his performance left me cold, but like Atmosphere, who supplied the hip-hop last year, Staples got the bouncing crowd with their hands in the air even though few could make out a word of his rushed prose. It was the beat that mattered, which could’ve been another good slogan for this year’s Maha Festival. Next up, local legacy indie rocker Matthew Sweet and his band (Paul Chastain and Ric Menck of Velvet Crush, plus guitarist John More-

men) performed a set consisting mostly of songs from breakthrough album Girlfriend (1991, Zoo) which no doubt his fans came to hear. As Sweet toiled on the small stage, a now huge crowd stood impatiently in front of the big stage waiting for him to wrap up what felt like a very long set. You could feel them seethe in anticipation, and when Sweet announced, “This is our last song,” they cheered, providing energy to fuel a feedback-drenched version of “Sick of Myself,” complete with a few extra false endings just to keep everyone on edge. Attaboy, Matthew. Then came the headliner, well, as far as I was concerned. I’m sure there are reasons why Grimes didn’t headline, including a few provided by singer/songwriter/ producer Claire Elise Boucher, who is pistol-hot right now thanks to a hit song on the new Suicide Squad soundtrack that is the film’s only redeeming quality. Per form i n g alone but accompanied by three dancers, Grimes sang pitchperfect atop a dense gallery of pre-recorded samples and beats, bounding back to her computer console every once in a while to press a button or key. Add lighting, walls of smoke and a few thousand glowing fans, and you’ve got the highlight performance of the festival. You could argue it was EDM karaoke, but there was a tunefulness and energy to Grimes’ music that floated the performance. How many people left after Grimes is hard to say, but there’s no question the crowd deflated slightly while technicians swapped equipment on stage for the “real” headliner, Passion Pit, and Team Maha made their thank yous and took group photos from the adjacent stage. What can I say about Passion Pit? The band belted out their sugary-sweet dance music designed to inspire this year’s tagline, “Maha Moves.” And move they did, in my case right out of the park, but then again, I’ve never watched a Maha headliner’s full set. So yes, it was another successful Maha Festival, even though attendance was down vs. last year (7,600 according to the Omaha World-Herald). The conventional wisdom from fans I spoke with was Maha’s move to a more dance-oriented line-up was necessary to keep it from gaining a rep as “that old indie-guy rock concert.” To me, beyond being a daylong concert that showcases some of the hottest indie talent from today and yesterday, the Maha Festival has evolved into a community event that showcases the best the city has to offer. Forget bigger. Just figure out how to maintain this level of quality and Maha will have done something that no other city in the country could pull off. , Over The Edge is a monthly column by Reader senior contributing writer Tim McMahan focused on culture, society, music, the media and the arts. Email Tim at tim.mcmahan@gmail.com

over the edge

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SEPTEMBER 2016

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orne from outrage over violent AfricanAmerican deaths, the grassroots Black Lives Matter movement espouses a social action platform to end systemic violence against and mass incarceration of a people. BLM’s loose-knit activists advocate diverting funds from militarized to community policing and to supporting quality of life indicators. All this resonates across the nation. In Omaha, tensions exist between the African-American community and police and gaps persist in black health, education, housing and employment. BLM activists here and elsewhere have inserted themselves into the political process through protests aimed at disrupting the status quo and campaigns that raise awareness about social

WEMATTER: Right:

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Allen Stevenson Below: Gabrielle Gaines Liwaru

SEPTEMBER 2016

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Omaha Activists Advocate for Change STORY BY LEO ADAM BIGA PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEBRA S. KAPLAN

injustice. This movement without a leader or structure is a catalyst for citizens getting involved to address issues. The Reader spoke with local BLM activists whose voices are engaged in various public forums. Nebraska Writers Collective deputy director Michelle Troxclair has long railed against perceived wrongs, including wrongful killings. She’s seen initiatives come and go. “In all this protesting we have to have a unified message of what we want — that we are not disposable people. Throughout our history we have been considered everything from chattel to cattle, and based on studies I’ve seen, not much has changed. So Black Lives Matter represents our voice that we deserve respect and basic human rights guaranteed in the constitution — life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. “The movement’s about self-love and self-empowerment as well as making systemic changes. I’ve seen it in the way black men and women wear their hair, dress and walk. I look at our young people and they are not apologetic for their blackness.” She likes BLM’s strong language. “There’s a war on terror, a war on drugs and to that extent, yes, there’s a war on black people. To maintain power and notions of superiority you have to eliminate the competition through education, dehumanization, emasculation and economic means. This is how you completely decimate a community.” Poet Allen Stevenson said, “I definitely support the movement expressing frustration over the brutality.” He and others have their say on heavy topics at open mic nights. Musician Dominique Morgan, co-administrator of the Omaha BLM page, said despite differences, “Our blackness is what unites us. We can’t allow division. That’s what will hinder us in the long run — folks trying to appropriate a whole movement.” Troxclair has organized and attended rallies, held signs, spoken her mind. She’s drafted and circulated a petition of demands. Now she wants others to assume the mantle. “When I look back at how long I’ve been doing this and nothing’s changed, I’m ready to pass the baton to others on the front-lines. I feel like my calling is as a poet with a microphone — that’s where I think I can make the most difference.”

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Until BLM, Morgan’s activism was confined to LGBT rights. “This the first time I’ve seen a movement where my sectionalities as a gay black man meet. These identities that so strongly represent who I am made it doubly

important for me to be aware and also to have a voice in what’s happening, especially in a place I call home. I realized I have a stake in this. It made me go harder in advocating for black folks. “This movement is waking people up.” Art educator Gabrielle Gaines Liwaru awakened years ago and uses BLM to reach disaffected youth. “When I work with kids I try to teach them to question things and not to accept everything they’re told — to keep searching for the whole truth and story and needing to move with purpose.” She said BLM provides a vehicle to discuss “absent narratives about black life and history,” adding, “There are certain systemic racist powers that prefer it to look like our contributions don’t matter and that hypershowcase negative aspects and issues to deconstruct or denigrate black lives.” BLM has emboldened her to speak out. At a recent public hearing she advocated the city budget fund mandatory anti-bias, diversity and mental health training for police. Gaines Liwaru said BLM must not be just media fodder or a stage for a few. “The movement continues whether televised or not because we have solidarity for a cause. But I see it fizzling out if people don’t do behind-the-scenes rallying to demand the reform within policies. We can’t assume someone else will carry the torch for justice … at hearings or in elections. Rallies won’t mean change or justice — unless we show up to have a say.”

Stevenson said, “I applaud what the movement is doing because people are standing up and making life uncomfortable. The racism discussion is being had. When you have a group feeling suppressed for an extremely long time, something has to give. That frustration and rage needs to go somewhere and that’s where it’s happening.” Minister Tony Sanders said, “If this emotion is not channeled in the right direction, you will have continued civil unrest or rogue individuals taking the opportunity to further divide us instead of unite us.” Stevenson said it’s hard remaining calm after a new blue on black incident claims another victim. “Even if there’s an investigation, the determination is there’s no crime and we’re left with nothing except to stew on that frustration,” he said. “Then the next thing happens and the cycle continues. How much of that can you really stand?” He gets that BLM is a platform for people to vent or debate, but, he said, “Once you create this discussion, what do you do next? I would like to see something different. It can’t be just like the same old.” “My hope is our collective voices speaking about the injustices of our people will migrate into calls for action and overdue change,” said Voice Advocacy founder-director Clarice Jackson. “I believe we are seeing that happen now and will see more of this in the future.” “There are fires going,” Dominique Morgan said. “We have to fan it to make it grow stronger.” Some are not waiting for change. Thirty-something social entrepreneur Ean Mikale is running for mayor with the slogan, “Be the Change.” And 17-year-old Maurice Jones, vice chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party Black Caucus, is running for the Omaha City Council. “I hope my candidacy will inspire others my age to enter public life,” said Jones, adding that he wants to amplify the voices of people who go unheard in the political system. On the streets, Stevenson said blacks face real fears of being profiled. “If you get pulled over by the police,

you tell yourself, ‘Survive through this – cooperate.’ But there are people who cooperated and still faced horrible fates. For us to have to teach this extra element is stressful because you have to confront some of your worst fears over something that shouldn’t even be. I think of my sons and I’m like, I need you to live.” Rev. Sanders confronts fear head-on in town halls he hosts called S.O.S. (Saving Our Sons). “The first installment, ‘The Talk,’ taught AfricanAmerican males how to interact with law enforcement should they encounter them,” he said. “No one ever had that conversation with me. I had to learn it the hard way. That’s more common than not.” Troxclair bemoans the lengths she must go to to instruct her son on what to say and do should he be detained. “I’m resentful white mothers don’t have to have these conversations. It’s not a question of cops doing their jobs or good cops versus bad cops, — it is the innate belief some officers have when they enter into an encounter with African-Americans.” She asserts some officers are prone to overreact because they assume blacks are threats. She acknowledges that’s not the whole story. “All officers are not bad people. I learned that when I coordinated the Michael Brown protest. I had bail money in the glove compartment of my car. Instead, I was met with kindness and great cooperation.” Sanders calls for unity from the pulpit and the street. He is part of coalitions working with police to remedy alleged discrimination. “We’re standing, working and moving forward together for there to be a change in policing,” Sanders said. “There has to be more transparency and accountability. We’re working on specific things to make that action and change a measurable, tangible reality. We’re sitting down saying, OK, what can we do to resolve this issue? How do we learn to coexist? “There will never be equality if there’s a segment of the population not viewed as equal. How do I change that in you? I can’t legislate that. No policy can make you see me as equal. We have a tendency to

be afraid of and treat differently that which we don’t understand. It requires we get together so we learn about each other. Then our fears dissipate and we look at each other from a humane perspective.”

WEMATTER: Clockwise: Dominique Morgan, Michelle Troxclair and Paster Tony Sanders

He is planning table talks to discuss elephants in the room like black on black crime. Clarice Jackson said, “For some, BLM is solely about the wrongful deaths of blacks at the hands of law enforcement, but as a mother who lost her daughter, Latecia Fox, to gun violence this applies to black-on-black violence as well. Black-on-black crime is a huge issue of concern, and I feel just as passionately about the injustice of it and the families it hurts as I do when some police officers feel they have the right to be judge, jury and executioners of black people.” Until action-based change results, expect BLM’s social critique that freedom still hasn’t been fully won to continue. , Read more of Leo Adam Biga’s work at leoadambiga.com.

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SEPTEMBER 2016

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FREE

artsarben.org

Arts Festival

Celebrating Five Years

September 24 - 25 | Aksarben Village | 10 am - 5 pm • Metropolitan Community College Art Marketplace • Street Performers

• Emerging Artists Market • KidZone • Food Trucks

• DIY Classes with The Makery

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MANAGED BY:

Art in Aksarben Village

he fifth annual ARTsarben, managed by the Omaha Summer Arts Festival, will again bring thousands of people to Aksarben Village for two days of browsing and buying art. Visitors will also enjoy DIY art classes, an active KidZone, live entertainment and food trucks. ARTsarben will take place along 67th and Mercy Streets at Aksarben Village, on Saturday, September 24, and Sunday, September 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Metropolitan Community College Art Marketplace

The funky sister festival to city-favorite Omaha Summer Arts Festival, ARTsarben is a high-quality, juried art show that features an artistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; market for all budgets. The Art Marketplace will showcase traditional fine art and fine craft plus offbeat, creative and stylish works created by 65 national artists visiting Omaha to display and sell their unique artwork.

Getting Involved

dditional volunteers are still being recruited for ARTsarben. Volunteers play key roles by supporting and helping the artists, assisting with kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; activities and staffing the information booth. Volunteers who give three hours or more of their time will receive a free T-shirt and a complimentary lunch coupon. Interested volunteers should visit the ARTsarben website for details.

All information is current as of August 22, 2016. Please visit artsarben.org for more information.

KidZone Offers Interactive Fun

hile the adults are shopping, children will enjoy an interactive KidZone, sponsored by First National Bank, in Stinson Park. Those anxious for fall festivities will find a mini pumpkin patch provided by Hy-Vee where kids can pick out the perfect, small pumpkin (priced at $3 or less) and then decorate it with free art supplies. There will be bounce houses to burn off extra energy and plenty of hands-on activities, including face painting for kids of all ages. Crafts and games will be offered by local non-profit organizations including Arts for All, Inc., Love’s Jazz & Art Center, Nebraska Science Festival, El Museo Latino, YMCA of Greater Omaha, Boy Scouts of America and Ted E. Bear Hollow.

Mind.Body.Soul. at Aksarben Village

About ARTsarben

oted Reader’s Choice in 2015 for Best Outdoor Festival, ARTsarben is managed by Omaha Summer Arts Festival and sponsored by Metropolitan Community College, WOWT NBC Omaha, First National Bank, The Sherwood Foundation, Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Nebraska Arts Council and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, NRG Media, Aksarben Village, College of Saint Mary, Godfather’s Pizza, The Makery, The Reader and RDG Planning & Design. For additional information about ARTsarben, visit www.artsarben.org. Become a fan on Facebook and follow the event on Twitter and Instagram (@artsarben).

or the first time, ARTsarben, the American Lung Association’s Corporate Cup 10K and 2 Mile and the Omaha Farmers Market will share Aksarben Village on Sunday, September 25. Visitors can satisfy their mental wellness by enhancing their home’s feng shui with beautiful handmade art from ARTsarben, enhance their physical fitness by registering for the 36th annual Fight for Air Corporate Cup and feed the soul with fresh, organic produce from the Omaha Farmers Market. Register as an individual or as a team for the American Lung Association’s Fight for Air Corporate Cup to help raise funds to make a positive impact in the lives of those affected by lung disease. Participants may choose from the 10K run, two-mile fun run/walk or a kids run course (100-meter dash). More information is available at www.OmahaCorporateCup.org. The Sunday Omaha Farmers Market, which takes place on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Aksarben Village, will relocate to another location in the Village during ARTsarben. A full array of more than 100 vendors offering produce, baked goods, meats, floral arrangements, and more will be at the temporary site, and all customary services will be available. For more information on the Sunday Omaha Farmers Market, visit omahafarmersmarket.com.

2016 ARTSARBEN JURIED ARTISTS THOMAS HUBBELL, CERAMICS

LIZ FERGUSON, FIBER

LISA DIAMOR SANCHEZ, MIXED MEDIA 2D

JOE & PAT WHITE, LEATHER

NAME

MEDIUM

Brad Williams

Photography

David Chleborad

BOOTH #

NAME

MEDIUM

BOOTH #

Paul Krause

Metal

Wood

Michael Michaud

Wood

Frank Costanzo

Painting

Randal Spangler

Drawing

Kristin Collier

Glass

Ruth Wright

Jewelry

Joyce Surbeck-Harris

Ceramics

Lori Murga

Glass

Denise Dendinger

Mixed Media 3D

Theresa Bockenstedt

Ceramics

Susanne Rodriguez

Jewelry

Kevin Jones

Wood

Alexey Lamansky

Mixed Media 2D

Jim McCollum

Photography

Mark Fletemeyer

Wood

Jan Raven

Jewelry

Deb Kubik

Glass

Judith Miller

Ceramics

Melinda Hutton

Jewelry

Heather Bennett

Painting

Lisa Diamor Sanchez

Mixed Media 2D

Larry Budwig

Glass

Jane Smith

Fiber

Karen Steininger

Ceramics

Benjamin Meyerdirk

Metal

15,16

Stephen Steininger

Mixed Media 2D

Suzette Nesbitt

Jewelry

Lana Leuschen

Jewelry

Carmen Dyar

Wood

Robert Lyall

Metal

Gregg Billman

Painting

Jamie Rice

Mixed Media 2D

Nicole Brin

Sculpture

Reagan Nissen-Eubank

Jewelry

Curtis Norman

Wood

Lou Hii

Fiber

Garnet Griebel-Booth

Jewelry

Charles Nolder

Photography

Veronique Loggins

Fiber

Liz Ferguson

Fiber

Ray Flower

Photography

Lorelle Carr

Painting

Thomas Hubbell

Ceramics

Chris Swedzinski

Metal

Gregory Macdonald

Wood

Joe & Pat White

Leather

Thomas Leiblein

Metal

Phillip Lamb

Metal

Gloria Shanahan

Drawing

John Hayes

Drawing

Ann-Marie Phalen-Hartman

Fiber

Adrianna Morrisette

Ceramics

LARRY BUDWIG, GLASS

RANDAL SPANGLER, DRAWING

39,40

ROBERT LYALL, METAL

STEPHEN STEININGER, MIXED MEDIA 2D

DIY with The Makery Local and National Street Performers Featured

RTsarben will feature an adult do-it-yourself (DIY) tent offering attendees an opportunity to create their own works of art. Scheduled classes will be professionally led onsite by local business The Makery. Class sizes will vary and, depending on the mix of national, regional and local performers will offer craft, will cost attendees $25 - $30 to participate. Classes will include visitors an opportunity to enjoy unique, up-close entertaindesigning your own terrarium, jewelry making, string and nail art, and ment including musicians, jugglers, singers, magicians and craft time for little makers. Online registration will be available beginning mid-August. Walk-ins will also be welcome, space permitting. more. Local Visit artsarben.org for full details. performers include

The Prairie Gators, Omaha Street Percussion and more. Little Makers’ Craft Time Nebraska String Art See artsarben.org 10am – 11am 2pm – 3pm for a complete Cost: $5/child for one craft Cost: $25/person schedule includAges 3-10 Ages: 14 and up our national Bring your little one by The Learn the unique craft of string ing Makery’s Craft Tent for some fun art. For this workshop we will first performers.

Class Schedule for Saturday and Sunday

fall crafts. We will have several crafts to choose from including Jack-o-Lantern Wall Decor, Spooky Spider Webs, and C o l o r f u l Suncatchers. Please allow 30 minutes per craft. No registration is required.

hammer nails around a State of Nebraska pattern and then we will use embroidery floss to fill in the shape. You will also learn two different outlining techniques to really make your design pop!

DIY Terrarium

4pm – 5pm Cost: $28/person Jewelry Making Ages: All ages 12pm – 1pm welcome Cost: $30/person Bring the essence of the outdoors Ages: 10 and up inside with these adorable Learn how to make a unique, terrariums. In this workshop we customized piece of jewelry. We will put together a terrarium sure will teach you how to stamp a piece to brighten not only your indoor of metal with your initial or a word space but also your mood. We will of inspiration. Then you can add provide a 5.5” glass orb terrarium, fun beads, gems or charms to 4 cute succulent plants to grow create a necklace that you’re inside, succulent soil mix, and proud to show off. lots of rocks, fairy garden décor, and knick knacks to personalize your terrarium.

Emerging Artists Market

he ARTsarben Emerging Artists program is part of an ongoing effort to cultivate and encourage local artistic talent. In its second year, this exhibit provides up-and-coming artists who have never participated in a professional, juried art show an opportunity to exhibit and sell their artwork. Seven emerging artists will participate in 2016 representing a variety of media including painting, fiber, jewelry and AARON LANGAN, WOOD photography. “I’m very excited to be a part of the Emerging Artists program,” said Aaron Langan, 2016 Emerging Artist, Wood. “It’s a great format for newer artists like myself to not only get spotlighted but mentored along the way. It’s a great opportunity and it has been very encouraging.”

Food Trucks & Vendors

Parking & Access

RTsarben will feature food trucks and snack kiosks to please all tastes including American grill fare, Mexican cuisine, fresh-squeezed lemonade, German-roasted almonds, gelato and more. Vendors include: • Godfather’s Pizza • Hy-Vee Curbside Cuisine • JoJo’s Gelato • Maria Bonita Mexican Cuisine • The Nut Hutte

he entrance to Aksarben Village at 67th and Center Streets will be closed to vehicle traffic from 9 a.m. Friday, September 23, through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, September 25. On Saturday and Sunday, ARTsarben can be accessed from Mercy Road from the west and 64th Avenue from the east. In addition, on Saturday only, ARTsarben can be accessed via 67th Street from the north. Free parking will be available all weekend at Baxter Arena and either Aksarben Village parking garage- one at 64th Avenue and the other off of Aksarben Drive. .

FRANCES STREET

67TH STREET

AKSARBEN CINEMA

FRANCES STREET

AKSARBEN VILLAGE

7 8 9

60 59 58 57 56

10 11 12 13 14

55 54 53 52 51

•ATM •SOUVENIRS

AKSARBEN VILLAGE

1 2 3 4 5 6

65 64 63 62 61

•INFORMATION

FREE PARKING GARAGE

•VOLUNTEER CHECK IN

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Kid Zone

Tub

Pumpkin Decorating

Restrooms

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Village

Bounce

Kid Zone

50 49 48 47 46 45

Bounce

15 16 17 18 19 20

44 43 42 41 40 39

21 22 23 24 25 26

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AKSARBEN VILLAGE 27 28 29 30 31 32

Nuts

CENTER STREET

Celebrating Five Years

Arts Festival

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! SPONSORED BY: Aksarben

Village

THE MAKERY a local crafting studio 120th and Center - Omaha

www.themakeryomaha.com

SUPPORTED BY: american lung association in nebraska • Boy Scout Troop 331 • Darling Ingredients, Inc. • Dudley’s Pizza & Tavern E Creative • Eighteen Eight Men’s Salons • Cody Fenske • Festival Mules – Rob & Bob • Gigi Moon – Garnet Griebel Booth Hy-Vee – 51st & Center • Johnsen Sign Company • Jones Bros. Cupcakes • Kevin Christensen – Nebraska Machinery Company Sheila Kelly – Nebraska Dept. of Revenue • MADD Tents • McGill Restoration • Noddle Companies - Lisa Bockman Omaha Farmers Market • Residence Inn • RDG Planning & Design – Tony Montgomery • Randal Spangler • The Green Spot • Togs

OMAHA SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL, INC./ ARTSARBEN BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OMAHA SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL, INC./ ARTSARBEN EVENT MANAGEMENT

President – Jennifer Harrahill, WEX Health

Vic Gutman – Executive Director

vice president – Kevin Langin, First National Bank

Elizabeth Balazs – Festival Manager

Treasurer – Leah Carlson, Deloitte & Touche LLP

Christine Dunn – Festival coordinator

Todd Boswell, First National Bank

molly halvorson – Festival coordinator

MANAGED BY:

Pat Dytrych, Target Candice Friedman, OBI Creative Michael Godek, Godek Painting and Sculpture

Festival Staff

Wendy Hamilton, Girl Scouts-Spirit of Nebraska

Lt. Steve King – Director of Security

Molly Hartford, Ervin & Smith

Vicki Pfeifer – Info/Store Co-Manager

Justin Kadlec, WOWT NBC Omaha

Kevin Grate - Info/Store Co-Manager

Denise Mazour, McGrath North

Jim Schlotfeld – Maintenance Co-Manager

Danielle Penke, Solutionary

Evelyn Winther – Event Assistant

Amy Reiner, The Blue Barn Theatre

Jodi Winther – Event Assistant

Lea Schuster, RDG Planning & Design

Pennie Martindale – Event Bookkeeper

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

artsarben.org

ItsOnlyNatural

Roberts’ Figures: A Matter of Fact and Classical Form B Y J A N E T L . FA R B E R

art

s the recently concluded Olympic Games have reminded us, the human body is a testament to capability, endurance and great beauty. Monuments to ancient Greek athletes were some of the earliest representations of physical splendor, its subjects raised to the level of heroes, ideal embodiments of strength, health, youth and virtue. And the best way to remind one of this corporeal magnificence? In the nude, of course. Renaissance artists took up this banner again in the 15th and 16th centuries, to which they added scientific study of anatomy and proportion. Nudity in their work was often cloaked in the banner of mythology, religion, allegory or history. In the modern era, most pretense was dropped, and the nude human figure as a subject in Western art was simply an artist’s choice. Stephen Cornelius Roberts, whose show of oil paintings, drawings and studies continues until Sept. 18 at the Moving Gallery’s Garden of the Zodiac venue, is a proud upholder of the classical tradition. Robert’s exhibition, The Figure: Paintings, Drawings and Studies, features an array of superbly rendered portraits of male and female subjects in a range of studio poses, from artfully draped to distinctively disrobed. Looking past variable trends in art, Roberts is an unabashed student of the ancients and the Old Masters with a stated passion for Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, Peter Paul Rubens and Jean-Auguste-Dominque Ingres, among others. Roberts’ works in all media reflect his engagement with art history, as well as reveal his grasp of anatomy, the complex beauty of the body and the expressive power of the human face. They also demonstrate his pursuit of technical perfection. As might be expected well into the 21st century, Roberts does use photographs taken of his models as aids to his compositions, which then evolve through drawings and small painted studies. He uses them as guides for color, pose and detail, but vigorously denies assertions that his art is Photorealist. A movement in figurative realism begun in the 1960s, the aim of Photorealism’s practitioners was to exploit the subtle distortions of photography by reproducing them precisely, tricking the viewer into understanding them as drawn faithfully from life. At the same time that it borrowed from the impersonal language of mechanical reproduction, the genre also helped reintroduce a form of highly detailed illusionism that, in essence, made it viable again for artists choosing a different path from abstraction and conceptual art. The case in point for the verism of Roberts’ art is made by the work you first see as you enter the gallery. “Painting of K.P. Pregnant” looms larger than life as a nude portrait of a gravid young woman. It is arrestingly beautiful yet there is nothing overly idealized about the portrait: shown frontally to the pelvis, evidence of her bodily changes, stretch marks and all, are recorded. She is presented matter-of-factly — while her arms cradle her full belly, this is not a sweetly romantic moment in gestational bonding, a point punctuated by the sitter’s neutral but direct facial expression. continued on page 34 y

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SEPTEMBER 2016

y continued from page 33 It is the artist, it seems, who is overtaken by the opportunity of depicting this transformative time in the female physique, and the viewer who is able to appreciate that this is both natural and amazing to witness. On an adjacent gallery wall are a pair of female portraits that provide an interesting comparison. “Painting of L.W. Robed” is a large quarter-torso painting of an African-American woman wearing a loose black drape. A horizontal composition, the figure is framed by her crown of curls set off by the blank gray wall behind her. A slight shadow cast across her body enhances subtleties in depth, coloration and luminosity. “Painting of K,” in contrast, is a half-torso image of a nude blonde woman leaning back on her arms. Her image fills the picture frame, a white curtain on the left side of the composition defines the studio setting in a different way, and provides the artist a chance to display his skills at distinguishing among the softness of fabric, the wispy froth of her updo and the taut firmness of her skin. Perhaps the most distinctive contrast is between the two paintings’ surfaces. The lightly primed “L.W.” allows the linen weave of canvas to show through, where the thicker gesso of “K” allows Roberts to achieve a perfectly planar, nearly fresco--like surface. Intentionally or not, the latter serves to make the rendering harder and colder, compared to the pleasing warmth that the more textural surface of “L.W.” lends to the skin tones, hair color and garment. Men are not completely absent as Roberts’ subjects. A Conté crayon drawing and oil study of “R” directly depict a man’s face. More complex are two compositions of a male and female couple. The first, a study, is a three-quarter view of the pair; she is seen frontally with arms wrapped under her breasts; he is posed in a near three-quarter profile, his arm embracing her shoulders as she snuggles close to him. A larger painting of the same couple as full figures shows a change in attitude. Rather than nestled, they stand with space between them, her hand resting lightly on his shoulder. They are equal but separate partners in this portrait, which in some subconscious way creates a tension that moves the painting beyond a display of personal intimacy. Lest anyone think that Roberts only has spare settings to offer his models, there are some examples of his experiments with creating narrative environments. Where “Girl with Flower” draws on rich Old Master traditions, “Painting of D.G.” appears to arise from the legacy of boudoir photography. The tour-de-force among these narrative paintings, however, is “Narcissus’ Sister.” In it, a nude woman looks into a camera on a tripod; on the ground are a number of glossy head-shots and the wall behind her is literally wallpapered with images of her posing, even mugging for the photographer. The conceit is, of course, conceit — Narcissus being the famously self-absorbed youth of mythology who was fatally in love with his own reflection. It’s hard to say with this painting who is having more fun — the model, the artist or the viewer. Lots of figurative art’s tropes and clichés are knowingly rolled up into this tidy package. Adding to the festivity are the number of drawings and related studies continued on page 36 y

art

“Painting of Double M.”

SEPTEMBER 2016

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“Painting of L.W. Robed”

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y continued from page 34 that accompany the final painting, from small preparatory compositions to large detailed pastels. All told, the exhibition offers an exceptional cache of artwork, including the opportunity to view aspects of Roberts’ process. Although the works are undated on gallery labels, a few signed drawings reveal that not everything on the walls is brand new. While this is usually a disappointing development in an exhibition not intended to be a retrospective, it is important to note that Roberts’ work has, for a variety of reasons, seldom been seen in Omaha through the years, including most of the show’s contents. Fortunately, there is little that feels dated about the work, due to the classicism of his approach, to the neutrality of the studio settings, and to the lack of garments whose styles contain imbedded clues. Perhaps a lack of tattoos, a minimum of piercings and trends in body hair suggest models may date from a few years back. In truth, this matters little in appreciating the constancy of Roberts’ undertaking. Of his preference to carry the torch for this ancient and academic tradition, Roberts says “I choose realism to portray humans because it allows me the best chance to connect to that form. The nude is as old as art itself and it will always being around … I just want to be a tiny part of that.” Stephen Cornelius Roberts, The Figure: Paintings, Drawings and Studies continues through Sept. 18 in the Garden of the Zodiac Gal-

lery, 1042 Howard St. The gallery is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from noon to 8 p.m. and on Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. For further information, please contact 402.517.8719 or vmercer3@cox.net. ,

art

“Drawing of R.”

“Girl with Flower”

SEPTEMBER 2016

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Omaha North Hills Omaha

FRIDAY

North Hills Pottery Tour

SEPT 2nd

October 1 10am - 7pm October 2 10am - 5pm

6-9 PM First Friday is a free event celebrating local creativity in Omaha's most historic neighborhood.

Ride Ollie The Trolley No Charge!

Visit galleries to explore fresh perspectives and meet the artists. For event information, go to FirstFridayOldMarket.com or email: mmgmetalsmith@cox.net

Travis Hinton

www.omahanorthhillspotterytour.com

402-451-0304

It’s an Apartment NOT AN ASHTRAY Live without someone else’s smoke when you use RentSmokeFree.org to find your next apartment or home. This FREE online service by the Metro Omaha Tobacco Action Coalition (MOTAC) connects you to smoke-free housing located throughout the Omaha metro.

C onnecting communities through art… Saturday, September 17th 10am-5pm Sunday, September 18th 12noon-4pm

Find a place that has everything you want – without the smoke.

RentSmokeFree.org for your next apartment or home This project is supported in part by Region 6 Behavioral Healthcare through funding provided by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services/ Tobacco Free Nebraska Program as a result of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement.

Gathering P laces in… • Malvern • Macedonia

• Creston • Corning • Shenandoah • Red Oak • Council Bluffs • Winterset • And other communtities

For more information see

FB/SWIARTTOUR | www.swiarttour.

| THE READER |

SEPTEMBER 2016

feature

dickholland NEWARRIVAL: Mary & Dick Holland Show Off Their Iconic Project

SEPTEMBER 2016

force of nature named Dick Holland died at 95 on Aug. 9. The philanthropist’s passing triggered warm, appreciative tributes from leaders of organizations he supported as well as individuals who worked with him or just admired his frank manner and good heart. Many say this plain-talking old lion of charitable giving changed the face of Omaha by funding major brick-and-mortar projects, some bearing the Holland name. Before the term social entrepreneurship came in vogue, he applied his wealth to humanistic causes in his hometown reflecting his broad interests. Fellow Omaha philanthropist Todd Simon said, “Dick was a builder. He helped build and then supported many cultural, arts and human services organizations we take for granted today. He and my father (the late Fred Simon) had a kind of cultural brain-trust. As a kid, I remember going over

| THE READER |

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Builder of Omaha Arts, Culture and Human Services Landscape STORY BY LEO ADAM BIGA PHOTOS PROVIDED BY OMAHA PERFORMING ARTS

to the Hollands’ house with my dad. They made plans to support the opera or symphony while listening to their favorite records. Today, I realize the seeds that grew into the foundation of Omaha’s cultural scene were planted in Dick Holland’s living room.” As an adult, Simon said, “I learned so much about tenacity and determination from Dick, who accomplished so much in such an informal way. He was easy to approach and generous with his time – for seven decades.” The accessible philanthropist kept a publicly listed phone number and often fielded calls himself from people seeking help. After listening to a plea, he’d tell personal assistant Deb Love, “We need to find a way to help them.” He usually did. Holland’s various youthful escapades – Fuller Brush salesman, ice house laborer, drover, bookie – didn’t hint at his future except for his brass and hustle. The Omaha Central High graduate and

World War II veteran found his calling at his father’s advertising agency. He then made his own way partnering in the Holland, Dreves, Reilly agency (later Swanson, Rollheiser, Holland) in the Mad Men era – its wild success rivaled only by Bozell and Jacobs. Valmont Industries became a breakthrough client that made him a player in the business-civic community. The devoted husband and father was all business but knew how to have fun, too. In an interview, Holland said, “Some of the great lessons I learned in advertising, like how to talk to people to try and convince them of an idea, have served me well.” He did things on his own terms. He once said, “I found out kind of early I didn’t want to work for somebody — I wanted to be my own boss.” He said a personality test developed by his brother, Jack Holland, pegged him “investigative, artistic and entrepreneurial.” His independent, outlier

sensibilities found harbor in the Unitarian Church. Achieving wealth provided autonomy to follow his passions. His wealth came as an early investor in friend Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway. He took credit for introducing Buffett to BH’s No. 2 man, Charlie Munger. His real entry into circles of influence came after he and wife Mary formed a foundation that was the conduit for their giving the rest of their lives together. She died in 2006 (he earlier lost a son and is survived by three daughters, five grandchildren and a great-grandchild). He went right on giving and in his last decade he sought ever more opportunities to make a difference and leave a mark. In a typical year, 2014, the Holland Foundation reported total giving as $19 million and total assets as $158 million. His largesse can be seen downtown and midtown in the Holland Performing Arts Center, the Child Saving Institute and University of Nebraska Medical Center. In North Omaha his helping hand is seen at North Star Foundation and Jesuit Middle School. After breaking with Building Bright Futures, he formed the Holland Children’s Movement and Holland Children’s Institute to prepare and support at-risk youth for success from birth through college. Virtually every Omaha arts organization of size benefited from his generosity and belief that the arts enrich a community and attract new talent and business. “The whole cultural scene is a big, big part of a community,” he once told a reporter. Arts leaders were present at a private celebration of his life held August 15 at the Holland Center — a favorite venue where he was a familiar presence. Members of the Omaha Symphony Orchestra accompanied singers performing operatic selections. Omaha Performing Arts president Joan Squires said, “He well understood the impact the arts have on all of us. In the Holland Center’s 10th Anniversary video, he said ‘I don’t know of anything I’ve done that satisfies me more. We made a difference for the happiness of the people of the town. We opened the

door to new feelings of all kinds of beauty.’ That was Dick. I know it’s not ever going to be the same without hearing Dick’s bird calls at the conclusion of a performance.”

Holland was an Omaha University graduate who became a mega contributor to his alma mater. He made key gifts to the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Holland Computing Center and Baxter Arena, whose Community Ice Center is dedicated to him. His support of UNMC played a significant role in that institution’s physical growth, including the Durham Research Centers, the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center and the College of Public Health. The self-described “liberal Democrat” used the platform his fortune and status afforded by voicing opinions about social causes, railing against policies he opposed and throwing his weight behind bills and candidates he supported. He decried local, state and federal government not working together for the country’s betterment. He criticized Omaha’s failure

to uplift a large segment of its minority population who experience poverty. “To me, that’s the worst thing Omaha does,” he said. Though he felt the city did public education well from elementary school through college, he bemoaned early childhood gaps and disparities between what inner city children receive and what suburban kids receive. “I don’t see this so much as an intellectual problem but as a community problem,” he said. “We have all kinds of government programs designed to grab these people as they fall off the cliff. The failure is to raise them so they can climb cliffs.” Someone privy to his most intimate deliberations was Deb Love, his personal assistant and a Holland Foundation staffer. Love recalled the many op eds he submitted to the Omaha World-Herald and New York Times. “Sometimes his words were so frank, I would cringe and ask if maybe we should soften them a bit. He usually didn’t take my advice. He would stand up for what he believed.” She said Holland was the same in private as in public when speaking his mind, asking probing questions and seeking ways to remedy problems or meet needs. “We worked side-by-side in his small home office,” she said, “and I heard every phone conversation, every meeting plan, every decision – personal and business. He would share his innermost feelings and

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LASTINGLEGACY: Dick Holland’s Words Immortalized at the Holland Performing Arts Center

continued on page 40y

PRETTYLIGHTS: Holland Performing Arts Center

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y continued from page 39

thoughts and would ask my opinion. There are so many things I will miss about Dick: his humor, his advice, his wealth of knowledge. But most of all I will miss our private conversations. He was not only a boss, but a mentor, friend and father-figure.” Similarly, Joan Squires of Omaha Performing Arts developed a fondness for Holland. “Each of us has a chance to meet a few very special people in our lives. People that touch us and who we feel privileged to know. For me, one of those people was Dick Holland. He was so much more than a board member and donor – he was one of my closest friends.,” Squires said. “He was so widely read and intelligent, you found yourself scrambling to keep up. He was fun, he was funny and most of all, he cared for others.” Love said despite grants totaling many millions of dollars over the foundation’s life, Holland never felt he did enough. “He always wanted to help people in any way he could, whether financially, helping find a job or giving moral support. He was a man of such generosity and humor and very observant of people’s needs. Not long before he passed, he said, ‘I wish I was a magician and had more money to give to all Omaha organizations.’ His joy of giving was contagious. He always said there was nothing that made him feel better than helping someone else. He believed if you have the means, you should share with those who don’t.” Love said she marveled at his magnanimous spirit. “Dick treated everyone with the utmost respect. He thoroughly loved children and watching them learn and giving them opportunities to do so. When in public, he would always talk to children. He enjoyed giving his time and money to organizations that help underprivileged children. He wanted them to be able to experience Omaha as any other child would. Some of his donations provide educational opportunities as well as transportation to events at the Holland Center.” His contributions were well recognized in his lifetime, including by the national Horatio Alger Association. But even someone so accomplished needed assurance in what he’d leave behind. “He told me he didn’t want to be forgotten after he passed and wanted his foundation and legacy to go on for many years,” Love said. “I am so thankful I will continue to work for the Holland Foundation to carry on Dick’s legacy.” ,

ARTPARTNERS: Dick Holland With Omaha Performing Arts’ President Joan Squires

Read more of Leo Adam Biga’s work at leoadambiga.com.

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The Down Under

Lounge

3530 LEAVENWORTH STREET OMAHA, NE

HAPPY HOUR

MON-TUES 4-7 / WED-FRI 3-7

ROLLING ROCK $1.75 WELLS $2.50

LIVE MUSIC

WEEKLY

MONDAYS

$1 ROLLING ROCK PINTS $1 OFF ALL SHOTS $4 MOSCOW MULES

TUESDAYS

KARAOKE 10PM

WEDNESDAYS

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SEPTEMBER 2016

culture

MOIRAMANGIAMELI: “I think we’ve proved that there are no limitations.”

whyarts? “

Everybody’s an artist,” WhyArts? Teaching Artist Moira Mangiameli said. “Everyone is capable of expressing themselves creatively and artisti-

cally.” She and WhyArts? colleague Nils Haaland recently premiered a one-of-a-kind music and dance video featuring 12 performers getting their groove on — most of them while seated in wheelchairs. “It felt like it was empowering,” Mangiameli explained. “I think we’ve proved that there are no limitations. (The participants) know that, but I don’t think the rest of world knows that.” The video was the latest project in a long partnership between WhyArts? and QLI, a nationally recognized leader in brain and spinal cord injury rehabilitation located here in Omaha. “The music video project is a model which totally represents the mission of WhyArts?,”

SEPTEMBER 2016

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culture

Releasing the Artist in Us All STORY BY KARA SCHWEISS PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEBRA S. KAPLAN

Director Carolyn Anderson said. “It’s easy to take access to the arts as a given, but that’s not the case for many in our community.” Her nonprofit organization’s mission is to bring the arts to Omaha’s underserved populations, Anderson explained, and WhyArts? has delivered original programming to schools, senior centers, nonprofit groups, health and human services organizations and many other settings. Its growing roster of teaching artists includes notables in the local visual and performing arts community like Hal France (opera), Kim Darling and Iggy Sumnik (visual arts), Ellen Struve (theater) and dozens of their peers who are contracted to lead workshops and activities that entertain, educate and inspire a diverse audience. WhyArts? and QLI have a special affinity, Anderson said. “QLI was the very first organization we approached to partner with us. I knew about QLI

because my mother was on their service guild and I had attended a couple of garage sales there. This was over 15 years ago. In the beginning their guild paid for our workshops; we now have a generous donor who is underwriting year-long activities,” she said. The programs and workshops have hailed from all across the arts spectrum: visual arts, poetry, creative writing, movement and dance, playwriting and production, and even off-campus activities at venues like Hot Shops Art Center and Joslyn Art Museum. “WhyArts? is one of Omaha’s amazing organizations,” Mel Mixan, coordinator of QLI’s Durham Center, said. “It’s a wonderful partnership and a great thing they do for Omaha.” She added, “We serve adults and want them to be treated like adults. Carolyn really understood us and protected what we wanted. And Mary Sheldrick (recreation director) from

ful partnership and a great thing they do for Omaha.” She added, “We serve adults and want them to be treated like adults. Carolyn really understood us and protected what we wanted. And Mary Sheldrick (recreation director) from my team is so passionate about art in general, and that makes it even more of an amazing partnership.” The QLI project was Mangiameli’s third with WhyArts? but her first with a group of adults, who performed to the 2014 Mark Ronson/ Bruno Mars dance hit “UpTown Funk!” that contains decidedly grown-up lyrics including a liquor reference, a few mild profanities and plenty of pointed uses of the words “sexy” and “hot.” It was the QLI participants, residents of the organization’s long-term care facility, who picked that particular song. “Definitely, having fun was a big part of it,” Mangiameli said. As a veteran actor/director/playwright and theater educator, she also wanted to fully engage the participants in the creative process. “For me, the most important component of theater is collaboration. They had ownership of the project. It wasn’t just us coming in and saying, ‘This is what we’re doing.’ They all had to work together in order to make it work, and we took their ideas as we went along.” The group had just three one-hour sessions to learn the choreography, which they also contributed to, as cameras rolled. QLI participant Chris had appeared on camera before and said that although she was not shy about performing, she nevertheless appreciated Mangiameli’s and Haaland’s accommodating, no-pressure approach. “You do what you can, and that is what I liked about it,” she said. “We spent a lot of time going over and over the choreography, and we kept the choreography simple. What made it easy is that everybody was game and they loved the idea and were enthusiastic,” Mangiameli said, adding that the group of performers approaching the project with a sense of humor “just made it a really joyous experience for me.” QLI resident Clare, who appears in the opening scene of the video, said most of the participants were recruited. “They asked me if I would be interested, and I said, ‘Sure! I like music.’” The best part of the experience? Working side-by-side with her friends and “coming up with our own moves.” Mark, a QLI participant who wears sunglasses in the video and is spotlighted in several scenes, admitted to being a bit of a ham, but when first approached about the project, “I was a little hesitant.” His trepidation quickly

transformed to “I loved it” once the project commenced, and after viewing the video at the premier event, his reaction was, “I was really so impressed. This is my first ‘handicapable’ [performance] experience.” WhyArts? is ideal for multifaceted types like Mangiameli and Haaland, who both have experience in many areas of theater and performing arts. Teaching artists are carefully matched up to the groups the organization serves, Anderson said, but they are given am-

The arts play a big part in the larger mission of QLI, she added. “Our programs are definitely individualized but art can mean something to everybody,” she said. “We try to help our residents find purpose after an injury, and a lot of times art has helped people who had had a passion in different mediums get back to it.” Some individuals even discover an interest in the arts for the first time through the QLI/ WhyArts? programming, Mixan said. “Art is

ple flexibility with respect to their considerable expertise. “We bring in an artist who is very skilled in his art and experienced in working with each population we serve. The artist and myself meet with the staff of the organization or school beforehand to determine what we want to accomplish, who will be involved as participants, the special needs of the participants, the timeline we will follow, and any other thoughts,” she explained. “Then the artist takes over, remembering it is never the end product but that the experience is good for everyone according to their unique abilities.” “What I’ve noticed a lot about these projects with WhyArts? is that you start with one thing and you end with another,” Mixan said. “It’s the residents having their input and having it morph into something that’s uniquely ours.”

so barrier-free that people can just create and feel good about what they create.” Word about the video project has kindled talk on the QLI campus about similar future projects, Mixan said — maybe a lip dub next time — especially since the video is now accessible on YouTube (https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=n1gDQDn4Bl8). “I would absolutely love it if this were something that happened every year,” Mangiameli said, adding that she’d like to expand the rehearsal period by a few more sessions to allow for more elaborate choreography, possibly incorporating synchronized wheelchair movements. “The participants are really proud of it, and they want to share this with their friends and family,” Mixan said. “I hope that it gives a little insight to both of our organizations. Our residents are regular, everyday people that love life, too. They’re living their lives and having fun.” ,

culture

THEQLICAST: From left to right: Carolyn Anderson, Mark, Moira Mangiameli In front: Chris Mark & Chris are QLI residents.

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SEPTEMBER 2016

OUTSPOKEN: “Our lives are so busy,

betweenlines

Sarah McKinstry-Brown is Nowhere and Everywhere STORY BY KARA SCHWEISS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEBRA S. KAPLAN

s a working literary artist, Sarah McKinstry-Brown always expected to have to build her own career. “I think every artist has the understanding that there isn’t any path or road laid out for us,” she explained. “It’s not paved. It’s not a well-used interstate. We’re digging and making our own road as we go.” But it’s only recently that she’s come to the realization that — cliché though it may be — life’s journeys are not so much about any particular destination as they are an exploration of self. “I spent the last two years really focused on ‘Where’s my place? I’ve really got to find my place,’” said the poet, creative collaborator and teaching artist who was the recipient of both the 2011 Nebraska Book Award for Poetry and the 2014 Nebraska Book Award for Poetry Anthology. “I wanted to figure out what job or what institution or what organization was going to be a good fit for me. I’ve always felt I had so much to offer and I was making myself crazy applying for all of these teaching jobs across the country. I was trying to figure out where I belong. I finally — just very recently — thought, ‘I don’t belong anywhere. I kind of belong everywhere.’” And McKinstry-Brown seemingly is, in fact, everywhere. She teaches writing and performing workshops in venues from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (where she’s been an adjunct instructor for five years) to public schools to storytelling festivals all across America. She’s worked with and performed for young children, up-and-coming talent, other established artists and even marginalized populations. She founded “feedback,” an interactive reading series in partnership with KANEKO. She’s also a teaching artist with the Lied Center for Performing Arts’ Arts Integration Program for rural and urban schools. And she’s still writing poetry and other works. “It’s very challenging, energetically. But it’s also really kind of amazing,” she said. “I feel like a modern-day bard.” Making a living in the creative arts necessitates creating multiple income streams, but

SEPTEMBER 2016

culture McKinstry-Brown said years of saying “yes” to everything has “provided me with enough opportunities that I’m beginning to experience the luxury, and the necessity, of being more deliberate about what people and organizations I give my time and energy to.” Her higher purpose? Making the literary arts available to everyone. “For me, it’s not just about the writing, but it’s really giving people permission, and protected time and space to sit, reflect and process their feelings, their experiences,” she said. “Our lives are so busy, so full, and everything is so much about consumption and moving faster than the speed of light. The creative arts are an opportunity to slow down. To

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culture

so full, and everything is so much about consumption and moving faster than the speed of light,” said Sarah McKinstry-Brown. “The creative arts are an opportunity to slow down. To reflect. To make meaning.”

reflect. To make meaning. There are fewer and fewer opportunities for people to do that. One of my missions is to go to wherever I’m most needed and provide that to others.” She’s at ease in front of any audience today, but McKinstry-Brown said she hasn’t forgotten her earliest readings in her hometown of Albuquerque when she was “terrified and shaking” in front of a microphone. “I couldn’t even face the audience,” she said. “I turned the microphone away and turned my back on the audience. I would read my little poem and there was always somebody that would come up to me afterward and say, ‘Wow, I loved that one line’ or ‘That was a great image.’ And realistically, there probably

was just one good line or one great image. But when people take the time to come up and say that, it was a big deal. I was really embraced by that community.” She still strives to “do things that scare me and push me out of my comfort zone.” Although she has formal education in her craft — a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico and a master’s degree in fine arts from UNO — McKinstry-Brown considers her formative education to have come from open mikes in bars and coffee shops and performances on street corners and in libraries. “I was lucky that the writing community in Albuquerque was filled with those who saw art as an opportunity for activism and community-building; the model I had for what being a writer looked like weren’t the ones we’re force-fed in popular culture — the lone writer at a typewriter somewhere in a cabin in the woods,” she said. “I saw writers as working people of all ages and races and genders who were out in the world building the kinds of spaces where everyone was given the opportunity to write and speak and share and have their voices heard. My growth and livelihood as an artist depends on the growth and livelihood of that community.” Having a supportive partner has been another important element of her succes. Her husband, Matt Mason, is more than just understanding, he’s a kindred spirit. Mason, the executive director of Nebraska Writers Collective, is a long-time poet and performer himself. The couple met through their work in 2002, although it was hardly a typical office romance. “I booked a reading tour through the poetry slam circuit. I graduated from college, I sold everything I owned but what I could fit in a suitcase, and I decided I was going to do this reading tour and just kind of figure out my next move,” she said. She heard positive buzz about the Omaha slam scene at an event in Denver, where she secured the name of a literary event organizer continued on page 46y

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SEPTEMBER 2016

y continued from page 44

in Omaha who was endorsed all around as “a great guy.” “I ended up squeezing a show into Omaha between — I can’t remember — San Francisco and Chicago? I met Matt and he was lovely and I had a great time, did a great show,” she said, adding with a laugh: “And then Matt started pursuing me pretty intensely. He was very sly about it.” Under the pretext of visiting a friend he was “going to visit anyway,” Mason showed up at McKinstry-Brown’s Chicago date at the Green Mill, the legendary venue associated with Marc Smith, the founder of the poetry slam movement. “Matt walks in the door. He’s taller than I remember him being. He’s more handsome than I remember. Even his poetry is better. For whatever reason, everything was just a little bit shinier, clearer that night.” The pair stayed in touch for the rest of McKinstry-Brown’s tour. “By the time I got to Delaware, I was kind of feeling almost hunted or haunted by the thought of him and Omaha. I’d walk into a gas station and the Counting Crows song [“Omaha”] would be playing. I put on a movie at my aunt’s house where I was staying and one of the main characters was a Mr. Mason … and he was trying to get this woman to marry him. All things were pointing toward this person, this place.” They were married in 2003 and have two daughters, 8 and 12. Marriage and motherhood is now a common theme in McKinstryBrown’s creative works. “I’ve got a handful of pretty wonderful girlfriends who I met through my MFA program,” she said. “Having women in my life who are navigating motherhood and writing — two existences that are very much at odds with one another — has been a huge factor in terms of my successes. I have girlfriends who I can call or text or e-mail with questions and frustrations related to my regular life and my writing life. And they absolutely ‘get it.’” McKinstry-Brown continues to produce poetry that gets noticed. She recently traveled to Los Angeles for a reading with Rattle, one of her favorite literary journals, and she recently was invited to the prestigious Middlebury Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference in Vermont. “I feel like I’m on the precipice of exciting experiences.” she said. “My dream is to find a publisher and editor that I can work with long-term, that helps me grow as a writer but then also respects and understands my voice and my vision.” , Visit hellosmb.com to read the work of Sarah McKinstry-Brown.

SEPTEMBER 2016

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culture

eat PARAGON IN NEW DUNDEE

thelonggoodbye W

hen family owners of the Bohemian Cafe announced in May the restaurant was for sale and would close September 24, it marked another casualty among classic eateries calling it quits. An eventual surge in customers wanting to indulge Czech-German-Polish specialties was expected, but sibling co-owners Terry Kapoun and Marsha Bogatz never expected the deluge would start almost immediately. And not let up. “We made the announcement on a Tuesday [one of two days during the week the cafe’s closed], and that Wednesday we served 500 dinners where we normally served maybe 225 on a weekday,” said Kapoun. The numbers kept growing. “Thursday we served 600, Friday we served 700, Saturday 800 and then Sunday it dropped back to 650-675. We expected this maybe the

Iconic Eatery Closing After 92 Years BY LEO ADAM BIGA

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEBRA S. KAPLAN

end of August, the beginning of September, not the next day.” And certainly not every day since. “It’s just overwhelming,” he said. The droves coming for roasted meat in rich gravy, hearty bread dumplings, sweet-sour cabbage, kolaches, strudel and a Pilsner pint, combined with reduced hours, means long lines at the South 13th Street eatery. The wait allows time to admire the facade’s decorative tiling whose folk art displays continue inside. Queues of hungry diners have meant doubling the batches of dumplings and kolaches normally made. The same for the roasted beef, chicken, pork loin and duck. For the first time in anyone’s memory, the restaurant ran out of duck one evening. Head chef Ron Kapoun, another sibling, learned the unwritten recipes from Laddie Svoboda. The continued on page 48 y

eat

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SEPTEMBER 2016

heartyfare:

Last chance for svickova, jaeger schnitzel, Czech goulash and liver dumpling soup

SEPTEMBER 2016

y continued from page 47

slow-cooked meats with special seasonings and pan drippings for cream-laced gravies infuse dishes with deep flavors arrived at by practice and instinct. Families used to commemorating special occasions and holidays there are returning to relive powerful sense memories. Sentiments get shared with Bogatz and Terry Kapoun’s wife, Steph, who split greeter duties. The Bohemian’s Facebook page is filled with reminiscences and farewells. Terry Kapoun said several ex-pat Nebraskans have returned just for another meal. Bogatz said the family’s “seeing customers we haven’t seen for quite a few years.” First-timers are also among the throng and they’re getting turned on to unfamiliar items like svickova, jaeger schnitzel, Czech goulash and liver dumpling soup. “We’ve had a lot of new people in. They heard about us and they wanted to at least experience it once, and they’ve just loved it. They wish they would have been here before.” After 92 years in business, 69 in the same family, the Bohemian will be no more unless a new owner steps forward and the younger set of the four-generation clan that’s run it since 1947 decides to continue the tradition.

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Terry Kapoun’s parents purchased the cafe from his grandparents in 1966, and he and his siblings later took it over. It’s the only job Kapoun and Bogatz have ever had. Their children and grandchildren have all worked there. The full-time waitstaff, some on the job 30 or 40 years, are regarded as family. Its end follows other beloved stand-alone dining spots now gone: Mr. C’s, The French Cafe, Vivace’s, Venice Inn, Piccolo’s, M’s Pub. Only a few remain with such a pedigree: Cascio’s, Johnny’s Cafe, Gorat’s, Joe Tess Place. Petrow’s, The Dundee Dell, Howard’s Charro Cafe. Terry Kapoun laments independents fading amidst chains. “There were so many great restaurants just in this little area [Little Italy-Little Bohemia], and they were all family-owned.” With each loss, he said, Omaha “loses a little bit of its personality and character.” Each had its own niche. The Bohemian stood out with Czech folk figures flanking the huge neon sign over the entrance, a waitstaff attired in traditional garb and that Old World menu. “To so many people, this is Czechoslovakia in Omaha,” Kapoun said. “Customers continued on page 50 y

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SEPTEMBER 2016

foodfamily: Left to right:

y continued from page 48

Robert, Mercedes, Ron, Marsha and Terry

who’ve gone to the Czech Republic tell us when they eat at cafes in Prague it’s just like eating at the Bohemian Cafe. We take pride in giving Czechs and non-Czechs an authentic cuisine experience.” The owners say that where today’s entrepreneurial indies are apt to move on when the going gets tough, familyowned spots persevere. “I don’t think there’s been a family restaurant where at times they didn’t pay salaries or had to

waitingforyou:

rollingalong:

Edwana (Eddie) Kapoun making kolaches

SEPTEMBER 2016

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hold them awhile when things were sluggish,” said Kapoun, who has been rising at 2:30 a.m. to start cooking 90 minutes later nearly every day for 37 years. “Only in a family restaurant would things carry on this long or the same head chef still be there since 1979.” As Marsha Bogatz said, “You sacrifice for the restaurant.” Even with advancing age and decades of long hours taking their toll, the 64-year-old Kapoun said, “I really

thought I’d be working until I was 80 with the kids. It just didn’t work out that way.” The Cafe’s evocation of homey nostalgia makes folks feel a part of it, which is why Kapoun regards himself the steward of a communal treasure. “It was always that type of a feel,” he said. “I’ve never felt like an owner.” ,

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SEPTEMBER 2016

Music transparentnomore I

recall the first time I met Matt Carroll and Sara Bertuldo of See Through Dresses: six years ago, at a crossroads in my life, I had gone to a show of theirs to see about renting their spare bedroom. Back then, they were playing as a threepart rock ensemble called Honey and Darling – an esoteric yet completely apt Legend of Zelda reference – which blended elements of ‘80s post-punk and dreamy shoegaze that hit all of the right notes for my own tastes and sensibilities. Their sound was wrapped in an image defined by Sara’s cute and nostalgic cartoons adorning their merchandise and CD covers; the sort you’d expect to find on a Shonen Knife flier. I became an instant fan. I anticipated ditching town only months later, but instead spent the next four years

SEPTEMBER 2016

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music

See Through Dresses BY JAMES VNUK PHOTOGRAPHY BY SEBASTIAN WEISS

completing graduate school and grading student papers while their jam sessions, recording takes, and nascent songwriting reverberated through the floorboards. The duo lives and breathes their love of music, and have been longtime fixtures of the Omaha indie music scene. (A personal favorite anecdote of mine: Sara, at points, played with Cursive leader Tim Kasher, accompanying him on his solo album tours. One day I came home surprised to find he had cooked dinner for our house; afterward, he cleaned the entire kitchen.) They’ve grown much as performers through the intervening years, indebted to their drive and passion for playing music. It’s taken them through Europe and multiple regional and nationwide tours as See Through

Dresses, adding current members Nate Van Fleet and Alex Kirts. I caught up with them on a rainy afternoon during their most recent jaunt, touring with label mates Haybaby for Tiny Engine Records, and en route to Rochester, NY. Tours are always fraught with vagaries, but this one has been pleasantly without issue. “We went to Toronto after two shows in Manhattan,” Matt remarked, “and we were surprised at how nice everyone is in Toronto … traffic especially. New York was so cutthroat. We’d be driving around Toronto with no problems, thinking ‘are they just fucking with us? It’s the ‘Everyone’s Nice’ version of America,” Sara said. For a time, Honey and Darling took a backseat to a variety of side projects (including Sara’s too-cute-for-this-world pop punk trio Mil-

lions of Boys, with friends Alexander Van Beaumont and Ryan Haas), but after a lineup shuffle the band was reborn, keeping much of the same dreamy aesthetic with a harder rock edge. See Through Dresses’ first self-titled LP hit in 2013 and became a local favorite (including for yours truly, despite hearing the songs countless times, at virtually any hour of the day, for years.) Their success only multiplied from there, signing with the German-based label This Charming Man Records in 2014 and putting out their first EP, End of Days with Tiny Engine in late 2015. The tour for End of Days was rocky “We were out on the road before the vinyl dropped, which was kind of a mess,” Sara explained, suggesting they had no strong way to capitalize on their shows and bring in new fans. The nadir of that tour involved a disastrous day in Philadelphia: after a flat tire and no spare to replace it, they band arrived at the 11th hour to a house show broken up by the police only

Virginiana, and so forth. “We’ve come up with about 30 to 50 characters. We’re gonna have to write these all down when we get home,” Matt laughed. After the summer tour, which included a slot on the Maha stage in August, the band is setting their sights on their next album release, due out in Spring 2017. With it comes another evolution in their sound. “Our first album,” Matt explained, “was us wrestling with our ‘80s and ‘90s influences. And when we went on our first tour it taught us a lot about playing as a live band in house shows, so End of Days reflects that progression: the songs are simpler, four piece rock ensemble affairs.” “So for our next album we’re going to go back to our ‘80s influences, but also transitioning to doing that live more effectively,” he said. Coming far from those days six years ago, the band feels a more professional sea change is looming. They have a manager now, and fur-

two songs into their set. “There’s this Instagram photo out there from the show, and the caption just says ‘cops are here,’ she said. “And I’m there smiling into the camera, internally screaming.” Luckily, their Summer 2016 tour has gone off without a hitch. “We’re coming down to the end of it now, and there hasn’t been any band breakdowns yet,” Matt said last month. The worst of it so far, they shared, involved sharing a bedroom with an asthmatic Boston terrier in Columbus, OH. “His eyes went two different ways and his breathing kept us up all night. It was adorable but maddening.” But that kind of story is indicative of the band’s personality and the buoyant atmosphere they inhabit. The group, they tell me, has kept occupied by chronicling all of the strange and memorable characters they encounter on the road into a byzantine family tree they’ve dubbed “The Barnabases.” Each is given complex, multilayered histories and interpersonal relationships, and ostentatious names reminiscent of the Southern gentry’s blood feuds: Tristan, Madge,

ther assistance in booking shows and selecting their venues. “I’m kinda over house shows now,” Sara said. “I get anxiety about not knowing the people putting us up, and they can be unpredictable.” In addition to this, plenty more lies over the horizon for See Through Dresses and its members. “There’s always this feeling something else can happen,” Matt said. He’s laying the foundations to begin a new side project with a close friend from Lawrence, KS, and Sara is preparing to tour with acoustic artist (and fellow Omaha native) Anna McClellan. “We’ve got a lot of stuff that hasn’t found a place yet, but it will,” he added. For now though, See Through Dresses is holding steady. When asked for a quote, Nate replied simply, “We’re ready to open this pit up.” ,

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music

The Reader 09-01-16.indd 1

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SEPTEMBER 2016 7/21/16

10:41 AM

superstarandstar W

backbeat

Superstar and Star in Amsterdam

SEPTEMBER 2016

BY JAMES WALMSLEY

hen Ivar Murd first encountered one of Neville Lawrence’s DIY music videos online, the Estonian documentarian had trouble discerning whether he was watching reality or performance art. After all, Lawrence’s Superstar and Star routine could’ve just as easily come from the Cabaret Voltaire or even The Eric Andre Show. Either way, Murd said he was hooked. “For years I’ve been wanting to take this guy on tour just based on his YouTube videos,” Murd, 25, said over a cup of coffee in Benson last month. “We kind of daydreamed about inviting him to Estonia for a few years, but Nebraska is so out-of-the-way that it was pie in the sky for a long time.” Lawrence, 52, turned out to be the real deal. The Trinidad and Tobago native had been an irregular burst of eccentricity on Omaha’s public-access channel throughout the late ‘90s and aughts before amassing tens of thousands of views on YouTube. It was there, underneath the uncomfortable drollery of one of Superstar’s homespun space costumes, that Murd saw flashes of brilliance and sadness in the artist’s lo-fi blend of Afro-Caribbean R&B and dance music. Lawrence was like Omaha’s very own Daniel Johnston and Murd felt compelled to take him on the road. “It’s like he’s discovering house music by himself,” he said of Lawrence’s unconventional songwriting instincts. “Everything’s four beats, it’s all repetition, but then in the four hit, there’s a three-hit tambourine that sounds like Iggy Pop or something.” Lawrence and Murd are currently wrapping up Superstar and Star’s first European tour, or first tour of any kind for that matter, which included dates in the Netherlands, Finland, Estonia and Sweden. His Amsterdam stop comprised an in-store appearance at Rush Hour Records, which represents a host of underground music celebrities; an interview at Red Light Radio, which broadcasts from an old prostitution window in the city’s notorious Red Light District; and a recording session with the mysterious DJ Im Sorry, who made a special tape for Superstar to sell on his journey. Though it was in Estonia where Superstar had his Beatles-arrive-in-America moment. The small Baltic country is home to Lawrence’s label representation, Porridge Bullet, which procured airplay for him leading up to his shows in Tallinn and Tartu. Siim Nestor, a Porridge Bul-

Partone: Ivar Murd with

The Devil and Neville Lawrence: Part 1

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backbeat

let spokesperson, wrote in an email that it was the legendary, London-born DJ Rhythm Doctor who originally discovered Superstar’s tracks for the label. Nestor, too, became hooked. “[It was] his uniqueness, his sensitivity, his melodies and rhythms,” he wrote of Lawrence’s appeal. “And, of course, that he truly seems to be from another wonderful planet.” Superstar’s European exploits will eventually be featured in a documentary directed by Murd, who has become Lawrence’s de facto manager throughout the process. The director said he originally got into filmmaking through skateboarding. “I wasn’t a good skateboarder,” he said, “so I was the one who held the camera.” As the stepson of an Estonian diplomat, Murd spent much of his childhood abroad and was “raised American” in private schools. He studied film at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey before working in advertising in New York City. Murd said he’s still haunted by his hometown of Kohtla-Järve, which he describes as the Detroit of Estonia. The city of roughly 36,000 people had twice that in population at the tail end of the Cold War and was where Soviets mined the plutonium for their first atomic bombs. Murd is in the process of releasing a feature-length documentary on the city called Tuhamäed, or Ash Mountains. “The reason I went back is because my mother passed away, so I had to take care of all that,” he said. “It was three years of hardcore soul searching.” After the heaviness of Ash Mountains, Murd’s Superstar and Star documentary was supposed to be a “light, little thing” between projects, he said. That was, until Lawrence handed Murd a pile of court documents and asked him to find his daughter. That’s when things started to get weird. “It was going to be a tour movie, and then, well, that happened,” he said. “But that’s good — it’ll make for a much, much stronger story.” To be continued... , Correction: Last month’s Backbeat failed to credit photographer Lindsey Yoneda and artist Kady Dennell for their BFF Femme Fest graphic of Omaha band Manic Pixie Dream Girls. Also: an extra, extra apology to Rebecca Lowry and the BFF Femme Fest team for hijacking their voices in last month’s Backbeat. Thanks for speaking out.

Jason Weyerman Celebration Wednesday, October 19 at 4 PM - 11 PM Omar Arts &Events 4383 Nicholas St, Omaha, NE 68131

Ripple On Brther

Come celebrate the life of Jason. Jason passed on Sunday, August 14th. He was loved my many and touched so many people. His wishes were to be cremated and have a party to celebrate his life. The first of his wishes are complete, but we need your help to complete his wish. Please come celebrate one great brother to all!

find us on Facebook and Go Fund Me

| THE READER |

SEPTEMBER 2016

hoodoo

The 21st Saloon launches a new series in September: the Big Red & Blues Tailgate Party. The shows will be scheduled for specific Husker Saturdays the games showing on big screens and music at half time and after the game. The Amanda Fish Band is featured Saturday, Sept. 3 and Katy G & The Girls play Saturday, Sept. 24. See local listings for the game times. Other notable shows include Lil’ Ed Thursday, Sept. 8, 6 p.m, the Nick Schnebelen Band Saturday, Sept. 10, 8 p.m., the Frank Ace Band Thursday, Sept. 15, 6 p.m., Levee Town Saturday, Sept. 17, 8 p.m., Nikki Hill Thursday, Sept. 22, 6 p.m. and Scott Holt Band Thursday, Sept. 29, 6 p.m.

JOHNNYBOYD.COM

Hot Notes

CHIP DUDEN

West Coast vocalist Johnny Boyd sends ladies swooning and dance floors hopping with his irresistible mix of sweet American songbook stylings and jumpin’ gems from his Indigo Swing days.

HOODOO focuses on blues, roots, Americana and occasional other music styles with an emphasis on live music performances. Hoodoo columnist B.J. Huchtemann is a senior contributing writer and veteran music journalist who received the Blues Foundation’s 2015 Keeping the Blues Alive Award for Journalism. Follow her blog at hoodoorootsblues.blogspot.com and on www.thereader.com.

jumpforjoy O

ne of September’s most anticipated shows comes Thursday, Sept. 29, 8 p.m., when Hoodoo hero Johnny Boyd and his impeccably tight, swingin’ band return to the Reverb Lounge in Benson. Longtime music fans will remember Boyd as the debonair front man for Indigo Swing, one of the top bands during the 1990s swing revival. He’s one of the few contemporary singers who have mastered the art of crooning, bringing fresh energy to the sweet, yearning singing style that was a huge part of pop culture. In the early 2000s, Boyd took some time off the road and moved to Portland, Ore., while continuing to write and record. After assembling his current band, Boyd has starting touring again to selected cities. This truly exceptional bunch of players can swing out on favorites from the Indigo Swing catalog or bring masterful shades of jazz and blues to Boyd’s newer material. In February, Boyd dropped his fourth disc under his own name, Someday Dreams of You (Cliffdive Records). It’s a lush celebration of the American songbook, focusing on a mix of classic ballads and original tunes that are perfectly suited to Boyd’s signature crooning prowess. Hear samples at johnnyboyd.com. Bottom line: Boyd and his band are a group of artists who bring equal parts pure joy and consummate musicianship to the stage. The results are magical.

SEPTEMBER 2016

| THE READER |

Exciting cross-section of roots music sizzles on local stages BY B.J. HUCHTEMANN

Blues Challenge

The Blues Society of Omaha’s annual Nebraska Blues Challenge selects one band to represent the BSO at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis January 31-February 4, 2017. All events will be at The 21st Saloon in October and the finals will be held Nov. 6. The deadline to enter your band is Sept. 19. For rules and entry forms email nebraskablueschallenge@ gmail.com. For additional information, visit: facebook. com/BluesSocietyOfOmaha for updates.

Zoo Bar Blues

Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials take the stage at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar Friday, Sept. 9, 9 p.m. Tijuana Gigolos shake it up at 5 p.m. Veteran Lincoln musicians Gerardo Meza and Josh Hoyer throw a joint birthday party Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Zoo Bar. The Mezcal Brothers rock 7-9:30 p.m. and Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal get funky from 10 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Other Zoo highlights include Kansas City’s Katy G & The Girls Wednesday, Sept. 14, 6-9 p.m., honky-tonk with Dale Watson Monday, Sept. 12, 6-9 p.m., Tinsley Ellis Tuesday, Sept. 20, 6-9 p.m. and rockabilly with Nikki Hill Wednesday, Sept. 21, 6-9 p.m. See zoobar.com. 21st Saloon Music Don’t miss the legendary Cate Brothers, who return to The 21st for a special Sunday, Sept. 4, show, 6-9 p.m.

hoodoo

AUBREY EDWARDS

Classiccrooner:

Benson First Friday Femme Fest, spearheaded by Rebecca Lowry, happens Friday, Sept. 2, with over 50 female-centric bands at eight venues. See facebook.com/bfffemmefest for all the details. Two of the finest internationally recognized roots musicians, Bonnie Raitt and Richard Thompson, play a double-bill at Lincoln’s Pinewood Bowl, Tuesday, Sept. 6, 8 p.m. Kansas City’s Victor & Penny hit Reverb Lounge Thursday, Sept. 22, 8 p.m. Their quintet’s high-energy prohibition era jazz and folk is creating a buzz. See victorandpenny.com. Tim Budig Band plays Sept. 2, 9 p.m., at The 21st and at Harney Street Tavern Friday, Sept. 9, 9 p.m. Rustemberfest retro and hotrod car event happens Friday through Sunday, Sept. 9-11, in Pacific Junction, Iowa, at the I-29 Dragway. There’ll be drag racing, a pinup model contest and the riotous rockabilly of Nashville’s Hillbilly Casino. See rustemberfestcarshow.com. ,

RockabillySiren:

Nikki Hill throws down her impassioned, high-octane rockabilly at The 21st Saloon and Lincoln’s Zoo Bar this month.

SEPTEMBER SHOWS SEPT 1-4

CHRIS PORTER

SEPT 8-11

DAVE LANDAU

Originally from Kansas City, MO, Chris Porter is a 27 year old standup comedian based in Los Angeles. He has been a stand-up comedian for the past 8 years; recently seen on Comedy Central’s Live Tour & heard on such radio shows as the Bob and Tom Show. Chris appeared on Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham in 2006. Working the road nonstop since his 21st birthday, Dave Landau has grown into a true comedic juggernaut. Finding himself much in-demand among audiences and club owners due to his deadpan demeanor and those jokes -- my God, those jokes -- that fluidly fly forth with breakneck pacing and perfect timing. Dave, it can be said with all due respect, is a throwback to another era of comedy. The entertaining everyman.

SEPT 12-13

T.J. MILLER

SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT

Star of HBO’s Silicon Valley & blockbuster films including Deadpool & How to Train Your Dragon, today announced his new standup tour, The Meticulously Ridiculous Tour, which will kick off this summer. The 20-stop national tour will begin on August 18, 2016, in Boston, MA, and will travel all over the country, with shows in major cities including Philadelphia, Chicago, Minneapolis, Omaha and Seattle.

SEPT 15-18

RENO COLLIER

Reno’s journey began a comedy club in Atlanta where he tended bar to supplement his day job. One night he found himself on stage during the weekly open mic night. His unique outlook was instantly popular & provided a platform to launch a career as a comedian. With a contagious laugh & friendly, almost intoxicating demeanor, Reno’s observations often find him recalling mishaps of his West Virginia cousins, his Scottish heritage, unruly in-laws & alien abductions.

SEPT 19

CINDY KAZA

SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT

Cindy Kaza is a clairvoyant (clear seeing), clairaudient (clear hearing) & clairsentient (clear feeling) who works across the country as an evidential medium, which is a style practiced around the world that puts heavy weight on the medium’s ability to bring through extremely specific evidence to the sitter. The purpose of this style of mediumship is to diminish skepticism among sitters & to prove that the medium is truly connecting with the client’s loved ones in spirit.

SEPT 22-25

TONY ROCK

THURSDAY, SEPT 1 Jules & Joe FRIDAY, SEPT 2 Taxi Driver SATURDAY, SEPT 3 Red Delicious MONDAY, SEPT 5 CLOSED LABOR DAY TUESDAY, SEPT 6 Grace & Logan

MONDAY, SEPT 12 Gooch and His Las Vegas Big Band TUESDAY, SEPT 13 Billy Troy

THURSDAY, SEPT 22 Prairie Cats FRIDAY, SEPT 23 On The Fritz

WEDNESDAY, SEPT 14 Pam & The Pearls

SATURDAY, SEPT 24 Charm School Dropouts

THURSDAY, SEPT 15 Mighty Jail Breakers

MONDAY, SEPT 26 Gooch and his Las Vegas Big Band

FRIDAY, SEPT 16 Soul Dawg

WEDNESDAY, SEPT 7 The Brits

SATURDAY, SEPT 17 The Confidentials

THURSDAY, SEPT 8 The Hegg Brothers w/ Matt Wallace

MONDAY, SEPT 19 Gooch and his Las Vegas Big Band

FRIDAY, SEPT 9 Outlaw Road

TUESDAY, SEPT 20 Spontaneous Combustion

SATURDAY, SEPT 10 Eckophonic

WEDNESDAY, SEPT 21 Bozak & Morrissey

TUESDAY, SEPT 27 Billy Troy WEDNESDAY, SEPT 28 Bill Chrastil THURSDAY, SEPT 29 Funk Trek FRIDAY, SEPT 30 The Six

Being the brother of arguably one of the greatest comics ever isn’t easy, but Tony was able to successfully elude the shadows of his older sibling & step into his own limelight. Tony has proven himself, after more than 15 years of experience, as one of the most talented, well-respected entertainers in the business, a skillful comedian, actor & executive producer. He has gained a domestic & even international presence; performing in major metropolitan cities & small towns between the east coast and the west coast.

SEPT 29-OCT 2 NICK GRIFFIN

Nick Griffin started his stand up career in Kansas City at the age of nineteen. By the time he graduated from college three years later, he was working full time all across the country. He moved to New York City in 1990 cutting his teeth on midnight shows in Greenwich Village. He was poor & alone but getting funnier & funnier. He now headlines America’s best comedy clubs and is a regular guest on nationally syndicated radio’s The Bob and Tom Show.

| THE READER |

SEPTEMBER 2016

FILM Fall-OMeIfYouWanttoLive A

Although possessed of the best temperatures and foliage, Fall gets arguably the least hype. Is this the year all of that changes? Will the films released this autumn position the season for higher respect? Probably not. That said, 2016 has thus far been a smelly, greasy dumpster fire in terms of movie releases. So, at the very least, this Fall can’t do much to mess things up. Here’s a look at the upcoming releases that have my curiosity, if not my attention.

Blair Witch (Sept. 16)

I am not one for horror films. By that I mean I’m a scared manbaby who is afraid of my

SEPTEMBER 2016

| THE READER |

film

own shadow, other people’s shadows and any loud noise, even if I made it. Still, I remember devouring The Blair Witch Project with gusto, even if I still haven’t forgiven it for ushering in the era of found footage horror. The original movie was a phenomenon because it captured the public’s imagination with a totally, obviously B.S. story suggesting that it was “real.” The latest version tried a stunt of its own, pretending to be a movie called The Woods until just recently, when it dropped its false garments to reveal itself as a sequel to the first flick. Buzz has been strong to the point where people are praising it for giving the horror genre its long-needed boost of creative Viagra. I’m less convinced but intrigued enough

Only Autumnal Film Preview You Need B Y R YA N S Y R E K

to endure a few embarrassing squeals of fright passing my lips.

The Magnificent Seven (Sept. 23)

A remake of a reimagining of an Akira Kurosawa film, this swaggy western caught my eye based solely on the talent involved. Combining Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt and Vincent D’Onofrio with writer Nic Pizzolatto (HBO’s True Detective) is a good way to get my attention. Considering that the last elder statesman who represented American westerns, Clint “Chair Talker” Eastwood, has gone coo coo for Coco Puffs and declared a whole generation to be “wussies” (in harsher terms), it’s high-noontime we wrest the genre away from his skeletal

‘cutting’room

n It may be the Ruth Sokolof Theater but, Thursday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m., it will become Herman’s House. Film Streams and the Urban League of Nebraska Young Professionals are presenting a special screening of the aforementioned Herman’s House, a documentary about a man who spent 40 years in solitary confinement. Followed by a panel discussion, this screening intends to shed light on issues of incarceration, recidivism and art, which is more important a trio than the Three Amigos, no matter what Chevy Chase tells you. This event is part of Film Streams’ Community Development Program; if you have a decent proposal (as opposed to an indecent one), the quarterly deadlines for consideration are Jan. 2, April 1, July 1, and Oct. 1. Hop to it! Figuratively, nobody takes people who jump to-and-fro seriously. n Film Streams ain’t done culturally stepping their game up! From now through Sept. 27, the arthouse will be partnering with the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Office of Latino/Latin American Studies for Cinemateca 2016. This is the fifth celebration of Latino, Latin-American and Spanish cinema that includes special screenings with free pre-show food and post-show discussions! Eat before and chew the fat after! Get it?! The Tuesday screenings are at 7 p.m., with conversations following the showings. Hit Film Streams’ website for more info. Figuratively, please don’t punch your computer. n Film Streams has yet one more thing for me to tell you about, because apparently they take the fall very seriously. Starting Oct. 8, the 2016-17 season of The Met: Live in HD begins. This is a collaboration between Film Streams and Opera Omaha, so there’s a lot of singing in foreign languages involved. If you’re ready to appear classy or, you know, actually like the opera, you can buy a season pass ($24 general, $20 for members, Opera Omaha subscribers, and Met members). Having attended my first opera like a fancy man last year, I can tell you the experience is totes worth it, even if you’re not supposed to say things like “totes” if you see the opera. n A bad-ass collision of music and movies is unfolding down at The Alamo Drafthouse! On Sept. 8 at 9 pm, One More Time With Feeling will be shown one time for the first time … although none of that seems to make sense. The film represents the first opportunity to hear “Skeleton Tree,” the 16th studio album from Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, who despite their name, are good musicians. The movie is directed by Andrew Dominik, who is best known by me for the awesome Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, and precedes the album release the next day. If you’re a Nick Cave fan, this is must-see stuff. If you’re not, tell a Nick Cave fan and you’ll get bonus friend points! .— Ryan Syrek Cutting Room provides breaking local and national movie news … complete with added sarcasm. Send any relevant information to film@thereader.com. Check out Ryan on Movieha!, a weekly half-hour movie podcast (movieha.libsyn.com/rss), catch him on the radio on CD 105.9 (cd1059. com) on Fridays at around 7:30 a.m. and on KVNO 90.7 (kvno.org) at 8:30 a.m. on Fridays and follow him on Twitter (twitter.com/thereaderfilm).

Ixcanul 2015

Cinemateca 2016 Presented with UNO’s Office of Latino/Latin American Studies (OLLAS).

Special screenings with free pre-show cuisine and post-show discussions: My Big Night 2016

Cinemateca meets Forever Young:

Boy and the World 2013 (PG) Sept 3, 4, 8, 10, 11 & 15 Habanastation 2011 Sept 17, 18 & 22 (free screenings!) 313 N. 13TH STREET / LINCOLN, NE

Tue, Aug 30, 7 pm

Ixcanul 2015

Tue, Sept 6, 7 pm

Viva 2015

SHOWING IN SEPTEMBER

Tue, Sept 13, 7 pm With star Héctor Medina in person!

El Clan 2015 (R) clutches. It’s unlikely that westerns will ever return to their place of nobility in the cinematic food chain, which is understandable given the latent racism and frequent misogyny. But if this does blockbuster money, studios may dust off the six shooters at least somewhat more frequently. Birth of a Nation (Oct. 7)

I don’t think I’m rooting for any film harder than I am writer/director Nate Parker’s Birth of a Nation. It’s not just that it’s a dramatic retelling of Nat Turner’s slave rebellion in 1831, it’s that it has the genius to share the title of the 1915 film about the KKK. The earlier film is still frequently taught in classes covering film history, which sucks a lot. If Parker’s movie is a success, it will not only stand on its own as a potent force recapturing cultural imagination, it will bump the gross Klan movie to “the other Birth of a Nation.” There’s virtually zero chance of this new film not garnering tons of award acclaim, so I recommend seeing it early to appear “film forward” to your hipster friends! We all have them…

The Girl on the Train (Oct. 7)

I haven’t read the book upon which The Girl on the Train is based because reading is for nerds! High-five!! I’m kidding and only trying to cover up my multiple English literature degrees. Emily Blunt headlines the adaptation and is taking some guff for apparently being much prettier than the description of the lead character in the mystery novel. Wait, Hollywood is inserting a more attractive human into a movie based on a book?! Blow me over with a sparrow fart! In the century-old battle betwixt book and film, book readers have yet to concede defeat. There’s no reason to assume that will be different here, yet the prospect of a Hitchcockian thriller headed by Blunt is enough to raise my goosebumps in a good way.

Tue, Sept 20, 7 pm

Los Sures 1984

Tue, Sept 27, 7 pm

All showings at Film Streams’ Ruth Sokolof Theater. Info & tickets at filmstreams.org.

313 N. 13TH STREET / LINCOLN, NE

SHOWING IN SEPTEMBER

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (Oct. 21)

Tom Cruise is now long removed from both his prime and his couch-jumping descent into madness. The titular character adapted from the popular book series may be described in

CALL OR CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR MOVIE TIMES AND PRICES

continued on page 60 y

film

| THE READER |

SEPTEMBER 2016

y continued from page 59

print as mammoth in size, but Cruise proved his Xenu-powered gumption is up to the task in the first installment. This sequel may have a decided lack of Werner Herzog, a detriment of far too many action movies, but it does appear to once more allow the diminutive Scientologist to display his miniature machismo in a big way. Sure to be your dad’s favorite movie of the year, this is the very definition of a notable Fall movie. Doctor Strange (Nov. 4)

I’m not even gonna pretend this isn’t the Fall movie I’m most excited about. It’s Doctor flippin’ Strange, yo! Marvel Studios has finally stumbled into the weird outliers among its properties, with none odder than a dude with Strange literally right there in his name! While DC and Warner Bros are still trying to find a way to make “grim n’ gritty” movies, even ones with half-human crocodiles, Marvel has decided to roll the dice by embracing pure mysticism and magic. Does it help to have a Benedict Cumberbatch? When doesn’t a Cumberbatch come in handy? Still, trying to get audiences to embrace a surgeonturned-sorcerer is a bold move from a studio not content to play it safe despite dominating box offices as well as hearts and minds.

SEPTEMBER 2016

| THE READER |

film

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (Nov. 18)

Have you heard of this “Harry Potter” fellow? Apparently, years after his last cinematic outing, his name brand carries a wee bit of weight. Written by J.K. Rowling, this expansion of the Potterverse sees Academy Awardwinner Eddie Redmayne keeping a ton of weird creatures in his magical briefcase. I’m aware there’s probably more to it than that, but simply knowing those facts is enough for die-hard fans and casual enthusiasts to collectively squeal. I can’t remember another series strong enough to launch a quality offshoot, but I’m positive all other studios are watching to see if they can do the same (because originality is a sucker’s game).

Moana (Nov. 23) Disney animation has stepped out from behind Pixar’s shadow with Frozen and Wreck-It-Ralph. Thus, they didn’t necessarily need to add the genius behind Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda, to its latest project to spark my interest. That said, “OMG! New Miranda songs!!” With Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson voicing a demi-God and lush animation, this promises to be a treat targeting kids but also capturing Hamilton-obsessed adults ... not that I know any. ,

sports

huskersrising

nder ordinary circumstances a preview of Mike Riley’s second season as the Nebraska football team’s coach would begin with the carryover optimism of a 37-29 victory against UCLA in the Foster Farms Bowl. The Huskers rushed for 326 yards in the game, which they played only because there weren’t sufficient teams with at least six victories to fill all the NCAA-sanctioned bowls. It was an old-school offensive performance: run the ball and complement that with efficient passing. Quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. completed 12of-19 passes for 174 yards and a touchdown, with no interceptions. And he was sacked only once. Ah, echoes of the now-fading good-old days of national relevance. The circumstances of this season aren’t ordinary, however. They are somber, following the death of senior punter Sam Foltz 11 days before the first practice of fall camp. Foltz and former Michigan State punter Mike Sadler died in an automobile accident in Wisconsin. “I still think about it quite often,” senior Ryker Fyfe, Armstrong’s back-up, said a week into fall camp. “But I know from being friends with him (Foltz) my whole life, he wants you to move on and compete every day. That’s the kind of kid he was, so that’s kind of what I try to do, you know, move on.” It’s not easy for Fyfe, who was Foltz’s friend and teammate growing up in Grand Island. Foltz went to school in Grand Island, where his mom Jill taught, from the fourth grade on. But he was a farm kid from Greeley, some 50 miles away, a farm kid and proud of it. Foltz loved what he did, according to Riley. And everyone could see that. “He brought a lot of joy to practice. He’s been around here long enough that he’s impacted virtually every guy that way,” said Riley. “Sometimes there’s that isolation, and I’ve said it before, of the loneliness of the long-distance runner when you’re a specialist. “But this guy was every guy’s guy here, in the weight room, in the running and conditioning; he could actually do it with most any of them. He was that person.” Foltz was an exceptional athlete, as well as a person for whom delaying a season’s preview this far in, and probably more, is deserved. As for Riley’s second season, Husker fans would seem to view the UCLA victory as a blueprint for the team’s offense, and with it success. A downhill running game will be an emphasis. “Obviously the run’s a big emphasis,” Langsdorf said. “But the screen

Optimism Tempered by Tragedy BY MIKE BABCOCK P H O TO P R OV I D E D B Y N U C O M M U N I C AT I O N S

game’s gotta improve. We’ve got to have better (pass) protection, complete more passes, and throw less interceptions.” Nebraska ranked 117th nationally in turnover margin, in part because of 21 interceptions, including 16 thrown by Armstrong, who passed for 22 touchdowns and 3,030 yards, the third-most for a season in Husker history. Better decision-making is the key to passing. Armstrong also can run the ball, and the plan is to use him in “option-type plays,” said Riley. “But not necessarily the old option, where you give it to the dive man or pitch it. It could be run-pass option and a little versatility that way.” What the coaches learned last season is “how best to use him,” Riley said of Armstrong. “I don’t know that we’ll run more with him, but we’ll be thoughtful about it. He certainly is a weapon that way. It’s a great complement to what we can do offensively.” Armstrong has three running backs on whom he can rely: senior Terrell Newby, the team’s leading rusher last season, and sophomores Devine Ozigbo and Mikael Wilbon. Riley also intends to incorporate a fullback in the mix, though a replacement must be found for Andy Janovich, a former walk-on who is now a rookie with the Denver Broncos. The Huskers also have plenty of wide receivers. “This group in depth is as good as I’ve been around,” said Riley, who includes tight end Cethan Carter among the receiving threats. Seniors Jordan Westerkamp, Brandon Reilly and Alonzo Moore lead the way. Westerkamp and Reilly combined to catch 105 passes for 1,672 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. Nebraska has never had a 1,000-yard receiver – not counting 1972 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodgers who reached that total before the NCAA included bowl games in official statistics. Westerkamp has shown the ability, and “I’d love to be the first 1,000-yard receiver,” he said. “But I’m more focused on the team, the team success, and I want us to do whatever we can to win. If that’s me having 1,000 yards, then so be it. But if not, then, again, so be it. I just want our team to win no matter what we do, running the ball, passing the ball.” In addition to Westerkamp, Reilly and Moore, sophomore Stanley Morgan Jr. has experience, and the return of junior playmaker De’Mornay Pierson-El, after playing in only five games in 2015 because of injury, bolsters the group – along with some talented youngsters.

sports

Offensive success starts up front, where only two starters return, and not at the positions at which they started last season. Senior Dylan Utter has moved from guard to center and sophomore Nick Gates is playing left tackle instead of right tackle. Still, “I think we have a physical group,” Langsdorf said. “I think that shows up in the line. I think that will help our run game. We’ve got some tough guys up-front.” The biggest question mark defensively is up-front, with the departure of four experienced players, including three starters and the other with starting experience, who could have returned but didn’t. Ends Freedom Akinmoladun and Ross Dzuris and tackles Kevin Maurice and Mick Stoltenberg are the only experienced players. The others in the mix are redshirt freshmen. Despite the departures, “I’m going to look at it half full,” said Riley. “I’m really excited about the guys we have coming back.” First-year defensive line coach John Parrella, a former Husker defensive lineman who played for Riley with the San Diego Chargers, “will bring them along,” Riley said. Nebraska, unranked in the preseason polls, is fivedeep in experience at linebacker, with Josh Banderas, Dedrick Young, Michael Rose-Ivy, Chris Weber and Marcus Newby. Two-year starting safety Nate Gerry, Josh Kalu and Kieron Williams are joined by talented young players in the secondary. It all depends on those up-front. “Look, you can’t have a great defense without a defensive line that can pressure the quarterback and stop the run,” said Parrella. Evidence is in the numbers. The Huskers managed only 24 sacks last season, to rank 79th nationally, and they ranked 121st in passing yards allowed. Junior Drew Brown was second-team All-Big Ten as the place-kicker and was involved in the same kicking camp as Foltz – the Big Ten’s best punter – when the tragedy occurred. In addition to honoring Foltz with a scholarship in his name, the Huskers will wear “SF27” decals on their helmets this season. Moving on hasn’t been easy. The start of fall camp was both good and bad, according to Brown. “It’s a good thing because it gets your mind off it, but at the same time, it’s a bad thing because you’re reminded constantly that he’s not here,” Brown said. “I’m here to play football, and I’m here to kick; it’s what I have to do. “It’s what he would want me to do.” ,

| THE READER |

SEPTEMBER 2016

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The Future is Blue

The next 10 years will be a period of unexplained sadness. A large segment of the American population will just find themselves feeling sad in a way that defies medical science -- not depressed, but merely blue, as though they were remembering something that saddens them. Those who have this feeling will not mind it, strangely. They will describe it as meditative, as though their whole life were spent contemplating its little tragedies and regretful moments. Many who experience this sadness will say it causes them to be a more compassionate person, as they are deeply sensitized to the suffering of others. This will be known as America’s Blue Period, and, when it passes as unexpectedly as it came, we will miss it.

The End of Government

Anarchism is about to have its moment. The political philosophy, defined by a rejection of the state, will become the politics of choice for an enormous number of disaffected Americans who feel they have no home in any mainstream political party. Newspaper columnists will panic, assuming we are about to return to a time of political dynamiting, but an overwhelming majority of new anarchist groups will be peaceful. They will simply attempt to go about their lives and engage with the world without a hierarchy of politicians above them making decisions. In fact, many will be obsessed with democracy, and will insist they must be allowed to vote on any decision that affects them. These politics will become mainstream in a surprisingly brief amount of time, with many businesses and institutions converting to anarchist models, with communal ownership and shared management. But mainstream politics will find itself threatened by this movement, and so will use the very few anarchist organizations that are violent as an excuse to suppress the many that aren’t. This will backfire badly, however, leading to the disbanding of most political parties and an enormous overhaul of

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SEPTEMBER 2016

| THE READER |

Dr. Mysterian

VIA PIXAR.COM

government, with a focus on direct democracy and extremely limited federal and state powers. It will be, functionally, the end of government, as we know it.

The Future is Babble

Within 10 years, American English will be incomprehensible to the modern speaker. Not only will it be flooded with new words, borrowed from immigrant communities and online speech, but the American accent will suddenly and dramatically shift. This will be in part from a new generation, determined to distinguish itself from previous generations, who they will hold in contempt. But some of it will come from the rise of a new international accent, adopted by young people everywhere and spread through the internet, that draws inspiration from a yet-to-be released Japanese cartoon set in an optimistic future, for which the filmmakers invented a new, futuristic accent. It will be the first example in history of an entire international generation simply choosing to have a new accent, although regional variations will quickly develop. Nonetheless, it will render the next generation largely unintelligible to their elders, which will be its purpose.

For more on these predictions and others by Dr. Mysterian visit www.thereader.com.

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