The Reader November 2016

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contents

| THE READER |

NOVEMBER 2016

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A Muslim and a Christian ... a blended union in a fractious era

BY LEO ADAM BIGA PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEBRA S. KAPLAN

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hen it comes to religious diversity, Omaha has churches, cathedrals, synagogues, mosques and temples. The metro’s immigrant, migrant and refugee settlers planted deep roots of Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism and Eastern Orthodoxy that still flourish today. The imprint Mormon pioneers made during the 19th century lives on in Florence and Council Bluffs.

Today’s local religious landscape also includes Bahá’í, Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, New Religion, Pagan, Atheist and Unitarian centers. Throughout the metro, interfaith efforts abound: Inclusive Communities, Together Inc., Omaha Together One Community, Neighbors United and the Tri-Faith Initiative. Countryside Community Church programs sometimes feature interfaith dialogues. There are also serious religious studies offerings at local institutions of higher learning that invite cross-current explorations.

Omaha is not immune to religious bigotry. Hate crimes have defaced area mosques amidst rising anti-Islamic fervor. As recent and still waging wars demonstrate, religion, like race and nationality, can be a wedge for conflict or a bridge for understanding. Schisms happen within and between countries, denominations, congregations, tribes, sects, even individuals. As a house divided starts at home, interfaith couples carry loaded religious commerce. One such couple is Sharif Liwaru and Gabrielle Gaines Liwaru of Omaha. He’s a Muslim by birth and choice. She’s a self-professed “follower of Jesus” after growing up Lutheran and Assembly of God. The 40-something-year-old parents of three are professionals and community activists. He directs the Office of Equity and Diversity at Omaha Public Schools and is president-CEO of the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation. She’s a teaching artist. They’re both active in the African Culture Connection, the Empowerment Network and the Black Lives Matter movement.

They shared with The Reader how they make their blended union work in this fractious era when contrasting persuasions can be dealbreakers. Not surprisingly, for two people who advocate engagement, they go to great lengths to ensure they remain connected de-

spite their differences. It starts with respecting each other and their sometimes opposing beliefs.

Gabrielle said, “As a follower of Jesus in an interfaith marriage what I admire is that Sharif is not every Muslim ... he is his own Muslim. He’s unique. Each person and their set of beliefs does not have to be exactly like the rest in their group and it goes for me as well. I’m happy that in our relationship we explore ideas and spiritual matters together.”

Though born Muslim to convert parents, Sharif thoroughly examined his faith and recommitted to it as a young man.

“This settles easy on my heart and on my mind,” he said of his practice. “It makes sense for me,” His disciplines include fasting, praying five times a day and weekly congregational prayer.

When the couple met 23 years ago, Gabrielle’s religious traditions demonized Muslims. The more time she spent with Sharif and other Muslims, she came to see those positions as false.

“In a lot of ways, shapes and forms, the attitudes-beliefs of Christians towards Muslims are wrong,” she said.

Marriage only confirmed her new-found outlook. “I have a husband who has a golden heart and he is Muslim. I’m extremely in love with how he depicts himself within black American culture and with how he’s chosen to be Muslim, too.”

The couple married despite each being warned against if not forbidden from mating with someone of another faith.

“Both of us we’re breaking rules against our religion to be together,” she said.

They met at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She was a single mom and aspiring artist and art educator. He was a community volunteer. They began as platonic friends. To this day their friendship and love trump any conflicts.

“In faith and spirituality when there are disagreements,” Sharif said, “there’s a barrier that can come from I-feel-it’s-this-way and you-feel-it’s-that-way and there’s no reconciliation.

We’re not trying to create a sense of hierarchy of one being better than the other. At the same time, if either one of us felt the other’s path continued on page 10 y

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SHARIF LIWARU AND GABRIELLE GAINESÂ LIWARU

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NOVEMBER 2016

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continued from page 8 y

was the path, we would have been on it. So, in as much as we agree with the other, we have to acknowledge each of us thinks we’re right.”

“In situations where Sharif thinks he’s right, I still have to respect him to the core as being a peaceful person,” she said.

They try emphasizing those things on which they are of one accord.

“We are connected purposefully and spiritually and aligned in so many ways, so it’s a challenge trying to walk through the things we may see differently,” Sharif said. “Our ideologies are very similar in terms of how we treat one another, the belief in one god and in a creator, the understanding that your actions need to reflect what you believe, the sense of having purpose and being created intentionally, having strong moral values and the way you carry yourself as vital.”

Gabrielle said she believes she and Sharif are ordained “to journey together to do the things that make this place better,” adding, “We strengthen community, we strengthen our children and family and we’re role models for people to see that oh, yes, you can get beyond differences.”

It hasn’t always been easy.

“For many years she wasn’t sure how I would take it if she was using Jesus a lot,” Sharif said. “I wasn’t sure how she would take different things like greeting someone with ‘as-salamu alayka’ or s’alamun alaykum’ [peace and blessings or complimenting someone with ‘alhumdulillah’ ... all praises be to god]. Or praying-reading from the Koran before eating. Or using Allah for God. Those are Arabic words for English words commonly agreed upon and used in the house.

“We sometimes would self-dictate what made the other person feel uncomfortable. But then as we started to explore and grow, especially in terminology, she used Yah as the one creator and I used Allah. We came to an understanding that when we say that we’re not saying it be contentious, rather we’re saying the same thing in two different ways. We don’t see them as counter or correction.”

As much as he or she might want the other to follow their beliefs, neither takes offense at their choosing not to.

She said she doesn’t accept the Prophet Mohammed as “the final messenger Jesus said was to come after him. I feel like Jesus was talking about the spirit of truth and great comforter that would never leave us alone and would guide us without us having to follow a man and what the man said. I feel that deep in my soul and, yes, I would like my husband to feel that.”

She takes issue with the inequity Muslim women face. There are things about Christianity he finds difficult.

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NOVEMBER 2016

| THE READER |

Sharif taught our kids how to make Salat. We didn’t continue to do it Each felt pressure to bring up they’re kids in a certain faith.

“There was a lot of recruiting by our parents wanting to make sure religiously, nor did we do Bible or Koranic studies religiously, but our they grew up in the faith tradition they believed,” Sharif said. “We family has a strong sense of being together. We pray when we hear exposed them very intentionally and unashamedly to our faith. It was an ambulance go by. Whenever we’re at the table about to eat we no secret Christian faith was on one side of the family and Islamic honor God first because from God all good things come.”

Their oldest, Parris, composed a prayer the family still recites: faith on the other side.”

“Thank you Yah for this beautiful day. Thank you for all the blessHe said he and Gabrielle left it open for their kids to identify as they saw fit. “Our kids grew to be examiners of information. The ings you have given us today. Please bless this food. Take any imsame way they took everything, they absorbed and created their own purities out of it and let it nourish our bodies in every way it can. paths.” At various times, he said, they identified as “Muslim-Christian, Please help anyone in need of your merciful blessings and wonderful healing. Amen.” neither-both, half Muslim and half Christian.”

The couple’s faith, she said, extends to “doing community service In 2015 the couple’s middle child, Zaiid, was killed in an auto acand standing up for people in need.” She stays “prayed up” for peocident and the loss set them on a new path seeking answers.

“The passing of our son had us exploring an element of our faith ple regardless of their beliefs. “It doesn’t matter what they’re following, we didn’t have many occasions to discuss [before],” Sharif said. if they have a religion or not, just that they’re part of who I call mine.

“We found commonalities in the way we saw things and we talked We pray no hardship or harm for our loved ones and that means my through differences. Everything from wording to where Zaiid is now Muslim loved ones who cover. The Muslim community is part of who – physical presence versus spiritual presence – to where we originate I pray for all the time.”

Though Gabrielle’s concerned about anti-Muslim sentiment, she from as human beings to where we come after we die. We share the philosophy that we are souls with a body, not bodies that have souls. said, “I have more concern over Sharif’s well-being because he’s a black man in America versus being Muslim.”

Our bodies are vessels we carry until we return to our creator.”

After the human stampede that killed and injured thousands during The couple doesn’t allow any divergence to supersede their relationship. “The harmony we want is because of our love – our love 2015’s Haj, she worried about his safety on the pilgrimage to Mecca, being bigger than him having a different religion than my spiritual one of the Five Pillars of Islam, he made last summer. Not used to being apart that long, the separation reconfirmed their love. way,” Gabrielle said. “It’s love above all,” “We missed each other like crazy when he was on his pilgrimThey are secure enough that they can broach awkward disagreeage,” she said. “I think both of us held onto that our love is goments without fear of rejection or resentment or rupture.

“Because of the way we feel about each other,” Sharif said, “we can ing to be bringing him safely home and us back together again go deep into conversations other people can’t and we feel confident because of our destiny.” in exploring things. There’s intentionality and purpose. We work on She feels as a couple they’re still all-in. it as much as we do for us because we’ve vested this many years into “We have 21 years under our belts and it doesn’t feel like we’ve it, but beyond that working on us is working on God’s plan. That part come to a place of we’re too tired to work on this or we don’t have we know to be truth – no doubt. We have to work through some stuff any sparks about each other.” we don’t agree with or understand but we know the outcome will still Meanwhile, they support interfaith exchanges. Omahan Beth Katz be that this union stays. As much as we have some [conflicting] areas, used their perspective to frame dialogues and trainings at Project Interfaith. She said she admires their “commitment as individuals and as I believe we’re walking the same path.”

Gabrielle doesn’t mask feelings about certain tenets of Islam she a couple” to engage on issues of identity, faith, diversity, culture and opposes, but she delights in how she and Sharif find common ground. community” that are “complex and messy and many people prefer to “I view Islam as being a religion and I feel less inclined to follow avoid.” “But I think it is precisely because they each have a deep sense any religion,” she said. “In his mosque I can’t go with him and stand of faith rooted in different religions that avoidance has never been an or sit and make Salat with him, and I don’t agree with that. I want to option and they have embraced this reality rather than resent it.”

“They also didn’t sugarcoat the experience,” Katz said. “They rebe led spiritually by my husband. I want to have that accountability for a man to uphold his household with first priority to serving God vealed there were times of tension and unease. I think their willingand loving his wife and giving to his children every nurturing and ness to share publicly their journey on issues of religion and faith speaks to the incredible respect they hold for each other as people of provision he can.

“Sharif embodies all these beautiful characteristics to me and when faith, as a couple and as a family. They live out their faiths and the I can grab his hand and we pray, each of us understands, we’re common values it provides them through their commitment to their worshiping,” she said, clasping his hand in hers at their dining room family and the larger community.”

Sharif said the interfaith dynamic he and Gabrielle share adds a table. “And I believe it doesn’t need a religion that goes with that. It’s just us trying to put God at the center of our marriage and home and “very strong richness” to their lives. He agrees with Katz that most folks bring him glory. That’s where I like to worship. Personally I have found aren’t ready for open, honest conversation along faith lines. “As a the church of Jesus has no walls. I will continue to have church with community I think we’re not as engaged in that interfaith conversation people who believe in God, whether we’re at my dining table or on as we need to be. Whether interfaith or interracial, conversations are ignored so that nobody feels uncomfortable or because you’ve desomebody’s couch or in a coffee shop.”

She said nature, music and art resonate with her and Sharif’s spirits. cided you know about a particular group of people or it’s just easier to In their North Omaha home plants sprout everywhere, international have this hateful opinion versus actually listening and possibly liking music plays, incense burns, art pieces from friends and travels pop on the other. Some people are not prepared to deal with that dissonance.” walls, tables, shelves. The couple’s curiosity is reflected in their many He likes the Omaha Tri-Faith Initiative’s attempt to bring Christian, books and periodicals.

Jewish, Muslim faith centers together on one campus.

While no discernible faith artifact is displayed, the home exudes a “It’s countering the narratives we see and hear that folks are not getwarm, prayer-like intimacy and calm. When their kids were small the ting along based on their religion and the politics of that, where in many parts of the world these three faiths are interacting in couple deliberately integrated faith into their home.

“We had the Bible, we had the Koran,” Gabrielle said. “We prayed a peaceful way.” , as a family. We adopted and said mostly in English a Hindu prayer.

We did prayers I grew up with. We asked our kids to invent prayers.

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

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America’s Last Taboo B Y DAV I D W I L L I A M S PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEBRA S. KAPLAN

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hen President Obama noted that “We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus and non-believers” in his 2009 inauguration speech, the team at Fox News was locked and loaded by the time the broadcast cut back to the studio.

Of all the many points they would address in Obama’s speech, Fox went almost immediately for red meat in asking — straight faces all around — if Americans should be “offended” that the president had acknowledged the simple fact that atheists even existed.

Guest commentator Mike Huckabee, a Christian minister who had handily won the Iowa Caucuses before the GOP nomination later went to Sen. John McCain in that 2008 election cycle, led the charge.

“I think it’s an honest assessment,” he opined, “that there are certainly many people in this country that aren’t necessarily believers in anything but themselves.”

Huh? As if the only choice is between theism and utter and complete narcissism?

Statistics about religion — or lack thereof — and how it is perceived bring both good and bad news for Americans who believe in inclusivity and the most uniquely American tenet of our democracy — that freedom of religion also means freedom from religion.

A 2015 Public Policy Polling poll, for example, revealed that 54 percent of the Republican primary electorate thought President Obama is a Muslim, compared with just 14 percent who believed he is Christian.

Another 2015 poll, this one from Gallup, found that 40 percent of Americans would not vote for an atheist, topped only by the 50 percent who would not vote for a Socialist.

So it is no wonder that the stigma of atheism lingers even at a time when their numbers are growing dramatically in an increasingly pluralistic, secular society.

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Cut to Fox News’ Dana Parino in 2013 during a discussion of church/state issues. The woman who had been Press Secretary in President George W. Bush’s White House — yes, the same talking head who had once admitted on air that she didn’t know what the Cuban Missile Crisis was — whined that she was “tired” of atheists.

“If these people really don’t like it,” she said “they don’t have to live here.”

The framers of the Constitution spun in their graves that day.

But for the silent minority that makes up the atheist community, polls and public commentary are not always such a nogginscratchin’ downer. A 2014 Pew Research Center Poll showed that a full 23 percent of Americans list their religion as “none,” up dramatically from 16 percent in 2007.

Now, these numbers do not at all mean that the “nones” are non-believers. The majority of Americans without a religious affiliation say they believe in God, the poll explained. As a group, however, the “nones” are far less religiously observant than Americans who identify with a specific faith. And, as the “nones” have grown in size, they also have become even less observant than they were when the original Religious Landscape Study was first conducted a mere seven years earlier.

If nothing else, the Pew poll showed that membership in traditional, brick-and-mortar religion is in decline in America.

While the United States is one of the most religious countries in the world, over half of Canadians consider themselves irreligious or atheist. The same goes for the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Denmark, Spain … even Ireland, once a bastion of devout Catholicism.

Being conversant in faith is another thing. Most Americans scored 50 percent or less on a quiz measuring knowledge of the Bible, world religions and what the Constitution says about religion in public life.

FROM LEFT; QUINCEY (STANDING), RAMSEY, EVA, AMY, KEANU AND JACK What group scored highest in the 32-question quiz? Catholics?

Nope. Barely half of all Catholics knew that when they take communion, the bread and wine literally become the body and blood of Christ. Barely half of Catholics knew their own faith well enough to understand one of the religion’s core, bedrock beliefs; the Eucharist and its underlying foundation in Transubstantiation.

And as for other religious groups? Who came out on top the quiz?

Jews? They did very well, but try again. Oh, I know, evangelical Biblebelt Southerners, right? No, they came at the very bottom.

On average, Americans got 16 of the 32 questions correct. Atheists and agnostics got an average of 20.9 correct answers. Jews (20.5) and Mormons (20.3). Protestants got 16 correct answers on average, while Catholics got 14.7 questions right.

While the quiz results may come as a surprise to many, they certainly didn’t tell Amy Ellefson anything she didn’t already know.

She’s an atheist who volunteers in the box office at The Rose and will be the props master for Opera Omaha’s upcoming production of La Boheme. Her husband, Elmer, considers himself a seeker, a doubter, but their five kids, Jack (19), Quincy (16), Keanu (13), Eva (12) and Ramsey (6) are all non-believers.

“Atheism is a non-belief in a God or gods,” Amy said. “That’s all there is to it. There is nothing more to it than that. We believe the same things as our neighbors, just not when it comes to religion. We believe

you only have this time on Earth, that there is no “better place” you go to when you die. This is your better place … the here and now.”

Amy has a non-belief in God in the same way that her neighbors have a non-belief in, say, the Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus, or unicorns.

There is, she explains, simply no evidence to support a belief in anything beyond the natural.

“We can only have the best existence,” she continued, “if we value life on its own terms and treat people — all people — like life and our time here is valuable. Being a good person is just … being a good person. That’s how it works. We live by the Golden Rule, we just believe that the Golden Rule — like the Bible and all religion — is manmade.”

“There’s always a beginning,” Keanu interjected, “and there’s always an end.”

“From stardust to stardust,” Jack added. “I’m not happy at the idea I’m going to die someday. That’s how life works. But I don’t fear death like my religious friends do.”

Outwardly, the family is non-descript if perhaps over-achieving.

Jack, Quincy, Keanu and Eva have all taken the stage in the Omaha Community Playhouse production of A Christmas Carol. Jack, Quincy and Keanu were selected to be depicted in the towering Fertile Ground mural just west of TD Ameritrade Park. Quincy began his studies at Metro Community College at 14 and is on target

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to attain his degree as a 17-year-old. They are scary-smart, wellspoken and at ease in talking about a subject that is too often taboo in America.

The family harbors no ill will towards people of faith. It’s just not for them.

The good news for the young members of the family is that they are growing up in an America where the stigma of atheism is fading. And they have an increasing array of choices for organizations that offer fellowship in such groups as the Omaha Atheists, the Omaha Metro Area Humanist Association, and Camp Quest, a secular summer camp where Jack has been a counselor and serves on the board.

The rise of the “nones,” that 23 percent of us who have no religion, is sure to grow during their lifetimes. Attitudes will change. Biases will soften. But will atheism follow same-sex marriage, legalization of weed and other societal issues as the next great wall to crumble?

Theirs will surely be a more accepting world, right?

At least one family member thinks so.

“I’ve gotten a lot more flack for being queer,” said Jack, who was born biologically female but identifies as pansexual / gender queer, “than I have for being an atheist.” ,

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Bahá’í in Omaha

BY KARA SCHWEISS PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEBRA S. KAPLAN

T

he earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.

Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship.

These sentiments may suggest a contemporary, progressive and global perspective of an increasingly interconnected world, but they’re actually extracts from the 19th-century writings of Bahá’u’lláh, a Persian who founded the Bahá’í faith. In less than two centuries Bahá’í has become the second most widespread religion on the planet after Christianity, with followers in nearly every country.

Jay Banta, a former United Methodist minister, and his wife Linda, who was also a practicing United Methodist, came to the Bahá’í faith six years ago. Looking back on the transition, the couple say they found many of the principles of Bahá’í to be appealing and in alignment with their own values: peace, justice, elimination of prejudice, equality of men and women, a right to education for all children, harmony of science and religion… not to mention character traits followers aspire to like kindness, generosity, integrity, honesty, humility and service to others.

The teachings of the monotheistic faith include a belief in the oneness of God and religion, the unity of humanity and the essential harmony of religion. Its estimated six to seven million followers worldwide, called Bahá’ís, believe that humankind needs to find a unifying vision of the future of society and of the nature and purpose of life.

Linda Banta uses a Bahá’í analogy that as life inside the womb prepares a person for life on Earth, life on Earth is meant to prepare a person for the afterlife. “The body develops in the womb, the soul develops throughout life,” she says.

“And there is a very strong emphasis on unity: one God, one religion, one humanity,” Jay Banta adds. “When you look at a picture of Earth, you don’t see any lines. All those things have been created by man. And all of those lines are the causes of most of the problems we have.”

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The Bantas say they found Bahá’ís to be warm and welcoming, even when they were still outsiders in the exploration phase.

“My initial feeling when we started in the Bahá’í faith was, ‘Why are people not clamoring to be a part of this?’” Jay Banta says.

He discovered early on that Bahá’ís aren’t encouraged to proselytize or evangelize, but they’re certainly open to questions and sharing information. He initially became interested in learning more about the faith after conversations with a former highschool classmate who had become a Bahá’í decades before.

She invited the Bantas to a Bahá’í-sponsored music workshop at the Chautauqua Institute in New York, which was within a day’s drive from their then-home in Vermont.

“The first thing that we noticed was how inclusive the people were who were there,” Jay Banta says. “The second thing that became very apparent to us was just the diversity of the group.”

“I had been curious, so I had been asking questions. [The Bahá’í friend] gave us some information to look at, and on the way home, I was looking through it,” Linda Banta says. “And everything I read, it was like this was something I had always believed. It just kept ringing true.”

Although Bahá’í communities have sprung up all over the world, the faith is not recognized everywhere. Its followers are even persecuted in some place including, ironically, its originating country of Iran, Jay Banta says. Bahá’ís there have been imprisoned and some have even been executed. “They’re seen as heretics, as seditionists.”

In the United States, Bahá’í are able to practice freely, although their growing numbers are still relatively small and their faith is not familiar to or understood by many of their neighbors.

“No, it’s not a sect. It’s not a cult,” Linda Banta says. “And sometimes people even hear ‘Bahá’í’ and get it confused with B’nai B’rith [a Jewish organization].”

The Bahá’í center in Omaha, located at 5114 N. 60th Street in a converted single-family residence, has a modest current membership of about 100. continued on page 16 y

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6:30PM-9:30PM DECEMBER 17TH

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continued from page 14 y

“It was pretty small in Vermont, too,” Linda Banta says. “As a matter of fact, in the little town we lived in there was only one other person who was Bahá’í. With three of us, we didn’t have enough for a spiritual assembly, but we were registered as local community of three.”

Jay Banta estimates that around half of the membership of the Omaha group is comprised of followers like himself and his wife, who voluntarily came to the faith in adulthood. Others were raised as Bahá’í. Bahá’í communities are democratically-led and structured without clergy so everyone has the opportunity to serve in leadership roles. Anyone can join the faith who has reached the age of 15.

“You simply sign a declaration card. You just state on the card that you believe in the tenets and vow to uphold them,” Linda Banta explains. “I think you can even do it online. They’ve kept abreast of the times.”

Although the Bantas easily assimilated the tenets of their new faith, they admit to one adjustment being a challenge.

“We learned a whole new way of approaching the calendar. The Bahá’í year is made up of 19 months of 19 days. At the end of each one of those periods of 19, we have a feast,” Linda Banta says.

In American culture, “feast” evokes a bounty of food, but although a Bahá’í feast usually involves something to eat, its focus is really more about devotions, prayers and even administrative activities for the community. Naw-Rúz is the first day of the Bahá’í calendar year and occurs on the vernal equinox, on or near March 21.

“Ninetime times 19 equals 361. So when you get to the end of the year, there are four or five days, depending on whether it’s a leap year or not, that are intercalary days,” Jay Banta says.

“These are kind of looked like as days outside of time. This is when we celebrate.”

Bahá’í supports critical thinking, Linda Banta says, which naturally follows the Bantas’ journey of moving from one belief system to another.

“You’re encouraged to search out the truth yourself — it’s called ‘individual investigation of the truth’—not to take someone’s word that’s been handed down through the centuries,” she explains.

“You’re encouraged to think for yourself and come to your own terms with it.”

“One thing I’ve noticed is that most of the Bahá’ís we’ve known are very smart, educated people,” Jay Banta says, adding that with the original texts of Bahá’u’lláh still intact and the writings themselves not even two centuries old, Bahá’í teachings have remained remarkably consistent. However, Bahá’ís differentiate between what material is pulled directly from the official writings and what is personal revelation. “The Bahá’ís are very careful about that, that a person isn’t putting in his or her own spin…They always preface with ‘this is my belief, this is how I understand.’”

The Bantas are serious about their Bahá’í practices and ongoing studies, but coming from a Christian upbringing they say they appreciate the fact that their new faith respects their former. Bahá’ís believe in the validity of the founders and prophets of the major world religions, and believe in a principle that every major faith is a link in a cohesive spiritual system progressively revealed to humanity.

Thus, the Bantas did not have to disavow everything they had held dear as part of their previous religious beliefs.

“We still attend occasional services at a Methodist church,” Jay Banta says. “Over time, God has made himself known by different messengers like Moses, Abraham, Jesus. The belief is that the Baha’u’llah is the latest of these messengers; the messengers come when there is a need among the people.”

“We still believe in Christ, you know, because he was one of the messengers,” his wife adds.

“But it’s not an exclusive thing.” ,

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Through May 6, 2017 PASSION AND OBSESSION

KANEKO Gallery, 1111 Jones St. Opening, Saturday, Nov. 12 Gallery hours: Tues.– Fri. 11 a.m.–7 p.m. and Sat. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. thekaneko.org/passion.

Fall fundraising events for the coming year are not uncommon in the Metro arts scene, but KANEKOOpen Space For Your Mind has always raised the bar with its accompanying anchor exhibitions that reinforce its commitment to multi-disciplinary creativity and design. KANEKO’s inaugural fundraiser in 2014 featured a three-part display of industrial and architectural designers Cedric Hartman, Olson Kundig and Wallace Cunningham. Last year, patrons were entertained and enlightened with “Design in Motion,” which explored the impact of design in automobiles, bicycles and industry. The third annual Soirée, “Passion and Obsession: From the Collection,” promises to be no exception as its carefully curated exhibition focuses on the relationship between artist and collector and how it benefits both as well as the community at large. This fall exhibit will showcase works of scale, process, and variety from local holdings including the Karen and Robert Duncan Collection, the Steve Wake Collection, the Kathy and Marc LeBaron Collection, and the KANEKO Collection. “Passion & Obsession” will feature ceramic sculpture, glass sculpture & installations, drawings, and paintings from several internationally renowned artists including Viola Frey, Tony Hepburn, Leiko Ikemura, Jun Kaneko, Manuel Neri, Annabeth Rosen, Therman Statom, Goro Suzuki, Akio Takamori, and Sunkoo Yuh. KANEKO patrons are already familiar with the significant work of Kaneko and Statom and their international reputation among collectors of all kinds, but the exhibit boasts an even broader global scope. For instance, Ikemura is a Japanese-Swiss painter and sculptor, and Suzuki is a Japanese master ceramist who works in many different styles, all rooted in Japanese traditions. Suzuki’s work demonstrates a masterful manipulation of the material and an aesthetic of rustic simplicity. The late Viola Frey is well known for her large, colorfully glazed clay sculptures of men and women, which expanded the traditional boundaries of ceramic sculpture. Frey was one of a number of California artists to produce works with robust sculptural qualities associated with Abstract Expressionist painting, Pop Art and what would come to be known as California Funk. Yuh focuses on ceramic sculpture, slip casting, and ink drawing. His work is informed by his personal and intimate experiences in everyday life, which he records as spontaneous yet intricate ink and brush works.

Selected two-dimensional compositions are then represented and re-contextualized into conceptual and three-dimensional forms on small to monumental scale.

— Michael J. Krainak A WORK BY VIOLA FREY

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picks

Wednesday, Nov. 9 MURDER BY DEATH The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. 9 p.m., $15 ADV/$17 DOS waitingroomlounge.com Despite their ominous sounding name and the fact they have drawn several comparisons to Nick Cave, Murder By Death’s music can actually be quite energetic at times. Though technically an indie band, it seems a shame to not get a little more descriptive when classifying them. Is gothicWestern a thing? No matter! If you want to see a show that’s gonna make you think and dance, this one’s for you.

— Tara Spencer Thursday, Nov. 10 MACE HATHAWAY The Down Under Lounge, 3530 Leavenworth St. 9 p.m., Free thedownunderomaha.com

LA BOHEME

Nov. 4 & 6 LA BOHEME The Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St 2 p.m. or 7:30 p.m., $19-$99 ticketomaha.com Opera Omaha is performing Puccini’s timeless love story La Boheme. For more than a century people have fallen in love with the beauty and heartache this opera inspires.

Performed in Italian with English subtitles, audiences will be transported to another world where chasing your dreams and following your heart take center stage.

— Ronny Sheridan Friday, Nov. 4 SINGER-SONGWRITER ROUNDS The Down Under Lounge, 3530 Leavenworth St. 9 p.m., Free thedownunderomaha.com This every-first-Friday event, curated by Edward Spencer, features small groups of performers. They each take turns on stage singing, story-telling, and rocking out to

each other’s sound and energy. Next month will have a whole new set of artists, the list for this month is as follows, Group 1: Sam Burt, Michelle Eva Becker, Lucy Flott and N8 M Sic. Group 2: Adam Houghtelling, Edward Spencer, Aly Peeler and Valerie Electricradbolt.

— Mara Wilson Friday, Nov. 4 and 18, Saturday, Nov. 5 and 19 UNO MEN’S HOCKEY 2425 S. 67th St. 7:07 p.m., $20-$27 omavs.com The UNO Mavericks are back on the ice looking to bounce back from a season cut short. The Mavs display some of the top talent in the country, including star player Austin Ortega, who leads college hockey in game-winning goals. The Mavs are on the road for most of the month, but have two series at home. The first is Nov. 4 and 5 where they begin conference play against Colorado College. The second is Nov. 18 and 19, against in-conference rival No. 2 Minnesota-Duluth.

— Trent Ostrom Saturday, Nov. 5 CONCIERGE MARKETING LOCAL BOOK EXPO The Bookworm, 2501 S. 90th St., Suite 111 1 p.m. bookwormomaha.com

6 p.m., $67.70 thedinnerdetective.com For a captivating night out that includes a four-course meal and a murder on the side, join the Dinner Detective in America’s largest interactive murder mystery dinner show. Packed full of laughter and clues you won’t want to miss this opportunity to put your sleuthing skills to the test. There is a murderer in our midst and it’s your job to figure out who it is.

— Ronny Sheridan

— Mara Wilson

Tuesday, November 8 SABRINA CARPENTER The Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. 7 p.m., $15.00 theslowdown.com Actress and singer-songwriter Sabrina Carpenter will be stopping by the Slowdown to promote her new album EVOLution. Carpenter was first known as a Disney star because of her role as the rebellious character Maya on the spin-off of Disney’s Boy Meets World, Girl Meets World. Carpenter began releasing music as early as 2011 and wrote the theme song for Girl Meets World. She released her first album in 2015 which accounted for more than 33 million streams on Spotify. Carpenter received attention recently for her cover of the Disney classics “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes/So This is Love.”

— Trent Ostrom

The Bookworm is hosting a local book expo for authors published by Concierge Marketing Book Publishing Services. Fifteen authors will be signing their books at this event including, Preston Love Jr. (Economic Cataracts), Marilyn Coffey (Thieves, Rascals & Sore Losers, Mail-Order Kid, and more) and Paula Wallace (The Way It Feels Sometimes and Choose Your Days). So come out and support local writers and your local independent bookstore.

MACE HATHAWAY VIA FACEBOOK

Saturday, Nov. 13 BEER & BAGEL OFF-ROAD RUNNING SERIES Quarry Oaks Golf Course, 16600 Quarry Oaks Dr. 9 a.m., $52-$105 beerandbagel.com

— Ronny Sheridan Saturday, Nov. 5,12 & 19 MURDER MYSTERY DINNER SHOW DoubleTree, 1616 Dodge St.

Mace Hathaway is a storytelling Americana singer-songwriter who is making his way around Omaha stages.

Hathaway is not the type to just spit lyrics into the microphone, his songs have stories behind them. Add the down-to-earth sound of his voice and guitar and you have quite the talented man. If you have yet to check out this folk artist, you are missing out not only on seeing a wicked cool beard, but great genuine music.

SABRINA CARPENTER

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Run, eat and party at this year’s Beer & Bagel, where runners will take on nature made rugged trails in a halfmile, or four-mile marathon. Running enthusiasts can sign up for the Squatchy Challenge and run both races.

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y continued from page 19 At the finish line enjoy free beer, bagels, chili and tailgate games. There is still time to signup individually or with friends, so head to their website, claim your t-shirt and get ready for fun, Sasquatch will be waiting for you.

— Ronny Sheridan Thursday, Nov. 17 FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM Movie Theaters 6:00 p.m., $5-$18.81 fandango.com Gryffindorks and Slythernerds assemble for the event you have been waiting for. Magic has come to America and the love for your favorite wizarding world is back in theaters. Sure, it’s a new story and your favorites will not make an appearance, but does that not make your inner child jump for joy? J.K. Rowling fans will not only get to continue living in the fairytale world, but this time

like a rock show. Their most well-known hit is the Carol of the Bells, which has millions of plays on YouTube.

— Trent Ostrom Thursday, Nov. 17 CHICAGO WITH EARTH, WIND & FIRE CenturyLink Center, 455 N. 10th St. 8 p.m, $42-$145 centurylinkcenteromaha.com 70’s pop rock legends Chicago and R&B/Soul legends Earth, Wind & Fire dominated the 70’s with a combined four number one’s and a combined total of twenty five top ten hits.

Of their 36 albums released, Chicago has had 25 go certified platinum. Billboard magazine named them the 13th best artist in their list of top 100 artists of all time. They are known for songs of heartbreak and big instrumentation.

Their biggest hits include “Saturday in the Park” and “25 or 6 to 4.” Meanwhile, Earth, Wind & Fire feature smooth vocals and a party atmosphere with such songs as “September” and “Let’s Groove.” This is the third time the two groups have put on the “Heart and Soul” tour.

— Trent Ostrom Friday, Nov. 18 BLACK VIOLIN Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. 7 p.m. ticketomaha.com

EDDIE REDMAYNE PLAYS NEWT SCAMANDER IN FANTASTIC BEASTS

instead of London having all the fun, the story is set in New York, seventy years before the famous Harry Potter arrived at Hogwarts and read the books of the main character in this thrilling new wizarding adventure, Fantastics Beasts and Where to Find Them. The movie’s opening day is technically Friday, Nov. 18, but you know how those midnight premiers turned into 8 p.m. showings and now 6 p.m. Accio a ticket (might be safer to purchase one online for all you muggles out there) or you’ll be bloody sorry you missed out.

— Mara Wilson

If you thought hip hop and classical music couldn’t work together, then you’ve never heard Black Violin. And if listening to their music for the first time kind of confuses you, well, that’s the point. Wil B and Kev Marcus want their music to change preconceptions and challenge stereotypes, which they are doing with great success. No matter what kind of music you like, there is so much to be enjoyed during one of their shows, you will be sad if you miss out on this one. So, you know, don’t.

— Tara Spencer Through Nov. 19 OPERATION CRUCIBLE Brigit Saint Brigit Theatre, 333 S. 132nd St. Friday, Nov. 4, 11, 18 and Saturday, Nov. 5, 12, 19 7:30 p.m., $20-$25 bsbtheatre.com The time is 12 December 1940. On this particular date the city of Sheffield underwent seven hours of continuous bombing, which has been coined, the “Sheffield Blitz.” The play, Operation Crucible, written by Kieran

Thursday, Nov. 17 TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA 1 Arena Way, Council Bluffs, IA 7:30 p.m., $42-$66 trans-siberian.com The sound of Christmas is back. The electrifying TransSiberian Orchestra is coming back to the Mid America Center to perform their unique take on the holiday season through an electrifying show. Trans-Siberian Orchestra is known for bringing a rock flavor to well-known Christmas songs and standards. Along with their bold rock flavor, they bring their shows to life with special effects and expansive light show, making their shows feel THE PRETTY RECKLESS LEAD SINGER

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CHICAGO

Knowles, centers around four steel workers in Britain’s Sheffield munitions factory. These men are shown at work, rest and all the while trapped beneath the rubble of the bombed-out building. This is not a history play based solely on the terror of the Sheffield tragedy, but rather a story of experiences. The men reveal their stories as they create the steel mill atmosphere. They express their fears in light of the awful situation they were dropped into, but their joys arise as well when their memories start to unfold in the darkness. From the play’s description, it is said to be a story of “four ordinary men in extraordinary times.”

Tuesday, Nov. 22 HENRY ROLLINS The Rococo Theatre, 140 N. 13th St. 8 p.m., $25-$39.50 rococotheatre.com Where to begin? Rollins may be best known for being the lead singer of Black Flag and, of course, The Rollins Band. But don’t go to this show expecting to see the angry one yelling “Liar” at the audience. No, this is brazenly honest, stripped down, spoken-word Henry Rollins. He’ll talk about life and almost certainly about

— Mara Wilson Through Nov. 20 WHITE CHRISTMAS Opening Tuesday, Nov. 15 The Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. Times Vary, $35-$100 ticketomaha.com Irving Berlin’s White Christmas is a classic Christmas Broadway show filled with amazing dance routines and wonderful songs. This is a must-see for the holiday season. If you are still looking for Christmas presents, give the gift of joy and goodwill that this show inspires

— Ronny Sheridan Monday, Nov. 21 THE PRETTY RECKLESS Sokol Auditorium, 2234 S. 13th St. 7 p.m., $26.50 facebook.com/sokolauditoriumandunderground Taylor Momsen may have started her singing career as a childhood actress portraying Cindy Lou Who in Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, but she has moved up and into a whole new category. Lead singer for the rock band, The Pretty Reckless has left her audience to not even recognize the sweet little girl who sang, “Where Are You Christmas?” Momsen has turned into one straight-up bad-ass who knows how to put on an entertaining and fun show. If you are frequent listener of 89.7 The River, you have most likely heard this band’s songs. The audience at Sokol will jam out with Momsen and her rocking band. You’re going to want to be one of them who by the end of the evening will say, Cindy Who?

— Mara Wilson

HENRY ROLLINS

politics. This is when he’s at his best. Whether you agree with his views or not, one thing you can’t do is call him a liar. One thing you should do, is give him a chance. Go. You won’t regret it.

— Tara Spencer Friday, Nov. 25 GOGOL BORDELLO The Slowdwown, 729 N. 14th St. 7 p.m. theslowdown.com If the term “gypsy punk” seems a little foreign to you, all you have to do is listen to one Gogol Bordello song and it will immediately make sense. The band has been pushing their gypsy punk agenda on the general public since 1999, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll be eating it up. While the driving force behind the music is Ukrainian-born Eugene Hütz, the many rotating members of

Through Dec. 22 JAVE YOSHIMOTO Fred Simon Gallery, 1004 Farnam St. Opening Reception: Friday, Nov. 18, 5-7 p.m.

Gallery Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8-5 p.m. artscouncil.nebraska.gov

MICHAEL BLACKSON

Gogol Bordello always add a little something different to each live show.

— Tara Spencer Friday, Nov. 25 THE COSMIC SMITHS EXPERIENCE The Down Under Lounge, 3530 Leavenworth St. 9 p.m., Free thedownunderomaha.com Another reoccurring event at The Down Under is centered around a band they define as, “ethereal space rock.”

The Cosmic Smiths have been around the Omaha music scene for a short time, but have made their mark at local venues. Collin Smith is the lead singer and songwriter for the band and his voice is just plain smooth. Rock and soul mixed with thoughtful lyrics make this band one to tune into. Even if you can’t place them in a genre, you may get into their sound. The Cosmic Smiths Experience features a different talented local and regional band. Visit the bar’s website to see what band is scheduled for this event. For now, you can find The Cosmic Smiths newly released album on Soundcloud or Bandcamp.

— Mara Wilson

NANCY LEPO’S “THE WATERING HOLE”

Friday, Nov. 25 and Saturday, Nov. 26 MICHAEL BLACKSON Omaha Funny Bone, 17305 Davenport St. 7 p.m., $25 funnyboneomaha.com The special engagement show at the Funny Bone for the month is a comedian who has been called one of the most original stand-up comics in the country, Michael Blackson, “The African King of Comedy.” For more than 10 years Blackson has been causing his audience to leave in tears of laughter. Is this not exactly what you want from a comedian? The gut-wrenching, uncontrollable laughter which makes you repeat the phrases for the rest of the week. With all of the stress in our lives, we deserve to take a break. So take your break at this special show and leave the kids at home because this 21 & over show will be enjoyed better without innocent ears. You may recognize Blackson from the movie, Next Friday which is when is career really took off. Let this hilarious man entertain you for the evening.

— Mara Wilson Through Nov. 26 NANCY LEPO AND DAN KLIMA Connect Gallery, 3901 Leavenworth St. Opening Reception: Friday, Nov. 11 connectgallery.net Nancy Lepo’s Pointalism artwork and Dan Klima’s woodwork sculptures will make for an interesting mashup in Connect Gallery’s November exhibit, Play Well Together.

The two artists are incredibly talented in each of their art forms. Pointillism is a technique of painting in which small, distinct dots of color are applied in patterns to form an image. Lepo’s artwork for this exhibition is titled Pointalism, which appears to be a play on words with the technique of painting and Lepo’s artwork is definitely making a point. Each piece has a title that not only tells a story by itself, but perfectly describes the artwork. The titles make you think about the picture in a different way than you may have originally viewed it, but it molds everything together perfectly. Kilma’s wood sculptures are a perfect match for Lepo’s pieces because they too, tell a story. With each carefully crafted curve and dip in the beautiful wood shows something new for the viewer. As you look closer to each piece you see something you may not have originally seen, just like with Lepo’s artwork. Placing these two artists and

their works together in one exhibit is going to allow the audience to see a multitude of stories and open up their imaginations to a world where wood sculptures and paintings play well together.

— Mara Wilson Wednesday, Nov. 30 JIM JAMES The Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. 8 p.m., $32 theslowdown.com My Morning Jacket frontman and singer-songwriter Jim James will bring his solo show to The Slowdown. My Morning Jacket released their first album in 1999 and over time became one of the most successful indie rock bands. They’ve performed and headlined some of the biggest music festivals in the country including Bonnaroo as late as 2015. In 2013, James released his first solo album Regions of Light and Sound of God which was received well by critics. He is currently touring to promote his new album Eternally Even, which will feature his standout cover of the Grateful Dead’s Candyman. Twin Limb will open.

Jave Yoshimoto is an Omahabased artist and educator of multi-cultural background. He has traveled and lived in various parts of the country which helped influence his artwork. Yoshimoto experiences range from working as an art therapist/mental health professional in Chicago to a painting instructor at Syracuse University and teaching artist in Seattle. Yoshimoto believes in creating works that are socially conscious and true to his authentic self. The image featured from Yoshimoto’s exhibit is from his Disaster series. Each painting in this series is based off the tragedy on March 11, 2011 when Japan was hit with a catastrophic 9.0 magnitude earthquake. Over 300,000 lives were changed forever after the earthquake triggered multiple fires, landslides, tsunami and the meltdown of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Yoshimoto stated on his website, he painted this event in memory and honor of those who lost their lives, livelihood and the courageous few who are still attempting to clean up the nuclear power plant to this day. He also made reproductions that were produced for fundraising to assist the survivors in Japan.

A review from Dr. Elizabeth K. Mix of Butler University, October, 2013 helps explain the prominent appearance of Godzilla, “which the artist uses as a personal symbol, but is also relevant here because of the monster’s birth from the toxic circumstances of the Hiroshima bomb- a condition replicated with Fukushima Daiichi.” Yoshimoto states it’s not just the natural disaster that creates the terror, it’s how “each tragedy in the news cycle is swept away by the wave of information that floods the media” creating a “social amnesia” that is as scary as the disaster.”

— Mara Wilson

— Trent Ostrom

“NUMINOUS LETHOLOGICA” BY JAVE YOSHIMOTO

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his studio. Adding the children’s images to the cans puts faces to the product they were exploited to help create.

— Melinda Kozel Through Jan. HOLIDAY LIGHTS Opens Saturday, Nov. 26 Various Locations

reclaimed by the earth) and some gorgeous vistas in perfect raking light. But he mostly maintains a prosaic style, featuring landscapes that underscore the harsh conditions of dry climates by capturing them in their least verdant seasons.

— Janet L. Farber

Once all the turkey, pumpkin pie, and cranberry sauce has been eaten, it’s time to break out the Christmas music. Get your holiday fix with these beautiful light displays to help celebrate the season. These three city hot spots will be putting on a nightly light show. Enjoy the magic of Downtown with The Holiday Lights Festival, Midtown Crossing will be lit up with the Holiday Lights Spectacular and Papillion will be transformed with the Papillion Winter Wonderland.

— Ronny Sheridan DOWNTOWN OMAHA LIGHTS FESTIVAL

Through Dec. 23 OMAHA CHRISTMAS CLASSIC RETURNS 6915 Cass St. Opening Friday, Nov. 18 Times Vary, $38 omahaplayhouse.com The Omaha Community Playhouse begins its annual tradition of putting on the Christmas classic, A Christmas Carol. Revisit the Charles Dickens’ story of Ebenezer Scrooge being visited by three ghosts on the night of Christmas Eve, showing him his life, the decisions he’s made, and where his life is headed. This holiday favorite is fun for the whole family. The production includes elegant costumes, colorful sets, and an environment that sets the tone for the holiday season.

— Trent Ostrom

from its stable in varying styles, mediums, and methods including Chicagoan John Himmelfarb, whose work returns to Omaha after traveling across the country. Himmelfarb uses a colorful palette and energetic line to make his iconic imagery part abstract, part figurative but always intriguing and entertaining for the viewer. Stephen Dinsmore’s paintings come to life with more representational images that resonate as well as last with their familiar landscape and domestic settings. Martha Horvay’s begins with collage to develop pattern and composition, which results in an optical pattern of an everyday environment. Catherine Ferguson’s sculptures and installations have had a transcendent and transformative role that has uplifted Omaha for many years. Michael James brings to light a tension of order and disorder in his quilted fabric constructions. Viewers of his work are encouraged to envision the unpredictable through the ordered patterns. Peter Hill explores the interaction of color and shape in his hard-edge abstraction paintings that also play with concepts and balance. Judith Burton also explores form and color in her work, focusing on the formal aspects of painting to indicate subtleties in the natural world.

— Melinda Kozel Through Dec. 31 YOUTHFUL COMMODITIES Petshop Gallery, 2725 N. 62nd St. Opens Friday, Nov. 4 templeton-arts.com

YOUTHFUL COMMODITIES

Through Dec. 30 LEGACY Modern Arts Midtown, 3615 Dodge St. Opens Friday, Nov. 4 modernartsmidtown.com With its next group exhibit Modern Arts Midtown offers a two-month tribute to artists with long-standing careers in Nebraska and the region. Legacy features seven artists

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Art has forever communicated struggle, political movements and humanity to an audience that may not otherwise see it. Artist TJ Templeton carries on this tradition with his new solo exhibit at Petshop Gallery, “Youthful Commodities” focusing on the all-too-recent practice of child labor in America’s history. A combination of assemblages, encaustics and printmaking tell a story of the children who built our country by sacrificing their childhoods and the activists who spent their lives working to change that. Templeton utilizes public domain photographs from Lewis Hine in his pieces as a fitting tribute.

To further illustrate their labor, Templeton works in mass production methods including making hundreds of sardine cans for his Cannery Kids project himself in

| THE READER |

picks

Through Jan. 8 DIRT MERIDIAN Joslyn Art Museum 2200 Dodge Street joslyn.org As part of its ongoing efforts to add contemporary readings to the mythology of the American West, Joslyn Art Museum recently opened Dirt Meridian, an exhibition of large-scale color photographs by sense-of-place documentarian Andrew Moore that continues into the first of next year. An image-maker whose works unpack the life of agricultural and urban landscapes through yearslong photographic studies, Moore has been focusing his attention since 2005 on the 100th meridian, the global longitudinal axis that also has the distinction of dividing America quite neatly in half between east and west. It is also known as the “Frontier Strip,” and is the zone that roughly divides the lush prairies from the arid plains.

For this project, Moore headquartered himself in the small panhandle community of Rushville, NE. While the meridian also runs through the Dakotas, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, the majority of images are from this region and survey the terrain from the ground and especially from the air, where the undulating sweep and epic vastness of the landscape are more easily observed.

Moore’s project reveals aspects of agricultural and mining life away from population centers. To be sure, his images do include a bit of ruin porn (abandoned structures

DIRT MERIDIAN

THOMAS PRINZ

Through Jan. 15 THOMAS PRINZ Garden of the Zodiac, 1042 Howard St. Gallery Hours: Tues.-Sat. 12-8 p.m., Sun. 12-6 p.m. facebook.com/TheGardenOfTheZodiac/ New paper constructions by Thomas Prinz are featured in the latest show to open at the Garden of the Zodiac.

His art is best described as sophisticated collage, as he creates compositions from layers of painted and printed papers. Whether working with a bright palette or in monochrome, Prinz’s collages evince a strong sense of structure, texture and motion. Decidedly part of his personal aesthetic, they also hint at his former profession as an architect. Sorting through the visual evidence of his constructions often feels like peeling back the layers of time —of paint and wallpaper built up on the wall of an old building. An often strong horizontal orientation adds to the sense of an urban-scape. An avid student of art history, Prinz enjoys everything from the early Renaissance painting to the light and place-inspired abstractions of Richard Diebenkorn. This new work, which includes large and small-scale collages and prints, is accompanied by an interactive studio space for visitors to understand Prinz’s working process and create their own compositions using some of his raw materials.

— Janet L. Farber

heartlandhealing

NewsYouCanUse

I

t has been months since Heartland Healing published what once was a regular feature — a summary of news items that may have escaped readers’ attention. We aim to present those with a holistic and natural train of thought. So here’s a dose of some news that you can use.

Trust the CDC? Think again.

We are brainwashed to believe that government agencies like the USDA, the FDA and DOJ (google the acronyms if you need to) are working for our safety and best interest. Toss that illusion aside. Though it’s been 180 years since President Andrew Jackson warned, “The control over your dearest interests has passed into the hands of corporations,” most Americans still believe that agencies like the Centers for Disease Control have our best interest as a priority. But, as Jackson cautioned, who controls the Controllers?

An article in the British Medical Journal (“Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: protecting the private good?” by Jeanne Lenzer,) points out that drug companies, (yep, “corporations”) give millions of dollars directly to the CDC and fund studies that the CDC undertakes. The sugar industry funds studies on sugar pesticides, finding them harmless. Roche Pharmaceutical, makers of a flu medicine, donated millions and the CDC ended up virtually endorsing their drug by recommending it. Eight different corporations that have vested interests in anti-hepatitis drugs donated over $26 million to the CDC. The CDC subsequently recommended expanded screening to find more hepatitis patients for the industry. Plus, the CDC failed to reveal (read: lied) about the financial ties that the researchers in many studies had to drug companies and industries. This kind of greasing the wheel by corporations takes place in virtually every government agency, bringing to mind another favorite presidential quote, this time from Ronnie Reagan. “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”

Naturally Speaking

BY MICHAEL BRAUNSTEIN

Hey, a Doctor’s Gotta Eat!

Back in the day when everything wasn’t so politically correct, if you wanted to get to “first base” with a girl, you took her to dinner and a movie. If you skipped the dinner and went right to the popcorn and Milk Duds, that wouldn’t cut it. Well, turns out your doctor may well be just as influenced as Fonzie’s Happy Days date. A recent paper in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that when a drug company buys even one modest lunch for a doc, said physician is more likely to prescribe that company’s name-brand cholesterol drug. Study after study has shown that pharmaceutical companies have tremendous influence over doctors’ (and hospitals’) medical decisions due to financial ties, gifts and perks. Is your doctor getting money from drug companies or manufacturers of medical devices? Well, you can search for yourself at projects.propublica. org/docdollars/. There’s an Omaha orthopedic surgeon listed as purportedly receiving $573K. That’s half a mil, folks. Whew! That gets a drug company way beyond “first base”.

This is typically a situation where a doc gets royalties for every particular brand of knee or hip replacement device they choose to use on their patient.

Gut Check.

Emphasizing how much attention has been directed lately toward the human internal microbiome (that’s the ginormous civilization of fungi, bacteria, parasites, viruses and other living beings that inhabit the human digestive tract), the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) will participate in a new National Microbiome Initiative launched today by the federal Office of Science and Technology Policy. This study will investigate the vital impact that the microbiome has on human health, immune system especially. Of course, anyone who knows a whit about Traditional Chinese medicine or ayurveda has been aware of that impact al-

ready. But, carry on Western science. You’ll get there eventually. Maybe.

Acid Test.

Are you taking that purple pill for antacid relief?

You may want to rethink that decision. Acid in our stomach is there for a reason, uh, like digesting food.

And it also helps get rid of cellular waste and more. If you’re getting acid reflux or heartburn and you take Nexium and the like, you should know it is linked to advanced arterial and heart disease. There are far better ways to avoid heartburn, starting with better eating habits. Of course, the maker of Nexium poohpoohed the study.

Dumb, Dirty Hand Dryers.

You know, the first time I walked into the Whole Foods bathroom after they had installed those really stupid hurricane-force hand dryers, I thought it was a bad, really bad, idea. First of all, I’m pretty sure they are loud enough to breech OSHA safe noise limits.

But after I watched someone use one, I looked down inside and saw small pools of water in the device.

I reasoned that when someone washes their hands and sticks them into the jet stream of the dryer, nebulized water is projected into the surrounding air. That means you and I get to breathe whatever bacteria and dermal detritus our bathroom mate has left on his hands. I didn’t need some kind of study to tell me what common sense already provided. But, of course, someone had to get some grant money to study it and lo, turns out those dryers spread 60 times more viruses than regular dryers and 1,300 times more viruses than paper towels, according to the study, published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology.

Well, that’s all the news you can use for now.

Be well. ,

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. .

heartland healing

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NOVEMBER 2016

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TammyYarmon

greenscene

“I

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would assume the reason I won is that we at Omaha Public Schools are big proponents of purchasing and using local products on our menus. We are really active in promoting what Nebraska has to offer,” said Tammy Yarmon, Director of Nutrition Services for OPS, upon finding out she had been nominated for and then chosen to be Food Day Champion this year.

To win the award, Yarmon first had to be nominated for her exceptional work with food. Food Day, presented by the Omaha Farmers Market and the Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition, centers on a vision of food that is healthy, affordable and produced with care for the environment, farm animals and the people who grow, harvest and serve it. Yarmon has several food initiatives in place throughout the OPS school system. One major program she recently instituted is called Nebraska Thursdays.

“We have always purchased and used local produce, but this year we decided to take the first Thursday of every month to promote local food and let our parents and families know that, as much as we can, we are using Nebraska items,” explained Yarmon. “For example, we use Rotella’s bakery for bread, which is baked here in Omaha. The potatoes and sweet corn that have been used on past menus were all from local producers.”

She said they use Smart Chicken from Tecumseh, which is antibiotic-free chicken.

Yarmon and her staff send posters to the schools and email principals in advance of Nebraska Thursdays.

The program has caught the eye of the Department of Education. Yarmon said she met with them recently and they are going to work with the Center for Rural Affairs to make Nebraska Thursdays a statewide program. Yarmon is proud of this accomplishment.

Through her role at OPS, Yarmon has also worked with Hiland Dairy to clean up their label.

“They did this by getting rid of artificial colorings and flavorings. That just happened in October and not only affects Omaha Public

Food Day Champion

BY CHERIL LEE

Schools, but also impacts all their customers throughout the state who receive their strawberry and chocolate milk,” she said.

As Director of Nutrition Services, Yarmon oversees the whole program for all schools in the district, including breakfasts, lunches, snacks, suppers and the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program (FFVP). The FFVP is a USDA grant program. Schools who qualify can apply to receive a certain number of dollars. Then they create a plan to serve fruit or vegetables outside of their regular meal programs to all their students twice a week.

“We started this years ago to see if would

Consequently, companies like Jennie-O and Tyson now raise chickens and turkeys with the certified responsible use of antibiotics.

Additionally, Yarmon said OPS belongs to the Midwest Regional Learning Lab, a group of Midwest districts that work together on things like Food Day. “This year, because the Food Day national organization didn’t have the funding to continue the program in the schools, a group of Midwest school districts, from Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa, Chicago and Detroit, all got together and did a Midwest Menu Day, where we all served food on the same day. This year’s menu was chicken drums, potatoes and some kind of apple,” she explained.

Yarmon said the school district has been into local purchasing for probably six or seven years and works hard to bring the Farm to School Movement to the forefront.

Recent activities have included Apple Crunch Day, which occurred in some of the schools. At a specific time on a particular day, students all crunched into apples at the same time.

She said activities like that bring the movement to the forefront.

When we have local products, we always try to tell our families where our products are coming from. During local Food Day, we have it on our website. We designate local products with a farmer icon on our menu. And at the beginning of the school year, we emphasize products we are using and where they are coming from,” said Yarmon.

And there are even more plans for the school’s menus coming up. Yarmon said they plan to celebrate Nebraska’s 150th birthday next March with a special meal.

She knows it will be difficult to find and use local produce in the winter, but said she will just do the best she can. Yarmon said they will still have local bread, tortillas and chicken they can use.

Of her job, Yarmon said “I love what I do for kids. That’s the reason we are all here is our kids. I love the staff in the schools doing

“I FELT HONORED THAT I WAS THE ONE CHOSEN TO BE FOOD DAY CHAMPION THIS YEAR. I CERTAINLY DIDN’T EXPECT IT.”

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make a difference to our children. As part of the program, each school is required to offer an educational component. It could be talking to students through the PA system about the importance or benefits of apples or providing watermelons to field and track athletes and talking to them about the importance of hydration,” said Yarmon.

She said a number of schools participate in that program.

Yarmon said she enjoys being able to provide fresh fruit and vegetables to kids through the program. Many are fruits and vegetables they would never normally see. Plus, the snack gives them a little something extra in the afternoon to help boost their energy and get them through the rest of their day. OPS is also part of School Food Focus, a national organization that works by using a collaboration of school districts to make changes with manufacturers through their collective purchasing power.

NOVEMBER SHOWS NOV 3-6

DR. GONZO

Dr. Gonzo’s performances combine stand-up comedy & classic rock parodies. When he’s not touring with top musical acts, he is headlining major comedy clubs across America.

NOV 10-13 VIC HENLEY

Using his good Southern “good ol’ boy” persona to first charm his audience, Vic Henley wins them over entirely with his well-crafted humor. His improvisational ability, quick wit, and high energy have earned him the reputation as one of the country’s fastest rising comedians. His appearance has been described as “a cross between Opie Taylor and Don Rickles, or a “potent concoction of innocence and devilment.”

NOV 17-20 JOHN MORGAN

Got a question? Problem? Need advice? The “Ragin’ Cajun” is here to help! Get your head out of the dark and help yourself with John Morgan’s Comedy Therapy. WAY cheaper than a shrink and definitely more affordable than an attorney! John’s confident demeanor and honest approach to life is refreshingly original. John dares to talk boldly about real issues. Whether he is speaking about children or relationships, his comedy comes from the heart.

NOV 25-26 MICHAEL BLACKSON DR. AMY YAROCH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE GRETCHEN SWANSON CENTER FOR NUTRITION (LEFT), WITH OMAHA FOOD DAY CHAMPION TAMMY YARMON the work and our office staff who provide support for our schools.”

She said she enjoys using local produce and putting money back into the economy and on a much larger scale, she is happiest buying products made in the USA. “There are certain times of the year I know I have to buy outside of the state but when I can, as much as possible, I use local food,” she said.

Yarmon enjoys working with different community organizations like the Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition and Hunger Free Heartland. She said it is an honor to work with people who are passionate about kids and who want to do the right thing.

According to Yarmon, winning the honor felt great. She said it was nice to know that she was part of this group of people all nominated by others.

“I don’t feel I was better than anyone else. Everyone who was in that group is an advocate and passionate about what they do. I felt honored that I was the one chosen to be Food Day Champion this year. I certainly didn’t expect it,” she said.

Yarmon is a big advocate for keeping funding in Nebraska. She would rather the money they spend on produce and other food go to local businesses and people.

“We try to keep the money rolling in our state. Plus, when you take a look at produce, it doesn’t have to travel as far. It’s important we spend the money here instead of someplace else.

We have people here at OPS who are passionate about what they do. And what we here at OPS can do to help people with our passion is just outstanding,” she said. ,

SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT He has been called one of the most original stand-up comics in the country, and his performances leave audiences laughing in tears.

Michael Blackson, aka, ‘The African King of Comedy’, has been entertaining audiences all across the country and around the globe for more than a decade. Inspired by the stand-up comedy of Eddie Murphy, Blackson began to develop his comedic talent in 1992 in the unkind comedy clubs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

DEC 1-4

JON REEP

Jon Reep is an American stand-up comedian and actor, known as the “That thing got a Hemi?” guy in Dodge commercials, and more recently as the winner of the fifth season of Last Comic Standing on NBC. In 1995, Reep was at a Carolina Panthers football game, when the Panthers mascot, Sir Purr, called him to the field. Reep started dancing in the endzone until the police arrested him.

COMING UP: DEC 8-11 GREG WARREN DEC 15-18 PAUL MECURIO

green scene

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NOVEMBER 2016

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craftinganethos

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C

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hris Hughes had earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and sociology, had been a professional musician with Saddle Creek Records bands Beep Beep and Gabardine, and had meandered through various jobs post-college before eventually landing in the technology field.

“I spent a lot of years working mundane jobs,” Hughes said.

“I’ve had a lot of weird jobs that were pretty ill-fitting.” A selfdescribed jack-of-all-trades, he’s also been called “quirky,” “eccentric” and even “frenetic.”

“It’s interesting; in this world you do have the autonomy to choose your own life. Most people don’t think they do, but they do,” he said. “But making those decisions can be so difficult because most of us don’t know what we want to be when we grow up.”

The Recession of 2008 forced his hand. “I had been in tech and my job was eliminated,” he explained. The job loss created an opportunity to reflect on his experiences thus far and determine the future course of his career. As a married man with children, unemployment was not an option.

Hughes made lists of his interests, talents and viable career options, and came to a clear conclusion: “I wanted to run my own company and I wanted to make a physical product.”

In early 2010, Hughes launched Artifact Bag Co., building the business nights and weekends while working a “placeholder” job during the day. By the end of the year, Artifact was a full-time endeavor.

“I’m good at a lot of different things that are seemingly unrelated but the real thing was taking one singular focus and not deviating, and doing that one thing the best I can,” Hughes said. “That has been the biggest challenge so far in my life and the one thing I’m most proud of.”

Artifact features handmade bags, totes and rucksacks; heavy-duty aprons; and pouches and wallets in a variety of materials including leather, canvas, twill, denim and awning cloth. Hughes uses domestically sourced materials whenever possible and incorporates vintage hardware and new old stock fabric into some of his products.

“I really like tote bags because they’re utilitarian, they’re one-size and they easily fit in a shipping box,” Hughes said.

“I really love apparel and outerwear, but the complexities of grading patterns and trying to find that product market fit with something that was more fashion-based just seemed too daunting to me for my first thing to do.”

High merchandise quality has been paramount from day one, Hughes said.

“I don’t just willy-nilly sketch something and throw it out on the market in the afternoon. We make prototypes, we make

Old world meets new at Artifact Bag

BY KARA SCHWEISS PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEBRA S. KAPLAN

samples, we field-test,” he said. “I’m very, very interested in the ergonomics of my products, to make sure they do exactly what they need to do. I want people to use the product and enjoy it for a long time.”

Artifact started as a one-man business as Hughes tracked down and taught himself how to use — and maintain and repair — industrial sewing equipment. His tech background also came in handy for setting up an e-commerce platform and in transforming design concepts into three-dimensional products.

“I really love to learn things, so jumping into that — it was a deeper pool than I realized, but it was okay,” he said. “I was able to tread water.”

Growth was gradual but strategic, Hughes said.

“It’s just been a learning process of creating this hybrid of a business model that takes basically 18th- and 19th-century, small-batch production and then melds it with 21st-century technology,” he said. “I made the first bags. For the first year I was in the basement of my home cranking this stuff out. There was no choice. If Artifact was going to exist it would have to be done on my own sweat equity. I knew it had to be done incrementally and it had to be done with a real long-game approach.”

Six years into Artifact, Hughes employs six skilled workers in a shop near Midtown and emphasizes that he’s always looking for people with sewing experience. “It’s very much an apprentice model. Even if you’re a wicked seamstress you’re still going to have that little bit of acclimation to sewing on industrial equipment,” he says.

He still personally designs all Artifact products in timeless and military-inspired styles that reflect his long-held love for antiquing, estate sales and vintage wear.

“I try to design the products to be unisex. The new rucksack I just released, I feel it fits a male and female silhouette really well. My field bag — kind of like my scaled-down little messenger bag — when it’s hip-slung it looks good on both women and men,” he said. “Not every man’s going to carry some of my tote bags because they could look a little ‘pursey,’ but that just depends on the user.”

His client demographic extends well beyond young metrosexuals, Hughes says.

“I actually appeal to kind of a middle-aged demographic.

Surprisingly, when I got back from my most recent trade show in New York, I got a lot of feedback from men saying they wanted me to make an all-leather satchel,” he said. “The size they described, it sounded like a purse to me. But these were sartorial men, so it wasn’t just somebody who’s off the grid and doesn’t realize what they want. So I will probably be reintroducing that. I made that product a couple of years continued on page 28 y

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CHRIS HUGHES OF ARTIFACT BAG CO.

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continued from page 26 y

and it sold predominantly to women, but I’m going to be revisiting that for 2017.”

Through artifactbags.com, Hughes sells to buyers all over the country and his overseas business is increasing, particularly in Australia and Japan. Artifact products can be found through local retailers including Hutch in Midtown, Denim Saloon in Dundee, Lauritzen Gardens’ gift shop, the Durham Museum gift shop, and Mulhall’s. Yes, the nursery and landscaping business. “They’re doing kind of an artisanal thing,” Hughes explained.

He’s even found a unique market through Paper Kite in Countryside Village.

“My totes really work well for people who need a diaper bag but they don’t want it to look like a diaper bag,” he said. “I definitely scratch an itch in that category.”

Hughes is hoping to place his products with more retailers in the western environs of the city, and that’s just one of the options for the future growth of Artifact.

“I’ve still got a lot of bags to make; I’m not tired of doing that,” he said. “But there are other verticals I’m interested in and am trying to work on. They’re kind of hinged on delegation; I can’t do these other things in-house. My business plan is a little bit like three-dimensional chess.”

Artifact has already expanded into, well, artifacts. The website now includes a carefully curated selection of vintage apparel, jewelry and accessories.

“I want to create a product offering that shows people what I as a designer am inspired by,” Hughes explained.

“That’s something that runs concurrent not only through my design aesthetic, but just my ethos as an entrepreneur.”

Hughes admits that he’d probably “make a lot more money if I’d stayed in tech,” but he also admits that Artifact not only makes the most of his broad skill set, but also has an undeniable cool factor.

“I was a professional musician on Saddle Creek Records and toured all over the world. When you’re younger and you do that, and then that ship kind of sails, you have to be real and say, ‘Okay, what’s my next chapter?’ It’s kind of hard finding something to do that’s as cool as that,” he said. “But I think I found it now. I know I have. If someone asked me, ‘Chris, do you want to be in a touring rock band or do Artifact?’ I’d do Artifact any day of the week.” ,

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| THE READER |

feature

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Owners Charlie and Cindy Odorizzi have grown Magical Omaha, open seven days a week, into one of the largest shops of its kind in the Midwest. They carry a diverse line of metaphysical items including new and used metaphysical and self-help books, aromatherapy products, over 250 bulk herbs, incense, tapestries, T-shirts, bumper stickers,

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Next Millennium Mystical Books and Gifts 3141 North 93rd Street Omaha, NE 68134 MagicalOmaha.com 402-393-1121 | Info@MagicalOmaha.com

| THE READER |

NOVEMBER 2016

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Preservation

In ‘Tubach + Tubach’ exhibit, father and daughter display an individual stewardship for culture and environment B Y DAV I D T H O M P S O N

T

art

hough significantly different in style, subject and You can feel the forces of composition, for instance, in Altone, artists Allan and Lisa Tubach, father and lan’s “Shadows on Stone,” in which a cascade of commercial daughter, share a similar family trait and theme: ephemera (a gas-station logo, a bakery sign, a smiling Evean interest in capturing aspects of the world that, like figure with a few apples to sell) spills from the upper-right for different reasons, are on the verge of disappearance. corner of the painting to the lower left.

Hence, a fitting title for Gallery 1516’s current exhibition, This bisects the image as a whole into two triangles, one a Tubach + Tubach: Preservation, which continues through piece of classical architecture, a remnant of past order, and Nov. 27. the other a surprising display of minimalist painterliness, with Yet, while Lisa and Allan have been exploring issues of three slices of color (earth-tone, beige, and white) stacked one preservation in their work for years, their personal interests on top of one another. and stories have taken them into different directions: enviPerhaps because her subject matter is organic, most of ronmental sustainability for her and cultural heritage for him. Lisa’s paintings seem to emanate outward from a throbbing However, knowing of their separate stewardship alone does heart, a collection of shapes and colors that is more comnot do justice to their individual take on vivid, dramatic and pacted than the image as a whole. detailed imagery.

This is most clear in “Humming/Sudden,” in which this Lisa is an Omaha-born, Virginia-based artist who has been throbbing heart (shaped vaguely like the head of a lamb) is showing locally (primarily through the Anderson O’Brien Gal- emphasized by its juxtaposition with a more sparsely populery) and around the country since the early 1990s. lated area of canvas and crisscrossed by drips of paint.

She is following in the footsteps of her father, Allan, who Allan’s paintings draw on Italian Futurism’s love affair with has been active since the 1970s. Many of his works have urbanism and motion. Indeed, his paintings are most persuafound their way into institutional and corporate collections, sive when they draw on Futurism’s angularity to direct the ennot to mention the Nebraska governor’s mansion. ergy of his paintings to a point of sharp convergence where The differences between these two painters are immediate. modernity, commercialism, and perception come together.

Allan’s paintings consist almost entirely of fractured portrayals In “Full Circle,” for instance, the portico of Omaha’s J.P. Cook of a man-made world: buildings, windows, signage, sculpture. building and one of the glass faces of the Holland Center slice Lisa’s paintings, on the other hand, derive much of their through the space of the painting and collide at a point where imagery from nature and from the sea in particular. Her paint- a neon “Open” sign and reverberations of light suggest that ings are crowded with plants, animals, and the movements of we have stumbled upon of those moments when life in the city water and air. offers a fusion of abstract shapes or surreal life forms.

There is also a difference in palette that is pronounced, parIn “Cloud Columns” from 1991, two slices of sky sweep ticularly when these paintings face each other across Gallery down from above, met by a stretch of highway markings that 1516’s generous space. Allan’s colors are often pale, in part at first converge but then curve and swoop in a manner that because so much of the cityscape they portray is grey and in throws the view back into the space of the painting. part because the colors are frequently viewed through one Given that Allan is driven by an interest in dynamism and another and thus must exhibit some transparency as they con- change, it is odd that there are very few signs in his painting verge in a jumble of perceptions. of actual decay of the kind that can seem depressing: rusty Whether she is working in oil, acrylic, or gouache, Lisa’s metal, peeling paint, litter, crumbling infrastructure, etc. His colors tend to be more dark and intense, from the wafting scenes are attractive and carnivalesque, swirling around the greens and blues of “Reverie (I Am You, You Are Me)” to the view rather than leaving him or her feeling alien or displaced. purple and red conflagration that flies up the middle of the There are no humans in Lisa Tubach’s work, and aside from 2010 work “For the Smallest Among Us.” a few fish there aren’t any animals either. What there is is enWhat brings these painters together is the quest — shared ergy in the form of interlocking cellular shapes in bold colors with perhaps all painters — to decide how to organize the that are usually meant to represent coral reefs and other natuswirl of objects and sensations that each seeks to capture. ral forms. In a recent, large (60” x 48”) oil painting entitled Both are faced with the question of how to compose their im- “While We Are Sleeping,” the top half of the painting is taken ages, even when the goal is to portray a moment that exists up by the water’s surface, which in its undulations catches beyond representation. only hints of the tempest of orange and red going on below.

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art

LISA TUBACH’S “MOUND (LOBED STAR)”

art

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ALAN TUBACH’S “ODE TO THE CORNER” y continued from page 30

Another recent work, “Caesura (Too Hot Bivalve)” provides a direct suggestion of how climate change is throwing ocean environments out of balance, to the point of destroying some of those environments forever.

Given this reality and the artist’s espoused interest in this reality, it is striking that Lisa’s painting capture more vitality than they do destruction. The coral reefs in her paintings are alive with color, not bleached, perhaps underscoring the artist’s latent optimism.

It also bears mention that, because Lisa’s ocean paintings are so absorbing on so large a scale (the largest here is over seven feet tall), one might not fully register the smaller, more delicate and usually non-aquatic works that are the backbone of her half of this show.

Most of these smaller (usually 32” x 40”) works are done in gouache rather than oil or acrylic. Gouache is most substantial and more opaque than watercolor, but nonetheless similar to watercolor in its fragility and absorptive relationship to the canvas or paper surface.

Nowhere in this show is this more clear than in the 2012 work “A Day of Perfect Light,” a luminous work capturing a gathering of grasses—in brown, black, yellow, and green— bending toward mortality and yet staking a claim for beauty in the most unexpected places.

Preservation may be what drives this exhibition for both Tubachs each in their own manner, but at no time does the viewer feel that this is work of desperation or hopelessness.

Perhaps it’s because father and daughter preserve something more than a reasonable expectation of change for the better for both the environment and our cultural heritage. They confirm the vital contribution artists make on behalf of both. ,

ALLAN TUBACH’S “SHADOWS ON STONE”

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art

Tubach + Tubach: Preservation will be on view at Gallery 1516, located at 1516 Leavenworth in Omaha, until November 27, 2016.

the magical holiday classic

NOVEMBER 20 IOWA WESTERN ARTS CENTER DECEMBER 3 & 4 ORPHEUM

balletnebraska.org Premier Benefactor:

Season Sponsor:

Additional Support:

Fred and Eve Simon Charitable Foundation

| THE READER |

NOVEMBER 2016

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stage

shakespeareshakesthestage

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NOVEMBER 2016

“O

h for a muse of fire that would ascend the brightest heaven of invention…” Those thrilling words in the prologue to Henry V presage the magnificent ones to follow as Shakespeare unfolds a story of England’s glorious days when that king conquered France. Aye. “Invention.” Because more fire is needed to convey what happened thereafter. Henry VI. The meek young king. His story swirls with horrid struggles for power, with treachery, with confused alarums and excursions.

Indeed invention is needed to convey such complexities as nobles cross swords across the vasty fields (Henry V again) of France and the sceptered isle of England. To do so, Shakespeare parsed his pageant into three parts. Each one continues the narrative. So much is in there, in fact, that a daunting task awaits whatever theatre magicians aim to do when taking on the complete task.

Now two universities and a professional theatre company unite to confront the challenge.

The title: A War of Roses. A two-part invention

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stage

Burning Questions About War

BY GORDON SPENCER

Why now? “It’s timely; look at the world situconceived by Nebraska Shakespeare’s artistic director Vincent Carlson-Brown along with ation,” Glasser explained. “This parallels what UNO and Creighton theatre directors profes- our country and many others have been ensors D. Scott Glasser and Amy Lane. Part 1, gaged with. Wars that seem to have no end.”

Foreign Flames, appears at UNO and Part 2, A “It resonates today, especially in American Fire Within at Creighton. politics” Lane added. “England is a house diSixty-eight characters appear on two stages, vided. The story is about a country turning on portrayed by 41 actors, the majority of them itself. And, think of Jack Cade.” Cade surfaces students. Most have multiple roles, with a third in Part 2. A real-life figure, here seen as a charof each ensemble being professional actors, ismatic, bitterly comic oaf, he wins public admialumni of the universities. Nearly every char- ration and, without prior experience governing, acter from Part 1 appearing in Part 2 is played leads a rebellion against the established order.

No doubt the collaborators bore in mind by a different actor. This massive undertaking has been two years in the making. Glasser, the famed words by George Santayana: Carlson-Brown and Lane had long wanted to “Those who cannot remember the past are concome together in a project that would use all demned to repeat it. Only the dead have seen of their resources combined in something that the end of war.” would have been difficult, nay impossible, to In short, the French want their country back attempt alone. Actually producing all of Henry after Henry V dies. Inspired by a young woman, VI has been an enduring dream of Glasser’s. Joan La Pucelle (aka Joan of Arc), they exploit He was motivated due to this infrequently pro- the confused, unwary and fragmenting alliduced collection of plays appearing rarely, not ances among the occupying English, taking adonly because of the challenge of the immensity, vantage of new English weakness underscored but also because most companies want to stick by the frail new king. The English alliances and with Shakespeare’s most famed works. counter-alliances and the constant shifting of

power cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war. guage. He welcomed that. In fact, he’s been Two families, identified by white and red roses, working on this idea for his UNO Theatre Arts are the main contenders: Lancaster and York. master’s degree.

He chose to rearrange the three original The Yorks eventually take ascendency, with Richard III on the throne. The time: 70 years of Shakespeare plays into two, with his own titles, rather than simply refer directly to the three the 100 Years War. The details of what happens are indeed parts of Henry VI. Two themes dominate, the complicated. Fear not. Program notes ampli- wars in France and then among the English fy, including family trees. Plus Carlson-Brown themselves. “I wanted to tie them together, to has created a new character, “Time,” the nar- make sure that we were echoing the cycle of rator “who tells what happens between here conflicts.” Consequently, he’s transposed parts and there.” of all three originals to try to create a clearThe costumes differ in how contemporary or er narrative and to focus the reconstruction period-like they are in the productions. “We around major characters that are central to the did lots of research about the period,” Glasser most significant plot developments. Some “reexplained, “and decided to move away from called through memory or nightmare.” He has that towards a theatrical suggestion, a silhou- retained the original historical time-line.

Moreover, Carlson-Brown has included a ette, outlines in black and white using contemporary materials.” Lane chose to represent the few speeches from Henry V — the famed proclothing of 16th Century England. “We feel logue mentioned above, and text from Richard that our play is very much about that specific III, along with a fragment from Elizabethan time and place, dealing with real people in Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus. real history. It allows the references to that hisGlasser also pointed out that this undertory to make sense.” taking serves as a commemoration of the This does not suggest any conflict of opinion 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. between the two directors about costuming, but “A celebration would be a better way to derather that the directors made decisions on how fine it,” Glasser said. Lane further called best to interpret their own productions, includ- it a celebration of their universities. And ing basing them on the separate resources on Carlson-Brown found cause to celebrate his hand. As for casting, students from UNO and company’s 30th anniversary.

Creighton mingle and perform together across Glasser evidently always felt that the best the borders of time, space and campuses. way to make Shakespeare’s “ungainly” maOne major agreed-on decision from the terial play dramatically was to come up with start was to use cross-gender casting. In For- an adaptation such as this. Already knoweign Flames ten women take on men’s role. For ing Carlson-Brown quite well, admiring his A Fire Within 15 do so. The principal reason insights and talent, the connection seemed was practical. Creighton has far more female serendipitous. With Lane’s input from the start, Theatre students than it has men. But there was they became a team. Re-working the new also mutual agreement, Carlson-Brown said, texts has stayed an ongoing process, all the that there are so few women’s roles even in way through rehearsals, with Carlson-Brown the original texts, that such gender imbalance on hand as dramaturg and “playwright in residence” sometimes making alterations aimed works against the purpose of student training.

Equally, all three felt the desire to show a at improvements.

He’s been coaching the student actors on woman’s perspective. “After all, the few women in the plays are so strong,” said Glasser, “in- how to play the texts. “We want to unlock the cluding the powerful and complex Queen syntax and language, which are tricky, and to Margaret and Joan La Pucelle, that we wanted make them as accessible and as great as they to expand that concept. But how much does are. This is also one of the major reasons we ingender matter? This is living theatre of today.” volve professionals performing alongside them.”

“This is truly an academic adventure,” Lane “This is something like color-blind casting,” Lane observed. “We looked at this very care- added, “given that we want to make sure that fully and considered changing gender where it the students especially grasp the wonderful made sense.” Both say that casting was based language and give it its due. The language on the ways that work best for the students. Af- conveys the essence, the thoughts, the feelings, ter all, students are three-quarters of each cast. the story.” This is her story and Glasser’s and Clearly Carlson-Brown had a major task in Carlson-Brown’s. A new collaboration. Perhaps combining the original texts and story-line in history-making in its own right. , a dramatic, yet practical way, so as to get the essence of the stories, the characters, the lanVisit nebraskashakespeare.com.

stage

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GoodMemoriesandGoodEats O

eat

maha Rockets Kanteen in the Lake Point Center at 24th and Lake is a “healthy” soul food eatery with a Negro Leagues Baseball theme and a community empowerment thrust.

The baked, not fried, turkey legs, wings, greens, stuffing, candied yams, smothered chicken and oxtail stew prepared from family recipes come in a wrap option. All of it’s served amidst a casual, memorabilia-filled, stadium-inspired space.

Signed photos and paintings depict Negro Leaguers and other black baseball players Kanteen co-owner Don Curry befriended in many cases.

The joint, whose tagline is “Enjoy the food, digest the history,” is named after a barnstorming semi-pro, independent all-black town team, the Omaha Rockets. The club fed players to the Negro American League and played exhibitions against clubs like the Kansas City Monarchs.

Since opening in July, Kanteen’s been championed by city officials and community leaders as a catalyst for more devel-

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eat

Soul food eatery evokes Negro Leagues past

BY LEO ADAM BIGA PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEBRA S. KAPLAN

opment in this historical African-American business corridor that’s seen better days. Plans call for the area to recapture its arts-entertainment and small business district past.

Curry’s been through the revival thing. His now defunct Negro League Cafe was heralded as a spark for the Brownsville section of Chicago. That restaurant enjoyed a five-year run before he reached an impasse with his landlord and couldn’t find an affordable new space to lease. He took that brick and mortar on wheels with his Southern Pitch food truck. Two fruitful years came to a halt when city officials cracked down on illegal operators and enacted strict rules that stifled legit operations like his own.

The entrepreneur. who did part of his growing up in North Omaha, was twice ready to try his soul food-baseball concept here but each time could not drum up enough support.

Finally, he and co-owner Marcus Johnson, an Omaha firefighter and fellow entrepreneur, got it done. continued on page 38 y

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“MY MANTRA IS TO PICK PEOPLE UP.” y continued from page 36

Curry’s justifiably proud of the concept be- where soul food was the going cuisine and hind his place. pot liquor the savory brew. Kanteen pays “It’s damn near, I’ve been told, brilliant,” he homage to it all. said. “My target market’s three-fold: history A chance encounter with Negro Leagues buffs, sports fans and foodies.” legend Buck O’Neil, who loved the idea for He said even legendary Omaha restaura- the eatery, emboldened Curry, but he was teur Willy Thiesen has praised his “niche” idea. too busy climbing the corporate ladder to Curry harbored his Negro Leagues-themed take the plunge. restaurant fancy several years before launchStill, he said, “it kept gnawing at me.” ing it in 2004. His interest in the Negro He said once he opened his Chi-Town cafe Leagues started while attending Virginia State it took off as a stop” for ex-sports stars like the University. It went to a new level in Chicago, late “Mr, Cub,” Ernie Banks. where he worked in the financial industry.

He’s banking his Omaha Kanteen becomes During a Negro Leagues tribute night at a destination, too.

Comiskey Park he marveled at the rainbow “Baseball is a reflection of American socispectrum of fans queuing up for autographs ety and I believe I have something that brings from ex-players. people together and embraces a piece of our Inspiration hit. culture people find wonderful. I look at it as “If these people are willing to stand in this being a true melting pot because some of evlong line to get their autographs, I thought, eryone is coming in here.” why wouldn’t they patronize a restaurant with He will expand evening hours once he adds the same theme.” live jazz acts and liquor sales. He’s bullish on Curry saw a moneymaking vehicle for the area’s potential. celebrating a rich chapter of African-Amer“There’s oil in North Omaha and I’m drilling ican history. for it. Why not be the first? It seems like specu“After I got the vision, I had to make sure lation but I know it’s about to happen.” it was well-versed in the history. I immersed He knows the area needs more of a critical myself in reading and seeing anything I could. mass of attractions to stimulate big commerce.

I mean, it was the look in their faces in the “It’s going to take a lot more people willing photographs. They didn’t bitch about nothing. to come here and do it. It’s going to take all They said, ‘If you’re not going to let us play this the vacant lots to be in filled with establishgame with you, we’re going to learn the game, ments from Lake to Hamilton.” master it, and compete straight up.’“ He wants his business – he’s already lookHe said “the economics” struck him as well. ing to expand in the metro and in Kansas City “The Negro Leagues World Series outsold – to be a beacon of hope and a source of emthe Major Leagues World Series, and we’re ployment for more inner city residents. talking about nobody but black folks going to “My mantra is to pick people up.” watch baseball. They would dress up to the Avenue Scholars youth will learn the culinines. That alone compels me, especially af- nary trade there as interns. He wants to give ter befriending a lot of Negro Leaguers and young people positive options that counteract hearing their stories. They told me it beat the the miseries he saw claim too many friends. hell out of sharecropping. They’d be gone Look for his Southern Pitch food truck to hit weeks on end but would come home with a the streets this fall. For details, visit omaharocketskanteen.com. pocketful of money and not be in debt.”

Teams often couldn’t find hotels or restauRead more of Leo Adam Biga’s work at rants to serve them and so stayed at black boarding houses or private black homes leoadambiga.com. ,

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| THE READER |

eat

“TASTE THE COOKING TRADITIONS OF OMAHA’S LITTLE ITALY ”©

for your team dinners, office lunches, graduation parties, weddings, any party!

FRIDAY

NOV 4th 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

| THE READER |

NOVEMBER 2016

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creightonhoopspreview

sports

A

40

fter a couple of seasons when the Jays sometimes struggled to pick their game off the floor, expectations for this season’s edition of Creighton basketball are through the roof … with the holy grail of college hoops, the Final Four, seeming a legitimate goal for the team that is ranked at No. 23 in the preseason Coaches Poll. It’s first such preseason nod in four years.

The Big East preseason poll of coaches, as well as most publications, have the Jays picked to finish third in the high-powered league. Defending national champion Villanova is the choice to finish on top for the fourth year in a row with Xavier tabbed as the runner up.

The Jays return a plethora of talent and experience to help bolster their case. Seven players have extensive starting experience, led by senior point guard and preseason All-Big East First Team pick, Maurice Watson Jr..

“He’s our glue. He holds us all together,” said junior guard Marcus Foster. “In practice if things are going hard he’s the one who pulls us together, even before coach McDermott, so we can fix things. He’s a point guard like I’ve never seen before, a guy who can create for his teammates whenever he wants to but also a guy who can score whenever he wants to.”

Watson is the NCAA active career leader in assists with 639, and he will have plenty of firepower surrounding him to help add to that total. The Jays “Let it Fly” mantra will be at full throttle with the lightning-quick Watson pushing the pace at every opportunity. Head Coach Greg McDermott’s seventh Creighton team could be his best yet.

All those expectations might cause some teams to get caught up in the hype, but not if their court general has anything to say about it.

“Sure I like hearing all the good things, I like being in a good preseason position,” said Watson, “But all that hype should just make us want to work harder.

We want to be in first place. Third place isn’t first place so why should we be satisfied with that? We won’t be satisfied with that.”

While the Jays look to make some noise on a national level, a pair of hometown heroes are expected to play a big role. Sophomore guard Khyri Thomas from Omaha Benson and redshirt freshman center Justin Patton from Omaha North have both worked hard at improving their game over the offseason, and according to the coaches the results have been apparent. Patton’s 7’ frame certainly looks more chiseled, proof that he took advantage of his redshirt season with time spent in the weight room.

NOVEMBER 2016

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sports

A lack of strength was never a problem last year for the muscular Thomas, but as the season wore on a lack of confidence took a toll. He scored 18 points in the opener against Texas Southern and 22 on the road versus Loyola (Chicago) before struggling through much of conference play. Thomas started to turn things around during Creighton’s three-game postseason NIT run and took that momentum into offseason workouts.

“We just don’t want to disappoint,” said Patton. “Khyri really did a good job holding down for me while I was redshirting. This year I’m going to be out there and have his back, and we will be able to put on for our city.”

Thomas and Patton have also earned a reputation as team jokesters. Over the course of a long, pressure-filled season, a little levity can go a long way to help keep a team loose as long as they maintain their focus.

“Last year we just automatically clicked,” said Thomas. “We’re both from Omaha, we both love basketball, and we’re both kind of ... goofy. He’s my roommate so I guess I’m stuck with him.”

“They’re great kids and talented players,” said McDermott. “They are as popular on our campus with the student body as they are on our team.

They’ve just done a great job of being part of our community. The progress that they’ve made in the time they’ve been here has been really impressive, and they are both going to play an integral part on our team this year.”

Having each other to keep each other grounded and loose doesn’t hurt either.

“We’ve been through a lot of the same things growing up, so he knows how I feel and think most of the time,” said Patton. “He knows I trust him, and he trusts me so we listen to each other both on and off the court. We try to give each other perspective about our game and what we’re doing wrong and what we can do different.”

Both cite Coach McDermott as a huge influence in their lives.

“He’s like a father figure to Justin and I,” said Thomas. “We were both raised by our mothers, and I don’t want to say we really needed discipline, but he has made us more accountable. He can be real hard on us sometimes, but it’s all love.”

“We both look up to him and we talk about him like he’s our dad,” added Patton. “It’s fun having someone like him in our corner,” “I think the world of them,” said McDermott. “They had a lot of other offers and opportunities to go else-

B Y JA S O N K R I VA N E K

where. It means a lot to me that they thought enough of our program and our coaching staff to stay in Omaha. I’m really proud of them. I’m proud of the way they conduct themselves, number one, but I’m also really proud of the way they’ve worked.”

Few players have generated as much buzz in the Creighton fan base before they’ve ever stepped on the court for the Jays as Kansas State transfer Marcus Foster. He dazzled as a freshman, earning second team all-Big 12, and averaged 14.1 pts. per game over two seasons with the Wildcats before some off-court issues led to his departure. According to the Creighton staff, Foster has been a great teammate and solid student since stepping onto campus, and any struggles he may have had are a thing of the past.

“Everybody has to face a little adversity from time to time, and I feel I learned from it,” said Foster. “It has made me a better person, both on and off the court. So it’s definitely something I’m glad I went through, but now it’s in the past and I can get on to the next page.”

Foster’s solid frame looks built to withstand the rigors of the Big East, and he has drawn raves for his defensive work in practice as well as his scoring acumen. Paired with Thomas, the Jays have a couple of strong, lockdown defenders on the perimeter.

Creighton’s other returning starter at the guard spot is senior sharp shooter Isaiah Zierden. Hampered by injuries throughout his career, Zierden ability to stay healthy will have a big impact on the team’s success. Last season he chipped in 10.2 points per game, including a career high 31 points at DePaul. Besides providing a serious outside shooting threat, Zierden possesses a basketball savvy and experience that’s hard to replicate. He led the team in minutes played per game and steals last season. If Watson is the teams’ glue, Zierden is the paste.

Sophomore guard Ronnie Harrell Jr. will also be in the mix for playing time. At 6’7’’ he gives the Jays some size and athleticism on the perimeter as well as another legitimate threat from beyond the arc. Junior walk-on guard Tyler Clement provides further depth at guard.

The Jays also have plenty of experience on the front line with senior center Zach Hansen, senior forward Cole Huff and junior forward Toby Hegner.

Hansen underwent knee surgery in the offseason, but should be close to returning to action by the first game. Hansen gives the Jays a measure of size and physicality down low they need to help counter what is a team built primarily on skill and finesse.

Huff also had offseason surgery after knee issues plagued him for much of last season. Despite dealing with the pain, which also included a midseason shoulder injury, Huff still finished second on the squad in both points (11.3 per game) and rebounds (5.1 per contest). The coaching staff has been limiting his reps in practice hoping to keep him fresh for the long grind ahead. The 6’8” Huff showed flashes of brilliance at times last season and possesses a deadly shooting stroke when he’s dialed in. Just ask the Seton Hall Pirates, who Huff torched for 35 points and 9 boards in the Big East Tournament last March.

Hegner has started 40 games in two seasons. At 6’10”, he can play down low, but it is his versatility that makes him valuable. He’s a scrappy defender with a penchant for hitting the clutch three-pointer.

Redshirt freshman forward Martin Krampelj will also compete for playing time. The 6’9” Slovenian’s athleticism and size should especially help the Jays on the boards while he continues to work on improving his defense.

Newcomers looking to make a splash are freshmen guards Davion Mintz and Kobe Paras. Mintz earned first team all-state honors in North Carolina and will back up Watson at the point. Paras is a celebrity back home in the Philippines, where his dad once earned MVP honors in the Philipines pro league and his mom is a soap opera star. But his real claim to fame is his penchant for throwing down dunks, having won a pair of international competitions as well as viral fame for dunking over Labron James at a camp last summer. ,

sports

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FILM

WhereMyMovieMuslimsAt?

The Importance of Cinema in Cultural Compassion B Y R YA N S Y R E K

T

rumpet the advent of social media all you want: The truth human trash heaps weren’t enough to account for Trump’s popularity remains that we live insular, segregated lives. Studies after on the issue. No, that required a quiet collective who didn’t so much studies after studies show that we seek out those who think scream “huzzah” at Islamophobia as much as they nodded their heads and believe as we do, that we are obsessed with having our and hit their polling place.

And movies are to blame. world views validated, not challenged. On the one hand, this is mildly Well, kinda. innocuous and pays for itself with common sense; the very spine of Let me explain by using a suddenly dated and uncomfortable (but any nonfamilial relationship is some measure of shared interest or mutual understanding. But there is a quiet danger fostered by our important) well-known example. In the 1980s, the black and white insatiable need for cultural and religious homogeneity, a goblin of racial divide was bridged in a meaningful way by a hugely popular intolerance fed from the food scraps pushed off a table surrounded by sitcom. As Jake Flanagin wrote in a great opinion piece in The New York Times back in 2014, The Cosby Show “was a remarkable show like-minded people.

Donald Trump’s comments regarding the detention, expulsion and about the power of the unremarkable.” As has been discussed in countexclusion of Muslims didn’t sink his maggot-laden, hate-fueled cam- less analyses, all of which are so much harder to read in the wake of paign; they elevated it. His distancing from the “Island of Misfit Toys” finding out Bill Cosby was super interested in booking a first-class ticket that represented this year’s crop of GOP primary candidates was due, to whatever version (secular or holy) of eternal damnation you accept, in a not-insignificant way, to his stance against those of the Muslim faith the influence of The Cosby Show was a direct result of its depiction of inside and outside of America. The frothing redneck apes who threw up a middle-class black family as piercingly “normal.” Previous shows, like slanted right arms that bent towards World War II-era Germany were The Jeffersons, treated the concept of black affluence within a loving easily accounted for as subhuman pig people. But those loudmouth nuclear family as novel. But the Huxtables were both window and mircontinued on page 44 y

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‘cutting’room n I know she’s in the running, but I need Tess Thompson to be cast as a lead in the new Han Solo movie. Casting Alden Ehrenreich from Hail, Caesar! as Han was nifty. Having The Lego Movie’s Phil Lord and Christopher Miller as directors is swell. But the thought of Thompson, easily among the most charismatic and talented young actors in all of Hollywood, classing up the screen is tempting enough for me to walk to a galaxy far, far away, if need be. n The latest easy cash-grab for Disney has been turning animated movies into “live action,” even if the results are just yawntastic. Fresh off of news that Jon Favreau will look to turn The Lion King into the same CGI-animal-snoozefest he made out of The Jungle Book comes word of a live-action Mulan and, more troublingly, Aladdin. I say “more troublingly” because they’ve decided to hand the reigns to Guy Ritchie, a man known best for British gangster movies and procreating with Madonna. Few things suggest an ability to adapt an amusing but intolerant Arabic fairy tale like knowing how to appropriately use the world “blimey.” n HBO, who largely can’t do anything wrong, is trying to turn Green Day’s American Idiot into a movie, which seems wrong. As a people, we’ve already allowed this thing to exist as both a concept album and a Tony Award-winning play. If we allow it to become an HBO movie, and they choose to release it in theaters for a qualifying Oscar run, there’s a chance Billie Joe Armstrong will EGOT. Do you want to live in that world? I don’t. n They officially announced a 2018 release date for Ocean’s 8, which is not a goddamn remake of Ocean’s Eleven, no matter what idiots tell you. Starring a gobstopping cast that includes Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Sarah Paulson, Mindy Kaling, Rihanna, Helena Bonham Carter, Awkwafina and (sorry ladies who for no reason seem to hate her) Anne Hathaway, this all-woman heist movie just so happened to get mentioned on the last broadcast Billy Bush did on The Today Show before being suspended for “The Trump Tapes.” I mention this because I happened to catch this segment live at a mechanic’s shop hours before Bush and Trump became “locker room buddies” for life.

I’m not saying the writing was on the wall, but Bush was making jokes about how we should get a remake of famous women-centric movies starring all dudes. His “hilarious” suggestion of The Brotherhood of the Khaki Pants came just hours before everyone found out that he’s not simply a stupid face. Bye, Billy, you won’t be missed.

Jules and Jim

1962

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The Blue Angel 1930 Nov 12 & 16

Nov 20 & 22 Marx Brothers Double Feature*: Duck Soup 1933 Room Service 1938 Nov 26, 27, Dec 1, 3, 4 & 8

* Cross-over with Forever Young Family & Children’s Series

All showings at Film Streams’ Ruth Sokolof Theater.

Info & tickets at filmstreams.org.

— 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).

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NOVEMBER 2016

43

y continued from page 42

In Ibrahim Kamal’s must-read article “How ror: a reflection of black reality and an insight Hollywood Makes Muslim Lives ‘Ungreiveable’ into such lives for white audiences.

Expanding beyond race, the 2005 text Reli- in the War on Terror,” he asks the kind of gion and Popular Culture in America lays out question that devastates anyone who still conthe case for a reciprocal influence between siders compassion a virtue. He writes “Is it any popular culture and religion. The essays ex- surprise that an American public that routinely plore the ways in which music, fiction and sees Arabs and Muslims depicted as monsters other aspects of cultural ephemera have both and the killing of women and children as justishaped and been shaped by religion. As “no- fied, has no regard for their real-life deaths?” brainer” as it may seem, the influence of this I’d suggest a mic drop after that crippling inbinary function inherent in pop elements can- quiry, but that’s typically a celebratory gesture, not be understated, especially when it comes and there’s nothing worth smiling about here. to issues of tolerance. As Kris Dunn and Instead of humanizing the “other,” instead of Shane P. Singh argue in their 2014 article in working to deconstruct ignorant preconcepthe journal Democratiziation, “when individu- tions, we get unwatchable tripe littered with als are exposed to diversity under positive or stereotypes like London Has Fallen. Jack Shaneutral conditions, they become more tolerant heen’s Reel Bad Arabs found that in about of diversity.” This is an element of what they 1,200 depictions of Arabs and Muslims in the call “pluralistic conditioning.” The flip side be- movies, 97% were unfavorable. And you woning, if the exposure is negative, intolerance is der why even alleged liberals like Bill Maher fostered and thrives. Uh oh, Spaghetti-Os. feel comfortable barfing Islamic ignorance Given that we know people do not seek and then finger-painting with the vomit. out friends from the land “outside their ideoAnd yet, to adopt a measure of optimism logical umbrella,” the pluralistic conditioning that 2016 hasn’t earned, in knowing a root afforded by cinema becomes a paramount cause, we know a root solution. We need a influencer. That’s real fancy talk to say that name for the term that doesn’t reference a sehere in America where the only Muslims most rial rapist, but the Cosby-fication of Muslims folks know show up on that ole TV or in them in cinema represents an untapped opportunithar movie theaters. Polls constantly show that ty. The efficacy in showing Flanagin’s “power Americans just don’t understand Islam. We of the unremarkable” may well be the closest don’t grasp the faith, the attitudes of follow- thing we have to a “sure thing” when it comes ers or even basic demographic information. to fostering tolerance. Marvel Comics is curIn the absence of real education and actual rently publishing Ms. Marvel, a peerlessly brilexperience with flesh-and-blood Muslims, liant comic book about a young girl navigatAmericans rely on arguably the most domi- ing romantic relationships, high school, her nant culture influencer: Movies. Hoo boy. parents and the demands of being a superIf the average American’s extent of knowl- hero. Her happening to be Muslim is simply edge regarding Islam is reduced to Holly- a characteristic that fleshes her out, inflating wood depictions, Trump’s ascendancy on the her into a fully three-dimensional heroine who back of anti-Muslim rage makes more sense, both is and is not defined by her faith. I love right? American Sniper, a book written by comic books, but imagine the influence of a a documented liar, was turned into a movie character in a comic book movie appearing directed by a demented asshole who talks as such. That’s a billion-dollar prospect.

In an ideal world, every American would to empty chairs in public. Clint Eastwood’s rah-rah, kill-them-evil-Muslims film was the know an actual Muslim in real life. Sadly, opnumber one movie at the domestic box office eration “Give Joe and Jane Six-Pack an Islamic in 2014. It did goddamn superhero money, Buddy” isn’t going to get congressional funddespite starring obvious real-life supervillain ing. Thankfully, the platform is there to estabBradley “Please Punch My Face” Cooper. It lish a pseudo-relationship with make-believe raked in the dough not because the film is friends who can pluralistically condition auanything resembling “good.” It made cash diences toward a tolerance that would make because it trafficked entirely in naïve patrio- Trump the irrelevant orangutan Cheeto he tism, the kind that looks great in catchphrases should have always been seen as. The impetus on hats. The kind that reinforces bigotry and then is on those of us who acknowledge this ignores American missteps in favor of point- untapped tolerance-teaching outlet to ask the question that formed the title of this here essay. ing at brown people and yelling “shoot.”

Where are my movie Muslims at? ,

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The brick streets of the Old Market came alive on Oct. 8 as we celebrated our third annual Toast of the Old Market. The event featured a Restaurant Tasting Tour, Gallery Walk, and a Shopping Showcase. Headliner the Kris Lager Band was joined by Josh Hoyer and Soul Colossal, Matt Cox, Luigi Inc. and the Matt Wallace Fusion Force. Toast of the Old Market is co-sponsored by The Reader and was presented by Eyman Plumbing, Heating & Air and Atchley Auto Sales.

toast recap

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OMAHA ENTERTAINMENT & ARTS AWARDS PERFORMING ARTS NOMINEES BEST MUSICAL Caroline, or Change, Omaha Community Playhouse Disenchanted!, The Candy Project Heathers, Blue Barn Theatre Honk!, Rose Theater The Producers, Omaha Community Playhouse BEST DRAMA Animal Farm, UNO Theatre The Christians, Blue Barn Theatre The Feast, Shelterbelt Theatre Frost/Nixon, Blue Barn Theatre Macbeth, Nebraska Shakespeare The Quality of Life, SNAP! Productions BEST COMEDY Beertown, Omaha Community Playhouse and Dog & Pony DC Calendar Girls, Omaha Community Playhouse Red, White and Tuna, Bellevue Little Theatre The Singularity, Shelterbelt Theatre Untitled Series #7, Shelterbelt Theatre BEST PREMIER OF A NEW, ORIGINAL, LOCAL SCRIPT The Curious Disappearance of Mulder, the Cat by Madeline Radcliff-Reilly, FireBelly Rep The Singularity by Crystal Jackson, Shelterbelt Theatre The Feast by Celine Song, Shelterbelt Theatre Animal Farm by Jack Zerbe, UNO Theatre Untitled Series #7 by Ellen Struve, Shelterbelt Theatre

46

Noah Diaz, Red, White and Tuna, Bellevue Little Theatre Michal Simpson, The Quality of Life, SNAP! Productions Aaron Zavitz, Frost/Nixon, Blue Barn Theatre BEST LEADING ACTOR (MUSICAL) Dan Chevalier, Honk!, Rose Theater Steve Krambeck, The Producers, Omaha Community Playhouse Jim McKain, The Producers, Omaha Community Playhouse Cork Ramer, Man of La Mancha, Omaha Community Playhouse Dan Tracy, Sunday in the Park with George, Creighton University BEST LEADING ACTRESS (PLAY) MaryBeth Adams, The Singularity, Shelterbelt Theatre Sarah Carlson-Brown, Macbeth, Nebraska Shakespeare Kim Jubenville, The Quality of Life, SNAP! Productions Mary Kelly, The Feast, Shelterbelt Theatre Laura Leininger-Campbell, Untitled Series #7, Shelterbelt Theatre BEST LEADING ACTRESS (MUSICAL) Echelle Childers, Caroline, or Change, Omaha Community Playhouse Jennifer Gilg, Man of La Mancha, Omaha Community Playhouse Roni Shelley Perez, Heathers, Blue Barn Theatre Alissa Walker, Disenchanted!, The Candy Project Melanie Walters, Disenchanted!, The Candy Project

BEST DIRECTOR (PLAY) Vincent Carlson-Brown, Macbeth, Nebraska Shakespeare Susan Clement-Toberer, The Grown-Up, Blue Barn Theatre Noah Diaz, The Feast, Shelterbelt Theatre Lara Marsh, Lost Boy Found at Whole Foods, Omaha Community Playhouse Beth Thompson, The Singularity, Shelterbelt Theatre

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR (PLAY) Ben Beck, Frost/Nixon, Blue Barn Theatre Raydell Cordell III, The Christians, Blue Barn Theatre Noah Diaz, The Feast, Shelterbelt Theatre Beau Fisher, The Feast, Shelterbelt Theatre Nils Haaland, The Grown-Up, Blue Barn Theatre Andrew Prescott, Cloud 9, UNO Theatre

BEST DIRECTOR (MUSICAL) Susan Clement-Toberer and Randall T. Stevens, Heathers, Blue Barn Theatre Susie Baer Collins, Caroline, or Change, Omaha Community Playhouse Cynthia Gendrich, Honk!, Rose Theater Matthew Gutschick, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Rose Theater Amy Lane, Sunday in the Park with George, Creighton University Kaitlyn McClincy and Noah Diaz, Disenchanted!, The Candy Project

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR (MUSICAL) Thomas Gjere, Heathers, Blue Barn Theatre Noel Larrieu, Man of La Mancha, Omaha Community Playhouse Ryan Pivonka, The Producers, Omaha Community Playhouse Robby Stone, Heathers, Blue Barn Theatre Nik Whitcomb, Caroline, or Change, Omaha Community Playhouse

BEST LEADING ACTOR (PLAY) Paul Boesing, Frost/Nixon, Blue Barn Theatre Anthony Clark-Kaczmarek, The Christians, Blue Barn Theatre Anthony Clark-Kaczmarek, Red, White and Tuna, Bellevue Little Theatre

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS (PLAY) Jill Anderson, The Christians, Blue Barn Theatre Leanne Hill Carlson, The Feast, Shelterbelt Theatre Kaitlyn McClincy, The Christians, Blue Barn Theatre

NOVEMBER 2016

| THE READER |

Colleen O’Doherty, Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England, SNAP! Productions Kathy Wheeldon, Calendar Girls, Omaha Community Playhouse BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS (MUSICAL) Katy Boone, Heathers, Blue Barn Theatre Aguel Lual, Caroline, or Change, Omaha Community Playhouse Regina Palmer, Caroline, or Change, Omaha Community Playhouse Samantha Quintana, Disenchanted!, The Candy Project MacKenzie Zielke, Heathers, Blue Barn Theatre BEST YOUTH PERFORMER Danny Denenberg, Caroline, or Change, Omaha Community Playhouse Danny Denenberg, To Kill a Mockingbird, Omaha Community Playhouse Chloe Irwin, Mama’s Girls, SNAP! Productions Chloe Irwin, To Kill a Mockingbird, Omaha Community Playhouse Justice Jamal Jones, Lost Boy Found at Whole Foods, Omaha Community Playhouse BEST DANCE PRODUCTION A Celebration of Storytelling: Voice of African Instruments, African Culture Connection Cleopatra, Ballet Nebraska Momentum: Go West!, Ballet Nebraska BEST PERFORMANCE POET Devel Crisp Greg Harries Olivia Johnson Brok Kerbrat Lite Pole BEST COMEDIAN Mollie Bartlett David Burdge Jordan Kliene Cameron Logsdon Dylan Rhode BEST COMEDY ENSEMBLE The Backline Badland Girls Big Canvas OK Party Comedy The Weisenheimers

PERFORMING ARTS TECHNICAL NOMINEES OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN Joshua Mullady, The Feast, Shelterbelt Theatre Jim Othuse, Man of La Mancha, Omaha Community Playhouse Steven L. Williams, Kwaidan, UNO Theatre Steven L. Williams, Lost Boy Found in Whole Foods, Omaha Community Playhouse Carol Wisner, Heathers, Blue Barn Theatre

For more information go to oea-awards.org

OUTSTANDING PROP DESIGN Sharon Diaz, The Feast, Shelterbelt Theatre Darin Kuehler, The Producers, Omaha Community Playhouse Darin Kuehler, Caroline, or Change, Omaha Community Playhouse Ivania Stack, Colin K. Bills, and Darin Kuehler, Beertown, Omaha Community Playhouse and dog & pony dc Amy Reiner, Heathers, Blue Barn Theatre OUTSTANDING SCENIC DESIGN Holly M. Breuer, Macbeth, Nebraska Shakespeare Sharon Diaz, The Feast, Shelterbelt Theatre Martin Scott Marchitto, Heathers, Blue Barn Theatre Jim Othuse, Man of La Mancha, Omaha Community Playhouse Jeff Stander, Honk!, Rose Theater OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN Amanda Fehlner, To Kill a Mockingbird, Omaha Community Playhouse Amanda Fehlner, The Producers, Omaha Community Playhouse Zachary Kloppenborg, The Feast, Shelterbelt Theatre Georgiann Regan, Man of La Mancha, Omaha Community Playhouse Valerie St. Pierre Smith, Cloud 9, UNO Theatre OUTSTANDING SOUND DESIGN Martin Magnuson, The Grown-Up, Blue Barn Theatre Craig Marsh, Frost/Nixon, Blue Barn Theatre Hannah Mayer and Shannon Smay, The Feast, Shelterbelt Theatre Shannon Smay, The Singularity, Shelterbelt Theatre Aaron David Wrigley, Kwaidan, UNO Theatre OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHER Julian Adair, Man of La Mancha, Omaha Community Playhouse Sue Gillespie Booton, Honk!, Rose Theater Nichol Mason Lazenby, Heathers, Blue Barn Theatre Melanie Walters, The Producers, Omaha Community Playhouse Wai Yim, Macbeth, Nebraska Shakespeare OUTSTANDING MUSIC DIRECTION Jim Boggess, Man of La Mancha, Omaha Community Playhouse Doran Schmidt, Caroline, or Change, Omaha Community Playhouse Doran Schmidt, Heathers, Blue Barn Theatre Stephen Sheftz, Sunday in the Park with George, Creighton University Jennifer Tritz, Disenchanted!, The Candy Project

FALL SHOWCASE OCTOBER 21, 2016 6 VENUES • BENSON

VISUAL ARTS NOMINEES BEST VISUAL ARTIST Phil Hawkins Susan Knight Stephen Cornelius Roberts Sarah Rowe Jar Schepers BEST EMERGING ARTIST Shawn Teseo Ballarin Anthony Deon Brown Hugo Zamarano Geoff Johnson Federico Perez Katie B Temple BEST NEW MEDIA ARTIST Sue Knight Sarah Rowe Jamie Danielle Hardy Sarah Kolar Bzzy Lps (Dustin Bythrow & Mike Bauer) BEST 2D ARTIST Stephen Cornelius Roberts Shawn Teseo Ballarin Joseph Broghammer Steve Joy Dan Boylan Shea Wilkinson BEST 3D ARTIST Sora Kimberlain Jar Schepers Phil Hawkins Michael Villareal Christopher Prinz Luke Severson BEST GROUP SHOW FRIENDS OF KENT - GALLERY 1516 Marc Chickinelli, Edgar Jerins, Paul Otero, Stephen Cornelius Roberts, Greg Scott FLATLANDERS - DARGER HQ Kenny Adkins, Jennifer Bockelman, Kim Darling, Charley Friedman, Nancy Friedmann-Sanchez, Camille Hawbaker, Anthony Hawley, Qwist Joseph, Michael Ian Larsen, Craig Roper, Sarah Rowe, Luke Severson, Matthew Sontheimer, Steve Snell, Sheila Talbitzer, Ying Zhu NEBRASKA RISING – BEMIS CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY ART Heron Bassett, Mary Elizabeth/ Mesonjixx, Phil Hawkins, Roberta Leaverton, Joey Lynch, Liana Owad, Kristae Peterson, Christopher Prinz, Craig Roper, Barbara Simcoe, Michael Villareal ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM MODERN ARTS MIDTOWN Brian Gennardo, Rick Johns, Cathy Palmer, Larry Roots, Teresa Schmidt, Robert Spellman ONCE UPON A TIME - RNG GALLERY Lauren Baird, Jamie Heit Craig, Shelby Geitsfeld, Norm4eva, Xuan

VISUAL ARTS

AWARDS SHOW

SHOWCASE

FEBRUARY 19, 2017 OMAHA DESIGN CENTER

JANUARY 2017

Pham, Courtney Kenny Porto, Nicole Roberts, Alma Becerril Salas, Marie Elena Schembri, Nadia Shinkunas, Torrey Smith, Sam Danger White BEST SOLO SHOW Stephen Cornelius Roberts “The Figure: Paintings, Drawings and Studies” - Garden of the Zodiac “Jar Schepers: Repetition” - Garden of the Zodiac Phil Hawkins: “Paradox” - Sunderland Gallery Charley Friedman “Wet & Shiny” - Project Project Troy Muller “Honey Mushroom Wonderfuls” - Modern Arts Midtown BEST 2-PERSON SHOW Justin Beller & Mads Anderson “Full Yet Hungry” - Project Project Jacqueline Kluver & Larry Roots “Common Origins/Separate Destinations”- Modern Arts Midtown Steve Tamayo & Paul High Horse “Revitalize” - Hot Shops Art Center Kristine Allphin & Lori Elliott-Bartle “ Waxing Poetic” - Fred Simon Gallery RT Murphy & Bzzy Lps (Dustin Bithrow & Mike Bauer) “The Swamp” - Project Project BEST PUBLIC ART Tiny Mural Project with Autumn Armstrong, Ransom Bennett, Christopher Vaughn Couse, Sarah Craw, Maggie Heusinkvelt, Joe Nicholson, Jonathan Riggle, Barrett Ryker, Maggie Weber Polish Mural - Mike Giron, Rhianna Giron, Quin Slovek, Richard Harrison Plaza de la Raza mural - Hugo Zamorano, Mike Giron, Gerardo Vazquez, Jair Rodriguez, Ian Rodriguez, Sedra Caseneda, Rhianna Giron, Quin Slovek, and Richard Harrison Indian Hills Elementary Murals - Watie White in collaboration with Justice for Our Neighbors Old Market Art Project with 37 artists

MUSIC NOMINEES BEST ROCK Carson City Heat FREAKABOUT Jump the Tiger Matt Whipkey Naked Sunday Time Giants BEST HARD ROCK Arson City Before I Burn Bloodcow Save the Hero Screaming For Silence Through the Stone BEST ALTERNATIVE/INDIE High Up Kait Berreckman Mitch Gettman Oketo See Through Dresses

The Hottman Sisters

State Disco

BEST SINGERSONGWRITER Aly Peeler CJ Mills Emily Ward Jocelyn Tara Vaughan The Shineys

BEST ETHNIC Djem Esencia Latina Band Mariachi Zapata Rhythm Collective The Bishops The Prairie Gators

BEST DJ DJ Madix DJ Mellie Mel DJ Mista Soull DJ Shor-T Houston Alexander Spence Love BEST AMERICANA /FOLK Clarence Tilton Jack Hotel Pleiades & the Bear Ragged Company The Electroliners The Wildwoods BEST COUNTRY Belles & Whistles Dylan Bloom Band Jason Earl Band Jimmy Weber Ryan Osbahr Sack of Lions BEST R&B/SOUL Dominique Morgan Edem E Rawq Jus.B Mesonjixx Rothsteen BEST HIP HOP/RAP Conchance Greco J. Crum Mark Patrick Mola-B TKO BEST BLUES Brad Cordle Band Dilemma Levi William Band The Rex Granite Band featuring Sarah Benck Steve Lovett Blues Band Tim Budig Band BEST JAZZ Clark & Company Curly Martin Kellison Quartet Mitch Towne Omaha Guitar Trio Steve Raybine BEST PROGRESSIVE/ EXPERIMENTAL/EDM Citizen’s Band Chemicals Human Teeth Parade Kethro SharkWeek

BEST COVER BAND 3D In Your Face Hi-Fi Hangover Lemon Fresh Day Polka Police Sailing in Soup Secret Weapon ALBUM OF THE YEAR Jack Hotel – Voices from the Moon J. Crum – Black Sheep Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal – Running From Love Jus.B - PartySoul Kait Berreckman – Battle Scenes McCarthy Trenching – More Like It Ryan Osbahr – Easy Way Out Tara Vaughan – Dandelion Wine The Electroliners – The Common Clay of the New West Through the Stone – Through the Stone ARTIST OF THE YEAR All Young Girls Are Machine Guns Arson City Belles & Whistles CJ Mills Dominique Morgan Hector Anchondo Band Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal Kris Lager Band Satchel Grande Tara Vaughan BEST NEW ARTIST A Ferocious Jungle Cat Born on Leap Year Chemicals Mark Patrick Tiny Monsters Skyloft

MUSIC TECHNICAL NOMINEES BEST RECORDING STUDIO ARC Studios Hidden Tracks Recording Studio Icon 1NE Recording Studio Make Believe Studios SadSon Music Group Screen Door Studios Ware House Productions BEST LIVE MUSIC SOUND ENGINEER Dan Brennan - Slowdown Keith Fertwagner - Lookout Lounge Jeremy Garrett - Freelance Brenton Neville - Vessel Live Jon Pitts - Reverb Lounge Ben Stratton - Waiting Room Lounge Mark Wolberg - The Zoo Bar/Vessel Live

| THE READER |

NOVEMBER 2016

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overtheedge

The(Dis)informationAge…

48

I

write this on Oct. 24, 15 days before the presidential election. Thus are the deadlines for monthly publications, unlike the old days when The Reader was a weekly and my deadline was literally two days prior to the paper hitting the racks.

This issue will hit the streets Nov. 3, but I’m assuming you won’t read it until after the big show Nov. 8, after it’s all over. So I’m going to make some assumptions here, some predictions about this year’s presidential election, though I don’t think they’re very presumptuous. As of this morning, Hillary Clinton was between 4 and 12 points ahead of Donald Trump, depending on which poll you looked at, with the trend lines ever widening between the two.

But that could change at any moment, which is why I keep pushing back on my deadline with the editor.

Every day some new bombshell is uttered by Trump, a new accusation or threat or devastating warning that cannot go ignored by the press or the Clinton campaign. Every day a new Wikileak drips from Russia to the Internet, or someone else steps forward with a sordid story about what Trump did to her (or him).

Just last night for example, Trump casually attacked the First Amendment, asking why we can’t have a “free” press like they have in England, where there is a presumption of guilt of the accused in slander cases. Why indeed.

NOVEMBER 2016

| THE READER |

There are those who will point to the infamous Billy Bush Access Hollywood “pussy grabbing” video as the arrow that struck down the Trump campaign. Others will point to his “rigged system” comments and unwillingness to accept the outcome of the vote. The easy answer involves a combination of all of those, plus racism, sexism and xenophobia combined with Trump’s inability to recognize truth from fiction.

But a better question than why he failed is how Trump ever got as close as he did to the most powerful political office on the planet. Here’s my simplistic answer: Social media has made it possible to spread facts and falsehoods as quickly as someone can punch letters into an iPhone. It has empowered dumb people to spread their dumbness.

In the days prior to the widespread distribution of technology and/or the internet. stupid people and their stupid ideas were isolated to wherever those stupid people hung out — mostly in bars or living rooms.

I can never understand why TV news producers, in an effort to put a dipstick into the minds of the “common man,” send film crews to the local pubs “to gauge what the everyday working man is thinking.” The results are always predictably asinine, misinformed or just plain belligerent. But what did they expect? They’re talking to a roomful of drunks.

over the edge

How did Trump get so close?

BY TIM MCMAHAN

Still, those remotes from Finnegan’s Bar, while amusing, were both inconsequential and harmless.

Then along comes the Internet. Obama harnessed the power of social media in his first-term campaign.

We saw Facebook and Twitter impact not only fundraising, but the ability to get the core message to the masses. Social media was a conduit that bypassed traditional news outlets, and it worked. History may record that social media was a primary driver behind Obama’s victory. Just as it will be blamed for the rise of Donald Trump.

It is now impossible to go onto Facebook and not get deluged with posts that are flat out lies generated by one of the hundreds of so-called “news” websites whose information has been made up by tin-foil-hatwearing trolls whose backward opinions used to be isolated to late-night AM radio call-in shows. Now their shit-thought is everywhere.

With this in mind, Trump quickly recognized he could say and post anything regardless of the facts, and that those eager trolls would gladly amplify it among their network of shit-brains like a virus. And if something spreads far enough, it’s sure to infect not-so-stupid, gullible people desperate for any kind of change in their miserable lives. And then there’s that line credited to both Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Goebbles that

“a lie told often enough becomes the truth.” No other quote better sums up Campaign 2016.

Here’s another one, from one of my favorite authors and literary mentors, Harlan Ellison: “We are not entitled to our opinions; we are entitled to our informed opinions. Without research, without background, without understanding, it’s nothing. It’s just bibble-babble.

It’s like a fart in a wind tunnel.”

When Ellison first uttered that wisdom, there was no internet. Journalists were still held in high esteem as people trying to get at the truth. And while there existed a handful of bullshit conspiracy publications, they were hard to find and no one took them seriously compared to, say the New York Times or the Washington Post or even your hometown newspaper. It was an era when people still went to the library to do research. Libraries.

Remember those?

Today, having an “informed opinion” means spending 20 minutes reading madeup nonsense on Facebook or some imbecile’s “blog.” To help weaponize disinformation, Trump spent most of his campaign trying to discredit the traditional, above-ground press, blacklisting reporters who asked him embarrassingly pointed questions, and, as Politico put it “using the media as a punching bag while still largely enjoying saturation campaign coverage from television networks.”

And while all that was going on, along came the hack of Democratic leaders’ private email servers, and Wikileaks. It might be legal for journalists to use stolen, private documents in their reporting, but is it ethical? Isn’t it kind of like publishing statements that are given “off the record” or blowing the cover of an anonymous source? I guess none of that matters in an era when the press is struggling to keep the lights on. And when more people are getting their information from Twitter and Facebook than traditional news channels.

After the smoke clears, Trump followers — a sizable chunk of our population — will never trust the mainstream press again, leaving them only un-fact-checked, unfiltered social media for their information ... along with Trump TV. Funny how despite all of that disinformation we still managed to elect the first woman president.

Unless, of course, the assumption made at the top of this column was wrong, and we are now living in the Trump Era. In which case, we’ve got bigger problems to deal with... ,

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

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NOVEMBER 2016

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music welcometothehorrorshow I

Punching the Time Clock in Arson City

BY JEREMY LAFRENTZ

t’s a tale of two cities: one of enterprise, another of fire. In and a full-tilt stage show that at times consisted of as many as 11 Omaha, the family men and nine-to-fivers Mark Beckenhauer, individuals on stage, including the band themselves, plus zombie burPatrick Wilson, Matt Denker, Matt Oliver and Matt Dibaise lesque dancers and additional steel-drum percussionists known as the hold normal employment as a landscaper, a granite fabricator, Horror Squad. a welder, an electrician and a social worker, respectively.

Their fans, self-proclaimed “Citizens” of Arson City, have also In Arson City, they are The Doctor, The Mayor, The Enforcer, The embraced the imagery and mythology of this rapidly growing band, Con and The Dealer — a hard rock act branding themselves nation- creating unique characters for themselves and attending concerts ally for their post-apocalyptic motifs, massive walls of sound and a dressed to the nines, giving an onlooker the sensation of walking top-shelf stage production. The quintet were a pleasure to talk with onto the set of the latest Mad Max film. backstage of The Waiting Room before their third annual Citizen’s “It was crazy,” guitarist and songwriter Mark Beckenhauer said.

Ball, which kicked off an aggressive, seven-show, eight-day cam- “People started showing up in costume immediately.” The band had paign spanning half the country. yet to play its first show before realizing fans were creating characters.

“It’s going to be a big testing ground for us,” vocalist Patrick Wilson “We did storylines prior to actually playing,” drummer Matt Densaid. “It’s going to be a challenge.” ker said. “We were just having fun. We’re not trying to be a gimThe guys seemed to have nothing in common with the personas mick band…” they assumed later that evening after the proverbial curtains opened: “But we totally are,” interjected Wilson. “We waited until we were It was all beards and dreadlocks and Mohawks and black makeup grown up to dress up.”

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NOVEMBER 2016

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music

“It’s a style,” continued Denker. “Every musicians, and I was like, ‘Yeah, I will.’ It practice, it’s like your best friends – you have wasn’t like starting a project with a bunch some beers, you watch the games, and you of guys I didn’t know, I was comfortable with start spittin’ ideas at each other. It took hold these guys.”

“And there were ideas for The Wreckage,” almost immediately. We said, ‘We might have something bigger than we thought.’ We Beckenhauer said. “Bigger ideas that we retook complete advantage of the situation. ally didn’t want to be a part of. It’s not that We said, ‘What if we do a Citizen’s Ball? we didn’t respect it or like the music we were Let’s give back to the fans.’ We have so many playing, it’s just that we didn’t want to be a loyal friends and fans, our hearts go out to part of that plan, so we had to make moves.”

“We were motivated,” Denker said. “We these people.”

Their efforts paid off. The band was recent- didn’t want to sit around and wait, because ly signed by The 517 Label after winning a you never know what’s going to happen. So battle of the bands at the Hard Rock Casino we just kind of took charge.”

One phone call, three bottles of whisin Sioux City last April — a win that earned them a cash reward and the opportunity to key and a Husker game was all it took to play the Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas last get Arson City into a rehearsal space. Just September. On being contacted by the re- three years later, the band already has two cord label, bassist Matt Oliver said, “It was EPs and one full-length album — 2015’s The kind of out of the blue. Two months after we Horror Show — in their discography and won, Mark gets this message … ” they’re primed to be 2017’s breakout band “I thought it looked like a crock of shit,” of the year. The act is working on new muWilson said. sic, traveling for shows every weekend for the “We saw the message in the inbox,” Oliver next six months and maintaining day jobs to laughed. “I was like, ‘Man, this is spam.’” support their families in between.

But that message turned out to be from Mike “This is definitely a balancing act,” WilGoodman, an executive at The 517 Agen- son said. “We have strong families behind cy. “He’s somebody that’s got a lot of drive,” us that are definitely going make sacrifices Beckenhauer explained. “He’s a musician for us, and we’re very fortunate to have that, himself, so now he’s in a position where he ‘cause a lot of people don’t. It’s good to have can help another band — push something a strong backbone behind you.” that he believes in. He sold it on us, and he’s These salt-of-the-earth workhorses dea hell of a guy.” Two weeks after Arson City serve every bit of success that’s coming to spoke with the label, Goodman flew to Oma- them, and while they may not be pushing ha to personally sign the band. any musical boundaries, and this brand of “We weren’t even looking for offers,” Wil- theater has been touched upon by more son said. “We all have families, you know. bands than you can brandish your torches No label is going to fund us the amount we at, the lasting impression one receives afneed to support our children.” ter witnessing performances such as the “We’re kind of a do-it-yourself band,” Den- eponymous album track “The Horror Show” ker said. and the downtempo “Not Coming Home” “We always joked,” Oliver said. “There’s is enough to dispel doubt as to where this no way we’d be able to do this without some- band is going, which is straight to the top. thing like this happening.”

From the wild podium-preaching howls of “Someone who could invest in us,” Becken- vocalist Wilson, to the succinct yet skillful sohauer said. “Someone who really believed, los of lead guitarist Dibaise, to the tandeminstead of just wanting to make money.” drumming of Denker and his ghoulish HorTheir fortunes might not have ever changed, ror Squad, watching Arson City live feels however, had it not been for the band’s ser- like you’re being gifted something that no endipitous inception. Arson City rose from one else has. the ashes of two previous Omaha-based “Just give it a shot,” Wilson said. “Check it bands, Emphatic and The Wreckage, who out one time, that’s all we ask.” essentially swapped vocalists.

“Even just the live show,” Beckenhauer “It’s strange how we just flip-flopped sing- agreed. “It’s a production, and for a local ers,” Wilson said. “I left Emphatic and I band, we try really hard.” thought I was going to be done, but I was True to their humble nature, the band has lyin’ to myself. Then Denker got a hold of me left it up to me to set the record straight: Say and said, ‘What do you think about coming what you will about Arson City, their stage to work with us?’ I knew they were all good show is better than yours. ,

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NOVEMBER 2016

51

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52

NOVEMBER 2016

The Not-So-Basic Keith Rodger

BY JAMES WALMSLEY

I

n the intricate ecosystem that is Omaha’s music scene, which is composed of diverse micro scenes, Keith Rodger, aka Kethro, is the straw that stirs the drink. Well, he’s at least one of the more conspicuous straws: The DJ/producer is a fluorescent, bendy one.

Rodger’s spirited flexibility ranges from co-owner of local label Make Believe Recordings; to performing on stage with top local acts Icky Blossoms, Conny Franko and Lightning Bug; to his current position as music director of Omaha Fashion Week. On this day, Rodger is the equipment tech for The Faint on their tour with Gang of Four. He’s in Boston, sipping coffee and listening to music.

| THE READER |

music

“I’m pretty much their go-to guy,” Rodger, 27, said on the phone last month. “When they’re on the road and they have a problem, I’m just there to fix it so they don’t have to worry about anything. They can be musicians, performers and worry more about the creative side of things.”

For nearly five years, perhaps even longer, Rodger has been an integral mover amongst the music community, brokering a post-postmodernist era between the voices and ears of the town eccentrics and those foraging an overloaded soundscape for the next “it” sound. The musical factotum’s taste transcends conventional categories and seems

“The reason why we put out these records is, personally, for me, they’re the records I wish I could write,” he said.

“When we put out a record, I feel like I’m a part of the project just as much.

That’s always been my thing: I love so many different kinds of music. Every band and artist I sign, the musicians are innovative people themselves.”

Make Believe Recordings is nearing the half-decade mark in age, a feat for any independent label, and is primed to “hopefully” release a new album every month or every other month in 2017, starting with Rodger’s own material. Indeed, Kethro’s Evoleno — “one love” spelled backwards or what the DJ half-jokes is the album an extremely dark Brian Eno would write — will kick off the new year as a massive collaborative effort. Each track is slated to feature a local female vocalist, including Emily Ward and CJ Mills. Rodger said the female vocal “brings the most emotion” out of him.

“I really wanted to push the boundaries of these musicians. When we connect on an emotional level, I find there’s nothing really that spreads us apart and what we’re creating musically,” he said. “We’re almost creating the same thing. Except mine’s more synthesized and theirs are more acoustic.”

Rodger traversed what he thought were his own limitations last spring when he took on the position of music director of Omaha Fashion Week. He was anointed as such after his disappointment in a 2015 event prompted him to offer up his musical competency in the name of fashion.

“With the music programming, I felt a little confused. If you’re going to be Omaha Fashion Week and you want to stand up like the rest of them, you have to be innovative and not so Nebraskan,” he said. “I know it represents Omaha and what it stands for, and I’m proud to be an Omahan, but Omaha’s fashion is so basic, the only people that are innovating it are the people in Omaha Fashion Week. So I don’t want anybody basic coming in and not putting in the extra effort to make it right.”

Before this year’s pageantry, the fashion week aficionado collaborated with nearly 30 individual designers to craft sounds that would match their respective collections. He even put together a “futuristic jazz, hip-hop flavored” band to close out the show.

That’s Keith Rodger, mixing things up.

“Music and fashion go hand in hand,” he said. “I feel like if you have good music backing some really good fashion, really good designers, you can change a whole city that way.” ,

“MUSIC AND FASHION GO HAND IN HAND” to concern itself more with “pushing the limits” of art while, at the same time, reconnecting art to our baser instincts.

“To me, music is only emotion — that’s the only way I see it,” he said. “Some people see colors, some people just see styles and genres, I only see emotions: What are you feeling? How should this feel? Should this make you feel like you want to jump out of a window? Smash a window? Have sex with your girlfriend?”

Rodger said he hooked up with fellow Make Believe Recordings co-owners Rick Carson and Jeremy Deaton with a similar modus operandi — based on a feeling. The year was 2011 and his former band Lightning Bug was combing the area for the right studio to record their newest collection of songs. They opted for a couple of upstart engineers who were operating out of a small basement at the time.

“Just talking with those guys [Carson and Deaton] for 15 minutes made us realize that those were the guys we wanted to work with,” he said. “Because creatively, they understood our vision, and they brought ideas to the table that one-upped our vision.”

Amidst the dog days of recording, Rodger said the trio began discussing “what musicians could be doing better in the city.” Local artists were wasting too much creative energy doing an ineffectual job of putting out their own records and promoting themselves. The group decided to render their services under the moniker Make Believe — the same name used by Carson and Deaton’s studio — and founded their label in early 2011 on the genre-bending principle of “not behaving the way record labels used to.” Oh, and the weirder the artist, the better.

“We didn’t want to put out anything basic,” Rodger said. “Everything has to push the limits. Everything has to either scare people or have an emotional impact on people.”

Rodger rattles off some of his label’s roster, past and present: Conny Franko (formerly Conchance), Make Believe’s pioneer artist, with his free-jazz cadences; Sam Martin, the lo-fi virtuoso who creates his own sounds; Scky Rei and INFNTLP of BOTH, who’ve been known to deliver their art in bizarre locales; the now defunct Snake Island, an indie act that created its own instruments; and Black Jonny Quest, who Rodger described as “a genius solving math equations when he raps.”

TUESDAY, NOV 1 Billy Troy

FRIDAY, NOV 11 The Six

TUESDAY, NOV 22 Steve Dunning

WEDNESDAY, NOV 2 Generations

SATURDAY, NOV 12 Outlaw Road

WEDNESDAY, NOV 23 Bozak & Morrissey

THURSDAY, NOV 3 Mighty Jailbreakers

MONDAY, NOV 14 Gooch and his Las Vegas Big Band

THURSDAY, NOV 24 Happy Thanksgiving!

TUESDAY, NOV 15 Billy Troy

FRIDAY, NOV 25 The Confidentials

FRIDAY, NOV 4 On the Fritz SATURDAY, NOV 5 Charm School Dropouts MONDAY, NOV 7 Gooch and His Las Vegas Big Band TUESDAY, NOV 8 Grace & Logan WEDNESDAY, NOV 9 The Persuaders THURSDAY, NOV 10 Funk Trek

music

WEDNESDAY, NOV 16 Daybreak THURSDAY, NOV 17 Prairie Cats FRIDAY, NOV 18 Soul Dawg

SATURDAY, NOV 26 Avaricious MONDAY, NOV 28 Gooch and his Las Vegas Big Band

SATURDAY, NOV 19 Taxi Driver

TUESDAY, NOV 29 Scott Evans

MONDAY, NOV 21 Gooch and his Las Vegas Big Band

WEDNESDAY, NOV 30 Billy Chrastil

| THE READER |

NOVEMBER 2016

53

backbeat

SAD13, AKA SADIE DUPUIS

takeustoyourleader T

here’s plenty to give thanks for this month. The presidential race is almost over. Finally, a woman president — and in a landslide! (This very well could be my “Dewey Defeats Truman” moment — the part about Hillary Clinton beating Donald Trump by a lot of votes as opposed to beating him by quite a few votes.) Not to mention: Black Violin (Nov. 18), Daughter (Nov. 19), Fruit Bats (Nov. 4), NOFX (Nov. 16) and Earth, Wind & Fire (Nov. 17) are all coming to town.

JAMES WALMSLEY is The Reader’s contributing music editor and a longtime touring musician. The Michigander-turnedNebraskan came to Omaha by accident on an aimless road trip.

He lives in Benson with his wife and daughter and runs a vegan restaurant (another accident) in his spare time.

54

NOVEMBER 2016

Night of The Living Deads It’s The Living Deads’ first time in Omaha, so of course the band is parking its digs outside of Brothers Lounge Wednesday, Nov. 16, 9 p.m. Indeed, the mysterious two-piece punkabilly act from “Anywhere, U.S.A” could’ve driven their faithful RV out of the dive’s legendary jukebox.

Featuring Symphony Tidwell on upright bass/vocals and Randee McKnight on drums/vocals, plus, perhaps, a “kidnapped guitarist” of their choosing, the Deads’ aesthetic reminds one of an early Troma film or a bad porno flick — the kind where the pizza guy gets involved. Good thing Noli’s doesn’t deliver. Opening is local surf rockers Huge Fucking Waves.

| THE READER |

backbeat

Our long national nightmare is over

BY JAMES WALMSLEY

Election Day Hate her or dislike her or just distrust her a little, electing the first woman president Tuesday, Nov. 8 is a historic occasion. Give your future “where were you when...?” response a kickass setting: Indie rocker Graham Stevenson, aka Grumpus, might not be a 100 Elite NPC but he does have a WoW factor. The Hottman Sisters are opening his Milk Run debut at 9 p.m.; Failure Anthem, in support of its First World Problems LP, is offering up its “push you through the day” active rock to The Waiting Room Lounge, 7 p.m. The Greensboro, N.C. quintet is nudging hard rockers Letters From The Fire (San Francisco) and Cover Your Tracks (Atlanta) along on their eponymous tour; Girl Meets World star Sabrina Carpenter is making her formal introduction to Omaha as part of her inaugural EVOLution Tour at Slowdown, 7 p.m. Her formulaic blend of Disney pop, which follows in the footsteps of Hilary Duff and Miley Cyrus, is slightly edgy, but then again, so is the Epcot Center; Veteran Canadian songwriter Tom Wilson is donning his psychedelic folk persona LeE HARVeY OsMOND at Reverb Lounge, 8 p.m. Perhaps more intriguing is opener Jim and Sam whose sound is positioned somewhere in the bluegrassy knoll. The L.A. folk sweethearts are bound to break out with their Simon and Garfunkel meets Serge

and Brigitte vibe (just scope their website for Chrissake); and Chicago drum hero Dylan Ryan (Herculaneum/Cursive/Rainbow Arabia) of Dylan Ryan/Sand is going to make O’Leaver’s patrons hallucinate at 9 p.m. with his mind-bending project’s free-jazz psychedelia. Opening is Arc Flash (Lawrence, Kan.) and local band Chemicals.

Black Friday Consumerism, violence, Walmart stampedes, cold stuffing, gray skies, parking lot tents, crowded multiplexes and leftover pumpkin pie; Black Friday is as American as apple pie and Black Monday and Black Tuesday, and so is partaking in your own tradition Nov. 25: Sad13 (Sadie Dupuis of Speedy Ortiz) is dropping her 8-bit, anti-pop truth bomb on Milk Run, 9 p.m. The New York native is touring in support of her freshly minted debut Slugger, which is a consent-minded, sex-positive critique on rape culture in mainstream music.

Opening is fellow New Yorker Vagabon and Mannequin Pussy (Philadelphia). Gypsy punk ensemble Gogol Bordello is throwing the other party at Slowdown, 9 p.m. The New York octet with an Eastern European flare is known for its eight-ring circus gimmickry that ties into one theatrical act. Expect obscure instruments, a diverse cast and great facial hair. ,

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NO JUDGES! JUST EVENTS & FOLLICLE WORSHIP | THE READER |

NOVEMBER 2016

55

hoodoo

Let’sBuzz

THE PALADINS PHOTO BY LISA DEAN

The Paladins return, Mark Hummel, Anson Funderburgh and Little Charlie Baty bring their Golden State-Lone Star Revue to the Zoo, Danielle Nicole and Josh Hoyer gig at The 21st

BY B.J. HUCHTEMANN

B

CHIP DUDEN

ig shows this month include the return of hard-charging rockabilly heroes The Paladins for two shows at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar Tuesday, Nov. 15 and Thursday, Nov. 17, 6-9 p.m. both nights. Fans newer to the roots scene may recognize guitarist Dave Gonzalez as the co-leader of the Hacienda Brothers with the late Chris Gaffney. But for a couple decades prior to the Hacienda Brothers, Gonzalez was part of the astonishingly tight and rockin’ Paladins along with bassist Thomas Yearsley. Brian Fahey is back in the drummer’s chair for this tour. The band is hitting a select series of venues in support of the release of a double vinyl, Slippin’ In Ernesto’s (Lux Records). See paladinsband.com and luxrecordsusa.com.

In between those two great shows, the Zoo slides in another top-flight touring act. The Golden State-Lone Star Revue gigs at the Zoo Wednesday, Nov. 16, 6-9 p.m. featuring harmonica great Mark Hummel and the one-two guitar-powerpunch of Anson Funderburgh and Little Charlie Baty on guitars. See markhummel.com/golden_state.html.

Other notable dates include Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal Saturday, Nov. 12, 10 p.m. and Mezcal Brothers Saturday, Nov. 26, 9 p.m. Visit zoobar. com for the latest schedule.

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.

56

21st Saloon Music

Omaha’s 21st Saloon is working hard to support live roots music, with Cedric Burnside Thursday, Nov. 3. Burnside is the grandson of the acclaimed R.L. Burnside and furthering the hill country blues tradition in his own right. See cedricburnside.net. Up and coming young Illinois blues-rock guitarist Matthew Curry plugs in Thursday, Nov. 10. See matthewcurry.com. Homegrown soul-funk heroes Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal hit the 21st stage Friday, Nov. 11. The soulful blues of Danielle Nicole,

NOVEMBER 2016

| THE READER |

formerly of Trampled Under Foot, takes the spotlight Thursday, Nov. 17. Former Russo’s proprietor Jim DeShamp hosts a “Home for the Holidays Super Jam” at the club Saturday, Nov. 26.

I caught Houston’s Annika Chambers in 2015 playing before the Blues Music Awards in Memphis, Her highly entertaining show and excellent band put on a memorable set. On Thursday, Dec. 1, they make what I believe Is their Omaha debut. Catch this artist, she’s poised to become a national blues audience favorite after racking up notable Houston awards for her big voice and voluptuous stage presence. See annikachambers.com.

More Roots Music

Tennessee Americana songwriter Matt Woods gigs at Reverb Lounge Sunday, Nov. 13, 8 p.m. with Evan Bartels. See therealmattwoods.com. Country band Slim Cessna’s Auto Club is a 20-year veteran of the Denver roots music scene. Jello Biafra said that they’re “the country band that plays the bar at the end of the world.” Intrigued? Check then out Thursday, Nov. 17, 9 p.m. at the Reverb and at slimcessnasautoclub.com.

The gypsy punk of Gogol Bordello takes over Slowdown Friday, Nov. 25, 9 p.m.

My Morning Jacket’s Jim James plays Slowdown Wednesday, Nov. 30, 8 p.m. Also performing is Twin Limb. See facebook.com/jimjamesmusic.

Gobble, Gobble

Matt Cox presents his seventh annual Canned in Benson at the Barley Street Tavern Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, Nov, 23. The songwriter showcase benefits local food pantries. See mattcoxmusic.net. 2016 International Blues Challenge finalists the Hector Anchondo Band gear up The Waiting Room with

hoodoo

DANIELLE NICOLE PHOTO BY MARINA CHAVEZ their original, rockin’ blues Wednesday, Nov. 23, 9 p.m. Sebastian Lane & Roadrunners open.

See hectoranchondo.com. Meanwhile another veteran local blues band, Blue House, brings their Thanksgiving Eve show to The 21st Saloon Nov. 23.

Hot Notes

Early Warning: Jon Dee Graham plays at the Zoo Bar Tuesday, Dec. 13, 6-9 p.m.

Mark your calendar for this year’s Toy Drive for Pine Ridge events. Saturday, Dec. 3, Lash LaRue’s annual event takes over both the Waiting Room and Reverb Lounge. Sunday, Dec. 4, I’ll be joining LaRue, aka Larry Dunn, on Rick Galusha’s P.S. Blues program on 89.7 The River for another Toy Drive tradition. We’ll have live music in the studios and help raise awareness about the needs of families on the Reservation. Sunday, Dec. 4, the Blues Society of Omaha co-hosts live music and a holiday party to benefit the charity.

Visit facebook.com/Toydriveforpineridge for updates and details. ,

| THE READER |

NOVEMBER 2016

57

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18+

The Devil You Know

There will be cold days ahead. Although the world is getting warmer, the upset in the climate will lead to colder winters. In fact, within 20 years the average winter will have three months with below-zero weather, and some will suffer months at a time of weather cold enough to cause near-instantaneous frostbite. As a result, most Americans will spend much of the winter indoors, some working form home, some going from heated indoor parking lots to preheated cars to heated indoor parking lots, without ever setting foot outdoors. Many cities will be connected by a series of skyways and underground tunnels, making it possible to walk for miles without ever exiting a building. For the less fortunate, winter will be a dangerous and often deadly time, as spending any time at all outdoors will cost limbs and sometimes life. Some will argue that the very desperate deserve to freeze, but most will have compassion and great warm shelters will be built for the needy. In the winter, one must be kind.

The fastest growing religion in the next decade will be Satanism, to the shock and horror of many mainstream Americans. By 2025, more Americans will tell surveys that they are Satanists than Jews or Muslims combined. There will be several branches of the movement. The first will take it seriously as a religion, while the second will treat Satanism as satire, an opportunity to make fun of established religion and challenge laws that seem to favor religions. The latter group will be the most visible, insisting on their right to place Satanic ornaments next to Christmas trees in public places, standing alongside evangelists at college campus and passing out one copy of Satanic literature for every Bible passed out.

Ultimately, these pranksters will be doing us a favor, as their behavior will cause members of other religions to panic and support laws that make clear the distinction between church and state.

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

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