25 minute read
PICKS Cool Things to
January 31 to February 16 Mamma Mia! PART Crossroads Mall
February 4 Post Malone ( Swae Lee and Tyla Yaweh ) CHI Health Center
Performing Arts Repertory Theater continues to impress local audiences with their modern and well-chosen seasons. They’re kicking off this new year with the show more than 60 million people worldwide have fallen in love with, Mamma Mia! ABBA’s feel-good hit musical is set in idyllic Greece and tells the story of Sophie, a young woman searching for her birth father, and Donna, her mother with an exciting past. Donna relives that past when three men, each claiming to be Sophie’s father, show up the night before her wedding and emotions and notes run high. Shows run Thursdays to Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $35 general, $30 for seniors and $25 for students. Call 402-706-0778. —Beaufield Berry
There are two prominent artist portraits tattooed on Austin “Post” Malone’s left arm. The first is of Johnny Cash, head balanced on the palm of his hand, staring off pensively into the distance. Below that is the late Lil’ Peep, Malone’s fellow Soundcloud upstart who rose to fame for his combination of emo sensibility mix and trap production.
Over the past four and a half years, Malone has conquered the pop world by trying to split the difference between the two. Since he burst onto the scene with “White Iverson,” the Dallas-bred pseudo-rapper has become famous for his ability to weave his lean-glazed warble into everything from disco (“Circles”) to bubblegum pop (“Sunflower”) to bare-bones country balladry (“Stay”).
Like Drake, he succeeds not because he is able to master each of these genres, but because he can’t. Instead, he’s got an incredible knack for pulling out the most easily digestible bits, crafting mind-numbingly catchy hooks around them, and then slathering on a layer of his signature bleary-eyed haze.
By most metrics, the formula is working. On Spotify alone, he raked in 6.5 billion (yes, billion with a b) streams in 2019. Omaha is lucky enough to have the kickoff date to the second leg of his Runaway Tour so Posty should be fresh and ready to give his rabid fan base (Postmates? Maloners?) one hell of a show.
—Houston Wiltsey
February 5 Jacquees Sokol Auditorium
Jacquees is a chameleon. I’m not able to describe his style because, frankly, I don’t think he has one. The R&B artist from Decatur, Georgia, has been cranking out mixtapes for the better part of the decade, each of them distinct in their own way. On Round of Applause, he does a serviceable Usher impression over beats that sound like they were produced by The-Dream (they weren’t). A half-decade later, he’s ceding the spotlight to Dej Loaf on their collaborative mixtape, Fuck a Friend Zone. More recently, Jacquees has turned himself into an R&B singer modeled after his fellow Atlanta stars. His croon has been clipped to fit within the still-popular triplet flow, and you can hear the requisite ad-libs floating in the nether-regions of the production. Not to say that this is bad — in fact, some of the tracks accomplish 80 percent of the artists he’s lifting from — it’s just not original. Considering how few R&B concerts Omaha gets, this show should still scratch the itch.
—Houston Wiltsey
through the Lens of Rudy Smith Great Plains Black History Museum | 2213 Lake Street
FEBRUARY 2020 28 Curly Martin is trying to revitalize jazz in Omaha, whose Northside jazz scene once made this burg a vital stop for the idiom’s hottest players. North O also produced its share of musical talents. Martin, a drummer, was among a dynamic cohort of musicians with serious chops who emerged here in the 1950s and 1960s. Most, like him, pursued their careers outside Nebraska, collaborating with legendary names in the industry. Since doing a series of symposiums at the Hi-Fi House, Martin’s performed concerts at the Holland and The Jewell featuring cats he came up with on the scene. He’s recorded and performed here with his star producer-player son, Terrace Martin. Now this old lion of Omaha jazz is back with his mates for a sampling of classic and contemporary tunes for a new 1200 Club gig. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Reserve your seats at www.ticketomaha.com. —Leo Adam Biga February 7 The Black Experience The late photojournalist Rudy Smith long envisioned a book featuring his images of the African-American diaspora in Omaha. Though he died last December before publication of The Black Experience through the Lens of Rudy Smith, he worked hard selecting photos for the project from his vast archive with help from the Omaha World-Herald’s book editor, Kristine Gerber. The volume is a testament to his legacy as an award-winning chronicler of his times and people and to his role as a civil rights champion. Smith made images with history in mind, and his respect for preserving momentous events and figures in the black community is why he served on the board of the Great Plains Black History Museum (GPBHM). The museum is displaying a free exhibition of his work during Black History Month. The exhibit’s opening reception is at 6 p.m. His book will be available for purchase at GPBHM, and part of the proceeds from its sale will support the museum.
–Leo Adam Biga
February 7 Work in Progress Petshop Gallery
explores the natural environment, often incorporating organic material into his pieces. Kranker’s multimedia work reflects places fixed in memory, including domestic settings that may be reflected through her imagery or her use of home construction supplies. Sculptor Swain works in a Dadaist vein, fashioning detritus with a discomfiting aesthetic.
The exhibition continues through March 27. Petshop is located in downtown Benson. Find it on Facebook.
—Janet Farber
It’s still the sad state of affairs that no universities in Omaha offer an MFA program, usually considered an essential qualification for professional visual artists.
Amplify Arts has stepped into that breach with its Work in Progress program, and the art from its first cohort of “students” — Travis Apel, Elizabeth Boutin, Anne Dovali, Holly Kranker and Tyler Swain—will be on view at Benson’s Petshop with an opening on Feb. 7 from 6 to 9 p.m.
During the 10-month program, the artists received feedback through critiques, practiced critical writing and participated in collaborative, interdisciplinary endeavors. Boutin creates emotionally resonant paintings inflected by her experience with the military. Conversely, Dovali works in mythic and fantastic realms, combining sacred and baroque iconographies with rhinestones and googly eyes. Sculptor Apel
February 7 Origins Modern Arts Midtown
Modern Arts Midtown will host a second opening for their current group exhibit, Origins, on Feb. 7. The exhibit features artwork from six of this gallery’s varied roster. Each of the artists creates works that are not immediately evident as to their unique medium or their creative inspirations and outcomes. Look for mysterious mosaics of unidentifiable colors and shapes, as in Graceann Warn’s encaustic wax and oil paintings, or Michael James’ contemporary take on quilts. Jason Papenfuss’ elemental, cryptic photographs exemplify how non-representational subject matter can alter perceptions of the medium.
The exhibit, which runs through Feb. 28, also includes work by Paul Konchagulian, sculpture; James Freeman, collage; and Edgard Camacho, painting. Find more at modernartsmidtown.com.
—Kent Behrens
February 8 Fact and Fiction in Contemporary Photography Joslyn Art Museum
The time-honored expression “A picture is worth a thousand words” suggests that we can communicate complex ideas through one single image. In the pre-digital world of photography, these images were believed to be factual and unaltered. Fact and Fiction in Contemporary Photography, organized by Toby Jurovics, chief curator at Joslyn Art Museum, explores and challenges that perception in a new exhibition opening Feb. 8 and continuing until May 10. The exhibit examines “pictures intended to convey insight or careful observation,” according to Joslyn’s show statement. Featuring several artists in a variety of media from photograms to images exposed on film and printed in the darkroom to compositions constructed from multiple digital captures.
Fact and Fiction in Contemporary Photography is open during all regular museum hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; late ‘til 8 p.m. on Thursday. General admission to the Joslyn Museum is free. However, there is an additional charge for special exhibitions. For more details, go to joslyn.org. —Elmer Ellefson
February 8 Magu EP Release Show Drips 2205 N. 24th St.
What began as longtime Omaha musician Dave McInnis’ first foray into solo songwriting, Magu - has quickly become one of the most talked about names in the Omaha underground. McInnis launched the project in 2018 with the tight, earnest and impactful EP, Change of Heart, and a split EP with Omaha singer-songwriter Jacob James Wilton. To this point, the band’s music has largely been an enjoyable grab bag, ranging from piano-pop to sexy sax-rock. But
FEBRUARY 2020 29 Magu - ’s latest effort, titled Renovate, is easily its most confident and focused yet, sustaining a familiar sonic palette that emphasizes soundscape-building over anything else. McInnis’ voice is definitely still central to the record’s mood-building, but the many instrumental detours Renovate takes are what impress the most. Guitar solos abound, as do dreamlike synths and tone-setting basslines. A lot of it feels heavy and dark, like an acid trip gone wrong, leading you to wonder whether you’ll still come out of the experience the same. The album’s title suggests otherwise. The release show features DJ Kethro and Mr. E & the Stringless Kite. A $7-10 donation is suggested. More information is available by searching “Magu presents Renovate EP Release Show” on Facebook.
—Sam Crisler February 8 The Bel Airs The Jewell
The Delta blues, mid-century rock ‘n’ roll and classic rhythm ‘n’ blues of The Bel Airs take center stage at The Jewell on Saturday, Feb. 8, 6 to 9 p.m. in a Blues Society of Omaha presentation with the downtown nightclub. The Bel Airs offer up both deep soul and heavy grooves. They continue to deliver incendiary shows while wrapping up their third decade of entertaining enthusiastic fans. See this month’s Hoodoo column. —B.J. Huchtemann February 12-15 Lincoln Exposed 2020 Various venues
Another new year brings another edition of Lincoln Exposed, the annual downtown Lincoln music festival featuring a majority of the city’s music scene, i.e., 100- plus bands at five different venues. The festival lasts four days — starting Wednesday and ending Saturday — with each venue hosting five or more acts every night. Among the lineup’s highlights are folk-punk band The Killigans, country crooners Jack Hotel, hard rockers Freakabout, prog-punk band Bogusman and dance-rockers A Ferocious Jungle Cat. There’s always something exciting happening at Lincoln Exposed, and it’s always less than a block’s walk away. See full schedule and ticket information by searching “Lincoln Exposed 2020” on Facebook. —Sam Crisler
February 13 Tennessee Redemption Stocks ‘n’ Bonds
The latest blues supergroup to hit the national scene comprises some of the brightest rising stars working right now. They make their Omaha debut at the BSO Presents show at Stocks ‘n’ Bonds Thursday, Feb. 13, 6 to 9 p.m. Tennessee Redemption’s members include Memphis-based Brandon Santini on lead vocals and harmonica and fellow Memphian, guitarist and vocalist Jeff Jensen. The band is rounded out by Timo Arthur, Bill Ruffino and David Green. See tennesseeredemption. com and this month’s Hoodoo column.
—B.J. Huchtemann
February 14 Valentine Farewell Fred Simon Gallery
Multimedia artist Tim Guthrie will share a moving Valentine’s Day tribute to his late wife, Beth, when his new solo exhibit opens Feb. 14 at the Fred Simon Gallery. Best known for his new media exhibits (Nuclear Dichotomies, Extraordinary Rendition, The Museum of Alternative History), Guthrie has returned to pencil and paper to create a series of personal portraits of Beth who passed in 2015 from Parkinson’s disease.
“There’s a reason to return to it,” Guthrie said in an email. “I wanted to use intimate media and do delicate drawings if I was going to recall our first years together. It only made sense. When I first started dating Beth, I was painting and drawing. I did many portraits of her back then.”
Guthrie estimated the exhibit will include six small drawings and one large painting. “I may not be able to resist a little new media, a short video — the flower from the film (the artist’s loving tribute to Beth, “Missing Piece”) as well as possibly some quiet audio.”
This exhibit, which continues through April 9, also marks Guthrie’s return to true solo shows as he left the artwork intentionally to care for his wife during her long illness. He refers to the new body of work as his “farewell to her.”
For more details, go to www.artscouncil.nebraska. gov.
—Mike Krainak
February 14 OEAA Visual Arts Showcase Roberta & Bob Rogers Gallery
The Visual Arts Showcase will run until Feb. 22. Gallery hours: Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information: www. rbrg.org, info@rbrg.org or call 402-496-4797.
—Elmer Ellefson
February 14 to March 1 Playboy of the Western World First Central Congregational Church | 421 S. 36th St.
To whet your appetite for the category of visual art before the winners of the 14th annual Omaha Entertainment & Arts Awards are announced Feb. 16, the Roberta & Bob Rogers Gallery on Vinton St. will host a reception for its nominees Feb. 14, from 5 to 9 p.m.
More than 30 artists nominated from 10 categories will exhibit samples of their artworks. This is a prime opportunity to view local art in a wide variety of media and styles. According to RBR G Director John Rogers, “It will be the state of visual art in the metropolitan Omaha area.” Categories in the arts awards include: Visual Artist, Emerging Artist, New Media, 2-D, 3-D, Group Show, Solo Show, Two Person Show, Public Art and Non-traditional Format.
Brigit Saint Brigit continues their tradition of annual Irish plays with J.M. Synge’s classic Irish comedy, Playboy of the Western World. The play was originally performed at Dublin’s Abbey Theatre in 1907, the national theatre of Ireland, which is still going strong. Set in a public house on the Isle’s west coast, we meet Christy Mahon, a young man on the run after killing his father. The locals are more entranced by Christy’s wild story than they are concerned about his morality; he even finds love. But it all may be too good to be true as Christy’s story unravels in unpredictable and hilarious ways. Enjoy the craic at this classic inundated with gorgeous Irish language, lots of laughs and a controversial past. During its first Ameri-
can tour in 1912, Synge was arrested for producing an “immoral and indecent play.” Tickets are $30 general admission, $25 for students, seniors and military. Shows run Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Visit bsbtheatre.com. —Beaufield Berry
February 15 Seed Share Gifford Park Elementary School | 717 N. 32nd St.
available. Those sharing are asked to label all seeds. You don’t have to bring anything to participate. There will be plenty to go around. The 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. community event will also feature handouts on gardening topics, art projects for kids and healthy drinks and snacks.
–Leo Adam Biga
February 15 to March 8 The Little Engine That Could The Rose Theater
The 11 a.m. show on March 7 provides ASL interpretation. Tickets are $12 for non-members and $10 for members. Call 402-345-4849 for more information or visit rosetheater.org.
—Beaufield Berry
February 16 14th Annual Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards Slowdown
you-really-love-me gushes. Cocktail hour and red carpet begin at 5 p.m. Awards show at 7. VIP, reserved seating offered. Tickets $35 to $60 and available via Eventbrite.
—Leo Adam Biga
February 19-22 Blood at the Root Weber Fine Arts Building | University of Nebraska at Omaha
Urban farmers and gardeners preserve the resilience and integrity of what they grow through good dirt, smart planting practices and naturally occurring seeds. Join fellow green thumbs for this time-honored tradition of neighbors sharing seeds. Organizers Big Garden, City Sprouts, Big Muddy Urban Farm and Omaha Public Library promote this as a form of social and environmental activism since seed sharing resists the privatization of plant genes by keeping seed-making in the garden and out of the laboratory, thus protecting local biodiversity. The practice not only preserves this age-old tradition and lets you connect with others, it also strengthens food security. Empty seed packets will be
If you’re interested in getting your littles into theater-going but are concerned about short attention spans, then the Rose’s First Stages is perfect for you. Created intentionally for young children ages two and up, First Stages creates memorable, entertaining, gentle and usually interactive theater that parents and caregivers can enjoy, too. They’re bringing back The Little Engine That Could, adapted by the Rose’s artistic director Matt Guttschick, which is a reimagining of Watty Piper’s classic book celebrating confidence, perseverance and helping others. I’ve taken my kids to many of the First Stage shows and would definitely recommend it as a beginning to falling in love with theater.
Shows run Saturdays and Sundays at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. and Mondays at 10 a.m.
Every year, creatives gather to love on their local art and entertainment crushes at Omaha’s version of the Oscars. Friends, fans and family mingle with nominees and insiders to celebrate the metro’s emerging and established visual and performing artists. This is a chance to express appreciation for hometown favorite winners across 50-plus categories. A lifetime achievement award will also be presented. Live music and stage performances complete the evening. As with any unscripted, live spectacle, expect some awkward moments, fashion hits and misses, and acceptance speeches ranging from graceful to hilarious to
Dominique Morrisseau has built a fruitful career writing about the unexamined black life. Blood at the Root is her latest ensemble drama based on the true story of the Jena Six, six black students charged with attempted murder for a school fight, initiated by nooses hung from a tree on campus. This play is a powerful view into miscarriages of justice, racially charged class crises and their many repercussions. Morrisseau’s other work includes the evocative and slice-of-life plays Detroit 67 and Skeleton Crew. Blood at the Root runs Feb. 19 to 22 at UNO, with 7:30 p.m. showings, and continues with performances at the Union for Contemporary Art through March 8. General admission is $16. UNO students get in free at the UNO performances. For tickets, visit unomaha.edu/unotheatre or call 402-554-PLAY.
—Beaufield Berry
February 19-23 Language of Angels Lied Education Center for the Arts | Creighton
Naomi Iizuka is known for her work in nonlinear plays that incorporate tradition, culture and the supernatural. Language of Angels takes the best of all of those and creates an eerie atmosphere for Iizuka’s paranormal play set in the cave country of North Carolina. A young girl goes missing in a cave, and one of her friends may be responsible. As no one steps forward, they find themselves more and more entwined with her tragic fate, maybe enough so it becomes their own. This show has roots in the Japanese Noh style of playwriting, bringing two worlds (Japan and Appalachia) crashing beautifully together. It will leave you with much to think about and likely sleeping with the light on.
Performances are Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $18, $15 for seniors and $5 for Creighton students, faculty and staff. Visit boxoffice.creighton.edu or call 402-280-1448.
—Beaufield Berry
February 20 Eclipse Trio The Jewell
Kansas City’s Eclipse Trio returns to the Jewell for two shows, 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 20. Eclipse Trio is Everett Freeman, DeAndre Manning and Mike Warren. Freeman is a recipient of Hallmark’s recognition as a young Kansas City musician performing in the tradition of the late, influential Jay McShann. Expect a mix of contemporary jazz, R&B and soul from some veterans of the current Kansas City jazz scene. For more information see jewellomaha. com.
—B.J. Huchtemann
February 20 Tinsley Ellis Stocks ‘n’ Bonds
Blues-rock guitarist Tinsley Ellis celebrates his new CD, Ice Cream In Hell (Alligator), with a CD release party as part of the BSO Presents series at Stocks ‘n’ Bonds Thursday, Feb. 20, 6 to 9 p.m. The disc dropped Jan. 30, and Ellis describes it as a tribute to the “three Kings” of the blues, B.B., Albert and Freddie, and promises “more guitar than ever,” in pre-re
lease press. One of Alligator’s more recent signings and an equally fiery guitarist, Jarekus Singleton , also performs. See tinsleyellis.com and this month’s Hoodoo column.
—B.J. Huchtemann
February 20 White Reaper Slowdown
band has stripped back the needle-in-the-red fuzziness (think The Exploding Hearts) in favor of a more streamlined approach à la the Cars or the Knack. When they do let loose, like on “Ring” or the solo at the end of “Hard Luck,” it’s more controlled. That will definitely not be the case for their show at Slowdown.
—Houston Wiltsey
February 23 Art & Soup Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center, La Vista
With the title of their 2017 album, the Louisville band White Reaper declared — in a very tongue-in-cheek manner — that they were The World’s Best American Band. With this year’s You Deserve Love, the Kentucky quintet is showing that they mean business by pushing the power-pop sound they perfected on the last record to new heights. However, the
The Visiting Nurse Association is able to put a nurse in every local homeless shelter from the proceeds of this annual event that presents a sumptuous feast of signature soups, breads and desserts by star Omaha chefs and restaurants and original art by local artists. This event embodies what food for the soul is all about.
VNA’s Shelter Nursing Program provides nursing services in all Omaha and Council Bluffs homeless and
domestic violence shelters and to youth living on the streets. These nurses, who are the first and sometimes only health care contact for at-risk individuals and families, provide physical and mental health assistance, referrals to community partner services and navigation of the health care system.
The event starts at 2 p.m. General admission tickets ($50) and Patron Party tickets ($100) are available online at vnatoday.org/artandsoup or by calling 402-930-4170. Patron Party attendees get first dibs on sampling the event’s gourmand treats, previewing the silent auction and buying original artwork.
—Leo Adam Biga
February 24 Ceremony Reverb Lounge
and frontman Ross Farrar delivering the lyrics in a voice that felt like more of an inspiration than evocation. If The L-Shaped Man was their Closer than In the Spirit World Now is their Movement – slightly brighter, synth-focused, but not a complete departure. If we’re being honest, the record has more in common with Gang of Four than the Manchester new wave band. Regardless, it will be interesting to see how the new material is presented. Last time the band played Omaha, its members were crammed inside Sweatshop Gallery, thrashing around with the fans. Are five years and a change in venue enough to mellow the group out? I sure hope not. Show opens with Jocko and No Thanks.
—Houston Wiltsey
February 27 Juanjose Rivas Low End | Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts
artistic languages. The visual-sound artist is in the midst of a sound art residency at the Bemis, where this new performance from his Plexus series will present an alphabet in which each letter is a sound action based on different body movements. In his work he’s attempting to do nothing less, he says, than define the impossible, reveal the hidden, articulate the unspeakable and evidence the truth as an instituted lie. Only he knows what that means, but it will be worth seeing-hearing his creative concept come to life. His work has shown across the world and now graces the Low End, the new music venue at the Bemis. The 7 to 9 p.m. show is free.
–Leo Adam Biga
February 28 to March 22 Once Hawks Mainstage Theatre | Omaha Community Playhouse
tion? The heartwarming story told by the surprise indie film hit written and directed by John Carney is very much the story of the play. In the throes of love, the couple write, rehearse and record songs that celebrate their union. The score is performed entirely on stage, with the actors doubling as orchestra musicians. Like the film, music and lyrics are by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, including the Academy Award-winning “Falling Slowly.” The book for the musical is by Enda Walsh. In this Playhouse production, Jay Hanson plays Guy and Melissa King plays Girl. The director and choreographer is Playhouse Artistic Director Kimberly Faith Hickman. The opening night show is at 7:30 p.m.
—Leo Adam Biga
California punks Ceremony return to Omaha to support In the Spirit World Now, their first album on Relapse Records. On their last record, The L-Shaped Man, the group created their best approximation of a Joy Division record, full of murky bassline and simple, sticky guitar lines, Part artist and part mad scientist, Juanjose Rivas manipulates electronic media to create speech from the translation, error, obstruction and interference inside
The source material for Broadway musicals can come from anywhere: popular songs, comic books, poems, movies. So why shouldn’t a 2007 modern-day film musical about an Irish busker guy and a Czech immigrant girl finding romance one week in Dublin inspire a Tony Award-winning stage adaptaThe Los Angeles Times calls Stefon Harris “one of the most important artists in jazz.” Stefon Harris & Blackout’s most recent release, Sonic Creed, was cited as “Jazz Album of the Year” by WBGO, the world’s preeminent jazz radio station. Harris is a virtuoso vibraphonist who expands on the traditions of greats Lionel Hampton, Milt Jackson and
Bobby Hutcherson. Harris has recorded as a member of the SF Jazz Collective and The Classical Jazz Quartet. Sonic Creed reunites Blackout for the first time since 2009. At that time, NPR called Blackout “a troupe of music mercenaries adept in the language of jazz, the strut of soul music and the raucous ruckus of breakbeats, go-go and new-jack rhythms.” See this critically acclaimed jazz group Friday, Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m. in the intimate 1200 Club at the Holland Performing Arts Center. Tickets at ticketomaha.com. —B.J. Huchtemann
February 28 Spontaneity: 10 Abstract Painters from Nebraska Gallery 1516
Although the many “isms” that arose with the birth of non-representational art little more than a century ago have passed, the urge to create without specific reference to that which we see remains an impulse shared by many artists. Spontaneity: 10 Abstract
Painters from Nebraska focuses on the continued resonance of abstraction, and in particular the drive for the personal and gestural nature associated with abstract expressionism.
Spontaneity features the work of contemporary artists James Bockelman, Diane Lounsberry-Williams, Ann Pape, Larry Roots, Mark Sabaliauskas, Nancy Teague, JK Thorsen and Beverly Todd, as well as the late Dan Howard and Jerry Jacoby. This exhibition brings together artists who share what the organizers describe as “the qualities of spontaneous expression, vibrant color, and unique use of line and form.” Collectively, they illustrate the virtual playground the canvas can become when working freely with the purely formal aspects of art.
Spontaneity runs through May 17. The gallery is open Friday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. For more details, go to gallery1516. org. —Janet Farber
February 29 In Our Other Lives –
Ted Wheeler Book Release Party OutrSpaces
Celebrate with new Nebraska literary star Ted Wheeler (Kings of Broken Things) the release of his new novel. It centers on an FBI/NSA investigation into a family whose son disappeared in Pakistan while evangelizing into terrorist-controlled territory. “It’s a domestic-spy novel I started while contemplating how much of what we think of as our private lives is recorded on government servers,” said Wheeler. This work about abandoned faith, heartbreaking loss and intrusive invasions in a post9/11 nation is garnering strong praise. “With the pace of a thriller and the patience of a psychological study, In Our Other Lives depicts ordinary people consumed by tragedy and obsession. Wheeler skillfully depicts the struggles of mothers, missionaries and spies, while always paying attention to the small, beautiful impulses that make them human,” writes Jennie Melamed (Gather the Daughters). Wheeler, a 2020 National Endowment for the Arts Creative Writing Fellowship winner, is a Creighton University grad. He teaches at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, covers a national news service civil-law beat, co-directs Omaha Lit Fest and helms the Dundee Book Company’s roving book cart. He will sign copies at the 7 p.m. OutrSpaces event and at a 1 p.m. Bookworm event on March 1. –Leo Adam Biga
