PICKS Cool Things

Over the years, the Omaha Farmers Market in the Old Market has become an important tradition and economic fixture in the city. On 11th Street, between Jackson and Howard Streets, vendors sell their goods at the same site where growers sold their fruit, vegetables, herbs, plants and all sorts of fresh produce almost a century ago. This year’s farmers market season opens on Saturday, May 1, and continues each Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., until Oct. 9. The Sunday market will run at Baxter Arena in Aksarben Village 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Oct. 10. As always, the farmers market will feature fresh, healthy produce, high-quality herbs, prepackaged foods, prepared foods and crafts. For COVID-19 safety measures, the first hour of the market is reserved for seniors, people with underlying health conditions and expectant mothers, and the use of face masks is encouraged. —Alex Preston

This May, Benson’s Petshop presents Legionnaire, paintings by Eric Ondina of Tampa, Florida. Ondina’s egg tempera paintings, spanning 2019 through 2021, are described by the gallery, as “observ(ing) the American Myth as it experiences the American Crisis.”

Artist and teacher Ondina cites the biblical account of Jesus’ meeting and subsequent exorcism of the daemons at Gerasene. From his artist’s statement: “These demons have always existed, and they can often appear ascendant over our better angels. But as in Gerasene their multitude has been exposed and cast into a doomed vessel.”

Ondina’s style has also been greatly influenced by Cuban art and culture. “The primacy of emotion over intellect, the power of less, and the importance of nuance are just some of the traits Cuban art has impressed upon me,” he wrote in a 2017 guest post for University of Southern Florida’s Museum of Contemporary Art.

The opening reception for Legionnaire is Friday, May 7, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The reception coincides with other First Friday events in the area. The show runs from through June 25. Petshop is located at 2725 North 62nd St. Visit bffomaha.org/petshop. html.

—Kent Behrens

Less than five years ago, Gallery 1516 decided to revive a largely forgotten institution: the Nebraska Artist Biennial. The original had a lofty run from 1932-1988 at the Joslyn Art Museum, and though it disappeared for whatever reason, it had the mission to unite the best art made in, or by artists with a connection to, Nebraska.

This year, five regional jurors have quite a challenge narrowing nearly 1,000 stylistically unique submissions into a group of fewer than 100 selected exhibiting works. The temporarily anonymous jury is composed of artists, art historians or season curators from Kearney, Lincoln and Omaha.

The biennial will travel to the Museum of Nebraska Art in Kearney later in the year.

The 2021 Nebraska Artist Biennial opens on May 7 and will run to August 1 at Gallery 1516. Located on 1516 Leavenworth St., gallery hours range from Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. by appointment. Visitors need to wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines. For more information, visit gallery1516.org. —Jonathan Orozco

Recent media exposure about pandemic-related anxiety and depression has triggered crucial conversations about mental health and related antidotes — the conventional, unconventional, outright dangerous and, sometimes, the just plain weird.

The Little Gallery | Blackstone presents for this year’s May-June

fare Weird Therapies, featuring the work of Brion Poloncic. The selftaught visual artist (and author and songwriter) is known for using cryptic iconography, humor and a unique style that might be described as “stream-of-consciousness hieroglyphics,” as palliative exercises toward a better understanding of his own mental health challenges.

The opening reception for Weird Therapy is Saturday, May 8, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. The show runs through June 30. The Little Gallery|Blackstone is located inside the Mansion at Blackstone, 144 S. 39th St., Suite 1b. Visit thelittlegalleryblackstone.com. —Kent Behrens

Blues fans, listen up. This is a show you won’t want to miss. On May 12, trumpeter, percussionist and composer extraordinaire Etienne Charles takes the stage at the Holland Center. During Charles’ performance, presented by the Blues Society of Omaha, he will explore his Creole Soul and Afro-Caribbean musical roots to his calypso and Haitian voodoo influences. The New York Times once hailed this Trinidad-born artist as “an auteur,” so you certainly won’t want to miss this opportunity to see him live in concert. The show begins at 7:30 p.m., and COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place, including required face masks and limited, socially distanced seating. Visit ticketomaha.com to see ticket pricing and to reserve your seat today.

—Alex Preston

The Lincoln rock scene will invade downtown Omaha when The Zooeys with The Credentials and A Band Called Hemingway play at Slowdown on May 14.

Starting off the night will be A Band Called Hemingway and their infectious 2000s pop punk sound. In addition to a pair of EPs, the group’s most recent release, a cover of “Jingle Bell Rock,” might make an appearance.

Next in the batting order are The Credentials, who have grown as a local favorite in the past few years. Bringing a grittier sound, the four-piece is ready to play songs off their 2020 debut album Natural.

Headlining and closing out the night are The Zooeys with their offering of familiar and vintage rock and roll.

These three young bands with sounds influenced from past decades are on the rise. This is the perfect opportunity to see them all under one roof.

The all-ages show costs $8 a ticket and will be played in the venue’s main room due to COVID-19 restrictions. The show starts at 8 p.m. and is expected to end at 11.

—Efren Cortez

It would be quite difficult to find another jam band out there that is having more fun than Leftover Salmon, who are bringing their good times to Bellevue’s Falconwood Park. This group was founded more than 30 years ago by Vince Herman and Drew Emmitt as a progressive bluegrass band, and they are widely considered to be pioneers of the modern jam-band movement. Their style of music has been described as combustible and constantly evolving. You can never be certain what to expect at a Leftover Salmon show, but the one thing you can count on is that you will have as much fun watching them as they have performing. Visit leftoversalomn. com to learn more about the band and to reserve your tickets for this outdoor concert.

Soaring arias! Magical duets! Music lovers who have been deprived of experiencing live, in-person music can return for a new outdoor concert by Opera Omaha. The alfresco performance features beloved classics performed by some of opera’s favorite stars, accompanied by Omaha Symphony musicians.

This concert medley features soloists from past Opera Omaha productions and new artists who will star in the upcoming 2021/2022 season. Led by conductor Steven White and director Dean Anthony, guest artists include baritone Michael Adams, lyric tenor Barry Banks, mezzo soprano Kristen Choi (Suzuki, Madama Butterfly, 2019), soprano Mary Feminear and the debut performance of soprano Lauren Michelle. The evening will include selections composed by Tchaikovsky, Mozart and more.

Socially distanced chair seating will be provided, and concessions are available for purchase on site. Mask protocols remain in place, and patrons are required to wear masks when not eating or drinking.

Tickets are $20 and may be purchased through Ticket Omaha at ticketomaha.com.

—Lynn Sanchez