January/February 2018 Encounter

AN OMAHA MAGA ZINE PUBLIC ATION

ZED & MAYNARD

Future Punk Avant Garde

TRIPLE THREAT PLUS ONE

Clark & Company Matures

ARTS/CULTURE

VOL. 23 × JAN/FEB 2018 | ISSUE

1

ONE PIECE AT A TIME

Tattoo Artist Patrick Oleson

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Great Scott! Will Marty McFly make it back to 1985? Experience the comic adventure as Alan Silvestri’s score is played live while the film is screened in its entirety. Take it from Marty, “Your kids are gonna love it!”

An adventure 65 million years in the making! Played live, John Williams’ heart-pumping score amplifies the action to thrilling new heights. T. rex, Velociraptor and Triceratops alive on the big screen? Welcome… to Jurassic Park!

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36 06 DESTINATIONS

ZED & MAYNARD

Monarch Makes Its Mark

Visual Playgroud of Nicholas Wasserberger

10 RETRO GLAMOUR Sleek Silhouettes & Tailored Fits

16 CHRISTY CHAN Bemis Series Episode One

20 KILLEN IT The Boner Killerz Have Arrived

22 BRAND R/EVOLUTION Designer Hannah Nodskov Avoids Burnout

32

34 FREE SPACE Art Collector Celebrates Vulnerability

TRIPLE THREAT PLUS ONE

42 CALENDAR

Clark & Company Matures

January/February 2018

24

46 TRANSITORILY YOURS Death of a Disco Ball

ONE PIECE AT A TIME

Tattoo Artist Patrick Oleson and His Pursuit of Greatness

ISSUE 1 | VOL. 23 | JAN/FEB 2018 instagram.com/encounter_magazine

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

513 TREES

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Publisher Todd Lemke

Guest Photographers Justin Barnes • Keith Binder • Sarah Lemke

Executive Editor Doug Meigs Managing Editor: B2B, Family Guide, special projects Daisy Hutzell-Rodman Managing Editor: Encounter Eric Stoakes Editor-at-Large Tara Spencer Editorial Assistant Lindsay Wilson Interns Katherine Hartner • Sydney Sheldrick • Liz Stevens Contributing Writers Brent Crampton • Kyle Eustice Anthony Flott Lindsay Wilson • Carrielle Sedersten •

Vice President Greg Bruns

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

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

Destinations | january/february

Story by anothny flott

Photo by Joshua foo

Monarch Makes its Mark Perhaps it’s fitting that downtown’s newest dining establishment, Monarch Prime & Bar, opened on Halloween weekend.

First, there was a trick—flipping the space used by the two previous restaurants with the event space to call Hotel Deco XV home.

Then when the doors opened, there definitely was a treat. Lots of them, in fact. But perhaps none so tantalizing as the 60-day-aged, 45-ounce Wagyu tomahawk chop cut of beef encompassing the ribeye and filet served still on a “flintstone.” It will feed a whole table, and even at $150 its sales are brisk.

“We sell out of them every day,” says Monarch partner Ethan Bondelid. “It’s very popular.”

Just as the steakhouse is becoming in its brief tenure. “The opening has been good,” Bondelid says. “We have been slowly ramping up night by night. The reviews have been positive.”

6 jan/Feb 2018

That hasn’t come easy. Monarch occupies space in Hotel Deco (316 S. 15th St.) once filled by other tenants. Bondelid and his team reimagined the space and “flipped the whole property around.”

The kitchen was completed first, earlier in 2017, to serve hotel needs.

When Monarch opened, the kitchen served up Chef Patrick Micheels’ eclectic menu focused on dry-aged “meats from the grasslands” procured through Micheels’ relationships with Midwest farmers. The tomahawk stars, of course. But there’s also a 14-day aged duck breast, a 30-day-aged, 8-ounce bison strip loin, and elk.

“The chef and his team are doing great,” Bondelid says. “Knocking it out of the park.”

From the dining room, customers can see it all aging in the finishing locker. There’s lots more to the menu, which features two pricing tiers (the tomahawk being the top level). Also available is the

Monarch Burger topped with lamb bacon, short rib meatloaf, striped bass, pork shoulder, and starters, including chicken pate, potato and trout, seasonal soups, seared maitake mushrooms, and more.

Bondelid—who owns Victor Victoria, Laka Lono Rum Club, and Maven Social—helped create Berry & Rye, Wicked Rabbit, and Via Farina. He says Monarch is his most ambitious project to date.

“We’ve been working on it a long time,” he says. “It’s good to see it come to fruition.”

A real treat, you might say.

Continued >

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<

Continued

AKSARBEN VILLAGE When a building gets its own Twitter account, you know it’s big news. So it is with @newHDRhq—handle for the new global headquarters being built for HDR. The building was “topped out” in October with all its beams, then enclosed with 95,000 square feet of glass. Now work carries on inside— as it will do so throughout 2018—and on the parking garage. “Things are progressing well, and we’re on schedule to move in early 2019,” says HDR Chairman and CEO George A. Little. “We’re getting more excited every day about getting all of our staff into one building in such a great location.” aksarbenvillage.com

BENSON

>

Bench

1441 N 11th St. Omaha, NE 68102 Offering intro to woodworking classes on Jan 13th and Feb 10th. Also offering an Open Studio event of Feb 10th fee to the public.

>

>

Localstubs.com

Haunt icon

Darland Building in the Historic Stock Yards Feb 17th / 11-7pm

Benson Lights Apartments didn’t just bring something new to Benson—it brought something old, too. Something that says “Benson”—only it’s spelled “L-O-U-I-S.” The iconic, red neon sign that once stood above Louis Market was refurbished and installed atop the apartment building in September.

The sign is blocks from where it once served as a Benson landmark from 1957 until Louis was demolished in 2015. Like many other parts of Benson, though, the sign was resurrected with the summer opening of Benson Lights (lightsapartments.com) at 3030 N. 60th St. The 99-unit complex touts itself as Benson’s newest “handcrafted community” and features two-story lofts, a fitness center, community room with shuffleboard, and more. Not sure where it stands? Look for the big red sign. facebook.com/BensonNebraska

A N E W L O C A L WAY t o T i c k e t Yo u r E v e n t

This is Omaha’s first Paranormal Convention! There will be representatives from the Midwest’s most haunted locations, local shops that dabble in the paranormal and supernatural, amazing speakers, and so much more!

BLACKSTONE DISTRICT Want it fine—but fast? Your food, that is.

Good, because that’s what Blackstone denizens are enjoying now that Dante Pizzeria opened a second location, on the corner of 38th and Farnam streets. The restaurant—a West Omaha favorite in its original pad at the Shops of Legacy—has brought wood-fired pizzas, a static and “hyperseasonal” menu, sandwiches, and more to the BD with its “Fast-Fine” concept, an emerging trend in the food industry. Dante’s website describes it as a hybrid of the assembly-line fast-casual format and traditional fine dining. “Fine dining on your terms, without the fuss,” notes the restaurant. blackstonedistrict.com

8 jan/Feb 2018

CAPITOL

NODO

It’s not every day that the Mona Lisa and a T-Rex take spots in the same art exhibition. But when both are made from Lego bricks, exceptions are made. Through Feb. 19 the Capitol District hosts the Art of the Brick, a global touring exhibition rated by CNN as one of the world’s “Must See Exhibitions.” It features the mind-blowing work of award-winning artist Nathan Sawaya, who creates art solely from standard Lego pieces — including new works that debuted in Omaha. The show runs daily at 225 N. 12th St. For more information, and to purchase tickets, see artofthebrickomaha.com

More than movies is coming to NoDo’s Film Streams beginning in January. There will be plenty of music, too. The theater begins seven presentations of The Met: Live in HD on Jan. 27 and 31 with a showing of Puccini’s Tosca. Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore gets screen time Feb. 10 and 14 while Puccini’s La Bohéme shows Feb. 24 and 28. The series, produced in partnership with Opera Omaha, continues through May.

capitoldistrictomaha.com

Compared to the phone calls Ann Mellen was taking at the start of 2016, the phone calls in October 2017 no doubt sounded heaven-sent.

The calls nearly two years ago bore news of the horrific fire that destroyed the iconic Old Market eatery M’s Pub and the four-story building it called home at 11th and Howard streets. By late fall 2017, M’s began taking almost non-stop reservation calls for its much-anticipated Nov. 1 grand reopening. So much is new—plates, furniture, décor, uniforms, and more. There’s even more space (yes!). But Bobby Mekiney is back as executive chef, as are other familiar faces among the staff. And the food and service? Just as good as what made M’s Pub an Omaha favorite since 1972. Experience the new M’s by making your own reservation call — 402-342-2550.

DUNDEE President Harry Truman famously said “The buck stops here.” Thanks to the Omaha City Council, the bucks are going to stop at Memorial Park, where time has taken a toll on the monuments that honor men and women of the armed forces killed or missing during service in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Last fall, the council unanimously approved Councilman Pete Festersen’s amendment for the city to provide $100,000 to a $350,000 project to upgrade the park, dedicated by Truman in 1948. The other $250,000 would be privately raised with a goal to complete the project in 2018. dundee-memorialpark.org

MIDTOWN Has this world started getting you down?

Skate your way through it at The Rink on Farnam at Midtown Crossing, happening now through Feb. 28. Located at 3409 Farnam St., the 60-by-80-foot synthetic rink is fun for all ages. Admission includes skate rental and is a minimum of $5. All proceeds benefit presenting sponsor The Salvation Army. “This is our answer to the winter blahs,” says Molly Skold, Midtown Crossing’s vice president of marketing and communications. The rink is open Thursday through Sunday. For hours and more information, visit therinkonfarnam.com midtowncrossing.com

Four Old Market

filmstreams.org

OLD MARKET

Also happening downtown, you won’t want to miss out on experiencing the Encounter launch party going down at Brickway Brewery and Distillery Wednesday, Jan. 10. Check out page 45 for more info.

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

Fresh chocolates and fudge made in our own kitchen.

OldMarketCandy.com • 402-344-8846

facebook.com/OmahaOldMarket

24TH AND LAKE DISTRICT The Union for Contemporary Art begins 2018 with a running start, offering visitors the Caroline Kent exhibition from Jan. 12 through Feb. 24. A practicing artist from the Twin Cities, Kent “believes in art as a platform to discuss and address issues within communities,” as noted on the website for Intermedia Arts, from whose Creative CityMaking program Kent graduated. Visit the Union at 2423 N. 24th St.

Travel essentials plus souvenirs and Nebraska-made gifts.

OldMarketSundries.com • 402-345-7646

u-ca.org

VINTON STREET Let there be light? Yes, and a lot more in the Vinton Street Historic District, according to a report by KETV. Thanks to a combination of public and private dollars through the Sherwood Foundation, the city will install 60 new acorn lights along V-street. Money also is being made available for business facades—new windows and new paint— plus benches and bike racks. That—and those lights—ought to keep things shining brightly.

Authentic Italian desserts, coffee, and FlavorBurst TMice cream.

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All located at 10th & Howard

sherwoodfoundation.org

ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM 9

T

he new Monarch Prime & Bar lends itself to bold and polished looks. Sleek silhouettes, tailored fits, a little bit of romance and everything that sparkles and shines make for a lush escape from the ennui of overly casual day-to-day.

photography by Bill Sitzmann Location at Monarch Prime & Bar Modeled by Lynlee B., Brian H., Develop Models Hair (Lynlee) by MJ Hartig Curb Appeal Salon and Spa Makeup (Lynlee) by Jared Spence Wardrobe Styling & Creative Direction By Jared Spence Clothing (Lynlee) by Lion’s Mane Vintage, H&M, stylist’s own; Clothing BY (Brian) model’s own

10 jan/Feb 2018

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16 jan/Feb 2018

Christy Chan BEMIS SERIES EPISODE ONE

This is the first in a series on artists in residency at The Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts.

Christy Chan was at the tail end of her residency when we spoke; it started Sept. 20 and ended Nov. 17. The theme was Art, Empathy, and Ethos. The artist and storyteller is now back home in Oakland, California.

C

hristy Chan says she enjoys the view from her room at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, even though it faces the train tracks downtown.

“I actually really like it,” she says. “I think trains are romantic.”

Chan lived at the Bemis for two months in the fall while doing a residency there. She is an interdisciplinary artist who enjoys telling stories through video, audio, performance, and installations. The Bemis residency offers her a chance to work on her latest project and to do all the things she doesn’t necessarily get to focus on at home. Perhaps most importantly, it provides her a unique experience.

“I was really intrigued to come here, because I’ve lived on two coasts, I’ve lived abroad, but I’ve seen more of other countries than I have of this country,” she says.

Aside from her general curiosity, Chan says she also felt that living in a time when politics are so polarizing, it was important to see more of the country.

“Because I do work about class and race and power, specifically in the United States, it’s important that I see more of it…I think it’s easy for different groups of people, different areas of the U.S., to be ‘cartoonized,’” she says, adding that this is something that happens all over the world and is not unique to this country.

She was familiar with the Bemis residency program and even applied four years ago. This time around, she applied because the themes seemed like a perfect fit.

Chan’s experience with the themed residency exemplifies the goal of the program. She says she enjoys meeting all the artists. The fact that the theme is empathy and they all lay claim to that attachment in their work gave them a lot to talk about. >

story by Tara spencer | photography by Bill Sitzmann christychan.com everybodyeatslunch.com

< Chan says a residency gives her the opportunity to step out of the day-to-day routine of her nine-to-five job as a freelance film producer.

“The thing I love about residencies is going somewhere and having a natural response to the environment and stumbling onto things that I become curious about,” she says. “I think that really feeds my work.”

Though she’s working on multiple projects at the Bemis, she is developing a project called “Everybody Eats Lunch.”

“I guess most artists would call it a social practice project, to use fancy words, but I just call it a community art project.”

Chan’s parents were Chinese immigrants who owned a Chinese restaurant in her hometown in Virginia. She says she grew up seeing how coming together for a meal breaks down walls.

“It just does,” she says. “Gathering and eating and talking is just part of our human nature.”

She says the plan is to have the project open to anyone and everyone who wants to participate.

Chan launched the project here, when she met with two Omahans. She also has friends in Oakland and New York who are participating, but hopes to see it spread far beyond that.

“Right now, it’s sort of unfolding in this organic way,” she says.

For her two lunches here, she says Block 16 agreed to sponsor them. Come spring, there will be an official website where people can view those lunches and more.

She says the idea is to record the lunch conversation, and, if you’re comfortable doing so, taking a picture with each other. If not, she suggests taking a picture of the food you’re eating together. “No matter who we are or where we come from,” Chan says, “we all come together over food and conversation and that’s something we all share.”

“I really want to give people some freedom,” Chan says, “because it’s not about how good a photographer you are…it should be as easy as recording it on your phone. And the pictures don’t have to be great.” She says the idea is to collectively create a larger conversation that people will listen to, with one conversation leading to another.

“The premise of it is coming from the fact that we keep hearing that we live in this polarized time, how we’re all in these echo chambers,” Chan says, “not just because of digital media, but because we are on digital media all the time.

That in itself is its own echo chamber.”

18 jan/Feb 2018

All About the Residency Chan says in an ideal world, you would be able to meet and talk to anyone, or just go deeper in a conversation with someone you already know.

“Politically, conversations are very polarized.

I think there’s truth to that,” she says. “The idea of it is just to have lunch with somebody you wouldn’t normally have a conversation with, someone you consider a stranger and, for whatever reason, they at first seem too different from you, you haven’t had a connection… my intention is to give people an excuse to notice who’s around them and feel more connected to the people around them. It might be that someone has different political views or values. I think that will be interesting to see how these lunches go.”

She adds, “As all these really heated, political things are happening, it might feel good to be connecting in a way that’s just one-on-one.”

Chan says that as she’s been exploring, she’s been making video and audio recordings. She has also read and reread a lot of books written about and set in the Midwest, from graphic novels, to autobiographies of Native Americans who were forced to go to boarding schools and assimilate, and even the Little House on the Prairie books.

“The thing I love about residencies is going somewhere and having a natural response to the environment and stumbling onto things that I become curious about. I think that really feeds my work.”

Chan says that for her, the project has made her think about all the people she sees everywhere, every day, who she hasn’t had a conversation with.

“Everyone has a story,” she says, “everybody has something interesting about their life.”

“A lot of my work is really about humanizing who people are, sort of stripping away the easy categories—age, race, gender, sexuality, and just humanizing who we are,” she says. “So, I was really excited to come here.”

Chan says she’s been driving around Nebraska, even heading into South Dakota, looking at different points of interest. She finds homesteads particularly fascinating, and even planned a trip to Homestead National Monument of America near Beatrice.

“I don’t know when I’ll be back here again, so I want to see everything,” she says. “It’s been a really great place to do research and just feel inspired.”

As a storyteller, she says seeing the pioneer history and how that story was told interested her because a lot of her work revolves around that— storytelling and looking at the ways stories are scripted into our culture, whether they’re right or wrong. “A lot of my work is about using stories to subvert stories, or to create a fuller picture.”

“It’s felt really special to be here and see where a lot of things have happened in history.”

Chan says it’s important to look at things with a critical eye, as far as what are the narratives being told.

“Something that really blew my mind once I got out here and I was looking at where everything was, was realizing that where the Little House on the Prairie books, where those stories were set, were right next to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, and that essentially those two stories are related,” she says.

She finds it interesting how those two narratives are represented.

While she obviously made that connection before, she says she felt it in a much more visceral way when she saw the land, adding that it’s different to be able to read the book and then drive over to see the site.

“The fact that we have, not just the Little House books, but other books that create this narrative of what we think our history is,” she says, “but there’s this other narrative that’s also completely true, and they coexist together… it’s complex.”

Besides traveling around Nebraska to get a sense of what this part of the country looks like, she’s also been visiting art museums and galleries to see how stories are represented there.

“I feel like sometimes seeds get planted while in residency, and then later on, they take form. I feel that might happen here as well,” she says.

“When I’m in a new place and something’s pulling me to look at it, I just kind of try to trust that feeling…and go with it.”

Holly Kranker is the residency project manager at the Bemis Center and has been with the program since 2013.

She says themed residencies (like this year’s: Art, Empathy, and Ethos) are somewhat new to Bemis. This year marks the third one.

Kranker says two years ago, they started residency schedules, with the artists arriving and leaving at the same time, in a three-month block. In the past, the Bemis would have artists coming and going frequently, Kranker says, so they wanted to create more of a cohort.

Kranker says they wanted the residents to have a richer experience with the other artists they were meeting, “so it would be more fulfilling and give them a chance to really get to know each other.” She says residency blocks usually run from January to April, and May to August, with themed residencies developed by their artistic director lasting just two months—from September until November.

Previous themes were Future of Food, Sci-fi, and the Human Condition. For now, the future of the thematic residencies is unknown. However, their regular residencies will continue.

Kranker describes the process of getting a residency as a two-panel process, with three panelists each. The first panel is given criteria to look for, including whether it’s contemporary, consistent, aesthetic, and whether the artist has a true command and understanding of the work they’re doing.

During the second wave, they tally up the first panel reviews and the top-scoring applicants move on. She says the top applicants end up being roughly 20 percent of the pool.

“For a full residency year, we generally receive around 1,000 to 1,100 applications. Of those, we’re able to place roughly 36 artists in the residency per calendar year.” This is about 3 to 4 percent of the total pool.

Unfortunately, Kranker says they won’t have a thematic residency for 2018.

However, that’s not to say they won’t ever have them again.

“Residencies are a living, breathing thing and we’re always evaluating and being responsive to what artists needs are in contemporary art.”

ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM 19

r e n o B e h T illerz K

killen it THE BONER KILLERZ H AV E A R R I V E D story by Kyle Eustice photography by keith binder thebonerkillerz.bandcamp.com facebook.com/thebonerkillerz

M

ake no mistake about it — Eris Koleszar, Cara Heacock, and Anna Schmidt knew what they were doing when they named their band The Boner Killerz. Koleszar, a big fan of musician/comedian Lane Moore, noticed a photo Moore had posted on her Twitter account boasting a “Feminist Killjoy” necklace, which sparked the entire idea.

“The way the necklace looked and the way I was feeling about myself, my world and my desire to be in a band all connected through that phrase,” Koleszar explains. “I knew I wanted a band with a name that screamed the same values. One night, The Boner Killers popped into my head. I grabbed up the social media handles and when I formed the band, Anna gave it the final touch with the ‘z’ at the end.”

“We want to be an inspiration for young women, queer people, and trans folx, and show that they can form bands and rock out,” Koleszar explains. “In a sea of music that is cisgender, heterosexual, white male-dominated, we want to create a space for other people, too.

“I would love to see a world in which all kinds of people had access to equipment, spaces, and mentorship to create, perform, and record music,” she continues. “I don’t think there’s a lot of overt exclusion from spaces and access, but I still see a lot of music in the scene created by the same kinds of people.”

Although the group formed in March 2016, The Boner Killerz have just released their first proper EP, All Boner Killerz/No Boner Fillerz. It’s the result of the trio’s instant chemistry, something they’re all grateful for having.

“We want to be an inspiration for young women, queer people, and trans folx, and show that they can form bands and rock out”

With Koleszar on guitar/lead vocals, Schmidt on drums, and Heacock on bass (which is really all that’s needed for a proper rock band), The Boner Killerz have dialed in on their ideal musical formula — loud, explosive, and full of heart.

But they also have a very specific mission in mind. Koleszar, who identifies as transgender, strives to be influential for all types of people.

“I feel like compared to other band experiences that I’ve had, this is by far the most chill one,” Heacock says. “The Boner Killerz is my first serious band venture, and to be honest, it has been the most fun compared to my last attempts to start or join a band. The three of us just mesh really well and I have a lot of fun writing and playing music with these ladies.”

All three members grew up with some kind of music in their household. Koleszar’s father was the music leader of their rural Indiana church and the young Koleszar would mirror her father’s conducting. Then her friends were immersed in ska and punk music in middle school until her former girlfriend introduced her to emo.

Schmidt’s experience was similar. Growing up in Central Nebraska, her father was an avid record collector who introduced her to classic rock. As she got older, like most adolescents, she started to form her own identity.

“I listened to the pop hits radio station religiously,” Schmidt says. “Nineties pop music still holds a strong sense of nostalgia for me.

During my teenage years, my tastes evolved.

The internet was a huge influence, and exposed me to the grunge and emo scene. Of course, the early ’00s Omaha music scene also left an impact on me.”

On the other hand, Heacock, who also grew up on classic rock like The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, and the Beach Boys, was more drawn to metal, an element she brings to the band.

“When I started forming my own taste in music as a preteen and teenager, I listened to anything vaguely in the rock genre, including pop rock on the radio and nu-metal when that was a thing,” Heacock says. “I feel like I’m the one that brings the vaguely metal sound to some of our songs because I’m still pretty into metal.”

Although The Boner Killerz are relatively new to the Omaha music scene, they seem to have found their niche rather quickly. In fact, they often have to turn down opportunities to play live because of their packed schedule. But it’s their live shows that are so intriguing and leave people wanting more.

“I can feel that people do want to connect in meatspace and have personal interactions,” Koleszar says. “I like that we play small venues and meet new people at our shows, and deepen connections with the people we already know.

Personally, I have a special connection to those bands I fell in love with at a show and got to talk to even briefly.”

“There was an incredibly small emo/punk/folk punk/melodic-hardcore/post-hardcore scene in that part of Indiana,” Koleszar explains. We did whatever we could to feel alive through our music in a place where there really wasn’t much going on at all.”

ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM 21

FA S H I O N D E S I G N E R H A N N A H N O D S K O V AV O I D S B U R N O U T story by Carrielle Sedersten photography by Bill Sitzmann hccdesign.co

I

n the fall of 2016, Hannah Nodskov was in her final semester at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, studying entrepreneurship and marketing. She was also having a “weird crisis,” as she calls it.

Her goal for the last three years had been to graduate and run her fashion design business, Hannah Caroline Couture, full time. Which sounds ideal, until one thing after another continued to compound.

Ultimately, that led to the crisis she found herself in– the realization that maybe it wasn’t her dream to be a fashion designer anymore.

“It’s common in entrepreneurship to get burnt out, and no one talks about it, You just tell everybody it’s perfect all the time.”

She says she felt burnt out. Being a 21-yearold running a fashion brand, finishing your last semester of college, and planning a wedding could have that effect on anyone.

22 nov/dec 2017 2017

“Pulling an all-nighter when I had a test the next day was not unusual,” she says of this time in her life. “It was a series of little moments. Every time I would agree to an order I didn’t love, it would be soul-sucking.”

The burnout prompted her decision at the time to take a hiatus from her brand to focus on her September nuptials and find a better worklife balance.

She says she constantly felt guilty for relaxing, thinking it was more important to make money than anything else. It left her feeling she was always apologizing for missing events to work.

“It’s common in entrepreneurship to get burnt out, and no one talks about it,” she says.

“You just tell everybody it’s perfect all the time.”

While taking a much-needed break from her business, Nodskov stayed busy with a new job at tech startup Interface: The Web School, and planning her wedding. She was also making all the men’s bowties, bridesmaids dresses, mothers’ dresses, and her bridal gown for the big day.

She adds that wedding planning definitely affected her decision to take her fashion brand in a new direction. The idea of creating a bridal collection came to her gradually, she says.

Another defining moment on her journey of self-discovery came when she entered Max I. Walker’s Ultra Chic Boutique Dress Flip Contest in January.

Designers were tasked with taking an unwanted prom, bridesmaid, or formal dress and making it into a new dress. Nodskov says it was the first time she made something for fun in two years.

From there she knew she wanted to spend the remainder of her hiatus refining her brand’s image and core values. She says she thought a lot about what types of orders still brought her joy and remaking that prom dress came to mind.

“I want to make pieces for moments that are special and should be celebrated,” she says. “I want to focus on bridal, special occasion, and formalwear with an emphasis in plus-size and alternative bridal styles.”

The woman she designs for is a bride who wants to break all the traditional wedding expectations for what a dress should look like. A woman who is powerful or in a position of leadership.

A woman who is a role models for others. A woman who wants to stand out when she enters a room. A woman who is empowered.

“Having a business education makes me think differently about my fashion brand than someone coming from a design perspective,” she says. “When I design something, I’ll think, ‘that’s pretty, but how am I going to sell it?’

I’ll think about the pricing strategy and marketing that needs to go into the garment.”

The woman Nodskov is in the process of becoming.

She says her next big challenge is figuring out who she is, separate from her fashion brand. She’s adds how much she learned about herself from her first job out of college at Interface: The Web School.

Right now, she really loves working at tech startup ScoreVision as a marketing communications specialist. She plans to enjoy it for a while and figure out the parts of her job she really likes before deciding what’s next. She adds that she does have plans to relaunch her fashion brand after the holidays.

Nodskov is forever grateful she didn’t get accepted to the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City because that’s how she ended up at UNO studying business. She says it’s the “best decision she didn’t make on purpose.”

“I love living in Omaha,” she says. “I feel connected to the startup community here. I’m able to invite people from the

fashion community to get involved because there’s so much support, and it’s so welcoming. It doesn’t matter how big your business is.”

Nodskov would love to see the fashion industry start educating designers on the technical aspects of how to grow their businesses instead of only teaching them how to design clothes.

“Having a business education makes me think differently about my fashion brand than someone coming from a design perspective,” she says. “When I design something, I’ll think, ‘that’s pretty, but how am I going to sell it?’

I’ll think about the pricing strategy and marketing that needs to go into the garment.”

Since starting her business more than six years ago, Nodskov has come to the realization that there’s only “so much you can learn about entrepreneurship sitting in a classroom. You have to experience it.”

24 jan/Feb 2018

TATTOO ARTIST

AND HIS PURSUIT OF GREATNESS story by Kyle Eustice photography by Keith binder 3d models & Tattoos by Patrick oleson patrickoleson.com instagram.com/patrickoleson omegapointtattoo.com

“It seems that all the big things in life happen due to the people you choose to share them with,” he says. “Two of my best high school friends started tattooing in Omaha before I did.

I moved to Omaha to pursue the woman I later married. When I got to Omaha, coincidentally I had multiple tattoo opportunities, so it all fell into place.”

s tattoos become increasingly normalized, it’s clear they’re no longer for burly bikers or hardened criminals alone. They’re popping up on soccer moms, young professionals, and people of all social classes. The stigma that once surrounded body art has lifted, making it much more acceptable than it was in the past.

Omaha-based tattoo artist Patrick Oleson has watched the shift firsthand — even over the last few years. He’s tattooed all walks of life and finds it impossible to box them into one neat little package.

Oleson apprenticed at Omega Point Tattoo Studio, and now has his own spot at the shop, but he’s always had an appreciation for the physical beauty of art on skin. He used to spend all of his vacation time in Omaha visiting friends and getting his own ink. Over the years, he’s learned there’s more to tattoos than some people realize.

A

“Past generations may have a specific stereotype in mind when they imagine a ‘tattooed person,’” Oleson explains. “This no doubt stems from the early popularity of tattoos with Navy men, bikers, and prisoners. I’ve tattooed people from many different careers paths and social classes. Most of my larger multi-session work goes on young professionals.”

Self-expression and high caliber body art will never go out of style, he adds. “Society is rapidly changing its prejudice towards people with tattoos in a very positive way,” Oleson says.

Born in Anaheim Hills, California, the 35-yearold Oleson relocated to Okoboji, Iowa, where he enjoyed the sandy lake beaches and wellknown tourist spots such as Arnolds Park Amusement Park for most of his formative years. Like other hopeless romantics, Oleson chased his future wife to Omaha where he’s been for the past four years.

“I have a better understanding of how tattoos are not only skin deep,” he says. “People also use them for self-identity, sentimentality, and their own definition of aesthetics.”

Omega Point Tattoo Studio, which he describes as “an art studio collective of serious artists who have the technical skills to apply amazing museum quality art to skin,” has provided him some incredible opportunities, especially when it comes to new technology.

stencils. Technology has enhanced my tattoo game tremendously, and I’m excited about future advancements.”

One of Oleson’s specialities is photo hyperrealism, a technique intended to resemble a high-resolution photograph. It’s also one of the most challenging and inventive types of tattoos he creates.

“I welcome the challenge of photo hyperrealism,” he says. “I love capturing every subtle shift in tone and hue. When you get all the little details right, you end up with a 3D tattoo that pops off the skin. A good example of this is my Heath Ledger Joker piece. I wanted to find a frame of The Dark Knight that has never been tattooed before. I watched the Blu-ray movie, captured a unique HD screenshot and overlaid my own dynamic changes. I presented it to the client, who was beyond thrilled.”

“I have a better understanding of how tattoos are not only skin deep, People also use them for self-identity, sentimentality, and their own definition of aesthetics.”

Armed with a background in traditional fine art from Iowa State University, Oleson and his desire to hone his craft coupled with his innate artistic ability makes him endlessly dedicated to his work. In fact, he admits he’s “obsessive,” and is currently focused on the academic side of art. >

“Since I started in 2013, we now have tattoo machines that run faster and smoother, and disposable needle cartridges that are safer to handle,” he explains. “I once used tracing paper and a pencil. Now, I use a self-built PC to create my designs and an iPad to trace my

ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM 27

28 jan/Feb 2018

“I’m studying anatomy, color, and light theory, and becoming fluent in more digital art programs, I’m continually adding more ‘tools’ to my ‘bag.’ I will do whatever it takes to get the right starting reference. I have used many of my own photographs in my tattoo work. ”

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< “I’m studying anatomy, color, and light theory, and becoming fluent in more digital art programs,” he says. “I’m continually adding more ‘tools’ to my ‘bag.’

I will do whatever it takes to get the right starting reference. I have used many of my own photographs in my tattoo work. I took the reference pictures for the husky dog, gorilla, sternum skull, and ‘peek-aboo’ tattoos you see in my portfolio. For my flowerskull piece, I actually hand plucked every flower into a skull model just so I could take the photo for the reference.”

Even when he finds himself with a break from work, Oleson is thinking about improving his art — it’s essentially a job that’s never done.

“You know you love your job when you spend your free time in the same field as your career,” he says.

“I’ve been learning 3D programs like ZBrush and KeyShot. Photo realism is amazing, but using rendering software to get photo-realistic results from a fictional object is next level stuff. I’m trying to be a pioneer in the tattoo industry.”

“Past generations may have a specific stereotype in mind when they imagine a ‘tattooed person,’” Oleson explains. “This no doubt stems from the early popularity of tattoos with Navy men, bikers, and prisoners. I’ve tattooed people from many different careers paths and social classes. Most of my larger multi-session work goes on young professionals.”

ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM 31

e l p i Tr eat Th r u s Pl e On

“We were all really bad at it and the teacher did not like us,” Sophie says.

“She hated me,” Simon adds.

story by Tara Spencer photography by Bill Sitzmann clarkcoband.com

As I sit on the patio of Roast Coffeehouse in Aksarben Village watching people go by while waiting to meet the Clark triplets, it hits me that even though I’ve seen them play in bars over the years, they can’t actually drink in one yet. The talented siblings are only 20 years old, but they’ve been playing together as Clark & Company for years. It’s hard to believe they aren’t 21 yet.

All three are students at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and live in the dorms, so we are meeting close to campus. Sophie arrives first, dressed like a typical college student in jean shorts and a yellow T-shirt. She apologizes for being late (though it’s only by a few minutes), and asks if it’s OK to go grab something to drink. She returns with brother Simon in tow.

(Imaginary Cooper remains silent, perhaps pondering where they would be without those piano lessons.)

Playing in a band with three siblings can be a unique experience, especially when they’re triplets. Thelander says he thinks his role as the fourth member of the group is to keep them grounded.

While none of them started out as savants when it came to the piano, Sophie says she was the best of the not-so-stellar bunch and continued practicing on an upright piano their parents bought.

“Since they are triplets, they can go off on tangents where they’re disagreeing with each other or arguing, so I think it really helps having me there,” he says. “It gives them an outside opinion that is less biased, I guess.”

Simon moved on to percussion in elementary school and Cooper started out on trumpet, later switching to guitar, then to bass. (Imaginary Cooper does a quick air guitar when this is mentioned.)

He adds that they can all be stubborn. “Well, maybe not Cooper. Cooper just kind of hangs out and does what he wants. He doesn’t really talk much.” (I am interviewing Thelander over the phone so Imaginary Cooper cannot deny or corroborate this information.)

Over the years, the brothers joined the jazz and marching bands, and all three siblings were in show choir. However, their experiences with the School of Rock is what really got them into playing together as a group.

They joined while they were in middle school, between eighth grade and freshman year.

Simon says it’s where they gained experience playing shows together as a band, and Sophie adds it’s also where she learned to write songs. (Imaginary Cooper opens his mouth as if to add something, but ultimately decides to remain silent.)

Current fans wouldn’t recognize the music they started out playing. Their first group was a hard rock cover band, formed with fellow musician Gage Clark. “No relation,” Sophie says.

“We had a few original songs,” Simon points out.

As we start talking, Sophie and Simon speak over each other, occassionally interrupting and often finishing each other’s sentences throughout our conversation. I tell them I reached out to Cooper but hadn’t heard back from him.

(From this point on, Imaginary Cooper will stand in for the third triplet.)

“We started out writing rock songs that were like, kind of terrible,” Sophie says.

“That’s pretty Cooper,” Sophie says about her absent brother. “He wouldn’t say much if he was here anyway.”

Simon says they started playing shows around town and getting involved in the music scene.

This is when Sophie decided she wanted to write songs in a more acoustic, singer/songwriter style. Eventually, they started Clark & Company — which has been described as indie, jazz, blues, and R&B/soul music — in their sophomore year of high school.

(Imaginary Cooper looks puzzled for a second, then nods his head in agreement.)

This silence may be a way of standing out from his two siblings, as Sophie and Simon are both enthusiastic speakers.

While Clark & Company—the band—has been around for about five years, the siblings played music together long before that. Since they were around 8, in fact. They started out taking piano lessons in the same room with one instructor and several pianos.

Clockwise from top Right: Cameron thelander, and sophie, cooper, and simon clark

“It was kind of fun,” he says with a laugh. “It was cool.”

“No, they were fine,” Simon quickly interrupts, though both admit to laughing whenever they go back and listen to those songs. “I cringe,” Sophie says.

That brings us to the fourth, non-related member of the band. Longtime collaborator and sometimes mediator Cameron Thelander is a tenor saxophonist and occasional guitarist.

He says he has known the Clarks for nearly 15 years, though he didn’t get to know them well until he joined the group.

Despite their youth, Thelander mentions that the band started out playing in bars around town.

Despite the stubbornness, Thelander says, “All of the Clarks are literally the most kind, genuine people I’ve known. They’re like my second family.”

Which makes sense since the group is essentially a family affair, with their mother, Melanie Clark, acting as their manager or “momager,” as Thelander affectionately refers to her.

“She’s really good about it,” he says. “She’s super understanding and usually tries to communicate with us before she books something.”

Simon and Sophie agree their parents have done a lot to help them in their musical ventures. Melanie has been their manager from the start, and their father, Fred, gave up his art space so they could have an in-home studio.

While Thelander has been a consistent figure in the group, their lineup does change, often adding more horns and stringed instruments to the mix.

The band has been nominated for several Omaha Entertainment and Arts awards over the years—including this year—with their music often being placed in different categories.

Clearly, putting a label on what they do can be difficult. For Sophie, the feel behind the music is essentially singer/songwriter. “iTunes calls it indie R&B,” Simon says, “which is close.”

Simon says: “The cool thing about Clark & Company is, us being the Clarks, the company can be any other musician we bring in.” This could account for that hard-to-categorize quality.

While both Simon and Sophie say they are interested in performing outside the group, that doesn’t mean they would stop playing together. (Imaginary Cooper is unsurprisingly quiet on this subject.)

Sophie says, “I think that Cooper, Simon, and I will always play together, because it’s convenient that it’s in the family and we know how to work with each other,” she says. “Any project we do, we’ll all pitch in.”.

ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM 33

Art Collector

Eli Rigatuso Celebrates Vulnerability

story by Lindsay Wilson photography by Bill Sitzmann elirigatuso.me

E

li Rigatuso has a knack for uncovering beauty. He has been known to stop his car to investigate a particularly exceptional flower in somebody’s yard. He is a man who happily recounts being stopped in his tracks by an unexpected patch of wildflowers blooming through the underbrush.

This devotion to the smallest of details in life has characterized Rigatuso’s unique vision from a young age. “I was always fascinated by trying to capture little things,” he says of his earliest explorations of visual art as an 8-year-old with a camera. Prints of close-up photos of the wonders of everyday life, as seen through his personal lens, stacked up as he developed an artistic eye for the unexpected.

Walking into Rigatuso’s North Omaha home is like encountering a surprising glimpse of a lilac decorating your route to work. Now a professional photographer and videographer, his affinity for finding the unexpected extends to his growing collection of works from local artists.

Rigatuso welcomes visitors on a guided exploration of his 21-piece collection. “I’ve had people walk in here who have said the energy in this place is unbelievable,” he says, gesturing to the massive, awe-inspiring painting of a young man with soulful eyes that greets guests. Equally impressive is the drag queen painted on a plastic shower door that divides the living room and kitchen. Next to that are the elegant photos of the annual Metropolitan Community College Intertribal Powwow. The entire collection radiates a peaceful energy that’s undeniable.

Perhaps that energy is a hopefulness—a sense of truthfulness that can only be communicated through the work of local artists. Rigatuso uncovers art everywhere, and throughout his tour, he reiterates that his collection is defined by the profound story behind each piece. His voice trembles as he recounts the moment he first encountered the centerpiece of his collection—the young man with the soulful eyes. “It just literally took my breath away. The moment I saw it, I started crying.” He later learned the subject of the painting was a friend of the artist’s who had died of AIDS. The artist, John Muñoz, was happy to negotiate with Rigatuso to ensure the work would be displayed in a home where it would be appreciated.

When Rigatuso unrolled the painting after purchasing it, he was surprised to discover a second painting in the bundle. “I felt like it belonged to

“I want people to be encouraged by the fact that people see what they do as something that they want to own.” Rigatuso says. The real goal is “to be able to create an environment for people to come and be a part of.”

you, too,” explained the artist. Now hanging next to the young man in the living room, the painting is a complementary representation of a mother nurturing her children. It turns out, the paintings are both done on repurposed canvas posters from Muñoz’s day job at Whole Foods.

Many of Rigatuso’s pieces showcase repurposed materials. The collection also contains art done on particle board, a cabinet door, rescued pieces of discarded plastic, and sheet music. The artists run the gamut—a local coffee-shop owner, students, DJs, and everything in between. Each tells a unique story.

Another central piece to the collection features a mysterious woman in shades of blue hanging in the bedroom. It was painted by a stylist who cut Rigatuso’s hair on a day he spent celebrating his trans identity. On the mantle rests a painting of a fiery girl. It was purchased from a 20-year-old he happened to follow on social media. There is even photography from Rob Gilmer, owner of Council Bluffs’ famous homecooking hot spot, Dixie Quicks.

Rigatuso’s diverse collection has got people talking. He has witnessed his home transform into a museum of Omaha artwork. “Everybody knows that I’ve got a lot of cool art. It’s kind of become a thing.”

But the private museum is about much more than buying art; it’s about cultivating community. “I want people to be encouraged by the fact that people see what they do as something that they want to own.” Rigatuso says. The real goal is “to be able to create an environment for people to come and be a part of.”

This desire to create a welcoming space for all types of artists comes from a place of love rooted in Rigatuso’s own experience. “I’ve had an extraordinary life,” he declares with a laugh.

“For the first 50 years of my life, I was something that the rest of the world could accept, and I was dying inside. And when I came out as trans, I feel like I set myself free.”

By creating a space where even beginning artists can feel their vulnerability is welcomed, Rigatuso hopes to free them of any doubts about the value of their creativity. “I really think that when you’re engaged in art, we’re engaging a part of ourselves that is true vulnerability,” he says. “When you paint or you photograph or you capture something and you have the courage to share it, you’re actually sharing a piece of yourself. And that to me is huge.”

As his collection grows, Rigatuso says he hopes to curate an art show next spring or summer.

“If anything, I want to leave a legacy of art.”

ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM 35

Zed & Maynard V I S U A L P L AY G R O U N D O F N I C H O L A S W A S S E R B E R G E R

clothing j.w. anderson & salvation army photography by Bill Sitzmann styled by nicholas wasserberger modeled by charlie gonzales

ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM 37

38 jan/Feb 2018

ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM 41

jan/feb calendar of Events Sponsored by Pinnacle Bank ART AND MUSEUM EXHIBITS Lines Forming Through Jan. 7 at Darger HQ, 1804 Vinton St. Featuring artists Angie Seykora (of Omaha) and Ying Zhu (a China-Midwest transplant), this exhibit is part of a series of collaborative and experimental projects facilitated by Darger HQ. Admission: free. 402-209-5554. dargerhq.org Zoom Into Nano Through Jan. 7 at The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St. This interactive exhibit allows people to see things magnified 100 million times their actual size. Admission: $11 adults, $8 seniors (62+), $7 children (3-12), and free to members and children 2 and under. 402-444-5071. durhammuseum.org Reconnect: A Juried Alumni Exhibition Through Feb. 15 at the University of Nebraska at Omaha Art Gallery, 6001 Dodge St. Alumni of UNO will come together for this show at the campus art gallery. Former and current faculty and students will show a broad range of works.

The curator is Teliza V. Rodriguez from the Museum of Nebraska Art in Kearney. Admission: free. 402-554-2796. unomaha.edu The Art of the Brick Through Feb. 19 at 225 N. 12th St., Suite 120. The Art of the Brick is a global touring exhibition rated by CNN as a “Must-See Exhibition,” the first art exhibition to focus exclusively on the use of Legos as an art medium. Award-winning artist Nathan Sawaya transforms countless Lego pieces into whimsical and awe-inspiring creations. Admission: $20 adults, $18.50 seniors and military, $17.50 children. 402-933-1293. artofthebrickomaha.com Monarchs: Brown and Native Contemporary Artists in the Path of the Butterfly Through Feb. 24 at Bemis Center, 724 S. 12th St. This exhibit takes the yearly migration path of the Monarch butterfly as a metaphor for considering themes of place, home, migration, immigration, diaspora across the Americas, transnationalism, land rights, and sovereignty. The exhibition considers aesthetic forms through mediums such as basket weaving, ceramics, dressmaking and plaster. Admission: free. 402-341-7130. bemiscenter.org Three Generations of Women Photographers Through March 10 at El Museo Latino, 4701 S. 25th St. This exhibit features Lola Álvarez Bravo, her student Mariana Yampolsky, and photographer Cristina Kahlo. All three have ties to Frida Kahlo.

Admission: $5 general, $4 students, $3.50 seniors and children K-12, and free to members. 402-731-1137. elmuseolatino.org Light Through March 31 at KANEKO, 1111 Jones St. Visual art, performances, lectures, youth education, and handson creative experiences will empower visitors to see the world in a whole new light. Admission: free. 402-341-3800. thekaneko.org

42 jan/Feb 2018

Forever Forest Through April 15 at Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20th St. This national exhibit explores sustainability, selective harvesting, transportation needs, and the everyday products that are made from trees. Admission: $12 adults and children over 2, $11 seniors, free to members and children under 24 months. 402-342-6164. ocm.org High School Artist Show Jan. 5-25 at Artists’ Cooperative Gallery, 405 S. 11th St. Over 15 schools from across Nebraska and Iowa will showcase their students’ best work. Admission: free. 402-342-9617. artistscoopomaha.com Jennifer Homan Jan. 5-26 at Modern Arts Midtown, 3615 Dodge St. This local artist often uses pastels to depict breathtaking sky scenes.

She is a member of the prestigious Pastel Society of America. Admission: free. 402-502-8737. modernartsmidtown.com Nancy Friedemann-Sanchez Jan. 12-March 8 at Fred Simon Gallery, 1004 Farnam St. Friedemann-Sanchez describes her art as “a bicultural and transcultural experience” as it focuses on her migration from Colombia to the United States. Admission: free. 402-595-2122. artscouncil.nebraska.gov 2018 OEAA Visual Artists Nominee Showcase Jan. 13-27 at Petshop Gallery, 2725 N. 62nd St. Works by nominees from the Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards will be shown in this exhibit. Expect to see a variety of mediums including painting, print, installation, and more. 4 p.m. Admission: free. oea-awards.org Metamorphosis: Works by Sayaka Ganz and Aurora Robson Jan. 20-May 13 at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. From birds to aquatic creatures to a massive vortex, Sayaka Ganz and Aurora Robson’s sculptures promote environmental stewardship while showing the potential beauty of reclaimed (once-discarded) plastic objects. Admission: $10 adults, $5 children (6-12), free for members and children under 6 years old. 402-346-4002. lauritzengardens.org Persistence: Branches, Barks & Berries by Margaret Berry Jan. 20-May 13 at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. This exhibition explores the theme of persistence in nature through the winter months. Look for the sculptural beauty of bare branches, the brightness of berries, and the mesmerizing texture of barks.

Admission: $10 adults, $5 children (6-12), free for members and children under 6 years old. 402-346-4002. lauritzengardens.org Walk With Me Feb. 1-25 at Artists’ Cooperative Gallery, 405 S. 11th St. Judith Anthony Johnston presents her first solo show at the co-op in 40 years. The show depicts one woman’s journey walking the Caminos in Spain and Portugal through the use of gold leaf, oils, and wire sculpture. Admission: free. 402-342-9617. artistscoopomaha.com Brian Gennardo Feb. 2-23 at Modern Arts Midtown, 3615 Dodge St. This abstract expressionist uses bold lines and vivid colors in his modern art. Admission: free. 402-502-8737. modernartsmidtown.com

Word/Play: Prints, Photographs, and Paintings by Ed Ruscha Feb. 3 through May 6 at the Joslyn Art Museum, 2200 Dodge St. The first major exhibition featuring Ruscha in his home state of Nebraska, Word/Play brings together prints, photographs, and artist books, complemented by a selection of major paintings. At turns poignant, provocative, and confounding, Ruscha’s use of the written word is a signature element of his work.

Several of his images contain palindromes inscribed over mirror-image landscapes, such as Lion in Oil. Admission: $10 general, $5 students with valid ID, free to members and youth (17 and under). 402-342-3300. joslyn.org Women in Omaha: A Biographical Sketch of Persistence through History Feb. 3-July 29 at The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St. The Durham Museum partners with the University of Nebraska-Omaha’s History Department and Service Learning Academy to produce an immersive, interdisciplinary experience focused on the experience of Nebraska women. Admission: $11 adults, $8 seniors (age 62+), $7 children ( 3-12), and free to members and children age 2 and under. 402-444-5071. durhammuseum.org Fighting for the Right to Fight: African-American Experiences in World War II Feb. 17-July 15 at The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St. What do Alex Haley, Sammy Davis Jr., Benjamin Davis Jr., and Medgar Evers have in common? They were four of the thousands of African-Americans who served in World War II. This exhibit highlights some of the extraordinary achievements and challenges of African-Americans during World War II, including an eight-minute video about the famed Tuskegee Airmen. Admission: $11 adults, $8 seniors ( 62+), $7 children (3-12), and free to members and children age 2 and under. 402-444-5071. durhammuseum.org

Performing Arts Spectrum Dance Theater: A Rap on Race Jan. 9 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. Based on the 1970 conversation between James Baldwin and Margaret Mead, this production enlivens the conversation on race using dance and theater. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $20-$40. 402-661-8555. ticketomaha.com PAW Patrol Live! “Race to the Rescue” Jan. 12-13 at Orpheum Theater, 409. S. 16th St. This production shows that “no job is too big, no pup is too small” while sharing lessons for all ages about citizenship, social skills, and problem-solving. Times vary. Tickets: $23.25-$124.25. 402- 661-8555. ticketomaha.com The King and I Jan. 16-21 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. An English governess travels to Siam to teach the king’s English (among other subjects) to the king of Siam’s children. This show features such classic tunes as “Getting To Know You,” “I Whistle a Happy Tune,” “Hello Young Lovers,” “Shall We Dance,” and “Something Wonderful.” Times vary. Tickets: $35-$99. 402-661-8555. ticketomaha.com Feedback Reading and Workshop Jan. 18 and 20 at KANEKO, 1111 Jones St. Poets Nate Marshall, Ben Wenzl, and Gina Keplinger discuss their creative process (Jan. 18, 7-9 p.m.), followed by a writing workshop (Jan. 20, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.) presented by KANEKO and the Nebraska Writers Collective. RSVP to attend either event. Tickets: free. 402-341-3800. thekaneko.org

Continued >

Photo by Kathy Rae Photography

2008 - 2018 February 27-March 3 & August 20-25, 2018

Tickets available at omahafashionweek.com #omahafashion

jan/feb calendar of Events Sponsored by Pinnacle Bank <

Continued

Ripcord Jan. 19-Feb. 11 at Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St. Pranks and practical jokes abound when cantankerous Abby and chipper Marilyn are forced to share the nicest room at the Bristol Place Senior Living Facility. Times vary.

Tickets: $24+ adults, $16+ students. 402-553-0800. ticketomaha.com Appalachian Spring & West Side Story Jan. 26-27 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Originally titled Ballet for Martha, this Omaha Symphony performance combines Copland, Ellington, and Bernstein on one stage for a majestic performance. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $19-$72. 402-345-0202. ticketomaha.com The Meaning of Maggie Jan. 26-Feb. 11 at The Rose Theater, 2001 Farnam St. Full of relatable characters, this production is a story about how growing up is an adventure that lets us strengthen the best parts of ourselves and reaffirms the importance of family. Times vary. Tickets: $20. 402-345-4849. rosetheater.org Across Rhodes Jan. 26-Feb. 18 at Shelterbelt Theatre, 3225 California St. Rhodes Bar is the only place with live music for miles. Young musician Joss is haunted by both past experiences at Rhodes and a girl named Sarah. Tickets: $20 general, $15 students, seniors (65+), and TAG members. 402-341-2757. shelterbelt.org Moscow Festival Ballet Presents Cinderella Jan. 27 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. The Moscow Festival Ballet returns to Omaha to perform another fairytale classic. Tickets: $20-$45. 8 p.m. 402-661-8555. ticketomaha.com Venus in Fur Feb. 1-25 at BlueBarn Theatre, 1106 S. 10th St. Inspired by the 1870 erotic novel, this production follows a playwright and a young actress as they blur lines between fantasy and reality, entering an increasingly serious game of submission and domination only one of them can win. Times vary. Tickets: $30 adults, $25 seniors and students. 402-345-1576. bluebarn.org Andrea Gibson Feb. 2 at The Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St. One of the world’s most celebrated LGBTQ poets, Gibson emerged at the forefront of the national spoken-word poetry scene in 2008 (winning the first-ever Woman of the World Poetry Slam). Gibson combines poetry and music in performances. 9 p.m. Tickets: $21. 402-884-5353. waitingroomlounge.com Parade Feb. 9-March 11 at Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St. This Tony Award-winning musical is based on the trial of a Jewish man wrongfully accused of murder in Marietta, Georgia, in 1913. Times vary. Tickets: $42+ adults, $25+ students. 402-553-0800. ticketomaha.com My Funny Valentine Feb. 10 at IWCC, 2700 College Road, Council Bluffs. Date night just got funnier!

Join comedians Pat Hazell, one of the original writers for Seinfeld and a veteran of The Tonight Show, and Dena Blizzard, featured comic at The Laugh Factory and Gotham Comedy Club and creator of the viral video “Chardonnay, Go!” as they join forces for an evening of hilarious and heartwarming stand-up comedy. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $25-$35. 712-388-7140. artscenter.iwcc.edu

YAMATO Drummers of Japan Feb. 14 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Celebrate the ancient art of Japanese taiko drumming in this spectacular display of physical strength as performers leap from drum to drum to create exhilarating music. 7 p.m. Tickets: $15-$32. 402-345-0202. ticketomaha.com Emotional Creature Feb. 14 at Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St. This production is a collection of original monologues and irresistible songs performed by a group of young women about, and for, young girls. It is a call to action, to empowering and illuminating issues women and girls face. Contains adult content. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: free. 402-553-0800. omahaplayhouse.com She Kills Monsters Feb. 14-18 at Lied Education Center for the Arts Studio Theatre, 2500 California Plaza. This play is a comedic journey exploring the role of fantasy roleplaying games. Laden with homicidal fairies, nasty ogres, and ’90s pop culture, the young playwright Qui Nguyen delivers an action-packed story that speaks to everyone’s inner geek. Times vary. Tickets: $5-$15. 402-280-2509. creighton.edu Murder in a Jerkwater Town Feb. 15-24 at The Apollon, 1801 Vinton St. The year is 1873, eight years after the end of the Civil War. The tensions between the citizens have not settled, and the Ozarks are rife with poverty and banditry. Water stops—or jerkwater towns—along the rail are frequent targets. Your train has broken down in one such town. When a fellow passenger turns up dead, everybody becomes a suspect and no one is leaving until the murder is solved.

7 p.m. Tickets: $25 (dinner included). 402-884-0135. apollonomaha.com White Rabbit Red Rabbit Feb. 19 at Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St. White Rabbit Red Rabbit is a show performed by a single actor who has never read the script before and has no idea what it’s about. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: free. 402-533-0800. omahaplayhouse.com Rhinos, Rickshaws, and Revolutions Feb. 20 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. National Geographic photojournalist Ami Vitale has lived in war zones, contracted malaria, and donned a panda suit to keep true to her philosophy of “living the story.” Witness the world’s surreal beauty through Vitale’s lens. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $11-$26. 402-345-0202. ticketomaha.com

Big Head Todd and the Monsters Jan. 11 at The Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. Big Head Todd has brought their blues-rock sound, with the same core lineup, to the world for 30 years. They are coming to Omaha to promote their 11th studio album. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $25 advance, $30 day of show. 402-345-7569. theslowdown.com St. Vincent Jan. 13 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Musician and songwriter Annie Clark— aka St. Vincent—is one of the most distinctive artistic voices and original guitarists of her generation. Her recent self-titled album won her “album of the year” designations from NME, The Guardian, and Entertainment Weekly. 8 p.m. Tickets: $32-$169. 402-345-0202. ticketomaha.com Broken Skulls Jan. 13 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. This Lincoln-based hard rock/metal group has blended many different genres with influences ranging from blues, death metal, hard rock, and punk. 9 p.m. Tickets: $10. 402-884-5707. reverblounge.com The Green Jan. 14 at The Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. This group of musicians from O‘ahu, Hawaii, have become self-titled ambassadors of Aloha, as they spread happiness through their reggae-infused rock. 8 p.m.

Tickets: $17 advance, $20 day of show. 402-345-7569. theslowdown.com John Maus Jan. 17 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. Maus’ music is a highly mutable affair, often described as retro-futurist on behalf of the ’80s drum machines and synth sounds employed, John’s music is more personal than the nostalgic retread implied. 9 p.m.

Tickets: $13 advance, $15 day of show. 402-884-5707. reverblounge.com Banditos Jan. 21 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. Banditos’ music appropriates elements of ’60s blues-fused acid rock, boogie, garage punk, and folksy tunes. 9 p.m. Tickets: $10 advanced, $12 day of show. 402-884-5707. reverblounge.com

The Revolutionists Feb. 21-March 3 at UNO Theatre, Weber Fine Arts, 6001 Dodge St. Go inside the mind of a feminist during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror. This “testament to solidarity” is a girl-powered comedy that explores what could happen if four powerful women got together to oust a tyrant. Times vary. Tickets: $6-$16. 402-554-2406. unomaha.edu

UNO Faculty Showcase Jan. 26 at Strauss Performing Arts Center, 6305 University Drive N. Part of the UNO International Concert Series, this performance is composed of renowned teachers and performers committed to the academic and artistic development of students throughout the United States and globally. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $15 regular admission, $8 student, military, and seniors. 402-554-3411. ticketomaha.com

Seedfolks Feb. 23-March 11 at The Rose Theater, 2001 Farnam St. This production features a community brought together by the work of one girl as she tries to turn the lot next to her house into a garden. Times vary. Tickets: $20. 402-345-4849. rosetheater.org

Billy Childs Quartet Jan. 26 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Emerging as one of the foremost composers of his era, the four-time Grammy winner and his quartet seamlessly blend elements of jazz and classical music. 8 p.m. Tickets: $35. 402-345-0202. ticketomaha.com

La Bohème Feb. 24, 28 at Ruth Sokolof Theater, 1340 Mike Fahey St. The most performed opera in Met history is the story of young Bohemians in 19th-century Paris who are willing to starve—and die—for each other. Times vary. Tickets: $24 general admission, $20 Opera Omaha, Film Streams, or Met Opera members; and $10 students. 402-933-0259. filmstreams.org

Curly Martin and Friends Feb. 2 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. This world-class drummer and Omaha native brings together musician friends and family to celebrate their Nebraska roots and lifelong love of jazz. 8 p.m. Tickets: $20. 402-345-0202. ticketomaha.com

CONCERTS

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod Feb. 10-March 4 at The Rose Theater, 2001 Farnam St. Performed by The Rose Theater and told through non-verbal, creative movement and the words of Eugene Field’s poem, these children sail through the stars while on a fishing trip. Times vary. Tickets: $12. 402-345-4849. rosetheater.org

Black Label Society Jan. 2 at Sokol Underground, 2234 S. 13th St. In concert with Corrosion of Conformity and Eyehategod, this Los Angeles-based heavy-metal band formed back in 1998 and is on tour leading up to the release of their newest album, Grimmest Hits.

7:30 p.m. Tickets: $34 in advance. 402-346-9802. facebook.com/sokolauditoriumandunderground

An American in Paris Feb. 13-18 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. This Tony Award-winning musical follows an American soldier and a French girl yearning for a new beginning in the aftermath of war. Times vary. Tickets: $35-$95. 402-661-8555. ticketomaha.com

The Prince Experience Jan. 6 at The Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. This performance is a tribute to Prince and will include all of his hits, including the Purple Rain era. 9 p.m.

Tickets: $17 in advance, $20 day of show. 402-345-7569. theslowdown.com

44 jan/Feb 2018

Tennis Jan. 10 at The Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St. Tennis continues their extensive North American Tour in celebration of their fourth fulllength album, Yours Conditionally. 8 p.m. Tickets: $16 in advance, $20 day of show. 402-884-5353. waitingroomlounge.com

Destroyer with Mega Bog Feb. 3 at The Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St. The Canadian rock band Destroyer, fronted by singer-songwriter Dan Bejar, formed in 1995. Destroyer songs are characterized by abstract, poetic lyrics and idiosyncratic vocals. 9 p.m. Tickets: $20. 402-884-5353. waitingroomlounge.com Justin Furstenfeld of Blue October Feb. 5 at Scottish Rite Hall, 202 S. 20th St. The frontman of the chart-topping band Blue October brings his emotionally charged and magnetic music to Omaha. 8 p.m. Tickets: $32-$45. 402-884-5353. onepercentproductions.com

ZZ Ward with Black Pistol Fire Feb. 5 at The Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St. Equally evocative of blues grit and hip-hop bounce, this Los Angeles-based vocal powerhouse and multi-instrumentalist’s new sound takes a deeper look at some of the artist’s earliest inspirations—including Howlin’ Wolf, Robert Johnson, and Vera Ward Hall. 9 p.m. Tickets: $25-$99. 402-884-5353. waitingroomlounge.com Bob Marley Birthday Bash Feb. 10 at Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. Rhythm Collective, The Bishops, and DJ Stryker will satiate your thirst for some island reggae and calypso music—the perfect way to celebrate Bob’s B-day. 9 p.m. Tickets: $6-$8. 402-345-7569. theslowdown.com She-e Wu Feb. 15 at Strauss Performing Arts Center, 6305 University Drive N. Part of the UNO International Concert Series, this performance features the head of Northwestern University’s percussion program playing on a majestic concert marimba. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $15 adults, $8 students, military, and seniors. 402-554-3411. ticketomaha.com Jeremy McComb with Kimberly Dunn and Sack of Lions Feb. 16 at The Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St. McComb is an American country music artist and former tour manager for comedian Larry the Cable Guy. Tickets: $12-$15. 9 p.m. 402-884-5353. waitingroomlounge.com “I Met You When I Was 18 World Tour” featuring Lauv with Jeremy Zucker Feb. 18 at Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. In his early teens, Ari Staprans Leff (aka Lauv) picked up a guitar and started writing songs of heartbreak before ever having had a romantic relationship. Now 23, the acclaimed L.A.-based singer/ songwriter/producer will musically pull your heartstrings. 8 p.m. Tickets: $13-$15. 402-345-7569. theslowdown.com Haydn’s The Hunt Symphony Feb. 18 at Joslyn Art Museum, 2200 Dodge St. Adventurous rhythms and harmonies cascade through this piece. Insane energy in the finale captures the intensity of the hunt.

Tartini’s concerto suggests the splendors of 18thcentury Venice. 2 p.m. Tickets: $33. 402-342-3300. ticketomaha.com Donavon Frankenreiter Feb. 26 at Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. This surfer/rocker brings his cool singer-songwriter honesty to the stage. Tickets: $17-$20. 8 p.m. 402-345-7569. theslowdown.com

Family & More Holiday Lights Festival NRG Ice Rink Through Feb. 14 at 10th St. and Capitol Ave. A portion of the proceeds will go toward the Shine the Light on Hunger campaign, which supports the Food Bank for the Heartland. Bring the whole family and create memories while supporting the community.

Admission: $8 (includes skate rental). 402-650-4813. holidaylightsfestival.com The Rooftop Rink Through Feb. 25 at Midtown Crossing, between 31st-33rd streets and Farnam to Dodge streets.

The elevated location is innovative—so is the rink—an all-weather “synthetic ice” surface. Hours of operation to be announced. Admission is a minimum donation of $5 benefiting The Salvation Army. 402-934-9275. midtowncrossing.com Joslyn Castle Public Tours Recurring at the Joslyn Castle, 3902 Davenport St. Tour historic Joslyn Castle each Monday and the first and third Sundays of every month. Admission: $10 adults, $8 seniors (60+), students and military. 402-595-2199. joslyncastle.com Benson First Friday Jan. 5 and Feb. 2 in Benson (Maple and 59th to 63rd streets). Art galleries, bars, music venues, and cultural institutions of Benson collaborate on the first Friday of every month with a showcase of local arts and culture. bensonfirstfriday.com First Friday Old Market Jan. 5 and Feb. 2 at the Old Market. Walk the distinctive brick streets of the Old Market to live music, ride Ollie the Trolley for free between venues, and ignite your imagination with art at this free event. Recurring the first Friday of each month. firstfridayoldmarket.com

Second Saturday Program at Heron Haven Jan. 13 at Heron Haven Nature Center, 11809 Old Maple Road.

Come hike in the woods and share nature stories while sipping on hot chocolate. Children are encouraged to bring a favorite stuffed animal to help make up a nature story. Admission: free. 10-11:30 a.m. 402-493-4303. heronhaven.org Midlands International Auto Show Jan. 18-21 at CenturyLink Center, 455 N. 10th St. See, touch, and experience the automotive industry’s latest and greatest.

Tickets: $9 adults:. $7 seniors (65+), children (7-12), and military with ID; free to children under 7. 402-341-1500. centurylinkcenteromaha.com River City Hunting, Fishing, Boat, & RV Expo Jan. 19-21 at Mid-America Center, One Arena Way, Council Bluffs. View more than 100 exhibitors; attend seminars on topics such as ultimate fishing in Canada, mushroom hunting, fly fishing, and dog training; and try out the indoor BB gun and archery ranges, interactive games, and turkey call-in teepee. Times vary. Tickets: $9 adults, $3 kids ages 4-15, and free to ages 3 and under. 712-326-2295. caesars.com/mid-america-center The Price is Right Live Feb. 7 at Ralston Arena, 7300 Q St. Come on down! This interactive stage show gives eligible individuals the chance to play classic games from television’s longest-running game show. Favorites such as Plinko, Cliffhangers, The Big Wheel, and the Showcase will be at this event.

7:30 p.m. Tickets: $49.50-$150. 800-440-3741. ralstonarena.com Lenten Fish Fries Fridays, Feb. 9 through March 30.

Feb. 14 this year not only signifies Valentine’s Day, it is also the start of Lent—the season of repentance for many Christians in which they are not allowed to eat meat on Fridays. Numerous Catholic churches in the area will hold fry-days on Fridays in February and March. The three voted for “Best Fish Fry” in “Best of Omaha” 2018 were: Holy Name, Mary Our Queen, and St. Patrick’s of Elkhorn. Visit archomaha.org for more info on Catholic fish fries. Other popular fish fries can be found at All Holy Spirit and St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox churches, Disabled American Veterans, American Legions, many Protestant churches, and community organizations.

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

1205 Harney St. 342 -5887

dublinerpubomaha.com

Love at the Zoo Feb. 9-10 at Henry Doorly Zoo, 3701 S. 10th St. Listen to a lighthearted presentation about dating and mating in the animal kingdom. The event includes a champagne welcome, dinner, and special animal encounters. Ages 21+ only. 6:30-9 p.m. Tickets: $75. 402-733-8401. omahazoo.com KanPai!Con Feb 9-11 at Hotel RL, 3321 S. 72nd St. Kanpai! Con is an annual cultural appreciation convention that focuses on anime, manga, and Japanese video gaming. Come dressed as a favorite character and enjoy the family-friendly convention setting. Times vary.

Admission: $30 weekend pass or $20 one-day pass. kanpaicon.com 12th Annual Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards Feb. 18 at Omaha Design Center, 1502 Cuming St. This is Omaha’s own version of the red carpet. Hundreds of musicians, visual artists, and performing artists have been nominated. Find out who won at the event. 6-10 p.m. Tickets: $30. oea-awards.org

launch party!

ZED & MAYNARD Avant Garde

ATION NE PUBLIC A MAGA ZI AN OMAH

Future Punk

ONE TRIPLE THREAT PLUS Matures Clark & Company

ARTS/CULT URE

VOL.

| ISSUE 23 × JAN/FEB 2018

7

ONE PIECE AT A TIMEOleson

Tattoo Artist Patrick

Omaha Fashion Week Feb. 27-March 4 at Omaha Design Center, 1502 Cuming St. One of the nation’s largest fashion weeks, Omaha Fashion Week holds fall and spring events. Special guest Fern Mallis, founder of New York Fashion Week, will judge during the VIP Runway Finale. Tickets: prices vary. omahafashionweek.com

Event times and details may change.

Check with venue or event organizer to confirm.

1116 Jackson St. Jan 10th | 6 p.m Music by Booty Boy Bil$

ENCOUNTEROMAHA.COM 45

I

’m going to get real vulnerable here: When it comes to millennial stereotypes, I can verifiably say that I fit within the “coddled” category.

Even though I grew up in the context of a middle-class family, I was cognizant as a child that I was spoiled. And while I’m incredibly grateful for all the love and support my family has given me (really, they’re some incredible people), there’s just one thing that’s been thrown off in the process: my development.

Author Simon Sinek of Start with Why says that many millennials suffer in the workplace because they “grew up subject to failed parenting strategies,” and that “it’s the company’s responsibility to pick up the slack.”

Many psychologists subscribe to the idea that there are three major stages.

First comes dependency (think infancy and early childhood). Second, the yearning for independence (cue the rebellious teen) and the establishment of said independence (early 20s). And if everything works out, you move to interdependence, where you realize you’ve unnecessarily been a jerk to your parents all these years, and that while autonomy is great—cooperation is the highest form of existence.

But when you throw coddling into the equation, the process gets disrupted, and the end result is co-dependency.

According to Kathlyn and Gay Hendricks in Conscious Loving: The Journey to CoCommitment, “Co-dependence is an agreement between people to stay locked in unconscious patterns.” This can create unhealthy relationships, addictions, and patterns of dysfunction.

And thanks to a few years of therapy, I’ve arrived at the hard truth that, left unchecked, I’m prone to creating codependent relationships.

All of this came to a head one evening when I was setting up for a DJ gig.

TRANSITORILY YOURS:

DEATH OF A DISCO BALL AND THE CODDLED MILLENNIAL Column by brent crampton

46 nov/dec 2017

Stressed and frantic, I was facing a mountain of tangled cords with only 30 minutes left before the event started. Along with that, I was in the middle of raising a 20-inch disco ball on a t-bar.

It’s something I’ve done countless times, but due to my frenetically displaced presence, I made a basic mistake and lifted an extension pole past the point of no return.

Instead of securing the magnificent 20-inch ball into place, I began to witness its eight-foot arial descent towards a hard marble floor. Time instantly slowed to a crawl as I felt a childhood wound rise to the surface that seemed to say, “it’s good that you sabotaged yourself, because now they’ll see that you deserve to be rescued.”

And as I held that feeling of self-entitled victimhood—BAM! The sphere smashed to the ground and dozens of glass bits flew about the marble floor. What was once a beautiful sphere now looked like the Death Star.

With my mouth and eyes gaping open, I proceeded to survey the room to see who else witnessed the moment (and subconsciously, who I could blame for not rescuing me).

There were some people scurrying over in the next room, but none looked over. There was a receptionist at a desk just 30 feet away, but she had earbuds in and didn’t even flinch from her downward gaze.

With no rescuer in sight, it was just me, a shattered ball, and the realization that no one could be held responsible for this—but myself.

In shock, attempting to swallow the swell of my own sulking sabotage, I swept up the glass pieces, hid the remnants of the busted ball under a skirted table, and got back to work.

The thing is, I’ve always had a thing for disco balls. They’re a timeless piece of design.

As LED technology rapidly advances and projector mapping changes all the rules, there’s something timeless about being enveloped in an in endless swirl of flickering refraction.

In the cosmology of nightlife, the disco ball is a metaphorical inverse of the sun.

Just think: At each sunset, somewhere a disco ball rises. In the center of a sea of churning bodies, it floats effortlessly. Above our heads and beyond our reach, it serves as a beacon of speckled light in a world of darkness.

Yes, I have an affection for disco balls. Which is why at the end of the night, after the dance floor dust had settled, and I folded back the curtain revealing the brokenness of the sphere, I said to myself, “No more!”

Sinek says that millennials “were just dealt a bad hand and it’s no fault of their own.” But as a generational gesture, I say that at some point us coddled millennials have to take responsibility for ourselves.

It’s time we stop blaming others. Stop looking for the rescuer. Stop slipping into co-dependency. And absolutely stop the subconsciousbusting of underserving disco balls.

It’s time to tell a new story.

6 OMAHA AREA LOCATIONS

DOWNTOWN

10th & Capitol | 402-763-9974

AKSARBEN VILLAGE

67th & Center | 402-933-3533

DJSDUGOUT.COM

MIRACLE HILLS

114th & Dodge | 402-498-8855

MILLARD

180th & Q | 402-933-8844

BELLEVUE

23rd & Cornhusker | 402-292-9096

PLATTSMOUTH

Hwy 75 & Oak Hill | 402-298-4166