Omaha Magazine - March/April 2020 - Hotel Edition

RANCH BOWL DOCUMENTARY // ACADIAN GRILLE // MALARA’S // NADIA RA’SHAUN WILLIAMS

M A R C H / A P R I L 2 02 0

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FROM THE EDITOR // LETTER BY DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN, MANAGING EDITOR

TORNADOES, FISH, BASKETBALL Spring in the Midwest

P

unxsutawney Phil promised an early spring. I’m not sure what mystical effect a giant rodent has on the seasons, but I look forward to the green grass and warm weather March and April promise.

This issue we feature an article about the Venezuelan community in Omaha.

Venezuela was once one of the most prosperous countries in South America, boasting a large oil industry in the 1970s. The oil industry began to wan in the 1980s, and over the last 40 years, the country has become far less prosperous. Venezuela has also has seen much political strife.

Thus, many Venezuelans have come to America, leaving their homes and families behind to start a new life. A few local Venezuelan immigrants tell of their life in Omaha in our feature well.

We also have an article about the San Clemente Island goats of Nebraska.

Omaha Magazine’s former intern Kamrin Baker visited the goats and their humans, John Carroll and Chad Wegener, at Willow Valley Farms. I admit that it’s a story I would gladly have written myself.

One reason I hope spring comes early is the ability to be outdoors. My husband Wade and I’s way of being in nature is visiting a campground, while former editor Doug Meig’s way is sitting on a boat with a fishing rod. He traveled to Minnesota to fish for muskie a few times last year, and his story is our adventure feature.

Being outdoors is a welcome change, as during the cold winter months, we mostly sit around watching TV. Wade also spends about an hour a day playing a strategy-based computer game. While he limits himself to an hour each day, others spend multiple hours each day, in some cases making money doing so.

Benjamin Lupo, known in the online

gaming world as DrLupo, is making enough money playing video games that he quit a high-paying IT job to become a full-time gamer. His story is another of the main articles.

Winter being bleak and gray as it is in the Midwest, a lot of families curl up on the couch in front of screens and stay there until the trees begin to bud. That may be one reason why network television broadcast one beloved movie each year (usually in January or February) from 1959-1991. That movie was The Wizard of Oz. The story has some interesting Omaha connections, which are theorized by Bruce Johansen, Ph.D., in this issue.

Late winter/early spring also brings the Lenten season for many Christians, with Ash Wednesday being Feb. 26. The day before Lent begins is Mardi Gras, a day of feasting and revelry especially popular in New Orleans. Omaha is lucky to have a few places to taste southern specialties, including Acadian Grille, which Niz Proskocil reviews.

If meatless Fridays are in order throughout March and part of April, one place to consider is Malara’s Italian restaurant, our dining feature this round. The menu includes comfort-food favorites such as eggplant parmesan and fettuccini alfredo, along with pasta carbonara or a sandwich with Italian sausage and peppers for those who choose.

A different take on a sandwich with sausage is the Vietnamese Banh mi. Chloe Tran has made a business of bringing Omaha a place to eat high quality Banh mi, and her story is our chef profile.

Our fourth feature this month is about Omahan Tom Kronen. Tom lived an extraordinary life. He was an artist and illustrator who counted work at the U.S. Bureau of Printing and Engraving and for national publications among his accomplishments.

MARCH/APRIL

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2020

March means the end of basketball season, and our Obviously Omaha highlights some places to watch the madness.

Spring also means baseball season, and our sports feature is about Bluejays pitcher John Sakowski.

The warmer weather gives each of us a good reason to follow a hot track—a phrase used by Westside educator Cynthia Bailey to describe a passion. She has followed hot tracks of theater and education, as told in our profile of her.

Another of Wade and I’s favorite warmweather activities is attending concerts, usually outdoors, but we do occasionally visit venues such as the Slowdown or Waiting Room. Arriving in Omaha in fall 1998, I missed the heyday of music at the Ranch Bowl. Two documentarians are producing a film about the storied venue, where people could roll bowling balls down the lanes and listen to concerts from Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Queen Latifah, and more. Sean McCarthy tells that story in this issue.

This magazine also contains stories of musicians Bach Mai, artist Mary Murphy, and performer Nadia Ra’Shaun Williams, all great Omaha creatives.

There’s a little something for everyone in these pages, whether reflecting on Venezuelan neighbors while sitting on the grass in a park, or listening to former Ranch Bowl performers while sitting on the porch swing at home. I think I’ll do the latter. * Note: The hotel edition of Omaha Magazine has a different cover and does not include all of the editorial content included in the magazine’s full city edition.

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OPEN YOUR MIND TO OPERA

March 20 – April 5, 2020 ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST THE CAPULETS AND THE MONTAGUES MTHR/WMN CINEsound ENSEMBLES IN RESIDENCE ONEFESTIVALOMAHA.ORG

TAB L E of CON T E N T S THE USUAL SUSPECTS 001 From the Editor

Tornadoes, Fish, Basketball

006 Between the Lines 008 Calendar of Events 089 Obviously Omaha March Madness

113 Explore! Calendar 119 Instagram

@omahamagazine

120 Not Funny

Things That Make My Brain Stay Awake at Night

A R T S + C U LT U R E

090

018 Music

Bach Mai

022 Visual

Mary Murphy

026 Film

The Ranch Bowl Documentary

030 Performance

Nadia Ra’Shaun Williams

DINING 090 Review

Acadian Grille

096 Feature

Malara’s

100 Chef Profile Chloe Tran

103 Dining Guide

018

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MARCH/APRIL 2020

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due to the printing of our last round of publications.

Learn more at

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Between

THE LINES A LOOK AT FOUR OMAHA MAGAZINE TEAM MEMBERS KAMRIN BAKER—Contributing Writer Baker is a former Omaha Magazine intern-turned-freelancer. She currently serves as the editorin-chief of the University of Nebraska-Omaha’s newspaper, The Gateway, and works as a writer for Today’s Omaha Woman. She will graduate in May 2020 after studying journalism & media communications, and women’s & gender studies. When she’s not covering breaking campus news or reading on feminist theory, Baker enjoys practicing yoga, reading, petting dogs, taking naps, and going to therapy. Readers can catch her pursuing a job in marketing communications after graduation and creating more freelance magazine articles, focusing on amplifying marginalized voices and her quest to become a 21st-century Gloria Steinem.

LISA LUKECART—Contributing Writer Lukecart is a native of South Sioux City, who grew up with the world’s best mom and her older brother. She worked 10 years as an IT engineer with Gateway before deciding to make a difference as an educator. Lukecart is an English teacher at Millard West. She is most proud, though, of her past work there as a state champion and national award-winning journalism adviser. Lukecart is a free press fighter, wine enthusiast, runner, and tennis player. Or she hangs out with her family, the Ocean’s 3 crew, the Swoosh gang, a few close friends, or her television. Lukecart always wants to say hi to people’s dogs, talk about dogs, or show others photos of her dog. Her best friend is her 7-year-old goldendoodle, Isabella.

DAVID TROUBA —Advertising Traffic Manager Trouba is the newest staff member at Omaha Magazine. He joins the company after running his own graphic design company, Troubadour Design Studio, in Papillion for many years. Trouba was born and raised in Omaha, and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, so he is, by birthright, a die-hard Nebraska Cornhusker fan. He enjoys cooking, playing cribbage, shooting photographs, and all things Czech and Irish. He is also a borderline golf addict, so readers will find him hitting the links whenever possible. Trouba and his wife, Susan, have three children—Dan, Ryan, and Lauren—and an outspoken corgi named Riley.

ERIN WALTER—Editorial Intern Walter was born and raised in Omaha. She is a junior at Creighton University, pursuing a journalism degree and a Spanish minor. She serves as the editor-in-chief of her school’s student newspaper, the Creightonian. Last year, she participated in Encuentro Dominicano, which is Creighton’s academic service-learning study abroad program in the Dominican Republic. During her semester abroad, she worked at an assisted-care facility for elderly and vulnerable adults in the city of Santiago, studied Spanish, and worked alongside a community in the rural countryside to build an aqueduct. This experience challenged her to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. It also inspired her to love others and build community in all aspects of life, and energized her drive to tell the stories of others. // 6 //

MARCH/APRIL 2020

MARCH/APRIL 2020 VOLUME 37 // ISSUE 9

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FACTANDFICTION IN CONTEMPORARY PHOTOGRAPHY

February 8 – May 10, 2020

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2200 Dodge St. | Omaha, NE | (402) 342-3300 | www.joslyn.org MARCH/APRIL 2020

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EVENTS

» Exhibitions « YOU MAKE MY HEART SMILE BUT YOU ALSO MAKE MY EYES CRY

Through March 14 at the Union for Contemporary Art, 2423 N. 24th St. Th is exhibit will feature works by painter and digital artist Thalia Rodgers that explore the earth and her own life through color and psychedelic forms. Admission: free. 402.933.3161.

—u-ca.org

BEFORE WE’RE GONE

Through March 30 at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. Dori Settles brings awareness to the environment by creating art primarily with recycled materials and encouraging others to make small changes to create a positive impact. Th is exhibit of her paintings features endangered species of the animal and plant kingdoms.

Admission: $10 adults, $5 ages 3 to 12, free to children under 3 and members. 402.346.4002.

—lauritzengardens.org

TIM GUTHRIE

Through April 9 at Fred Simon Gallery, 1004 Farnam St. Omaha native Guthrie is a multi-media visual artist and experimental fi lmmaker. He has practiced and exhibited his work in several U.S. cities; he is also a professor of graphic design at Creighton. Admission: free. 402.595.2122.

—artscouncil.nebraska.gov

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MARCH/APRIL 2020

DIGGIN’ DINOS

Through April 11 at Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20th St. Th is exhibit features life-sized animatronic dinosaurs and a digging and building area to transport your kids into another world. Admission: $14 ages 2-59, $13 seniors (age 60+), free to children under 24 months.

402.342.6164.

—ocm.org

PULITZER PRIZE PHOTOGRAPHS

Through May 3 at Durham Museum. 801 S. 10th St. Photography plays an important role in documenting history. This exhibit features over 80 large-format, Pulitzer Prize-winning photographs with information about how the image was captured. Admission: $11 adults, $8 seniors (age 62+), $7 children 3-12, free for children under 2 and members. 402.444.5071.

—durhammuseum.org

FACT AND FICTION IN CONTEMPORARY PHOTOGRAPHY

Through May 10 at Joslyn Art Museum, 2200 Dodge St. Photography has become less believable in the age of the iPhone; images are presumed to have been manipulated or altered from their original forms. Exploring traditional genres of landscape, still life, and portraiture, the work of various award-winning photographers depict raw scenes that appeared before the lens at a precise moment. Tickets: $10 adults, free for youth 17 and under. 402.342.3300.

—joslyn.org

NATURE CONNECTS: ART WITH LEGO® BRICKS

Through May 10 at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. Created by artist Sean Kenney, this exhibit features incredible sculptures of endangered species built from nearly 800,000 LEGO bricks and builds awareness for conservation of all living things. Admission: $10 adults, $5 ages 3 to 12, free to ages 2 and under and members.

402.346.4002.

—lauritzengardens.org

SPONTANEITY: 10 ABSTRACT PAINTERS FROM NEBRASKA

Through May 17 at Gallery 1516, 1516 Leavenworth St. Th is exhibition features artwork by 10 abstract and abstract expressionist artists from Nebraska. Enjoy their spontaneous, gestural and colorful paintings. Admission: free. 402.305.1510.

—gallery1516.org

JOE McHALE

Through June 5 at Fred Simon Gallery, 1004 Farnam St. McHale is a visual artist based out of Kearney. His paintings are lively and full of kinetic energy. He creates a visual representation of moments when time stands still and the past, present, and future combine into one.

Admission: Free. 402.595-2122.

—artscouncil.nebraska.gov

PICASSO, MASTER IN CLAY

Through Aug. 22 at El Museo Latino, 4701 S. 25th St. The whimsical works of one of history’s most iconic artists is at El Museo Latino. The exhibition features 55 of the legendary Pablo Picasso’s stylized ceramics. On loan from the Park West Museum, this substantial collection is on display for the first time in Omaha. Admission: $5 adults, $4 college students with ID, $3.50 seniors and children ages 5-17, and free to children under 5 and active military with ID. 402.731.1137.

—elmuseolatino.org

MARCH/APRIL 2020

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January 18 April 19, 2020 SPONSORED BY:

OPEN now

The Sherwood Foundation American Muslim Institute

through

april 11, 2020

This is a first-of-its-kind exhibition for children and families to celebrate the diversity of Muslim cultures in America and around the world through art, architecture, design, music, travel, trade, and more!

Presented by:

St. Frances Cabrini The spiritual home of the Little Italy and Old Market neighborhoods since 1857.

stcabriniomaha.org 10th and Williams Street

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MARCH/APRIL 2020

OMAHA MAGAZINE | EVENTS CALENDAR

» Stage Performances «

INFLUENCE

Through Aug. 22 at Kaneko, 1111 Jones St. CreativTHE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD ity begins with an idea. Th rough the exploration March of physical space, artistic themes, history, and Through March 8 at Rose Theater, 2001 Farnam experience, the season of INFLUENCE will St. The timeless tale of believing in yourself examine the history of change at Kaneko while comes to the stage in a show for all ages. Tickcelebrating the future of the organization which has ets: $12 non-members, $10 members. Times vary. become a driving force for inclusion and diversity of 402.345.4849. creative thought in Omaha. 402.341.3800.

—rosetheater.org —thekaneko.org

08

NASH BELLOWS, KEVIN MCCLAY, MARK PEARSON AND ANGELA SZELAG.

March 6-29 at Artists’ Cooperative Gallery, 405 S. 11th St. Th is show features jewelry, photography, digital art, and wood art. Admission: free. 402.342.9617.

—artistscoopomaha.com

DALE MALNER: DIRECT DRIVE

March 6-April 24 at Modern Arts Midtown, 3615 Dodge St. Wisconsin artist Dale Malner will show his large-scale paintings. His abstract images deliver bold color and striking impact. The artist will be in attendance at the March 6 opening reception. The exhibit also features Brent Witters, Debora Stewart, and more.

Admission: free. 402.502.8737.

—modernartsmidtown.com

THE ILLUSIONISTS

March 11 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. The Illusionists bring unique acts, talents, and tricks to the stage for a one-of-a-kind performance. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $29-$59. 402.345.0606.

—ticketomaha.com

ONCE

March 1-22 at Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St. An Irish musician falls in love with a Czech immigrant. Based on the Oscar-winning fi lm. Times vary. Tickets: $24-$42. 402.553.0800.

—omahaplayhouse.com

UNTAMED

March 3 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Filipe DeAndrade is the star of the National Geographic series “Untamed” and will show some of his work and speak about how animals saved and changed his life. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $12-$28. 402.345.0606.

—ticketomaha.com

ONE NIGHT OF QUEEN

March 13 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. Gary Mullen & The Works have performed around the world and pay tribute to Queen with an energetic re-imagining of the famous rock band. Tickets: $24.50-$55. 8 p.m.

402.345.0606.

—ticketomaha.com

LIV SCHULMAN: THE GOBERNMENT

March 19-June 13 at Bemis Center, 724 S. 12th St. Paris-based artist Schulman’s multi-channel video The Gobernment is described as a fictional historical revision of the lives of forgotten women artists. Th is will be the first presentation of her work in the U.S. Admission: free. 402.341.7130.

—bemiscenter.org

CLAUDIA WIESER: GENERATIONS

March 19-June 13 at Bemis Center, 724 S 12th St., No. 3202. Wieser is a Bavarian artist whose handpainted sculptures, gold-leafed drawings, and multi-media installations show her appreciation for classical forms, as well as abstract geometrics. Admission: free.

402.341.7130.

—bemiscenter.org

THE POTTED POTTER

Through March 8 at Scott Recital Hall, 1200 Douglas St. Potted Potter condenses all seven Harry Potter books into a funny 70-minute show for all ages. Times vary.

Tickets: $45-$70. 402.345.0606.

—ticketomaha.com

LINDA HATFIELD, ROBBI EKLOW, AND MADELEINE HEAFEY

April 3-26 at Artists’ Cooperative Gallery, 405 S. 11th St. Th is show features pyrography & acrylic, art quilts, and pottery. Admission: free. 402.342.9617.

—artistscoopomaha.com

THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK

Through March 15 at Rose Theater, 2001 Farnam St. A live stage performance of the story of Anne Frank.

Tickets: $20 non-members, $12 members. Times vary.

402.345.4849.

—rosetheater.org

HOT SHOPS SPRING OPEN HOUSE

April 25-26 at Hot Shops Art Center, 1301 Nicholas St. The 19th annual Spring Open House will feature over 80 artists occupying and exhibiting in 58 studios.

The weekend will incorporate demonstrations, including bronze pouring and glass blowing, as well as galleries with artists on hand for the different shows on display.

Admission: free. 402.342.6452.

—hotshopsartcenter.com

DANCING WITH THE STARS

March 11 at Ralston Arena, 7300 Q St. Fans of the TV show will be able to see the dancers off-screen and in person during this night of performances. 6:30 p.m.

Tickets: $47-$155. 402.934.6291.

—ralstonarena.com

NATIVE GARDENS

Through March 15 at Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St. A minor disagreement about property lines escalates into a much bigger battle between two neighbors. Tickets: $18 students, $36-$44 adults. Times vary. 402.553.0800.

—omahaplayhouse.com MARCH/APRIL 2020

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OMAHA MAGAZINE | EVENTS CALENDAR

PEPPA PIG LIVE!

April 7 at Ralston Arena, 7300 Q St. Th is actionpacked live show featuring beloved characters as lifesize puppets and costumed characters. 6 p.m. Tickets: $33.50-$63.50. 402.934.9966.

—ralstonarena.com

PETER AND THE STARCATCHER

April 15-18, 22-25 at University of Nebraska at Omaha, 1 University Drive. A thrilling adventure ensues for orphaned Peter and his mates. Times vary.

Tickets: $6. 402.554-3857.

—unomaha.edu

DEAR EVAN HANSEN

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

GARY GULMAN: PEACE OF MIND TOUR

HAIRSPRAY, THE MUSICAL

March 17-March 22 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. Th is winner of six Tony Awards is the story of a high school student who finds a chance to fit in, in the middle of a tragedy. Tickets: $40-$145. Times vary.

402.345.0606.

—ticketomaha.com

March 20 at the Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. Th is two-time Last Comic Standing finalist is guaranteed to entertain audiences with his comedic performances, which notably focus on absurd observations about everyday occurrences. 8 p.m. Tickets: $30. 402.884.5353.

—waitingroomlounge.com

ONE FESTIVAL 2020

March 20-April 5 at various locations. Opera Omaha’s 2020 festival focuses on celebrating bold risks in storytelling. Throughout two weeks, events and performances will be held at locations like the Orpheum Theater, Film Streams, and more. Admission: $125 for festival pass, tickets for individual events available. Times vary.

402.346.7372.

—operaomaha.org

MTHR/WMN

March 20, 21, 28, 29 & April 2 at The Union for Contemporary Art, 2423 N. 24th St. Blending opera, art, and theater, MTHR/WMN celebrates the power that comes from being a woman and a mother at this point in history. Times vary. Tickets: $25. 402.345.0606.

—ticketomaha.com

JEANNE ROBERTSON: THE ROCKING HUMOR TOUR

March 22 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. 75-year-old Jeanne Robertson charms audiences with stories of her life. Tickets: $20-$42.50. 6 p.m. 402.345.0606.

—ticketomaha.com

COVER MOTETS

March 24 at Joslyn Art Museum’s Witherspoon Concert Hall, 2200 Dodge St. Th is performance mixes traditional motets with the idea of cover songs. Tickets: $35. 7:30 p.m. 402.345.0606.

—ticketomaha.com

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MARCH/APRIL 2020

March 25, 27, 29 & April 4, 5 at MIDCO Glass Building, 1141 N. 11th St. Th is retelling of the biblical story of St. John the Baptist, King Herod and Salome explores power tensions between men and women. Times vary.

Tickets: $60. 402.345.0606.

—ticketomaha.com

March 25-29 at South Magnet High School, 4519 S. 24th St. A collaboration between Creighton’s musical theater department and South High Magnet School’s performing arts department, this bold musical is about one girl’s inspiring dream to dance. Tickets: $18. Times vary. 402.280.1448.

—creighton.edu/ccas/fineandperformingarts

CINESOUND

March 26, 28, 29 & April 4 at Film Streams, 1340 Mike Fahey St. Th is event features short fi lms accompanied by live music in an exploration of the impact that music has on fi lm. Times vary. Tickets: $30.

402.345.0606.

—ticketomaha.com

MARJORIE PRIME

Through April 12 at BlueBarn Theater, 1106 S. 10th St. Senior Serenity resident Marjorie is worried that her memory may be fading. “Primes” are the latest devices used for helping people with their fading memories and loss of companionship. When Marjorie is gifted a holograph of her husband in his 30s, new levels of complexity are revealed, leading to questions about the limits of technology and the nature of memory. Tickets: $35 general admission, $30 seniors (age 65+), military members, or educators. 402.345.1576.

—bluebarn.org

JEFF DUNHAM: SERIOUSLY!?

April 2 at CHI Health Center, 455 N. 10th St. Jeff Dunham and his band of misfit puppets will perform their unique brand of comedy. 7 p.m. Tickets: $47.50$63. 402.341.1500.

—chihealthcenteromaha.com

THE CAPULETS AND MONTAGUES

April 3 & 5 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. Bellini’s bel canto masterpiece is a rarity: a successful opera based on the heartbreaking story of love and loss that is Romeo and Juliet. Tickets: $19-$99. 402.661.8501.

—ticketomaha.com

BRIGHT STAR

April 17-May 10 at Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St. Nominated for five Tony Awards, written

by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, and inspired by real events, Bright Star is a story of enduring hope. Young teenager Alice Murphy is devastated when her infant son is ripped away. Twenty years later, a young man enters her life and ushers in an unexpected glimmer of hope. Times vary. Tickets: $24-$50.

—omahaplayhouse.com

SPRING DANCE PRODUCTION 2020

April 22-26 at Lied Education Center for the Arts, 2500 California Plaza. The dance program at Creighton strives to offer dance students the opportunity to develop their skills in professional venues. Their Spring Showcase will feature guests, faculty, and student choreographers. Times vary. Tickets: $18. 402.280.1448.

—creighton.edu/ccas/fineandperformingarts

CORDUROY

April 24 through May 10 at Rose Theater, 2001 Farnam St. Corduroy the teddy bear’s mission to find his missing button leads to the friendship of a lifetime.

Along with exciting and lively scenes of mischief, this story teaches the importance of empathy and unconditional love. Times vary. Tickets: $25. 402.345.4849.

—rosetheater.org

» Concerts « DWEEZIL ZAPPA: “HOT RATS LIVE! + OTHER HOT STUFF 1969”

March 1 at The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. Son of Frank Zappa, Dweezil developed a strong affinity for playing the guitar and producing music at an early age. Th is tour celebrates the 50th anniversary of his father’s daredevil album Hot Rats. 8 p.m. Tickets: $50.

402.884.5353.

—waitingroomlounge.com

BAY FACTION

March 1 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. Th is indie-rock band’s sound ranges from poppy to methodical, with some heavy bass in between. 8 p.m. Tickets: $10. 402.884.5707.

—reverblounge.com

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Open Daily • 9 am – 9 pm MARCH/APRIL 2020

// 13 //

OMAHA MAGAZINE | CALENDAR

CASKEY

JON McLAUGHLIN: MY AND MY PIANO

RADKEY

ELTON & BILLY: THE ULTIMATE TRIBUTE

BLAKE SHELTON: FRIENDS AND HEROES TOUR

THROWBACK PARTY

March 2 at The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. An unlikely rapper, Caskey was originally a metalhead. His inventive songwriting and blending of musical backgrounds have made him popular in the hip-hop world.

Tickets: $15 advanced, $18 day of show. 402.884.5353.

—waitingroomlounge.com

March 6 at The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. Th is tribute will feature three hours of music by Elton John and Billy Joel. Andy Anderson and Tony Bohenkamp will bring these artists’ legendary music and iconic personalities to life with spot-on performances. 8 p.m.

Tickets: $20. 402.884.5353.

—waitingroomlounge.com

KAMASI WASHINGTON

March 6 at Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. Washington is a jazz saxophonist who makes his sound unique with progressive, improvisational music. He has done collaborations with other influential artists such as Kendrick Lamar, John Legend, and Run the Jewels. 8 p.m. Tickets: $30 advanced, $35 day of show. 402.345.7569.

—theslowdown.com

DANIEL & THE DELIVERANCE

March 6 at Harney Street Tavern, 1215 Harney St. This bluegrass group plays at Harley Street Tavern every first Friday of the month and keeps audiences coming back. 9:30 p.m. 402.933.5657.

—harneystreettavern.com

CELTIC JOURNEY: THE MAGIC OF THE EMERALD ISLE

March 7-8 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. The Omaha Symphony takes audiences to Ireland through authentic music, dance, and storytelling. 7:30 p.m. March 7, 2 p.m. March 8. Tickets: $19-$79. 402.345.0606.

—ticketomaha.com

EMILY SCOTT ROBINSON

March 8 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. Th is North Carolina native writes country-folk songs about America, with a little Southern gothic twist.

8 p.m. Tickets: $12 advanced, $14 day of show.

402.884.5707.

—reverblounge.com

KILL VARGAS

March 9 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. A wide range of influences drives this pop-punk band’s music.

The band added a fourth member last year, so check out the new lineup. 8 p.m. $7. 402.884.5707.

—reverblounge.com

ZZ WARD: STARDUST TOUR

March 9 at The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. ZZ Ward will showcase the unique and powerful blend of blues and hip-hop featured in her latest single “Sex & Stardust.” 8 p.m. Tickets: $28 advanced, $30 day of show. 402.884.5353.

—waitingroomlounge.com

// 14 //

MARCH/APRIL 2020

March 11 at The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. Laughlin is a singer-songwriter and alum of The Voice.

His authentic, emotional music connects with audiences and sets him apart. 8 p.m. Tickets: $20, $50 VIP. 402.884.5353 —waitingroomlounge.com

March 12 at CHI Health Center, 455 N. 10th St. Shelton, who was nominated for a 2020 Grammy for Best Country Solo Performance for “God’s Country,” will perform with special guests Lauren Alaina and special appearances by The Bellamy Brothers, John Anderson, and Trace Adkins. Tickets: $49-$129. 7 p.m. 402.341.1500.

—chihealthcenteromaha.com

CHE MALAMBO

March 12 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. Che Malambo performs the South American tradition of the gaucho. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $20-$38. 402.345.0606.

—ticketomaha.com

SVETOSLAV STOYANOV

March 12 at Strauss Performing Arts Center, 6305 University Drive N. Stoyanov has recorded for numerous labels and his albums have received international recognition. Tickets: $15, $8 for students, seniors, and military members. 7:30 p.m. 402.345.0606.

—ticketomaha.com

THUNDERCAT

March 13 at Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. Th is bassist and singer is well-known for his dynamic contributions to Kendrick Lamar’s critically acclaimed 2015 album To Pimp a Butterfly. In 2016, Thundercat won a Grammy for his work on the track “These Walls” from Lamar’s album. 8 p.m. Tickets: $28 advanced, $35 day of show.

402.345.7569.

—theslowdown.com

YELLOWJACKETS FEATURING LUCIANA SOUZA

March 13 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Yellowjackets blends funk, R&B and upbeat jazz. The group has been nominated for 17 Grammy awards throughout its career, which spans 35 years.

Joining this performance is Luciana Souza, a Brazilian jazz singer and 2007 Grammy winner for her featured vocals on Herbie Hancock’s album River: The Joni Letters. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $20-$50. 402.345.0202.

—ticketomaha.com

ONE NIGHT OF QUEEN

March 13 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. Gary Mullen & The Works will pay tribute to superstar Freddie Mercury and Queen’s legacy in this spectacular live show. Fans can expect to relive hits such as “We Will Rock You,” “We Are The Champions” and “Bohemian Rhapsody.” 8 p.m. Tickets: $24.50-$55. 402.661.8501.

—ticketomaha.com.

March 13 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. American garage-punk band Radkey consists of three brothers from St. Joseph, Missouri. Their catchy songs inspire audiences to get up and participate. 9 p.m. Tickets: $10 advanced, $12 day of show. 402.884.5707.

—reverblounge.com

March 13 at The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. Th is party is a journey through the sounds that shaped the ’90s. DJ Ivan Alferez will be on the boards.

Tickets: $7 advanced, $10 day of show. 402.884.5353 —waitingroomlounge.com

THE LUMINEERS III: THE WORLD TOUR

March 14 at CHI Health Center, 455 N. 10th St. Following the release of their third album, the Lumineers are embarking on a worldwide tour and stopping in Omaha along the way. Tickets: $39-$113. 7 p.m.

402.341.1500.

—chihealthcenteromaha.com

MAC LETHAL

March 14 at Lookout Lounge, 320 S. 72nd St. Kansas City rapper, songwriter, and YouTube star Lethal keeps his audiences engaged with lighting-fast raps and a sharp sense of humor. 8 p.m. Tickets: $17. 402.391.2554.

—lookoutomaha.com

SCHUMANN’S SYMPHONY NO. 2

March 15 at Joslyn Art Museum’s Witherspoon Concert Hall, 2200 Dodge St. Th is performance, conducted by Rossen Milanov, features music from Handel, Dvorak, and Schumann. 2 p.m. Tickets: $35. 402.345.0606.

—ticketomaha.com

BOB WEIR & WOLF BROTHERS

March 15 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. Th is trio features Grateful Dead founding member Weir, Was (Not Was) founder Don Was, and drummer Jay Lane. The band performs the songs of the Grateful Dead and more. 7 p.m. Tickets: $59.50-$199, $328.50 VIP. 402.345.0606.

—ticketomaha.com

DESTROYER

March 15 at Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St. Dan Bejar aka Destroyer, creates songs that are characterized by abstract poetic lyrics, and idiosyncratic vocals.

8 p.m. Tickets: $22. 402.884.5353.

—waitingroomlounge.com

THE

ALLEN STONE

March 17 at Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. Stone brings soul and R&B to Omaha, with an opening performance

by Samm Henshaw. 8 p.m. Tickets: $25 advanced, $30 day of show. 402.345.7569.

—theslowdown.com

OF BUSINESS omahamagazine.com/subscribe

OM

March 18 at Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. Th is heavy metal trio from San Francisco has a strong sound that juxtaposed by uniquely emotional lyrics. 8 p.m. Tickets: $20 advanced, $22 day of show. 402.345.7569.

—theslowdown.com

THE FLOOZIES: DAYGLOW FUNK TOUR

March 19 at The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. Th is band knows how to bring the funk, with eclectic live performances. Sunsquabi and Defunk will be opening.

8 p.m. Tickets: $22 advanced, $25 day of show.

402.884.5353 —waitingroomlounge.com

GARY GULMAN

March 20 at The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. A scholarship college football player, an accountant, a high school teacher, and a performer walk into a bar—and they are the same person. Gulman will perform over an hour’s worth of material he’s never performed in Omaha.

8 p.m. Tickets: $30. 402.884.5353 —waitingroomlounge.com

Omaha’s Largest Mineral and Fossil Store

EMANUEL AX PERFORMS BRAHMS

March 21 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. World-renowned pianist Emanuel Ax performs Brahms’ Second Piano Concerto. Tickets: $25$133. 8 p.m. 402.345.0606.

—ticketomaha.com

MIRRORS: A DARK PARTY EVENT

March 21 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. Mirrored stage production, mystical lighting, and immersive sound are the themes of this party. Music

by EZB, Hyddin, Dark Oceanz, String Theory, and TrvpSquad. 9p.m. Tickets: $5 advanced, $8 day of show. 402.884.5707.

—reverblounge.com

Great things for the whole family, and mom too!

Conveniently located just off the interstate 8487 Frederick Street | customgemsomaha.com | 402-397-9606

AVI KAPLAN

March 23 at Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. Kaplan, a former member of three-time Grammy winning a cappella group Pentatonix, is known for his deep bass voice inspired by artists like John Denver, Bill Withers, and Simon & Garfunkel. 8 p.m. Tickets: $17 advanced, $20 day of show. 402.345.7569.

—theslowdown.com

MARCH/APRIL 2020

// 15 //

OMAHA MAGAZINE | CALENDAR

MERCYME 20/20 TOUR

MDOU MOCTAR

GINA CHAVEZ

HEART BONES

March 27 at CHI Health Center, 455 N. 10th St. Th is American contemporary Christian music band is bringing the faith to Omaha, with special guests Jeremy Camp and David Leonard. Tickets: $28-$103. 7 p.m.

402.341.1500.

—chihealthcenteromaha.com

April 4 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. Mdou Moctar immediately is one of the most innovative artists in contemporary Saharan music. Not sure what that means? Have a listen and it will be clear. 8 p.m. Tickets: $15. 402.884.5707.

—reverblounge.com

April 5 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. Heart Bones is a collaboration between Sean Tillmann, aka Har Mar Superstar, and Sabrina Ellis of A Giant Dog and Sweet Spirit. 8 p.m. Tickets: $15. 402.884.5707.

—reverblounge.com

March 27 at Scott Recital Hall, 1200 Douglas St. Gina Chavez explores her Latin American roots through music. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $19-$40. 402.345.0606.

—ticketomaha.com

POST ANIMAL

April 17 at Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. This psychedelic rock band from Chicago spent this February touring the UK with Grammy-winning rock band Cage the Elephant. Post Animal uses the right amount of pop to sweeten its heavy rock sound. 8 p.m. Tickets: $13 advanced, $15 day of show. 402.345.7569.

—theslowdown.com

BILLIE EILISH: WHERE DO WE GO? WORLD TOUR

April 17 at CHI Health Center, 455 N. 10th St. Billie Eilish is one of the music industry’s rising stars and is going on her first ever tour. She had a history-making night at the 2020 Grammys, winning the four biggest prizes: best new artist, record of the year, album of the year, and song of the year. Tickets: $39.50-$99.50. 7:30 p.m. 402.341.1500.

—chihealthcenteromaha.com

ANNA BURCH

April 17 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. Burch’s lo-fi indie rock is teeming with “mischievous lyrics delivered with deceptively bittersweet vocals.”

The alternative singer/songwriter hails from Detroit, Michigan. 8 p.m. Tickets: $12. 402.884.5707.

—reverblounge.com

DAN + SHAY: THE (ARENA) TOUR

April 18 at CHI Health Center, 455 N. 10th St. Dan + Shay set off on their first headlining tour, bringing their smooth vocals to audiences around the country.

Tickets: $39.50-$79.50. 7 p.m. 402.341.1500.

—chihealthcenteromaha.com

KELLER WILLIAMS

BRAHMS’ VIOLIN CONCERTO

REAL ESTATE

April 13 at Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. Th is indie rock band’s poetic lyrics and soothing sounds make audiences feel at home. 8 p.m. Tickets: $22 advanced, $25 day of show. 402.345.7569.

—theslowdown.com

March 27 & 28 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. A performance of Brahms’ Violin Concerto, featuring D’un matin des printemps and La Mer. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $19-$100. 402.345.0606.

—ticketomaha.com

MATT WILSON & HIS ORCHESTRA

DAVID ARCHULETA

April March 28 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. April 14 at Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. An Wilson and his harp and banjo orchestra will American Idol runner-up in 2008, Archuleta is perform the best music from his deep repertoire, a passionate singer of adult contemporary-style as well as unique renditions of old-time songs that he pop. 8 p.m. Tickets: $25 advanced, $30 day of show. considers to be among the greatest of all music history.

402.345.7569.

9 p.m. Tickets: $15. 402.884.5707.

—theslowdown.com —reverblounge.com

14

MAL BLUM

April 1 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. Dubbed “punk’s greatest hidden treasure” by Stereogum, Mal Blum writes cleverly crafted songs that are immediate, self-effacing, and viscerally relatable. 8 p.m. Tickets: $8 advanced, $12 day of show. 402.884.5707.

—reverblounge.com

// 16 //

MARCH/APRIL 2020

BRANDY CLARK: WHO YOU THOUGHT I WAS TOUR

April 16 at The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. Sixtime Grammy nominee Clark is a Nashville-based country artist and talented lyricist. She has written songs for icons like Sheryl Crow, The Band Perry, and Kacey Musgraves. 8 p.m. Tickets: $29 advanced, $34 day of show. 402.884.5353.

—waitingroomlounge.com

April 23 at The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. Williams built his reputation initially on his engaging live performances, no two of which are ever alike. With the use of today’s technology, Williams creates samples on the fly in front of the audience, a technique called live phrase sampling or looping, with nothing pre-recorded, the end result often leans toward a hybrid of alternative folk and groovy electronica. 8 p.m. Tickets: $25.

402.884.5353.

—waitingroomlounge.com

RIND

April 24 at Barley St. Tavern, 2735 N. 62nd St. From Ohio to Omaha, this five-piece band is sharing their unique sound across the country. 9 p.m. Tickets TBA. 402.408.0028.

—barleystreet.com

TREVOR HALL

April 25 at Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. Hall’s music is an exciting mix of folk and reggae. Th is performance will feature special guest Brett Dennen, who adds pop to the performance. 8 p.m. Tickets: $30 advanced, $35 day of show. 402.345.7569.

—theslowdown.com

OMAHA MAGAZINE | CALENDAR

OMAHA FILM FESTIVAL

DÉ-TRESE

March 3-8 at Aksarben Cinema, 2110 S. 67th St. Th is year marks the 15th anniversary of the Omaha Film Festival. The event will showcase over 100 films throughout the week, including innovative new flicks, locally-produced shows, and past masterworks of cinema. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn with professionals from across the country at OFF Academy, and festival parties allow for dialogue with the community. Times vary. Admission varies from $10 single-movie tickets to $100 multi-day passes. 402.203.8173.

—omahafi lmfestival.org

April 27 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. Local rapper Dé-Trese is performing with Andre Right, J. Taylor, M3, and Jai T, with special guest DJ Madix.

8 p.m. Tickets: $8 advanced, $12 day of show.

402.884.5707.

—reverblounge.com

» Family & More «

FIRST FRIDAY OLD MARKET

March 6 and April 3 in the Old Market. Th is event features live music along the brick streets of the Old Market, free Ollie the Trollie rides and galleries that explore fresh perspectives. 6-9 p.m. Admission: Free.

—firstfridayoldmarket.com

March

6

FISH FRIES

Feb. 28-April 3 in various locations. Lent starts with Ash Wednesday on Feb. 26, and while some people will abstain from eating meat on Fridays for religious reasons, others will eat fish simply because they enjoy it. Many churches and community centers around Omaha will provide a fish (or meatless) dinner on Fridays during this time frame. Here are a few popular choices that draw crowds: • All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church, 9012 Q St. 402.934.3688. allholyspirit.ne.goarch.org • American Legion No. 1, 7811 Davenport St., 402.392.0444.

• American Legion No. 374, 13913 S Plaza, 402.895.1324. post374.org • Croation Cultural Society of Omaha, 8711 S. 36th St., 402.733.1018.

• Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 5219 S. 53rd St. 402.731.3176. holyghostomaha.com • Holy Name Catholic Church (2020 Best of Omaha Winner), 2901 Fontenelle Blvd. 402.451.6622. holynameomaha.org • Mount Calvary Community Church, 5112 Ames Ave., 402.457.4216. mtcalvarycommunitychurch.org • Mary Our Queen Catholic Church (2020 Best of Omaha Winner), 3405 S. 118th St. 402.333.8662. maryourqueenchurch.com • Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 2124 S. 32nd Ave., 402.341.5604. ollomaha.com • St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church 602 Park Ave. 402.345.7103. stjohnsgreekorthodox.org • St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 5801 Oak Hills Drive, 402.895.0808. sjvomaha.org • St. Barnabas Catholic Church, 129 N. 40th St., 402.558.4633. saintbarnabas.net • St. Patrick’s Catholic Church of Elkhorn (2020 Best of Omaha Winner), 20500 West Maple Road, Elkhorn. 402.289.4289. stpatselkhorn.org • St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church, 16701 S St., 402.896.9675. stephen.org • St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 4804 Grover St., 402.556.1456. stmomaha.org • St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church, 14330 Eagle Run Drive. 402.496.7988. svdpomaha.org • Tangier Shrine Center, 2823 S. 84th St., 402.392.0404. tangiershrine.com

65TH ANNUAL WORLD OF WHEELS

March 13-15 at CHI Health Center, 455 N. 10th St. Vehicles from classic Cadillacs to hot rods will be shown at this annual event, which allows local car owners to display their machines. Times vary. Tickets: $18 general admission, $6 children 6-12, free to children 5 and under. 402.341.1500.

—chihealthcenteromaha.com

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

March 14 in downtown Omaha. Th is annual parade, put on by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, will march through the downtown area starting at 15th and Howard streets and continuing through the historic Old Market.

—aohomaha.org/parade.

AN EVENING OF IRISH FUN

March 14 at St. Bernard School, 3604 N. 65th St. Corned beef and cabbage, live music by the Connor Dowling band, and performances from Dowd’s Irish Dance Academy make this an ideal event for St. Patrick’s Day. Admission: $25 adult, $20 seniors, $10 children ages 6 and up, free for children 5 and under.

402.551.0269.

—stbernardomaha.org

BOCKFEST

March 14 at the German American Society, 3717 S. 120th St. Bockfest is one of the area’s favorite German celebrations. It feature music, beer poking in the biergarten, and beer, brats, and pretzels to consume. 1-7 p.m. Admission: free, but cash must be used for beer and food. 402.333.6615.

—germanamericansociety.org

SPRING FESTIVAL

March 20-22 at Ralston Arena, 7300 Q St. Hundreds of the nation’s finest artists and crafters display and sell their handcrafted works. Times vary. Tickets: $9 adults, $8 seniors, children 10 and under free. 402.934.9966.

—ralstonarena.com

METRO OMAHA BUILDER’S ASSOCIATION HOME SHOW

March 27-29 at CHI Health Center, 455 N. 10th St. Professionals in new home building, home improvement, landscaping, decorating, smart energy, and more.

Attendees can fi nd fresh ideas, innovative products, practical advice, and great deals from hundreds of experts all under one roof. Times vary. Tickets: $9 adults, $7 children 7-12, seniors ages 65+, and military members with ID. 402.444.1263.

—moba.com

INTERNATIONAL OMAHA

April 9-12 at CHI Health Center Omaha, 455 N. 10th St. Th is favorite event of Omahans is coming back. The featured events are the InIt2WinIt Speed Jumping Series Final, Pro-Junior Challenge, and the Grand Prix. Times vary. Tickets: $20-$45. 402.930.3079.

—internationalomaha.com

NEBRASKA SCIENCE FESTIVAL

April 3-26 in various locations. More than 41,000 people celebrated Science Festival in 2019. The 2020 festival proves to be just as exciting, with a keynote speaker, hands-on demonstrations, lectures, and more.

Admission: free, but tickets to the keynote speaker are limited. 402.559.4319.

—nescifest.com

HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS

April 5 at CHI Health Center, 455 N. 10th St. Trick shots, dunks, and unbelievable basketball skills are all on display for an event that the whole family can enjoy.

Tickets: $26-$111. 3 p.m. 402.341.1500.

—chihealthcenteromaha.com

2020 TASTES AND TREASURES

April 17 at Field Club of Omaha, 3615 Woolworth Ave. Th is event, sponsored by the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, features food and auctions to benefit the Salvation Army. Admission: $100. 6 p.m. 402.660.1680.

—centralusa.salvationarmy.org/omaha

EARTH DAY OMAHA

April 18 at Elmwood Park, 60th & Dodge streets.

Celebrate Mother Earth through science, education, music, food, and fun at this event, which features ecofriendly demonstrations on ways to better the Earth, health and wellness programs, and engaging activities for children. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission: free.

—earthdayomaha.org

SARPY COUNTY’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF EARTH DAY

April 26 at Bellevue University Campus, 1040 Bruin Blvd. Th is indoor event provides lots of family fun and education about saving the planet. Noon-4 p.m.

Admission: free. 402.880.7580.

—greenbellevue.org

Event times and details may change.

Visist omahamagazine.com for complete listings.

Check with venue or event organizer to confirm.

MARCH/APRIL 2020

// 17 //

// A+C MUSIC // STORY BY SEAN ROBINSON

NOT YOUR TYPICAL ROCK ’N’ ROLLERS B a c h M a i P u t s Lo v e a n d L i g h t I n t o Ly r i c s

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY MATT WIECZOREK MARCH/APRIL

// 18 //

2020

W

hat do more than 100—possibly tone-deaf, definitely buzzed—people jamming out with one of Omaha’s hottest up-and-coming bands at midtown’s O’Leaver’s Pub sound like?

Bach Mai is wrapping their latest set with their folky, whistle-laden anthem “Daybreak.”

They don’t just want the audience to sing along. No, participation is a priority here and screeching the compassionate chorus, “Cause there’s pain, there’s dark, there’s hate, there is heartache/But there’s love, there’s light, there’s hope, there is daybreak,” isn’t enough.

Instead, the crowd is asked to literally shake, shake, shake. Everyone is given maracas and other small percussive picks courtesy of the band. Bach Mai breaks into song, and 100 become one. It’s feelings first, musical talent second. For four minutes, all are a part of the band.

“Our songs and shows are definitely audience-driven,” said Molly Gaughan, lead guitarist. “Hearing the crowd singing along helps me express vulnerability through my playing. It’s knowing there’s someone else—everyone else maybe—who also feels this way.”

Bach Mai is a band that leads with its heart, from their stripped-down shows to the selfpenned lyrics woven into every song.

KISS they are not.

Founded in Omaha in 2012, the indie band mixes pop punk tropes with verses laminating mistakes, broken hearts, and feelings of hope and love. Bach Mai’s music is the pain of growing up given a voice. It’s feel-good music for a time where the world seems anything but good. It’s the emotion of four friends put to a beat.

“There’s a more thoughtful, internal feel behind our approach,” said Bach Mai, the lead singer and founder who, yes, the band itself is named after. “The lyrics can seem a bit emo, but then there’s also lots of calls to action to get people to sing and have a good time.”

Beyond Mai and Gaughan, the current members of the band include drummer Nick Wenner and bassist Logan Myers.

The band has played musical chairs a couple of times, with some members coming and going as careers and parenthood crop up. The one constant has been Mai.

// 20 //

MARCH/APRIL 2020

“It started with me. Whoever wanted to play with me, I kept around as long as I could,” Mai said.

Before recruiting bandmates, Mai played music alone. He wrote his first song during his freshman year of college at University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he studied from 2012 to 2017, earning degrees in music entrepreneurship and marketing as well as a minor in international business.

He met Gaughan and Myers in college and Wenner was a buddy he worked with during the Conspire Music and Arts Festival.

The band name acts as a symbol of this expansion, not as a stroke to the founder’s ego. Bach Mai is a Vietnamese name that means growing green tree. Just as the band started with only Mai before adding more members and growing with audience participation during each performance, a tree starts as a seedling that sprouts into something much bigger.

“I’ve been in several bands, but I didn’t get into one with longevity until Bach,” Gaughan says. “He listens, he collaborates.

It’s not just us playing what he wants us to.

We all get to have a touch on it.”

Before Gaughan or any of the other band members see a song, the process begins somewhere between 2 and 4 a.m. Mai does most of the preliminary songwriting from his own bed in the wee hours of the morning. He picks up a guitar and plays around with a chord progression until he starts saying gibberish. At some point, the gibberish becomes words.

For Mai, espousing gibberish is songwriting at its most raw and honest—it’s all about emotion, not logic.

“One of the most important goals for me is to write stuff that makes people feel what they need to feel, whether they are ready to or not,” Mai said. “I grew up very uncomfortable with emotions, and it led to an unhealthy lifestyle. Music allowed me to be a healthy person again.”

Once the skeleton of the song is formed, Mai brings it to the band. They then flesh it out together. Most of the words are still his, but this is when the melody and mood of the music takes shape.

“I’m not good at everything…like at all,” Mai said. “I really trust the people I collaborate with. It’s always proven to be more than worth it.”

// A+C MUSIC //

“One of the most important goals for me is to write stuff that makes people feel what they need to feel, whether they are ready to or not.” Bach Mai

From left: Molly Gaughan, Bach Mai, Nick Wenner, and Logan Myers

The band’s first album, We’re Gone…We Begin, was formed through this collaborative effort. Mai said he hopes the second album—which is wrapping up now for a late summer or fall 2020 release—will be stronger as members aren’t switching out.

Bach Mai also looks forward to touring more this year.

In 2019, they embarked on their first 10-day tour going south into Texas, but they want to expand towards the coasts.

In the meantime, they’re more than happy vibing with Omaha in venues such as The Waiting Room, Reverb Lounge, Slowdown, and Harney Street Tavern. They scored a spot in

the 2019 Maha Music Festival and hope to make it into the lineup again this year.

“Performing is a lot more than just trying to get yourself in front of as many people as possible,” Mai said. “There’s a real currency to live performances. The true uniqueness of your band shines when you’re in front of people.”

A band that brings their own bag of percussion instruments to pass out? It doesn’t get much more unique than that.

Visit bachmaimusic.com for more information.

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// A+C VISUAL // STORY BY SARAH WENGERT

The Art of the Gesture ARTIST MARY MURPHY FINDS INSPIRATION IN THE EVERYDAY PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY MATT WIECZOREK

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// A+C VISUAL //

M

ary Murphy is moving. She’s moving on—from the 1929 house on the tree-lined midtown street where she lived for 30 years and from her eight-year art studio home at the Mastercraft Building.

She’s also moving in—to a brand-new, lakeside home out west and to her new studio at Thrive Space in Waterloo, Nebraska.

“I’m very influenced by my environment and experiences,” said Murphy, acknowledging a curiosity in how this dual change of scenery might affect her ensuing artwork. “It will be interesting to see how I react in my work to being near farms and the big Nebraska sky unblocked by trees and buildings.”

Indeed, excavating the layers of Murphy’s work is a treat of unabashed colors, slightly off beat characters, ever-emerging supporting details, and an overall sense of movement. Her work is expressive, emotional, and encourages the eye to linger longer, finding new elements just before one might turn to look away.

Crucially, amidst all this motion and change, Murphy also persists in her skilled artistic gestures, continuing to build on a colorful, compelling body of work. Murphy, who works primarily as a painter, often incorporating mixed media, pairs an encyclopedic understanding of technical skill and art history with a deeply intuitive approach.

“I merge representationalism and abstraction in a very expressionistic way. My work is about drama and escapism; my people are beautiful, but with an edge,” she said. “There’s always a main character in my work, but what’s surrounding it is just as important because it keeps your eye moving. I want viewers to want to come back to it often to find different nuances. I like ambiguity and distortions—I find them more interesting to look at.”

Speaking of movement, Murphy finds “the gesture” absolutely central to art.

“Who was the artist who said, ‘Art is all about the gesture?’ It’s all in the way you move your hand, in the gesture you make,” she said.

That artist was John Marin, who said, “Art is just a series of natural gestures.”

Murphy takes this concept to heart in her work, as she creates mini worlds for the viewer to inhabit and explore, carefully considering where the eye might move and what the viewer will uncover.

“It’s almost like an archaeological dig,” she said. “I want the viewer to be an archaeologist in finding buried treasures within my work.”

While Murphy does consider her audience’s journey, she works entirely for herself, more out of need than choice. She’s even asked herself if art is still where she wants to invest her time, continuing to spend days alone in her studio.

“The answer is ‘yes,’ because I didn’t choose art, it chose me,” she said. “I think painting is like writing a poem rather than a biography because when you start it you’re not sure how it’s going to end. As an artist, I know when it’s done. It’s a good feeling because a painting has a life that’s inevitable and once I feel that a piece is inevitable I can stop working on it.”

Murphy, who’s enamored with art history, has taught art at every level from elementary to university. She began her own art education with an encyclopedia that featured panting. As a little girl, she was so fascinated she’d take the volume to bed with her so she could marvel just a bit longer at the incredible artistry.

“At that point, I hadn’t been to a museum yet and was stunned at how painters could use just the viscosity of oil paint and make these beautiful pictures that were 2D but looked 3D,” Murphy recalled. “I just thought it was the most amazing, inspiring thing in the whole world. I suppose it would be like a dancer seeing the ballet for the first time or a musician hearing Mozart for the first time.”

Murphy’s father made art as a hobby and together they’d draw and paint, later taking classes at Joslyn Art Museum where Murphy is now a docent. As a child, she would illustrate her book reports, which the nuns at her Catholic grade school put the kibosh on because, they said at the time, “Girls don’t paint.”

When Murphy’s layperson sixth-grade teacher, Mrs. Hupp, actually encouraged her as an artist—entering Murphy’s work in a contest, which she went on to win—it meant a lot to the budding talent and she made up her mind to forge a career in art.

Murphy, in turn, has inspired countless other artists while working as an art educator and serving as a mentor.

“I think a solid background in art history really helps artists grow into their own work,” she said.

“LIFE AND WORK ARE NOT SO SEPARATE. I SEE AN IMAGE IN A NEWSPAPER OR MAGAZINE THAT ATTRACTS ME AND I KNOW I CAN TRANSFORM AND REINVENT IT INTO A PAINTING.” // 24 //

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Former student and family friend Jennifer Reed-Bouley, Ph.D., and director of the theology program at St. Margaret Mary (where Murphy was her art teacher) said in an email she appreciates others’ talent and perseverance, a trait she shares with her mother.

Murphy was a close friend of ReedBouley’s mother, Ivel Reed, who passed away in December 2015. She said when their family moved to Omaha in 1981, Murphy and her mother worked together to decorate the family’s home.

“Mary created beautiful and large pieces of art for our family room, living room, and other areas of the house,” she said.

“Our family cherishes those pieces. When I look at them even today, I value the ways in which the colors, shapes, and movement in the pieces remind me of my mom’s capacity to perceive vivid beauty and joy in art and in life.”

Murphy said she takes inspiration from creators in various genres of art, including poetry and music (she paints to everything from classical to Metallica).

She interprets the entirety of the world around her. Her work is a mosaic of pop culture, news, film, people she encounters, and other common stimuli.

“I structure my paintings and drawings in layers, formed by successive mark-making, to create a new description of my environment—be it nature, pop culture, film, poetry—and then I try to get my eye and hand in sync. Action and reaction. Image, process, gesture, mark, and meaning,” she said. It’s as if she grinds the coffee beans of daily life, then brews them into a pot of brilliant paintings, her artistic eye reflecting the world back onto itself. “Life and work are not so separate.

I see an image in a newspaper or magazine that attracts me and I know I can transform and reinvent it into a painting.”

Murphy loves pop culture, from high brow to low brow, The New Yorker to reality TV divas.

“It really runs the gamut, but from these various human stories that I encounter every day, I collage everything that interests my eye,” she said. “I guess if I wasn’t so visual and intuitive, I couldn’t make the imagery I make. It would probably be more minimal, but my work is very maximalist, very baroque.”

As Murphy nests in her new studio, which she moved to in December 2019, she notes the good energy of the space—and there’s one really cool, full-circle reason why it must feel so good there to this former art educator. Like the Mastercraft, Thrive Space is a repurposed building. In its former life, it was DC West Middle School, and Murphy’s new studio was once the art room.

Visit marymurphystudio.com for more information.

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“Some of the biggest bands would be on (David) Letterman the day before, and then they’d play the Ranch Bowl the night after.”

-Jeff VanRoy

Keith Fertwagner

e c a l p w e loved

The

Documentary Remembers A+C FILM // STORY BY SEAN McCARTHY // PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED // DESIGN BY DEREK JOY

R

EGARDLESS OF WHAT

Homer Simpson famously said, rock ’n’ roll did not achieve perfection in 1974.

And despite what that graying Gen-Xer aunt may believe, rock didn’t reach its zenith in 1991 with the release of Nirvana’s Nevermind, My Bloody Valentine’s Loveless, and Pavement’s Slanted and Enchanted.

Truth be told, each decade produces its equal ratio of masterpieces (a handful, maybe 50-100), and a mountain of forgettable stuff. Every Green Day’s Dookie came with a slew of Reel Big Fish’s Turn Th e Radio Off. Every Pearl Jam’s Ten came out at the same time as dozens of Cold’s A Diff erent Kind of Pain. But even those “lesser” records were likely the life soundtrack of a diehard fan who was lucky enough to see them play live.

The Ranch Bowl hosted all of the above-mentioned bands at some point in time. And except for those who believe in a Poltergeist-style existence where the spirit of the departed haunts the current space occupants of today (in this case,

“The bowling alley paid the bills, the music was the gravy.”

-LarryGood the Walmart near 72nd and Hickory streets), the Ranch Bowl is but a beloved memory to many who came of age in the ’80s, ’90s, and early aughts—but two documentarians are hoping to change that.

Austin Anderson (of Workaholics and America’s Got Talent fame) and Jeff VanRoy (owner of Dundee Digital) spent the better part of 2019 interviewing bands, parsing through grainy live footage, and openly soliciting for any fan stories, photos, and videos about the Ranch Bowl. Their goal is to make a documentary about the storied live venue and its owner, Matt Markel, who died in 2014 from antiphospholipid syndrome, a rare autoimmune disease.

Markel and his friend and business partner, Larry Good, purchased the Ranch Bowl in 1978. The two phased out the restaurant that was part of the bowling alley and began to incorporate live music.

Good handled the accounting portion and oversaw the bowling alley, leaving Markel to handle music operations. He sold his share of the Ranch Bowl to Markel in 1987.

“The bowling alley paid the bills, the music was the gravy,” Good said in a phone interview.

Markel started the music performances by adding a country-western band once a week. Then, over three separate decades, he began to add rock, jazz, blues, and ska. Those who caught Pearl Jam, Green Day, or Red Hot Chili Peppers at the Ranch Bowl still wear that distinction with pride.

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// A+C FILM //

“Some of the biggest bands would be on (David) Letterman the day before, and then they’d play the Ranch Bowl the night after,” VanRoy said.

He added that they currently have more than 40 interviews for the documentary, but they’re still craving content.

The whole project began last February when Anderson hosted a podcast with Jeff Degan, a morning host on channel 94.1 (KQCH). Degan previously worked at 93.3 K-ROCK, the radio station that operated inside the Ranch Bowl. During the podcast, Degan and Anderson began swapping stories about the venue.

Soon after the podcast, VanRoy reached out to Anderson (the two are lifelong friends) and asked if he wanted to do a movie about the Ranch Bowl. They put up a website, which encourages visitors to submit their photos, videos, or stories.

VanRoy and Anderson were frequent patrons, but neither knew Markel closely.

VanRoy’s most memorable concert at the venue was seeing Less Than Jake (he won tickets from a radio station). Anderson also won tickets on the radio to his most memorable Ranch Bowl show: Vanilla Ice (during his nu-metal phase). It was Anderson’s first concert without having his parents chaperone (his cousin took him).

“It left a big imprint,” Anderson said of the show.

As of January, VanRoy and Anderson had interviewed members of 311 and Blue October, as well as Markel’s widow, Dana. Anderson said he wants to assemble more interviews in early 2020 when the touring season winds down for many bands. He’s hoping to use his connections from Workaholics to interview Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers.

“I have faith as long as he [Flea] remembers playing there, we’ll be able to get that interview,” Anderson said.

Continuing the interviews through the spring has pushed back the fi lm’s release date. Anderson originally wanted to unveil the movie at the 2020 Omaha Film Festival. At this point, the release date is sometime in 2021.

While the majority of Ranch Bowl’s lore comes from the live shows, the bowling alley is an integral part of the venue’s storied past. Anderson said the alley provided bands some relief from being cooped up in a tour bus or in a hotel.

One of Anderson’s friends told him about a time when he spent hours bowling with two “normal dudes.” His friend was // 28 //

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unknowingly bowling with the notorious clown-makeup-wearing Insane Clown Posse. The two, sans clown paint, politely excused themselves and said they had to get ready for a show.

“And then they transformed into the clowns and sprayed Faygo all over everyone,” Anderson said. “Th at’s the kind of place the Ranch Bowl was.”

In addition to housing a bowling alley, a radio station, and music venue, the Ranch Bowl was also home to Markel’s office. The office was a reflection of his personality, Dana Markel said in a phone interview from Overland Park, Kansas.

Like Markel, his office was guarded (you had to go through two locked doors to get there). It was also piled with stacks of CDs, mostly promotional copies from up-and-coming bands, and piles of contracts. But Matt had a system, Dana said.

“There were booking contracts all over the place, but he knew which pile had which booking contract,” she said. “He went a hundred miles an hour all the time.”

While the majority of Ranch Bowl acts reflected the grunge and nu-metal trends of the ’90s and early ’00s, Markel also booked acts that appealed to his own musical interests. Blues greats B.B. King and Buddy Guy played there. Dana said her husband’s approachability helped him make friends in agency circles on both coasts.

“Matt was an introvert who did not do drugs or drink. But in the Ranch Bowl, he just loved being around the people,” she said.

Markel’s declining health led him to sell the Ranch Bowl in the early 2000s.

Dana said within one year, he went from doctors telling him he had the heart of a 25-year-old (when he was 36) to needing emergency heart bypass surgery. Dana said she’s looking forward to seeing the fi nished documentary, even though fi lming it was tough.

“It was a difficult interview because I miss him a lot, but I’m also very proud and amazed by what he was able to accomplish with sheer willpower and drive and creativity.”

If you have photos, videos, or stories to submit about the Ranch Bowl, visit ranchbowlfilm.com.

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY MATT WIECZOREK

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A+C PERFORMANCE // STORY BY HOUSTON WILTSEY

hooked focused on theater

on change

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// A+C PERFORMANCE //

She may be 20, but Omaha native Nadia Ra’Shaun Williams has a resume to rival any actor in the metro.

B

eing a child actor is difficult. Not only do they have to remember dialogue that is years above what they’d be reading in school, they have to do it while convincingly inhabiting a character. They have to hit their marks, take direction, and keep pace with the adults in the room.

Berry said she’s not the only one who feels this way. “She has a lot of support behind her—so many people in Omaha, and nationally, that believe in her and support her and want to be a part of her journey.

They’re invested in her success,” she said. “And she’s young—so there’s so much to learn and so many ways to grow.”

That’s why it’s all the more impressive that Nadia Ra’Shaun Williams wasn’t just acting as a child, she was already figuring out how to direct.

Williams eventually returned to school, enrolling in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film, where she is currently majoring in theater performance. “I fell in love with my peers [from the university] working on Hair and it convinced me to return to school and finish my degree,” she said.

“Everything fell into place at the right time.”

“My mother, TammyRa’, is an actress here in Omaha,” the 20-yearold said. “When I was younger I’d sit through her rehearsals, memorizing everyone’s lines and blocking scenes—getting a feel for where people needed to be. I did my first play a couple of years later when I was either eight or nine, and I was hooked.” Fortunately, she already had an in.

“For the first five years of my acting career, I always played my mother’s daughter in every show,” Williams said. It gave her the chance to practice her craft in a comfortable situation alongside her biggest inspiration.

“I loved watching my mom do her thing on stage, but [when] I went to Omaha Burke and joined Emily Mokrycki’s drama club in the ninth grade, something changed,” “IT WAS THE Williams said. “In my 10th-grade year, we did a collaboration show with Tony Schik NIGHT THAT I and his students at Beveridge Middle The show, Show-n-Tell, was LEARNED THAT School. about remembering the victims of school THEATRE CAN shootings. The night we performed it at Nebraska Thespian Festival was sort of CHANGE LIVES, the a golden moment for me. It was the night that I learned that theater can change lives, AND ON THE and on the bus ride home I decided that I BUS RIDE HOME wanted to be a professional actress.”

I DECIDED THAT I WANTED TO BE A PROFESSIONAL ACTRESS.” -Nadia Ra’Shaun Williams

She threw herself into getting experience in every way possible. In 2017, she graduated from Burke High School to attend Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. After spending a year in their acting program, Williams returned home due to some personal trauma. She took a year off from school and worked professionally as an actress. She earned her Equity Membership Candidate card for acting before earning roles in Beaufield Berry’s play The Upper Room at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts’ Colorado New Play Summit and Hair at Nebraska Repertory Theatre, as well as finding work at The Union for Contemporary Art, The Rose Theater, and The Broadway Dreams Showcase in New York City.

Casting Williams was an easy decision for Berry. “Nadia is a shining light,” she said. “The moment I saw her onstage, I wanted to book her, work with her and promote her immediately. Behind the scenes, she’s emotionally available, serious, dedicated, professional, and open. Onstage she’s raw and focused.” // 32 //

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Williams has also been gaining experience outside the classroom by working as a performance intern for Broadway Dreams, a program founded in 2006 by casting executive Annette Tanner that empowers aspiring young artists through performing arts training, with a focus on the acting, voice, and dance disciplines.

“As a performance intern, you are practically working at the Broadway level,” Williams said. “We travel from city to city, a new city every week. On day one you audition for your directors and the very next day you’re in rehearsals for the showcase that happens at the end of the week.”

Besides touring the country singing and dancing, they are learning new music and choreography every day. All this while performing typical intern tasks such as getting coffee, assisting in classes, taking lunch orders.

“It’s a whirlwind experience,” she continued. “Being on tour and doing what I love is great.”

She has also continuously found roles that she feels inspired by, starring in Dragons Love Tacos and The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, both of which were directed by Omahan Denise Chapman.

“Dragons Love Tacos is purely about stimulating a child’s imagination.

It is full of pure joy and love and energy,” Williams said. “The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin tells the story of the life I have led.

Not just me, but every little black girl who has slipped on a ballet shoe.”

Currently, Williams is preparing for her role as Caska in a University of Nebraska-Lincoln presentation of Julius Ceasar. However, her most important role might be coming off the stage.

“I am in the process of founding a Diversity and Inclusion Committee for the Johnny Carson School,” she said. “We saw a need to increase diversity and inclusion all around. Some students have never worked with a theater practitioner, professor, or director of color and that needs to change. We want to provide a safe space for every student that walks through the doors of the Johnny Carson School.”

Williams wants to give everyone in the program a leg up by putting them in the ideal environment to succeed, much like she had when she walked on to the set with her mother all those years ago.

Visit nadiarashaun.com for more information.

OBVIOUSLY OMAHA // STORY BY CHRIS HATCH // PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTED // DESIGN BY MATT WIECZOREK

The Madness Approaches

01

EIGHT PLACES TO WATCH MARCH MADNESS IN OMAHA Seating matters.

Sports are best enjoyed in a spot where people feel fully comfortable—whether in a relaxed, lump-cushioned couch in the back corner of dad’s basement, strategically located near the beer fridge, or in a glitzy courtside seat next to Leo DiCaprio close enough to heckle LeBron.

02

There are few greater days for sitting down each year than those precious three weeks that tick past from the end of March until the beginning of April. March Madness is, indeed, a special time of year and it is once again coming to Omaha.

Since sports lovers are going to need a spot to sit, and since it does matter, here are eight places to watch March Madness in Omaha this year. Like Cinderella picks, these may not be the first places Omahans think of to watch a game, but they all offer a great experience.

01. OSCAR’S PIZZA & SPORTS GRILLE 17330 LAKESIDE HILLS PLAZA OMAHA, NE 68130 OSCARSPIZZAANDSPORTSGRILLE.COM The first thing people notice when entering this spacious locale is the jerseys hanging above the bar. Equal parts Huskers (See: Ndamukong Suh) and Creighton, this is a place that feels local. The space includes lots of TVs—walls and walls of TVs. A patchwork quilt of high-def and three projectors make this a corneal cornucopia of sports. Grab a slice, grab a seat.

02. THE GOOD LIFE SPORTS BAR & GRILL 1203 S. 180TH ST., OMAHA, NE 68130 THEGOODLIFEOMAHA.COM The Good Life has a few locations in the area, but this one stands out. With a great courtyard space—if the weather cooperates—and a unique two-building layout connecting this spot to The GL Lounge, there’s tons of room and a vibrant, buzzing atmosphere that has patrons wanting to set up shop in one of their rolling chairs all afternoon.

03. TIGER TOM’S PUB 7103 MILITARY AVE., OMAHA, NE 68104 @TIGERTOMSSPORTSPUB ON FACEBOOK Much smaller than the previous selections, this hidden gem is tucked away on a quiet side street in Benson. With great bar food, an old popcorn machine near the door, and low-hung ceilings, Tiger Tom’s feels like a small-town high school gym. That makes it a perfect place for b-ball lovers to catch some games. Weather permitting, there’s an outdoor TV/courtyard for those who need some fresh March air.

04. THE SESSION ROOM 812 N. 14TH ST., OMAHA, NE 68102 SESSIONROOMOMAHA.COM Sleek and perfectly located near the action at the stadium, The Session Room is a perfect place to grab a local craft beer and cheer with a mouth full of hand-battered cheese curds. Adorned with Creighton blue outside and a fresh design inside, this is a place where the food is just as good as the HD on their 12 giant TVs.

03

04

05. THE SPORTS HALL 3852 FARNAM ST., OMAHA, NE 68131 THESPORTSHALL.COM The newest sports bar on the list, The Sports Hall is different in atmosphere and size from the others. It’s more laid-back. More chill. But no less equipped to make a daydrinking sports fan’s experience memorable.

Game-watchers can grab a drink from their whip-smart bartenders and play some indoor washers between games while waiting for a pizza to be delivered from the next-door restaurant.

05

06. ICEHOUSE SPORTS BAR 10920 EMMET ST., OMAHA, NE 68164 ICEHOUSEOMAHA.COM Among the myriad new sports bars that pop up in Omaha, Icehouse remains a staple for many. It has nearly 360 degrees of televisions, a wide range of on-tap drinks, and is a place where audience participation is encouraged.

This is the place to be for buzzer beaters, upsets, and toasts to Cinderellas.

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN // DESIGN BY MATT WIECZOREK

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DINING REVIEW // STORY BY NIZ PROSKOCIL

Craving CajUn WEST OMAHA RESTAURANT ACADIAN GRILLE OFFERS CAJUN CUISINE DONE RIGHT. MARCH/APRIL 2020

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// DINING REVIEW //

O

maha lost two of its Cajun dining options in recent months when restaurants Mouth of the South and Jazz: A Louisiana Kitchen closed their doors. But there are still a few local places diners can go when the need for gumbo, jambalaya, and crawfish étouffée strikes.

Tucked in Miracle Hills Plaza at 114th Street and West Dodge Road, Acadian Grille is a cozy Cajun-style spot serving from-scratch cooking that’s worth seeking out. Owner Dan O’Brien opened the restaurant in summer 2018. He launched a second location last fall in the former Kith & Kin space in the Dundee neighborhood. The menu is similar, with the addition of a few new items.

On a December visit to the original west Omaha location, the kitchen turned out some tasty interpretations of Cajun and Southern specialties made with care.

If there’s a problem at Acadian Grille, it’s deciding what to order. The menu is packed with a wide variety of tempting Louisiana favorites.

The crab cake appetizer provided a delicious start. Served two to an order, the hefty cakes embody both soft and crispy textures. They’re full of crab meat, held together with just enough filler, studded with peppers, and drizzled with a housemade Creole sauce spiked with mustard. A colorful salad served with the crab cakes featured spinach, red cabbage, julienned carrot, and shaved Brussels sprouts tossed in a creamy mango dressing. Although we liked the sweet and tangy dressing, there was so much of it that it overpowered the other ingredients.

There’s nothing to complain about with Acadian Grille’s take on gumbo. Bitesize pieces of tender dark-meat chicken, andouille sausage, and peppers mingle with fluffy white rice in a deeply savory broth. The thick stew-like soup is highly seasoned but not too spicy. A hunk of French bread, lightly toasted and buttered, accompanied the dish—perfect for sopping up every last bit.

The restaurant’s red beans and rice comes with andouille sausage links, peppers, white rice, and red kidney beans cooked until creamy and tender. The dish is smoky, slightly spicy, and totally comforting.

Just as good is a plate of shrimp and grits: a heap of thick, creamy grits topped with perfectly cooked shrimp. Bell peppers, onion, and cubes of tasso—a smoked seasoned ham—round out the satisfying entrée. >

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// DINING REVIEW // We also liked the shrimp po’ boy, available with a choice of blackened or fried shrimp. The latter version featured large, lightly breaded shrimp on crusty French bread with a warm, soft interior.

Red onion, sliced tomato, and lettuce added a cool, crunchy element, while a drizzle of creamy remoulade brought a subtle spicy kick.

Catfish po’ boys also are available. Both sandwiches come with a choice of side dishes, ranging from collard greens and dirty rice to cornbread and coleslaw. Soups, salads, and burgers are on the menu as well, and there are meatless options for vegetarian and vegan customers.

Acadian Grille’s take on mac and cheese is a major upgrade from the stuff in a box.

It’s prepared with cavatappi (corkscrew pasta) covered in a rich, creamy goudabased sauce. It’s available as a side or an entree, complete with tasso.

There’s a decent selection of beer, a few cocktails, plus red and white wine available by the glass and by the bottle. The beer list includes domestic staples Coors Light and Miller Lite, along with a selection of IPAs, stouts, and beers from Louisiana craft brewery Abita.

The restaurant, which has an openkitchen design, is small but not cramped.

The atmosphere is casual with simple wood-top tables, concrete floors, and bluesy rock music pulsing out of the speakers. A wall mural depicts a map of the Louisiana bayou region and essential ingredients of Cajun and Creole cooking. Service during our dinner visit was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable.

For dessert, we couldn’t pass up the bananas Foster, a New Orleans classic. Big enough for two or three people to share, the decadent treat featured bananas sliced in half lengthwise, coated in a buttery, cinnamony sauce infused with banana liqueur and rum. Vanilla ice cream melted into the sweet, boozy goodness. We loved the contrast between the cold scoops of ice cream and the warm, sticky sauce.

If you want to eat good gumbo in Louisiana, it’s 1,000 miles to get there from Omaha. Or you can just go to Acadian Grille—it’s hard to go wrong with their Cajun culinary creations.

Visit acadiangrille.com for more information.

ACADIAN GRILLE 725 N. 114TH ST. | 402.933.0980 FOOD SERVICE AMBIANCE PRICE OVERALL

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$$ 5 STARS POSSIBLE

The blackened po’ boy comes in shrimp or chicken, and is with drizzled with remoulade and agave nectar. Another specialty is their gouda mac and cheese.

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- DINING FEATURE // STORY BY TIM TRUDELL ­­­­—————————————————————————————————————————————

f o t r a The He

n a m o a W eart of BecameeitghhebH d o o h r o aN

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN // DESIGN BY MATT WIECZOREK

MARCH/APRIL

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- DINING FEATURE -

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SHLEY GOMEZ RECALLS PLAYING IN THE BASEMENT AT HER GRANDMA’S RESTAURANT. SOME OF THE GRANDCHILDREN WOULD LEARN DANCES DOWN THERE. THEN GRANDMA WOULD BRING THEM UP TO THE RESTAURANT TO PERFORM FOR DINERS. SUCH WAS LIFE AT MALARA’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT. KNOWN FOR ITS COMFORT FOOD FEATURING HANDMADE PASTA, THE SOUTH OMAHA SPOT IS A TRUE FAMILY ENDEAVOR. FROM FOUNDER CATERINA MALARA TO HER DAUGHTERS TO GRANDDAUGHTER GOMEZ, MALARA’S IS COMPLETELY WOMEN-OWNED.

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But everyone involved with the restaurant, from employees to diners, is considered a member of the family, regardless if they’re a Malara or not. Some employees have been with the 35-year-old restaurant for more than 20 years.

Caterina was 32 when her husband, Luigi, died in a work-related accident. A $6,000 insurance settlement was enough to buy a house. Speaking little English when they arrived in the United States in 1963, Caterina didn’t envision a life without her husband when they settled in Omaha. However, after the accident in 1967, she realized she needed to find a way to support her four daughters, each under the age of 12.

So, she used her hand-cranked pasta maker to create ravioli, which she sold out of the house. Caterina also sold ravioli and sausage at Omaha-area festivals.

While she enjoyed a successful business out of her home for a few years, a Douglas County health inspector eventually visited. She was told she couldn’t sell the food out of her basement. Rotella’s Bakery offered her a spot to work out of at its small factory near 20th and Pierce streets. The opportunity to rent a space at the bakery seemed like a gift from heaven.

It marked the beginning of the Italian restaurant.

“We sold food out of a window,” she said. “No tables.

No place to sit. It was all carryout.”

By then, one of her daughters had grown and married.

One day, her son-in-law brought some tables and set them up, offering customers an opportunity for sidewalk dining.

In the late 1980s, the Rotellas decided to build a new, larger bakery in La Vista. Louie Rotella told her they were going to sell the building and wanted to offer Caterina first chance at buying. They were asking $35,000, but for Caterina, it could have been $1 million. She didn’t know where she was going to get the money. Fearful that she would lose her business, // 98 //

MARCH/APRIL 2020

family friend Andy Pearson offered to buy the building for her, allowing her to repay the loan on her own schedule. Caterina considered herself blessed.

“Everyone was willing to take a chance on us,” she said.

As time passed, Malara’s Restaurant took over the three main bays of the building. The bar, in the front of the restaurant, holds a special place in Caterina’s heart, as she can point to where the window was when they sold ravioli and sandwiches. In the middle is the main dining area, with a capacity of about 150 customers. The third space is large enough for parties. And that’s the room where you’ll find photographs of Caterina’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren hanging on the wall.

Longtime regular Mary Lou Riley and her family have been going to Malara's for dinner for more than 10 years. Riley, who is of Italian descent, said it's difficult to enjoy Italian dishes at restaurants when you grew up with a mother who made delicious authentic dinners. But, that was before Malara's, she added, where the staff treats customers like family.

SPEAKING LITTLE ENGLISH WHEN THEY ARRIVED IN THE UNITED STATES IN 1963, CATERINA DIDN’T ENVISION A LIFE WITHOUT HER HUSBAND WHEN THEY SETTLED IN OMAHA. “If you go there more than once, they recognize you,” Riley said. “They don't even need to offer us a menu or ask us for our order. They know what we want.”

“They had playpens set up in the kitchen,” she said. “TVs were on so we could stay entertained.”

While not all of Caterina’s 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren are involved with the restaurant (yet), Gomez’s four children often help out by getting water and sodas for guests. So, the fourth generation of Malaras has become involved with the family-owned business.

Working with relatives can be challenging and a little stressful in any venture, but the restaurant industry is ripe with stress because of the nature of the business. They do their best to keep family and business separate.

“Life is too short,” Caterina said. “We have our arguments and disagreements. But, we’re family.”

Gomez wouldn’t have it any other way.

Her favorite dish is one her mother never made, pasta carbonara. “To go to Malara's and get something I didn't grow up with is one of the reasons we enjoy going there.”

“We have our good days and bad days,” she said. “When you work with family, it can be hard to separate it...but we make it work.”

Like the restaurant, the Rileys' love for Malara's has been passed down through their family. Their 8-year-old granddaughter, Leila Riley, already knows where to go for great Italian.

“I can count on my fingers how many times we’ve disagreed,” she said.

“She'll say 'Grandma, I want to go to my favorite restaurant that begins with an M,'” Riley said with a laugh.

Since the beginning, Caterina’s daughters have been involved with the restaurant, from helping her make ravioli at home to serving specific roles within the business.

Anna Ruzicka helps her mom in the kitchen, making pasta, as well as doing other kitchen-related work.

Maria Szablowski (Ashley’s mom) waits tables on the weekends. Gracie Benak, who lives part-time in Florida, assists her mom with managing health insurance and other business-related needs. Daughter Carmen passed away in 2010. She was married to Jim Rotella until her passing, and the Malaras continue to consider him a member of the family.

Gomez waits tables and manages the front of the restaurant. Her family lives in the apartment above, essentially spending 24 hours a day at Malara’s. But, her time with the restaurant dates back to infancy.

Ruzicka truly enjoys spending time with her mom in the kitchen.

Regardless of issues that may arise, it’s clear what matters.

“We get to see each other every day,” Ruzicka said.

The daughters have been after Caterina to write down her recipes. She finally relented, though it may be challenging to translate her cooking into recipes.

“I like to have a pinch of this and pinch of that,” she said.

But make no mistake, creating recipes has nothing to do with a changing of the guard.

“I have no plans to retire,” Caterina said.

Perhaps she’ll help train a fifth generation of Malara family employees.

Visit malarasitalianrestaurant.com for more information.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN // DESIGN BY MATT WIECZOREK

CHLOE TRAN’S BUSINESS SCHOOL

BÀNH BÀN H MÌ IN BELLEVUE (AND BEYOND) // 100 //

MARCH/APRIL 2020

CHEF PROFILE // STORY BY CARRIELLE SEDERSTEN

SOME SANDWICHES RISE ABOVE THE REST.

There’s the BLT, po’boys, lobster rolls, Philly cheesesteaks, the classic meatball sub, and the Reuben, an Omaha staple.

It’s well past time to nominate another tasty sandwich to the upper echelons of the sandwich world—the báhn mì.

Bánh mì is the Vietnamese word for bread. In Vietnam, it also means a specific type of sandwich, which is the Vietnamese take on a French baguette and charcuterie. It has a sweet and slightly tangy butter-mayonnaise layered with a pork and liver pate spread, barbecue pork, and cold cuts of pork sausage (cha, lua) that’s made by pounding pork until it turns pasty and then mixing it with fish paste and other seasonings, such as garlic and black pepper.

Next comes the fresh cucumber slices, shredded pickled daikon and carrots, fresh cilantro, and thinly sliced jalapeños—all laying on a pillow of Vietnamese baguette, which is airier and softer than a French baguette. It’s sweet. It’s savory.

It’s crunchy. It’s soft. It’s hot. It’s cold. It’s sour and, at times, spicy, hitting all the marks of a good culinary experience.

Chloe Tran, owner of The Bánh Mì Shop in Bellevue (and the second location in Aksarben), knows her way around a bánh mì well. She and her staff make almost everything in-house at The Bánh Mì Shop, including the Vietnamese baguettes, which are made fresh daily to ensure the texture and taste are just right.

“The bread is the riskiest part of opening this business because the baguette is the hardest part,” Tran said. “It's hard to make. It's very unpredictable...Even to this day, it takes a lot of experience just to get it right.”

It took Tran a few months of trial and error to perfect the bánh mì baguette recipe when she opened her business more than two years ago in November 2017. Tran has a long history of baking, starting around age 10, and is mostly selftaught. She cooked a lot with her family growing up in Vietnam, where most of her family still lives. >

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nd it was her family who came to Tran with the idea of opening a restaurant. Tran had just graduated from Metro with her associate’s degree and was planning on going back to school at the University of Nebraska at Omaha to get her bachelor’s in business administration—so she told them no.

“I thought it was crazy because I was still in school and I could not imagine running a business when I was that young,” she said. “But having dreamed of opening a business for so long, I was afraid the opportunity might not come again for a while.”

In a follow-up email, Tran said her fiancé (then-boyfriend) Aaron Thompson encouraged her to forge ahead. The couple had faced disapproval from friends and family due to their age gap (29 years), and he wanted to see her achieve her dream and be independent before they got married.

“There's a lot of people that know what her potential is,” Thompson said.

“Honestly, this hasn't even scratched the surface…She makes all kinds of food, and when she gets her hands into something, you're not disappointed.”

Eventually Tran decided to take the risk.

She took a year off school to set up the business. “Thinking back about it, it's still a pretty crazy idea,” Tran said.

She added that she was fortunate to have enough dedicated staff to cover most shifts and help her manage the business.

As any business owner knows, anything can go wrong throughout the day.

“Luckily, my great team would try their best to handle the situation before asking for my help, especially during my class time,” Tran said. There were a few occasions when she had to miss class, but fortunately her business professors were understanding.

Thanks to all the support and understanding, The Bánh Mì Shop is now thriving, having recently opened a second storefront in the Inner Rail Food Hall in Aksarben last fall.

The shop’s menu has close to 10 different bánh mì sandwiches, including the traditional bánh mì with cha, lua and Tran’s family pork pate recipe to peppery Vietnamese style shredded chicken

// 102 //

MARCH/APRIL 2020

Tran said when she first opened her restaurant, most people had no idea what a bánh mì was. “I think a lot of them came in to try it out of curiosity more than anything else. People were very supportive even when they didn't really know what to expect in the beginning.”

“I THINK A LOT For Tran, the most rewarding part of opening a restaurant is the opportunity people and promote her culture OF THEM CAME toandserve cuisine.

IN TO TRY IT OUT “We like to see people being served, especially military going in and out,” she said. people who come for a quick, healthy OF CURIOSITY “Or lunch instead of going for fast food because that's their only option. It's really satisfying to see them happy.”

MORE THAN Thompson said the Bellevue community ANYTHING loves and supports Tran. “They just appreciate that old Bellevue, small-town kind that she embraces and continues ELSE. PEOPLE ofto feel promote...That's the kind of person Chloe is,” he added.

WERE VERY While Americans eat bánh mìs for lunch and dinner, in Vietnam, it’s common to SUPPORTIVE eat them for breakfast or as a snack. In addition to the sandwiches, the shop serves an assortment of bubble milk teas EVEN WHEN such as strawberry, Thai tea, and taro; green and black teas that come with fresh THEY DIDN'T fruit, jelly, or aloe vera; Vietnamese iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk; an array of fruit smoothies in flavors REALLY KNOW ofandhoneydew, lychee, mango, and avocado.

WHAT TO Tran said she wants to grow The Bánh Mì Shop in Bellevue into a fast-casual restauand offer more of a dining experiEXPECT IN THE rant ence for her customers. Adding more locations might happen down the road, but for now, her goal is to better serve her BEGINNING.” customers with the restaurants she has. and grilled beef patties with sweet hoisin sauce to vegetarian options with crispy fried eggs or grilled tofu with a teriyaki glaze. The most popular menu item is the grilled pork bánh mì that’s marinated in lemongrass and fresh garlic.

“We use pork butt as the main cut, so it has a little fat and a little lean meat,” Tran said. “We marinate and char grill it. It sounds the most appealing out of the menu, especially for new people who've never heard of bánh mì before.”

Cooking is her biggest passion. “At some point, I realized that I can't really make a career out of anything better than cooking.”

Visit thebanhmis.com for more information.

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817 N. 40th St. - 402-551-2176

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PITCH - $$

5021 Underwood Ave. - 402.590.2625 An OpenTable’s Diners’ Choice for 2014 HotSpot Restaurant in America. Keeping up with the traditional way the first pizzas in Italy were made, our pizzas are cooked in a coal-fired oven. The menu also features seafood, hand-cut steak, housemade pastas, and burgers full of flavor. Our goal is to provide you with local, housemade, and imported ingredients. We offer a happy hour menu through the week. Our bar provides an array of in-house concoctions as well as your traditional libations. Our wine selection is well-thought-out and most impressive. You will enjoy Pitch. Monday 3 p.m.-10 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday 3-10 p.m. —pitchpizzeria.com

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3125 S. 72nd St. - 402.391.2950 Choose Spezia for lunch or dinner, where you’ll find a casual elegance that’s perfect for business guests, get-togethers, or any special occasion. Exceptional food, wine, and service, with a delectable menu: fresh seafood, certified Angus steaks, innovative pasta, risotto, gnocchi, cioppino, lamb, entrée salads, Mediterranean chicken, flatbreads, and fresh salmon daily. Enjoy a full bar, Italian and California wines, Anniversary/Lovers’ Booth (call to reserve), private dining rooms, and wood-fired grill. Open Monday-Sunday. Cocktail hour 4-6 p.m., when all cocktails, glasses of wine, and beers are half price. Evening reservations recommended.

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7555 Pacific St. - 402.339.8006.

380 N. 114th St. - 402.330.5707 Featuring Sonoran-style cooking made fresh daily. Catering and party rooms also available. Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday 4-9 p.m.

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JULIO’S - $

2820 S. 123rd Court - 402.330.2110

Locally owned since 1977, Julio’s prides themselves on serving the finest Tex-Mex cuisine and offering top-notch customer service. Our loyal customers are the reason we have been around for nearly 40 years. We have an extensive menu that has both classic and innovative dishes—giving everyone the opportunity to find something they love. Salivating for Southwestern fare? We have tacos, tostadas, a dozen different enchiladas, and classic fajitas. And, of course, nachos!

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Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.

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Omaha

DINING GUIDE

MARGARITA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT - $

4915 S. 72nd St. - 402.393.7515

Margarita’s is a business with more than seven years in the food world. We offer authentic Mexican food where you can enjoy a nice moment with your family.

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ROMEO’S MEXICAN FOOD AND PIZZA - $

90th and Blondo streets - 402.391.8870 146th St. and W. Center Road - 402.330.4160) 96th and L streets - 402.331.5656 Galvin and Avery roads, Bellevue - 402.292.2028 29th and Farnam streets - 402.346.1110 Romeo’s is your friendly, family Mexican food and pizza restaurant.We take real pride in serving our guests generous portions of the freshest, most flavorful dishes made with the finest ingredients available. Zesty seasonings and the freshest ingredients combine to ensure the ultimate in flavor. Our savory taco meat is prepared every morning at each location. Make sure to try our chimichangas; they’re the best in town.

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xican Dining Me

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$

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$

an Dining Itali

Serving Lunch & Dinner Mon-Sat 3001 S. 32nd Ave / Omaha, NE 402.345.5656

www.romeosOMAHA.com

$= 1-10 • $$= 10-20 • $$$= 20-30 • $$$$= 30+ $

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Located in Benson, Bärchen is a modern American beer garden and beer hall influenced by German communal drinking culture.

Indoor seating for approximately 125 people and outdoor seating in our beer garden for approximately 125-150 people. The laid-back atmosphere pairs well with our 30 rotating taps, international beer list, unique sausage & sandwich menu, and locally made pretzels. We are family and dog friendly—all are welcome. Hours: Tues-Thurs 3 p.m.-11 p.m.; Fri & Sat 11 a.m.-1 a.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-10 p.m. For more information or to host an event, please email gm@barchenbeer.com —barchenbeer.com

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5021 Underwood Ave. Omaha, NE 402-590-2625

17808 Burke St. Omaha, NE 402-289-4096

6350 E. Thomas RD. Scottsdale, AZ 480-272-7500

Omaha

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• Serving Burgers, Beers, Salads, Cocktails & Sunday Brunch

BRUSHI BISTRO+BAR - $$

721 N. 132nd St. - 402.884.6878 402.502.9902 6209 MAPLE ST. • BENSON GM@BARCHENBEER.COM BARCHEN BEER.COM

Swiss-trained chef Paul Braunschweiler combines the best of Europe’s epicurean delights with an American flair. Brushi’s casual and open atmosphere combine to create a true bistro experience. Fresh ingredients highlight the menu. Happy Hours and nightly specials. Private dining available. Patio seating weather permitting.

—brushiomaha.com

BEER GARDEN & BEER HALL

CRESCENT MOON ALE HOUSE - $

3578 Farnam St. - 402.345.1708 Founded in 1996, we’ve grown into Beer Corner USA with the additions of The Huber Haus German Beer Hall, Max and Joe’s Belgian Beer Tavern, and Beertopia—Omaha’s Ultimate Beer Store. With more than 60 beers on tap and Omaha’s best Reuben sandwich, we are a Midtown beer-lover’s destination. Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Kitchen hours: Monday-Wednesday 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Thursday-Saturday 11 a.m.-midnight.

Closed Sunday. —beercornerusa.com

FIRST WATCH - $

1222 S. 71st St. - 402.932.5691 2855 S. 168th St. - 402.330.3444 3605 N. 147th St. - 402.965.3444 304 Olson Drive., Papillion - 402.965.3444 2015 Pratt Ave., Bellevue - 402.991.3448

Seafood - Mexican - Sushi

5101 S 36 th St, Omaha, NE 68107 - 402-213-5723 - Daily Food & Drink Specials

We begin each morning at the crack of dawn, slicing fresh fruits and vegetables, baking muffins, and whipping up our French toast batter from scratch. Everything is made to-order here at First Watch.

We use only the finest ingredients possible for the freshest taste around.

—firstwatch.com

STEAKS • CHOPS • SEAFOOD ITALIAN SPECIALTIES 7 private party rooms Seating up to 400 Lots of parking

1620 S. 10th Street

402-345-8313

www.casciossteakhouse.com

DINING GUIDE LEGEND

$=$1-10 • $$=$10-20 • $$$=$20-30 • $$$$=$30+

MARCH/APRIL 2020

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Omaha

DINING GUIDE GREEK ISLANDS - $

3821 Center St. - 402.346.1528 Greek cuisine with specials every day at reasonable prices. We are well-known for our gyro sandwiches and salads. We cater and can accommodate a party for 65 guests.

Carry-out and delivery available. MondayThursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.- 7 p.m.

—greekislandsomaha.com

J.COCO - $$$

5203 Leavenworth St. - 402.884.2626

Open for Happy Hour 4-7pm Daily Dining Room Opens at 5pm Daily Private Dining Room Available all day

140 Regency Parkway Omaha, NE 68134 FlemingsSteakhouse.com/Omaha 402.393.0811

The building that once housed a beloved neighborhood grocery has a new future.

Built as a grocery back in 1925, it is now home to J. Coco. Our seasonal menus, rooted in tradition, showcase our natural ingredients. Local, organic, and sustainable when available. We feature craft bartending, housemade desserts, and pastas. We celebrate the traditional with a modern twist. Lunch: Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Dinner: Monday-Saturday 5 p.m.-close.

—jcocoomaha.com

TAJ KABOB AND CURRY - $ 654 N. 114th St. 402.933.1445 / 402.238.4317

Taj of Omaha shares its love of traditional Indian cuisine with friends and family in the Omaha area. The owners invite you to come enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and new menu. Taj offers both lunch and dinner specials, delivery and catering services, and a free party room.

—tajofomaha.com

STEAKHOUSES CASCIO’S - $$

1620 S. 10th St. - 402-345-8313 Cascio’s is Omaha’s No. 1 steakhouse. We have been serving Omaha for 69 years. We feature steaks, chops, seafood, and Italian specialties. We have seven private party rooms, seating for up to 400 people, and plenty of parking. —casciossteakhouse.com

THE DROVER RESTAURANT & LOUNGE - $$$ 2121 S. 73rd St. - 402-391-7440

KOREA GARDEN AUTHENTIC ASIAN CUISINE AND SUSHI - $$ 5352 S. 72nd St. - 402.505.4089

Lunch specials served Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-2 p.m., featuring signature Korean dishes like bulgogi, doenjang jjigae, and grilled mackerel. Menu includes appetizers, traditional specialties, rice, noodles, soup, and beverages. —koreangardenomaha.com

Famous for the original Whiskey Steak.

Truly a one-of-a-kind Midwestern experience. Excellent food, wine, service, and value. Rare...and very well done. Lunch Monday­- Friday 11 a.m.-2 p.m., cocktail hour 3-6 p.m., dinner nightly 5 p.m.

—droverrestaurant.com

FLEMING’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE - $$$$

140 Regency Parkway - 402.393.0811

PARADISE BAKERY - $

17305 Davenport St. - 402.934.5757 120 Regency Parkway - 402.991.3000 Paradise Bakery offers freshly prepared baked goods made from scratch every morning with the finest ingredients available. Offering a variety of meals including soups, salads, and sandwiches. Our associates are extremely proud of the reputation Paradise has earned for providing exceptional service and producing the finestquality products. —paradisebakery.com

At Fleming’s, a steak is never just a steak.

It’s the culmination of a meticulous process of selection, preparation, and service that ensures it reaches your table at its very best. We obsess over every detail so that you’ll savor every bite. This is why we offer the finest USDA Prime beef, available both wet- and dry-aged and broiled at 1,600 degrees or iron-crusted. You can elevate your selection even more with our indulgent steak companions, including truffle-poached lobster, diablo shrimp, and lump crabmeat. Each dish is crafted from scratch by our culinary team and served by our skillful staff. Reservations recommended. —flemingssteakhouse.com

DINING GUIDE LEGEND

$=$1-10 • $$=$10-20 • $$$=$20-30 • $$$$=$30+

// 110 //

MARCH/APRIL 2020

n Sandwi ube ch Re

Try Omaha’s Favorite Reuben!

Omaha’s largest selection of craft beers.

3578 Farnam St • 402-345-1708 www.beercornerusa.com Prime Rib

633 Old Lincoln Hwy, Crescent, IA 51526

712.545.3744 | pinkpoodlesteakhouse.com

ek Dining Gre

Greek Islands Restaurant Omaha, NE

Family Owned Since 1983 CATERING / PARTY ROOM AVAILABLE HOMEMADE, FRESH FOOD, ALWAYS.

Food Features • Restaurant Reviews Chef Profiles • Dining Guides • In Every Issue

3821 Center St. / 402.346.1528 GreekIslandsOmaha.com

OMAHA MAGAZINE it’s about all of us.

We publish stories about interesting people who live next door and fascinating former Omahans. Read stories about the arts, the food, the music, and the events that make Omaha the cultural epicenter of the Midwest.

OmahaMagazine.com/Subscribe

MARCH/APRIL 2020

// 111 //

#

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policies contain benefits, reductions, limitations, and exclusions to include a reduction in death benefits during the first two years of policy ownership. In NY, during the first two years, 110% of premiums will be paid. Whole Life Insurance is underwritten by United of Omaha Life Insurance Company, 3300 Mutual of Omaha Plaza, Omaha, NE 68175 which is licensed nationwide except NY. Life insurance policies issued in NY are underwritten by Companion Life Insurance Company, Hauppauge, NY 11788. Each company is responsible for its own financial and contractual obligations. Not available in all states. Benefit amounts vary by state. Policy Form ICC11L059P or state equivalent (7780L-0505 in FL, 828Y-0505 in NY). *Ages 50 to 75 in NY. **In FL policy is renewable until age 121. ***All benefits paid would be less any outstanding loan.

452747

// EXPLORE CALENDAR //

ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION

NEBRASK A

WAR OF THE WORLDS March 5 at Cox

Activities Center, Norfolk. This play is based on the science-fiction novel by H.G. Wells. This story details 12 days in which invaders from Mars attack the planet Earth. 402.371.2020 —northeast.edu

13TH ANNUAL POLAR BEAR TANK RACE

March 16 in downtown O’Neill. The home of the “The World's Largest Shamrock” nearly doubles its size to 7,000 people during St. Patrick’s Day weekend.

Festivities begin Wednesday with the Irish Walk of Fame and the painting of the town's beloved shamrock. The big day is Saturday, with a fun run, Green Eggs and Ham breakfast, free concert, Irish dancers, a parade, kids activities, and more. 402.336.2355.

—oneillchamber.com

March 6 and 7 at Middle Loup River near Mullen. This timed event features teams of four to six people who race down the river in metal stock tanks. Prizes are awarded for tank decorations and themes. Teams may also choose to forgo the race and enjoy a relaxing MARCH float down the river. 308.546.2206.

—sandhillsjourney.com

GET YOUR IRISH ON! March 17 at

Ravenna, Kearney. The fourth year of this festive event will include food, wine, music and more. The band is BlueClover, a fun trio who play a variety of traditional Irish tunes with a tinge of bluegrass.

308.452.3181. —cedarhillsvineyard.com

17

SUPER DIAMOND, THE NEIL DIAMOND TRIBUTE March 13 at the

Lied Center, Lincoln. Paying tribute to a beloved international pop icon, Super Diamond performs the timeless classics such as “Sweet Caroline,” “America,” and “Forever in Blue Jeans.”

420.472.4747. —liedcenter.org

RODEO GRAND ISLAND March 13 and 14 at Heartland Events Center in Fonner Park, Grand Island. This Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association event features team roping, barrel racing, and Xtreme Bulls Tour (Saturday). 308.382.4515.

—heartlandeventscenter.com SHAMROCK SHUFFLE 5K WALK/RUN/ CRAWL March 14 at Chuckles Bar in

Fairbury. Runners and walkers are encouraged to dress up in leprechaun gear for this event. The post-race celebration includes unique awards, live music, giveaways, green booze, and food.

402.729.3000.

—fairburychamber.org MARCH/APRIL 2020

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// EXPLORE CALENDAR //

AUDUBON’S 50TH ANNUAL NEBRASKA CRANE FESTIVAL March 20-21 at

multiple locations in Kearney.

Thousands of Sandhill cranes migrate through Nebraska each year, and this festival highlights the cranes. The event includes educational speakers, meals, and, of course, a trip to see the cranes. 308.468.5282. —ne.audubon.org

AIRCR A F T A DV EN T URE

March 21 at Strategic MARCH Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland. Visitors can lear n about the the C-119 “ Fly ing Boxcar ” and its many faces dur ing this specia l event .

4 02 .9 4 4 . 310 0 . — sacmuseum .org

21

STAR CITY BACONFEST April 19 at Marriott Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln.

This event for meat lovers features bacon-inspired delights from Lincoln’s finest chefs, as well as live entertainment.

All proceeds from this event create scholarships for local Culinary students. —starcitybaconfest.com SPRING FLING March 21 at Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland. Kids of all ages can participate in an egg hunt, make and take a craft, visit with the Easter Bunny, listen to book readings, and learn about making kites at this fun-filled spring celebration.

402.944.3100. —sacmuseum.org EARTH DAY April 25 in Lincoln. This year is the 50th annual Earth Day, and this event will be bigger and better than ever. The activities include live music, informational booths, food trucks, and a farmer’s market. —lincolnearthday.org IOWA

CEDAR RAPIDS BEER SUMMIT 2020

SMORGASBOARD March 21 at the high school in Henderson. This event is a German feast as Nebraskans’ foremothers made it. The buffet includes verenika (a cottage cheese pocket with ham gravy over it), apple priescha (apple turnover), ham and noodles, zwiebach (roll), pluma mos (raisins and prunes cooked into a thick soup), schnetya (rolled up fruit- or raisin-filled dessert), worscht (pork sausage), kumpzt borscht (cabbage soup), kluptz (meat patties), and plautz (cherry or peach dessert). The high school band will perform following the dinner.

402.723.5782. —cityofhenderson.org

SPONSORED

FULL MOON HORSEBACK EXPERIENCE

April 6-8 at Dusty Trails in North Platte.

This trail ride begins at dawn and allows riders to experience the awakening prairie before enjoying a morning in the viewing blind. 402.530.0048. —dustytrails.biz

EASTER WEEKEND AT ARBOR LODGE April 10-12 at Arbor Lodge Mansion in Nebraska City. At this event, guests can discover the history of Easter traditions, enjoy fresh blooms, learn about spring planting on the Morton Farm, and view a vintage Easter postcard display. The mansion is open for self-guided tours and an egg hunt. 402.873.8722. —arbordayfarm.org

EXPERIENCE MIDWESTERN HOSPITALITY and cosmopolitan

luxury at The Kindler Hotel.

Located in downtown Lincoln, The Kindler Hotel opened in fall 2019 and offers sophisticated accommodations just steps from Memorial Stadium. Locals and guests alike gather in the lavish Boitano’s Lounge, a hip and welcoming atmosphere perfect for dinner or drinks. www.lincoln.org/omahamag

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MARCH/APRIL 2020

March 7 at the Doubletree Convention Center in Cedar Rapids. This is a beer festival like no other. Drink your way through over 100 craft beer styles from more than 50 different breweries. There will also be live music, local vendors, and specialty food available for purchase.

319.731.444. —americaontap.com

13TH ANNUAL BLUE RIBBON BACON FESTIVAL March 7 at Horizon Events

Center in Des Moines. This annual event will pair the tastes and sounds of the Caribbean with over 10,000 slices of bacon. There will be two stages of entertainment, a silent disco and silent yoga, and lots of lectures and educational events in the Chamber of Bacon Enlightenment. — blueribbonbaconfestival.com

ST. PATRICK’S DAY FESTIVAL March 13-15 in

MARCH Emmetsburg. This sister city of Dublin, Ireland, celebrates the “wearing o’ the green” in a grand way.

Events include a beanbag tournament, fun run, kids’ zone, free movie, live music, and a parade. Before the parade, eat a cup of Irish stew or a baked potato with toppings, or sample the entries from the chili cookoff. 712852-4326. —emmetsburgirishgifts.com

13-15

// EXPLORE CALENDAR //

MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVAL March 15TH ANNUAL MISSION CREEK 21-22 at Indian Creek Nature FESTIVAL April 1-4 at the Englert APRIL Center in Cedar Rapids. The Maple in Iowa City. This is an intimate Syrup Festival, held at the end of the festival experience in downtown syruping season, features syrupIowa City focusing on music and making demonstrations, a look inside literature. The program highlights the Maple Sugar House, a pancake breakfast quality, independent-minded sounds, with real maple syrup, and live music. words, and events hosted in venues across 319.362.0664. —indiancreeknaturecenter.org downtown Iowa City. 319.688.2653.

—missioncreekfestival.com

1-4

DRAKE ROAD RACES April 19 at The Blue Oval in Des Moines. Before the official start of the competitive Drake Relays, runners of all abilities can participate in the road races. On April 21, people can participate in the Grand Blue Mile, which has hosted more than 35,000 participants from 36 states, six countries, and four continents. —drakeroadraces.org

TAKE A BITE FESTIVAL April 17-19

at Amana Colonies. This is an award-winning, three-day food experience that features sampling, hands-on demonstrations, and special dinners. Each evening features a special dining event—like a historic Amana Colonies communal dinner served in the only intact communal kitchen, or a Vintners Dinner that pairs a specially selected menu with expertly selected wines, or maybe an afternoon tea.

319.622.7622. —amanacolonies.com

MARCH/APRIL 2020

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// EXPLORE CALENDAR //

111TH DRAKE RELAYS April 23-25 at

KEGS ’N’ EGGS April 18 at Kansas

The Blue Oval in Des Moines. One of the nation’s premier track and field events for over 100 years, the Drake Relays has seen the likes of Jesse Owens and Lillie Leatherwood on their track. On campus, check out the Street Paintings, in which student organization paints a square of concrete along a street that runs in front of Cowles Library. —drakeroadraces.org

City Renaissance Festival grounds in Bonner Springs. Guests can hunt for golden eggs and win prizes APRIL while sipping on craft beers, eating good food, and listening to live music at this adults-only event. Take home a commemorative glass and free T-shirt to remember your time in Bonner Springs.

913.721.2110. —kegsneggskc.com

KITES OVER HOOVER PARK April 25 at Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch. Visitors can watch quad-line stunt kite fliers and fly their own kites at this event, which includes children’s games, races, and a candy drop. Kite and food vendors on site. 319.643.5301. —hoover.archives.gov

27TH ANNUAL K ANSAS STORYTELLING FESTIVAL April 24-25 in downtown

18

Downs. Tall tales, anecdotes, and historical re-enactments can all be found at this festival, which offers two evening concerts and many separate sessions of stories, workshops, and music. 785 . 454 .6648.

—kansasstorytelling.com

MISSOURI

PHILLIPS 66 BIG 12 MEN’S AND WOMEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS. March 11-15

at Sprint Center and Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City. 2020 marks the first time both the men’s and women’s championships have been held in the same city since 2012. 816.691.3800 —visitkc.com

FOOD AND FARM FESTIVAL April 25 at Living History Farms in Urbandale. Local producers, breweries, food trucks, wineries, and artists will gather on the front lawn of Living History Farms to celebrate everything that makes Iowa unique.

Travel back in time to 1876 through a demonstration of the Town of Walnut Hill, horse-drawn wagon rides, as well as an 1876-era photo op. 515.278.5286. —lhf.org K ANSAS

FAKE PATTY’S DAY March 21 at Aggieville Historical District in Manhattan. Known as one of the biggest fake holidays in the Midwest, Fake Patty’s Day is a day full of fun, friends, live music, and memories.

Aggieville is the place to be to drink green beer and spread Irish cheer. The streets will shut down so revelers can more easily travel from bar to bar during this special event.

785 .320.6709. —aggieville.org // 116 //

MARCH/APRIL 2020

SNAKE SATURDAY PARADE AND FESTIVAL March 14 at Northland

Festivals in North Kansas City. This popular St. Patrick’s Day tradition in Kansas City includes a parade followed by a carnival, children’s events, and more. At Snake Saturday, everyone will be Irish for just a little while.

816.548.3113. —snakesaturday.com

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE March 17 along Broadway in Kansas City. Those who do not get their full fix of shamrocks and shenanigans in North Kansas City at Snake Saturday can head downtown a couple days later to spend another day celebrating at one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the region. —kcirishparade.com PLANET COMICON March 20-22 at Bartle Hall Convention Center in Kansas City. Celebrate 20 years of superheroes, pop culture, and more at Kansas City’s largest and longestrunning comic book convention and pop culture expo. The three-day event will feature the best in comic books, fantasy, and science fiction television and movies.

816.533.3126 —planetcomicon.com GREATER ST. LOUIS JAZZ FESTIVAL

April 15-18 at Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center in St. Louis.

This festival is three days full of jazz and fun, put on by the University of Missouri-St. Louis Department of Music. The event will include performances from John Scofield’s Combo 66, George Golligan, Vicente Archer, Bill Stewart, Sean Jones, as well as several performances from local and regionally touring jazz artists and bands. 314.516.5980. —music.emsl.edu

// EXPLORE CALENDAR //

“ WHAT ARE WE doing

this UNBOUND BOOK FESTIVAL April 23-25 at various venues around Columbia.

The Unbound Book Festival celebrates literature of all kinds. Over 20 nationallyrecognized and best-selling authors from a variety of different genres and specialties will come to Columbia to talk about their work and engage with the community through different events and programs. Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Tracy K. Smith is the event’s keynote speaker. mail@unboundbookfestival.com —unboundbookfestival.com

WEEKEND?”

dynamic, crowd-sourced, live, and up-to-date events

omahamagazine.com

SAINT LOUIS STORYTELLING FESTIVAL

April 23-May 2 at various venues across St. Louis. The power of stories is unparalleled, and storytelling is an evolving and dynamic form of art.

Celebrating its 41st anniversary, the St. Louis Storytelling Festival is the largest free festival of its kind in the world. The multi-day celebration of stories will feature storytellers from across the nation, as well as regional storytellers from the St. Louis community. 314.266.4833.

—extension.missouri.edu/storytelling

Event times and details may change.

Visist omahamagazine.com for complete listings.

Check with venue or event organizer to confirm.

A NIGHTTIME STROLL

in Lincoln, Nebraska Lincoln.org/OMAhA20 MARCH/APRIL 2020

// 117 //

FOR LOCAL EVENTS.

#OMAHAMAGAZINE SHARE YOUR PHOTOS OF OMAHA TO BE FEATURED HERE.

@j.hudsonphotos

@banerjee.siddhartha

@alisontoppphotography

@lolasblest

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@sarxcasey

@topher.lynn

@kdkader

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instagram.com/omahamagazine

facebook.com/omahamagazine

MARCH/APRIL

// 119 //

2020

twitter.com/omahamagazine

NOT FUNNY // COLUMN BY OTIS TWELVE // PHOTOGRAPH BY BILL SITZMANN

THINGS THAT MAKE MY BRAIN STAY AWAKE AT NIGHT

I

try to keep healthy hours. The experts say that our well-being is very dependent on getting the proper amount of sleep. So, I shower with chamomile body wash and go to bed on a consistent schedule that allows for the optimal number of hours for shut-eye. Then I shut my eyes and…and…and…I lay there in the dark with my eyes clamped shut and my brain set on “Ramble Aimlessly.”

Why Do We Like Ice So Much?

Everywhere I go I see ice—at restaurants in my water glass next to the little basket of sugar substitute, at the grocery store under the raw shrimp, or on the untreated steep hill that traps me in my neighborhood after a snow storm, ice is everywhere. At the movies, the soft drink machines that I am asked to operate for myself—a job for which I am completely untrained—have special big ice spouts that loudly load your provided cup with chunks of ice. Because of the size of your cup, the poor lighting, and the angle of the ice spout, it is impossible to see exactly how much ice is being dispensed.

This usually leads to the necessity of dumping half of the ice into the rickety wire rack-covered trough. We waste a lot of ice. The commodity that Roman Emperors had rushed to their palaces from the glaciers of the high Alps by relays of runners so that the divine personage might have a cold sip of mulsum. Trust me, mulsum is better cold, and it’s worth a few dead runners if you can get a few ice cubes in your chalice. Still, I worry that we modern folk take ice for granted.

Who is Hosting Saturday Night Live?

I stay up late on Saturday nights. By “late” I mean I try to stay awake through the local newscast at 10 p.m. that features a cast of late-adolescent broadcasting school grads. There’s a 15-year-old anchor in red-and-white stripes, a 16-year-old sportscaster with an overbite, and a preoccupied weather guy who is wearing a tie that bothers me for some unknown subliminal reason. If I can stay awake until the smiling farewell at the end of a newscast that featured raging wildfires, war,

MARCH/APRIL

a consumer report about the best cat beds, an approaching blizzard, and the crushing defeat of our local university boys by someone else’s university boys…then at last…Saturday Night Live starts. But here’s the problem; every time they announce the host’s name…I don’t know who the hell they are. When the host steps out to do the opening monologue, I either don’t recognize them at all or have some sort of vague memory of their face as if I knew them in a previous incarnation, nothing more. As for the musical guest…unless it’s Paul Simon, forget it. Reflecting on how out of touch I am keeps me awake.

Did I Set My Alarm?

I check at least five times during the night. “Yes, I did set my alarm,” I finally decide. But I forget to wonder, “Did I turn up the volume?” The answer to that unasked question is always, “No.” That keeps me awake until I doze off just in time to miss the alarm that silently blinks on the screen of my not-so-smart phone.

Why Do Some Dogs Eat Until They Explode?

I know, your dog eats sensibly. You can leave a full bowl of food in the kitchen for old Fido to graze on at his leisure.

Your dog has common sense. Mine does not. If given the chance, my blind, deaf old pup would, if I left the cabinet door under the sink open, drag out the bag of Purina Lamb and Rice and gorge herself to death. Yes, dogs and their owners do grow to be more and more alike as they age. Did I close the cabinet?

And so, I “brain ramble” on…on…sleepless…did I mention that I probably forgot to put the garbage and the recycling tubs out on the curb? Or did I? Otis Twelve hosts the radio program Early Morning Classics with Otis Twelve on 90.7 KVNO, weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. Visit kvno.org for more information.

// 120 //

2020

STAY & PLAY IN SARPY COUNTY! Werner Park, Papillion. Home of the Omaha Storm Chasers

Located just a few minutes south of Omaha, Sarpy County awaits with a wonderful mix of fun things to see and do. For the sports fans, catch an Omaha Storm Chasers baseball game or Union Omaha, Nebraska’s first and only professional soccer team at Werner Park. Spend the day at Fontenelle Forest, where you can enjoy the new Tree Rush Adventures, the metro area’s only zipline obstacle course. Sarpy’s culinary scene can satisfy every craving possible and of course our award winning breweries, distilleries and winery can top off a perfect evening. Whatever you decide, stay and play and plan your getaway to Sarpy County this year. For a complete listing of restaurants, hotels, events and more, visit us online at

GoSarpy.com!

BELLEVUE • GRETNA • LA VISTA • PAPILLION • SPRINGFIELD • OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE • OMAHA METRO

Comfort Suites, La Vista

Union Omaha Soccer

Nebraska Crossing Outlet, Gretna

Stella’s Bar & Grill, Bellevue

Holy Family Shrine, Gretna

Tree Rush Adventures at Fontenelle Forest, Bellevue

Build a Stronger, Firmer Physique As one of the first clinics in the nation—and the first in the Midwest—to offer CoolTone, SkinSpecialists P.C. helps you achieve a sculpted appearance. Dr. Joel Schlessinger uses this FDA-approved treatment to shrink fat cells and build muscle, as it induces as many as 20,000 muscle contractions per session.

Board-certified dermatologist & cosmetic surgeon Dr. Joel Schlessinger has the experience & expertise to help bring out the best you!

Best of Omaha Winner 2020 - Six Different Categories

Call for a FREE CoolTone Consultation 402-334-7546 | 2802 Oak View Drive | www.LovelySkin.com/CoolTone

Skin Specialists and LovelySkin Spa are under the direction of Joel Schlessinger, M.D., Board-Certified Dermatologist and Cosmetic Surgeon. Copyright © 2020, Skin Specialists, P.C.