Omaha Magazine - March/April 2021 - Hotel Edition

M A R C H / A P R I L 2 02 1 |

Hotel Edition

ARBOR DAY, APRIL 30

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• THE OLD MARKET • OMAHA DOG PARKS • BLUE & FLY ASIAN KITCHEN • CHAD WARD HELPS HIS BRETHREN

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

ASIA TO NIGERIA TO OMAHA spring issue brings communit y to light

T

he first quarter of this new year has come with trepidation.

Many watched the events of Jan. 6 unfold on television with disbelief. In other countries, however, political upheaval is the norm, not the exception.

The Nov. 8 general election in Myanmar retained state counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, and her National League for Democracy party won 395 of 476 available Parliament seats. Suu Kyi came to power through this post, specially created for her in 2015, and has ruled a land that has experienced political turbulence since becoming independent from the British Empire in the 1940s.

We at Omaha Magazine had long planned an article about a local Karen refugee from Myanmar. The story took on greater currency on Feb. 1 when Suu Kyi and other top officials were detained, and the Myanmar military declared a state of emergency, bringing this country to the top of the news feeds.

The March/April issue also brings a lot of fun Arts & Culture articles. I particularly loved the article about Omahan Chad Ward, a roadie who has raised money for unemployed music-industry professionals like him through his foundation Roadie Relief.

Percussionist Dana Murray, of local ensemble Dojo Percussion, talks about playing with jazz legend Wynton Marsalis.

Arts and culture continues into Sixty-Plus, where our active living article is about Dave Biehl, a retired veterinarian who now creates sculptures, including ones at Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium and the Omaha Police Department.

Those who enjoy our food sections will also find a little extra in Sixty-Plus, where we have an article about old-fashioned pies for people to make and eat. Some, such as sour-cream raisin, are found around the Midwest, while others, such as vinegar, are almost obscure these days.

The food section itself spotlights Blue & Fly, a Chinese dining spot popular with Omahans, and an article on Drew Statz, the relatively new executive chef at Dante Pizzeria. The dining feature is about locally owned Le Peep.

The issue also spotlights a couple of people in Omaha doing great business. Nic Bianchi, age 18, started a candle-making company three years ago and has products that can be found in area stores and online. Anchorwoman Serese Cole tells readers the story of her career from young reporter to beloved TV personality. Former UNO basketball player Tola Dada, who was born in Nigeria, tells us of his venture from the ball court to the hallways of Westside Community Schools.

There’s a lot of great articles in this issue.

I hope you enjoy reading them all. * 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. For more information on our city edition, visit OmahaMagazine.com.

MARCH/APRIL

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2021

TAB L E of CON T E N T S THE USUAL SUSPECTS 003 From the Editor

Asia to Nigeria to Omaha

006 Between the Lines 008 Calendar of Events 042 History

The Old Market

065 Obviously Omaha Omaha Dog Parks

085 Instagram 086 Explore!

088 Not Funny Deadlines

A R T S + C U LT U R E

068

014 Entertainment Chad Ward

016 Music

Dana Murray

020 Illustration

Tiana Conyers

022 Visual

Kenneth Bé

DINING 068 Review

Blue & Fly Asian Kitchen

074 Feature Le Peep

076 Profile

Drew Statz

078 Dining Guide

016

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MARCH/APRIL 2021

022

34 trees have been reforested

due to the printing of our last round of publications.

Learn more at

.com

ALWAYS LOCA L , ALWAYS BE AUT IF UL .

Included with an Omaha Magazine Subscription OmahaMagazine.com/pages/subscribe

Between

THE LINES A LOOK AT FOUR OMAHA MAGAZINE TEAM MEMBERS

JACKIE FOX—Freelance Writer Fox is a retired media relations manager whose former lives include mental health worker and technology writer. She has written three nonfiction books—about computing in the pre-smart phone era, the Ravenel Bridge in Charleston, South Carolina, and an awardwinning memoir about her experience with stage zero breast cancer. She is a published poet and a high-water mark was when her poem “MRI” was featured in Ted Kooser’s “American Life in Poetry” column. Her byline has appeared in Nebraska Life, Reader’s Digest, and trade magazines. She lives in the Omaha metro area with her husband Bruce and their latest generation of rescue cats.

DAWN GONZALES—Freelance Writer Gonzales has been writing stories since she was 5 years old, and her love of the written word led her to a career in marketing, public relations, and corporate communications that spans 30 years.

She enjoys freelance writing and when not at her day job, you can find her volunteering in the community, reading for book club, or taking a walk with her dog through the neighborhood.

Her latest passion is discovering and sharing, through social media, the unique and locally owned places that call Omaha home. Gonzales, an Omaha native, is married to her high school sweetheart and has raised two daughters.

DEREK JOY—Senior Graphic Designer Derek has had lots of Joy working at Omaha Magazine throughout the last 4.5 years. He loves designing layouts and illustrations for the magazines and books the company creates. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with his wife Rachel, dog Viridia, and his two young boys—who have given Derek the chance to really work on his playdough and crayon-drawing skills. When not spending time with the family, Derek can be found doodling in sketchbooks and bleeping and blooping on his modular synthesizers. He also appreciates a good game of Magic the Gathering with friends. Derek’s art and music can be found on instagram @ddazzlur and @mount_zenith.

DOUG MEIGS—Freelance Writer Meigs is the managing editor of the official journal of the Society on Neuroimmune Pharmacology, The Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology (JNIP), a peer-reviewed journal published by Springer based out of the Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Neuroscience at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Meigs and JNIP’s editor-in-chief, Dr. Howard E. Gendelman, are working with faith leaders of the Omaha-based Tri-Faith Center to produce a collaborative manuscript exploring the pandemic’s impact on the faith community.

Previously, Meigs was executive editor of Omaha Magazine (2016-2019).

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MARCH/APRIL 2021

MARCH/APRIL 2021 VOLUME 39 // ISSUE 1

On Sale Now!

On Sale Now!

EDITORIAL Managing Editor

DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN Senior Editor

TARA SPENCER Associate Editor

LINDA PERSIGEHL Contributing Writers

J.D. AVANT · MANGER BAW · LEO ADAM BIGA · TAMSEN BUTLER JACKIE FOX · ROBERT FRAASS · DAWN GONZALES PATRICK MAINELLI · SEAN McCARTHY · DOUG MEIGS NICHOLAS MOORE · KATY SPRATTE JOYCE · NIZ PROSKOCIL SEAN ROBINSON · KARA SCHWEISS · TIM TRUDELL DOUGLAS “OTIS TWELVE” WESSELMANN

CREATIVE Creative Director

MATT WIECZOREK

Feb. 26–March 21

Hawks Mainstage Theatre

March 19–April 11 Howard Drew Theatre

Senior Graphic Designer

DEREK JOY Graphic Designer II

MADY BESCH Contributing Photographers

JUSTIN BARNES · KEITH BINDER · COLIN CONCES SCOTT DRICKEY · JOSHUA FOO · WILLIAM HESS · SARAH LEMKE

SALES

6915 Cass St. | (402) 553-0800 | OmahaPlayhouse.com Hawks Mainstage Series Sponsor:

Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing

GIL COHEN Sales Coach

Producing Partner:

Friend of the Playhouse Visit omahaplayhouse.com for COVID-19 policies and procedures.

ED COCHRAN Publisher’s Assistant & OmahaHome Contributing Editor

SANDY MATSON

Through April 11

Senior Sales Coordinator

ALICIA HOLLINS

Timed tickets & masks required.

Details at www.joslyn.org

Branding Specialists

PAUL BASHUS · DAWN DENNIS · GEORGE IDELMAN Contributing Branding Specialists

JILLIAN DUNN · MARY HIATT

OPERATIONS Accounting/Operations Manager

KYLE FISHER Ad Traffic Manager

DAVID TROUBA Digital Manager

MEGAN BARTHOLOMEW Distribution Manager

DAMIAN INGERSOLL

EXECUTIVE Executive Publisher

TODD LEMKE Vice President

GREG BRUNS Associate Publisher

BILL SITZMANN

Frances Palmer (American, born England, 1812–1876), American Express Train (detail), 1864, lithograph, Gift of Conagra Brands, 2016.20.416 Presenting Sponsor:

Major Sponsors: Annette and Paul Smith

Contributing Sponsors:

For Advertising & Subscription Information:

Additional support provided by: Wiesman Development Mary and John Wilson

402.884.2000 Omaha Magazine Vol 39 Issue I, publishes monthly except February, April, August, November, December, totaling 8 issues by Omaha Magazine, LTD, 5921 S. 118 Circle, Omaha, NE 68137. Periodical postage at Omaha, NE, and additional offices and additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Omaha Magazine, 5921 S. 118 Circle, Omaha, NE 68137

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

@joslynartmuseum MARCH/APRIL 2021

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» Exhibitions « AMPLIFY ARTS

Located at 1419 S. 13th St., Suite 103. Amplify

Arts promotes unity, innovation, and progress in the arts. Their shows are always by local artists, and they span ideas ranging from political to progressive. Admission: Free. 402.996-1092 –amplifyarts.org

ANDERSON O’BRIEN FINE ART GALLERY

Located at 3201 Farnam St., Suite 6109. New

works (sculptures, paintings, pottery, blown glass, jewelry, etc.) from Midwest regional artists are continuously on display. 402.884.0911.

–aobfineart.com

GERALD R. FORD BIRTHSITE AND GARDENS

Located at 3202 Woolworth Ave. The ornate

Victorian house was one of the finest homes in Omaha. The three-story, fourteen-room house reflected the status of its wealthy occupants, the King family. 402.444.5955 –nebraskahistory.org/conserve/brthsite.htm

LANDLOCK GALLERY

Located at 4011 Farnam St. Th is is Omaha’s

newest art experience centered in the Blackstone District, and features artwork that encourages interaction by new and emerging local artists.

–landlockgallery.com

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MARCH/APRIL 2021

MAPLE ST. CONSTRUCT

Located at 5912 Maple St. This Benson-area gallery

looks to bridge the discourse between artists from Los Angeles and the Midwest through local and West Coast exhibitions. 402.525.0330 –maplestconstruct.com

MALCOLM X BIRTHSITE

Located at 3448 Evans St. One of the most pivotal

figures in Civil Rights history was born in this North Omaha location, which includes stunning gardens and a greenhouse. 800.645.9287 –malcolmxfoundation.org

MODERN ARTS MIDTOWN Located at 3615 Dodge St.

Modern Arts Midtown has evolved from a tradition of museum style presentation to a studio-like mix of hanging and stacked art of inbound and outbound projects by artists: a “behind the scenes” approach to seeing more in an informal setting. MAM is highlighting new work by Jennifer Homan, Iggy Sumnik, Kat Moser, Teresa Schmidt and Steve Mueller. Viewing is available by appointment.

402.502.8737 –modernartsmidtown.com

PROJECT PROJECT

Located at 1818 Vinton St. Project Project is an experimental space that focuses on promoting and enhancing the experience of art, music, and lectures in the Omaha community. 402.680.6737.

–projectprojectomaha.com

RBRG

Located at 1806 Vinton St. RBRG places an empha-

sis on fine art prints, and aims to encourage and support the growth and understanding of fine art prints and fine crafts as vital contemporary art forms. 402.496.4797.

–rbrg.org

COMMUNITY

Through April 1 at KANEKO, 1111 Jones St. As

people have sheltered with their closest community, they discovered what it means to be removed from the outside world. Many depended on technology to connect with others. People found comfort and sometimes discomfort in their limited surroundings. This exhibit includes artwork by Watie White, Pamela Conyers-Hinson, and Therman Statom. Admission: Free. 402.341.3800.

–thekaneko.org

REVISITING AMERICA: THE PRINTS OF CURRIER & IVES

Through April 11 at Joslyn Art Museum, 2200 Dodge St. In 2016, Conagra Brands donated

nearly 600 Currier & Ives lithographs to Joslyn Art Museum. This exhibition sheds new light on the famous firm’s artistic and commercial practices, revealing the complex social relationships and surprising modernity of its lavish prints, which found their way into the homes of tens of thousands of Americans in the 19th century. Admission: $10 adults, free for students with ID, Joslyn members and children under 17. 402.342.3300.

–joslyn.org

BUG SQUAD

Through April 11 at Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20th St. In this immersive world of insects,

children will explore the science behind each bug’s unique abilities and traits while realizing their own superpowers. Families will encounter real bugs and huge animatronic bugs. 402.342.6164.

–ocm.org

MUSEUM OF SHADOWS

BRITTNEY FOSTER & NANCY LEPO

recently voted one of the most haunted in the world.

The museum houses over 3,000 verified haunted artifacts, donated from across the United States and multiple countries. Admission: $15. 402.885.7557 –museumofshadows.com

Foster and pen-and-ink pointillism artist Nancy Lepo are shown together in this exhibition. Admission: free. 402.595.2122.

–artscouncil.nebraska.gov

Located at 1110 Douglas St. This museum was

Through April 16 at Fred Simon Gallery, 1004 Farnam St. Mixed-media/abstract artist Brittney

OMAHA’S

MAGAZINE

OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM/PAGES/SUBSCRIBE MARCH/APRIL 2021

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OMAHA MAGAZINE | EVENTS CALENDAR

INTIMATE ACTIONS

Through April 24 at Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, 724 S. 12th St. These three solo

exhibitions are centered on the theme of intimacy and how it enters into representations of the body, one’s connection to space and surroundings, and personal relationships. Joey Fauerso interweaves personal experiences in relation to our own humanity. Paul Mpagi Sepuya’s work is rooted in an atypical type of studio portraiture.

Maria Antelman’s practice focuses on the human experience. 402.341.7130 –bemiscenter.org

THE NITTY GRITTY ON A STREETCAR CITY Through April 25 at General Crook House Museum, 5730 N. 30th St. The exhibit is about

Omaha’s streetcar system, operating from 1868 to 1955, and includes artifacts from the cars, a streetcar seat, replica uniforms, and route maps.

402.455-4990.

–DouglasCoHistory.org

GUITAR—THE INSTRUMENT THAT ROCKED THE WORLD

Through April 25 at Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St. More than 60 guitars and nearly 100

historical artifacts will be on display to immerse viewers in the heart of music. This exhibit allows people to experience the rush of the world’s most recognized musical instrument through the powerful lens of science. Visitors can play a Guinness Record-breaking 43.5 foot long guitar and discover how the selection of different materials and strings, fused with electromagnetism and amplification, create an elaborate device that has revolutionized music. Admission: $11 adults, $8 seniors (62+), $7 children (3-12), free for children under 2 and members. 402.444.5071.

–durhammuseum.org

VIRTUAL TOUR

Ongoing online, created by Boystown Hall of History, 14100 Crawford St. Anyone can view

the sights of the iconic Boystown from the comfort of their own home. The Hall of History virtual tour includes stops such as Relics of the Past, Art and Symbolism, and The Dream Continues.

Admission: free. 531-355-1111.

–boystown.org

SPONTANEITY: 10 ABSTRACT PAINTERS FROM NEBRASKA

Beginning Feb. 28 at Gallery 1516, 1516 Leavenworth St. This exhibition features the work of

James Bockelman, Dan Howard, Jerry Jacoby, Diane Lounsberry-Williams, Ann Pape, Larry Roots, Mark Sabaliauskas, Nancy Teague, JK Thorsen, and Beverly Todd. Admission: free.

402.305.1510.

–gallery1516.org

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MARCH/APRIL 2021

» Stage Performances « WHITNEY CUMMINGS

March 11-13 at Funny Bone, 17305 Davenport St, Suite 201. Whitney Cummings is a Los

Angeles-based comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director. Best known for creating and starring in the NBC series Whitney, she also co-created and co-wrote the Emmy-nominated CBS comedy series 2 Broke Girls. Tickets and times vary. 402.493.8036 –omaha.funnybone.com

DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS!

March 19-April 25 at Rose Theater, 2001 Farnam St. It is hard being the pigeon. He never

gets to do anything. This music theater is appropriate for all ages. Tickets: $12 non-members, $10 members. Household streaming tickets are $30 each. Times vary. 402.345.4849.

–rosetheater.org

FULLY COMMITTED

March 19-April 11 at Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St. Take a side-splitting look

at a day in the life of Sam, a struggling New York actor who works at the trendiest restaurant in the city. In between calls from social elites, celebrities, and everyday Joes who will stop at nothing to secure the hottest table, Sam hopes for an audition callback and to make it home for the holidays.

Tickets and times vary. 402.553.0800.

–omahaplayhouse.com

TIM DILLON

March 23-24 at Funny Bone, 17305 Davenport St., Suite 201. Tim Dillon is a stand-up

comedian, writer, and actor. He had two specials premiere in 2018, one on Comedy Central, the other on Netflix. He created and hosts Tim Dillon’s Real NYC Bus Tour. Tickets and times vary. 402.493.8036.

–omaha.funnybone.com

TOM SEGURA

March 25-27 at Funny Bone, 17305 Davenport St., Suite 201. Actor/Comedian/Writer

Tom Segura is one of the biggest names in the comedy business. He recently performed to soldout audiences on his 100 city Take It Down Tour.

He is best known for his Netflix specials Disgraceful (2018), Mostly Stories (2016), and Completely Normal (2014), and will be releasing his fourth Netflix special this spring. Paste Magazine described him as, “having a natural and capable storytelling ability, one that lifts his narratives out of average anecdote fare and plants them firmly in hilarious ground.” Tickets and times vary.

402.493.8036.

–omaha.funnybone.com

CONSTELLATIONS

Starting March 30 at Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St. Marianne is a cosmologist,

keen on quantum theory and the idea that each of life’s infinite possibilities plays out in some parallel universe. Her chance encounter with Roland marks the beginning of a romance with countless outcomes. But when Marianne’s health begins to fail, the balance between destiny and free will begins to shift. Tickets and times vary.

402.553.0800.

–omahaplayhouse.com

PHILADANCO!

April 29 at Orpheum Theater Founded in 1970

by Joan Myers Brown, Philadanco is known for using the language of dance to explore Black history, social justice, and civil rights. Phildanco is recognized for its artistic integrity, superbly trained dancers and electrifying performances.

Pieces from their performance will showcase works

by Omaha native Ray Mercer. This performance is sponsored by Wiesman Development. Tickets vary. 7:30 p.m. with a special warmup in the lobby at 6:30 p.m.

–o-pa.org

OMAHA MAGAZINE | EVENTS CALENDAR

» Concerts « NEIL FRANCIS

March 5 at Barnato, 225 N. 170th St. The

30-year-old Chicago-based musician is bringing his mix of ’70s classic funk, with some soul and R&B thrown in, to Omaha.

–barnatolounge.com

ALICIA OLATUJA INTUITION: SONGS FROM THE MINDS OF WOMEN

March 11 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Praised in The New York Times

as “a singer with a strong and luscious tone,” Alicia has shared the stage with Chaka Khan, Christian McBride, Billy Childs, and others.

–o-pa.org

BIG WADE AND THE BLACK SWAN THEORY

March 13 at The Jewell, 1030 Capitol Ave. Lead

singer and pianist Lewade “BIG Wade” Milliner is joined by other legendary musicians in the making, creating and performing funk, R&B, soul, and jazz music.

–jewellomaha.com

STYX

March 17 at Ralston Arena, 7300 Q St. Styx is

an American rock band from Chicago that formed in 1972. They are currently touring across the country, and they’re bringing their killer hard-rock performance to Omaha.

–ralstonarena.com

AN EVENING WITH LOGAN MIZE AND JILL MARTIN

March 19 at Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St. Jill Martin and Logan Mize are country singers

who also happen to be married—to each other.

They often perform onstage together, sometimes bringing their children out to harmonize as well.

–waitingroomlounge.com

NUGZ AND TKO

RAUL MIDÓN

March 20 at Scott Recital Hall, 1200 Douglas St. Midón has collaborated with such heroes as

Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder and Bill Withers, along with contributing to recordings by India.Arie, Queen Latifah, Snoop Dogg, and the soundtrack to Spike Lee’s She Hate Me. –o-pa.org

March 20 at Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St. Local rappers NugZ and TKO regularly perform together, even planning an annual combined birthday bash every year. Other performers to be announced.

NIKKI BOULAY WITH FRIENDS

–waitingroomlounge.com

Boulay is an Omaha native whose voice you likely heard on the radio as a DJ. She has also sang with several local bands, including Blue Moon Ghetto.

–jewellomaha.com

SATSANG

DEVIN THE DUDE

Th is Montana-based quartet has headlined or shared the stage with the likes of Michael Franti & Spearhead, Nahko and Medicine for the People, Trevor Hall, Wookiefoot, and many more.

–reverblounge.com

stage name Devin the Dude. The Houston hip-hop artist has been called “Rap’s best-kept secret” and “Your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper.”

–waitingroomlounge.com

March 19 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave.

March 26 at The Jewell, 1030 Capitol Ave.

March 27 at The Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St. Devin Copeland is better known by his

LEE BRICE

March 11 at Ralston Arena, 7300 Q St. Brice is

an American country music singer and songwriter.

Besides his own material, he has co-written singles for artists like Garth Brooks, Adam Gregory, the Eli Young Band, and Tim McGraw.

–ralstonarena.com

ANDRE VANDER VELDE BAND

March 12 at The Jewell, 1030 Capitol Ave.

Omaha artist Vander Velde blends the singer-songwriter acoustic soul stylings like those of Bill Withers and Amos Lee with the funk/R&B attitude of Prince and Otis Redding.

–jewellomaha.com

MARCH/APRIL 2021

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OMAHA MAGAZINE | EVENTS CALENDAR

» Family & More « FISH FRIES

Feb. 19 through March 26 in various locations.

Lent starts with Ash Wednesday on Feb. 17, and while some people will abstain from eating meat on Fridays for religious reasons, others will eat fish simply because they enjoy it. Due to COVID-19, many places are going to drive-thru or to-go only, so call ahead. 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:

PETROCK

TREVOR HALL

the pinnacle of ’70s musical excellence, playing the best-known soft rock songs from that decade. Their popularity has resulted in nonstop capacity shows.

–theslowdown.com

is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist from South Carolina, playing music that mixes roots, folk, and reggae, with touches of electronic elements.

–theslowdown.com

April 16 at Slowdown 729 N 14th St. This band is

THE ALLMAN BETTS BAND

April 16 at Orpheum Theater, 1200 Douglas St. The sons of Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts,

Devon Allman, and Duane Betts, join forces to form the Allman Betts Band. They will be playing original music from their two recent albums, songs from their solo projects, and classic songs by The Allman Brothers Band, the legendary group founded by their fathers. Bless Your Heart is their sophomore album, released in August 2020.

–o-pa.org

April 27 at Slowdown 729 N 14th St. Trevor Hall

GRUPO FIRME

April 30 at Ralston Arena, 7300 Q St. This group

is one of the hottest acts in the Latin music world.

Discovered in 2013, they rose to fame thanks to social networks with their heartfelt lyrics.

–ralstonarena.com

• 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.

• Mount Calvary Community Church, 5112 Ames Ave., 402-457-4216. mtcalvarycommunitychurch.org • Mary Our Queen Catholic Church (2019 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 (2019 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

TRIUMPH OF AG EXPO

March 3-4 at CHI Health Center Omaha, 455 N. 10th St. The area’s largest indoor short-line farm

show returns with the latest products, technology, supplies, and services available. 402.341.1500 –showofficeonline.com

FIRST FRIDAY AT THE BAR

March 6 in the Old Market. Each month Brownie

Bar Omaha features a new artist on their gallery wall. The March open art exhibit is for Jack Hooley. Visitors can purchase naked brownies for $2, and other art galleries around the Old Market will be open for perusing.

–firstfridayoldmarket.com

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MARCH/APRIL 2021

OMAHA MAGAZINE | EVENTS CALENDAR

OMAHA FILM FESTIVAL IN-PERSON SCREENINGS

March 12-13 at Aksarben Theater, 2110 S 67th St. Omaha Film Festival is showing a small selec-

tion of local content on the big screen in a safe, socially distanced setting at Aksarben Cinema.

The full festival will be virtual and runs from March 2-14.

—omahafilmfestival.org

66TH ANNUAL WORLD OF WHEELS

March 12-14 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

BOCKFEST

April 17 at the German American Society, 3717 S. 120th St. Bockfest is one of the area’s favor-

ite German celebrations. It features music, beer “poking” in the biergarten, brats, and pretzels. 1-7 p.m. Admission: free, but cash must be used for beer and food. 402.333.6615.

–germanamericansociety.org

JUNKSTOCK

April 30-May 2 at Sycamore Farms, 1150 River Road Drive, Waterloo. Junkstock is one of the

premier junk, music, and food festivals around the country. This year the organizers are celebrating their 10th year of Junkstock. The event typically has 200+ vendors, 23+ food trucks, and all kinds of bands on the Junkstock stage playing throughout the weekend. 402.765.8651.

–junkstock.com

Event times and details are correct as of presstime, but are subject to change. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many events are canceling and/or changing dates/time/ places as needed. Most venues base these decisions on direction by the Douglas County Health Department and Nebraska’s publication of guidance on canceling events and limiting the number of people in public gatherings.

Omaha Magazine encourages readers to visit venues' websites and/or calling ahead before attending an event or visiting a museum.

OMAHA FASHION WEEK

March 25-27 at Omaha Design Center, 1502 Cuming St. Omaha Fashion Week is a glamorous

red carpet event for a good cause, showcasing the work of 65+ designers each year on the runway.

OFW nurtures the youngest of fashion designers by providing mentoring, education opportunities, and a professional platform to showcase their work.

402.819.8792 –omahafashionweek.com

SPRING ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR

March 26-28 at Ralston Arena, 7300 Q St.

Over 500 artists and crafters from 30 states will showcase one-of-a-kind home decor, holiday gifts, unique handcrafted works, and more. In addition, there will be great entertainment, food, and beverages. Times vary. Admission: Adults $9; Seniors $8; Children under 10 are free.

NEBRASKA SCIENCE FESTIVAL

April 1-30 in various locations. Nebraska Science

festival may look a bit different this year, but it is back. Due to COVID-19, organizers have made a few changes for 2021. There will be no large keynote or expos. The event does include smaller speeches virtually, smaller in-person events outside, and lots of community-wide, outdoor science fun. The festival is designed to make science accessible, interactive, relevant and fun for kids and adults alike.

402-559-4319.

–nescifest.com

MIDLANDS INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

April 8-11 at CHI Health Center, 455 N. 10th St. The 2021 Midlands International Auto Show

will feature all the newest cars, trucks, and SUVs. See, touch, and experience the automotive industry’s latest and greatest and talk with the product specialists. 402.341.1500.

–chihealthcenteromaha.com

MARCH/APRIL 2021

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A+C ENTERTAINMENT // STORY BY SEAN ROBINSON

HELPING THOSE BEHIND THE SCENES // PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN // DESIGN BY MATT WIECZOREK

// 14 //

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SUPPORTING LIVE MUSIC EMPLOYEES AMID COVID-19

E

VERYONE REMEMBERS WHERE THEY WERE THE DAY LIVE MUSIC DIED. IT WAS MARCH 13, 2020, AND EVERYTHING—INCLUDING CONCERTS—SHUT DOWN AS COVID-19 PITTED HUMANITY AGAINST THE FIRST 21ST CENTURY PANDEMIC. FOR OMAHA’S CHAD WARD, AND NEARLY 12 MILLION OTHER ROADIES WORKING WORLDWIDE, NO CONCERTS MEANT NO MONEY.

Ward certainly remembers where he was mid-March 2020. He just got home from a two-month European tour with Slipknot.

Serving as a backline tech for the heavy metal band, Ward was responsible for setting up the drums each show and was taking a break before another leg in southeast Asia.

Then came the body chills and fever. He was not tested for COVID-19 at the time, however, he said he is quite positive he had it.

“My wife likes to say I was patient zero. I was very close to hospitalization,” Ward said. “My health has recovered but financially I haven’t. All my touring continues to be canceled.”

Nearly a year later, auditoriums worldwide still sit empty.

Millions of seats are untouched. Silence making its deafening crawl from front row to the nosebleeds—day after day, month after month. The entirety of the live music industry ceased to exist practically overnight, and that’s what motivated Ward to create Roadie Relief.

The nonprofit asks for donations online, with a mission to provide financial aid to those in the live entertainment industry who lost their jobs because of the pandemic. As of last December, the organization had raised nearly $40,000 for roughly 115 roadies from all corners of the globe.

“Very few people understand this is our career,” Ward said.

“People plan for rainy days, but nobody planned for this.

Everybody’s savings accounts are dwindling to nothing—so I had to help.”

The solution isn’t as easy as applying for unemployment benefits either. Many live entertainment workers struggle to receive that support because states require them to first apply for jobs in their field. However, without tours and large events, there are no jobs to apply for.

The idea for Roadie Relief was born in the most emblematic way possible for 2020—over a Zoom call. Ward was chatting with others in the industry about their financial frustrations and brainstormed the idea to start a GoFundMe page. In two weeks, the page made only $100.

It was back to the virtual drawing board. That’s when Ward teamed up with Jane Donald, a tour manager located in Nashville.

They met nearly a decade ago while working as production coordinators for the Foo Fighters. Ward served as the brains and industry connection for Roadie Relief while Donald handled all things administrative and design. Together, they launched a website and began getting the word out late last summer.

“There’s been very little expense getting this off the ground because it’s all done remotely,” Donald said. “Every penny you’re seeing donated is divvied up and dished out. This is a true labor of love for the industry.”

To collect funds, Roadie Relief does more than just ask for donations. Visitors can purchase merchandise, such as T-shirts or a cover of Faith No More’s song “We Care A Lot,” performed by members of bands from Run DMC, Korn, and others.

Artists and management teams further got involved by donating items to an online silent auction at the request of Ward.

The first round of bidding included autographed memorabilia ranging from posters of artists such as Alice In Chains and The Weeknd to instruments from Foo Fighters, Papa Roach, and AWOLNATION. A replica of Eddie Van Halen’s guitar sold for $19,500 during a separate raffle. Sacha Dunable, a renowned guitar maker in Los Angeles, made the instrument following Van Halen’s death in October and began looking to donate it to a charity. A few of his road crew buddies suggested Ward’s newly formed nonprofit, and Dunable agreed it was the right fit.

More than 780 tickets at $25 a pop were bought for the online raffle.

“I was expecting we’d get maybe $2,000 to $3,000,” Dunable said. “A lot of people who work in the industry are friends I’ve known for decades at this point. I wanted to help them in some way.”

Roadies in need of help can fill out an application on the nonprofit’s website, including details of previous work and references.

“Whether you’ve been touring 20 years or three, everyone is going to get the same amount,” Ward said. “It’s like we’re an extended family. You live with these people for years on end.

Then, all of a sudden, you don’t know when you’re ever going to see each other again.”

Ward began his career as a roadie 27 years ago while working at Omaha’s now closed Sharkey’s Brewery & Grill. During a performance by 311, Ward was chosen to help the band on and off the stage, since he grew up with guitarist Tim Mahoney.

The next day, he woke up on his couch to a life-changing phone call from lead vocalist Nick Hexum. The band wanted Ward to join them on tour.

Since then, he has worked as a technician, tour carpenter, and production manager alongside acts as varied as Korn, Kelly Clarkson, and Drake.

“I’ve seen so many amazing things around the world, but the roadie lifestyle isn’t drugs, sex, and rock ‘n’ roll. We work 18-hour days,” Ward said. “Being away from the wife and three kids is the biggest downfall. Still, the love of music makes it all worth it.”

Ward knows that love will outlast the pandemic and someday stadiums will be full again, and the roar of the crowd will soon call him back. Until then, he hopes Roadie Relief helps dozens of event workers bridge the gap from now until showtime.

“Think about every concert you’ve been to and walked away with a smile. It’s not the artist out there chalking the floor, changing the drumheads and fixing amps at 6 a.m.

The roadies make it all happen,” Ward said. “This is about helping those who’ve helped you create those unforgettable music memories.”

Visit roadierelief.org for more information.

MARCH/APRIL 2021

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+ dana murray's influence reverberates in omaha

A+C MUSIC // STORY BY Sean McCarthy

Creative , e v i r D e v i s s u c r e P Vibes PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY MATT WIECZOREK

i

n the late 2000s, guitarist Andrew Bailie, then of the band Jazzwholes, went to Mick’s (now The Sydney) in Benson to see percussionist Dana Murray play. Mere feet from Bailie was a musician who just a few years before had played for Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. More than 10 years later, Bailie remembers the gig.

“To this day, it’s still the best drumming I’ve ever heard in my life,” Bailie said.

Bailie and Murray struck up a friendship, but before the friendship came instruction.

Though the two have different instrumental focuses, Murray thinks the overall fundamentals of musicianship remain the same: If you want to get to a level where you are good enough to play in the orchestra for a Broadway musical in New York (in Murray’s case, it was supporting The Who’s Tommy), a full commitment is needed. The first step: practice a minimum of five hours a day. No cutting corners.

radio in the ’70s—primarily Fleetwood Mac and The Beatles. His stepfather, Clyde Comer, who raised Murray since he was 10, got him interested in jazz, introducing Murray to Anita Baker and jazz icons such as George Howard, David Sanborn, and Najee.

After graduating from Omaha South, Murray studied music performance at Berklee College of Music in Boston in 1991. There, he said, most all of the students shared an intense devotion to be world-renowned for their craft.

“The long way is the shortcut,” Bailie said of Murray’s instruction.

“Being around other people as self-motivated as I was—was really liberating,” Murray said.

Growing up in South Omaha, Murray’s mother, Faye Comer, played gospel, R&B, James Brown, Teddy Pendergrass, and Motown. Murray had a transistor radio, where he listened to whatever was on AM

Opportunities to play soon took up most of his time. Murray likened his and his fellow students’ experience to college basketball players who have an opportunity to go to the NBA.

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“Most people you read about…most of those people that went to Berklee don’t actually graduate,” Murray said. “You get way too busy to keep wanting to go to school, especially if you’re a performance major.”

Murray became roommates with saxophonist and gospel artist Richard D’Abreu Jr., who routinely was in contact with fabled jazz musician Max Roach. They went to the same church and would talk on the phone frequently. Murray would also occasionally talk to Roach, who recommended moving to New York, because that was the best place to make it as a jazz musician. But, he warned, “However good you are…you’re going to be at the bottom of the totem pole.”

Murray met saxophonist Sherman Irby while playing in a band for Carnival Cruises. The two became roommates in New York, where they shared a 14-by-14 foot apartment at Tudor City in Midtown Manhattan, paying $1,400 a month for rent (in 1994 dollars).

“If you’re trying to go there as a young musician, that’s the last place you want to be,” Murray said.

A+C MUSIC

peaking from his home in Warren, New Jersey, Irby remembered those first few months in New York.

With a small, cramped place “right in front of the United Nations building,” they couldn’t practice in their apartment.

Irby went down to the piers to practice, and Murray would practice using brushes.

During this time, Irby said, Murray “had a confidence about himself that would never let him be swayed.”

S

For the first few months, gigs were almost nonexistent for Murray. He spent most days trying to get acclimated to the speed of the city that never sleeps. He networked at Smalls Jazz Club and the celebrated, but now-shuttered, Bradley’s. Murray met most of the musicians he later played with at Smalls, where the younger musicians hung out.

“His personality…everyone basically just loved being around him. He quickly was welcomed into the scene,” Irby said. “He was that kind of cat.”

The staff at Smalls let him practice in their club for a few hours during the day. This meant putting his drum kit on a cart and pulling it onto a train.

“It’s only weird until you see others doing it too. Then it becomes not so weird,” Murray said with a laugh.

Murray’s first regular gig was at Smalls during their Sunday brunch, which eventually led to his first major break: a Monday after-hours gig at Smalls.

“That was like prime time for jazz musicians,” Murray said.

After the regular Smalls’ booking, gigs started to open up for Murray. He and Irby moved to Harlem, a far more celebrated artistic epicenter. Murray got so busy touring for musicians such as the late Jimmy Witherspoon that he was unable to play in the Broadway production of The Who’s Tommy. Eventually, he signed on to substitute gig for that musical.

When Murray got the call to play for Wynton Marsalis with the Lincoln Center Orchestra, he remembered times in Omaha where he would practice to Marsalis’ album Live at Blues Alley and imagine himself at that very gig in 1986.

“When I got that call…it was almost like everything that I had done and worked for…now here’s your reward,” Murray said.

“Now you’re able to actually do what you envisioned yourself doing at 16.”

“

To see one man change the scene and raise the bar as much as he did, it just gives you a lot of hope for the future for music and arts in the Midwest.

-Andrew Bailie

”

In the late '90s and early 2000s, Murray continued to make a name for himself as a percussionist. He lived in Leeds for a year before moving back to Omaha in 2004 after gaining custody of his son, Aleek. He began teaching percussion at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and founded Dojo Percussion, an ensemble that featured high school and university musicians.

Murray met his future wife, Deb, while he was focusing on Dojo Percussion. They

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bought a house in Papillion where he renovated the basement to become his recording studio. It was here Murray recorded his debut album, Negro Manifesto, which was released in 2018.

Part of the album’s origin came by way of Murray browsing through a bunch of vinyl records at a downtown thrift store. He came across an old “educational” album put out

by Pepsi called Adventures in Negro History.

Released in the early ’60s, it was a well-intentioned but horribly patronizing account of achievements by African Americans.

“When you start listening to it, it really lets you know where the psyche of the country was at the time,” Murray said.

Murray aimed to create his own history with Negro Manifesto.

“I’m going to talk about adventures in Negro history, but I’m going to keep it real,” Murray said. “I’m going to speak about it through my experiences.”

The jazz publication DownBeat said the album Negro Manifesto “emits a nightmarish, cacophonous sensibility, marked by dank electronica textures.” The New York Times called it “a difficult, often rewarding collection that plays out something like an electroacoustic opera.”

Murray said COVID-19 has not slowed his schedule. While unable to tour, he’s spent his time working on his follow-up album, which is slated to be released in late 2021.

He’s also working on producing tracks for Bailie’s second album.

Bailie said Murray’s work, both as a producer and musician, has played a tremendous role in elevating Omaha’s music profile.

“To see one man change the scene and raise the bar as much as he did, it just gives you a lot of hope for the future for music and arts in the Midwest,” Bailie said.

Visit danamurraymusic.com for more information.

e c a p S g n i Makto e v i r h T A+C ILLUSTRATION

ion t a t n e s e r p e s r e y n o Radical R C a n ia T f o t r A e in th

Story by Patrick Mainelli Photography by Bill Sitzmann Design by Derek Joy

Omaha artist Tiana Conyers believes there is something radical in creating space for all voices.

“Black people have dealt with blatant systemic racism, police brutality, and other things far more egregious. For us to be able to celebrate ourselves and make space for ourselves—not only is that our right, but that should be invited and accepted, at the very least for ourselves.”

Conyers’ work, digital illustrations primarily, is a bold assertion of the power in representation. Her graphic figures—Black, queer, fat (a term she specifically embraces)—occupy visual space in an art world conditioned through centuries of Western art history to appreciate a specific definition of Anglocentric beauty.

“To me, it’s just really amazing and inspiring—taking this space back for Black people.

This space that wasn’t created for us, and was so often created against us,” she said.

Conyers has achieved a prolific career as a young artist in Omaha. Steeped in the // 20 //

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cultures of Manga, anime, and internet fan communities from a young age, Conyers’ digital style has evolved in harmony with the growth of social media.

“I started drawing very young and in order for me to get my work seen, the only option was the internet,” she said. “There was no art gallery that would have been interested in me—some 13-year-old at Monroe Middle School.”

Today, Conyers describes her work as “depicting fat bodies which, in EuroAmerican societies, are often deemed unworthy of respect and rarely make the subject of art.”

Conyers’ bristles at the now-common phrase “body-positivity,” feeling that the movement has been largely co-opted by advocates with less-than sincere motives. Instead, she prefers the more radical phrase “fat liberation.”

“This has definitely stemmed from me not being represented and wanting to see myself...in art and different spaces,” she said. “I’m not seeing people like [me]—not

seeing fat Black people, or queer Black people. When I was younger...I definitely avoided myself as a subject matter. I felt like ‘I don’t fit in here; I don’t exist in these spaces so why even try?’ But now...I want to see myself more. I deserve to. Other people do, too.”

Conyers’ work made a dramatic appearance in a new venue in the summer of 2020. Her “We Thrive in Middle Spaces” project—produced through the support of The Union for Contemporary Art and the Omaha Community Foundation—brought her work to five billboards across North Omaha.

The billboards featured portraits of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and two-spirit (LGBTQIA2S+) people of color from Omaha. In her artist statement, Conyers noted, “Middle spaces refer to the parts of our identities that overlap. My identity as a Black person and my identity as a queer person overlap—or more specifically, intersect—and better define my experience.”

To me, it’s just really amazing and inspiring—taking this space back for Black people. This space that wasn’t created for us, and was so often created against us.” ers Tiana Cony

Before production of the billboards, Conyers spent several weeks selecting, researching, and interviewing her five subjects, each of whom represented a broad range of ages and identities.

Among the group was genderqueer performer and member of the Indigenous Havasupai and Diné tribes, Mr. Little Cat. “I found it sentimental and a special touch how she incorporated things in the portrait of myself,” Little Cat said of the process.

In each of the portraits, Conyers worked to build a well-rounded character study of the subjects, including telling details of their individual identities.

“Seeing my two tribes flags next to me, I felt prideful,” Little Cat added. “I instantly knew I made my people proud. I made my family proud. When I saw the final product…I wanted to scream at every detail.”

It was this attention to the small particulars of identity—the subtle signifiers that illuminated the real people behind these often generalized groups—that drove the project.

Conyers’ also wrote, “LGBTQIA2S+ people are often defined solely by our queer identities, BIPOC [Black, Indigenous, and people of color], in particular, are often forced to make the impossible choice of choosing which identity comes first.”

“When I read Tiana’s statement about this project,” Little Cat noted, “I said to myself ‘I always said that!’...Being Indigenous and queer, I always felt like I had to pull hard for one identity more than the other.”

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

“I even had a stranger in public ask me ‘Are you the person on that billboard?’ I felt seen and represented at the utmost for someone like me—someone who is Indigenous and queer,” Little Cat said.

In addition to her art and being a fulltime studio art major at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Conyers has worked for years as a teaching artist with The Union for Contemporary Art.

for reaching young artists. “Tiana’s presence has had a positive impact on the youth.

Their passion, skills, and confidence in creating art, specifically drawing, grew under Tiana’s guidance and mentorship,” she said.

“It has been wonderful to see Tiana’s talent and reach as an artist continue to grow beyond The Union. I have so much love and respect for this young, fierce, and incredibly talented human being.”

Conyers is eager to branch out to new mediums and creative challenges. “I would like to work on a comic,” she said. “I feel like the university is kind of slowly pushing me in that direction. I also want to see my online store grow larger and get the word out about that. You know, help fund a college student through these tough times..”

Visit tianaconyersart.com.com for more information.

Jacquline Smith, Youth Studios Manager at The Union, speaks highly of Conyers’ talent MARCH/APRIL 2021

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STORY BY LEO ADAM BIGA PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY DEREK JOY

A+C Visual

Behind The Story Kenneth Bé The Conscientious Conservator

K

enneth Bé has the distinction of being Nebraska’s only paintings conservator. Since 2008, he’s plied his expertise at the regional Gerald R. Ford Conservation Center in Omaha, treating works on just about any imaginable surface.

He fi lled a similar role at the Cleveland Museum of Art, where, he said, “I worked on nothing but the best of the best from one of the best collections in the United States.” After getting laid off in 2005 due to downsizing, he found opportunity here in Omaha.

In assuming the then-newly created endowed position, he got carte blanche to outfit the lab to his specs.

As a Yale undergrad, he studied geology and art history. His earth sciences interest was influenced by his father, who studied microscopic ocean sediment fossils as global climate change markers. The field of art conservation swayed Bé when an art teacher placed a framed watercolor by Anthony van Dyck in his lap. “I became very attracted to the idea of being a trained conservator who could do close physical examinations of works and have some impact on them,” he said. He feels obliged “to not only preserve works for the future, but help restore or bring pieces closer back to their original appearance or intent.” ►

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“Every work we receive comes to us in a certain condition that is the sum total of its history ranging from perfect to highly compromised by all kinds of things.”

Kenneth Bé

// A+C VISUAL //

T he New York state native learned his field’s painstaking techniques at New York University’s Institute of Fine Arts.

The serene Bé’s appreciation for art and history reflects a yearning for the “quieter, more focused world of the past” versus today’s white noise. His parents were from the Indonesian island of Java, but were of Chinese ancestry. He feels the deep well of his cultural heritage.

Paralleling his art history enthusiasm is an interest in Renaissance and Baroque music. Just as he’s steeped in “the pigments, varnishes, and old materials of paintings from the past,” he revels “in the sounds, textures, and spirit of music of the past,” particularly Renaissance lute music. A lute player himself, Bé sometimes performs with early music instrumentalists and singers, and owns a library of facsimiles of early music manuscripts.

In addition, Bé plays guitar and the viola de gamba, or viol, and his life partner is also an early flute player. Whereas there is a social aspect to his music passion, he said, “in conservation I’m a little bit more of a loner.”

He said both his music avocation and art conservation, “get to understanding a period” in the way literature and architecture do. Just as he gives new life to early music, he makes worn artifacts new again. When conserving a painting, he said, the idea is to “do as little as possible.”

“When you have to do a reconstruction of a missing part or color or section of a painting, you have to use restorative skills.”

He may spend days preparing the back of a painting before ever touching the front.

It’s all about respecting the integrity of the work.

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HE MAY SPEND DAYS PREPARING THE BACK OF A PAINTING BEFORE EVER TOUCHING THE FRONT. IT ’S ALL ABOUT RESPECTING THE INTEGRITY OF THE WORK. Conservation’s meticulous skill set “requires a knowledge of chemistry, physics, and biology.”

“It uses knowledge of the history of materials and how they were used to make art,” he said. “It also uses hand skills akin to what one would develop in a studio. You need a lot of patience to do repetitive procedures and gestures. You have to pay attention to the minutiae of things.” The reward is “you can get sometimes quite magnificent, startling end results when you do things the right way.”

There’s a story behind every work he examines.

“Every work we receive comes to us (from museums, galleries, collectors) in a certain condition that is the sum total of its history—ranging from perfect to highly compromised by all kinds of things,” Bé said. Mishandling, vandalism, and even well-meaning but ill-fated attempts of previous art conservators can also play a role. “Each piece has moved from place to place, owner to owner, until it arrives in my lab.”

Just as paintings take different journeys, the problems they present vary and, he said, “they can be very interesting,” such as one painting whose center was worn away by an errant vacuum.

One satisfying project involved a 1948 mural by then-Joslyn Art Museum director Eugene Kingman, created for the New York Times headquarters. Kingman completed the work at Joslyn, and its cartographic depiction of the Western Hemisphere greeted Times’ staff and visitors for decades until it was taken down. A local interest group arranged for its return to Omaha, where Bé removed the grime. It now hangs in the W. Dale Clark Library lobby.

He cleaned “deeply discolored” varnish from the 1899 Thomas Moran painting “The Pearl of Venice” as an educational outreach in a gallery at Joslyn, where it resides in their permanent collection. “Th at was a fi rst,” said Bé , who enjoys explaining his work to the public.

Last winter he shared his livelihood with a statewide audience for an NET “Nebraska Stories” segment, taking viewers through the phases of cleaning and restoring the 1888 painting “The First Homestead” by Gusto Strohm.

Most works he treats come from the metro. He’s also retained clients from back East. “They have stuck with me, so they still come to me with work,” he said. He sometimes travels to treat things, including a painted opera theater curtain in Kearney, Nebraska, various paintings in the Hallmark Art Collection in Kansas City, Missouri, a church altar mural in Kansas, and works at the Sheldon Museum of Art in Lincoln.

Sheldon registrar Stacey Walsh said his calm, considered demeanor when assessing a work’s stability can allay fears it’s too far gone for display or travel. She said his trained eye sees just what needs care, and his trusted hand makes repair or treatment without leaving a trace.

The Joslyn also defers to Bé’s expertise.

“Kenneth has been a terrific resource for the museum,” said executive director and CEO Jack Becker. Bé conserves select Joslyn works or assesses their travel-worthiness.

Bé estimates he’s completed 1,200 projects during his Omaha tenure. Typically, he juggles 40 to 60 projects in different stages.

“Unfortunately, the work flow is a little down right now,” he said, due to pandemic disruptions. “I would love to have more work.”

It’s vital his lab and the adjacent paper and objects labs stay busy, since the Ford Center depends on the revenue their projects generate.

Bé unwinds by sampling the area arts scene. He also indulges a love for flying kites. Not just any kites, but giant, vividly colored dragon kites. A large open field off Abbott Drive is his go-to site.

He’s also participated in Kite Flight, a Callaway, Nebraska, festival that attracts aficionados from around the U.S. and world, known for its wind currents and eclectic entries. “It’s a very special place,” he said.

Omaha has become home for this cosmopolitan conservator. “I’ve made some close friendships since I’ve been out here,” he said. “It’s been a good life.”

Visit history.nebraska.gov/conservation-center for more information.

OBVIOUSLY OMAHA // STORY BY TAMSEN BUTLER // PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTED

01

OMAHA DOG PARKS

FUN FOR VERY GOOD BOYS AND GIRLS

The Omaha area has no shortage of dog parks where four-legged friends can enjoy exploring and socializing with other canines, which can help lead to decreased troublesome behavior (in the dog at least) and an overall better life for human and hound.

There are more places than ever for dog parents to take their fur-babies for quality outdoors time. Man’s best friend is sure to find some fun at one of these six area dog parks:

01. BEARDMORE FREEDOM DOG PARK

410 Fort Crook Road North

Nestled between Beardmore Subaru and a residential neighborhood in Bellevue, this dog park is maintained

by Beardmore and is accessible to the public. Two fenced-in areas of 150 feet by 150 feet are open on an alternating basis, giving one area the ability to “rest” while the other area is open for use. This park is usually clean and in good repair. It’s important to note, however, that the fences surrounding the parks are only 4-foot high, so dogs may be able to escape the confines of the park easily if they’re jumpers.

02. CHALCO HILLS OFF-LEASH AREA

8901 S. 154th St.

The Chalco Hills off-leash area boasts ample room for dogs to explore, with trails and shady trees.

Benches and picnic tables make this an ideal spot for families to bring the entire family—dogs included.

Humans will also appreciate the restrooms provided, since not all dog parks have services for people.

03. DEWEY DOG PARK

550 Turner Blvd.

This Midtown favorite consists of two parks with one for smaller breeds. The splash pad area gives dogs a spot to cool down and play in hotter weather.

The turf and concrete help keep the dog park mud-free and the regulars are said to be friendly and chatty. This park has lots of water and shade.

02

04. HANSCOM DOG PARK

1701 S. 32nd Ave.

Hanscom Park’s dog park is located near the interstate, making it popular among drivers traveling with dogs. The park has some hills that offer varying terrain for dogs to explore. There are three fenced-in areas to accommodate different sizes of dogs and plenty of room for running and exploring.

03

05. HEFFLINGER DOG PARK

North 112th Street and West Maple Road

04

Dogs that love rolling around in the dirt will have a great time at this dog park with a reputation for being muddy, especially after rain. They will enjoy the three spacious fenced-in areas with lots of room for running and dog agility equipment for play and exploring. Humans will appreciate the ample parking but might lament the lack of shade in the summer.

05

06. WALNUT CREEK OFF-LEASH AREA

11601 S. 96th St.

Walnut Creek Recreation Area offers dogs the opportunity to do some swimming in Walnut Creek Lake.

The off-leash area is fenced on three sides, allowing dogs access to the water. And while there is a rinse-off area available for dogs that indulge in lake swimming, there aren’t towels provided so bring your own. Parking is convenient and there are plenty of scenic walking trails nearby (dogs must be leashed when on these trails).

Take care in warmer weather as ticks are common at the lake.

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06

PROFILE // STORY BY KATY SPRATTE JOYCE

Becoming the First

Serese Cole Forges Ahead

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MARCH/APRIL 2021

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN // DESIGN BY MATT WIECZOREK

“i

would have sworn to you that I was going to be a teacher,” said an amused Serese Cole, longtime Nebraska broadcast journalist and current morning show anchor at Omaha’s KMTV Channel 3. Her parents were both passionate educators in her hometown of Kansas City, and “I would even teach my teddy bears,” the anchor said.

When Cole was a sophomore in high school, her English teacher encouraged her to join the school newspaper. Her first article was about a writing center, not a thrilling subject matter, but it enchanted the budding journalist nonetheless.

During the remainder of her years at Hickman Mills High School, she enjoyed tackling subjects that made her peers talk.

She also served as an editor of the paper in her senior year.

That experience lead her to attend Florida A&M University in Tallahassee. Cole said, “I wanted to attend a historically black college with a good journalism program, and they also happened to pay for my tuition with a big scholarship.” After years of being one of the only students of color in her elementary and high schools, she was ready to experience being the majority.

She graduated with honors with a journalism degree, initially focusing on print, then on broadcast. That led Cole to her first professional job in Wilmington, North Carolina. There, she tackled hard news stories and fine-tuned her skills, especially reporting. She remembers feeling devastation when covering her first hurricane. Equally devastating was Cole’s first time reporting on a murder.

The victim was a 16-year-old boy, and she was tasked with interviewing the parents. Leading with her natural empathy, Cole scored a discussion with them a few days later. She said discovering how to approach people for an interview in times of emotion was one of her biggest lessons learned during her year in North Carolina.

A serendipitous offer from a hometown station moved Cole back to the Midwest.

Those years in Kansas City included the final two years she spent with her sister Beth, who was suffering from breast cancer. Three years earlier, then-29-yearold Beth was told she had five years to live, a fact Beth only told her husband.

“Even then, she was being a big sister and protecting me,” Cole said. Beth died almost exactly five years after being diagnosed. Cole said this experience influenced her to help raise awareness of breast cancer, especially in young African American women, and to encourage women to be fierce advocates for their own health. She now sits on the Susan G. Komen advisory board in Omaha.

Cole had set a professional goal to be an anchor. She first achieved that goal with a position at KOLN/KGIN in Lincoln, where she was the city’s first African American anchor. She spent the next decade in Lincoln, where she met and married her husband, Todd. Their two sons, Jordan and Tyler, were born in the state capital. In fact, Todd proposed to her on live TV. She started as a morning show anchor, and eventually worked the prime evening time slot.

With two young children and a hectic schedule, the anchor began to re-think her priorities. “Lincoln was big for my career, but I truly believe in God’s timing,” Cole said. One son was about to start kindergarten, her husband was from Omaha and commuted there daily, and the couple had family in Nebraska’s biggest city. Cole took a position on a morning show at WOWT, which left

plenty of time for Zumba workouts, attending her sons’ sports games, and enjoying the sunshine on walks in her La Vista neighborhood. Professionally, it was a great fit and smooth transition, as her general manager in Lincoln was married to the WOWT counterpoint.

She calls that change one of the best decisions she made.

Cole spent eight years with WOWT, until contract negotiations unexpectedly went south. She said the station offered her a contract, then reneged and went in a different direction. They offered the fan favorite (one of her viewers even named her daughter after the anchor) a lesser contract and position. While she considered this offer, she declined. As she told Omaha Magazine, “In my heart of hearts, I just knew I could not do it. I knew I was better than the demotion.”

A week after her last signoff on WOWT, Omaha’s two other major stations, KETV and KMTV, reached out and said they could not believe she was available. She ended up landing at KMTV as part of a revamp of the morning show and KMTV’s first all-female on-air talent team (with Jennifer Griswald, Courtney Johns, and Maya Saenz).

KMTV Vice President and General Manager Larry Forsgren said, “We are excited to have Serese on the KMTV team. The viewers truly connect to her, and she has a great connection with them through her many followers on social media. Having Serese Cole and Jenny Griswold gives us the most authentically passionate morning news team in Omaha.” He added, “When looking for new [anchors] the goal is to hire the most talented person you can.

We do not adhere to the old stereotypes that you must have a male and a female on your team.”

Cole looks forward to her work each day, especially connecting with viewers.

“People welcome me into their homes, so I’m happy to let them into mine” she said with a smile.

Visit 3newsnow.com for more information.

A week after her last signoff on WOWT, Omaha’s two other major stations, KETV and KMTV, reached out and said they could not believe she was available.

MARCH/APRIL 2021

// 67 //

DINING REVIEW // STORY BY NIZ PROSKOCIL

The Spice is Right EXPLORE THE DIVERSITY OF REGIONAL CHINESE CUISINE AT BLUE & FLY ASIAN KITCHEN

Blue & Fly ’s menu features sections devoted to traditional dishes, including several regions of China that each have their own distinct cooking styles.

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN // DESIGN BY MATT WIECZOREK

70

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He regularly updates the restaurant’s Facebook page with food photos and descriptions to help inform customers about what’s on the menu. For example, there’s a post that explains the differences between American-style and traditional kung pao chicken.

Cong and his wife, Yi, along with the rest of the Blue & Fly staff, are happy to make recommendations and answer questions diners may have about some of the more unusual offerings.

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Blue & Fly’s menu features sections devoted to traditional dishes, including specialties from several regions of China that each have their own distinct cooking styles, along with more familiar Americanized dishes, which tend to be a little sweeter, fried, and heavily sauced. It took a while for the traditional Chinese offerings to catch on with some of his American customers, Cong said, but interest has grown as diners become more curious and adventurous.

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While nearly everyone is familiar with broccoli beef, crab Rangoon, orange chicken, and other American-Chinese takeout favorites, traditional Chinese fare isn’t as easy to find locally. Blue & Fly owner and chef Yue Cong, who goes by Joe, opened the restaurant with a desire to share with customers some of the soups, stir-fries, stews, and braised dishes that are popular in China, where he lived before moving to Omaha in 2007. His cooking experience includes restaurants in China and his dad’s former restaurant in Omaha.

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nconspicuously set in the corner of a strip mall on 72nd Street, Blue & Fly Asian Kitchen is easy to miss.

Inside, it’s a simply decorated, cozy, casual space. The food here, however, is anything but ordinary. Since opening in 2015, the small, family-owned restaurant has earned a following for its rich variety of traditional Chinese dishes paired with Americanized versions of the cuisine.

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BLUE & FLY ASIAN KITCHEN 721 S. 72ND ST. - 402.504.6545 FOOD SERVICE AMBIANCE PRICE OVERALL

$$ 5 STARS POSSIBLE

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’ve enjoyed numerous dishes from both sections of the menu over the years, but my go-to items are still the traditional ones. A favorite is the Dry Braised Hot Pot Style Tofu and Cauliflower. The stir-fried dish features cauliflower florets combined with slices of golden brown, crispy-edged tofu, bell peppers, dried chiles, and Sichuan peppercorn. It’s a wonderfully spicy and aromatic dish with a gentle heat. It’s also offered with beef instead of tofu; both are excellent.

Tofu’s an ingredient I never tire of, and Blue & Fly does some delicious things with it. Among the highlights is mapo tofu—one of the most popular dishes from China’s Sichuan province. The restaurant serves two versions, but I always go for the traditional, which is listed on the menu as Bean Curd with Spicy Sauce. Delicate cubes of silky tofu glisten in a rich, deeply savory, spicy, scarlet-hued sauce, perfect for spooning over fluffy white rice. Although the dish has lots of lip-tingling chiles, it’s not volcanic.

Fermented bean paste kicks the flavor up a notch, adding the savory depth.

Also impressive is Blue & Fly’s Hot & Spicy Wonton Soup—an appetizer that showcases the chef ’s skill at creating classic Chinese dishes with bold, balanced flavors. Eight scrumptious, tender pork dumplings are submerged in a fiery brick-red broth laced with chiles and Sichuan peppercorns. Each fragrant spoonful is a little spicy, salty, and sour.

Noodle lovers may want to try the Singapore Style Rice Noodles. A generous amount of super-thin rice noodles

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are stir-fried with slivers of carrot, onion, and cabbage, tossed with shrimp and sliced pork, and seasoned with curry powder, giving the aromatic, somewhat spicy dish a yellowish tinge.

Open for lunch and dinner six days a week, the restaurant has done limited dine-in since March 2020 and offers carryout, curbside pickup, and delivery. Cong updates the menu occasionally and sometimes offers weekly specials that highlight traditional Chinese cuisine. He said he hopes more people will give it a try.

It’s not easy running a restaurant, independent ones in particular. There are long hours combined with multiple responsibilities, and the coronavirus pandemic has made things a whole lot tougher. But all the hard work, Cong said, is worth it, adding that it’s gratifying to hear from customers who appreciate his food. He’s thankful for their continued support.

“I still appreciate that our customers give us the opportunity to be here,” he said.

With its broad menu, relaxed atmosphere, and friendly, knowledgeable staff, Blue & Fly Asian Kitchen is one of the area’s best dining destinations for Chinese food. Diners here will find a wide array of typical American Chinese standards that are fresh, flavorful, and well prepared. But the traditional dishes are the reason to visit.

Visit omahablueandfly.com for more information.

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DINING FEATURE // STORY BY TAMSEN BUTLER PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN // DESIGN BY MATT WIECZOREK

p e e P e L

Redefining Omaha's

Mom & Pop

Cafes

From left, Hope and Aneel Taj // 74 //

MARCH/APRIL 2021

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couple things need to be cleared up about Omaha’s breakfast/lunch/brunch restaurant Le Peep. First is the spelling. “It’s Le Peep, not La Peep or something else,” said co-owner Aneel Taj. “We get all kinds of spellings on ‘Peep’.”

The second is Le Peep’s status as a locally owned restaurant. “The thing that I personally struggle with a little bit is the idea that we’re not local because Le Peep is a small chain out of Colorado and there’s about 60 restaurants now, I suppose,” explained co-owner Hope Taj. “But the thing is we’re not a franchise—we’re a licensing agreement, so we have complete control over our entire operation.”

Hope glanced around the Pepperwood location (the first of four Omaha Le Peep locations owned by the couple) and gestured toward the rest of the dining room. She said they did most of the work to the building themselves, including adding a floor. “Our friends painted the walls. We borrowed every penny to open this restaurant and we cashed out all our retirement to do this.

“We support local because we want to support local,” she said. “Corporate Le Peep decided to start using Rotella’s because of us.” Kevin Wessel, the CEO of Le Peep, visited the Omaha location and sampled some of their menu items. “He loved the product we served,” Hope said. The item he tried featured Rotella’s product, and he liked it so much he came for a return visit after a short time “to meet the Rotellas and tour their bakery with us, and the rest is history,” Hope said. Aneel and she were delighted to bring more business to another locally owned company, especially one with such a rich history in the Omaha area.

“We also want people to realize we raised our kids here…And while we do pay a small licensing fee, we buy all of our own groceries.

Twenty percent of our menu is special to us. I write all the recipes and I train all the cooks.”

While Hope said she is not a chef, but rather a “home cook,” she added that she’s always on the lookout for new trends. “So while our core menu [all made from scratch] is pretty basic, on the special board we can do things that are a little more fun.”

The couple opened their first Le Peep 19 years ago. “We forced our way into the restaurant business,” Hope said with a laugh. “We made it happen,” Aneel agreed.

“It was something that Aneel was passionate about—owning a business,” Hope explained.

“Aneel’s job moved us every three years. Every so often he’d pop up with, ‘What should we do?’ and I’d say, ‘You’re crazy; you have a great job with benefits and health insurance.’

At the time, Hope was raising the children while working in retail. “When Aneel’s job was downsized I thought it was the end of the world. But he said, ‘No this is an opportunity.’”

They had fallen in love with the concept of Le Peep in the early ’90s while on a visit with friends in Kansas City.

“We applied for Le Peep over and over and they kept turning us down since we didn’t have any experience with running a restaurant,” Aneel said.

“Finally, after about a year of applying to Le Peep, calling, calling, calling, Le Peep [representatives] said, ‘You are insane. We need to meet you guys,’” Hope said.

"My mom's advice was to never open a restaurant, She said, ‘Don't ever do it. You'll never work so hard for so little.’ -Hope Taj “They were like, ‘You have every single reason not to succeed. We’re just letting you know.

But you’re so persistent.’ And that was all him,” she added, gesturing to Aneel. “So then, of course, the banks turned us down after that, over and over and over, because we had no experience. It was basically a long shot.”

Eventually, Aneel took a job with a financial planning company to get them through. The last-ditch effort for financing came through 10 days later. “It had been rejection after rejection—he had given up. An underwriter took us on and here we are,” Hope said.

Hope’s grandmother owned a burger joint and her mother owned a sandwich shop.

Hope said she already knew the statistics, that eight out of 10 restaurants fail in the first five years. “I worked for a week every summer in my grandma’s burger joint, cutting onion rings and pattying hamburgers,” she recalled.

“I learned how to count change and how to clean. My mom’s advice was to never open a restaurant,” Hope said, chuckling. “She said, ‘Don’t ever do it. You’ll never work so hard for so little.’”

MARCH/APRIL

// 75 //

2021

Going against her mother’s advice paid off for Hope as Le Peep gained a second Omaha location, then a third, then a fourth. “The restaurant business is a tough business, but we’ve been successful I guess, because we have a lot of good people who work with us,” Aneel said. “That’s how it’s possible.”

Hope said that before the pandemic hit, they were on a trajectory to have a record year in sales. “2020 was going to be the year,” said Aneel with a laugh. Now their sales are around one-third of their pre-pandemic sales. “This pandemic is like nothing else,” he added. “I mean, you can have downturns like we did in ’08 but when you’re either closed or working at 50%, it’s harder to meet the bills. You know, rents have gone up and wages have gone up.”

“We have to have people in here to stay in business,” Hope said. “We don’t do dinner— that’s not our niche. So people aren’t coming here to pick up dinner for their kids. We do quite a bit during the day, especially at the Legacy store, because we have a drive-thru out there.” For now, they’re just trying to survive.

The couple, married for 40 years, know a lot about pushing through and getting the job done because that’s what they always do. “We’ve worked really hard,” Hope said.

“I mean, the restaurant business is hard.

Two high school sweethearts that were on a completely different path to have not one, not two, but four busy restaurants…and just the blood, sweat, and tears. We’re good people. We hire good people. We retain good people and treat our people well and expect a lot from them.

Their son, Jordan, who worked in the restaurant as a child but now lives out of state, said his mom tends to get attached to staff members. “I think it’s cool that they hire so many young people,” he said. “My mom does a great job of developing people. She cries when someone goes off to college and she’s like, ‘I love them so much! And now they’re gone.’”

Whether or not the future holds a fifth Le Peep restaurant for the Taj family depends on a variety of factors. “At this moment, we’re just thinking about survival,” Aneel said. “But we often talk about trying to get into Lincoln at some point.”

“Never say never” Hope added, smiling at Aneel as he smiled back at her.

Visit lepeepomaha.com for more information.

D R E W S TATZ RISES TO RUN D A N T E ’S KITCHEN

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MARCH/APRIL 2021

DINING PROFILE // STORY BY TIM TRUDELL PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY MATT WIECZOREK

So, when Strawhecker sat down with him to discuss the future, Statz said he knew he needed to be bold about his goals, because he wanted a future in Italian cuisine.

“He asked me, ‘What do I have to do to get you to stop looking for other jobs?’” Statz said. hen the pandemic hit Omaha’s culinary industry in 2020, and several restaurants shuttered their doors, Drew Statz thought his dream of running his own kitchen was a casualty, too. But Statz got a second chance, taking over as executive chef at Dante Pizzeria in December.

Before running the kitchen at Dante, Statz realized his dream of becoming an executive chef at Monarch Prime and Bar inside Omaha’s Hotel Deco. Beginning as a line cook, he was part of the restaurant’s opening team in October 2017. Following a stint as sous chef, Statz was promoted to executive chef in early 2019. Then 2020 came along, and the pandemic shut things down in March.

While at Monarch, initial news of the pandemic didn’t faze the kitchen staff.

They thought it would pass quickly, Statz said. When South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, announced its cancellation, that raised a little caution, he said.

“We thought it would be like the swine flu,” Statz said. “Then Berkshire-Hathaway canceled [its annual convention in Omaha]. The hotel took a huge hit, but we were still alright. But when they called [off ] the College World Series, I thought, ‘That’s it.’”

Known for its dry-aging process, Monarch typically ages steaks for up to 45 days.

While he was there, Statz said, “We’d push the limits on how long you could go, sometimes up to 200 days,” he said.

When they closed because of the pandemic, with plans to reopen when the situation allows for safe dining, Statz weighed his options. He and his wife, Michelle, were close to buying a house in Fremont, Nebraska, but he knew he needed a job before a bank would approve their loan.

So, he took a job with The Meat Hook, a butchery in Polk, Nebraska, about a 90-minute drive from Fremont. For nearly a month, they stayed with Michelle's parents in Albion to lessen the drive time.

Roughly a month into the job, they were approved for their new home and returned to Fremont.

“We were going to be ‘farmers market’ farmers,” Statz said. But then area farmers markets didn’t have the business they usually did during the summer because of COVID-19.

Looking for anything in the restaurant industry, he worked as a line cook at Dante in June.

About a month later, he was offered an opportunity to manage the kitchen at Alto Kitchen and Bar, a new fine-dining eatery in Fremont.

After helping to open Alto in July, Statz didn’t feel like the restaurant and he were a good fit, so he left in September.

His first call was to Nick Strawhecker at Dante, to see if he could pick up some hours while he looked for a permanent position.

“We offered him a line cook position,” Strawhecker said. “But he was overqualified.”

Strawhecker, 41, knew he needed to create a position to keep Statz at the West Omaha restaurant.

“I don’t remember knowing a guy or woman with the ambition and excitement at his age,” Strawhecker said.

At 29, Statz has been working in the culinary industry for nearly half his life, beginning in kitchens when he was 15 or 16.

“I’ve done just about everything you can do— washing dishes, busing tables,” he said.

After the two finished their conversation, Statz was promoted to executive chef, taking over a role previously held by Strawhecker.

“Coming from Monarch, I knew he had the organization and communication skills an executive chef needs,” Strawhecker said. “He won’t change Dante. He’ll keep the ethos and grow it.”

The restaurant lost its general manager during the fall, and Strawhecker chose not to fill it, taking on some of the responsibilities himself.

Statz’s promotion allowed him to step back from managing the kitchen full-time.

Statz’s promotion helps them focus on Dante’s future, Strawhecker said.

“The industry is being rewritten,” he added.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen [postpandemic]. Who knows who will fall next?

Sadly, some will. I want to keep us what we are. And keep it growing.”

While Statz plans to grow in his role as Dante’s executive chef, he appreciates the support the staff immediately gave with the promotion.

“A lot of times, these kinds of promotions come from within,” he said. “Usually, you have a guy who’s been there for a while and has worked his way up the ladder. I didn’t want to take someone’s job. We sat down and discussed it with the team, and everyone was on board with this.”

Statz, who attended culinary school for a year at Metropolitan Community College—with dreams of working in Italy afterward—has achieved his dream of creating Italian cuisine.

Strawhecker said they hope to travel to Italy in 2021, so Statz can experience the food firsthand.

Visit dantepizzeria.com for more information.

MARCH/APRIL 2021

// 77 //

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thanks to our customers for voting us the

Pastas are made fresh daily, including tortellini, fettuccine, and capellini. Daily specials and menu items include a variety of fresh seafood and regional Italian dishes, such as linguini amore and calamari steak, penne Florentine, gnocchi, spaghetti puttanesca, and osso buco. Filet mignon is also offered for those who appreciate nationally renowned Nebraska beef. To complement your dining experience, the restaurant offers a full bar and extensive wine list. Be sure to leave room for homemade desserts, like the tiramisu and cannoli. Monday-Thursday 9 p.m. and FridaySaturday 10 p.m. Reservations recommended.

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SPEZIA - $$$

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.

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“BEST BURGER

IN OMAHA “Serving World Famous Hamburgers Since 1936”

106 GALVIN RD., BELLEVUE, NE • 402-291-6088 • OPEN MONDAY - SATURDAY, 11 AM - 9 PM

DINING GUIDE LEGEND

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

MARCH/APRIL 2021

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Celebrating 100 Years of Baking Excellence!

Bakery

rotellasbakery.com

Omaha

DINING GUIDE Breakfast

MEXICAN FERNANDO’S - $

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.

—fernandosomaha.com

156th & Dodge • 408-1728 177th & Center • 934-9914 120th & Blondo • 991-8222 69th & Pacific • 933-2776

Thanks for Voting Us # BREAKFAST YEARS in a Row!

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Drive-Thru Open (Center St. Only) Open Daily 6:30am-2:00pm Serving Breakfast & Lunch All Day!

LEPEEPOMAHA.COM | @LEPEEPOMAHA

LA MESA - $$

158th St. and W. Maple Road - 402.557.6130 156th and Q streets - 402.763.2555 110th St. and W. Maple Road - 402.496.1101 Fort Crook Road and Hwy 370 - 402.733.8754 84th Street and Tara Plaza - 402.593.0983 Lake Manawa Exit - 712.256.2762 Enjoy awesome enchiladas, fabulous fajitas, seafood specialties, mouth-watering margaritas, and more at La Mesa. Come see why La Mesa has been voted Omaha’s No. 1 Mexican restaurant 18 years in a row. SundayThursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m. —lamesaomaha.com

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 - 402.292.2028 29th and Farnam steets - 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. —romeosomaha.com

SPECIAL DINING 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 beerlover’s destination. Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Kitchen hours: MondayWednesday 11 a.m.-1 p.m., ThursdaySaturday 11 a.m.-midnight. Closed Sunday.

—beercornerusa.com

DINING GUIDE LEGEND

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

MARCH/APRIL 2021

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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

HAPPY HOUR

3:00-6:00 PM MONDAY-FRIDAY 402.346.9116 | 501 N. 13th Street | theMattOmaha.com /the old mattress factory omaha

@OmahaMagazine

@Matt_factory

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Find the best food in Omaha!

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

omahamagazine.com/pages/subscribe

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3821 Center St. / 402.346.1528 GreekIslandsOmaha.com

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Try Omaha’s Favorite Reuben!

Omaha’s largest selection of craft beers.

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

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MARCH/APRIL 2021

@The Drover Restaurant & Lounge | Gift Cards Available 2121 S. 73 St. | (402) 391-7440 | DroverRestaurant.com Open Monday - Friday 11am - 2pm | Dinner nightly from 5pm

Omaha

DINING GUIDE 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 - 402.965.3444 18101 Chicago St. - 402.916.4109 2015 Pratt Ave., Bellevue - 402.991.3448 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 toorder here at First Watch. We use only the finest ingredients possible for the freshest taste around. —firstwatch.com

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

STEAKHOUSES CASCIO’S - $$

1620 S. 10th St. - 402-345-8313

Take Out & Delivery Available

Sports Bar

Please Check Website for Hours of Operation

Online Ordering Available at Bellevue, Millard & Dundee Locations

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

402.339.1944

402.505.6660

402.932.1944

402.934.9439

varsityromancoinpizza.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

CHEERS! 18 YEARS IN A ROW! LaMesaOmaha.com | 6 Locations MARCH/APRIL 2021

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Open NOW through

April 11!

Visit ocm.org to reserve tickets and view our current hours

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.

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VE BIG GI EARLY BIRD BRUNCH // NEIGHBORHOOD ART // AUTHOR DR. LYDIA KANG // CHILI & CINNAMON ROLLS // CONNY FRANKO'S RAP

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019

18 ER 20

Hotel Edition

ETIENNE CHARLES @ The Holland Performing Arts Center

// 84 //

in conjunction with THE

MARCH/APRIL 2021

OMAHA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

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

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MARCH/APRIL 2021

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AUDUBON’S ANNUAL NEBRASKA CRANE FESTIVAL March 6 to April 11 at

NEBRASK A

14TH ANNUAL POLAR BEAR TANK RACE

multiple locations along the Platte River.

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

March 5 and 6 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 float down the river.

308-546-2206. —sandhillsjourney.com

SMORGASBOARD March 21 at the high EARTH DAY April 25 in Lincoln. This school in Henderson. This event is year's event will be bigger, and a German feast as Nebraskans’ better than ever. The activities MARCH foremothers made it. The buffet includes live music, informational includes verenika (a cottage booths, food trucks, and a farmer’s cheese pocket with ham grav y market. —lincolnearthday.org over it), apple priescha (apple turnover), ham and noodles, IOWA zwiebach (roll), pluma mos (raisins and prunes cooked into a thick soup), BLUE RIBBON BACON FESTIVAL TBD. schnetya (rolled up fruit filled or raisin This annual event will pair the tastes filled dessert), worscht ( pork sausage), and sounds of the Caribbean with kumpzt borscht (cabbage soup), kluptz over 10,000 slices of bacon. There (meat patties) and plautz (cherr y or will be two stages of entertainment, a peach dessert). The high school band silent disco and silent yoga, and lots will perform following the dinner. of lectures and educational events in 402-723-4 434 . —cityofhenderson.org the Chamber of Bacon Enlightenment.

—blueribbonbaconfestival.com/

THE NUTCRACKER BALLET March 6-7 at the Lied Center, Lincoln. The Lincoln Midwest Ballet Company will present its 36th annual production of the holiday classic, The Nutcracker.

420-472-4747. —liedcenter.org

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RODEO GRAND ISLAND TBA 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). 308-3824515. —heartlandeventscenter.com SHAMROCK SHUFFLE 5K WALK/RUN/ CRAWL March 13 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 2021

NEBRASKA ROBOTICS EXPO April

8-10 at Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland.

This virtual event will include MARCH a CEENBoT Showcase, Creative Visual Arts Expo, and a FIRST Lego League Competition. 402944-3100. —sacmuseum.org

ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION March 17-20 in downtown O’Neill. The home of the “The World's Largest Shamrock” with 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 // 86 //

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

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FULL MOON HORSEBACK EXCURSION April 25 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, where you can see the prairie chicken dance.

A hearty breakfast will be ser ved when you return to the ranch. 308530-0048. —dustytrails.biz

ST. PATRICK’S DAY FESTIVAL March 14-21 in Emmetsburg. This sister city of Dublin, Ireland, celebrates the “wearing o’ the green” in a grand way. Events include a bean bag tournament, fish fry, Guinness cookout tasting, 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 38TH ANNUAL MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVAL

March 20 at Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids. The Maple Syrup Festival, held at the end of the syruping season, features syrup-making demonstrations, a look inside the Maple Sugar House, a pancake breakfast with real maple syrup, and live music. 319-3620664. —indiancreeknaturecenter.org

15TH ANNUAL MISSION CREEK FESTIVAL

LINDSBORG LANDMARK CONCERT SERIES—JAZZ WALK March 26 at

April 1-4 at the Englert in Iowa City. This is an intimate festival experience in downtown Iowa City focusing on music and literature. The program highlights quality, independent-minded sounds, words, and events hosted in venues across downtown Iowa City. 319-6882653. —missioncreekfestival.com

Lindsborg Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Lindsborg Jazz Walk will feature jazz musicians at several locations on Main Street in Lindsborg, where a different style of jazz can be found in each spot. —lindsborgarts.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

APRIL

Belle Plaine. Celebrating their 150th anniversary, downtown Belle Plaine will burst with fun activities for adults and children alike. Enjoy live stage entertainment, a carnival, festival food, a vendor fair, a poker run, vintage car and bike show, and more. —belleplainefestival.com

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CELTIC WOMAN April 10 at Stiefel Theatre

DRAKE ROAD RACES HALF MARATHON AND 5K April 18 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. —godrakebulldogs.com

111TH DRAKE RELAYS April 21-24

BELLE PLAINE’S DOWNTOWN FESTIVAL April 9-11 at Downtown

for the Performing Arts. Celtic Woman is recognized as the most successful all-female group in Irish history. They have 12 consecutive Billboard No. 1 hits, 10 million in album sales, a Grammy nomination, and 1 billion online streams. —stiefeltheatre.org

KEGS ’N’ EGGS April 17 at Kansas City Renaissance Festival grounds in Bonner Springs. Guests can hunt for golden eggs and win prizes while sipping on craft beers, eating good food and listening to live music at APRIL 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

21-24

at 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. —godrakebulldogs.com

K ANSAS

ONE NIGHT IN MEMPHIS March 20 at Hutchinson’s Historic Fox Theatre.

“One Night in Memphis” features over 90 minutes of pure rockabilly, country, gospel and rock and roll in a very authentic and energetic presentation featuring nationally known talent. —hutchinsonfox.com 123RD ANNUAL MIDWEST ART EXHIBITION

March 21-23 at Birger Sandzen Memorial Art Gallery. This exhibition was founded in 1899 by three Lindsborg artists—Birger Sandzén, Carl Lotave, and G. N. Malm—as a complement to the annual Messiah Festival held at Bethany College. It represents the longest running annual art exhibition in Kansas. —sandzen.org

AGGIEVILLE SHOWDOWN April 17 at Aggieville Business District on Moro Street. The Aggieville Showdown is a unique show. The event starts at the Riley County Fairgrounds, where exhibitors will battle it out to have the chance to show their market prospect cattle or breeding heifers in the streets of the Aggieville Business District. Other events include a fashion show, live music, and even some poetry. —aggievilleshowdown.com 28TH ANNUAL KANSAS STORYTELLING FESTIVAL April 23-24 in downtown

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

COLIN MOCHRIE AND BRAD SHERWOOD: SCARED SCRIPTLESS April 25 at

Hutchinson’s Historic Fox Theatre. Armed with only their wits, Whose Line is it Anyway? stars Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood are taking to the live stage, no scripts allowed. —hutchinsonfox.com

MISSOURI

UNBOUND BOOK FESTIVAL Through April 23, online. The Unbound Book Festival Celebrates literature of all kinds. This year, the whole festival will be online.

This means you'll be able to watch them all. The festival will culminate with their keynote event on April 23, featuring last year’s planned guests, Pulitzer Prize winners Tracy K. Smith and Jericho Brown. —unboundbookfestival.com PHILLIPS 66 BIG 12 MEN’S AND WOMEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS March

10-14 at Sprint Center and Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City. The Big 12 Conference has announced a one-year extension to the multi-year agreement for Kansas City to serve as the host site for the Phillips 66 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships. The events will remain in Kansas City through 2025. 816.691.3800 —visitkc.com

PLANET COMICON April 16-18 at Bartle Hall Convention Center in Kansas City.

Celebrate 20 years of superheroes, pop culture and more at Kansas City’s largest and longest-running comic book convention and pop culture expo. The three day event will feature the best in comic books, fantasy, science fiction television and movies.

816.533.3126 —planetcomicon.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 regional storytellers from the St. Louis community. 314 .266. 4833.

—extension.missouri.edu/storytelling

Event times and details may change.

Visit omahamagazine.com for complete listings.

Check with venue or event organizer to confirm.

MARCH/APRIL 2021

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

D EAD L INES

A

s a writer, deadlines are part of my profession. Some people work well when given deadlines. Some freeze up under the pressure, while others experience symptoms related to the stress produced by these artificially imposed landmarks such as increased blood pressure, rashes, facial tics, or blenderrelated injuries when the Drillaud Triple Sec splashes them in the eyes. Some writers have been known to suddenly pack up their laptops, change their names, and leave town in the dark of night, moving to a little walk in Malta, rather than face the expectations placed on them.

True, we all face deadlines. Every profession, every job, every career involves such pressure.

Over the years, I have found that deadlines come in many guises. In order to protect my mental health, nap times, and paltry fees, it is important that I understand exactly what type of deadline I am facing. This allows me to relax, be more efficient, and know when I can binge watch The Repair Shop, season three, without bothersome guilt or irrational tension regarding whatever particular assignment I am postponing.

Here then is “The Otis Twelve Hierarchy of Deadlines.”

Absolutely, Positively, Not Kidding, It Has To Be Done By: This is the “date certain” when a task, a project, or an assignment must be completed or else everything will fail; the company will go bankrupt, the bridge will collapse, the rocket will explode on the pad, the car warranty will expire, and/or time itself will end—dark matter will suddenly swallow the strings that create space itself and the reboot of Dune people have been eagerly awaiting will shut down mid-production. Translation: “Get it done within two weeks of the ‘deadline.’”

Positively, Not Kidding, It Has To Be Done By: This is the “critical point” when any goal, aspirational landmark, or delivery date must be met or else the project may fail utterly; something will catch fire, the manager will begin to scream at the employee with the least to-do with the delay, the company will be sold to a Belgium Multinational, the car warranty will expire, and/or the streams of Fate itself will become twisted by Lovecraft’s Dark Powers and all souls will be cast into the eternal Lake of Frozen Fire. Translation: “Get it done within two weeks of the ‘deadline.’”

Not Kidding, It Has To Be Done By: This is the “OMG” moment when any job, assignment, part delivery, or research result must be finished or else heads will roll; the lab will have to be shut down for decontamination, vacations will be canceled, the back of the desk chair will snap when you lean back to stretch your spine, The CEO will call a mandatory staff meeting with no bagels, the car warranty will expire, and/or your one true love will leave you a note that provides you with a lawyer’s phone number and little else. Translation: “Get it done within two weeks of the ‘deadline.’”

It Has To Be Done By: This is when some task must reach a certain point so that the next “It Must Be Done By” can be established or else; the next “It Has To Be Done By” date can’t be set; the receptionist will quit in a huff; FBI agents will show up and seize computers, sticky notes, and filing cabinets; the car warranty will expire; and/or inter-dimensional assassins will suddenly appear at the health club and jump on all the stair steppers ahead of you. Translation: “Get it done within two weeks of the ‘deadline.’”

When Can You Get It Done?: This is the best kind of deadline. Get it done ASAP. Otis Twelve hosts the radio program Early Morning Classics with Otis Twelve on 90.7 KVNO, weekday mornings from 6-10 a.m. Visit kvno.org for more information.

MARCH/APRIL

// 88 //

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