EDITOR'S NOTE: Some events may list a basic ticket price that does not include a facility or handling fee. That fee, which varies by venue and ticket broker, will be added to the ticket price when purchased.
This weekend
"Postmortem," Grand Island Senior High spring play, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday, GISH Little Theatre. Tickets are $4 for adults and $3 for students. Information: 385-5950.
"Holy Ghosts," presented by the Hastings College Theatre Department, 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Scott Studio Theatre, Hastings College. For mature audiences only; tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for senior citizens and non-Hastings College students. Box office hours are noon to 5 p.m. weekday; (402) 461-7380, or e-mail tickets@hastings.edu.
World Famous Lipizzaner Stallions, 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Pershing Center, 226 Centennial Mall South. Tickets are $19.50 and $22.50 for adults with discounts available for children 12 and under and seniors 60 and over; group discounts are also available, call (402) 441-7500. Other tickets available through Ticketmaster; information: (402) 441-8744.
Jones Arts and Crafts Show, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Conestoga Mall. Information: Melissa Griffith, 382-4210.
"Rent," 8 p.m. Friday, and 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Orpheum Theater, Omaha. Tickets range from $27.50 to $50 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 10; Ticketmaster.
Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer, 3133 W. Highway 34: May events: Visitor and Hall County Appreciation Day, Saturday, May 17; and 1890s Memorial Day, Monday, May 26. Special exhibits: Hall County Student Art Show, through May 16; and "Vittles: Flavors Across the Plains," May 26 through Sept. 14. Outdoor exhibits open May 1. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Summer admission (May 1 through Sept. 30): $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and $6 for youth 6-12; children 5 and under admitted free. Information: 385-5316 or www.stuhrmuseum.org.
Prairie Winds Art Center, 112 W. Third: "3 Dimensions," featuring works by wood turner Harry Adams of Alma, glass artist Dawn Hesnault of Grand Island and pastel artist Patricia Scarborough of Geneva, May 2 through May 31 (opening reception: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 2); and the Association of Nebraska Art Clubs traveling exhibits, May 2-31, Sky Winds Gallery. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Information: 381-4001 or www.prairiewindsart.com.
L'eglise Art Center and Gallery, 1105 K St., Aurora. Special exhibit: "Creating Connections," an exhibit of art works created by art educators from Central and Eastern Nebraska, May 2 through June 28 (opening reception: 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 3). Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and by appointment. Information: (402) 631-9578.
Walker Gallery, Fine Arts Building, University of Nebraska at Kearney: Special exhibit: Senior Exhibition featuring works by students graduating in art education, studio fine arts and visual communications and design, through May 8. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (closed over the noon hour); gallery closes at 3:30 p.m. last day of exhibits. No admission charge. Information: (308) 865-8353.
Museum of Nebraska Art, 2401 Central Ave., Kearney: Nebraska art and artists from early 19th century to present. Special exhibits: Student Art Show, through May 4 (artwork will be changed weekly); "19th Century Images of Nebraska," through Aug. 17; "Audubon Selections: Canids from the Wilds of Nebraska," through Sept. 8; "Recent Acquisitions," through June 8; "Nebraska Now: Lisa Bang Hoffman, Photographs," April 19 through July 20; and "The Eyes Have It," April 25 through Sept. 14. Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday; closed major holidays. Docent-led, free tours offered the fourth Wednesday of the month. No admission charge, but donations accepted. Information: (308) 865-8559 or monet.unk.edu/mona.
Hastings Museum of Natural and Cultural History, 1330 N. Burlington. Special events for May: Family Friday, May 2; Super Mom Celebration, May 10 and 11; and Morning at the Museum, Tuesday, May 13,. Special exhibit: "Hatching the Past: Dinosaur Eggs, Nests & Young," through Sept. 14, East Gallery; and "Flow: Sheldon Statewide," through May 18, East Gallery. J.M. McDonald Planetarium: "The Sky Tonight + Skywatch: Realm of the Galaxies," 2 p.m. weekdays, 1, 2:30, and 4 p.m. Saturdays and 2:30 and 4 p.m. Sundays, through May 11. "Realm of the Galaxies" features images taken by local astrophotographers and examine how galaxies appear in binoculars, small telescopes and professional instruments such as the Hubble Space Telescope. Planetarium shows require museum admission. Summer hours (as of May 1): 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Museum will be closed May 22 and 23. Admission: $6 for adults, $5.50 for seniors over 60, $4 for children ages 3 through 12. Information: (402) 461-4629 or (800) 508-4629 or www.hastingsmuseum.
Hastings College Art Gallery, Seventh and Elm, Hastings: Senior Thesis No. 3, featuring works by Nick Fruin and Angela Schrad, May 4 through May 17 (reception and lecture: 1 p.m. Sunday, May 4). No admission charge. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and 2 to 4 p.m. Sundays; gallery is closed during college holidays and vacations. Information: (402) 461-7325.
Plainsman Museum, 210 16th St., Aurora: Local and regional history, doll collection, iron toys, log cabin, sod house. Special exhibit: "Between Fences," a traveling exhibit developed by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibit Service, through May 15. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 1 through Oct. 31. Admission: $6 for adults, $4 seniors 62 and over, $2 for children 5 through 16; group rates available. Information: (402) 694-6531.
Minden Opera House Art Gallery, 322 E. Fifth St., Minden: Paintings by Mark Hartmann of Kearney, through May 31. "Landscapes in Oil," by Will Kefauver of Kitchawan, N.Y., June 1 through July 15. Paintings by Kent Sullivan of North Platte, July 16 through Aug. 31 ) Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and during performances; closed Sunday except for scheduled events. Information: (308) 832-0588 or www.mindenoperahouse.com.
Friday
Concert to benefit Bo Mills, a young Aurora man battling cancer, 7 to 10 p.m., Espressions Coffee Shop, Aurora. Matt Whitman, Leesha Harvey and Aaron Hadenfelt will be performing and proceeds from a silent auction will also help the cause.
Ramblin' Rounds round dancing (waltz, two-step, quick step and cha-cha), 8 p.m., Diamond D Ballroom, 611 W. Fourth. Cuer: Dick Busboom. Information: (308) 226-2420.
Saturday
"Variety Hour 2008," Grand Island Conestoga Barbershop Chorus annual show, 2 and 7:30 p.m., Westridge Middle School. Show will feature the Conestoga Chorus, its member quartet Director's Choice, special guest quartet Paradigm. Admission will be $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased at Ron's Music, Brown's Shoe Fit and both Skagway locations, as well as from any member of the chorus. Information: Steven Scott, 384-1697.
Spring Fling Dance Showcase, fifth annual event organized by DanceSteps, 7 p.m., the Liederkranz, First and Walnut. Tickets are $15 and will be available at the door. Information: Don or Esther Amick, 380-6073 or www.dancestepsonline.com.
Blues guitarist Brooks Williams, 7:30 p.m., Minden Opera House, 322 E. Fifth St., Minden. Tickets are $12; information: (308) 832-0588 or www.mindenoperahouse.com.
"Soireé Française," a recital celebrating the richness and diversity of French vocal repertoire featuring mezzo-soprano Anne Donnadieu and pianist Mark Clinton, 7:30 p.m., Lied Center for Performing Arts, Lincoln. Tickets are $24 with student discounts available; box office: (800) 432-3231 or www.liedcenter.org.
Sunday
The Blackwood Brothers Quartet, one of the biggest names in gospel music history, 6 p.m., Berean Bible Church, 4116 W. Capital Ave. No admission charge, but freewill offerings will be accepted. Information: 382-7881; or www.blackwoodbrothers.com.
Platte Valley Gunslingers monthly cowboy action shoot, Heartland Public Shooting Park. Registration, 8:30 to 9:15 a.m.; shoot starts at 10 a.m. Registration fee is $10; information: Craig Brumley. 390-1309; http://heartlandpublicshootingpark.com.
"Commencement Vespers," a Hastings College student music recital featuring the Hastings College Choir, 5 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 621 N. Lincoln Ave., Hastings. No admission charge; information: (402) 461-7448.
Hastings College student music recital featuring violinist Cassy Johnson, 7:30 p.m., Perkins Auditorium, Fuhr Hall of Music, Hastings College. No admission charge; information: (402) 461-7448.
Flintmaking demonstration, presented by Dennis Meyer, 2 p.m., Merrick County Historical Museum's Traver House, 211 E St., Central City. Information: Bill, (308) 390-3038; or Ruth, (308) 946-3478.
Next week
Grand Island Senior High Varsity Band spring concert, 7 p.m. Monday, May 5, GISH auditorium. No admission charge; information: 385-5950.
Grand Island Senior High Orchestra Concert, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, GISH auditorium. No admission charge; information: 385-5950.
Hastings College student music recital featuring the Men's Choir and Hastings College Singers, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, Perkins Auditorium, Fuhr Hall of Music, Hastings College. No admission charge; information: (402) 461-7448.
Hastings College student music recital featuring Vocal Spectrum, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8, Perkins Auditorium, Fuhr Hall of Music, Hastings College. No admission charge; information: (402) 461-7448.
The Athenian Dancers, a troupe of bellydancers, 6 p.m. Thursday, May 8, Lied Center for the Performing Arts, Lincoln; part of the center's Free at 6 series. No admission charge; information: (800) 432-3231 or www.liedcenter.org.
Hastings College student music recital featuring tenor Michael Heuertz and pianist David Reeves, 8 p.m. Friday, May 9, Perkins Auditorium, Fuhr Hall of Music, Hastings College. No admission charge; information: (402) 461-7448.
"The Nebraska Dispatches," a one-man show based on learning about Chief Standing Bear, presented by playwright, Christopher Cartmill, 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 9, Lied Center's Johnny Carson Theater, Lincoln. Tickets are $18 with student discounts available; box office: (800) 432-3231 or www.liedcenter.org.
"Quilters," a musical presented by TADA Productions, 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10, and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 11, and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15, through Saturday, May 17, and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at The Loft at the Mill in Lincoln's Haymarket. Tickets for $18 for evening performances and $15 for matinees; box office: (402) 438-8232 or www.tadaproductions.info.
Circle B Dancers square dance 7:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 10, Circle B Hall, 508 Gold Road. Caller: Wes Mohling. Information: 381-8100.
On film
Grand Theatre, 316 W. Third: "Shine A Light," a career-spanning documentary on the Rolling Stones, with concert footage from their "A Bigger Bang" tour, 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday; rated PG-13. Admission: $3.50 for adults and $2.50 for children under 12. Information: 381-2667 or www.grandmovietheatre.com.
Lied Super Screen Theater, Hastings Museum, 1330 N. Burlington, Hastings: "Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure," 11 a.m. and 2 and 4 p.m. Thursday; 11 a.m. and 2, 4 and 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday; and 11 a.m. and 2 and 4 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, through Dec. 2; "Dinosaurs Alive!" noon and 3 p.m. Thursday; noon, 3 and 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon and 3 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday, through Sept. 8; and "Forces of Nature," 1 p.m. daily, through June 2. Admission is $7 for adults, $6.50 for seniors and $5.50 for children; Thursday special: $5 tickets and free bag of popcorn for 5, 6 and 7 p.m. shows. (Special screening: "Vantage Point," 7:15 p.m. Saturday and 4:30 p.m. Sunday; and May 9-11; and "The Other Boleyn Girl," May 16-18. Admission is $4.50.) Information: (800) 508-4629 or www.hastingsmuseum.org.
A look ahead
Grand Island Senior High vocal music recital, 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, Little Theatre. No admission charge; information: 385-5950.
The Police, in concert with special guests Elvis Castile and the Impostors, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, Qwest Center, Omaha. Tickets range from $50 to $225; Ticketmaster
"Murder: It's All About the Water! The Year is 1935," an interactive murder mystery and dinner theater, 7 p.m. Saturday, May 17, Nathan Detroit's. Tickets are $25 and reservations are required; information: Paul Warshauer, 384-6816.
"Dancing with Disney," a dance recital presented by students at the YWCA, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 17, Northwest High School. Information: 384-9922.
Geo. Spencer Vineyard fourth annual Art and Garden Festival, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 17, near Gibbon. Festival will feature seminars in the morning, live music in the afternoon, and food, fine and sangria available all day. Information: (308) 830-3088 or (308) 468-5612.
Super Rabbits Poker Run, second annual, Saturday, May 17. Registration begins at noon, Kearney Yamaha, participants leave at 1. Stops include Sumner, Broken Bow, Arcadia and Rockville. Fee is $15 per person or $25 per couple. Proceeds will benefit Buffalo County Relay for Life; information: Tiffanie, (308) 440-8929.
Grand Island Senior High vocal concert, 7 p.m. Sunday, May 18, GISH auditorium. No admission charge; information: 385-5950.
"Songs of Praise and Glory," a country gospel music show, 7 p.m. Sunday, May 18, Fridhem Lutheran Church, Hordville. Performance will include Curt Shoemaker, Larry Dean, Gordon Riley, Tom Schroeder, Elton Flodman and Pat Boilesen. Freewill donations; information: Elton or Connie Flodman, (402) 757-3201.
Big Band Dance, featuring the Lonny Lynn Orchestra, 6 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday, May 18, the Liederkranz, First and Walnut. Admission is $7.50; information: 382-9337
Grand Island Senior High string recital, 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 19, Little Theatre. No admission charge; information: 385-5950.
Nebraska Midwest Country Music Show, featuring Dale Williams, Larry Dean and more, 7 p.m. Monday, May 19, Grand Theatre, 316 W. Third. Admission is $12; information: Elton or Connie Flodman, (402) 757-3201.
"Seven Days in May," starring Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas, 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, Grand Theatre, 315 W. Third. A presentation of the Grand Island International Film Festival, admission is $5; information: Paul Warshauer, 384-6816.
Circle B Dancers square dance 7:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 24, Circle B Hall, 508 Gold Road. Caller: Dwayne Anderson from Sioux Falls, S.D. Information: 381-8100.
"American Dances," the Nebraska Brass season finale featuring the premiere of up-and-coming composer Nolan Schmit's new work for brass quintet., 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 29, First United Methodist Church, Hastings; 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 30, First Unitarian Church, Omaha; and 3 p.m. Sunday, June 1, First Presbyterian Church, Lincoln. Tickets for the Hastings performance are $12 for adults and $10 for seniors; tickets for the Lincoln and Omaha performances are $15 for adults and $12 for seniors. Information/tickets: (402) 477-7899; , e-mail nb@artsincorporated.org or check the Web site at www.artsincorporated.org/nb.
Reba McEntire, in concert, 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 13, Mid-America Center, Council Bluffs. Tickets range from $49 to $85; Ticketmaster.
"Yesterday and Today: A Concert Celebrating the Music of the Beatles," featuring Billy McGuigan and his brothers, Matthew and Ryan, 7 p.m. Saturday, July 12, Hornady-Marshall Theatre, College Park. A "Live from the Park," presentation, tickets are $35; GILT box office: 382-2586, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, with Steve Winwood, in concert, 8 p.m. Sunday, July 20. Tickets range from $53 to $97; Ticketmaster.
Jonas Brothers, in concert, 7 p.m. Monday, July 21, Qwest Center, Omaha. Tickets range from $59.50 to $75; Ticketmaster.
Dave Matthews Band, in concert, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 22, Qwest Center, Omaha. Tickets are $63; Ticketmaster.
Journey, in concert with special guests Heart and Cheap Trick, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 22, Mid-America Center, Council Bluffs. Tickets range from 46.50 to $72; Ticketmaster.
Raven-Symone, star of Disney's "That's So Raven," in concert, 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4, Buffalo County Fairgrounds, Kearney. Information/tickets: Buffalo County Fair office, (866) 301-1201 or (308) 236-1201.
Jim Gaffigan's "Sexy Tour," 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, Omaha Music Hall, Omaha. Tickets are $37.75; Ticketmaster.
Celine Dion, in concert, Monday, Nov. 17, 2008, Qwest Center, Omaha. Tickets range from $47.50 to $135; Ticketmaster.
Venue & ticket info
Heartland Events Center: 700 E. Stolley Park Road, 382-4515, www.HeartlandEventsCenter.com.
FirsTier Event Center: 609 Platte Road, Kearney; office: (308) 338-8144; ticket office: (308) 338 -8011, www.kearneyevents.com.
Pershing Center: Pershing Center, 226 Centennial Mall South, Lincoln; (402) 441-8744, www.pershingcenter.com.
Lied Center for Performing Arts: 12th and R streets, Lincoln; (800) 432-3231, www.liedcenter.org.
Qwest Center: 455 N. 10th St., Omaha; (402) 341-1500, www.qwestcenteromaha.com.
Orpheum Theater: 409 S. 16th St., Omaha; box office: (402) 345-0606 or www.omahaperformingarts.org.
Holland Performing Arts Center: 13th and Douglas; Omaha; box office: (402) 345-0606 or www.omahaperformingarts.org.
Omaha Music Hall: 17th and Davenport, Omaha; (402) 997-9378.
Mid America Center: One Arena Way, Council Bluffs, Iowa; (712) 323-0536, www.midamericacenter.com.
Ticketmaster: (402) 475-1212, (402) 422-1212 or www.ticketmaster.com.
