This weekend
"Pippin," presented by Nebraska Wesleyan University, 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, (last weekend), McDonald Theatre, 51st and Huntington, Lincoln. Tickets are $15 adults, $10 for students 12 to 18 years and senior citizens, and $7.50 for children under 12; box office: (402) 465-2384.
Nebraska State Fair, through Monday, State Fair Park, Lincoln. Open Air Auditorium Entertainment Series lineup: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, 7 p.m. Thursday; Galaxy of Stars Talent Search, 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; "A Funny Experience Comedy Show," featuring Nebraska comedians T. Marni Voss, Juli Burney and more, 7 p.m. Saturday; Nebraska Showcase of Talent," 7 p.m. Sunday; Nebraska Showcase of Talent and Mustang Sally, 7 p.m. Sunday; The Derailers, 9 p.m. Sunday; and Styx, 7 p.m. Monday. Midway opens at 1 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. weekends and Labor Day. Fair admission: Adults, $5 before 5 p.m. weekdays and $8 after 5 p.m. weekdays, weekends and Labor Day; children age 6-12, $2; free for children 5 and under; no extra admission charge for open air concerts. Military Appreciation Day, Friday, Aug. 29; complimentary gate admission to all military personnel with military ID until 5 p.m. Free parking. Information: (402) 474-5371 or www.statefair.org.
Rock the Light IX, contemporary Christian music festival, Friday, Aug. 29, and Saturday, Aug. 30, Starlight Theatre, 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City. Headliners include Dove Award-winner Jeremy Camp and Grammy Award-winner Casting Crowns. Tickets at the gate range from $19 to $85. Reserved and general admission seats are available. Information: www.rockthelight.com.
"Honoring our Brave Veterans," the 12th annual Accordion Jamboree, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, and Sunday, Aug. 31, Heartland Events Center. Event features lots of accordion players, dancing to polkas and waltzes, food and beverages and a special salute to veterans on Sunday. Tickets range from $10 to $20; veterans admitted free with qualifying ticket. Information: Betty Robinson, (308) 440-3424 or (308) 236-8973; e-mail JamboreeFrontDesk@gmail.com or check http://accordionjamboree.com.
Back to School in Railroad Town, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1, Stuhr Museum. It's all about readin', writin' and ’rithmetic as students test their skills at Peters School; hands-on activities for kids of all ages. Admission is $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.
Arcadia Fall Festival, Friday through Sunday, Arcadia. Event includes talent show, demolition derby, music food, ranch rodeo, talent show, parade at 10:30 a.m. Monday and more. Information: Susan Emery (308) 789-6552 or www.arcadiane.com.
Annual Kite Flight, 19th annual event, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, and Sunday, Aug. 31, Foster Smith Field, 5 miles southwest of Callaway. Event includes family, amateur and experienced kite flying; concessions, kite Bingo, musical entertainment, ranch rodeo and more. Admission is $2. Information: Connie May, (308) 836-2620.
Milk Jug Derby, Turtle Races and Golf Events, Saturday, Aug. 30, and Sunday, Aug. 31, Ericson. Information: Joe Wadas (308) 750-0426; www.lakeericson.com.
Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer, 3133 W. Highway 34: Special exhibit: "Vittles: Flavors Across the Plains," through Sept. 14; and "The Nuts and Bolts of Art," featuring works by members of the Grand Island Art and Grand Island Sketch clubs, Sept. 22 through Nov. 23. August and September events: "Back to School in Railroad Town," Saturday, Aug. 30, Sunday, Aug. 31, and Monday, Sept. 1; and Harvest Festival, Saturday, Sept. 27. Outdoor displays close for the season on Sept. 30. 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: "Touchstones of the Earth 2," featuring paintings by Gary Ozias and Dorothy Lambert Uhrmacher and pottery by Bill Robbins, through Aug. 31; works by Ralph Brown, through Aug. 31, Skywinds Gallery; and "Kindred Spirit," featuring poetry by Tricia Beem and art by Cynthia Duff, Susanne Osberg, Libby Henry, Rosie Leonard and Charl Ann Mitchell, Sept. 1 through Sept. 30 (reception: 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4). 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: "Growin' in Heaps and Mounds," featuring sculptural and sound installations by Kurt Peterson and Rana Schmitz, through Aug. 30; and "Art: Made in the U.S.A.," featuring works created by area artists, Sept. 5 through Oct. 25 (reception: 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12). 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.
Plainsman Museum, 210 16th St., Aurora: Local and regional history, doll collection, iron toys, log cabin, sod house. 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.
Hastings Museum of Natural and Cultural History, 1330 N. Burlington. Special exhibit: "Hatching the Past: Dinosaur Eggs, Nests & Young," through Sept. 14, East Gallery. September events: Preschool Playdays, 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2, and Saturday, Sept. 6; Family Friday, Sept. 5; Morning at the Museum, Tuesday, Sept. 9; and Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day, Saturday, Sept. 27. J.M. McDonald Planetarium: "The Sky Tonight," 1, 2:30, and 4 p.m. daily, through Sept. 3, Sept. 8-12 and Sept. 15-Nov. 21; laser shows set to the music of Pink Floyd, the Beatles and more, starting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3, through Friday, Sept. 5, and 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, and Sunday, Sept. 7 (extra admission charge of $5 per person); and full dome video demonstrations, Sept. 13-14. Planetarium shows require museum admission. Summer hours: 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. 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.
Museum of Nebraska Art, 2401 Central Ave., Kearney: Nebraska art and artists from early 19th century to present. Special exhibits: "Audubon Selections: Canids from the Wilds of Nebraska," through Sept. 8; "The Eyes Have It," through Sept. 14; "Nebraska Now: Susan Knight, Paintings," through Oct. 12; "A Treasury of Murals: Nebraska's Post Office Legacy," through Oct. 12; "Stories Behind the Art," through Dec. 31; and "Across the Lands and to Nebraska: The Photographs of Andrew Moore," featuring large format color photography by Andrew Moore, Sept. 13, through Jan. 4. 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.
Great Platte River Road Archway Monument, two miles east of the Kearney interchange on Interstate 80. Special exhibit: Lincoln Highway Month, featuring live re-enactments and exhibit of Lincoln Highway memorabilia. Fall hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily (through Oct. 28). Information: (308) 237-1000 or (877) 511-ARCH or www.archway.org.
Minden Opera House Art Gallery, 322 E. Fifth St., Minden: Paintings by Kent Sullivan of North Platte, 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.
1885 Opera House, 413 N. Webster: Red Cloud: Special exhibit: "The Rise of a Landmark," works by Lewis Wick Hines, Aug. 27 through Oct. 27. Information: (402) 746-2641.
Columbus Art Gallery, 2504 14th St., Columbus (lower level of Columbus Public Library): "Antarctica: Journey & Destination," featuring photographs by Larry Ferguson of Omaha, through Sept. 8; and exhibit featuring paintings by Tim Garth, photographs by Molly Lenihan and fused glass by Barbara Nicholson, Sept. 9 through Oct. 8 (reception: 2 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14). Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday; noon to 4:30 p.m. Friday, and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday; open evenings and Sundays by appointment. Information: (402) 563-1016 or e-mail gallery@megavision.com.
Thursday
The Bluegrass Patriots, a gospel group from Fort Collins, Colo., 7:30 p.m., Christ Lutheran Church, 600 W. Medina St., Cairo. No admission charge but freewill offerings will be accepted for the group. Information: Lyle Harders, 390-2329.
Friday
David Rovics, singer/songwriter, in concert, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, French Memorial Chapel, Hastings College, Hastings. Opening act will be Peggy Lang of Dannebrog. No admission charge; information: (308) 754-4901.
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
Circle Squares special plus dancing, 7:30 to 10 p.m., Diamond D Ballroom, 611 W. Fourth. Caller: Dick Busboom. Information: (308) 226-2420 or (308) 687-6343.
Old-Timers Rodeo, Saturday, Aug. 30, Garfield County Fairgrounds, Burwell. Event featuring six rodeo events open to cowboys and cowgirls 40 and older. Admission is $3; information: Patty Cox (308) 346-5210; www.burwellchamber.net
Live Music and Open Mic Night, 7 to 10 p.m., Blue Moon Coffee Company, 313 W. Third. Information: Clay Leeper, 398-5214.
Sunday
The Doobie Brothers, in concert, 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, Harrah's Casino, Council Bluffs; part of the Stir Cover summer concert series. Tickets are $40 general admission and $50 reserved). Information: (712) 329-6000 or http://stircove.frontgatetickets.com.
Next week
L.A. Guns, a band that got its start on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles more than 20 years ago, 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1, Club 69, 106 E. Third. Special guests will be Hellanova of Hastings and Glitch of Grand Island. Tickets are $25 are available at the club and online at www.thunder1031.com. Information: Allen Kohtz, (308) 258-3381.
Miles of Memories Country MusicFest, fifth annual, Thursday, Sept. 4, through Saturday, Sept. 6, Adams County Fairgrounds, Hastings. Headliners include Stew Clayton, singer of old-time songs and yodeler, and Steve Mitchell, a cowboy and classical performer who works at Silver Dollar City. Admission is $15 per day or $35 for a three-day ticket. There's a $10 admission for evenings only, available each day after 5 p.m. Children 12 and younger will be admitted without charge when accompanied by a parent or grandparent. Information: Tex or Mary Schutz, (903) 467-9545 or e-mail texschutz@aol.com, or check the Web site at www.texandmary.com.
Yorkfest 2008, Friday, Sept. 5, through Sunday, Sept. 7, York. Event includes food, music, races, farmers market, parade at 10 a.m. Saturday and more. Information: Todd Kirshenbaum, (402) 362-5531 or www.yorkchamber.org.
FAMFest, sixth annual event, Saturday, Sept. 6, downtown square, Aurora. Festival will feature Canadian blues artist Ellen McIlwaine and hammered-dulcimer virtuoso Malcolm Dalglish; a modern-day version of Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet," (2 to 4 p.m. at the First Christian Church); fine art and demonstrations, activities for children and more. Information: Wenda or Harry Eckerson, (402) 631-8714 or www.famfestaurora.org.
Polish Festival, Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, Polish Heritage Center and St. Francis Hall, Ashton. Event includes Polish foods, music, activities for children, museum tours and more. Admission is $3. Information: Phyllis Piechota, (308) 738-2260, or www.polishheritagecenter.com.
Old Trusty Antique Engine and Collectors Show, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, Clay County Fairgrounds, 701 N. Martin, Clay Center. Event features draft horse show, country music, working heritage craftsment, tractor pulls, flea market, fresh taffy and sweet sorghum molasses and more. Admission charged to some events. Information: Joyce Schlick, (402) 726-2487, or www.oldtrusty.org.
Randall Zwarte Band, benefit for the Grand Island Veterans Home Staff for Santa project, 8 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, Sept. 6, Westside Lanes. In addition to classic rock performed by the band, the event will include a poker run during the day, Information: Craig, 381-0300.
The String Beans, "music that makes kids move," 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, Wood River Rural High School Performing Arts Theater. Part of the 2008-09 Celebrate Wood River Season, there is no admission charge, but freewill offerings will be accepted. Information: Sara Arnett, (308) 583-2262; or http://wrcommunityfoundation.com/celebratewr.htm.
Circle Squares square dancing, 7:30 to 10 p.m. (plus tips from 7:30 to 8 p.m.) Saturday, Sept. 6, Diamond D Ballroom, 611 W. Fourth. Caller: Dick Busboom. Information: (308) 226-2420 or (308) 687-6343.
Chad Lee, in concert to benefit the Special Olympics, 6:30 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, Old Walnut Theatre, 504 N. Elm St. Lee, an Elvis impersonator, has appeared on "Good Morning America" and "The Morning Show." Admission is $8; information: Kelly Davis, 383-3090; or kelly.davis@mosaicinfo.org.
On film
Grand Theatre, 316 W. Third: "Mamma Mia," 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The story of a bride-to-be trying to find her real father told using hit songs by the popular ’70s group Abba. Starring Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth, this film is rated PG. Tickets are $3.50 for adults and $2.50 for children under 12. Free matinee: "Madagascar," 2 p.m. Saturday. 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 Feb. 3; "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. 9; and "Wired to Win: Surviving the Tour de France," 1 p.m. daily, through Sept. 9, 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 (ends Aug. 28). (Special screening: "WALL-E," 7:15 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29-31 and Sept. 5-7). Admission is $4.50.) Information: (800) 508-4629 or www.hastingsmuseum.org.
A look ahead
"Disney On Ice: Disneyland Adventure," 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, and Friday, Sept. 19; 11 a.m. and 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20; and 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, Qwest Center, Omaha. Tickets range from $12 to $52; Ticketmaster.
Circle Squares square dancing, 7:30 to 10 p.m. (plus tips from 7:30 to 8 p.m.) Saturday, Sept. 20, Diamond D Ballroom, 611 W. Fourth. Caller: Dick Busboom. Information: (308) 226-2420 or (308) 687-6343.
Earth, Wind & Fire, in concert with special guest Michael McDonald, 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, Mid-America Center, Council Bluffs. Tickets range from $42 to $147; Ticketmaster.
Avenged Sevenfold and Buckcherry, in concert with special guests Shinedown and Saving Abel, 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22, Pershing Center in Lincoln. General admission tickets are $35; Ticketmaster.
Rodney Atkins, in concert, 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, Qwest Center, Omaha. Tickets range from $15.50 to $52; Ticketmaster.
Larry the Cable Guy, stand-up comedy, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, Qwest Center, Omaha. Tickets range from $25 to $62; Ticketmaster.
Jessica Simpson, in concert, 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, Qwest Center, Omaha. Tickets range from $15.50 to $52; Ticketmaster.
Jim Gaffigan's "Sexy Tour," 7 and 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, Omaha Music Hall, Omaha. Tickets are $37.75; Ticketmaster.
Rodney Carrington's "King of the Mountains" tour, 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, Pershing Center, Lincoln, Reserved tickets are $39.75; Ticketmaster.
"Rock Band Live," on tour, featuring Panic At The Disco and Dashboard Confessional, with special guests Plain White T's and The Cab, Saturday, Oct. 18, Pershing Center, Lincoln. Tickets/information: www.rockbandlivetour.com.
"Disney Live! Winnie the Pooh," 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, Omaha Civic Auditorium; tickets range from $15 to $36; and 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, Pershing Center, Lincoln; tickets range from $15 to $26; Ticketmaster.
"Chicago: The Musical," Sunday, Oct. 26, FirsTier Event Center, Kearney. Tickets/information: (308) 338-8011 or log on to www.kearneyevents.com.
New Kids on the Block, in concert, 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, Qwest Center, Omaha. Tickets range from $27.50 to $67.50; Ticketmaster.
Bill Gaither and Friends, in concert, 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, Qwest Center Omaha. Tickets range from $19.50 to $39.50; Ticketmaster.
Celine Dion, in concert, Monday, Nov. 17, 2008, Qwest Center, Omaha. Tickets range from $47.50 to $135; Ticketmaster.
Moscow Ballet's "Great Russian Nutcracker," 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, Omaha Music Hall, 17th and Davenport, Omaha. Tickets range from $23 to $63; 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.
