:: propagandART ~ march 15, 2004 ::

'A good moral, my lord: it is not enough to speak, but to speak true.'
i'm supposed to say that in midsummer while watching a play.
but that line got cut from our production and found it's meaning here.

:: midsummer night's dream ::

the opening of midsummer was a complete success. from a nearly sold-out opening to a triumphant sunday matinee, this comedy is off to a great start. during the opening weekend we hosted plenty of show-goers who were new to shakespeare and were all delighted.

this is a high-wattage production of one of the bard's most celebrated comedies. shakespeare's message that the course of true love never runs smoothly is brought to life by fairies (laurence mota, jim hopkins, melissa lewis), lovers (matthew landis, andrea swartz, laura kendall, ivan lovegren) and 'rude mechanicals' (steve gaines, dick nielsen, tom crew).

says larry kubert of the lincoln journal star: "the production is generally a finely tuned piece, woven throughout with (director Bob) Hall's thoughtful and perceptive eye for comic detail. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Hall has a number of excellent performers cast into this stylish effort."

if this isn't enough incentive to come see this wonderful show, consider this...
i'm having a party on saturday, march 20th after the show!
it's part midsummer cast party, part birthday party (for 2 cast members and a buddy) and part spring equinox party.
all are welcome... here's a map to my house.
so come see the show on the 20th and join us for merrymaking afterwards!

midsummer runs thursdays-sundays until march 27 (thurs-sat: 7:30 & sun: 2pm)
at the haymarket theatre (803 q street)
tickets: $15 adult/$12 senior/$9 student ~ box office: 477.2600

:: Smokey Joe's Cafe ::

Leiber and Stoller, as much as anyone, invented rock 'n' roll and now their songs provide the basis for an electrifying entertainment that illuminates a golden age of American culture. In an idealized '50's setting, the classic themes of love (won, lost and imagined) blend with slice-of-life emotions. Featuring nearly 40 of the greatest songs ever recorded ("Ruby Baby," "Kansas City," "On Broadway," "I'm A Woman," "Hound Dog," "Stand By Me," "There Is a Rose in Spanish Harlem"), SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE isn't just great pop music - it's compelling musical theatre.

larry kubert had this to say: "Lasting for a far-too-short two hours, the Playhouse production features a wonderfully entertaining cast under the stage direction of Patrick Lambrecht and the musical guidance of Chuck Pennington. This little roadhouse medley of songs is incredibly entertaining, but more importantly, very well performed. It'll smack a smile on your face!"

Contact the LCP Box office to make reservations: 489-7529

:: prince reminder ::

truly great ones don't come around that often... and when they're gone they're gone.
did you get to see michael jordan play ball live? whether or not you like basketball,
wouldn't you like to be able to say you saw him live? well, your chance is gone.

here's what vh-1 has to say about prince: The word "genius" doesn't do him justice. He's been a funkateer, showman, provocateur, guru, entrepreneur, slave, and, ultimately, unclassifiable enigma. He takes on the big topics - like sex and God and politics and sex and God - blending them into a wondrous songbook that splits the difference between pop and R&B. Simply put: the world would be much less interesting without him.

here are a few more reasons to consider getting your butt up to omaha:
- he was inducted into the rock'n'roll hall of fame just last monday (march 15).
- he's retiring most of his 80s hits after this tour to focus on new material.
- he's giving away a copy of his new cd (musicology) with every ticket sold.

prince at the qwest center in omaha
wednesday, april 7 @ 7:30 pm
here's the link to get tickets at ticketmaster.
just get in the building!

:: Gaelic Storm ::

You may remember them as the third class steerage band from James Cameron's film Titanic or from several episodes of NBC's Providence. Gaelic Storm currently plays 125 dates a year and has been a hit at Celtic and folk festivals around the world. Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with Gaelic Storm's non-stop, power-packed pint of pure entertainment.

Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 7:30 p.m.
Leid Center 12th & R Streets ~ Phone: 472-4747
Tickets: $35/30/25 ~ Students/Youth: $17.50/15/12.50

:: Under 40 Democrats Catch March Madness ::

Our March Madness event was a such a big success last year (nearly a hundred Democrats showed up), we're doing it again! The first 65 people in the door will be automatically entered in our tournament 'pool' and be eligible to win prizes.

This year's event will be on Thursday, March 18th, from 5:30 to 8:00 at the Chatterbox (On 'O' Street, between 8th & 9th Streets). If you're interested in being an event sponsor please email Patrick (patrick@under40democrats.org).

For more informatin about this, and many other U40 Dem events, hit the website...
http://www.under40democrats.org

:: omaHome Merges Theatre and Art For One Night Only ::

REST Productions presents omaHome, Saturday, March 20, 7-10pm at Hot Shops Art Center, 13th and Nicholas Streets. Admission is $10 at the door. The third incarnation of the "one night only event" blurs the line between live theatre and art show, performance and art, stage and gallery. This is the follow up performance/art event to the wildly successful Whoosh! and The Style Parables. omaHome is a fundraiser for the TAG Scholarship Fund and 13th Street Gallery.

This year, a larger scale visual art component combines the arts further, by including original artwork on the House/Home theme by over 50 local artists, along with 23 original monologues and performances. Art and performance will be nestled into every nook and cranny of the expansive Hot Shops.

Over 40 artists submitted proposals for house/home-inspired artwork. In the interest of keeping a random element, local writers each pulled a performer's name and a proposal for artwork out of a hat. The writers then created a five-minute monologue specifically for their performer, inspired by a piece of artwork. At the March 20th event, the monologues will be performed in, around and near the artwork inspirations.

This event is presented in conjunction with the 13th St. Gallery art exhibit: "FSBO...American Dream" which runs March 6-28. The show features the art of Eddith Buis and Tom "Swanee" Swanson, plus 13th St. Gallery artists and omaHome artists. The gallery is open Saturdays and Sundays from noon-4pm. Several omaHome artists will be on hand during those hours each weekend of the exhibit. Opening Reception is Saturday, March 6, 6-10pm. There will be teaser performances by omaHome participants Mary Kelly, Kristin Pluhacek and Christine Schwery.

Also in conjunction with omaHome, Nicholas St. Gallery presents “David Hansen: In and Out of Home,” also running March 6th-28th and opening Saturday March 6th, 6-10 pm. Nicholas St. Gallery is open Saturdays and Sundays from noon-4pm.

13th St. Gallery is an Omaha art scene tradition, located at the Hot Shops Art Center. The artists in this gallery cooperative strive to push the art envelope with a focus on experimentation. Money raised by the event will be used for new gallery renovations.

For more information consult the press release or contact
Roxanne Wach in Omaha at 402-457-6160 or roxwach@aol.com.

:: Forever Plaid ::

Four pals who loved to sing. They dreamed of becoming like their idols - The Four Aces, The Four Lads and The Crew Cuts. They rehearsed & rehearsed with the hope to become a group that encompassed traditional values, of family, home and harmony. They devoted themselves to their singing at nights and on weekends. Then finally, they landed their first big gig at the Airport Hilton Cocktail Bar -- The Fusel-Lounge (February 9, 1964). En route to pick up their custom-made Plaid Tuxedoes, they were slammed broadside by a school bus filled with eager Catholic teens. The teens were on their way to witness the Beatles make their US television debut on the Ed Sullivan Show and, miraculously escaped uninjured. The members of Forever Plaid were killed instantly. Now, thanks to a hole in the ozone layer, and with all the stars aligned...The Plaids return to do that one concert they never got to perform in life.

Starring as the Plaids are Steve Pearson as Francis, Matt Works as Sparky, Scott Hegenbart as Jinx and Chris Maunu as Smudge. Directed by Robert D. Rook, musical direction is by Cris Rook and choreography by Becky Drum. Sheri Erickson will accompany. After the show join the Plaids at the new Starlight Lounge in the Haymarket!

March 18-21/25-28, 2004 ~ Thur-Sat 7:30pm & Sun 2:00pm
Tickets Only $15.00 (opening night special $10) ~ General Admission
Loft at the Mill (8th & P Streets)
For Reservations, Call 402-438-TADA (8232) or hit the website: http://tadaproductions.info/
For any other assistance or questions about ticket reservations, please call or e-mail us at tickets@tadaproductions.info

:: Poets (and others) Against the War Reading ::

The Coalition for Peace is organizing a march and rally at the State Capitol at 2 pm on Saturday, March 20 to mourn/protest the war in Iraq and the continued loss of life and US occupation. Following the rally and march there will be workshops and music at the nearby Women's Club. As part of these events at the Women's Club there will be an open reading of Poets (and others) Against the War from 4 to 5 pm. Rally participants will include people from Omaha and central Nebraska, along with Lincolnites. We hope to attract wordsmiths from throughout the area, as well.

Saturday, March 20, 4 p.m. at the Lincoln Women's Club, 407 S. 14th St.
For further information, email Mark at mark@weddleton.com

:: Cliff Eberhardt ::

Cliff Eberhardt is a songwriter and performer of remarkable passion and wit. Compatriots have long admired his work with artists like Richie Havens, Shawn Colvin, and Lucy Kaplansky, recording his songs. He is “one of the most original songsmiths currently on tour, a highly intelligent and articulate artist whose penetrating and profound lyrics are sometimes overshadowed by his extraordinary guitar playing.” His previous house concert and main stage show in Lincoln were tremendously good. This one is sure to be equally wonderful. For more about Cliff, hit his website: http://www.cliffeberhardt.com/

"Eberhardt is a superb singer, with a vast credible range of emotions, and a soulfulness that draws from rock and pop, but also from the best folk ballad styles." -The Boston Globe

"Eberhardt sings with passion and with wit... what makes his brand so rare is the self-assurance and poise he brings to his nearly flawless show." -The New York Post

Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 6:30pm
857 North 42nd ~ Artist donation is $10 at the door.
Since seating is limited, please reserve your seat by calling 402-466-4775 or sending email to janedell@yahoo.com