Enjoy a night on the town Friday, with free admission and free activities at arts and entertainment venues. All venues are open from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, except the Family Zone, which is open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Here are the details on where to go and what you’ll find to do:
NIGHT LIFE
Film Streams at the Ruth Sokolof Theater, 1340 Webster St.: See classic concert films in two theaters. Come and go as you please as these shows play:
D.A. Pennebaker’s “Monterey Pop” (1968) showcases a young Janis Joplin, the Who, soul singer Otis Redding and a rock trio that was little known at the time: the Jimi Hendrix Experience.
Martin Scorsese’s “The Last Waltz” (1978) focuses on the last concert of the musicians who made up the Band, backing Bob Dylan. It includes the concert’s guest appearances by Muddy Waters, Paul Butterfield, Joni Mitchell, Neil Diamond, Van Morrison and Eric Clapton.
Food and beverages available for purchase. Limited free parking west of the theater. Street parking free after 5 p.m.; pay lots nearby. The shuttle service stops nearby at the Slowdown. Information: www.filmstreams.org and 933-0259.
Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St.: The band Cursive headlines an outdoor multimedia concert at 7 p.m. for ages 18 and older. The groups Flowers Forever and Azure Ray open the show.
When Cursive takes the stage, watch for a large screen with clips from Western movies and excerpts from old television episodes of “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom.” Beer tent and food vendors available.
The concert concludes at 11 p.m. If you’re 21 or older, you can hang around for the indoor after-party.
Street parking free after 5 p.m.; pay lots nearby. Shuttle service stops here. Information: www.theslowdown.com and 933-0259.
ARTS AND CULTURE
Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, 724 S. 12th St.: Enter an artistic creation that looks like a cave. Sean Ward created this new immersion work of art where you can order a beer or a soft drink and listen to local musicians on stage.
These bands start playing at 8 p.m.: Vverevvolf Grehv, FATHR^, Plack Blague, Pod Blotz and Bone Rattle. Omaha Symphony flutists Maria Harding and Leslie Fagan also will play.
Studios of artists in residence and three exhibition spaces are open for visitors.
Free parking northeast of the building. Street parking free after 5 p.m.; pay lots nearby. For shuttle service, use the Blue Barn Theatre stop and walk south two blocks. Information: 341-7130.
Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St.: Enjoy an ice cream social on the upper-level parking deck (indoors if there’s rain). A Dixieland band made up of Omaha Symphony musicians and friends, led by symphony trombonist Jay Wise, will play upbeat music.
Free root beer floats while they last. There will be dancing and old-fashioned games such as hopscotch, checkers, jacks and hoop-and-stick. You may also see museum exhibits, including the traveling exhibit, “Moneyville.”
Free parking on the museum’s lower-level parking deck. The shuttle service stops here. Information: 444-5071.
Hot Shops Art Center, 1301 Nicholas St.: Watch more than 30 artists demonstrate coin striking, welding, glass blowing, pottery glazing and other skills. Tour the arts studio and listen to the Nova String Quartet with Omaha Symphony cellist Holly Stout.
Food and beverages will be provided. Free street parking on the east and south sides of the building. Shuttle service stops here. Information: www.hotshopsartcenter.com and 342-6452.
Joslyn Art Museum, 2200 Dodge St.: Wear your dancing shoes and enjoy a Latin dance party in the museum’s new sculpture garden from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Music is by Son Venezuela.
Join a collaborative art experience in the sculpture garden with artists Leslie Iwai and Matt Lowe from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The museum will be open for guided tours throughout the evening and food and beverages will be available for purchase.
Free parking in the lot northeast of the museum and on the street after 5 p.m. Shuttle service stops here. Information: www.joslyn.org and 342-3300.
Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. Stroll the 100-acre gardens, sample wine and enjoy live music. Indoors, the “Pinot and Piano” program offers music by Phyllis Dunne, complimentary bite-size desserts and samples of two wines: Mirassou Pinot Noir and Maso Canali Pinot Grigio.
Additional wine by the glass can be purchased after 9 p.m. Bottles of wine can be purchased in the visitor center. Light dinner items will be sold for $1 to $6 until 9:30 p.m. The first 500 guests receive a free commemorative wine glass.
Wine Around the World will be presented by the Urban Wine Co. while supplies last. Each of the outdoor tasting stations has a theme country:
France — in the Festival Garden. Enjoy Red Bicyclette rose, a blush blend with hints of strawberries and raspberries. David Land plays the accordion while you look for the Eiffel Tower in the distance.
Germany — in the Victorian Garden. Sip Polka Dot Riesling, a sweet wine with a flowery nose and flavor notes of pear, peach and sweet pink grapefruit. Eric Fuller puffs on his tuba for some traditional “oompah.”
Australia — in the Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary. Savor McWilliams Shiraz, a rich, spicy wine with fruity flavors reminiscent of prune and blackberry. Bob Dunne creates a Down Under atmosphere on the didgeridoo.
America — in the Model Railroad Garden. Explore the flavors of Dancing Bull Zinfandel, a fruity and spicy red wine with notes of raspberry, strawberry, black pepper and vanilla. You can watch seven model trains while Josh Krohn picks the claw hammer banjo and plays his fiddle.
Japan — at the Sunpu Castle Gate replica, where you can see a replica of Japan’s Mount Fuji. Learn more about Momokawa Diamond sake, in the tradition of Japanese rice wines. This dry wine has hints of melon, tropical fruits, spices and minerals. Hiroko Temme will play a traditional Japanese stringed instrument, the koto.
Italy — in the Herb Garden. Try DaVinci chianti, a mellow red wine with aromas of ripe plums and cherries and a hint of pepper in its aftertaste. Meanwhile, enjoy the powerful singing of soprano Sara Salas and tenor Andrew Spady, both from Opera Omaha, accompanied by keyboardist Michael Cotton.
If it rains, activities will be moved indoors. The shuttle service stops at the gardens. Information: www.omahabotanicalgardens.org and 346-4002.
LIVE THEATER, MUSIC
Blue Barn Theatre, 614 S. 11th St.: Influence the show as an ensemble presents “Witching Hour,” four fast-paced 30-minute performances of original works based on the whims of each audience. Showtimes are 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Between shows, visitors tour the theater and have refreshments. Street parking free after 5 p.m.; pay lot nearby. Shuttle service stops here. Information: www.bluebarn.org and 345-1576.
Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St.: Settle down in the center’s outdoor courtyard for live music under the stars. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket or take advantage of the limited table seating.
Performers are: Luigi Inc., 5 p.m.; Sarah Benck, 6 p.m.; Black Squirrels, 7 p.m.; Shiver Shiver, 8 p.m.; Prairie Cats, 9 p.m.; and Satchel Grande, 10 p.m.
Food and drink available for purchase. Street parking free after 5 p.m.; pay lots nearby. Shuttle service stops nearby at 11th and Douglas Streets. Information: www.omahaperformingarts.org and 345-0202.
Kaneko, 1111 Jones St.: Mark Twain once said, “I’m told Richard Wagner’s music is better than it sounds.” He never heard “Das Barbecü,” the campy musical that Opera Omaha will present at 5:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on the loading dock just outside the Kaneko building.
“Das Barbecü” is a short country-western spoof of Wagner’s sprawling four-opera “Ring Cycle.” Think of it as a cross between weighty Teutonic opera and Texas soap opera, featuring songs such as “Hogtie Your Man” and “Rodeo Romeo.” Six singers play more than 30 outrageous characters at breakneck speed.
Between shows, Omaha Symphony violinist Anne Nagosky and her students play fiddle tunes. A beer garden and barbecue-type foods available for purchase. For shuttle service, use the Blue Barn Theatre stop and walk south. Information: www.operaomaha.org.
FAMILY ZONE
Downtown Family YMCA, 430 S. 20th St.: Blow off steam at a host of outdoor activities, including inflatable bouncers, an obstacle course and interactive games. Have fun indoors swimming or playing basketball, racquetball and other games. Ziggy the inflatable dragon will be in the pool. For shuttle service, use the Rose Theater stop. Information: www.metroymca.org.
Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20th St.: Tour the special exhibit “Sesame Street Presents: The Body,” which includes special appearances by Elmo. Go outside to join in the bubble play and a beach party at Sandy’s Splish-Splash Garden. Healthful snacks available while supplies last. For shuttle service, use the Rose Theater stop. Information: www.ocm.org.
Rose Theater, 2001 Farnam St.: Embrace your creative side by dressing up in costumes, singing karaoke, participating in theater classes and having your face painted. Watch for a roaming balloon artist and have some free birthday cake. Kids of all ages can participate in hands-on scenery painting. Shuttle service stops here. Information: www.rosetheater.org.
SATURDAY
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, 3701 S. 10th St.: Walk right in from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is the first time since 2006 that the zoo has offered free admission. The zoo will offer IMAX Theater tickets for $5 per person, plus 25 percent discounts on food and gift shop prices.
Zoo staff will ramp up the fun with activities involving the penguins, sea lions, polar bears, elephants, birds and small animals. Take part in hands-on activities in the Lied Jungle, Desert Dome, Cat Complex, Giraffe Building and Durham Bear Canyon.
Street performers will be at various locations on the zoo grounds.
El Gleno Grande, “The horse guy” Glenn Singer of Lewisburg, W. Va., creates hilarious optical illusions with his comical spoof of an equestrian circus act. He and his puppet-style horse or zebra strike outrageous poses.
Info-Man Frank Harlan arrives from Seattle in his orange kilt and bright yellow suspenders to answer your questions and some you forgot to ask.
Yo-Yo-Guy John Higby and his wife, Rebecca Loomis Higby, of Amherst, Mass., keep multiple yo-yos looping while hula hooping and unicycling. John won the prize for best artistic performance at the 2008 World Yo-Yo Contest in Orlando, Fla.
Mad Chad Taylor of Venice Beach, Calif., calls himself the Evel Knievel of comedy and juggles chain saws on his skateboard of doom.
The Handsome Little Devils ensemble of Denver puts on a vaudeville-style show with melodrama, juggling, dancing, acrobatics and hat tricks.
Laughing Matters partners Jay and Leslie Cady of Mission, Kan., keep audiences guessing with their wacky juggling, mime, magic and humor.
Omaha Royals, Rosenblatt Stadium, southeast of the 13th Street exit of Interstate 80: The Omaha Royals play the Round Rock Express at 7:05 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
The wacky ZOOperstars entertain throughout the evening. These inflatable characters appear at events across the country and were contestants last year on “America’s Got Talent.”
Postgame fireworks start about 10 minutes after the end of the game.
Today is the last day to pick up free admission vouchers for the game at Hy-Vee Supermarket and Mutual of Omaha bank locations. If you don’t get a ticket and want one, there will be a limited supply of tickets available in front of the stadium at the Mutual of Omaha tent, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday.
— Compiled by staff writer Jane Palmer
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