Gateway

Issue date: 6/17/08 Section: Culture

Omar and the Howlers performed on June 14 in the second of five concerts presented by First National Bank. [Click to enlarge]

Crowds filled Lewis and Clark Landing for the Playing with Fire concert series. (Bill Wendl) [Click to enlarge]

With gas prices at an all-time high and the cost of tuition taking another staggering jump in the fall, many students are foregoing their summer vacations and are instead learning how to pinch pennies. But, without a wallet full of cash, how does one soak up the sun and take some well-deserved time off without all the added expenditures?

Luckily for us, Omaha has several events going on throughout the summer that are both fun and easy on the pocketbook.



Shops at Legacy Amphitheater's concert series

Starting June 21 at 1 p.m., the Shops at Legacy near 169th Street and West Center Road will host free concerts every Saturday through the end of August.

The $80,000 amphitheater has a brand new 40-foot by 60-foot stage and will feature acts like cover band Pink Kadillac, The Confidentials and the Chris Saub Trio.

This venue will also boast a blues and jazz festival on July 5, the Country Music Festival on August 16 and live music July 11 through July 13 in celebration of the Taste of West Omaha. The venue also features several food and beverage vendors and can hold around 2,500 people.

While there is VIP seating available, concertgoers should bring blankets and lawn chairs to these events.

For more information, go to theshopsoflegacy.com.



Omaha Summer Arts Festival

Now in its 34th year, the Omaha Summer Arts Festival has several activities for adults, children and everyone in between to enjoy.

This year's theme is more Cajun-based with several performances by the Hot 8 Brass Band from New Orleans and features three days of nonstop music, unique artwork, exotic food and numerous children's activities.

Over 130 artists, both locally and nationally, will come to the metro to showcase their talents in categories like photography, painting and sculpting, just to name a few, while musicians perform on three separate stages, playing anything from blues to alternative rock. The festival also includes Tastefest for the culinary arts alongside the Nebraska Craft Brew Fest, which offers customers 14 types of beer made by six state breweries.

This event is free to the public and takes place downtown at the Gene Leahy Mall from 10th and Farnam streets to 15th and Farnam streets. The festival will open at 11 a.m. on June 27 and run through June 29.

For more information, visit summerarts.org.



Music in the Parks concert series

No matter where you reside in the metro, there is a concert venue pumping out great local music close by.

Area parks in Bellevue, Papillion, Ralston, Elkhorn, Carter Lake, Council Bluffs, Missouri Valley and all across Omaha will host free concerts through Sept. 14.

Acts range from the Tommy K band, a rock and blues group, to Los Montunos, a Latin jazz ensemble, to even UNO's own Faculty Jazz Band. The summer concert series is free and open to all ages.

For the list of bands and performance dates and times, call 553-5818 or visit omahamusic.com.



Shakespeare on the Green

Just a few feet off of UNO's Dodge Street campus, Shakespeare comes alive at Elmwood Park where two of his most beloved plays will be performed.

"Much Ado About Nothing" and "King Lear" kicks off the Shakespeare on the Green festival's 22nd year in Omaha. UNO's very own theater professors Cindy Melby Phaneuf and D. Scott Glasser both directed the plays and even a few students can be seen acting in them.

Arriving early for seats and soaking up the atmosphere is a good idea. A Bard-B-Q (barbeque) will take place at 5:30 p.m. for those looking to grab a snack while Towne Square Musicians and other fun activities begin at 7 p.m.

"Much Ado About Nothing" plays June 19 through July 22, July 2 and July 5 while "King Lear" plays June 26 through June 29, July 3 and July 6, with each performance beginning at 8 p.m.

This event is free, although donations are accepted. For more information, call at 280-2391 or visit nebraskashakespeare.com.



Playing With Fire concert series

Last weekend marked the opening of the fifth Playing with Fire concert series, a string of free blues concerts that run once a month until September.

This event was originally created in 2004 by Jeff Davis, an Omaha businessman and music lover.

Davis, who won an Omaha Arts and Entertainment Award in 2007 for "Best Local Show," hosts this event at the Lewis and Clack Landing, located at 300 Riverfront Drive near the Qwest Center.

With bands like Depth Perception, the Side Effects and the Blues Society of Omaha All-Stars, this series is something the whole family can enjoy.

Concert dates include July 19, Aug. 16 and Sept. 13 with all shows beginning at 4:30 p.m. While this event is free, donations are encouraged, with 25 percent of proceeds going to the Omaha Food Bank.

Visit playingwithfireomaha.com for more information about the shows.



Memorial Park concerts

Each summer, the city, along with a few sponsors like Bank of the West, brings in a few bands to perform at Memorial Park. This year is no different.

On June 27, the bank is celebrating America with a concert featuring '70s hit group Kool and the Gang, along with 38 Special and Night Wing. This show will kick off with the national anthem at 6 p.m. and wrap up with a Grucci fireworks show at 10 p.m.

The city also brings in Canadian singer-songwriter Feist on July 12 to perform at the park.

Both shows are free and open to the public.



Jazz on the Green

Starting in July, Jazz on the Green presents its 24th concert at the Joslyn Art Museum on 22nd and Dodge streets.

This Omaha summer tradition kicks off on Thursday, July 10, with returning opener Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers and continues each Thursday throughout the month of July.

Due to construction in the area, these performances will take place on the north lawn so make sure you leave enough time to park. Seating is open at 4 p.m. with the concert starting at 7 p.m.

For more information, call 342-3300 or visit joslyn.org.

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