Comedy: Omaha’s stand-up scene is drawing touring acts and building a profile of its own, with venues such as Steelhouse helping make the city a regular stop. Art: UNL graduate student and lecturer Kimberley D’Adamo turns reclaimed school chairs into portraits of students through color, fabric and personal details. What’s On: A weekend guide rounds up entertainment across southeast Nebraska for Oct. 16–18, while Lincoln potter brings work to the Junkstock fall show. Omaha Culture: A new exhibition celebrates Latino culture, and a restored historic venue is breathing life into a Czech landmark. Nebraska Stars: Pawnee City native Larry the Cable Guy remains a major comedy name, while Omaha-born actor Yolonda Ross is coming home to headline a Girls Inc. luncheon.
AGP Executive Report
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Omaha Art: ArteLatinx at El Museo Latino celebrates Latino artists and experiences from across the Great Plains. The biennial exhibition, titled “Aqui Estamos y No Nos Vamos,” features Omaha artist William Arce and highlights the vibrancy of Latino culture. Weekend Stage: “Twas the Night Before Christmas: A Musical Review” is on at Yorkshire Playhouse in York Friday through Sunday, Oct. 16–18, from 2 to 4 p.m. Nebraska Makers: Lincoln artist Megan Adamek brought pottery and illustrations—including popular ghost mugs—to Junkstock’s fall show near Waterloo. Omaha’s Future Gathering Place: An $80 million, privately funded public market is planned for downtown’s riverfront, with dozens of vendors, community event space and a target opening in summer 2028.
Campus Creativity: UNL’s University Program Council teamed up with student-run Charmed by Chels for a free charm-making event, giving students a chance to create jewelry and spotlight a local small business. The Sheldon Student Advisory Board, now a registered campus group, has doubled to eight members and recently organized an exhibition on the making of the university’s “Torn Notebook” sculpture. Live Music: Chase Rice will headline the return of concerts to Lincoln’s Devaney Sports Center. Husker Volleyball: The No. 1 Huskers are riding a sweep of No. 7 Wisconsin into Saturday’s match against No. 13 Purdue, with Northwestern also ahead on their schedule.
Omaha on the World Stage: CHI Health Center will host matches in the 2027 Women’s Volleyball World Cup, Aug. 20–Sept. 5, as 32 national teams compete for a path to Olympic qualification. Omaha’s Hidden Gem: A restored 19th-century Czech dance hall in Little Bohemia has found new life as The Bohemian Gardens, a venue for weddings and events. Arts Around Nebraska: The latest arts calendar lists events from Oct. 14 through Nov. 1, while Loft Gallery has opened Tammy Miller’s “Captured on Canvas.” Husker Volleyball: Nebraska swept No. 7 Wisconsin to stay undefeated, and former coach John Cook was named Aksarben Foundation’s 2026 Most Honored Citizen for building the program into a source of statewide pride. Live Music Returns: Chase Rice will headline the first concert at Devaney Sports Center in 20 years, scheduled for early 2027.
Husker Spotlight: Lincoln fan Sam, who has Down syndrome and several serious health conditions, got his wish to take the field with Nebraska during Big Noon Kickoff weekend, thanks to Dream On 3 and the university’s Collegiate Dream team. Campus Media: University of Nebraska–Lincoln journalism students won nine national audio awards, including three best-of-show honors, at a student broadcasting competition. Live Music: Chase Rice will headline the first concert at the Devaney Center in 20 years, scheduled for early 2027. Arts & Events: Lincoln’s October arts calendar covers events from Oct. 14 to Nov. 1; jazz great Wynton Marsalis also recently visited the city to speak about music education. Nebraska Roots: A new look at Kool-Aid’s history traces its origins to Edwin Perkins, who developed the drink’s powdered form in Hastings after shipping problems with his bottled Fruit Smack. Husker Sports: Nebraska volleyball extended its winning streak to 17 with sweeps of Indiana and Wisconsin, reclaiming the No. 1 spot. The football team, coming off a narrow loss to Indiana, heads to Oregon on Saturday.
Screen Spotlight: HBO’s Lanterns, a superhero mystery with a murder investigation set in rural Nebraska, is drawing more than 19 million viewers per episode. What’s On: A new arts calendar covers events from Oct. 14 to Nov. 1, while Loft Gallery has opened Tammy Miller’s “Captured on Canvas” exhibition. Live Music: Chase Rice is set to headline the first concert at Lincoln’s Devaney Center in 20 years, planned for early 2027. Jazz great Wynton Marsalis also recently visited Lincoln, stressing the importance of music education. Local Sounds: A retired couple is sharing their love of dulcimer music through performances in Beatrice.
Visual Arts: Lincoln’s Loft Gallery is showing “Captured on Canvas,” a new exhibition by Tammy Miller, through Oct. 31. The freelance artist, whose work has appeared at the Stuhr Museum and Innovation Campus, is part of the Burkholder Project. Onstage: Pius X High School will present an original adaptation of Alice in Wonderland at North Star. Music: Jazz great Wynton Marsalis visited Lincoln and stressed the value of music education; meanwhile, KZUM is set to join the new downtown library, and Chase Rice will headline the return of concerts to the Devaney Sports Center. North Platte Arts: The Prairie Arts Center has opened a Sheldon Statewide exhibition, bringing artwork from the Sheldon Museum to local students and visitors.
Live Music: Chris Stapleton postponed three shows, including one in Lincoln, while recovering from the flu. Some ticket holders say they’re struggling to get refunds or resell tickets after the schedule change. Husker Sports: Nebraska’s top-ranked volleyball team swept No. 7 Wisconsin to remain undefeated. The football team, meanwhile, let an 11-point fourth-quarter lead slip in a 20-17 loss to No. 7 Indiana; the Huskers visit Oregon Saturday night. Arts & Events: North Platte’s Friday LIVE put local art and theater in the spotlight, while the Ross is gearing up for its annual Fright Fest. In Beatrice, a retired couple is bringing dulcimer music to the community. Local Music: Chase Rice will headline the return of concerts to Lincoln’s Devaney Sports Center. KZUM is also set to join the new downtown library, giving the local radio station a fresh community home.
Husker Volleyball: No. 1 Nebraska stayed unbeaten at 17-0, sweeping No. 7 Wisconsin in three sets. Harper Murray led with a season-high 20 kills before 10,497 fans at Devaney. Husker Football: Nebraska let an 11-point fourth-quarter lead slip in a 20-17 loss to No. 7 Indiana, extending its losing streak against ranked teams to 31. Big Nebraska Attractions: Mattel’s first Wonder indoor waterpark is under construction in Bellevue, with a late-2027 opening planned and Barbie- and Hot Wheels-themed attractions on the lineup. Live Music: Chase Rice will headline the first concert at Devaney Sports Center in 20 years, set for early 2027. Country Music: Tigirlily Gold returned home to release its new album, Country & Midwestern.
Concerts: Chase Rice will headline the first concert at Lincoln’s Devaney Center in 20 years, planned for early 2027. Montgomery Gentry is also set to perform Dec. 12 at the BigIron Events Center. Stage & Arts: Pius X High School will present an original adaptation of Alice in Wonderland at North Star, while North Platte’s Friday LIVE showcased local art and theater. Music & Film: Jazz great Wynton Marsalis visited Lincoln and highlighted the value of music education. Nebraska also takes the spotlight in Going for Two, a new film, and a movie revisits the 1984 Orange Bowl through the eyes of a Nebraska boy.
Campus Culture: UNO’s Salsa Club brought students together for a Hispanic Heritage Month dance lesson and social event, with instructors teaching steps and leading dances. Live Music: Chase Rice will headline the first concert at Lincoln’s Devaney Center in 20 years, planned for early 2027. Arts & Education: Jazz great Wynton Marsalis visited Lincoln and spoke about the importance of music education. Community Theater: Pius X High School will stage an original adaptation of Alice in Wonderland at North Star. Local Sounds: A retired Beatrice couple is sharing their love of music through dulcimer performances.
Live Music: Chase Rice will headline the first major concert at Lincoln’s Devaney Center in more than 20 years, on Jan. 9, with Josh Ross and Kylie Morgan also performing. Tickets go on sale Oct. 13. On Screen: Nebraska filmmaker Kathleen Welch Markel’s “Going for Two” revisits the 1984 Orange Bowl through the eyes of a boy growing up in the state. Nebraskans funded the film after Hollywood passed on her as director. Visual Arts: Bemis Center’s annual Benefit Art Auction exhibition is open in Omaha through Oct. 30, featuring more than 300 works by over 200 artists. On Stage: Pius X High School will bring an original “Alice in Wonderland” adaptation to Lincoln’s North Star theater. Family Fun: Bellevue’s planned Mattel Wonder Indoor Waterpark is taking shape, with Barbie and Hot Wheels attractions among the features slated for its 2027 opening.
Music: Jazz great Wynton Marsalis visited Lincoln on Thursday, reflecting on how music expresses human experience and stressing the importance of music education as programs face rising costs and budget cuts. Theater: October brings a full slate of shows around Lincoln. Nebraska Wesleyan’s “Underdog: The Other Other Brontë” has performances Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.; several productions wrap up this weekend. Books & Stories: A new collection of 31 essays by Lincoln immigrants and refugees launched Oct. 7 at the Sheldon Museum of Art, sharing stories of migration, belonging and making a home in Nebraska.
Husker Volleyball: No. 1 Nebraska swept No. 15 Indiana Thursday, extending its unbeaten start to 16-0 ahead of Saturday’s matchup with Wisconsin. Weekend Plans: Omaha’s Oct. 9–11 events roundup offers local ideas, while North Platte’s Friday LIVE spotlights art and theater and the Ross hosts Fright Fest. Nebraska Creators: UNO students’ artwork is featured in a Nebraskans for Palestine auction, and Nebraska Innovation Studio is showcasing members’ work. Music & Community: Lincoln radio station KZUM is set to join the new downtown library, while a Beatrice couple is sharing dulcimer performances. On Screen: New film Going for Two puts Nebraska on the big screen.
Omaha Music: Pittsburgh band feeble little horse has released bitknot, its second album on Omaha’s Saddle Creek Records. The experimental record blends pop, noise rock and shoegaze; the band recently sat down for an interview outside the Slowdown. Lincoln Arts: Nebraska Innovation Studio’s Maker Showcase features members’ ceramics, quilts, woodwork and more through October, with pieces available for sale. Local Culture: Lincoln’s Ross Media Arts Center is screening horror classics and newer films for Fright Fest through Oct. 25. Community Radio: KZUM plans to move into the new downtown Lincoln library by 2028, giving the station a 3,000-square-foot home for broadcasts and community events. Omaha Symphony: A longtime fan returned to the concert hall for a performance at the Holland, with help from local care staff and the Dreamweaver Foundation.
Holiday Outings: Nebraska’s 2026 Holiday Passport runs Nov. 13-Jan. 10, with 24 stops including Lincoln Children’s Zoo, the Tattered Book in Grand Island and art-and-coffee shops across the state. Omaha Music: Bright Eyes, the indie folk-rock band formed in Omaha, is back on tour; a recent Minneapolis show mixed deep cuts with songs from the group’s celebrated catalog. Theater & Fandom: Lin-Manuel Miranda met with Omaha theater students during a campaign visit, while NebrasKon’s growing appeal is less about anime than the sense of homecoming it creates for fans. Family Entertainment: Mattel plans to open its first indoor water park in Bellevue in 2027.
Husker Keepsakes: Memorial Stadium’s renovation is putting an unusual piece of its past up for sale: 30 used urinal troughs at $3,000 each, with seven already claimed. Volleyball: No. 1 Nebraska takes its unbeaten record on the road to face No. 15 Indiana Thursday, then hosts No. 6 Wisconsin Saturday. Live Music: Montgomery Gentry is booked for the BigIron Events Center on Dec. 12. Fandom: NebrasKon is being celebrated as a homecoming for its community, not simply an anime convention.
Nebraska Sports Spotlight: Nebraska’s 5-0 start is on the line Saturday as No. 7 Indiana visits Lincoln, with Dana Holgorsen, Rob Aurich and players previewing the Hoosiers’ 21-game win streak and stingy defense. Live Entertainment Pick: Country duo Montgomery Gentry hits the BigIron Events Center in Grand Island on Dec. 12. College Hoops on TV: Nebraska men’s basketball is set for a school-record 30 national broadcasts in 2026-27, including a CBS home game vs. Michigan State. Arts & Culture: HBO’s Lanterns finale is driving fresh debate about DCU connections and what comes next for John Stewart and the Green Lantern storyline. Local Crime Update: An Omaha man, Kenneth Beams, was sentenced to 55-75 years in prison in a child sexual assault case tied to a retired Omaha police sergeant. Pop Culture/Politics Backdrop: Music icon Jack White renewed his Trump backlash over the “take out” Los Angeles/San Diego remarks, while the White House insisted the comments were misread.
Local Real Estate Spotlight: Flatwater Realty (Omaha) earned a Verified Excellence Award for real estate agents, citing a 4.7-star average from client reviews. Nebraska Transportation Update: Q Street in West Omaha (192nd–204th) partially reopened, and Highway 275/Link 28B returned to regular traffic near West Dodge Road; full work completion is expected in fall 2026. Nebraska Sports Buzz: Nebraska football rebounded from a rough start to beat Maryland 48-23, with Anthony Colandrea’s big day and a strong defensive finish; Nebraska volleyball also kept rolling with sweeps over Penn State and Maryland. Arts & Entertainment: HBO’s “Lanterns” finale coverage continues to dominate, with multiple explainers and season-2 speculation circulating. Politics & Culture Clash (National, with Nebraska tie-in): At a Grand Island rally, Trump signed an order expanding access to tax-free red-dyed diesel while also drawing backlash for remarks about Iran “taking out” Los Angeles and San Diego.
Diesel Relief Push at Grand Island Rally: President Donald Trump signed an executive order expanding access to tax-free red-dyed diesel, waiving the off-road requirement as supporters cheered and opponents protested nearby. Press Freedom Fight: The White House blocked Politico from traveling on Air Force One, escalating a dispute over press access. Nebraska Sports Spotlight: Nebraska men’s basketball wing Pryce Sandfort earned unanimous preseason All-Big Ten honors, while Big Ten preseason Player of the Year went to Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears Jr. Local Arts & Community: Concordia students brought faith-themed fun to the Lincoln Saltdogs Faith Night, and Omaha’s Pink Lotus Project hosted a pancake feed and health fair for cancer survivors. STEM for the Next Generation: Nucor invested $250,000 in the Northeast iHub and youth robotics teams to grow local pathways into tech and manufacturing. Esports Growth: Concordia University Nebraska is upgrading its esports setup with a new coach and gaming computers for more competitive play.
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