Music to my Ears

October 7, 2009 | by neknows

The country fairs have came and went and the Nebraska State Fair (where ever it may be in the future) is over. And with these, the summer music scene in Nebraska appears to be grinding to a halt as well. Unless you live in Lincoln or Omaha, it might appear that your options are bleak or none at all for the rest of the year. But not so fast my friend! Something is stirring beyond Eastern Nebraska! When the thermometer begins to dip, things just start heating up in Central Nebraska! I thought I was going to highlight just a couple of venues and shows, until I began looking around at what was offered in Central Nebraska and found that there is actually something for all tastes in the coming months without having to travel far!

The Heartland Events Center in Grand Island is hosting The Temptations and Foreigner in October. They also play host to a variety of other types of entertainment and have a full and busy schedule into the future. The Grand Island Concert Association focuses on classical music and presents shows nearly once a month throughout their season at what appears by the website to be at Grand Island Senior High.

The Hastings Symphony Orchestra has a smattering of concert opportunities at the Masonic Center Auditorium, including the full Orchestra playing various overtures to a Christmas concert by Mischa Johnson and her Suzuki students. (She has been my mother’s teacher for years… she’s GREAT!) The Hastings College Music Department also offers an occasional concert at the College during the school year. And coming up shortly is the Annual Country Music Festival at the Adams County Fairgrounds in Hastings, a “can’t miss” for country music fans!

The Viaero Event Center in Kearney is hosting Kenny G, Buckcherry with special guests Deaf Pedestrians, Saving Abel and Red this October, Jason Aldean and Disney on Ice (ice skating and music) and the Charlie Daniels Band in December. If musicals are more your scene, then you won’t want to miss Hairspray presented in March. And if you can only take music in very short snippets, then catch a Storm Hockey game running October through March!

The Kearney Concert Association presents various shows throughout the season with performances ranging from an a capella quartet, to an orchestra, a Czech boys choir and even a inique circus type performer. The concerts are held at the Merryman Performing Arts Center which is rich in old theatre furnishings while attaining a level of comfort and style unmatched in the area. They will also be home to Michael Martin Murphy for a performance coming up soon.

The University of Nebraska at Kearney hosts Conerts on the Platte at the UNK Fine Arts Hall. Performers include UNK faculty, guest artists and current students and offers some of the most sophisticated and technically diverse performers in Nebraska. From the Nebraskats, to jazz and rock ensembles and band and chorus groups, you are sure to find something of your liking at UNK!

The North Platte Concert Association also has a spattering of concerts, mirroring some of the same acts that perform in Kearney.

Set in the concert hall environment, the Tassel Performing Arts Center in Holdrege plays host to a variety of concerts, performers and orchestra venues throught the fall and winter.

The Minden Opera House in Minden is housed the original building which began operation in 1891 and has been recently renovated to the most spectacular setting in the area. In the next few months they play host to a Rat Pack Tribute, a woman billed as “a band in a body” and a terrific Elvis Impersonator that draws such a crowd, there are several nights of the show! Tickets always go fast to events at the Opera House, so plan ahead!

There are many bars, halls and churches in the area that play frequent hosts to bands and groups that are locally popular. Check out your area Elks, Eagles or other animal lodges for their listings too. Two websites that offer up some of the local events are Eventful and Topix. I was wondering if I might get bored this fall and winter, but with all of these opportunities in just the next couple of months, my calendar of ‘want to attends’ has filled up fast!

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