Nebraska

Build It! Jan. 16 at Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum. Get a closer look at the “E” in STEM with this one-of-a-kind engineering exhibit. Build It! connects different types of engineering with local careers. Visitors of all ages have the chance to invent, design, analyze, build, and test their skills. 402-944-3100.
—sacmuseum.org

Full Wolf Moon 5K and 8K Jan. 16 at Two Rivers State Recreation Area, Waterloo. Runners will enjoy a flat, and fast, good time at the third annual Wolf Moon 5K. The event includes hot chocolate, baked goodies, and door prizes. 402-917-7818.
—omaharun.org/events

Ogallala Gun Show Jan. 16-17 at Keith County Fair & Exhibit, Ogallala. Gun collectors from across the Midwest will gather and share their knowledge on hunting and guns. 308-284-6952.
—keithcountyfair.com

Mike Super: Magic and Illusion  Jan. 16 at the Lied Center, Lincoln. The winner of NBC’s hit show Phenomenon, a finalist on America’s Got Talent, and featured magician on Penn & Teller’s: Fool Us, Mike Super is bringing the magic to Lincoln. Enjoy this family-friendly performance filled with illusions, intrigue, danger, anticipation, and excitement. 712-258-9164.
—liedcenter.org

Cardinal Virtues at Tree Adventures Jan. 23 at Arbor Day Lodge. Nature-lovers can learn more about this iconic red bird during this event, including their repertoire of songs, and how to attract them to the yard. 402-873-8717.
—arbordayfarm.org

The 43rd Army Band of the Nebraska National Guard Presents: “A Veteran’s Day Concert”  Jan. 31 at Lied Center for Performing Arts, Lincoln. This free performance was rescheduled from Nov. 15, 2020. This group is made up of Citizen Soldiers who bring a wide variety of skills, talents, and longevity to the unit. 712-258-9164.
—liedcenter.org

Miz Cracker’s "She’s A Woman" Tour Feb. 9 at Bourbon Theatre, 1415 O St, Lincoln. Miz Cracker is a New York City drag queen, writer, and comedienne who launched her drag career in 2011. She went on to compete on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 10, landing a spot in the top five and becoming a fan favorite.
—bourbontheatre.com

Two Rivers Valentine’s Day 5K Feb. 13 at Two Rivers. This event is part of the Winter Fitness Series, back for their eighth year. Stick to your resolutions by signing up for this 5K. 402-917-7818.
—rungurusays.com 

Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic Feb. 13-21 at Buffalo County Fairgrounds, Kearney. Nebraska is one of the largest beef producers in the nation, and this show features many of the state’s largest cattlemen. Highlights include Battle of the Breeds, a chef’s Best Beef competition, as well as several new events. Youth are encouraged to show and sell cattle. 308-627-6385.
—cattlemens.org

Paula Poundstone Feb. 27 at Lied Center for Performing Arts, Lincoln. Poundstone is a revered panelist on NPR’s Wait, Wait. . .Don’t Tell Me. She was the first woman to host the White House Correspondents’ Dinner and is the recipient of an American Comedy Award for Best Female Stand-up Comic. 402-472-4747.
—liedcenter.org

Iowa

Barnes Bull Riding Challenge Jan. 23-24 at Tyson Events Center, Sioux City. The late owner of Barnes PRCA Rodeo once told a reporter, ”We are to rodeo—what Cadillac is to cars.” This bull-riding challenge is a family-friendly event that is sure to please those ages 1 to 99. 402-279-4850.
—tysoncenter.com                                                                

37th Annual Bald Eagle Appreciation Days Jan. 16-17 in Keokuk. View bald eagles in their natural habitat at the Mississippi Riverfront and Victory Park & Southside Boat Club. A variety of indoor activities are also available at River City Mall. 319-524-5599
—keokukiowatourism.org 

41st Annual University of Okoboji Winter Games  Jan. 28-31 at Lake Okoboji. Iowa’s fictional university puts on this annual festival. Activities include broomball, flag football, softball, bags tournament, chili cook-off, chocolate classic, and a polar plunge. 712-332-2107.
—uofowintergames.com

Snow Box Derby Feb. 7 at Mount Crescent, Crescent. Cardboard, glue, paint, and imagination will be used to create a variety of derby vehicles that will slide down the ski hills during this special event. 712-545-3850.
—skicrescent.com

Des Moines Home and Garden Show  Feb. 11-14 at Iowa Events Center, Des Moines. This show features over 400 exhibitors, 1,000 experts, and amazing gardens. 515-244-5456.
—desmoineshomeandgardenshow.com

Color the Wind Kite Festival Feb. 20 at the Seawall, Clear Lake. CBS Sunday Morning once referred to this as “A kaleidoscope at the end of a string.” One of the Midwest’s largest and most colorful kite festivals, the event features everything from inflatables to home-made kites. 409-797-3500.
—colorthewind.org

Winterfest Jan. 23 at Amana Colonies, Amana. This annual festival includes such zany games as ham-throwing and a beard contest. 319-622-7622.
—amanacolonies.com

Backcountry Film Festival
TBA at Indian Creek Nature Center, Cedar Rapids. The 16th annual Backcountry Film Festival will host their first-ever virtual tour through May 2021. 319-362-0664.
—winterwildlands.org

An Evening with Michael Bublé Feb. 21 at Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines. This popular crooner is returning to his hugely successful “An Evening With Michael Bublé” Tour in February and March 2021. Tickets for previously scheduled dates will be honored.
—iowaeventscenter.com/wells-fargo-arena

Bert Kreischer’s The Berty Boy Tour Feb. 28 in Sioux City. Due to the current global health crisis as well as travel and performance restrictions, comedian Bert Kreischer’s The Berty Boy Tour at Orpheum Theatre in Sioux City, IA was rescheduled.
—orpheumlive.com

Kansas

WSU Children’s Dance Festival Jan. 26 at Wilner Auditorium, Wichita. This festival brings together performers from across the Midwest to share and showcase their talents. Master classes will be taught by WSU Dance Faculty. 316.978.3530.
—wichita.edu

The YETI Obstacle Course
Jan. 30 at Zip KC, Bonner Springs. The YETI is a 5K with over 25 fun,  challenging obstacles intended to get you up and out of the house. 913-214-9478.
—travelks.com

Eddie Palmieri Feb. 6 at Hutchinson Fox Theatre, Hutchinson. Known as one of the finest pianists of the past 60 years, Eddie Palmieri is a bandleader, arranger and composer of salsa and Latin jazz. 620-663-586.
—hutchinsonfox.com

Dillon Lecture Series: Col. Mark Tillman Feb. 23 at Hutchinson Sports Arena, Hutchinson. The Dillon Lecture Series welcomes Col. Mark Tillman to the 2020 Lecture Series. Col. Mark Tillman served as commander of Air Force One during the two terms of President George W. Bush. 620-665-3505.
 —visithutch.com

Jazz Festival Feb. 14 at Friends University, Wichita. This night out features lots of jazz music by the Wichita University Jazz Festival. 316-295-5000.
—friends.edu

Rebirth Brass Band Feb. 26 at Hutchinson Fox Theatre. Formed in 1983 by the Frazier brothers, the Rebirth Brass Band is a true New Orleans institution. 620-663-586.
—hutchinsonfox.com

Woman’s World Conference Feb. 26-27 at Manhattan Christian College, Manhattan. Woman’s World is a non-denominational event that helps women understand their significance in God’s eyes. It includes practical seminars, a dynamic keynote speaker, buffet meals, times of worship, and lots of other surprises. 785-539-3571.
—mccks.edu

Missouri 

Kansas City Restaurant
Week Jan. 8-17 throughout Kansas City. This annual 10-day dining event that spotlights Kansas City’s hottest restaurants.
—kcrestaurantweek.com

Kansas City Winter Whiskey Tasting Festival Jan. 23 in Kansas City. This festival gives whiskey-lovers the opportunity to sample everything from Irish whiskey to a blend of bourbon and rye. There is a limited number of tickets available.
—whiskydo.com

Anat Cohen Quartetinho Feb. 12 at The Folly Theater, Kansas City. Grammy-nominated clarinetist-saxophonist Anat Cohen is performing her unique blend of modern and traditional jazz, classical music, Brazilian choro, Argentine tango, and Afro-Cuban styles. 816-474-4444.
—follytheater.org

John Pizzarelli Feb. 13 at The Folly Theater, Kansas City. Pizzarelli recently released his new album, For Centennial Reasons: 100 Year Salute to Nat King Cole. 816-474-4444.
—follytheater.org

Chocolate Wine Trail Feb. 20 at Hermann Wine Trail, St. Louis. This unique event pairs chocolates with wine along seven stops on the Hermann Wine Trail. 800-932-8687.
—visithermann.com

Event times and details may change, especially during this pandemic. Check with venue or event organizer to confirm.

This calendar was printed in the January/February 2021 edition of Omaha Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.