The 13th Annual Omaha Entertainment & Arts Awards celebrated another year of prosperity and dedication to the arts last night, Jan. 27, at the Slowdown. View Omaha Magazine’s livestream of the awards on Facebook (click here).
Hosts Beaufield Berry and Dominique Morgan opened the show with witty banter balanced between heartfelt sentiment and unreserved laughter. Other presenters throughout the evening kept up the hilarity with a flask bracelet, creative name (mis)pronunciations, and a running joke about a limp microphone that just couldn’t keep it up.
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As winners’ names flashed across the screen, some of the most hardworking and talented Omaha creatives made their way towards the stage to accept their awards. In a happy misfortune, several winners were unable to attend due to active tours or performances, a testament to the commitment and success these artists are living. For those winners in attendance, an ongoing theme emerged through the acceptance speeches: a love for Omaha, overwhelming support between fellow artists, and many shout-outs to moms.
Lifetime Achievement Award-winner Houston Alexander said it best: “It’s never been about me; it’s always been about we.” The hip-hop artist, DJ, and athlete was honored for all his contributions to Omaha’s creative scene and his passion for helping other artists pursue their dreams. “We are here for all the artists and all the artistry in this building,” he said.
The evening featured uplifting and moving performances by several nominees and winners, including Pony Creek, Trac Schacht, and Esencia Latina. Artist of the Year Award-winner Jocelyn also took to the stage with a last-minute song change to her new track, “Not in Your Name.”
rMany thanks to the OEAA board of directors, sponsors, and donors for making this celebration of Omaha’s artistry happen. Omaha Magazine is honored to be a media sponsor of the awards. For more information on how you can support the OEAA and local artists, visit oea-awards.org.r
See below for a full list of winners in 2019, and don’t forget to cast your vote in the 2020 awards (open now).r
2019 OEAA Winners
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Music
rBest Rock: FreakaboutrBest Hard Rock: Arson CityrBest Alternative/Indie: See Through DressesrBest Metal: SupermoonrBest DJ: SharkWeekrBest Americana/Folk: Andrea von KampenrBest Country: Clarence TiltonrBest R&B: Dominique MorganrBest Soul: MesonjixxrBest Hip Hop/Rap: Dilla KidsrBest Blues: Hector AnchondorBest Jazz: Mitch TownerBest Pop: JocelynrBest Progressive Rock/Experimental/EDM: Plaque BlaguerBest Punk: R.A.F.rBest World Music: The BishopsrBest Cover Band: Secret WeaponrLocal Album of the Year: High Places, Matt CoxrArtist of the Year: JocelynrBest New Artist: EvandalerBest Recording Studio: ARC StudiosrBest Live Music Sound Engineer: Dan Brennanr
Lifetime Achievement Award
rHouston Alexanderr
Visual Arts
rBest Visual Artist: Watie WhiterBest Emerging Visual Artist: Celeste ButlerrBest 2-D Artist: Camille Hawbaker VoorheesrBest 3-D Artist: Bart VargasrBest New Media Artist: Ella WeberrBest Group Show: Museum of Alternative History at KANEKOrBest Solo Show: Love is a Rippling Circle, Camille Hawbaker VoorheesrBest 2-Person Show: Everything All At Once, Victoria Hoyt & Camille Hawbaker VoorheesrBest Public Art: 100 People, Watie WhiterBest Presentation in a Non-Traditional Format: Cream on Top at The Butter Factoryr
Performing Arts
rBest Director (Play): Denise Chapman, The MountaintoprBest Director (Musical): Jerry Jay Cranford, NewsiesrBest Actor (Play): Bill Hutson, Eminent DomainrBest Actor (Musical): Regina Palmer, Once On This IslandrBest Supporting Actor (Play): Raydell Cordell III, Stupid F#%*ing BirdrBest Supporting Actor (Musical): Cathy Hirsch, Singin’ In The RainrBest Youth Performer: Chloe Irwin, ParaderBest Dramatic Play: Eminent Domain, Omaha Community PlayhouserBest Comedic Play: Stupid F*king Bird, Omaha Community PlayhouserBest Premiere of a New, Original, Local Script: Laura Campbell, Eminent DomainrBest Musical: Newsies, Rose TheaterrBest Dance Production: African Culture ConnectionrBest Performance Poet: Trac SchactrBest Comedian: Aubree SweeneyrBest Comedy Ensemble: Live! At the BacklinerOutstanding Lighting Design: Ernie Gubbels, The City in the City in the CityrOutstanding Prop Design: Amy Reiner, The City in the City in the CityrOutstanding Scenic Design: Robyn Helwig, Josh Mullady & Ben Adams, The Dairy Maid-RightrOutstanding Costume Design: Erin Bragg, Van Gogh and MerOutstanding Sound Design: John Gibilisco, Eminent DomainrOutstanding Choreographer: Sue Gillespie Booton, NewsiesrOutstanding Music Direction: Doran Schmidt, Spring Awakening
Visit oea-awards.org for more information.
