There are so many exciting things to do in the metro, it’s hard to keep track of them all. Here are our definitive picks for what to do in June plus a listing of what else is on offer throughout June.
Summer has arrived—let’s enjoy it!
Summer has arrived—let’s enjoy it!
ART: OMAHA SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL
Aksarben Village
June 9—11
Forget June 21, summer always seems to kick off officially when the annual Omaha Summer Arts Festival takes place. The 49th annual family-friendly OSAF, which turns Aksarben Village’s main road into a pedestrian zone, features 135 local, regional, and national artists with a broad range of artistic mediums, including sculpture, ceramics, painting, printmaking, fiber, jewelry, textile, photography, mixed media, metal, drawing, graphics, wood, leather, and glass. Dedicated to fostering a love of art from a young age and supporting young talent, OSAF includes a hands-on Children’s Fair and Young Artist Exhibition. Not confined solely to the visual arts, the festival also stages dozens of local musicians, who provide entertainment throughout the three-day event, with TasteFest offering a broad blend of cuisine via food trucks and stalls. Plus, don’t miss the return of the popular mural cubes for selfie backdrops as well as new surprises like colorful chalk art and more. 10am to 9pm Friday and Saturday; 10am to 4pm Sunday.
Aksarben Village
S. 67th Street
Free
summerarts.org
MILTON WOLSKY: A MID-CENTURY NEBRASKA ARTIST
Gallery 1516
June 9—August 20
Born in Omaha in 1916, Milton Wolsky had an astonishing career that spanned not just styles and mediums but also the globe. An illustrator and modern artist, he worked in both Omaha and New York City from the 1940s into 1980s. This exhibition highlights work from throughout his career, giving visitors insight into his evolving and genre-spanning talents. He began as an illustrator for the Bozell & Jacobs advertising agency. In 1942, his artistic trajectory changed when he was drafted into the military where he served as a war artist documenting the rebuilding of Japan during World War II. After the war, Wolsky moved to New York City where he launched a career as a magazine illustrator and became regarded as one of the top 20 illustrators at the time. His work was published in major publications like The Saturday Evening Post, Good Housekeeping, McCall’s, Redbook, and Collier’s. In 1954, Wolsky returned to Omaha and purchased El Paraiso, the studio of his late art mentor J. Laurie Wallace. After his career in New York, Wolsky’s work was in high demand, and he received commissions from prominent clients such as the Northern Natural Gas Company. He also enjoyed a career as a painter of fine art, focusing on the Modernist movement he had encountered in New York. Wolsky also amassed an outstanding collection of artwork, including work by Hans Hofmann, Julian Levi, Paul Klee, and others, which he later donated to the Joslyn Art Museum. 11 am to 5pm Tuesday—Sunday. (Appointments preferred.) 531.375.6643.
Gallery 1516
1516 Leavenworth St.
Free
gallery1516.org
EXHIBITIONS
IN THE BEGINNING: THE ARTIST SAMUEL BAK
Through June 4 at the Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center, University of Nebraska-Omaha, 2289 S 67 St. This selection of Bak’s paintings and drawings from 1946 through 2022 showcases the arc of his career over eight decades and features watercolors and drawings done in the Vilna ghetto during the Nazi occupation of the city, abstract works from the sixties, and his renowned metaphysical paintings. 10 am to 4 pm Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday; 10am to 6pm Thursday; noon to 4 pm Sunday. Admission: free. 402.554.6100.
ANCIENT DIVA: CHRISTINE STORMBERG
Through July 1 at the Union for Contemporary Art, 2423 North 24th St. Features new paintings and sculptures by the Los Angeles based interdisciplinary artist and performer, who explores portals to forgotten cosmos through fantasy, myth, body, and the study of flowers.. Tuesday—Thursday, 1-8pm; Friday & Saturday, 10am to 5pm. Admission: free. 402.933.3161.
JAMES SURLS: NIGHTSHADE AND REDBONE
Through August 13 at KANEKO, 1111 Jones St. The solo exhibition features work by the internationally recognized sculptor, one of the most preeminent artists living and working in the United States, whose sculptures, drawings, and prints reflect his unique sensibility regarding natural forms. 11am to 5pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday; 11am to 8pm Thursday. Admission: free for members; $10 general admission. 402.341.3800.
TRAJES MEXICANOS/MEXICAN COSTUMES
Through August 12 at El Museo Latino, 4701 S 25th St. The exhibition features a selection of prints from the 1940s by Guatemalan artist Carlos Mérida, who was one of the first artists to fuse European modern painting to Latin American themes, especially those related to Guatemala and Mexico. 11am to 5pm Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday; 11am to 2pm Saturday. Admission varies. 402.731.1137.
THE LUNCHBOX: PACKED WITH POP CULTURE
Through Sept. 3 at Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St. Featuring hundreds of lunchboxes from the 1950s through the 1980s as well as one-of-a-kind original paintings on loan from local lunchbox collector Mark Kelehan, the display provides an overview of the history of lunchboxes, insight into the production process, and an educational introduction into the dynamic world of collecting. Noon to 4pm Sunday; 10am to 4pm Tuesday—Saturday. 402.444.5071.
PRESENCE IN THE PAUSE: INTERIORITY AND ITS RADICAL IMMANENCE
Through September 17 at Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, 724 S. 12th St. This group exhibition features work focusing on the complexity of our everyday relationships through portraits and domestic scenes that examine personhood, memories, and the speeding up and slowing down of contemporary life. 11am to 5pm Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; 11am to 9pm Thursday. Admission: free. 402.341.7130.
LANDSCAPES BY REAGAN D. PUFALL
June 1—July 23 at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St.
Documenting landscapes has long been a reason for artists to explore their country. While focusing on the roads, fields, and vistas rather than on buildings or figures, Pufall’s photographs acknowledge the presence and influence of humanity. Open daily, 9am to 5pm. Admission: free with garden membership or paid admission. 402.346.4002.
COLLECTIVE VISIONS II
June 2—25 at Hot Shops, Nicholas Street Gallery, 1301 Nicholas St.
This group exhibition features the work of 14 photographers and their personal explorations of the artistic medium. Opening reception: June 2, 6 to 9pm. Monday—Friday, 10am to 6pm; Saturday & Sunday, 11am to 5pm. Admission: free. 402.342.6452.
COUNTRYSIDE VILLAGE ART FAIR
June 3—4 at Countryside Village, 8722 Countryside Plaza, 87th & Pacific streets. The 52nd Celebration of the Countryside Village Art Fair is a two-day event that features a wide array of artistic mediums, including ceramics, drawing, fiber, textiles, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and wood. 10am to 6pm Saturday; 10am to 5pm Sunday. 403.391.2200.
ART FLUID OPEN STUDIO NIGHT
June 23, 5 to 8 p.m. at Hot Shops, Nicholas Street Gallery, 1301 Nicholas St.
This happy hour, open studio night focuses on experiencing the creative process through the center’s artists. Admission: free. 402.342.6452.
STAGE PERFORMANCES
HAIRSPRAY
June 6–11 at the Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. Broadway’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy phenomenon is back on tour. Based on the 1988 John Waters film of the same name, the production tells the story of 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad during 1960’s Baltimore as she sets out to dance her way onto TV’s most popular program, The Corny Collins Show. She scores a spot and becomes an overnight sensation, leading her to become a leading beacon for racial integration on the show. Can a girl with big dreams (and even bigger hair) change the world? The winner of eight Tony Awards, including “Best Musical,” the show is known for taking on challenging social and racially charged themes. Showtimes vary. 402.345.0606.
WOMEN PLAYING HAMLET
June 22—24 at Florence City Hall, 2864 State St. In Shakespeare’s day, men played the women’s roles. In this new comedy by William Missouri Downs, women play all the men’s roles. It’s the story of Jessica, an actress who has been cast to play Hamlet in New York. After accidentally interrupting a performance of Hamlet starring Sir Patrick Stewart, Jessica thinks Stewart is stalking her; she also faces an uphill battle through a maze of self-important humanities professors, Freudian psychiatrists, and a Danish mother only to discover she doesn’t understand Hamlet or herself. The ensuing search for identity is the theme as Jessica takes on her emotional baggage and an existential overload, as well as her self-doubt and disdain for Danish fondue. How can Jessica figure out “to be or not to be,” when she can’t even figure out herself? In the end she takes the stage and figures it all out. 7pm Saturday and Sunday; 2 & 7pm Monday. 402.455.6341.
PRACTICE HOUSE
Though June 2 at Yates Illuminates, 3260 Davenport St. Rachel Carnes based this world premiere on a real chapter in American education, in which babies were leased from local orphanages for the purpose of training women in the new and improved “scientific parenting methods.” 7:30pm. 402.370.8259.
DANCE NATION
Through June 25 at the Buebarn Theatre, 1106 S 10th St. A 2019 Pulitzer Prize finalist for drama, this production is a stark, unrelenting exploration of female power featuring a multigenerational cast of women portraying 13-year-old heroines. 402.345.1576.
DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
June 2—25 at the Rose Theater, 2001 Farnam St. Join Belle, Lumiere, Cogsworth, and all of your other favorite characters in the Beast’s castle for an escape to a world where redemption starts with learning how to love and how to be loved. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version includes all of the wonderful film songs written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, including “Be Our Guest,” “Gaston,” and “Beauty and the Beast.” 402.345.4849.
IN THE HEIGHTS
June 2—25 at Omaha Community Playhouse 6915 Cass St. From the revolutionary mind of Lin-Manuel Miranda, this Tony Award-winning musical recounts three days in the vibrant neighborhood of Washington Heights, NYC, where the Latino residents chase American dreams. This bubbly fusion of rap, salsa, Latin pop, and soul music boasts an infectious enthusiasm from beginning to end. 402.553.0800.
RESPECT: THE WOMEN, THEIR MUSIC, THEIR STORIES
June 2—25 at Omaha Community Playhouse 6915 Cass St. Follow the journey that spans the 1960-1980’s music era and honors several of its most iconic women. 402.553-0800.
MADAGASCAR—THE MUSICAL
June 17 at the Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. Are you ready to “Move It, Move It?” Join Alex, Marty, Melman, and Gloria as they bound out of the zoo and onto the Orpheum stage in this live musical spectacular. 2pm. 402.345.0606.
CONCERTS
BRAHMS & MAHLER 5
June 2 & 3 at the Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. The Omaha Symphony ends its season by welcoming two of the American classical music world’s most dynamic young artists: composer Carlos Simon and violinist Stella Chen. Atlanta native Carlos Simon has made a name for himself in the world of composition, with The Philadelphia Enquirer lauding his music as “perfectly engaging and propulsive.” He has been commissioned by ensembles such as The New York Philharmonic, The Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. The Omaha Symphony performs with Simon for the first time, bringing his 2020 work, “Fate Now Conquers,” to life. Emerging star Stella Chen makes her Omaha debut with Brahms’ stormy yet lyrical “Violin Concerto.” Finally, the orchestra performs Mahler under the baton of Maestro Ankush Kumar Bahl for the first time. “The Symphony No. 5,” like his other symphonies, is a tour de force, requiring an expanded orchestra. It’s a work that broadened the tonal sensibilities of the 20th century and continues to awe audiences today. 7:30pm.
402.345.0606.
GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA
June 12 at the Holland Performing Arts Center, Holland Music Club, 1200 Douglas St. “A band ought to have a sound all of its own,” Glenn Miller once said. “It ought to have a personality.” The Glenn Miller Orchestra, founded in the legendary band leader’s name in 1956, has more than enough. Featuring 18 members, lead singers, and a vocal group, the touring act performs its catalog of big band classics just the way they would have over 80 years ago when Miller stood in front of his band. Omahans can take some home state pride away from the show. Miller was born in Clarinda, Iowa, in 1904, but moved to North Platte, Nebraska, several years later. It was here that the future big band legend got his start when picked up a battered horn and started playing. This show highlights Miller’s wide-ranging catalogue, which includes 17 Top 10 hits such as “Sunrise Serenade,” “Stairway to the Stars,” and “Blue Orchids.” Tinged with nostalgia, this is a concert certain to put audiences “In the Mood.” 7:30pm. 402.345.0606.
THE FLAMING LIPS: YOSHIMI BATTLES THE PINK ROBOTS TOUR
June 16 at Steelhouse Omaha, 1114 Dodge St. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of their album Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, The Flaming Lips will play the album, released t in 2002 to great critical acclaim, in full, including favorites like “Fight Test” and “All We Have is Now.” The release featured guest musician Yoshimi P-We, a multi instrumentalist and member of Boredoms/OOIOO, who inspired the album’s title track. It demonstrated more use of electronic instruments and computer manipulation than the band’s previous release, The Soft Bulletin, and emerged as the group’s first critical and commercial success after nearly twenty years as a band. The album’s lyrics touched on wide-ranging subject matter, including melancholy pondering about love, deception, artificial emotion, pacifism, and mortality and told story of Yoshimi’s battle.The final track on the album, “Approaching Pavonis Mons by Balloon (Utopia Planitia)”earned a 2003 Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance, with the album reaching certified gold in 2006. In 2012 the album was adapted into a musical, which includes existing songs from the album, as well as two other Flaming Lips albums, The Soft Bulletin and At War with the Mystics. 8:30pm.
402.345.0606.
June 1 at the CHI Health Center, 455 N 10th St. Where do all the cowboy folk go to boot scootin’ boogie? They’ll be in Omaha, where Brooks & Dunn play hits spanning three decades. 7pm. Ticket prices vary.402.341.1500.
BAD OMENS
June 1 at The Admiral 2234 S 13th St. Features the band, whose lyrical content since its debut revolves mostly around despair, mental health struggles, and addiction. 8pm. 402.706.2205.
SATURDAYS AT STINSON CONCERT SERIES WITH NEBRASKA ALL STAR ROCK & ROLL BAND
June 3 at Stinson Park, Aksarben Village, 2285 S 67th St. Features popular hits from the 1960s and ‘70s. 7pm.
BACKROADS MUSIC FESTIVAL
June 3 at Country Drive Golf Course, 951 County Rd. 4, Ashland. Features 10 bands, including Soda Spill, John Rogers, Backroads Lullaby, Cooper James, Square Wave Jerks, Getchasum, Sonic Diversion, Ancient Greek Godz, Charm School Dropouts, The 70’s Band, and more. Also includes classic cars, local vendors, food, and family fun. 12pm to 12am. 402.944.2333.
RED HOTT MOTLEY CRUE TRIBUTE
June 3 at Dream on the Green, 7402 F St. Features the Motley Crue tribute band with special guest. 9pm. 402.677.9999.
ACOUSTIC THIEVES
June 7 at Country Drive Golf Course, 951 County Rd. 4, Ashland. Features live music, food, drinks, and country sunsets. 6:30pm. 402.944.2333.
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE
June 7 at The Admiral 2234 S 13th St. The American alternative rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington, in 1997 and rose from being a side project to becoming one of the most exciting groups to emerge from the indie rock scene of the ’00s. They have been nominated for eight Grammy Awards. 8pm. 402.706.2205.
MATCHBOX TWENTY SLOW DREAM TOUR
June 8 at CHI Health Center Omaha, 455 N. 10th St. The American rock band consisting of Rob Thomas (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), Brian Yale (bass guitar), Paul Doucette (drums, rhythm guitar, backing vocals), and Kyle Cook (lead guitar, vocals) takes to CHI’s stage for this one-night-only show. 7:30pm. 402.341.1500.
JAKE OWEN
June 10 at Harrah’s Casino Stir Concert Cove, 1 Harrah’s Blvd., Council Bluffs, IA. Owens performs from his catalogue, which includes eight #1 songs such as “Made For You,” “I Was Jack (You Were Diane),” and his most recent hit, “Homemade.” 8pm. 712.329.6000.
TYRESE AND TREY SONGZ A NIGHT 2 REMEMBER TOUR
June 10 at the CHI Health Center, 455 N 10th St. Tyrese and Trey Songz headline this tour stopping with special guests 112, H-Town, and J. Holiday. 7pm. Ticket prices vary. 402.341.1500.
COUNTING CROWS
June 13 at Steelhouse Omaha, 1114 Dodge St. Features the Grammy and Academy Award-nominated rock band and their intensely soulful and intricate take on timeless rock & roll. Exploding onto the music scene in 1993 with their multi-platinum breakout album, August and Everything After, the band has gone on to release seven studio albums, selling more than 20 million records worldwide. 7:30pm. 402.345.0606.
JACKSON BROWNE
June 13 at the Orpheum Theater 409 S. 16th St. Features a show by the American musician, singer, songwriter, and political activist who has sold over 18 million records in the United States throughout his career, which has spanned decades. 7pm. 402.345.0606.
BENSON BOONE
June 14 at The Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St. Features a show by the American Idol and TikTok personality, singer-songwriter, and multi instrumentalist. 8pm. 402.884.5353.
TEQUILA BROTHERS
June 14 at Country Drive Golf Course, 951 County Rd. 4, Ashland. Features live music, food, and beverages. 6:30pm. 402.944.2333.
RIVAL SONS
June 16 at The Admiral, 2234 S 13th St. The night includes Rival Sons, the Black Angels, and Starcrawler. 7pm. 402.706.2205.
LOUIS TOMLINSON
June 17 at Harrah’s Casino Stir Concert Cove, One Harrah’s Blvd., Council Bluffs, IA. Tomlinson performs for his Faith in the Future World Tour 2023. Tomlinson exhibits the full capability of his talents while never refraining from sounding unapologetically like him for a nanosecond. 8pm. 712.329.6000.
JESSE MALIN
June 20 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. Features the American rock musician, guitarist, and songwriter alongside Anthony D’Amato. 8pm. 402.884.5707.
ELVIS COSTELLO & THE IMPOSTERS: WE’RE ALL GOING ON A SUMMER HOLIDAY TOUR
June 21 at Steelhouse Omaha, 1114 Dodge St. The music legend and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee performs with Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets alongside special guest Texas guitarist Charlie Sexton. Listed as number 80 on Rolling Stone’s 2010 list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time,” Costello will play a wide-ranging set of his lauded catalogue. 7:30pm. 402.345.0606.
BOB LOG III
June 21 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. The American slide guitar one-man band plays old Silvertone archtop guitars and wears a full body human cannonball suit and a helmet wired to a telephone receiver, which allows him to devote his hands and feet to guitar and drums. 8pm. 402.884.5707.
INTOCABLE
June 22 at the Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. One of the most influential groups in the Tejano/Norteno music scene today, Intocable crafts a unique and extraordinary style of music that expertly fuses Tejano conjunto music, Norteno folk rhythms, pop ballads, and rock. 8pm. 402.345.0606.
CHARLEY CROCKET
June 22 at The Admiral, 2234 S 13th St. By synthesizing country, blues, soul, Cajun, R&B, and other pieces of American Roots music, the country star produces an inimitable sound. 8pm. 402.706.2205.
THE 502s
June 22 at The Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St. Formed by Ed Isola, the American indie folk band from Maitland, Florida, has a sound that’s been described as a “folk orchestra” and as a blend of roots, rock, and bluegrass. 8pm. 402.884.5353.
SATURDAYS AT STINSON CONCERT SERIES WITH TAXI DRIVER
June 24 at Stinson Park, Aksarben Village, 2285 S 67th St. Features covers of all genres, including Motown, classic and modern rock, country, pop, dance, and current hits. 7pm.
FESTIVAL OMAHA
June 24 at Upland Park, 3104 Jefferson St. Features Cuban music such as Latin Jazz, Danzón, Son, Guaracha, Cha Cha Cha, Guaguanco, and more. 8:45pm. 402.444.5900.
OFF WITH THEIR HEADS
June 27 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. Features the American punk rock band formed in 2002 in Minneapolis, with opening act, Single Mothers. 8pm. 402.884.5707.
MARGO PRICE: ’TIL THE WHEELS FALL OFF TOUR
June 28 at The Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St. Price performs music from her her new album Strays , which sees the artist navigating her way through worth of loss, lies, failures, and substance abuse. 8pm. 402.884.5353.
JOSHUA RAY WALKER
June 30 at The Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St. With character-driven songs and an anti-Nashville look, Joshua Ray Walker has been winning hearts and ears since his debut in 2019 by fearlessly breaking the country music mold. 7:30pm. 402.884.5353.
FAMILY, COMMUNITY, & MORE
TOWERS OF TOMORROW WITH LEGO® BRICKS
Through Sept. 3 at Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St. The traveling exhibition features 20 iconic skyscrapers from North America, Asia, and Australia constructed in breathtaking architectural detail by Ryan McNaught, one of only 12 LEGO®-certified professionals in the world, and his award-winning team. Towers include such global famous architectural wonders as the Central Park Tower, the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building, the Shanghai Tower, Taipei 101, and the Willis (Sears) Tower. A placard accompanies each LEGO® model tower describing the building—its height, location, architect, and completion date alongside the model’s height, hours under construction, and number of LEGO® bricks. The show, which includes more than half a million LEGO® bricks, demonstrates just what’s possible with a little plastic block and a lot of imagination and is a fitting homage to constructing something really big out of something really small. Visitors can also create their own towers of tomorrow with over 200,000 loose LEGO® bricks available in hands-on construction areas. Noon to 4pm Sunday; 10am to 4pm Tuesday—Saturday. 402.444.5071.
JURASSIC ADVENTURE
Through October 1 at Lee G. Simmons Conservation & Wildlife Safari Park, 16406 292nd St., Ashland. This all-new added experience features some of the world’s largest and most life-like robotic dinosaurs, which are located throughout the park to provide visitors with a dinosaur-safari feel. The dinosaurs are scattered throughout the park to give an authentic dinosaur safari feel as guests enjoy their visit. The adventure includes full-sized dinosaurs and handmade animatronics created with scientific supervision. Visitors can dig in fossil pits and can consult a Jurassic Adventure Guide Map identifying all the things to learn, see, and do at the park, which is celebrating its 25th year and offers four miles of drive-through North American wildlife viewing from the comfort of your own vehicle. Visitors see a variety of animals in their natural habitats, including more than 60 American elk spread across the 50-acre Elk Meadow, 10 White-tailed deer, prairie dogs, grey wolves, American black bears, American white pelicans, Sandhill cranes, trumpeter swans, pygmy goats, eagles, and bison, which are the largest terrestrial and heaviest land animals in North America. All areas of the Wildlife Safari Park are available to drive through and are open to the public. There are also two miles of hiking trails to enjoy. Admission prices vary. 402.944.9453.
MORE
JURASSIC NEBRASKA
Through January 7, 2024 at Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S 20th St. Experience what life would be like if dinosaurs were around in our everyday life; toss a football against some ferocious defenders, explore and discover fossils in a giant dig pit, climb Chimney Rock to look a T-Rex in the eye, and more. 9 am to 4 pm Tuesday—Friday; 9am to 5pm Saturday & Sunday. 402.342.6164.
— ocm.org
TASTE OF OMAHA
June 2—4 at Elmwood Park, 808 S. 60th St. Now in the 26th year, the popular event features food from many of Omaha’s top restaurants, good entertainment, and family activities for the kids. 402.346.8003
ELKHORN DAYS
June 8—11, times vary, downtown Elkhorn, 20801 Elkhorn Dr. The annual celebration includes a parade, fireworks, corn hole tournament, the TahaZouka Music Festival, the West O Car Show, and more.
BELLEVUE ROCKS! RIVERFRONT FESTIVAL 2023
June 8—11 at American Heroes Park, County Hwy H10, Bellevue. The four-day event features live music, headlined by Country Rocker Uncle Kracker and the return of the large, family-friendly, famous Heart of America Carnival to Bellevue’s Riverfront with rides and attractions. Times vary.
LITFEST: UNDER THE STARS
June 10 at 24645 Pacific St., Waterloo. Includes a female empowerment dinner, shopping, networking, and self-healing workshop. 5pm to 1am.
NCAA MEN’S COLLEGE WORLD SERIES
June 16—26 at Charles Schwab Field, 1200 Mike Fahey St. The top eight college baseball teams in the nation compete for the NCAA Division I Men’s Baseball Championship, also known as “the Greatest Show on Dirt.” Times vary. 402.554.4422.
OMAHA FREEDOM FESTIVAL: A CELEBRATION OF JUNETEENTH
June 17 at Malcolm X Memorial Foundation, 3448 Evans St. The event provides for cultural and historical celebration in addition to education, entertainment, and exposure to resources with a concert later in the day featuring Musiq Soulchild, Lyfe Jennings, Enjoli & Timeless, Josh Jones, and DJ Chain. 12pm to 12am.
ANNUAL TESTICLE FESTIVAL
June 17 at Round the Bend Steakhouse, 30801 E park Hwy, Ashland. The 29th annual event includes beef fries, cold beverages, live music, and a Ball Eating Contest. 11am to 11pm. 402.944.9974.
DINOSAUR DOMINION FAMILY FUN WEEKEND
June 3—5, at Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S 20th St. Includes themed activities and a chance to explore the new exhibition, Jurassic Nebraska. 9 am to 4 pm Friday; 9 am to 5 pm Saturday & Sunday. 402.342.6164.
— ocm.org
OMAHA KITE FESTIVAL
June 24 at Concordia Jr.—Sr. High School, 15656 Fort St. Witness some of the largest, most colorful kites in the nation. The event includes free face painting and balloon twisting for kids. Guests should bring lawn chairs or blankets for open lawn seating. 11am to 4pm.
FESTIVAL OMAHA
June 24 at 3104 Jefferson St. Features different types of Cuban music such as Latin Jazz, Danzón, Son, Guaracha, Cha Cha Cha, Guaguanco, and more. 3:45pm. 402.800.5107.
MEMORIAL PARK CONCERT
June 30 at Memorial Park, 6005 Underwood Ave. Includes local bands, national acts, and one of the region’s largest fireworks displays. People can begin staking out their spots with blankets at 5am. Concert begins at 6pm.
—memorialparkconcert.com
This article originally appeared in the June 2023 issue of Omaha Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
