Nebraska
Nebraska Rod and Customs Association’s “Tour Nebraska 22” June 3-5 in North Platte Vintage vehicles and hot rod classics go on parade, covering 600 miles over two days, starting in North Platte, with a themed celebration held Saturday night.
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27th Annual Dog Days of Summer Bike Show June 4 in Steele City Midwestern bikers show off their choppers, hogs, and scramblers in Steele City’s annual ode to all things motorcycles with competitions, food, and entertainment throughout the weekend. For those looking to be a part of the show, registration is “ride in” from 11a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. 402.442.2233
br—visitnebraska.com/steele-city/events/steele-city-bike-show-ride
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Makit Market June 5 at the Makit Takit Craft Studio in Lincoln Over 25 vendors exhibit their local, handmade wares including gifts, food, jewelry, clothing and more at Makit Takit: Lincoln’s Craft Studio. Entry is free. 402.483.4232
br—makittakit.comRENT June 9-26 at the Tada Theater in the Historic Haymarket District in Lincoln The Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning theatrical sensation comes to Lincoln’s Tada Theater. The musical traces a year in the lives of an eclectic group of artists and friends in their efforts to stay true to their dreams under in the face of harsh realities, and the sacrifice necessary when choosing love over fear. 402.438.8232
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Mystery at the Mansion June 4 and 11 in Nebraska City The Arbor Lodge Mansion hosts two nautical nights of “murder and mayhem,” with plundering afoot in Murder Among Mateys June 4 and luxury meeting homicide on the high seas in Cruising for Murder June 11. 800.546.5433
br—nebraskacity.com
Fort Market June 11 at Fort Robinson State Park in Crawford A multitude of vendors bring arts, crafts, and other unique items to Crawford’s more than a century-year-old Fort Robinson State Park with live music and other activities forattendees to enjoy. Entry is free, but vehicles require a park entry permit. 402.471.0641
—visitnebraska.com/crawford/events/fort-market
Jack White with the Devion Lamar Organ Trio June 12 at the Pinewood Bowl Theater in Lincoln Alt-rock titan Jack White graces Lincoln’s Pinewood Bowl Theater with special guests the Devion Lamar Organ Trio. The White Stripes and Raconteurs frontman will set the stage alight with his unique blend of bluesy, galvanic purling and high-octane riffs, with new hit single “Taking Me Back” sure to electrify concert-goers. 402.904.4444
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NEBRASKALand Days featuring Tim McGraw and Miranda Lambert June 12-25 in North Platte Organized by the Nebraska Games and Parks Commission and billed as “the official state celebration of Nebraska!” NEBRASKAland days kicks off with the Miss Rodeo Nebraska Pageant June 12-15, the Buffalo Bill Rodeo June 15-18, Nebraska Craft Beer at Taps and Tunes June 23, and headliner performances by country stars Tim McGraw on June 24 and Mirdana Lambert on June 25. 888.313.5606 —nebraskalanddays.com
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Swedish Days 2022 June 17-18 in Holdrege This festival is a weekend of fika, Swedish meatballs, and live music in Holdrege at the town’s annual Swedish Days event with a “Grand Parade” taking place Saturday morning. A beer garden serviced by JB’s Sports Bar & Grill will keep the poslka dancing going until midnight Friday. 308.995.4444
br—holdregechamber.com
29th Annual Testicle Festival June 18 at Round the Bend Steakhouse in Ashland Attendees will have a ball (or two) at Round the Bend Steakhouse’s time-honored annual Testicle Festival over Father’s Day weekend, though more traditional dining options like cheeseburgers and chicken strips are available for those not interested in the signature “Bull Fries.” The marquee Ball Eating Contest is rounded out with live music by the DJ Jake & Sheila Greenland Band. $10 entry (free with military I.D.). 402.944.9974
br—roundthebendsteakhouse.com/festival
Lincoln Drag Brunch June 19 at Longwell’s in Lincoln The Historic Haymarket’s Longwell’s bar and grill hosts this event in commemoration of Pride Month, where drag royalty take “Eleganza Extravaganza” to new heights over mimosas and Bloody Marys. 402.904.5283
br—nebraskadragbrunch.com
WWE Monday Night RAW June 20 at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln WWE brings the smackdown for a night of pile-drivers, choke-holds, and high drama as professional wrestling’s stars take center ring. 402.904.4444
br—pinnaclebankarena.com
25th Annual Wahoo Country Music Show June 21-25 in Wahoo The largest traditional country music festival in Nebraska, the Wahoo Country Music Show promises five days of traditional country, bluegrass, gospel, with guests Fiddlin’ Jake Simpson, Nashville’s Lisa Layne, Jody Nix and the Texas Cowboys, and more. 402.936.0638
br—wahoocountrymusicshow.com
Marverick Rodeo Turn N’ Burn Barrel Race June 22 at the Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln Spectators can watch contestants run blistering clover formations in this dust-kickin’, barrel-roundin’ rodeo spectacle free of charge. 402.441.6545
br—lancastereventcenter.org
Santana Tribute Oye Como Va June 24-26 in Brownville Tribute band One Como Va does legendary artist Santana proud with a full lineup of congas, timbales, drums, bass, guitar, keyboard, and singers. Lead guitarist Marcos Mora strums good vibes and smooth Latin riffs throughout the event. 402.825.3331
br—visitnebraska.com/brownville/events/santana-tribute-oye-como-va
Iowa
Art and Write Night June 3 at the Iowa Museum of Natural History in Iowa City Professional, aspiring, and amateur artists alike gather in the hallowed halls of the University of Iowa’s Museum of Natural History for inspired sketching and scribbling. 319.467.3130
br—pentacrestmuseums.uiowa.edu
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Scandinavian Days 2022 June 3-4 in Story City With performances by def electric, Kenny Frette Band, Fahrenheit, and The Punching Pandas, this year’s slogan of “Better Than 2021 & Way Better Than 2020" is no idle boast, complete with a craft and vendor show on Saturday. 515.733.4214
br—storcycitygcc.org/scandivavian-days/
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Kinderfest June 18 in Manning Family fun awaits in the town of Manning with a 5K road race kicking the event off in City Park at 8 a.m., a parade down Main Street at 11 a.m., and a petting zoo, blowup castles, games, prizes, and plenty of food to round out the day. 712.267.3038
br—manningia.com
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Amana Colonies Wurst Festival June 18 in Amana Named the “best new event of 2015” by the Iowa Tourism Commission, the Amana’s Wurst Festival gets bigger and better every year. Handmade, small-batch sausages available accentuated by wine, beer, and live music. The festival promises “the Wurst time you could possibly have.” 319.622.7622
br—amanacolonies.com/event/wurst-festival/
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Duck Race and BBQ June 23 on Broad Street in Story City The feathers fly during Story City’s annual duck race as quacking competitors waddle for glory and the checkered flag, starting 6 p.m. Choice cuts will be served from 5-7 p.m. during the Broad Street BBQ, with family-friendly activities planned throughout the evening. 515.733.4214
br—storycitygcc.org/event/duck-race
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Annual Edgewood Pro Rodeo Days June 23-26 in Edgewood This four-day, rootin-tootin’ festival includes three nights of Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association-endorsed rodeos and a demolition derby on Sunday. Festivities include a children’s carnival, a golf tournament, live music, a parade, and plenty of food and beer to go around. 563.928.7036
br—edgewoodrodeo.com
Fourth Annual Shady Tree BBQ Contest June 25 in Red Oak Chicken, pork spare ribs, pork butt, rib roast will all hit the judge’s table during Red Oak’s Fourth Annual Shady Tree BBQ Contest with samples available for $5 per meat. 712.623.4821
Kansas
Annual Chingawassa Days June 3-5 in Marion The sleepy town of Marion springs to action with three days of food, drinks, and family fun, including a horseshoe pitching contest, three-on-three basketball, inflatables, “rhino-sized Jenga,” and a headliner performance by Billboard Hot Country Songs charting artist Tyler Farr Saturday.
br—chingawassadays.com
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Beer Fest 2022 at Strang Hall June 4 in OverlandPark A $60 ticket includes four hours of unlimited tasting, live music, endless select appetizers, and a tasting cup for regional brewers like Boulevard, KC Bier, FreeState, and Sandhills. Event runs Saturday from 2 -6 p.m., offering words of encouragement to attendees: “don’t worry, be hoppy.”
—visitkc.com/event-detail/beerfest-strang-hall
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Food Truck Frenzy June 4 in Lenexa Food trucks descend on Old Town Lenexa, offering a variety of local cuisines. Live music throughout the event with main act The Suburbans hitting the stage at 6 p.m. Most vendors accept cards but cash is appreciated. 913.477.7100
br—lenexa.com
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Sunflower Music Festival June 17-25 in Topeka Nine consecutive nights of orchestra, chamber ensembles, and jazz fill Washburn University’s White Concert Hall in Topeka. Sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts (among others) this week-and-a-half long symphonic event is free of charge. No dress code enforced. 785.670.1396
br—sunflowermusicfestival.org
Missouri
Festa Italiana June 3-5 in Kansas City UNICO KC presents Festa Italiana, with live entertainment—including Motori in Piazza (Italian Motorsport Show)—authentic Italian food, beverages, and desserts, historical information booths, and a kid’s zone with bounce houses and other kid-friendly activities. Free admission throughout the weekend.
—unicokc.wordpress.com/home-3/festaitaliana/
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REO Speedwagon and Styx June 14 at the Starlight Theater in Kansas City For the first time in four years '70s rock sensations REO Speedwagon and Styx join forces to deliver melding hard rock guitar riffs, enthralling synth percussions, and signature power ballads outdoors at Kansas City’s historic Starlight Theater. 816.363.7827
br—kcstarlight.com
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Boulevardia June 17-18 in Kansas City This two-day street festival features craft beer and food samplings (Taps & Taste) with Omaha’s Brickway Brewery a part of the vast lineup of breweries and vendors. The event includes live performances by local, regional, and national acts, along with interactive activities and shopping opportunities.
br—boulevardia.com
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AIN’T TOO PROUD- The Life and Times of the Temptations June 21-26 at the Municipal Auditorium Music Hall in Kansas City Written by three-time Obie Award recipient Dominique Morisseau, and directed by two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff, this Broadway hit musical traces the Temptation’s journey from humble beginnings in Detroit to Rock and Roll stardom. Set to classics like “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” Get Ready,” and “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” the performance is sure to electrify long-time Temptation’s fans and theater lovers alike. Ticket prices vary.
br—kansascitybroadway.com
