Maha Music Festival spotlights mental health
One of the ways Maha Music Festival maintains its community connections is through its Community Village, populated by nonprofits and progressive social organizations. On Aug. 20, they will all work together to champion one cause.
The eighth annual Omaha festival will center its focus on mental health awareness and resources, with the intention of educating attendees on recognizing the signs of mental illness and supporting efforts to break down the stigma often associated with talking openly about mental illness and seeking mental health care.
“Following a sold-out festival in 2015, we realized that our captive audience presented a unique opportunity to share an impactful message with thousands of engaged, influential individuals who care about their community,” says Maha executive director Lauren Schomburg.
In past years, each Community Village participant — Hear Nebraska included — has been challenged to create an interactive display that engages festivalgoers in their respective missions. This year they’ll band together in an effort to change the statistics and decrease the stigma surrounding mental illness.
“Suicide is the second leading cause of death for the 18-34 age demographic — who represent 64% of Maha attendees,” says Julia Hebenstreit, executive director of The Kim Foundation, whose mission is improving lives through mental health and suicide prevention.
“Maha provides a powerful opportunity to reach these individuals with an important message.”
The Kim Foundation is one of 21 that will participate in this year’s Community Village. Its range of activities includes stations at which attendees can create stress balls and cosmic calming jars, materials to brand one’s own festival t-shirt and button, giant yard games, temporary tattoos, music therapy, karaoke, knitting looms and more.
“We are using our microphone to raise awareness for a cause affecting our community and all too often swept under the rug,” says Maha board member Leslie Spethman.
Maha Music Festival happens Saturday, Aug. 20 at Stinson Park in Aksarben Village. The artist lineup includes Passion Pit, Grimes, Vince Staples, Matthew Sweet, The Joy Formidable, Jay Farrar (trio, performing songs from “Trace”), Diarrhea Planet, Car Seat Headrest, Diet Cig, See Through Dresses, Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal and CJ Mills. RSVP here and purchase tickets at $55 here.
See the complete list of Community Village participants below:
Autism Action Partnership
CASA Douglas County
CHI
Community Alliance
Conservation Fusion
Goodwill
Hear Nebraska
Heartland Pride
Heartland Family Service
Imperial Court of Nebraska Foundation
Iowa Legal Aid & Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital
Joslyn Art Museum
Legal Aid of Nebraska
Nebraska Appleseed
Nebraska Chapter – American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards
QLI
Refugee Empowerment Center
Siena/Francis House Homeless Shelter
The Kim Foundation
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New Generation Music Festival photo coverage
The inaugural New Generation Music Festival happened over the weekend on two stages in Omaha’s Stinson Park. More than 20 local and regional artists in a mix of genres performed throughout the event, which also featured local food vendors and businesses.
First-time HN contributor Jimmy Conover was there all day capturing the event. See some of his photos below:
Dilemma
Dominique Morgan
J. Crum & ALTR
TKO
Clark and Company
Rothsteen
Chemicals
Through The Stone
Jocelyn
The Hottman Sisters
Screaming For Silence
photos by Jimmy Conover
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Nebraska-native Danielle Ate The Sandwich, All Young Girls Are Machine Guns collaborate in new video
Omaha’s All Young Girls Are Machine Guns toured through Colorado last month, hooking up with Nebraska-native singer/songwriter Danielle Ate The Sandwich (Danielle Anderson) for a few shows and a music video.
Anderson shared “Long Haul” yesterday, which will appear on her forthcoming album The Terrible Dinner Guest. All Young Girls starts in on a slow-dance number, with Danielle stepping into the picture as the first charming verse begins.
The two will play together again in a month, hitting Lincoln’s newly established 1867 Bar Sept. 10 with Andrea von Kampen. More immediately, All Young Girls plays HN’s Hear Grand Island series this weekend with Hastings rock band For The Birds. RSVP here.
Watch “Long Haul” below:
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