Nebraska Arts Council announces 2016 Governor’s Arts Awards; Sights on Sounds features Nina Simone documentary; Take Cover Lincoln tomorrow night

Nebraska Arts Council announces 2016 Governor’s Arts Awards

Nebraska’s most fervent arts proponents, supporters and cultivators of the last two years are being honored by the state’s arts organization.

The Nebraska Arts Council announced its 2016 Governor’s Arts Awards yesterday, honoring nine people and organizations that have helped shape the state’s artistic landscape. The biennial awards will be presented at the “Imagining the Future of the Arts” dinner and ceremony Tuesday, March 22 at Embassy Suites La Vista.

Included among honorees is HN’s executive director Andrew Norman, awarded with NAC’s Emerging Leader Award, which “recognizes an individual artist, arts administrator or patron who has made a significant impact on the arts in Nebraska in a short period of time,” according to a press release.

View the complete list of honorees below:

Emerging Leader: Andrew Norman, Hear Nebraska (Omaha)
Excellence in Arts Education: Ernest Richardson, Omaha Symphony
Excellence in Arts Education: Ruth A. Meints, Omaha Conservatory of Music Heritage Arts: The Greeley Irish Festival (Greeley, NE)
Leonard Thiessen Award: The Johnny Carson Foundation (Beverly Hills, CA)
Organizational Achievement: Arts For All, Inc. (Omaha)
Organizational Achievement: Joslyn Art Museum (Omaha)
Outstanding Artist: Jamie Burmeister (Omaha)
Thomas C. Woods III Partner in the Arts: Margaret Hornady (Grand Island, NE)

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Sights on Sounds features Nina Simone documentary

Film Streams musical documentary series Sights on Sounds rolls on Sunday with The Amazing Nina Simone. Theater communications director Patrick Kinney notes that interest in the singer/songwriter has risen lately in relation to current social movements.

From the production notes:

Much beloved and often misunderstood, the story of America’s most overlooked musical genius is finally brought to light in THE AMAZING NINA SIMONE. Director Jeff L. Lieberman brings audiences on Nina’s journey from the segregated South, through the worlds of classical music, jazz joints & international concert halls. Navigating through the twists & turns of the 1960’s fight for racial equality, the film delves deep into Nina’s artistry and intentions, answering long-held questions behind Nina’s most beloved songs, bold style, controversial statements, and the reason she left America.

The film runs just once, Sunday at 7 p.m. See details here.

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Concert Round-Up: Weekend Edition

It has been quite an eventful week, and I don’t know about you all, but I’m ready for live music. Here are some of the highlights, starting with our own benefit concert:

Take Cover Lincoln has arrived, as 21 Lincoln bands will fill the Zoo Bar tomorrow night with the sounds of classic Nebraska music and their own contemporary work. In two shows over the next two weekends — Lincoln’s The Zoo Bar (Jan. 23) and Omaha’s O’Leaver’s (Jan. 30) — a total 37 Nebraska musicians will each reinterpret/cover a song by an influential Nebraska musician, plus one original.

New this year: awesome Nebraska comedians Annie Hildebrand (Lincoln) and Ryan de la Garza (Omaha) host. Nearly all performances are full bands. And proceeds help support HN’s paid internships! Rsvp to the Lincoln concert here and Omaha show here.

Friday

The Crayons CD release show w/ Bogusman, The Morbs and The Ambulanters at Zoo Bar – as HN contributor Jacob Zlomke wrote yesterday, this is The Crayons final show (no, really). His interview with the band covers the band’s myriad transitions, including its members’ readiness for new projects. Read it here. RSVP to the 9 p.m. show here.

Designer Drugs w/ RealEyez and Shermhead at Vega the electro house/indie dance deejay Michael Vincent Patrick brings the party to Vega. In his eight years as Designer Drugs, he’s piled up two albums, 70 remixes and countless worldwide gigs. RSVP here.

Channel Pressure, Cult Play, Ruby Block at Petshop (Angie Seykora’s “Transparence” Closing Reception) – “Transparence” is a solo exhibition by Omaha based artist Angie Seykora showcasing recent works that demonstrate investigations in form, texture, pattern, labor, and prescribed values of material through her process based studio practice. The event is 8-10 p.m. RSVP here.

Saturday

High Up, Yes You Are, Carl Miller and the Thrillers at Slowdown – Kansas City’s Yes You Are makes its way north for a pair of exchange shows (High Up plays with them tonight at KCMO’s Riot Room). It’ll be a homecoming for frontwoman Kianna Alarid, Omaha native and former Tilly and the Wall vocalist/bassist. The Kansas City Star profiled Alarid and the rise of her new band back in July (read it here). High Up and Yes You Are play Duffy’s Tavern the following night. RSVP to Saturday here, Sunday here.

The Clincher EP release show w/ Calling Cody, DeadEchoes, Primal Waters, Black Sky Burning at Lookout Lounge the show will be a bittersweet one, as it marks the final show for The Clincher guitarist and founding member Clarissa Lamb. The band will add Ben Kadaffi on bass and press onward. Come out and celebrate. RSVP here.

For the rest in a packed weekend of shows, head to our statewide calendar at hearnebraska.org/events. Let us know what you’re excited for in the comments, or via social media using HNs handle @hearnebraska.

If you do not see your show or one you plan to attend, email us at news@hearnebraska.org or add it yourself using the Contribute button at the top-right of our homepage. And keep those story ideas, song submissions and news tips coming.