Nebraska musicians up for theater award; Submissions open for local filmmakers; Photo coverage: Anthrax, Wildwoods, Arbor Night

Nebraska musicians nominated for Drama Desk

The nominations for 2017 Drama Desk Awards, announced last week, includes a Nebraska music contingent in Daniel Ocanto and Graham Ulicny’s nomination for outstanding music in a play.

Ocanto (of Big Harp and Anna McClellan) and Ulicny (Reptar, Thick Paint), along with Sean Smith, were nominated for their work on Alligators, which they scored last year. The play, directed by Elena Araoz and produced by New Georges, enjoyed a November-December run at A.R.T/New York Theatres last year.

The Drama Desk awards are a top recognition in the drama and theater community. The awards have been held since 1955. Past winners of outstanding music in a play include Philip Glass, who won last year for his work on The Crucible. Billie Joe Armstrong was also a nominee last year.

Ocanto, Ulicny and Smith are nominated alongside Bill Sims Jr and Marcus Shelby.

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Local filmmaker showcase submissions open

Omaha’s Film Streams is now accepting submissions for its eighth annual Local Filmmakers Showcase. Each year, the curated program seeks to provide a platform and recognition to local artists.

To be eligible, one of the project’s filmmakers must be a resident of either Nebraska or Iowa, including students. The deadline for submissions is July 21, 2017 and three submissions are allowed per filmmaker. For each film selected, filmmakers will receive a percentage of the box office for the premiere and encore screenings of the showcase at the Ruth Sokolof Theater, plus an honorarium.

Submissions will be reviewed by an independent jury, to be announced soon. We encourage filmmakers to submit films no longer than 40 minutes in length.

To submit, send a link to the work and submission form to dene@filmstreams.org. Or, send a DVD or flash drive along with completed submission form to: Film Streams, Attn: Dené Oglesby, P.O. Box 8485, Omaha, NE 68108. Materials, including DVDs and flash drives, will not be returned. There is no fee for entry.

In other Film Streams news, the nonprofit has launched its Dundee Theater Campaign, the newest phase in its mission to restore and reopen the historic Omaha theater. The campaign launch last week included Academy Award-winning director  and Film Streams board member Alexander Payne interviewing Academy Award-winning actress Julianne Moore at the Holland Performing Arts Center.

The campaign goal is $8.3 million, 85 percent of which has been raised. Now, Film Streams is seeking community support to reach the funding goal. Find out more about the restoration, its mission and how to help here.

Weekend photos

 

Arbor Night at The Bourbon

photos by Alex Durrant

Dazzle Ships

CJ Clydesdale Band

Bell Mine

Anthrax, Killswitch Engage and Devil Wears Prada at Sokol Auditorium

Photos by Lauren Farris

Devil Wears Prada

Killswitch Engage

Anthrax

Wildwoods Album release at Vega

Photos by Conor Lepert

Eli Mardock

Tragic Jack

Wildwoods

Monday shows

Tonight, Omaha music stalwart Dereck Higgins and Omaha newcomer Greg Eklund (Everclear, Storm Large) debut their Eklund/Higgins 30 Days project at O’Leaver’s. The project was created over the month of April. Tonight’s show also features Rogue Moon, Chalant and Phil Kolbo.

For a full list of shows, visit our events page.