Grow Omaha
Arts & Culture

Omaha Performing Arts will feature Free Community Day at the Tenaska Center for Arts Engagement on Saturday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This free, drop-in event will have several fun activities, performances and family friendly experiences designed to lift the creativity and community spirit, as well as showcase what the newly-built Tenaska Center has to offer. Activities include:

• Live performances and demonstrations by Omaha Performing Arts artists
• Connect and meet with instructors and leaders of upcoming programs
• Bounce houses, food and other activities
• A chance to try hands-on instruments with no experience needed
• Sample real class offerings, and receive 50 percent off when registering on April 11

There will also be a Hip Hop Lab Block Party & Street Market at 7 p.m. at the Tenaska Center FNBO Garden.

The Rose Theater will feature the world premiere of The Great Race April 17 through May 3. This whimsical puppet play adapted from Chinese Mythology tells the story of three young neighbors getting into an argument, then being transported into the take of the Great Race, where a thrilling competition that determined the order of the zodiac takes place. Directed by Sesame Street’s Alan Muraoka and featuring stunning puppetry designed by What If Puppets, The Great Race was originally developed in The Rose’s Sharing Our Stories program to uplift underrepresented voices in Omaha. Regular admission is $20, and members get in for free. Visit the website for more information.

The Omaha Community Playhouse will present Dial “M” for Murder opening April 17 and running through May 10 on the Hawkes Mainstage Theater. When a suave husband discovers his wife’s affair and plots the perfect crime to murder her, things quickly spiral into a web of deceit, betrayal and unexpected twists. This adaptation by Jeffery Hatcher reimagines Frederick Knott’s original story through a modern lens, while keeping the suspense, betrayal and passion. There will also be a pre-show discussion on the 2nd Level of the Lobby area on April 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. for a deep dive into the creative process and inspiration behind Dial ‘M’ for Murder. For tickets and more information, visit here.

The Spring Gallery Walk is taking place across Fremont’s downtown district on Saturday, April 25th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The entire district will be open for guests to stroll and explore businesses, artists and products. There will be 21 participating businesses, some of which will host happy hour specials or free refreshments, and more than 30 artists selling their work. There will be performances by musicians and live painting artists as well as a scavenger hunt happening at the Fremont Area Art Association. Visit here for more information.

The Waiting Room will feature Struggle Jennings, country-rap star, performing his Last Name album tour April 28 at 7 p.m. The American rapper from Nashville is the grandson of Waylon Jennings, and an RIAA Certified Gold-selling artist known for blending country and rap in his music.

By sharing his story with honesty and passion, he has developed a large and loyal fanbase who relate not only to his music but also to his journey. Since being released from prison in 2016, where he served a five-year, drug-related sentence, Struggle has performed for sold-out crowds across the country and released multiple projects. Visit here for tickets and more information.

The Culxr House will host Art Battle Omaha on April 4 at their venue on 3014 North 24th Street at 5 p.m. With live painting featuring local talent, participants will watch as masterful artists craft stunning pieces in 20 minutes per round and vote for the ultimate champion. In addition to the competition, there will be a Kid’s Art Booth, other interactive painting stations and music performances.

The Joslyn Art Museum will host Nights at the Joslyn on April 9 starting at 5 p.m. This month’s free event offers activities including live performances by Omaha Street Percussion, curator conversations with Karin Campbell, Phil Willson Curator of Contemporary Art, and others, as well as creating art and stopping by the shop for beautiful art items. Visit their website for more information.

The Omaha Symphony will perform “Let’s Groove Tonight: Motown & the Philly Sound” on April 11 at 7:30 p.m. and April 12 at 2 p.m. at the Holland Performing Arts Center. Maestro Ernest Richardson will lead the symphony featuring guest vocalists: Broadway superstar Chester Gregory, vocal powerhouse Crystal Monee Hall and Brik Liam. With hit pop, soul and R&B songs such as “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now,” “You’ll Never Find A Love Like Mine,” “Love Train,” “You Make Me Feel Brand New,” “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me,” and “I’m Coming Out.” Visit their website for more information.

The Omaha Parks Foundation, along with the City of Omaha, announced the 2026 Memorial Park Concert, featuring headliner Smokey Robinson as well as special opening guest CAKE, on Friday, June 26th. The popular summer concert will kick off with the National Anthem at 6:30 p.m. and end with a fireworks show at 10 p.m.

Smokey Robinson is a legendary singer, songwriter and former frontman of the Miracles, receiving numerous awards such as GRAMMY Living Legend Award and the National Medal of Arts Award from the President of the United States. He has also been inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriter’s Hall of Fame.

CAKE is an American rock band formed in the early 90s, where they seamlessly blend many genres and influences into their music such as alternative rock, country and funk. They are currently working on their 9th album, due to release later this year.

The CHI Health Center will feature Benson Boone, who just announced his “Wanted Man” tour, coming to the venue on September 1. Boone is an American singer and songwriter who rose in popularity in the last five years. He competed on American Idol in early 2021 and gained more recognition on TikTok with singing videos and snippets of his original music. His 2024 breakout hit “Beautiful Things” topped charts in multiple countries and became the most-streamed song of the year. Presale access has begun, and general access begins April 3 at 11 a.m. Visit here for more information.

The Holland Center will feature Clara Schumann & Brahms at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28. The concert starts with Unsuk Chin’s tribute to Beethoven’s 250th birthday, Subito con Forza. Pianist Zee Zee, a bright and electric performer who’s collaborated with many orchestras, makes her Omaha debut with Clara Schumann’s exquisite Piano Concerto, a masterpiece she composed before the age of 16. Brahms’ final Symphony No. 4 delivers a conclusion full of grandeur, an emotional summation of his own legacy and the composers and friends who lit his way.

There will also be a special after-hours show by Zee Zee performing a one-of-a-kind solo performance, where all are invited to attend at no additional cost. Visit their website for more information.

Omaha Children’s Museum will host an “Egg-stravagant Weekend” event March 27 through 29. Get your Easter celebration on with a fun Meet-and-Greet with the Easter Bunny, as well as other “egg-citing” activities. Tickets are only valid for the Easter Bunny Meet-and-Greet. An active Omaha Children’s Museum membership or admission ticket are required for all other Egg-Stravagant Family Fun Weekend activities. Visit here for tickets and more information.

The 2026 UNO Juried Art Student Exhibition will conclude its exhibit on March 27 with a reception and awards ceremony from 5 to 7 p.m. on the first floor of the Weber Fine Arts Building at UNO’s Dodge Campus. The UNO Art Gallery presents a selection of works by art majors and minors in studio arts, art education and art history juried by Teresa Gleason, who owns Ming Toy Gallery in the Benson area. Parking is free in the west garage on Fridays. Use the Park Omaha app on other days.

The Omaha Symphony will be joined by Grammy Award-winning Patti LaBelle for an unforgettable performance at the Holland Performing Arts Center May 13 at 7:30 p.m. Back in Omaha since 2019, The “Godmother of Soul” will perform hits from her extensive catalogue. For more than 60 years, LaBelle’s incredible voice has left a mark on the soul and R&R industry, from her first hit as lead singer of the Bluebelles to becoming a solo artist and receiving wild acclaim all over the country. The performance will be led by Music Director Laureate Thomas Wilkins, who led the orchestra for 16 years until 2021, as well as joined by nationally renowned cellist Joshua Roman. Visit here for information.

The Florentine Players, a local nonprofit community theater group, will premiere its 61st annual melodrama “Cassidy Croft and The Lost Treasure of Jesse James OR Treasure? Hardly Knew Her,” on Thursday, April 30 at Florence City Hall.

Written and directed by Derek Kowal and Luke McGuire, the production is set in the 1980s, where a time capsule is cracked open in Florence and a mysterious clue launches a race for Jesse James’ lost loot. The show is packed with 80s nostalgia, fun and unique local flavor. There will be six performances, starting April 30 to May 2, and then May 7 to 9. Visit here for information.