The Omaha Symphony will present Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert on May 8 and 9 at the Holland Center at 7:30 p.m. This unique concert features the live orchestra led by Ernest Richardson performing John Williams’ Academy-Award winning score while the film is presented on a large screen. Audiences will be captivated as they relive the thrilling adventure of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Han Solo, accompanied by the powerful live music that has defined the Star Wars saga. Visit their website for tickets and more information.
Junkstock is celebrating 15 years with a theme that continues on May 8 through 10 at Sycamore Farms. Featuring 22 bands and more than 250 vendors and businesses, Junkstock invites guests to experience both creativity and connection. What began as a passion for junking has grown into one of the Midwest’s most beloved festivals, with the celebratory theme that is personal and immersive: The Secret Garden. This theme honors Lisa Stork, Junkstock co-founder Sara Alexander’s mother-in-law, who passed away last November. Her influence helped spark what eventually became Junkstock, and her legacy can be felt throughout the festival. Tickets can be purchased at the gate on all days.
Garden Party Omaha returns to Sonny’s in Aksarben Village on Saturday, May 9 from 2 to 11 p.m. The bar will be transformed into a vibrant, all-day celebration of music, community and inclusion that focuses on uplifting songwriters from Nebraska and the region. Garden Party Omaha has evolved from a ticketed DIY backyard event into a community-centered festival experience.
This year’s lineup showcases a mix of indie rock, roots rock and other talent, headlined by Laney Jones and the Spirits. Other performers include Omaha-based Ex Lover, Katy Guillen & The Drive, LuLa, Nicki Walters and more. For more information, visit www.gardenpartyomaha.com
Omaha Performing Arts will present The Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes on Friday, May 15 at the Holland Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. Originally scheduled for December 2025, this event will present a special screening of the classic film, The Princess Bride, with a behind-the-scenes look at the film, secrets and stories afterwards with actor Cary Elwes, who played the iconic role of Westley.
Elwes has been in a multitude of films over the years, recently Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning and Operation Fortune: Ruse de Gurerre. Now he’s sharing personal and behind-the-scenes stories of this iconic film across the nation. Visit here for tickets.
The Great Plains Theatre Commons announced playwright Dillon Chitto as the recipient of the 2026-27 Four Directions Playwright Residency, a collaborative program supporting Native and Indigenous playwrights through multi-site creative residencies and community engagement. The year-long residency includes stops in Omaha, Minnesota, Oklahoma and Kansas City,
culminating in a public reading at Kansas City Repertory Theatre in summer 2027.
GPTC artistic director Kevin Lawler said the program continues the organization’s long-term support of Native playwrights and storytelling. The playwright is selected by Native playwright, Mary Kathryn Nagle, and alumni of the Four Directions program. This is the fourth year of the residency program.
Dates of the 2026-27 residency are currently scheduled for:
- Great Plains Theatre Commons – May 23 – 31, 2026
- Tofte Lake – June 14-24, 2026
- Tulsa Artist Fellowship – September 2026
- Kansas City Repertory Theatre – June, 2027