The Lied Center for Performing Arts has announced the full lineup of Nebraska artists performing Sept. 4 and 5 in Celebrate Nebraska, an all-new event celebrating the Lied Center’s 25th anniversary season. Both shows will be free and open to the public.
Tickets for this event are available for reservation as part of a Lied Center season ticket package. For information, call 402-472-4747.
In February, the Lied Center held a statewide open call for performance artists in all genres to apply to be a part of the event. More than 40 artists applied and 12 were selected based on work samples provided by the artists, which were then reviewed by a panel of judges.
“We were thrilled to receive so many excellent submissions for this unique event and had a very difficult time narrowing the selection down to 12 performances,” said Bill Stephan, executive director of the Lied Center. “The Lied Center’s 25th anniversary season will be remembered not only for its performances by marquee artists like Yo-Yo Ma and Wynton Marsalis, it will also showcase the very best Nebraska talent, including numerous local artists who have also earned considerable national and international recognition.”
The performance schedule: Sept. 4 — Jarana, Will Hutchinson, Swing 105, Bassoons Across Nebraska, Bathub Dogs and Sandy Creek Bluegrass; Sept. 5 — Pathfinder Chorus, D-Wayne Beatbox, UNL’s Cabaret Co., Kokyo Taiko, QuinteCentral and Tap This. Following are brief descriptions of the peformers.
Jarana — Energetic dance music meets South American, African, Mediterranean, flamenco, rumba and salsa styles with complex rhythms and infections melodies. Jarana performs a variety of Andean and South American folk ballads sung with conviction and accompanied by authentic, traditional instruments.
Will Hutchinson — Hutchinson’s songwriting can be characterized as vulnerable and resonant and earned him ranking as a finalist in the International John Lennon Songwriting Competition with more than 25,000 entrants.
Swing 105 — Swing 105 specializes in instrumental and vocal music of the 1930s and 1940s with swinging French jazz vocals, highlighted by mandolin and saxophone.
Bassoons Across Nebraska — This talented bassoon quartet will showcase the best bassoon playing in the region. Members hail from the Omaha Symphony, Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra, the Omaha Symphony Chamber Orchestra, UNL’s Moran Quintet, the New Music Agency and the Lincoln Municipal Band.
Bathtub Dogs — An all-male a cappella group that has been entertaining students at UNL since 2002. The brainchild of Scott Wilson and Aaron Hurlbut, Bathtub Dogs was modeled after college a cappella groups on the East Coast where fun and humor is just as important as the music itself.
Sandy Creek Bluegrass — Bluegrass and acoustic music featuring twin fiddles, mandolin, banjo, bass, acoustic guitar and vocals. Two members are national flatpick guitar championship winners, John Shaw one time and Jason Shaw three times.
Pathfinder Chorus — The 80-plus member male a cappella chorus will captivate audiences with original arrangements and choreography that have won them acclaim on the international contest stage.
D-Wayne Beatbox — D-Wayne Beatbox started beatboxing in 2009 as something to fill the time. Today he performs across Nebraska and the Unites States to show that beatboxing is not a gimmick, but a form of art.
UNL’s Cabaret Co. — Comprised of UNL’s advanced students studying musical theater performance and recent alums, UNL’s Cabaret Co. will perform Broadway’s contemporary and classic hits. Known for performances on stages across the nation and in Europe, its recent performances of Leonard Bernstein’s “Candide” won the National Opera Association’s 2013 national production competition.
Kokyo Taiko — Over the years, members of Kokyo have shared their Japanese culture with dozens of regional audiences through dynamic, thunderous and powerful choreographed drumming.
QuinteCentral — Five a cappella vocalists, all musicians and educators from the greater Omaha and Lincoln areas, perform original arrangements of jazz and pop tunes, as well as arrangements from the vocal jazz repertoire.
Tap This — Canadian step dance, tap and jazz dance have influenced how clogging has changed over time. These four-time National Award winning Clogging Champions continue to evolve this incredible art form with influences of street dance and hip-hop.
