“I’m just glad to be able to share my story,” said Darcell Trotter at the Omaha premiere on August 29, “if anybody could relate to anything to going on in there, it keeps me grounded.”
Everything about the artist known as Edem Soul Music is a reflection of her first-generation American experience. Twenty-eight-year-old Edem (Kegey) Garro was born to parents from the West African nation of Ghana.
Music is an inheritance and immersion she’s absorbed and expressed from early childhood to today.
In June, the Anastasis Theatre Company collaborated with the Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP) on a special project with the prison’s 7th Step Club. NSP residents wrote and performed an original play called “More Than a Number.” The production will come to churches in Lincoln and Omaha this fall performed by men who are not currently incarcerated but whose lives have been impacted by the correctional system.
Read MoreIn a sport dominated by men, and a state consumed by football, there resides a semi-professional women’s football team— the Nebraska Valkyries— part of the longest running professional women’s football league, the Women’s Football Alliance (WFA) which just wrapped up its inaugural season. NOISE features both the Valkyries and provides a brief history of women’s football by freelance contributor Jonathan Short.
Read MoreUnder the leadership of new Artistic Director Tyrone Beasley, Shakespeare on the Green returns to Elmwood Park tonight. “The Tempest,” directed by Scott Glasser, will feature period and modern trappings. Performance dates: June 23-26; July 8, 10, 13, 14, 16. Under Beasley’s direction, “Othello” will take a contemporary turn. Performance dates: June 30-July 3 and July 6, 7, 9, 15, 17.
Read MoreIn “Omaha’s Forgotten Century,” New York City-based dancer-choreographer Ray Mercer draws on his experiences of his hometown of Omaha. The show celebrates the rich and nuanced histories of the Black and Latino communities of Omaha. This dance-theater piece will play at the Orpheum Theater at 7:30 p.m. on June 25. The event is free and open to the public.
Read MoreBianca Swift’s performance of her poem about Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday— and what it means specifically (and only) for Black people— received a standing ovation at Verbal Gumbo on June 16, 2022 at the Benson Theatre. NOISE is republishing it courtesy of the author.
Read MoreJuneteenth has been a federal holiday for a year now but it has been celebrated in Black communities since 1865. What's going on in Omaha for Juneteenth 2022? We’ve compiled a list for you.
Read MoreWhen Omaha natives Felicia Casher (formerly Webster) and Michelle Troxclair join forces again for the Verbal Gumbo Reunion, they will reclaim, at least for one-night, a scene they birthed and presided over. The performance will take place one night only, June 16 from 8 to 11 p.m. at the Benson Theatre located at 6054 Maple St. Tickets can be bought in advance on the Benson Theatre website. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Read MoreThe Criss Library at UNO is exhibiting "On the Inside" a group show of LGBTQ+ artists who are currently incarcerated. The art is made from basic materials the prisoners have access to behind bars: mostly letter sized paper, dull pencils, ball-point pen ink tubes (the hard shell is deemed too dangerous), and unlikely innovations such as using an asthma inhaler with Kool-Aid to create an airbrushed painting. The exhibit is the culmination of a multi-year project conceived of by Tatiana von Furstenberg in collaboration with Black & Pink. "On the Inside" is on display through July 31.
Read MoreIn our latest podcast, NOISEmakers Kietryn Zychal and Emily Chen-Newton spend an afternoon with Aaron French, manager of urban farm initiatives at City Sprouts, to learn about the things this ever-growing community garden has to offer including free food from the fridge on the porch at 4002 Seward St. There are also some tips on gardening for those who want to give it a try.
Read MoreOmaha playwright Beaufield Berry returns to her roots at the Great Plains Theatre Commons Conference this week. Her family drama, “In the Upper Room” will be playing at the Lied Center on Creighton’s campus from June 1 - 3. Tickets are free and available on eventbrite. Leo Adam Biga caught up with Berry for NOISE to talk about her impressive writing career in the theater which looks to be expanding into television and film. Berry shares insights about how handling success can be just as hard as coping with failure.
Read MoreSHARE Omaha, the online giving platform for over 650 area nonprofits, will be held on May 17-19, 2022. Do Good Days will offer three ways to give back to the community: giving money, buying needed items or volunteering your time. NOISE is featuring the 34 Black-led and Black-benefitting organizations in Omaha that that are participating in the annual fundraising event this year.
Read More“Nelson Mandela: The Official Exhibition” is the major new global touring exhibition that takes visitors on a personal journey through the life of the world’s most iconic freedom fighter and political leader. The exhibition will be at the Durham Museum from March 5 - July 3, 2022. Presented in association with Round Room Live, the exhibition is an immersive and interactive experience that features previously unseen film, photos and the display of over 150 historical artifacts and personal effects on loan from the Mandela family, museums and archives worldwide.
Read MoreAre you a small Omaha-based group of activists with an idea that would foster collective growth? One Omaha’s mini-grant supports emerging organizers by providing direct funding to those who seek to make a positive impact in their community. One Omaha has given grants to support SkateFest, NOISE, Healing Roots, the Village Co-op, Feed the People Omaha and many more small projects. Applications are open from May 9 - 27.
Read MoreHave you noticed the mammoth greenhouse that has been sitting vacant since 2018 at the Highlander on N. 30th St? That’s about to change because of a new partnership to activate the space. On May 2, two Black women-led North Omaha organizations, Seventy Five North Revitalization Corp. and No More Empty Pots will announce a partnership to put the greenhouse to use.
Read MoreBelieve it or not, there's a kid-friendly exhibition at KANEKO through Apr. 30 with art that you are supposed to touch! Autism Action Partnership and KANEKO collaborated during Autism Awareness Month to present the "Common Senses Festival" exploring the human senses through interactive installations, live performances, and more, with many events and programs across Omaha happening throughout the summer.
Read More“Choir Boy,” now playing at the Benson Theater through April 16, tells the story of five young Black men coming of age at the Charles R. Drew Prep School for Boys where they are members of the school’s prestigious choir. Written by Oscar-winning playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney (Moonlight), the play features a cappella gospel hymns throughout, and deals with themes of sexual identity, bullying and a desire to belong. This is the final weekend of performances, reviewed by NOISEmaker Ashley Salem.
Read MoreFree Farm Syndicate is NOISE’s featured community garden this month. We also have a year round planting guide from The Big Garden and information about their plant sale running from Apr. 21 - May 21.
Read MoreFrom Flatwater Free Press: It is a famed art collection, a cornerstone of the Joslyn Art Museum holdings, and one of the most accurate records of the American West before photography. For the first time, the descendants of the people pictured in Karl Bodmer's portraits are getting their say in how this art is understood. For the first time, museum goers are looking at the collection through Native eyes.
Read MoreCarolyn Williamson, known at Girls Inc. as “Ms. CT,” recently retired after a long and distinguished career with the school. There will be an open house reception in her honor at The Venue at the Highlander Accelerator on Tues. Apr. 5 from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m., 2120 N. 30th St. NOISE is reprinting remarks made by Executive Director Roberta Wilhelm at a 2021 Girls Inc. luncheon.
Read MoreThe 64th Grammy Awards will be televised live on CBS this Sunday, Apr. 3 at 7 p.m. Central Time and two musicians with Omaha ties are nominated for awards— Tehilla Alphonso and Terrace Martin. Leo Adam Biga brings NOISE readers a little background on the artists and some words of wisdom to young musicians from Martin’s father, 2017 Grammy nominated jazz musician Curly Martin.
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Breakout success for 23-year-old Da’Dreion Murrell, who plays piano and drums, may not be far away. Music from his debut EP I Am Life is sampled in the new feature film Foster Boy that dramatizes the ills of the foster care system. “I feel sharing my story could help a lot of people here. A lot of them can relate to things I’ve lived through. “ – Leo Adam Biga