passion. play. | A Fundraiser for ætherplough
Nomad Lounge | 1013 Jones Street | February 28th at 7pm | $10
You may have already caught some of the early buzz about ætherplough, the newly-formed production company co-founded by Thom Sibbitt and Susann Suprenant. ætherplough's debut event, passion. play., is a fundraiser held on Saturday, February 28 at 7 p.m. at Nomad Lounge. ($10 cover; cash bar).

ætherplough, self-described as a 'tool for cultivating performance,' is dedicated to creating, producing, and presenting contemporary performance in Omaha. An amazing program is planned at Nomad including performances by Seth Fox, Thom Sibbitt, Katie F-S, Satid Kippenberger, Wai Yim, and Kirstin Kluver; and featuring NYC-based performance artist, Jack Ferver.

Following the performance, a silent auction will be held, curated as "14 Stations." Local artists are donating works in support of ætherplough's mission so don't miss this opportunity to purchase original artwork and help ætherplough launch their first season of performance!

passion. play. culminates in an after-party dance at Nomad, D.J.'d by the incomparable Brent Crampton and surprise guests. So mark your calendars and plan to attend ætherplough's passion. play. on February 28th! For further information, send an email to aetherplough@gmail.com.

loom
Espana Tapas Bar | 6064 Maple Street | February 5th from 9pm to 1am | $5
Join Brent Crampton and the crew for another stellar dance event at Espana. Visit http://brentcrampton.com for more information.

Lincoln Photofest
Various Locations | Lincoln, Nebraska | February 1st through February 28th
A community-wide celebration of photography, Lincoln PhotoFest will be anchored by Evolving Eden at Sheldon. The exhibition will present works by internationally acclaimed artists Arno Rafael Minkkinen, Hans Eijkelboom and Edward Burtynsky.

Many art galleries across Lincoln and some alternative spaces will feature work by nationally known artists, established local artists and some of the city's finest young emerging photographers. Click here for more information, including a full list of exhibits opening for Lincoln's First Friday art crawl.

"Unwashed"
The Gallery at Bancroft Street Market | 2702 South 10th Street| February 7th through the 22nd
Featuring work by M!ghty, Jeff King, Josh Powell and Miss Cake -- with special guests Andrew Hershey and Amy Morin. Opening reception on February 7th from 7pm to 10pm. Also -- stop by on Wednesday the 18th for "Underground Art in Omaha" an open forum and networking event from 7pm to 9pm.

"Revealed Desires" | Work by Vanessa Barret
The RNG Gallery| 1915 Leavenworth Street| February 7th through the March 8th
The RNG Gallery kicks off 2009 with a a wonderful photography show by the talented Vanessa Barret. The photographs in this show were taken in France and Italy during the summer of 2008. Captured is the iconography of the past and the unmistakable style of the present. Opening Reception on February 7th from 7pm to 10pm.

"Deadlines" | Work by Chris Meeks
Texture Gallery| 6064 Maple Street | opening Reception on February 13th from 7pm to 10pm
An open reception hosted by 1/Fourth Arts, "Deadlines" is a series of mixed-media pieces by Chris Meeks that challenges the concept of painting and sculpture being different. By using dead and discarded remnants of the past, these layered abstractions provide no clear path to the horizon. The reception will be open from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM on Friday, February 13th.

An Evening with Seymour Cassel
Film Streams | 1340 Webster Street| Friday, February 13th at 7pm | $25 for memebers, $30 for non-members
From his numerous collaborations with John Cassavetes to his Sundance Award-winning performance in the 1992 indie comedy IN THE SOUP to more recent turns in the films of Wes Anderson (RUSHMORE, THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS, THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU), veteran actor Seymour Cassel has carved out one of the most admirable and understatedly brilliant careers in contemporary cinema.

Join Film Streams on Friday, February 13 as we welcome Seymour to the Ruth Sokolof Theater for a special screening of MINNIE & MOSKOWITZ, followed by a post-show Q&A and cocktail reception in our lobby.

"Here I am And Nowhere Else: Portraits of Care" | Works by Mark Gilbert
The Bemis | 724 South 12th Street | December 12, 2008 – February 21, 2009
Here I Am and Nowhere Else: Portraits of Care is an exhibition of portraits of caregivers and patients resulting from a collaborative research effort involving Mark Gilbert and Drs. Virginia Aita and William Lydiatt. Over two years as an artist-in-residence at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Scottish artist Mark Gilbert engaged in an expansive and subtly radical project at the intersection of art and medicine. His remarkably sensitive portraits form a powerful and singular body of work that reveals new relationships between health and illness, patients and caregivers.

Artist and Curators' Discussion | Mark Gilbert, Mark Masuoka and Hesse McGraw on February 12th at 7pm
This final dialogue about Mark Gilbert's exhibition will take the form of a conversation between Mark Masuoka, executive director, and Hesse McGraw, curator, of the Bemis Center and Gilbert. Although the night may begin by addressing the exhibition's context in contemporary art, expect a free-flowing discussion of the myriad issues surrounding this singular project — its innovative collaboration, the anomaly of an artist working within a hospital, the possibilities for art to affect the medical profession, the social aspect of this work, and the ideal of art that does something to its audience. All are invited to contribute to the discussion.

Blue Note Records 70th Anniversary - On Tour
The Holland | 13th and Douglas Street | Saturday, February 21st, 2009 | 8:00 PM
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Blue Note label, this all-star band, featuring some of the finest jazz musicians today, will travel the world. From hot jazz, to swing, to bebop, Blue Note has created an undisputable legacy as the premier label in the history of jazz. Featuring Bill Charlap (music director), Peter Bernstein, Ravi Coltrane, Lewis Nash, Nicholas Payton, Peter Washington & Steve Wilson. For ticket information, please visit http://www.omahaperformingarts.org.

....... almost done!
If you haven't had a chance to check out The Boiler Room restaurant yet, I highly recommend you make a bit of time to stop by for dinner or cocktails at the bar. The space is beautiful, featuring several wonderful photographs by Vera Mercer... and Executive Chef, Paul Kulik has created a truly amazing menu. I had the pleasure of dining there last week and quickly fell in love with every little thing.... visit http://www.theboilerroomrestaurant.com or call 916-9274 to make a reservation.


tugBoat gallery (lincoln)
bemis center for contemporary arts
phillip schrager collection of contemporary art
joslyn art museum
sheldon museum of art (lincoln)
paparazzi by appointment
dundee gallery
hot shops art center

film streams
the blue barn theatre
omaha performing arts

the waiting room lounge
the slowdown