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www.bancroftstreetmarket.com

Bill Seidler, founder of the Bancroft Street Market, was kind enough to answer some questions for our Omaha Hotel Guide.

For those looking to explore the Omaha art scene, what does the Bancroft Street Market offer?

Bancroft Street Market, at 10th and Bancroft, 2702 South 10th Street in Omaha opened it’s newly remodeled building in November 2008. It is a 5,500 square foot flexible space that was once a corner grocery store. The history of the building dates to the late 1800’s.

It is located near Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha’s botanical gardens and the Henry Doorly Zoo.

The building has windows on three sides. The showroom windows face 10th Street. Smaller windows are on the north and south.
The open ceiling allows the viewer to see the original wood structure of the building. The floors have been lightly refinished to the original wood. There is incandescent track lighting throughout. Handicapped accessible bathrooms are also available. Two exterior walls feature a graffiti mural by Teddy Gonzalez. The parking area is surrounded by flower containers which have
been painted by artist Michelle Martinez.

Saturdays and Sundays from June to October 4 this year, the Market will hold its third annual farmers market from noon until 1 p.m. The farmers market features locally grown fruits and vegetables as well as tortillas, breads and baked goods. The small market has the flavor of the Deer Park neighborhood.

Who is the art work made by?

The building is currently hosting a variety of events. One of the most exciting is the Fashion Market. This event is held monthly on selected Sunday afternoons. Fashion Market is an opportunity for customers to meet local fashion designers displaying locally produced clothing, accessories and artist driven lines. Past markets have featured the work of Buf Reynolds, Alexia Thiel and Autopilot Art, Julia Drazic, Dan Richters, and Laura Miller. There are markets scheduled for July 19 and August 30, 2009.
Fashion Market is held from noon to 4 pm. During the market customers can meet and talk with the designers and discuss ideas.

There are several coming art events. July 24th and 25th the Market will welcome Arts on a Limb Benefit Show and Artist Workshop Series.

July 31 and August 1 the Market welcomes Echotrope New Media Festival: An Exhibition of Contemporary Electronic Art.

August 8-16 there will be a full a gallery installation by artist Birgit Larsen

The first International Festival will be Sunday, August 22

The Market is also the starting point for the weekly Bancroft to Bayliss Loop bicycle ride which starts at 10a.m. every Saturday morning until October 3.

Is there a particular genre or does the style of your exhibitions vary?

The style of the exhibitions varies. Some of the shows are full gallery installations, some are shows of smaller, individual works.

What are the admission fees?

Admission is usually free.

Does the Bancroft Street Market operate year-round or for a particular set of time during the year?

It operates year around. At this time it is only open to the public on the weekends and during shows. Our web site has the schedule and it is updated periodically.

Thank you Bill! If you are looking to explore the local art scene, the Bancroft Street Market is definitely worth a look.

As part of our Omaha Hotel Guide we are featuring some local attractions. Craig Bond, executive director of the Shelterbelt Theatre, was kind enough to answer some questions.

What programs do you have in store for 2009?

We do four shows a year. We have a horror/suspense anthology show (several short plays) in October, a love/relationship anthology show (short plays again) in Jan/Feb, and two other productions that vary, but are generally original, new plays – many by local Omaha playwrights. We typically have these shows in April and July. Several of these plays have won awards, and some have gone on to be produced in larger markets, including New York.
What actors are featured in your performances?

We feature some of the best acting talent in the greater Omaha area. Auditions are open to everyone, and we pride ourselves on developing new talent, as well as featuring established actors.

What are your prices like?

Ticket prices right now are $15 for adults, and $12 for students, senior citizens and TAG members (the Theatre Arts Guild is the Omaha area theatre organization). We also have specials and discounts available, depending on group size and show date.

Is it a good idea to pre-order tickets?

It is generally a good idea to pre-order, but we usually have some seats available before showtime. We only have 55 seats in our intimate space, so we do sell out quite often.

Where is The Shelterbelt Theatre located?

The Shelterbelt Theatre is located at 3225 California, which is just East of 33rd and California. Parking is available on the street. The theatre space is intimate – the furthest seat is only 15 feet from the stage. We do also have a bar, serving bottled beer, wine and soda.

We are happy to welcome groups if they contact us in advance. We can offer custom pricing packages as well as appetizers or even champagne if given time to prepare.

Our contact info is:
www.shelterbelt.org
402-341-2757
3225 California St, PO Box 31607, Omaha, NE 68131

Thanks Craig! If you are looking to see some quality performances, check out the Shelterbelt Theatre. I don’t see it listed in Tripadvisor’s “Things to do” for the Omaha area, but not everything is.

Here is Amanda Miller, who will be in the upcoming Fat Girlfriend Musical:

Amanda Miller

As you can see, some quality stuff!

omahacityweekly.com

As part of our city hotel guides we are featuring some local attractions for each. For our Omaha page, Omaha Cheap Hotels: How to Find Them, we are featuring some local places to check out. Andrew Hershey, Media Director of the Bemis Center (currently ranked #8 of Tripadvisor’s things to do), was kind enough to answer some questions in regards to the Bemis Center:

What does the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts offer to visitors?

Visitors to the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts are able to explore exhibitions in the three main galleries and experience a variety of special events from musical performances, lectures, panel discussions, opening
receptions and open studios.  For upcoming events check BemisCenter.org.

Your exhibitions can be viewed by the public for free?

Yes, admission to the center during regular gallery hours 11-5pm Tuesday through Saturday is free as well as most events.

The art work is made exclusively by your artists-in-residence?

The Bemis Center’s exhibition program highlights multidisciplinary work that denies boundaries between media and genres and is socially engaged. Current exhibitions and projects are suffused with humor, rigor, and risk-taking and look for generosity of communication and the possibility of unexpected collaborations. We are excited by art that changes its audience and are interested in artists who allow their audience to change them.

Most exhibitions are by former artists-in-residence, but not exclusively.

I see that you also offer shows. What type of shows can visitors expect to
see?

The Bemis Center’s shows explore contemporary art in it’s many forms, from performance and theater to music and public art to exhibitions and installations.