Star City Blog

Play 'LNKwiz' and See the Premiere of 'Automorphosis' at the Bourbon Theatre

Looking for something to do on Wednesday, September 2nd? Spend a fun-filled evening at the Bourbon Theatre (1415 O Street) and enjoy the first ever “LNKwiz,” Lincoln’s only happy hour pub quiz and afterward, watch the documentary Automorphosis.

Start the evening off with “LNKwiz,.” Gather your team beforehand (limit to four people) and prepare to win beverages, gift certificates and bragging rights. The four rounds of ten questions will begin at 6 p.m. in the Bourbon Theatre Front Room. The event is free, but you must be 21 to play. The first ever “LNKwizards” should win by 7:30 p.m., just in time for the Lincoln premiere of the film Automorphosis.

Sheldon Museum of Art Presents Four Public Lectures in September

As one element in Sheldon Museum of Art's outreach to a variety of audiences, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln museum will present four free public lectures in September. Speakers include Jun Kaneko, the Omaha artist whose large ceramic sculptures have been exhibition worldwide. The schedule:

Sept. 10, 5:30 p.m.:  Willard Spiegelman, Hughes professor of English at Southern Methodist University and editor of Southwest Review since 1984, presents "The Pleasure of Looking." Spiegelman is author of "Seven Pleasures," published in April, which examines seven activities that lead naturally and easily to a sense of well-being. These include dancing, reading, walking, looking, listening, swimming and writing. He is a regular contributor to the Arts and Leisure pages of the Wall Street Journal.

Sign Up for the Biennial Conference 'Art of Fine Craft: [kuh-nek-tiv]'

LUX Center for the Arts and Nebraska Wesleyan University present, Art of Fine Craft: [kuh-nek-tiv], October 1-2, 2009.  This biennial conference provides an opportunity for students, educators, artists, and collectors to learn about emerging and historical craft traditions through exhibitions, demonstrations, and lectures.  Early bird registration ($85 two day pass and $65 student two day pass) ends September 4. Register at www.artoffinecraft.org or by calling (402) 466-8692.

The purpose of the conference, [kuh-nek-tiv], is to create a dialogue about the connections between media and maker, experiences in the contemporary world, and the vitality of centuries-old craft traditions.  Folk Art collector Florence Dibell Bartlett said, “The art of the craftsman is a bond between the peoples of the world.”  We hope this conference will lead to further discussion about the connections that fine craft can facilitate.

Lincoln's Near South Neighborhood Provides Unique Housing

By Katie Halperin

Back in 2008, "This Old House" magazine described Lincoln’s Near South neighborhood as one of the best places to buy an old house. The Near South is a terrific neighborhood with great access to downtown, UNL, and the Capital for easy commutes to work. In addition, several places for recreation are also nearby, including the Lincoln Children’s Zoo and many of Lincoln’s beautiful parks.

There is an alternative to buying an old house for those who are attracted to a traditional neighborhood, but don't want the challenge of a fixer upper. Washington Square is a development of sixteen owner-occupied homes that have replaced a couple of "slip-in" apartment buildings on S. 19th St. near Washington.

KZUM's 'Book Talk' a Welcome Haven for Book Lovers

By DeMisty Bellinger

Whether they know it or not, Lincoln's bibliophiles have a weekly haven. "Book Talk," a radio show devoted to all things books, is on air Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. on local radio station KZUM 89.3 FM, and is streamed online at kzum.org.  The day I visited with "Book Talk" hosts John and Kit Keller was the first show of the month, which featured Layne Pierce and Scott Clark of Lincoln City Libraries to discuss Little Brother by Cory Doctorow.

It was well before show time when I arrived and Pierce, Clark, and the Kellers waited in a meeting room outside of the studio talking about Little Brother. When Pierce really started to get into the book itself, John Keller quickly stopped the conversation.

"A basic tenet of the show is to not talk about the book before the show." He smiled when he said it, but the sincerity of his statement was clear. Later, he explained briefly that he wanted the conversation to sound as fresh as possible on air.

Healthcare Reform Rally Draws Hundreds

By Micah Leamer
Photos by Terry Hatch

On Tuesday August 25th hundreds of people crowded onto the steps on the west side of the Nebraska State Capital building. A group of sixteen event sponsors had organized a rally from 6-7pm.  By the start of the rally the crowd had spilled onto the street.  Most of the people present held signs in support of healthcare reform and the public option proposed by the Democratic leadership. There were also a handful of counter demonstrators holding signs to protest the healthcare legislation that is currently being proposed in congress.  Despite the conflicting opinions present, the rally remained peaceful and orderly.

Flatwater Shakespeare Presents 'Julius Caesar' Sept. 10-27 at The Swan at Wyuka

They practice politics by every means possible. They are men and women consumed by the demands of loyalty, power, and violence.

Their stories will unfold as The Flatwater Shakespeare Company presents the tragedy of Julius Caesar in the open-air Swan Theatre at Wyuka Cemetery and Park, 3600 O Street in Lincoln, beginning Thursday, September 10, at 7:30 p.m. Performances continue Friday - Sunday, September 11-13; and Thursdays - Sundays, September 17-20 and 24-27.

Do circumstances ever justify assuming absolute power? Should laws ever be broken in order to protect the rule of law? Regimes and citizens have wrestled with these questions for thousands of years. In Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare movingly explores the personal dimensions of violent political action, as well as the historical forces at work.

Photos of Big Red Welcome 2009

By Dennis Kornbluh

Those who attended UNL's Big Red Welcome on Sunday came away with some nice freebies.  The event was scheduled to begin at 6pm, but students began  to stream in shortly after five.  In an instant the loop was swarming with people. Star City Blog volunteers began dispensing t-shirts, water bottles and highlighters in earnest, as the Bourbon Theatre pumped out tunes in the next booth.  The party atmosphere continued for several hours until every last item had been handed out.  Many thanks to Sarah Sullivan, Neil Sorensen, Marcus Sheer, Adam Williams, David Kornbluh, and Karissa Bohlen for lending their support for this event.

 

Updated: Blog Talk Live: Guest Dr. Robert Hutkins

By Dennis Kornbluh

Blog Talk Live airs tonight from 6-7pm on KZUM 89.3 FM, and via Internet streaming at kzum.org. This evening's guest will be Dr. Robert Hutkins, Professor of Food Sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In his lab, Dr. Hutkins studies bacteria that are important in fermented foods and in human health.  We'll talk to him about food in America, and get his impressions of the film "Food, Inc.", which is now playing at The Ross (see story on Star City Blog).

During the show we'll also get a live update via telephone from co-host Micah Leamer about the Healthcare Reform Rally that will take place at the State Capitol during this program.

Audio from tonight's show:

BTL_25AUG09_Part1 27:28

BTL_25AUG09_Part2 24:54

Food, Inc. @ The Ross -- Watch Trailer

Showing Daily at The Ross through Thursday 9/3

How much do we really know about the food we buy at our local supermarkets and serve to our families? In FOOD, INC., filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on our nation's food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that's been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government's regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA. Our nation's food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers and our own environment.

Showtimes at theross.org