Arts and festivals highlight weekend events | Entertainment

Aurora hosts its ninth art walk on Saturday, while Chapman and Greeley host festivals. Fall Festival in Chapman and “On the Way to St. Pat’s Day” annual Irish festival in Greeley.

AURORA — Art Walk Aurora was founded by a group of local artists and community members in 2014 and has grown every year since its inception.

The 2022 event will take place on Saturday, September 17th from 10am to 4pm in the city’s historic downtown district. The courthouse lawn comes to life with artistic energy sponsored by local businesses. Local and regional artisans display, demonstrate and sell their work. An art lover can enjoy his day strolling downtown, where brick streets are lined with historic buildings and local shops and restaurants.

This is your chance to peek over the artists’ shoulders and see how they work. Artists active in fields such as oil painting, watercolor, ceramics, illustration, woodwork, sculpture, jewelry, and handicrafts will exhibit and sell their work at Art His Walk His Aurora.

Participating artists are: Madison Vetter, painting. Nia Kalman, photo; Shanda Spurgeon, glass jewellery. Chad Lamarman, Scrap Iron Sculpture. Rebekah Schenk, pottery. Jay Lewis, wood carving. Victoria Green, Fiberart. Alyssa Harris, mixed media. Beth Gardner, Abstract Paintings. Rick Rasmussen, Nature and Wildlife Photography. Jana Van Housen, portrait photography and studio fine art. Cathy Kaufman, Collage Fabric Art. Emily Heerten, watercolors, acrylics, photography, prints. Anaston John, weaving. Lynette Fast, paintings, jewelry. Desiree Christenson, paintings and more. Miranda McCauley, “Pour the Painting”. Pam Apley, Fabric Her Mosaics. Larry Alder, Large Scale Metal Sculpture. Tori Swanson, oil and watercolor. Tanya Grosshans, Acrylic. Kelsey Prale Gooder, Pastel. Dennis and Mary Mattner, stained glass.

Live music is also part of the event, kicking off with the duo of Aurora’s Bobby and Alyssa Jacobs. The two met at UNK as music students and are now working as music teachers together.They perform from 11am to 2pm

Americana/folk singer-songwriter Andy Sydow will follow at 2pm. An accomplished multi-instrumentalist, he wows audiences throughout the show with his acoustic guitar ballads, raps on several songs with his steels, and delivers his amazing boogie-woogie piano chops. key to reveal.

“The purpose of the Art Walk is to raise awareness of the diversity and quality of our local artists and to provide art lovers (new and experienced) with an opportunity to learn more about art, meet local artists and expand our art collection. , observe the artists’ demonstrations, said Tammy Morris, member of the Art Walk Commission.

Aurora is located approximately 20 miles east of Grand Island via Highway 34. For more information on Art Walk Aurora, please visit http://artwalkaurora.org/.

Greeley — Central Nebraska may not be the first place you think of when you think of Irish festivals, but the people of Greeley have worked hard to change that.

The town’s Irish roots date back to the mid-1880s, when the Catholic bishops of Minnesota and Illinois helped raise money to purchase land in rural areas. Evidence of their roots can still be seen in the street names of the towns, with one exception being named after an Irish county.

Started in 2007, the town’s annual ‘Halfway to St. Pat’s Day’ Irish festival has grown to celebrate the Irish heritage claimed by over 40% of Greeley’s residents. The festival is named after a Greeley resident who watched a Chicago White Sox game with the theme “Halfway to St. Pat’s”.

The event includes food, history, culture, activities for children and much more. But entertainment is at the heart of the festival, and this year’s line-up caters to entertainers with a wild mix of Irish music from Dublin City Ramblers, Kellihans, Waldo Colonial Boys, Father Ray Kelly, The Town Pants and David Marsh. increase.

The “Big Red Tent” stage is open to groups or individuals performing Celtic song, music or dance. You can also watch the Nebraska vs. Oklahoma game here.

The event begins at 11:00 am and runs until 11:30 pm on the western grounds of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Tickets are $20 for adults (same as when the festival started in 2007). Her children under the age of 12 when accompanied by an adult are admitted free of charge. Festival tickets include all musical acts, cultural exhibits, children’s activities and more. food available for purchase.

The festival continues – rain or shine. Participants must bring their own lawn chairs. A complete schedule can be found online at www.greleyirishfestival.com.

Greeley is located about 50 miles north of Grand Island along US Highway 281.

Chapman — The annual Chapman Falls Festival kicks off at 10am on Saturday, September 17th and features a variety of activities in the downtown area.

The antique tractor exhibit opens at 10am on Ninth Avenue.

The Baptist Church hosts a garage and bake sale at the community center, miniature golf and teddy bear carts on Prairie Street, and face painting available from 11am to 3pm.

Other activities along Prairie Street include the midday Frog/Toad Race (bring your own frog!) and the Mini Train Ride at 11am hosted by Bader Park.

Food trucks are open from 11am to 2pm.

The Auto Show (registration 10am-noon, judging noon, awards ceremony 3:30pm) is held along Ninth Avenue.

There will be a vendor fair in the Chapman School gymnasium and activities for children outside the school.

A “superhero” themed parade will line up on Cora and 10th Avenue at 12:45pm and the parade will begin at 1:30pm. Cash prizes will be awarded to winning entries.

Husker fans who don’t want to miss the Nebraska-Oklahoma football game can watch the live stream.Kickoff is set for 11am

The Chapman Fire Station hosts a barbecue cook-off at 4:00 PM and also offers a free fire truck ride.

The Methodist Church hosts a variety of activities throughout the day, including breakfast burritos served at 9 AM.

Lunch from 11 AM to 4 PM includes chili dogs, ham and cheese sandwiches, potato salad, homemade pies, and drinks. Fees are $8 for adults and $4 for children 10 and under. Pie a la mode is available all day.

Raffle tickets are sold for Central City Dairy Queen, 2 Fox Theater Movie Nights and CC Mall Gift Cards. And the church flea market has something for everyone.

For more information, check out the Chapman Community Improvement Association Facebook page at facebook.com/chapmancia.

Chapman is located about 12 miles northeast of Grand Island on Highway 30.

— At a Michael Martin Murphy concert, Friday at 7:00 pm Merriman Performing Arts Center, 225 W. 22nd St., Kearney. General admission tickets from the Kearny Cosmos are $35. Ticket office: 308-698-8297 or https://merrymancenter.org/tickets/

— shoot 4 lives, Eleventh Annual Event to Benefit Nebraska’s Pro-Life Organizations Saturday 8:30am-2:00pm at Hartland Public Shooting Park. Information: www.shoot4life.org.

— UNK Band Day Parade, 10am Saturday morning in downtown Kearny.

— Gail Bekwer, comedian, magician, Sunday at 2:30 pm, Wood River High School Performing Arts Center. Held as part of the Celebrate Wood River concert series, admission is free, but donations are always welcome. Georgene Smidt, 308-583-2606, Vince Boudreau, 308-583-2961; or www.wrcommunityfoundation.com/celebratewr.