Decisions, Decisions ...
Oodles of options for New Year's Eve fun on Saturday
Why do we "ring" in the New Year with high-pitched noise makers and boisterous yelping? Because ringing bells and making an ear-piercing racket wards off evil spirits – everyone knows that. Plus, it's good luck, and I don't know about you but I could use all the luck I can muster in 2023.
So let's ring those bells, toot the horns, blow off fireworks, pop poppers and make as much noise as possible Saturday at midnight. Let's kick off 2023 with a bang and have some fun doing it. What kind of fun? Glad you asked, because there are plenty of options this Saturday, Dec. 31. Here are a few:
New Year's Eve Fireworks Spectacular, 7 p.m. The best viewing spots are near the CHI Health Center and Charles Schwab Field around 10th and Cass streets. This is the grand finale for the Holiday Lights Festival, and it promises to be another humdinger this season. The fireworks display will feature shells choreographed to open on cue in synch with a musical score created for the event. Spectators are encouraged to tune into 104.5 FM in the warmth of their cars to hear the special soundtrack. Get all the details and view parking maps at holidaylightsfestival.org.
New Year's Eve at the Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St., 9 p.m. – After the fireworks, you can walk a couple of blocks over to the Slowdown for their NYE celebration. The event will feature DJs, dancing and a champagne toast at midnight. Details at theslowdown.com.
Noon Year's Eve, Henry Doorly Zoo, 3701 S. 10th St., 10 a.m. – This three-hour party at the zoo includes entertainment with Joe Cole's Magic Show, yard games, music and an early countdown to 2023, complete with a mini beach ball drop at noon outside the Desert Dome Plaza. Event activities are free to zoo members or with regular zoo admission. More info at omahazoo.com.
Jammie Jamboree NYE Slumber Party, Bourbon Theatre, 1415 O St., Lincoln, 9 p.m. – Bust out your PJs, the Capital City is ready to jam with Funk Trek, Secret Formula and DJ Relic. There will be a slumber party photo booth, a "kabuki drop" and a champagne toast. Jammies are encouraged, but you have to wear something – no showing up nude, even if you do sleep in your birthday suit. More info at bourbontheatre.com.
Throwback Party NYE, Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St., 9 p.m. – It's called "a journey through the sights and sounds that shaped the '90s," and it's all going down at the Waiting Room. So dig out your Docs, oversized T's, high-waisted jeans and plaid flannels and get to the Waiting Room. More info at waitingroomlounge.com.
New Year's Eve featuring LANCO at Barnato, 225 N. 170th St., Village Pointe, 9 p.m. – This one spotlights country music group LANCO – known for songs like "Greatest Love Story," "Born to Love You" and "What I See" – as well as DJs and other "surprises." More info at the Barnato Facebook page HERE.
Down Under Happy F****** New Year's Party with Las Cruxes, Down Under Lounge, 3530 Leavenworth St., 9:30 p.m. – Champagne toast and music by Las Cruxes are among the fun to be had at the DU on NYE. More info at their Facebook page HERE.
With that, have fun out there – but be safe. Sober drivers are all over the place; don't be an idiot and drive after you've been drinking. (I can't believe we still have to say that in the age of Uber and Lyft, but we do. Get a ride.)
And if you can, try to do a kindness for someone today without anyone else knowing about it. Why? Karma, that's why. Love you all! Xoxoxo
#happynewyear!
– Jim Minge
Publisher of the Dispatch
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Penguins and Pancakes
Waddle to the Zoo for annual event
First things first – penguins are not mammals. They are flightless birds. Just wanted to set the record straight on that. (I'm talking to you, Stella.)
Now, on to the more important info: Pancakes from the Pancake Man and penguin insights from one of the zoo's penguin keepers highlight the Henry Doorly Zoo's "Penguins & Pancakes" event, which continues today (Thursday, Dec. 29) and Friday (Dec. 30).
Your ticket includes admission to the zoo, and you can choose to attend from 9-10:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (reservations are required).
What: Penguins & Pancakes
When: 9-10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 29 and 30
Where: Henry Doorly Zoo, 3701 S. 10th St.
Cost: $20 to $30
Web: omahazoo.com
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Santa Rocks
Light display open through Jan. 1
With more than one mile of spectacular lights dancing to music, "Santa's Rock N Lights" drive-through experience has been a popular stop in recent years.
Situated on the parking lots at Werner Park in Papillion, the display features over 700 feet of dancing light tunnels, giant dinosaurs, reindeer, polar bears and emojis.
What: Santa's Rock N Lights
When: Through Jan. 1
Where: Werner Park, 12356 Ballpark Way, Papillion
Tickets: Start at $25.99 per vehicle – you need to buy tickets online
Web: santasrocknlights.com
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Down to 2
'Yesterday and Today' ends run Friday
Just two more chances to see "Yesterday And Today" – Billy McGuigan's all-request Beatles homage in the form of a live concert. You've been warned ... Click on the video play button at right to get a taste of what to expect at this hyper-popular show.
What: "Yesterday And Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience"
When: Thursday and Friday, Dec. 29 and 30
Where: The Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St.
Tickets: Start at $20
Web: theomahaseries.com
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Tony-Winner
'Six' opens 8-show run at Orpheum
The touring Broadway production "Six" – a Tony Award winner for Best Original Score – is set to open an extended run at the Orpheum Theater on Tuesday (Jan. 3).
The musical tells the story of the six wives of Henry VIII, each of whom sings about their lives and struggles as queens. It's an all-female cast, with each actress playing multiple roles throughout the performance. The music is a mix of pop, rock and historical ballads with a fresh and modern twist.
Get an idea of what you're in for by watching the show's teaser video linked to the play button at right. Just click it to see it.
What: "Six"
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3 through Jan. 8
Where: Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St.
Tickets: Start at $40
Web: ticketomaha.com
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Pro Wrestling Night
PWP Live presents 'Holiday Hangover'
Established in 2005, PWP Live has been Omaha's go-to for local pro wrestling action for almost two decades. If you dig thrills from the top rope, this is for you.
And tonight (Thursday (Dec. 29), PWP will present "Holiday Hangover" at the Waiting Room. As of this morning, there were a few seats still available, but I'd suggest hurrying if you want to be at this one – tickets are going fast.
What: PWP Wrestling's Holiday Hangover
When: 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29
Where: Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St.
Tickets: $13 day of show
Web: waitingroomlounge.com
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doppelgängers of the week
Is that Ian McKellen or former congressman Ron Paul as Magneto? And which one is on the far right above? If you guessed, from left: McKellen, Paul and McKellen again, you are correct!
Meanwhile, how about this cat from 2022 (on the right, below) looking like a spitting image from the cat in a Japanese painting circa 1906 titled "Cat and Plum Blossoms" by Hishida Shunso?
Got a doppelgänger? Send 'em over to jim@omahadispatch.com
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Concert Listings
Omaha-Council Bluffs
Above: Anthrax is set to melt faces on Feb. 13 at the Admiral Theater.
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Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Jan. 11, 2023, the Slowdown, theslowdown.com
- Boyz II Men, Jan. 19, 2023, Orpheum Theater, ticketomaha.com
- Fitz & the Tantrums, Jan. 31, 2023, Admiral Theater, ticketmaster.com
- Gregory Alan Isakov, Feb. 4, 2023, Admiral Theater, ticketmaster.com
- The Judds, Feb. 9, 2023, CHI Health Center, ticketmaster.com
- Anthrax, with Black Label Society and Exodus, Feb. 13, Admiral Theater, ticketmaster.com
- Parker McCollum, with Corey Kent and Catie Offerman, Feb. 17, 2023, Liberty First Credit Union Arena, libertyfirstcreditunionarena.com
- Flogging Molly, with Anti-Flag and Skinner Lister, March 11, 2023, Admiral Theater, ticketmaster.com
- Katt Williams, March 17, 2023, Baxter Arena, ticketmaster.com
- Skillet and Theory of a Deadman, with Saint Asonia, March 18, 2023, Baxter Arena, ticketmaster.com
- Kane Brown, April 15, 2023, CHI Health Center, ticketmaster.com
- For King & Country, April 30, 2023, Baxter Arena, ticketmaster.com
- Foreigner, May 3, 2023, Liberty First Credit Union Arena, libertyfirstcreditunionarena.com
- Billy Currington, May 12, 2023, Liberty First Credit Union Arena, libertyfirstcreditunionarena.com
- Thomas Rhett, with Cole Swindell and Nate Smith, May 18, CHI Health Center Omaha, ticketmaster.com
- Lizzo, with Latto, May 19, 2023, CHI Health Center, ticketmaster.com
- Death Cab for Cutie, June 7, 2023, Admiral Theater, ticketmaster.com
- Matchbox Twenty, June 8, 2023, CHI Health Center, ticketmaster.com
- Louis Tomlinson, June 17, 2023, Stir Cove, ticketmaster.com
- Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe and Alice Cooper, August 13, 2023, Charles Schwab Field, ticketmaster.com
- P!nk, with Brandi Carlile, Grouplove and KidCutUp, August 21, 2023, Charles Schwab Field Omaha, ticketmaster.com
- Shania Twain, Nov. 2, 2023, CHI Health Center, ticketmaster.com
Concert Listings
Lincoln
Above: Morgan Wallen is headed to Lincoln next April to perform at the Pinnacle Bank Arena on the 29th.
- Blake Shelton, with Carly Pearce and Jackson Dean, Feb. 16, 2023, Pinnacle Bank Arena, ticketmaster.com
- Journey, with Toto, March 25, 2023, Pinnacle Bank Arena, axs.com.
- MercyMe, with TAYA and Micah Tyler, March 26, 2023, Pinnacle Bank Arena, ticketmaster.com
- Morgan Wallen, with Ernest and Bailey Zimmerman, April 29, 2023, Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln, pinnaclebankarena.com
- Chicago, May 12, 2023, Pinewood Bowl, ticketmaster.com
- Kenny Chesney, with Kelsea Ballerini, May 13, 2023, Pinnacle Bank Arena, ticketmaster.com
- Shania Twain, May 19, Pinnacle Bank Arena, ticketmaster.com
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Whac-A-Cat
It's a live-action version of Whac-A-Mole, only instead of moles, it's cats. Watch as these two cats go at in an entertaining clip that has gone viral this week. Click on the video still image at right to see it.
'What is it?' 'I don't know!'
Up next, a very excited toddler. What's he excited about? He's not sure, but he thinks it's something amazing when he unwraps it on Christmas morning. Watch as this kid defines the excitement of Christmas. Click on the video still image at left to see the cuteness unfold.
Mama and baby roo
And finally, a baby kangaroo and its mom share a loving embrace that was caught on camera and has since gone viral. Click on the video still image at right to see it.
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Omaha Dispatch, P.O. Box 24067 Omaha, NE 68124
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