Kearney-area calendar of events (2024)

EVENTS

Spring Commencement Ceremony, 10 a.m. Friday at Health and Sports Center at 2501 15th Ave., on the University of Nebraska at Kearney campus. UNK.edu.

The Big Dig, an opportunity to volunteer to help plant the annual flowers at Yanney Heritage Park, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday at Yanney Heritage Park at 2020 W. 11th St., YanneyPark.org. Contact Colette Gruber at Cgruber@KearneyGov.org for more information.

“The Forts of Nebraska,” presented by author Jeff Barnes, 7 p.m. Tuesday at Kearney Public Library at 2020 First Ave. 308-233-3282; KearneyLib.org. Barnes will talk about the history of the forts on the Great Plains. Free admission.

Pub Quiz at Cunningham’s Journal, presented by Kearney Public Library and Cunningham’s Journal featuring 30 trivia questions in one hour, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Cunningham’s Journal at 15 W. 23rd St. Free admission. The theme: “Ew, David! A Schitt’s Creek Quiz.” Devises and/or notes are not allowed to help with answers. The team with the most correct answers will win a prize. Register in advance. Email James at Jtidei@Kearneygov.org with your team name and number of members (limit 6).

Moms Unhinged Comedy Night, 7 p.m. Wednesday at Minden Opera House at 322 E. Fifth St., Minden. 308-832-0588; MindenOperaHouse.com. The event features standup comedy with Andrea Marie, Merit Kahn, Lisa Lane and headliner Stephanie McHugh, performing clean (ish) comedy with some adult themes and language. Show is intended for ages 21 and older. Admission is $20. No drink minimum.

Screening of “Blazing Saddles,” 1974, rated 4, directed by Mel Brooks and starring Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder and Slim Pickens, 7:30 p.m. May 24 at The World Theatre at 2318 Central Ave. 308-234-8046; TheWorldTheatre.org. $5 admission. Part of a weekend of movies directed by Mel Brooks.

Screening of “Young Frankenstein,” 1974, rated R, directed by Mel Brooks and starring Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn and Marty Feldman, 7:30 p.m. May 25 at The World Theatre at 2318 Central Ave. 308-234-8046; TheWorldTheatre.org. $5 admission. Part of a weekend of movies directed by Mel Brooks.

The Fabulous AccORDion Festival featuring polka music, dancing, jam session and food May 25 at The Golden Husk at 129 S 16th St. Ord. 308-730-8133; GoldenHuskArt.org. Noon-3 p.m. grilled brats, accordion and art show, museum tours; 2-4 p.m. accordion jam festival; 4:30-7 p.m. Polka Dance with Mark Vyhlidal Orchestra. Admission is $12, family pass $40.

Screening of “Spaceballs,” 1987, rated PG, directed by Mel Brooks and starring Mel Brooks, John Candy and Rick Moranis, 7:30 p.m. May 26 at The World Theatre at 2318 Central Ave. 308-234-8046; TheWorldTheatre.org. $5 admission. Part of a weekend of movies directed by Mel Brooks.

Wine Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. May 29 at Minden Opera House at 322 E. Fifth St., Minden. 308-832-0588; MindenOperaHouse.com. Come sample wines and help create a wine list for the opera house for the rest of 2024. Patrons will select their favorite favorite Chardonnay, Pino Noir, Moscato and Cabernet Sauvignon over a four-week sampling session: Wednesday, June 5, June 12 and June 19. Admission is $20 per session. Reservations required. Must be 21 to attend.

Good Samaritan Infant Memorial Service commemorating the lives of babies stillborn, miscarried or who have died in infancy, 3 p.m. June 2 at the east side of City of Kearney Cemetery at 4400 Avenue I. Parents, grandparents, friends and family suffering infant loss, recent or past, are invited to attend. The Good Samaritan Pastoral Care and Maternity Center staff, along with local clergy, will conduct the special interfaith remembrance. In the case of inclement weather, the service will take place at Christ the King Chapel at Good Samaritan, 10 E. 31st St. For more information, contact the Good Samaritan Maternity Center at 308-865-7137.

Wine Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. June 5 at Minden Opera House at 322 E. Fifth St., Minden. 308-832-0588; MindenOperaHouse.com. Come sample wines and help create a wine list for the opera house for the rest of 2024. Patrons will select their favorite Chardonnay, Pino Noir, Moscato and Cabernet Sauvignon over a three-week sampling session: Wednesday, June 12 and June 19. Admission is $20 per session. Reservations required. Must be 21 to attend.

Wine Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. June 12 at Minden Opera House at 322 E. Fifth St., Minden. 308-832-0588; MindenOperaHouse.com. Come sample wines and help create a wine list for the opera house for the rest of 2024. Patrons will select their favorite Chardonnay, Pino Noir, Moscato and Cabernet Sauvignon over a two-week sampling session: Wednesday and June 19. Admission is $20 per session. Reservations required. Must be 21 to attend.

Wine Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. June 19 at Minden Opera House at 322 E. Fifth St., Minden. 308-832-0588; MindenOperaHouse.com. Come sample wines and help create a wine list for the opera house for the rest of 2024. Patrons will select their favorite Chardonnay, Pino Noir, Moscato and Cabernet Sauvignon. Admission is $20. Reservations required. Must be 21 to attend.

Cruise Nite, presented by Central Nebraska Auto Club, July 16-21 at various locations in Kearney. Highlights include: July 16, Show & Shine; July 17, Tour to Assisted Living & Nursing Homes; July 18, Show & Shine; July 20, Show & Shine; July 21, Show & Shine. Admission to most events is free. For more information visit CruiseNiteKearney.com.

Buffalo County Fair, featuring concerts, events, displays and a midway, July 24-29 at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds at 3807 Avenue N. 308-236-1201; BuffaloCountyFairgrounds.com.

CONCERTS

Relevant, performing blues-based adult rock covers and originals, 7 p.m. June 2 at Harmon Park Sonotorium at 3100 Fifth Ave., presented as part of the Concerts in the Park series by Kearney Area Arts Council. Free admission. Bring lawn chair for seating. Food vendors are Budda’s Meats, Lemony Split, Tropical Sno and the Boy Scouts.

Blue Plate Special, performing pop, classic rock, country, blues and jazz, 7 p.m. June 9 at Harmon Park Sonotorium at 3100 Fifth Ave., presented as part of the Concerts in the Park series by Kearney Area Arts Council. Free admission. Bring lawn chair for seating. Food vendors are Budda’s Meats, Lemony Split, Tropical Sno and the Boy Scouts.

Kyle Sayler Band, performing country and rock music, 7 p.m. June 16 at Harmon Park Sonotorium at 3100 Fifth Ave., presented as part of the Concerts in the Park series by Kearney Area Arts Council. Free admission. Bring lawn chair for seating. Food vendors are Budda’s Meats, Lemony Split, Tropical Sno and the Boy Scouts.

United States Air Force Heartland of America Band, performing contemporary, jazz, country, pop and rock, 7 p.m. June 23 at Harmon Park Sonotorium at 3100 Fifth Ave., presented as part of the Concerts in the Park series by Kearney Area Arts Council. Free admission. Bring lawn chair for seating. Food vendors are Budda’s Meats, Lemony Split, Tropical Sno and the Boy Scouts.

Stars & Stripes Concert featuring a concert of patriotic music, 5:30 p.m. June 28 on the Courthouse Square, Ord. Free admission.

Bases Loaded, performing classy rock and country, 7 p.m. July 7 at Harmon Park Sonotorium at 3100 Fifth Ave., presented as part of the Concerts in the Park series by Kearney Area Arts Council. Free admission. Bring lawn chair for seating. Food vendors are Budda’s Meats, Lemony Split, Tropical Sno and the Boy Scouts.

West Wind, performing real country music, 7 p.m. July 14 at Harmon Park Sonotorium at 3100 Fifth Ave., presented as part of the Concerts in the Park series by Kearney Area Arts Council. Free admission. Bring lawn chair for seating. Food vendors are Budda’s Meats, Lemony Split, Tropical Sno and the Boy Scouts.

Joseph Hall as Elvis, 8 p.m. July 18 at Merryman Performing Arts Center at 225 W. 22nd St. Part of Cruise Night 2024. Call 308-698-8297 for tickets or more information. Visit MerrymanCenter.org. For details.

BD and the Boys, a five-piece band performing rock ‘n’ roll of the 60s and 70s, 7 p.m. July 21 at Harmon Park Sonotorium at 3100 Fifth Ave., presented as part of the Concerts in the Park series by Kearney Area Arts Council. Free admission. Bring lawn chair for seating. Food vendors are Budda’s Meats, Lemony Split, Tropical Sno and the Boy Scouts.

OK Sisters, an acoustic duo performing classic favorites and originals, 7 p.m. July 28 at Harmon Park Sonotorium at 3100 Fifth Ave., presented as part of the Concerts in the Park series by Kearney Area Arts Council. Free admission. Bring lawn chair for seating. Food vendors are Budda’s Meats, Lemony Split, Tropical Sno and the Boy Scouts.

Blackberry Winter, a horn-powered band performing rock ‘n’ roll, 7 p.m. Aug, 4 at Harmon Park Sonotorium at 3100 Fifth Ave., presented as part of the Concerts in the Park series by Kearney Area Arts Council. Free admission. Bring lawn chair for seating. Food vendors are Budda’s Meats, Lemony Split, Tropical Sno and the Boy Scouts.

THEATER

Auditions for “Jack and the Beanstalk,” presented by Missoula Children’s Theatre, 10 a.m. June 24 at Minden Opera House at 322 E. Fifth St., Minden. 308-832-0588; MindenOperaHouse.com. There are approximately 50 roles for children. Students must be entering first grade through 12th grade. No advance preparation is necessary. Most students rehearse approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes each day. Performances are June 28-29. Visit MindenOperaHouse.com for details.

“Beauty and the Beast,” presented by Crane River Theater, 7 p.m. June 25-29; and 2 p.m. June 29-30 at Kearney High School Auditorium at 2702 W. 11th St. 308-627-5796; CraneRiverTheater.org. General admission $20-$30; ages 12 and younger $10.

“Jack and the Beanstalk,” presented by Missoula Children’s Theatre, 6:30 p.m. June 28 and 1:30 p.m. June 29 at Minden Opera House at 322 E. Fifth St., Minden. 308-832-0588; MindenOperaHouse.com. This original adaptation of the classic children’s story shows what happens when a young boy plants Wonder Beans in his own backyard. For Jack, it is the beginning of a great adventure. Tickets are $7 general; $5 for ages 5-13 and free to children 5 and younger.

“Tuck Everlasting,” 7:30 p.m. July 17-20; 2:30 p.m. Sunday July 21; 7:30 p.m. July 24-27; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday July 28 at Kearney Community Theatre at 83 Plaza Blvd. 308-234-1529; KearneyCommunityTheatre.com. Tickets are $22.