by Erik Higgins, Artistic Director (ehiggins@NebraskaMusicFest.org)
For two weeks from July 20-Aug. 2, in both Lincoln and Omaha, the 2025 Crossroads Festival is going to be unlike anything you’ve ever seen…
Here are the Top 5 Shows you really don’t want to miss.
1. Kinan Azmeh & Improvisor Suite
Azmeh –world renown clarinetist, bandleader, and composer– returns to Nebraska with his roof-raising, signature work. Experience it live, both outdoors with summer vibes, food trucks and lawn chairs, and indoors with full orchestra in two of Nebraska’s acoustically delicious concert halls in Lincoln and Omaha with this year’s special Guest Curator.
“Intensely Soulful” and “Spellbinding” are what the New York Times has to say about Kinan and his Music. Come and see for yourself.
2. Omaha Showcase
The Omaha Showcase at Gene Leahy Mall’s performance pavilion is one of the festival’s must-see events. Great vibes, incredible music from multiple, world-class artists, this event has the whole package for an unforgettable evening!
Bring your blanket, your picnic and your good summer vibes and make sure to check out the delicious food trucks and the iconic RiverFront park.
3. The reunion of Dawn of Midi
After years of appearing with the likes of Radiohead and Nils Frahm, Dawn of Midi took a break from touring… until now. Nebraska Crossroads is proud to bring them back together with three, incredibly rare live performances at Gene Leahy Mall and Gallery 1516 in Omaha and at Sheldon Sculpture Garden in Lincoln, performing their ground-breaking album, Dysnomia.
4. Immersive Soundscapes with Erdem Helvacioglu
Turkish electronic musician Erdem Helvacioglu has something special up his sleeves for Nebraska: “How often do we get to do something insane like this?” Experience a soundscape like no other – “like a movie, but just with sound” – together with improvising musicians and live manipulation at the cool, brand-new Music Box in Lincoln and at the iconic KANEKO in Omaha.
5. Orchestra Finale–Expect the unexpected.
Created entirely by people in the room, performing it themselves, the music of our orchestra finale is the pinnacle of the performer/composer movement. Featuring Dinuk Wijeratne, Layale Chaker, Jake Charkey, Kinan Azmeh and others, the music is. deeply personal and immediately relevant – and unlike any orchestra music you’ve ever heard before. Shows at the newly renovated Kimball Hall at UNL in Lincoln and the state-of-the-art Strauss Performing Arts Center in Omaha.
2 Responses
I just want to know if I if there’s an email for events that I can gett on the list for upcoming things.Thank you
Hi, Vikki. Thanks so much for reaching out! I’ve added you to our mailing list and we’ve added a subscribe option to to each blog post. Thanks so much for the heads up – our other form was hard to find! Hope to see you at the festival. ~ The Crossroads Team