Michael McDonald concert at Orpheum and Holland among Omaha holiday plans
We may not want to admit it, but the Christmas holiday season is right around the corner. One of our daughters is done with her shopping for the family. Lisa and I have outlined story ideas for the holiday season.
One of the things we love a lot about the holiday season are the decorations people and businesses put up for display. We are really jealous, to be honest, because since we brought Gus the Cat home to live with us in 2013, we haven’t been able to put up a tree or other decorations in the house. Gus spent his first year as a kitten climbing everywhere and chewing wires. The year before that, Tucker spent his first Christmas with us as the newest dog in the family. He didn’t like where we placed the Christmas tree, so we had to move it. It disturbed his spot to lay in the living room.
So, we’ve had to admire other people’s decorations. And that’s been OK. Some of the displays are amazing. We took a holiday lights tour with Omaha Culinary Tours, along with our daughters and their mom. We got to sip hot chocolate and sing carols during the bus ride around Omaha.
We visited some neighborhoods with impressive displays. These are the neighborhoods where they hire the holiday light company to set up the displays. Doesn’t matter to me, as the exhibits are usually breathtaking.
Not to be outdone, the malls in the area do their thing in trying to top one another. Midtown Crossing has a great display that includes dancing lights. The lights are programmed to flash on and off in tune with carols. It was a great visit.
Midtown also sponsors a fundraiser where people vote on their favorite window displays. It’ an enjoyable time spent wandering the outdoor shopping venue.
We have planned our holiday-themed posts, which will include a few day trips from Omaha. One I’m excited about is tracing a weekend night drive my folks, two sisters and I would take, almost annually. We’d drive from our home in Oakland (NE) and drive through eight communities to check out the towns’ main street decorations. I’ve wanted to do this for a few years, and this is the year. Instead of taking off from Oakland, we’ll travel from Omaha and include Oakland as the ninth town we drive through.
Another thing I love about this time of the year is the music. The family laughs at me because I have more than 500 Christmas-themed songs on my iPod (some people just chuckled because I still use an iPod and not an iPod Touch. I’m technologically advanced, but still old school). I was super excited when Lisa told me we are seeing the great Michael McDonald in concert at the Holland Center. His show at 8 p.m. on Dec. 4th is going to be amazing. McDonald – former lead singer of The Doobie Brothers – will lead an evening of holiday hits and songs surrounding Christmas. For show and ticket information, please visit http://www.ticketomaha.com/productions/Michael-McDonald.
In the meantime, people in the Omaha area can check out some great holiday shows at Omaha Performing Arts’ venues. Last year, I had the opportunity to see the Radio City Rockettes. What a show!
One of my favorite artists to listen to during the holiday season is coming to the Orpheum Theater. The Brian Setzer Orchestra kicks off the OPA’s holiday line-up Nov. 15th with a 7 p.m. concert, performing favorites, such as “Boogie Woogie Santa.” I have dropped the hint to a special elf I know that I wouldn’t be upset if tickets popped up for us to go.
For show and ticket information, please visit http://www.ticketomaha.com/productions/The-Brian-Setzer-Orchestra.
The Vienna Boys Choir takes the stage at the Orpheum Nov. 19th at 7:30 p.m. with its show, “Vienna Boys Choir – Christmas in Vienna.” For show and ticket information, visit http://www.ticketomaha.com/productions/Vienna-Boys-Choir.
Lisa and I are interested in checking out “Cyrus Chestnut Trio – A Jazzy Christmas.” This show is actually at the Holland Performing Arts Center (no bad seat in the house) Dec. 2nd. The 7:30 p.m. show is in the Scott Recital Hall and has a night club layout. For more information, visit http://www.ticketomaha.com/productions/Cyrus-Chestnut-Trio.
The same night, The Celtic Tenors take to the Holland’s main theater for a 7:30 p.m. performance. Celtic show tickets can be obtained at http://www.ticketomaha.com/productions/Celtic-Tenors.
The Omaha Performing Arts’ holiday season concludes with a show featuring a gospel choir. “Joyful Noise – A Gospel Christmas featuring Salem Baptist Church Choir” takes to the Holland Center’s stage for two shows (4 and 7 p.m.) Dec. 6th. For show information, please visit http://www.ticketomaha.com/productions/Joyful-Noise–Salem-Baptist.
Concert goers will have an opportunity to help a local charity. “Shine the Light on Hunger” campaign lasts through Dec. 31st. People can bring non-perishable food items to the shows, which will benefit the Food Bank for the Heartland. The Orpheum and the Holland Center are among several Omaha venues supporting the drive.
For more information, please visit www.TicketOmaha.com.
We are happy to announce that we will be taking part in a give-away of two tickets to the Michael McDonald concert.
So, do you have plans or traditions you like to do for the holidays? Please share with us. (Your comment will get you an entry for the tickets to see Michael McDonald.)
Winners will be drawn via random.org on Wed. Nov. 18th and advised via email.
Disclaimer: Thank you to Omaha Performing Arts for the complimentary tickets to see Michael McDonald. However, all opinions and views are ours.
