This summer there are a multitude of arts and culture events throughout the state of Nebraska. While many of these take place in the Omaha/Lincoln metro areas there are numerous happenings elsewhere. Whether your current travel plans take you near the following events, or you are looking to add a mini-excursion to your summer, these off the beaten track exhibits, festivals, and theatre productions may be just what you are looking for.

Gering will host the 91st annual celebration of Oregon Trail Days, one of the oldest and biggest continuous festivals in Western Nebraska. The festival will kick off on July 7th with a 7:00 p.m. concert featuring Texas-based country group the Casey Donahew Band whose résumé includes two recent Billboard Top 40 singles and a number one ranked music video on Country Music Television. Oregon Trail Days will continue through July 15th and will include events such as square dancing, concerts, chili cook-offs, craft shows and parades. For detailed information concerning the festival please see www.oregontraildays.com.

Theatre West in Scottsbluff will once again offer theatre productions during the summer months. This year’s line-up includes I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change running from June 1st to June 9th, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof running from June 20th to June 30th, and Cabaret running from July 18th through July 28th. Theatre West productions, presented at the Western Nebraska Community College Theatre, bring professional, collegiate, and community members to stage each season, along with educational opportunities for young theatre hopefuls who gain experience in all aspects of theatre. Please contact the box office for information at 635-6193 or visit www.nebraskarts.com where tickets are available for purchase online.

Chadron’s Post Playhouse, located in Historic Fort Robinson State Park, brings together creative professionals from across the country and nearby. This summer’s productions will include Oklahoma, Godspell, Grease, Broadway Gold, and A Year with Frog and Toad. Performances will be shown five to six days a week on a rotating basis throughout June, July, and August. Those interested may go to www.postplayhouse.com for schedules and production descriptions.

Featuring musicians and artists from Nebraska, Texas and New York, the 2012 PlainSong Folk Festival will be open to the public from 1:00 to 9:00pm on Saturday, October 6th. The Roca event will highlight various musical genres including international, bluegrass, blues and traditional folk music. The festival will also include a variety of workshops designed for all ages consisting of instrumental instruction, song writing, crafts, and instrument making. In addition, the artisans' marketplace will attract statewide artists who will be able to demonstrate and display their works. Musician information and schedules are available at www.plainsongfestival.com.

The Harlan County Dam Playhouse in Republican City will perform Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory for the 2012 summer season. The playhouse will offer six weekend performances of the play from July 28th to August 12th (Saturdays 7:30 p.m. & Sundays 3:00 p.m.) The ticket price per patron is $16 for adults and $12 for those under 12. Additional information can be found at http://harlancountyplayers.webs.com.

The Bone Creek Museum of Agrarian Art in David City will feature Robert Lougheed: Before Cowboys, Fields of the Heart, an exhibition of 27 paintings by the artist reflecting agrarian scenes. Lougheed’s paintings often focus on images of the American West and have won multiple awards from both the National Academy of Western Art and the Cowboy Artists of America. In addition, a catalogue will document the exhibition and memorialize the project. The book will include two scholarly essays and color images of the exhibition artworks and will be available for a donation/purchase. The exhibition runs from May 23 through August 26. Complete information is located at www.bonecreek.org.

Kearney’s Crane River Theater will begin its third season of productions this summer. A Year With Frog and Toad will take place at the Ron and Carol Cope Amphitheater in Kearney's Yanney Park July 3rd through July 7th and will offer complimentary admission. Into the Woods will run eight performances from July 26-28 and August 2-4 and will be presented at the Merryman Performing Arts Center. Both productions will feature professional directors and designers. Tickets, schedules, and information are available at www.cranerivertheater.org.

The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska will host the Ponca Pow Wow in Niobrara August 10th through August 12th. The pow wow will provide an opportunity for Northern Ponca culture and traditions to be presented by Ponca People to community members. Each session involves a variety of honoring dances, intertribal dances and exhibition dances and an emcee that will educate the audience about various types of dance being performed. Participants have the option of staying overnight and camping on the agency grounds or finding accommodations nearby. Local vendors and Ponca artists will be present to sell various items. More information can be found at www.poncatribe-ne.org.

On September 6th the Greeley Irish Festival will host its sixth event. The festival will highlight local, national and international Irish musicians, dance, and storytelling with complimentary activities and cultural/historic displays. Irish food, beverages, collectibles, and memorabilia will be available all day along with children's arts and games that incorporate Irish images and history. Tickets are $15 on or before September 5th and $20 subsequently and can be purchased at www.greeleyirishfestival.com.

All listed events are partially funded by the Nebraska Arts Council whose mission is to promote, cultivate and sustain the arts for the people of Nebraska. For additional information about the NAC visit our website www.nebraskaartscouncil.org or email nac.info@nebraska.gov.

-- Cyle Johnson, NAC Summer Intern