The Joslyn Art Museum’s “Jazz on the Green” summer concert series offers music, dancing, food and fun for all ages, at just the right price.
The Joslyn Art Museum is one Omaha location that offers affordable performances for different musical tastes in a unique, relaxed setting. The thought of jazz music at a museum may seem intimidating or far from your personal choice of music, but it’s a summer tradition, said Amy Rummel, Joslyn director of communications.
“It’s an Omaha summer time staple. It’s something that everyone can come to, everyone can enjoy, and it’s completely free,” Rummel said.
This is the 24th year for the series of four performances. Despite the construction around the museum, each show is still expected to draw the usual 4,000 to 5,000 concertgoers. You can expect to find a variety of people attending the shows.
“I’m always personally amazed at what a broad group attend ‘Jazz on the Green,'” Rummel said. “People of all different backgrounds and ages come. There are people coming because they like to enjoy the outdoor setting, or who are huge jazz fans.”
Though the focus is more toward the family crowd and young to middle-age adults, the crowd ranges from dogs and babies to senior citizens.
Diane Pham, an Arts & Sciences senior, has attended in past years and enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere with a wide variety of both jazz fans and those who just want to relax on a summer night.
“It’s definitely something fun to do, even if you don’t care about jazz,” Pham said.
The concerts are held on the north side of the museum, and the fun begins as early as 4 p.m. when people literally race for spots to set out blankets. The museum’s staff will play music while everyone runs to reserve a spot for the concert.
“Sometimes it’s more dramatic than other times. We’ll play the theme from ‘Rocky’ or something like that,” Rummel said.
Aside from the free concert and noteworthy raffle drawings, the art museum is also open at no cost from 5-8 p.m., though it is always free for Creighton students and staff. Parking is a challenge, so Rummel suggests students walk up from campus to the museum located on 24th and Dodge.
Though refreshments can be purchased at the show, concert-goers are allowed to bring their own food and drink. Rummel has seen people bring everything from boxes of pizza to elaborate picnics with tables and flowers.
Dancing is also welcome, and often as equally entertaining as the band.
“It’s kind of a big party,” Rummel said. “People dance at it — amazing dancers who come specifically to display their skills.”
“Jazz on the Green” displays a broad range of jazz styles by nationally known bands. Rummel said she thinks students will particularly enjoy the first performance on July 10th by a group from New Orleans, named Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers. This energetic band’s performance was cut short last year due to weather, but within the first few minutes they were whipping out Mardi Gras beads and forming a conga line with the audience.
The series runs on Thursdays from July 10-31. The artists, dates, and times can be found at www.joslyn.org. This series is a conveniently close and inexpensive way to have fun on Thursday nights, no matter your taste in music.
“It’s one of the best things going as far as entertainment for little to no cost,” said Rummel.