News & Notes

Deal reached on film made by Nebraskan

Lincolnite Mark Thimijan, who wrote, produced and directed the small-budget feature film “Barstool Cowboy,” has made a distribution deal with Celebrity Video in Hollywood. The movie will be available on DVD starting Tuesday.

“Barstool Cowboy” stars Tim Woodward, a Broken Bow, Neb., native, and Omahan Rachel Lien. Doug McMains of Omaha was cinematographer, and the movie was shot in Lincoln and Roca, Neb. Nearly all the cast and crew are from Lincoln and Omaha.

The movie will be for sale on Amazon.com, DVDempire.com, Borders.com and other Web sites and can be rented from Netflix or Blockbuster.com, Thimijan said.

There's still time to vote on arts honors

The deadline is near to vote online for nominees of the 2010 Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards, which will be handed out in January.

The awards cover visual art, live music, theater and other performing arts produced during the 2008-09 season.

The top online vote-getter in each of 40-plus categories receives an automatic nomination. Four other nominees are determined by a juried panel in each of the arts areas.

The voting was extended through Monday night. To vote, go to www.oea-awards.com and click on the Voting link.

Short films to have global audience

Ten Manhattan Short Film Festival finalists will be screened this week and next at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center in Lincoln.

The shorts represent nine countries and will be judged by a worldwide audience in 173 cities across five continents. The winner will be announced Sept. 29.

At the Riepma Ross, 313 N. 13th St., the shorts will play Friday through Sept. 24. Screening times are posted at www.TheRoss.org, or call 402-472-5353 for more information.

Opera Omaha names major gifts officer

Michael Klinefelter has been named Opera Omaha's new major gifts officer. Klinefelter worked as assistant vice president for advancement at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. There he managed a $56 million comprehensive campaign, secured endowment gifts totaling more than $3 million and wrote numerous successful grant proposals.

Art center to hold Miniature Show

Prairie Winds Art Center in Grand Island, Neb., is holding its 10th annual Miniature Show, Competition and Workshop. Nebraska artist Jana Schefcik-Van Housen will judge the competition submissions. She will also conduct a workshop Oct. 9 to 11. The workshop is a digital approach to painting and is called “Da Vinci Goes Digital.” The competition deadline is Sept. 28. For information and a prospectus, call 308-381-4001 or go to www.prairiewindsart.com.

Auditions

“Annie,” the Rose Theater, 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the theater, 2001 Farnam St. Show runs Nov. 27 to Dec. 20. Information: 502-4618.

“The Nutcracker,” Creighton University, Saturday at the Lied Education Center for the Arts, 2500 California Plaza. At least two years ballet training required. Children age 6 and over (must be less than 5 feet tall) at 10 a.m.; mice (less than 4-foot-5) 11 a.m.; soldiers (age 10 and over) 11:30 a.m.; and Mother Ginger children (age 6 and over, 4-foot-7 or shorter) at noon. Rehearsals begin Sept. 26. Show runs Dec. 2-6. Information: Lisa Carter, 280-3047 or lcarter@creighton.edu.

“A Christmas Carol,” Omaha Community Playhouse, 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday for adults; all auditions at the playhouse, 6915 Cass St. Show runs Nov. 20-Dec. 23. Information: 553-4890.

The Moving Company, the University of Nebraska at Omaha modern dance company, needs five dancers for the 2009-10 season, college age or older, nonstudents eligible. Rehearsals on Sunday afternoons. No audition piece necessary. Auditions 1 p.m. today at the dance lab, School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Information: 554-3239.

Sing Omaha, seven ensembles covering K-12 students and adults, by appointment. Times and dates are specific to each group. Visit singomaha.com or call Matt Hill at 208-0081 for audition dates and times and for information on how to schedule an audition.

— Compiled by Bob Fischbach and John Pitcher