Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards Podcast: Recent Episodes
Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards
The OEA-Awards’ mission is to enhance our community by planning and producing an annual awards event that uniquely recognizes the performing arts, visual arts, and live music of the Omaha area. On this podcast, we hear from previous winners about the art scene in Omaha, and the projects that got them recognized.
Indecent ran at the Bluebarn Theater here in Omaha in 2019 and picked up an impressive 9 OEA awards, including outstanding director, outstanding Drama, and outstanding Actor for Jonathan Purcell. You could call it a play within a play, centered around the creation of the 1906 script, God of Vengeance, by Sholem Asch. God of Vengeance was forced to close shortly after its Broadway opening on charges of obscenity. It featured prostitution, throwing of the Torah among other religious commentaries, and two women sharing a kiss. Indecent was written in 2015 by Paula Vogel, who collaborated with Rebecca Taichman.
Jonathan is an Omaha native, with a degree in Theater Performance from Creighton. In college, he co-founded the student-run troupe, F-Troupe Productions. Since then, he started a film company with friends called H-Minus Productions, where he has co-written and produced several short films, music videos, and a feature-length documentary. He acts in multiple plays in the Omaha area. He was also a part of the establishment of the Drew Billings Artist Support Grant. Jonathan works as an adaptive Therapy Specialist at the Munroe-Meyer Institute on UNMC’s Campus.
Visit our website: https://oea-awards.org/
Bluebarn Theater: http://bluebarn.org/
Made at Mind and Soul Studios: https://mindandsoul1013fm.org/?v=36b03dc28b10
Follow us on Social Media @oeaawards
Produced and edited by Sophia Ridder: https://sophiedridder.wixsite.com/watchablemedia
Andrew Bailie is an American songwriter, singer, and guitarist. His intricate songs are crafted with raw emotion, fierce guitar work, and an unmistakable, soaring voice. He has toured across the US and Europe with the legendary gospel and funk organist Cory Henry, a founding member of Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles. Andrew is best known in Omaha for his projects The Jazzwholes and It’s True. He has also worked with platinum recording artist Aloe Blacc, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Mononeon, members of Snarky Puppy and has shared the stage with George Clinton, Lalah Hathaway, Bernie Sanders, and many others. Andrew is currently pursuing new projects with jazz great and sensei Dana Murray. Andrew won outstanding R&B artist at this year's OEA awards.
Visit our website: https://oea-awards.org/
Andrew Bailie's Website: https://www.andrewbailiemusic.com/
Made at Mind and Soul Studios: https://mindandsoul1013fm.org/?v=36b03dc28b10
Follow us on Social Media @oeaawards
Produced and edited by Sophia Ridder: https://sophiedridder.wixsite.com/watchablemedia
Esencia Latina is a thirteen piece band, with an eclectic group of musicians from all over Latin America and the US. Two-time winner of the OEAA for Best World Music, Esencia Latina aims to share our love of salsa music with audiences and inspire them to dance with along. Esencia Latina has performed at many venues including Jazz on the Green, the Holland Center, many local and regional festivals, as well as private events. During non-pandemic times Esencia Latina can be heard monthly as Rhythmz Lounge on 108th & Q.
Visit our website: https://oea-awards.org/
Esencia Latina: https://www.facebook.com/Esencia-Latina-Band-1437549386457597/
Made at Mind and Soul Studios: https://mindandsoul1013fm.org/?v=36b03dc28b10
Follow us on Social Media @oeaawards
Produced and edited by Sophia Ridder: https://sophiedridder.wixsite.com/watchablemedia
DEATHGOD is a self-taught rap artist, songwriter, and producer based out of Omaha, Nebraska. His musical inclinations provide a versatile style transcending genre definitions. From Hip Hop to Rap, as well as R&B influences. DEATHGOD’s eclectic and mystical sound intersected with vibe-uplifting performances allows the audience to be their ecstatic free selves which sets him aside from his peers. Death God won Outstanding new artist at this year’s Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards.
Visit our website: https://oea-awards.org/
DEATHGOD'S music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/05v0GoKHHUTUBc4K1Cxwqo
Made at Mind and Soul Studios: https://mindandsoul1013fm.org/?v=36b03dc28b10
Follow us on Social Media @oeaawards
Produced and edited by Sophia Ridder: https://sophiedridder.wixsite.com/watchablemedia
The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin was the Union’s first musical production. Denise Chapman directed the play, which was originally written by Kirsten Childs, for an 11-show run in October of 2018. The cast consisted of 11 local actors portraying more than thirty characters over three decades. The show went on to win multiple awards at last year’s OEA awards, including Outstanding Director of a Musical, Outstanding Actor in a Musical, Outstanding Musical. In this episode, we talk with Brandi Smith, who took home the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical for Bubbly Black Girl. Brandi has also appeared in productions like More than Neighbors at the Union and Red Summer at the Bluebarn Theatre. In addition to acting, Brandi also sings background for Dominique Morgan and the experience. Visit our website: https://oea-awards.org/ The Union: https://www.u-ca.org/ Made at Mind and Soul Studios: https://mindandsoul1013fm.org/?v=36b03dc28b10 Follow us on Social Media @oeaawards Produced and edited by Sophia Ridder: https://sophiedridder.wixsite.com/watchablemedia
Since 2016 Glow in the Dark has blended modern synth-wave, new wave, 80’s new romantic, pop, and dance/electronica with eccentric live shows, synchronized to warped visuals and interactive cinematics. Their music can be found in music videos, streaming services, and retail sites. It has been showcased in short films and feature-length movies. Glow in the Dark has performed alongside 80’s icon Corey Feldman and 90’s big beat superstars The Crystal Method. In 2019, Glow in the Dark headlined the Omaha Summer Arts Festival and received the award for Best Experimental/EDM artist at the 2019 Omaha Entertainment Awards.
Visit our website: https://oea-awards.org/
Glow in the Dark's music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4EjeLiszNyoQyhLk8fCvf7
Made at Mind and Soul Studios: https://mindandsoul1013fm.org/?v=36b03dc28b10
Follow us on Social Media @oeaawards
Produced and edited by Sophia Ridder: https://sophiedridder.wixsite.com/watchablemedia
Barber is both a two-dimensional artist with paintings and drawings and a performance artist. His two-dimensional work brakes free from conventional figurative painting into figurative abstraction addressing the fluidity of personhood and the oneness of humanity. He sees his work as a contribution towards cultural shifts that move individuals beyond race and gender into the dream society he wishes to live in, one free of social categorizing. His performance works are testimonies surrounding Black bodies. Performing solo and with the collective Propelled Animals.
This year he won three OEA awards for Outstanding Emerging Visual Artist, Outstanding 2-D artist, and Outstanding group show for “2018 union for contemporary art fellows exhibition”
Visit our website: https://oea-awards.org/
Barber's website: http://barberpaintspeople.com/
Made at Mind and Soul Studios: https://mindandsoul1013fm.org/?v=36b03dc28b10
Follow us on Social Media @oeaawards
Produced and edited by Sophia Ridder: https://sophiedridder.wixsite.com/watchablemedia
Sebastian developed the Sebastian Lane Band in 2018, a modern rock band with influences in the blues. The goal is to keep the entertaining live rock, southern rock, and blues music around for his generation who has, for the most part, forgotten about this. They released their debut album in 2018 titled "Walkin' By Myself" and featured Eric Gales and Christone "Kingfish" Ingram. The album has over 250,000 streams worldwide in 70 countries. Because of the success of this album they opened up for and tour with acts like Jimmie Vaughan, Robert Randolph, Marcus King Band, and several others. He was nominated in the Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards as Artist of the year and Best Blues artist in 2018 and won Best Blues Artist the following year in 2019. Despite his impressive career, music is just his hobby. His day job is balancing a career in medicine. He graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center with his M.D. in 2020 and started residency in July. Visit our website: https://oea-awards.org/ Sebastion Lane's website: https://www.sebastianlaneband.com/ Interview by Mark McGaugh at Mind and Soul Studios: https://mindandsoul1013fm.org/?v=36b03dc28b10 Follow us on Social Media @oeaawards Produced and edited by Sophia Ridder: https://sophiedridder.wixsite.com/watchablemedia