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Articles by Emma Whaley
Nov. 28 'Il Moro' screening to feature director Q&A
The Medieval and Renaissance Studies program will host a free screening of "Il Moro," an Italian short film about Duke Alessandro de’ Medici of Florence, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Nov. 18 in Andrews Hall, Room 117. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the director. "Il Moro," or "The Moor," follows the true story of 16th-century Duke Alessandro de’ Medici of Florence, the illegitimate son of an enslaved woman of African descent and Pope Clement VII.
DNDND Season 2 Ep. 3: A Guide to Kidnapping and Seduction
The party interrogates Francis, the ogres' captor, about a mysterious entity known as "The One." Tonya uses her flirting skills to protect Captain from an old fishing rival. culture@dailynebraskan.com
DNDND Season 2 Ep.2: An Ogre Brawl
After finding themselves trapped in a glacier cave, Dwyn, Cindy, Tonya and Captain must fight their first enemies of the campaign: three giant ogres. Will they escape alive, or will the adventurers be on the ogres' menu? culture@dailynebraskan.com
DNDND Season 2 Ep 1: Welcome to Toothsport
In The Daily Nebraskan's second Dungeons & Dragons campaign, a party of town locals, religious missionaries and world-champion figure skaters attempt to uncover why fishing nets are coming up empty and what could have happened to a missing pair of ice skates. culture@dailynebraskan.com
104.1 The Blaze displays local rock bands with Lincoln Emerging showcase
The Bourbon Theatre and 104.1 The Blaze will be hosting Lincoln Emerging this weekend. The two-day local rock music showcase will be Friday, Sept. 2 and Saturday, Sept. 3 at the Bourbon Theatre in downtown Lincoln. The all-ages showcase will start at 7:30 p.m. each night on the Bourbon’s main stage, but the doors open at 6:30 p.m. Head Change, Empire’s End, Top Notch Defective and The Credentials will be performing on Friday and Ivory Daze, Phantom, Minor Movements and Fahr will perform on Saturday.
Staycation Destinations: Local events for this summer
Music “Oklahoma!” Lied Center for Performing Arts May 10 and May 11 at 7:30 p.m. New Kids On The Block, Salt-N-Pepa, Rick Astley & En Vogue Pinnacle Bank Arena June 11 at 8 p.m. Bon Iver Pinewood Bowl Theater June 18 at 7 p.m. Wallows Bourbon Theatre July 1 at 8 p.m. “Weird Al” Yankovic Lied Center for Performing Arts July 22 at 7:30 p.m. Maha Music Festival Stinson Park in Omaha July 29 and July 30 For more local shows, check out the Bourbon Theatre, HQ, the Zoo Bar and other local venues...
Staycation Destinations: Local events for this summer
Music “Oklahoma!” Lied Center for Performing Arts May 10 and May 11 at 7:30 p.m. New Kids On The Block, Salt-N-Pepa, Rick Astley & En Vogue Pinnacle Bank Arena June 11 at 8 p.m. Bon Iver Pinewood Bowl Theater June 18 at 7 p.m. Wallows Bourbon Theatre July 1 at 8 p.m. “Weird Al” Yankovic Lied Center for Performing Arts July 22 at 7:30 p.m. Maha Music Festival Stinson Park in Omaha July 29 and July 30 For more local shows, check out the Bourbon Theatre, HQ, the Zoo Bar and other local venues...
Garst, Cat Piss join The Credentials to celebrate sophomore album release
The rear main stage at the Bourbon Theater erupted in energetic alt rock on the night of April 22 as The Credentials, Cat Piss and Garst filled the air with the sounds of punk, grunge and attitude. The Credentials, an alternative rock and punk four-some from Lincoln, headlined the show to celebrate the release of their second album "Memoria," which dropped on April 15. They planned to play the nine-song record in full. But, first things first.
You Heard It Queer First Ep. 7: But I'm a Cheerleader
In this episode of You Heard It Queer First, Becca, Emma and Sydney analyze and discuss the 1999 teen rom-com "But I'm a Cheerleader." They talk about what makes good satire, the importance of genuine queer teen movies and how five simple steps can definitely cure your homosexuality. culture@dailynebraskan.com
You Heard It Queer First Ep. 6: Queer Video Games and Playersexuality
In this long awaited end to the winter hiatus, You Heard It Queer First hosts Becca, Syd and Emma discuss Ikenfell, Dream Daddy, Celeste and more queer video games, as well as explore the growing trend of playersexual characters.
UHC provides gender-affirming hormones to transgender students
It is estimated that one in every 250 adults in the United States identify as transgender, according to a 2017 article in the American Journal of Public Health, and this number is growing. With a total enrollment of over 24,000 students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the university is home to dozens of transgender students who may be seeking treatment in the form of gender-affirming hormone therapy.
The Ga(y)me: Let's talk about sex
On this special crossover episode, co-hosts Sydney Miller and Emma Whaley from “You Heard it Queer First” join “The Game” co-hosts Johnna Sisneros and Haley Elder for an honest conversation about sexual experiences, education and more.
Press Play: Uh Oh, live from the office
The Omaha band Uh Oh released its newest album “Good Morning” on Dec. 3. The 11-track album will have a dramatically different sound from the group’s previous releases, taking inspiration from art rock. Though the band first released music in 2015, since 2017, Uh Oh’s lineup has consisted of co-vocalists and guitarists Joe Champion and Mari Crisler, bassist Erik Trent and drummer Jay Jacobson. The foursome’s last album, “Stay Close,” debuted in 2019 with a classic emo sound, according to Crisler.
REVIEW: ‘Voyage’ album sounds disjointed, unlike ABBA
ABBA’s latest album “Voyage” came out on Nov. 5, nearly 40 years after their last studio album. Though ABBA fans around the world waited for this release with bated breath, I fear they’ll be disappointed by how unrecognizable most of the record is. The Swedish pop supergroup is iconic for pure 70s disco. The genre is so intertwined with their brand that to even mention ABBA is bound to make a staunch “disco-is-dead”-er cringe.
You Heard it Queer First, Ep. 2: A Spooky Charcuterie
On this week's episode of You Heard it Queer First, co-hosts Becca Holladay, Sydney Miller and Emma Whaley bring you their hand-picked pieces of spooky (queer) media to analyze the equally spooky "bury your gays" trope and other representation issues. Tune in for an enriching discussion about Jennifer's Body, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and more.
You Heard It Queer First, Ep. 1: MONTERO
Welcome to You Heard It Queer First, the podcast where the Daily Nebraskan's queer staffers discuss and analyze queer media. In this inaugural episode, hosts Becca Holladay, Sydney Miller and Emma Whaley discuss Lil Nas X, his album MONTERO and their favorite queer artists.
6 spots for new Huskers to have fun
When school gets stressful, some students respond by throwing themselves into their work, but taking a break is just as important. Doing some leisuring can revitalize you, and there are a lot of fun things to do on campus. But to get a real feel for the city, freshmen and transfers to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln should try looking for entertainment elsewhere. The Daily Nebraskan lists six of Lincoln’s most chill places to go for amusement.
Lincoln Calling night two recap: Diversity, crowd surfing and a power outage
Katy Guillen and The Drive, Night Market, 5:30 p.m. Katy Guillen and The Drive perform during the second night of Lincoln Calling at the Night Market on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in Lincoln, Nebraska. Photo by Emma Storms By Emma Whaley This four-piece girl group perfectly encapsulated local festival ambiance to kick off the Night Market’s Lincoln Calling 2021 debut.
COLUMN: How to break into Lincoln's music scene this fall
This article was originally published in the August 2021 Back to School edition of The DN. For music aficionados, the last year felt particularly hollow. As COVID-19 swept the nation, concerts were canceled, and venues were closed. Performers were robbed of the joy of live shows, and audience members like myself missed the fellowship of gathering to enjoy music.
Three Lincoln bands perform at The Slowdown after over a year of silence
The stage lights came up blue at The Slowdown as most audience members prepared to enjoy the first live indoor concert they’ve attended in over a year. On May 14, three Lincoln bands — A Band Called Hemingway, The Credentials and The Zooeys — traveled an hour to downtown Omaha to perform for dozens of fans. The Zooeys headlined the show, and began their set strumming their guitars off stage and running on one by one.
Lied Center's 2021-22 Broadway Series announced
After 18 months, Broadway is returning to Lincoln. After postponing the 2020-21 season, the Lied Center for Performing Arts is ready to welcome nine Broadway musicals back on stage.
Student musicians change their tempo during the pandemic
This story was originally published in our April issue of The DN magazine. Read the intro here, and pick up a copy on stands now. Without the escape of performance, many musicians and music lovers stuck in the pandemic found themselves lost in a world they could not contribute to. From the nation’s top artists to local bands, the pandemic challenged many musicians’ willpower and love of performing.
Student musicians changed their tempo during the pandemic
This story was originally published in our April issue of The DN magazine. Read the intro here, and pick up a copy on stands now. Without the escape of performance, many musicians and music lovers stuck in the pandemic found themselves lost in a world they could not contribute to. From the nation’s top artists to local bands, the pandemic challenged many musicians’ willpower and love of performing.
21-year-old band releases new single 'Empire on Fire'
In the year 2000, a number of University of Nebraska-Lincoln students were yet to be born. But older students and faculty may remember that emo and indie rock were all the rage, setting a foundation for the genres that many still enjoy today. Bands like Jimmy Eat World and Dashboard Confessional were skyrocketing into fame.
Dynamic Midwest rock band The Strangers to release debut EP ‘Strange’
Editor’s note: Hunter Arias is a former employee of The Daily Nebraskan. During high school, brothers Simon and Isaac Nabb wrote songs at their childhood home on 33rd and Randolph streets. A couple years later and one block over, they would record those very songs with their band The Strangers at Shallot Records. On May 1, that band will release its debut EP “Strange” and bring The Strangers full circle. The Strangers will drop one of the five EP tracks, “Be There,” on April 23.
Urn’s debut EP showcases songwriter’s identity
Erin Mitchell is no stranger to Omaha’s music scene. She’s in indie bands like Daisy Distraction and Magū. She sings and plays keyboard and guitar. She’s been playing music since she started singing at school talent shows when she was nine, but just recently, with her own band Urn, has she been able to make music that is entirely hers. Urn’s debut EP, “An Attempt to Quiet the Noise,” was released April 16.
The Mez, Hear Nebraska collaborate to revive Lincoln music scene
Editor’s note: Senior culture editor Mark Champion is a collaborator for The Mez. He had no role in the editing or reporting of this story. Hunter Arias, Sam Crisler and Audrey Hertel are former employees of The Daily Nebraskan. Two local music-fostering organizations are combining forces to revive the Lincoln music scene through virtual concerts. On April 20, The Mez Collective and Hear Nebraska will host a Twitch stream featuring a live session experience with Omaha alternative band Cat Piss.
Earthstock promotes sustainability with movies, clothing swap, concert
April 22 will mark the 51st annual Earth Day. As weather warms and plants bloom here in Nebraska, organizations all over the world will be celebrating the day in support for environmental protection, and several clubs at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have come together to do the same. Each year, the Association of Students of the University of Nebraska puts on Earthstock, a month-long event to celebrate Earth Day and raise awareness for sustainable living.
Omaha hardcore band Living Conditions releases grief-stricken second album
When Jordan Maly died, grief overtook his family and friends. His roommate, Alex Brown, plays in the Omaha screamo band Living Conditions, which practices in their basement. After two years of watching the band through thick and thin, Maly became the band’s biggest supporter. After Maly’s death, the band felt the best way to honor him was to dedicate their newest album to him.
UNL juniors create ‘Quaranzine,’ an artifact of the pandemic
Editor’s note: Emma Kopplin is a former reporter for The Daily Nebraskan. The coronavirus pandemic may be something a lot of people want to forget. For many, the loss they’ve experienced and mental burden the last year has placed on them has been enormous. Deaths, emotional trauma and a year of bad memories made the pandemic a major cultural shift of the 21st century that some believe should be recorded and learned from.
Omaha band The Fey hires UNL alumni to play, market their music
Walking through campus, a Husker is rarely sure of their future. Most of the time, they’re trying to make decisions in the present — choosing how to study for upcoming exams, picking courses for next semester or realizing they need to declare their major soon — but the future of a University of Nebraska-Lincoln grad is vast, with nearly every field wide open for them to explore.
Omaha rapper Pop G releases clean debut single "At All Cost"
Parental advisory. Explicit content. This black and white rectangular label is found in the corner of thousands of rap tracks. For many years, even spanning into today, the rap genre was commonly viewed as being inherently explicit, full of drugs, sex, violence and cussing. Omaha rapper Pop G wants to put an end to that interpretation by creating a rap song he’s proud to let his mother and young son listen to.
Omaha band Steady Wells films Love Drunk live session
Contrasting his wife Cortney Kirby’s blue denim jacket, Jordan Smith dons a red flannel as the couple duets. They stand inside a half-finished house, the pale beams of wood creating an A-frame in the background. Their voices meld into a soft, folk tune backed by Jordan Smith’s acoustic guitar. The music is not the only art form here; the video itself is important to the couple and their fans.
Curious Cornhuskers: Why the Starbucks in the union charges for water cups
As part of our initiative called Curious Cornhuskers, an anonymous reader asked The Daily Nebraskan why the Starbucks in the Nebraska Union charges for cups of water. Students who ask for a cup of water with their coffee at the union will be charged an extra 25 cents. However, Alehna Taylor, store manager for the Starbucks at 1201 P St., said if one asked for a cup of water at a Starbucks outside of the union, they wouldn’t be charged anything.
Lincoln electronic soloist to release a single, keep gay culture alive
On Valentine’s Day 2020, Ross Schlesinger is a sight to behold, jumping on the stage of The Empty Bottle along to the low beats of his music. He’s wearing a ski mask that looks homemade, and a leather biker cap sits atop his head. His leather vest has no shirt underneath, and a thick chain sits around his neck. His forearms are covered by leather cuffs decorated with at least one hundred silver studs each as he holds the microphone in gloved hands.
Lincoln Calling begins weekly livestreams, showcases local performers
Perched on a stool surrounded by guitars, microphones and a djembe, an African hand drum, Edem Garro strums a rosewood ukulele and sings in a foreign language in a high register. A potted plant rests on top of one amp, and a dark tapestry is centered on the wall behind her, blending into her dark hair and clothing. She smiles and sways with the music, studio lights reflecting off her glasses. She appears blissful and happy to perform, even if it’s through a livestream.
Omaha easycore band Everbloom releases new self-produced single and video
Lit-up police cars at night fill the screen. After a hard cut, Gage Hanson stands on a bridge with his guitar in hand, donning a black hoodie over a white button up. With one strum of his guitar and a loud “Hey,” enraged lyrics start to flow through the speakers and film clips shuffle: a drummer in a parking garage, a bassist outside — his breath visible in the cold.
WHALEY: Enjoy ‘iCarly,’ but remember the actors’ sacrifices
Nickelodeon’s “iCarly” has made it to Netflix. Finally, we can take a blast to the past and relive our childhoods, spaghetti tacos and all. While many of us are thoroughly enjoying the hilarity Carly, Sam and Freddy provided, it’s important to remember what these child actors had to endure. When “iCarly” was on air, Nickelodeon was rife with fetishization and creepy jokes, and the young actors suffered because of it.
Omaha band The Tale Untold’s new single moves from metal to lighter tone
Four musicians stand under a fort made of blankets and tapestries with three strands of exposed lightbulbs dangling overhead. Another woman sits behind a drum set, her sticks held at the ready, black paint chipped off from use. She starts up a fast, deep rhythm. The lead singer holds a microphone in her hand, her fingernails decorated with the same chipped black varnish. She brings the mic to her lips and begins a surprisingly low-pitched metal growl.
Smashin'it 402 offers fun, destructive anger management in Lincoln
During the day, Matt Miller works at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, maintaining facilities at Harper, Smith and Schramm Halls and The Village. His wife, Desiree Miller, is a postage worker. After clocking out of their day jobs, however, they work on something more destructive. The Millers are the founders and owners of Smashin’it 402, Lincoln’s first rage room complex. Smashin’it 402 opened its doors in July 2020 on Park Boulevard, just north of Van Dorn Street.
UNL alumnus hopes to grow solo bass act into diverse Midwest emo band
About a year and a half ago, Efren Cortez took center stage at Couch House, opening for Hail Varsity and worlds greatest dad. He introduced himself and his black electric bass he named Toothless, joking that the crowd is about to witness a two-piece act. He matched his bass guitar with his black Vans, shorts and graphic tee. It’s then that the onlookers realized Cortez was on stage alone with nothing but an empty drum kit behind him.
Lincoln’s Shallot Records looks to support DIY scene and local artists
Editor’s Note: Hunter Arias was previously employed at The Daily Nebraskan. In 2018, Hunter Arias worked the register at the Hub Cafe while he was studying at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The shallot vinaigrette was a staple of the cafe’s salads, causing Arias to say the word “shallot” dozens of times a day. One day when he walked out of his building at The Village, he saw a bundle of shallots left on the concrete stairs.
Omaha band Magū releases single leading up to album release
David McInnis has connections in the Omaha and Lincoln rock scene. Local bands like Death by Brutus and Cat Piss find their way to his basement, Magroover Studios, to record their songs. Others join his record label, Bad Dad Records, to help themselves get promoted. However, McInnis may be best known for his band Magū. Despite having released about seven solo tracks and EPs on Bandcamp since 2016, McInnis is now releasing his first full-length album.
WHALEY: Three inspirational, positive podcasts to warm the soul during winter
I’m pretty sure we’ve all noticed it’s gotten a bit cold recently. As we trudge through the snow to class, the wind makes our eyes tear up and our ears go numb. But winter doesn’t just chill the air, it can make the soul frigid as well. Seasonal Affective Disorder, a lack of vitamin D and the inability to enjoy the great outdoors have a lot of people feeling a frost in their hearts. Your skin may be cold, but your mind shouldn’t have to feel the piercing frigidity.
Omaha woman founds streetwear brand Eww Feelingz to encourage emotional awareness
In a modest online store — 22 pieces in total — embroidered hoodies, bucket hats, joggers and beanies are offered, mostly in black, though some are provided in other shades as well. T-shirts with titles like “Roses are Red” and “Hope for the Best'' are displayed with the hope that the messages will uplift the customers’ moods. There are custom chain necklaces made of beads and safety pins as well as a phone case printed with vertical letters that spell the brand’s name, Eww Feelingz.
Omaha emo group Bach Mai releases second album, matures sound
A band’s first album is a snapshot of its infancy. It often contains the only music the group has ever created or performed, not necessarily bonded by a single theme. A band’s second album, however, is a portrait of their growth. The second album is an important checkpoint for any band, including Omaha indie group Bach Mai. Bach Mai’s second LP, “What You’ve Given,” was released onto various streaming platforms on Jan. 29.
Music, dance auditions moved online to follow COVID guidelines
Each year, dancers and musicians stand in front of a panel of judges from the Glenn Korff School of Music to display their skills. These auditions are the only way prospective music or dance majors and minors can hope to study their craft in the next year and potentially earn scholarships. This year, instead of facing a panel of judges, auditionees will face their webcams and film their performances to be emailed to the university.
WHALEY: Death positivity needs to prevail in a time full of death
Each night, I turn on the local news for half an hour and watch what has become of my community. I sit on the couch and observe my parents as they nervously watch the news anchors rattle off death tolls like election results and see footage of the white, mobile morgues parked outside the hospital. For me, these images have become just another part of my routine, and that might worry some. Why am I not horrified by these reminders of the constant death that plagues my community and the world?
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