At Omaha Performing Arts, creating memorable experiences goes beyond what’s happening on stage. In 2024, we introduced preshow happy hours to give patrons a reason to arrive early and add to their experience in our venues. But those gatherings offered the chance to do even more: connect the metro’s vibrant local music community with new fans. With no shortage of talented artists but limited opportunities to perform, Happy Hour Live was born.
:
Supporting Omaha’s local artists
Though O-pa hosts hundreds of shows at the Holland Performing Arts Center, Orpheum Theater, and Steelhouse Omaha, most touring productions travel with their own opening acts and rarely have room to add local performers. Happy Hour Live is the solve. O-pa hires local artists to perform at the preshow happy hour — giving local talent an outlet to perform and patrons the chance to discover new music before their show starts.
“We think it’s important to partner with the local music community and continue to give those bands and artists a stage that they can perform on,” said O-pa Vice President of Commercial Entertainment Erika Hansen.
Supporting local artists also means respecting the value of their work. Happy Hour Live is a paid performance opportunity.
“It’s important to pay artists for their work,” said Erika. “We’re not asking them to come in for free.”
Since launching, Happy Hour Live has featured a variety of Omaha-area performers, including:
- Willa Lucille (before The Simon and Garfunkel Story)
- The Treble Alliance (before TOTO)
- Tony LaMar (before GenX Takeover Comedy Tour)
“Every time we’ve had a band, the patrons at the happy hour have loved it and treated it almost like a mini concert,” said O-pa Commercial Booking Manager, Jon Hickerson. “Everybody’s paying really great attention to the artist while they’re playing and being really receptive to it.”
Guests have even sought out performers after their set to learn more about their music, helping artists expand their fan bases and gain exposure to new audiences.
Willa Lucille
The Treble Alliance
Tony LaMar
Leveling up the preshow
Preshow happy hours are offered before select shows at the Holland Center, Orpheum Theater, and Steelhouse Omaha. Patrons can add on the experience when they buy a ticket to the performance. It includes early access to the venue and a private lounge, complimentary appetizers, and discounted drinks for an hour before showtime.
No two happy hours are exactly the same. The team researches performers, fan communities, and show-specific themes to create experiences tailored to each event.
Past Happy Hour highlights have included:
- A cocktail demonstration with a professional mixologist before Lucy Darling.
- Drag bingo before Drag Queen Christmas.
- Movie trivia for National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
“We’re really just sitting in a room and brainstorming,” Erika said. “A lot of it comes from researching the artist, learning what their fans are into, and finding ways to create something special for patrons.”
Helping homegrown stars shine
As O-pa expands its roster of local musicians to partner with, Happy Hour Live will continue growing as well.
Additional opportunities are expected at Steelhouse Omaha, including the venue’s outdoor patio and renovated lounge spaces, both of which could provide new stages for local performers.
Artists can submit their info, and O-pa will use the applications to pair the right performer with the right show vibe. It also builds a network of local talent that can be tapped for those rare occasions when touring artists do request local opening acts.
Happy Hours are also planned for Matchbox Omaha, O-pa’s newest venue experience inside the Holland Center, where there is potential for even more opportunities for local artists in the future.
Related article: Omaha night life just got hotter: Meet Matchbox Omaha »
With Matchbox, Erika hopes to develop an entire program for local artists that gives them a dedicated performance space.
“We want to give artists another stage in Omaha where they can put on a great show, bring in their fans, and introduce their music to new audiences.”
"We want to give artists another stage in Omaha where they can put on a great show, bring in their fans, and introduce their music to new audiences."
Whether you’re a local artist looking for opportunities or a music fan eager to discover your next favorite performer, O-pa is creating new connections between Omaha audiences and Omaha talent.
And who knows, these local stars may one day be the headliner at the Holland Center, Orpheum Theater, or Steelhouse Omaha, making a hometown stop along their tour route.
Related articles
find an upcoming show
support the arts through a donation
