Music at Miller Park

In partnership with Nelson Mandela Elementary School, Minne Lusa and Miller Park Neighborhood Associations and other community partners, we’re excited to the third annual summer of Music at Miller Park! This FREE community-sponsored outdoor summer concert series takes place at the Miller Park Pavilion (2707 Redick Ave) on June 10, July 8 and August 12.

About the events: 

  • All concerts are free, no ticket required
  • Bring blankets, chairs, sunscreen, bug spray, food, drinks (including beer and wine*) and leashed pets!
  • Shows will go on rain or shine

*No hard liquor, please!

"I've been going to the summer concert series in Miller Park for 3 years. It's magically social, like a reunion amongst so many friends...There's something about live music amongst so many friends that's healing to the soul."

— Mona Lisa King-Ward, Attendee

The Line Up

Dreion

Saturday, June 10 | 6:30pm
6:30 pm Opening Performance by Just Wait Jazz 
7:30 pm Main Performance by Dreion                                       

Emcee — Annette Crowder

An Omaha native now living in Boston, Dreion returns to North Omaha with a combination of pop, gospel, soul, jazz, and R&B, taking inspiration from Prince, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Michael Jackson, Kirk Franklin, and many more.

Dreion Q&A

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Q: How would you describe your sound?

Dreion: I grew up in Omaha and my home church is Grace Apostolic Ministries with my pastor Bishop Barlowe. My music is very inspirationally driven thanks to this foundation, including sounds that we all know and love – from funk and gospel to soul and R&B – with a meaningful message and modern twist. I also pull inspiration from James Brown, Prince and Michael Jackson. I think if you admire something about someone, it's usually because it's in you, too. I feel connected to each of those artists in that way.

Q: Who inspired you to become a musician?

Dreion: My uncle Keith was the first musician I saw play live and the first superstar I ever met, and the fact that he was my uncle made it that much greater. I began singing when I was four. I took up drums after seeing Uncle Keith perform. My father found me an old piano, and I taught myself how to play it. My Northwest High School band and choir instructors, Bill Lovgren and Georg Getty, recruited me for the jazz band and show choir where I built even more piano and vocal skills. I further refined my skills as a musician and gained more technical knowledge at Berklee College of Music in Boston. 

Q: Why are you passionate about foster care reform?
Dreion: I was forced into the foster care system at the age of six over a period of six months, and I was placed in five different homes, on seven different behavioral medications, and constantly in and out of the psychiatric ward while simultaneously being exploited by the foster system therapists. It was a horrifying experience and feeds my passion for evoking change. One of my songs, “Let it Rain” is about my experience and was featured in the movie Foster Boy, produced by Shaquille O’Neil. Children in foster care are often stereotyped, stigmatized and told that they can't or won't be able to live out their dreams because of who they are and where they come from. I want to help change that by raising awareness and partnering with like-minded musicians and organizations nationwide. 

 

Q: What projects do you have in the works?

Dreion: Music at Miller Park starts a large tour I’m doing throughout the summer with stops in various cities. Kicking off my first tour in my hometown is exciting! People can find more details about the tour on my website, and very soon, I will announce some very special guests that I’ll be joining on tour. I’m also releasing a new song during Foster Care Awareness Month in May. The new song and all my other music can be found on any major music streaming platform.

 

 

 

Saturday, July 8 | 6:30pm
6:30 pm Opening performance by Edem Soul
7:30 pm Main Performance by Enjoli & Timeless

Emcee  Waverle Monroe

Back by popular demand, Enjoli & Timeless returns to Miller Park.  The R&B band that focuses on bringing back the true essence and feel of real R&B music. Known by fans as “The Voice of the City,” Enjoli and her sultry vocals quickly rose to recognition after the release of her debut album, Set the Mood, in 2013. In 2017, Enjoli formed her R&B/Soul band, Timeless. Enjoli & Timeless have opened for artists including Pleasure P, Juvenile, Angela Winbush and CeCe Peniston. The band also toured with the legendary rap artist, Twista.

Enjoli & Timeless Q&A

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Q: For those who aren’t familiar with your band, how would you describe your music?

Enjoli: When people ask me what genre of music we play, I say super smooth R&B Soul music. We are an original band that does original music, and we also like to do covers that span different genres and decades. We love good music with a good message, feeling, and meaning. 

Q: What inspired you to become a singer?

Enjoli: I grew up in church, and it’s my foundation. At Greater Bethlehem Temple, my mom was one of the lead singers. My dad played the organ. Both sides of my family are musical. Music was always there growing up. I realized I had a voice and played around with singing, and then I got serious about it in 2016. That’s when I formed the band; we’ve been making music ever since. R&B and soul are in my spirit. I gave everything to God. All of this is because of Him, and I'm grateful.

Q: What can people expect from this year’s performance at the park?
Enjoli: They can expect us to set the mood with a show geared for the people, toward the people—just a good time. There is nothing like live music. It is nothing short of a blessing to be in this position at Miller Park three times in a row. There are so many artists they could ask to play, but they've called us three times. That means a lot to us. We do not take that for granted. To know that we have the support of the city is terrific.

Q: What projects do you have in the works?

Enjoli: We’re opening for Lyfe Jennings and Musiq Soulchild on June 17 at the Freedom Festival. And we are playing Black Friday at the Holland Performing Arts Center. We've been in the studio going hard since the top of the year. We're getting ready to release a couple of singles and videos. We’ll release a new album this summer, and we encourage people to stream it on all major streaming platforms along with our other original music. 

 
Dreion

 

 

Dreion

Saturday, August 12  | 6:30pm
6:30 pm Opening performance by BluesEd
7:30 pm Main Performance by Héctor Anchondo Band

Winner of the 2020 International Blues Challenge, Héctor’s smooth smoky voice, audacious groove of the melodies, and the lyrical mastery of Anchondo’s guitar, weaves stories of a life lived for the love of music

Héctor Anchondo Q&A

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Q: Who inspired you to become a musician?

Héctor: I’ve lived in Omaha for more than 20 years and was born here, but I spent my childhood in a rural area of Missouri. We had spotty satellite television, but I watched music videos when we could tune in. Slash’s guitar solo enthralled me during the Guns N’ Roses song, November Rain. In addition to Slash, I get a lot of inspiration from Stevie Ray Vaughn and Santana. I also take inspiration from other singer-songwriters in general and acoustic albums and performances, such as the MTV Unplugged albums by Eric Clapton and Nirvana. 

Q: What projects do you have in the works?

Héctor: I am playing a full schedule of local and regional shows this summer, including several blues festivals. I’m also working on a new album coming out very soon. The Héctor Anchondo Band’s songs are on all major streaming platforms. 

 

Q: What can Music at Miller Park concertgoers expect from your performance? 
Héctor: The crowd can expect a very fun and exciting performance. Our power trio is ready to rock the park with covers and original songs. We have a blues, rock and soul vibe. I love the energy traded back and forth between our band and the audience. My favorite part about playing live is making people happy and seeing their facial expressions. I experience a lot of joy seeing the audience enjoying the show.

 

 

 

 

About Miller Park

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Miller Park is in an Omaha area with a rich history of jazz, soul and R&B music dating back to the 1920s. Some may remember the performances of legendary musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles and Duke Ellington along North 24th Street. We’re pleased to bring this concert series to the Omaha community, and we encourage families to come out and enjoy a summer evening immersed in incredible live music and vibrant culture!



MEDIA SPONSORS:

 Omaha Star   KIOS 91.5 Omaha Public Radio

 

Sponsors:

Omaha Performing Arts logo black         

Nelson Mandela Elementary School

Minne Lusa Miller Park Neighborhood Association

Black Police Officers Association

Omaha Association of Black Professional Firefighters

Omaha Parks Department

Charles Drew Health Center, Inc.