Editing Omaha, Nebraska (section)

==Arts and culture==
{{Main|Culture of Omaha, Nebraska|Culture in North Omaha, Nebraska}}
[[File:Joslyn Art Museum.jpg|thumb|Joslyn Art Museum]]
Several national newspapers, including the ''[[Boston Globe]]''<ref>Daniel, D. (2005) [https://www.boston.com/travel/articles/2005/09/28/unexpected_omaha/ "Unexpected Omaha: 'Mystery tour' travelers are surprised at what they find,"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318021358/http://www.boston.com/travel/articles/2005/09/28/unexpected_omaha/ |date=March 18, 2009 }} ''[[Boston Globe]]''. 10/28/05. Retrieved 8/22/07.</ref> and The ''[[New York Times]]'' <ref>Andersen, K. (2007) [http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/03/25/travel/tmagazine/03talk.omaha.t.html?em&ex=1174881600&en=c87bf745949a90b0&ei=5087%0A Omaha's Culture Club] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226153921/http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/03/25/travel/tmagazine/03talk.omaha.t.html?em&ex=1174881600&en=c87bf745949a90b0&ei=5087%0A |date=February 26, 2008 }}. ''[[New York Times]] T Style Magazine – Travel.'' 3/25/07. Retrieved 6/7/07.</ref> have lauded Omaha's [[History of Omaha, Nebraska|historical]] and cultural attractions.

The city is home to the [[Omaha Community Playhouse]], the largest [[community theater]] in the United States.<ref>[https://www.pbs.org/wnet/dancin/php/search.php?submit=go&search=state&state=NE "Who's dancing now?"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204142206/http://www.pbs.org/wnet/dancin/php/search.php?submit=go&search=state&state=NE |date=February 4, 2015 }}, [[PBS]]. Retrieved 8/25/08.</ref><ref>(nd) [http://www.omahaplayhouse.com/history.aspx OCP History] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070704105639/http://www.omahaplayhouse.com/history.aspx |date=July 4, 2007 }}. Omaha Community Playhouse. Retrieved 6/7/07.</ref> The [[Omaha Symphony Orchestra]] and its modern [[Holland Performing Arts Center]],<ref>Hassebroek, A. (2006) "Holland Center Further Energized Omaha's Lively Culture", ''Omaha World Herald.'' October 15, 2006.</ref> the [[Opera Omaha]] at the [[Orpheum, Omaha|Orpheum]] theater, the [[Blue Barn Theatre]], [[American Midwest Ballet]], and [[The Rose, Omaha|The Rose Theater]] form the backbone of Omaha's [[Theatre in Omaha|performing arts community]]. Opened in 1931, the [[Joslyn Art Museum]] has large art collections.<ref>(nd) [http://affiliations.si.edu/AffiliateDetail.Asp?AffiliateID=180 Smithsonian Affiliations] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070612000417/http://affiliations.si.edu/AffiliateDetail.Asp?AffiliateID=180 |date=June 12, 2007 }}. [[Smithsonian Institution]]. Retrieved 6/7/07.</ref> Since its inception in 1976, [[Omaha Children's Museum]] has been a place where children can challenge themselves, discover how the world works and learn through play. The [[Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts]], one of the nation's premier urban artist colonies, was founded in Omaha in 1981,<ref>(2006) [https://web.archive.org/web/20070627054555/http://www.hemispheresmagazine.com/insight/pdfs/omaha/146_156.pdf Insight Omaha: The Art of it All] ''Hemispheres Magazine''. Retrieved 6/7/07.</ref> and the [[Durham Museum, Omaha, Nebraska|Durham Museum]] is accredited with the [[Smithsonian Institution]] for traveling exhibits.<ref>[http://www.visitomaha.org/listings/index.cfm?action=displayListing&listingID=56851 "Durham Museum."] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112213001/http://www.visitomaha.org/listings/index.cfm?action=displayListing&listingID=56851 |date=January 12, 2009 }} Omaha Visitors and Convention Bureau. Retrieved 9/26/08.</ref> The city is also home to the largest singly funded mural in the nation, "Fertile Ground",<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.megsaligman.com/fertile-ground/ |title=Fertile Ground |website=Meg Saligman |access-date=August 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824034226/http://www.megsaligman.com/fertile-ground/ |archive-date=August 24, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> by [[Meg Saligman]].<ref>[http://omahamuralproject.org/?page_id=24 About {{!}} Fertile Ground] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824071259/http://omahamuralproject.org/?page_id=24 |date=August 24, 2018 }}. Omahamuralproject.org. Retrieved on July 12, 2013.</ref> The annual [[Omaha Blues, Jazz, & Gospel Festival]] celebrates local music along with the [[Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame]].

In 1955, Omaha's [[Union Stockyards (Omaha)|Union Stockyards]] overtook Chicago's stockyards as the United States' meat packing center. This legacy is reflected in the [[cuisine of Omaha]], with renowned steakhouses such as [[Gorat's]] and the recently closed [[Mister C's]], as well as the retail chain [[Omaha Steaks]].

===Henry Doorly Zoo===
{{Main|Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium}}
[[File:Desert Dome Omaha Zoo.jpg|thumb|Desert Dome at Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium]]

The [[Henry Doorly Zoo]] is widely considered a premier zoo.<ref>[http://netnebraska.org/extras/statewide/pers/desert_dome.html "Desert Dome: Dean of the Dome"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516223747/http://netnebraska.org/extras/statewide/pers/desert_dome.html |date=May 16, 2008 }}, NET: Nebraska's NPR and PBS stations. Retrieved 5/2/08.</ref> The zoo is home to the world's largest nocturnal exhibit and indoor swamp; the world's largest indoor rainforest, the world's largest indoor desert,<ref>[http://www.visitnebraska.org/index.php?option=com_myplanner&task=detail&cat=43&id=2000140&Itemid=1 "Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080602100950/http://www.visitnebraska.org/index.php?option=com_myplanner&task=detail&cat=43&id=2000140&Itemid=1 |date=June 2, 2008 }}. VisitNebraska.org. Retrieved 5/2/08.</ref> and the largest [[geodesic dome]] in the world (13 stories tall).<ref>[http://www.kiewit.com/markets/pro_26099014.html "Henry Doorly Zoo Desert Dome"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080621173531/http://www.kiewit.com/markets/pro_26099014.html |date=June 21, 2008 }}, [[Kiewit Corporation]]. Retrieved 5/8/08.</ref><ref>[http://travel.nytimes.com/frommers/travel/guides/north-america/united-states/nebraska/omaha/frm_omaha_3571010029.html "Attractions in Omaha"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905124201/http://travel.nytimes.com/frommers/travel/guides/north-america/united-states/nebraska/omaha/frm_omaha_3571010029.html |date=September 5, 2008 }}, ''The New York Times.'' Retrieved 5/8/08.</ref> The zoo is Nebraska's number-one paid attendance attraction and has welcomed more than 25 million visitors over the past 40 years.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060622013000/http://www.environmentaltrust.org/news/stories/zoo_10_05.htm "Conservation Education at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo"], Environmental Trust. Retrieved 5/8/08.</ref>

===Old Market===
{{Main|Old Market (Omaha, Nebraska)}}

The [[Old Market (Omaha, Nebraska)|Old Market]] is a major [[historic district]] in Downtown Omaha listed on the National Register of Historical Places. Today, its warehouses and other buildings house shops, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and art galleries.<ref>(2004) {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080516010925/http://www.nebraskahistory.org/histpres/tax/douglas.htm "Tax incentive program projects in Douglas County,"]}} Nebraska State Historical Society. Retrieved 1/17/08.</ref> Downtown is also the location of the Omaha Rail and Commerce Historic District, which has several art galleries and restaurants. [[Lauritzen Gardens]] features {{cvt|100|acre|ha|lk=out}} with a variety of landscaping, and the new [[Kenefick Park]] recognizes Union Pacific Railroad's long history in Omaha.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uprr.com/newsinfo/railroad/2004/0923_kenefickpark.shtml |title=Union Pacific Announces Location of New Kenefick Park |website=[[Union Pacific Railroad]] |access-date=May 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114015509/http://www.uprr.com/newsinfo/railroad/2004/0923_kenefickpark.shtml |archive-date=January 14, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> North Omaha has several historical [[Culture in North Omaha, Nebraska|cultural]] attractions including the [[Jewell Building|Dreamland Historical Project]], Love's Jazz and Art Center, and the John Beasley Theater.<ref>Mead and Hunt. (2007) ''{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080909205543/http://www.nebraskahistory.org/histpres/reports/North_Omaha_Report.pdf Reconnaissance Survey of Portions of North Omaha Nebraska Historic Buildings Survey]}}.'' City of Omaha and the Nebraska State Historical Society. Retrieved 9/5/08.</ref> The annual River City Roundup is celebrated at Fort Omaha, and the neighborhood of [[Florence, Nebraska|Florence]] celebrates its history during "Florence Days". [[Native Omaha Days]] is a biennial event celebrating Near North Side heritage.<ref>Zaslow, J. (2006) "Moving On: You Can Go Home Again: Buffalo Tries To Reclaim Its Native Sons and Daughters", ''[[Wall Street Journal]]''. August 17, 2006.</ref>

===Religion===

Religious institutions reflect the city's heritage.<ref>Skolnik, F. and Berenbaum, M. (eds). (1978) ''Encyclopaedia Judaica.'' Keter Publishing House. p. 303.</ref> The [[Christianity in Omaha, Nebraska|city's Christian community]] has several historical churches dating from the founding of the city. There are also all sizes of congregations, including small, medium and [[megachurch]]es. Omaha hosts the only Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [[Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple|temple in Nebraska]] along with a large [[Jews and Judaism in Omaha, Nebraska|Jewish community]]. There are 152 parishes in the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha]], and several [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] congregations throughout the city.<ref>Larsen, L.H., Cottrell, B.J., Dalstrom, H.A. and Dalstrom, K.C. (2007) ''Upstream Metropolis: An Urban Biography of Omaha and Council Bluffs.'' University of Nebraska Press. p. 167.</ref>

=== Lauritzen Gardens ===
[[Lauritzen Gardens]] is a [[botanical garden]] located near [[South Omaha, Nebraska|South Omaha]]. The garden contains several large [[greenhouse]]s, and outdoor plant exhibits. Covering over 100 acres of land, Lauritzen Gardens welcomes over 200,000 guests annually, making it one of the most popular attractions in Omaha.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lauritzen Gardens - Omaha Botanical Center |url=https://www.lauritzengardens.org/ |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=www.lauritzengardens.org}}</ref>

=== Music ===
{{Main|Music of Omaha}}

Omaha's rich history in rhythm and blues, and jazz gave rise to a number of influential bands, including [[Anna Mae Winburn]]'s [[Cotton Club Boys (territory band)|Cotton Club Boys]] and [[Lloyd Hunter]]'s Seranaders. [[Rock and roll]] pioneer [[Wynonie Harris]], jazz great [[Preston Love]], drummer [[Buddy Miles]], and [[Luigi Waites]] are among the city's homegrown talent. [[Doug Ingle]] from the late 1960s band [[Iron Butterfly]] was born in Omaha, as was [[indie folk]] singer-songwriter [[Elliott Smith]], though both were raised elsewhere. [[Musical theatre|Musical theater]] star [[Andrew Rannells]] was also born in Omaha and is known amongst his fans for mentioning it in most of his interviews.

Today, the diverse [[Culture of Omaha, Nebraska|culture of Omaha]] includes a variety of performance venues, museums, and musical heritage, including the historically significant jazz scene in North Omaha and the modern and influential "[[Omaha Sound]]".<ref name="OPS" /><ref name="Otto 2010" />

Contemporary music groups either in or originally from Omaha include [[Mannheim Steamroller]], [[Bright Eyes (band)|Bright Eyes]], [[The Faint]], [[Cursive (band)|Cursive]], [[Azure Ray]], [[Tilly and the Wall]], and [[311 (band)|311]]. During the late 1990s, Omaha became nationally known as the birthplace of [[Saddle Creek Records]], and the subsequent "Omaha Sound" was born from their bands' collective style.<ref>Dinova, N. (2005) "Mayday: Bushido Karaoke on Saddle Creek". ''[[Washington Post]]''. July 22, 2005.</ref><ref>Schulte, B. (2003) "The Story of Omaha; Nebraska City Gets a Makeover: Cow Town to Urban Hip", ''Washington Post'', 12/14/03.</ref>

Omaha also has a fledgling [[hip hop]] scene. Long-time bastion [[Houston Alexander]], a one-time graffiti artist and professional [[Mixed Martial Arts]] competitor, is a local hip-hop radio show host.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070711055857/http://www.nebraskashakespeare.com/content/view/84/204/ "Elizabethan Idol '08 Winners"], Nebraska Shakespeare. Retrieved 9/25/08.</ref><ref>Mink, R. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/16/AR2007111602032.html "UFC Bouts Are Child's Play for Alexander"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714024406/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/16/AR2007111602032.html |date=July 14, 2017 }}, ''[[Washington Post]]''. Retrieved 9/25/08.</ref> Cerone Thompson, known as "Scrybe", has had a number one single on college radio stations across the United States. He has also had several number one hits on the local hip hop station respectively titled, "Lose Control" and "Do What U Do".<ref name="media.www.unogateway.com">Pugsley, T. (2009). [http://media.www.unogateway.com/media/storage/paper968/news/2005/10/21/ArtsLeisure/Uno-Rapper.Student.Hits.No.1.On.Local.Radio.Station.With.Current.Single-2549567.shtml "UNO rapper, student hits No. 1 on local radio station with current single."] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116012827/http://media.www.unogateway.com/media/storage/paper968/news/2005/10/21/ArtsLeisure/Uno-Rapper.Student.Hits.No.1.On.Local.Radio.Station.With.Current.Single-2549567.shtml |date=January 16, 2016 }} ''The Gateway.'' 10/21/05. Retrieved 6/17/07.</ref> Other notable artists include Stylo of Mastered Trax Latino who holds a strong following in South Omaha and Mexico / Latin America.<ref name="media.www.unogateway.com"/>

Many ethnic and cultural bands have come from Omaha. The [[Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame]] celebrates the city's long history of African-American music and the Strathdon Caledonia Pipe Band carries on a [[Scotland|Scottish]] legacy. Internationally renowned composer [[Antonín Dvořák]] wrote his [[Symphony No. 9 (Dvořák)|Ninth ("New World") Symphony]] in 1893 based on his impressions of the region after visiting Omaha's robust [[Czechs in Omaha, Nebraska|Czech community]].<ref>Clapham, J. (1966) ''Antonín Dvořák: Musician and Craftsman''. St. Martin's Press. p. 20.</ref> In the period surrounding World War I [[Valentin J. Peter]] encouraged [[Germans in Omaha]] to celebrate their rich musical heritage, too. [[Frederick Metz]], [[Gottlieb Storz]] and [[Frederick Krug]] were influential brewers whose [[beer garden]]s kept many German bands active.

===Landmark preservation===
{{Main|Landmarks in Omaha, Nebraska|List of Registered Historic Places in Douglas County, Nebraska}}
[[File:091407-JoslynCastle.jpg|right|thumb|[[Joslyn Castle]]]]

Omaha is home to dozens of nationally, regionally and locally significant landmarks.<ref>[http://www.cityofomaha.org/planning/landmarks/alphabetical-listing m "Alphabetical list"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120607035425/http://www.cityofomaha.org/planning/landmarks/alphabetical-listing// |date=June 7, 2012 }}, City of Omaha Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission. Retrieved August 10, 2012.</ref> The city has more than a dozen [[historic district]]s, including [[Fort Omaha Historic District]], [[Gold Coast Historic District (Omaha, Nebraska)|Gold Coast Historic District]], [[Omaha Quartermaster Depot Historic District]], Field Club Historic District, Bemis Park Historic District, and the South Omaha Main Street Historic District. Omaha is notorious for its 1989 demolition of 24 buildings in the Jobbers Canyon Historic District, which represents to date the largest loss of buildings on the National Register.<ref>Gratz, R.B. (1996) ''Living City: How America's Cities Are Being Revitalized by Thinking Small in a Big Way'', John Wiley and Sons. p. v.</ref> The only original building surviving of that complex is the [[Nash Block]].

Omaha has almost [[List of Registered Historic Places in Douglas County, Nebraska|one hundred individual properties]] listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]], including the [[Bank of Florence]], [[Holy Family Catholic Church (Omaha, Nebraska)|Holy Family Church]], the [[Christian Specht Building]] and the [[Joslyn Castle]]. There are also three properties designated as [[National Historic Landmark]]s.<ref>Gerber, K. and Spencer, J.C. (2003) ''Building for the Ages: Omaha's Architectural Landmarks.'' Omaha, Nebraska: Landmarks, Inc. p. 4.</ref>

[[Omaha Landmarks|Locally designated landmarks]], including residential, commercial, religious, educational, agricultural and socially significant locations across the city, honor Omaha's cultural legacy and important history. The [[Government of Omaha|City of Omaha]] [[Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission]] is the government body that works with the [[mayor of Omaha]] and the [[Omaha City Council]] to protect historic places. Important history organizations in the community include the [[Douglas County Historical Society]].<ref>Mead & Hunt, Inc. (2006) ''{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080909205604/http://www.nebraskahistory.org/histpres/reports/omaha_so_central.pdf Reconnaissance Survey of Portions of South Central Omaha, Nebraska: Historic Buildings Survey.]}}'' Nebraska State Historical Society. p. 37. Retrieved 6/16/07.</ref>

Built in 1962, Omaha's [[Cinerama]] was called [[Indian Hills Theater]]. Its demolition in 2001 by the [[Nebraska Methodist Health System]] was unpopular, with objections from local historical and cultural groups and luminaries from around the world.<ref>Haines, R. (2003) ''The Moviegoing Experience, 1968–2001''. McFarland Publishers. p. 8, 231.</ref> The [[Dundee Theatre]] is the lone surviving single-screen movie theater in Omaha and still shows films.<ref>[http://www.dundeetheatre.com/about.html "About Us"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014215334/http://dundeetheatre.com/about.html|date=October 14, 2007}}. [[Dundee Theatre]]. Retrieved 6/7/07.</ref> A recent development to the Omaha film scene was the addition of [[Film Streams]]'s Ruth Sokolof Theater in North Downtown. The two-screen theater is part of the [[Slowdown (venue)|Slowdown]] facility. It features American independents, foreign films, documentaries, classics, themed series, and director retrospectives. In addition to the five [[Douglas Theatre Company|Douglas Theatres]] venues in Omaha, two more are opening, including [[Midtown Omaha#Neighborhoods|Midtown Crossing]] Theatres, on 32nd and Farnam Streets near the [[Mutual of Omaha Building]]. [[Westroads Mall]] has a modern multiplex [[movie theater]] with 14 screens, operated by [[Rave Cinemas]].<ref>Barbe, A. [http://media.www.unogateway.com/media/storage/paper968/news/2007/11/30/ArtsLeisure/Metro.Movie.Theaters.To.Multiply.In.Next.Two.Years-3125417.shtml "Metro movie theaters to multiply in next two years"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115140838/http://media.www.unogateway.com/media/storage/paper968/news/2007/11/30/ArtsLeisure/Metro.Movie.Theaters.To.Multiply.In.Next.Two.Years-3125417.shtml|date=January 15, 2016}}, ''UNO Gateway''. November 30, 2007. Retrieved 9/26/08.</ref>