Nebraska Crossroads Music Festival Celebrates Cultural Diversity*

July 31st, 2024

The Nebraska Crossroads Music Festival, formerly known as “The Crossroads Music Festival,” has been celebrating Nebraska’s cultural diversity since 2019. Originating in Lincoln, the festival has showcased different cultural communities in the state through performances, workshops, and unique jam sessions.

Following its name change in 2023, the festival expanded to Omaha. A newly commissioned piece premiered at a concert in Gene Leahy Mall, marking a significant milestone. Festival Executive Director Olga Smola highlighted the importance of collaboration among diverse local, national, and international musicians for this piece. Based on “La Folia” from the Middle Ages and combined with an Armenian folk song, the composition features a blend of Western and Eastern instruments. It has been performed across the United States with a baroque ensemble and will soon be showcased in Europe, including a renowned festival in Finland.

The 2024 Nebraska Crossroads Music Festival continues its mission by offering musical performances, workshops, rooftop concerts, and classical contemporary music in Lincoln and Omaha. This year, a “Meditation Concert” aims to create a relaxing experience for the audience. To support artists, the festival will host a discussion table for musicians, and new this year is the “Dream Warriors workshop.”

The events start Sunday, August 4, and end Sunday, August 11. More information can be found at The Nebrska Crossroads Music Festival