Experts on whooping cranes, the Platte River and the possible health concerns that come with the sandhill crane migration will close out Stuhr Museum's Crane Speaker Program this weekend.

The schedule includes:

Karine Gil, population ecologist at the Platte River Whooping Crane Maintenance Trust, will speak on "Whooping Crane Life Cycle and Population Dynamic During the Last 30 Years," at 11 a.m. Friday. In addition to her presentation, Gil will be asking for volunteers to help with the Whooper Watch program, which seeks to track whooping cranes via a network of spotters throughout the state. For more information on the Platte River Whooping Crane Maintenance Trust, log onto www.whoopingcrane.org.

Will Locke, assistant professor of biology at Hastings College, will speak on "Rocky Mountain Rivers," at 11 a.m. Saturday, Locke will discuss the study of the headwaters in the High Rockies and how they affect the Great Plains crops and wildlife.

Kelsey O'Donnell, a community health nurse, will present a program on avian flu at 1 p.m. Sunday. She will focus on how this disease and the sandhill crane migration makes this area unique in terms of planning and prevention. The Central District Health Department, where O'Donnell works, has been focused on planning and prevention for a possible avian flu outbreak for a number of years.

Regular winter admission fees ($6 for adults, $4 for children) apply. For more information, call 385-5316 or check the Web site at www.stuhrmuseum.org.

'In the Mind's Eye' opening at Prairie Winds

"In the Mind's Eye," featuring works by four artists, will open April 4 at the Prairie Winds Art Center, 112 W. Third.

Paintings and pastels by Donna Alber of Hastings, Donna Binfield of Juniata, Kenneth Bassett of Grand Island and Sandy Newman of Rapid City, S.D., will be featured in this exhibit. Newman, who moved to South Dakota several years ago, was one of the founding members of Prairie Winds.

A reception to meet the artists is planned for 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, April 4. The exhibit will remain on display through April 30.

The center's Upstairs Skywinds Gallery will exhibit "Close to Home," featuring photographs by Amy McIntosh.

Center hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call 381-4001 or check the Web site at www.prairiewindsart.com.

Fundraiser to feature ventriloquist and 'funny puppet guy'

Richard Paul, billed as a ventriloquist and "funny puppet guy," will present a variety show for families at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 6, in the Grand Island Senior High auditorium.

Proceeds will benefit the Association for Child Abuse Prevention.

Paul's show features kid-friendly comedy, lifelike puppets, music, sight gags and lots of improv. Audience participation is a big part of his show so he will be seeking volunteers.

Tickets are $6 in advance or $8 at the door; children 4 and under will be admitted free. Tickets are available at Conestoga Mall, Skagway or Pump and Pantry. For more information, call 385-5238.

Screening will feature movie shot by Hastings College alumni

HASTINGS The Hastings College Alumni Association will host a free screening of the movie, "Independence," at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 27, in French Memorial Chapel.

Shot in Hastings and Cozad during the summer of 2004, "Independence" is based on a true story of a Hastings College student's attempt to make ends meet by taking an unusual summer job. The story was written by 1993 Hastings College graduate Margaret Norwood, who also stars in the film. The plot of the film revolves around a young woman, the people she meets and the relationships that form when she agrees to sell fireworks in a roadside tent.

The film was directed by 1994 Hastings College graduate Terry Gsell. The 200-member cast and crew included many other Hastings College graduates and students, as well as Central Nebraska residents.

Norwood will attend the screening to introduce the film and answer questions afterwards.

For more information, check the Web site at www.independencethemovie.com.

Hastings College to host 'Weekend Before Nationals'

HASTINGS The Hastings College forensics team will host "Weekend Before Nationals," at 3 p.m. Saturday in Hazelrigg Student Union, Rooms A and B. The public is invited to attend.

Fourteen students will present a variety of speeches in preparation for the American Forensic Association National Individual Events Tournament April 4 through 7 the University of Texas at Austin. Students qualified in 45 events.

Qualifiers are Aaron Blackman of Valparaiso, Curt Casper of Lexington, Janet Dickey of Fort Collins, Colo., Barry Graham of Doniphan, Jill Haller of Greybull, Wyo., Melanie Hiatt of Harvard, Christina Luster of Greeley, Colo., Alia Mohsen of Doniphan, Paul Martin of Doniphan, Sara Ninabuck of Edgar, Zach Oehm of Bellevue, Jordan Palmer of Omaha, Kelsi Potts of Cambridge; and Marty VanWesten of Plattsmouth.

They will make presentations in informative, after-dinner speaking, impromptu, prose, poetry, extemporaneous, drama and more. Several participants will team up for presentations in duo interpretation

Nebraska Brass presents 'From Bach to Bach,' premieres 'Blowout'

The Nebraska Brass will celebrate the return of spring with "From Bach to Bach," the fourth concert series in its 2007-2008 season, "American Premieres."

Each concert showcases new major works for brass quintet commissioned by the Nebraska Brass from five internationally renowned composers. The Nebraska Brass will also feature the world premiere of Jan Bach's new composition, "Blowout" at this concert.

Jan Bach has studied under such legends as Aaron Copland and Thea Musgrave and received his doctor of musical arts degree in composition from the University of Illinois in Urbana. His music has been recognized with numerous composition awards and grants since 1957, including the Koussevitsky competition at Tanglewood and the Harvey Gaul composition contest, and his works have been recommended for a Pulitzer Prize in music six times.

The Nebraska Brass will perform at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 6, at Trinity United Methodist Church, Fifth and Elm streets. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for seniors; students will be admitted free. Advance tickets are available through the Nebraska Brass business office at (402) 477-7899 or by e-mail at nb@artsincorporated.org.

Dave Matthews Band tickets on sale Saturday

OMAHA Tickets for the July 22 concert featuring the Dave Matthews Band go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday through Ticketmaster.

The concert is set for 7:30 p.m. July 22 at the Qwest Center. Tickets are $63.

Other tickets going on sale this weekend include those for comedian Jim Gaffigan's "Sexy Tour." Tickets for his Oct. 11 show at the Omaha Music Hall are $37.75 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday.

Lynyrd Skynyrd has planned an April 17 show at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs and tickets for that show are also on sale through Ticketmaster. Prices range from $32.75 through $54.74.

Call Ticketmaster at (402) 422-1212 or check the Web site at www.ticketmaster.com.

Sugarland plans Kearney concert

KEARNEY Sugarland, the Country Music Association's Duo of the Year for 2007, featuring Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush, will perform in concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 9, at the FirsTier Event Center in Kearney.

The duo, whose hits include "Stay," "Want To" and "Settlin'," released "Life in a Northern Town" earlier this year. Nettles also scored a hit with Bon Jovi when she teamed up with the band to record "Who Says You Can't Go Home."

Tickets are $42 plus fees and are available through the Event Center box office; call (308) 338-8011.

More Your ticket briefs, page 4-C and 5-C

Minden Opera House to host four performances in April

MINDEN Gospel music, hymns, show choir performances and the music of Dorothy Fields will fill the Minden Opera House throughout April.

First up is the Les Gilliam Show, featuring country gospel music at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 4. Reserved seat tickets are $15.

Saturday, April 5, will be a busy day with "The Headliners" taking the stage at 4 p.m. Amethyst, featuring students from Minden High School, will open for the Headliners. Tickets are $10.

Also on April 5, will be the Wissmann Family in concert at 7 p.m. This family of 15 play a variety of instruments in gospel music and blend harmonies with good ole hymn singing and original songs. Freewill offerings will be accepted.

To wrap up the month, Pippa White will bring her one-woman show to the opera house stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 26. "I Can't Give You Anything But Songs, The Life and Work of Dorothy Fields" is about the woman who wrote close to 500 songs and had a career that spanned five decades. Tickets are $10.

The opera house is located at 322 E. Fifth St.; for more information, call (308) 832-0588 or check the Web site at www.mindenoperahouse.com.

Canadian pop/country group to perform in Albion

ALBION Sons of Maxwell, a pop/country group from Canada, will be performing at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 3, at the Boone Central High School gym in Albion.

The performance is sponsored by the Albion Area Arts Council. Admission is $12.50 for adults and $5 for students.

For more information, call Paul or Lori Hosford at (402) 395-6727.

This week at the Grand ...

"Alvin and the Chipmunks" showing again this weekend at the Grand Theatre, 316 W. Third. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

A struggling songwriter named Dave Seville finds success when he comes across a trio of singing chipmunks: Mischievous leader Alvin, brainy Simon and chubby, impressionable Theodore. This film stars Jason Lee and is rated PG.

Tickets are $3.50 for adults and $2.50 for children under 12.

Also set for this weekend is a free matinee showing of "Bee Movie," at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Barry B. Benson, a bee who has just graduated from college, is disillusioned at his lone career choice: making honey. On a special trip outside the hive, Barry's life is saved by Vanessa, a florist in New York City. As their relationship blossoms, he discovers humans actually eat honey, and subsequently decides to sue us.

This free matinee is sponsored by Mom's Closet- Consignment Shop, 322 W. Third.

For more information call 381-2667 or check the Web site at grandmovietheatre.com.

'The Waterhorse' set for Lied Super Screen Theatre

HASTINGS The Lied Super Screen Theatre in the Hastings Museum will feature the 35 mm film "The Waterhorse" on the giant screen at 7:15 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 4:30 p.m. Sunday and again April 4 through 6.

Angus, a young Scottish boy, finds an enchanted egg. Taking it home, he soon finds himself face-to-face with an amazing creature: the mythical "water horse" of Scottish lore. Angus begins a journey of discovery, facing his greatest fears and risking his life to protect a secret that would give birth to a legend. Rated PG for some action/peril, mild language and brief smoking, "The Waterhorse" stars Emily Watson, Ben Chaplin, Alex Etel, and David Morrissey.

All 35mm film admissions are $4.50 per person. There is also a discount available for seeing both a large-format film and 35 mm feature the same day. Seating is limited to 211 for each showing, so reservations are recommended. For more information or to purchase tickets, call Visitor Services at (402) 461-4629 or (800) 508-4629, option zero.

Time for Three strings trio to perform at UNL

LINCOLN Time for Three, a charismatic ensemble with a reputation for limitless enthusiasm and no musical boundaries, will perform in concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, in the Great Plains Room of the Nebraska East Union on the University of Nebraska East Campus. This show is part of the Lied Center's East Campus Performances series.

The trio will also perform at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, as part of the Club/Carson series at the Lied Center for Performing Arts, 12th and R streets.

Trio members are Violinists Zachary DePue and Nicolas Kendall and bassist Ranaan Meyer. Since its debut in 2003, Time for Three has impressed audiences with an eclectic mix of bluegrass, Hungarian gypsy, jazz, country-western fiddling, classical and improvisational music.

Tickets for the East Campus performance are $20; Club/Carson tickets are $15; student discounts are available for all three shows. Call the box office at (402) 472-4747 or (800) 432-3231 or check the Web site at www.liedcenter.org.

'Carousel' coming to Lincoln's Lied Center

LINCOLN UNL's Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts will be joining forces with the Lied Center for Performing Arts to present "Rodgers & Hammerstein's Carousel," at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 4, and Saturday, April. 5.

"Carousel" was originally performed in April 1945 at the Majestic Theatre in New York City, and won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical of 1944-1945. The 1994 Broadway revival of Carousel boasted five Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival, and in 1999 Time magazine voted it, "Best Musical of the Century!" One reviewer called Carousel, "beautiful, bountiful, beguiling it is the product of taste, imagination and skill."

Among the well-known songs from Rodgers and Hammerstein's score are "If I Loved You," "June is Bustin' Out All Over," and "You'll Never Walk Alone."

Tickets are $32 and $28 with student discounts available; call the box office at (402) 472-4747 or (800) 432-3231 or check the Web site at www.liedcenter.org.

Quilt center opening set for Sunday in Lincoln

LINCOLN The world class International Quilt Study Center and Museum's grand opening kicks off Nebraska's official 2008 Year of the Quilt from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday at the center, 33rd and Holdrege in Lincoln.

Grand opening activities include the opening of major exhibitions of masterpiece quilts from around the world, antique and contemporary, as well as an exhibition of the quilts of featured artist Nancy Crow. A new virtual gallery will provide Web-based digital access to the center's quilt collection for interactive experiences.

Nebraska celebrates its cultural heritage through quiltmaking, and the Year of the Quilt will share that celebration with the world.

A full calendar of quilt exhibitions, family activities, lectures, classes and celebrations are scheduled across the state throughout 2008. During April several exhibitions will be showing in Lincoln, including "Quilts in Common" and "Nancy Crow: Cloth, Culture, Context," International Quilt Study Center and Museum; "The Life in a Day: Michael James, New Work," Modern Arts Midwest; "Distinctive Directions," Lux Center for the Arts; and "Quilts A to Z," Museum of the Nebraska Historical Society.

Information about other Year of the Quilt activities will be available throughout 2008 at www.quiltstudy.org.

Southern California band plans Central Nebraska show

BROKEN BOW Qwiksand, a Southern California band who focuses n funk, reggae and rock, will play at Sylvester's in Broken Bow on Friday, April 4.

Doors open at 8 p.m. There is no cover charge, but this is a show for those 21 and older only.

Qwiksand recently released two singles, "One Arm Marsupial" and "Liquid Dream;" both are doing well on the alternative music charts. A music video for "Liquid Dream" recently became the Top 2 rated indie video featured on MTV2.com, and also appeared in the international surf film release "The Endless Journey Continues."

The band will also perform Saturday, April 5, at the 12th Street Pub in Lincoln and Sunday, April 5, at the Bar Fly in Omaha as part of its 30-city North American Tour. For tour dates, audio, music videos and more, see check the band's official site at or visit its Myspace page at www.myspace.com/qwiksand

Sylvester's is located at 723 E South E St. in Broken Bow; for more information call (308) 872-6204.

Music, theater and more planned at UNK

KEARNEY Two presentations in the Concerts-on-the-Platte series, a variety of student recitals and concerts, a performance by the Kearney Area Symphony Orchestra and "An Evening of Ionesco," are all scheduled for April at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

The April calendar includes:

* Concerts-on-the-Platte, featuring Ting-Lan Chen, violin; Deborah Shuster, viola; Irina Tikhonova, cello; and Nathan Buckner, piano, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 3, and 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 7, Fine Arts Recital Hall.

* Nebraskats 40th Anniversary Concert, featuring Nebraskats alums, 3 p.m. Sunday, April 6, Fine Arts Recital Hall. All Nebraskats alumni have been invited to take part in this performance which will include some classics as well as songs from today. Freewill donations accepted at the door.

* The Sandburg Project Performance with Ted Kooser, Charles Peek, and Mike Adams with the Sandtones, 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 11, Merryman Performing Arts Center, 300 W. 24th St. Performance will include participants in poetry workshops set for April 10 and 11 at UNK.

* New Music Festival recitals, 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 14, and 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, Fine Arts Recital Hall. Recitals will feature works from new composers around the state.

* "An Evening of Ionesco," presented by the UNK Theatre Department, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, through Saturday, April 19, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 20, Fine Arts Studio Theatre. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for UNK faculty and staff, non-UNK students and seniors; group rates available; UNK students admitted free. For more information, call the box office at (308) 865-8417.

* UNK Brass Quintet Recital, 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 21, Fine Arts Recital Hall.

* UNK Bands in Concert, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 24, Fine Arts Recital Hall.

* UNK Jazz Rock Concert, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 26, Fine Arts Recital Hall.

* UNK Choirs Concert, 3 p.m. Sunday, April 27, Fine Arts Recital Hall.

* "Summer is Icumen In," presented by the Kearney Symphony Orchestra Concert, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, Merryman Performing Arts Center. General admission is $8, UNK students admitted free. For tickets call (308) 865-8417.

For more information about UNK music events, call (308) 865-8618.

Family Friday set for April 4

HASTINGS The feature film "The Waterhorse" will be featured at this month's "Family Friday" hosted by the Hastings Museum of Natural History on April 4.

Families are invited to meet their friends at the museum for an evening of family fun. "Family Fridays" takes place on the first Friday of every month and includes pizza, drink, museum viewing and film for one low price.

The fun begins at 5:30 p.m. with pizza served in the Abbott Room of the museum. Everyone will receive one large slice of cheese, hamburger or pepperoni pizza and a glass of Kool-Aid, iced tea or water. Families are welcome to tour the museum, discover the dream in the hands-on Kool-Aid exhibit and explore the Groundwater Discovery Adventure. "The Waterhorse" will follow at 7:15 p.m. in the Lied Super Screen Theatre. Admission is just $5 for Hastings Museum and Stuhr Museum members. Non-member adults are $7 and non-member children are $6.

Reservations are required by Thursday, April 3; call guest services at (402) 461-4629 or (800) 508-4629, option zero, or send an e-mail including the number in the family and pizza topping selection to guestservices@hastingsmuseum.org.