Nfe Arts^Entertainment Customers wait for their meals at TGI Friday’s, 210 N.48th St. TGI Friday’s serves food, fun all week lone By Joel Strauch Senior Reporter The phrase “Thank God ifs Fri day” has a new meaning in town. TGI Friday’s is part of a restaurant chain that began in Dallas and has . headquarters in Sioux Falls, S.D. Lincoln’s restaurant is only the sec ond one in Nebraska: the other is in Omaha. Craig Schreibcr, TGIF’s general manager, said, “We’re very happy with the way we’ve been accepted in the community.” The restaurant’s walls are filled with antiques, eccentric pictures and other miscellany. A 20-plus-fool longboat adorns one overhang. “We’re going for the cluttered look,” Schreibcr said. “We want a comfortable, homey atmosphere that doesn’t look too 1990-ish.” The music playing at the restau rant adds a great deal to its already pronounced ambiance. “Friday’s contracts with a music corporation,” Schreibcr said. “We have a big range of music that we gear toward different times of the day. The waiters and waitresses arc decorated with a variety of pins and buttons and wear a diverse array of headgear. “We allow our employees to per sonal i/.e their own uniforms,” Schreibcr said. “It goes along with the fun, festive atmosphere.” The service in the restaurant was polite and prompt, and it included rapid and complimentary beverage refills. The servers entertained two sepa rate tables of guests who were cel ebrating birthdays with renditions of TGI Friday’s original “Happy Birth day” song. A clown was perusing the eating area, amusing children and making balloon animals and hats for them. “The clown comes in for Sunday brunch and helps parents keep unruly kids in line after church,” he said. “He goes over well. A lot of families return just to sec the clown.” The menu boasts a large assort ment of food and drink options that allow any diner to find something he or she likes. “We’re basically a family dinner house, but we gear toward all ages,” Schrciber said. The menu, which includes a large selection of vegetarian dishes, is so vast that it will appeal to anyone, he said. The food was reasonably priced and delicious. Friday’s menu includes great “Name Your Own Burger" and “Name Your Own Pizza” options in which the clientele can select from a variety of loppings. Friday’s is also getting prepared for the summer. “We’re opening up our patio as soon as the weather gels nice,” Schreibcr said. TGI Friday’s is at 210 N. 48th St. It’s open seven days of the week. preview By Paula Lavigne Senior Reporter As Midwest days soak in rays ol summer sun, fields of stars will illu minate the night, but they won’t be ir the sky — they’ll be on the stage. Stadium concert tours arc a staple element of summers in the heartland: this year, however, the lineup is leg endary. Several classic rock musicians will bring their rock and roll rex>ts back on tour. Combined with performances by new breaking artists, this summci Diverse schedule planned for 1994-95 Lied season By Paula Lavigne Senior Reporter Rock icons and classical balleri nas are only a few of the performers who will constitute an ethnically diverscand artistically creative sea son for the Lied Center for Per forming Arts. Robert Chumblcy, the Lied Center’s executive and artistic di rector, said the upcoming 1994-95 fifth-anniversary season was de signed to reach as broad an audi ence as possible. “There’s a yttlc bit of every thing,” he said. With classical and contemporary dancers, musicians, singers, actors and performers, Chumblcy said the season reflected the entire spectrum of the arts. Cultural diversity also was a main focus, Chumblcy said. “In the past, we’ve brought per formers from Japan, Africa, South east Asia, Latin America and Canada,” he said. Chumbley said ethnicity was most easily emphasized through dance. “Dance is easier for people to understand,” he said. “Theater is often in a different language, while dance provides a larger spectacle than simple music.” Chumbley said four marquee events would punctuate the upcom ing season: cellist Yo-Yo Ma, op era soprano Kathleen Battle, the Paris Opera Ballet Ensemble and guest conductor Andre Previn with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. The season kicks off Sept. 16 with a touring company production of the Broadway version of “The ' Secret Garden.” With input from the Lied Center Advisory Board, Lied Center staff and the University Program Coun cil, Chumblcy said he made the final decision on the programming. The Lied Center’s goal in creat i ng the new season, Chumblcy said, was to educate and provide a cul tural exchange for the audience “ while still offering general enter tainment and enjoyment. “That’s why you see this mix with pop, Broadway and contem porary cutting-edge. It’s definitely a mix which generates a very clear audience over the years,” he said. “Some people come for symphony, some for dance, some for jazz or whatever the target audience is.” Because of th is, Chumblcy said there' were two statistics of which See LIED on 17 ‘The Secret Garden” September 16,17 and 18 Jeffrey Ballet: “Billboards” September 30, October 1 and 2 Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia October 8 Columbia Jazz Jam October 14 Teatro De Danza Espanola October 29 Paul Dresher Ensemble November 4 Awadagln Pratt November 11 DynamO Theatre November 18 Herbie Mann with Jasil Brazz November 19 Dlamanda Galas with John Paul Jones November 20 “A Christmas Carol” December 8,9,10 and 11 Paris Opera Ballet Ensemble January 13 Kathleen Battle - January 21 Emmy Gifford Theater presents “Thumbellna” - January 28 Moore by Four and T.S. Monk February 4 Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra February 9 David Rousseve: “REALITY” February 11 Ballet National du Senegal: “Pangols” February 21 Dan Hurlln: “No (thing so powerful as) Truth” - March 3 and 4 Yo-Yo Ma - March 7 Flying Karamazov Brothers March 10 The Kalichsteln-Laredo-Robinson Trio March 18 Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company March 28 Andre Previn with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s • April 7 Voices of Change April 20 "The Will Rogers Follies" April 21, 22 and 23 Canadian Brass April 29 — The Broadway musical based on Frances Hodgson Burnett’s story. — The group returns to the Lied and will perform to the music of Prince. — In its 30th season, the group brings its repertoire of chamber orchestra music to the Lied. — Introducing vocalists Nnenna Freelon, guitarist Russell Malone and jazz organist Joey DeFrancesco as part of the Lied’s New Voices series. — Flamenco artists performing two works, “Luna de Sangre” and “Cafe del Puerto." — Performing "Looking West to East,” a piece co-commissioned by the Lied. In Kimball Recital Hall. — The virtuoso pianist won the prestigious 1992 Naumburg International Piano Competition. Will appear in the Johnny Carson Theater as part of the New Voices series. — This Montreal-based theatre will perform “Mur-Mur" (The Wall) as part of the Lied’s New Voices series. — Flutist Mann incorporates the music of cultures around the world. — Explosive vocalist Diamanda Galas will attack music tradition with rock legend Jones. — Presented in partnership with the UNL Department of Theatre Arts. — Members from the world-famous ballet bring French tradition and a broad repertoire to the Lied stage. — The world-famous soprano. — The Omaha-based theater will travel Interstate 80 to perform Hans Christian Andersen's classic. In Kimball Recital Hall. — After cancelling his Lied performance this year, Monk returns with the acclaimed vocal jazz group. — Under music director and conductor Leonard Slatkin's direction, the orchestra is always breaking new ground. — Touching on issues of race, gender and humanity, choreographer Rousseve will appear in the Johnny Carson Theater. — The 40-member troupe from the West African country of Senegal brings its explosive show to the Lied stage. — Returning to the Carson Theater, Huriin will expose his opinions on the media through this work. — The eight-time Grammy-winner returns to the Lied for a solo recital. — The members of this combination juggling and joking act (who are neither related nor Russian) will present a new work, “Club Sandwich." — Three renowned soloists combine for a memorable performance. — The company, known for cultural and stylistic diversity, will perform “Still/Here.* a work by Jones. — Versatile Previn will guest conduct the acclaimed New York-based orchestra.- ■,, ' — Devoted to 20th century music, the group will perform in the Johnny Carson Theater. * V — Based on the life of showman Will Rogers, the Broadway hit won six Tony Awards. — The undeniably spontaneous Canadian brass brings its wide-ranging repertoire to the Lied stage. It’s a cool, cool summer for Midwest concert scene should bring something for everyone, from grunge to country. Only months after their new re lease “Antenna,” the bearded ZZ Top will come to Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Mo., on May 6 and to Omaha’s Civic Auditorium August 6. Sandstone Amphitheatre in Bonner Springs, Kan., near Kansas City, will host free birds Lynyrd Skynyrd with Ted Nugent on May 22, Bryan Adamson May27 and Depechc Mode with special guests Primal Scream and Stabbing Westward on May 28. Omaha’s Ranch Bowl will bring manic-depressive Tool on May 23 and the brooding yell of Collective Soul May 30. On June 3, symphonic mixers The Moody Blues with The Kansas City Symphony will be at the Sandstone. David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Rick Wright are back with flying pigs and laser beams as Pink Floyd comes to Cyclone stadium in Ames, mwa, on June 16 and Kansas City’s Arrow head Stadium on June 20. On Junc25 Metallica, Danzig and Suicidal Tendencies will come to the DesMoines(lowa)Statc Fairgrounds. REO Speedwagon with Kansas and Starship will come to Sandstone June 29. The Summer Jam ’94, featuring ELO, B.T.O., Foghat and H?ad East, will make waves at the Sandstone July 3. Yes will appear at the Sandstone July4 foran Independence Day explo sion. A lighter, low-fat Meat Loaf will come to the Civic Auditorium July 5. Make way for Traffic at the Sand stone July 16. Genesis frontman Phil Collins, after his “Both Sides” release, will perform at the Sandstone July 25. The Sandstone closes out the month with a July 30 performance by James Tay lor. Metallica and Alice in Chains will rock the Sandstone on August 10. and Lincoln’s Pinewood Bowl will host Jackson Browne on August 12. Before going back to class, catch the August 13 performance of piano man Billy Joel and cool cal Elton John at Cyclone Stadium. Closing out the concert season, Bonnie Raitt will jam with special guest Bruce Hornsby at the Sand stone August 30. And. although no final date has been set. pyromaniac Perry Farcll Will bring his Lollapalooza brood to Kan sasCity this summer. ChrisCorncll is back after Soundgarden's new re lease and is tentatively scheduled to be at Ak-Sar-Bcn July 2. All tickets can be purchased through most Tickctmaslcr outlets or over the phone. Phil Collins is one of many big-name artists touring this summer.