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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (July 23, 1998)
July Jamm sponsors look for big crowds By Sarah Baker Staff Reporter It’s a sure cure for a case of summer boredom. With close to 40 musical acts and lots of food and fine art, Lincoln’s July Jamm can entertain almost anyone. 1998 marks the seventh year that July Jamm has brought crowds to downtown Lincoln. The event, which runs through this weekend, begins Friday. Tamera Andreasen, co-chairwoman for July Jamm, said she was expecting a big crowd. “In the past, we’ve had crowds of 40,000,” Andreasen said. “This year we want 50,000.” This year’s July Jamm features more than just music — 13 restaurants and numerous artists are providing their wares for the event, and Andreason said this type of diversity was one big draw. “We have about 25 art vendors, who sell everything from jewelry to art for an office,” she said. All participants in the event are vol unteers, Andreason said. “We have about 300 Updowntowners who volunteer for the event, 100 of them being core people,” she said. The Updowntowners are the main sponsor of the event. Andreason said she thought the night concerts attracted the most peo ple. “This is such good entertainment,” she said. “We have acts from all over. It’s a variety of really good music.” Andreason said many people tend to associate July Jamm with sweltering heat, but she said this year may be dif ferent. “The weather is supposed to be great this weekend with temperatures in the 80s,” she said. She added that this year, planners have included water fountains and mis ters for people who do decide to beat the heat and check out the fun. Admission for July Jamm is free before 6 p.m. Those entering after 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday will be charged $5.00 admission. Admission passes are on sale in advance at Russ’s Market for $3.00 with a Russ’s card. Food and Beverage strips are on sale at Russ’s and at all Homer’s locations. Strips of eight tickets to purchase food and beverages are $5.00 and can also be redeemed for souvenirs. For more information, check out the July Jamm Web site at http://updown towner.org/julyjamm/, or call Tamera Andreason at (402) 486-6060. 1__jm: - #_m _1 Darren Ivy/DN JUDE HICKEY,left, and Robie Hayek perform a skit from “Aladdin” Friday at the Lincoln Children’s Museum. The full production of “Aladdin” wili be performed at the Temple Building Friday through Sunday. ‘Aladdin’ to rely on crowd’s help By Sean McCarthy Staff Reporter A missed light que, a forgotten line or a key prop that has suddenly disappeared are surprises actors and directors are trained to deal with in the ater. But the cast of “Aladdin,” which begins its run this week at the Temple building, has to deal with a much larger surprise each show: children. And lots of them. In the Nebraska Repertory production of “Aladdin,” children from the audience are drawn into the play the moment they step into the Studio Theater. There, paupers and merchants sell trin kets to audience members. During the play, chil dren will get the chance to throw imaginary flow ers at a sultan, dance in the market square and roar like a tiger. Karen Libman, assistant professor of theater arts, directed “Aladdin.” Libman has brought children in to interact with the actors so the actors can get the leel or what to expect when the play runs this weekend. “It’s nothing like the real thing though,” Libman said, “Just when you know every possible thing that can happen, something else happens.” Libman said “Aladdin” was a very demanding play, especially physically, for the actors. Most of the physical elements of the play come from physical comedy. The play opens with a family of paupers who are tying to make a living selling various items to the townspeople. During this scene, the father, played by Jude Thaddeus Cordova, Kristen Hensley, who plays Dahlia, Mike Meyer who plays Zampano and Robie Hayek, who plays Pico, round out the cast. Each of these characters take on the identity a character in the Aladdin story. While the play remains true to the legends, Libman said she tried to make a few departures. The main departure is that the princess is more headstrong and more in control of events than in Please see ALADDIN on 10 Hickey, says that he is tired of being a peddler and wishes to be an actor. From there, the audience is taken on a journey where the leg end of Aladdin is told. Eric Moyer, who plays Burgundo, Kate Eisenhour, who plays a Just when you know every possible thing that can happen, something else happens Karen Libman director