Friday Live | NET Radio

This week on the Friday LIVE Extra podcast, we talk with Erin Butcher and Maddie Hinrichs, two of the 2026 Lincoln Arts Award winners to learn more about them, their journeys in the arts, and what they may have coming up in the future.

On the May 12 episode of Friday LIVE, we're broadcasting from our radio studios. Tune in and hear host Genevieve Randall have lively conversations with: Maestro JoAnn Falleta about closing out the season's Omaha Symphony Joslyn Series (0:58); Carol Levin, who has written a solo performance called, Elizabeth I: In Her Own Words (8:34); Executive Director for Scottsbluff's Midwest Theatre, Krista Baird about the theater's 80th anniversary (19:59); Echo Collective artists Alktra Farhan and Reem Alwan, as well curator Amber Nore (34:18); Debby Greenblatt about folk music, as played on a variety of instruments (48:49). The episode will also feature more poetry from Charlene Pierce (28:28).

This week on the Friday LIVE Extra podcast, we talk with TV, Broadway and movie star Sally Mayes, who has an upcoming show as a part of the Brownville Concert Series.

On this May 8 episode of Friday LIVE, we're back broadcasting from our radio studios. Hear host Genevieve Randall have lively conversations with: -Tom Trenney, who leads the Nebraska Wesleyan University Choir and talks about their upcoming tour (1:52) -Laura Stracko and Jenna Lea Rosen, who are helping bring the story of SUFFS to the Lied's stage (12:50) -Brian Corr, Associate Professor of Art at Hastings College, who talks about his exhibition at Kearney's Museum of Nebraska Art. (21:22) -Co-conductors for the Lincoln Community Concert Band, Michael Murphy and Lance Nielsen, about their upcoming American 250 Concert (30:55) -Addie Barnhart, the director of the Omaha Community Playhouse's production of Dial M for Murder (49:25). The episode will also feature more poetry from Charlene Pierce (39:00), as well as a film review of "Days and Nights in the Forest" from Kwakiutl Dreyer (44:25).

This week on the Friday LIVE Extra podcast, we talk to Madeline Reddel about the upcoming Garden Party Omaha, a one-day festival with the goal of uplifting women and nonbinary songwriters from Nebraska and the surrounding region. We also chat with artist Katie Nieland about her art, exploring the beauty and fun of the natural world, and how it connects to Super Bird Saturday.

On the May 1 episode of Friday LIVE, we're broadcasting from The Mill Coffee and Tea in Lincoln's Historic Haymarket. Host Genevieve Randall has lively conversations with: LSO's conductor Edward Polochick, concertmaster Anton Miller and composer-in-residence Elena Ruehr (8:56); Director of the Lincoln Choral Artists Brian Pfoltner (26:08); Todd Sharman, a singer in the Bee Gees tribute band, Stayin' Alive (40:41); Author Michael Clair about his newly released book, We Sacrifice Everything to Baseball: How the Czech Republic's Amateur Underdogs Became World Baseball Classic Heroes (1:31); Nebraska State Poet, Jewel Rogers about her HOMEGROWN event in Scottsbluff (35:10). This episode also features more poetry from Charlene Pierce (22:01).

This week on the Friday LIVE Extra podcast, The House of Afros, Capes & Curls founder Jade Rogers talks about Black Fae Day, an outdoor celebration that blends fantasy, folklore and Afrofuturism.

On the April 24 episode of Friday LIVE, we're broadcasting from the Nebraska Public Media Radio studios. Host Genevieve Randall will have lively conversations with: Film writer and director Eva Thomas about her film NIKA and Madison (1:37); Husband and wife duo, ACOUSTIC EIDOLON (17:04); Conservation photographer Michael Forsberg (24:42)-; Sculptor and courtroom illustrator, Peter Millett, as well as craniofacial surgeon and medical illustrator Dr. James Vargo, about their upcoming event at Omaha's KANEKO (37:17); and Director for Wayne State College's Mariachi Negro y Oro, Josh Calkin (52:38) The episode will also feature poetry from Charlene Pierce (48:13), and a review of I Swear from Kwakiutl Dreyer (10:04).

This week on the Friday LIVE Extra podcast, photographer Hunter Helmstaedter talks about how he got into collodion wet plate photography, why he chose to pursue it, and where you can find him next. We also hear from guest conductor, Ernest Richardson, about the upcoming concert being put on by Lincoln's Symphony Orchestra, "The Music of Harry Potter."

On the April 17 episode of Friday LIVE, we're broadcasting from the Nebraska Public Media Radio studios. Host Genevieve Randall will have lively conversations with: Two artists from Clement Noyes' third Friday art event (1:14); The director and a storyteller for the upcoming The Moth event at the Lied Center (9:34); Author Elizabeth Zaleski about her book, "The Trouble with Loving Poets and Other Essays on Failure" (26:30); Two members of the Yorkshire Playhouse's cast discuss their upcoming production of The Invitation (39:30); and photographer Nia Karmann (50:50). The episode will also feature more poetry from Nathan Ertzner (21:10) and a movie review from Kwakiutl Dreyer (46:06).

This week on the Friday LIVE Extra podcast, artist Leah Powell Hosseinabad tells us about her exhibit at Wallspace LNK, "Hold: The Space Between", featuring work created while processing the loss of her mother and her husband's response to war and turmoil in his Iranian homeland. We also hear from two members of the Nebraska Chamber Players about their final set of performances for the season.

On the April 10 episode of Friday LIVE, we're broadcasting from St. Paul United Methodist Church in Lincoln and bringing live music to boot! Host Genevieve Randall will have lively conversations with: Singer and songwriter, Daniel Christian (0:47); Composer, violist and guest composer for the upcoming Lincoln's Symphony Orchestra concert, Kenji Bunch (26:20); and Steel Drum band, PANgea. The episode will also feature live poetry from Tim Moran (15:40).

This week on the Friday LIVE Extra podcast, we talk with the executive director at Nebraska City's Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts, Amy Smith, about Nebraska's State Poet Jewel Rogers coming to visit for her HOMEGROWN series. Also on the podcast, learn about a joint effort event between Omaha's Culxr House and Omaha Performing Arts Hip Hop Lab.

On the April 3 episode of Friday LIVE, we're broadcasting from the Mill in Lincoln's historic Haymarket. Host Genevieve Randall will have lively conversations with: Author Alan Bartels, discussing his new book featuring stories about the Sandhills in Nebraska (0:30); Carrie Brown and Karim Muasher, co-artistic directors for the world premiere of Capital City at the Lied Center for the Performing Arts (11:06); Morrie Enders, executive director of the Lincoln Community Playhouse(23:29); Scott Kirby, sharing his traveling Main Street Souvenirs show coming to Red Cloud (46:12). The episode will also feature more poetry by Nathan Ertzner (33:03) and a movie review of Billy Preston: That's The Way God Planned It by Kwakiutl Dreher (40:52).

This week on the Friday LIVE Extra podcast, we are talking with musician Mei Semones about her musical process and her upcoming show at the Waiting Room in Omaha. We also visit with Tyler Rinne, managing artistic director of the Beatrice Community Players, about the upcoming production of The Cottage, a show that follows a couple whose secret affair quickly unravels when their spouses unexpectedly arrive, setting off a chain of revelations.

On the March 27 episode of Friday LIVE, we're broadcasting from the Nebraska Public Media radio studios. Host Genevieve Randall will have lively conversations with: Diane Bartels, a pilot and author, about a talk she is giving in Hastings about Nebraska's Aviatrix, Evelyn Sharpe (1:33); Zak Foster and Roderick Kiracofe, about creating and collecting quilts (9:20); and Ed Love, about the Nebraska Jazz Orchestra's upcoming concert that celebrates 50 years of Big Band Jazz music (20:05). We will also feature poetry by Nathan Ertzner (27:30) and a movie review of Natchez by Kwakiutl Dreher (33:11).

This week on the Friday LIVE Extra podcast, we are talking with director of the Center for Great Plains Studies Margaret Jacobs, as well as Cory DeRoin, a member of the Otoe-Missouria tribe, about an upcoming Otoe-Missouria History, Activism and Representation panel discussion. We are also talking to Wayne State College communication arts professor Rusty Ruth about their upcoming theatre production of "Mother Courage and Her Children," a play that examines the cruelty of capitalism when placed above human needs.

On the March 20 episode of Friday LIVE, we're back in the Nebraska Public Media radio studio. Host Genevieve Randall will have lively conversations with: country artist Darrell Scott (1:39); Chad M. Olson about an exhibition he is presenting at Lincoln's Kiechel Fine Art (12:41); the Arbor Lodge Mansion Coordinator, Laura Steinman, about its month-long quilt exhibition (27:54); children's book author and scientist Alison Pearce Stevens about her newest book and her life story (37:54); and violinist for the Philadelphia Orchestra Eliot Heaton (45:59). We will also feature more poetry from Nebraska's State Poet, Jewel Rogers (23:33).

This week on the Friday LIVE Extra podcast, we are talking with two Lincolnites who know their local history. Jim McKee and Ed Zimmer are helping put on a speaker series through St. Paul United Methodist Church that explores the history of Nebraska's Capital City.

On the March 13 episode of Friday LIVE, we are at the Mill Coffee and Tea in Lincoln's Haymarket with live music! Host Genevieve Randall will have lively conversations with: Lincoln's flute choir, Coro di Flauti, who will play a few songs for us (1:33); Wakefield's The Little Red Hen Theatre managing director, Adam Goos, about its production of Marjorie Prime (20:18); Karen Shoemaker, about an upcoming workshop that focuses on the classical Japanese form of poetry called Renga (26:46); Nebraska Public Media's Director of Education, Jessica Mitchel-McCullough, about the upcoming Be My Neighbor Day (32:05); and The BrickHouse Duo, who will be bringing their violin and cello to play a few tunes (38:24 and 54:08) It will also feature more poetry from Nebraska's State Poet, Jewel Rogers (49:56).

This week on the Friday LIVE Extra podcast, the Nu-Blu band is bringing progressive bluegrass to the Golden Husk in Ord, while Abendmusik director Tom Trenney is talking about what is like bringing one of the most monumental works in the choral repertoire, Bach's Mass in B minor, to the stage.

On the March 6 episode of Friday LIVE, we are back at the Mill Coffee and Tea in Lincoln's Haymarket. Host Genevieve Randall will have lively conversations with: Two of the leading actors from the ensemble bringing The Music Man to the Lied Center for the Arts (1:30), Artist Cindy Weil about her "Only Wool" exhibition at Kearney's Museum of Nebraska Art (10:03), Fremont's Pathfinder Chorus about an upcoming show (23:52), artists Stacy Larson and Lauren Krusso who's work is being shown at the LUX Arts Center (31:39), the executive director for the Carnegie Arts Center, Kyren Gibson, about their newest exhibition (39:08), and with Lincoln's Symphony Orchestra's conductor Ed Polochick, as well as harpist and featured soloist Julie Smith (46:02). You will also hear poetry by Nebraska's State Poet, Jewel Rogers (19:43).

This week on the Friday LIVE Extra podcast...Hear a conversation with Dr. Peter Gurry about an upcoming talk he is doing at the Clayton Museum of Ancient History, and with the director of the Angels Theater Company's upcoming production The Rocket Men.

On Feb. 27, Friday LIVE is from the Ron Hull Studio at Nebraska Public Media! Host Genevieve Randall will have lively conversations and host live performances from: jazz group, The Red Lion Quartet (0:47), Celtic supergroup RUNA (14:45), and from Omaha's own Hector Anchondo (39:00) You will also hear live poetry by Saddiq Dzukogi (6:16 and 35:11)

This week on the Friday LIVE Extra podcast...Hear a conversation with 3 members of the SALT Quintet about their upcoming concert entitled A Mosaic of Mothers, as well as from Nebraska's own Philip Daniel about an upcoming concert at the Lark in Hastings that involves scent.

On the Feb. 20 Friday LIVE, Genevieve Randall will have lively conversations with: Anna Bemis Palmer Museum curator Carrie Remmers about their vintage game night; conductor for the Hastings Symphony Orchestra Tyler Goodrich White; UNL Opera's Bill Shomos about their performances of La Boheme in Ord and Friend; Abendmusik's Tom Trenney about their upcoming Youth Masterworks Festival; and an Omaha artist about his homage to Mr. Rogers You will also hear poetry by Twyla Hansen.

This week on the Friday LIVE Extra podcast, we're going classical. Hear a conversation with members of the Nebraska Chamber Players about their upcoming concerts, as well as from Nebraska's Young Artist Competition winner, who will be playing with the Hasting Symphony Orchestra on their upcoming concert.

On the Feb. 13 Friday LIVE, Genevieve Randall will have lively conversations with: artists Denise Bookwalter and Lee Emma Running about their art exhibition at Nebraska City's Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts; Mallika Madduri about an upcoming dance performance that will feature the traditional Indian dance, Bharathanatyam; Lincoln's Symphony Orchestra conductor Ed Polochick, as well as soloist Rita Porfiris and composer Julia Adolphe. You will also hear poetry by Twyla Hansen, and a theater round-up about four upcoming theater productions happening in York, Beatrice, Wayne and Lincoln.

This week on Friday LIVE Extra, a conversation with Junction Trio member Conrad Tao, as well as with the competition director of the Nebraska Snow Sculpting about the upcoming state championship.

On the Feb. 6 Friday LIVE, Genevieve Randall will have lively conversations with: art curator Anne Pagel about the "Art of India" exhibition at Hastings College; director of Grand Island Little Theater's show, "The Big Five-Oh", Jim Truell; author and professor of rhetoric and public culture at UNL, Kristen Hoerl, about her book, “The Impossible Woman: Television, Feminism and the Future”. You will also hear live poetry by Maria Nazos, as well as an interview about her poetry, and her upcoming collection PULSE.

On this extra extra, a conversation with Jonathan Van Ness, about his comedy tour, the artistry of comedy, and what he knows about Nebraska

This week on Friday LIVE Extra, a conversation with Omaha's BLUEBARN Theater about their production of "The Heart Sellers", as well as with two artists whose work will be displayed at Gallery 9's newest exhibition, "Animal House".

On the Jan. 30, Friday LIVE, Genevieve Randall and guests have lively conversations about: The St. Olaf choir's performance this weekend, artist Michael Lynch's exhibition at Wayne State College, country artist Daniel Donato's return to Lincoln, and an art exhibition at UNO that features numerous artists and artworks spanning the UNO Printshop program's fifty years. You will also hear live poetry by poet Maria Nazos.

This week on Friday LIVE Extra, a conversation with Ed Love and Scott Vicroy of Group Sax.

On the Jan 23rd, Friday LIVE, Genevieve Randall and guests have lively conversations about: Gabriela Montero and her performance coming up at the Lied Center (1:37), Books Bound/Unbound: Turner McGehee and Ward Schumaker at Lincoln's Constellation Studios (13:44), author Brad Bigelow and his new book Virginia Faulkner: A Live in Two Acts (33:43), the Music Box and what is planned in the coming year (46:42), and a preview of what's to come this season at the Sheldon Museum of Art (52:49). You will also hear poetry by Greg Kosmicki (27:42).

This week on Friday LIVE Extra, a conversation with Martina Saltamacchia and Dr. Bissera Pentcheva about an upcoming event being held at the University of Nebraska Omaha called EnChanted Images: The Voice of Sainte-Foy at Conques.

On the Jan 16th, Friday LIVE, Genevieve Randall and guests had lively conversations about: photographer Mike Forsburg's journey to document the Whooping Crane (1:34), New York Polyphony and its upcoming show at the Lied Center (12:31), what it's like to bring the Doobie Brothers' music, from cover band, The Brothers Doobie (25:27), how the Nebraska Jazz Orchestra is celebrating 50 years of Big Band Music (39:42), and a tune from Daniel Christian (53:53). You will also hear poetry by Greg Kosmicki (33:15), along with a report on the Omaha Chamber Music Society's 2026 Heritage Series (49:46).

A conversation with members of the McGovern String Band about an upcoming gig in Grand Island and finding the beauty in bluegrass.

On Jan 9th, Friday LIVE started the new year at the Mill in Lincoln's Haymarket. Genevieve Randall, and special guest co-host Dave Hughes, had lively conversations about: An upcoming concert from the University of Nebraska - Omaha Faculty Jazz Combo (1:38), Nebraska's Anime Fest (8:31), what new exhibits the Lux Center for the Arts has for the beginning of 2026 (15:09), two art exhibits the West Nebraska Art Center is premiering with the start of the new year (34:21), and the Omaha Symphony's performance of Beethoven's First Symphony and more at Omaha's Joslyn Art Museum (42:42). You can also hear poetry by Greg Kosmicki (27:25), along with a report on what can be expected from Omaha's KANEKO in the coming year (52:25).

A conversation with Jason Hovey about an exhibit from KANEKO's founder, Jun Kaneko.

A conversation with Laura Petry of Cantare! Omaha, about their yearly 12th Night at the Castle event, held at Omaha's Josyln Castle.

Conversations with magician Ryan Chandler, and assistant professor of music and director of choral activities at Hastings College Dr. Raoul Carlo (Miggi) F. Angangco.

On the Dec. 19, the Friday LIVE Holiday Special 2025 at 9:59 a.m. CT, Genevieve Randall will be your guide though an hour of holiday music, stories and poems: Music from Andrea von Kampen, The Wildwoods, The String Beans, Daniel Martinez and Paul Siebert: Stories read by Bob Hall and the late Cherrie Beam-Callaway: And some poems by Twyla Hansen, Matt Mason, and Tony Bock.