Join Teaching Artist Alex Zaleski and be introduced to the Imagist movement and its poetry, the movement that inspired the Beats. Participate in creating sharp and precise verse and capture even the smallest moments to connect to with yourself and your audience.

This is a free workshop for adults 19+. Registration is required and opens Nov. 1.

About the Author:

Alexandra Zaleski is a poet committed to living and dying in the midwest. When they aren’t writing they can be found playing Joni Mitchel songs on the guitar and reading tacky romance novels She remains constantly inspired by the place she calls home: Nebraska. They are privileged to be a Teaching Artist with Nebraska Writers Collective and they have one previously published poem in The Fig Tree Magazine.

Join Teaching Artist Sam Lee from the Nebraska Writers Collective. Sam will lead a workshop that explores writing about food from the perspective of those cooking the food as well as writing about restaurant work and the connection between the cook and the consumer.

About the Teaching Artist:

Sam Lee (He / Him / His) is a poet and educator from Lincoln, NE. He has also been a line cook, a librarian, and a drummer. He is passionate about teaching poetry in high schools and in prisons. He loves music and movies. Photo is courtesy of JL Scott Photography.

This a free workshop for adults 19+. Please call 402.444.4852 to register beginning Oct. 1.

You are cordially invited to a party! Someone has been murdered. Who did it? Everyone had a motive. Everyone had the opportunity. Can you figure it out?

This is an interactive event. Character booklets will be provided at the door and time given to read your part. Participants must be willing and able to “act” the part they are given. If you like true crime and mysteries and theater, this program is for you!

The setting for the Murder Mystery Party is the 1920s. Small props (no firearms or weapons, please) and costume pieces are highly recommended but not required. All roles are flexible and can be played by individuals of any gender, regardless of the character’s specified gender.

No one has been or will be hurt during the program.

This is a free event for adults 19+. Registration to play a role is required and opens Oct. 1. Please call (402) 444-6284 to register.

Note: We must have a minimum of 4 participants agree to play a role in order to run this program. In the event not enough participants attend or agree to play a role, this event will be canceled.

In this thought-provoking panel discussion, Dr. Lana Obradovic, Goldstein Family Community Chair in Human Rights at UNO, will lead an exploration of the rights and vulnerabilities of immigrants in Nebraska, including legal protections under U.S. and international law, policy challenges, and best practices for supporting Nebraskans in these situations. 

Each will share their expertise, followed by an open Q&A with the audience. 

Panelists include Dr. Cristian Doña-Reveco, Director of the Office of Latino and Latin American Studies at UNO, Roxana Cortes-Mills, Legal Director, Center for Immigrant & Refugee Advancement (CIRA), and Maria Arriaga, Executive Director of the Nebraska Commission on Latino-Americans.

This is a free event for Adults. Registration is encouraged.

The 2025 Omaha Reads selection, “Solito,” tells the powerful story of Javier, a young boy who journeys alone from El Salvador to reunite with his parents in the United States. Accompanied only by strangers and a hired “coyote” guide, Javier’s experience reflects the difficult and often dangerous realities faced by many unaccompanied migrant youth.

Explore the urgent human rights challenges facing unaccompanied minors in this engaging panel discussion led by Dr. Lana Obradovic, Goldstein Family Community Chair in Human Rights at UNO. The conversation will address legal protections under U.S. and international law, the policy and humanitarian challenges involved, and best practices for supporting vulnerable youth on the move. 

Each will share their expertise, followed by an open Q&A with the audience. 

Panelists include Dr. Lina Traslaviña Stover, Executive Director, Heartland Workers Center; Dr. Laura Alexander, Executive Director, Goldstein Center for Human Rights at UNO; and Jenna Ripke, Attorney, Center for Immigrant & Refugee Advancement (CIRA).

This is a free event for adults. Registration is encouraged.

The 2025 Omaha Reads selection, “Solito,” tells the powerful story of Javier, a young boy who journeys alone from El Salvador to reunite with his parents in the United States. Accompanied only by strangers and a hired “coyote” guide, Javier’s experience reflects the difficult and often dangerous realities faced by many unaccompanied migrant youth.

Join OPL for a fun storytelling event for adults!

Family isn’t always about who you’re born to—it’s also about the people who choose you, support you, and stand by you. Have you ever found a group of people who felt like home? We want to hear your story of found family and the bonds that brought you together!

Prepare a 5-8 minute story about your experience and come share with the crowd. All participants will be awarded a superlative award!

Terrified of the stage? We need audience members to cheer on our storytellers.

Storyteller Ground Rules:

• Follow the theme: Found Family
• Stories must be based on life.
• Stories should not exceed 8 minutes.
• Visual aides and artifacts encouraged.

This is a free event for adults 19+.