The popular BFF event will go on – safely
OMAHA, (Neb.) August 3, 2020 – The New American Arts Festival, now in its 7th year, has been adapted to ensure the health and safety of guests and artists.
Hosted by Lutheran Family Services and Benson First Friday (BFF Omaha), The New American Arts Project, typically a street festival on Military Avenue in downtown Benson is moving performances and the artisan marketplace to stream online while neighborhood galleries and restaurants will feature the art and cuisines of Omaha’s refugee communities throughout the month of August.
Featured performers online include Umoja Choir, an African Gospel choir, D. Wuol, a Sudanese HipHop artist, and Rwandan Dance company UMUO WACU, to name a few. The artist market includes traditional Karen textiles from Day Eh Karen Dresses, Nepali textiles from Bhakti and Phul Maya, Afghan art weavings from Mohammad Seddiqi, and more. The event is scheduled to be held on August 7 from 5:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Gallery artists on Maple Street include the Little Gallery, CityLight Arts Project, and Hardy Coffee Co. which will be featuring a variety of artists. Live demonstrations of Syrian and Nepali cooking will take place on BFF Marketplace’s Instagram channel.
“We look forward to the New American Arts Festival each summer,” said LFS President and CEO Stacy Martin. “New Nebraskans contribute so much to the fabric of our community and we are thrilled that even in the midst of this pandemic, the celebration and showcase of these rich visual and performing arts will go on with the health and safety of all participants and visitors in mind,” Martin concluded.
More information about activities and schedules can be found on The New American Arts Festival website, BFF’s Instagram, or through the Facebook event.
Event Contacts: Brittany Steigner (bsteigner@lfsneb.org) and Lacey Studnicka (lstudnicka@lfsneb.org)
Press Contact
Sharon Brodkey
Director of Public Relations & Marketing
402-978-5656
sbrodkey@lfsneb.org
