Taste of Omaha

A FESTIVAL OF GREAT FOODS & ENTERTAINMENT

FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY - JUNE 10, 11 & 12, 2005

HEARTLAND OF AMERICA PARK - 8th & FARNAM - DOWNTOWN

FRIDAY & SATURDAY 11AM-10PM - SUNDAY 11AM-7PM

F R E E A D M I S S I O N - O P E N T O T H E P U B L I C

[ Entertainment Line-Up ] [ Great Omaha Chefs] [ Coca-Cola Kid Zone Stage ] [ Sponsors ]

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Free Admission Thanks To Taste of Omaha Sponsors:

Coca-Cola, Roberts Pool & Spa, Mirassou Winery, Gordmans,
AllTel, Budweiser, Rotella's Bakery, Local Chrysler-Jeep Dealers,
Pinnacle Bank, Roberts Dairy, Nebraska Lottery, Skylark Meats
Media Sponsors:

2004 Taste Of Omaha Entertainment Line Up
Watch for 2005 Updates!

Omaha’s
JOLIE EDWARDS
To Perform on the Taste of Omaha Headliner Stage
Friday, June 11 at 6 PM

On Friday night for the first time Omaha’s own Jolie Edwards will be performing songs from her soon-to-be-released Warner Bros. Records album, MIDWEST GIRL including “All I’m Thinkin’ ‘Bout is You” , “Midwest Girl” and “I Can’t Stop You” along with her other country hits. The album is produced by renowned singer/songwriter Jeffrey Steele [BMI Songwriter of the Year and Billboard Magazines #3 Songwriter of the Year (5th year in a row)] and Scott Baggett.

JOLIE began enrolling in local talent shows, placing her first time out with Dolly Parton's "Two Doors Down", now a staple of JOLIE's live set. She continued performing in the Midwest throughout her junior high years and as a senior in high school, she landed a steady gig with a local group, playing 6 nights a week at local clubs.

"One of my favorite places to be is on a stage! Performing live keeps me breathing and when you see me perform, you'll understand what I mean."

JOLIE spent Christmas 2003 with the troops in the Middle East. From December 21 through January 3, 2004 Jolie and members of her band traveled to Iraq to perform for the soldiers. Determined to bring some holiday cheer from stateside to as many of the troops as possible, Jolie and her band traveled by Humvees and helicopters to visit camps in Baghdad, Tikrit, Kirkut and Ba'quba to name a few.

A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES
“RUBBER SOUL”

To Perform on the Taste of Omaha Headliner Stage
Friday, June 11 at 8:30 PM

Now, over forty years after the Beatles’ U.S. debut explosion on The Ed Sullivan Show, “Tribute to the Beatles” Rubber Soul Band recreates the excitement and thrill of seeing the greatest rock ‘n roll legends of all time. Very few people the world over shared that rare experience of a live Beatles’ performance but RUBBER SOUL recaptures the sights and sounds of the World’s most famous musical group from the Beatles’ 1964 first hit in America “I Want To Hold Your Hand” to the finale of "Let it Be" in 1970.

Celebrating Omaha’s 150th Birthday, “A Tribute to the Beatles” Band will be performing all-time favorite Beatles’ hits singing “They Say it’s your Birthday -We’re Going To Have a Good Time” and reliving all the Beatles classics. The evening activities will close with a Fireworks Finale.

Confirmed as the most successful recording act of the twentieth century in the USA, with authentic instruments and classic style, Rubber Soul performs totally live as one of the finest BEATLES tribute bands with no gadgets, no backing tracks – just a pure modern-day live sound creating an authentic Beatles sound ALL in the original keys! Rubber Soul will perform many of the Beatles’ Classic Songs that dominated the charts with album sales well over 106 million and 27 #1 hits and countless other hits including “She Loves You”, “Help”, “A Hard Day’s Night”, “Eight Days A Week”, “Twist and Shout” and “Yellow Submarine” to name just a few.

CHUCK NEGRON
FORMERLY OF THREE DOG NIGHT

To Perform on the Taste of Omaha Headliner Stage
Saturday, June 12 at 8:30 PM

Driven by Chuck Negron’s solo lead vocals on 4 million selling singles, three #1 records, five top 5 hits and seven top 40 hits, Negron put and kept Three Dog Night on the charts for six years. His souring, soulful four-octave range and unique vocal styling became part of the American Landscape. The world was introduced to Chuck Negron and Three Dog Night in 1969 by the breakthrough – and the band’s first million seller “One.” His gut wrenching performance on the band’s follow up hit “Easy To Be Hard” is now a pop classic, as is his beautiful and smooth vocal on “Old Fashioned Love Song.” Chuck’s unmistakable voice proclaiming to the world “Jeremiah Was A Bullfrog” on the multi-Grammy nominated and 1971 Record of the Year, “Joy to the World” is today a part of Americana, securing a place for Chuck Negron as one of the great singers in rock and pop.

While Chuck was with Three Dog Night they had a phenomenal 18 consecutive top 20 hits, 21 top 40 hits, 8 top 10 hits and 5 #1 hits. Not to mention five top 10 albums and eleven top 20 albums. “We were a self-contained band who performed all the music on our records,” Negron explained, “we picked all the songs, arranged them and were totally involved in production. We never had an A&R person or any record company interference. The band contractually had artistic control.” Few bands were as popular in concert. They pioneered stadium extravaganzas, prompting Rolling Stone Magazine in its 1972 cover story to exclaim “More Gold than The Stones!” “Bigger Crowds Than Credence!” “Fatter Purses Than Elvis!” Some of their opening acts were the likes of Rod Stewart, Aerosmith, ELO and co-headlining billing with Led Zepplin.

In 1967, Chuck Negron became a founding member of Three Dog Night. A vocal trio whose roots would be in R&B, rock-n-roll and urban do-wop but, with totally new and unique music. Chuck felt one thing might be missing. Great Songs! Chuck went back to the publishers who represented the great writers he loved as a teenager. These publishers would also introduce Chuck to new, up and coming writers. Chuck brought Harry Nielsen’s “One” (Is the Loneliest Number) to the group. Chuck also selected and sang lead on Elton John’s first song to be released in the U.S., “Lady Samantha.” He also picked and sang Paul Williams’ “Old Fashioned Love Song” and “Out in the Country,” Laura Nyro’s “Eli’s Coming,” David Loggins’ “Pieces of April” and Hoyt Axton’s, “Joy to the World.” Chuck also discovered many other new writers as well. Built around the pop soul vocals of Negron and Wells, great songs, brilliant musicians and a powerful three-part harmony – few bands were as consistently popular in concert or on the music charts. In an era when Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, and Motown were competing for chart position, Three Dog Night dominated the charts and sold 50 million records by 1975. Ninety million records sold to date.

Luigi Waites
Confidentials
39 Thieves
Blue Island Tribe
Matt Wallace

FRIDAY, JUNE 11

11:00 AM JORGE NILA & THE JAZZ NINJA’S – Jazz – SHORTY VEST STAGE

3:30 PM KIM EAMES – Acoustic & Folk – SHORTY VEST STAGE

6:00 PM JOLIE EDWARDS -- Midwest Girl & Country Hits - HARBOR STAGE

7:30 PM 39 THIEVES – Rock ’n Roll Variety -- SHORTY VEST STAGE

8:30 PM "A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES" RUBBER SOUL -- HARBOR STAGE

Followed by Fireworks Finale Celebrating Omaha’s 150th Birthday!

SATURDAY, JUNE 12

11:00 AM MIDWEST DELIMA -- Folk, Rock & Country - SHORTY VEST STAGE

1:00 PM TWO CAN SAM – Rock ’n Roll - SHORTY VEST STAGE

3:00 PM LUIGI WAITES & CO – Jazz - SHORTY VEST STAGE

5:00 PM BLUE ISLAND TRIBE -- Reggae, Rhythm & Blues - HARBOR STAGE

7:00 PM MATT WALLACE – Jazz -- SHORTY VEST STAGE

8:30 PM CHUCK NEGRON FORMERLY OF THREE DOG NIGHT -- Legendary Classics -- HARBOR STAGE

SUNDAY, JUNE 13

11:00 AM MICHAEL WALKER – SHORTY VEST STAGE

1:00 PM SEVEN – Brass, Rhythm & Blues - HARBOR STAGE

3:00 PM REGULATORS – Rock & Country -SHORTY VEST STAGE

5:00 PM CONFIDENTIALS - Rhythm & Blues - HARBOR STAGE

SPOTLIGHT ON GREAT OMAHA CHEFS
DEMONSTRATION STAGE
In Cooperation with the Institute of Culinary Arts – Metro Community College

FRIDAY, JUNE 11TH

6:00 PM Garden Café Grill & Bakery -- Baking Demonstration

6:45 PM Uncle Earnie’s Riverside Inn -- “BBQ Pork Feather Bones” By Master BBQ Champion John Earnest

7:15 PM Chef Demonstration by Institute of Culinary Arts – Metro Community College

SATURDAY, JUNE 12TH

2:00 PM Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano -- “Brushetta and Crostini” By Chef Troy Tomlinson

4:00 PM Liberty Tavern & Restaurant -- Hilton Omaha Demonstration by Executive Chef Darren Cobb

5:00 PM MJ Java -- Presenting “Coffee 101”

5:45 PM Chef Demonstration by Institute of Culinary Arts – Metro Community College

6:30 PM Mirassou Wines -- Presenting “Wine & Food Made Easy”

8:00 PM Katie’s Greek Restaurant -- “Saganaki (Flaming Greek Cheese)” Demonstration by Chef Harry Poulos

SUNDAY, JUNE 13TH

1:00 PM Old Chicago Restaurant -- “Calzone Cooking Demonstration”

2:00 PM The Daily Grill -- Demonstration by Chef Brad Benson

3:00 PM Liberty Tavern & Restaurant - Hilton Omaha -- Demonstration by Chef Glenn Wheeler

Plus, Westbend Cookware Cooking Demonstrations presenting “12 Minute Meals” and “Healthy Cooking, Healthy Living” throughout the Festival

KIDZONE STAGE

Face-painting Artist - Walking Art - Patty Clemts
The Balloon Artist – Ricky Rowray

Left To Right: The Amazing Arthur, Topper The Clown, Vern Wirka, Peter The Near (Great)!

FRIDAY, JUNE 11TH

5:00 pm - 5:45 pm The Amazing Arthur Juggling & Comedy Show

6:00 pm - 6:45 pm “Wild Encounters” Featuring Exotic Animals

7:00 pm – 7: 45 pm The Amazing Arthur Juggling & Comedy Show

SATURDAY, JUNE 12TH

1:00 pm - 1:45 pm Topper the Clown Comedy Show with Juggling & Magic Act

2:00 pm - 2:45 pm Ventriloquist Show by Vern Wirka

3:00 pm - 3:45 pm Topper the Clown Comedy Show with Juggling & Magic Act

4:00pm - 4:45 pm “Wild Encounters” Featuring Exotic Animals

5:00 pm - 5:45 pm “Peter the Near (Great)"! Magic Show

6:00 pm – 6:45 pm “Build Your Own Pizza” by Old Chicago Restaurant

SUNDAY, JUNE 13TH

12:00 pm - 12:45 pm Topper the Clown Comedy Show with Juggling & Magic Act

1:00 pm - 1:45 pm Ventriloquist Show by Vern Wirka

2:00 pm – 2:45 pm Topper the Clown Comedy Show with Juggling & Magic Act

3:00 pm - 3:45 pm “Wild Encounters” Featuring Exotic Animals

4:00 pm - 4:45 pm “Peter the Near (Great)"! Magic Show

"TASTE OF OMAHA" TO SHOWCASE
GREAT FOOD AND ENTERTAINMENT

Mark your Calendar for the 2004 “TASTE OF OMAHA”, a celebration showcasing Omaha’s great foods and live entertainment to be held Friday, June 11th through Sunday, June 13th at the Heartland of America Park, 8th and Farnam Streets, in Downtown Omaha. The Annual “TASTE OF OMAHA” is a 3-day extravaganza and outdoor food festival open to the public and free to attend.

“Continuous live entertainment, family activities for the kids and a beautiful park setting with many of Omaha’s top restaurants featuring some of their special dishes …and you have the recipe for the TASTE OF OMAHA”, says Bob Mancuso, Event Producer. “Omaha has a tremendous reputation for fantastic restaurants and food companies”. The 7th Annual “TASTE OF OMAHA” brings together a dazzling selection of great foods and culinary delights, for families to TASTE, relax and enjoy at one of the greatest Family Events throughout the Midwest.

The TASTE OF OMAHA offers live entertainment for everyone’s taste throughout the weekend. On Friday night for the first time Omaha’s own Jolie Edwards will be performing her new songs recently recorded with Warner Brothers as well as her new country hits on the festival’s main stage. Celebrating Omaha’s 150th Birthday, “A Tribute to the Beatles” Band will be performing all-time favorite Beatles’ hits singing “They Say it’s your Birthday - We’re Going To Have a Good Time” and reliving all the Beatles classics. The evening activities will close with a Fireworks Finale.

Saturday, June 12th, Rock ‘n Roll Legend, Chuck Negron formerly of Three Dog Night will perform on the main stage, singing with the unmistakable voice that powered Three Dog Night to three #1 records, five top 5 hits and seven top 40 hits including, “Joy to the World”, “One (is the Loneliest Number)”, “Celebrate”, “Old Fashioned Love Song” and “The Show Must Go On” to name a few. The “Taste” also offers continuous live music from Jazz to Swing, performed by many of Omaha’s most popular bands and regional musicians throughout the Festival.

While browsing the festival displays or between eating Food Bites and enjoying the music, you can taste wines at the new Mirassou Wine Garden featuring several red and white award winning wines. Mirassou, which is America’s Oldest Winemaking Family have been crafting superior wines in California since it was founded in 1854. The 2004 Festival also offers a chance to win Nebraska Lottery Tickets, see the latest innovative vehicles by Chrysler-Jeep Dealers, enjoy MJ Java Coffee and smoothies on the Patio, taste Skylark Meat Products, or simply relax in the Budweiser Beer Garden overlooking the lake and fountain, All At One Time and One Place at the Heartland of America Park.

On the Festival grounds there is plenty of Family Entertainment at the Roberts Dairy Family Village, including amusement rides for the kids, balloons, face painting, and a great view of the Festival and Downtown Omaha from the Big Ferris Wheel. Again this year, the KidZone Stage will offer continuous performances of music, comedy, magic, and entertainment for the children. Coca-Cola is the Official Soft Drink of the “TASTE OF OMAHA”.

This year the “TASTE OF OMAHA” will feature a “Spotlight On Great Omaha Chefs” with Daily Cooking Demonstrations, Presented by Chefs from Your Favorite Restaurants and the Omaha Metro Community College’s Institute of Culinary Arts. Enjoy the interactive displays such as Roberts Pool & Spa and register for prizes throughout the festival. The Ultimate Alltel experience display trailer highlights the total telecommunications source for sports fans and on-board elements including an interactive information center designed to educate consumers allowing them to interact with Alltel’s core services. TV’s will run continuous highlight videos of great sporting moments, including the University of Nebraska Football Team, that Alltel has been involved with. This fantastic display, geared towards entertaining the entire family, includes four racing simulators, a Football Toss and a Free Throw Shooting contest.

The Festival boils down to one thing, and that’s the food. Restaurants of all varieties will pitch their tents at the “TASTE OF OMAHA” grounds for 3 days, cooking the specialty items that have made them some of the favorites in the Omaha area. All types of food will be served - from Omaha’s pizza to juicy barbecued ribs. So put your taste buds on alert because they will get a workout at this year’s “TASTE OF OMAHA”, offering an opportunity to taste a wide selection of Omaha’s restaurant dishes from Mexican, Italian, Oriental, Thai, and Mediterranean to Continental and American cuisine. Many of Omaha’s best restaurants will be offering foods from their menus including Angie's Restaurant, Katie’s Greek Restaurant, La Mesa Mexican Restaurant, Papa Murphy's Take 'N Bake Pizza, TGI Fridays, The Daily Grill, Akasaka Catering, Greek Alley, Sammy Sortino's Pizza, JC Mandarin Restaurant, Fazoli's, Hooters, Alexander's BBQ, Garden Café, Halal Meats & Kabobs, Wild Oats Market, McKenna's Blues Booze & BBQ, Old Chicago Pasta & Pizza, Signature's Restaurant, Thai Kitchen, Elaine's Kitchen, Uncle Earnie’s Riverside Inn and Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano. After tasting all of these delightful foods, you’ll probably want to top it all off with one of the fabulous desserts offered, from your favorite ice cream flavor to cheesecake, that is sure to make your day at the “Taste” complete.

Omaha’s Showcase of Great Foods and Entertainment, the “TASTE OF OMAHA”, will be open Friday, June 11 and Saturday, June 12, from 11 AM to 10 PM as well as Sunday, June 13 from 11 AM to 7 PM, at the Heartland of America Park, 8th & Farnam Streets. Produced by Mid-America Expositions, Inc.

FOR ADDITIONAL TASTE OF OMAHA INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Bob Mancuso, President
Mike Mancuso, Event Manager
Mid-America Expositions, Inc.
7015 Spring Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68106
(402) 346-8003
FAX: (402) 346-5412
www.showofficeonline.com

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