Photo courtesy of Omaha Performing Arts     The Holland Performing Arts Center, located downtown at 13th and Douglas streets, gives the area a modern look, ushering in the revitalization of Omaha. The facility officially opened Friday night with a grand gala hosted by Danny Glover.

Holland Center impresses Omaha

By Matt Vanepps
Assistant Scene Editor

Out of all the $92 million arts facilities, the Holland Performing Arts Center belongs at the top of the list.

Not one detail in this extravagant new building has been forgotten, with lighting and ambience taken into account every step along the way.

Some may ask what could cause a building to cost this much, but it is clear that every dollar has been used to create a state-of-the-art venue meant to last for many years.

The Grand Opening Festival began Friday night with a celebration hosted by Danny Glover and featuring special guest Alexander Payne, saxophonist Branford Marsalis, U.S. Poet Laureate Ted Kooser and the Omaha Symphony.

Downtown’s excitement continued Saturday night with a performance by prominent country group Oak Ridge Boys. Both events were sold out, meeting the expectations of everyone involved.

Between the two concerts and Sunday’s open house, approximately 15,000 individuals have already experienced the Holland Center, according to Christina Kahler, marketing and public relations manager of Omaha Performing Arts.

“Things have been going really well,” Kahler said.

The open house, sponsored by Pinnacle Bank, introduced visitors to the workings of the new center, as guides gave information at each point of the tour.

Upon entering the building, one can immediately tell that this is something different, something special. The lobby is enormous and breathtaking, taking advantage of the massive glass walls to reflect natural light differently throughout the day.

The main attraction of the arts center, the Peter Kiewit Concert Hall, is actually a free-standing structure. Two inches separates the concert hall from the rest of the building, so vibrations never interfere with the performances.

Obviously, much thought and careful planning went into perfecting every aspect of this 21st century experience. Kahler said the planning procedure began in 1997, which is a relatively fast process compared to most other facilities.

Another unique performance space is sure to impress patrons, or at least make them do a double-take. The Suzanne and Walter Scott Recital Hall looks somewhat like a giant birdcage, with maple dowel panels lining the interior walls to avoid direct echo reflection.

The versatile recital hall can accommodate small music ensembles, theater productions, dance performances and children’s programming.

Although one would expect a center built with music in mind to be acoustically impressive, it is just as stunning visually. Granite imported from China, glass imported from Germany and the finest varieties of wood all leave a lasting impression on the concertgoer, who will not be disappointed upon visiting this amazing facility.

Kahler has been extremely pleased with the compliments given to the Holland Center. The open house was a huge success, as people could feel like a part of something special.

“It was so exciting to see families with small children, to senior citizens and everything in between,” Kahler said.

Kahler emphasized the upcoming events at the Holland Center. Friday night features Broadway legend Barbara Cook, who played Marian the librarian in the original production of “The Music Man.” Dee Dee Bridgewater, a phenomenal jazz singer, performs on Nov. 5 night. Both concerts begin at 8 p.m.

“Both of those are going to be spectacular shows,” Kahler said.

Nov. 6 offers a chance for the public to see the new facility without paying a dime. The Day of the Arts runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 6, culminating the Grand Opening Festival.

More than 30 local groups, including a mariachi band, will perform. The main draw for families is the instrument petting zoo, where kids can try out instruments without their parents’ disapproval.

The Day of the Arts concludes with a concert by Omaha Area Youth Orchestra at 7 p.m.

“It’s a really fun, eclectic mix,” Kahler said. “A great chance for college students to come and see it.”