3/31/2008 9:18:00 AM Plenty to see, do during festival
Volunteers still needed
Norfolkans and area residents interested in volunteering a bit of their time in June to help with the inaugural Great American Comedy Festival can do so by contacting the Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau at 371-2932 or (888) 371-2932 or Sheryl Schmeckpeper, festival vice chair, at living@norfolkdailynews.com.
Volunteering will be a way to help get Norfolk's new community festival off the ground in a good way.
Events planned for the inaugural Great American Comedy Festival in Norfolk this June won't just be taking place in the evenings at the Johnny Carson Theatre.
To give Norfolkans, area residents and visitors additional things to do and see during the festival, the Norfolk Arts Center, Elkhorn Valley Museum and Norfolk Senior Citizens Center all are planning activities that will be open to the public.
"These will be fun things to do that will help round out all that's being planned for the festival," said Lora Young of the Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Here's a look at what is planned:
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Norfolk Senior Center
The center is planning special events around the noon meal each day during the festival.
"These will be contests for amateur musicians, storytellers and any act of comedy," said Kay Tibbels, a festival committee member and senior center representative. "We invite anyone who wants to participate to contact the senior center."
Planned is:
- Monday, June 16: Johnny Carson look-alike contest
- Tuesday, June 17: Youth comedy day
- Wednesday, June 18: Senior comedy contest
- Thursday, June 19: Senior comedy contest
- Friday, June 20: Comedy festival finals
For more information, people can call 371-8299.
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Elkhorn Valley Museum
The museum is the home of a permanent Johnny Carson exhibit that features awards he won, special photos and Carson and "Tonight Show" memorabilia. A video plays continuously that highlights his 30 years on television.
From June through October, a special exhibit will be added that will feature more memorabilia from Carson's life. Friends and acquaintances of Carson have donated many of the items for this exhibit, said Ruthie Galitz, museum director.
"We will also be showing the video, 'Johnny Goes Home,' which was done in 1982 when Johnny came home for a week for Norfolk High's homecoming," she said.
A special attraction will be an appearance at the museum on Friday, June 20, and Saturday, June 21, by "Peter the Near Great," an Omaha-based magician. He is a member of the American Society of Magicians and met Johnny Carson when they both worked at WOW Radio and WOWT television in Omaha early in Carson's career.
In addition, 11-year-old Jacob Middleton, a student at Park Avenue Christian School, will be performing magic for the public. He has been practicing magic since he was 5 years old. He is the son of Monte and Reba Middleton.
More details will be available as the festival draws near, Galitz said.
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Norfolk Arts Center
The arts center is planning a full day of events for Saturday, June 21, said Chris Rempe, the center's assistant director.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day, there will be art activities for children and an art demonstration for adults. There will be free admission to the center and free lemonade, he said.
At 1:30 p.m. Saturday, the center will feature an appearance by comedic storyteller Rita Paskowitz of Omaha.
She draws on her talents as an actress, writer, comedienne and improvisationalist to create a one-of-a-kind program that is designed to appeal to people of all ages, Rempe said.
A second scheduled entertainer also is being pursued.
The center also will feature sculptures by Ron Parks in front, in the center's garden, gallery and atrium. That exhibit will be on display from mid-May through mid-July.
