When I heard Tara Vaughan was bringing her “She Rocks” show back to the Omaha area, I had a great idea: Tara’s show celebrates women who rock…what if she could share some recommendations for women who rock. Tara knows Omaha well, and she has shared her favorite Omaha places and women-owned businesses for you guys.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Rave On Productions. All thoughts, opinions and typos are my own.
You can catch Tara in her show “She Rocks” Sept. 9-19 at SumTur Amphitheater, 11691 S. 108th St., Papillion, Neb. Shows are 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and Saturdays, and 7 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $20 for lawn seating (bring your own chair), and $35 for stadium seating. Kids 5 and under are admitted FREE!
PROMO: Oh My! Omaha readers can save $10 on stadium seats if purchased before Sept. 12. That makes each seat $25. Use the promo code FAMILYNIGHT. Tickets are available at theomahaseries.com.
Women who rock, here’s where to go in Omaha
If you’ve never met Tara Vaughan, or been to one of her shows, reading this list of her Omaha favorites might just the best way to get to know her. You can find out a lot about a person by the places she hangs out, the women who inspire her, and where a girl goes for brunch.
(Brunch at Coneflower Creamery…she’s a kindred spirit)
What are five of your go-to places for a girls’ night out in Omaha?
Tara: I really enjoy going to stand up comedy and improv shows at The Backline with my gal pals. I’ve gotten to see some truly hilarious local, regional and national comedians at the Backline (including my favorite Omaha-based comedians, Rachel Ware Guericke and Zach Petersen).
For my birthday this year, my friends and I went to TreeRush Adventures Night Climb at Fontenelle Forest, and it. Was. SO FUN. I can’t wait to go back! Truly, a perfect – albeit unconventional – girls’ night out.
Coneflower Creamery: There, I said it. My ideal night out includes a stop at the happiest place on earth, aka ice cream heaven. The tart cherry crumble is otherworldly.
I’m a sucker for a picnic (especially a surprise picnic! What a dream), so these days one of my favorite girls’ night outs is an evening picnic at Memorial Park with a blanket, cheese, crackers, grapes, and lots of cozy vibes
How could I not mention a night out to a performance at the Holland Center? One of my favorite places in the world, not just Omaha. We’re so lucky to have it here.
What are five of your favorite women-owned businesses in Omaha? What do you love about them?
Tara: Oof, there are way more than 5! First off, Sweet Magnolias Bake Shop – if you haven’t tried the cardamom knots yet, you’re doing yourself a disservice.
Stars Dance Academy: full disclosure, my bestie owns and operates this wonderful dance studio, and I’m really proud of her. Also, they offer beginning adult tap dancing classes and it’s the most fun I’ve ever had on a Thursday.
Number four is Tasty Pizza, because it’s walking distance from my house, super tasty (they aren’t lying!) and super affordable. Never change, TP.
Ok, I’m technically not sure if this is women-owned, but Maha Music Festival exists in large part thanks to three incredible women who work really hard to make it happen. Maha is another example of something that we are lucky to have here in Omaha because of the dreams and hard work of some people who really want this city to be a fun place to live for all of us.
Are you a brunch person? If you are, where are five your favorite Omaha restaurants with brunch?
Tara: I would be hard pressed to find a brunch I didn’t like, but my number one pick is my mom’s house: free, AND I bet we’ll play dominoes after we finish the dishes.
Wilson and Washburn: My mouth is watering just thinking about W&W brunch. If you too live dangerously, do yourself a favor and order fries instead of the breakfast potatoes. Tell ‘em I sent ya.
Lisa’s Radial Cafe – in days of yore, before my version of a wild night out consisted of a picnic at Memorial Park, I could be found nursing many a hangover here come Sunday morning. I’ll never forget your kindness, Chicken Fried Steak Skillet.
Can I say Coneflower Creamery again? I’m 34 years old and I would like to have ice cream for breakfast. Just kidding, #4 is Railcar.
T&T: Trucks Taps Patio – does everyone know about this place yet? It’s Omaha’s first food truck park, and because it’s all outdoors, it’s been a pandemic favorite. They have something for everyone, including brunch on the weekends from Modern Waffle.
If you want to go to ‘She Rocks’
“She Rocks” is Tara Vaughan’s love letter to the women who made music history (including her mom). Her handcrafted set list celebrates the classic women rock ‘n’ rollers, the singer/songwriters who are soft and badass and loving, sexy and vulnerable and independent and LOUD. Tara is a performer who immediately draws you in with her humor and playful conversation.
“She Rocks” is Sept. 9-19 at SumTur Amphitheater in Papillion, Neb.
PROMO: Oh My! Omaha readers can save $10 on stadium seats if purchased before Sept. 12. That makes each seat $25. Use the promo code FAMILYNIGHT. Tickets are available at theomahaseries.com.
And if you wanted to go to the Omaha businesses for women who rock
If you wanted to check out any of the places Tara mentioned, here are their addresses:
The Backline, 1618 Harney St., Omaha
TreeRush Adventures at Fontenelle Forest, 1111 Bellevue Blvd. N, Bellevue, Neb.
Coneflower Creamery, 3921 Farnam St., Omaha
Memorial Park, 6005 Underwood Ave., Omaha
Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St., Omaha
Sweet Magnolias Bake Shop, 813 N. 40th St., Omaha
Scout: Dry Goods and Trade, 5018 Underwood Ave. and 1404 S. 13th St.
Stars Dance Academy, 2915 S. 108th St.
Tasty Pizza, 1418 S. 60th St.
Maha Music Festival, held annually in Stinson Park
Wilson and Washburn, 1407 Harney St.
Lisa’s Radial Cafe, 817 N. 40th St.
Railcar Modern American Kitchen, 1814 N. 144th St.