Willa Cather Foundation Events

We are excited to announce Whispers of Home, a solo show featuring the abstract collage and mixed media works of Nebraska artist Susan Hart. 

Join us for a production of The Little Mermaid featuring local youth! Deep in the salty water of the Sassafras Sea, there lived a Little Mermaid. In a new version of the age-old tale, lots of music, plot surprises, and humor await the audience.

Join us for a production of The Little Mermaid featuring local youth! Deep in the salty water of the Sassafras Sea, there lived a Little Mermaid. In a new version of the age-old tale, lots of music, plot surprises, and humor await the audience.

Oglala Lakota and Navajo performer Garan Coons returns to the Red Cloud Opera House, this time with his Many Moccasins Dance Troupe! Join us for an unforgettable evening of dance and storytelling accompanied by beautiful music.

You voted, and we listened! 2026 Audience Choice winners Josh Hoyer and Soul Colossal are performing their very first opera house show in what promises to be a foot-stomping Saturday night! Hoyer and his band leave it all on the stage, performing authentic funk, soul, and blues music across the country and the world.

Help us welcome two writers from our 2024 Willa Cather Residency for Writers cohort as they share recent publications! Margot Kahn and Hillary Behrman will read excerpts from their books as they reflect on their unique writers-in-residence experiences.

We are delighted to welcome composer and pianist Philip Daniel to the Red Cloud Opera House for a night of beautiful music and Willa Cather's most enduring literature. Join us for what promises to be a memorable concert including original compositions inspired by My Ántonia as well as music Daniel has written during his travels across the globe. 

Programming at the National Willa Cather Center's Red Cloud Opera House is made possible with the support of the Baldwin Foundation, Nebraska Arts Council, and Nebraska Cultural Endowment.
 

We hope you'll join us in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for a 3-day, 3-night excursion, November 10–13, 2026! We’ll explore the vibrant city center and the best of its historic and arts offerings, while learning about Cather’s time in New Mexico.

In honor of Veteran's Day and America 250, join us for a FREE concert featuring Offutt Brass, the premiere ensemble of the United States Air Force Heartland of America Band! Offutt Brass is stationed at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Comprised of two trumpets, French horn, trombone, tuba, and percussion, Offutt Brass showcases the Air Force's excellence and precision in every performance with a diverse repertoire that features classical selections, patriotic favorites, jazz and popular music, new compositions, and distinctive arrangements. 

Celebrate the holiday season with a Celtic flair! Switchback is the award-winning duo of Brian FitzGerald and Martin McCormack. We are delighted to welcome these talented musicians back to the Red Cloud Opera House, and you won’t want to miss their setlist of holiday favorites, Irish classics, and Switchback originals.