Common Senses Events


Omaha Symphony Concert for Children with Autism (and their Families)
May
1

Omaha Symphony Concert for Children with Autism (and their Families)

Join Maestra Deanna Tham and the Omaha Symphony on this interactive concert featuring music from Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 and Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite and much more. We’ll take turns exploring big, small, up, down, high, and low with our bodies and music, before choosing calm as the concert draws to a close. This program, developed specially to be inclusive of sensory needs, takes place in a relaxed environment with a variety of seating options and dance space.

Join us before the concert to explore the space and participate in preconcert activities.

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Plant, Nourish & Shine - The Musical
Apr
30

Plant, Nourish & Shine - The Musical

Don’t miss “Plant, Nourish, SHINE! - The Musical!”

Get your tickets now to support all abilities and be part of a true community!

The Gotta Be Me Heartlight Choir, lead by Blake, Britta and Courtney CC on choreography, have written and created a show with the help of our amazing Opera Omaha Holland Community Opera Fellows coaching our performers, and more special guest stars. We can not wait for you to be a part of this show adventure.

Our young adults with disabilities perform in words and songs and so much more to make you think, laugh and sing along!

Don't miss this opportunity to see and be a part of a truly joyous night of real radical inclusion of every human.

From the first rehearsal to the final touches our crew of all-abilities people have learned new life skills, discovered talents, explored new vocations and made new friends for life. All the while, increasing self-esteem, reliance and becoming who they want to be.

Come just as you are, you are welcome to just be you and join us for the most joyful night of the year - REALLY!

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The Giver (Sensory-Friendly)
Apr
29

The Giver (Sensory-Friendly)

Enjoy a sensory-friendly performance of The Giver at the Omaha Community Playhouse.

Twelve-year-old Jonas lives in a utopian society with no war, no pain and no memories. All of life’s choices, from your occupation to your family members, are conveniently dictated by the government to keep things perfectly equal and functional. But when Jonas is chosen by The Giver to bear the memories of his society, past and present, he learns the truth behind his perfect world. Will Jonas fall in line or risk everything to forge a new path?

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The Giver (Sensory-Friendly Performance)
Apr
16

The Giver (Sensory-Friendly Performance)

Enjoy a sensory-friendly performance of The Giver at the Omaha Community Playhouse.

Twelve-year-old Jonas lives in a utopian society with no war, no pain and no memories. All of life’s choices, from your occupation to your family members, are conveniently dictated by the government to keep things perfectly equal and functional. But when Jonas is chosen by The Giver to bear the memories of his society, past and present, he learns the truth behind his perfect world. Will Jonas fall in line or risk everything to forge a new path?

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Omaha Symphony Small Ensemble Concert for Adults with Autism
Apr
16

Omaha Symphony Small Ensemble Concert for Adults with Autism

Join us for a relaxed concert where Symphony musicians share some of their favorite works composed for string quartet. This 45 minute concert includes introductions of the instruments and information on the composers represented. Enjoy the concert with plenty of time for music and conversation afterwards!

Holland Performing Arts Scott Recital Hall | April 16th | 4:00

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Science Café Lecture (A Virtual Event): Dr. Matthew Goodwin & James Coleman Discuss The Living Room
Apr
13

Science Café Lecture (A Virtual Event): Dr. Matthew Goodwin & James Coleman Discuss The Living Room

 

Dr. Matthew Goodwin and James Coleman presented on April 13 at UNMC’s Science Café. Both presenters are part of Common Senses Festival, with interactive installations, Cardio Chairs and The Living Room, on display at KANEKO from April 3-30 - free and open to the public during gallery hours.

At the Science Café, hosted by UNMC as a virtual event, Coleman and Dr. Goodwin discussed The Living Room, a controllable environment they have developed that allows occupants to curate a calming space for themselves out of lights, sounds and images.

This special virtual Science Café is held conjunction with the Nebraska Science Festival which runs through April 2022.

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Don't Just Dim the Lights: How to Create Inclusive Environments in the Arts for All to Enjoy (A Symposium)
Apr
8

Don't Just Dim the Lights: How to Create Inclusive Environments in the Arts for All to Enjoy (A Symposium)

What makes a performance or gallery a truly inclusive environment for individuals with cognitive disabilities and/or sensory sensitivities?

Weitz Family Foundation and Common Senses Festival invite you to a half day symposium on what makes a performance or gallery a truly inclusive environment for individuals with cognitive disabilities and/or sensory sensitivities.

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Social Sensory Architecture
Apr
3
to May 1

Social Sensory Architecture

Social Sensory Architecture is an on-going research project designing technology-embedded multi-sensory environments.

These playscapes, through the use of advanced textile design, sensing technology, and bespoke software, elaborate textile landscapes are transformed into physically, visually, and sonically interactive environments.

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The Living Room
Apr
3
to May 1

The Living Room

This proof-of-concept project seeks to determine if affective and physiological regulation in individuals with autism can be promoted through dynamic adjustments in the ambient environment. In short, light, sound, smell, and other sensorial stimuli within a space are designed to adjust to accommodate end-user comfort and enjoyment.

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World Autism Day
Apr
2

World Autism Day

We invite the autism community for an exclusive SNEAK PEEK of the Common Senses Festival installations housed at KANEKO on April 2nd from 1-4 PM!

Celebrate World Autism Day with AAP, Munroe-Meyer Institute, and WhyArts from 1-4 PM! Enjoy interactive installations, connect with the experts behind the installations, and participate in dance/movement and visual arts activities.

This event is free and open to all members of the autism community and their families.

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Orchid
Mar
25
to Aug 31

Orchid

Social Sensory Architecture is an on-going research project designing technology-embedded multi-sensory environments.

These playscapes, through the use of advanced textile design, sensing technology, and bespoke software, elaborate textile landscapes are transformed into physically, visually, and sonically interactive environments.

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Up and Away
Mar
12
to Apr 3

Up and Away

Join the Fogg Family on a multisensory journey through the sky in your very own hot air balloon. Featuring puppetry, live music, and interactive play, this flight is limited to a small group of young balloonists and their adult sidekicks. Guided one-on-one by members of the Fogg Family, children and their families will experience the wonder of the world above the clouds.

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