Madeline Reddel (B.M.E. 2021), has created a music festival called Garden Party in Omaha, Nebraska, that celebrates women musicians in Nebraska.
Now in its fourth year, the free, all-women fronted music festival will take place on Saturday, May 10 from 2-11 p.m. at Sonny’s outdoor venue and bar in Aksarben Village and is sponsored by Noddle Companies.
“I created Garden Party as a fun way to connect with my musician friends in my garden,” Reddel said. “After the first event, I realized the space could be so much more. I made the festival all-female performers because I wanted to showcase the rising talent in Nebraska. I wanted my community to feel safe and supported in an intimate setting. I have worked in my career uplifting female voices (teaching choir at Marian High School, an all-girls school, for three years and volunteering at Omaha Girls Rock) and coordinating music festivals (Jazz in June in 2021). There is an interest for a smaller or mid-size, all-women music festival in Omaha, and I wanted to spearhead this demand.”
The first year of the festival took place in a real garden.
“I was renting a room in a house in the Benson neighborhood in Omaha with a stunning garden,” Reddel said. “My landlord and friend, Shad Hovdenes, took such good care of the house and garden. He always hosted friends and the neighborhood at our house. It’s a magical place. I asked him if I could have a small music event, and it blossomed from there.”
But Garden Party soon outgrew the garden.
“Fellow musician and friend Keith Rodger helped me pitch Garden Party to Aksarben Village. I am grateful for all the support from friends over the years in celebrating the vision of this festival,” she said.
This year’s lineup includes headliner Abby Holliday from Nashville. Other artists performing this year include Grace Lundy from Lincoln; Twin Pages, Lyriq LaShay and Peacy Beaches from Omaha; Honey Marmalade from Brooklyn, New York (and featuring UNL alumna Olivia Klein); and more.
“As a musician in the community and promoter, I seek out musicians who are active in the scene and who I know will put on a great live performance,” Reddel said.
The event is open to all ages, but you must be 21+ to purchase alcoholic beverages (no outside food or drinks are allowed).
“People can come and go all day, and there is no RSVP,” Reddel said. “People can bring blankets, towels, chairs and expect to stand and watch the artists. There are tables to eat and drink at Sonny’s bar and order food from the Inner Rail.”
Locating the festival in Aksarben Village helps make it accessible for everyone in the heart of Omaha.
“Aksarben is ideal for live music because it reaches the entire Omaha community,” Reddel said. “Thanks to Noddle’s support, we can have both local and regional artists perform. This move is very exciting as it affirms Nebraska’s interest and demand in supporting women artists.”
Reddel is proud of how far the festival has come.
“There are limited live music industry opportunities in Nebraska,” she said. “I am not one to wait around and ask for permission. I had to start my own music festival. I have done every role—talent buying, marketing, production, performing, ticketing, hospitality, budgeting—everything. It is most rewarding when community members tell me they had the best time performing or watching and ask, ‘When’s the next festival?’ That is a dream come true.”
Initially, Reddel only had a few friends and a sound engineer to help her with the festival. Now, she has help from Noddle’s team for security, production, hospitality and more.
“Because I am also an educator, I have invited students to volunteer their time with me,” she said. “Young women in Nebraska are begging to be involved in the live music industry. I want to be that mentor for others even though I am learning and growing myself.”
Reddel said she spends all of her free time planning Garden Party.
“To support myself, I work in education at Omaha Performing Arts, teach voice lessons, perform live and work in the service industry,” she said. “Garden Party is my passion project.”
During her time in the Glenn Korff School of Music, Reddel sought opportunities for students to become involved in performing music.
“I started an open mic series at The Foundry (now Bagels and Joe) for students to perform monthly,” she said. “I volunteered at UNL and the Lied Center’s Jazz in June every year in college. I received mentorship from festival coordinator and co-founder Spenser Munson, the Lied Center’s Bill Stephan and Matthew Boring, and was encouraged by Michelle Waite (Innocents Society’s former adviser). In 2021, I coordinated Jazz in June’s 30th anniversary year with the Lied Center’s team, where I learned a lot about organizing a large-scale music festival.”
Everyone in the community is invited to attend Garden Party.
“Community investment is essential,” Reddel said. “I want people to come to connect with others, have a great time and celebrate women musicians.”
She wants to continue building Garden Party.
“My goal is to build Garden Party to be the most sustainable and accessible all-women fronted music festival in the region,” Reddel said. “Nebraska is the perfect place to establish roots and grow this festival.”
To view the full line-up and get more information on Garden Party, visit http://www.gardenpartyomaha.com.