By Allison Peck
OGALLALA, Neb. — The Ogallala Regional Arts Council is preparing to close out its 2025–26 season with a high-energy performance designed to bring the community together through music, nostalgia, and live entertainment.
Board members Shirai Armstrong and Karen Lundquist joined the North Platte Post to highlight the upcoming concert featuring The Suits, set for Monday evening at the Ogallala High School Performing Arts Center.
The performance serves as the final show of the season, and organizers say they intentionally aim to end on a strong note.
“We try to kind of pack a little bit of punch at the end of the year,” organizers said, noting the group’s unique format featuring four performers covering four musical genres across four decades.
The Suits will perform a mix of well-known hits spanning from the 1950s through the 1980s, including songs audiences can sing along to, paired with choreography and audience interaction. Organizers say that combination helps create an engaging and memorable experience for attendees of all ages.
The arts council works to build each season with variety in mind, aiming to appeal to a wide audience while keeping performances accessible and affordable. In addition to concerts, ORAC also brings arts programming into the community through student workshops, public art installations, and programs like the Missoula Children’s Theatre residency.
Organizers say those efforts are made possible through strong local support.
“Membership really helps us to plan and purchase concerts for the future,” they said, adding that community donations and initiatives like the Big Give are also critical to sustaining programming.
Attendance has continued to grow, especially among families, as the organization focuses on making events welcoming and easy to attend. Many performances also include opportunities for audiences to meet performers after the show, helping create a more personal and lasting experience.
Looking ahead, ORAC plans to continue offering five events per season, despite rising costs, and hinted at a diverse 2026–27 lineup that will include a mix of country, soul, dance, and returning favorites.
For those who have never attended an ORAC event, organizers say this final concert is an ideal introduction.
“I think this is going to be a great one because it’s going to be high energy… a great variety… and a very high entertainment value,” they said.
The concert begins Monday evening, with tickets available at the door or online. Organizers encourage community members to attend, bring friends or family, and help support the continued growth of the arts in Ogallala.