Near South
Near South is a walkable, residential-to-commercial neighborhood sitting less than a mile from the Nebraska State Capitol, and seeing live music ranks among the top stated interests of its residents. The anchor of the neighborhood's music life is First-Plymouth Congregational Church at 2000 D Street. The church is a key organizer of the Abendmusik: Lincoln community concert series, and its sanctuary hosts the American Guild of Organists, student recitals, and groups such as the Interfaith Community Gospel Choir. The church's associate minister of music plays a 110-rank Schoenstein organ for services and concerts. Sacred choral works and holiday concerts, including performances of Handel's Messiah, are a regular part of First-Plymouth's community programming. On the informal end of the spectrum, Meadowlark Coffee & Espresso supports the local arts by hosting live music and art shows frequently. Located on South Street, the café draws a mix of regulars for daytime and evening sets in a low-key setting. Pepe's Bistro and Stransky Park round out the neighborhood's four music spots, adding a dining room and an outdoor park stage to a scene that ranges from formal choral concerts to casual coffeehouse shows.
Venues4
- First Plymouth Congregational Church2000 D St, Lincoln
- Meadowlark Coffee & Espresso1624 South St, Lincoln
- Pepe's Bistro1311 S 11th St, Lincoln
- Stransky Park17th St & Harrison Avenue, Lincoln
Upcoming shows21
Wednesday, September 23 · 1 show
Wednesday, September 30 · 1 show
Sunday, October 4 · 1 show
VOCES8
The 2023 Grammy-nominated British vocal ensemble VOCES8 is the world’s top-streaming classical vocal group. Touring globally, this season the octet performs over 100 concerts, including this performance to launch the Abendmusik season.
Wednesday, October 7 · 1 show
Wednesday, October 14 · 1 show
Wednesday, October 21 · 1 show
Wednesday, October 28 · 1 show
Wednesday, November 4 · 1 show
Sunday, November 8 · 1 show
Miami Arts Studio Vocal Ensemble
The award-winning youth from Miami Arts Studio, a performing arts magnet school located in western Miami-Dade County, make their Nebraska debut. The vast majority of the ensemble is made up of Hispanic students who are all first or second generation immigrants from the Caribbean Islands, Central and South America. Their performance at the National Convention of the American Choral Directors Association was the unanimous blockbuster hit of 2025! Featuring a prelude performance by the Standing Bear Singers from Standing Bear High School.
Wednesday, November 11 · 1 show
Wednesday, November 18 · 1 show
Wednesday, November 25 · 1 show
Sunday, November 29 · 1 show
Handel's Messiah
Raise your "Hallelujahs" in Abendmusik's annual rendition of Handel's Messiah. This year, strings, trumpets, timpani, and organ will accompany First-Plymouth's Schola cantorum, soloists, and the audience in a living performance of this iconic masterwork.
Wednesday, December 2 · 1 show
Wednesday, December 9 · 1 show
Sunday, December 13 · 1 show
All Out of Darkness We Have Light: Christmas with Abendmusik
Experience the spiritual power of the Christmas story, and reawaken your spirit to the hope and light of the season in this beloved concert offered by The Plymouth Choir, Plymouth Ringers, and Abendmusik Orchestra. "The true light, which enlightens everyone, is coming into the world."
Wednesday, December 16 · 1 show
Thursday, December 31 · 1 show
New Year's Eve Last Blast: with the Plymouth Brass
Celebrate New Year's Eve in style with the always entertaining Plymouth Brass as they kick off their 50th Anniversary Season. Composer, conductor and saxophonist David Sharp will be featured in the most fun concert matinee of 2026-- sure to refresh your spirit for the New Year!
Sunday, February 21 · 1 show
Monday, February 22 · 1 show
Youth Masterworks Festival: Robert Ray's Gospel Mass
More than 200 singers, gathered from Standing Bear, Norris, Lincoln Southeast, Lincoln Southwest, and Lincoln East High Schools, come together under the direction of Tom Trenney to sing Robert Ray's uplifting Gospel Mass .
Sunday, April 25 · 1 show
We Will Rise!
The Nebraska Wesleyan University Choir sings the choral suite from Craig Hella Johnson's poignant and powerful Considering Matthew Shepard, and the Plymouth Choir performs the Nebraska concert premiere of a new, uplifting work, Love's Lantern , recently composed by Abendmusik's own Tom Trenney.

