Events

The Castle & Cathedral District, in partnership with Metropolitan Community College and the National Willa Cather Center, is proud to host the 15th annual Art and Literary Festival! In 2024, we are highlighting Nebraska’s own Willa Cather with dramatic readings, lectures, and exhibitions, spanning three days, multiple venues, and two cities!

To fete the opening of our weekend festivities, we are excited to welcome back our friend, fashion historian Sue McLain of Yesterday's Lady. She will be presenting an interactive talk about prairie fashions during the time of Willa Cather. This free talk will kick off our Lit Fest opening reception.

Yesterday's Lady boasts a collection and knowledge of vintage clothing spanning nearly two centuries, from the early 1800's to the 1960's. Sue is a member of the Humanities Nebraska speakers bureaur and travels the state educating groups about the contributions of fashion to our shared stories.

This is a FREE engagement, that is open to the public. Doors will open at 4:45pm, and the program will begin at 5pm. Registration is not required.

Stay after the talk for more fun at our Lit Fest opening reception from 6-7pm, which leads into our first dramatic reading of "One Of Ours." Tickets for the dramatic reading can be reserved separately.

The public is invited to step into Willa’s world with us, as we learn about her fascinating life, as told through her beloved American novel.

Funding for this event was provided by Humanities Nebraska and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment.