Salt Creek Song Festival is a weeklong celebration of art and song in the heart of Downtown Ashland, NE. The festival begins with a Sunday afternoon event followed by coffee chats, open rehearsals, performances, and after hours events on Tuesday through Saturday.

All Festival Week events are free and open the public; however, space is limited, and RSVPs are strongly encouraged. Visit the Salt Creek Song Festival website for more information and to register.

Sunday, May 17

4-5 p.m. | My Ántonia | St. Stephen’s Episcopal, 1501 Adams Street
Salt Creek Song Festival opens its fifth festival week with the world premiere of My Ántonia, a new work by Philip Daniel inspired by Willa Cather’s beloved novel.

Tuesday, May 19

12-1 p.m. | coffee chat | Fariner Bakery, 120 N 14th St
A relaxed, midday conversation with Salt Creek Song Festival artists. These informal chats offer a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process, upcoming performances, and the stories that inspire the music.

2-3 p.m. | open rehearsal – American Sonnets | St. Stephen’s Episcopal, 1501 Adams Street

7-8 p.m. | performance – American Sonnets | St. Stephen’s Episcopal, 1501 Adams Street
Two contemporary works explore identity, resilience, and the complexity of the American experience through bold, expressive music. The program includes Ice and Fire by Wendell Logan, performed by soprano Jen Townsley, baritone Brandon Bell, and pianist Zachary Peterson. This work is paired with American Sonnets by Carlos Simon, featuring Bell and Peterson, setting texts that reflect on history, race, and humanity in America.

8-9 p.m. | after hours | Willow Point Gallery, 1431 Silver Street

Wednesday, May  20

12-1 p.m. | coffee chat | Fariner Bakery, 120 N 14th St
A relaxed, midday conversation with Salt Creek Song Festival artists. These informal chats offer a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process, upcoming performances, and the stories that inspire the music.

2-3 p.m. | open rehearsal – Empty Chairs | St. Stephen’s Episcopal, 1501 Adams Street

7-8 p.m. | performance – Empty Chairs | St. Stephen’s Episcopal, 1501 Adams Street
Empty Chairs offers a deeply moving and reflective evening of song centered on remembrance, loss, and the enduring power of storytelling through music. The program features Songs for Murdered Sisters by Jake Heggie, performed by baritone Jared Hiscock and pianist Zachary Peterson. This powerful work honors the lives of women lost to violence, giving voice to stories that are at once personal, urgent, and profoundly human. Due to the sensitive nature of the subject matter, adults may wish to learn more about the song cycle before choosing to bring young people.

Thursday, May 21

12-1 p.m. | coffee chat | Fariner Bakery, 120 N 14th St
A relaxed, midday conversation with Salt Creek Song Festival artists. These informal chats offer a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process, upcoming performances, and the stories that inspire the music.

2-3 p.m. | open rehearsal – Borrowed Perspectives | St. Stephen’s Episcopal, 1501 Adams Street

7-8 p.m. | performance – Borrowed Perspectives | St. Stephen’s Episcopal, 1501 Adams Street
Borrowed Perspectives invites audiences into an intimate exploration of how we see one another and ourselves. Featuring Watching Glass by Douglas Knehans and Moments in Sonder by B.E. Boykin, this program weaves together themes of identity, empathy, and inner life. Performed by mezzo-soprano Noami Brigell and pianist Eva Nikolaidou, the evening offers a nuanced and deeply human musical experience.

8-9 p.m. | after hours | Willow Point Gallery, 1431 Silver Street

Friday, May 22

12-1 p.m. | coffee chat | Fariner Bakery, 120 N 14th St
A relaxed, midday conversation with Salt Creek Song Festival artists. These informal chats offer a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process, upcoming performances, and the stories that inspire the music.

2-3 p.m. | open rehearsal – Genius Child | St. Stephen’s Episcopal, 1501 Adams Street

7-8 p.m. | performance – Genius Child | St. Stephen’s Episcopal, 1501 Adams Street
Featuring the song cycle Genius Child by Ricky Ian Gordon, set to poetry by Langston Hughes, the program captures moments of observation, imagination, and resilience one might witness from a city stoop, watching the world go by.

Saturday, May 23

12-1 p.m. | coffee chat | Fariner Bakery, 120 N 14th St
A relaxed, midday conversation with Salt Creek Song Festival artists. These informal chats offer a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process, upcoming performances, and the stories that inspire the music.

2-3 p.m. | open rehearsal – Fields of Wonder | St. Stephen’s Episcopal, 1501 Adams Street

7-8 p.m. | performance – Fields of Wonder | St. Stephen’s Episcopal, 1501 Adams Street
Featuring Two Landscapes by Srul Irving Glick and Fields of Wonder by Robert Owens, this final concert of the week explores the connection between place, memory, and imagination through lyrical and expressive song. Performed by tenor Sam Grosby and pianist Stacie Hanline, the evening offers a reflective and uplifting conclusion to the festival.