Meet Amanda McKay-Rabe, Events Manager at Talon Room (talonroom.com).

Tell us a little about your business. – The Talon Room is located in the old Spaghetti Works building downtown Lincoln. With its rich heritage and charm, we are more equipped than ever to execute the event of your dreams. We have a variety of price ranges to fit every budget and event type. Our main focus is all-inclusive wedding weekends, including the rehearsal dinner, ceremony and reception. Our second focus is corporate events such as full-day meetings, luncheons, continuing educations, client appreciation events and holiday parties. We are also perfectly located for your Husker tailgate event. Or, let us bring our bar and/or offsite catering to you for your wedding reception, business after-hours, outdoor event or other destination where you’ll need to arrange for one.

How did you get started in the business? – I grew up watching my Mom work, mainly as a second job, in the service industry to make ends meet as a single mother while raising me and my two siblings. She even worked at the Nebraska Club in their early days. At 14 years old, I started working at the OG Amigos on 55th and O St. and worked there throughout high school. I continued to work in the service industry, as a second job, over the last 20 years at various local establishments while working full-time during the day in office management, sales and customer service for mostly nonprofit organizations in the Lincoln community. I am excited to combine all my previous career experiences together as the new Events Manager at the Talon Room in order to provide the best experience for our clients and guests.

Tell us a little about your family. – I recently married my husband, Dave, in August 2023. He works in the landscaping business and is also a volunteer DJ at KZUM 89.3FM on Thursday mornings hosting The Slacker Morning Show. We have two adorable cats, Etta and Mavis, who have us wrapped around their little cat paws on the daily. My amazing daughter, Morgan, is in her junior year of nursing at Methodist College in Omaha.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Rest, relax and recharge as we give our absolute all at Talon Room to make sure our events are the best they can be! I also enjoy spending time with family and friends, and supporting music and arts in the downtown scene. You can often find me catching some live music at the world famous Zoo Bar… where I also fill in as guest bartender on occasion.

What local nonprofit organizations are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – I have been fortunate to be involved with so many amazing nonprofits in our community it is hard to choose just one. Since joining the Talon Room team I have been impressed with how we support nonprofits, from donating leftovers on Tuesdays to the Gathering Room after hosting Lincoln’s Downtown Rotary Club meetings, to offering a 50% discount to nonprofits hosting events. Giving back to our community is a huge passion of mine and I love being part of a local business who believes in giving back as much as possible.

What is your favorite local Lincoln restaurant? – Vincenzo’s… the Chicken Soto cannot be beat!

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Taylor Swift… I’m currently obsessed! I’m anxiously waiting for a Swiftie to come my way and book her special day at the Talon Room.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – amanda@talonroom.com | (402) 499-5191 | talonroom.com