August 15 in Omaha @ the Slowdown

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Time for something new, fun, and, FUN. At the Slowdown on Friday, you’ll get to see two great local acts, Thunder Power and Midwest Dilemma. It’s Thunder Power’s CD release show and you WANT this one! Also playing is These United States out of D.C. with a good straight ahead folk rock base-sound and punk feel. There are enough articles out there telling you how they sound, but I’m gonna just tell you to get your booty there and spend the 5 bucks! The venue is awesome, the music is great, and you were just gonna buy 2 forties of Magnum with that 5-spot anyways.

Go get drunk on some indie!

Omaha Symphony is not Just Classical anymore

When you think of the Omaha Symphony, what comes to mind – A massive violin section with booming membranophones and a wonderful plethora of perfectly placed wind instrumentation? ME TOO! I was fortunate enough to get hooked on classical music with field trips to the Orpheum while I was in grade school. As I got older, I was overjoyed by their accompaniment at local operas and musicals. But if you look closer, there is so much more to this organization.

The Omaha Symphony is a non-profit organization which oversees many of the events held at the Orpheum Theater in Omaha as well as the new, state-of-the-art, Holland Performing Arts Center. This amazing cncert hall, which opened late 2005 became an instant hit because of its methodical seating arrangement and, more importantly its ‘perfect’ acoustics. Because it is so awesome, why not bring in acts like, The Beach Boys, Roberta Flack, Englebert Humperdink, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy to rock it out live!

Besides the events and the managing of the Omaha Symphony Orchestra, they also have a great program for local kids. Their site explains, ”The Omaha Symphony is dedicated to and invested in creating and maintaining accessible musical opportunities for every classroom in our community.” This alone gives us locals a reason to start paying more attention to the Omaha Symphony.

So, I say you should visit their site and buy some season tickets!! If you’re too busy for that, you can simply give a charitable donation to make sure they can afford to keep bringing all of this wonderful-ness to Omaha. Also, be sure to get out there and support your other favorite local performers around town. There is still a lot of summer left and no reason to stop getting out there and having a good time right here in our hometown!

So, my blog followers….

So, my blog followers. I didn’t have a lot of time to do much research to this week but I wanna let you know I’m gonna have a new blog very soon so make sure to look for updates of live local music. I know there’s some great stuff going on this weekend, Saturday night at the Saddle Creek Bar. Also tonight, Tuesday night, Shea Riley’s, Shoot Your Mouth Off, always a great time. Make sure to check this out. All my websites links and contact information are under the contact tab of this site. I’d love to hear from ya!

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Really BIG Shows

The Omaha metro has become a great place for large acts of all types to perform. Music fans of all ages can find something they like at an arena-style venue with huge production value. For the kiddies, the Jonas Brothers (yesterday at the Qwest Center); their parents, Dave Matthews Band (tonight at the Qwest Center); and their parents, Journey, Cheap Trick, and Heart (tonight at the Mid-America Center). The 40 and 50 somethings are actually being targeted very hard these weeks with Tom Petty and Lyle Lovett recently rockin out old school. Omaha fans of ALL ages went to those shows.

Because of a recent storm you may all remember, the Willie Nelson concert had to be moved and I know plenty of twenty-somethings that were very relieved he was able to reschedule. The point of my rambling? – Omaha not only pulls in great acts, they receive them very well. That reception by people of all ages is an integral part in getting these greats to return. Also, I wanted to approach this subject in case the readers were wondering if I was only into local indie music. I like it all. If I was a musician, packing arenas and selling two million albums would be great. I don’t discriminate based on the money a musician makes or does not make, unlike so many music snobs. If it’s good music, it’s good music. Even some of the guys and gals playing on the street in the old market have talent. That just shows how many places there are to find awesomeness in our fine city.

So, for the classic rockers and classic country lovers, there are a few more really big shows coming to the Qwest Center and Mid America Center. Let me know how those go. As far as the local stuff, every night of the week has something in store. Seek and you will find!

More Quality Bang-For-Your-Entertainment Buck!

It’s still July and less snow means more action!  The only problem with having too much going on around town is trying to decide what to do.  There is only one me and I, like many of you, want to see every quality show I can. Last Saturday, I was fortunate enough to see a great up-and-coming metal band from San Diego, Souljourners at the Saddle Creek Bar. That same night, there was a free show in memorial park that I heard was very quality featuring Feist, Juana Molina, and The Good Life. Anyone notice how larger events are becoming more frequent and local bands are becoming such a large part of the success of those events?

I am part of the school of thought that believes Omaha is on its way up in the music world and won’t peak for 10 years at least. If you need proof of this, go to the OEA summer showcase on Friday night and you’ll see what I mean. Almost 40 bands at 6 venues right in the heart of Benson! And, since I am cheap, would like to mention that this night of wild local entertainment is only 10 bucks!! Also, this is a night for you, the spectator, to be a critic. Really pay close attention and decide for yourself which bands you like best and why you liked them. Then in the winter, you, the audience, will get to nominate and vote for your favorites to win big at the Omaha Entertainment Awards.

Much more fun stuff out there than I could possibly mention, you just have to look for it. I like to start by checking SLAM Omaha. There are two popular free entertainment publications to check as well. If you are  adventurous enough to try something new, check out Jazz on the Green at Joslyn because it is a great excuse to get outside, crack open a bottle of wine and learn to appreciate a true American art form. *I assume you are in the learning stage only if you haven’t been to this 24 year mainstay event before!*

If you prefer something more folk/ rock, check out the Saddle Creek Bar this Thursday for Bret Saxon, Platte River Rain, Spiders for Love, and up-and-comer Patrick Langdon. I’ll be there doing what I do and the beer is oh so cheap! Speaking of cheap beer, how about FREE? Yes, that’s right, free beer tomorrow night, Tuesday, July 15 for those of age at Shea Riley’s! This special event is in recognition for Shoot Your Mouth Off’s 4 year anniversary party and is featuring Platte River Rain! NO COVER!!!

Let me know what you think about my page so far and if you think I’m not covering something I should, send me an email or leave a comment! Have a great week!

Summertime, and the Rockin’s Easy (and free)

There is just way too much to do this month. It’s getting to the point where I need an entertainment consultant to learn my personal preferences, prioritize them based on a complex algorithm and choose what’s best for me to do each night.  (Check out the Reader, City Weekly or SLAM Omaha and you’ll get the inside skinny on what’s to come.) These shows don’t hurt the wallet too much either. Tonight alone, there are 3 FREE shows guaranteed to please. Brad Hoshaw’s “Viva La Vinyl” @ Barley Street Tavern, Mick’s open mic acoustic night, and Shoot Your Mouth Off II @ Shea Riley’s.

Shows that are free (or close to free) can send a message that they are not high quality, but that is definitely not true. Just as the recording industry has been flipped on it’s head with free and cheap downloads getting popular, live musicians have found a way to perform to crowds for a minimal cost to the spectator and still make the money they deserve. Sometimes, there is no direct payment, but more people are exposed to the music because there is less barrier to entry. This means entertainers can sell more t-shirts, albums, downloads, and gain the popularity it takes to share a bill with larger touring acts. Once momentum is built, sponsorships become possible.

Another element here is that Omaha itself is full of ‘hungry’ and talented musicians, comedians, and artists of all types who are just having a great time doing what they love. And the crowds are showing up to participate in this uprising. With the economy in shambles and civil/political confusion happening, we need to get out there and express/enjoy/extend ourselves more. So get out there and have a great time, for free!

And let me know what shows you are going to and also which ones you’ve liked best so far. I’d love to hear more about the shows that I missed. Also, I will post pictures, mp3s, and videos here if they represent what’s great about the Omaha entertainment scene.

More Resources to check out:

Good local blog I found:  Omahype

Great local podcast:  WorldsOfWayne

So Glad to Be in Omaha

A lot of national recognition for Omaha last month. The music scene is one of the main drivers of this attention. First, SPIN magazine has a great section called “Rock City“, pg 118, which features local bands like Sarah Benck & the Robbers, The Show is the Rainbow, Outlaw con Bandana, Ladyfinger, Tilly and The Wall, and Simon Joyner. Now, I’m a Benson/North O/Downtown kid, and I think it’s perfect that my hoods are represented with fitting captions about the Slowdown, The Waiting Room, and Barley Street Tavern. There’s even a great short about The Cog Factory. I can’t tell you how many awesome punk fights started there when I was 16 and drinking like a fish.

Sarah Benck & the Robbers should be of particular interest, as they are in the running to be a fan pick for Lollapalooza. It’s called Last Band Standing, and votes can be cast from one email each day. Today is the first day of round 3 and that means you can vote 14 times from each email address. Tell your friends and send them this link! http://www.sonicbids.com/lollapalooza08/BandProfile.aspx?candidate_id=5311

Omaha was also selected as #3 in the country on the list of Best Places to Live, Work, and Play. Check it out and you’ll see that they mention Film Streams, the Slowdown, and the Holland Performing Arts Center. THey point out how unique, yet well polished our city has become. And for those of you who think we are just an Indie-Rock place that should change our name to Emo-ha, just look at the entry in Wikipedia for Music of Omaha and you’ll learn just how much our musicians shape the scene all over the world. Without a doubt, this town is blowing up!

If you’re wondering where the next best (and already best) are performing tonight, come to Shea RIley’s for Shoot Your Mouth Off! Soon, this show will be mentioned nationally as it is capturing the essence of Omaha’s true underground musicians, comedians, and spoken word artists. Thanks for stopping by today and don’t forget, entertainment means nothing without the fans. So– go out and be entertained!

Tuesday @ Shoot Your Mouth Off

By now, you’ve read a little about this show. You’ve visited the website. You’ve seen the videos and heard some of the old podcasts. Do not fear, we are uploading new videos and more material soon. But have you ever been to the show? It is so much fun and unique that it can only be experienced, not explained. Tomorrow will be a great one with many people coming in after short hiatuses. That means refreshment! The beer is also a great refreshment. That’s twice the refreshment for your Tuesday.

So bring some friends and get ready to be entertained by the best local comedians, musicians, spoken word artists, and professional crazies Omaha has to offer.

If you’ve been to the show, post a comment about your experience. If not, post a question or even a rant!

Hope to see you there tomorrow, Tuesday, June 24, 2008!

The Best Free Show in Omaha!

As the sound guy and co-producer of “Shoot Your Mouth Off“, I get to talk with all types of entertainers and get to watch them perform before they get famous. What’s even better, is established performers from around the country love our show and come feature while they pass through. (Ever heard of Buddy Wakefield , Amy Steinberg , JW Baz , or Hector Anchondo ?)

Our mission is to bring musicians, comedians, spoken word artists, and unique entertainers of all types to a venue where they can express themselves in any way they choose. From the Keats-lovers to the Bill Hicks followers, we let it all hang out at SYMO. Check out our myspace (http://www.myspace.com/shootyourmouthoff) and be our friend to get updates. We will be posting more videos soon.

If you would like to perform at our show, just come on in and sign up. We are mostly an open mic and we have featured performers as well. If you live far from Omaha, send us your videos and/or audio and we might feature you! Hit me up if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Josh The Sound Guy