THE READER - EL PERICO OMAHA JUNE 2021

J UN E 2021 | volU M E 28 | IS S UE 4

Concerts are Coming Back musicians and venues are “extremely ready” to bring live music back Story by

Alex Preston

JOBS: Worker Shortage NEWS: St Francis / foster Care System Culture: EQUITY IN ARTS DISH: Trucks & Taps CULTURE: PRIDE HooDoo: Ready for Live Music FILM: Summer Film Schedule Preview FILM REVIEW: St Maud HEARTLAND HEALING: Entheogens: Facing God OVER THE EDGE: Sokol Auditorium to become The Admiral Theater PLUS: PICKS, COMICS, CROSSWORD EL PERICO: ¡Viva CINCO DE MAYO! | El latino que luchó por montar su barbería en su garaje | Fotos Sociales // Social Photos

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June 2021

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JOBS: Workers Leaving Restaurant Industry Amid Labor Shortage

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NEWS: The Downward Spiral of Nebraska’s Private Foster Care?

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CULTURE: Centering Equity in the Arts

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publisher/editor........... John Heaston john@thereader.com graphic designers........... Ken Guthrie Albory Seijas news..........................Robyn Murray copy@thereader.com lead reporter............... Chris Bowling chris@thereader.com associate publisher.... Karlha Velásquez karlha@el-perico.com creative coordinator...... Lynn Sánchez lynn@pioneermedia.me

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

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MUSIC: Concerts are Coming Back

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PICKS: Cool Things To Do in June

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DISH: Trucks, Taps and the Two Couples Running the Show

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NEWS: LGBTQ+ Community’s Creative Work, Historical Milestones To Be Showcased Online

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HooDoo: Ready for Live Music

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FILM: Summer Film Schedule Preview REVIEW: Saint Maud

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CROSSWORD/COMICS: New Puzzle, Ted Rall, Doonesbury & Ask Jen

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HEARTLAND HEALING: Entheogens: Facing God

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OVER THE EDGE: History in the Making: Sokol Auditorium to become The Admiral Theater OUR DIGITAL MARKETING SERVICES

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Un Cinco de Mayo en Junio Con Marcas de Pandemia // A Cinco de Mayo In June, Marked by the Pandemic

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El Latino Que Luchó por Montar su Barbería en su Garaje // A Latin Man who Struggled to Set Up his Barbershop in a Garage

June 2021

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Mariachis Vuelven al Canto Luego del “Break” Pandémico // Mariachis Sing Again after the Pandemic “Break”

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June 2021

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O M A H A

J O B S

Workers Leaving Restaurant Industry Amid Labor Shortage Omaha restaurants are short-staffed as customers return to dining in

by Alex Preston

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or more than 25 years Nate Reedy worked in bars and restaurants across Omaha, holding various positions from working the door to waiting tables and bartending.

Many of those years were spent “on the bricks,” i.e., in the Old Market.

But after all those years of training and working, everything changed for Reedy and the industry when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down restaurants throughout the country in 2020.

“When the pandemic hit I knew it was time to get out,” Reedy said.

Reedy’s story is common among former workers in the industry.

“There’s a lot of pressure in the food service world to get a ‘real job,’ and that’s the criticism hurled at us constantly,” Reedy said. “We see our friends that graduated college do the nine to five and have their weekends free. We look at that, and we kind of want for it.”

Since leaving the restaurant business, Reedy started working in tech support for a local cable company, which he says has steadier hours and better, more reliable pay.

Luke Jensen is another former restaurant worker who left the industry as a result of the pandemic. For 10 years, Jensen worked back-of-house positions, like washing dishes, for Jones Bros. Cupcakes and Joe’s Crab Shack. He says it wasn’t an easy decision to leave the industry, but his lack of health insurance made it untenable during the pandemic.

“I would have to be here dealing with the pandemic and everything like that, you know, for 40 to 50 hours a week and not have insurance. I’m 28. I can’t not have insurance.” Jensen said.

Jensen also cited insufficient wages as a reason he left. He said the hourly wage for his position was typically around $11 to $12 per hour, which is higher than Nebraska’s minimum wage of $9 per hour. However, he said

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his wages were still insufficient to help him achieve financial stability.

“It would be like, ‘Do I want to pay rent? Or do I want to pay my car insurance?’” he said. “When you’re left with, like, $3 in your bank account for two weeks, it’s pretty rough.”

Another factor driving workers away from the restaurant industry, according to Leah Bifano, a former server and barista, is the physical and mental toll the jobs can have. Restaurants are known for being fast-paced work environments, and that can be exhausting for many workers.

“You can very easily get overworked and burnt out,” Bifano said. “Just dealing with the stress of the job, it burnt me out pretty quickly.”

One factor that some theorize is contributing to the current labor shortage is enhanced unemployment insurance benefits, which paid $600 per week for 26 weeks in 2020. While some people, such as Reedy, were able to rely on unemployment insurance for some time, not everyone was so fortunate. Bifano, for example, was unable to receive unemployment payments due to a dispute with her former employer.

Zoe Olson, executive director of the Nebraska Restaurant Association, wants to dispel the notion that workers aren’t returning to their jobs because they’d rather collect unemployment.

“To say that people in our industry are lazy is just crazy, and it’s insulting,” she said.

Olson said the labor shortage is a vastly complex issue that can’t be boiled down to a single factor like unemployment insurance benefits. One factor she believes is having a major impact is Nebraska’s unemployment rate, which is tied for lowest in the nation at 2.9%.

According to Olson, economists consider an employment rate that low to be a state of full employment.

In other words, there aren’t enough

June 2021

people available to fill the jobs that are open. When the pandemic hit last year, many people in the restaurant industry found jobs in grocery stores, manufacturing, tech support and elsewhere.

Olson says the restaurant association believes immigration reform will be essential to filling current job openings, and they have contacted lawmakers to get the job done. She added that restaurants are offering more benefits, including health insurance and retirement plans, as well as increased wages and signing bonuses to encourage job seekers to fill needed positions.

The labor shortage could be a sign that businesses will have to adapt to become more competitive in hiring.

The pandemic has taught us the true value of people working in the service industry, and businesses will have to show they understand the value of their employees.

“If we deem a job necessary, we need to understand that that’s a real person that needs to be able to work that job, take care of a family, have a home and have health care,” Reedy said.

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N E W S Illustration by Chris Bowling

The Downward Spiral of Nebraska’s Private Foster Care

by Chris Bowling

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hen Nali Knight heard the dollar figure, she couldn’t believe it.

In 2019, a Kansas nonprofit bid to take over Omaha’s foster care system, which had been run by a local contractor for a decade.

What’s more, they promised to do it for 40% less than the previous provider, PromiseShip — a difference of about $144.6 million.

“We basically laughed and said, ‘That will be impossible,’” said Knight, a former caseworker at Heartland Family Service, an Omaha nonprofit that provides counseling and support to kids and families.

That’s started.

where

the

problems

In July of that year, Saint Francis Ministries, an organization with

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operations in six states, won the contract to manage foster care in Nebraska’s eastern service area, which includes Douglas and Sarpy counties and nearly half of the state’s abused and neglected children.

“It seems like the state was more focused on saving money rather than giving quality service to the families and the children,” Knight said.

Months later, the company’s CEO and COO were ousted for mishandling millions in company funds. Nebraska state senators started to investigate the organization after caseworkers complained of illegal workloads. In January 2021, the

June 2021

company’s new CEO told senators if the organization didn’t get more money, it’d have to shut down.

Now a special legislative committee is looking into the issue.

Matt Stephens, vice president of Saint Francis Ministries’ programs in its northern region, said the organization is adjusting through a tough transition, but early statistics published by the state show kids coming out of the

system are returning at lower rates than federal requirements and avoiding retraumatization at rates higher than federal standards.

“Ultimately, if you take that big step back and look at the forest through the trees, all of a sudden you can say in Nebraska in [the eastern service area], children are generally safe in care,” he said.

“Once they leave here, they don’t come back, and so is that the end all be all? I don’t know. It’s what I like to look at from a macro level.”

Knight isn’t buying it. The fiveyear social work veteran said she took on work Saint Francis Ministries’ caseworkers couldn’t handle while dealing with a rotating cast of staff who put her and the kids in a state of instability. And while the nonprofit says better days are coming, others wonder why the

N E W S state took a gamble on its most atrisk kids.

“It seems like the state was more focused on saving money rather than giving quality service to the families and the children,” Knight said.

—————————————————————— The floor of Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh’s office in the Nebraska Legislature is littered with binders, packets and printed emails. Underneath is a worn rug that reads “Family.”

Cavanaugh started looking into Saint Francis Ministries in summer 2020, when she heard complaints of overworked employees, owed money and inadequate services to families.

Knight herself haggled with Saint Francis Ministries for five months over who would pay $100 per month for one of her families to attend therapy, something Saint Francis requested, she said.

Then news stories broke. In 2020 whistleblowers accused top officials of spending company money on hotel and flight upgrades, investing $11 million in a friend’s software company, purchasing $80,000 in Chicago Cubs tickets and paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to harvest a “miracle” food in El Salvador.

Recently news also broke that the company chose not to fire an employee in Hutchinson, Kansas, for distributing nude photos of a fos-

Matt Stephens, Saint Francis Ministries’ vice president of programs in its northern region.

Monika Gross, executive director of Nebraska’s Foster Care Review Office.

Kim Hawekotte, Douglas County’s deputy county administrator for juvenile justice.

ter child’s step mom there, saying the employees actions were protected by free speech.

they have for the most part stabilized and were moving in a good direction.”

“It was stranger than fiction,” Cavanaugh said. “And the [controversies] just kept coming.”

Cavanaugh prioritized a bill to launch a special investigation into the process. A committee was formed and in an unusual move, she was left off of it. She was irate, but ultimately not surprised.

to jumpstart the investigation and hand it over to the special committee in the legislature’s interim.

But Cavanaugh said the process is moving at a glacial pace.

Concerns about Nebraska foster care aren’t uncommon. In 2009 Nebraska switched its child welfare system from public to private.

Five organizations were contracted to work across the state. All but one folded. The remaining organization, which later became the Boys Town-run PromiseShip, operated in Nebraska until 2019.

“Nobody expected that [DHHS] would take it away from PromiseShip, because PromiseShip had its problems, but stabilized,” Cavanaugh said. “I mean, it’s child welfare. There’s always problems. But

“The governor didn’t want this to happen,” she said. “And the people that didn’t vote to put me on the committee appear to answer to the governor. The only reason not to put me on the committee is because the governor didn’t want me on the committee.

There was no other reason.”

A compromise was reached to allow the legislature’s health and human services committee, of which Cavanaugh is a member,

Sen. Justin Wayne, who’s on the committee, threatened to leave if thing’s didn’t speed up.

“Either we’re going to get serious about investigating what’s going on with Saint Francis and how they’re treating our kids, or we’re not,” he said on 1st Sky Omaha. “If the committee doesn’t want to get serious, I’m not going to waste my time.”

Sen. John Arch, who heads the committee, did not respond to requests for comment. The committee is required to submit a preliminary report by December

Machaela Cavanaugh stands on the 11th floor of the Nebraska Capitol.

Cavanaugh started looking into the state’s contracted foster care agency, Saint Francis Ministries, in the summer of 2020. Red flags started popping up. And they never stopped. “It was stranger than fiction,” she said.

Photo credit: Chris Bowling

June 2021

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N E W S 2021 and a final report by December 2022.

Sen. Cavanaugh doesn’t plan on halting her research, though.

The reason is simple: Nebraska can’t cut corners on how it cares for children who need the most help.

“I am not rooting against the governor or [DHHS] or Saint Francis Ministries,” Cavanaugh said.

“I want everyone to succeed.

Because if they don’t, then it’s the children that are in crisis that are going to suffer.”

—————————————————————— Matt Stephens of Saint Francis Ministries agrees his nonprofit has room for improvement.

“Transitions in a highly complex system like child welfare is not something you can just flip the switch on overnight, especially when you’re moving into different geographic locations or different political climates,” he said. “And so I do think a big part of this is there’s a learning curve for us.

And there’s a little bit of a learning curve from the community.”

The organization has started to accelerate its recruitment efforts, though Stephens couldn’t be specific on when they might bring down caseloads to the state maximum of 17 per person. Less than half met that goal in March.

Stephens said they’re also being transparent about their mistakes, namely the low bid.

Under state law, private organizations have to contract out 65% of their services to local providers.

Saint Francis Ministries’ assumption was they would handle most

of those services internally, which is how they keep costs low in multiple states.

Health and Human Services have been receptive to concerns, the systemic issues have gotten worse.

Stephens understands a lot of people may not believe it, but he said the bid was not intentionally fraudulent.

Gross said part of that is undoubtedly the result of overworking case managers.

After Saint Francis Ministries won the state’s bid, PromiseShip brought this concern, and many others, in an official protest, which was denied days before the contract was signed.

“The reality is I was a part of those meetings,” Stephens said.

“There was nobody that ever said, ‘Let’s go get this work, underbid it and then take over this area.’ The only reason why we want to do this work is because we think that we can do it well.”

The resulting public scrutiny has had an effect on Saint Francis Ministries’ ability to recruit and retain employees, making a tough transition even harder. But patience around that has run out for some.

“In my opinion, they’ve had more than enough time to stabilize,” said Monika Gross, the executive director of the Nebraska Foster Care Office, a state oversight agency. Gross was previously the interim CEO of PromiseShip during its last few months as a contracted provider.

Gross’ office analyzes foster care cases, a job that’s become more difficult since Saint Francis Ministries took over, she said.

Many cases lack documentation or contain case files that read the same page after page, Gross said.

And while Saint Francis Ministries and the state’s Department of

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In a recent report, her office found that 31.7% of kids who received care from Saint Francis Ministries had five or more case managers. This time two years ago, PromiseShip had 18.6% of kids in that bracket, which still is considered unacceptable. ”It leads to a longer period of time in care and just worse outcomes for that child,” Gross said.

“And so that’s kind of where we kind of draw the line and we put it in the red.”

What effect this has on kids is unclear. When The Reader contacted social workers to talk to families and children with experience in the foster care system, many didn’t want to talk.

“I’ve been advised to stay out of the papers on this one,” one person said.

Hawekotte’s seen the issue as an attorney, educator, state employee, county employee and president and general counsel for one of Nebraska’s failed private foster care contractors. From 2013 to 2020 she had Gross’ job holding foster care providers accountable.

While she’s had positive experiences with Saint Francis Ministries in her current role as Douglas County’s deputy county administrator for juvenile justice, and believes Saint Francis has good leadership in place now, she said they’ve got caught in a vicious riptide.

If she’s learned one thing, the longer you sit there, the harder it’s going to be to get back to shore.

“Once you get into that spiral,” she said, “it takes a lot to get out of it.”

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n a c e w do I t!

The community goal is to get everyone who’s eligible immunized. Until then, keep wearing a mask, giving space, and avoiding crowds, even if you’ve had your vaccine. Together, we can keep each other safe and get back to normal.

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines at DoRightRightNow.org DRRN Phase 2 Reader FP_May_VF.indd 1

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C U L T U R E

Centering Equity in the Arts

by Leo Adam Biga

Undesign the Redline, which opened prior to the pandemic, is one example of Union for Contemporary Art’s efforts to center equity in the community discussion. Photo courtesy UCA.

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n April 9 blog by Union for Contemporary Art founder and executive director Brigitte McQueen challenged local arts and culture power-brokers to do better when it comes to equity. Her eloquent exposé took to task a covert group, Arts Omaha, composed of white executive directors of large area institutions.

She argued this exclusionary club enabled by entrenched white supremacy represented larger systemic racism issues. Following her impassioned testimony, the group disbanded. Some members issued statements of regret and apology.

“It made really big waves,” said Kaneko’s executive director, Stephan Grot, who bailed from the group in February. “I think the strength of the language used certainly put a big exclamation point at the end of it.”

Some work to create a more equitable art and culture scene in Omaha is already underway.

ArtStock, a long-standing cohort program now managed by Amplify Arts, offers an inclusive convening space for arts administrators and artists to vision and enact positive change in the arts-culture sector.

Amplify Arts’ executive director, Andy Saladino, said, “It’s a really diverse room. Organizations of all sizes and artists of all identities are able to have a seat at the table.”

Since Amplify Arts took it over

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from the Peter Kiewit Foundation, he said ArtStock has “restructured to purposely combat some of the things problematic about Arts Omaha.”

“It’s purposely transparent, which is why there’s a website, a blog and a list of different projects people are working on. The hope is there will be multiple points of entry for anyone who would like to take an active role in building a stronger sector.”

McQueen going public has centered area equity discussions, which the Union has consistently done over its decade lifespan, most recently with the Undesign the Redline exhibit.

“What I appreciate about Brigitte is that she put it all out there

in the open,” Saladino said. “Yes, it’s messy right now. There is a lot of hurt and mistrust. But it allows us to have candid conversations about what’s holding Omaha’s arts and culture sector back from full activation and success.”

The Rose Theater’s managing director, Julie Walker, credits McQueen for “calling it out and calling people into the work.” Rose artistic director Matt Gutschick said, “That’s made us better.”

There’s more to be done, McQueen emphasizes.

“Arts Omaha was just the tip of the iceberg. There’s also inequity in philanthropy in the way funding is divvied up in support of different cultural institutions. Especially when you look at neighborhoods,”

she said, “there are discrepancies.

We have to figure out what’s working and not working in what have been traditionally, historically oppressive systems. Organizations committed to serving BIPOC communities are not supported in the same way as larger endowed organizations with generations of history and successes to highlight. Until there is greater financial equity for BIPOC-focused and smaller community-based organizations, this will continue to be an issue that impacts our city.”

While encouraged some Arts Omaha leaders have “committed to making changes within their organizations, within themselves to be better supportive of BIPOC staff, artists, patrons and community stakeholders,” she feels some “people are in this push to appear equitable, but not pausing to acknowledge the past harm done and the still faulty system in place.”

“Until we unpack those things,” she added, “any rush to add brown faces to a website, to put up a statement of equity are hollow acts. It’s not enough. That’s the conversation I’m trying to have.”

Julie Walker, managing director at The Rose Theater. Photo courtesy The Rose.

June 2021

Andy Saladino, executive director of Amplify Arts. Photo courtesy Amplify Arts.

The Rose’s Gutschick said organizations like his, which left Arts Omaha, shouldn’t expect a pass.

“Our institutions need to continue to be held accountable to

C U L T U R E

Union for Contemporary Art. Photo courtesy UCA.

the transformation they’re committing to. Accountability is such a huge piece of this. The staff has an enormous role to play in that.”

So do artists, said Saladino.

Witness recent pressure brought against Nebraska Shakespeare to embrace diversity. Amid staff resignations and public criticisms, it cancelled its summer festival.

At McQueen’s urging, the Rose held listening sessions with staff.

She’s called on leaders to take racial equity and anti-oppression training. Many have, but she makes clear organizations are left to their own devices.

She lauds the example of Charlotte, North Carolina’s Arts and Science Council in disclosing its history of inequitable grant giving and implementing a restorative justice remedy.

“That’s the level of work I’m asking from philanthropy. What can we be doing to balance that in some way so that culturally significant institutions in my community have an opportunity to shine and thrive.”

Lack of BIPOC arts administrators locally is another concern McQueen said needs addressing.

“I can make suggestions and ask them to do things, but there is no one to hold them accountable in their work. Each can move through this the way they decide they want to. One of my things is — own what you were a part of.”

“If there are no people of color on your leadership team, what is at play within your organization to keep the people of color you are employing from moving up? What is the level of professional development you have in place to move them forward?”

Arts affinity groups of color may be one check against undue white influence.

In some institutions, she asserts, staff of color are limited to front desk or security jobs.

“I think there is a need for greater unity and a coming together amongst organizations of color,” said McQueen, “because the issues that face our organizations historically are different. There is a need for that focused support, camaraderie and partnership.”

Gutschick believes one key is recruiting more diverse board members.

Saladino expects some affinity groups may emerge from ArtStock.

McQueen said if they do they must “be part of a larger conversation of how organizations are supported and uplifted and where that focus is put.”

“If you’ve got more BIPOC leadership on your board, they can change the organization’s identity and the way it structures itself in very impactful ways.”

He suggests “a primarily white institution won’t remain that way long if it recruits a mostly BIPOC-led board.”

“At the Rose we feel we’re addressing the board piece with a fair

amount of swiftness and intentionality,” he said.

“Prioritizing more racial diversity in our staff and board is a top priority for Opera Omaha right now,” said its general director, Roger Weitz.

Priorities like these were catalyzed by McQueen’s article, which Weitz said “shined a light where that light was needed.”

Kaneko’s Grot said McQueen pointed out “the errors we don’t even see are in front of our faces.”

He added, “We need to step back and rethink the way we are creating our decisions and the groups we are meeting with and understand these systems in place and how not to participate in them again.”

Gutschick said there’s new awareness by him and colleagues that “centering equity” must extend to all decisions an organization makes.

“We are not quite at a point where equity is the center of every single conversation we have. That’s the next phase for us.”

McQueen appreciates the reflection and education occurring.

“I feel like those conversations, particularly in philanthropy, have been very uplifting and have given me a sense of hope for what is to come for this sector.”

“Unfortunately,” Gutschick said, some donors resist “pursuing this work.”

“That’s a flaw in the system — where people of means seemingly have a huge piece of the agenda.”

The solution to that outsized influence, he said, is that organizations like his “simply need to be braver.”

“We need to trust the community will catch us if we fall from folks who don’t share that value system and aren’t going to write us checks — that somebody’s going to pick up the slack if we are doing the right thing.”

ArtStock, Saladino said, helps undo Omaha’s “closed-door, topdown decision-making” that tends toward “elite and exclusive.”

But Saladino said ArtStock is only part of a solution to “building a better sector where everyone has a voice in promoting unity, innovation and progress.”

For real change to take hold, Gutschick said, “personal transformation and institutional commitments and action-tracking need to be in balance — the journey individually and institutionally need to be linked.”

McQueen agrees, saying, “I believe the work of making the sector more equitable begins with a commitment made by each organization to embrace a DEIA philosophy that runs throughout every aspect of the work they’re doing. I believe it needs to start from within our organizations and move outward to encompass and support the sector, our artists, patrons and stakeholders.”

June 2021

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M U S I C

Concerts are Coming Back

To Gather or Not to Gather?

That is the Question.

by Chris Bowling he CDC now says vaccinated people don’t have to wear masks indoors. New COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths in Nebraska are at their lowest points since the pandemic began. We’re practically bathed in the light at the end of this long, dark, twisting, (did I mention long?) tunnel.

But wait, weren’t we supposed to get to 60-70% community vaccinations before we returned to “normal?” As of this writing, less than half of Douglas County residents (of all ages) are vaccinated. So what are we supposed to do?

Going to a live music show is a risk, but it is possible to safely attend shows, just as there have been ways to safely do other activities through the pandemic.

Mask wearing, staying in if you feel sick and social distancing have been good tools up until now, and until we reach herd immunity they’ll undoubtedly continue to be a part of our lives.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION by KGB

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After a year of empty stages, musicians and venues are “extremely ready” to bring live music back

by Alex Preston | Photos by Chris Bowling

T

here is perhaps no sight more heartbreaking to music fans than an empty stage.

Over the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic made it practically impossible for Omaha’s concert venues to host events.

The best solution, though, is to get your friends and family vaccinated. If we hit herd immunity, you don’t have to read disclaimers like this in your local alt newspaper. And your local alt newspaper writer doesn’t have to play scientist. We can get back to covering Omaha’s music and culture scenes.

But more than a year into the pandemic, the end is in sight, and venues are reopening their doors for concertgoers. Thanks to many positive signs, including lower cases of COVID-19 in the community and increasing rates of vaccination, venue owners believe they can safely host shows again, which is generating a lot of excitement for musicians and fans.

But that day hasn’t come yet. We’re still dealing with this whether we like it or not. So, as you consider attending live shows, do your research, listen to the scientists and consider the safety of your friends, family and neighbors.

“We’re active beings, you know. We want to get back in those things that make us feel good,” said Marcey Yates, executive director and founder of Culxr House, an event center and community hub in North Omaha.

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The relief of live music returning is much needed for venue

June 2021

Musician Dereck Higgins suspects people are “jumping the gun” by having concerts already, but he’s looking forward to playing shows again in the fall. owners and managers after struggling through the last year. Not only did the lack of concerts take an emotional toll, but they created severe financial hardship.

Many venues, including Slowdown and The Waiting Room Lounge, had to rely on federal as-

sistance, such as PPP loans, to stay afloat. Additionally, venues are still expecting help from Shuttered Venue Operator Grants, or SVOGs, which are offering more than $16 billion for shuttered venues and are administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration. However,

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M U S I C

Jason Kulbel, who owns Slowdown, said music venues urgently need relief.

Marc Leibowitz, co-owner of The Waiting Room, said those funds have yet to be distributed.

“We’re broke, and I mean broke, broke, broke,” said Jason Kulbel, owner of Slowdown.

“We’re just kind of going into debt, thinking, hoping, that the SVOG money actually does come through.”

Kulbel says SVOG is a great program and he believes the funds will provide much-needed relief, as it is perfectly designed for live music venues like Slowdown.

For musicians, the lack of opportunities to perform has been disappointing, but many have tried to find other means of expressing their creativity. Similarly to other professions, artists have found ways to work from home, including recording new music, performing on live streams and exploring other artistic mediums.

Such was the case for 2021 OEAA Artist of the Year winner Dereck Higgins. Over the past year, the 65-year-old musician known for his bass-playing skills has used his time working from home to explore his other artistic interests.

“I’m a multi-disciplinarian when it comes to art. I do visual art, besides playing in bands,” Higgins said. “So for me, when COVID hit, I think really, the primary thing that changed for me was not doing gigs.”

But while having concerts return is a relief for people through-

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Dan Brennan, production manager at Slowdown, said returning to work has been an adjustment.

out the music industry, the process of bringing back concerts has not been easy. Kulbel said Slowdown started easing back into hosting shows in April, putting on a handful of concerts. He said the most difficult part has been getting patrons to cooperate with venue rules regarding social distancing and wearing face masks.

Leibowitz said The Waiting Room has had similar problems with concertgoers during recent shows, and he believes these troubles can be attributed to the lack of oversight from government health officials at every level.

“The biggest problem in this whole process has been a lack of federal guidance or state guidance or county guidance or anything.

None of them agree. Every state has a different policy than the other, and that’s hurt the music industry for sure,” he said.

Kulbel said he’d much rather have clear-cut rules and regulations for reopening venues, rather than uncertain suggestions from different government agencies. He described the current guidelines for reopening as “impossible” and “unworkable” due to many people’s lack of interest in following establishment rules.

In addition to following health officials’ regulations for reopening, venues have their own standards to meet to make sure they’re ready to host live events again after being inactive for several months.

“We have to make sure we have the personnel, our equipment is

June 2021

Marcey Yates sits in the garage of Culxr House, a venue and community meeting space that he founded on N. 24th STREET.

up to date, our software and internet are good. It’s all those little things. That’s what it’s gonna take for us to make sure our events are efficient and effective,” Yates said.

Even under the trying circumstances of preparing to return, the industry is pushing ahead, and some venue staff are returning to their jobs. Kulbel and Leibowitz both said they had to make significant cuts to their staffing, but those who have returned are happy to be working again.

Dan Brennan, production manager at Slowdown, recently returned to his job, and he said it’s been an adjustment getting used to new working conditions and enforcing establishment rules for performers and patrons. Brennan’s role at Slowdown is very involved, handling sound and lights during concerts, as well as hospitality for visiting bands.

“It was really uncomfortable at first, being around lots of people, but I think, in time, those things kind of just iron themselves out,” Brennan said. “When I got vaccinated, I felt way more comfortable being around other people.”

Brennan said the most difficult part of his job since returning has been getting some performers to adhere to Slowdown’s COVID-19 safety protocols. He recounted one instance in which a performer said he wanted to punch the face of whoever wrote their policy.

Despite the venues’ hardships and the challenges they’ve faced while re-opening, there are plenty

of reasons to be optimistic about live music making its comeback.

After a year of quarantining, distancing and isolation, everyone — from fans and musicians to the venues and their staff — are ready to get back to doing what they love.

Even with the possibility of COVID-19 cases going up again, Leibowitz sees little chance of regression.

“Shows definitely are coming back. By fall things are going to look pretty normal. The shows will be full; the capacities will be full,” he said. “I don’t see things going backward. I see things moving forward.”

No one in the music industry is more eager for live shows to return than the musicians themselves. Being able to share their songs and entertain audiences with their performances is why they love what they do.

Higgins said he’s still hesitant to play any shows this summer, and he has some concern that people are jumping the gun. While he’s declined opportunities to perform in the next few months, he said he has a show booked for September opening for California punk band Agent Orange.

“I love audience contact, but it’s too soon for that, as far as I’m concerned. I’m glad it looks like things are moving in the right direction,” he said. “I hope that what they’ve been doing turns out that they were right, that it was OK to go ahead and start playing. People are extremely ready to play.”

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M U S I C

Summer Concerts in Omaha Through Labor Day

By Alex Preston

June 9 Reverend Horton Heat (solo) and Dale Watson (solo) Barnato Lounge 225 N. 170th St. • 8 p.m.

• Tickets $20 - $400

• 10 p.m. show / Doors July 10 open 9 p.m.

High Heel • Tickets $10 Saturdays at Stinson Concert Series June 26 Stinson Park, Aksarben Jon Pardi Village Stir Cove Concert Series 2285 S. 67th St. Harrah’s Council Bluffs • 7 p.m.

Casino and Hotel • FREE June 10 June 19 1 Harrahs Blvd.

Adam Doleac Big Wade and Black • 8 p.m.

July 15 • Tickets $55 - $89 Barnato Lounge Swan Theory Vincent Herring and 225 N. 170th St. The Jewell The Celebration of • 8 p.m.

1030 Capitol Ave. June 26 June 4 Life Ensemble • 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Dance of a ParAlexis Arai y Su Grupo • Tickets $15 - $350 rothead (Jimmy Jazz on the Green shows Latino Buffet tribute) and Turner Park at Midtown June 10

• Tickets $15 The Jewell Rhythm Collective Crossing June 15 Michael “Gooch” 1030 Capitol Ave. Holland Center Out3100 Farnam St. June 19 Guciullo Quintet Samantha Fish • Doors open at 5 p.m. doors, East Lawn • Pre-show at 6:30 The Waiting Room Omaha Freedom • 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. The Jewell 1200 Douglas St. p.m.

1030 Capitol Ave. Lounge Festival shows • 7 p.m.

• 7:30 p.m. show / 6212 Maple St. Malcolm X Memorial • 7 p.m.

• Tickets $15 Lawn opens 5 p.m.

• Tickets $15 • 7 p.m.

Foundation Amphi- • Tickets $60 - $165 theatre • FREE • Tickets $25 ADV / June 4 3448 Evans St. June 10 $30 DOS Hairball ROCKS • Free from noon to 5 July 16 Tab Benoit with WhisJuly Ralston Arena key Bayou Review p.m.

Urban Delight and June 17 7300 Q St. July 1 featuring Alastair

• Concert at 6:30 p.m. the Horns of Bruce Katz Band • All ages Greene • Tickets $25 GA / $50 The Mezcal Brothers Plenty The Jewell • 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 Dam Bar & Grill Slowdown VIP Friday Night Concert 1030 Capitol Ave. p.m.

151 Freedom Park Road 729 N. 14th St. Series

• 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

• Tickets $25 GA / $30 • Presented by Blues • Main room, all ages June 19 Rockbrook Village shows Club Society of Omaha • 7 p.m.

Darius Rucker 2800 S. 110 Ct. • Tickets • Tickets $25 ADV / Stir Cove Concert Series • Outdoor stage • 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. $15 June 4-5

• 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. $30 DOS Harrah’s Council Bluffs • FREE Billy McGuigan Casino and Hotel June 18 with the Omaha July 2 June 12 1 Harrahs Blvd.

July 16 Little Big Town Symphony Kaylyn Sahs Band Kelley Hunt High Heel Stir Cove Concert Series • 8 p.m.

Holland Center OutFriday Night Concert The Jewell

• Tickets $68 $99 Live on the Lake Harrah’s Council Bluffs doors, East Lawn Series 1030 Capitol Ave. Zorinsky Lake Casino and Hotel 1200 Douglas St. Rockbrook Village • 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. 1 Harrahs Blvd.

June 24 705 Riverfront Drive • 7:30 p.m.

2800 S. 110 Ct. shows Kris Lager Band & • 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• 8 p.m.

• Tickets $20 - $89 • Tickets $20 Hector Anchondo • 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• FREE • Tickets $65 - $89 • FREE Band June 5 June 11 Slowdown July17 June 18 Blues & Balloons July 8 Danielle Bradbery Skid Row The Lao Tizer Quintet 729 N. 14th St. Festival • Outdoor beer garden Sammy Figueroa Latin Stir Cove Concert Series featuring Eric Soaring Wings Vineyard Barnato Lounge Jazz Ensemble 225 N. 170th St. • 5:30 p.m. show / Harrah’s Council Bluffs Marienthal and Brewing Jazz on the Green • 8 p.m.

Doors open 5 p.m.

Casino and Hotel The Jewell 17111 S. 138th St., Turner Park at Midtown

• Tickets $30 $500

• FREE 1 Harrahs Blvd.

1030 Capitol Ave. Springfield Crossing • 8 p.m.

• 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.

• Featuring Ninja 3110 Farnam St. June 11 June 25 • Tickets tbd shows Funk, Mississippi

• Pre-show at 6:30 Mere Shadows – ReUSAF Raptor

• Tickets $25 Heat & Torzo Cannon cord Release Show p.m.

Friday Night Concert July 22 • 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

• 7:30 p.m. show / Series Curley Taylor & June 18 • Tickets $20 for ages Reverb Lounge 6121 Military Ave. Lawn opens 5 p.m.

Rockbrook Village Zydeco Trouble Tiny Music (songs from 12-20 / $30 for 21+ • With The Broke Loose • FREE 2800 S. 110 Ct. Jazz on the Green the Stone Temple and Solid Goldberg • 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Turner Park at Midtown Pilots) & Infinite June 5 • 9 p.m. show / Doors July 8 Crossing Sadness (Smashing • FREE Rhythm Collective open 8 p.m.

Steve Earle & The 3100 Farnam St. Pumpkins tribute) Taste Of Omaha, • Tickets $8 Dukes June 26 • Pre-show at 6:30 The Waiting Room Elmwood Park The Waiting Room Ananias Montegue p.m.

Lounge 802 S. 60th St. June 11 Lounge and The Fellow • 7:30 p.m. show / 6212 Maple St. • 3:30 p.m. ship Band Gooch and the Guys 6212 Maple St. Lawn opens 5 p.m.

• 7 p.m.

• FREE The Jewell Friday Night Concert • 8 p.m. show / Doors • FREE • Tickets $12 1030 Capitol Ave. Series open 7 p.m.

ADV / $15 DOS June 5 • 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. • Tickets $40 ADV / Rockbrook Village July 23

Heartland Boogie shows 2800 S. 110 Ct. $45 DOS Gringo Brothers June 18 Band • Tickets $15 • 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Friday Night Concert Texas Moon Saturdays at Stinson • FREE July 9 Series Friday Night Concert Concert Series June 26 Lemon Fresh Day Rockbrook Village Series Stinson Park, Aksarben Personics June 12 Live on the Lake 2800 S. 110 Ct. Rockbrook Village Village Saturdays at Stinson Marigold (Foo Zorinsky Lake • 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

2800 S. 110 Ct. 2285 S. 67th St. Concert Series Fighters tribute) with • 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

705 Riverfront Drive • FREE • 7 p.m.

Stinson Park, Aksarben Hashpipe (Weezer

• 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• FREE • FREE Village tribute) • FREE July 23 2285 S. 67th St. The Waiting Room Stan and the Chain June 18-19 June 5

• 7 p.m.

Lounge July 9 Gang The Doo Wop Project Juke Butter

• FREE 6212 Maple St. Shasta’s Blastazs Live on the Lake Holland Center OutThe Jewell doors, East Lawn • 7 p.m.

Friday Night Concert Zorinsky Lake 1030 Capitol Ave. 1200 Douglas St. June 26 Series 705 Riverfront Drive • Doors open at 5 p.m. • Tickets $12 ADV /

• 7:30 p.m.

Digital Leather with DJ $15 DOS Rockbrook Village • 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• 6:30 and 9:30 p.m.

• Tickets $20 - $89 WaffLEZ 2800 S. 110 Ct. • FREE shows The Sydney June 12 • 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Tickets $15 June 19 5918 Maple St. • FREE July 29

JUNE

June 3 Cajun Fest w/ Gerard Delafose and the Zydeco Gators Stocks n Bonds 8528 Park Dr. • Presented by Blues Society of Omaha • 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• Tickets $15

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Andrew Bailie and Aly Peeler Saturdays at Stinson Concert Series Stinson Park, Aksarben Village 2285 S. 67th St. • 7 p.m.

• FREE

June 13 Jenny Tolman Barnato Lounge 225 N. 170th St. • 7 p.m.

• Tickets $15 - $250

June 2021

eNVy Saturdays at Stinson Concert Series Stinson Park, Aksarben Village 2285 S. 67th St. • 7 p.m.

• FREE

Curtis Stigers Jazz on the Green Turner Park at Midtown Crossing 3110 Farnam St. • Pre-show at 6:30 p.m.

• 7:30 p.m. show / Lawn opens 5 p.m.

• FREE July 30 Delta 88s Friday Night Concert Series Rockbrook Village 2800 S. 110 Ct. • 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• FREE July 30 Taxi Driver Live on the Lake Zorinsky Lake 705 Riverfront Drive • 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• FREE July 31 Maha Music Festival Stinson Park, Aksarben Village 2285 S. 67th St. Announced so far: • Khruangbin • Thundercat • Japanese Breakfast • Drive-By Truckers • Shovels & Rope • Matt Cox & the Marauders • Edem Soul Music • Dirt House • J. Crum • Kethro • Crabrangucci

August August 1 Taylor Scott Band Reverb Lounge 6121 Military Ave. • 5 p.m. show / Doors open 4 p.m.

• Tickets $15 ADV / $18 DOS August 7 Finest Hour Saturdays at Stinson Concert Series Stinson Park, Aksarben Village 2285 S. 67th St. • 7 p.m.

• FREE August 14 Brothers Osborne Stir Cove Concert Series Harrah’s Council Bluffs Casino and Hotel 1 Harrahs Blvd.

• 8 p.m.

• Tickets $49 - $75 August 14 The 70s Band Saturdays at Stinson Concert Series Stinson Park, Aksarben Village 2285 S. 67th St.

• 7 p.m.

• FREE August 14 Petfest 2021 Petshop 2725 N. 62nd St. • All ages • 2 p.m.

• Tickets $20 ADV / $25 DOS August 14 Built To Spill The Waiting Room Lounge 6212 Maple St. • 8 p.m.

• Tickets $25 August 21 Bluehouse Saturdays at Stinson Concert Series Stinson Park, Aksarben Village 2285 S. 67th St. • 7 p.m.

• FREE August 28 Rhythm Collective Saturdays at Stinson Concert Series Stinson Park, Aksarben Village 2285 S. 67th St. • 7 p.m.

• FREE August 26 Singer Songwriter Showcase Holland Center Outdoors, East Lawn 1200 Douglas St • 6:30 p.m.

• FREE August 28 City of Omaha Celebrates America Free Concert/ Fireworks Performers not yet announced Memorial Park 6005 Underwood St. • Follow on Facebook for updates • 6 p.m.

• FREE

September September 2 The Alternate Routes Holland Center Outdoors, East Lawn 1200 Douglas St • 7 p.m.

• Tickets $18 - $35 September 4 African Cultural Festival Saturdays at Stinson Concert Series Stinson Park, Aksarben Village 2285 S. 67th St. • 7:00 p.m.

• Tickets $10 / Kids 12 and under FREE

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D I S H

Trucks, Taps and the Two Couples Running the Show STORY AND PHOTOS by Sara Locke

A

fter months of patronizing the resident pod of food trucks parked at 108th and Q, The Reader was finally able to sit down with the innovators behind Trucks and Taps. A year that made outdoor dining the only eating-out option made this food truck park a no-brainer for quick bites, grab and go, and a cocktail on the patio.

With spacious seating and a full bar, Trucks and Taps is a significant step forward in Omaha’s truck food scene, which until recent years has consisted of a handful of brave souls keeping their meals on wheels with little more than grit and good intentions. While the short roster of trucks available to us were well-loved, they were not well-regulated, well-advertised

Creative cocktails are made from fresh-pressed juices and local liquors. Rotating local brews on tap ensure a fresh experience with every visit.

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or well-supported. You can’t patronize a truck you can’t find, and you can’t find a truck that didn’t show up to its scheduled stop because of a flat tire.

While these intrepid chefs kept trucking along, MetropolThe well-considered angle of the awning at Trucks and Taps ensures itan Community that no truck spends the summer with the sun beating through the College culinary window, and no customer cooks in line while waiting for their order. grad Isaiah Renner was paying his dues on the and the union has proven just Joining Forces Omaha restaurant circuit. Stints at as fortuitous to Omaha as it was While the Omaha Food Truck Nosh, The Grey Plume and Kitch- for the Renners. Soon, the truly en Table built the foundation that dynamic duo were ready to do Association has worked hard helped him launch Daily Grind, a more than pledge their undying to create regulations and suphomestyle cafe at 7171 Mercy Rd. love for one another, they vowed port for food trucks, one thing has been missing for the fleet of “It was my bread and butter, to tackle construction headaches, food factories: a community. The health inspections, sweaty sumbut it wasn’t my cup of tea,” RenOmaha restaurant industry has ner said. “But it was a step in the mer days and the paperwork become the living, breathing, involved in starting a business process that made a lot of things thriving machine it is because of together. possible.” the chefs working together and building it into what it’s become.

A Lean, Green BBQ Fish and Chips and a Food truck proprietors have been Machine Chance Encounter islands unto themselves – until Kevin Wyatt had his sights set now.

One of those things was the Dire Lion Grille and Chippy. Ren- on a food truck, as well, but there The Renners and Wyatts ner’s food truck got off the ground was no manual, organization or pooled their knowledge, resourcsupport to show him the steps through the use of the commises and networks to create Trucks sary kitchen at Daily Grind. All needed to make it happen. Even and Taps. The spot features four food trucks are required to prep when opportunity didn’t knock, anchor trucks: Dire Lion, Big in a health-department-approved Wyatt found the door.

Green Q, Modern Waffle and kitchen, which the commissary “There was a food truck that newcomer Burning Bridges. In kitchen provided. Most food was parked in a driveway near- addition to its anchors, the spot truck proprietors will tell you that by and finally I walked up and has a rotating roster of trucks a proper prep area can be hard to knocked on the door,” Wyatt guest starring Tuesdays through come by. Renner pulled double said. “I wanted to know every- Sundays. duty, spreading himself thin be- thing — what are the regulations, “We wanted to have a place tween Daily Grind and Dire Lion, where can I park a food truck, where people had everything while looking for someone to how or where do I register it? At they needed, an energy source, take the reins on the former. the time, there wasn’t a better a kitchen, a bar and a great seatRenner’s odd hours and cre- way to get that information.” ing area,” Renner said. “But we ative energy resulted in a forThrough trial and error, and also wanted to offer other people tunate encounter with Omaha the courage to ask a lot of ques- what we didn’t have. We wantmusician, engineer and energy tions along the way, Wyatt and ed to give them our experiencactivist Jessica Errett. The pair ex- his wife, Gail, launched Big Green es so they weren’t starting from changed vows in August 2019, Q food truck in 2016. scratch. They were starting with

June 2021

D I S H

LOCALLY OWNED DELIVERY CO-OP

A nearby green space may soon host additional seating as summer crowds fill the spacious patio. everything we knew, and they were building from there.”

Trucks and Taps opened in July 2020, a hard time for any new venture, but Renner is the first to spot the silver lining.

“We knew we were lucky to have this means to continue serving,” he said. “Things were changing day to day, but we knew what we wanted, and we were kind of uniquely equipped to make this work.”

The outdoor food truck hall has capacity for up to 10 trucks, and the team has plans to host events in the adjoining green space as COVID-19 cases continue to drop. The bar features fresh-squeezed juices and local booze and beer on tap, as well as canned cocktails for those who want to dash and dine.

A Growing Community Access to the resources provided by the two couples does more than create space for more food trucks to thrive; it creates an environment where each chef has the tools to flourish creatively.

“Support will always be the way to strengthen a community,” Jessica Errett Renner said, “and we’ve definitely seen it here. This space serves as a kind of incubator, where people are sharing and growing their ideas.”

Rather than a competitive air, the truck owners see one another as helpful, luring in customers

they may not have had contact with otherwise.

“People are visiting one truck for their appetizers and then another for barbeque or sides,” said Wyatt. “Nobody has to fight about where to go, you’ve got options and you can pick and choose between menus.”

“We’ve seen a very different crowd since landing here,” he added. “We’re seeing parents with their kids, just happy to be out of the house but still outside.

We’re seeing grandparents out enjoying the day and getting lunch together. A lot of young people.”

And with COVID-19 restrictions lifting and warm nights heading our way, 2021 is promising to be the summer of the food truck.

The ceaselessly smiling owners of Trucks and Taps took turns interrupting our conversation to ogle the furry companions their diners had brought onto the patio, answer questions from the staff at the bar or greet regulars as they settled in with their food truck finds. The smiles aren’t pride, but gratitude that their efforts to create a safe, reliable space for these vendors have proven to be successful.

For a schedule of food trucks, information about hours or to access online menus, visit trucksandtapsomaha. com.

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June 2021

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June 2021

23

W PICKS W

June 4-6

June 4-6

Taste of Omaha

Omaha Summer Arts Festival

Elmwood Park

From sculpture to video to performance, this diverse media exhibition, in the words of BFF Omaha co-founder and executive director Alex Jochim, “explores what queerness looks like in the 21st century urban Midwest.”

June 4

Heart of the Beast Petshop Gallery Petshop Gallery continues the current political, social and cultural conversation about gender identity issues this June/July. The gallery, located in the historic Benson commercial district, presents Heart of the Beast, featuring new work by contemporary, queer, Midwestern artists.

Heart of the Beast includes work from regional, intergenerational artists working within the spectrum of queerness.

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The interdisciplinary exhibition is curated by show contributor Kim Darling. An Omaha native, Darling is known for curating provocative exhibitions and performances at the area’s former Sweatshop Gallery.

The opening reception for Heart of the Beast is Friday, June 4, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The show runs through July 30. Due to the pandemic, gallery hours are Saturdays, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., but viewing appointments can be made by contacting petshop@bffomaha.org.

For more visit bffomaha.org/petshop.html.

June 2021

—Kent Behrens

Taste of Omaha is back! From Friday, June 4, to Sunday, June 6, be ready to bring your out-of-town friends to Elmwood Park and embark on a journey through Omaha’s top restaurants. For its 24th year, Taste of Omaha is ready to showcase the city’s culinary delights and give Omaha food the reputation it deserves.

Taste of Omaha includes other attractions besides food, such as the Nebraska Lottery stage featuring Goddess of Rock, Rhythm Collective, Teacherz Petz and more throughout the weekend.

There will also be a World Dance Stage with performers from a variety of cultures, along with balloons, magic and face-painting to entertain the kids, making this event fun for the whole family. All of the entertainment, including the nationally recognized talent and top local bands, is free to attend. For more information about vendors and entertainment, visit tasteofomaha.info.

—Alex Preston

Various locations and online

The Omaha Summer Arts Festival returns this year with a mix of virtual and outdoor events. While the festival won’t be taking over downtown streets (look for that in 2022), it includes a monthlong celebration of artistry that culminates June 4-6. A virtual artist booth and gallery offers opportunities to connect with local artists and support their work, and the festival’s Booth Central Market will be held online June 5 and June 6 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. In-person events will also take place at several locations downtown where commissioned artists have created giant mural cubes now on display. Pop-up concerts

W PICKS W are scheduled at these spots, so look out for performances from Mr. E & The Stringless Kite, SAND and DJ Crabrangucci over the festival weekend. Later in June, Kethro & Werdisbond, Elaina Christina Clement and Hector Anchondo will also perform. A sixhour live stream of musical performances from artists including Sebastian Lane Band, and Last of the Mojitos takes place June 5. Visit summerarts.org for more.

—Reader staff

June 4-26

Our Picks for Best

Shows

Various Music fans rejoice! Thanks to decreasing cases of COVID-19 and increasing vaccination rates, live music is coming back in full force this summer. In addition to a variety of outdoor shows happening in and around Omaha, some venues are opening their doors for concerts once again. Some shows you won’t want to

miss are Samantha Fish at The Waiting Room Lounge on June 15 and Digital Leather at The Sydney on June 26.

For country music fans looking for an outdoor concert experience, Little Big Town takes the stage at Stir Cove on June 18, and Darius Rucker, legendary frontman of Hootie & the Blowfish, plays the same stage the following night, June 19. Fans of blues and jazz should keep an eye on shows at The Jewell, including Kelley Hunt on June 10, the Bruce Katz Band on June 17 and Ananias Montegue and The Fellowship Band on June 26. If you enjoy classical music, the Omaha Symphony is playing outdoors at the Holland Center with Billy McGuigan on June 4 and 5. If you’re looking for a music festival experience, you might consider attending the Blues & Balloons Festival at Soaring Wings Vineyard on June 5 or celebrating Juneteenth at the Omaha Freedom Festival on June 19.

For our full summer concert guide, see page 18. Before any concert, be sure to check the venue’s COVID-19 safety protocols.

—Alex Preston

June 11-13

¡Viva Cinco de Mayo!

Historic 24th Street South 24th Street is going to be full of colors, music and food this month as the100th anniversary of the Omaha Cinco de Mayo celebration takes place June 11-13. For three days everybody is invited to enjoy the festival that will take place on Plaza de la Raza at 24th and N streets.

Get out and enjoy live music and entertainment, carnival rides, food, exhibitors, a health fair, the Miss Cinco de Mayo coronation and plenty of games along historic South 24th Street, which was recognized as one of the

Great Places in America by the American Planning Association.

South Omaha restaurants will be offering delicious food and special promotions.

The festival will also host a banquet to recognize Latino families who have contributed to the Omaha fabric of life.

Friday, June 11 Miss Cinco de Mayo will be crowned at 7 p.m. on the Plaza stage. At 8 p.m. enjoy the band Los Horoscopos de Durango. A carnival will run from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Get ​$5 off the purchase of an all-day carnival ride pass at any Supermercado Nuestra Familia.

Saturday, June 12 A parade celebrating South Omaha’s heritage will march down South 24th beginning at 10 a.m. It will feature floats, marching bands and other entertainers. At 11 a.m. the fiesta and exhibitions begin.

There will also be a health fair with professionals available to provide health information and free screenings.

At 2 p.m., the band “Oye Como Va” pays tribute to Carlos Santana.

June 2021

25

W PICKS W the hottest music in Spanish and English.

Sunday, June 13 Sunday’s festivities will begin at 10 a.m. with morning Mass featuring liturgical music led by a traditional mariachi and performers from Assumption-Guadalupe Catholic Church.

The carnival then continues from noon until 7:30 pm.

Don’t miss the Vaqueros exhibiting their dancing horses at 1:30 p.m. on the Plaza stage. Los Angeles-based singer Graciela Beltrán performs at 4 p.m. Beltrán is considered one of Mexico’s most influential female voices.

Also Saturday, attendees can pick up a pair of wireless headphones and join the Silent Disco Fiesta “Cinco de Disco” featuring three of Omaha’s premier DJs playing

— Karlha Rivas

June 14

June 12 - 20

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June 2021

Omaha Juneteenth Events Various locations Post-pandemic Omaha will celebrate the African American holiday commemorating June 19th, 1865, considered the true end of slavery with several days of events. (More Juneteenth information at thereader.com.)

June 12 11:30 a.m.

Washington Branch Library 2868 Ames Ave. Annual Juneteenth Nebraska flag-raising ceremony and veterans’ luncheon.

Noon Douglas County Courthouse, 1701 Farnam Street.

Citywide prayer, march and Maafa (Kiswahili for “great disaster”). In the context of Juneteenth, Maafa refers to the atrocities of slavery and the deaths of Africans bound for slavery in America. Willie Williams will lead the Maafa.

June 18 11:30 a.m.

Douglas County Courthouse 1701 Farnam St. A historical marker commemorating Will Brown will be unveiled, and representatives from the Omaha Community Council For Racial Justice and Reconciliation and the Equal Justice Initiative will deliver remarks and recognize racial justice essay contest finalists.

W PICKS W June 19

June 17-19

5 p.m.

Trevor Wallace

Adams Park, 3230 John Creighton Blvd.

Juneteenth Prayer and Unity March Noon to midnight Malcolm X Memorial Foundation, 3448 Evans St.

Omaha Freedom Festival Socially distanced outdoor event will feature activities and refreshments. Concert at 7 p.m. with rap artists Juvenile headlining, along with artists Michel’Le, Enjoli & Timeless, and Keeshea Pratt.

— Paul B. Allen IV

Cornhusker state. Wallace will perform five shows during his stay.

Funny Bone Funny Bone will host Trevor Wallace, a Los Angeles comedian who found online fame with short skits taking jabs at millennial culture. Wallace first provided digital laughs on Vine before going viral in 2019 with videos satirizing fans of White Claw Seltzers and men named Kyle who drink Monster Energy. He has also been featured on Buzzfeed, Funny or Die, Super Deluxe, World Star Hip Hop and MTV2.

With a 2020 Shorty Awards nomination for comedy to his name, Wallace is ready to perform stand-up for the

With downtown Omaha expected to be swarmed for the College World Series, which is returning from a one-year absence due to the pandemic, events like Wallace’s shows in West Omaha will be less crowded and available in mid-June. Tickets are $25; 21 or older.

— Efren Cortez

The biggest tournament of the Korn Ferry Tour regular season will happen right here in Omaha as the top 25 players secure their PGA TOUR cards for the 2021–2022 season.

Don’t miss it!

Learn more at thepinnaclebankchampionship.com

AUGUST 9–15, 2021 | THE CLUB AT INDIAN CREEK | PIN_3571_ReaderMagAd.indd 1

June 2021

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5/21/21 4:37 PM

H O O D O O

Ready for Live Music

by B.J. Huchtemann

otable high-profile June shows include Cajun blues-rocker Tab N Benoit at Slowdown Thursday, June

10, 8 p.m. Featured with Benoit is the Whiskey Bayou Revue with rising guitar star Alastair Greene.

Greene has had stints with The Alan Parsons Live Project and recently as part of Sugaray Rayford’s band.

Remaining general admission tickets will only be sold on the day of the show, according to Slowdown’s website. For more information, see theslowdown.com/tab-benoit.

Meanwhile, Omaha’s own Matt Cox is releasing his latest CD under the rebranded band name of Matt Cox & The Marauders. The band still features Colin Duckworth, Jarron Storm, Craig Balderston and Kevin Lloyd. Let the Pigs Fly was recorded at Lincoln’s Fuse Recording studios with Charlie Johnson (of The Mezcal Brothers) at the soundboard. Cox plays Slowdown Friday, June 11, 8 p.m. for a CD release show with opening performances by Little Rooms and Midwest Dilemma.

Slowdown is presenting music this summer during the College World Series. Free shows will be happening on their outdoor stage daily from Friday, June 18, through Saturday, June 26. Roots fans will want to note the double bill of Kris Lager Band and Héctor Anchondo Band Thursday, June 24, 5:30 p.m.

Find the full band list and the daily show times at theslowdown.com.

Slowdown was recently recognized

by Pitchfork magazine as one of the 36 best independent music venues in the country.

BSO Presents on the Move: The BSO Presents Thursday matinees are on the move and sometimes on hold to allow fans to support other shows happening in the metro, mentioned elsewhere in this column. Thursday, June 3, the music is at Stocks n Bonds with Gerard Delafose & The Zydeco Gators, continuing the family zydeco tradition. Swampboy Blues Band opens at 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, June 17, 6-9 p.m., keyboard great Bruce Katz takes the stage at The Jewell. Katz is a goto keyboard player. In addition to his solo work, he’s toured and performed with Gregg Allman’s band and Butch Trucks’ and the Freight Train Band. Katz has garnered seven nominations for the Blues Music Awards’ Pinetop Per-

28

kins Piano Player of the Year award, including in 2020 for his piano album Solo Ride.

The Mezcal Brothers, a popular Lincoln rockabilly band and 2016 inductees into the Nebraska Music Hall of Fame, shake things up Thursday, July 1, 7-11 p.m. at the River City Star’s Dam Grill and Bar on the Star’s landing.

Soaring Wings Blues Fest, Soaring Wings Winery, 17111 S. 138th St. near Springfield, brings in heavy-hitting Chicago blues guitarist and Alligator Records star Toronzo Cannon for their annual blues festival on June 5. Cannon performs at 8:30 p.m., Mississippi Heat plays at 7 p.m., Ninja Funk starts the show at 5:30 p.m. Adult admission is $30, ages 12-20 admission is $20, and tickets are available at etix.com and at the gate.

See soaringwingswine.com.

Playing With Fire organizer Jeff Davis announced on May 6 that the Playing With Fire series for 2021 had to be cancelled “due to circumstances beyond our control.” Meanwhile, Davis is presenting several free shows at the River City Star’s Dam Grill and Bar space under the umbrella of Music for the City. The first free show is June 26 with headliner Indigenous, the Levi Platero Band and a solo opening set from Little Joe McCarthy. Watch for music start times and additional details, including the July 24 show featuring artists Annika Chambers, Anne Harris and Heather Newman, and the Aug. 21 date with Patrick Sweany Band, Terry Quiett Band and Hadden Sayers (solo) at musicforthecity.net and at facebook. com/playingwithfireomaha.

Hot Notes Powerhouse singer-songwriter-guitarist and Kansas City native Samantha Fish plugs in at The Waiting Room Tuesday, June 15, 8 p.m. An early warning for iconic roots-rockers Steve Earle & The Dukes at The Waiting Room Thursday, July 8, 8 p.m. See onepercentproductions.com for ticket info and details.

The Jewell has many other cool shows coming in June, including Stan & The Chain Gang Friday, June 11, and K.C. blues vocalist and keyboard player Kelley Hunt Saturday, June 12. Jazz is up with

June 2021

The Lao Tizer Quintet featuring Eric Marienthal, Friday June 18.

Big Wade & Black Swan Theory present A Juneteenth Celebration Saturday, June 19. All these events offer early and late shows. See jewellomaha.com/shows.

The Rev. Horton Heat / Dale Watson show is at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar Tuesday, June 8, 6-9 p.m. and Wednesday, June 9, 8 p.m., at Barnato, 225 N. 170th St. Bruce Katz also plays the Zoo Bar Friday, June 18, 5-8 p.m.

Sunday Roadhouse concerts return with Taylor Scott Band scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 1, 5 p.m. at Reverb Lounge. See sundayroadhouse.com.

Héctor Anchondo is Back After Héctor Anchondo won the career-making 2020 International Blues Challenge (IBC) in the Solo/ Duo category and took home the Memphis Cigar Box Guitar Award for Best Guitarist in the same category, the pandemic shut everything down. In our September issue, we interviewed Anchondo about 2020, from the awards to flooding at the Council Bluffs lofts where Anchondo and his young family lived. They were left trying to salvage their belongings while losing most everything to water and mold damage. Anchondo and his wife, Jessica, invested in a used RV and took to the road with their two young children. They spent the winter in the Bradenton, Florida, area, where Anchondo said in an email interview he was “able to make ends meet.”

coupled with stress and dehydration.

Anchondo said a month later: “I’m feeling better than ever and taking my health back. I’m doing everything I can to get back to 100%. I will be able to keep touring but I need to change the way I have been doing it. I’ve always been extreme in my scheduling, because I’ve been doing it that way forever, but I’m realizing now that it’s not good to drive like that…I just wasn’t listening to my body…I was worried that my tour days are over but my tour days are just growing up.”

The Anchondo family is now living in an apartment in Council Bluffs. “[We are] so happy to be back home and to see our friends.

Friends and family are everything,” he said, adding, “I love my family and even during the hard times I want them to know that we can still enjoy life and the best times are yet to come…I believe the hard parts of life are just part of the journey and you learn so much from them.”

Some of Anchondo’s recent high points include building up 17,000 followers on TikTok while playing both old blues and originals.

That growth, he said, has helped increase his Spotify followers. Anchondo said he hopes fans will help him keep growing his TikTok, @HectorAnchondo. And he has a deal to release his upcoming acoustic CD, Let Loose Those Chains, on VizzTone Records, hoping for an August release.

Keep up with the latest on the new record and performances at hectoranchondo.com and on social media, including TikTok.

April 2021 found both Anchondo and his wife not feeling well. It turned out that the RV had developed mold in the Florida humidity. On April 27, as they returned to Omaha, Jessica Anchondo posted to Facebook that Anchondo had “multiple blood clots in his lungs.” Via email, Héctor Anchondo said that he and his doctors believe the mold may have contributed to the issue, Héctor Anchondo has survived the but the blood clots pandemic while building up an impressive were likely the result TikTok fan base, reprioritizing his health of long hours of drivand working on a new CD release. Photo ing with no breaks

by Arron V. at Bunker Bomb Studios.

A

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T

very becoming Seven make good impreSSion in g1516’S firSt ‘emerging artiStS’ group exHibit

By Kent Behrens at the former’s location at 16th and Leavenworth.

Amplify Arts’ Program Director Peter Fankhauser offered this as the venue’s definition: “Artists in the early stages of their creative development, with 2 to 10 years of generative experience, a focused direction and goals, a developing artistic “voice,” who have yet to be substantially celebrated within their field, the media, or funding circles.”

VIEWABLE IN PRINT ONLY

TalberT Reflection of PoweR, 2019

Searching the term on the web only confounds the issue; it appears that arts writers and curators are in little agreement about this somewhat new and seemingly overused label. What they do agree on, mostly, is these artists evolving presence and reputation.

The exhibit, which takes good advantage of G1516’s excellent space, features the work of seven local contemporary artists at varying levels of experience and renown.

Gallery 1516’s Assistant Curator Suzi Eberly tapped into Amplify Arts extensive roster to serve as guide through the forest of those transpiring from unknown to known.

Together, they assembled a group of local talent, as described in the show’s accompanying pamphlet, “that reexamines and rewrites traditional artistic narratives.”

One possible enlightenment is the recent collaboration of Omaha’s Gallery 1516 and the art center Amplify Arts which resulted in an exhibit, appropriately titled Emerging Artists, which opened Sept. 13

Gallery Director Pat Drickey said the show was “put together as a kind of precursor and complement to the upcoming Spring 2021 Biennial.” In addition, it satiates the recent virus-induced dearth of art

H

ave you ever found yourself asking “What exactly is an emerging artist?” Is it as obvious as it sounds or is there more there than meets the eye?

22

Neil Griess BluRRed landscaPe, 2019

shows; group shows have always been a good way to show more work to more people.

Prior to the completion, Eberly moved away, but still consults with the gallery. Subsequent curation and installation was then taken up by the staff at 1516. This transient collaboration yielded a group of seven artists at different stages of their careers: Camille Hawbaker Voorhees, Shawnequa Linder, Jenna Johnson, Neil Griess, Tom White, Patty Talbert, and Anne Dovali. Depending on your frequency of gallery visits in the area, a few of these names may be new to you, and

INTRIGUING, ISN’T IT?

OCTOBER 2020

shawNequa lindeR scotch and soda, 2020

F I L M

Summer Movie Preview 2021 Get yourself vaxxed then get yourself tickets for these movies

by Ryan Syrek

T

he first-best reason to get vaccinated against COVID is a tie between “not dying” and “not causing other people to die.”

The second-best reason is that you can then see a movie in a theater without fleeing in terror when the mouth-breathing wizard three rows back magically makes phlegm appear out of nowhere.

With great antibodies comes greater entertainment options.

music played over hyper-edited visuals. You know, for a documentary, that sounds like it could be actual cool.

F9 (June 25)

Summer is about three things: increasing your odds of skin cancer, sweating in places you can’t sop up in public and watching Vin Diesel mouthbarf an attempt From cuckoo and cool indie animation to Vin Diesel getting really super close to at the word John Cena’s face, there will be cinema to satisfy every need this season. “family.”

The Photo credit: Magnolia Pictures.

Fast and Furious series started killer doll’s career is inspired by who directed Bad Lieutenant in as a simple dudebro love story Yes, some of the films high- a real-life murderer who claimed which Willem Dafoe dog-sleds to about cars and cops and is now lighted here will be streaming he was demonically possessed, a cave and trips balls while con- launching wrestlers into space. either simultaneously or short- which is an excuse some politi- templating life or you very much It’s called progress. do not. There’s no middle ground ly after their theatrical release. cians may deploy soon. here. Siberia has been described I Carry You With Me Who cares?! Did you hear the as both mystifying and “somepart about how you can now In the Heights (June 11) times hilarious,” which sounds (Limited release June 25) safely see a movie as God/Martin I have truly loved exactly zero just perfect. I’ve watched a ton The narrative feature debut Scorsese intended? Local themovie musicals based on Broad- of arthouse movies at home this from director Heidi Ewing, who aters need us to survive, HBO way hits. I remain dangerously, past year. I’m ready to watch made her name with a docuMax doesn’t. Here are the flicks pathologically obsessed with one, you know, in an arthouse. mentary that got a Christian I’m most excited to devour in Hamilton. Something’s gotta summer camp closed, tells the an aspect ratio outside of “Zack give! Trailers suggest this adapstory of a real-life undocumentThe Sparks Brothers Snyder’s creative vision.” tation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s ed gay Mexican couple in New (Limited release June 18) debut show actually does manYork City. This tender bit of Fox The Conjuring: The Devil age to reproduce the magic creThe tricks that director Ed- News kryptonite appears to be Made Me Do It (June 4) ated by the stage version. Still, gar Wright used to make the the kind of legitimately moving Do you remember how it I’ll (gladly) be the judge of that fake-cool Baby Driver seem tai- endeavor we are legally allowed feels to see a spooky movie with when giant speakers blast my lor-made for a documentary a maximum of one (1) of every about the pop-rock duo Sparks. year. strangers? Any one of them could ears with non-stop talk-singing.

Described on the poster as a secretly be a ghost or controlled film about “your favorite band’s Zola (June 30)

by Satan, you can’t know! The Siberia favorite band,” The Sparks Broththird installment in the flagship (Limited release June 18) Looking equal parts Spring ers is likely to be a nonstop monhorror franchise that has sucLook, either you very badly tage of slightly-less-well-known Breakers and Hustlers, Zola is cessfully launched at least one want to see a movie from the guy

30

June 2021

F I L M based on a 148-tweet thread about a real-life pole-dancing road trip that got Florida-level insane. I never doubted that “a film based on a Twitter thread” would happen, I simply can’t believe how much I want to see it.

At this point, it’s like A24 knows me better than I know myself…

Black Widow (July 9) Absence makes the heart grow fonder, but can it make the least interesting Avenger more appealing? Adding both Florence Pugh and Rachel Weisz to the Marvelverse is a gift beyond that which we deserve.

The word prequel phonetically has the word “reek” in the middle for a reason, but boy does cinematic comic book nonsense sound real, real good right now.

OLD (July 23) Two options: M Night Shyamalan’s adaptation of a graphic novel about a mysterious island that rapidly ages people is somehow another twisty return to form or it is as truly embarrassing as the previews suggest. As someone who unabashedly defends Lost and considers The Happening to be one of the funniest movies ever made, I’m going to be happy no matter what.

The Green Knight (July 30) A24’s other summer release is a reimagining of a classic tale about one of King Arthur’s knights from director David Lowery, whose Ain’t Them Bodies Saints is one of my favorite films of all time. I made fun of people who got Apple logos tattooed on their person, but I’m ready for an A24 tramp stamp at this rate.

The trailer gave me a shiver up my spine and put a smile on my face. I’m shiver-smiling, y’all!

The Suicide Squad (August 6) James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad has one more “the” and one less Jared Leto than 2016’s Suicide Squad. The former may be irrelevant, but the latter is definitely addition by subtraction. Sylves-

ter Stallone is a talking shark. Idris Elba does murders. John Cena wears a bucket on his head. Nathan Fillion plays Arms-Fall-OffBoy (for real). The villain is a kaiju starfish. I don’t know, I guess?

Okay? Fine, let’s do it.

Cryptozoo (Limited release August 20) Seeing creepy-weird handdrawn animation on the big screen is like someone throwing wagyu beef in your mouth when you yawn: a surprisingly rare treat! The film is allegedly a condemnation of capitalism that follows zookeepers trying to capture a dream-eating creature and features the voices of Lake Bell and Michael Cera. Yeah, strap me in and throw that at my face.

I’m not suggesting that Pixar better watch its back, only that the hopping lamp in their vanity card may soon be captured and put in a zoo.

Reminiscence (August 20) Writer/director Lisa Joy is a showrunner for HBO’s sometimes brilliant (sometimes the-opposite-of-brilliant) naughty robot show, Westworld. Her partner on that program is Jonathan Nolan, brother of Christopher Nolan.

Joy’s big-screen debut, Reminiscence, sounds a lot like Christopher Nolan’s Inception, only with people mucking with memories instead of dreams. Listen, if this means we basically get a Christopher Nolan sci-fi epic in which women are not plot devices that only talk about love or babies, we could be onto something here.

Candyman (August 27) A direct sequel to the 1992 film, this version of Candyman comes from director Nia DaCosta by way of a script by Jordan Peele. If that doesn’t jangle your bones, you must not understand this film’s potential. A horror film about gentrification that prominently features a dude who kills people with a giant hook and does creepy bee stuff is enough to make August feel like Halloween.

June 2021

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F I L M

Holy Crap!

Saint Maud makes religious delusions literally terrifying

by Ryan Syrek

S

aint Maud is what can be lovingly referred to as an “uh oh” movie. Unlike silly slasher flicks peppered with jump scares and obligatory loud noises, writer/director Rose Glass’s film quietly and relentlessly churns towards the “uh oh” waiting at the end of the story. Fittingly described as a “slow-burn,” this tale of demented piety is also a stark warning about those who actually walk among us doggedly convinced that only they are on the same wavelength as an invisible almighty creator, who may or may not speak fluent Welsh.

Maud (Morfydd Clark) is not actually Maud. She’s Katie, a nurse who did something real grosscreepy-bad to a patient at her last gig. With the power of what she thinks is Jesus and the protection of a changed name, she now cares for Amanda (Jennifer Ehle), a former dancer dying of a spinal tumor. As a person promised a slow, torturous death, Amanda has some not nice feelings about God that are in opposition to Maud’s very nice feelings about the holy trinity (wink, wink). Their inevitable collision aims the titular character squarely at the “uh oh” at the end of the upside-down rainbow.

As you’d imagine, the success of Saint Maud is highly dependent upon said Maud. Clark is next-lev-

el magnetic and impossibly good at being unspeakably bad. Under Glass’s careful direction, she is never laughably insane or obnoxiously over-thetop. Clark resists going “full Jared Leto” and manages to be oddly, almost disturbingly endearing. From the very first frame, Glass tells you unequivocally that Maud is bad, bad news. Yet, up until the final, much worse frame, you can’t help but root for her to snap out of it.

Don’t let this image fool you, Saint Maud is less a “jump out and say boo” horror movie and more a “well, that’s upsetting” look at when religious devotion gets scary. Photo credit: A24.

In the nicest way possible, Saint Maud seems like the type of movie that would have been lambasted and protested by conservative Christian critics in the past.

This isn’t to say it gets into any long-winded condemnations of specific practices or beliefs. It just kinda, sorta frames Jesus Christ as something like the bogeyman. Although, to be fair, Glass explicitly reiterates that the evil is coming from inside the house, even confirming in interviews that the voice of “God” is just Clark’s pitched down.

Other Critical Voices to Consider Michelle Kisner at The Movie Sleuth says, “This type of religious character study is usually from a male point-of-view, and it’s refreshing to see a woman director tackle it, put her own spin on concept, and in the end ultimately subvert it.”

Andrew Kendall at Stabroek News says, “We keep watching because

32

June 2021

“Is it scary?” is a question A24’s horror movies always seem to be saddled with answering. Like Ari Aster’s Hereditary and Midsommar or It Comes at Night, Saint Maud is more “upsetting” than frightening. Although, a repeated effect where Clark’s mouth seems to gape supernaturally wide that is either CGI or a crazy ability the actress possesses definitely brings the spooky. Still, any debate about whether this “belongs” in the horror genre would be so stupid that someone somewhere on the internet is almost certainly having it.

In some ways, Saint Maud feels like the movie everyone lied and said The VVItch was. It is a meticulously crafted, deliberately paced deconstruction of unholy things done in the name of the Lord. It is anchored by a powerful performance from a talented young actress. It is also a promise of incredible things to come from Glass, who has brought one of the best “uh ohs” in a long, long time.

Grade = A-

the startling concepts feel destined for something bigger that we keep waiting for. It’s not bad filmmaking, it just feels incomplete.”

Alix Turner at Ready Steady Cut says, “Whether it is about mental illness, faith taken to an extreme, or simply a provocative character study (and it could be any or all three), I don’t care: the film is going to stay with me.”

n a c e w ! t I o d The community goal is to get everyone who’s eligible immunized. Until then, keep wearing a mask, giving space, and avoiding crowds, even if you’ve had your vaccine. Together, we can keep each other safe and get back to normal.

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines at DoRightRightNow.org June 2021 DRRN Phase 2 Reader FP_May_VF.indd 1

33 4/15/21 3:54 PM

C O M I C S

Battle of the Alternative Bands — predictions on who would win.

AnswerS in next month’s issue or online at TheReader.com

by Matt Jones

Across

1

1. Maggie Gyllenhaal’s brother

13

5. Tallahassee’s st.

16

8. Earthy yellow shade 13. Fix text

2

3

4

16. “You’d think Band A would hold up, but it’s flimsy. Band B wins” 19. Like some computer errors

28

55

24. CPR pro

64

31. “Charter” tree

32

25 33

42. Sault ___ Marie Canals

26

44. Candle type

34

45. He might heal your hamster

38 42

45

52 57

65

56. Obesity drug Orlistat, over the counter

54

58

59

60

61

62

63

61. Stripper’s fixture

68

69

70

71

72

33. Diamond Head locale

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June 2021

69. “Scientific American 4. “At Last” blues singer ___ James Frontiers” host Alan 70. Didn’t dine out

5. Prez on the dime

18. “Isn’t that something?”

23. ___ Lobos

71. “Slippery When ___” 6. Kitschy ‘70s plug-ins 25. California/Nevada (Bon Jovi album) attraction 7. Part of AARP 72. Spotted 27. The whole thing 8. “___ the fields we go ...”

28. Burrito add-on, for short 9. “Mad Money” network 29. Fashionable sandal 1. Constantly napping

Down

member of The Wiggles

2. Song from Sarah McLachlan’s “Surfacing” 3. Highland Games garb

10. Job search insider 11. Spurred (on)

30. Drive-thru drink with a plastic dome

15. Stringy cleaner

32. Villainous surname in the Super Mario Bros. series

17. Footballer Manning

34. Request to the dealer

12. Hull wreckers

58. Not too many 60. Business degs.

66

67

35. “Band B wins, since 49. “Ben-___” (movie Band A only has a classic) tolerance for booze” 51. Shaker ___, OH 39. Wash against, as the 53. Furthest degree shore 55. Fertile Crescent 40. Cutesy-___ locale 41. Four Holy Roman 57. Golfer Aoki Emperors 59. Did some diamond 43. “Drop Band A on inspecting?

Band B? Band B wins, no contest” 64. “Band B wins, because it’s pointy 46. 1920s design style and doesn’t digest 47. Suffix for orange or well” lemon 67. Early actress Langtry 48. Gaelic tongue 68. Dir. opp. WNW

50. “___ wisely” 54. Clueless response

48 53

49. “Se ___ espaÒol” 52. Reptilian warning

47 51

36. Manufacturer of electronics for kids

38. Geologic time periods

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37. What automobile interiors may drown out

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22. Unable to work, perhaps

27. Forever, it seems

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20. Blood type for just over 6% of the U.S. pop.

26. Comp. storage sites

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21. They follow B

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14. “___ Boot” 15. Weasel out (on)

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62. “The Neverending Story” author Michael 63. Jimmy of meat products 65. Half of an eternal balance 66. Movie studio filming site © 2010, 2020 Matt Jones

AnsweR to last month’s “Kowing the Angles” P I T A A D A M W A L U S T A K E H R E I C Y N A B S K N E W S A N E E A S P A R A R T D O H E M O

T O G O

I N I T

T H R I L R L E P I E R L E

R O O N E Y

I O N I A

G M S

E S U P T I M E S C A P Y S A B A I L I E D B R S E O W E L M I T I O N S E S R A S L A I N P E N C O I N E D T A T E

N U M B E R S E V E N

U S E R

T A D A

A S I A G O

D A N S O N

D E A E A D M U S

Doonesbury by Garry Trudeau

which deaths matter? by Jen Sorensen

TED RALL

June 2021

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H E A R T L A N D

H E A L I N G

Entheogens:

Facing God

by Michael Braunstein

H

umans have been messing with their minds since they discovered they can.

Perception and reality are not the same thing, and ingesting chemicals certainly can prove that. By altering the metabolism of the body, especially the brain (the primary interface of the mind with the body’s senses), humans blur the line between reality and perceiving. Ignoring for now the deeper ontological meanings, we can review the purpose of chemical alterations. The final evaluation of shifting perception with chemicals is that perception is malleable. It is not fixed. Our mind can make things effectively real out of things that are not.

You can call such an experience a hallucination. Some call it a religious experience.

The most common mind-altering chemical is alcohol.

Though booze definitely messes with the mind, being a very base chemical experience, alcohol can rarely be said to open the doors of perception. But there are other chemicals that are spe-

cifically used to do that. They belong to a class known as psychedelics. Most are plant-based.

users who still use psychedelics for their original use: to improve spiritual awareness. When a psychedelic is used in a ritual sense such as that, it is more correctly called an entheogen.

“I support the legalization of hallucinogens for religious use,” Alex Grey told me.

“Ayahuasca and even marijuana should be allowed.”

Years ago I interviewed Alex Grey, the well-known artist responsible for remarkable, stylized paintings that illustrate the human experience bridging the gap between the physical and the energetic. You’ve seen his work or copies of his styles. Grey is also an outspoken advocate of entheogens.

Magic mushrooms, peyote, ergot, salvia divinorum, ayahuasca, iboga, San Pedro cactus — even cannabis — are plants that can alter perception to the point of hallucination. Synthetics like LSD are also up to the job. But other than recreational entertainment, there is a segment of

“I support the legalization of hallucinogens for religious use,” Grey told me. “Ayahuasca and even marijuana should be allowed.” Grey specifically spoke in favor of the case involving the O Centro Espirita Beneficiente Uniao do Vegetal, a church otherwise known as UDV. The U.S. Department of Justice had sought to prevent the church from using a psychedelic to “connect with God” during a four-hour ritual in which mem-

bers partook of a dimethyltryptamine tea from a South American plant. But in 2006, even the U.S. Supreme Court recognized the religious purpose of the drug and, though DMT is illegal, protected its use in a religious experience.

ViewMaster So, whether you agree or disagree with the Supreme Court, it appears some church members will be taking DMT and visiting God. Be well.

Heartland Healing is a metaphysically based polemic describing alternatives to conventional methods of healing the body, mind and planet. It is provided as information and entertainment, certainly not medical advice. Important to remember and pass on to others: for a weekly dose of Heartland Healing, visit heartlandhealing.com.

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June 2021

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T H E

E D G E

History in the Making

Sokol Auditorium to become The Admiral Theater

by Tim McMahan

A

s important as Saddle Creek Records and its bands were to the Omaha music scene, so were Sokol Auditorium and Sokol Underground.

Located on South 13th Street in the heart of Omaha’s Little Bohemia, Sokol Auditorium was a barn of a venue. Owned and operated by the Sokol organization — a Czech-American group dedicated to the sport of gymnastics — the giant concrete structure was indeed a gymnasium as well as a balconied ballroom that hosted polka dances, wedding receptions and the occasional rock show. In the late ‘90s and into the early 2000s, the facility’s basement — named Sokol Underground — was home to live touring indie rock bands, including acts that would make Omaha famous — Bright Eyes, Cursive and The Faint — and national indie stars like Arcade Fire, Sufjan Stevens, Interpol and Guided by Voices.

Those shows were booked and hosted by 1% Productions — the dynamic duo of Marc Leibowitz and Jim Johnson — who called Sokol Underground their home until they opened their own club — The Waiting Room in Benson — in 2007.

Now more than two decades later, 1% Productions has bought Sokol Auditorium as part of a trio of investors that includes Kansas City’s Mammoth Productions and Lincolnites Sean and Becki Reagan, formerly of Orange Whip Productions, who now operate The Bourbon Theater in Lincoln. In fact, all three of the above

parties also purchased The Bourbon earlier this year.

For Leibowitz and Johnson, the acquisition of Sokol Auditorium is a dream come true.

“Sokol Auditorium was where we produced our first show (Ani DiFranco in 1997),” Leibowitz said.

“We wanted to buy it since ‘97, but it was never for sale.”

During the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sokol organization received an unsolicited offer to buy the building from an out-of-state promoter. Sokol then approached 1%, suggesting they also put in an offer. In the fall of 2020, with their partnership, they did. After much consideration by the Sokol organization, their offer was accepted, and they closed the deal on April 1.

I didn’t ask Leibowitz the price, but he did say it will cost more money to renovate the facility than what it cost to buy it.

Renamed The Admiral Theater as a sort of tribute to the classic movie houses that once populated Omaha (another 1% project, a La Vista-based venue/amphitheater about to break ground, is called The Astro), Leibowitz said rehab work will commence as soon as permits are in hand and will include a lot of modernizing to bring the building up to code. That means installing an elevator, fire suppression, an alarm system and modern HVAC. They’re also renovating and enlarging the bathrooms, adding real dressing rooms, production offices, showers and other amenities artists want.

“We’re rebuilding the infrastructure for the curtaining

and rigging that was almost 100 years old,” Leibowitz said. “The sound and lights are being sold.

We’ll have brand new sound and lighting. We’ll fly the PA from the roof of the building.”

The auditorium’s “tumbling room,” built over the entranceway steps, is being converted into a “VIP experience” that will require club membership for access. The VIP room, which will have its own bar and bathrooms, will open onto the auditorium’s balcony.

Speaking of bars, a “proper bar” will be constructed along the auditorium’s north wall that will include much higher-end offerings than the old Sokol.

“We’re trying to fix as much of the customer experience as possible,” Leibowitz said, “but we can’t fix the parking yet.”

The auditorium’s parking lot can support only a fraction of an audience that can attend a show.

Leibowitz has plans to clear as many spaces as possible for customers, but “part of going to a show at Sokol is parking in the neighborhood,” he said. That’s unlikely to change anytime soon.

And while the name will change — in fact they legally cannot use the Sokol moniker — Leibowitz said they won’t completely erase the old Sokol.

“There’s going to be things that remind you of the historic nature of the building,” he said. “We’re keeping as many old touches as we can.”

The target for The Admiral’s grand opening is February 2022.

So what about the old Sokol Underground? Leibowitz said the facility’s basement that once hosted hundreds of indie rock shows (and also once had a four-lane bowling alley) will be treated as a separate business. “It’s not going to be a music venue,” he said.

“We’re demoing it at the same time as the auditorium, putting in infrastructure, HVAC, elevator and

bathrooms, and then we will sit on it a little while.”

Leibowitz sees the irony of no longer hosting shows in a room that played a big role in establishing 1% Productions, but he also can’t see a need for yet another 300-capacity club in Omaha.

The Admiral Theater, with a capacity of 1,400, will fill a unique entertainment void.

“The Holland Center’s capacity is around 1,900; the Ralston Arena around 3,500, Sumpter is around 2,500. Sokol has always held a unique position in terms of capacity,” he said.

In fact Leibowitz said many shows booked at smaller venues over the years would have been hosted at Sokol Auditorium if the venue wasn’t universally considered a dump.

“If the Sokol as an entity would have invested in their facilities, there wouldn’t have been a Waiting Room or a Slowdown, but they never did,” Leibowitz said.

Now it’s happening. The decision to go all-in on Sokol was a gutsy move taken at one of the most challenging times in our country’s history, when no one was sure what would happen with live entertainment. Leibowitz shrugs off the risk.

“I like our business, the music industry and our venues,” Leibowitz said. “The timing wasn’t great when the Sokol deal came up, but how do we not do it? It was our dream venue, something we wanted to do back when we were doing 20 shows a month in the Underground. We always thought it would be amazing if we could own this place.”

Over The Edge is a monthly column

by Reader senior contributing writer Tim McMahan focused on culture, society, music, the media and the arts.

Email Tim at tim.mcmahan@ gmail.com.

June 2021

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