Leafblower at O’Leaver’s, July 30, 2017. They’re playing there again Saturday night.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

I’m back from New York.

Actually, I’ve been back since Wednesday. It was the usual fun of US Open (Federer won!), Yankees (They lost!) and Broadway (Dear Evan Hansen!). As with every trip to NYC there were celebrity sightings. The first was Saturday Night Live “featured player” Mikey Day (the guy who plays Donald Jr.), who we spied sitting under a tree with a young lad (his son?) outside Yankee’s stadium prior to the game. The second was an almost unrecognizable Sandra Bernhard sitting across from me on the No. 1 train headed downtown. She got off a couple stops before 28th St. Celebrities, going about their lives like the rest of us.

Anyway… looks like I got back just in time for the weekend.

Tonight marks the return of Femme Fest, the annual celebration of women in rock, Omaha edition. This year’s festivities seem to have been limited to one Benson venue, the Waiting Room. The line-up: SAS, Domestica, Uh Oh, La Guerre, Jocelyn, Histrionic and Queerniverse Burlesque. The show starts at 6 p.m. and costs $10.

It’s also Benson First Friday (#BFF). So if you’re in the neighborhood come on by the Little Gallery, 5901 Maple St. (bottom fo the Masonic Lodge building) and check out this month’s show: Ricky Powell Jr.’s portraits of Wonder Women of Omaha. We’re there from 6 to 9 p.m. Booze and food. Yum.

Tomorrow night (Saturday) it’s back to fabulous O’Leaver’s for Leafblower with In the Whale and DROSS. 10 p.m., $5.

Also Saturday, Omaha hip-hop artist Buck Bowen celebrates the release of his new book(!) at Reverb Lounge with a handful of artists including Microphone Elements, Ryan Lucas and The Wolfman. $8, 9 p.m

That is all I got. If I missed your show put it in the comments section. Have a great weekend!

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Read Tim McMahan’s blog daily at Lazy-i.com — an online music magazine that includes feature interviews, reviews and news. The focus is on the national indie music scene with a special emphasis on the best original bands in the Omaha area. Copyright © 2018 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

Bloodcow as seen in the major motion picture documentary The Making of Crystals and Lazers.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Onward to the weekend…

Ghosty is playing tonight at O’Leaver’s. The Lawrence band has been around since the late ’90s. If I remember correctly (and I probably don’t) Ghosty toured with Son, Ambulance almost a decade ago for what had been described as “The Dirt Tour” because at one point the band found themselves sleeping on the floor of a house covered in dirt and cigarette butts. Ah, the glamorous life of rock stars. Ghosty has come through Omaha numerous times since. It’s good to see they’re still together and touring. Ghosty is listed as the opening band tonight along with KC band Shy Boys and headliner, Omaha’s own See Through Dresses. $5, 9:30 p.m.

Also tonight, hip-hop stylist Buck Bowen performs his new album, Truth Before Confort, at the new Side Door Lounge (now under new management) for what they’re calling “A SkeptiCelebration,” which features Bowen performing with a jazz trio. Saxophonist Steve Thornburg opens. 8 p.m., no cover!

If you missed Long Low Signal last night at The Waiting Room they’re headlining tonight at Slowdown Jr. Joining them are Mitch Gettman, Freakabout and Manic Pixie Dream Girls. $5, 9 p.m.

Also, it’s Benson First Friday.

Tomorrow night the mighty Bloodcow joins Civicminded to form Voltron on The Sydney’s stage. $5, 9 p.m.

Here’s a little behind-the-scenes “sneak peek” of the new Bloodcow album:

Have a mighty fine weekend…

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Read Tim McMahan’s blog daily at Lazy-i.com — an online music magazine that includes feature interviews, reviews and news. The focus is on the national indie music scene with a special emphasis on the best original bands in the Omaha area. Copyright © 2014 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.