by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Now here’s something to be thankful for: Tons of music going on this holiday weekend.

Tonight at The Slowdown, Little Brazil headlines a show with Noah’s Ark Was a Spaceship, The Stay Awake and Her Flyaway Manner, all for a mere $5 (CHEAP!). Show starts at 9.

Meanwhile, uptown at The Barley Street Tavern, it’s a going-away show for Cass Brostad of the indie-folk band Cass Fifty and the Family Gram. Cass is moving to warmer climes in Austin. Sending her out in style for this last-ever Family Gram show are Traveling Mercies, The Fergusens and The Bret Vovk 3. Ironically (or naturally, considering how things tend to go around here) the show celebrates the release of C50atFG’s new EP, just in time for the band’s demise. Show starts at 9 and is $5.

Over at The Brothers Lounge it’s a special birthday gig featuring Ron Wax (Ron Albertson of Mercy Rule), Ember Schrag and Her Flyaway Manner (who are slated to play that Slowdown earlier in the evening). 11 p.m., $5.

Finally, over at The Waiting Room, Satchel Grande wages a battle with itself in front a room filled with drunken dancers. This 3rd annual civil war starts at 9, $7

Saturday night’s schedule also is loaded.

Team Love band The Berg Sans Nipple headlines a huge show at Slowdown with Bear Country, Conduits, Con Dios (featuring Dan McCarthy and Cursive’s Matt Maginn) Noah Sterba & The Cocktails, all for just $7. Starts at 9.

Meanwhile, over at The Waiting Room Saturday night, it’s Des Moines band The Envy Corp., who has been busy recording at ARC Studios with AJ Mogis. Also on the bill is Cashes Rivers and Mitch Gettman. $8, 9 p.m.

Finally, at Fabulous O’Leavers, it’s live rock ‘n’ roll karaoke with Girl Drink Drunk along with a set by Guided by Voices tribute band King Shit and the Golden Boys. $5, 9:30 p.m.

The weekend closes with Mark Mallman at The Waiting Room with The Whipkey 3. $8, 9 p.m.

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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 © 2010 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.