A frame from the Studio Fackler film “One Day, One Month, One Year,” featuring members of the .tbd dance collective. The film premiers Saturday, July 23 at Kaneko.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

The third annual Under the Radar Festival kicks off tonight at Project Project, 1818 Vinton St. I don’t know what Project Project is, nor do I know much about this festival, which runs through Saturday at venues around downtown. But I guess that’s why they call it “under the radar.”

The event describes itself as an annual “experimental performance” festival. “We emphasize non-commercial and independently created work, and work that represents under-represented ideas and identities,” says the website. Performers come from all over the country to take part. The common denominator is “avant garde,” which is a rarity (and a tough sell) in Omaha.

One of the highlights is a show being held at The Slowdown Saturday night that features the .tbd dance collective.

Another festival highlight is Thursday night at House of Loom where a handful of electronic musicians will perform, capped off by Dereck Higgins, the local legend who should add “hardest working man in the biz” to his unofficial title. Higgins is in at least four bands the last time I counted (including the sublime Chemicals).

And Friday night Milk Run holds the UTR court with a show featuring Big Slur (Dan Scheuerman of Deleted Scenes).

Full festival details, ticket info and schedules are available at http://www.undertheradaromaha.com/.

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Speaking of Milk Run, tonight the tiny club on Leavenworth is hosting two shows simultaneously. Minneapolis punk act Fucking headlines with Conny Franko (a.k.a. Conchance of M34n Str33t fame), Flak and CBN over in the tiny side, while The Bricks headlines in the art gallery side with Kate Berreckman Sam Vicari and Lincoln’s Scott Severin. The shows are $5 each and start at 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 © 2016 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.