A view from the deck of 1912. The new bar/restaurant in the heart of Benson opens July 31.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Some additional background on new Benson bar/restaurant 1912, the subject of this week’s column in The Reader (read the column here)…

Joe Carmichael, who built the bar along with brother, Bill, says the building’s rooftop super-deck has been wired for sound, as in live music. Though there’s no immediate plans to start hosting music on the roof, he’d like to see something like “MTV Unplugged” hosted on the deck.

“I’d love to get involved with the OEAA showcases,” he added, referring to the Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards’ summer and fall concert series held at bars throughout Benson (The next one is Aug. 22-23).

No question 1912’s rooftop deck will be a jewel in the heart of Benson. The views are remarkable. Carmichael said the rooftop also will be available to rent for special events. How they’ll balance special events with the needs of his regular clientele will be tricky. We recently had dinner at Benson Brewery and were seated in its new outdoor eating deck located behind the main dining area — stunning. Unfortunately, we were shooed back inside because an invite-only special event was about to start. Fail.

Anyway, read the story (you can also read it in the printed edition of The Reader, on news stands now) and check out 1912 this Saturday during its Benson Days open house. The beer starts flowing July 31.

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Tonight at fabulous O’Leaver’s it’s Lars & Mal along with Ohio folk/blues/American act Redleg Husky. $5, 9:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, The Waiting Room has Red Wanting Blue with The Alternate Routes & The Talbott Brothers. $15, 8 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 © 2014 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

At Brad’s Corner during last week’s Benson First Friday festivities, from left, are Matt Whipkey, Kait Berreckman and Brad Hoshaw.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

My only music experience this past weekend was catching a few songs on Brad’s Corner during First Friday in Benson. Replacing Vern Fergesen this month was singer/songwriter Kait Berreckman. Good stuff.

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Looking north, the massive rooftop bar on top of soon-to-open Benson bar 1912.

Friday night I also got a look inside the new Benson bar 1912, located the building that used to house The Lizard King pet store right across the street from The Waiting Room. The place is massive. I was told by the team putting it together to expect a summer opening, and judging from the state of the interior, they could hit their target (they’ve been working on it for something like five years). Even more impressive than the interior is the roof-top deck. It’s frickin’ enormous. I’m talking huge, with awesome views of Benson and the surrounding area. Will 1912 be a Benson game changer? We’ll see.

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Walking out of Aksarben Cinema Saturday night after seeing “Chef” (The feel-good foodie flick of the summer) I ran smack into a wall of teary-eyed teen and pre-teen girls who’d just seen cancer/love story “The Fault in Our Stars” (This generation’s “Love Story”?).

I didn’t realize until today that the soundtrack was composed by Mike Mogis and Nate Walcott, two-thirds of Bright Eyes. They might have a hit on their hands, judging by the weekend box office numbers — the film took in $48.2 million dollars to finish No. 1 for the weekend above “Maleficent” and third place finisher “Edge of Tomorrow.” Ch-ching!

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It’s as good a time as any to mention that a second show has been added to The Faint’s Omaha tour schedule. In addition to Friday night’s Sokol Auditorium gig with Reptar and Solid Goldberg (which isn’t sold out), The Faint will be playing Saturday night at The Waiting Room with Reptar and Digital Leather. Both shows start at 8 p.m. sharp. So why the additional show? Who knows, but no one’s complaining. Get your $20 tickets while you can.

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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.