by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

The 402 logo

Tonight’s show at The Waiting Room is being promoted as “402 Rock Academy Presents…” According to TWR website, the Rock Academy is part of the 402 Arts Collective, which includes the 402 Project — or maybe they’re all just different names for the same thing?

No. Here’s how I think it breaks down:

The 402 Rock Academy was launched to mentor musicians. “Through the Arts Education Connection we are partnering with public, private, and home schools across the Omaha area to supplement the consistently downsized art curriculum,” according to TWR website.

“The 402 Project” is actually the building located in Benson along Maple Street that used to be The Foundry.

“The 402 Project will provide space for musicians to perform and artists to display their work. The building includes lesson studios that are already being utilized by the 402 Rock Academy and for individual and group lessons. Upstairs you’ll find a phenomenal recording studio and on the main floor we will soon have an Aromas Coffeehouse and an all-ages space for the community to gather and artists to collaborate,” says the site.

The 402 Arts Collective, a 501(c)3 non-profit entity, apparently incorporates all these things, or as their website says, it’s a “vibrant network of artists who are committed to impacting the culture and serving the community.” A noble mission indeed.

So who is involved in the 402 Arts Collective? Well, Skypiper is the only one associated with this project that I’ve heard of. I’ve never seen/listened to the other talent on tonight’s bill — Northern Lights, Midnight Pacific, The Downcast Perfumes, & Jessica Vogt, but seeing as it’s being billed as the “End of Semester Show,” maybe they’re students involved in the Academy? No idea. I’m not familiar with anyone on the 402 Leadership Staff page.

I have, however, heard of Aromas Coffeehouse. They have a location on 10th and Jones. Don’t bother Google-ing their website because it’s broken; instead check out the Yelp entry.  Benson used to not have any decent coffee shops. Now they might have two, Omaha Bicycle Co. and (eventually) Aromas…

Tonight’s Waiting Room show is $5, starts early at 7 p.m.

* * *

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 © 2013 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.