by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Kevin Coffey at the Omaha World-Herald has a brief update on the MAHA Festival (Looks like Kev’s digging in his heels on the how the event is spelled — all caps vs. upper/lower. Of course I agree with Kevin, though the organizers are dead-set on an all-caps MAHA spelling, and as they own the franchise and its naming rights, I’ll acquiesce to their wishes, even though all-caps words are generally relegated to acronyms and dullards who don’t know how to type without the cap locks on).

There’s not a lot of new news in Kevin’s piece, other than organizer Tre Brashear stating the the event made money last year and they they plan on beginning to book artists (hopefully, with the help of One Percent Productions) in January and February. One burning question is where the event will be held.  There was almost a feeling of resignation toward hosting it at Lewis & Clark Landing this past year, even though it made perfect sense considering the event’s so-so 2009 launch. The long-term vision for MAHA imagines a multiple-day event held in an area with access to camping — i.e., a midwestern Woodstock. It’s been suggested that the event move to one of the dam sites or even to the property adjacent to The Anchor Inn. What’s required for the right locale? I guess just plenty of space and electricity. You can bring in porta-potties and potable water.

So is MAHA ready for that leap? Like Brashear says, it all depends on the level of sponsorship.  My take: I don’t dislike Lewis & Clark Landing, and I’m not sure the festival is ready to expand to multiple days. Ultimately, it comes down to booking. If your headliners are, say, only Interpol and Arcade Fire, stay at L&C. But if it’s Interpol, Arcade Fire, Wilco, Bright Eyes and someone like Flaming Lips or Guided By Voices or Sufjan Stevens, you might have a good argument to spread it out over two days and hold it in an open field. But it’s quite a financial gamble. Then again, isn’t any festival a gamble?

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Sarah Benck has a new band. You’ll remember Sarah played her last show with her old band as part of the 2009 Lincoln Calling Festival. She’s unveiling her new band this Saturday night at Slowdown Jr. So who’s in it? Corey Weber on guitar, Chris Weber on drums and Bob Carrig on bass.  As for a name, well, Sarah says that’s still up in the air. Also on the bill are Down With The Ship, Nick Jaina (Portland) and Midwest Dilemma. $5, 9 p.m.

What else is going on this weekend?

Saddle Creek band Old Canes kicks off a national tour at The Waiting Room tonight. Old Canes is a project by Appleseed Cast’s Chris Crisci, whose album, Feral Harmonic, was released late last year. Joining them is Dutch band The Black Atlantic , as well as Omaha’s own Conduits and headliner Dim Light. $7, 9 p.m.

Also tonight, Pharmacy Spirits headlines a show at Slowdown Jr. with Talking Mountain, Lincoln band The Power and Flesh Eating Skin Disease. The best part — admission is free. Starts at 9.

Meanwhile, over at at fabulous O’Leaver’s, Techlepathy is headlining a show with Self-Evident and Traindodge. $5, 9:30 p.m.

While over at the Barley Street tonight it’s Peace of Shit with The Dads and Watching the Train Wreck. $5, 9 p.m.

On Saturday night, it’s Fat Possum band The Walkmen at The Waiting Room with Japandroids (Polyvinyl) and Tennis. $13, 9 p.m.

Finally, Sunday night at O’Leaver’s it’s Beauty in the Beast (ex-Eagle Seagull) with Matt Kurz One and Chotto Ghetto. $5, 9:30 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.