The Reader by Pioneer Publishing

nov. 17 - 23, 2011 VOL.18

film collaborators discuss The descendants and working with alexander payne

dish12

Get Comfy This Winter

cover story by leo adam biga - Page 9

8days14 Pick of the Week

music29

Against The Current

film35

Shelter Skelter OMAHA JOBS 2

Weird 38

MOjo 40

FUNNIES 5

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NOV. 17BURST_3_Upper_A - 23, 2011

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topnews

Voices of Occupy Omaha Demonstrators enter second month of protest

5IVE

MINUTES INTO THE FUTURE bit.ly/mUdjj3 | NOV.18, 2011

In the next 50 years, America will

with the same accent, supported by

ﬁnd itself victim of a social change

online media. But rural Americans

that pundits will call the "country

will split off, developing language

mousing" of America. Speciﬁcally, a

conventions and accents of their

huge percentage of the population

own, to the point that many small

of this country will live in cities, and

rural pockets will functionally have

an increasingly small, impoverished,

their own dialects and cannot be

and ill-educated minority will live in

understood by city folk. This will

rural areas, either working low-

further guarantee the isolation and

paying seasonal work such as

poverty of rural Americans --

itinerant farming or year-round

without language and elocution

maintenance on factory farms. City

lessons, it will be impossible for

life will become mainstreamed, so

them to move into the city and get a

that, for instance, a person living in

job there.

New York or Los Angeles will pretty much use the same slang and speak

by: DR. QUENTIN MARK MYSTERIAN and BUNNY ULTRAMOD

by Sean McCarthy

hris Rock once joked that a man is basically as faithful as his options. The same logic could apply to politics. Last month, hundreds of Occupy Omaha protesters marched through downtown Omaha. Since then, members have been marching every Saturday at 11 a.m. on Gene Leahy Mall, through the Old Market, to the Federal Reserve building at 24th and Farnam. But everything from falling temperatures to the tediousness of doing the same activity every week has started to erode at least the physical presence of the Occupy Omaha demonstrators. It didn’t help that at the same time Occupy Omaha was holding its Saturday march at Gene Leahy Mall, kickoff was happening for the Nebraska/Penn State game. It would be ignorant to measure the loyalty of the demonstrators against a football game, but Saturday’s matchup was elevated into the national spotlight in lieu of the horrific sex abuse scandal at Penn State. In short, if you wanted to capture a portrait of the die-hards of the Occupy Omaha movement, Saturday’s protest supplied the canvas. About 50 protestors showed up at Gene Leahy Mall on Saturday. Among them was Nathaniel Davis, 31, of Omaha. Davis was one of three Occupy Omaha demonstrators arrested Nov. 3 and charged with criminal trespass when they refused to vacate the 24th and Farnam site where they set up a camp site. Benjamin Walden and Kathryn Heil were also arrested when they refused to vacate the area. Wearing a dark green Operation Enduring Freedom zip-up shirt, Davis said the same reason that propelled him to join the armed forces led him to want to be a part of Occupy Omaha: to protect the country. “The irony is that the people out protesting the slow and steady demise of this country are more patriotic than the apathetic people sitting at home doing nothing,” Davis said. Davis is due to appear in court Nov. 28. If convicted, he could face up to a $500 fine and six months in jail. He said the upcoming court date has not weighed on him. “It’s a bullshit charge,” Davis said. “I’m hoping the judge will throw it out.” Mahamed Mahamed, president of the Somali Community Service, repeatedly spoke with the Occupy Omaha protesters when they were using the 24th and Farnam site. Mahamed also works at the Black Sea Restaurant at 2230 Farnam St., where he would sometimes bring out coffee for the demonstrators that were camping out. Mahamed said he supported

news

the general cause of Occupy Wall Street, but he said the group had a mixed message when it came to the richest of Americans. Mahamed said a lot of the Occupy Wall Street message was anti-rich, but he cited Warren Buffet as an individual who was willing to pay more taxes to ensure certain entitlements and critical services do not go away. “When you generalize, there’re always individuals who will be hurt,” Mahamed said. Much like the national Occupy Wall Street movement, Occupy Omaha takes great pains to express it’s a leaderless movement. Jim Morrison, who has done interviews with the Omaha World-Herald and KETV, stated his role with Occupy Omaha was as a member of the PR outreach committee of Occupy Omaha, not its spokesman. “I believe whole-heartedly this is not a party-affiliated movement,” Morrison said. Morrison said Occupy Omaha is currently working with the city on establishing a permanent central location for the protestors. Morrison hoped once a primary location has been approved, additional satellite locations could also be set up throughout Omaha. In addition to being a leaderless movement, Occupy Omaha does not have a singular issue uniting demonstrators, at least according to the marchers Saturday. Almost every person interviewed had a different idea about what Occupy Omaha’s main focus should be. Leann Jensen believed campaign finance reform was the biggest issue that should be addressed. Dave Polson, carrying a handheld upside-down flag, said excessive military expenditures was one of the biggest threats to the United States. “It’s completely off the dial,” Polson said. Many in the media have tried to equate the Occupy Wall Street movement as the left’s version of the Tea Party. However, Saturday’s demonstration had at least one protestor openly express admiration of radio personality Glenn Beck. While visiting the camp site at 24th and Farnam before it was vacated, at least one person camping declared himself to be a member of the Tea Party. Polson said there were similarities such as concern about government spending that united both causes. “I don’t see it as a ‘versus’ issue,” he said. Frances Mendenhall, a dentist who lives in Omaha, was among the marchers on Saturday. Walking up Howard Street through the Old Market, Mendenhall has marched in three Occupy Omaha demonstrations. As chanters shouted “Banks Get Bailed Out, We Got Sold Out,” Mendenhall said she was upset at the city’s decision to vacate the protestors from the 24th and Farnam location. “Buying elections is free speech, and that’s not?” Mendenhall questioned. “Give me a break.” ,

| THE READER |

NOV. 17 - 23, 2011

heartlandhealing

n e w

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ea means many things to many people. It can be a brew made with water and almost any kind of plant material. There are herbal teas from the flowers of plants, the roots of plants, the stems of plants. Tea has come to mean almost any type of beverage that results from steeping or soaking botanicals in water. That definition of tea is tea as the process. But there is a plant that is called tea, also. That’s the one our forefathers tossed over the sides of ships in Boston Harbor, an act that bequeathed its moniker to a 21st century political group. Tea was taxed at the time of our American revolution because it was valued as a beverage. In the land of its origin, tea actually served as money, pressed into blocks and used to buy and sell. It was valued as much more than just that. It was, and is, medicine. Discovered Occidentally Tea, the plant Thea sinensis, is native to the Orient. It is a hardy evergreen that can grow to 30 feet but when cultivated is manicured to 4-6 feet high. The Western world knew nothing of tea until the era of European exploration in the 1500’s. Travelers wrote from China and Japan about a drink that was a staple of Asians and revered for its beneficial effects. Notable was tea’s stimulant nature. Tea contains caffeine and other alkaloids, including theophylline. The English word tea is based on the Greek word for “goddess,” thea, so maybe the early explorers knew more than we realized about tea’s divine healing properties. In 1657 a fellow named Thomas Garway invited London to tea. He owned a popular coffeehouse and imported a large quantity of tea from China. Thus began the British Empire’s tremendous influence over the Western world’s tea drinking habits. A (free) radical approach Green, oolong or black, it’s the same plant, but green tea, oolong or black is determined by process and production. When the tender young leaves at the top of the plant are picked and dried gently, prevented from fermenting, and packaged that way, it is green tea. A different process, promoting slight fermentation and pressing results in oolong tea. And the most processing results in black teas. Due to its limited processing, green tea is not oxidized and more of its natural properties remain intact. These properties have been known in Oriental medicine for thousands of years. Only recently has Western science noticed them. Green tea has high quantities of those famous antioxidants we hear so much about. Antioxidants are the compounds that eliminate free radicals in our bodies. Free radicals oxidize things, supposedly causing everything from heart disease to cancer as well as attacking the immune system. A simple explanation is that they cause the body to corrode, like a rusting car. Antioxidants keep free radicals from attacking cell integrity. They keep us from oxidizing — rusting. Antioxidants are present in many healthful foods and vitamins. The most famous are probably vitamin C

B y

m i c h a e l

b r a u n s t e i n

and vitamin E. But University of Kansas research shows that, as an antioxidant, green tea is 100 times as effective as C and 25 times better than E. Free radicals have a bad effect on DNA, the molecular blueprint that controls cell and tissue growth. When a free radical scavenges an electron from a DNA molecule, it can change the programming of a cell. If the blueprint gets wacky, the cell goes rogue and rogue cells are called cancer. Anything that helps eliminate excess free radicals can certainly be considered frontline in the fight against cancer. Research is focusing on substances in green tea that are cancer growth inhibitors. Tannins are active elements of tea. A specific extract of green tea called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) causes a surprising effect in tumor cells: they commit cell suicide (apoptosis). Green tea is bad for cancer cells; good for people, something known by billions of people for thousands of years. By the way, the research is published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Volume 89, Issue 24: December 17, 1997. The research was done at Case Western. Other studies are just as notable. What got U.S. researchers interested in the first place was a study in the early ‘90s by the Shanghai Cancer Institute, Columbia University and the U.S. National Cancer Institute. Their findings: people who drink even one cup of green tea a week have a reduced risk of rectal, colon and pancreatic cancer. A related study found the same light use of green tea reduced the incidence of esophageal cancer by 60%. And the cancer-fighting effects of green tea are not limited to the gastro-intestinal tract. Another complex mechanism of ECGC has been found to inhibit tumors. Green tea has been shown to protect against lung cancer and skin cancer as well. Sobering thought Wine has a healthful reputation because it contains a natural antioxidant called resveratrol. But ECGC in green tea is twice as effective as an antioxidant and there is no hangover. Green tea also balances good cholesterol in the body and does it twice as well as wine, according to a study published in Lancet in 1997. Because of the intricate effect of green tea on the various lipids in the body, cholesterols and triglycerides, another study concluded that those who drink green tea are effectively protecting themselves not only from heart disease, but from liver ailments as well. The study was first published in 1995 in the British Medical Journal. Two cups a day, not a bad habit to adopt. Errata correcti Thanks to a reader who pointed out that in my excitement to report mainstream acknowledgement that the flu shot is a waste of time and money, I completely inverted the data. Recent meta-analysis claimed the shot works 59 percent of the time. I flipped it and wrote that it fails 59 percent of the time. In any case, the flu shot still gets an “F.” Be well. ,

Heartland Healing by Michael Braunstein examines various alternative forms of healing. It is

provided as a source of information, not as medical advice. It is not an endorsement of any particular therapy, either by the writer or The Reader. Access past columns at HeartlandHealing.com

nov. 17 - 23, 2011

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| THE READER | The Reader - Omaha 11-17-11.indd 1

NOV. 17 - 23, 2011

9/8/11 2:44 PM

NOV. 17 - 234, 2011

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coverstory

film forum

Film collaborators discuss The Descendants and working with director Alexander Payne by Leo Adam Big

n his well-reviewed new film The Descendants Alexander Payne reframes the Hawaiian idyll as gritty American terrain where history and culture intersect with human aspirations and failings. The festival favorite follows an island clan set askew by trauma, infidelity, greed and legacy. Feeling the weight of it all is reluctant land baron Matt King (George Clooney), who tries salvaging what’s left of his family and life by practicing forgiveness and finally growing up. Clooney’s called the film a coming-of-age tale for his 50-year old character and his estranged 17-year-old daughter, Alexandra, played by Shailene Woodley. The Fox Searchlight release has two preview screenings Nov. 20 at Film Streams, where the pic plays exclusively beginning Nov. 23. For this project that’s put Payne back in the game after a seven-year feature hiatus he reunited with producer Jim Burke, who goes back with him to Election, and cinematographer Phedon Papamichael, who lensed Sideways. Payne and Papamichael use the Hawaii setting’s natural beauty to inform its prevailing island insouciance and to counterpoint its hard realities. Burke is a partner with Payne and his frequent screenwriting collaborator Jim Taylor in Ad Hominem Enterprises, which produced Descendants. Woodley worked with Payne for the first time on the new film. Descendants also marks the first time since Election Payne’s worked with two young actors in crucial roles in Woodley and Amara Miller as her younger sister Scottie. “It’s all about casting,” Payne says of getting kids’ parts right. “Shailene is a total pro. She’s on a TV show (‘The Secret Life of the American Teenager’). She’s going places. She’s excellent. Amara, who turned 10 while we were shooting, had never been in anything. She’s just a complete natural.” Payne collaborated once again with his longtime casting director, John Jackson (an Omahan). Kaui Hart Hemmings, a Hawaii native and resident who authored the novel the film’s based on, closely vetted the script at Payne’s request to ensure authenticity. She was on set for the duration. She praises his “attention to the minutiae of Hawaiian life, his humor and restraint, his casting decisions,” adding that the adaptation “brings Ha-

waii to the big screen -- something’s that’s never been done before in an authentic way.” Whether bucolic wine country gone sodden or alexander payne stolid Omaha’s underside revealed or paradise undone, Payne indelibly places broken characters in their milieu. Rather than Hawaii Five-O gloss or native exotic allure, here he focuses on the mundanity of familial disputes, personal tragedies and inconvenient truths. In the Paynsian scheme, life happens messily everywhere and comedy springs from desperate people making mistakes. Burke says Payne’s deft sardonic touch has, if anything, ripened. “My feeling is Alexander has made his finest film. It’s sort of a maturation of filmmaker that is actually beautiful to see. Tonally, it still has many of the hallmarks of Alexander’s previous work but it is a bit more emotionally penetratgeorge clooney and Shailene Woodley ing. I think the stakes are sort of serious in this picture.” The stakes are high for Payne, too, after being away so long and failing to get his Downsizing project made. He needed this. “Well, I mean from a straight kind of careerist point of view it’s important,” says Burke, “but that’s not really what he is, he’s more of an auteur. He’s going to make movies when he’s ready to do that and when he’s ready to work on something he feels a connection to, and sometimes that takes awhile.” Woodley experienced the warm, laidback set Payne’s famous for. “He really payne and clooney gives you the freedom to express in whatever way you want to,” she says, “and you don’t feel weird being vulnerable around him because he creates such an accepting and open environment.” She says Clooney was equally comfortable to work with and she now regards the two men as her industry “mentors.” Papamichael says Payne betrayed extra “nervousness” at the start but soon fell into a rhythm. Despite having worked only once before they quickly hit their stride. “It was pretty instant. We were able to dive right into it. On Sidepayne ways it took about 10 days for me to figure out the way he sees things and understands coverage. Somecontinued on page 10 y

cover story

| THE READER |

nov. 17 - 23, 2011

coverstory y continued from page 9

times the camera is not as intimate as I’d like to place it. He’s very much an observer -- he likes to stay a little wider, a little distant, and I pushed it a little bit and we got in tighter. “We’re still exploring our aesthetic as our collaboration continues. It’s all very subjective, all very personal. Everybody sees things a little differently.” Each has a propensity for stripped-down, naturalistic, location-driven shoots that are a function of their low budget roots. “I didn’t come through the system of operators and gaffers, it was always do-it-yourself, use natural light, move quickly, keep it as simple as possible, be as unobtrusive as possible, so it was a good fit,” says Papamichael. “On Sideways we tried not letting the camera get in the way of the story, and that was the approach to The Descendants as well. Both are picturesque settings you put these conflicted, troubled lives into. “What was important to us was to show a range of Hawaiian society. It’s not just what’s presented to people through the tourist boards. I mean, it has traffic jams, it has poverty. There’s a great discrepancy between wealth and locals living in slums along the beach, where these tent towns go on for miles. It was important for us to show people who live in Hawaii are Americans like everywhere else. They have all the same problems.” Deep reverberations of place and heritage assail Matt King. “It was important to show the psychology of the land and the strength of nature as Matt goes through the conflict he’s dealing with and feels the healing power and purity of nature. It helps him sort of resolve certain things he’s torn about and he gains respect for recognizing those values. There’s so many layers in it.” Payne spent months immersing himself in all things Hawaii. The reportage-like approach subtly reveals layers. “It was important for the photography not to be flashy, but to feel real,” Papamichael says. “Alexander has this saying: ‘Keep the banality of things.’ So we don’t touch anything on locations.” The joint where one of King’s cousins, played by Beau Bridges, holds court is a genuine bar and the extras glimpsed there its actual denizens. “Even when we shoot somebody driving somewhere we shoot on the road the character would have to take. It’s not like, ‘Oh, let’s do some drive-bys on the north shore because it’s really pretty.’ It extends to casting. Alexander instinctively finds people that feel real.

nov. 17 - 23, 2011

“All that authenticity audiences do feel somehow. It’s not manipulative, it’s not some artificial world we’re creating. I think that’s why his stories, other than the brilliant writing, are so effective. They are real.” He says the two of them work intuitively, starting in pre-production. “We don’t really shot list or storyboard. What we do is we watch movies we feel are more or less relevant to what we’re doing. We’re drinking wine and eating pasta and showing each other films.” For Descendants, he says, “I showed him Walkabout because it deals with nature and how society and humanity are in conflict with that. We always end up watching some Hal Ashby or Italian movie (at Payne’s insistence).” This show-and-tell sparks a running conversation. “It’s nothing specific, nothing designed. We don’t analyze it. We just get a sense for the tone or the framing. We do go scout and pick locations together. We do talk a little bit about color palette when we’re dealing with (production designer) Jane Stewart, but it’s very nontechnical — the whole thing. “He’s open, he listens to people. Sometimes he’s looking more for help, sometimes less. He has a very particular, very unique way of seeing things in the way he directs, the way he cuts. He takes a long time to cut his movies. He really fine tunes and finds the little moments with (editor) Kevin Tent. It’s very precise in a way.” That precision extends to Payne’s scripts. “I remember Thomas Haden Church once asked if he could change one word in a sentence (on Sideways) and Alexander thought about it for a really long time and he was like, ‘No, I think we’ll just do it the way it’s scripted.’ He surely thought about that line a really long time when writing and that’s why it’s in the script that way.” He says even dialogue that sounds improvised is scripted. “It’s exactly the way it’s written, word for word, there’s no veering off into any adlibbing.” Papamichael and Payne are slated to work together again soon. They’ve done scouts and made tests for Nebraska, a black-and-white, father-son road pic for Paramount to be shot in-state next spring. Word has it Payne’s trying to seduce Oscar-winner Gene Hackman out of retirement to play the derelict father who enlists his estranged son in driving him to claim a supposed winning lottery ticket. , Payne is doing a Q & A after the 5 p.m. show and introducing the 8:30 p.m. show. A Waikiki Party follows at Slowdown. For screening and ticket info visit www.filmstreams.org. Read more of Leo Adam Biga’s work at leoadambiga.wordpress.com.

| THE READER |

cover story

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At Designer Beads & Charms it’s easy to create a meaningful gift for everyone on your list this holiday season. Located at 120th & Blondo in we are your authorized Chamilia retailer with a wide variety of beautiful charms to choose from. Add a designer beadsl i& t t charms le sparkle to your accessories this season with Chamilia’s Red & White Holiday Bangle. Featuring genuine red swarovski crystal and the new Frosty Glow snowman charm, this festive bracelet will brighten up your look all season long! Call 402-991-8801 or go to www. designerbeadsandcharms.com to place your order.

www.facebook.com/UrbanAbbeyOmaha

1026 Jackson Old Market 402-898-7600

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Urban Abbey/Soul Desires

Urban Abbey: We are a coffee shop with a cause supporting local Non-profits (currently Together, Inc.). 10% of all of your purchases and 100% of some of our bagged coffee purchases go to support these local Non-profits. We have a wide selection of locally roasted coffee and beautiful teas perfect to share with friends and family for the holidays. Soul Desires: Books and gifts for your spiritual journey out of the major world traditions.

White Crane

White Crane Gallery, located in the historic Old Market Passageway, represents handmade American Art from over 125 local & national artists. With white crane exquisite pieces of art made from wood, metal, ceramic, and glass, you’re sure to find the perfect holiday gift at White Crane. The work is carefully selected by owner Judith Shepard from local, regional, and national artists. The gallery was founded in January of 1992. For nineteen years the White Crane has proudly served the Omaha area. White Crane prides itself on its unique lines of handmade jewelry, ornaments, and decorations. White Crane Gallery is the destination of choice for beautiful art and gifts. We look forward to a visit from you soon.

“A retail wine shop, wine bar and deli with an emphasis on French wines in the heart of the Old Market” Monday-Thursday 10am -11pm

Friday

10am -Midnight

Saturday

9am -Midnight

Sunday 11:30am -11:00pm

Red Square

511 S 11th St. Omaha Old Market District 402.344.8627

Matrioshka dolls, also called nesting dolls, are traditional wooden crafted dolls nested inside of each other- getting smaller and smaller. Each doll is individually painted by various Russian artists and fine craftsmen from Russia.

Moksha

Raw silk embroidered top with silk threads -Popularly known as Kurtis/ Tunic-Made in India. Indian Jacquard design weaving stoles women s outwear. Silk wool Pashminas scarves handcrafted in India. Moksha is located at 1026 Howard St.

| THE READER |

NOV. 17 - 23, 2011

Get Comfy This Winter

by Rachel Grace

he term “comfort food” was first coined in the ’70s, but the genre it describes has been around even longer. We all know dishes like fried chicken and apple pie have a special place in the heart of the American psyche. We think of tradition, of nostalgia, of sentimental appeal. And of course, of good eats. But the idea of comfort food extends across cultures too. Shake things up this winter by sampling a variety of cuisines, and take advantage of the many ways to enjoy a meal in good company, even as the days get shorter and the mercury drops. We first look to soup to warm us up. Instead of drab old chicken noodle, try a bowl of “pho.” Often eaten as a street food, this traditional Vietnamese soup has a strong fan base worldwide, and with lots of variations. At downtown’s Saigon Surface, the Oxtail Pho ($10) is brimming with soft rice noodles, crunchy scallions, and tender, flavorful beef brisket. It can be tricky to pile everything into the deep Chinese-style spoon, but also sort of fun. Meatballs and thinly sliced beef provide extra sustenance in this hearty bowl, but they also offer a chicken version. Add a dash of spicy Sriracha sauce and some fresh basil or cilantro to the piping hot broth, and prepare to experience the ultimate cure for the cold outside. There’s more to winter than ice and snow; it’s also a time to connect with family and friends over an intimate meal. The cuisine known as dim sum means “a bit of heart” in Cantonese, and is traditionally enjoyed as a relaxed family gathering. At West Omaha’s New Gold Mountain, the tapas-style

nov. 10 - 16, 2011

plates are ordered from a list, and brought out one no shortage of freshly baked rye bread, sauerkraut by one. Each serving is enough for two to four people and authentic potato salad. Your sweet tooth can to have a taste—and perhaps to fight over the last indulge in one of the decadent 25-layer tortes—a bit. The menu comprises various balls, rolls, buns, treat that reportedly takes three days to prepare cakes, dumplings, and even sticky rice wrapped in and bake. Here you can delight in dishes made with aromatic lotus flower leaves. Some dishes are sweet; extra love and care—the best ingredients for a commany are savory. Others, like the Steamed BBQ Pork fort food classic. Buns ($2.75), are both: Chopped pork coated in a Our Canadian neighbors may know a thing pink barbecue sauce, oxtail pho from saigon surface or two about long winters, encased in fluffy--yet and perhaps that’s why their dense--sweet bread. unofficial national comfort The Pan Fried Turfood has all the good stuff: nip Cake ($2.75) is crispy French fries, thick a compact square brown gravy, and fresh cheese made from the curds. Known as poutine (by shredded root vegno coincidence related to the etable, reminiscent English pudding), you can try of another comfort it at Omaha’s own New York food fave, the potato Chicken & Gyros ($3.95). pancake. Each item Here, they’re not overzealous is strikingly attracwith the cheese curds, which tive, intricately and may be a good thing for caumeticulously pretious first-time Poutiners. The pared. At New Gold dish, for all its notoriously Mountain, the wait heavy ingredients, is surprisstaff is warm and ingly easy to manage. But welcoming; the walls are a cheerful, inviting shade still, the crunchy cubed spuds sop up the gravy in of yellow. A more enlivened winter meal would be a way that will have you humming “O Canada” ‘til difficult to cook up. springtime. You will need a fork for this. Although summer grilling season is closed until Happily, you won’t have to travel far to find tranext year, you can still have your beloved bratwurst ditions from all over the world, so be sure to sample at the Lithuanian Bakery & Kafe, where quality the stellar comfort food in Omaha this winter. , sausages are available all year round. Try a Combo Plate, which features a smooth, well-seasoned brat, Saigon Surface is located at 324 S. 14th St.. New Gold and a smoked, juicy knackwurst, which is a lot like Mountain is at 15505 Ruggles St., just north of 156th a hot dog, but better. The wursts are brought in and West Maple Road. Lithuanian Bakery & Kafe is from a Wisconsin sausage maker, and produced us- at 7427 Pacific St. New York Chicken & Gyros can be ing the finest old world recipes. On the side, there’s found at 1611 Farnam St.

| THE READER |

rachel grace

A few Omaha eaterys that warm us up

dish

crumbs

dish

Mimi’s Café offers Seasonal Menus: Mimi’s Cafe invites guests to “Come Enjoy a Taste of France” with the arrival of its latest seasonal menus— Tour de Paris. As the second stop on Mimi’s culinary journey, the new food and drink choices are inspired by the culinary capital of the world and are available for a limited time at an incredible value. Guests can try for a chance to experience Paris firsthand by participating in the Mimi’s Chance for France Giveaway from Nov. 3 through Dec. 31. The grand prize is a five-day, four-night trip for two to Paris, including round-trip air transportation and accommodations. Participants will also have a chance to win more than 100 prizes, including $100 Mimi’s gift cards for 10 winners, a free Mimi’s Family Meal To-Go for 20 winners and $25 Mimi’s gift cards for 75 winners. All winners will be announced in January 2012. Visit MimisCafe.com for information.

The Boiler Room and The Sorting Table to hold Wine Dinner: The Boiler Room to host a wine dinner focused on the wines of France Nov. 23, featuring The Sorting Table portfolio. The wine dinner will be from 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. and featuring a stunning selection of food and wine. With fall hovering around and the game season about to begin, the menu is sure to feature Muscovy duck and Yorkshire piglets from Iowa as well as heirloom squash and house ground polenta. The cost is $85 per person before tax and tip, call 916.9274 to make reservations. — John Horvatinovich Crumbs is about indulging in food and celebrating its many forms. Send information about area food and drink businesses to crumbs@thereader.com

| THE READER |

NOV. 17 - 23, 2011

8 days TOPTV “How to Make It in America”

Sunday season finale, 9:30 p.m. (HBO)

I had my doubts when this series premiered last year, seeming like the formless tale of hustlers Ben (Bryan Greenberg) and Cam (Victor Rasuk) as they try to get a T-shirt fashion line off the ground in New York City. Turns out it wasn’t formless after all, just low-key and naturalistic, with no interest in big plot hooks. Instead, How to Make It in America focuses on small but compelling moments, the kind that really happen in life. It takes courage to pull off this approach, but the series has mastered it in season two, thanks to canny scene-making and great acting by the large cast of hoods, girlfriends and business associates. In this week’s season finale, Ben and Cam struggle with the business and their own friendship. As they have definitely not yet Made It in America, I look forward to their further adventures in season three. —Dean Robbins

nov. 17 - 23, 2011

t h e r e a d e r ’ s entertainment picks nov . 1 7 - 2 3 , 2 0 1 1

THURSDAY17 Nov. 17

Bemis Open Studios

PICKOFTHEWEEK

Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts 12th & Leavenworth 6-8p.m., FREE bemiscenter.org, 341.7130 Over 1,000 artists from around the globe like Wisconsin-based artist Melissa Cooke, whose intense powdered graphite drawings depict situations where inhibitions have been let go, apply to work in live in Bemis Center ever year. Bemis’ jury selects just thirty-two artists annually who fit the bid. The Open Studios presents a rare opportunity for public to see these highly esteemed contemporary artists—their work in progress, the place where they live and breathe art, and themselves. Cooke along with current Bemis fellows Iede Reckmam (installation), Tarrah Krajnak and Danielle Julian-Norton (installation), Ying Zhu (sculpture and installation), Gwenessa Lam (painting), Alejandro Almaza (installation), Quynh Vantu (installation), Erik Benson (painting) and Sam Duket (painting) will only be here for a short while. Meet them before their energy is blowin in the wind. —Sally Deskins Nov. 17

The Appleseed Cast w/ Hospital Ships & Skypiper The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. 8 p.m. $10/adv, $12/dos www.onepercentproductions.com

A few miles away in Lawrence, Kansas, there is a bubbling music scene — and there always has been. Since 1999, The Appleseed Cast has had a strong presence in Lawrence, planting their experimental brand of indie-rock firmly in the soil. Comprised of singer/guitarist Chris Crisci, guitarist Aaron Pillar, bassist Nathan Whitman and drummer John Momberg, the band is primarily a guitar-driven, instrumental

| THE READER |

picks

rock paper dynamite

Saturday, Nov. 19 Rock Paper Dynamite w/ Snake Island!, Dim Light & Moses Prey The Waiting Room Lounge,6212 Maple St. $7, 9 p.m., www.waitingroomlounge.com Omaha’s high energy rock quartet and OEAA nominated, Rock Paper Dynamite, invites you to join them for an evening of public debauchery and rock’ n’roll at the Waiting Room. This event is especially notable as the band is releasing their latest EP, I’ve Seen Days, which will be their last release in Omaha before they make headway east to South Carolina to tear down the South’s musical establishment to rebuild in their own image this coming spring. While we’re on the topic of new merch table fodder, Moses Prey is also releasing their latest studio effort in conjunction with the night’s apparent theme. Rounding out the night of rock heavy hitters is Dim Light and Snake Island!, whom are also nominated for an OEAA. Visit drinkify.org and type “Rock Paper Dynamite” in the search box to learn what beverage RPD recommends you enjoy at the show. —James Derrick Schott

band. Elaborate drumming, complicated guitar arpeggios and sparse, ethereal vocals enrapture the listener until it’s as if they are catapulted a thousand miles away to some distant universe. Evocative of Braid and Sunny Day Real Estate, The Appleseed Cast is the kind of band you get lost in. Though they haven’t put out a full-

length record since 2009’s Sagarmatha, they are currently on tour in support of their latest EP, Middle States (Graveface Records). After multiple line-up changes and all sorts of personal challenges, The Appleseed Cast seems set in stone and ready for an encore. — Kyle Eustice

t h e

r e a de r ’ s

Nov. 17

Christina Narwicz: Recent Works Hillmer Art Gallery College of Saint Mary Campus 7000 Mercy Road 5:30-7p.m., FREE, through Dec. 17 csm.edu, christinanarwicz.com

With Christina Narwicz’ Recent Works she exhibits paintings that are the beginning of a news series focusing on the “emergent energy created on the canvas.” The Omaha-based artist, who shows internationally, is known for her often abstract organic work referencing the constantly changing environment of the natural world, specifically her own garden and the Caribbean Islands where she has spent years sailing. “While it may seem contradictory, the ephemeral world is our one constant, a fluidly primal element inherent within each one of us,” the multiple award and grant-winning artist writes in her artist statement, “and my exploration creates a language of signs and symbols that is not written but nonetheless spoken universally.” —Sally Deskins

SUNDAY20 Nov. 20

Kosha Dillz w/ Purveyors of Conscious Sound, Double O and the Rowbits & Dirty Diamonds The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. 8 p.m., $7/adv, $10/dos www.onepercentproductions.com

Just when you thought there wasn’t any more white boy hip-hop (no offense), here comes Kosha DIllz, a New Jersey-bred emcee who says he’s “an artist who loves Jewish Israel zionistic hip-hop-esque, cool hipster-atious, bodacious moving beats and shows at cruddy bars with soon-to-be superstars.” Whatever that means, Kosha Dillz is on a mission to execute his witty rhymes to anyone who will

entertainment

listen. He already has two studio albums under his belt, 2008’s Freestyle Vs. Written and 2009’s Beverly Dillz, and, believe it or not, he’s garned plenty of press. From reviews on Urb. com to Spin.com, Kosha Dillz may be onto something. Sure, his lyrical content revolves around cliche topics such as drug abuse, cocaine dealing and prison time, but at least he manages to add a clever twist to each track to make them funny. Don’t worry, he does touch on Judaism, Hanukkah and throw a few Yiddish words in there to profess his love of all things Jewish then sets it to a “dope” beat to further solidify his hip-hop credibiliy. — Kyle Eustice

TUESDAY22 Nov. 22

Touche Amore w/ Pianos Become Teeth & Seahaven The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. 8 p.m. $10 www.onepercentproductions.com

Admit it, a lot of us are punk rock snobs. We consider The Clash, Exploited, The Sex Pistols and even Bad Religion the definition of punk, not these bubble gum pop-punk bands like Blink-182 or Green Day. Sadly, the younger generations are going to need one hell of an education to undo the damage MTV has done. Touche Amore is somewhere in the middle. The California-based post-hardcore quintet got together in 2007 and the youngsters cite influences that truly date them. Nirvana’s Nevermind, Pearl Jam’s Ten and Alice In Chains’ Facelift were among vocalist Jeremy Bolm’s top choices. In the nicest way possible, it’s surprising they didn’t end up sounding like a less innovative version of Mudhoney or Soundgarden. Instead, Touche Amore is more like melodic hardcore with bursts of screaming. Give them a chance next Tuesday when they play in support of their sophomore effort, Parting The Sea Between Darkness and Me. — Kyle Eustice

picks

nov . 1 7 - 2 3 ,

2 0 1 1

3UP3DOWN

Nov. 21

An Evening with Corey Taylor The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. 8 p.m., $20/adv, $22/dos www.onepercentproductions.com

t can happen at any moment in life. You’re heading in one direction and all of a sudden you do a 180-degree turn. Most often, there is a defining moment where everything clearly changed. That moment for Slipknot’s Corey Taylor was when the band lost bassist Paul Gray to an accidental overdose. The Des Moines native told Revolver magazine, “Slipknot just doesn’t make sense without Paul Gray.” This, corey taylor of course, ignited a storm of debate over whether or not Slipknot would ever reconvene. By the looks of it, Taylor is focusing on other projects such as Stone Sour, his first book, Seven Deadly Sins, and his own unique brand of spoken word which he brings to the Waiting Room Nov. 21. How did the death of Paul Gray affect you and the future of Slipknot? It’s still too early to tell. We’re all still dealing with it. I’ve only recently started talking about it. He really was the spirit of Slipknot. He wrote most of the music. Not everybody knows that. I’ve been trying to give him the recognition he deserves. None of us can really fathom what to do because such a big piece of the puzzle is gone. I’m glad to have other projects to focus on. You seem to be going in a totally different direction now. Why? I wanted to take a chance. It’s so easy to rest on your laurels and perpetuate the same thing over and over. That’s the easy route. When you change it up and do different things, you’re expanding what you can do. It’s jarring at first. Change is always violent, but at the end of the day, it’s worth it. Why did you decide to get sober? I write about it in the book, in the “gluttony” section, let’s put it that way. In retrospect, I wish I remembered more of what I did. I remember doing a lot of the things, but I don’t remember enjoying it. It’s stuff like that which reinforces my sobriety. I want to remember everything I do. — Kyle Eustice

WEDNESDAY23 Nov. 23

Extreme Challenge 200

Harrah’s in Council Blufss 8 p.m., tickets starting at $20, table seating and front row seating also available Tickets can be purchased through the casino box office, TicketMaster or CageTix.com Nov. 23, 1996, is when it all began for Extreme Challenge. That’s when Extreme Challenge 1 was born. Owner and promoter Monte Cox has often said he didn’t want to name shows because

picks

he thought if he was around long enough all the good names would have been used. “I just decided it would be easier to number them. There’s no challenge in that,” he said. Now, 15 years to the exact date, Extreme Challenge 200 will take place at Harrah’s Casino in Council Bluffs, Iowa. To celebrate the milestone the card will feature one of Extreme Challenge’s original stars — UFC standout and Omaha native Jeremy Horn. “This all seems kind of crazy,” Cox said. “This is a big number. That’s a lot of shows. We often bill ourselves as the Midwest’s largest and longestrunning MMA promotion when, actually, we’re among the top few in the country for longevity and this show proves it.”

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nov. 17 - 23, 2011

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NOV. 17 - 23, 2011

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culture

John Durbin’s back as Tartuffe for Brigit

by Warren Francke

ohn Durbin sat on stairs that descend into Joslyn Castle’s music room, as handsome a setting as you’ll find. He’s fresh from months in Hawaii with George Clooney and two dozen others he cast in Alexander Payne’s new movie, The Descendants. Now he’s Tartuffe, the title rascal in Moliere’s classic comedy opening the Brigit Saint Brigit Theatre Company’s 19th season. “I’m a big Moliere fan,” he says. “I’ve been after Cathy (director Kurz) for years” to do the French satirist. So he’s housed once more in Council Bluffs, where he was born as John Jackson, his name when he’s not on stage but busy casting films for Payne. He started with Citizen Ruth and Election before About Schmidt, Sideways and now The Descendants, which premieres in the actor’s current home base, Los Angeles, this week. He’s back with Brigit and director Kurz, performing for the company where he starred in such plays as Beckett’s Endgame and, most recently, The Little Foxes. It’s a fitting reunion, considering that the company has found a temporary home in the Castle after several seasons sharing the Downtown Space with the Blue Barn company. Durbin did Elwood P. Dowd of Harvey fame in Brigit’s early days at the Joslyn Museum and played other roles for Brigit in Bellevue and at the College of St. Mary (Google still thinks Brigit is housed at the girls’ school) and finally in the Old Market. The new partnership with the Joslyn Castle Trust “is especially nice for Tartuffe,” set entirely in the house of a wealthy family, Kurz notes. Those stairs where Durbin sat talking will often serve as entrance to the room below, a symphony in honey-colored satinwood, with latticed treatment fencing an upper balcony and distinctive lighting below the stained glass over the stairs.

Actors will stroll onto the set, dialoguing as they arrive in the music room with its little Juliet balcony flanked by matching steps. Sarah Joslyn often ate breakfast on the larger opposite balcony while organ music played below in the room given her prior to 1910. When the drama, which begins at 7 p.m., ends in just under two hours, playgoers will be invited to eye the other Castle rooms and join a wine and cheese reception prepared by the Castle Trust partners. But the play’s still the thing, and Kurz cast talent well-suited to supporting Durbin’s religious hypocrite. The play opens with Mme. Pernelle (Charleen J.B. Willoughby), mother of Orgon,

the master of the house, chastising other householders for their lack of respect for Tartuffe, who she sees as a paragon of pious virtue, the holiest of men. When Orgon (Eric Salonis) returns home, the others try to inform him of the illness of his wife (Marybeth Adams), but he worries only about the welfare of Tartuffe of whom he’ll hear no evil, despite the grave doubts of other family members. The cast includes such Brigit regulars as Laura Leininger, Eric Grant-Leanna and Jeremy Earl,

who plays Valere, Tartuffe’s servant. Veteran actor Scott Working is joined by two newcomers to the company, Erika DeBoer and Brendan J.D. Reilly from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. For Durbin, whose movie experience began with a bit part in Arnold Schwarzeneggar’s The Terminator, the role offers “the challenge of just how much of a villain is he? Is he just a hypocritical manipulator or does he really believe this stuff?” Whatever else he is, Tartuffe is eager to seduce Orgon’s wife. With so many choice portrayals to his credit, Durbin says, “Now that I’m in my 50s, I see all these roles that I’d like to go back to now that I’m older and know life more.” While most of his Omaha appearances have been with Brigit, one of his most difficult experiences came in the Blue Barn’s Quills, when he played the Marquis de Sade completely nude on the cold stone floor of the drafty old Burlington Railroad depot. He makes his living primarily from his casting work with Omaha native Payne and others, including a Hallmark Hall of Fame film for television. “Alexander is talking about two more future films” that Durbin anticipates. As for The Descendants, “From the time I read the book and the first draft of the script, I always made my feelings known—Clooney, Clooney, Clooney.” But he adds, “By no means was his hiring john durbin my decision.” He played a larger role in casting the other 25 speaking parts. Why so many months in Hawaii on his first trip to the islands? “You have to find the people, really striving for a sense of that community. And Alexander likes me to be there for pre-production and filming.” , Tartuffe runs Nov. 17-Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. by the Brigit Saint Brigit Theatre Company at Joslyn Castle, 3902 Davenport St. (parking on the east side from Davenport). Tickets are $25, $20 for seniors, students and military. Call 402.502.4910 or visit bsbtheatre.com.

theater

coldcream

From Hawaii to Joslyn Castle

n No bats fluttered from the wings of the Chanticleer Community Theater at last Thursday’s preview of Sex, Please, We’re Sixty. In fact, the most gothic moment came before the play began when theater manager Bob Putnam welcomed us to Chanticleer’s “final season.” In other words, he introduced the senior sex comedy by declaring the company’s financial plight terminal. Chisel the tombstone “R.I.P. 1952-2012” after a few more shows. Not so fast my friend, as ESPN’s Lee Corso likes to say. For starters, there’s this current talented cast making the most of a mediocre script, guaranteeing lots of laughs for most playgoers for two more weekends. Putnam contributed a handsome set for the bed and breakfast where Ron Hines as Bud the Stud woos guests lustily whenever his aging back doesn’t lock up on him. He’s joined by Jamie Lewis as the nerdy chemist who designs a pill to pump up the libido of the innkeeper (Lorie Obradovich) he’s been proposing to daily for umpteen years. And three of her guests played by Terry Benedictis, Sherry Josand and D. Laureen Pickle have fun responding to Bud’s pursuit and then turning the tables on the lothario. Director Jonathan (Let’s Get It On) Wilhoft livens up the program by giving himself and his cast such nicknames as Laureen (Lusty Dill) Pickle. The girls couldn’t be in better company than old pros such as Hines, who we’re told chose to grow old, not gracefully but disgracefully, and Lewis, who toured long ago with the Nebraska Theater Caravan. I can’t imagine many actors taking this nerd stereotype and making it so appealing that you’re rooting for him to heat up his coldhearted woman. At its worst, the play gives new meaning to overkill. Subtle it isn’t. The authors don’t seem to think we’ll get the point that the female Viagra gives men menopausal symptoms, so we’re flooded with those symptoms ad nauseam. But the strong cast still turns it into an entertaining evening that makes it well worth a trip out on 830 Franklin Avenue in Council Bluffs. n Forget about the daily review that declared the Trans-Siberian orchestra’s concert the kick-off of the holiday season. Most of you know it begins with A Christmas Carol opening this weekend at the Omaha Community Playhouse and its ornery counterpoint, Christmas with the Crawfords returning once more for SNAP! Productions. In the former, Scrooge is redeemed. In the latter, there’s really no hope for the ax-wielding Joan Crawford, but both Jerry Longe and Ron Osborne nail the roles. —Warren Francke Cold Cream looks at theater in the metro area. Email information to coldcream@thereader.com.

| THE READER |

nov. 17 - 23, 2011

fashflood

Designer Spotlight — Eliana Smith: Drawing in- of in my collection.” The designer went on spiration from Jacqueline Kennedy’s trip to India in to list ostrich feathers and leather as some 1962, designer Eliana Smith’s upcoming runway of the rich detailing that event attendees can show will take spectators on a dazzling expedition expect to accompany her custom prints and worthy of a modern-day first lady. bold hues. “My last collection was inspired by 1940s Resembling the trip that inspired her, Argentina and I wanted to move on and take this Smith related designing this collection to a collection into the very early 1960s, specifically voyage. “You go through this journey; the the era just prior to the eliana smith designs process of a designer Mod movement,” Smith is so intimate. My said. “I drew much of my collection is a part of inspiration from a photo me and it’s so satisfyNorman Parkinson shot for ing to actually sketch Vogue in 1959 of a westsomething and see it ern woman on a trip to a through to the end”. foreign land; it exhibited a Produced by kind of exotic elegance.” STEP Group, Eliana No stranger to design, Smith Presents the Smith was born into a famFall 2012 Womensily of Argentinian couturiers. wear Collection will She graduated from the Salt take place on Saturday, Lake City Fashion Institute Nov. 19, at Nomad Lounge, in 2010 and debuted her located at 1013 Jones St. fall 2011 collection during in the Old Market. General Omaha Fashion Week to suadmission tickets for this perb reviews. Her designs event are availsmith with have also been featured in the popular Pari- oscar de la able for $20 and renta at sian fashion blog, Making Magique. VIP tickets are new york Upon meeting the designer at a press fashion $40 and include sneak peek event, it was evident that Smith week a pre-party, prehas a clear-cut vision for her collection. A miere seating large mood board filled with vivid oranges, and a gift bag. reds, yellows and blues set the scene, paired Tickets can be with striking black and white prints. purchased now The board displayed photos of everyat elianasmith. thing from actress Sophia Loren, to samples eventbrite.com. of a custom elephant print to an Indian palace. For more information on the designer, visit eliana“There is a palace in Jaipur called the Palace of smithdesigns.com. the Wind,” Smith said, pointing to a photo on her — Sarah Lorsung Tvrdik mood board. “Many of the doorways and rooms Sarah Lorsung Tvrdik is a stylist, costumier, wife and freelance writer are decorated with scallops, which I included a lot based in Omaha, Neb. Her style blog can be found at fashflood.com.

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nov. 17 - 23, 2011

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culture

Design and Arlene Osterloh of AJ Osterloh Design. The 32 space-tour Nov. 18 to Dec. 4, also features visual art as selected by the designers, like a 12-foot diptych painting by Shelly Bartek and custom blown glass light installation by Julie Conway. n Recently opened at Metropolitan Community College Gallery of Art and Design in Elkhorn, an exhibit featuring new painting and digital media by art faculty Tricia Collins and Lee Murray through Dec. 20. Hot Shops Art Center opened four art shows last friday, including The Four Horsemen and the Exquisite Elevens with new work by Derek Courtney, Joel Holm, Kim Reid-Kuhn, Mike Scheef and Lynn Batten and collaborative art from national artists Amy Haney, Bonnie O’Connell, Dan Richters, Sarah Rowe, Megan Loudon Sanders and many more. At The Movies show of the Omaha Artists Association; The Knots of Life, photography by Heather Rizzino; and Pandora’s Box presented by the Nebraska Women’s Caucus for Art also opened, all on view through Nov. 27. — Sally Deskins

mixedmedia

Protect your assets before the holidays.

n David Roszelle opens This Art Show is Brought To You By The Letter P: New Art at Ted & Wally’s Ice Cream in the Old Market Nov. 17. Roszelle, known for his psychedelic paintings, will be at the party, 7-10p.m., featuring ice cream flavors and prizes that start with the letter “P.” n An art show and soup lunch to benefit Arts for All Inc. is Nov. 20, 11a.m.-2p.m. at St. Martin of Tours Episcopal Church, 2324 J St. Exhibiting artist include Jerry Jacoby (painting), Tom Hamilton (ceramics), Renae Albright (photography), Charlene Potter (drawing and painting), and more. Arts for All provides culturally enriched affordable classes that encourage personal growth. The fundraiser also benefits the church outreach programs. $7 adults, $5 children. Artsforallinc.com. n The Bedouin Star Ethnic Dance Studio and Boutique hosts Awesome Arts and Crafts and Stuff Sale featuring local artists in painting, photography, pottery, jewelry and more, Nov. 19 at the studio in Bellevue. n Joslyn Castle Trust’s Magic at Midtown Designer Showcase, a design tour of upscale urban residencies at Midtown Crossing, features the area’s “finest interior designers” like Birdhouse Interiors’ Jessica McKay, Jenni Holoch of Lush Living

Mixed Media is a column about local art. Send ideas to mixedmedia@thereader.com.

Holiday Lights Festival Celebrates 12th Year

oin in the celebration this Thanksgiving through the New Year as the 12th annual Holiday Lights Festival blankets downtown Omaha with hundreds of thousands sparkling lights and offers a whole season of fun events. The Holiday Lights Festival, produced by Mayor Jim Suttle and the Downtown Omaha Inc. Foundation and presented by ConAgra Foods, Action 3 News and Star 104.5, showcases downtown Omaha attractions and spreads the spirit of the holidays by providing festive activities at downtown Omaha attractions. This year will feature favorites such as the annual CenturyLink Thanksgiving Lighting

Ceremony, Mutual of Omaha Making Sprits Bright Holiday Concert, Pacific Life Sounds of the Season, Wells Fargo Family Festival, ConAgra Foods Ice Rink and TD Ameritrade Fireworks. The Festival will also feature the Old Market Holiday Weekend Presented by ConAgra Foods and CenturyLink, which is back for the second consecutive year. The weekend will begin with the opening of the Ice Rink Friday evening at 6 p.m. Costumed characters and holiday performers will recreate a village inspired by author Charles Dickens in the Old Market during Dickens in the Market on Saturday, December 10, and premier Old

november 17 - 23, 2010 | THE READER |

holiday lights

Market galleries will open their doors for the Old Market Holiday Gallery Walk on Sunday, December 11. The community is encouraged to “Shine the Light on Hunger,” now in its fifth year, as part of Holiday Lights Festival. Donations of nonperishable food and household items will be accepted at several events and area businesses supporting the Food Bank for the Heartland. Last year, ConAgra Foods and the community raised more than $215,000 and collected more than 216,000 pounds of donated goods for the Food Bank during the “Shine the Light on Hunger” campaign.

“Our community is proud to host one of Omaha’s premier traditions, the Holiday Lights Festival,” said Mayor Jim Suttle. “Celebrating its 12th year, the festival is a holiday tradition that provides affordable, family friendly entertainment, showcases our city’s thriving downtown, and supports our local food bank. Funded almost entirely by private donations, the festival represents the spirit of our community, with thousands of dazzling lights that make our city glow. I encourage everyone to walk through the lights on the Gene Leahy Mall and attend the many events that will take place downtown and in the Old Market throughout the holiday season.”

CenturyLink Thanksgiving Lighting Ceremony Lights up Downtown Omaha

The Holiday Lights Festival will transform Omaha into a winter wonderland during the CenturyLink Thanksgiving Lighting Ceremony, Thursday, November 24 in the Gene Leahy Mall at 14th and Farnam streets. The celebration will include free LED votive candles for the first 3,000 people in attendance and a variety of musical performances beginning at 5:30 p.m. At 6 p.m., Mayor Jim Suttle and a group of children representing ConAgra Foods Kids Cafes will lead the crowd in a countdown to the 2011 lighting display. Last year, more than 30,000 people joined together at the lighting ceremony, so patrons are encouraged to arrive early to get a free votive candle and help Shine the Light on Hunger! “CenturyLink is honored to be part of this exhilarating holiday tradition in Omaha, said Danny Pate, Vice President and General Manager for Nebraska. “This event is great for the family to enjoy, and we are proud to help kick off the holiday season with the lighting ceremony with a specific focus on shining the light on hunger in partnership with ConAgra Foods.”

Holiday Lights Festival

Calendar of Events

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24

CenturyLink Thanksgiving Lighting Ceremony 6 – 6:30 p.m. Gene Leahy Mall, 14th & Farnam. Old Market Shopping and Dining 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Mutual of Omaha Making Spirits Bright Holiday Concert 7 p.m. Holland Performing Arts Center 13th & Douglas Trees throughout the Gene Leahy Mall and neighboring streets will be illuminated with hundreds of thousands twinkling white lights. The trees along 16th Street from Howard to Dodge streets and 10th Street from Douglas Street to Abbott Drive will be lit. Many downtown businesses and residences will also be adorned with lights and holiday decorations. Following the ceremony, the lighting display will be turned on each evening from 5 p.m. until 1 a.m. through January 8, 2012.

After the ceremony, the public is invited to shop and dine in the Old Market during limited holiday hours and attend a free holiday concert at the Holland Performing Arts Center (see article for details). Participating shops, restaurants and taverns will remain open until 8:30 p.m. or later on Thanksgiving evening so customers may get a head start on their holiday shopping while admiring the first night of the Holiday Lights Festival.

Wells Fargo Family Festival Entertains All Ages

reat your family to an afternoon of free fun at the Wells Fargo Family Festival. This special event will offer free admission to six downtown attractions on Sunday, December 4 from noon to 5 p.m. Entertaining holiday activities and programs will be offered at The Durham Museum, Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha Children’s Museum, Omaha Police Department Horse Barn, W. Dale Clark Library and Wells Fargo Bank. Festival activities will include a showing of the Omaha Children’s Museum’s 2011 holiday version of lightPLAY: A Celebration of Holiday Magic and an exhibit on “Where the Wild Things Are” at the W. Dale Clark Library. The Omaha Police Mounted Patrol will showcase horse demonstrations at the Omaha Police Barn, and The Durham Museum will feature Ethnic Holiday Trees decorated by area cultural organizations. Fun holiday exhibits and hands-on activities will be offered for the whole family at each of the participating venues. Admission to the Wells Fargo Family Festival locations is free. Complementary trolley service provided by Ollie the Trolley will transport patrons to each of the participating locations from noon to 5 p.m. Non-perishable foods and household items for donation to the “Shine the Light on Hunger” campaign benefitting the Food Bank for the Heartland will be accepted at each Wells Fargo Family Festival location during the event.

holiday lights

SATURDAYS, NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 17 Pacific Life Sounds of the Season 7 – 8 p.m. Gene Leahy Mall and the Old Market

Sunday, December 4

Wells Fargo Family Festival Noon – 5 p.m. Downtown Arts and Cultural Institutions

friday, December 9 – sunday, December 11

Old Market Holiday Weekend presented by ConAgra Foods and CenturyLink

Friday, December 9

ConAgra Foods Ice Rink Opening 6 p.m. – Midnight ConAgra Foods Campus, 10th & Harney

Saturday, December 1o Dickens in the Market 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Old Market

Sunday, December 11

Old Market Holiday Gallery Walk 1 – 4 p.m. Old Market Art Galleries

friday, December 9 – saturday, December 31

ConAgra Foods Ice Rink Sunday – Thursday: 1 to 10 p.m. Friday – Saturday: 1 p.m. to Midnight Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve: 1 – 5 p.m. Closed Christmas Day

saturday, December 31

TD Ameritrade Fireworks 7 p.m. Gene Leahy Mall, 14th & Farnam

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November 17 - 23, 2011

Old Market Holiday Weekend Rings In Second Year and is Presented by ConAgra Foods and CenturyLink

he Holiday Lights Festival is proud to announce the return of the Old Market Holiday Weekend presented by ConAgra Foods and CenturyLink. The weekend features the opening of the ConAgra Foods Ice Rink, Dickens in the Market and the Old Market Holiday Gallery Walk, December 9th through the 11th. The weekend will begin with the opening of one of the public’s favorite festival traditions, ice skating at the ConAgra Foods Ice Rink. The ice rink will open for its fifth year with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 6 p.m. on Friday, December 9. The public is encouraged to attend this event and bring non-perishable foods and household items to place in the blue bins near the rink for donation to the “Shine the Light on Hunger” campaign. The ice rink will remain open through December 31. Skating hours will be Sunday through Thursday from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 1 p.m. to midnight. The rink will be open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and closed on Christmas Day. A $5 admission fee will include skate rental. All proceeds from the rink will be donated to Food Bank for the Heartland along with the food donations. Dickens in the Market will be unveiled at this year’s festival on Saturday, December 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dickens enthusiasts and novices alike will be transfixed by the Old Market’s transformation into a Victorian era-inspired village. The event will open on Howard Street between 11th and 12th streets with a regal horse-drawn carriage procession featuring Magical Journey Carriages. Performers in period costume, provided by Ibsen Costumes, will stroll the Old Market and visit the ConAgra Foods Ice Rink with classic Dickens characters including Scrooge, Marley and Father Christmas. Musical performances will take place throughout the day, featuring local favorites such as the Omaha Tuba Quartet, Jingle Brass Bells, Salvation Army Omaha Citadel, Omaha

November 17 - 23, 2011

| THE READER |

holiday lights

Academy Choir and the SNJ Studio Singers. Vignettes from Dickens’ classic novels will also be performed, creating a wonderful festive atmosphere for shoppers and visitors. The Old Market Holiday Weekend presented by ConAgra Foods and CenturyLink will conclude with the Old Market Holiday Gallery Walk on Sunday, December 11 from 1 to 4 p.m. Guests will have the opportunity to mingle in some of the Old Market’s premier art galleries and find unique holiday gifts for friends and family. Gallery participants include Anderson O’Brien Fine Art, Artists’ Cooperative Gallery, Cibola of Omaha, Gallery 616, Goldsmith Silversmith, Images of Nature, The New Black (NewBLK), Old Market Artists Gallery, Omaha ClayWorks, The Passageway Gallery and Perspective Jewelry design.

ConAgra Foods Ice Rink Shines the Light on Hunger

onAgra Foods will launch the community-wide “Shine the Light on Hunger” campaign for the fifth consecutive year as part of its presenting sponsorship of the Holiday Lights Festival. The company will again open the ConAgra Foods Ice Rink on its downtown campus as the centerpiece of the campaign, providing the public with an opportunity to enjoy outdoor skating during the Holiday Lights Festival. “We are proud to call Omaha our home, and as a sponsor of the Holiday Lights Festival for the past twelve years, we understand how meaningful this event is for the entire community,” said Gary Rodkin, Chief Executive Officer of ConAgra Foods. “It’s clear to us that Omaha is a community that cares and is committed to helping its neediest citizens. By joining us in the Shine the Light on Hunger campaign, the community can continue to make a difference for children and families in need in Nebraska and Western Iowa.” The ice skating rink will be constructed on ConAgra Foods’ campus at 10th and Harney streets and will open to the public with an

official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, December 9 at 6 p.m. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and bring a canned food item to donate to Food Bank for the Heartland. The rink will remain open through December 31, with skating hours Sunday through Thursday from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 1 p.m. to midnight. The rink will be open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and closed on Christmas Day. A $5 admission fee will include skate rental, though patrons may bring their own skates. Proceeds from the ConAgra Foods Ice Rink will benefit the Food Bank for the Heartland. The ConAgra Foods Foundation will match all rink income, dollar for dollar up to $100,000 and donate all funds to Food Bank for the Heartland as part of its commitment to of the “Shine the Light on Hunger” campaign. Donations of nonperishable foods and household items will also be collected on site. For details, visit the “Shine the Light on Hunger” website at www. shinethelightonhunger.com.

EVENT MAP AND PARKING GUIDE PL

Davenport Street JOSLYN ART MUSEUM

Capitol Avenue

Dodge Street

PG WELLS FARGO BANK

Douglas Street

HOLLAND PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Howard Street

OLD MARKET DISTRICT

CONAGRA FOODS ICE RINK

PL PL

OMAHA POLICE DEPARTMENT HORSE BARN

Jackson Street

LEGEND PL = Parking Lot PG = Parking Garage

CONAGRA FOODS CAMPUS

OMAHA CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

GENE LEAHY MALL

Harney Street

Jones Street

holiday lights

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DURHAM MUSEUM

10th St.

11th St.

12th St.

13th St.

14th St.

15th St.

16th St.

17th St.

18th St.

19th St.

20th St.

21st St.

PL 22nd St.

THANKSGIVING LIGHTING CEREMONY & SOUNDS OF THE SEASON

he Mutual of Omaha Making Spirits Bright Holiday Concert will bring holiday cheer to the Holland Performing Arts Center located at 13th and Douglas streets. Beginning at 7 p.m., the free concert will feature the Nebraska Wind Symphony and guest vocalist Susie Thorne filling the Holland Center’s Kiewit Concert Hall with winter-themed songs and sing-a-longs that the whole family will enjoy. This is a unique holiday music experience no one will want to miss. Early arrival is encouraged as seating will be limited.

W. DALE CLARK LIBRARY LIGHTING/FIREWORKS ELDERLY & IMPAIRED VIEWING 4TH FLOOR

Farnam Street

Mutual of Omaha Making Spirits Bright Holiday Concert

8th St.

NOVEMBER 17 - 23, 2011

TD Ameritrade Fireworks Celebrate New Year’s Eve

he Holiday Lights Festival’s TD Ameritrade Fireworks will fill the sky with colorful bursts of light on Saturday, December 31, at 7 p.m. The fireworks display will take place at the Gene Leahy Mall located at 14th and Farnam streets. One of the largest New Year’s Eve

November 17 - 23, 2011

fireworks displays in the region, the show is expected to draw more than 30,000 people to downtown Omaha. “TD Ameritrade is proud to support the Holiday Lights Festival with a beautiful fireworks celebration,” said Katrina Becker, Managing Director, Corporate

| THE READER |

holiday lights

Communications and Public Affairs, TD Ameritrade. “The Holiday Lights Festival is a long-standing tradition for the Omaha area to celebrate the start of the New Year, and we are excited to be a part of it.” J&M Displays, Inc. choreographs each shell to explode on cue to a unique musical

score. Spectators are encouraged to bring radios and tune in to the Christmas Station, Star 104.5 KSRZ, to hear the accompanying music while watching the captivating show. This amazing display is like none other in the area, and Omaha residents won’t want to miss the festive beginning to 2012.

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| THE READER |

NOV. 17 - 23, 2011

art

OpeningS

BEMIS CENTER - CONTEMPORARY ARTS, 724 S. 12th St., (402) 341-1122. OPEN STUDIO: All 12 current artists-in-residence will be opening their doors to the public, opens Nov. 17, 6 p.m. THE CENTER, 714 S. Main St., (712) 309-0085. BAC HOLIDAY MARKET: New and gently-used holiday decore and holiday boutique by local artisans, opens Nov. 19, 10 a.m. EL MUSEO LATINO, 4701 S. 25th St., (402) 731-1137. VISIONS OF MEXICAN ART: Group show, opens Nov. 18, 4 p.m. MIDAMERICA CENTER, 1 Arena Way, (712) 323-0536. ANTIQUE SPECTACULAR: More than fifty antique exhibitions, opens Nov. 18-20. MODERN ARTS MIDWEST, 800 P St., (402) 477-2828. ANNUAL SMALL WORKS EXHIBITION: Featuring small art works by over 20 artists, opens Nov. 18-Dec. 24, reception Dec. 2, 6:30 p.m. MUSEUM OF NEBRASKA ART (MONA), 2401 Central Ave., (308) 865-8559. THIRD THURSDAYS AT MONA: The evening consists of presentations showcasing selections of music, poetry, oratory, and art. Light refreshments are available. Opens Nov. 17, 7 p.m.

ONGOING

THE 815, 815 O St. Suite 1, (402) 261-4905. NEW WORK: New work by emerging artist Daniel Joseph May, through Nov. 9 MUSES STUDIO, 2713 N 48th St., 9musesstudio@gmail.com. NEW WORK: New work by Arden Nixon, through Nov. ANDERSON O’BRIEN FINE ART OLD MARKET, 1108 Jackson St., (402) 884-0911. GENERATIONS SHARED: New work by Jim Krantz, through Nov. 27. ARTISTS’ COOPERATIVE GALLERY, 405 S. 11th St., (402) 3429617. HOT COLORS/COOL SHAPES: New work by Joan Fetter, Agenta Gaines and Marcia Joffe-Bouska. Show runs through Nov. 20. CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY LIED CENTER, 2500 California Plaza, 402-280-2509. TURNING POINT: New work by Mary Ensz, through Dec. 9. CRESCENT MOON COFFEE, 8th & P St., (402) 435-2828. NEW WORK: New work by Brian Everman, through Nov. CULTIVA COFFEE, 1501 S. St., (402) 802-1909. FIRST FRIDAY ARTIST: New work by Anne Dake, through Nov. EL MUSEO LATINO, 4701 S. 25th St., (402) 731-1137. GRAPHICS OF LATIN AMERICA: Group show exploring the graphics of Latin America, through Dec. 28. DAY OF THE DEAD INSTALLATION: On view through Nov. 19. ELDER ART GALLERY, 5000 St. Paul Ave.. JURIED STUDENT EXHIBITION: New work by NWU students, through Dec. 11. GRAND MANSE GALLERY, 129 N. 10th St., (402) 476-4560. OBJECTS OF FASHION: New work by Allison Holdsworth, through Nov. GREAT PLAINS ART MUSEUM, 1155 Q St., (402) 472-0599. PASSING AMERICA: New work by V....Vaughan, through Dec. 11,. HOT SHOPS ART CENTER, 1301 Nicolas St., (402) 342-6452. AT THE MOVIES: Group show of art depicting movies, through Nov. 27. INTERNATIONAL QUILT STUDY CENTER AND MUSEUM, 1523 N. 33rd St., Lincoln, 472.7232, quiltstudy.org. ELEGANT GEOMETRY: AMERICAN AND BRITISH MOSAIC PATCHWORK: Through Jan. 1, 2012. YVONNE WELLS: QUILTED MESSAGES: New work by Yvonne Wells, through Feb. 26. JOSLYN ART MUSEUM, 2200 Dodge St., (402) 342-3300. AMERICAN LANDSCAPE CONTEMPORARY PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE WEST: Featuring the work of fourteen photographers, through Jan. 8. FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA: CURRIER & IVES PRINTS FROM THE CONAGRA FOODS COLLECTION: Nathaniel Currier and James merritt Ives offered affordable color prints that remain a vivid picture of nineteenth-century America, through Jan. 15. KIECHEL FINE ART, 5733 S. 34th St, (402) 420-9553. DEFINING AMERICA: IMAGES OF THE 20TH CENTURY: A show that pairs heroic scenes of American history with intimate insights into artists’ private lives, through Nov. 25. KIMMEL HARDING NELSON ARTS CENTER, 801 3rd Corso St., (402) 874-9600. AND A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE: New work by Jenni Brant, through Dec. 9, reception Dec. 1, 5 p.m. LUX CENTER FOR THE ARTS, 48th and Baldwin, Lincoln, 434.2787, luxcenter.org. RECLAIMED: ART MADE OF RECYCLED MATERIALS: Group show that examines and questions the state

of our throw-away culture/society, featuring new work by Jake Balcom, Elizabeth Frank, John Garrett, Daphnae Koop, Jennifer Maestre and Conrad Quijas, this show continues through October 29. THE SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL: Comic book art by nationally known artist Bob Hall, through Nov. 26. MODERN ARTS MIDTOWN, 3615 Dodge St. WISH LIST: A small art works exhibition featuring Wendy Bantam, Judith Burton, Catherine Ferguson, John Himmelfarb, Jacqueline Kluver, Larry Roots, Francisco Souto, Watie White and others, through Dec. 31. MODERN ARTS MIDWEST, 800 P St., (402) 477-2828. ONE TRICK PONY: New work by Watie White, through Nov. 12. MORRILL HALL, 307 Morrill Hall, Lincoln 472.3779, museum. unl.edu. AMPHIBIANS VIBRANT AND VANISHING: Photographs by Joel Sartore, through Nov. 30. FIRST PEOPLES OF THE PLAINS: TRADITIONS SHAPED BY LAND AND SKY: This modern exhibit explores the enduring traditions of Native American cultures of the Great Plains. MOVING GALLERY, Garden of the Zodiac, 1042 Howard St., (402) 341-1877. PORTRAITS: New work by Gerhard Kassner and Christian Rothmann, continues through Dec. 6. MUSEUM OF NEBRASKA ART (MONA), 2401 Central Ave., (308) 865-8559. NEBRASKA NOW: CHAD FONFARA: New glass work by Chad Fonfara, continues through Jan. 8. OLD MARKET ARTISTS GALLERY, 1034 Howard St., (402) 3466569. METALS: A SHINY ATTRACTION: New work by Meridith Merwald-Gofta, through Nov. OMAHA’S CHILDREN’S MUSEUM, 500 S. 20th St., 342.6163. ocm.org. DINOSAURS DAWN OF THE ICE AGE: Stomping and roaring robotic dinosaurs are invading the museum, through Jan. 8. PARRISH STUDIOS, 14th & O St.. COLLABORATIONS IN JUNK AND OTHER ARTFULLY REPURPOSED STUFF: New work by Melanie Falk, through Nov. PASSAGEWAY GALLERY, 417 S. 11th St., (402) 341-1910. THROUGH MY EYES: New work by Dan Waltz, through Nov. PERU STATE COLLEGE ART GALLERY, 600 Hoyt , (402) 8722271, kanderson@peru.edu. BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND A DAY JOB: New work by Andy Acker, through Nov. 5. RNG GALLERY, 157 West Broadway, (402) 214-3061. OPENING RECEPTION: Opening reception for the new RNG Gallery, featuring new work by Stephen Azevedo and Christina Renfer Vogel. Show continues through Dec. 4. SHELDON ART GALLERY, 12th and R, UNL, Lincoln, sheldonartgallery.org. HISTORIES: Works from the Sheldon Permanent Collection, through Jul. 15, 2012. HARLEM RENAISSANCE SCULPTOR: Work by Richmond Barthe, continues through Jan. 15. THE ART AND SCIENCE OF CONSERVATION: WALT KUHN’S ‘APPLES IN WOODEN BOAT’: Presents findings of recent examination of the artwork including x-rays taken on Sep. 26 at BryanLGH Medical Center West, continues through Dec. 31. TUGBOAT GALLERY, 1416 O St., (402) 477-6200. SILENT AUCTION FUNDRAISER: Group show/silent auction featuring new work by a large number of artists, through Nov. UNO ART GALLERY, 6001 Dodge St., (402) 554-2796. ALMUTANABBI STREET STARTS HERE: Exhibition features letterpress broadsides, artists’ books and a documentary film made to honor the book center of Baghdad, which was destroyed by a car bomb in 2007. SELECTED WORKS ON PAPER AND VIDO: PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY OF CRACOW: New work by faculty and students from the University of Cracow Fine Arts Department. Curator Rafal Solewski, chair of art theory and art education for the department, selected the works to highlight the schools range. W. DALE CLARK LIBRARY, 215 S. 15th St., (402) 444-4800. IN A NUTSHELL: THE WORLDS OF MAURICE SENDAK: Exhibit strives to reveal the push and pull of new and old worlds in Sendak’s work and shows how his artistic journey has led him deeper into his own family’s history and Jewish identity. Through Dec. 16. WORKSPACE GALLERY, 440 N. 8th St., workspace.gallery.lincoln@gmail.com. THE COLOR OF HAY: New work by Kathleen McLaughlin, through Jan. 5.

theater oPENING

FLYIN’ WEST, Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St., (402) 553-4890. Opens Nov. 17, Nov. 18, Nov. 19, Nov. 20, 7:30 pm, $35; Students: $21

comedy. Cover 20 minutes. Bring to a boil with fresh, spicy comedic rock and roll. Now, grab your best china and serve up some Dan Cummins - the best comic to come out of Riggins, Idaho - ever!!! THE WEISENHEIMERS, Nomad Lounge 1013 Jones St., (402) 884-1231. 7:00 pm, $10. Benefit for the Nebraska Children’s Home Society Foundation.

check event listings online! TYLER PERRY’S THE HAVES AND THE HAVE NOTS, Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St., (402) 444-4750. Opens Nov. 23, 7:30 pm, $42.50 GIAN-CARLO MENOTTI’S THE MEDIUM, Creighton University Lied Center, 2500 California Plaza, 402-280-2509. Opens Nov. 16, Nov. 17, Nov. 18, Nov. 19, 7:30 pm, N/A GIRL’S ROOM, Bellevue Little Theater, 203 Mission Ave., (402) 291-1554. Opens Nov. 18, Nov. 19, Nov. 20, 7:00 pm, $15; Seniors: $13; Students: $9 ALL MY SONS, Nebraska Wesleyan, 51st & Huntington St., (402) 465-2395. Opens Nov. 16, Nov. 17, Nov. 18, Nov. 19, Nov. 19, Nov. 20, 7:30 pm, $5 LADY WINDERMERE’S FAN, Temple Building, 215 Temple Building, 402-472-2072 . Opens Nov. 16, Nov. 17, Nov. 18, Nov. 19, 7:30 pm, $16 NUNCRACKERS: THE NUNSENSE CHRISTMAS MUSICAL, TADA Theatre, 701 P St., (402) 438.8232. Opens Nov. 17, Nov. 18, Nov. 19, Nov. 20, 7:30 pm, $18; Matinee: $15 12 OPHELIAS, Weber Fine Arts Building, 6001 Dodge St.. Opens Nov. 16, Nov. 17, Nov. 18, Nov. 19, 7:30 pm, $5 A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St., (402) 553-4890. Opens Nov. 18, Nov. 19, Nov. 20, 7:30 pm, $39; Students: $28 AUDITION: SKULLDUGGERY PRESENTS SKULLSKETCHS, Pizza Shoppe Collective, 6056 Maple St., (402) 932-9007. Opens Nov. 22, 5:00 pm, N/A

poetry/comedy thursday 17

HUMANITIES ON THE EDGE LECTURE, Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery 12th & R St., (402) 472-2461. 5:30 pm, FREE. “Communicative Capitalism: This Is What Democracy Looks Like” presented by Jodi Dean. AS THE WORM TURNS, The Bookworm 87th & Pacific St., (402) 392-2877. 6:30 pm, FREE. Book club. STRANGE MACHINE POETRY READING WITH ADRIAN KIEN, JEFF ALESSANDRELLI, TIM GREENUP AND JOSHUA WARE, Side Door Lounge 3530 Leavenworth St., (402) 504-3444 . 7:00 pm, FREE. Adrian Kien is the winner of the Strange Machine’s 2011 chapbook contest. POETRY SLAM, Creighton University 2500 California Plaza, (402) 280-2700. 7:00 pm, FREE. Creighton students are invited to compete, others are welcome to come watch. Sponsored by the Skutt Student Center Art Program, if you are a Creighton student looking to participate or have any questions, contact ashtonpage@creighton.edu or sarahgarro@creighton.edu. DAN CUMMINS, Funny Bone Comedy Club 17305 Davenport St., (402) 493-8036. 7:00 pm, $13. Start with creative, intelligent observational humor. Simmer. Add high-energy physical comedy. Cover 20 minutes. Bring to a boil with fresh, spicy comedic rock and roll. Now, grab your best china and serve up some Dan Cummins - the best comic to come out of Riggins, Idaho - ever!!! VERBAL GUMBO WITH FELICIA WEBSTER AND MICHELLE TROXCLAIR, House Of Loom 1012 S. 10th St., (402) 505-5494, info@houseofloom.com. 7:00 pm, $5. Third-Thursday monthly spoken word night JOY HARJO, Milo Bail Student Center 6001 Dodge St., (402) 554-2383. 7:30 pm, FREE. Poet Joy Harjo reads at UNO BACKLINE IMPROV, Studio Gallery 4965 Dodge St., (402) 6600867. 8:00 pm, $5. Weekly variety of shows, for more information call Dylan at (402) 720-7670 COMEDY SURPRISE NIGHT, Mojo Smokehouse & Ales 2110 South 67th St., (402) 504-3776. 10:00 pm, FREE. Hosted by Nick Allen.

FRIDAY 18

DAN CUMMINS, Funny Bone Comedy Club 17305 Davenport St., (402) 493-8036. 7:00 pm, $15. Start with creative, intelligent observational humor. Simmer. Add high-energy physical

SATURDAY 19

BEGINNING UKULELE W/ MARK GUTIERREZ, Omaha Creative Institute 1516 Cuming St.. 10:00 am, $35. Students will learn chords and a few rhythms with the goal of playing and singing songs by the end of the workshop! Ukuleles will be provided. No musical experience needed. BEN JUSTMAN AND LEAH HOINS, The Bookworm 87th & Pacific St., (402) 392-2877. 1:00 pm, FREE. Ben Justman will sign Images of America: Bellevue and Leah Hoins will sign Images of America: Papillion. DAN CUMMINS, Funny Bone Comedy Club 17305 Davenport St., (402) 493-8036. 7:00 pm, $15. Start with creative, intelligent observational humor. Simmer. Add high-energy physical comedy. Cover 20 minutes. Bring to a boil with fresh, spicy comedic rock and roll. Now, grab your best china and serve up some Dan Cummins - the best comic to come out of Riggins, Idaho - ever!!! A POETIC DIALOGUE, sp ce 14th & O St., (402) 617-9221. 7:00 pm, FREE. LILY TOMLIN, Holland Performing Arts Center 1200 Douglas St., (402) 345-0202. 8:00 pm, $38-$68.

Sunday 20

SUNDAY SCIENTIST, Morrill Hall 307 Morrill Hall, (402) 4723779. 1:30 pm, $5. The event will be led by virologists Anisa Kaenjak Angeletti, whose research focuses on human herpes simplex virus, and Peter Angeletti, who specializes in the research of human papillomavirus. JOHN H. AMES READING SERIES WITH TED KOOSER, Bennett Martin Public Library 136 S. 14th St., (402) 441-8500. 2:00 pm, FREE. DAN CUMMINS, Funny Bone Comedy Club 17305 Davenport St., (402) 493-8036. 7:00 pm, $13. Start with creative, intelligent observational humor. Simmer. Add high-energy physical comedy. Cover 20 minutes. Bring to a boil with fresh, spicy comedic rock and roll. Now, grab your best china and serve up some Dan Cummins - the best comic to come out of Riggins, Idaho - ever!!!

monday 21

METRO’S SPOKEN WORD NIGHT, Pizza Shoppe Collective 6056 Maple St., (402) 932-9007. 5:30 pm, FREE. POETRY AT THE MOON, Crescent Moon Coffee 8th & P St., (402) 435-2828. 7:00 pm, FREE. A weekly open mic with featured readers. LEVEL 3 IMPROV CLASS, Studio Gallery 4965 Dodge St., (402) 660-0867. 7:00 pm, $75. Learn how to completely perform a Harold, the primary learning form of Long Form Improvisation. Send an email to backlineimprov@gmail.com to register. $75.

tuesday 22

OPEN MIC POETRY, Indigo Bridge Books 701 P St. Suite 102, (402) 477-7770. 7:00 pm, FREE. LEVEL 1 IMPROV CLASS, Studio Gallery 4965 Dodge St., (402) 660-0867. 7:00 pm, $75. Learn how to improvise solid 2-person scenes off a single suggestion and learn the basics of Long Form Improvisation. Send and email to backlineimprov@gmail.com to RSVP for the Level 1 Class. FIVE DOLLAR COMEDY NIGHT: MONTY EICH’S OPEN MIC, Pizza Shoppe Collective 6056 Maple St., (402) 932-9007. 8:00 pm, $5. SHOOT YOUR MOUTH OFF III, The Hideout Lounge 320 S. 72nd St., (402) 504-4434. 9:00 pm, FREE.

Wednesday 23

ACOUSTIC OPEN MIC FOR MUSICIANS & POETS, Meadowlark Coffee 1624 South St., (402) 477-2077. 8:00 pm, FREE. THE MIDWEST POETRY VIBE, Arthur’s 222 N. 114th St., (402) 706-2491. 9:00 pm, Ladies: $5; Guys: $7. J. MEDICINE HAT XX SHOW, Funny Bone Comedy Club 17305 Davenport St., (402) 493-8036. 10:00 pm, $18. Adults only show featuring Omaha’s premiere hynpotist/comedian J. Medicine hat.

art/theater listings | THE READER |

nov. 17 - 23, 2011

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music

Split Lip Rayfield Keeps On Swimming

by Kyle Eustice

“I’m using a crappy Casio keyboard. You pump it through enough effects, you can’t tell it’s a Casio,” he says with a laugh. However, he can’t get away with that on the mandolin. “The mandolin is an unforgiving little instrument because it’s so small and high pitched. There’s not much room for error,” he explains. “When you make a mistake, it sounds like needles going into your ears.”

n the seemingly never-ending mission to group bands into a myriad of categories, Split Lip Rayfield has been allotted the “thrash-grass” label, which can be described as aggressive acoustic music with elements of punk and bluegrass. They’ve influenced a slew of other likesplit lip rayfield minded artists, but are careful not to take sole credit. “I’ve never gotten any financial reward for coming up with the genre so I don’t know if we can claim that,” jokes mandolinist Wayne Gottstine. The humble musician is congenial and soft-spoken yet there’s an underlying sadness in his voice. Bassist Jeff Eaton, banjoist Eric Mardis and Gottstine have encountered all types of hurdles. They haven’t always been a threepiece outfit. Guitarist and founding member Kirk Rundstrom lost his battle with esophageal cancer in 2007 and in his honor, the surviving members decided not to replace him. “He’s not someone you can replace. We thought we’d just do it ourselves. We haven’t found anybody that would fit our band anyway, “ he says. “We’re mellower now. It was a big, heavy deal. This There’s nothing painful about Split Lip’s documentary he was in just came out and it was hard to watch. We were very close. It’s hard to deal sound. They have “Stage Five” vibe and unless with. I don’t even know what to say. It changed you’re a fairly dedicated bluegrass fan, you probably won’t know what that means. Even Gottsthings a lot, but we keep truckin’ along.” While Rundstrom’s death clearly altered tine doubts its validity. “It’s a fictitious label. I’ve heard recently it’s Split Lip’s path and is most likely the reason for Gottstine‘s sorrow, during the nearly five years the sound of the Walnut Valley Bluegrass Festival since his passing, the band has stayed focused on in Winifield, Kansas. It’s the mother of all festimaking its imprint on the music world. Gottstine vals. Sixteen thousand people show up and there has taken on several roles in the Kansas-based are hundreds of jams,” he says. “They have a nontrio. In addition to playing the mandolin, he’s sanctioned stage called Stage 5. We’ve played it excelled at both the electric bass and keyboard, for 15 years. It’s a weird little stage. We spawned a lot of imitators.” although he says he‘s “not very good.”

While Split Lip isn’t the first band of its kind, a number of “thrash-grass” bands do owe a little gratitude to them for helping pioneer the genre. The difference between traditional bluegrass and Split Lip is their choice in song structure. Typically, bluegrass musicians play customary folk and country songs using traditional acoustic instruments and while Split Lip sticks to those instruments, they play songs more stylistically related to punk or heavy metal. They even got the attention of The Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim. In 2008, the band was commissioned to do a few songs for the “Squidbillies” series, a process they enjoyed very much. “An old friend of mine, Barry Mills, did a lot of work affiliated with The Cartoon Network. He knew the Squidbillies’ people. “They will call you 2 days before they need it and want it right away. You don’t tell them you live 170 miles away from the other members. You make it happen,“ he explains. “It all takes place within 3 or 4 days. The reason they hire particular bands is because they already have the sound they were looking for so it was easy.” Seven studio albums and 15 years later, Split Lip Rayfield has shared the stage with everyone from Reverend Horton Heat to Yonder Mountain String Band, carving a nice niche for themselves. They shine during their live shows and, according to Gottstine, they’re “very” high-energy. “We wear stage costumes. We have robots, a light show, live animals and snakes. We have a Trans-Am that we drive around so we look like Smokey and The Bandit,” he says sarcastically. “Depending on how big the venue is, we might do some donuts. That’s how we get down. We try to rock it every night. I’m really fond of polar bears, too, but you have to play nice or they will fuck you up!” , Split Lip Rayfield with The Legendary Shack Shakers and Mountain Sprout, November 18, at The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St., 9 p.m. Tickets are $15. Visit www.onepercentproductions.com for more information.

music

backbeat

Against The Current

n Dead German had been the secret basement project of several Omaha garage punk kids, but now Dead Beat Records is pulling the project straight up from the bowels on the earth. The quartet of Parker Steele, Watching the Train Wreck’s Kevin Cline, Ben Allen and Peace of Shit’s Austin Ulmer worked on songs in Cline and Allen’s midtown basement, in between gigs with their other bands. The result of those sessions is Vicious Repent, which is out now on Dead Beat. The Ohio-based Dead Beat specializes in lo-fi garage and punk rock releases and previously put out Forget About Never, the lone album made by Omaha/ Lincoln trio The Terminals and The Forbidden Tigers’ Magnetic Problems. The label is selling a mail-order only edition of the record on purple vinyl online at dead-beatrecords.com, though Cline says Antiquarium Records, 417 S. 13th St., will carry copies of the album as well. n A whole season of holiday music is on tap at the Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St., during its yearly Christmas at Union Station celebration. The carols kick off Friday, Nov. 25, with Camille Metoyer-Moten singing at the history-focused museum’s tree-lighting ceremony. After that performances will happen weekly on Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 18, with full day dockets of performances, featuring singing groups and bands from several high schools and church groups. n Pianist Donovan Johnson will bring his own dose of classic Christmas revelry, as he leads a band through Vince Guaraldi’s classic Peanuts Christmas special tunes at P.S. Collective, 6056 Maple St., over the course of four performances Friday, Nov. 25-27. Last year’s show sold out. Special guests include vibraphonist Steve Raybine. There will also be art by Michael Giron on display. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for those 12 years old and under. They can be bought in advance at donovanjohnson.ticketleap.com/ charliebrown n Dirty Fluorescents, the local power trio of singer/guitarist Shawn Cox, drummer Dave Hynek and bassist Cricket Kirk, will release their debut 12-song album Cut the Line this month. The band, whose members previously played in Lifeafter Laserdisque, Paper Owls and the Venaculas, will celebrate the album with a release show at O’Leaver’s Pub, 1322 S. Saddle Creek Road, Friday, Dec. 2. The Butchers, Comme Reel, Ben Brodin and Melissa Dundis are also on the bill. — Chris Aponick Backbeat takes you behind the scenes of the local music scene. Send tips, comments and questions to backbeat@thereader.com.

| THE READER |

nov. 17 - 23, 2011

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NOVEMBER 26-27 30

NOV. 17 - 23, 2011

| THE READER |

lazy-i

lazy-i T H E

O M A H A

M U S I C

Newsy items

efore we start plowing through the yearend minutia that will be inundating us for the next month and a half, here are some “newsy” items that have been dying to get squeezed into the column before they fall between the cracks. ■ Gus & Call (former members of Bear Country) announcing that they will have a residency at Slowdown throughout the month of December was, by itself, a big deal. Add to that the band’s announcement that the first night of its residency, Dec. 1, will also be a CD release show for Will Wait ‘Til the Weather Breaks, their debut album recorded and mixed by AJ Mogis at ARC Studios in spring 2011. But if that wasn’t enough, the band’s residency will actually be a weekly concert series curated by Gus & Call, featuring some of the best bands in the area. Each night will have a different theme, which will influence Gus & Call’s set. Here’s the schedule: Dec. 1: Gus & Call CD release show, featuring InDreama and Honeybee & Hers. Dec. 8: Surf & Sand, featuring Gus & Call with Capgun Coup and Sun Settings. Dec. 15: Carmina Novum, featuring Gus & Call, Dim Light, Laura Burhenn (of The Mynabirds) and Howard. Dec. 22: Light it Up, featuring Gus & Call, Ladyfinger, UUVVWWZ and a comedy showcase. Dec. 29: By the Hearth & Vocalise, featuring Gus & Call, Simon Joyner & The Parachutes and one more TBA band. And if that still wasn’t enough, world famous DJ Tyrone Storm will be on hand every evening to fill the void when the stage is empty. ■ A couple weeks ago, the folks at MAHA announced on their Facebook page that they’ve booked Stinson Park at Aksarben Village for the 2012 MAHA Music Festival, scheduled for Aug. 11. In fact, MAHA organizer Tre Brashear said they’ve already started sorting through the bands they’d like to book for the festival. “We’ve got a tentative list started (always subject to change),” Brashear said, adding that the promoter will begin contacting the bands’ agents later this month. “(We’re) going to tell them, ‘Hey, we’d like to have you, so please let us know when you’re ready to start lining up your summer schedule.’ (We) want to get our interest established earlier than January, which is when we’ve started the last two years. Doesn’t mean we’ll be able to afford everyone on our wish list, but don’t know pricing or availability until you ask.” Among the bands on their “wish list”: Death Cab for Cutie, Feist, Regina Spektor and Wilco, who would be the ultimate get. There are a lot of Wilco fans ‘round these parts, and competition to get the band is going to be fierce. Brashear said using Stinson Park again in 2012 was an “easy decision” because fan response to the venue last summer was so overwhelmingly positive. Stinson Park is hands-down a better venue than Lewis & Clark Landing for a myriad of reasons, not the least

S C E N E

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M C M A H A N

of which are its central location and overall comfort -I’d much rather sit in grass than sit on pavement. ■ A sharp-eyed vinyl-loving Lazy-i reader wrote in to say that the next Capgun Coup album will be coming out on Org Records. What’s Org? According to Org’s Facebook page, “Org Music is signed to Warner Bros Records and distributed through WEA (Warner Elektra Atlantic) and ADA (Alternative Distribution Alliance). We are the official special projects label of the international Record Store Day campaign. We have a variety of marketing & sales, licensing & publishing, promotion & tour, manufacturing & distribution partners worldwide. We offer traditional multi format record deals with active artists, label services and distribution for artist related imprints as well as special project related joint ventures. We are also a catalog support label, having released the most important catalogs in modern music from label groups such as Warner Music Group, Sony Music, EMI, Beggars Banquet and the Universal Music Group.” Org’s business includes vinyl reissues from bands such as Nirvana, The Replacements, Failure, Sonic Youth, Teenage Fanclub and Beck, but they also do new releases from bands like 400 Blows (who are playing at The Brothers Nov. 16) and New York’s Caveman. Shortly after posting the above info at Lazy-i. com, Andrew Rossiter at Org Music confirmed the news. “It’s absolutely true, and we couldn’t be more excited to have them,” Rossiter said. “Details about the new album release are still being confirmed, but it will definitely be out in 2012, and it’s fantastic.” ■ Who else heard the snippet of Cursive’s “The Radiator Hums” during this week’s NBC’s Sunday Night Football? The song came on as Al Michaels was going to commercial; I had to “rewind it” on my DVR a few times before I figured out what I was hearing. Something like that probably means nothing if it were to happen to a Bieber, Gaga or American Idol winner (loser), but for a band like Cursive and its fans, the five-second snippet is a very big deal indeed. ■ Finally, the fine folks at The Slowdown are looking for bands that dig The Replacements as much as they do to perform after a screening of Color Me Obsessed: A Film About the Replacements, which is happening at Slowdown Nov. 30. The evening will start with a screening of the film followed by a brief Q&A with its director, Gorman Bechard. After that, a number of local bands will take The Slowdown’s small stage to perform their favorite Replacements tunes. The only things missing from this grand scheme are the actual bands. You got a band? Do they love The Replacements? Then The Slowdown wants you. If interested in performing Nov. 30, send a quick email to info@theslowdown.com with your band’s name and the two or three Replacements tunes that you want to play. The folks at The Slowdown will sort out the rest. What will you get for playing beyond the dying admiration of everyone in the audience? I’ll leave that for you to negotiate with the club (though in true Replacements fashion, it’ll probably involve free booze). Bonus points for the band that plays “Die Within Your Reach.” ,

LAZY-I is a weekly column by long-time Reader senior contributing writer Tim McMahan focused on the Omaha music scene. Check out Tim’s daily music news updates at his website, lazy-i.com, or email him at lazy-i@thereader.com.

b l u e s ,

r o o t s ,

a m e r i c a n a

a n d

Doyle Bramhall Sr. Passes

s I sit down to write I have just read sad news. The Austin Blues Society reported that Doyle Bramhall Sr. has passed away. The houstonpress.com confirmed the details, writing that Bramhall, 62, died Nov. 13 in his home in Alpine, Texas, of complications from pneumonia. Bramhall was a drummer, vocalist and songwriter who was a friend and collaborator with the Vaughan brothers. He co-wrote songs Stevie Ray Vaughan recorded including “Dirty Pool,” “Change It” and “Life by The Drop.” Bramhall came out of the Dallas scene with the Vaughan brothers, working with Jimmie Vaughan in popular 1960s band The Chessmen. Bramhall was also a key player in the 1970s Austin blues resurgence. He appeared in Omaha at one of the Indigenous Jams held at the old McCormack’s. Thanksgrooving: The holiday season provides opportunities to come together, enjoy music and benefit the community. Thanksgrooving takes center stage Saturday, Nov. 19, at 5 p.m. at Slowdown. It’s an all-ages show to benefit the Food Bank for the Heartland. Performers include Polydypsia, Satchel Grande, Funk Trek, Kris Lager Band, Groove Gov’nors, Lymphnode Maniacs and more. Admission is $10. Donations

hoodoo

m o r e

B y

B . J .

November 19th 2:00p.m.

h u c h t e m a n n

of non-perishable food items are also encouraged. Canned in Benson: Matt Cox hosts the second annual Canned in Benson concert for the Food Bank of the Hearland Wednesday, Nov. 23, at Barley Street Tavern. It’s a night of warm music community camaraderie and heartfelt solo acoustic performances. Enjoy music from Cox, Cass Brostad, Brad Hoshaw, Kyle Harvey, Rebecca Lowry, Justin Lamoureux, Sarah Benck, Andrew Bailie, Matt Whipkey, Ashley Rayne Boe, Lash LaRue, Dylan Davis, Brett Vovk and Reagan Roeder. Admission is a non-perishable food donation. Hot Notes: Remember you can visit omahablues.com for detailed roots show listings. Chicago’s Americana roots-rockers Sarah & The Tall Boys play The 21st Saloon Thursday, Nov. 17, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Elwin James & The Way Outs perform at Gator O’Malley’s Nov. 17 at 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, options included a solo acoustic 7 p.m. early show by Little Joe McCarthy at McKenna’s. Blue House plays The Loose Moose at 4915 N. 120th (120th and Fort) Friday, Nov. 18. Down in Lincoln, Magic Slim is on stage at the Zoo Bar Friday, Nov. 18, after 9 p.m. Upcoming shows of note include a Darlings reunion at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar Wednesday, Nov. 23, after 9 p.m. Toasted Ponies play 6-9 p.m. Thanksgiving night catch the Lil’ Slim Blues Band at the Zoo. ,

Hoodoo is a weekly column focusing on blues, roots, Americana and occasional other music styles with an emphasis on live music performances. Hoodoo columnist B.J. Huchtemann is a Reader senior contributing writer and veteran music journalist who has covered the local music scene for nearly 20 years. Follow her blog at hoodoorootsblues.blogspot.com.

hoodoo

| THE READER |

nov. 17 - 23, 2011

livemusiccalendar

2234 South 13th Street Omaha, NE 68108 346 - 9802 www.sokolundground.com

SEND CALENDAR INFORMATION — including addresses, dates, times, costs and phone numbers — to The Reader’s calendar editor. Mail to or drop off information at P.O. Box 7360 Omaha, NE 68107; email to listings@thereader.com; fax to (402) 341.6967. Deadline is 5 p.m. the Thursday prior to issue date.

thursday 17

11/18/2011

Afton Presents: one HeAdligHt HigH, don BAllue, MicHAel rAy, cAlling cody, AnestAtic, logAn VAMosi, nick Mcgee, VAn gogH on tHe run, fAst screAMing cHild sHow @ 6:30

fri

AuditoriuM 11/22/2011 tecH n9ne, tHe lost cities tour feAt: krizz kAliko, kutt cAlHoun, JAy rock, And flAwless sHow @ 8:00 tues

wed 11/23/2011

tues 11/29/2011

Bo tHe HustleHolic w/ ent AllstArs, kuis Antone, Aso, tAntruM, otr, Block MoVeMent, young sotA, And dirty cHuck Boyz sHow @ 9:00 MycHildren MAyBride, witHin tHe ruins, lionHeArt, And More! sHow @ 6:30

SARAH & THE TALLBOYS, (Blues) 5:30 pm, 21st Saloon, $8. BLUESETTA STONE, KNIFE FIGHT JUSTICE, (Rock/Blues) 9 pm, Barley Street Tavern, $5. PERT NEAR SANDSTONE, SAN SOUCI QUARTET, SPEED SWEAT, (Folk/Singer-Songwriter) 8 pm, Bourbon Theater, $10. BLUES NIGHT WITH ELWIN JAMES AND THE WAYOUTS, (Blues) 9 pm, Gator O’Malley’s, FREE. JOE BACKER TRIO, (Jazz) 6 pm, Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen. MUNTJAC, BUDATAH, (Rock) 9 pm, Knickerbockers. SUSIE THORNE JAZZ QUINTET, (Jazz) 9 pm, Myth Martini Bar, FREE. FORT WILSON RIOT, (Rock) 9:30 pm, O’Leaver’s Pub, $5. TALL SEGAL, DANIEL CHRISTIAN, JAYMIE JONES, (Folk) 8:30 pm, Pizza Shoppe Collective, $5. SEPPEKU, TENACITY, FARMDOG, ACES LOAD’D, (Rock) 9 pm, Shamrock’s Pub & Grill.

READER RECOMMENDS

OCCUPY OMAHA FUNDRAISING CONCERT W/ BREAK YOUR FALL, THE CLINCHER, FURIOSITY, (Rock/ Metal) 7:30 pm, Slowdown, $10. EYES LIKE DIAMONDS, THE ROMANTIC TRAGEDY, IRKUTSK, A CHOKING MELODY, FAKE, (Rock/Metal) 8 pm, The Sandbox, $10. TARA VAUGHAN, MITCH GETTMAN, (Folk/Singer- Songwriter) 8 pm, The Sydney. THE APPLESEED CAST, HOSPITAL SHIPS, SKYPIPER, (Rock) 9 pm, Waiting Room, Advance: $10; DOS: $12. HANGIN’ COWBOYS, BANJO LOCO, (Rock) 9:30 pm, Zoo Bar, $5.

FRIDAY 18

THE GREENCARDS, (Folk/Singer-Songwriter) 7:30 pm, 7th Street Loft, $17; Students: $10. TAXI DRIVER, (Cover Band) 9:30 pm, Arena Bar & Grill, FREE. MILLIONS OF BOYS, DSOEDEAN, WELL AIMED ARROWS, (Rock) 9 pm, Barley Street Tavern, $5. HLN7 W/ PANTYRAID, WOOKIEFOOT, FREDDY TODD, JON WAYNE & THE PAIN, DJ VALID, PAPA SKUNK, RC DUB, MORE, (Rock/DJ/Electronic/Reggae/Island) 9 pm, Bourbon Theater, Advance: $15; DOS: $20. CACTUS HILL, (Cover Band) 9 pm, Brewsky’s Park Drive, FREE. CONSPIRACY THEORY, (Cover Band) 9 pm, Chrome Lounge. SATELLITE 5, DOWN IN CIRCLES, (Rock) 8 pm, Cultiva Coffee, FREE. PAISTY JENNY, (Rock) 9 pm, Gator O’Malley’s, $5. MARIACHI LUNA Y SOL, 6:30 pm, Hector’s, FREE. LUCHA LOUD WITH MASARIS AND CAKE EATER, (DJ/ Electronic) 9 pm, House Of Loom, $5. FAC W/ LOOM LIVE ALL-STARS, (Rock/Jazz) 5 pm, House Of Loom, FREE. STREET RAILWAY COMPANY, (Jazz) 6 pm, Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen. INTERNATIONAL PARTY, (Rock) 9 pm, Knickerbockers. BLUE HOUSE, (Cover Band) 9 pm, Loose Moose. LITTLE JOE, (Blues) 7 pm, McKenna’s Booze, Blues & BBQ.

READER RECOMMENDS

Saturday, Noon: Houston Grand Opera Benjamin Britten’s Peter Grimes WWW.KVNO.ORG

nov. 17 - 23, 2011

BEAR STORIES, SWAMP WALK, FLESH EATING SKIN DISEASE, (Rock) 9:30 pm, O’Leaver’s Pub, $5. AVARICIOUS, (Cover Band) 9 pm, OzoNE Lounge at Anthony’s Steakhouse, FREE. BANJO LOCO, (Rock) 9 pm, Pizza Shoppe Collective, $5. PAUZED, EVICTED, VAXXINE, QUICKSAND DEVIL, (Rock) 9 pm, Shamrock’s Pub & Grill.

| THE READER |

music listings

THE UNIPHONICS, (Rock) 9 pm, Side Door Lounge, FREE. HER FLYAWAY MANNER, THE FUCKING PARTY, DADS, (Rock) 9 pm, Slowdown, $7. ONE HEADLIGHT HIGH, DON BALLUE, MICHAEL RAY, CALLING CODY, ANESTATIC, LOGAN VAMOSI, NICK MCGEE, (Rock) 6 pm, Sokol Hall & Auditorium, $12. MARCOS & SABOR, (Folk/Singer-Songwriter) 9 pm, Stir Live & Loud, $5. ADULT FILMS, DA PREZNO, LABELMAKER, BEN LOVE, HOWARD, (Rock) 7 pm, The Sandbox, $6. PERSONICS, (Cover Band) 9:30 pm, Two Fine Irishmen, FREE. SPLIT LIP RAYFIELD, TH’ LEGENDARY SHACK SHAKERS, MOUNTAIN SPROUT, (Rock) 9 pm, Waiting Room, $15. WIN LANDER, (Cover Band) 9 pm, Whiskey Roadhouse (Horseshoe Casino), FREE. THE FABTONES, (Blues) 5 pm, Zoo Bar, $5. MAGIC SLIM, (Blues) 9 pm, Zoo Bar, $8.

SATURDAY 19

UNDER COVER, (Cover Band) 9:30 pm, Arena Bar & Grill, FREE. NOT A PLANET, GREAT AMERIAN DESERT, BETSY WELLS, LOW HORSE, (Rock/Folk/Singer-Songwriter) 9 pm, Barley Street Tavern, $8. HLN7 W/ PANTYRAID, WOOKIEFOOT, FREDDY TODD, JON WAYNE & THE PAIN, DJ VALID, PAPA SKUNK, RC DUB, MORE, (Rock/DJ/Electronic/Reggae/Island) 9 pm, Bourbon Theater, Advance: $15; DOS: $20. SHOOT TO THRILL, (Cover Band) 9 pm, Chrome Lounge. IAN COOKE, 8 pm, Cultiva Coffee, FREE. ONE MAN BAND CHRIS SHELTON, (Folk/Singer-Songwriter) 9:30 pm, Dinker’s Bar, FREE.

READER RECOMMENDS

JUSTIN ROTH, (Folk/Singer-Songwriter) 7:30 pm, Folk House, $15. R STYLE, (Cover Band) 9 pm, Gator O’Malley’s, $5. NOVAK & HARR, (Jazz) 6 pm, Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen. PRIORY, TIME HAMMER, (Rock) 9 pm, Knickerbockers. SILENT HAVOK, AUDITORE, DIRTFEDD, (Rock/Metal) 6 pm, Knickerbockers. SUMMER CAMP, (Cover Band) 9 pm, Loose Moose. THE LABELS, (Cover Band) 9 pm, OzoNE Lounge at Anthony’s Steakhouse, FREE. NORMANDY INVASION, (Rock) 8 pm, Pizza Shoppe Collective, FREE. ALPHA 5, GUNSHOT ITCH, THE LAST DRAFT, (Rock) 9 pm, Shamrock’s Pub & Grill. STRAP ON HALO, THE CLINCHER, 3RD AND DELAWARE, (Rock/Metal/Punk) 9 pm, Side Door Lounge, FREE. THANKSGROOVING W/ POLYDYPSIA, SATCHEL GRANDE, FUNK TREK, KRIS LAGER BAND, (Rock) 4 pm, Slowdown, $10. BADD COMBINATION, (Rock) 9 pm, Stir Live & Loud, $5. DOUBLE TAKE, (Classical) 7 pm, Strauss Performing Arts Center Recital Hall, $30. KINDLEWOOD, (Rock) 9 pm, Studio Gallery. HIDDEN AGENDA, (Cover Band) 9 pm, Two Fine Irishmen, FREE. CASEY DONAHEW, WEST WIND, (Country) 9 pm, Uncle Ron’s, Advance: $15; DOS: $20. ROCK PAPER DYNAMITE, SNAKE ISLAND!, DIM LIGHT, MOSES PREY, (Rock) 9 pm, Waiting Room, $7. DOWN TO HERE, (Cover Band) 9 pm, Whiskey Roadhouse (Horseshoe Casino), FREE.

SUNDAY 20

WIND ENSEMBLE / ORCHESTRA CONCERT, (Classical) 2 pm, Creighton University Lied Center.

THE CURLY MARTIN TRIO SUNDAY JAZZ JAMS, (Jazz) 4 pm, Doc’s Legacy Lounge, $3. ETERNAL, SCRU FACE JEAN, MEAN SWAG, SIR SKRAPY, EL GENIUS, (Hip-Hop/Rap) 9 pm, Duffy’s Tavern, Advance: $5; DOS: $7.

READER RECOMMENDS

VOICES OF OMAHA’S 43RD MESSIAH, (Classical) 3 pm, Holland Performing Arts Center, FREE. HOL SUNDAY LIVE SERIES: SUN SETTINGS/THE BENNINGTONS, (Indie) 8 pm, House Of Loom, 21+: $5. BAD FATHERS, BLACK MARKET MAVEN, (Rock) 9 pm, Shamrock’s Pub & Grill. SERVUS, SUPERSONIC PISS, THE LIZ, T’BONE, WEAKWICK, YUPPIES, (Rock/Punk) 8 pm, The Sandbox, $5. KOSHA DILLZ, PCS, DOUBLEO&THEROWBITS, DIRTY DIAMONDS, (Hip-Hop/Rap) 8 pm, Waiting Room, Advance: $7; DOS: $10. AUDITION NIGHT, (Cover Band) 9 pm, Whiskey Roadhouse (Horseshoe Casino), FREE.

MONDAY 21

KOSHA DILLZ, (Hip-Hop/Rap) 8 pm, Bourbon Theater. AN EVENING WITH COREY TAYLOR, (Rock) 8 pm, Waiting Room, Advance: $20; DOS: $22. THE ZOO BAR HOUSE BAND, (Blues) 7 pm, Zoo Bar, $3.

TUESDAY 22

WESTERN WOLVES, NO TIDE, OUR LIFE STORY, LATIN FOR TRUTH, RUNNING WITH NAILS, (Rock/Punk) 6 pm, Bourbon Theater, Advance: $5; DOS: $7. TONY CHURCH, (Folk/Singer-Songwriter) 7 pm, Crescent Moon Coffee, FREE. GREAT PLAINS MASSACRE, DAVE LEVERETT, PEACE LOVE AND STRYCNINE, (Rock) 9 pm, Knickerbockers. STEVE SPURGEON, (Folk/Singer-Songwriter) 6:30 pm, OzoNE Lounge at Anthony’s Steakhouse, FREE. PRIL JAM, (Rock) 6:30 pm, Rookies Bar & Grill, FREE. ALY PEELER, (Folk/Singer-Songwriter) 9 pm, Side Door Lounge, FREE. TECH N9NE, KRIZZ KALIKO, KUTT CALHOUN, JAY ROCK, FLAWLESS, (Hip-Hop/Rap) 8 pm, Sokol Hall & Auditorium, Advance: $25; DOS: $30. TOUCHE AMORGE, PIANOS BECOME TEETH, SEAHAVEN, (Rock/Punk) 8 pm, Waiting Room, $10. TROUBADOUR TUESDAY, (Folk/Singer-Songwriter) 9:30 pm, Zoo Bar, $4.

Wednesday 23

2ND ANNUAL CANNED IN BENSON FOOD DRIVE W/ BRAD HOSHAW, MATT COX, CASS BROSTAD, KYLE HARVEY, (Folk/Singer-Songwriter) 9 pm, Barley Street Tavern, Two non-perishable food items. DEAN THE BIBLE, VICKERS, SOLID GOLDBERG, (Rock) 9 pm, Duffy’s Tavern, FREE. RHYTHM COLLECTIVE, (Reggae/Island) 9 pm, Gator O’Malley’s, FREE. THE JAZZWHOLES REUNION SHOW, (Rock) 8 pm, House Of Loom, $3. ACHLEY UNDERSEA, ONWARD ETC., (Rock) 9 pm, Knickerbockers. SECRET WEAPON, (Cover Band) 9 pm, Loose Moose. KRIS LAGER AND FRIENDS, (Rock/Blues) 8 pm, Pizza Shoppe Collective, $5. TEN CLUB, DISAPPEARING INC., (Cover Band) 9 pm, Slowdown, $7. BO THE HUSTLEHOLIC, ENT ALLSTARS, KUIS ANTONE, ASO, TANTRUM, OTR, BLOCK MOVEMENT, YOUNG SOTA, (Rap) 6:30 pm, Sokol Hall & Auditorium, $8. LEMON FRESH DAY, (Cover) 9 pm, Two Fine Irishmen. SONG REMAINS THE SAME, SURFER ROSA, (Cover Band) 9 pm, Waiting Room, $7. DESPERATE BANDWIVES, (Cover Band) 10 pm, Whiskey Roadhouse (Horseshoe Casino), FREE. TOASTED PONIES, (Folk/Singer-Songwriter) 6 pm, Zoo Bar, $5. THE DARLINGS REUNION SHOW, (Blues) 9:30 pm, Zoo Bar, $5.

VENUES Ameristar Casino, 2200 River Rd., Council Bluffs, ameristar.com Arena Bar & Grill, 3809 N. 90th St., 571.2310, arenaomaha.com BarFly, 707 N. 114th St., 504.4811 Barley Street Tavern, 2735 N. 62nd St., 554.5834, barleystreet.com Bourbon Theatre, 1415 O St., Lincoln, 730.5695 Duffy’s Tavern, 1412 O St., Lincoln, 474.3453, myspace.com/ duffystavern The Hideout, 302 S. 72nd St. Knickerbocker’s, 901 O St., Lincoln, 476.6865, knickerbockers.net LIV Lounge, 2279 S. 67th St. livlounge.com Louis Bar and Grill, 5702 NW Radial Hwy., 551.5993 McKenna’s Blues, Booze & BBQ, 7425 Pacific St., 393.7427, mckennasbbq.com New Lift Lounge, 4737 S. 96th St., 339.7170 O’Leaver’s Pub, 1322 S. Saddle Creek Rd., 556.1238, myspace. com/oleaverspub

Ozone Lounge at Anthony’s Steakhouse, 72nd and F, 331.7575, ozoneclubomaha.com. Pizza Shoppe Collective, 6056 Maple St., 556.9090, pscollective.com Qwest, 455 N. 10th St., qwestcenteromaha.com Side Door, 3530 Leavenworth St., 504.3444. Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St., 345.7569, theslowdown.com Sokol Hall, 2234 S. 13th St., 346.9802, sokolundergound.com The Sydney, 5918 Maple St., 932.9262, thesydneybenson.com Stir, 1 Harrahs Blvd., Council Bluffs, harrahs.com Venue 162, 162 W. Broadway, Council Bluffs, 712.256.7768, myspace.com/venue162 Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St., 884.5353, waitingroomlounge.com Whiskey Roadhouse, Horseshoe Casino, 2701 32nd Ave., Council Bluffs, whiskeyroadhouse.com Your Mom’s Downtown Bar, 1512 Howard St., 345.0180 Zoo Bar, 136 N.14th St., Lincoln, zoobar.com

#3 – Omaha Reader (The Reader) – 11-03-2011

DAVID COOK NOVEMBER 26

Tickets available at whiskeyroadhouse.com, Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

I-29 South, Exit 1B | horseshoe.com

Must be 21 years or older to attend shows or to gamble. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-BETS-OFF (Iowa) or 1-800-522-4700 (National). ©2011, Caesars License Company, LLC.

V1_61921.3_4.9x7.47_4c_Ad.indd 1

11/1/11 8:11 AM

music listings

| THE READER |

NOV. 17 - 23, 2011

CREIGHTON Paint the town blue! Women’s Basketball

Men’s Basketball

• Sat., Nov. 20 @ 2:05 p.m. • Wed., Nov. 17 @ 7:05 p.m. Creighton vs. Wyoming Creighton vs. Louisiana • Sat., Nov. 26 @ 7:05 p.m. Creighton vs. Kennesaw State

Women’s home basketball games are played at D.J. Sokol Arena inside the Ryan Athletic Center (19th & Burt Street) Men’s home basketball games are played at CenturyLink Center Omaha (N. 10th Street)

Tickets Call (402) 280-JAYS

NOV. 17 - 23, 2011

www.GoCreighton.com

| THE READER |

E D I T E D

Michael Shannon goes weather nuts in Take Shelter

TAKE SHELTER

by Ryan Syrek

REPORTCARD

riter/director Jeff Nichols’ Take Shelter is quiet…too quiet. It’s the kind of quiet that makes your collar shrink, the kind that makes you long for something, anything, even an apocalyptic event of global damnation to finally just happen. And believe it or not, that’s a compliment. Take Shelter is part meditation on the mentally taxing responsibilities of a modern family man, complete with frustration about medical co-pays, and part “Twilight Zone” nightmare. With a furiously stoic performance from Michael Shannon acting as a keystone, Nichols’ film bridges the gap between pure character drama and light science fiction. The result is a delightfully disquieting, quiet experience that is all too rare to find Shannon plays Curtis, who seems to be a swell, albeit incredibly subdued, fella. When he’s not laboring as a construction worker, he’s knocking back beers with buddies or having family dinner with his wife, Samantha (Jessica Chastain). But stuff ’s got-

ten tough for ole Curt lately. His young daughter (Tova Stewart) has been diagnosed as deaf, necessitating extensive sign language classes and money for an expensive cochlear implant procedure. Thankfully, Curtis has great insurance…so as long as nothing bizarre happens and he gets fired, things should be fine. But Curtis begins having nightmares. And not “I gave a presentation nude” nightmares, but bed-wetting, seizure-inducing hallucinations that involve an unholy storm, one where the sky drops down thick, brown rain that apparently turns all liv-

Anonymous DIt got this title because no one admits they’re the one who saw it.

The Ides of March It may be a good movie, but you won’t feel good after.

Bellflower (ON DVD) First-time writer/director Evan Glodell will have to try harder next time.

The Rum Diary Not totally intoxicating, but you’ll catch a strong buzz.

B-

Footloose As the song says, I recommending cutting Footloose.

A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas If you’re open to thirds of this duo, you’ll have some fun inhaling this one.

C-

Weekend Gay or straight, love is a messy, awkward thing.

A-

READER RECOMMENDS

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (ON DVD) BAll mostly average things must come to an end...

Film Streams at the Ruth Sokolof Theater 14th & Mike Fahey Street (formerly Webster Street) More info & showtimes 402.933.0259 · filmstreams.org Facebook & Twitter: @filmstreams

B+

ing things into zombie-like killers. Oddly enough, the apocalypse is still not Curtis’ biggest fear. Having been abandoned by a schizophrenic mother, his biggest concern is going as mad as she did. As he bravely speaks with doctors and counselors, he can’t seem to resist the siren call of apocalyptic fantasy forever. He soon sinks copious amounts of money and time into creating a storm shelter, complete with gas masks. The remainder of the film is a juggling act between a man desperately clinging to sanity, a wife desperately trying to help her daughter and a family threatening to explode. As haunting as the film looks, complete with simple yet terrifying storm clouds, the acting is what’s on display here. Shannon’s ability to subtly seethe beneath the surface is contrasted beautifully with Chastain’s loving explicit resolve. Deservedly, much praise will be focused on Shannon’s performance, but in many ways, it is Chastain’s dynamic counterpoint that allows his character to become so exposed. For the bulk of the film, the stakes aren’t global armageddon, but whether this wholly believable couple can weather this personal storm. There’s a way of reading Take Shelter that’s different, taking biblical cues from the story of Noah and plot points from Rod Serling. It works well on that level, but functions best as a drama about a tortured man who can’t decide if he needs to save his family from the world or from himself. Detractors will likely gripe about the deliberate pace and ambiguity in the story, which are the very same things that make it such a triumph. In a time when everyone seems to think thrillers must be as loud and grating as a yapping lapdog, Take Shelter once more proves otherwise. ,

GRADE: A-

This Week Take Shelter First-Run (R)

Family & Children’s Series The Goonies 1985

Through Tuesday, November 22

Directed by Richard Donner.

“A modern American epic.” —indieWIRE

Nov 19 - Dec 1 (Saturdays, Sundays, Thursdays)

Weekend First-Run (NR)

The Met: Live in HD Satyagraha Glass

Through Tuesday, November 22

Live: Saturday, November 19, 12pm* Encore: New Date! Tuesday, November 22, 6pm

“Perfectly realized. A bracing, presenttense exploration of sex, intimacy and love.” —A.O. Scott, The New York Times

R Y A N

S Y R E K

■ It’s official: The excitement of the behind the scenes madness surrounding the Oscars has surpassed any excitement ever created by the actual Oscars. Brett Ratner, who is a horrible director and worse human being, has wisely resigned his spot as producer of the Academy Awards in the wake of publicly stating that “Rehearsing is for fags.” Eddie Murphy only agreed to host this year’s navel-gazing back-patting because he’s buddies with “The Rat,” so now he’s out too. So what ratings-enhancing hero swooped in to save the day? Billy Crystal. And with that uninspired declaration, you may now return to yawning. ■ They got Batman and Spider-man, so it’s only fair that we get Princess Diana. That’s right, with Brits Christian Bale and Andrew Garfield poaching the aforementioned prime American roles, it’s only fair that Jessica Chastain takes a U.K. role as retribution. Caught in Flight will tell the story of a secret affair that Lady Di had with a surgeon. The involvement of the brilliant Chastain moves this from “unwatchable Lifetime TV movie” status to “potentially not terrible.” ■ Don’t worry. Even though skinny-minnie Jonah Hill isn’t going to be able to appear in Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained due to scheduling conflicts, there is still exciting casting news to report. Tom Wopat, that’s right, the Tom Wopat from “The Dukes of Hazzard,” will appear in the film. If the thought of one of them ‘durn Duke boys appearing in a QT film doesn’t make your heart beat to the sound of the General Lee’s horn, there’s not much I can do for ya. —Ryan Syrek

Cutting Room provides breaking local and national movie news … complete with added sarcasm. Send any relevant information to film@ thereader.com. Check out Ryan on Movieha!, a weekly half-hour movie podcast (movieha.libsyn.com/rss), and also catch him on the radio on CD 105.9 (cd1059.

Coming Soon!

Directed by Jeff Nichols.

Directed by Andrew Haigh.

B Y

CUTTINGROOM

Shelter Skelter

film

*A Prelude Talk by Opera Omaha, led by Umang Talati, will begin at 11am on the day of the live broadcast (Saturday, November 19).

ﬁlm

The Descendants First-Run (R) Directed by Alexander Payne. Opening Wednesday, Nov. 23, exclusively at Film Streams’ Ruth Sokolof Theater! “After a five-year wait since SIDEWAYS, Alexander Payne has made his best film yet.”

—Todd McCarthy, Hollywood Reporter

More info, showtimes & advance tickets at www.filmstreams.org.

| THE READER |

NOV. 17 - 23, 2011

sports

Standing Tall Pelini, Huskers keep Penn State game in proper perspective

W “We only control what we do.” “As a team we can’t concern ourselves with their issues.” “It is what it is.” Coachspeak is as predictable as the tides and an accepted means to an end when it comes to covering a football team for any media outlet in 2011. You know what the answer to your question will be before you ask it but you have to ask it anyway or risk being deemed lazy or irresponsible. To use any head football coaches parlance “it is what it is”. However, this last week gave us all a moment in time when none of those typical platitudes really fit. The unfolding tragedy at Penn State put the Nebraska Cornhuskers the rarest of challenges where shutting out the drama of your opponents situation was not only unrealistic but irresponsible. Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini made reference to his duty to be a teacher after the game last Saturday and part of that duty means recognizing, explaining and involving your players in the situation at hand. To make matters worse (in the typical football sense of the word) the situation at hand made the game itself irrelevant when compared to the gravity of the circumstance. That was the situation the Huskers found themselves in as they flew to Happy Valley for their inaugural meeting in the Big Ten against the Nittany Lions. That was also where we saw one of those rare moments in sports where the competitors, the coaches and the fans all converged and without planning it in advance acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and the responsibility to be human beings first, sports fans second. That moment in which all involved gathered in the center of the field, took a knee and paid respect to the victims is something that few will be able to forget. The revered silence from more than 105,000 fans spoke louder than any shouts ever could. In that moment a community took a breath and did so with the help of these strangers from the Midwest who were there of no accord of their own. Show respect. It sounds so simple. It sounds self explanatory. Unfortunately it’s not always the case and the fervor with which many involved in sports approach the game oft times over shadows common decency. Almost anyone involved in sports is guilty at some point of being too competitive, of putting too much importance on a game. It is a shame that it takes a tragedy on the scale what has transpired in Pennsylvania to provide perspective but all involved deserve a modicum of credit for not letting that moment pass. The game itself will be forgotten about sooner than later but the fact that those players, coaches and fans seized the moment to acknowledge the horrors that had played out that week is worth commending. Perhaps that game and the return to normalcy that it represented will help in starting the healing process in a community that was rocked to its’ core. Perhaps the people at Penn State will point to that game somewhere in the future as the moment they started down a better path. In the meantime, we can all use this moment to take in a breath of much needed perspective. The games we watch are just that, games. Taking care of those closest to us is more important than any game. Being decent people is more important that any game. Protecting those that cannot protect themselves is more important than any game. The Cornhuskers got a crash course in all of that last week when they were thrown into a situation not of their creation and they performed admirably within it. l

NOV. 17 - 23, 2011

| THE READER |

sports

by Mike Babcock

hen the history of Bo Pelini’s tenure as head football coach at Nebraska is written, the 2011 Penn State game will figure prominently. It will say Pelini never stood taller. Yes, the Huskers won the game, 17-14, on the road, against a Penn State team that had lost only once. But Pelini has coached many victories during his four seasons. And he’ll coach many more. What distinguished this game above the others, and those to come, were his words afterward. “Going in, I didn’t think the game should have been played,” he said. And because of that he was conflicted. During the week leading up to it, “there were times when I felt like, ‘Here, I’m telling my football team to ignore what’s going on because we have a game to play; we have to focus on what we’re doing,’” said Pelini. “My job, my No. 1 job is to educate and to talk to them about it and put focus on what we know and, so, they . . . so these young adults learn from the situation.” The situation is well documented, alleged sexual abuse of young boys by former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky and the failure of others to do the right thing in response. Among those others was legendary coach Joe Paterno, who was fired as a result. “I don’t know the specifics of the situation, and I’m not judging anybody. But the fact is, young kids were hurt,” Pelini said. “It’s a lot bigger than football. It’s a lot bigger than the NCAA, the Big Ten or anything else. That’s why in the end, going in, I didn’t think the game should have been played. “But with it being played, I thought that kneeling down and praying, and both teams coming together, was the right thing to do, and hopefully, that in itself made a statement.” Prior to the opening kickoff both teams went to midfield and knelt in prayer, led by Husker running backs coach Ron Brown, a “pretty obvious choice,” according to Pelini.

The reaction in the 48 hours following was consistent. Those he encountered “were just in awe,” said Husker I-back Rex Burkhead. “I thought Coach Brown did a tremendous job getting us all together. Normally in those games you have that tension between the two teams going head-tohead. “Just to come in, say hi to each other and ask the other players how they’re doing before the game kind of eases all the emotion and distractions before the game. I thought that was an awesome deal. That was something I’ve never been a part of and something I thought was pretty cool.” Nebraska linebacker Will Compton said people had “nothing but good things to say. Everybody talked about the prayer in the beginning being first-class, which it was.” Said Husker safety Austin Cassidy: “I said after the game that I didn’t know too many people that’d probably remembo pelini ber who won that game. Stuff like that, that happened before the game, that’s going to be remembered forever. I think it was just a good sign by both of the teams to let the victims know and let other people know that there’s stuff bigger than football and bigger than us. They’re in our hearts and they’re in our prayers. I was glad we did it. I think everyone was glad we did it.” That didn’t change what happened on the field. The competition was no less intense. “As far as I could tell, it was a normal game for the 60 minutes we were out there,” he said. Cassidy was right, no doubt. What happened before and after the game will be remembered long after the score is forgotten. Even so, that doesn’t diminish what the Huskers accomplished on a sunny, breezy 50-degree afternoon before a crowd of 107,903 at Beaver Stadium. “I’ve said it and believe that our team has a lot of character and want-to,” Pelini said during his weekly news conference on the Monday after the game. “I give them a lot of credit. I gave them credit after the game for how they were able to play. It was a well-played game. It was a hard-hitting and physical football game. It’s a good one to come out on top.” But it was still just a game, in a situation, as Pelini described afterward as “bigger than the young men in the game who would have missed it had they called it off.” ,

Michael Gray

Wisconsin Iowa Michigan StATE Northwestern Ohio StATE +Nebraska 27-24

Petey Mac

Wisconsin Iowa Michigan state Northwestern Penn stat +Nebraska 28-17

Wisconsin Iowa Michigan StATE Northwestern Ohio StATE +Nebraska 31-27

Wisconsin Iowa Michigan StATE Northwestern Penn StATE +Nebraska 35-21

Wisconsin Iowa Michigan State Northwestern Penn State +Nebraska 42-38

Wisconsin Purdue Michigan State Northwestern Ohio State +Nebraska 31-24

Illinois Iowa Michigan State Northwestern Penn State +Nebraska 31-17

Wisconsin Iowa Michigan stATE Northwestern Penn stATE +Nebraska 17-14

Wisconsin Iowa Michigan State Northwestern Ohio State +Nebraska 23-21

Wisconsin Purdue Michigan StATE Northwestern Penn StATE +Nebraska 28-21

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| THE READER |

nov. 17 - 23, 2011

newsoftheweird

t h e wo r l d g o n e f r e a k y b y c h u c k s h e p h e r d w i t h i l lu s t r at i o n s b y t o m b r i s c o e

Jug-of-Blood

“I

don’t get it. I just don’t get it. And you’re not going to get me to get it,” warned Marine squadron commander Lt. Col. Jerry Turner (to a Wall Street Journal Afghanistan reporter writing in October), when learning that a few of his troops were sporting artistically shaped eyebrows sculpted by a barber in the town of Shinwar. “Stylist” Gulam Farooq can’t practice on Muslims (forbidden) but said “one or two” Marines come by every day (in between calling in artillery barrages) for tapering. T h e Military Times news service, reporting from Afghanistan in August, disclosed a U.S. Marines command directive ordering troops to restrain their audible flatus because, apparently, Afghan soldiers and civilians complained of being offended. The reporter doubted the directive could be effective, in that passing gas by front-line troops is “practically a sport.” A vendor at a street market in Leipzig, Germany, was revealed in September to be shamelessly selling personally tailored coats and vests made with fur from house cats. A first report, in the sensationalist tabloid Bild, was doubted, but a follow-up by Germany’s premier news source, Spiegel, confirmed the story. The vendor said he needed eight cats to make a vest (priced at the equivalent of $685) and 18 for a coat. However, such sales are illegal under German and European Union laws, and the vendor subsequently denied that he sold such things.

Family Values Too Soon? An 11-year-old California boy and a 7-yearold Georgia girl have recently decided -- with parental support -- to come out as the other gender. The boy, Tommy, wants more time to think about it, said his lesbian parents, and has begun taking hormone

Nov. 17 - 23, 2011

| THE READER |

weird news

blockers to make his transition easier should he follow through with plans (first disclosed at age 3) to become “Tammy.” The McIntosh County, Ga., girl has been living as a boy for a year, said father Tommy Theollyn, a transgendered man who is actually the one who gave birth. Theollyn petitioned the school board in September (unsuccessfully) to allow the child to use the boys’ bathroom. Theollyn said the girl first noticed she was a boy at age 18 months. Recurring Theme: Italian men are notorious “bamboccionis” (“big babies”) who exploit doting mothers by remaining in their family homes well into adulthood, sometimes into their 30s or later, expecting meals and laundry service. Many mothers are tolerant, but in September an elderly couple in the town of Mestre announced (through a consumer association) that if their 41-year-old, gainfully employed son did not meet a deadline for leaving, the association would file a lawsuit to evict him. (A news update has not been found, perhaps indicating that the son moved out.)

Cutting-Edge Tactics Crime-Fighting: (1) In October, about 120 professional mimes began voluntarily patrolling the trafficcongested Sucre district of Caracas, Venezuela, at the request of Mayor Carlos Ocariz. The white-gloved mimes’ specialty was wagging their fingers at scofflaw motorists and pedestrians, and mimes interviewed by the Associated Press reported improvements. (2) At least 300 professional clowns from Mexico and Central America, in Mexico City in October for a convention, demonstrated against the country’s drug-cartel violence by laughing, in unison, nonstop, for 15 minutes. (They were likely less successful than the mimes.) Parenting: Freemon Seay, 38, was arrested in Thurston County, Wash., in October on suspicion of

COPYRIGHT 2011 CHUCK SHEPHERD. Visit Chuck Shepherd daily at NewsoftheWeird.blogspot.com or NewsoftheWeird.com. Send Weird News to WeirdNewsTips@yahoo.com or P.O. Box 18737, Tampa, FL 33679. Illustrations by Tom Briscoe (smallworldcomics.com).

assault with a deadly weapon after disciplining his 16-year-old daughter for leaving home without his approval. Seay allegedly forced the girl to suit up in armor and helmet, with a wooden sword, and to fight him (also in armor, with a wooden sword) for over two hours until she could no longer stand up. Seay’s wife (the girl’s stepmother) was booked as an accessory and was said by deputies to have been supportive of her husband’s “Renaissance fair” enthusiasm (which Freemon Seay called a “lifestyle”).

Bright Ideas In Malone, N.Y., in September, Clyde Gardner, 57, was sentenced to five to 15 years in prison for trying to murder his ex-girlfriend twice. Initially, he was going to dress in a recently skinned bear’s hide -- walk on its paws, so as not to leave shoe prints, and “maul” her with the claws. After abandoning that plan, he promised a friend $15,000 to kill the woman in a car crash, and since Gardner was a demolition derby driver, he offered expert instructions (though the friend turned Gardner in). Awesome! The ingenuity of drug smugglers is never to be underestimated, as one ABC News report from Nogales, Ariz., in October demonstrated. Smugglers had dug tunnels from Nogales, Mexico, underneath the border to Nogales, Ariz., engineered perfectly to end along International Street’s metered parking spaces. Vans with false bottoms were parked in certain spaces (and meters were fed); smugglers in the vans broke though the pavement to meet the tunnelers, and the drugs were loaded. Still parked, the vans’ crews repaired the pavement, and the vans departed. “(U) nbelievable,” said the Arizona city’s mayor. Basically, “Toto” is to sophisticated toilets in Japan as “Apple” is to consumer electronics in America. In September, Toto unveiled a prototype motorcycle with a toilet bowl to convert a driver’s waste into fuel, not only making it self-gassed-up but contributing to the company’s goal of reducing carbon dioxide emis-

sions by 50 percent within six years. The company was launching a monthlong, cross-country publicity tour (presumably featuring a gastro-intestinally robust driver).

Armed and Clumsy (All-New!) People Who Shot Themselves Recently: Two men -- a 23-year-old in Fayetteville, N.C. (June), and a 22-yearold in Seminole, Fla. (October), accidentally shot themselves in the head while trying to assure friends that their guns posed no danger. A firearms instructor shot himself in the thigh during his recertification class at the Smith & Wesson facility in Springfield, Mass. (September). A man on a first date at Ruth’s Chris Steak house in Charlotte, N.C., accidentally shot himself in the leg as he was escorting his date to their car (September). And as usual, at least one man (a 27-yearold in Chandler, Ariz.) paid the price for inartfully using his waistband as a holster, causing a “groin” injury (August). And Milwaukee police secured a search warrant to photograph Otis Lockett’s penis (July), as evidence that he was illegally in possession of a gun (as a felon) by showing that he had accidentally shot off nearly all of his organ.

News of the Weird Classic (March 1992) At a high school basketball game in February (1992), Oklahoma City police officer Eldridge Wyatt became dissatisfied that no fouls were being called on “No. 21” and walked onto the court to point out the player’s elbowing to the officials. When referee Stan Guffey told Wyatt to leave the foul-calling to him, Wyatt placed Guffey under arrest. Guffey was un-arrested a few minutes later so that the game could continue, but when a reporter after the game asked Wyatt for a reaction, Wyatt tried to arrest him, too. ,

weird news

| THE READER |

Nov. 17 - 23, 2011

planetpower

Joslyn Art Museum appreciates the support of the community and invites everyone to visit for free over Thanksgiving weekend.

w ee k l y

h oroscopes

FREE ADMISSION: Fri., Nov. 25: 10 am–4 pm; Sat. Nov. 26: 10 am–4 pm; Sun., Nov. 27: 12–4 pm (Joslyn will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24)

Image: Jacob van Es, Still Life, 1630, oil on wood panel.

www.joslyn.org | (402) 342-3300 | 2200 Dodge St. | Omaha, NE

ast week of Scorpio. Study the mysteries of life and death, sex and regeneration, magique and elimination — the realms of Scorpio. Scorpio, the sign that rules death, is not the last sign. This cycle placement in/ of astrology would imply that death is not the/ our end. “I’ll see you in the next one, and don’t be late,” from Sagittarian/Scorpio cusp voudou childe, Jimi Hendrix. “Fly on. Fly on.” —MOJOPOPlanetPower.com h SCORPIO (10.23-11.22) Martians: Get close with your older Plutonian brothers and sisters. They have $omething for you. The payoff $hows up on the 27th. Now, with Mars in Virgo, get back to work! Plutonians: Your opportunity to help those who help you shows up late on Friday and Saturday. You’ll get paid back, from now ’til the morning of the 27th. This is your last surge. Use it before you lose it. i SAGITTARIUS (11.23-12.21) All right! Time for the ideas, but not yet the expression. The New Moon Solar Eclipse is in your sign this Thanksgiving. Be reborn! Oh, oh! Mercury retrogrades in your sign on the same day! OMG! What are we going to do? Tune in to next week’s early issues to find any clues to cure your coming 50/50 blues. Here’s a clue: Sometimes a mistake can work for you. j CAPRICORN (12.22-1.20) Hang on. You’ve only got another year of trying to keep everybody happy. Yes, it’s impossible, but somebody has to do it, right? Next Tuesday at lunch you can expect/get your reward/comeuppance as the Moon conjuncts your ruler, Saturn. Time will test your drive and don’t/won’t take no jive! k AQUARIUS (1.21-2.19) Hold on ’til the Full Moon in Gemini around dawn on December 10th. Wake up early and start for real on your next 6-or-7-year deal, ’til mid-May, 2018. What do you want to start within this time frame? Where do you want to be? i PISCES (2.20-3.20) Momentum shift called for. At last you’ve got your fix on humanity. You know what’s going on, back to its roots. What are you going to do with these last 13/14 years of occult education and these next 14 of mystical maturation (Neptune in Pisces)? How does the MOJO know? a ARIES (3.21-4.20) Ahhh… The simple life… (get to work!)…in these beautiful plains (Mars in Virgo ’til the 4th of July). (Work?) Yer lookin’ fer

NOv. 17 - 23, 2011

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hot bodies, hot food (Mars in Virgo), and a bar where you can be rude, Dude. Maybe a nude Cancer dancer might/could have the answer? Catch/ see ya at da club (Mickey’s?) (after work). Hey, does that get me a free drink (or lap dance)? b TAURUS (4.21-5.20) Freedom to say what you want (Mercury conjunct your ruler Venus in Sagittarius). But, do we have to like it (Jupiter retrograde in Taurus ’til Christmas)? You’re ripe for a Big Bird misunderstanding on Turkey Day (when Mercury retrogrades)! We suffer more for/from what comes out of our mouths than from what goes into ’em. We’ll find out, won’t we? Gobble, gobble! c GEMINI (5.21-6.21) Please read Taurus — except that Mercury is your ruler. The confusion is coming from your partners, while they feel/ say it’s coming from you. Be philosophical about it (Mercury in Sagittarius), and please try to keep your sense of humor and/ or your silence (maybe?). d CANCER (6.22-7.22) Please read Taurus and Gemini. All this craziness needs a host of some kind. Hey, ya got any? It’s coming to you from your work and affecting your health! Watch out! Here comes the hawk! Brrrrrr… Your health? You’re lucky if it’s just a cold. Wash your hands. You don’t know where they’ve been… e LEO (7.23-8.22) The Turkey Day craziness flows your way and you’re okay. Time for you to get out of your (4th) House and back into your element. On the 3 fire signs: Aries is the fire of spring. Leo is the golden glow, as signs of autumn start to show. The fire in Sagittarius is the human warmth that can/will carry us. Everything else lives and dies. Only the family survives. f VIRGO (8.23-9.22) Everything’s going well at home ’til Thanksgiving. Mercury, your ruler, moves retrograde on the New Moon Solar Eclipse. So, I’d suggest that you eat your fill, but don’t spill the/your beans. I’ll report on any jalapeños (hot spots) next week, when once again we speak. Bon appétit! g LIBRA (9.23-10.22) Please read Taurus. With you, the emphasis and troubles come with/ from your brothers and sisters — your everyday world (3rd House). Mars in Virgo (your theoretical 12th House) can bring violence to be your undoing. The Moon’s square Saturn on the 27th. Either create some harmony for your elders, do some yoga, or pay off an old debt. Hey, you got that 50 bucks? ,

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nov. 17 - 23, 2011