The Reader May 29 - June 4, 2014

CLASS A CDL DRIVERS NEEDED Great pay and benefits. Good home time. Experience needed. Call Scott 507-437-9905 www.mcfgtl.com (MCN)

THE DURHAM MUSEUM Part time Retail Supervisor.

Contact Amy Carolus at acarolus@durhammuseum.org or call at 402-444-5071. Go to OmahaJobs.com for info.

BENCH CRAFT COMPANY Sales Representative. Contact Greg Barnhart at gbarnhart@benchcraftcompany. com or 1-800-824-8311. Go to OmahaJobs.com for info.

PRAIRIE INET Staff Accountant. Contact Human Resources at nebraskajobs@corp.skybeam.com.

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DUNCAN AVIATION Programmer/Analyst II - Java & Programmer/Analyst II. Call 402-479-4135. Go to OmahaJobs.com for information.

AAA LIFE INSURANCE Customer Service Representative. Go to OmahaJobs.com.

TRANS CONTINENTAL CONSULTANTS Financial Analyst, Physical Therapist, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, Occupational Therapist, & Speech Language Pathologist. Contact Kristi Weldon at medlinkne@gmail.com or 402-753-7230. Go to OmahaJobs.com for information.

ALEGENT CREIGHTON HEALTH Certified Meidcal Assistant OnCall for Rehab at Immanuel & Certified Medical Assistant FT Days Lakeside.

Contact Teri Prochaska at teri. prochaska@alegent.org or 402-717-1869.

KRYGER GLASS Warehouse Delivery. & Overnight Delivery Driver. Contact Sheri Sealock at hr@krygerglass.com or 1-816-4716944. Go to OmahaJobs.com for more information ALTEC Field Technician. Contact Yolanda Bailey at Yolanda. bailey@altec.com. Go to OmahaJobs.com for more information.

WASHINGTON COUNTY EXTENSION Extension Assistant – 4 H/ Youth Development. Contact 402-426-9455. Go to OmahaJobs.com for more information.

CENTURY LINK Supervisor & Repair Service Attendant. Go to OmahaJobs.com for information.

INVENERGY LLC Operations & Maintenance Manager. Go to OmahaJobs. com for more information ALEGENT CREIGHTON Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant Urgent Care FT. Contact Kim.Cadwell@alegent.org or 402-717-1852. Go to OmahaJobs.com for info ALEGENT CREIGHTON HEALTH Certified Medical Assistant Urgent Care FT Day/Eventing West Broadway Clinic. Contact Kim.Cadwell@alegent. org or 402-717-1852. Go to OmahaJobs.com for information WEST CORPORATION Go to OmahaJobs.com for more information.

CORESLAB STRUCTURESNow Hiring General Laborers, Equipment Operators, QA Inspector. Contact Amanda Becker at 402-291-0733 or at abecker@coreslab.com. Go to OmahaJobs.com for info.

\ALEGENT CREIGHTON RN Emergency FT Nights Midlands Hospital. Contact Jennifer.acker@alegent. org or 402-717-1883. Go to OmahaJobs.com for more information.

BERG/HELIX Electrical Forman. Contact Paul Shy at pshy@bergelectric.com or at 402-913-8637.

Go to OmahaJobs.com

EATON Accountant. Go to OmahaJobs.com for information.

MICROTEL INN AND SUITES Field Technician. Contact Ryan at tryanbelford@yahoo. com or 712-256-2900. Go to OmahaJobs.com for info.

HEARTLAND MARKETING & COMM. Back-Pack Journalist. Contact Becky Jungers at HMCListing@gmail.com or 402293-0200. Go to OmahaJobs. com for more information.

PAPIO POOL Life Guards. Contact Jennifer Rees-Goss at papiopool@ gmail.com. Go to OmahaJobs. com for more information.

UBIQUITY GLOBAL SERVICES Outbound Sales and Support Representatives.

Contact Catherine Ihonvbere at hr@ ubiquitygs.com . Go to OmahaJobs.com for more information.

SECURITAS SECURITY SERVICES Third Grade Engineer. Contact Shannon Gernandt at Shannon.gernandt@securitasjobs.com or 402-558-6900.

Go to OmahaJobs.com for more information.

ALEGENT CREIGHTON Therapist-Mental Health Independent Psych Associates FT. Contact jared.mccready@ alegent.org or 402-717-1964.

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WIS INTERNATIONAL Inventory Manager. Contact Annette Ball at aball@wisintl. com or 1800-888-8210 ext.

528. Go to OmahaJobs.com for more information PLANET FITNESS Hiring All Staff. Go to OmahaJobs.com for more information.

CLAAS OMAHA INC. Temporary Seasonal Assembly Technician. Go to OmahaJobs.com for more information.

OMAHA JOB FAIR Expect 50 Employers Now Hiring-June 4, 2014. Go to OmahaJobs.com for more information.

FERRELLGAS Class A and B CDL Driver Go to OmahaJobs.com for more information.

SAPP BROS., INC. Drivers. Contact Devin Bowman at dbowman@sappbros. net. Go to OmahaJobs.com for more information.

MINNEAPOLIS BASED COMPANY Expanding across nation. We need sales reps with excellent opportunity to move into sales management. Excellent commissions. We train. Ag/construction experience a plus.

Call 1-888-372-0594 ext405 (MCN)

OFFICE IN THE HEART OF Small, public-facing office available in the heart of South Omaha with shared reception area and conference room. Includes street signage opportunity and internet.

Great Value!

Please contact Clay Seaman, clays@thereader.com or 402-341-7323 x108 if you are interested.

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MAY 29 - JUNE 4, 2014

| THE READER |

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ead Gardener-H We are proud to take care of some of the most beautiful spaces in Omaha and our Gardeners are at the core of each one.

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ALEGENT CREIGHTON RN-Performance Improvement FT Days CUMC-Trauma. Contact Jennifer Acker at Jennifer.acker@alegent.org or 402-717-1883. Go to OmahaJobs.com for information

THE VINCIT GROUP Area Manager. Contact employment@vincitgroup.com.

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AFRICA, BRAZIL WORK/ STUDY! Change the lives of others while creating a sustainable future. 6, 9, 18 month programs available. Apply today! www.OneWorldCenter.org (269) 591-0518 info@OneWorldCenter.org (AAN CAN)

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ProKarma, Inc. Jobs Senior Software Engineer #SRJAVA0514

Senior Software Engineer #SRNET0514

Software Engineer #JAVA0514

Quality Assurance Analyst #QA0514

Requires Masters Degree or foreign equivalent in Information Systems, Computer Science, Science, Engineering (any) with one year of Information Technology-related experience; or, alternatively, a Bachelors degree or foreign equivalent in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering (any) with five years of progressive Information Technology-related experience. Foreign equivalent degree acceptable. Experience must include skills in: Java, J2EE, JMS, SOA, Web Services, Weblogic/WebSphere/App server/JBoss, Oracle/SQL Server, Maven, HTML. Analyze user needs, and modify and develop existing software by using various computer skill sets.

Requires Bachelors degree or foreign equivalent in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering (any), or equivalent to bachelors by combination of education and experience, and two years of progressive Information Technology-related experience. Foreign equivalent degrees acceptable. Experience must include skills in: Java, J2EE, JMS, SOA, Web Services, Weblogic/WebSphere/App server/JBoss, Oracle/SQL Server, Maven, HTML. Write, update, and maintain computer programs by using various computer skill sets.

Software Engineer #NET0514

Requires Bachelors degree or foreign equivalent in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering (any) or equivalent to bachelors by combination of education and experience and two years of progressive Information Technology-related experience. Foreign equivalent degrees acceptable. Experience must include skills in: Object oriented analysis and design, Microsoft.Net Technologies, C#, ASP.net, ADO. net, XML, Web Services, Oracle / SQL Server. Write, update, and maintain computer programs by using various computer skill sets.

Requires Masters Degree or foreign equivalent in Information Systems, Computer Science, Science, Engineering (any) with one year of Information Technology-related experience; or, alternatively, a Bachelors degree or foreign equivalent in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering (any) with five years of progressive Information Technology-related experience. Foreign equivalent degrees acceptable. Experience must include skills in: Object oriented analysis and design, Microsoft.Net Technologies, C#, ASP.net, ADO.net, XML, Web Services, Oracle / SQL Server. Analyze user needs, and modify and develop existing software by using various computer skill sets..

Requires Masters Degree or foreign equivalent in Information Systems, Computer Science, Science, Engineering (any) with one year of Information Technology-related experience; or, alternatively, a Bachelors degree or foreign equivalent in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering (any) with five years of progressive Information Technology-related experience. Foreign equivalent degrees acceptable. Experience must include skills in: QuickTest Pro (QTP) 9.5, Test Director (Quality Center 9.5), ClearQuest and Excel Reporting (QC OTA API).

Job entails development and modification of test plans and scripts, both manual and automated, to ensure the quality, reliability, scalability, and monitoring of both existing and new software applications..

SEND RESUMES TO: ProKarma, Inc., Attn: Jobs, 222 S 15th St. #505N, Omaha, NE 68102 or email: postings@prokarma.com. with Job Ref# in the subject line of the email

ProKarma, Inc., has multiple full time positions available based out of its Omaha, NE headquarters; but relocation is possible to various unanticipated work sites anywhere in the United States. Â Note: a relocation is not a travel requirement for performance of the job duties. | THE READER |

MAY 29 - JUNE 4, 2014

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heartlandhealing N E W A G E H E A LT H A N D W E L L N E S S B Y M I C H A E L B R AU N S T E I N

Ten Easy Steps to be Healthier

I

VISIONS FROM FIVE MINUTES INTO THE FUTURE • MAY 29, 2014 • We're entering the era of online banking. Within 10 years, most Americans will have accounts that have no tellers, no paperwork, and no physical location. Checks will be deposited by scanning them with a smartphone, bills will be paid with the

touch of a virtual button, and because they have almost no overhead, online banks will offer high interest on accounts and low interest on loans.

There will even be online Swiss bank accounts and offshore holdings, for the unscrupulous.

t’s a convincing argument that humans are the dumbest species on the planet. Much of that can be based on observing our apparent willingness to self-destruct. No other species alive so diligently flaunts the laws of Nature. No other species works so hard at killing itself and its life support system (Planet Earth). From time to time it’s good practice to examine habits and see which ones are in keeping with the “dumbest species” designation and once identifying those behaviors, dump them.

Dump the Lump (Sugar and other poisons) Sugar is one of the most toxic substances we eat, this according to Dr. Robert Lustig and many others. Lustig’s University of California lecture on Youtube has been viewed over 4.7 million times. The challenge in avoiding it is that sugar, seven times more addictive than cocaine, is all over the foodscape.

It’s in bread, packaged meats, cereals, “health” food, yogurt, canned vegetables, vitamin waters(!) and of course, fast food.

Sugar does bad things to the body, even in small amounts, and that soda you drank has ten teaspoons of the stuff in it.

Eat real This single exhortation can tip the scales in favor of health, energy and happiness. All aspects of our lives are shaped and influenced by the energies we take in. What do we mean by “real food”? Much like Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart’s comment about obscenity, real food may be complicated to define specifically but, in Stewart’s words about pornography, “I know it when I see it.” Certainly, any food that comes in cardboard and has a list of ingredients can be called altered, even nutritionally neutered. If it comes in its own skin and doesn’t need refrigeration before you buy it, it’s probably real.

Drive past the drive-thru. Surveys find that Americans eat out five times a week, mostly for lunch. Here’s a bold statement from a restaurant owner I know: “There is no such thing as a healthy meal when you’re eating out.” Some of the worst food we can put in our bodies comes from that poor decision of dining from the drive thru.

Unplug Take back your mind. Just leave that phone home for a change. Connecting to the real world will be a healthy step. It’s impossible to “be here now” when focusing our mental energy on the virtual reality of the Cloud where all things are nebulous. Emails, texts, weather reports, news items and the like, all serve to insulate us from the experience of reality. Technology

turns us into slaves to data, eroding our ability to observe. Humans have learned to do things over thousands of years by observing nature. That ability — and the healthfulness and safety it provided — is eroding with every new app that provides what was once a function of a rational mind. Now health-monitoring apps and devices are all the rage. If you need an app to tell you your heart is racing, you are running a fever or your blood pressure is up, you’ve lost a vital connection with your body. Good luck with that.

Move it Walk this way. Get up from the cubicle, the desk, the sofa. Starting with strollers, (get rid of them!), we become sessile, as if our butt grew into that cushion. Do something, anything, physical to keep the body moving. Free tai chi classes info at HeartlandHealing.com Say no to drugs, most importantly the prescription kind. Prescription drugs kill more Americans than all illegal drugs combined! Nearly all Americans (over 70 percent) are on prescription drugs. Forget the overdoses, even when used properly, prescriptions kill over 106,000 yearly.

Chances are you are on a drug and that drug is a) unnecessary, b) ineffective and/or c) causing side effects. Ask the same doctor who got you strung out on them to get you off of them.

Learn to meditate. Learn the real thing, not just listening to a recording or doing yoga. Not the same.

Benefits are guaranteed.

Sleep more. There, you like that one, eh? Americans need more (quality) sleep. Learn how (and it’s not with pills). I once heard Joe Walsh say, “Burning the candle at both ends gets you twice the light but half the time.”

Ditch chemicals. Avoid chemicals everywhere: on your lawn, in your food and clothes, your cleaning supplies, personal care products. “For the first time in the history of the world, every human being is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the moment of conception until death.” Rachel Carson, Silent Spring, 1962 Avoid doctors and hospitals. American medicine kills nearly 1 million people a year. See the report: “Death by Medicine”. It seems outlandish to modern society to view avoiding doctors as a way to stay healthy. But consider this: Historically, people only went to doctors when sick. Nowadays the medical profession thinks of everyone as sick, as if “sick” is the natural state. Guess what? Healthy is the natural state.

These steps are easy and there are dozens more.

Take your own.

Be well. ,

HEARTLAND HEALING is a New Age polemic describing alternatives to conventional methods

of healing the body, mind and planet. It is provided as information and entertainment, certainly not medical advice. It is not an endorsement of any particular therapy, either by the writer or The Reader. Visit HeartlandHealing.com for more information.

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MAY 29 - JUNE 4, 2014

| THE READER |

heartland healing

| THE READER |

MAY 29 - JUNE 4, 2014

5

Tequila Corner

A

s much as I appreciate the fact that you’re reading my words right now, I really have to question why you’re reading this instead of sitting in La Mesa, sipping some tequila and munching on some chips and salsa while you peruse the menu to decide what you want to order for your entree.

Perhaps it’s time that you take some time to reevaluate your priorities.

Unless, of course, you’re reading this while you’re sitting at La Mesa, sipping some tequila and munching on some chips while you wait for your entree to arrive at your table. If that’s the case, then my hat’s off to you, friend.

Well played.

Listen, we all know that warmer weather just screams for a cool margarita, and we’re all well-aware that there’s no better place to get a margarita than from La Mesa. So let me do you a favor and remind you of the drink special that’s going on right now at La Mesa: get a spectacular 18 oz. Cazadores Margarita for only $6.50. There’s no better drink with which to usher in summer.

I’m going to do you another favor. I’m going to teach you a little something about tequila that will help you out when it comes time to impress your friends with your tequila knowledge. I’m going to debunk what may be the single biggest myth surrounding tequila: the worm.

There’s no worm at the bottom of the bottle in true tequila. Ever.

If someone hands you a bottle of an alcoholic drink and urges you to “drink the worm,” there is probably one of two things going on. Either you’ve just been handed a bottle of mezscal (which isn’t tequila), or you have some really twisted friends who delight in shoving defenseless worms into bottles of tequila. Either way, it’s a messed up situation when all you really wanted was to drink some tequila.

“Mezscal is a cousin of tequila,” says Jose Salazar, La Mesa’s regional manager.

“It follows the patterns of tequila, but it has different tendencies. It’s a product of origin like tequila, so it has to come from Mexico, but there’s no mezscal region. It can come from anywhere in Mexico.”

When I asked Jose if there has ever

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been worms in tequila, he chuckled. “Tequila does not have any worms in it.” His chuckle sounded like the chuckle of a man who has heard this question many times before.

If you’re wondering where the myth about the worm came from, it’s likely that it probably started back when mezscal manufacturers got the idea in their heads that adding a worm to their bottles (and also starting rumors around the same time that this particular worm is a powerful aphrodisiac) would be a great way to boost sales among people who didn’t know any better. Since mezscal and tequila are somewhat related – though certainly not the same drink- people got confused and started assuming the worm was in tequila.

Incidentally, if you do happen upon some mezscal and want to eat the worm, it’s supposed to be safe to do so and is supposed to be good luck. But then again, whether you can actually get good luck from eating a worm is debatable, and may be another myth designed to make you want to drink mezscal.

Here’s my thought on the subject – why bother with worms and non-tequila drinks when there are so many great varieties available at La Mesa? I don’t need a worm in my drink in order to enjoy it; in fact, I daresay I prefer my drinks wormless, thank you very much.

So the next time you head to La Mesa (or if you’re there right now, clever one), don’t be the one to walk in and loudly announce that you’re going to drink some tequila and eat the worm because the people around you who know better will all facepalm. Instead, walk in and confidently order something from La Mesa’s impressive drink menu, and while you’re there be sure to register to win a family four-pack of tickets to a Kansas City Royals game on June 7.

| THE READER |

—Tamsen Butler

FRENCH CONNECTION: VIVA LA FOOD FESTIVAL

BY CHERIL LEE

T

aste of Omaha will have a dizzying array of For his part, Fichepain loves attending the Taste of food available to sample, but there’s one eatery Omaha. He said it’s fun and it gets him out of the kitchen. presenting food that under no circumstances He explains it’s a great way to make your place known do you want to miss: Le Petit Paris – French Bakery. because usually the people who attend are looking for “We are here to offer a trip to France without a pass- something different. port,” says Cedric Fichepain, owner of Le Petit Paris – “It’s fast food but you can put your own spin to it and French Bakery and Le Voltaire restaurant. we’ve been successful with that,” says Fichepain.

The bakery opened in October of last year and has Le Voltaire will be offering sandwiches at the Taste proven to be a perfect complement to Fichepain’s res- of Omaha, doing a spin on a French dip. Fichepain taurant. At Le Petit Paris, French equipment and skilled says that instead of bread, the restaurant will use a bakers combine with American ingredients to offer din- baguette with au jus. ers authentic French baked goods including pastries, Taste of Omaha spokesman Mark Mancuso said the croissants and baguettes. culinary showcase offers a wide selection of food to taste, “We are trying to really show off what you would from chicken parmesan, braised beef sandwiches and find in a typical French bakery. We have a lot of crois- Reuben rolls to drunken steak skewers, bacon wrapped sants including chocolate and dates and roasted sweet corn.

LE PETIT PARIS FRENCH BAKERY almond, as well as tarts and bri “Omaha is a diverse culoche,” says Fichepain. tural community and this event He loves his country and wants offers many edible ethnic speto represent France well here in cialties,” said Mancuso.

Nebraska. Fichepain is the HonorAdditionally, visitors will ary Consul of France for Nebraska, have the chance to meet top South Dakota and North Dakota. area chefs and learn how to “I think people are afraid of make some of their popular the French stigma that everything recipes as well as enjoy iceis expensive and served in small portions. But that doesn’t carving demonstrations. apply to Le Voltaire or Le Petit Paris,” explains Fichepain.

The festival always includes music as well and this He strives to make sure he serves the best quality food in year’s event features national headliners as well as town and says the bakery has been receiving compliments many of the area’s best bands and musicians throughfrom people who have actually traveled in France. out the weekend.

“They are telling me, ‘your croissant is even better But in the end, the event is all about the food, and than some French bakeries serve.’ I know we are doing there is plenty to be had! Visitors to the Taste of Omaha a great job in Omaha,” he says. may purchase books of tickets at the event. These tickets This will be the first year the bakery will be represented may then be redeemed for samples or “tastes” of food in the Taste of Omaha alongside Le Voltaire. Fichepain says from the various restaurants in attendance at the festival. he isn’t exactly sure what he will be serving yet, but is toying “The Taste of Omaha is great because you don’t have with the idea of offering some savory croissants. to order a big meal somewhere. For $2, you can get a taste He says they’ve been serving some at the bakery and the of a bunch of different foods. It’s such a fun event,” says response has been positive. Two of the many possibilities Fichepain. , are goat cheese and spinach or bacon and cheese.

“So that’s something we might add at the last minute. Taste of Omaha runs Friday, May 30 - Sunday, June 1 at When you’re new like this, you just try to find the best fit for Heartland of America Park and Lewis & Clark Landing. the festival,” he explains.

There is no fee to attend. www.showofficeonline.com

crumbs

n Help Fund Localmotive’s Return If you’re wondering whatever happened to the popular food truck Localmotive, it was a blown engine that was to blame for their abrupt halt to business. They’re trying to make a comeback though, and this time they’re turning to the generosity of their fans. Support Localmotive via their Kickstarter campaign from now until June 26. They hope to raise $40,000 so they can once again satisfy the late-night appetites of Old Market dwellers. http:// kickstarter.com/profile/localmotive n Enjoy Mead Outside Bellevue’s Moonstruck Meadery recently completed an outdoor patio space, allowing mead lovers to enjoy their beverages outside the confines of pesky walls. Hint: Visit during Happy Hour (Tuesday and Wednesday from 4:00-7:00 PM) and enjoy half-off carbonated mead drinks. http://www. moonstruckmead.com/ n Volunteer for the Benson Beer Fest The great thing

dish

dish

about volunteering some of your time for the Benson Beer Fest is that you don’t have to pay for admission.

Oh, and you get to help out and all that other stuff.

Volunteers need to be over 21 and willing to spend four hours helping out. The Benson Beer Fest takes place on Saturday, June 7. Fill out an application to volunteer online: http://www.bensonbeerfest.com/ volunteers-needed/ n Brix Introduces Whiskey on Tap They already have wine self-serve dispensaries, but the week of June 23 Brix introduces whiskey self-serve dispensaries.

Expect 35 different whiskeys to choose from in addition to the massive whiskey selection behind the bar.

Brix will couple their whiskey offerings with appetizers specially crafted to complement various whiskey drinks. http://www.brixomaha.com — Tamsen Butler Crumbs is about indulging in food and celebrating its many forms. Send information about area food and drink businesses to crumbs@thereader.com.

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| THE READER |

MAY 29 - JUNE 4, 2014

7

C

onor Oberst is on his own again, but not entirely on his own.

Oberst has set aside his collaborative projects with Bright Eyes, Monsters of Folk, the Mystic Valley Band and the incendiary Desaparecidos to make time for a new solo album, Upside Down Mountain, released on major label Nonesuch Records, whose roster includes such heavy hitters as Joni Mitchell, Bjork, Randy Newman and The Black Keys.

Going with a major was a radical shift for someone who spent most of his career releasing music on independent record labels, most notably Saddle Creek Records, a label he helped create and make successful.

But that’s not the biggest shift in Oberst’s life. It was mentioned almost off-handedly in a February 2014 Rolling Stone article that Obest has been married for years, a fact he’d managed to keep out of the press.

And in recent articles, Oberst admitted his “embarrassment” with older Bright Eyes material and voiced disillusionment over the current state of liberal politics.

But the biggest changes in Oberst, now 34, can be heard on his new solo record. Upside Down Mountain is downright uplifting compared to some of his earlier, more dour personal works that have defined him by some as a confessional songwriter.

New songs like “Hundreds of Ways,” with its island rhythms and sunshine horns, bounces like a

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Disney soundtrack (You can almost see the dancing penguins), that is until you get to lines like “It took centuries to build these twisted cities / It took seconds to reduce them to dust.” But unlike past downers that might have wallowed in despair, Oberst sounds resolute in accepting the things he cannot change, concluding “In my sunglasses / Don’t mind the blinding light / Yeah it’s getting dark bro / But I’ve always loved the night.”

For the first time since the release of 2007 Bright Eyes album Cassadaga, Oberst agreed to an interview with The Reader, this time via an e-mail Q&A, where he talks about his life, his wife, his politics, his Omaha roots and the making of his new album.

The Reader: Where are you spending most of your time these days? Do you still live in Omaha?

Conor Oberst: (I’m) still splitting my time between Omaha and New York. I have the house and studio in Omaha and still spend a lot of time there.

| THE READER |

cover story

At this point in your career do you feel an allegiance or obligation to Omaha or Nebraska?

Sure. I would say I have an allegiance to Omaha. I have a lot of the love for the place. I have so many great friends and a huge extended family there. Lots of cousins and aunts and uncles. My immediate family now all live on the East Coast, but I choose to keep a place in Omaha because I like it and find it a good place to work on music. I have a neighbor named Mike Mogis who I’m especially fond of.

Upside Down Mountain is the most thoroughly produced record of your catalog, and by that I mean it sounds like it was written and recorded to attract the largest audience of listeners possible. Was there a conscious effort to create a more pop-oriented record this time around?

That’s interesting you think that. Myself and Jonathan Wilson (my pal who produced it with me) worked hard to get it to sound as good as possible. We didn’t cut any corners when it came to studio time and so I hope it

sounds good. I don’t really think about the audience or what people are going to think when I’m making a record. That seems like a dangerous way to approach things. I just do what I am interested in at the time and hope for the best as far as the reception goes. It’s nice when people like the records and buy them, but I’ve realized that’s out of my control so I try and just keep doing stuff I’m into. Some people will be onboard and others won’t. That’s just how it goes.

What are the advantages of putting out a record on a label the size of Nonesuch rather than a label the size of Saddle Creek Records?

I have always admired Nonesuch as a label. They are so eclectic and have a vast and amazing history. They’ve been a label for 50 years! And, although they are part of the Warner Brothers system and can utilize those resources, they are very autonomous. I’ve been very impressed so far with how they set up the record and all their staff and everyone. It’s just a super professional and classy operation. I don’t want to say anything bad about Saddle Creek. They are great at what they do. It’s just a different thing and I was ready for a new experience as far as labels go. continued on page 10y

| THE READER |

MAY 29 - JUNE 4, 2014

9

y continued from page 8

What’s the status of your relationship with Saddle Creek Records? Will you ever put out another record on the label you helped create?

I’m still friends with all those guys. (Label chief ) Robb (Nansel)’s hard work is a huge reason for all the success I have had through the years and I’m grateful to him for that. They still have a huge part of my back catalogue, so we continue to work together. As far as future goes, it’s hard to say, but I certainly wouldn’t rule it out.

Upside Down Mountain feels more peaceful and relaxed than your previous records. How much were the themes and tone of the new album influenced by your relationship with your wife? Who is your wife and when did you get married?

I got married in New York in December of 2010 and I would say she is a big influence on my life and so, in turn, on my work. Her name is Corina. We met in Mexico City where she is from and she is the best!

The fact that you’ve been married for a few years came as a surprise to some people. Why did you keep the marriage a secret from your fans or the media for so long?

We wanted for it to be something for just us and our friends and families. Especially around the time of the wedding I didn’t want pictures leaking online or news reports so there was no press release or anything like that. But it was a great party. The Felice Brothers played and Jim James and M. Ward and Britt (Daniel) from Spoon. It was very fun. At the end of the day we just value our privacy and honestly, I don’t feel that I owe the media or fans anything other than good concerts and good records.

Back in 2010 when you held the Concert for Equality you became a very visible, very vocal proponent for immigration reform while speaking out against proposed anti-immigrant laws in Fremont and Arizona. Was there a personal reason you became so actively involved in that cause?

My wife for sure. She is Mexican and the way Mexicans and lots of immigrant groups are treated is awful in this country. The idea of laws that institutionalize racism is unacceptable. There’s also a good friend of my mom who was deported to Mexico and separated from her three daughters in Omaha. It was heartbreaking. My mom spent a lot of time with them when their mom was gone and I saw firsthand how painful that was.

You recently were quoted as saying the difference between political parties is like the difference between Coke and Diet Coke. Have you become disillusioned with the Democratic party and President Obama?

Yes I am disillusioned with the whole process. We need about 10 active political parties in this country, not two nearly identical ones. It’s all about the money and serving corporate interests. Obama has done some good things. He has been a decent advocate

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MAY 29 - JUNE 4, 2014

for women’s rights and gay rights and I admire his efforts to get people health insurance and raise the minimum wage. But his foreign policy has doubled down on Bush’s approach. Domestic spying, drone strikes, kill lists, indefinite detention ... the list goes on and on. And he certainly hasn’t reigned in Wall Street or done anything to the real criminals in the finance sector.

TOM HANAFAN RIVER’S EDGE PARK

You said in a previous interview that you’re embarrassed by some of your older material.

Give me some examples, and tell me why you’re embarrassed by it, understanding that a lot of that older material is still held in high regard by some of your biggest fans.

I’d say anything before Wide Awake/Digital Ash is hard for me to listen to because of my vocal performances on the recordings. I was still learning to sing and control my voice. Some of the songs stand up better than the recordings. I still play a lot of old songs. I’ve written hundreds of songs so I think it’s okay if I don’t like some of them. Tastes change over time and so it seems pretty natural to not like some things I made a long time ago.

Have you permanently backed away from the Bright Eyes moniker?

No. I will always make music with Mike (Mogis) and Nate (Walcott) in one way or another. They’re two of my best friends and the best musicians I know. I’m not sure what the future will bring. We might make more Bright Eyes records. Anything is possible.

What’s happening with Desaparecidos? I heard a new LP has been recorded and is coming out on Epitaph. With the demands of supporting your new solo album and tour, is that project now on hold?

We’ve been working towards a new full length. We hope to put it out next year at some point. It has been a blast playing with them again. I have to promote my new record and that takes time, but we are going to continue working on the Desa stuff as well.

What do you miss about the Nebraska music scene circa 1998? What do you still love about the Nebraska music scene circa 2014?

The friendships. I miss it. I miss how easy things were. How close me and all the people in Cursive, The Faint, Azure Ray, etc., were. It was a great back in the day. I think Omaha today has more places for bands to play and that’s great. Seems like there are tons of bands and shows, which is awesome. I don’t keep up as well as I should, but there are some great newer bands. Noah’s Ark Was a Spaceship and Millions of Boys come to mind.

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The sun will come out tomorrow. , Conor Oberst plays with Dawes Wednesday, June 4, at Sokol Auditorium, 2234 S 13th St, Omaha. Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets are $30. For more information, go to onepercentproductions.com.

| THE READER |

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C Y N D I L A U P E R S TA N D S T H E TEST OF TIME

BY KYLE EUSTICE

C

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MAY 29 - JUNE 4, 2014

yndi Lauper’s signature look always involves a different hair color of some sort. These days, it varies from a salmon-like pink to an almost pure white. Although, at the 2014 Grammy Awards, she was sporting a vibrant red look. Nonetheless, she’s unmistakable. The punk-meets-pop princess exploded on to the scene in the early ’80s and became a permanent icon in music history. Nearly 30 years ago, Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” was a summer anthem and ignited girl power all over the world. She went on to sell over 50 million records, win countless Grammys and establish herself as a superstar, but the road to riches wasn’t a smooth one.

Lauper was born in Queens, New York City to Roman Catholic parents in 1953. They divorced when she was 5-years-old. Later on, she dropped out of high school and at 17 she left home, planning to study art. She wound up in, of all places, Vermont and started taking classes at Johnson State College.

squeaky voice and outrageous fashion sense, it wasn’t looking too promising—at first.

“Things are a lot different now because I came along,” she says. “When I first came out, I had to battle. I framed a piece of paper from a radio program; it said that I was no great shakes, and ‘I don’t know how she’ll do. She’s not going to do well in AOR. She’s definitely going to have a problem with Top 40.’ I framed it and put it next to my gold and platinum records.”

She had some practice before she hit it big. In the early ’70s, she played in various cover bands around the New York City area, covering songs by Led Zeppelin, Jefferson Airplane and Bad Company.

Not only was it horribly unfulfilling for her, but she ended up damaging her vocal chords and was forced to take a year off. Three different doctors told her she would never sing again. Her first band, Blue Angel, caught the attention of several music critics, but it was mostly due to Lauper’s rare four-octave singing range. Blue Angel eventually broke up because of financial stress and Lauper took the solo route. In 1981, while singing in a local New York bar, Lauper met David Wolff, who took over as her manager and got her signed with Portrait Records, a subsidiary

and inspire other artists and make, like, an artists’ community, and in a small way I have done that, I’ve influenced others. It’s almost as if it was a whole thing that opened up. There were a couple of people who did it, and then it just all happened.”

Lauper went on to release 1986’s True Colors and a slew of other projects, each one of them a massive success. Her most recent album, 2010’s Grammy Award-nominated Memphis Blues, became Billboard’s most prominent blues album of the year, remaining at number one on the Billboard blues charts for 13 consecutive weeks. In 2011, Lauper released an autobiography detailing her battle with child abuse and depression; the book became a New York Times best seller. She’s also writing musicals and is on a nationwide tour with Cher. There’s only one thing that really bothers her about all the fame and accolades.

“Sometimes when I want to go out and I kind of feel like, ‘Gee, I look terrible,’” she says. “People are going to be staring at me saying, ‘Oh, look at her!

Look at that. She looks sloppy,’ or ‘Oh, look at her hair. Ooo, she’s got pimples,’ or ‘Oh, that’s a rash’ or ‘Look at her. Did you check out her ass?’ or ‘Look at her arms!’ And even if not everybody’s thinking about it, I am. I think about it. I look in the mirror and say,

“When I lived in Vermont, I worked in a kennel,” she tells Interview. “I was an art major at Johnson State College. It’s up by Stowe and Goddard where all the rich brats went. I was in a special program. All the outcasts in the world went to school there—guys who were in jail for murder, people who had a lot of trouble. I was there because I was on welfare and I told them I wanted to go to school. They said okay, so they sent me to this place and they helped me get my high school equivalency.

“We were passing through it,” she adds. “I was with a friend, a n d we were camping out in different lots near Lake Champlain. Later, I moved into a runaway hostel, a place where kids could go if they left home. But I was 18, so I wasn’t exactly in that category. They said, “You look young, but you’re 18, so just do the regular stuff that everyone else does.”

You had to write your goals out.”

One of those goals was breaking into the music industry, something many people doubted she could do. With her

of Epic Records. Her debut album, She’s So Unusual, was released in 1983 and peaked at No. 4. It didn’t happen by accident.

“I’m a firm believer in concept, so when I did the first record, the look, the sound, and the whole statement, the art around it, was very strong, solid statement, so that when you looked at it and heard it; it made sense,” she explains. “Be creative and be yourself and your emotions—your color! I used to feel that I dyed my hair red because what was in my brains at that time was red.”

Lauper was extremely surprised by her success.

In 1985, she won the Grammy for Best New Artist and the video for “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” also earned a MTV Award for Best Female Video in 1984.

Additionally, she wrote the song “The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough” for the 1985 cult classic film, which reached No. 10 on the Billboard Top 100.

“I was surprised by the amount of success I had because I was being myself and not a clone,” she says.

“I guess I was hell-bent on just creating again, because there was a time when I couldn’t create because I wouldn’t bend, and I wanted to make a record again so badly. Just to be able to sing, make a record and have creative freedom is so valuable to me. I don’t know what I’d do if I couldn’t create. I’d probably be really half-crazy. And then to be a success at it in your own lifetime. That’s pretty cool. I wanted to create

‘Oh my God!’ It never was part of my image to look perfect anyway.’

At 60-years-old, Lauper is more active than most 30-years-old, especially on Cher’s “Dressed to Kill” Tour (which hits Lincoln May 30), but she also has a very normal life at the end of the day. She married actor David Thornton in 1991 and they have a 16-year-old son named Declyn Wallace. However, no matter what Lauper does, she will always have her legacy—pop icon, LGBT community activist, fashion guru, and that hair.

“When I saw little kids at the concert, that shook me up,” she says. “And you know when I really flipped out? When I saw grandmothers, mothers and their kids, with their hair shaved back on the side, and even the grandmother had a little pink something in her hair. That was the weirdest thing, seeing all three generations, and that’s when I thought I did something really good. I wanted to make world music, and I wanted to make a change in music and I wanted to make a change for the better, just to do something positive in the world, and I think I did a little bit of it.” ,

| THE READER |

music

Cyndi Lauper with Cher on the “Dressed to Kill Tour,” May 30, at Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln, 8 p.m. Tickets range from $28.50 to $134. Visit www.pinnaclebankarena.com for more information.

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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Artists’ Market & Omaha’s ArtSeen Friday: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Saturday: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Sunday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

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he Omaha Summer Arts Festival (OSAF) is proud to celebrate its 40th year this summer. The Festival began in June 1975 in Omaha’s historic Old Market district as the first new festival to be organized in Omaha since the 1940s. The free Festival will entertain visitors of all ages on Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7 from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. and on Sunday, June 8 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. along Farnam Street, from 10th to 15th Streets.

OSAF has attracted more than three million visitors to Downtown Omaha, and more than $15 million in artwork has been sold at the Festival since its inception. Most recently, OSAF was ranked No. 34 in Fine Art and No. 40 in Fine Craft among the ELITE 100 Fine Arts Fairs and ELITE 100 Fine Craft Fairs by www.ArtFairSourceBook.com, a comprehensive online guide to the top-selling art fairs and craft shows in the U.S., and was included in the “Top 20 Can’t-Miss Summer

Festivals of 2014: by www.Smithsonian.com.

The Omaha Summer Arts Festival is a magnet that draws people together to celebrate art in all of its forms and varied expressions. Its mission is to present culturally diverse, high-quality arts programs, performances and exhibits in downtown Omaha for the general public to appreciate and enjoy.

The 40th Annual Omaha Summer Arts Festival is presented by First National Bank and sponsored by CenturyLink, the Official Broadband Partner of the Omaha Summer Arts Festival; and WOWT NBC Omaha. OSAF is grateful for the support from local design companies to update its look with a new logo from Ervin & Smith Advertising and a new website from RDG Planning & Design. This new look is in celebration of the Festival’s 40th anniversary. For additional information about the event, please visit www.SummerArts. org, become a fan on Facebook, or follow the Festival on Twitter.

TasteFest Friday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Saturday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Sunday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

World Music Pavilion Friday: Noon – 11 p.m.

Saturday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Sunday: 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Young Artist Exhibition Friday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.Sunday: 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Children’s Fair Saturday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Sunday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Street Closures and Parking To accommodate the 2014 Omaha Summer Arts Festival presented by First National Bank, several downtown streets will be closed to traffic.

Farnam Street, 10th to 13th streets to be closed from noon Thursday, June 5, until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, June 8.

11th Street, Farnam Street to the alley halfway to Harney Street, to be closed from noon Thursday, June 5, until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, June 8.

Farnam Street, 13th to 15th streets to be closed from 6 p.m. Thursday, June 5, until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, June 8.

13th Street from Douglas to Harney streets to be closed from 6 p.m. Thursday, June 5, until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, June 8.

14th Street from Douglas to Harney streets to be closed from 6 p.m. Thursday, June 5, until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, June 8.

Metro bus riders are encouraged to call (402) 341-0800 for more information about how the street closings will affect their routes.

For more information on the Omaha Summer Arts Festival presented by First National Bank, please visit SummerArts.org.

T

he Children’s Fair will take place at 11th and Farnam streets on Saturday, June 7 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, June 8 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., offering dozens of hands-on activities and art projects for children ages three to 10. With the theme Happy, Happy Birthday, activities will include cookie decorating, spin art, face-painting and a wide range of artrelated crafts and games in partnership with area organizations including Girls, Inc. Omaha, El Museo Latino, Art Cars, The Art Room, Omaha School of Rock and more. On both days, kids can par-

ticipate in the Rain Gutter Regatta with their own boats made from pool noodles raced along rain gutters. The whole family will also be able to participate in decorating a 40th anniversary float on both Saturday and Sunday. At 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, the kids will lead a parade with the float up the middle of Farnam Street to cap off the Children’s Fair.

Admission to the Children’s Fair and select activities are free. Tickets for additional hands-on crafts and other activities can be purchased for .50 cents each, with most requiring one to four tickets.

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he Artists’ Market offers innumerable treasures to suit every taste and budget. Jewelry, sculpture, photography, painting, fiber, glass, metal, wood, mixed media and other unique works will be available for purchase.

The original artwork is created by 135 artists from across the country, who were selected from among more than 400 applicants through a jury process. Fifty-one artists are returning from last year’s Festival, and this year’s group represents 27 states, including six from Nebraska.

Artists determine their own sales transaction terms, and most will accept checks or credit cards. An ATM will be available on site. Many artists are also willing to hold larger pieces after purchase pending arrangements for pickup. Also, an artwork delivery service is provided for customers who purchase artwork and prefer not to carry it around the Festival. Artists can provide information at the point of sale or staff members can explain the service at the information booth.

Young Artist Exhibition

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ore than 30 metro-area schools will be represented in the annual Young Artist Exhibition. Artwork created by students in grades 6 through 12 will be displayed in the W. Dale Clark Main Library during the Festival. Senior scholarships, recognition awards, art supplies and special prizes will be presented at a reception for students, teachers and parents on Saturday of the Festival.

2014 JURIED ARTISTS

Omaha’s ArtSeen

F

estival visitors will have the opportunity to interact with local artists and watch live artist demonstrations in various media interspersed throughout the Artists’ Market.

This year’s Festival includes more demonstrations than ever before, such as candle carving; blacksmithing; abstract watercolor; glass painting; papermaking; log carving and more.

Blacksmith Shop, Passageway Gallery and Old Market Artists Gallery are among the participating arts organizations.

Artists from Apollon Studio, Omaha’s multi-genre arts and entertainment hub, will be demonstrating their artistic skills in mixed media at their booth all three days of the festival.

T

3:30 P.M.

he Omaha Summer Arts Festival’s CenturyLink World Music Pavilion will bring blues, jazz and Latin sounds to downtown Omaha as the Luigi Waites Main Stage showcases three days of free concerts by 14 different musical acts, offering something for every musical taste.

Steve Raybine

Steve Raybine is a nationally known virtuoso vibraphonist who has earned a reputation for his exciting live performances and melodically appealing and rhythmically compelling original contemporary jazz compositions. Labeling Raybine as a jazz-only artist would be a huge mistake. He is equally talented at Funk, R&B, Pop and Latin sounds.

FRIDAY, JUNE 6 NOON

5:00 P.M. Marc & Tori Band

Omaha Musicians Association Jazz All-Stars The Omaha Musician’s Association Jazz All-Stars will open the Festival with a lunchtime selection of contemporary and classic jazz featuring saxophonist Matt Wallace, along with Joey Gulizia on drums, Mark Luebbe on bass and Dan Cerveny on keys.

5:00 P.M. Southpaw Bluegrass Band

The Southpaw Bluegrass Band (SpBB) was established and created by David Fleming and Steve Hoiberg of Omaha in 2003. They relied on their love and tradition of bluegrass music to create a sound that resonates back to the days when bluegrass was not only a popular style of music, but a way of life. SpBB prides itself on bringing together some of the most talented bluegrass players in the Omaha and Lincoln area.

7:00 P.M.

Josh Hoyer and The Shadowboxers Based in Lincoln, The Shadowboxers, headed by Joshua Hoyer, features a group of professional and seasoned roots musicians that are all part of the funk, soul and blues youth movement. The band’s unique sound and passion comes from their deep respect, knowledge of and passion for blues, Americana, soul, funk and many other styles of music.

9:00 P.M. MarchFourth Marching Band

MarchFourth Marching Band calls itself “a kaleidoscope of musical and visual energy that inspires dancing in an atmosphere of celebration.” The electrifying performance of this 23-piece band made its debut at the 2013 OSAF and will return to kick-off the celebration of the Festival’s 40th anniversary this year. Aside from their marching band-themed costumes and the four-block parade that will precede their OSAF performance, MarchFourth is far from a traditional marching band. The group is anchored by funky electric bass and offers a guitar- and vocaldriven musical experience. To kick off the 40th anniversary in style, MarchFourth will parade through the Festival at 6:30 p.m. and then will perform later in the evening on the Luigi Waites Main Stage.

MARC & TORI BAND

SATURDAY, JUNE 7 11:00 A.M. Crossfire

Headed by guitar sensation Marcos Mora and lead vocalist Tori Huerta, this extraordinary group from South Omaha hums with the raw energy of Latin and rock rhythms and has been branded as ‘the new-age Santana’. With blistering lead guitar and gritty, soulful vocals, the band has influences of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Los Lonely Boys, Aerosmith, Mana’ and Alicia Keys and captures pure showmanship through classic rock, blues, American oldies and more.

Crossfire is Omaha’s premier country dance band, playing current Nashville hits and old country favorites, as well as classic rock and original music. Their intense vocals, tight three-part harmony and precise instrumental arrangements engage their audiences, motivating people to dance and sing along.

Electroliners Hailing from Omaha, The Electroliners play their own brand of old-style, honky-tonk that is deep fried and smothered in gravy and heartache. The band has quickly risen to be one of the favorites on Omaha’s Americana scene. The Electroliners have been twice nominated for Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards (OEAAs).

SISTER AND BROTHER OF SOUL

7:00 P.M. Euforquestra

Euforquestra (pronounced yoo-FOHR-keh-struh, think euphoria+orchestra) is energy and rhythm personified.

An ever-evolving sound that has been influenced by music from all over the world with an emphasis on funk, pocket and groove. For over a decade the band has been igniting dance floors across the country, blending the roots of funk, soul, Afrobeat, reggae and dub to create a sound that “explodes, dances and melts in your ear with sheer bliss.”

9:00 P.M.

Sister and Brother of Soul

MARCHFOURTH MARCHING BAND

11:30 A.M. Mariachi Zacatecas

These talented Mariachi are excited to be performing and making traditional Mexican music together. Many of the members have extensive musical experience and have been performing in the Midwest/Omaha area for many years. Not only will you hear the traditional Rancheras, Sones, and Huapangos, but don’t be surprised to hear a fusion of music with modern day songs. With their thrilling performances and dynamic melodies, these men are ready to leave their mark on Omaha’s growing musical scene.

Luigi Inc

Brad Colerick

2:00 P.M.

SUNDAY, JUNE 8

1:30 P.M.

12:30 P.M.

Billboard called Nebraska native Brad Colerick “one of a baker’s dozen of acts to watch in the folk community around the world.” His CDs have been in the top five on the Folk DJ and Euro-Americana charts, and he has worked with Johnny Cash, BB King and Shawn Colvin.

TERRANCE SIMIEN

Sister and Brother of Soul features Omaha natives Carol Rogers and Ron E. Beck. Rogers’ career is an eclectic display of genres, styles and cultures that has included world tours, television appearances in numerous countries, and recording experiences with the world’s greatest musicians, including touring the world with Brazilian superstar Sergio Mendes for 25 years. Her brother, Ron E. Beck has the depth of a blues singer, the energy of a soul singer, and the contemporary sound of today which makes him modern.

Luigi Inc is a five-piece jazz combo based in Omaha and founded by the late jazz legend, Luigi Waites. Luigi Inc (short for ‘including’, not ‘incorporated’) returns to the Omaha Summer Arts Festival once again to serve up a mixture of jazz standards and original tunes. The current members of Luigi Inc include saxophonist Curt McKean, guitarist Jeff Scheffler, bassist Steve Gomez, drummer Steve Knight and bandleader / trumpeter Doyle Tipler. Though Luigi died in 2010, the music continues on, just as the late jazz icon would have it.

3:00 P.M.

Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience For nearly 30 years, Grammy Award-winning artist Terrance Simien, an eighth generation Louisiana Creole, has been shattering the myths about what his indigenous Zydeco roots music is and is not. Leading his Zydeco Experience band, Simien has become one of the most respected and accomplished artists in American roots music today. Simien takes his audiences on a multicultural tour of the world, as the many countries he’s visited while on tour have informed his musical language. He creates a hypnotic blend of New Orleans funk-reggae-flavored-world-blues-American zydeco roots music that beckons you to your feet and into the groove. He has found a seamless and artful way to deliver his eclectic music as a relevant, evolving artist who is clearly rooted in Creole tradition.

Celebrate OSAF’s 40th Anniversary

New Activities Will be Available Throughout the Festival

V

isitors to the 40th annual Omaha Summer Arts Festival (OSAF) will be able to do more than just browse and shop for high-quality, diverse artwork. This year, the public is invited to get hands-on with the arts through some additional activities like downtown public art tours, a T-shirt coloring activity for kids and a special area just for the youngest festivalgoers to purchase a piece of original art created by the Festival’s artists for just $5. In addition to these activities, there will be street performers entertaining crowds throughout the weekend, a Father’s Day promotion offered by Omaha Steaks and hundreds pieces of exceptional artwork created by area students on display at the W. Dale Clark Library.

$5. The artist’s name and booth number will be tagged on each piece of art so kids and families can visit the artist’s booth to learn more about their piece. Registration for ACT begins at 11 a.m. and participation is limited to the first 400 children.

CREATION STATION KIDS T-SHIRT COLORING

On Sunday, June 8 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Children’s Fair will offer kids a special opportunity to join the celebration of the Festival’s 40th anniversary by coloring an official OSAF T-shirt for $5. These special edition, white T-shirts will feature the 2014 Festival illustration and a wide variety of colorful fabric markers will be available for use in the booth.

DOWNTOWN PUBLIC ART TOURS

gling comedian who will leave audiences gasping in awe, and Burns is a comedic contortionist who will amaze and entertain festivalgoers by contouring his body. Both Clark, who is from Los Angeles, California, and Burns, from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, have performed at festivals, concerts and sporting events around the world.

Omaha by Design and the City of Omaha Department of Parks, Recreation and Public Property have declared 2014 as the Year of Preserving Public Art and, during the 40th annual Omaha Summer Arts Festival, the public can watch McGill Restoration bring one of Gene Leahy Mall’s iconic pieces back to its former glory. Sidney Buchanan’s “Tree House with French Doors,” the object of the restoration, was designed for the 2002 Summer Arts Festival’s Wind & Water Exhibition. The city-owned piece was purchased, in part, with monies raised from the 2001 J. Doe Project.

During OSAF, the Public Art Commission will offer guided walking tours of the public art in and around the Gene Leahy Mall. The tours, which will be 30 minutes in length, will start and end at the Omaha Convention and Visitors Bureau at 10th and Farnam.

They will be offered on the hour from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8. The tours are free of charge, but participants are encouraged to donate to the city’s Public Art Maintenance Fund.

tive. Festivalgoers are invited to bring an ugly tie to the Omaha Steaks booth to receive a coupon for a free six-pack of Omaha Steaks burgers (with minimum $30 purchase.) In addition, Omaha Steaks will donate $1 to Big Brothers Big Sisters for every tie that is turned in. Throughout the weekend kids will be able to participate in a coloring contest for a chance to win T-Bones for their dads and on Saturday, June 7, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Omaha Steaks booth will feature a fabric artist who will be crafting art out of the donated old ties.

OMAHA STEAKS “T-BONES – NOT TIES”

IMPROMPTU PERFORMANCE ART

In keeping with the spirit of their national promotion “T-Bones-Not Ties,” Omaha Steaks will be on-site at OSAF inviting visitors to participate in their Tie Turn-in initia-

ART COLLECTORS IN TRAINING (ACT)

Two talented street performers, Alex Clark and Jonathan Burns, will perform all three days, at various locations and times, throughout the Festival site. Clark is a jug-

A special area just for kids will be set up on Saturday, June 7 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Children’s Fair area. Children up to about 10 years old will have the opportunity to browse hundreds of pieces of original art created by the Festival’s professional artists and purchase a piece of their choosing for

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n addition to a full weekend of entertainment, visitors can purchase beer, wine and other ice-cold beverages at the CenturyLink World Music Pavilion. The Festival’s TasteFest will feature a variety of local restaurants, including Shucks Fish House & Oyster Bar, Texas Roadhouse, Dante Pizzeria, Ingredient, Pacific Rim Noodle House, The Parthenon and Maria Bonita, as well as snack vendors offering treats ranging from funnel cakes and Dippin’ Dots to German roasted almonds, kettle korn and fresh-squeezed lemonade.

A Special Thank You to Our Sponsors!

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Special thanks:

| THE READER |

MAY 29 - JUNE 4, 2014

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livemusiccalendar

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 29

Nikki Hill - 5:00 pm | The 21st Saloon 4727 S. 96th St. Omaha, NE 68127 Those who have seen Nikki Hill sing her ass off agree this isn’t just another newcomer on the scene, this is a whiplash moment. Where did this fireball come from? Why havent I heard of her before? If you havent heard of Nikki Hill yet, you soon will, and once you see her perform, you wont forget her.

The Bottletops - 6:00 pm | The Zoo Bar 136 N. 14th St. Lincoln, NE 68508 Head out every week for some great live music to get your moving!

Acoustic Music Thursdays - 7:00 pm | Two Fine Irishmen 18101 R Plaza Omaha, NE 68135 Join us every Thursday night for some great live acoustic music. Actual time may vary.

Camille Metoyer Moten - 7:00 pm | Ozone Lounge 7220 F Street Omaha, NE 68127 Join us every week for some of the best live entertainment around!

Victor Wooten - 8:00 pm | $20-$40 The Waiting Room Lounge 6212 Maple St. Omaha, NE 68005 Wooten, now a five-time Grammy winner, hit the worldwide scene in 1990 as a founding member of the supergroup Bela Fleck and the Flecktones.

Continuing to blaze a musical trail with the band, Victor has also become widely known for his own Grammy nominated solo recordings and tours.

Blitzen Trapper - 8:00 pm | $14-$16 The Bourbon Theatre 1415 O Street Lincoln, NE 68508 VII is the seventh record from Blitzen

backbeat

Trapper and their first release for Vagrant Records. Its twelve tracks teem with vivid tales of longing, flight, desperation and redemption, all set in a sonic landscape at once familiar, but also strange and new, like a dream.

Without a doubt the culmination of all the groups best work, VII sounds a lot like America.

entertainment schedule visit! www. whatisstrangeland.com

Masked Intruder - 9:00 pm | $10 The Slowdown Omaha 729 North 14th Street Omaha, NE 68102 Masked Intruder is a four-piece pop punk band. Their label describes them as Descendents meets Jersey Boys; but whats that supposed to mean, smart guy? We would probably include these influences as well: Bonnie and Clyde, Weezer, Leslie Gore, the Hamburglar, Buddy Holly, Ramones, etc

Charm School Dropouts - 7:00 pm | Free The Loose Moose 4915 N 120th Street Omaha, NE 68164 Join us every Friday and Saturday night for some of the best live music around!

Mythological Horses - 9:00 pm | Cover Charge The Barley Street Tavern 2735 N 62nd Street Omaha, NE 68104 Join us for some great live music.

FRIDAY 30

Strangeland 2014 - 2:00 pm | $20 Riverwest Park 23101 West Maple Road Omaha, NE 68022 THE E.D.M. OUTDOOR WEEKEND EVENT KICKIN OFF THE SUMMER!!!

Riverwest Park will be the landing site for STRANGELAND 2014’ on the Elkhorn Riverfront at 233rd and West Maple Road in West Omaha. Admission is only $20 at the gate and includes one or two nights of tent camping along with the regions best musical artists and EDM entertainment. All on three stages and arranged by your party hosts at Old Skool Underground. For FAQ’s, Previews, Soundcloud links, videos, pre party dates, and complete

n Hullabaloo Music Festival’s 2014 lineup hits a widely diverse array of acts, all tied together by local jam/blues rock kings the Kris Lager Band.

The fourth edition of Hullabaloo is scheduled for Thursday, July 24, through Saturday, July 26, at Sokol Park, 905 Allied Road in Bellevue. The festival will also include national performers including Kentucky rap group Nappy Roots, bluegrass jam band Cornmeal, blues guitarist Carolyn Wonderland. funk-soul group Sophistafunk, Utah-based indie act Desert Noises and singer/songwriter Patrick Sweany. The festival’s local acts cover plenty of ground too, ranging from the indie rock of Universe Contest to the grooves of Funk Trek.

For more information, visit hullabaloomusicfestival.com. n Capgun Coup’s Sam Martin will release A Notion in an Ocean on local record label Make Believe Recordings in the fall. A music video for the lead track “Bye Bye” premiered on Brooklyn-

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Scott Keeton - 5:00 pm | The Zoo Bar 136 North 14th Street Lincoln, NE 68508 Head out every week for some great live music to get your moving!

Rough Cut - 7:00 pm | Ozone Lounge 7220 F Street Omaha, NE 68127 Join us every week for some of the best live entertainment around!

KISS 96.1 Takes Over NIGHT GAMES at Amazing Pizza Machine - 7:30 pm | $23.99 The Amazing Pizza Machine 13955 S. Plaza Omaha, NE 68137 Join Montez from KISS 96.1 FM as they TAKE OVER The Amazing Pizza Machine every Friday night this summer starting May 23, featuring cool lights and today’s most popular tunes, along with an unprecedented offer: UNLIMITED rides, UNLIMITED Amazing Quest LASER TAG, UNLIMITED GO KARTS, and unlimited food and drinks from 7 p.m. to close all for just $23.99!

Great give-aways from KISS 96.1, The Amazing Pizza Machine, and Continental Cellular. Don’t miss the fun!

Marisa Anderson - 9:00 pm | $8 The Slowdown Omaha 729 North 14th Street Omaha, NE 68102

Vegan.com and features Martin submerged in a bubble bath and then out in a field in a long, long black cloth. It serves as a subdued, but off-kilter teaser for the record. n Junkstock will once again host a lineup of music, alongside their sprawling assortment of antique, vintage and salvage good vendors for their latest Junkstock installment, running Friday, June 20, to Sunday, June 22. Performers include John Larsen, Banjo Loco, Matt Cox Band, Brad Hoshaw, Bad Country and the Prairie Gators Band. Junkstock takes place at 315 S. 192nd St. and admission is $5 each day. n For other cities to experience See Through Dresses, Omaha must go without during the entire month of June. The local indie rock trio will take off on a monthlong southeastern and East Coast tour Friday, May 30, at O’Leaver’s Pub, 1322 South Saddle Creek Road.

— Chris Aponick Backbeat looks at music in the metro area. Email information to backbeat@thereader.com

| THE READER |

music listings

Combining boundless creative imagination with a deep reverence for American folk, blues and country music, Marisa Andersons guitar playing is fluid, emotional, dexterous and original.

REModeled performs Document - 9:00 pm | $7 The Waiting Room Lounge 6212 Maple St. Omaha, NE 68005 REModeled is a tribute band by and for old-school R.E.M. fans, on a mission to perform every album in chronological order. In 2012 they debuted at The Waiting Room with Chronic Town and Murmur, R.E.M.s first EP and album released on I.R.S. records. In the following months REModeled has progressed through the rest of those early records, faithfully reveling in the oblique, jangly hooks and cryptic lyrics of each.

Blu Simon - 9:00 pm | Two Fine Irishmen 18101 R Plaza Omaha, NE 68135 Head out every week for some of the best live music around!

Ska-medy Night - 9:00 pm | $5 The Barley Street Tavern 2735 N 62nd Street Omaha, NE 68104 Join us every week for some of the best live music around!

Rev Peyton’s Big Damn Band - 9:00 pm | $10-$12 The Bourbon Theatre 1415 O Street Lincoln, NE 68508 Roaring out of the southern Indiana foothills comes Reverend Peytons Big Damn Band playing a brand of Americana and Blues that stands alone Delta blues and hillbilly fervor combine with musical acuity sharp as razor wire best know, this trio is a force to be reckoned with.

See Through Dresses - 9:00 pm | O’Leaver’s Pub 1322 S Saddle Creek Rd Omaha, NE 68106 Principal songwriters Mathew Carroll and Sara Bertuldo, along with drummer Nate Van Fleet and bassist Josh French, have crafted a catalogue of songs indebted to classic post-punk and new wave artists of the 80’s, but their sonic footprint more closely resembles the textural treatments of 90’s dream-pop and shoegaze.

SATURDAY 31

Hidden Agenda - 7:00 pm | Free The Loose Moose 4915 N 120th Street Omaha, NE 68164 Join us every Friday and Saturday night for some of the best live music around!

Jailbreakers - 7:00 pm | Ozone Lounge 7220 F Street Omaha, NE 68127 Join us every week for some of the best live entertainment around!

Molly Gaughan - 7:30 pm | $8 Sokol Underground 2234 South 13th Street Omaha, NE 68108 Also featuring Angels & the Backbeats.

Stache Bash 2014 - 8:00 pm | $5

The Slowdown Omaha 729 North 14th Street Omaha, NE 68102 Stache Bash 2014 is the 6th Annual Awards show which pays tribute to the efforts of all Growers during the 2014 Mustaches for Kids Charity Campaign.

There will be costumes, awards, and meaningless pageantry. Over a hundred guys with mustaches and costumes. It will be sexy.

Narcotic Self - 8:00 pm | $8 The Waiting Room Lounge 6212 Maple St. Omaha, NE 68005 With Momentum gaining Narcotic Self continues to push the boundaries and branch out into places completely unexpected for a band with such a intense live performance and heavy metal sound.

Hairball - 8:00 pm | The Bourbon Theatre 1415 O Street Lincoln, NE 68508 Hairball is a Rock & Roll experience you wont soon forget. A band puts on a concert Hairball puts on an event!

The lights, sound, smoke, fire, bombs, and screaming hoards of avid fansto merely call it a concert would be like calling Mount Rushmore a roadside attraction!

Hi-Fi Hangover - 9:00 pm | Two Fine Irishmen 18101 R Plaza Omaha, NE 68135 Head out every week for some of the best live music around!

The Crayons - 9:00 pm | $5 The Barley Street Tavern 2735 N 62nd Street Omaha, NE 68104 Join us every week for some of the best live music around!

Webb and Bloodcookie - 9:00 pm | Cover Charge The Barley Street Tavern 2735 N 62nd Street Omaha, NE 68104 Join us for some great live music.

SUNDAY 1

Luigi, Inc. - 9:00 pm | Free Mr. Toad’s Pub Omaha 1002 Howard St. Omaha, NE 68102 Since 1975, Mr. Toad has brought you the finest Jazz Omaha has to offer in our Library. The legendary Luigi Waites held court there for nearly 35 years until his passing in April of 2010. The gig goes on as Luigi would’ve wished, with his band ‘Luigi, Inc.’ holding down the fort with their cool contemporary jazz. Every Sunday at 9:00 P.M., and never a cover!

2nd Annual Bar Olympics - All Day | $10 The Den 711 n 114th st Omaha, NE 68102 Doors open at Noon to register 2 person team. $10 Mini/Singles tournaments till 2pm Main tournament starts 2:30. 4 games will be announced at 1pm tiebreaker is Beer Pong single elimination Burgers and Dogs available Tons of giveaways, prizes. Dock 57 liqour girls here at 5pm.

First Aid Kit - 8:00 pm | $15-$17 The Waiting Room Lounge 6212 Maple St. Omaha, NE 68005 Bittersweet is the word the Sderberg

sisters prefer. We like bittersweet songs, songs that affect you differently depending on how you interpret them, says Klara, the younger of the Swedish siblings that make up First Aid Kit. Songwriter Open Mic - 9:00 pm | Free The Barley Street Tavern 2735 N 62nd Street Omaha, NE 68104 Sign up starts at 7pm. Talk to the bartender to get on the list. 15 minute sets (including set-up/tear-down time). Here’s your chance to show off your own music.

TUESDAY 3

Exit, Emergency - 6:00 pm | $5-$7 The Bourbon Theatre 1415 O Street Lincoln, NE 68508 Exit, Emergency is a pop-punk band based out of small town Iowa. The band draws influences from the early 2000s and other likewise sounds in order to create original and heartfelt music.

Guided By Voices - 8:00 pm | $25-$30 The Waiting Room Lounge 6212 Maple St. Omaha, NE 68005 Since reforming in 2010, Guided By Voices have recorded six high-quality full-length albums in less than four years, never mind countless singles, several EPs and solo records. If the sorry state of the present day indiealt or just plain rock landscape is the disease, GBV is the cure. Do not take in moderation.

DJ Relic Soul Party - 9:00 pm | Free The Zoo Bar 136 North 14th Street Lincoln, NE 68508 Join us for an all vinyl night!

WEDNESDAY 4

Ray’s Piano Party - 7:00 pm | Free Mr. Toad’s Pub Omaha 1002 Howard St. Omaha, NE 68102 Led by local legendary pianist Ray Williams, our every other Wednesday bash goes from 7:00 to 10:00 (or later, Ray’s easily kept when the crowd is rapt). From jazz to showtunes to classical to blues to sing-a-longs, Rays keeps the crowd hopping with whatever songs are needed. No cover.

Much fun!

Conor Oberst - 8:00 pm | $30 Sokol Auditorium 2234 S. 13th St. Omaha, NE 68108 Conor Oberst is an American singersongwriter from Omaha, Nebraska.

He has been writing and recording music since 1993. In that time he has recorded and performed in many bands and musical collaborations including Commander Venus, Monsters of Folk, Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, Park Ave., Desaparecidos, and most notably Bright Eyes, his main musical vehicle for the past decade.

Orion Walsh Band - 9:00 pm | $5 The Zoo Bar 136 North 14th Street Lincoln, NE 68508 Join us for some great live music.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

THIS WEEKEND!

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COLLECTIVE SOUL

WITH SEVENDUST

WITH GIN BLOSSOMS

JUNE 1

JUNE 7

THE BAND PERRY JULY 18

O.A.R. AND PHILLIP PHILLIPS JUNE 15

MATT NATHANSON & GAVIN DEGRAW JULY 5

WITH SPECIAL GUEST TOAD THE WET SPROCKET JULY 26

JULY 19

JULY 11

FITZ AND THE TANTRUMS

COUNTING CROWS

DIERKS BENTLEY

WILLIE NELSON & ALISON KRAUSS

JULY 27

ON SALE JUNE 6

ARCTIC MONKEYS JULY 30

AMERICAN IDOL LIVE! AUGUST 3

FOSTER THE PEOPLE AUGUST 5

PAT BENATAR AND NEIL GIRALDO

WITH SPECIAL GUEST LITA FORD

SUMMER NATIONALS SEP T EM BER 11

AUGUST 15

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| THE READER |

MAY 29 - JUNE 4, 5/23/14 2014

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2:24 PM

3121 N 108th St. (402) 934-4042 www. homelydans.com

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| THE READER |

BY B.J. HUCHTEMANN

Rockabilly and Roots Rave

I

t’s an evening of rave-up rockabilly and roots music Thursday, May 29, 5 p.m. at The 21st Saloon.

Headlining is the amazing Nikki Hill. This rockabilly goddess channels iconic sounds inspired

by Wanda Jackson and Little Richard into fierce, fresh, sweat-drenched roots-rock. Hill’s husband Matt on guitar is an equal force and together with their band they are a hard-rocking crew. Weather permitting, this show will be outdoors. Also performing is Lincoln’s own internationally recognized rockabilly band The Mezcal Brothers plus Oklahoma roots-rock favorites The Scott Keeton Band. Lawn chairs are encouraged for outdoor seating.

Bel Air Blues Fest The Bel Air Plaza at 120th & West Center Road hosts its annual blues fest Sunday, June 1. The event is free with family-friendly activities.

The lineup is BluesEd youth band Mojo Bag (3 p.m.), the dance-floor-filling Bel Airs (4 p.m.), The Mighty Jailbreakers (5:30 p.m). and Josh Hoyer & The Shadowboxers (6:45-8 p.m.).

Zoo Bar Music Nikki Hill Band also plays Lincoln’s Zoo Bar Wednesday, May 28, after 9 p.m., following Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials 6-9 p.m. Blues Music Award winner Shawn Holt’s Lil’ Slim Blues Band plugs in Saturday, May 31, 9 p.m.

hoodoo

Mark your calendars now for Doug Deming.

Dennis Gruenling & The Jewel Tones Tuesday, July 1, 6-9 p.m. at the Zoo. This powerhouse east coast band is driven by Deming’s stellar, swinging guitar, sweet vocals and Gruenling’s wicked harmonica stylings in the tradition of Chicago’s fat-toned harp players.

Zoo 41st Anniversary The Zoo Bar celebrates 41 years as a blues music mecca during the second week of July, with indoor shows leading to the annual outdoor street festival. Headlining the outdoor shows are Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers Friday, July 11, and the great Delbert McClinton Saturday, July 12. The Bel Airs, Brave Combo and The Killigans round out the Friday night lineup.

Saturday bands include Oketo, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Kelley Hunt and Josh Hoyer & The Shadowboxers. See zoobar.com for details.

Hot Notes Blues slide guitar fans should check out the Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band Friday, May 30, at Lincoln’s Bourbon Theatre. Rev. Peyton plays killer slide inspired by old-school originators like Robert Johnson and Charley Patton. Performing as a stomping trio, this band has been getting lots of notice in the punk and rockabilly scene, but their music is really pure blues. Opening the show are Bud Heavy & The High Lifes and Bonehardt Flannigan. See bigdamband.com. ,

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 |

MAY 29 - JUNE 4, 2014

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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

Prom Draft

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week before the National Football League held its 2014 Draft Day in May, a large contingent of junior and senior boys staged their own draft day at Corona del Mar High School in Newport Beach, Calif., “dividing up” the available girls to ask to the upcoming prom. As in the NFL, the drafters “scout” the draftees, and a “rule book” notes the draft’s boundaries (e.g., this year, sophomore girls are eligible). The girls, of course, can decline the invitation, but the draft, as in the NFL, is designed to discourage a selected girl from being “poached” by “competing” boys.

Obviously, many in the community expressed horror at the draft, with the principal denouncing it and urging parents to rein in their sons, but one of the drafted girls wrote that the whole thing was just “fun” and “is not, was never, and will never ever be used to objectify the girls.”

Can’t Possibly Be True The downfall of Russia-sympathizing Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych in February (which eventually provoked Vladimir Putin’s retaliation against Ukraine) accelerated when his countrymen learned of his startlingly opulent lifestyle (e.g., gold toilets, a private zoo) -including catching a video glimpse of a nude portrait Yanukovych had commissioned of himself by artist Olga Oleynik. Yanukovych, a not-particularly-buff 63-year-old man, was portrayed reclining and with an undersized male endowment. (Oleynik told Agence France-Presse news service that she had done a similar portrait of Putin -- more generously endowed -- but was “afraid” to show it in public or to disclose whether it was actually commissioned by Putin.)

-- Skylar King, 28, filed a lawsuit in Clayton, Mo., in April against dentist Mark Meyers (and his Same

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| THE READER |

weird news

Day Dentures clinic) for a 2009 session in which Meyers somehow obtained King’s consent to extract all 32 of his teeth and provide dentures, promptly after obtaining $5,235 on King’s mother’s credit card.

King, who was seeking treatment for an abscessed tooth, said Dr. Meyers warned that he was at risk of “fatal blood poisoning” unless all teeth were yanked. Dr. Meyers insisted that King actually requested the procedure, even though X-rays revealed that at least 28 of the teeth were treatable.

-- As of late March, the Sainsbury’s supermarket in Basford, England, still had an operational ATM on an outside wall even though its screen and controls were only 15 inches off the ground, forcing customers to bend over or kneel down to get cash. A Sainsbury’s spokesman, shown a photo by a reporter of a user squatting “incredibly uncomfortabl(y),” said no one had complained, but that the store would look into moving the machine.

The only explanation offered for the placement was that the store is located on a hill.

Unclear on the Concept Wellma “Tootie” Shafer, 46, was fired as a cashier at the Last Chance Market in Russell, Iowa, after a customer reported her engaging in “sexual” banter at the register. Her boss, Rick Braaksma, explained, “We cannot ... talk about adult situations in front of other customers,” and when Shafer sought unemployment compensation, Braaksma challenged her application. However, among the items Last Chance sells are Wake the F--- Up Coffee, The Hottest F---ing Sauce (noted, the label states, for its “ass-burning quality”), and The Hottest F---ing Nuts (all product names using the explicit “F word”), and a state administrative judge granted Shafer benefits, showing (according to an April Des Moines Register report) little sympathy for the store’s contradictory policy.

COPYRIGHT 2014 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).

-- Refresher Course on Buddhism Needed: An unnamed 40-year-old man was charged in Briec, France, in May for a February incident in which his cat knocked over his statue of Buddha, demolishing it. The man apparently so reveres Buddha that, enraged, he tortured the cat by tossing it into his washing machine and setting it for a cycle at the equivalent of 104 degrees F.

The Continuing Crisis Brazilian authorities told reporters in April that villagers in remote Ayopaya, needing to recover three motorbikes stolen by two men, tied them to a tree of woe for several days until relatives came up with compensation. The tree was a permanent host for ants that produce a venom with antiinflammatory properties used to treat arthritis, and though relatives paid up three days later, both men required hospitalization, one with kidney failure.

-- Underreported among the 24-hour news saturation in April on the sinking of the South Korean ferry en route from Incheon to the recreational island of Jeju is that a primary attraction on Jeju is “LoveLand,” a theme park with bold, uninhibited sexual structures, and a traditional honeymoon destination. Visitors enter through giant spread female legs, and most park mascots are anthropomorphic figures representing the male and female sex organs. The park contains 140 sculptures of humans in sexual positions and of phallus statues and stone labia -- and, reportedly, something called a “hands-on masturbation cycle.”

Bright Ideas For this year’s annual April 25 fundraising project, the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) sold a 60-second “message,” digitally downloadable for a donation of the equivalent of $2.11 --

but consisting only of silence (“prerecorded” silence).

A veterans’ official told Australian Broadcasting Corporation News, “I was a bit dubious (but) ... I’ve seen the enthusiasm at which this is being picked up nationally.”

Perspective Kidney Disease Patients Not Part of “Diversity”: Among the entities rushing to condemn Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling in April was the UCLA Medical School, where researchers returned a $425,000 check from the Sterling Foundation to study “structural properties of key proteins in the kidney” to aid development of drugs to treat kidney disease -- and rejected the rest of Sterling’s $3 million pledge. A UCLA spokesman said the school must emphasize its “core values” of “diversity, inclusion and respect.”

Recurring Themes News of the Weird has previously noticed the extraordinary discomfort some women embrace just to be able to wear a certain pair of designer shoes. However, the number and ingenuity of foot doctors serving such women has grown substantially in recent years. An April New York Times report noted that Beverly Hills podiatrist Ali Sadrieh offers a Perfect 10! procedure (aesthetic toe- shortening), a Model T (toe-lengthening) and Foot Tuck (a foot-padding for high-heel pain). New York’s Dr. Oliver Zong treats High Heel Foot (when the foot conforms to the shape of a stiletto) and Hitchhiker’s Toe (an abnormally large big toe sticking out like a thumb). Some patients get to the point right away, Dr. Sadrieh said, by bringing in specific cherished shoes and asking which footretrofitting procedure would do the job (although Dr. Zong said he turned down one woman who said she would be OK with nine toes if that’s what it took). ,

weird news

| THE READER |

MAY 29 - JUNE 4, 2014

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cuttingroom

X - M E N : D AY S O F F U T U R E PA S T M AY B E C O N F U S I N G

O

f the many things that director Bryan Singer would like to hide and forget, the X-Men movies made without him should be nowhere near the top of his (allegedly) vile list. Still, clearly at Singer’s behest, X-Men: Days of Future Past sticks its fingers in its ears and yells “nananana I can’t hear you” when it comes to preserving the continuity of a film series that has been drudging on for a mind-numbing 14 years now.

The last entry, X-Men: First Class, was actually the best of the bunch. So, naturally, everyone decided to immediately abandon everything that made that film original and entertaining in favor of yet another dose of apocalyptic fetish. Every light moment in the film hints at what could have been, had the hands inside these mutant puppets not belonged to Singer and writer Simon Kinberg. As such, DOFP is solid, epic, action-packed and good-looking but uber-familiar. It’s a danceable but tepid techno remix of the stale superhero cinematic formula.

As if ignoring some of the previous movies wasn’t confusing enough, this installment heavily relies on

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

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time travel and introduces scores of new mutants whose names are barely used, leading to post-viewing comments like “When Knifey Guy and Pink Hair Glitter Girl did that one thing, it was cool.” Opening in the future, the few remaining mutants are gettin’ whupped on somethin’ fierce. In an act of desperation, Kitty Pryde (Ellen Page) sends Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) back into his younger self in the 1970s, using her mutant power of glowy hands.

In the past, Wolverine must stop Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) from killing inventor Bolivar Trask (Peter Dinklage), which was the event that sparked the war on mutants in the future. To stop her, Wolverine needs young Professor Xavier (James McAvoy) and young Magneto (Michael Fassbender) to squash their beef and help him talk sense into the blue would-be murderess. A bad Richard Nixon impersonator is also present.

Let’s eat our veggies before we get dessert. Here’s the bad: If you didn’t grow up in X-Men Underoos,

First-Run Films Belle First-Run (PG)

Dir. Amma Asante.

Through Thursday, June 12 Based on the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle, whose remarkable life helped bring about the end of slavery in England.

“Beautifully cast, touchingly played and handsomely mounted, Belle is as close to perfect as any costumed romance has a right to be.”

— Roger Moore, Movie Nation

| THE READER |

film

B Y R YA N S Y R E K

you may be very, very confused. Despite the fact that almost every line of dialogue is some modified exposition, it relies heavily on a knowledge of X-Men lore… and not the movie versions, most of which don’t count. The other major negative is the grim, dark tone. A thousand blessings on the next comic book movie that doesn’t dress in Armageddon chic.

That said, man are the action set pieces cool. Even the one that could have been the worst, Quicksilver (Evan Peters) jailbreak of Magneto, ended up being the best. And double extra kudos to Kinberg for making a blockbuster where the major keys to the film’s climax are the emotional choices and personalities of three major characters (Mystique, Professor X and Magneto).

X-Men: Days of Future Past is a viable, sure-fire hit that delivers exactly what was promised, but little more. In studio speak, that makes it a perfect film, even if audiences may be slightly disoriented.

Dir. Pawel Pawlikowski.

Starts Friday, May 30 Before teenage Ida is allowed to join a convent, she is ordered to meet her only living relative, an aunt who reveals that the girl was born Jewish. Set in post-war Poland, this film evokes the sadness of a country still reeling from war. In Polish with English subtitles.

Chef (R)

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), catch him on the radio on CD 105.9 (cd1059.com) on Fridays at around 7:30 a.m. and on KVNO 90.7 (KVNO.org) at 8:30 a.m. on Fridays and follow him on Twitter (twitter.com/thereaderfilm).

GRADE = B

Ida First-Run (PG-13)

Coming Soon

n Aksarben Cinema (aksarbencinema.com) cares about the well-being of little ones. I don’t mean Smurfs or Fraggles, though to be fair, I bet Aksarben would be sympathetic to those multicolored wee ones as well. Once again, the theater is hosting the Free Family Flicks, which are flicks for families that are free. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Saturdays starting May 31 with the first film, Despicable Me 2. That film comes from an era when Pharrell’s music was fun and fresh and not absolutely everywhere: the era of last year. n Quentin Tarantino has never met a rumor he couldn’t start. The latest is that he has 90 more minutes he’d like to wedge back into Django Unchained, making it into a four-hour epic he’d prefer to show as a miniseries. Oh no, QT. Not again. You’re like Lucy playing football with Charlie Brown. Just like with your rumored megacut of Kill Bill and the western you may not ever shoot, The Hateful Eight, you’re going to get my hopes up and break my heart again. I know this won’t happen. Probably. Maybe. But it would be so cool if…DAMMIT, TARANTINO! n Gareth Edwards, fresh off the monster debut of Godzilla (see what I did there), has been signed on as the direct of the first live-action Star Wars spinoff. We don’t know what the spinoff is yet, so the Internet is rapidly making things up. Fingers crossed someone at Disney got my Porkins fan fiction. n Skylar Astin and Ben Platt are returning for Pitch Perfect 2! Okay, I realize that means very little to most people. But if you’re a Pitch-head that’s aca-obsessed with the first film like… my friend is…you’ll notice that the whole cast is officially back! Still, the important thing to remember here is Anna Kendrick. Never forget Anna Kendrick.

—Ryan Syrek

Forever Young Supported by Lincoln Financial Foundation.

Chaplin Shorts!: Program Three May 29, 31, June 1 & 5 Celebrating 100 years of Charlie Chaplin on screen!

Tickets just $2.50 for kids 12 & under!

Great Directors: Demy Donkey Skin 1970

Dir. Jacques Demy.

May 30 & June 2

The Young Girls of Rochefort 1967 Dir. Jacques Demy.

May 31, June 1 & 3

CALL OR CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR MOVIE TIMES AND PRICES

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Roller Derby

JUNE 7

Ticketmaster.com Last game of the season

Heartland Pride 2014 is almost here!

There are FANTASTIC new events this year!

Have you taken a boat ride recently? YOU CAN WITH US! heartlandpride.org/events/rainbowrun How about a 5k run/walk? YOU CAN WITH US! heartlandpride.org/events/riverride Another BRAND NEW event this year is

HEARTLAND YOUTH PRIDE! heartlandpride.org/events/youthpride Check out www.heartlandpride.org for more details!

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