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Drinking the Punch

admin — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:14:33 -0500

People who fight have always drawn crowds. Especially people who fight with their fists. For some inherent reason, we like to see two guys – and sometimes gals – duke it out.

Remember your school days, when word of a fight spread like an STD on ’roids? Crowds gathered after class to chant, “fight, fight, fight” as a couple of fighters brawled for bragging rights.

The fizz is gone

admin — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:25:30 -0500

Don Ho made “Tiny Bubbles” famous, SC Johnson created “Scrubbing Bubbles” and John Travolta was “The Boy in the Plastic Bubble.” To say “beer has bubbles in it” would be a gross oversimplification. Bubbles are the lay term for carbonation; unlike wine and spirits, which are still, beer has naturally occurring effervesce. The carbonation in beer is one of beer’s most unique and underappreciated characteristics.

Meeting the Band, December 3

admin — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:24:26 -0500

New York transplant Scott Severin is one of the best storytellers in town, and that is not including the stories that are in his songs. When Severin first came onto the Omaha scene, the word quickly spread of this “new” songwriter in town that had stories of hanging with everyone from the New York Dolls to Townes Van Zandt. Hearing the stories come from the mouth of the witty and sarcastic Severin was more of a treat than one would have imagined.

1200 Club

admin — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:22:25 -0500

Swank. A visit to the 1200 Club at the Holland will leave you feeling swank. In addition to the jazzy, sophisticated set of musical performances that the Club offers at the Scott Recital Hall, you have the added ambience of enjoying the show from table seating, beverages and hor d'oeuvres available. Fancy.

Lash’s toy drive

admin — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:21:07 -0500

Whether it be a hurricane in the south, a tragic shooting somewhere, or just someone they may or may not know going through tough times, Omaha musicians are known for donating their time and their tunes. It is during the Christmas time, though, that many people find themselves thinking more of others than themselves. It is only natural then that the Omaha music community come out in full force around this time to raise some money with their time and talents. This year marks years three and five for two separate fundraising ventures involving local musicians and causes close to home.

Music trends shift

admin — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:20:05 -0500

We’re still in the early days (and years) of digital distribution of music and already three concepts and/or ideas have bubbled to the surface from the social behaviorists, culture pundits and futurists that impact the music industry and offer insight on how the marketing of music may evolve in the years, or rather (since the digital realm seems to speed up our world) days to come.

If you’re a fan of books or articles by Malcolm Gladwell (“Blink,” “The Tipping Point,” “Outliers”) you may already be familiar with these concepts.

Must-reads, must-sees

admin — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:19:25 -0500

I spotted one of those oversize books that always seem to be on sale at places like Border’s – “501 Must-Read Books.” A light bulb went off in my head – maybe I could get a column out of it. There were other “501” books, too, including one on movies. So I sat down at the Eagle Run Border’s cafe, fortified with a superb chocolate mocha from expert coffee artists Briana and Megan (A.J. has now joined the team, too), and began to page through the “must-read” volume.

Style

admin — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:17:17 -0500

Even before Thanksgiving can be celebrated, Christmas decorations are being put up and holiday gifts are being bought. It seems that people are thinking of presents before they even finish handing out the Halloween candy. However, if you are anything like me, I dread going to department stores during the holidays and having to deal with stressed out shoppers and cranky employees. With that in mind, I started to think about alternative presents that I could give. Being a lover of all accessories, my mind immediately went to purses. My mind seems to always go to purses.

Bar Sports and Bar Spirits

admin — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:16:10 -0500

The Musette Bar in downtown Benson isn’t a cramped hole-in-the-wall joint; it’s a really big room full of bar games and a loyal clientele. Really, it’s one of Omaha’s “bar sports” hubs – pool, darts and shuffleboard. “If you’re in a league and you come in here, you’re home,” said one local (who I only met as “Joe”) who works as a truck driver but spends most of his down time at the Musette. It’s a neighborhood bar, a “pool dive bar.” Shane Hagen, the owner’s son, and many of the bartenders, attended Benson West elementary school or Benson High.

No joy, only frustration, from Big 12 tiebreaker

admin — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:14:14 -0500

So, you'd think any controversy, any madness, any confusion stemming from the ridiculousness that is the Bowl Championship Series would spark feelings of happiness. Usually, anything that even comes close to endangering the future of this B(C)S system is welcomed with smiles and open arms.

Not so this time. Not so at all.

Only anger, only helplessness accompanied the Big 12 Conference's asinine tiebreaker system that ended up using the BCS to put Oklahoma in its championship game.

Shucks Oyster Bar

admin — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:11:50 -0500

Greg Lindberg transformed his tiny luncheonette in the 119th and Pacific streets location of Absolutely Fresh Seafood into Shucks Oyster Bar & Grill back in 2006 – and the public responded with enthusiasm. Now Lindberg, who started his Absolutely Fresh Seafood operation many years ago selling fresh Louisiana seafood from a truck, has added a second location in the Shops of Legacy area on the Southwest corner of 168th Street and West Center Road. Like the original at 119th and Pacific streets, it has a come-as-you-are roadhouse atmosphere.

The Odd Couple

admin — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:08:28 -0500

Blue Barn and Brigit St. Brigit Theatres at the Downtown Space  614 S. 11th St.
Through Dec. 20 Thurs.-Sat. at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 7 at 6 p.m., Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. Nov. 30 performance is a benefit for Lara Marsh Tickets: $25 adults, $20 senior citizens and students.  345-1576

The Brown Belt ”The Odd Couple” at the Downtown Space

Felix Unger would never wear a brown belt with a grey suit and black shoes. Never.

Feet First

admin — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:02:39 -0500

For unhealthily obsessed husker fans such as yours truly, it’s tough to describe the negative surge of emotion that rained down after Joe Ganz was sacked on Colorado’s 40 late in the fourth quarter on Friday. Suddenly facing a 4th-and-25, down 31-30 with 1:50 left and with only two timeout left in our pockets, it was becoming clear we were about to lose to Colorado. Rue the day.

Frost Bite

admin — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:59:38 -0500

Hollywood’s love affair with the four great monster myths, Frankenstein, Dracula, the Wolfman and the Mummy, continues unabated ever since Universal Studios first made them into talkies in the 1930s. Yet, it has been one of cinema’s great ironies that some of the best versions of these horror stories have had nothing to do with Boris Karloff, Bela Lagosi or Lon Chaney Jr.

Check, Mate!

admin — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:54:31 -0500

Baz Luhrmann is one of those directors that people seem to love or hate. His films are typically vibrantly hued, frenetically edited, dramatic romances that contain classical or pop culture references. Most of the time, his characters sing and dance. He’s not the most prolific guy in the business, having made just four films in the last 16 years. If you don’t recognize his name, Luhrmann’s the man behind “Strictly Ballroom,” “Romeo + Juliet,” “Moulin Rouge!” and, his most recent, “Australia.”

Tender Mercies Minister to Omaha’s PovertyStricken

admin — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:52:48 -0500

Tender mercies come in all forms. For those folks living on the margin, the difference between getting by and going hungry may be the kindness of strangers.

Sara Hohnstein and her small staff with the Heart Ministry Center at 22nd and Binney streets in north Omaha are part of a nameless, faceless army of professionals and volunteers in the human-social services arena working the frontlines of poverty. They represent the safety net that thousands in Omaha depend on to squeeze by.

RNG Gallery offers holiday goodies

admin — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:44:43 -0500

We all know how bad it sucks to receive socks and underwear for Christmas. Or how about a new pair of khaki slacks for Hanukkah? Ugh, get out of here with that jazz! If you want to be known as the cool aunt or uncle who gives the best presents, then art may be the best gift of all.

With that in mind, RNG Gallery hopes to drain your pocketbook by offering a new exhibition of works by local artists, all of which are for sale.

First Friday

admin — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:42:51 -0500

Sometimes it's nice to get out of Omaha – even if it's just to Lincoln. The capital city's monthly First Friday Art Walks are an excellent excuse for the trip. Fifty minutes in the car and you have a new restaurant to eat at, a new set of faces to look at and a very different art scene.

1year at the Matt

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 23:02:45 -0500

The Mattress Factory will celebrate
a successful first year in downtown on Saturday with a party featuring a shot
luge, prize giveaways (beer signs, Creighton basketball tickets and more) plus
beer and drink specials all night long.

The bar and restaurant is located at
501 N. 13th St.
Visit TheMattOmaha.com for more details.

Champagne: A wine for allseasons

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 23:00:58 -0500

There is little doubt that champagne is a festive drink that
is consumed in great quantities over the holiday seasons. The shelves of retail
stores are packed with a wide variety of champagnes, and retailers are set about
touting their merits. This is all perfectly understandable, but don’t sell this
wine short. Make no mistake; champagne is not only a wine for special
occasions, it is a wine for all seasons. This is a refreshing beverage for a
hot summer day, but is equally good when sipped in winter around a blazing

RaceFor Titles: not dead after all

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:59:30 -0500

When Race For Titles released their self-titled debut album
in 2002, Omaha
was just beginning to get major widespread attention both nationally and
internationally because of Saddle Creek Records. The initial reaction from many
local music pundits was, who’s next? Who will continue to keep Omaha in the spotlight? The three brightest
hopes over the next couple of years were Little Brazil, Neva Dinova and Race
For Titles. At that time a Race For Titles show at a venue like the 49’r was a

Huskers - Delmont

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:56:42 -0500

Nebraska
football fans can be thankful this week that their Big Red rebounded from a
losing season to win seven games (probably eight after Friday’s game with Colorado) and is headed
for a bowl again. My other favorite team, Minnesota, rebounded from a much worse
season (1-11, the worst in school history) to go 7-5 and also earn a bowl
berth. At one time these two schools played one another almost annually – some
51 times in all, with Minnesota

Lightning‘Bolt’

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:53:08 -0500

Bolt (voiced by John Travolta) is one
amazing dog. Altered by science, the white American shepherd shoots lasers out
of his eyes, has amazing speed, strength and agility, and, best of all, he has
a “super bark” that acts like an atomic bomb. His one and only goal in life is
to protect his “person,” a redhead named Penny (Miley Cyrus) from the dastardly
Dr. Calico (Malcolm McDowell), also known as “the green-eyed man.” If Bolt

Awww, another Shucks

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:50:36 -0500

Awww,
another Shucks

A
new Shucks Fish House & Oyster Bar opened this week in the Shops of Legacy
at 16901 Wright Plaza, southwest of 168th Street and West Center Road.

Looking ahead

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:47:00 -0500

Colorado
(5-6 overall, 2-5 Big 12) at Nebraska
(7-4, 4-3), 2:30 p.m. (Friday) on ABC, Channel 9 on Cox

What
it means: I’m starting to
sound redundant, I know, but it’s another chance for NU to establish itself in
the Big 12 North in addition to lining itself up for a possible New Year’s Day
bowl game.

Senior Moment

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:44:32 -0500

This week’s column
is a warning to all Huskers fans.

Opera Update

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:41:33 -0500

“Opera Omaha, over the years, has been as experimental and visionary as any of the opera companies in its group – those in similar sized cities with similar budgets,” Marc Scorca told the City Weekly during his recent visit to Omaha.

The president and CEO of OPERA America, the advocacy organization that serves more than 200 member opera companies, was in town for strategy sessions with Opera Omaha’s staff and board.

“Kath & Kim,” Thursdays, 7:30 p.m., NBC

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:39:20 -0500

NBC is trying its darndest to reclaim Thursdays as “Must-See TV” night. If the ratings are any indication, the network is falling far short of its mid-‘90s heyday thanks to half-hour comedy staples like “Friends,” “Frazier,” “Seinfeld” and “Mad About You.” However, the shows that have taken the place of those quality, albeit fairly traditional multi-camera sitcoms, are far more daring, original and quirky than their predecessors.

Blood on the Altar

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:36:20 -0500

He has no speaking lines. And he’s only on stage for one brief danse macabre. But Paul Hanson’s writhings are just one of the memorable highlights of the University of Nebraska – Omaha production of the Euripides classic “Women of Troy.”
He enters as a spectral vision from beyond the pale, engages in an oddly Oedipal pas de deux with his mother, Hecuba (Maria Vacha Pittack), and disappears just as quickly into the night.

Autumn Attic

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:34:25 -0500

I can’t think of an Omaha eating establishment that’s gone more “incognito” than The Attic. Omaha at large doesn’t seem to know exactly “where the place is” or “what it does.” Tucked away at the corner of 33rd and Harney streets though, in the towering shadow of the Mutual of Omaha Bank, the spacious establishment has been a lunch place for Mutual employees, a watering hole for the construction workers of the Midtown Crossing site, a dance hall for local fraternities and a family restaurant for locals.