Omaha nonprofit “Playing with Fire” is putting on its 21st Playing with Fire event Friday and Saturday.
The event, held for the first time inside the Slowdown, will host six blues artists, including four from outside the U.S.
Jeff Davis, the founder of Playing with Fire, said he started the free event to give back to the Omaha music community.
“The goal has been everyone, regardless of how much money they make or their gender or whatever, should have the ability to see and hear the talent,” Davis said.
He said the change from outdoors to indoors was made partially due to his and his volunteers’ age, but the weather also played a large part.
“The impact of the weather in the last five years, it’s just been extraordinary,” Davis said. “You’re worn out. It’s no fun. And the entire point of doing this is to have fun. I worry about the guys that actually are doing the hands-on work. And then the fans as well, you know, because it has an impact on them. We have artists coming from the U.K., summertime there is 70 degrees, and then they’re out in 105, and it’s like debilitating.”
The two weekends of blues music are able to happen because of a combination of a Douglas County Visitor Improvement Grant, sponsors and donations from some of Davis’ friends.
“At the end, you know, I’m the responsible party,” said Davis. “It’s my deal, so I’ll pay for it. I did well [when I was younger], and I’d like it to zero out, you know, but it doesn’t, and that’s okay.”
Davis keeps putting on the event because of his love for music and being able to share it with Omaha. He said he loves being able to invite artists and bands who have never been to Omaha.
“It’s amazing the number of people that are coming into Omaha for the very first time, and are, like, totally amazed,” Davis said. “[They say] ‘oh wow, what a world class city this is. We had no idea.’ I love the city. I think all of us should share and contribute to making it a better place.”
The event is free, but because it is indoors and space is limited, it is first come, first served. The doors at Slowdown open at 5 p.m., and the music starts at 6:30 p.m. There is another weekend of music from Playing with Fire coming next month on Aug. 15-16.