Pack your blankets, lawn chairs and sunscreen and come out to enjoy two free, family-friendly events this weekend. The Blues Society of Omaha presents blues at Aksarben’s Stinson Park, 67th & Center, Saturday, June 16. (https://aardvarkisrael.com) BluesEd youth bands What Happened? (4 p.m.) and Mojo Bag (5:15 p.m.) open. Omaha’s own horn-driven Blue House plays at 6 p.m. Headlining is soulful West Coast bluesman John Nemeth, whose honors include Living Blues magazine’s 2010 Most Outstanding Blues Singer award.
Sunday, June 17, Bel Air Plaza at 120th & Center presents the second annual Blues at Bel Air. Look for the event behind Omaha State Bank. Blues Society of Omaha BluesEd band Mojo Bag opens the show at 4 p.m. Brad Cordle Band plays at 5:15 p.m. and Lil’ Slim Band plugs in at 6:45 p.m. The event will feature a children’s play area plus a beer garden with beverages and BBQ buffet for purchase.
Songwriter’s Showcase
The Ozone at Anthony’s, 72nd & F, presents a Singer-Songwriter Roundtable on Tuesday, June 19, 6:30 p.m. The format will put four songwriters together in each set to talk about their music and perform. Scheduled to appear are Kris Lager, Brad Hoshaw, Rebecca Lowry, Matt Whipkey, Korey Anderson, Andrew Bailie, Tara Vaughn, Josh Hoyer, Jessica Errett, Heather Berney, Manny Coon, Nickie Calhoun and Gerardo Meza. Southpaw Bluegrass Band opens and closes the night.
Levon Helm Special
KIOS 91.5 FM presents Levon Helm Rambles Home: An Appreciation Sunday, June 17, 7 p.m. The one-hour program features archival clips of Helm himself and remembrances of the influential American musician. Helm died of throat cancer April 19 at the age of 71.
Benefit for Ringo
Longtime Omaha drummer Mike “Ringo” Maguire’s home was recently destroyed in a fire along with the family cars and the classic drum set Maguire had since he was 10 years old. Thankfully no one was hurt. Friends are putting together a benefit Sunday, July 1, 3-6 p.m. at Gator O’Malley’s for Maguire and his family. Performing will be two of the bands Maguire has been most known for through the years, B & The Hot Notes and The Mercurys.
Hot Notes
The always rockin’ Bel Airs hit The 21st Saloon stage Thursday, June 14, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Next Thursday, June 21, don’t miss Chicago slide guitar master Studebaker John & The Hawks. At Lincoln’s Zoo Bar Friday, June 15, Tijuana Gigolos gig 5-7 p.m. and Kris Lager Band tears it up after 9 p.m.