Lincoln’s Zoo Bar continues their 39th Anniversary celebration this week with music in the club Thursday night and on a large outdoor stage in front of the bar on 14th & P Streets Friday and Saturday, July 13 and 14. At 39 years and counting, the Zoo is one of the oldest blues venues in the country, two years older than famed Antone’s in Austin, Texas.
Thursday, July 12, dig the irresistible Louisiana rhythms of Josh Garrett & The Bottomline (6 p.m.), roots and blues with Sarah & The Tall Boys (8 p.m.) and the hip-shakin’ rockabilly of The Mezcal Brothers (10:30 p.m.).
Friday, July 13, Lincoln’s own Tijuana Gigolos host a CD release for their new disc Shotgun inside the Zoo, 5-7 p.m. Then the dance party moves outdoors with perennial favorites The Bel Airs taking the big stage at 7 p.m., followed by the world-polka of Brave Combo and the hard-rockin’ bluegrass-country fusion of Split Lip Rayfield (11 p.m.)
Saturday, July 14, it is a full day of music with the Academy of Rock youth program showcase (1 p.m.), Lil’ Slim Blues Band (3 p.m.), Son del Llano (5 p.m.) and the fabulous Candye Kane featuring expressive and impressive guitarist Laura Chavez (7 p.m.). The evening ends with the feel-good sounds of The New Orleans Suspects including veterans of The Radiators, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band and James Brown’s band (9 p.m.) Then it’s the funky sounds of The Good Foot (11 p.m.).
The outdoor shows are family-friendly. Admission to the Street Fest is $10 in advance and $13 daily at the 14th & O St. gate. Children under 12 years old get in free with a parent or guardian. For details see zoobar.com/zoofest.
Hot Notes
Candye Kane also gigs at The 21st Saloon Thursday, July 12. Kris Lager and Jeremiah Weir’s Electric Stomp duo opens the 5:30 p.m. show. Next Thursday, July 19, Josh Garrett & The Bottomline bring Louisiana to The 21st Saloon.
Also Thursday, July 19, sassy San Francisco swing chanteuse Lavay Smith heats up Jazz on the Green.
See omahablues.com for more local roots show listings.
Popular Omaha jazz/roots musician Andrew Bailie is getting ready to follow his old Jazzwholes bandmates to New York City. Bailie is playing select lunch hours at Pizza Shoppe in Benson several days a week for tips, call ahead for his schedule and stop by to wish him well in his travels.