Outdoor Fests, Salgado, Lucinda and more
by B.J. Huchtemann


Two big indoor shows are on the do-not-miss-list this weekend. Soul-blues vocalist Curtis Salgado plays the Bourbon Theatre in Lincoln Saturday, May 14. And Americana icon Lucinda Williams is set to perform an early show at Slowdown Monday, May 16.

Outdoor music festivals ramp up with two multi-day shows. Love Fest In The Midwest marks its second year as an eclectic music and camping festival at the Bellevue Berry Farm. See LoveFestInTheMidwest.com for the line-up, which focuses on local indie and roots bands, along with info on tickets for the May 12-14 event. Meanwhile, next weekend the Omaha Beer Fest takes over the Lewis & Clark Landing, bringing craft brewing classes and beer tastings along with local live R&B music to the riverfront May 19-21. See OmahaBeerFest.com for details on the schedule.

Salgado at Bourbon Theatre
A Curtis Salgado show always leaves folks dancing in the aisles. Salgado has a big, bold voice. It’s a voice rooted in traditional blues, R&B, gospel and soul-blues. Salgado has a technical range that’s remarkable, but it’s his technique combined with his radiant, emotive depth that makes his music powerful and unforgettable. His band members are consummate performers who keep pace with Salgado’s changing styles and soulfulness.

The percolating grooves and rockin’ rhythms are irresistible. Salgado’s finesse as a showman is balanced with an intuitive spirit that always keeps the music real and heartfelt. The music will move your spirit and your feet.

Salgado has been on the blues scene for some 35 years. He played with Robert Cray from 1976 to 1982. Salgado’s late ’70s Pacific northwest band The Nighthawks inspired John Belushi in the creation of his famous Blues Brothers character.

Salgado also has deep ties to the Omaha metro. He received a life-saving liver transplant at the UNMC Lied Transplant Center in 2006 and spent the first three months of his recovery here.

Salgado is a multiple award winner on the Pacific Northwest scene. The Portland, Ore., artist is the 2010 Blues Music Award winner for Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year.

Lincoln band The Blues Project opens the show with a 7 p.m. set. The Brad Cordle Band is also on the bill. The Curtis Salgado band headlines. This is Salgado’s only Midwest appearance and an awareness event for The Mental Health Association of Nebraska. The show is Saturday, May 14, at Lincoln’s Bourbon Theatre, 1415 O St. Tickets are on sale at ETix.com.

Sunday Roadhouse Hosts Lucinda Williams
The Sunday Roadhouse Concert Series teams with One Percent Productions to present Americana icon Lucinda Williams Monday, May 16. The singer-songwriter’s haunted, honky-tonk vocals and emotionally-charged songs have made her one of the biggest female artists in Americana and roots-rock. Williams is doing a series of club shows in conjunction with her recently released CD, Blessed (Lost Highway) produced by Don Was. NoDepression.com calls the disc “the first great release of Lucinda Williams’ personal and artistic maturity ... Blessed, as the title suggests, is a celebration of survival and rebirth and an acknowledgment that it’s never too late to change.” The LA Times says the recording is “a dynamic, human album. One that is easy to fall in love with.” Find out more or get advance tickets at SundayRoadhouse.com or OnePercentProductions.com.

Nebraska Blues Challenge Finals
The Blues Society of Omaha presents the finals of the Nebraska Blues Challenge Sunday, May 15, at 5 p.m. at The 21st Saloon. Elwin James & The Way Outs, The Lil’ Slim Blues Band and Brad Cordle Band will perform. The winner of the finals will represent The Blues Society of Omaha in the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge in Memphis in February 2012. See Blues.org and OmahaBlues.com for details. 

21st Saloon Blues
The Thursday 5:30 p.m. blues series at The 21st Saloon features the rockin’ electric blues of the soulful Michael Burks Thursday, May 12. Burks is a high-octane guitarist on the Alligator label. Anthony GomesThe Bel Airs take the stage Thursday, May 26, with their extremely popular and danceable mix of vintage R&B, rock and Delta blues. and his band are on tap for Thursday, May 19.

Hot Notes
If you’re looking for a road trip, Knuckleheads in nearby K.C. has a lot of cool shows coming, including a double bill of Mike Zito and Hadden Sayers Thursday, May 19, and great vocalist Delbert McClinton. See KnuckleheadsKC.com for the club’s schedule and details. Saturday, May 21.  

The “reggae funk dance experience” of hard-touring band Spiritual Rez is featured at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar Wednesday, May 18, 6-9 p.m. See ZooBar.com for all the Zoo shows.

Lil’ Slim Blues Band plays Gator O’Malley’s Thursday, May 12, after 9 p.m. Kris Lager Band rocks The Waiting Room Saturday, May 21. See OmahaBlues.com for more metro show listings.

Remember, when you can’t find the Hoodoo column in print, please look for me at HoodooRootsBlues.blogspot.com.