Thankful for Music

by B.J. Huchtemann

If you’re heading out on Thanksgiving Eve, be sure to stop in at the Barley Street Tavern after 9 p.m. for Matt Cox’s second annual Canned in Benson event to benefit the Omaha Food Bank. A cornucopia of local songwriters perform including Cass Brostad, Brad Hoshaw, Kyle Harvey, Rebecca Lowry, Justin Lamoureux, Sarah Benck, Andrew Bailie, Matt Whipkey, Ashley Rayne Boe, Lash LaRue, Dylan Davis, Brett Vovk and Reagan Roeder. Admission is a non-perishable food item or a cash donation. No glass containers please.
 
Vince Guaraldi Holiday Music
Last year Donovan Johnson hosted an extremely popular show celebrating the music of The Peanuts’ cartoons composer Vince Guaraldi. This year Johnson offers three performances: Friday and Saturday, Nov. 25 and 26, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 27, at 3 p.m. See donovanjohnson.net for advance tickets. Performing with Johnson are George Laughery, John Rosseter and special guests Steve Raybine, Lyle Yates, Merritt Smith and Willie Karpf.
 
Brostad Visits
Singer-songwriter Cass Brostad is back for a Thanksgiving family visit and a show Friday, Nov. 25, at O’Leaver’s, 9 p.m. Other performers include The Travelling Mercies, who tear it up extra fine with Brostad on harmonies and tambourine, plus Mike Clark (Haunted Windchimes) and Bret Vovk (Underwater Dream Machine).
 
Zoo Bar Music
The Darlings reunion show fires up the Zoo stage with their wild psychobilly Wednesday, Nov. 23, 9 p.m. Thanksgiving night, Nov. 24, 9 p.m., the Lil’ Slim Blues Band takes the stage. Kris Lager Band plays after 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 25 and 26.
 
Divine Davina
The ultra-fabulous swing, jazz and jump-blues music of Davina & The Vagabonds is back at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar for a show Wednesday, Nov. 30, 6-9 p.m. The band’s sparkling and passionate sound hits the The 21st Saloon Thursday, Dec. 1, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Get hip to Davina at davinaandthevagabonds.com.
 
Hot Notes
Wednesday, Nov. 23, you can also check out The Jazzwholes reunion show at the House of Loom.
Lash LaRue Toy Drive shows to benefit the children of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation are set. Friday, Dec. 2, at The Waiting Room features the Filter Kings, The Mercurys and The Blacktop Ramblers. Admission is $10 or one new, unwrapped toy. Sunday, Dec. 4, at the 21st Saloon, doors open at 2 pm with Christy Rossitter & 112 North Duck, Brad Cordle Band and guitar star Michael Burks performing. Admission is $10, in addition toy donations are encouraged.