Wednesday, September 12, 1979
daily nebraskan
page 15
Opm Stage gives amateurs chance at one-nig hi fame
By Maty Ray Wayman
The crowd In the dimly -lit bar is atten-tive-untit
the performer strikes a bad
chord. .
"After all, this Is cheap entertainment,"
he says with a grimace.
It may be cheap, but Monday night's
Open Stage entertainment at O.G. Kelly's,
220 N. 20th St., certainly Is unique.
Performers simply walk In the door and
register an act with the master of ceremon
ies for a chance at stardom.
The show begins at 9 p.m.
Jek Kelly, manager, part owner, and an
accomplished juggler, said acts Include all
kinds of music, jugglers, comedy and even
a fast-draw demonstration.
Other acts have been: rock V roll
groups who have since beert hired else
where, a violin quartet from the Lincoln
Symphony and a guy who played his hand.
During the school year, students per
form most of the acts, Kelly said.
THE OPEN STAGE has existed for
years in Lincoln, he said. O.G. Kelly's has
sponsored it for six months.
Kelly said what Is usually a slow night
for bars finds them with standing-room-only
crowds.
Monday's gathering was smaller than the
usual crowd, but just as noisy. Toward the
end of the night, favorite performers gave
encore performances to the sound of
cheers and beer glasses being pounded on
table tops.
Kelly blamed a Monday night football
broadcast and the beginning of classes for
the small crowd, but predicted the bar
soon would be packed wall-to-wall again.
Amateurs, professionals and unsuspect
ing spectators all perform on the, stage.
Rick Kincade, announcer and organizer,
called Open Stage a good place to meet
people for "recreational music."
Performers are given one free drink, he
said, adding that a collection is taken mid
way through the night to cover costs.
Gary flatten is a regular on the Open
Stage.
u haven't worked for six months," he
said. "Ever since I came down here."
He said olavln informally in the bar Is
almost like being In a musicians' workshop.
"We have a real good time together," he
said. "What could be better than playing
two or three songs and feeling out the
music?"
"ANYBODY CAN cet up-you don't
have to be good. It's a chance to get up and
see if people like it."
Even if they don't, flatten said he
couldn't remember the audience ever boo
anyone. Kincade announces each act and, like
Kelly, also performs himself. Klncade's
country-western brand of rock 'n' roll and
original songs sets the audience laughing.
Sometimes he lends his guitar to an unpre
pared performer who found his courage in
a beer glass.
T.J. Kregness said he came to O.G.
Kelly's to have a beer, and after having it,
decided to take the stage. But stage fright
eventually took over.
"Something just happened to my heart
about 10 minutes before I went on," he
said, grasping his chest In mock pain.
Performer Kris Collins, an apprentice
cabinetmaker, said he has "no big dreams"
about a show -business career.
This is a place to go to meet people with
similar interests. It's not a pretentious
place," he said. "It's like having friends
over, really down home."
Bill Wohrmar is a professional guitarist
who performs around Lincoln. He comes
to Open Stage to enjoy making music with
friends, he said.
Wohrmar recently moved to Lincoln
from southern California. His tan and luau
shirt distinguished him from the others,
but his enthusiasm for the music fit right in.
' , jf jiff" ,
? 111 CV4 '
" ' ' " "" - -
Photo by Jerry McBride
Gary Hatten , Bill Wohrmar and Rick Kincade . . . jam to close the bar Monday night.
Heirloom day offers discovery
The American Film
(Classics Series
presents
THE PHILADELPHIA
STORY
Starring Cary Grants Katherine
Hepburn, and James Stewart
Thursday, Sept. 13 7 & 9 pm
$1.50 students, $2.00 public.
SHELDON FILM THEATRE,
12th & "R"
rrrTiTi t i y y i y ititi t i t i t ititi t i t t r 1 1 1 t
jJ S SH ti00 j"
A former military officer found the
Japanese sword he owned was worth
$70,000.
A NeW York, janitor found a painting in
a trash can and hung it in his home for
10 years until he had it appraised. It was
sold for $6,500.
And a punch bowl set is putting chil
dren through college for one family who
attended Heirloom Discovery Day.
Sheldon Art Gallery is sponsoring an
Heirloom Discovery Day Saturday, Sept.
Sept. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
appraise such things as pottery, glass,
pewter, antique jewlery , watches, furniture,
rugs, textiles, paintings and prints.
Items that will not be appraised include
books, photographs, coins, and stamps.
Locally-produced paintings and drawings
also will be excluded.
All appraisals are verbal. Although there
is no limit on the number of articles, each
must be hand carried. For furniture
valuation, the experts ask to see a photo
graph and, if possible, an empty drawer
or other movable part.
IE?
j
JDu
comes your way as U PC-East
Presents
Five experts from Sotheby Parke Bernet, Heirloom Discovery Day is a fund-rais-a
New York-based fine arts auction house ing event sponsored by the Nebraska Art
and a leading authority on antiques and art Association. Proceeds will go to Sheldon
oojects, wm, tor a id tee, laenuiy ana uiuauciy.
UL UH niiilii V K4 J 8:30-12:30
lfiPl Z?rJJ 'in f r It Jr Jt Jf 1
Friday Before Football for the
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Outdoor dance, on the parking lot
just north of the East Union.
(IScIKQ) pnlnfila
Czzl. 12-10
Sponsored by UPC-Cart Dana ft Concerts Committ .
LftAST A
n ED Biniin inn ribzu