Music from the masses
Festival brings a variety of
new acts to Omaha’s Old Market
■■ his is a good weekend for
I people who love the Nebraska
I music scene. In Lincoln, fans
can enjoy Slamfest. In Omaha,
listeners have today through
Sunday to catch about 50 different
local bands during the “In the
Heart*’ new music festival.
The festival, which features
bands from Omaha, Lincoln and
iwnar.
“Between 30 and 40 bands will
perform at Howard Street alone,”
Nolan said. The bands will start at
7 p.m. and play until close, at 1
p.m.
In addition, he said, several
other downtown establishments
will host related shows.
Downtown Grounds, an Old
Market coffee shop at 11th and
Jackson streets, will feature
acoustic bands, Nolan said.
At the Capital Bar, 15th and
Capital streets, fans will have the
opportunity to listen as local bands
record a live CD that will com
memorate this year’s festival.
The CD will be produced and
sold by the folks at Electric Gypsy
Productions, Nolan said.
The bands that will play dining
the festival represent most of the
musical spectrum, he said. There
are no big-name bands, just locals
looking fin a break. The major
emphasis is on groups that play
their own stuff.
“This isn’t a bunch of cover
bands,” Nolan said.
Cover charge at Howard Street
is $5 on Friday and Saturday, $4 on
Sunday.
Also in Omaha this weekend,
singer and guitarist Bob Mould.
Mould, on break from his band
Sugar, will perform a solo set
Sunday at the Ranch Bowl.
A native of Minneapolis, Mould
began his career in the late 1970s
with the band Husker Du. The band
became a cult favorite, and Mould
gained international notoriety as a
hard edged underground rocker.
After the band dissolved, Mould
went solo until forming Sugar,
which recently released its second
album, “Beaster.”
Omaha band Glad Hands will
open the show. Tickets are avail
able through Ticketmaster, $12 in
advance, $13 day of show. Doors
open at 8 p.m.
Maiaelll Is a sealor news-editorial major
and the Dally Nebraskaa Arts aad Eater
talaaMat editor.
Reno s message inspires series
of concerts for young audiences
l/ t
I By Dionne Searcey
Senior Reporter
t may sound a little odd at first, but
U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno
inspired tonight’s Slamfest ’93.
- Grant Kauffman and Carmen
Littlejohn were touched by Reno’s
speech about society’s youth when
she visited Nebraska in August
“We were sitting there watching
^ the news and just got really caught
up in it” Littlejohn said.
Reno encouraged crowd
members to provide more positive
leisure outlets for youth.
“We never had any positive
... . • outlets when we were young,” said
: Littlejohn, a senior broadcasting
*$$$£■; major.
Reno I into trouble. And
started the I when minorities get
wheels ® into trouble,
tnrnin£) #1 Kauffman said,
Littlejohn J negative stereotypes
said, and jig
«nH Kauffman said he
Kauffman brainstormed ideas of
how they could help local youth.
“We were just sitting there
talking and ideas just started
rolling,** she said.
They first thought of having an
after-hours party but decided
instead to create Slamfest *93.
Slamfest ’93 is a three-part
series that will cater to an audience
of ages 14 to 24, she said.
Those ages, Kauffman said, are
when youth are in danger of
becoming directionless. Lincoln’s
night life doesn’t offer them much
positive guidance, he said.
As a result, he said, many get
wanted to help prevent that from
m happening. c. * ** .
“It’s something that has been in
my mind and in my heart for a long
time,” he said.
Kauffman is an old hand at
volunteering for youth. He said that
for years he had enjoyed counsel
ing local youth and volunteering at
local youth organizations.
Slamfest fit nicely into his plan
of helping youngsters, he said.
Kauffman, also known as Klass
K, is a rap musician.
“My motivation was to bring
two things I love doing most
together,” he said.
Kauffman’s production group,
Muvement Enterprises, will
sponsor Slamfest.
See SLAMFEST on 11
Brian SMRto/DN