Patrons belt out tunes at karaoke bars I
KARAOKE from page 8
drink and stubs out her half-finished
cigarette.
“I don’t need that anymore
tonight,” she said.
“God, I’m still shaking a little bit”
Are we live?
In most cities, people in search of
karaoke are forced to perform over
synthetic-sounding music supplied
by laser discs.
But in Lincoln, true karaoke fans
display their talents on the big stage at
Duffy’s Tavern, 1412 O St. Because
every Thursday night at Duffy’s, live
karaoke with local band Shithook
rules the proceedings.
Unlike die faux-glamour of tradi
tional karaoke clubs such as
Neighbors, Duffy’s radiates unpreten
tious, stripped-down rock ‘n’ roll. The
stage is filled with cigarette bums and
beer stains, and it lurches downward
whenever somebody begins to move
enthusiastically on it. The bright
white light from above shines directiy
into the performers’ eyes, and the
lyrics are written on large sheets of
cardboard or paper, all tom at the
edges.
Soft-pop tripe by the likes of
Lionel Richie and Barbara Streisand
is nowhere to be found. AC/DC, the
Rolling Stones and Elvis Presley rule
here.
The crowd stomps and cheers or
boos and jeers.
But most of all, it’s just a hell of a
lot louder.
“This is where die big boys come sheer fanaticism,
when they wanna be rock stars,” said Karaoke is not an incidental
Andy Glaser, a regular at Duffy’s, par- occurrence to the patrons here. It is
ticulariy on Thursday nights. the sole reason for venturing out after
Glaser is - for lack of a better sunset
term - a karaoke groupie. He rarely “I really don’t like going out to
sings, pre
ferring to sit
in the
anonymous
darkness of
the bar and
watch his
friends and
acquain
tances per
form.
“I just
think it’s
«
If you think you suck,
then you 7/ never get
up on that stage ”
MarkMinchow
' karaoke performer
oars, out 1 come
here all the time,”
said Thahn
Nguyen, a pre-med
student at the
University of
Nebraska-Lincoln.
“And I only come
to sing.”
Nguyen is not
alone in that senti
ment. Nearly
everyone in atten
funny. Some people get so into it. And
other people just look terrified up
there.
“Both kinds are fun to watch.”
When Glaser does sing, he leans
toward rockabilly and early rock ‘n’
roll.
“I’ve sung ‘Bad Boy’ and ‘Slow
Down’ before,” Glaser says. “Usually
I’ll get up on stage when a friend from
out of town is here, or somebody who
doesn’t usually come shows up.
“Some of them think I sing all the
time. I don’t have the guts for that”
Hard-core fans only
The intensity and enthusiasm that
accompanies Thursday nights at
Duffy’s are the result of volume and
atmosphere.
At Pho Den Cafe, 27th and
Holdrege streets, they are die result of
dance takes a turn at the microphone.
There aren’t a lot of innocent
bystanders to be found.
They sing with emotion. They
don’t always sound great, but at least
they always sing.
The Pho Den Cafe is more than a
karaoke bar, and it is much more than
a mere cafe. It’s a physical representa
tion of all that karaoke pulls from its
participants.
It is about the love of music, the
love of performance and the love of a
gracious crowd.
It is about self-confidence and
brazen attitude.
But most of all, it is about being
that rock star that everyone really
wants to be. And even if it only lasts
for five minutes, it’s worth it
At least it’s better than playing air •
guitar in your bedroom.
200s For sale A^gt
Must sell: hardly used Acer 266 MHZ, K6, 32SDRAM,
5.7 GB hard drive, $425 OBO. 475-0742, leave mes
sage.
Smith-Corona Word Prossessor: full screen monitor,
memory, spreadsheets, $300 OBO. Call 421-6116.
Need to sell: 2 wooden barstools- swivel with high
back rests, $30 each; recliner- blue. $125. All almost
brand new. Moved and don't have the space to keep
them. Call 484-7055, ask for Pam or leave message.
r — i
Like new Burton free style snow board boots, size 9,
$75.488-6347.
Turntables, 2 Gemini XL DD50 IV, Stanton needles;
Numark DMIOOOX mixer; Odyssey case fitted for
equipment. $650, like new. Valued at $900.476-0806
‘76 Ford LTD Mint Condition. 91,000 miles. $1,200.
465-4649 after 6pm.
Affectionate couple wishes to welcome, your newborn
into our family. If you are considering an adoption plan,
please call Barbara and Paul at 1-800-508-5413. Ex
penses paid.
Auto Accidents & DWI
Other criminal matters, call Sanford Pollack 476-7474.
DWI defense. Reasonable rates. Fox Law Office,
488-2551.
$.07
Per mintue long distance, 24hours/day, 7days/week
for off campus students. Call Mike at 466-2617.
Free
Pregnancy Test
Birthright is a confidential helping hand. Please call for
appointment or more information, 483-2609. Check
out our website www.birthright.org.
4mrnmrn *
1 female roommate needed to share 3BR apartment.
Sign lease Feb.-July, $217.50+ utilrties/montn. If inter
ested call Jenny 474-4384.
Female roommate to share three bedroom townhouse.
$221 plus 1/3 of the bills. 421-3730, Cory or Tracey.
Liberal male to share beautiful home. Deck, fireplace,
garage, many extras. 421-0977.
Looking for M/F roommate. Nice room, private bath,
five minutes to campus. 472-5439 or 476-8480(Lai).
M/F Roomate needed. $200/month to the end of the
semester. Call 465-5776.
Male or female roommate wanted immediately to
share nice 2BR. 2 bathroom apartment with W/D.
$285 + 1/2 utilities. 486-1642 or 499-1819.
Male roommate to share large house near campus.
$175/month + $150 deposit + 1/4 utilities. 423-7953 or
423-7953, call after 5 pirn.
Male/female roommate needed for 4 bedroom house,
5 minutes from campus. $162.50+1/4 utilities + deposit.
Call 475-1998.
Need roommate to share nice 4 bedroom duplex close
to both campuses. Includes washer/dryer, garage and
3 fun-loving girls. $250/mo plus 1/4 utilities. Call
476-4559.
Open-minded roommate needed. $307.50/mo including
utilities. Call Greg at 421 -8624.
Quiet, responsible nonsmoking female to share nice
3BR apartment, $175/month +1/3 utilities. Call
476-1159.
Responsible roommate to share custom ranch home.
East Lincoln, easy living. Laundry anetmany extras.
Flexible lease and $275 a month. Cw464-7163.
Roommate needed to share 2BR apartment,
$200/month + utilities, near East Campus. It interested
call Cyndi at 467-1750. _
Wanted: 2 female, clean, non-smoking roommates. 3
bedroom, 2 bath duplex with washer/dryer and off
street parking, near campus. Call 477-0926.
3 bedroom, near UNL, $600.432-6644.
1425 N. 23rd. Nice, large 4 bedroom, 2 baths, parking,
basement, near campus. $750. Call 432-0644.
2301 Vine. Very nice large 3 Bedroom, 1 1/2 baths,
parking, basement near campus, $675.432-0644.
3BR, 11/2 bath, walk to campus, 700 Y St., dishwasher,
C/A, W/D included. $630,485-9294.
Group to Rent
Five bedroom, two baths. All utilities paid. Washer/dryer.
New carpet. $260/person. 1407 N. 19th.
432-6644._, _
Brand new 3BR, 2BA Duplex. Diswasher, disposal, 2
car garage. Available Feb. 1st, $795. 1021 & 1025 Mi
chelle Ct. Call Mitzi 465-6034 or Don 430-7880.
Large 1 & 3 BR duplexes near both campuses.
489-5168.
Large 2BR, fenced yard, parking, pets okay. 1829 Euclid,
$550.423-8122 or 450-3897.
Near campus, new 3 bedroom, 2 baths, garage. 2430
U, 1850 N. 24th. $600-$800.438-3393 or 440-225.
Near UNL, two bedroom + sun room. $475 + gas,
electric, and deposit, no dogs. Great for grad students.
477-8362.
NEWER 3BR
3baths, double attached garage, all appliances,
wash/dry, dishwasher. Campus close. HIP • 465-8911.
!! SUNNY & CHEERFUL!!
II SMOKE FREEH
1 BR 2000 J St, Clean $295
1BR1342 B St, Oak Firs $325
2BR 2000 J St, Nice $350
2BR 1501 S 19th, New carpet $395
No Smokers or Pets 440-3000
***Efficiencv Apartments***
Ctc$9e to City Campus.
- - Waters Heat, and Gas Paid 477-4490
1 ilers welcome
~ ’ Off
-1
By Jeff Randall
Senior staff writer
For many people, the last days of
January mean much more than biting
cold and bleak skies.
These days are more than days.
They are symbolic because they signify
the arrival of a sporting event that is
unparalleled and unrivaled in every
aspect
' It is an event in which the lines
between winners and losers are clearly
defined, where sweat and snow mix and
polite sportsmanship is often forgotten
amid the throes of heated competition.
It’s not the Super Bowl. It’s the
Avoca Quack-Off.
And unlike other elitist major sport
ing events, everyone can participate in
this display of sinewy athletic ability
and mental toughness.
For the uninitiated, the Quack-Off is
easily described as duck races. But for
those who have been there, and espe
cially for those who have competed, it is
much more.
In the races, contestants line up on
an ice-covered tennis court and urge
their ducks across a line at the court’s
opposite end.
But strength and speed do not guar
antee victory, because the racers must
move their ducks along without ever
making physical contact. This is where
the mental toughness truly comes in.
One must clap, shout, stomp,
scream and holler to move the ducks
forward. Victory is the product not only
of speed, but also of the duck’s fragile
psyche.
Many a contestant has chosen a
majestic-looking waterfowl for compe
tition, only to find that beauty and grace
What: Avoca Quack-Off
What: Saturday (regisiFaiion from 10 am—
12 pm; racing begins shortly thereafter)
Where: Avoca (about 25 miles east of
Lincoln on 0 SL, go south at sign)
Coab $10 tor registration, $5 for duck rental
The SUmry: Annual duck races to raise
money for Avoca’s volunteer fire department
and rescue squad
do not go hand-in-hand with winning.
And several contestants have set
their sights on the toughest and rowdiest
of birds, not realizing that a duck with a
bulwark-like personality will not be eas
ily urged across the finish line.
Tlie true Quack-Off connoisseurs
have discovered the fine line in duck
selection. They choose the bird that
doesn’t look the best or waddles the
highest, but the one that radiates victory.
But to say that victory is the only
object of this daylong competition
would be an oversimplification.
Since its inception nearly two
decades ago, the Quack-Off has been a
fund-raising event for Avoca’s volunteer
fire department and rescue squad. The
sheer excitement of interacting with
nature - and possibly the alcohol intake
- leaves many competitors feeling
indifferent toward the outcome.
It is these aspects of the competition
that draw so many people to this small
town every year. They have taken the
irrefutable black-and-white condition
of winning and losing and turned it into
a celebration of sport, of nature and of
humanity.
Either that, or they just like racing
ducks.
Artist’s work reflects heritage
ixiHiZA irom page v
died was how much I mean to my kids,”
he said.
Meza and his wife have a 4-year-old
daughter, Mila. Meza also has a 9-year
old daughter, Carmen, who lives in
Chicago.
The couple works full-time at the
Comhusker Hotel. Meza is a waiter,
while Oden-Meza manages the gift
shop.
Oden-Meza, who’s also an artist,
said having a job combined with the
responsibilities of child-rearing
inevitably stunts the growth of an artist
Meza expanded on the dilemma.
1 BEDROOM APTS
In Unique Complex between campuses, super clean,
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489-4857,
I* 3BR,-2-car attached garage, loaded! $650. I
• 1000-sqf, garden level 2BR, loaded! $475.
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$535. Heat/gas paid, off street parking with laundry.
2929 R St- 474-3529. No smokers, no pets.
640 S. 20th 475-7262
Energy efficient, affordable one and two bedroom
units with electric entry and sound/fire resistant con
struction. Our community is nestled on tree-lined
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1120 E St., 1 bedroom just remodeled. Heat paid, no
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1200 sq. ft. 2BR plus office. 2 car attached garage,
central air, laundry. $540. Call 432-6476.
1227 G, available immediately, dean, efficiency, wood
floors, dishwasher, new appliances, parking lot, bike
room, responsible landlord, quiet neighbors, walk-in
Closet. $315.438-0365. _
2040 F, Clean, one bedroom, new paint, new blinds
laundry. N/P. N/S. $310. Call 476-1363 or 450-4826.
Better dollar value studio and one bedroom in well
maintained vintage building. $295-330.432-2288.
Brand new, 3BR, 2 1/2 bath. 2 stall garage. 1700 sq.ft
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Clean 0,1,2 & 3 bedroom apartments. Rents $225 -
$410 plus electricity. For more information call Pat or
Melody 402-434-2610 or Hearing impaired/TDD
402-434-2613.
Colonial Heights
Apartments
One, two and three-bedroom apartments available.
Tanning bed and indoor heated pool. 421 -3070.
East Campus, 1 bedroom, 3421 Holdrege, $375.
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Large 3 bedroom, 2 baths, all utilities paid, dishwasher,
central air, 938 S. 12th, $695. 435-2552.__
MOVE IN TODAY
1 bedroom, A/C, streetparkirrg, all appliances, arid
laundry. Campus ctoee.HlF*465-8811 ■_
my wnoie paycnec*. irom me
Conlhusker goes straight to child sup
port and bills around here,” he said.
“My spending money depends on the
art I sell. But I chose this lifestyle, and I
don’t believe in letting the kids go hun
gry just so I can make art.”
Oden-Meza, who won the Coleman
Award for printmaking while a UNL
student in 1996, believes her husband
could make a living with his art in a big
ger city.
“But he’ll never move because he
has so much family here in Lincoln,”
she said. “I think it shows that he’s so
mature as an artist that he doesn’t have
to be a big success to validate his work.”
Newly redecorated, 2 BR, East Campus, bus, C/A,
large storage shed, fenced yard,new fndge and stove
included, off street parking. $550/mo with WD, $520
without WD + deposit + references, no pets, water and
trash paid. Available soon! See any time! 2600 N. 36th,
489-5358 leave message
Newly redecorated, 2 BR, East Campus, bus, C/A,
fridge and stove included, off street parking. No pets,
water and trash paid. $530 without WD + deposit +
references. Available soon. See any timel 2626 N.
36th, 489-5358 leave message.
GEUENTONE
Now leasing for summer and fall, 3 year rent freeze.
Call for locations and prices, 477-2600 or
www.mgmtone.com
Quiet dean, furnished 1 bedroom, laundry, near Capitol,
$240. Call 432-6476.
♦ Claremont Park Apts ♦
3 BR’s available immediately, $525 to $705.
9th & Claremont 474-7275
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