8/26/11-28/11 | This Weekend’s Shows

The Nebraska Music Retreat, Omaha Block Party and Farnam Festival head up a busy weekend for Nebraska music. Read more in this weekend's calendar compilation.

compiled by Kevin Mussman

As usual, there are tons of killer shows this weekend. HN's own Nebraska Music Retreat is going on all weekend, along with Omaha Block Party and Farnam Festival on Friday and Saturday, respectively. If you don't see your event, let's fix that. Register a free profile and add your event so that we can ensure we aren't missing a thing on our statewide music calendar. Or email kevinmussman@hearnebraska.org.

Friday

Nebraska Music Retreat (Day 1 of 3) @ Niobrara Sanctuary | Bassett

Join HN staff and musicians from across the state for a retreat from the night of Friday, Aug. 25th (We'll be there at around mid-night Thursday) to Sunday, Aug. 28. (Come for any or all of it.) The Niobrara Sanctuary has two self-catering homes for rent, and the Lazy Easy Ranch House would be perfect for this group. It features four bedrooms and plenty of camping space for a dozen or so tents. We'll take one day and go tubing down the river, and spend our nights playing music by a campfire. We'll record a song or two from each musician who wants to perform, and produce an acoustic album whose proceeds would benefit both the Sanctuary and Hear Nebraska. Read more here.

Omaha Block Party feat. The Hold Steady, Mister Heavenly, The Donkeys, Conduits @ Slowdown | Omaha

Slowdown's yearly block party features indie-rock heavyweights The Hold Steady, supergroup Mister Heavenly (members of Islands, Man Man, Modest Mouse), The Donkeys, and Omaha's Conduits. 8 p.m., FREE.

Gift of Gab, Elfkowitz, Bassthoven, Inflect @ The Bourbon Theatre | Lincoln

Blackalicious' Gift of Gab, one of the most verbally dexterous MCs alive, performs at the Bourbon Theatre with Elfklowitz, Bassthoven, and Inflect. 9 p.m., $18.

Noah's Ark Was A Spaceship, Moscow Mule, Landing On The Moon @ The Waiting Room | Omaha

Having been compared to the likes of Polvo, Swervedriver, Sebadoh, and Sonic Youth, the members of Omaha four-piece Noah's Ark Was A Spaceship draw their influence from late '80s college radio and '90s counterculture. Catch them at the Waiting Room with Moscow Mule and Landing on the Moon. 9 p.m., $7.

Dorkas, Deadbeat Darling, Skyman @ Barley Street Tavern | Omaha

Brooklyn's Deadbeat Darling, along with local acts Dorkas and Skyman, play at Barley Street Tavern. 9 p.m., $5.

Great White Buffalo @ Cultiva | Lincoln

Great White Buffalo, from San Diego, is an alternative pop/rock group akin to the Strokes, Albert Hammond Jr., and Wilco. 8 p.m.

Jerry Pranksters @ The Zoo Bar | Lincoln

Grateful Dead tribute band the Jerry Pranksters play the Zoo Bar. 9 p.m., $6.

Kris Lager Band @ PS Collective | Omaha

Catch Omaha soul act Kris Lager Band at PS Collective. 9 p.m., $6.

The Rumbles @ The Alley | Lincoln

Beatles tribute band The Rumbles at the Alley. 8 p.m.

Freakabout, All My Friends are Dinosaurs @ Knickerbockers | Lincoln

Lincoln bands Freakabout and All My Friends are Dinosaurs perform at Knickerbockers. 9 p.m.

It's Me, Sweetums, The Worried Mothers, Sioux City Pete, Verendus, Borgata Mob, Standbye, Avert Your Eyes, Prime Pitch @ Sokol Underground | Omaha

Eight local bands on one bill. Doors at 5:30, music at 6:00. $8.

Saturday

Nebraska Music Retreat (Day 2 of 3) @ Niobrara Sanctuary | Bassett

Join HN staff and musicians from across the state for a retreat from the night of Friday, Aug. 25th (We'll be there at around mid-night Thursday) to Sunday, Aug. 28. (Come for any or all of it.) The Niobrara Sanctuary has two self-catering homes for rent, and the Lazy Easy Ranch House would be perfect for this group. It features four bedrooms and plenty of camping space for a dozen or so tents. We'll take one day and go tubing down the river, and spend our nights playing music by a campfire. We'll record a song or two from each musician who wants to perform, and produce an acoustic album whose proceeds would benefit both the Sanctuary and Hear Nebraska. Read more here.

Farnam Festival w/ Kyle Harvey, Blue Bird, All Young Girls Are Machine Guns, Little Brazil, and So So Sailors | Omaha

The second annual Farnam Festival features Kyle Harvey, Blue Bird, All Young Girls Are Machine Guns, Little Brazil, and So So Sailors. Beer Garden featuring craft beers by Lucky Bucket and Tallgrass. Also, food vendors and a photo booth. All ages. $5

Talking Mountain, Sun Settings, Family Picnic @ Slowdown | Omaha

Power-pop band Talking Mountain, along with rising band Sun Settings and Family Picnic, play Slowdown. 9 p.m., FREE.

Sun Settings – Japanese Gum from The Benningtons on Vimeo.

Chiodos, The Color Morale, The Air I Breathe, Words Like Daggers, Hopeforthefallen @ Sokol Underground | Omaha

Post hardcore band Chiodos with The Color Morale, The Air I Breathe, Words Like Daggers, and Hopeforthefallen at Sokol Underground. 6:30 p.m., $15.

Big Al Band, Army of 2600, The Dive Kings @ Barley Street Tavern | Omaha

Omaha two-piece Big Al Band, Army of 2600, and the Dive Kings at Barley Street Tavern. 9 p.m.

No Tide @ Knickerbockers | Lincoln

No Tide is Pop-Punk straight outta Lincoln, NE. Debut album "Streetlights" will be out July 15th, 2011. 6 p.m.

Deadbeat Darling, Double Clutch, American Gunfight, Emcee Kain @ Knickerbockers | Lincoln

Coming off a set at Omaha's Barley Street Tavern the night before, Brooklyn's Deadbeat Darling plays at Knickerbockers with Double Clutch, American Gunfight, and Emcee Kain. 9 p.m.

Meet Your Maker, School Of Arms, Bloodcow, The Evil That Men Do, Aurelius @ The Waiting Room | Omaha

Meet Your Maker features ex members of Emphatic, System Failure, Names Without Numbers, Lower case i and more. School of Arms, Bloodcow, The Evil That Men Do and Aurelius open. 9 p.m., $7.

RC Dub @ The Zoo Bar | Lincoln

RC Dub is a 5 piece reggae group based out of Lincoln. 9 p.m., $6.

LoneWolfe @ The Alley | Lincoln

8 p.m.

Sunday

Nebraska Music Retreat (Day 3 of 3) @ Niobrara Sanctuary | Bassett

Join HN staff and musicians from across the state for a retreat from the night of Friday, Aug. 25th (We'll be there at around mid-night Thursday) to Sunday, Aug. 28. (Come for any or all of it.) The Niobrara Sanctuary has two self-catering homes for rent, and the Lazy Easy Ranch House would be perfect for this group. It features four bedrooms and plenty of camping space for a dozen or so tents. We'll take one day and go tubing down the river, and spend our nights playing music by a campfire. We'll record a song or two from each musician who wants to perform, and produce an acoustic album whose proceeds would benefit both the Sanctuary and Hear Nebraska. Read more here.

Meat Loaf @ Stir Concert Cove | Council Bluffs

Meat Loaf performs at Stir Cove and Omaha Steaks sponsors. Genius! 8 p.m. $40.

Blaggards, Witness Tree, Chasing Turtles @ The Waiting Room | Omaha

Houston band Blaggards plays their brand of "stout Irish rock" at the Waiting Room. Witness Tree and Chasing Turtles support. 9 p.m., $7.

Vikesh Kapoor, Saintsenesca @ O'Leavers | Omaha

9:30 p.m., $5.

Kevin Mussman is Hear Nebraska's listings editor intern. Even though he said it yesterday, he still thinks you should go to the Nebraska Music Retreat this weekend. Reach him at kevinmussman@hearnebraska.org, or calendar@hearnebraska.org.