Earth Day in Elmwood | Concert Preview

photo from Earth Day Omaha on Flickr

Icky Blossoms’ Nik Fackler has a theory that plants have mind-control powers, hence the reason why society has become obsessed with all things electronic.

Maybe the foliage thinks it’s better for us to stay inside, he says, so we quit ruining the environment. Maybe he's right. Either way, nature likely won't mind everyone getting together this Saturday, April 21 for Omaha’s annual Earth Day at Elmwood Park.

Hear Nebraska talked with Sarah Bohling and Nik Fackler of Icky Blossoms along with Andy Kammerer and Chris Klemmensen of Satchel Grande about their thoughts on environmental conservation and getting involved with this year’s Earth Day.

photo by Shannon Claire

“It’s kind of hard to truly 100 percent conserve the planet,” Bohling says. “You’re forced into this thinking that you need things, like a car, and that you have to take part in all this stuff, but actually it’s wasteful.”

So sit really still and meditate. Her suggestion for reducing our carbon footprints could be the future, she says.

Fackler comes from a background that respects the planet that we live on, and understands the lack of compassion humanity has for it, he says. Last fall, he spent some time in Ebando Village in Gabon, Africa, where he lived among villagers and studied the African religion of Bwiti. He will be releasing a documentary about his experience in Africa sometime next year called Sick Birds Die Easy.

“Indigenous cultures treat the planet much differently than the way that Western culture treats the planet," Fackler says. "We think we own it, and they think we share it.”

This is the first community event that Icky Blossoms has been a part of, and they will take the stage at 3:40 p.m.

Satchel Grande's plays their second Earth Day Saturday. They are excited to return and perform for a family friendly crowd as the event's closer at 5:20 p.m.

“A lot of friends and band members have children, so it’s nice that we can have kids out there and families come together on a really nice day and enjoy music,” Kammerer says.

photo by Lori Sutton

He believes society may be too quick to always buy more when it comes to the environment.  

“People look funny at me for bringing my own fork to a potluck,” Kammerer says. “It’s kind of disturbing, and I think we can all change our mindsets about using all the resources you can.”

Playing at 4:24 p.m. Saturday is Old Money, featuring five of Satchel's nine members: Klemmensen (vocals/percussion), Kammerer (piano/vocals), Adam Johnsen (guitar), Bob Rasgorshek (bass) and frontman Matt McClarney.

Klemmensen describes the band’s sound as upbeat and jazzy with a jam-type feel.

“Old Money is much more sporadic than Satchel Grande," he says. "We don’t plan a lot out, but we’re going to do an album next year."

Along with the musical performances, the day will be filled with different Earth Day-related demonstrations, health and wellness activities and a children’s area. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For a complete listing of the day’s events and times, visit the event's website

Krystal Sidzyik is a Hear Nebraska intern. Earth Day is an annual must for her, and it will be her first time seeing Icky Blossoms, Satchel Grande and Old Money live. Reach her at krystals@hearnebraska.org.