L. KENT WOLGAMOTT / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Thursday, October 14, 2004 7:00 pm
There are four shows worth checking out in Lincoln this week, the first of which takes place this afternoon at the Zoo Bar.
Generally the FAC gatherings at the club feature local bands playing, with a $2 cover charge. Today, however, acclaimed cellist Matt Haimovitz will be the featured artist, and the cover will jump to $10.
Israeli-born Haimovitz is a classical music hipster who's traveling the country in a hybrid car with just enough room for his cello and CDs, and playing acoustic music at jazz clubs, taverns and coffeehouses, introducing cello music to a new audience.
His 50-state "Anthem" tour, done to promote his latest CD, has received attention from national media outlets, and early on he became the first classical artist to play CBGB's, the famous New York club that spawned punk rock.
To say that Haimovitz is a bit unorthodox is a compliment not many classical cellists are likely to include Jimi Hendrix's version of "The Star Spangled Banner" in their repertoire. But he's a grownup prodigy who is in the upper echelon of today's classical players, and he's doing what he can to connect classical music to a new audience.
Sounds like an FAC well worth checking out.
Saturday night, Mingo Fishtrap rolls into Blackjack's Underground at Pershing Center for a show sponsored by KZUM.
The winner of the Austin Music Award for Best Funk Band in 2001, 2002 and 2003 and Best Jam Band in 2004, Mingo Fishtrap plays New Orleans-influenced funk, music that has been described as "urban/pop/R&B/soul meets a real funk jam band with kickin' horns."
The position Mingo Fishtrap holds in its hometown is evidenced by the awards, which are voted on by the public in the city that has more clubs than any other in the country.
In addition to the best jam band award this year, Mingo Fishtrap got votes in seven other categories, finishing second in the hip-hop band category and second for best horns and drummer, fourth for keyboards, fifth for record producer, 10th for bassist and 15th for male vocalist.
If you like jam bands and funk, this is a don't-miss show. It starts at 8 p.m. with Electric Soul Method. Tickets are $11.
On Thursday, the Indigo Girls will be at the Rococo Theatre.
After more than two decades together, Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, aka the Indigo Girls, are a musical institution, playing a rockin' style of folk music coupled with political and social activism. They just released "All That We Let In," their eighth studio album, another combination of social and personal issues, sometimes in the same songs.
Indigo Girls shows are uplifting communal affairs with plenty of fun to be had on stage and in the audience and they're almost always packed. Opening Thursday's show is folk-pop trio Girlyman. Tickets are $35.
Also on Thursday, the Hacienda Brothers return to the Zoo Bar. Featuring Dave Gonzalez of the Paladins and the irrepressible Chris Gaffney, the Hacienda Brothers took the Zoo by storm on their first visit, drawing ever larger crowds each night for their ultracool brand of retro country.
Thursday's show is the first of a three-night stand. Cover charge is $5. Get there early it's likely to be packed.
Fearless football forecast
OK, I was wrong. It got ugly 70-10 ugly in Lubbock last Saturday. But the hurtin' Huskers have a chance to get healthy this Saturday, courtesy of the hapless Baylor Bears, who win Big 12 conference games about as often as Nebraska gives up 70 points. If the sputtering Nebraska version of the West Coast offense is going to break out, there won't be a better opportunity. That said, I'm guessing the turnover bug will continue to bite. But even that won't let Baylor win on the road. Nebraska 24, Baylor 7.
Reach L. Kent Wolgamott at 473-7244 or kwolgamott@journalstar.com.