Zoofest, the Zoo Bar's 36th anniversary street festival, will bring in some of the most popular bands that play the small, narrow club at 134 N. 14th St. and move them to a big stage outside. Many of those bands, including Brave Combo, The Bel-Airs and Kelley Hunt, are coming in from around the region.

But Zoofest has a distinct Lincoln flavor - and not just from the bands who will open the show Friday and play early on Saturday.

Friday's closer is Indigenous, the band led by Mato Nanji. But beyond Nanji, Indigenous is made up of Lincolnites, members of the Kris Lager Band. Two years ago, Nanji, a Native blues-rocker, hired Lager and company to join him on the road, playing theaters, large clubs and festivals from coast to coast.

"It's opened up my eyes and gotten me all across the country," Lager said of his time with Indigenous. "Before Mato hired me to play in his band, I couldn't say that. With him hiring my band, we all learned a lot about what we want and what it is to exist on a level that's not just driving up to a bar and setting up. We want to be professionals. We've learned that this is how you get treated and how you treat others and what it takes to be at that level."

The Nanji/Kris Lager Band version of Indigenous has played Lincoln just once - at Knickerbockers about 18 months ago. That show was a smash, a powerful performance in front of a packed house. That's one of the things that Lager wants to bring Friday playing on the outdoor stage at 14th and P streets.

"Playing in your hometown, you definitely want to put your best foot forward," Lager said. "You always want to play better for your friends and family. It definitely puts new elements in the equation. You want to show them you're in a good place, on a good path."

Saturday's closer, Billy Bacon and the Porkestra, also has a distinct Lincoln flavor, with another group of local musicians backing a frontman who's an internationally touring performer.

"It's really hard for Billy to tour and play anymore" because of arthritis, said Zoo owner Pete Watters. "We wanted Billy to be a part of the festival. The idea came up that maybe the Tijuana Gigolos could back him up. Then when Billy decided to call it the 'Porkestra,' it seemed natural to include (Steve) 'Fuzzy' Blazek (on steel guitar) and Dave Boye (on saxophone). I can't believe it's going to be a nine-piece band up there."

Bacon, a purveyor of Tex-Mex rock 'n' roll, is well matched with the Gigolos and is friends with the Lincoln band members. There won't be many rehearsals; the Porkestra played a warmup gig at the Zoo earlier this week. But the pros in the Porkestra will do just fine Saturday night.

Other Lincoln bands on the Zoofest bill are Friday's openers, The Killigans, and Saturday's openers, Academy of Rock and Son de Llano.

"I wanted the Killigans last year," Watters said. "I think Son de Llano is a great band, a great addition to the Lincoln scene, and they're the only band playing what they play. I definitely like having a Latin flavor, and Academy of Rock is just fun.

"One thing you can say about it (the Lincoln presence) - it's diverse. You've got Indigenous, which is a national act that happens to have Lincoln players. We've got an Irish punk band and a Cuban band and the Porkestra. That's a good mix."

Reach L. Kent Wolgamott at 473-7244 or kwolgamott@journalstar.com.