Downtown Blues Newsletter

[tsedivy]

myspace.com/downtownbluesomaha



Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Winter time updates and bands needing info !!
Current mood: stoked

Hey party hounds ..........
Time for another update from Downtown Blues. We've just gotten thru all the holidays and of course the New Years Rockin' Eve. If you missed New Years.......and judging by the attendance YOU DID.........you missed one great party again ! Booby Trap was up to their usual level and hammered out some great tunes. If you've never heard these guys.......you're missin out !! Of course they've been around Omaha for several years........formerly as Looker.......a popular classic rock band. Needless to say.......you missed a great party.

In the winter months.....the bar is now closed on Sundays. We've discontinued live music on Monday nites as well. Once the weather warms up we'll be looking at some things on Mondays. But, for now, the bar is still open on Monday nites.

Our weekly lineup remains the same..........

Tuesdays, we still feature our Accoustic Set with Quixotic. Aaron takes the stage at 9pm and plays till 1am.

Wednesday Nights, we still feature the Zebra Jam - featuring Burgundy and Gray. Burgundy and Gray is the new name of the former NightShakers band. In the Zebra Jam format.......anybody can come in and jam with the guys on stage. No formal list or sets.....just come on down and jam with the guys. Doesnt cost anything to take the stage, but you should have some musical talent !! You should bring your own instrument if you play as well. Amps and PA are property of B & G.....but that's what they're there for ...so just speak with Nate or Mel-Tone and they'll get you plugged in. You're playin for free also......and no free dr inks or anything like that........so please dont expect anything like that. It's just a jam nite.

Thursdays......we still feature Lil Joe and Big Trouble playing. They also take the stage around 8:30-9pm and play till around 1am.

Fridays........live music featuring various bands........check our schedules for bands. Shows start at 9pm and play till 1am. 21 and over only.

Saturdays.......live music featuring various bands.........same deal......check the schudules for bands. Shows start at 9pm and play till 1am. 21 and over only.

We've had alot of bands contact us thru Myspace regarding info on booking a gig. That's a great thing.......it means that this Myspace thing works.......however, bands must still contact the bar directly for booking. Brian(bar owner) and Michele are the final "law" for booking. Those two are the only two that will book any shows. If you're interested in booking a gig, you must call the bar or stop by in person. You can call or stop by on Wednesday evenings after 6pm. Bar phone is 402-345-0180. It also helps to have a CD of your music handy, or a press pack, that you can drop off at the bar. You can still contact us thru Myspace.....but you'll still be directed to call the bar for info on booking. We won't book bands thru Myspace.

If you're a band interested in play ing at The Blues.........a small bit of info.........we're a club that seats 105 max capacity. Our bar is shaped long and narrow from front to back of the bar. The bar is on one floor with a 9-10 foot ceiling. Accoustic tiles(foam) are placed at different points on the ceiling and walls. Makes for a great sound. We do not have our own PA system. We do, however, have our own house lights with an electronic controller. Our stage is elevated about 18 inches off the floor and is roughly 12 foot across the front by 10 foot deep. Comfortable for a 4 piece.....a bit tight for a 5 piece. However, we have had an 8 PIECE band on our stage !!!! We do advertise weekly and weekend shows in the Omaha CityWeekly.....the Omaha entertainment and music newspaper......so bands playing on the weekends are featured. We have temporary secure storage for your gear cases in our back room. Bands with equipment trailers can be accomodated as well in our parking lot. We can also accomodate your sound guy with space and a table for your sound boards. Cables can be ran up the ceiling or on the floor. You can check our page photo section for several photos of the bar and various bands that have played and how they're situated in the club. We have a small dance floor that will usually fill up with the ladies. We have a doorman/security on duty every Friday and Saturday nite. Part of their responsibility is to make sure the bands are situated at showtime. They are also there to keep the peace between customers and the band. WE COMPLETELY, ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY, and DEFINITELY, .......DO NOT ALLOW ANY ILLEGAL DRUGS ON OUR PROPERTY, PERIOD. If we find that any of our bands are "using" either in the bar or out in the parking lot.........you're OUT........no exceptions. Bands that play at The Blues are expected to purport themselves as professionals........if you want to do that stuff.......go somewhere else. This is not Studio 54. Besides, the bar is situated 100 yards from Omaha Police Department Headquarters.......they're always just a quick phone call away. Just a fair warning.

All shows start promptly at 9pm and play till 1am closing. That works for 3 sets and 2 breaks. There is a drink allowance for bands as well. Speak with the bartender for those specifics. Otherwise, all band drink tabs are expected to be closed out at 1am.

These are just a few bits of info regarding the club. Call and speak to Michele or Brian for more detailed info.
Ok..........moving on...........
That just about covers all the updates. We'll keep you updated with monthly schedules and special events like always. We may miss a bulletin now and again.......but we'll get most of them out to you.
To all of our customers and bands...........T HANKS FOR A GREAT 2008 !!! WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO AN EVEN BETTER 2009 !!!
See ya at Downtown Blues !!!!!!!!!
Downtown Blues
1512 Howard Street
Omaha, NE
402-345-0180

[jukehouse]

Wow, it would be nice if more club owners would provide this kind of information about club size, etc for bands. Thanks !