Well, I parked the Sidekick over at Kelley's Hilltop and made my way to the Saddle Creek Bar last night at around 10:30. I got as far as the front door. Looking through the windows, I could only see the backs of people pushed to the pool tables. Above their heads, Ryan Fox was on stage, presumably playing the opening set with Art in Manila (Fox is in a death-struggle with Mike Tulis for the honor of being the hardest working man in the Omaha music scene, playing sets last night with both Manila and The Good Life). I turned to a couple guys standing outside the door smoking and asked what the chances were of me getting an quick beer inside. They just laughed. Having had a grueling week, I didn't feel like standing in a crush mob for two hours. Besides, I could see The Good Life Saturday at Sokol Underground... Or if I lived in Lincoln, tonight at Knickerbockers where Domestica was opening along with The Golden Age. $8, 9 p.m.

What else is going on this holiday weekend? Tonight, Adam Weaver and The Ghosts play at Mick's with a slew of Omaha singer-songwriters including the irascible Kyle Harvey and former Kite Pilot member Austin Britton, who one assumes is in town for the holidays. Your $5 cover goes to support the Mosaic Community Development. Starts at 9.

As mentioned above, The Good Life play at Sokol Underground Saturday night with Mal Madrigal and Drakes Hotel. $9, 9 p.m.

And then it's Christmas Eve. Whoop! Whoop!

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