Here comes the weekend...

Start it out with a fundraiser concert for the Omaha Entertainment Awards at Nomad downtown (not sure why this is being held downtown since the OEAs have historically been the domain of midtown/Benson, but I guess this must be considered an "outreach effort"). The program runs 5 to 9 p.m. and features Matt Cox, Satchel Grande and Rhythm Collective. Your $10 cover charge also gets you two draws of beer from Upstream brewery.

Alas, I won't be starting until much later, specifically at The Sydney where The Life and Times are playing with Little Brazil. While I do enjoy drinking at The Sydney, which is in the space that used to be Mick's, I've yet to hear a band perform there. The bar's sound system has received mixed reviews (from folks I've talked to). We'll see tonight. $8, 9 p.m.

Also tonight, get your twang on at The Waiting Room with Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers along with Dead Rock West the Pendrakes. $17, 9 p.m.

Saturday night, John Vanderslice plays at Slowdown Jr. with Skypiper. I've been listening to Vanderslice's new CD, Romanian Names, for the past few weeks and have yet to hear anything that stands out, but then again, I've never been a big Vanderslice fan. That shouldn't stop you, though. $10, 9 p.m.

Over at O'Leaver's, it's another Speed! Nebraska showcase, this time featuring Wagon Blasters (Gary Dean Davis' latest hot rod), The Third Men and Ideal Cleaners. $5, 9:30 p.m.

The Waiting Room is closed this Saturday night for a "private event." I just realized that it's been too long since I've there (I sadly missed Mike Watt a couple weeks ago), which means I'll have to make an extra effort to try to get out there Sunday night when Willy Mason -- the subject of my very first column -- returns to Omaha with Jake Bellows, Dan McCarthy and Phil Schaffart. $8, 9 p.m.

Also Sunday night, Saddle Creek Records artist Sebastien Grainger and his band The Mountains drops in at Slowdown Jr. for a last-minute show with Brimstone Howl. $10, 9 p.m.

And also Sunday night, O'Leaver's is hosting The Pendrakes with The Tisdales and Greg Loftis (of Malpais fame). $5, 9:30 p.m.

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