Picks of the Week – Feb. 9 – Feb. 16
What: Zoe Keating
When: 9 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 14 Where: The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple Street Cost: $14 ADV/$16 DOS
On the Web: waitingroomlounge.com
THE SCOOP: Zoe Keating is called a one-woman orchestra. She specializes in playing the cello while manning a foot-controlled laptop to layer her cello and emphasize its string qualities. Keating has independently released two albums, selling over 35,000 copies of them. She has also racked up 1.3 million followers on Twitter. Keating has worked with artists such as Imogen Heap, Rasputina, DJ Shadow, Pomplamoose and Amanda Palmer. From 2002 until 2006 she was in Rasputina itself. Her most recent album is titled “Into the Trees” and was released in June 2010. By Sept. 1, the album had spent 10 weeks on the Billboard classical charts. Songs like “Hello Night” from “Into the Trees” showcase her cello’s deep, rich sound while not overpowering the background atmosphere she creates.
PICKS OF THE WEEK – FEB. 9 – FEB. 16
What: Best in the Midwest Tattoo Convention
When: Noon- 10 p.m., Friday, Feb. 10 & Saturday, Feb. 11; Noon-6 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 12 Where: Mid-America Center, One Arena Way, Council Bluffs
Cost: $20, one-day pass; $30, two-day pass; $40 three-day pass
On the Web: shaneoneillproductions.com
THE SCOOP: The first annual Best in the Midwest Tattoo Convention makes it mark at the Mid-America Center this weekend. Over 200 tattoo artists from around the world will be at the convention, giving locals access to many highly skilled professionals to get work inked or create designs. The convention is focused toward both tattoo professionals and tattoo lovers. Live music, tattoo competitions, an art gallery and FashionLOUD, an edgy show exploring fringe fashion on Friday, Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. round out the extracurricular entertainment.
What: Railroad Earth
When: 8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 9 Where: The Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. Cost: $18 ADV/$20 DOS
On the Web: theslowdown.com
The Scoop: Railroad Earth will be filling the Slowdown with their en- ergetic sound on Thursday, Feb. 9. They come from New Jersey and present a wide array of genres. They sing of our country’s changing political and social landscape as they contemplate the future. You might hear some Woody Guthrie in the music, but there’s also going to be some Celtic and Cajun ambience in the mix. People who have seen them live before can solemnly swear their music is at a higher caliber live. They are noted for their improvisation and for jazzing up their live songs. Their most recent album was self-titled and released in 2010. The album features an 11-minute instrumental jam session. The song, “Spring-Heeled Jack” could very well be pulled out of their musical quiver at the Slowdown Thursday.
What: “Borders and Fences” by Josh Powell
When: Feb.10-March 4; Opening Reception, 7-10 p.m., Friday, Feb. 10
Where: RNG Gallery, 157 W. Broadway, Council Bluffs Cost: Free
The Scoop: Josh Powell opens a new show at the RNG Gallery Fri- day entitled “Borders and Fences.” Powell explores a new direction in this show, following “Golden Guts,” his successful Bemis Underground show with Kim Reid Kuhn in December. “Borders and Fences” features paintings with monochromatic minimalism and a retro, ‘70s approach to light and feel. Powell offers an artist’s talk about his new work at noon on Saturday, Feb. 11 at the RNG Gallery, following the show’s opening reception Friday night.
What: The Toasters
When: 9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 10
Where: Knickerbockers, Cost: $10
THE SCOOP: The Toasters pop up in Lincoln Friday night for a night of straightforward ska. The Toasters are a consummate performing act, and they are well warmed up, having already completed the eastern and southern legs of their 2012 national tour. The NYC icons will work their way back to the East Coast by the end of the month, and then they cast off for a European spring tour. This band has not slowed down since their formation in 1981, but what would you expect from an outfit whose first gig was with Bad Brains? Local ska bosses the Bishops welcome the Toasters to town and open the show.
What: Testament w/ Bloodcow
When: 9 p.m., Monday, Feb. 13 Where: The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. Cost: $22 ADV/$25 DOS
On the Web: waitingroomlounge.com
The Scoop: Testament is a heavy metal band that grew out of the waterworks of the ‘80s when bands like Slayer, Metallica and Anthrax were propelling their shredding guitars and brutal drumbeats across the world. To be precise, Testament is thrash metal. Coming from the San Francisco Bay area, they manage to throw in a few harmonies amidst the aggressive onslaught of their music. The band formed in 1983 and Eric Peterson is the only member who has seen the band through. Pe- terson plays rhythm guitar. However, Chuck Billy replaced the original singer before the first album was recorded, so Billy has also been with the band for some time. Testament will release their tenth studio album, titled “The Dark Roots of Earth” on April 27. The first single will be a song called “Native Blood.”
What: More Shows in Lincoln
When: Thursday, Feb. 9 through Tuesday, Feb. 14 Where: Various venues
Cost: Varies
On the Web: bourbontheatre.com
The Scoop: There’s a lot to like about Lincoln this week. Lincoln Ex- posed 2012 kicked off Wednesday, Feb. 8 and continues through Sat- urday, Feb. 11 at the Bourbon Theatre, Duffy’s Tavern and the Zoo Bar, providing the opportunity to catch many talented regional acts, including Ideal Cleaners, the Machete Archive, the Betties, UUVVWWZ, Vibenhai and many, many more. Tuesday, hearts melt at the Bourbon Theatre for YACHT, the high-energy electro-pop duo that’s sailing the high seas of fame to hipster paradise. Young Magic opens for YACHT, along with Bad Spelr vs. Spencelove and Powerful Science, all for $6 in advance or $8 at the door.
What: Zoe Keating
When: 9 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 14 Where: The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple Street Cost: $14 ADV/$16 DOS
On the Web: waitingroomlounge.com
THE SCOOP: Zoe Keating is called a one-woman orchestra. She specializes in playing the cello while manning a foot-controlled laptop to layer her cello and emphasize its string qualities. Keating has independently released two albums, selling over 35,000 copies of them. She has also racked up 1.3 million followers on Twitter. Keating has worked with artists such as Imogen Heap, Rasputina, DJ Shadow, Pomplamoose and Amanda Palmer. From 2002 until 2006 she was in Rasputina itself. Her most recent album is titled “Into the Trees” and was released in June 2010. By Sept. 1, the album had spent 10 weeks on the Billboard classical charts. Songs like “Hello Night” from “Into the Trees” showcase her cello’s deep, rich sound while not overpowering the background atmosphere she creates.