It’s seems like everything is going into overdrive around Omaha this week and weekend. Venues, bands and events are really going to be fighting for bodies. The big event for local music fans this weekend is what is being called Bluffsbrai and will be taking place at Harrah’s Stir Concert Cove this Friday, July17 from 6:30 to 11 p.m..

This event is a RAGBRAI event and will be attended not just by local music fans but many big partying bicycle riders traveling across Iowa as well. The big draw on this event for long time Omaha music watchers is a rare show from the legendary Beef Curtains. The band has performed one-off shows here and there since their initial demise, but not really on this level. The band will also be releasing a new CD that was just freshly roasted in the past few weeks. If you have never heard of the Beef Curtains, think well-seasoned musicians playing fun and humorous songs creating a big party atmosphere. How can you go wrong with musicians named King Dick, Lank Badly, Groovus Du and D-evil Lovespear?

The other draw for this free show is that three of Omaha’s current top bands are also performing. Little Brazil, fresh off a chaotic video shoot at the Sydney this past week, will be performing before the Beef Curtains. Roots punks the Filter Kings will also take the outdoor stage on this night, and news just came down today that this will be one of guitarist Josh Dunwoody’s last gigs with the band as he is moving on to other projects. Opening the show will be one of Omaha’s best up and coming bands Bear Country. I am pretty sure this is the first all local show put on at the venue, and being that it is free of charge, there is really no excuse not to attend and support the gesture.

The other unique event of the weekend is the Speed! Nebraska record label’s release of a new 10-inch record called “Speed! Soapbox Riot.” This event is two-fold with an actual Adult Soap Box Derby taking place at Seymour Smith Park at 72nd and Washington streets starting at 11 a.m. The plan is for 40 cars to race in a tournament style format. The survivors of that event will then head over to O’Leaver’s for a show featuring bands from the Speed! Nebraska release, including Domestica, the Third Men, the Wagonblasters, the Filter Kings and the Sons Of Soapboxderby. Considering there will be a beer garden at the park, and that if O’Leaver’s is known for one thing it’s drinking, this should be one hell of a party.

There is a lot more happening out there as well. This week is the 6th Annual Rib Fest at the Mid America Center. Featured performers include the Barenaked Ladies and something called Hairball. A lot of locals are playing the event also, including Sarah Benck, Son of 76 & the Watchman, and Jared Wilder. Omaha band Janglepop reunite for a show at the 49’r on Friday and that same night touring act Coles Whalen and Omaha songwriter Chris Saub will be playing a Mick’s-esque show at the Sydney.

Local tribute bands Ten Club and the Lizard King are at the Waiting Room on Friday night and two more Omaha bands, Landing On the Moon and the Pendrakes, will be there on Saturday night. Bellevue will be holding its annual Riverfest this weekend with blues bands Blue Rock Boulevard, 112 North Duck and Ken Valdez all performing on Friday night at Hayworth Park. There is an abnormal amount of shows happening in the next seven days in town, way more than I can fit here. I would highly recommend checking out the music calendar a little further along in this magazine for the full listing and make it a week for checking out live music.