by B.J. Huchtemann

Hoodoo previously announced the Playing With Fire concert series is winding down, with only one concert planned for this summer. The show is set for Saturday, July 16, with a just-secured booking that should be a real crowd pleaser. Soulful Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings are set to headline. They will appeal to blues and soul fans as well as the younger crowd. The nine-piece Brooklyn band is rooted in the classic soul and funk sound of the 1960s and ’70s. Jones has been called “the queen of American revivalist soul” with an energetic stage show that harkens classic James Brown. They’ve been around for a while but they were the buzz band at 2010’s SXSW and are breaking into the jam band circuit. They have been featured on Austin City Limits. Check them out at SharonJonesandtheDapKings.com and circle July 16 on your calendar. It’s going to be a night of hot soul and blues. Hunt Pre-CD-Release Show Lawrence, Kansas, songbird and boogie keyboard queen Kelley Hunt has chosen Lincoln for one of a handful of pre-CD release concerts. Her new disc Gravity Loves You hits streets Feb. 15. Hunt hosts a special Lincoln CD release this Thursday, Jan. 27, at Lincoln’s Red 9, 322 S. 9th Street. Learn more at Red9Live.com. Hunt’s press release says the CD delivers “old-school funk to Philly soul to the intense gospel-influenced ballad style that is a Kelley Hunt trademark.” The event is a benefit for Lincoln’s People’s City Mission. Hunt is offering $5 off the price of the new disc or other merchandise for those bringing a non-perishable food or cash donation for People’s City Mission. Learn more about Hunt’s new record at KelleyHunt.com. Lift Lounge Blues The New Lift Lounge will continue to host the Thursday 5:30 p.m. blues shows for the near future. Thursday, Jan. 27, The Randy Oxford Band from Washington plays at 7 p.m. They are going to Memphis to compete in the International Blues Challenge, representing the Washington Blues Society. Veteran bandleader, trombonist and multiple Pacific Northwest award-winner Randy Oxford leads the band. A rousing horn section and vocals by exciting singer Jada Amy give this band its distinctive sound. You might remember them from last summer’s Playing With Fire July concert. Lincoln’s Lil’ Slim Blues Band opens the show at 5 p.m. Lil’ Slim, AKA Shawn Holt, is the son of Magic Slim and is carrying on his dad’s stinging Chicago guitar style. Rounding out the band are Zoo co-owner Jeff Boehmer (bass), occasional Reader contributor Josh Hoyer (sax/keys), Chris Siefkes (harmonica) and Bo Rose (drums). Don’t Miss Davina Next week offers two opportunities to catch Davina & The Vagabonds. The Minneapolis-based band is a sultry, jazzy and swingin’ combo featuringthat features the expressive Davina Sowers on keys and vocals. They hit the Zoo Bar for the 6-9 p.m. show Wednesday, Feb. 2. Thursday, Feb. 3, they heat things up at the New Lift at 5:30 p.m. One Twin Cities reviewer writes that Davina “sounds like the daughter of Leon Redbone and Betty Boop trained on piano by Randy Newman … Sowers delighted with some sassy originals and sly covers [like] Billie Holiday [and] Fats Domino.” The band features two horn players, bass, drums and Sowers on keys and vocals. They mix up jump-blues, swing and New Orleans jazz with the sweet and saucy Sowers at the center of it all. Rockabilly Night Get ready for the first of a planned series of monthly rockabilly nights. The first show is Thursday, Jan. 27, at Gator O’Malley’s, 12143 West Center Rd. K.C.’s rockabilly DJ Johnny 2Tone spins music 8-10 p.m. At 10 p.m. The Blacktop Ramblers perform. Check out the Omaha Rockabilly page on Facebook to keep up with future events. Hot Notes Become a member of the Blues Foundation at blues.org in order to vote in the national Blues Music Awards. Voting ends March 1, 2011. Winners will be announced at the May awards ceremony in Memphis. Tickets are on sale now at OmahaPerformingArts.org for the Holland’s Saturday, Feb. 5, show with trumpet master Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Popular European Strat-slinger Ana Popovic plays the 6 p.m. show at the Zoo on Wednesday, Feb. 9. Blue House hits the Horseshoe Casino’s Whiskey Roadhouse Saturday, Jan. 29. The Brad Cordle Band is enjoying well-deserved raves from local audiences. Catch them Friday, Jan. 28, at Gator O’Malley’s, 12143 West Center Rd., and at Goodnight’s Pizza Saturday, Jan. 29, near Slowdown at 14th and Cuming. Amazing multi-genre jam band Euforquestra gets The Waiting Room cooking Wednesday, Feb. 2. Kris Lager Band has some local gigs this weekend, including The Waiting Room Friday, Feb. 4.

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