The Comedy 'Machine'

Bert Kreischer set to perform 4 shows over 2 nights in Omaha

If you enjoy comedy podcasts, then you probably know who Bert Kreischer is. The comic co-stars on three of them: "Bertcast," "2 Bears, 1 Cave" (with Tom Segura) and "Bill Bert" (with Bill Burr).

In addition to hosting podcasts, Kreischer somehow finds time to take his shirtless stand-up act on the road, and on Thursday and Friday (Nov. 17 and 18), the Florida naive brings his tour to the Orpheum Theater for two shows each night.

As the real-life inspiration for Ryan Reynolds' character in "National Lampoon's Van Wilder," and known as "The Machine" during his college days at Florida State, Kreischer has a lifetime of wild stories from which to draw for his comedy. Get an idea of what you're in for by clicking on the video play button above to see a clip from his stand-up.

What: Bert Kreischer

When: 7 and 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17 and Friday, Nov. 18

Where: Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St.

Tickets: Start at $39.75

Web: ticketomaha.com

Storytime with Barenaked Ladies Co-Founder

Steven Page joins KFAB's Scott Voorhees Friday at Arts Center

You know this guy's music. But do you know his story? He'll be sharing both on Friday (Nov. 18) at the Arts Center in Council Bluffs. And the best part? You don't need a million dollars to see him.

The guy is Steven Page (above), and he will perform songs he wrote and co-wrote as a founding member of Canada's Barenaked Ladies during "Songs and Stories with Steven Page," which will be hosted by KFAB's Scott Voorhees.

Page co-founded the BNL in 1989 and had a hand in co-writing and singing lead on many of the band's biggest hits – including "If I Had $1000000," "Brian Wilson" and "It's All Been Done." He was also inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame with BNL in 2018.

Page left BNL in 2008 to pursue a solo career. He's released six solo albums, hosted a television show (“The Illegal Eater”), wrote music for a Stratford Shakespeare Festival musical (“Bartholomew Fair: A Comedy”) and penned a stage musical of his own (“Here’s What it Takes”).

In addition to performing music, Page will talk with Voorhees (below) about his career in music, and some of the challenges that he has faced in life, including what led to his separation from the Barenaked Ladies 15 years ago.

Get warmed up for the event by watching a video of Page and BNL performing "If I Had $1000000" live. Click on the red play button above to see it. 

What: "Songs & Stories with Steven Page"

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18

Where: Arts Center, Iowa Western, 2700 College Road, Council Bluffs

Tickets: Start at $40

Web: artscenter.iwcc.edu

Double the Pleasure

Local favorites Blue October roll into town for back-to-back shows

Texas-rooted rockers Blue October are back in Omaha this week to play for some of their most adoring fans. Omahans love this group, and always show up in force when they come to town. In fact, Blue October is doing two shows to accommodate their fan base in the Big O, with concerts set for tonight (Thursday, Nov. 17) and Friday (Nov. 18) at the Admiral Theater.

The band has released 11 albums since debuting in 1998. Their hits "Hate Me" and "Into the Ocean" in 2006 set them on a course for success that continues today with their turbo-loyal fans.

Blue October's latest album – "Spinning the Truth Around" – was released in October (go figure) and includes their latest single, "Shut Up I Want You to Love Me Back," the video of which you can see by clicking on the video play button above.

What: Blue October

When: 8 p.m. Thursday & Friday, Nov. 17 & 18

Where: Admiral Theater, 13th and Martha streets

Tickets: Start at $65

Web: ticketmaster.com

A Very Merry Monday

Two major announcements, two epic stars

Now that's how you shake off a case of the Mondays! 

The first announcement to begin the work week was that three-time GRAMMY-winner Lizzo is bringing her "Special 2our" to Omaha on May 19 for a show at the CHI Health Center. (Choice!)

And what could possibly top that? How about P!nk – another three-time GRAMMY-winner – taking over Charles Schwab Field Omaha, home to the College World Series, this summer on August 21. (Double choice!)

And with P!nk for her 21-city stadium "Summer Carnival Tour" is Brandi Carlile, Grouplove and KidCutUp.

Yeah, Monday was a good day.

Tickets to hear Lizzo sing her summer '22 smash "About Damn Time" go on sale Friday (Nov. 18) at 10 a.m. at ticketmaster.com. (Warming the stage for the "Truth Hurts" singer will be Latto.)

And then on Monday (Nov. 21), tickets for P!nk's stadium concert go on sale at ticketmaster.com at 10 a.m. Check out the seating chart above, courtesy of Ticketmaster – that looks like it could accommodate 30,000+ fans! Whatever the final tally is, you know it's going to be a sellout. 

Same with Lizzo. Since headlining the Maha Festival back in 2019, the Minneapolis-rooted singer's star has soared to galactic heights. Expect tickets to her CHI Health Center show to go lickety-split.

What: Lizzo, with Latto

When: 8 p.m. Friday, May 19, 2023

Where: CHI Health Center Omaha

Web: ticketmaster.com

What: P!nk, with Brandi Carlile, Grouplove and KidCutUp

When: 6:30 p.m. Monday, August 21, 2023

Where: Charles Schwab Field Omaha

Web: ticketmaster.com

What else is going on?

From Blue October back-to-back at the Admiral Theater and Creighton men's and women's hoop action, to Five Finger Death Punch and Brantley Gilbert at the CHI Health Center and the Holiday Lights Festival, it's an action-packed few days ahead in the Omaha-Council Bluffs and Lincoln areas.

Plus, comedian Bert Kreischer will perform four shows over two nights at the Orpheum Theater; the Lemonheads are at the Waiting Room; "Yesterday & Today" opens a 14-show run at the Slowdown; Pentatonix brings its holiday show to the Pinnacle Bank Arena; and the Blue Collar Boxing Charity Event is coming to the Liberty First Credit Union Arena.

You can read about those events in this week's edition of the Dispatch – and don't forget to glance at the doppelgängers of the week and our viral video clips, too.

And last but not least, please try to do a kindness for someone today without anyone else knowing about it.

#feelingfussy

Jim Minge, Publisher of the Dispatch

Two of a Kind

FFDP and Gilbert bring tour to CHI 

It seems like an unlikely couple, but metal rockers Five Finger Death Punch and country star Brantley Gilbert are making it work as the two groups make their way across the U.S. on their co-headlining tour.

Of course, they aren't strangers. FFDP and Gilbert (pictured below) paired for the 2019 remake of Kenny Wayne's Shepherd's "Blue on Black" (with guest appearances from Shepherd and Queen guitarist Brian May). That collaboration was such a success they decided to hit the road together.

The tour will make a stop in Omaha on Nov. 30 for a show at the CHI Health Center. Warming the stage for Gilbert and FFDP will be Canadian country-rocker Cory Marks.

For their part, Five Finger Death Punch brings a string a hyper-popular hard-rock hits like "A Little Bit Off," "Inside Out" and "Times Like These." Gilbert's country-rock hits include "What Happens in a Small Town" and "Bottoms Up."

Get primed for the show by watching the video to "Blue on Black." Click on the play button at left to see it.

What: Five Finger Death Punch + Brantley Gilbert, with Cory Marks

When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30

Where: CHI Health Center, 455 N. 10th St.

Tickets: Start at $36

Web: ticketmaster.com

It's in YOUR Hands

All-request concert set to open 14-date run 

As a Gen-Xer growing up on radio, all-request hours were my absolute favorites. Calling the DJ, waiting to talk, requesting your favorite song (of the moment) ... and then waiting to hear it come out of the speakers at home. "That's me! I requested that one!"

Which is why I've always been a mega-fan of Billy McGuigan's popular show "Yesterday & Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience." It's all requests, and each night it's a different mix. How's that work?

Prior to the show – which is a live concert featuring a full-sized band – audience members are given request cards to fill out: NAME, FAVORITE BEATLES SONG, AND WHY THEY CHOSE THAT SONG. (Check out the example of one of the cards below.)

If you're lucky, McGuigan and his band (which includes Beatles-loving brothers Matthew and Ryan) choose your song to play. And the cool part is they share your reason for picking that song, which creates an immersive experience for everyone.

The McGuigan's share their Beatles stories, too. Their dad was a BIG Beatles fan – he had every album – and he played DJ at home for the McGuigan kids, who soaked up every story and every song their dad played. Their father passed away in 1996, but his love for his kids – and the Beatles – lives on with this show.

Want to get in on it? You'll have 14 chances beginning Friday, Nov. 25, the day after Thanksgiving. The show is being presented at the Slowdown through December on select dates. (Click on the video play button above to get a taste of what to expect.)

What: "Yesterday & Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience"

When: Nov. 25, 26; Dec. 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30

Where: The Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St.

Tickets: Start at $20

Web: theomahaseries.com

An A Capella Holiday

Pentatonix brings Christmas show to Lincoln

Since forming in 2011, the three-time GRAMMY Award-winning vocal quintet Pentatonix has reimagined, reinvigorated and redefined a cappella. The band made history as “the first a cappella act to win ‘Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella’ at the GRAMMY Awards” in 2015 and 2016. A year later, they earned another GRAMMY Award in the category “Best Country Duo/Group Performance” for their duet with Dolly Parton on her song “Jolene.”

The group recently released their 11th overall full-length and sixth-holiday album, “Holidays Around the World,” which features renditions of seasonal staples and original international collaborations, some of which they will be performing on Nov. 26 when they bring their "A Christmas Spectacular" show to the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln.

Get in a Pentatonix holiday kind of mood by watching their video to "Joy to the World." Click on the play button above to see it.

What: Pentatonix: A Christmas Spectacular, with Girl Named Tom

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26

Where: Pinnacle Bank Arena, 400 Pinnacle Arena Drive, Lincoln

Tickets: Start at $25

Web: ticketmaster.com

doppelgängers of the week

That's Brüno (actor-comedian Sacha Baron Cohen) on the left above, with Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis looking like his long-lost twin, on the right.

Meanwhile, how about actor Blake Clark ("Home Improvement," "Joe Dirt," "The Waterboy") on the left below, and rocker Joe Walsh of the Eagles on the right.

Got a doppelgänger? Send 'em over to jim@omahadispatch.com