But all three rooms, the Zoo Bar, Duffy's Tavern and the Bourbon Theatre's Rye Room were pretty full most of the time -- or at least they were pretty full when I was in them. And I heard the Zoo was packed for The Betties.

At the time, I was at the Bourbon, catching a brilliant set from Tie These Hands. The trio started off with songs that were nine and seven years old, then moved to a three-weeks-young number and finished with songs from a forthcoming record before wrapping up an instrumental originally done by Mr. 1986 back in 2003. Anchored by a repeating figure, it was the best single song I heard all night.

Beyond Tie These Hands, I was most struck Saturday by the diversity of the music. In the course of about 90 minutes, I heard the country/Americana of Kill County, lush orchestral pop of Floating Opera, the Jamaican-rooted party sounds of Cornerstone Dub and Tie These Hands' dynamic rock.

From the spotted-in-the-crowd department, Mayor Chris Beutler was right in the middle of things for Kill County at Duffy's and was in the Zoo later.

He was gone by the time I returned for the final show of Shaun Sparks & Wounded Animals. Sparks and Ken Morton, who fronted The Allendales and plays in the Wounded Animals, are merging their bands and writing new songs together. Each played a final show at Lincoln Exposed. Both will be missed, but I'm guessing the new band will be superb.

Sparks played a lot of faves and, in something I've never seen before, played a new song for the first time on a last show. It was a funk number called "Ditch Digger" and was very cool. Maybe it'll survive the transition.

Sparks and the Animals wrapped things up with John Prine's gorgeous "Killing the Blues," which somehow seemed very appropriate.

I wrapped up my Lincoln Exposed 2012 with that song too, having seen about 30 acts in four nights --- I'm not sure whether to count the bands that I heard just a song or two. It was, as always great fun, revelatory and, this year, seemed to move up to a new level.

9pm

18+

$5 / $7

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::  Sputnik Kaputnik & The Cherry Smashers  ::

Facebook

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:: The Last Slice ::
http://www.facebook.com/thelastsliceska

The Last Slice is a third wave/two-tone band hailing from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Upbeat, fast paced dance music is what the band strives to deliver night after night, city after city. Started in 2008 by founding members Ethan Nickles, Thomas Nickles, Caleb Cook, Jason Ward, and Matthew Sunday, the band quickly took hold of the local music scene in Tulsa, and flourished into a regionally successful touring act that has visited states all across the country.

Working toward their upcoming release of their newest album "Fresh Cuts" the band delivers a sort of mix between traditional two-tone, straight offbeat ska, and the more punk feel of third wave ska. This mix creates a sound that's sure to make you move. The band offers an extensive catalog of music ranging from slower reggae dance jams, to fast paced dance music. The album was produced by co-frontman and lead guitarist Michael Elfers from the band The JV*Allstars and was mixed and mastered by guitarist Stephen Egerton from the legendary punk band The Descendants.

The band has been on several tours through many different states, played with some nationally successful acts during these tours, and been a smash success wherever they go. They are also currently in process of touring during the last half of the year of 2011 and plans to tour upwards of 6 - 7 months out of 2012. They currently feature guitarist Caleb Cook, bassist Tracy Smart, drummer Ethan Nickles, saxophone Thomas Nickles, and trombonist Jason Ward.

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:: A Summer Better Than Yours ::
http://www.facebook.com/asummerbetterthanyours

What's up? We are a pop punk band from Lincoln, Nebraska. We hang out with friends and work shitty jobs like everyone else. Currently writing our full length, due to come out Spring 2012..then tour extensively. Music is all we know. Send us a email and we will play in your basement.

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http://duffyslincoln.com/

NO Cover

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::  Wheeler Brothers  ::

http://wheelerbrothersmusic.com/

http://www.facebook.com/WheelerBros

Formed in Austin, Texas, Wheeler Brothers have quickly emerged as one of Austin's most exciting up-and-coming bands. The five-piece independent folk-rock act combines the indie vibe of Austin with the twang of Texas folk. Brothers Nolan, Tyler and Patrick met Danny Matthews at LSU where they spent much of their time picking guitars and swapping stories in the bar rooms of Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Once back in Austin their magnetic sound was completed by the addition of lifelong friend and singer/songwriter A.J. Molyneaux. Each member brings his own ideas and sounds to the group, with styles blending indie rock, blues and folk.

Wheeler Brothers have been selling out major venues and climbing the charts of radio stations in "The live music capital of the world," Austin, TX. Their first LP is slated for release prior to their Summer 2011 tour.

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$1.00 / $1.25 16oz Tallboys
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http://duffyslincoln.com

*NO Cover IF:
- you enter the salsa competition (details / rules below)
- you are wearing a sombrero
- you are wearing a poncho

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:: Universe Contest ::
http://www.facebook.com/universecontest

Get music below :
http://winners.bandcamp.com/album/winners-of-the-best-band-name-in-the-universe-contest-2
http://winners.bandcamp.com/album/discovering-and-deciphering-your-value-as-a-human-being

:: Ideal Cleaners ::
http://idealcleaners.com/

Get music below
http://idealcleaners.bandcamp.com/

:: DJ Tommy Ling ::

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SALSA CONTEST

Three Categories

1. Best Overall Taste
2. Spiciest
3.Most Unique

Judging
The audience will receive three different colored tokens or tickets when they pick up their chips from the salsa table attendant. They will also receive a piece of paper the size of a hand bill which will have descriptions of each category and a key to let them know which token / ticket is for which category. They will then cast their vote into the container that is clearly marked to be for the certain salsa. The containers will not disclose how many votes that particular salsa has.

Rules and Regulations
Each contestant will be required to bring a minimum of 1 quart jar of salsa to the venue by 7:30 p.m. Contestants are allowed to submit up to three different salsas (since there are three categories).

Various prizes (to be determined) will be awarded to the winners.