Join us for a night of free family entertainment.
7 pm - Hector Anchondo
Hector Anchondo’s most recent album, “Let Loose Those Chains,” debuted at 11 on the Billboard Blues chart. In 2020, he won the International Blues Challenge in the solo/duo category. In 2021, he was nominated for a BMA for best acoustic blues album, a Blues Blast award for best acoustic guitarist and best acoustic album, and for an Independent Blues Award for best acoustic blues.
Behind every overnight success is a decade of hard work. Behind Hector Anchondo is more than 25.
His band won the right to represent Omaha’s blues society at the International Blues Challenge in 2015. They made the semi-finals. Then, the following year, they made it to the finals and won third place. Anchondo has appeared on festival line ups with legends like Buddy Guy and Tab Benoit. He has won endorsements from major music equipment makers including GHS strings and Delaney guitars.
In 2020, Hector entered the International Blues Competition as a solo artist, just him and his guitar. He not only won the IBC, but he also won the Cigar Box Guitar Award, given to the best overall guitar player out of the 400 or so acts from around the world.
In 2022, his hometown of Omaha showed their continuing love for the local guy who is becoming a legend, honoring him in the city’s Arts and Entertainment Awards as Artist of the Year.
“I’m proud that I never gave up,” Anchondo reflects now. “There were times of self-doubt and even a couple times where I questioned if I should change my path. My love of music and performing kept me focused on the blues path. My goals are to keep pushing myself to be a better musician, to push to keep growing so I can pay my bandmates more. Most of all, to keep making people happy so they can forget about all the day-in and day-out complexities that make up our daily lives.”
5:30 pm - Battle of the Bands
Battle of the Bands is part of the Omaha Mobile Stage Youth Talent Show series.
Battle of the Bands takes place on the Gene Leahy Mall Performance Pavilion, and is reserved for bands only.
Performances are limited to 2 songs and 8 minutes total. A backline will be provided by Omaha Girls Rock.
Competition is open to youth ages 3-19.
Winners advance to a Finals competition on August 20.
View additional information and register online at: www.omahamobilestage.org/register
Registration and event are free and open to the public.
Bring your entire family and friends to enjoy a night of entertainment.
This event is made possible by The RiverFront, Nebraska Arts Council, and Nebraska Cultural Endowment, and production support from Omaha Girls Rock.
