Hadden Sayers
2025-10-18 19:30 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States
Native-Texan Hadden Sayers is just as comfortable on a massive festival stage with a Stratocaster in his hands as he is strumming an acoustic guitar in your living room. Born in Nacogdoches and raised on a steady diet of Texas Roots and Blues music, Hadden Sayers has become a Blues Rock Master. Millions of miles of touring the world and 9 albums in, Sayers’ rise has been anything but meteoric. It’s been a consistent and steady ascent to a level of expertise that few achieve. His passionate songwriting twists roots rock, blues and soul music into something completely fresh, is what sets him apart from the pack.

Jeff Black
2025-11-14 19:30 - 22:00 | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States
Jeff Black has forged a reputation as a true folk troubadour, entertaining audiences globally for over three decades. Originally from Kansas City, but now based in Nashville, Jeff is a master songwriter and performer. He was voted one of the top 100 Folk Artists of the last 25 years by Boston’s WUMB listeners. In addition to a dozen albums of his own, his songs have been recorded by a diverse array of artists including Allison Krause, Waylon Jennings, Dierks Bentley, Jerry Douglas, and Sam Bush. Jeff Black has the baritone contemplation of Leonard Cohen and the roots dialect of Townes Van Zandt; he writes songs that ache and haunt you.

LAFTA Meets ContraDance
2025-12-06 19:00 - 22:00 | NE
Did you know that Lincoln Contra Dance is under the umbrella of LAFTA? This dance event takes place on the first Saturday of every month. No experience? No worries. We have a caller, similar to square dancing, and you don’t have to bring a partner. Instructions come through a “walk-through”. Live music will be provided by local band “Hot Rosin”. So much fun for all ages! We can guarantee to bring a smile to your face. Admission at the door: Adults $8.00, Students with ID $5.00, children under 12 free. Family $20.00.

Ellis Island
2026-01-17 19:30 - 22:00 | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States
What happens when a former two-time World Kickboxing Champion from Dublin, Ireland meets a mental health professional from Denton, Nebraska, and a research scientist/Irish Fiddle player from England to play and perform Irish music? You get a tough, yet sensitive, frenzied yet polished, delivery of modern and traditional Irish music from the pub to the concert stage. With well over a dozen instruments played on stage, this very talented trio have the gift of bringing the Irish Pub experience to everyone, everywhere. Voted Best Ethnic band by the Omaha Entertainment Awards and past winners of best band in a Pub/Festival by the Irish Music Association Awards, the group is led by Mick Doyle and Dave Marsh.

Andrea von Kampen
2026-02-13 19:30 - 22:00 | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States
Deemed “a fine singer with guitar work reminiscent of the cult hero Nick Drake” by the New York Times, singer-songwriter Andrea von Kampen is known for her captivating melodies and introspective storytelling. After releasing a handful of EPs, von Kampen released her independent debut album “Old Country” in 2019 and her sophomore album “That Spell” with Fantasy Records in 2021. Her third full-length record, “Sister Moon”, was recorded in the winter of 2023 and focuses on themes of climate change, the connectedness of nature, and the stories of Richard Powers. Please help welcome back this talented musician who grew up in Seward, NE.

FY5
2026-03-28 19:30 - 22:00 | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States
Fort Collins, Colorado-based FY5 delights audiences with thoughtful original songs delivered with strong singing and musicianship. Formerly known as Finnders and Youngberg, FY5 have won numerous awards over the years with their mix of bluegrass, honky-tonk and swing. Guitarist and primary songwriter Mike Finders has won the Merlefest songwriting competition twice; he shares lead singer duties with bassist Erin Youngberg. Banjo and pedal-steel player Aaron Youngberg is a proud native of Lincoln.

John Gorka
2026-04-25 19:30 - 22:00 | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States
John Gorka is a long-standing pillar of the American folk music community. John describes his music as a blend of folk, rhythm and blues, and gospel, though he doesn’t mind calling himself a folksinger. He has appeared with artists such as Suzanne Vega, Shawn Colvin, Christine Lavin, Cliff Eberhardt, David Massengill, Frank Christian and Lucy Kaplansky. He joined with Kaplansky and Eliza Gilkyson to form the folk supergroup Red Horse in 2010, touring together and releasing a self-titled album on which they performed each other’s compositions. John has graced the stage of Austin City Limits, Mountain Stage, and E-town.

The Vogts Sisters
2026-05-30 19:30 - 22:00 | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States
The Vogts Sisters, Maggie and Abigail, stand out from the crowd with their sweet sisterly harmonies from America’s Heartland. Hailing from a small town in southeast Kansas, they have toured extensively in the Midwest, blending original songs and covers in their acoustic Americana-Folk style. The sisters have garnered many awards in regional and international songwriting competitions, including Best Duo in the 15th Annual International Acoustic Music Awards. Prepare to hear haunting harmonies and wickedly creative songs.

Keith Grotrian's Cornbread Jam & Potluck
2026-06-14 14:00 - 20:00 | NE
Pickin’ and Grinnin’ in Wooly’s Big Back Yard, 6115 Huntington Ave, Lincoln.
Musician’s bring your instruments; others bring your ears!
An alcohol-free, family-friendly event: bring your lawn chairs.

Picking Begins at 2 pm, Potluck at 5:00 pm.
A brief LAFTA business meeting will be held at some point in the afternoon.
Music from Blue Raven Studio youth groups starting at 6:00 pm.

Scott Cook
2026-09-25 19:30 - 21:30 | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States
Canadian troubadour Scott Cook has been touring almost incessantly across Canada, the U.S., Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere since 2007, averaging 150 shows and a dozen summer festivals every year, while independently releasing seven albums of plainspoken, keenly observant verse along the way. Known for imaginative and socially-committed songwriting, Scott has taught his craft at the Kerrville (TX) and Sisters (OR) folk festivals and had one of his songs take top honors in the 2020 Great American Song Contest.

Jessica Willis Fisher
2026-10-16 19:30 - 21:30 | NE
Jessica Willis Fisher is a singer-songwriter-fiddler with a storyteller’s heart. Raised playing traditional folk music from an early age, she performed with her family band in the Irish, Country, and Bluegrass music scenes and made appearances on the Grand Ole Opry and America’s Got Talent. Her Americana-leaning debut solo album “Brand New Day” features both deeply autobiographical lyrics and foot-stomping anthems. Her sophomore record “Blooming” is an ode to the power of knowing who we are, all our beautiful scars and vulnerable strengths included. Her performances blend acoustic centered folk-Americana, singer-songwriter, and old-time sounds, including fiddle driven instrumentals.

Brad Colerick Band
2026-11-14 19:30 - 21:30 | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States
A Lincoln native, Brad Colerick has had a long and successful career in music. After establishing himself in Los Angeles as an award-winning writer and producer of music for commercials, he has focused his talents on building and polishing a repertoire of original songs to take with him on the singer-songwriter circuit. He is a master of story songs: traveling tunes dancing with acoustic instruments and folk ballads painting sepia-toned visions of southwestern vistas, midwestern prairies, and the ramblers and life gamblers who crisscross them. Brad has now assembled a fine group of acoustic musicians in a folk-americana band based in Fort Collins, CO. Join us for the Lincoln debut of this fine group.

LAFTA meets CONTRA DANCE
2026-12-05 19:30 - 21:30 | NE
Did you know that the Lincoln Contra Dance is under the umbrella of LAFTA? This dance event takes place on the first Saturday of every month. No experience? We have a caller, similar to square dancing. You don’t need to bring a partner; just select someone to dance with. Instructions come with the “walk-through.” Live music by the local band “Hot Rosin.” So much fun for all ages. We can guarantee to bring a smile to your face.
Adults: $8, Students with ID $5, Families $20.

The Weary Ramblers
2027-01-16 19:30 - 21:30 | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States
The Weary Ramblers are Iowans Kathryn Severing Fox (violin, viola, mandolin, guitar, vocals) and Chad Elliott (guitar, harmonica, vocals). Drawing from genres ranging from blues to bluegrass, their music combines instrumental prowess with impeccable vocal harmonies and undeniable chemistry. Both Chad and Kathryn also display remarkable songwriting talents, earning numerous recent awards, including winners of the 2026 International Blues Challenge, the 2025 Josie Music Awards “Americana Song of the Year”, and overall Grand Prize Winners of the 22nd annual International Acoustic Music Awards.

Patsy O'Brien
2027-02-12 19:30 - 21:30 | 7th Street Loft, 504 South 7th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508, United States
Hailing from Cork in the south of Ireland, award-winning songwriter and much sought-after guitarist Patsy O’Brien is renowned for his ability to meld songwriting and guitar styles seamlessly. It’s a trait that caught the attention of NPR, which featured his arrangement of The Star of the County Down on its All Songs Considered program. Patsy describes his musical journey as “falling backward” into traditional Irish music after early interests in punk and jazz. Now located in the U.S., Patsy’s songwriting includes strong roots Americana and jazz influences. As well as being an engaging solo performer, his guitar skills have led to recordings with giants of the Celtic/World music scene, including Eileen Ivers, Paddy Keenan, and Cathie Ryan.

Darrell Scott
2027-03-13 19:30 - 21:30 | NE
Darrell Scott is a singer, songwriter, four-time Grammy nominee, and well-established as one of Nashville’s premier session instrumentalists. His songs mine and cultivate the everyday moment, taking the rote, menial, mundane, and allowing it to be surreal, ever poignant, and candidly honest, lilting, blooming, and resonating. With roots in country and gospel music, he has written songs for the Dixie Chicks, Garth Brooks, and Travis Tritt. A master of the guitar, mandolin, and banjo, he has been a picker for Robert Plant, Steve Earle, and Joan Baez. On September 10, 2025, Scott was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 Americana Music Honors and Awards. Special Ticket Pricing ($20 member, $25 nonmember).

Lloyd McCarter
2027-04-10 19:30 - 21:30 | NE
Lloyd McCarter says he was “raised in the poetry of old time twang,” setting his destiny in motion at an early age. After learning and playing with his musician parents, McCarter moved to Lincoln to attend college, but after receiving an offer to play with Lincoln band FortyTwenty, he hit the road as their pedal steel guitarist. Now with his own band, “Lloyd McCarter & The Honky-Tonk Revival,” McCarter and the other veteran musicians in this group are dedicated to touching the hearts of listeners and making music people can relate to, sharing the true and unmistakable sound of old-time country.

Kray Van Kirk
2027-05-08 19:30 - 21:30 | NE
A fine finger-style guitarist with a precise baritone, Kray Van Kirk has a Ph.D. from the University of Alaska, but he set science aside to write songs, tell stories and summon heroes. Within those songs and stories are echoes he hopes audiences will hear and realize that THEY are the summoned heroes. With the release of his 6th CD, Empire (March 1, 2026), he turns to the issues of justice, fury, and renewal. “We are driven by myth and the seasons of the heart,” he says. “There is a reason for hero stories, hidden in plain sight and cloaked in the everyday. The dragons look different, the monsters wear suits, the quest hides behind the mundane and appears utterly futile, but the work is the same. Everyone, of every identity and history, is called to this work towards a common humanity free from Empire.”
