Which Benson bar whose patrons have included pop star Lady Gaga shares its name with an Australian city?
If you guessed the Sydney, you're correct. Though that's a pretty easy question, many of the trivia questions posed at the Sydney's weekly pub quiz are a bit more challenging.
A pub quiz takes place each Tuesday at the cozy neighborhood bar at 5918 Maple St. Founded and hosted by Lisa Martin and Chris Larkin, who serve as the quiz's head writers, the event used to take place at the 49'r Lounge before it closed to make way for a CVS Pharmacy.
Roughly 40 to 50 players usually show up at the Sydney to test their wits, win prizes and take home bragging rights. The top team wins two pitchers of beer or a round of mixed drinks. The team with the funniest or most clever name also gets a prize.
“We keep the stakes low to discourage cheating,” Larkin said. “Really, it's all about people who like to drink and love to show how much of a smarty-pants they are.”
Martin and Larkin, along with assistant quiz writer Alex Franz, enjoy coming up with new and challenging questions each week. The quiz features five rounds, including a final audio round. Categories can be as general as math, pop music, politics and geography, or as specific as dystopian literature, Super Bowl MVPs and television sit-com stepchildren.
Admission to the 21-and-over event is free, and the quiz starts at 8 p.m.
***
A group of local artists who serve as mentors at the Kent Bellows Studio & Center for Visual Arts will display their work at a new exhibit at RNG Gallery.
The exhibit, which features oil paintings, mixed media, drawings and more, opens Saturday with a reception from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the gallery, 1915 Leavenworth St., inside Dixie Quicks restaurant. The event is free and open to the public.
Featured artists are Jeremy Caniglia, Sara Fettin, Tim Guthrie, Amy Haney, Matt Jones, Alex Myers, Christina Narwicz, Gerard Pefung, Dan Richters, Weston Thomson and Steve Walsh.
***
Denver stand-up comic Josh Blue returns to Omaha for a three-night run this weekend at the Funny Bone Comedy Club, 17305 Davenport St. Following his 2006 win on NBC's “Last Comic Standing,” the 32-year-old gained a national fanbase with his wry, self-deprecating humor that explores his experiences as a comedian with cerebral palsy.
Blue performs at 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. Friday; 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Saturday; and 7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets, $22, are available at 402-493-8036 and www.funnyboneomaha.com.
***
Here's an event that won't leave you feeling under-dressed if you show up wearing blue jeans.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Nebraska hosts its 13th Annual Blue Jean Ball at 6 p.m. Saturday. The organization grants wishes for Nebraska children with life-threatening medical conditions.
This year's benefit will be held at the Mutual of Omaha Dome, 3301 Dodge St. The theme is “Wild About Wishes,” and the evening includes cocktails, live and silent auctions, an 8 p.m. dinner, presentation and music by Tunafish Jones.
Items up for bid include an Ndamukong Suh autographed jersey and front-row tickets to concerts by Keith Urban, Taylor Swift and Kenny Chesney. Tickets are $125. Information: 402-333-8999.
***
Couple skate, anyone? Let the good times roll and hit the rink at Skate Daze, 3616 S. 132nd St. This 45,000-square-foot skating center hosts a weekly “Retro Adult Skate Night” every Tuesday from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Admission is $6 and skate rental is $3.75. Information: 402-333-3555 or www.skatedaze.com.
Contact the writer:
nizproskocil@gmail.com
Copyright ©2012 Omaha World-Herald®. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, displayed or redistributed for any purpose without permission from the Omaha World-Herald.


