Omaha teens will need permission slips to attend concerts at bars

BY KAREN SLOAN
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Omaha teens who go to concerts at two of the cities’ newest music venues will need more than just tickets.

They’ll need their parent’s permission.

The Omaha City Council today passed an ordinance with new rules for those younger than 18 who want to attend concerts in venues where alcohol is served.

They would be required to turn in a notarized parental consent forms to get in the doors of the Saddle Creek Record’s Slowdown in north downtown and the Waiting Room in Benson. More venues could fall under the new rule, though it’s unclear how many will pursue that option.

The ordinance means that the Waiting Room and Slowdown can continue to hold all-ages shows, as they have been doing for close to a year. But it will create an extra layer of red tape for club owners and for teens who attend shows.

Owners of both the Slowdown and the Waiting Room said the permission slips are a compromise they can live with.

"It will be a minor inconvenience for the front door people, and it will probably take a little longer to get people in," said Jason Kulbel, co-owner of the Slowdown. "But it solves more problems than it creates."

The ordinance was approved a 5-2 vote, with Councilmen Frank Brown and Chuck Sigerson voting against the measure.



I need a permission slip from my mommy to get into a show?? LAME.