Omaha teens need notarized notes from parent to attend concerts

As of yesterday, anyone 17 or younger will need a notarized permission slip from their parents to attend concerts and two Omaha venues, the Waiting Room and Slowdown. The permission slips are the most significant element of a new city ordinance intended to allow the younger set to enjoy live music while limiting their access to alcohol. The Omaha City Council adopted the ordinance April 17 after questions were raised about whether minors can legally attend shows at Slowdown and the Waiting Room because those venues operate as stand-alone bars when no concerts are booked. The permission slip rules do not apply to social halls such as Sokol Auditorium, or to the Qwest Center Omaha and Orpheum Theater, even though those venues allow all ages and serve alcohol. To read more on this issue, visit the Omaha World Herald's website here.