Story and photos by Jacoby Vann
Oct. 19, 2016
The Zoo Bar welcomed Sarah Potenza back to the stage on Monday night, which also marked Zoo owner Pete Watters’ birthday celebration.
The room was filled with the smell of enchiladas and tequila shots shortly after The Tijuana Gigolos ended their early set, sending a triumphant ‘Happy Birthday!’ to Watters. The crowd huddled tightly in the narrow space, passing shots indiscriminately and surrounding Pete at the end of the bar. There was no speech or tears, just grimacing faces recovering and then keeping with laughter.
Watters has owned The Zoo bar since February 2001 with his business partner Jeff, and has worked there for the last 30 years.
“I’ve had the distinct pleasure of working for Pete for the last six years,” said bartender Kimberly Moser. “He’s the craziest, wildest, nuttiest boss I’ve ever had.
“He’s a really loving guy…very giving,” she said. “He does a lot for the community and he’s just got a spirit of charitable community togetherness.”
Speaking of the bar, Watters remarked, “There’s some really cool, amazing stuff that has happened here and I was privileged enough to be a part of a lot of it.
“You know, you have these moments where you go, If I could be anywhere in the world right now, I would be here and I’ve had more than a handful of those that have happened here,” he said. “Once you do that a place is really special.”
As familiar and familial faces celebrated with Watters. Sarah Potenza took the stage. Her soulful voice filled the room as she swelled through songs of her husband’s passed father and being a confident monster.
“Lincoln is like the Austin of Nebraska — it’s one of my favorite places ever,” she told the enthusiastic crowd.
Hailing from Providence, R.I., Potenza, formerly of Chicago band Sarah and The Tall Boys, went on to be a contestant on season eight of “The Voice.” Between songs, she showcased impressive storytelling skills that complemented her powerful singing and songwriting.
“I used to only do that to fill time because I didn’t have enough songs,” she said. “But then I got used to telling the stories and I have a certain story that goes along with each song and it lets people in.”
One such story was how she ended up playing in Nebraska in the first place.
“I used to work at a bar, Underground Wonder Bar, playing music in Chicago,” she said. “I met these people and they emailed me and they were like you should come to Nebraska, come to Omaha, play our Blues Society and then come play at The Zoo Bar.
“They gave me Pete’s phone number and he was like, I can give you a few hundred bucks to come and play, and we did,” she said. “When we first got here there was nobody here. We played from 6 to 9 and by 9 o’clock it was packed because the word spread.
The feeling of community Potenza sensed that first night in town has endeared Lincoln and the Zoo Bar to her.
“This place is so special to me. It’s part of my history. I love Pete. Thank you guys so much,” she said before closing the night out.
As more shots were lined up at the bar, two saved for Sarah and her husband, Watters looked towards the future.
“It’s about music. We are very proud of our past but It’s really important to not become a museum. I always want to attract more and more,” he said.
Jacoby Vann is one of KZUM’s tireless fall interns.
