Latest news with #Oberst
Metro
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
00's rock icon attends his own lookalike contest with a bag of old clothes
A 2000s rock legend showed up to his own lookalike contest in Omaha, Nebraska, delighting fans. The event was held on August 1 as a benefit for Omaha Girls Rock, a music education scheme in the Nebraska city. Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes, who is from Omaha, even gifted a bag of his clothes to the winner who was voted to look the most like the singer. The contest gave participants the opportunity to perform karaoke of Bright Eyes' songs together, holding a single cigarette provided by the contest. When Oberst turned up, fans were thrilled to see the singer-songwriter had brought a bag of his own clothes (unceremoniously placed in a garbage bag) that he ultimately gifted to the winner. The winner of the competition wrote on X: 'This will let y'all know who I am but tonight I went to a Conor Oberst lookalike contest and no one showed up so I grabbed some different clothes, came back, and entered. He showed up. I won. And I got photos with him and won a garbage bag of his old clothes.' Bright Eyes, known for hit songs like First Day of My Life and Lua, released their album Five Dice, All Threes' last year. Speaking about the project in an interview with NME, Oberst said: 'This time, I still hope the songs resonate and have equal amounts of meaning, but as far as the sounds and approach to the music, it's a bit lighter. More Trending 'The word 'fun' is very rarely used to describe my band, but maybe it is a bit more fun,' he continued. 'When we last went on tour we were cruising around with a 14-piece band and strings and horns. This record is going to be just guitars; rock and roll stuff.' In recent years, it's become something of a trend for celebrities to make surprise appearances at their own lookalike contests. Glen Powell turned up at one in Austin, Texas last November, promising a film cameo to the winner's family. A month earlier, Timothée Chalamet went incognito at a similar event in New York. Drake took it a step further in Toronto, awarding $10,000 to the winner who most looked like him. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Truth behind Hulk Hogan's two year feud with daughter Brooke finally revealed MORE: Mick Jagger, 82, considering another baby with girlfriend, 38, 'if fate allows' MORE: Country legend Jeannie Seely dies aged 85, months after her husband
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
For visitors to Micanopy, The Shop offers customers whimsical gifts and holiday decor
(This story is part of our weekly Hidden Gems feature series as the USA TODAY Network-Florida takes readers around the state to highlight some of our most interesting attractions.) Years ago, April Lewis and her family would make the trek from South Florida to Micanopy, the small, inviting town sandwiched between Gainesville and Ocala. The young teenager would stroll the historic, tree-lined streets with her parents, marveling at the artistry and warmth and everlasting familiarity in the quaint town. She followed her family into a local shop and eventually emerged with the first purchase made with her own money — a rustic metal horse weathervane and chime. However, it's what she couldn't buy that day that still sticks with her, even after she returned to work at the same store decades later. 'I'm 50 years old, and I'm still asking Marlene if I can buy this display case,' Lewis said with a laugh. 'The answer is still no.' More: WorldAtlas names 8 of the best downtowns in Florida. One is in Alachua County The horse weathervane is still on display and for sale in the window of The Shop, located at 210 NE Cholokka Blvd. The storefront — and owner Marlene Oberst — are still going strong after 45 years, providing Micanopy with countless memories and treasures. Relocating from the Washington, D.C., area, Oberst and her husband were struck by the idyllic town located between I-75 and U.S. 441 and knew it would be a destination. They bought a historic building, formerly a doctor's office and pharmacy, and opened an antiques shop. Now, 45 years later, The Shop is packed with whimsical gifts, interesting holiday decorations, and scores of people of all ages and hometowns. The store will regularly get shoppers from Canada, Mexico, and 'anywhere that's a tank of gas away,' as Oberst puts it. Even singer Roy Orbison would visit The Shop when he lived in Ocala. 'We'll get customers who come in and say they were here 35 or 40 years ago,' she said. 'They'll tell me exactly the piece of furniture they bought, it's amazing. As soon as someone walks in, they'll smile. They're just happy to walk into this environment, and it's wonderful if we can give people that gift even for an hour.' Regulars will come year after year to look for Joe Spencer's hand-painted cloth dolls, hand-carved Micanopy Santas, Easter decorations, and more. All holidays are represented throughout the store year-round. 'We do our part, but it's the people coming in here that just feed our heart and soul,' Oberst said. 'I know that sounds corny, but that's what makes up life: the people, the connections you make, and the kindness people show you. When they walk by the counter and say this is a beautiful shop, it makes us glow. Forty-five years go by in a blink.' Oberst, who is eager to celebrate The Shop's 50th anniversary in a few years, has no plans on stopping. 'It gives me so much pleasure,' she said. 'How do you give up something like this? If you have good health, wonderful people on the street, and wonderful customers, you just want to keep going as long as you can. You wake up in the morning, and say, 'Yay! Another day.' ' Where: 210 NE Cholokka Blvd., Micanopy Hours: Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. More info: This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: The Shop in Micanopy Florida sells whimsical gifts and holiday decor
