The Upstairs Blues Band headlines P.O. Pears cookout

A group of P.O. Pears patrons enjoy their burgers on a sunny day.
A group of P.O. Pears patrons enjoy their burgers on a sunny day.

The UNL Dairy Store’s P.O. Pears grill will be fired up again Friday as East Campus hosts another burger cookout featuring a blues band of local high school students.

Patrons can enjoy P.O. Pears burgers, including the famous Jiffy Burger, grilled by former Pears cooks as The Upstairs Blues Band plays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Half-pound burgers are available with a variety of Dairy Store cheese for $6.99, which includes a trip through the buffet line serving potato chips, baked beans, macaroni salad, pickle spears and burger condiments.

Signature burgers are $7.49 and include: the bacon burger, with cheese; the popular Jiffy burger, complete with peanut butter and bacon; the Rhythm and Blues burger, topped with bacon and bleu cheese; or the 25th Anniversary Burger, featuring cream cheese between two slices of Dairy Store cheese.

Cheese choices include American, Cheddar, Husker, Husker with Dill, Husker with Jalapeno, Husker with Black Pepper and Chives and Husker N-Gold.

Stop in at the Dairy Store any time during store hours to pre-purchase lunch.

UPCOMING P.O. PEARS COOKOUT DATES: July 13, Aug. 3, and Aug. 17.

ABOUT THE UPSTAIRS BLUES BAND: The band is made up of six high school students who formed together while attending the Northeast Family Center’s Academy of Rock. The group has been together since September 2009 and has performed as far away as Memphis, Tenn., as well as on local TV and radio stations.

The band practices upstairs in the Zoo Bar every Sunday, which is how The Upstairs Blues Band got its name. Their style is “as real as it gets,” playing blues from artists like Muddy Waters, Magic Slim, BB King and Freddy King, among others.

Band members include: Emily Schiltz, on vocals; Caleb Long, on guitar and vocals; Max Mayer, on guitar; Sierra Hearn, on the keyboard; Maddie Sanders, on bass; and Nathan Liscom, on drums. They are aged 15-17 and based out of Lincoln.