There is a whole lotta music for a little or no loot this weekend:
– Traditional, classic country music is said to be alive and well, and you can check out The Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt on Friday night, Sept. 9, to see and hear for yourself. With their name taken from the 1971 Lefty Frizzell song, and looking the part, The Honky-Tonk Stardust Cowboys note that they do indeed, “play the country tunes of bygone days.” The band is one of the few in central Minnesota performing this throwback form of country music in the spirit and sound of the original recordings. Their song list includes classics from artists such as Loretta Lynn, Rosanne Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard and Tanya Tucker, as well as several early rock ‘n roll songs.
– Loot 66 has a partially new lineup, as vocalist and guitarist Kenny has come over in recent times from a band that’s Italian-themed — as judging from their logo with a traditional-looking, acoustic guitar guy in hat and bowtie — Sir Vesa. As far as Loot themselves, their theme is more country, and they are at The Willow on Saturday night. They are relatively new both locally and to the region itself, so give them a listen.
– The Hudson Hometown Music Fest, thrown for the second straight year by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church all-day on Saturday, is one of the newest entries on the local music festival scene, and likewise many of the members hail from the Hudson area.
The seven bands steer largely toward country, from the most publicized act on the fest, Boondoggle, to the Buck Tucker Band, both of which feature some local folks. Truth & Rumors throws in an array of light classic rock and August Blues, well, the lighter side of the blues, played by a group of young and energetic Hudsonites who also toss in some bongo percussion. Trandy Blue, who often dresses like her name, is an acoustic guitar act along those same lines and, yes, including country, Melody Moments leans more toward easy listening, and JC Rock has a musically moderate Christian-based tone.
Admission to the second-annual, family friendly fest, which runs from noon to 9 p.m., is free. The church is at 502 County Road UU in Hudson. Major fest sponsors include EJ’s Pizzeria, Pitchfork Brewing, Orangeleaf frozen yogurt and Big Guys BBQ Roadhouse.
– A Comedy Night and Banquet for Life being presented by Options for Women in River Falls, and featuring guest speaker, comedian and musician Mike Williams, goes to show that comedy at a variety of venues is indeed becoming king in River Falls.
Williams is the author of “Never Stand Under a Flock of Angry Birds,” and “Turkey Soup for the Sarcastic Soul,” among others. The event is conducted by the local TLC pregnancy resource center, which offers a variety of support services, and will be held at Kilkarney Hills Golf Course, 163 Radio Road in River Falls on Sept. 13. Cost is $40 per person or for a table of ten $400.
There will be dinner, a social hour, auctions and a raffle with a grand prize that’s been hard to top in this area, entitling the winner to luxury accommodations for up to four people at a Vidanta destination for seven nights and paid ground transportation, subject to location, from the airport to the resort. This does not include food or beverages or certain extra activities or services that may be purchased at the resort. Raffle tickets are $10 or three for $20 and can be purchased up until the drawing at 9 p.m. on Sept. 13 at the banquet. Proceeds go to Options For Women.
For more information, call (715) 425-8539 or optionsforwomenrf@outlook.com. Patrons also can buy tickets via that email address, or by clipping the box in an advertisement in various local shopping circulars and mailing it to 214 N. Main St., River Falls, 54022. RSVPs must be received no later than Wednesday, Sept. 7.