Most venues are closed on Christmas Eve itself, although there are some noteable exceptions earlier in the day, based around what one venue calls “the biggest rivalry in pro football,” but on the days before (and after) there is more local music:
– How many holiday carols do you know? There may be plenty, but you’ll have to move faster than Santa top catch them. At The Bungalow Inn in Lakeland, Jeff Carver, a versatile musical performer, offers a last chance at that venue for 2016 to catch him carving out such classics, when playing smooth jazz with a trumpet and mixing in Christmas music, on Thursday, Dec. 22, from 5-7 p.m. This act has become a popular fixture at The Bungalow for many Thirsty Thursdays (with fine dining to boot) since fall.
– Then on the Tuesday between the two holidays, catch another fast-becoming-a-tradition at the Bungalow, The Jorgensen Tagg duo. Some of what the national critics are saying include “Hold On. Could be a new standard for the genre!” and from as far away as London, “Sounds great! Good radio potential.” That’s fitting, since the duo will take it on the road, and around the world, in the first part of the new year.
– The M8Ds look the part of a hard-edged rock band, and thusly they bring on music of the ’80s, with a pop-punk twist. See how they incorporate these various genres when they play the Smilin’ Moose on Friday night.
– Ditch Chicken plays the Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt on Friday night, emulating at times an artist they like, Bad Girlfriend, and also fleshing out with a variety of other tunes their classic rock and rock ‘n roll. The apple does not fall far from the tree, as they hail from Stillwater and Oakdale, and so who knows, you might recognize some of the members.
– And then there’s football. At noon on Dec. 24, the Border Battle between the Packers and Vikings will rekindle, with celebrations that include drink specials, sloppy joes and halftime taco bars around the area, and Seasons Tavern in North Hudson is even throwing breakfast into the mix. They will be serving that most important meal of the day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will keep their doors open during the extent of that pro football game — kinda makes you wish for OT. As it wears on, there will be an offering of homemade chili.