You can be blue in multiple ways and still be happy about it this weekend, but it might be needed to get your fill of fruit first:
– If they also would sing the blues, a band that will play Juniors grill and bar in River Falls on Friday, Aug. 26, would be blue three times over. Blue Groove leans toward a more contemporary bluegrass vibe (such as Alison Krauss and Rhonda Vincent), while maintaining ties to traditional bluegrass (such as Bill Monroe and Flatt & Scruggs), and may even throw in a few originals. As far as comparisons, the lead vocalist even has the name Adelle, (that’s right, a double L). Instruments include the mandolin, dobro and upright bass fiddle. Most of the band members have played for decades and have lengthy resumes, which also include time with symphonies and in Kansas City, and mastery of the cello. The band has been runnerup at both the Race For a Place contest of the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association, and the River Falls Roots and Bluegrass Festival.
– You can get your fruits (especially) and vegetables now more than ever at Hudson bars. At Green Mill, advertised is Redd’s blueberry ale and wicked mango served in cans, as in canned fruit. The next door, at Buffalo Wild Wings, their trivia contest asked what the commonality was between Baldwin’s and Jonathon’s (both are apples). And of course at Dick’s Bar and Grill, there is the grapefruit sonsoma, which is specified as having various qualities, and among the most obscure being that it’s non-carbonated. Buy hey, if its vegetables you want, there are bloody mary’s featured all over Hudson.
– Dick’s says Ride ‘Em Hard, but they’re not hard-nosed about it, as this Sunday, Aug. 28 motorcycle rally is free, with prizes given along the way, which includes three stops and a raffle at Dick’s following the main event. You still must register, and that occurs at 11 a.m., with departure scheduled from what is sure to be a packed Walnut Street at noon.
– The bookends are somewhat new concerning the Smilin’ Moose patio entertainment this weekend, with soloists being the country-clad Trent Shaw on Friday early evening and partially masked Famous Friends on Sunday late afternoon. They are sandwiched around the performance of Chris Lawrence, also solo, on Saturday early evening.