You will have more than checkered success if you go to view bands this weekend.
— The Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt is continuing to broaden its base of bands, while being able to continue offering the popular standards, because it has almost a dozen concerts each month. They continue both ends of that trend this weekend. On Friday, Aug. 1, the Willow brings in the new band Checks from Minnesota, and on Saturday is a veteran of the same venue, East River Rock. Music starts at 9 p.m., which means you might want to get there early and enjoy a Carbone’s Pizza, offered at the same location, before the show. And the price is so inexpensive that yes, you probably won’t even need to write out a check.
— Friday also is the return to Hudson, after what’s probably been years, of the rock group Brat Pack Radio, which offers its own format of old school tribute band. They will be at the Smilin’ Moose, and have not been seen much around these parts since the heyday of the former Dibbo’s nightclub.
— All day Saturday is another return, that being the Bar Olympics in North Hudson and downtown Hudson, which means more of the best of, well … more bar games. We’ve all played them at one time or another, and they go well beyond just darts. Places that will be hopping with this activity include Kozy Korner and Dick’s Bar and Grill, among others. See your bartender for details.