These are food and music events that can stick to your ribs:

— Can’t wait for the revelry that goes with St. Patrick’s Day? Well, Woody’s in Bayport has taken note of the time of year on the calendar and next week offers what they bill as their halfway to St. Patty’s Day event. It will feature a corned beef and cabbage dinner, of course, and also Irish beer specials. And for those challenged by such charting, the halfway event is defined as being on Sept. 17 and 18.
This is much like another halfway-to-it offering, that through local e-clubs for which you can sign up, that give you an early birthday. Most noteworthy is the free deep dish pizza from the award winners for such fare at Green Mill.
— It’s also time of year for the fifth annual rib fest at Willow River Saloon and Carbone’s in Burkhardt, outdoors in the nice cool fall weather that compliments it well. For admission of $10 on Saturday, Sept. 13, people can sample ribs and a variety of sauces, as well as chow down potato salad and beans, all for a series of good causes. There will be microbrews on hand for sampling, as well as other beverages available through the Saloon, raffle, vendors and plenty of live music both during the event and that evening by Generation a “90 percent country song” band starting at 9 p.m. The fest itself runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is co-sponsored by the Hudson Lions Club, and fund-raiser proceeds go to local scholarships and humanitarian needs.
— Soloist Trandy Blue has been having a recurring gig at the Village Inn in North Hudson on Saturdays starting at 4 p.m. It is on the patio, weather permitting, or just a few steps inside the door, which is fitting this time of year because it’s also right in front of the NFL helmet display. A standout song at a recent performance was a cover of Paula Abdul. Speaking of covers, Trandy Blue is also a photographer and who knows, might have gotten a shot or two of Abdul during her American Idol judging days.