They may not all be taking songs from off their records, but these are bands you will want to hear live:
— For the record, the band Off the Record has been recording a lot of local gigs for the first time in a while. They will play at Guv’s Place on Saturday, Sept. 27, and that follows a performance by the duo at Dick’s Bar and Grill last Sunday. They filled in for Jeff Loven, the One Man Band, who took one of his rare nights off during the 10-plus years he has been a fixture at Dick’s.
— Also at Dick’s on Friday, Sept. 26, is a band of locals that’s often been in the local spotlight. To quote an oddly worded flyer on the wall, “Practical Goods will be in the house from 6-9 p.m.” After that, there will be Extravagent Luxuries. Just kidding.
— The Hudson Bowling Center is having its disco party, with that music and dress from 7 p.m. to close, on Saturday, a combination of things that just has to make you think of That ’70s Show set in Milwaukee.
— Saturday and Sunday will bring even lighter acoustic sounds to the area, as the Spirit of the St. Croix Art Fest takes over Hudson’s Lakefront Park on both days from 10 a.m. to about 4:30 p.m. In order on Saturday, live from the “artist village,” which is sprawled out on the lawn near the dike road, is the strolling musician Paul Imholte (who has an act kind of like that seen occasionally at Pudge’s Bar this summer), the Americana music of the male and female duo Firefly, and the soft folk of the young guitarist Trevor Ohlsen. Also, at the band shell from 1-4 p.m. are the quartet the Barley Jacks with Brian Wicklund, whose bluegrass, Celtic, folk and other acoustic music is becoming increasingly popular in and around the area. In order on Sunday, is guitarist Sam Ketcham with folk, alternative and jazz that can be a little less light, to be followed, again, by Firefly. And at the band shell from 1-4 p.m. are the Devine Collection, a fivesome with keyboard whose collection of sounds is a bit more diverse, with soul, funk, R&B and jazz.