All Hail, either side — and not just side dish — of Thanksgiving, Black Friday and wild Wednesday.
— The big sign outside the Village Inn in North Hudson says it all, “Jawsy featuring Amanda,” set for the night before Thanksgiving there. Any band name that has “Jaws” as a part of it is perfect for Turkey Day. Too bad the Cranberries aren’t the opening act. As far as music on the same night, a few miles north at Guv’s Place in Houlton, again the sign is telling, saying simply “Kyle.” (We all know that the surname is Kohila). And this reference to one more sign, which was outside Kozy Korner in North Hudson, is a bit dated but not enough to be prehistoric. It referred to a purported food item that’s unique to say the least, and says that Kozy “raises” its own dinosaurs. Meanwhile, a followup quip at Agave Kitchen, done through their own sign, questioned just where that farm might be.
— Also catch a musician who has been around for years with different lineups, and from right here in western Wisconsin, Lyle Baumgartner, at the Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt. He’ll play on as they put it, Thanksgiving Eve. And if you need a meal before indulging in turkey, you can get some pizza prior to the music at the adjoining Carbone’s, as well.
— Black Friday can be celebrated in ways other than shopping. Buffalo Wild Wings will open at 8 a.m., rather than the usual 11 a.m., for those who as a flyer says want to either “replenish” themselves or simply get their batteries going. It would seem, also, that bleary-eyed patrons after a night of shopping will appreciate the pair of speed bumps that have been removed from the main way to enter the parking lot.
— The band The New Skinny played an extra set, but packed the house the most in their earlier ones, when they played their farewell performance at Dick’s Bar and Grill. A host of loyal listeners pushed their way to the front by the stage, and some appeared ready to grab the microphone from Brando when he stepped away from the drums and started rapping. You can still catch them a couple of times at other venues before they depart for good, with a New Year’s Eve performance. To get more details, drop into Dick’s during the day or early evening, when Brando and bassist Rick are on their non-band work shifts.
— My friend Bill, soon to be 63, said he will give his notorious winter water skiing between ice chunks one last try this year before hanging it up because of age. (Your last chance to put him on America’s Funniest Home Videos). He apparently will turn his attention to other things, such as getting back to listening to bands and offering me mini-reviews. In particular, he raved at the Halloween performance of The Fiddler at the Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt. Bill said their variety of country was great for dancing, exciting, and seldom steered away from the music of that type in the ’80s and before. It was stuff that you could really kick up your heels to, and went way beyond just fiddle forays, he said.
— When the soulful six-member band In2ition took the stage at the Smilin’ Moose a few Fridays ago, it was led by perhaps the funkiest bass player around, who never went more than a few seconds without making a cool body movement. Look for them to play again soon.