If you like female vocalists who provide stylings you don’t always see, or for something completely different euchre tournaments, this weekend might be for you:
— The Rebel Queens take the stage at the Smilin’ Moose, a high-energy, all-female five-some that play classic rock and for a differing twist, punk music, from the likes of Joan Jett, the Ramones, ZZ Top and Blondie. For their show on Friday night, Feb. 20, they promise a lot of glitter and riot girrrl attitude.
— Also on Friday night, across town at the Village Inn in North Hudson, there will be another woman on lead vocals for Solving 27, which covers and I quote their web site, “Adele Zeppelin Doors Alice in Chains Sugarland Miranda Lambert and more.”
— But not every singer is a woman. Dave Synder is back playing in Hudson, and brought his song list that runs something like 500 tunes to Stone Tap last Saturday, the second straight weekend they’ve had live music, both being of the solo, acoustic variety. It’s worth noting that the last time I was in Stone Tap, the Rolling Stones, fittingly, were playing on the jukebox with Gimme Shelter, a song that’s anything but acoustic, but probably appropriate given the harsh temps these days.
— And then there are things far from punk, those back-to-back euchre tourneys, at 2 p.m. Saturday at Dick’s Bar and Grill, and at noon Sunday at Kozy Korner in North Hudson.
— Do you really need a “shotgun start” for an indoor miniature golf tournament? Apparently, when its markedly inside and called the “Cabin Fever Classic.” The early Saturday event in New Richmond also features dinner, prizes, and oh yes, a tour of nine favorite area pubs. It is being held in part through the efforts of the local Chamber of Commerce, which has more information, but the event may have sold out.
— And speaking of keeping things inside, since recent nights and even days continue to be cold out there, it’s appropriate to point out that the fifth annual Roots and Bluegrass Festival in River Falls, coming up April 10-12, has all of its scores of bands indoors, as well as things like tasting activities and high-quality “picking” music contests. The twelve different venues offering bands will essentially crank up the heat, compared to outside, if not necessarily the volume, as much of the music featured here also is acoustic and will allow patrons of the free shows to converse as well as listen.