No trouble is expected when The Village has one of its first bands under a new design.
— Trouble Maker is a longtime variety and party music band, so why not go see them at the Village Inn in North Hudson on Friday evening, Feb. 27, and at the same time check out their new renovation. A not-too-tall, 15-foot-long-wall has been removed from the center part between the main room and the back area, where the band will play, which really opens up the atmosphere. Many long, cafeteria-style tables have been replaced with smaller, square ones, for a more intimate setting. And right in the middle of the back portion are two bigger-seating additions with tall chairs, much like mini-bars.
— History has proven that what’s Good For Gary just might be good for you, too. This longtime favorite rock band, playing in prominent venues all across the metro area, will perform at the Smilin’ Moose on Friday evening. However, it is unlikely that they will feature as many instruments as the country group Hitchville a few Fridays ago, which at one point had a mandolin and keyboard going at the same time.
— And when a band of five women, Rebel Queens, was on at the Moose last Friday, the set list was intriguing and included a dead-on version of the tough-to-cover Ballroom Blitz by Sweet. Speaking for myself, I tried to do the Blitz three times in karaoke, and audience members said the first time was killer, but the other two proved to be one of very few occasions when I couldn’t pull it off. The others, in my estimation, were tunes by Deep Purple and AC/DC.
— Bands that can pull it off, at least 12 of them, will be at the Roots and Bluegrass Music Festival in River Falls on April 10-12. At least twelve is the operative term, as that many local wineries and breweries will be part of a tasting event to accompany the free music weekend.