All the different versions bring variety at various venues for this weekend’s entertainment:
— At The Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt, on Friday night, Feb. 24, Country Outlaws provide there own version of, well, outlaw country, and then on Saturday night, Still Runnin’ performs with inclusion on their song list Blues Suede shoes (all versions), La Bamba (Los Lobos version) and Summer Lovin’ (version from Grease).
— Even though the weather has not been chilly, there is a chili cookoff at Dick’ Bar and Grill this Sunday, just as there was one at Emma’s Bar in River Falls last Saturday. The Hudson variation states that your chili is on the wanted list and that there is an award, although the overall posse displaying their grub is filling up fast. So you might want to get out your six-shooter, dispatch the cowpoke in front of you and claim your home on the range. (OK, maybe not). But there are five different prizes given, kinda like a rodeo, and set-up is at 11 a.m. and judging at 1 p.m. There is a $5 fee for sampling all the different varieties.
— Jack Klatt, a fingerstyle guitar player and vocalist who says he walks the fine line between blues and country, has made a live recording at a 100-year-old church. He now brings his critically acclaimed act to Juniors in River Falls on Friday night, and is different in that he’s played about as much in central Wisconsin as in the metro area. Producing his first recording is Tom Herbers, known for his work with Low, Trampled by Turtles and the Jayhawks.
— As advertised at Broz in River Falls, a meeting of Texas and Wisconsin. Collect caps of Lone Star Beer, the official beer of Texas, for prizes that include free beer and/or Broz apparell. There is also the new Wisconsin version of half and half, fresh from the Dairy State, of Blue Moon Belgian White and River Falls’ own Nevermore Chocolate Oatmeal Stout from the Rush River brewery.