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Lots of music, and plenty of weird games for your weekend and beyond

We’re talking PopROCKS, and not the candy, and also the possible trifecta return of Big Fat Groove within a several week period:
— What, you want pop and rock and dance and party and “hits” music, that might make you laugh to boot? You might want to check out PopROCKS at the Smilin’ Moose on Friday night, Nov. 3, as the venue again takes its occasional steer away from the same bands it usually offers and adds in one that’s only there once in a while.
— It’s been a while since I’ve done a mini-review, so here goes. Big Fat Groove played Pudge’s Saloon and Eatery twice in a month-long period … so we’ll have to see if they come around again in the next couple of months. Their middle set scorched, and the band features a strong rhythm section, and when the guitar comes in its bound to be funky. Also, the drummer is a main vocalist, which again is like the late Grant Hart of Husker Du, who passed on recently. He told me he’s well aware of the energy created with, and shared between, the band and the audience, such as was the case the last time they played. And the cushy chairs and fireplace upstairs at Pudge’s didn’t hurt the ambiance.
— This might be considered WEST Hudson, not North Hudson, but this trivia offering at Alary’s Bar on WEST Seventh Street in St. Paul is just begging to be mentioned — and it over the years has had scores of lovely young women bartending who hail from WESTern Wisconsin, and that’s not trivia when they’re friendly. But coming with their frequent evening bar trivia, that is themed after Star Dust IPA, comes a free pitcher of Surly Hell for teams of four or more, and a similar reward if you buy any shot for an opposing team. That’s got to be hell in there are only three on your team.
— Lastly, in NORTH St. Paul, not NORTH Hudson, actually Gordie’s in Little Canada, where in addition people from THE WEST — Alary’s — apparently also go judging by the bus that can be seen outside, there is this atypical contest. You toss a bean bag, but throw it from the exacting distance of 11 feet, 4 inches, as specified by a very wordy sign, and the target is set-up at a right-on 42 inches, by rule, above the floor. There are also more than 100 words used to describe the rules of the game; really needed? That kind of OCD will get you in Surly Hell!

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