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If you get right down to the root of the situation, no one should be singing the blues about the entertainment offerings this weekend.
— Just a jog down the expressway, everybody is getting into the act by hosting bands, and many of the venues are having such an offering as a once- or twice-a-year gig.
That’s because in River Falls, this weekend is the annual roots and bluegrass festival.
Here is the band schedule, and there are plenty of them playing from early morning to late at night:
On Friday, its Cousin Dad at Johnnie’s from 6:30-9:30 p.m.; Chris Silver Band at Junior’s from 8:30-9:15 p.m. then the Rambling Rooks at the same venue from 9:30-11 p.m.; and the May North at Shooter’s from 10 p.m.-2 a.m.
On Saturday, its the Rush River Ramblers at the South Fork Cafe from 8-11 a.m.; Barley Jacks with fiddle at Johnnie’s from 1:30-4:30 p.m.; Fish Heads bluegrass jam at Funktion Junktion from 3-5 p.m.; Jack Klatt and the Cat Swingers at the Mainstreeter from 3-6 p.m.; Roe Family Singers at Bo’s ‘N Mine from 3-6 p.m.; Platte Valley Boys at Lazy River from 6-9 p.m.; the Last ReveL at Juniors from 8:30-9:15 p.m. followed by Pert Near Sandstone there from 9:30-11 p.m.; Sans Souci Quartet at Shooter’s from 10 p.m.-2 a.m.; and Horse Shoes and Hand Grenades at Maverick’s Corner Saloon (formerly the Corner Bar) from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
On Sunday, the lone act is the Cactus Blossoms at the West Wind from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
There are also plenty of other open jams and demonstrations throughout the weekend.
— This is an event that hails from our childhoods, but will be lived out in what promises to be spectacular form by adults at Dick’s Bar and Grill on Sunday, April 6.
Actual racing in the Hot Wheels derby is sold out, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the fun by watching, starting at 1 p.m.
Dick’s has a large main room and when the tables are cleared is perfect to house all the people, and tracks, at such an event.
— The UW men’s basketball team has made the NCAA Final Four, and the second-seeded Badgers have got to be a favorite over No. 8 Kentucky. Saturday evening’s game will be shown, as always, at a variety of sports bars locally. Many of them have bands or deejays slated to start around 10 p.m. and expect the music will have to begin late, even if that part of the entertainment has already been pushed back a half-hour or so since game time is 7:49 p.m. Everyone from the Village Inn, to the Bullpen Cantina, Ellie’s, Dick’s and Kozy Korner expect that Saturday night, all night, will be crazily busy and they hope that this customer traffic can carry over until Monday’s final if Wisconsin wins in the semis.
— Longtime bartender and singer Andrea is getting married on Saturday, with the venue not being announced on this web site because so many of her countless patrons have said they’d like to be Wedding Crashers, if they find the where-with-all. Andrea is known for singing the National Anthem at pro sporting events throughout the Midwest, often being flown there free of charge to make the appearance, but there’s no word yet if she’ll sing at her own shindig.

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