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Roots music to take root at Tasting event for farm-friendly Hot Air Affair

The Hudson Hot Air Affair has a farm theme this year, and the fact that there will be a variety of rootin’ tootin’ music as well as tasting of many local products is no bull.
The longtime ballooning extravaganza running from Feb. 6-8 is sponsoring the Taste of Hot Air Affair, Field to Flight edition, as a fundraiser. It features sampling of spirits, wine and beer, along with decadent chocolates and cheeses, and is set for Saturday from 7:30-10 p.m. in the Chateau Room of the Hudson House Grand Hotel, 1616 Crestview Drive. Sponsors of this signature activity for the 26th annual launching event called Field to Flight, E-I-E-I-O, are 45th Parallel Spirits and the Villa Bellezza Winery, both local companies.
Music in this, the Taste’s third year will be provided by the Hunyuks, a River Falls area duo of Bill Gnatzig and Denny Thorsen. They cover diverse genres, from “rootsy fine old-time picking with vocals,” to country, classic country and down home music, and have been together for about seven years.
“We do a fair amount of Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard, with some of that old fun Roger Miller, Waylon Jennings, and occasionally throw in some ’50s and ’60s rock,” Gnatzig said.
The style of their show will be catered to the nature of the event. “We will tone down the volume so that people can visit and just let them enjoy themselves,” he said, adding that their guideline is creating “songs and smiles.”
The music for the Taste is compliments of the River Falls Roots and Bluegrass Festival, another large-scale event that has many bands and related attractions at numerous venues and hits their stages in April. That festival and an accompanying event in River Falls, the Bacon Bash, plan to march in the Torchlight Parade that will be held in downtown Hudson at 7 p.m. Friday. The parade will also feature music of another type, that of kazoo marching bands.
Proceeds from the Taste will go to the Hudson Area Backpack Program, a non-profit organization that distributes backpacks filled with groceries to families with elementary-age children in need.
Pre-sale tickets are $15 per person and those at the door are $20. They can be purchased at Hudson WESTconsin Credit Union, American Sky Brewery, Linda White Family Hair Care, or by calling (612) 360-3821, or emailing tamigirl1297@yahoo.com.
Also on the Hot Air Affair agenda is music at four participating sponsor locations, American Sky Brewing Co. and the Plaza Lounge/Hudson Bowling Center on the Hill, and Urban Olive and Vine and Dick’s Bar and Grill downtown.
Music acts at the Hangar Taproom of American Sky, at 1510 Swasey St. behind Fleet Farm, are Sasha Mercedes and DJ Rickert from 6-9 p.m. on Friday and Jambo Joe Bones at 5-8 p.m. Saturday.
In her online biography, Mercedes says her music “will make you think, break your heart and kick you in the gut all at once.” She has released more than six albums and the cover art on the latest, which was produced in its entirety in just three days, was created by Rickert, the drummer. She has shared the stage with the likes of songstress Tracy Bonham and folk musician Pete Seeger. Mercedes says her songs can be “cross-platformed to fit into just about any genre.”
Rickert has produced mixes based on the music of several artists, the most recognizable being Fatboy Slim. Both musicians have had plenty of exposure on You Tube.
Local favorite Jambo Joe Bones for years has hit many venues around the area with his laid-back, lets-have-a-party trop-rock that owes to Jimmy Buffett.
Urban Olive and Vine will feature a pair of very different performers. Jazz Savvy takes the stage on Friday and Mark Keating on Saturday. Both start at 7 p.m. Keating is a fingerstyle guitarist and singer inspired by players such as Leo Kottke, and has a background in playing many differing styles.
Rounding out the music options connected with the Hot Air Affair are deejay music at Dick’s Bar and Grill on Friday and Saturday starting at 10 p.m., which gives a chance to mingle with the pilots, and karaoke in an intimate setting at the bar at the Hudson Bowling Center on both nights, a venue not far from the Moonglow or Field of Fire that is set for Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
Other noteworthy Hot Air Affair events are balloon launches at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and at 3 p.m. on Saturday, all weather permitting, and smoosh boarding at 1 p.m. Saturday. All are at the Rock Elementary School grounds.
Visit www.hudsonhotairaffair.com for more information.

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