Like your prime rib — and other more bar-type food — along with signature sauce? Indulge in prime entertainment along those lines, which also can be experienced in the form of music, give-aways and other eats, this long Labor Day weekend:
— He’s back again, and again, with a (bar) food-ish sauce name-alike you’re sure to remember. Solo act Bruce Burnience comes back to play the Smilin’ Moose early-on on the patio on Sept. 1, and he will be back, again, on Sept. 28. And as the (late night) end-of-summer bash continues to unfold, The Moose will have their pre-Labor Day dance party on the 2nd and also the 3rd.
— You can sign up at the local Buffalo Wild Wings, via their membership club, for a chance-to-win football offer that has the Vikings trumping the Packers. There is a Vikings Family of the Game chance (well worth it), as well as an opportunity to get a Packers custom jersey (maybe less so as far as value, I have to admit as a back of the Pack). And to boot, the former offer goes for a month longer than the Green Bay version.
— You can get your fantasy-draft-party game on via the takeout pack that feeds six to eight people, courtesy of again, Buffalo Wild Wings. You can pick a set of wings (what is this hockey?), a sharable (is this like when a free agent jumps ship?), and a side (pick the offensive or defensive side of the ball in your draft).
— Every dog has its day, and don’t feel sheepish about it. The Wisconsin State Working Dog Association’s Sheepdog Trials are on tap all Labor Day weekend at the Badlands Sno-Park east of Hudson on Kinney Road, incorporating shepherds from all over North America as well. There is an admission charge to view the herding efforts.
— Available as far as beer at many local haunts is the Mango Blond On Top. Or, excuse me, that’s Mango Blond On TAP.

Less is more, and you’ve got a lot of styles, venues and influences there:
— The bass player for Les IzMoore is from Hudson, and online describes being formed by “the mean streets of Houlton.” The band moves south of there and plays Thursday night, Aug. 23, at the Lakefront Park band shell, as part of the ongoing summer concert series held each week on that night. Mike Brueske, who also plays in area churches, puts it this way: “Our goal as musicians is to remind people that good music is good for you, and the deeper the groove the better. Lately we’ve been hitting the 1970s for the richest and deepest grooves. The benefits have proven to be enormous, and the people dig it!” Fans of Van Morrison, Elvis Costello, Neil Young, Crowded House, Steely Dan and the Beatles will appreciate music that is familiar, but fresh, they say, as is interpreted through band’s perspective.
The person who told me about the above referenced group, a church liturgist, also gave a shoutout about another group that has played the area clubs, and again local churches, in the form of Mike Akan the drummer for Bigly. For a third Hudson person who completes the Holy Trinity of this genre, and also blends the secular and religious about where he plays, and has done so since a youngster, check out Chris Ashwood. He also gives music lessons where he says you can taste the best of both worlds, and specializes in playing with a fusion jazz trio consisting of family members. Check out his web site for more information.
— A great moment, perhaps worthy of some cash, at Dick’s Bar and Grill on a recent open mic night merits a plug for that entertainment found there every Thursday. The house band wrapped up the night’s gig with Folson Prison Blues by Johnnie Cash, delving into a spirited minute-long, guitar-led jam to conclude the song. See more of the same tonight.
— Maybe a matter of hearts and heads? Its called Two Hearted Ale — and does the fish image make the IPA ale tastier, as part of a sign on the wall by the Dick’s Bar door? It’s also got on display therean amber alt, and that sign goes on for about 100 words to describe the tie-in to Native American spirituality and a turtle that saves, as the beer is titled the “Headless Man,” despite German origins. Have the people at Turtle Lake Casino caught wind of this?

Do you want some Salt ‘N Pepa with your yams? The latter is in the Haus.
PepperFest is on again with a peppering of new (to varying degrees) bands striving to become seasoned. My sister-in-law from the north metro, who is through and through country, said that when she heard Yamhaus she thought they were “heavy metal.” When any band has a vegetable as a part of its name, I highly doubt it. To decide, see this group of area people play in the Village of Hudson park on Friday night. Two other bands follow, The Roger Allen Band (their full ensemble) on Saturday night and Paisan and the Family Brass on Sunday night.
— Meanwhile, kitty-corner across the street, Seasons Tavern will again host their Wicked Wings Challenge on Saturday afternoon, and as has been the case each year with the contest (Pepper Fest is more than hot pepper and spaghetti eating races, although you can find that too, same day), the featured Season’s sauce is kept a secret — and kept in a vault under lock and key, OK we made that up — until the day of the ordeal that requires nerves of steel. Sufferin’ Succotash! And again OK, we doubt that’s the featured flavor this year.
— If all this Pepper pizzazz not enough for you, you can drive or walk northward and catch Jawsy as an additional music act at the Village Inn on Saturday night, as they play an hour longer than at the fest itself, going until 1 a.m.
— Want to buy one of thousands of golf balls, for a quarter each, that were gathered by a benefactor during and around the recent benefit event for Travis Ostby, a man who faces tremendous and expensive medical difficulties from rapidly spreading melanoma. All of that quarter go to his cause. Simply go to Jonesy’s The Local, in Plaza 94 next to Hudson Bowling Center, and you have it. The Local was opened a few months back, and longtime bartender all-around-town Jonesy says he was in no hurry to put a sign up front because those who know him, and how he operates, were well aware anyway of his club’s new existence, and its video and hands-on gaming/sports theme. To wit: People either get the place, and his thrown-out-there attitude delivered with a biting but hilarious and playful edge, or a few don’t.

As a lover of old school metal, simply said, they’re my Obsession:
— There will be a reunion performance of the 1980s speed metal band that gave Jeff Loven his start, at Amsterdam Hall in St. Paul on Friday, Aug. 10. Loven, the longtime local one-man-bander, at some points in those early days was more on vocals than guitar. The appropriately titled publicity photo — which goes under the heading, If the good die young then we will live forever — for the show is pure and cheesy hair band material, and it is dated 1984. (Jeff looked a lot different then. Lets just say his hair was a lot longer). But that five-member band, Obsession, also had plenty of substance, and their blistering guitar was fast enough to get prominent gigs on both coasts, playing both the top clubs in New York City and also on The Strip. Tickets are available at www.ticketfly.com. Doors open at 7 p.m. The club is at 6 West Sixth St. in St. Paul.
— I thought it odd that when searching the internet for Pierce County Fair 2018, I saw listed a bunch of really down home acts?!?
Oh, my bad, that actually was Pierce County in Washington State!
Back here in Ellsworth this weekend, it turns out, the list is shorter. There are multiple musical performances by local legends The Memories (a decades-long variety show) and also Six Appeal (a group of six sexy men singing a capella). They take the stage for most of Saturday and Friday evenings, respectively. There also is an encore, of sorts, with the Coleen Raye Family and Friends Variety Show, at 2 p.m. Sunday.
— The Brit classic car show is on again outside of Dick’s Bar and Grill, on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It has had a long run, so what is new to say this year in a preview? Go into Dick’s and check out the cool logos displayed on the flyer announcement all around the joint, a dozen insignias in all, portraying both car brands and their area clubs.

What better way to celebrate an anniversary, in a purely practical way, and not have the elapsed time be baggage:
— Are bean bags considered Practical Goods? There will be both at the grand opening (revisited) of Kozy Korner in North Hudson on Saturday, July 28. A bean bag tournament is set for 1 p.m. with a band of Hudson’s own, Practical Goods, playing at 4 p.m. And if you’re going by the Kozy Korner sign, this is an anniversary of an anniversary, as the event was first publicized on the marquee exactly one month ago.
— Andy and Kathryn Karg are a vocal/guitar/piano duo that cover multiple genres from the 50s on up, and they are at Urban Olive and Vine early on Saturday. Andy reigns from Nashville and brings his guitar swinging chops to match Kathryn’s Minnesota-homegrown piano virtuosity, combined with their tight and soaring harmonies.
— Also early on Saturday, the Smilin’ Moose switches it up from the bookends that are longtime acts on Friday and Sunday, and on Saturday afternoon on the patio can be found in the form of Dan Switch.
— If you’re a Cheesehead, Packer Backer, Badger fan, or someone with German heritage, you might be interested in this … A burger topped with bratwurst, sauerkraut and dijon beer cheese sauce, the monthly special now available at Broz in Falls.

Get wild with not a pro hockey team, since this is summer, but a community band hawking the natural wonders of the St. Croix River:
— Promotion of this is a case of when the traditional actually meets the mainstream, and beyond. The St. Croix Valley Community Band, along with the metro brass, will play as part of St. Croix Riverfest with selections that reflect 50 years of celebrating the local stream designated as a wild and scenic river. They will be on, both the stage and environmentally consciously, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 19 at — where else — the Lakefront Park band shell along the St. Croix.
— For the least inexpensive specials you can hope for, the BX Mexican cuisine and bar on The Strip in River Falls has offerings such as — get this — $1 and $2 Mexican specialty drinks, even for margaritas.
— The marquee sign at Season’s says it, and it brings a whole new meaning to the letters www. In this case, the written message references not the World Wide Web, but (welcoming) people to the Wonderful World of Walleye, of which the North Hudson bar and eatery has a dozen or two different, well-reviewed varieties.

The music at the St. Croix County Fair this weekend sticks to the tried and true, opening with a group of young rockers and followed up by several time-proven bands.
Positioned in Glenwood City, The Fourth Degree plays Thursday at 8 p.m. (at Croix Court), Boondoggle on Friday at 7 p.m. (at pavilion) and The Whitesidewalls on Friday at 7 p.m. (at Croix Court), Elvis Show on Saturday at 2:30 and 4 p.m., Blue Moon Drive on Saturday at 7 p.m. (at pavilion), and The Memories on Saturday at 8:15 p.m (at Croix Court).
Some bands have been shifted to a new venue, right in the middle of things, that helps you see them without paying a cover charge, meaning that yes, you get free entertainment, unlike many other places.
— The Whitesidewalls are considered by many to be the Upper Midwest’s premier doo-wop, rockabilly and rock and roll show band, and the fair has them.
Featuring five singers playing multiple instruments, the tight harmonies and driving dance beat of the Whitesidewalls are the signature of the Rock ‘n Roll Revue. Hound Dog, Swanee, Gino Gambucci, Bobby Maestro and Rocky Beaumont have handcrafted a show that will have you jumping — just like it did all those years ago. This group of versatile artists from Minnesota and Wisconsin performs for many thousands of people each year, and they have shared the stage with many big names in music over a span of four decades.
Whitesidewalls Radio is on the air, also, in Minnesota, New Jersey and Florida. After listening to them at the fair, keep the party rolling and tune in to hear host Michael Patrick “Records” Ryan interview guests, deliver the latest band news and spin the platters from the golden age of rock and roll, even a few by The Whitesidewalls. They can be found on the radio in Minnesota at KDUZ AM 1260 in Hutchinson from 1-3 p.m. Sundays, WKLK AM 1230 in Cloquet from 5-7 p.m. Saturdays, and KSCR FM 93.5 in Benson from 10 a.m.-noon Saturdays.
Also, as a followup to the fair, or to preview their act beforehand, check out the Whitesidewalls video sampler of their two-act musical “Love Potion #10,” and their new CD “Livin’ the Dream” that has been released and is now available.
Since their genesis over 40 years ago, the Whitesidewalls Rock ‘n’ Roll Revue has built a loyal fan base that continues to grow and show their support.
— Founded in 2002, Boondoggle lists its interests as rowdy bars, bachelorette parties, dancin’ fools, wedding dances, barn dances, guitars, Cadillacs and cold brewskies. The genre is variety, country and rock and they play music by Elvis, the Beatles, the Stones, Skynyrd, Led Zeppelin, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Dwight Yoakam, and everything in-between, from the 60s to current day. Band members are Brent Ackley, Dawn Budrow, Jim Ehlers, John Wolf and Nate Dahl, hailing from western Wisconsin.

— As far as The Memories musical variety show, and the many awards that have been bestowed on them, the group was inducted to the Wisconsin Association of Fairs’ Hall of Fame in 1995.
As many groups do, The Memories got their start singing and playing music while in high school choir and band in Boyceville. In summer 1972, they were asked to perform for a friend’s wedding dance and 44 years later Warren Petryk and Tim Stevens are still making music together. They now have performed at the county fair for 31 straight years.
In what started out as a very part-time adventure, Warren and Tim, along with classmate and fellow founding member, John Lynch, performed anywhere and everywhere they could: village halls, golf courses, high schools, community festivals, wedding dances, night clubs, bowling alleys, street dances, ballrooms, barn dances, supper clubs and ski resorts included.
“I think there a few things that make us ‘different.’ We try our best to make sure our shows feature great songs, performed well from a musical standpoint. But also, that our shows are entertaining, interesting and fun for our audiences,” Tim said, adding that the band members were fortunate that they were best friends before they started performing together. “We have been told many times through the years that our friendship really comes across to our audiences when we are on stage.” Growing up together in western Wisconsin, they not only know each other extremely well, but also their audiences and the people and history of the area. “We bring that to the stage with us,” Tim said.
— The honkytonk sounds of Blue Moon Drive also have some hometown boys, this time from River Falls, and they are names you may recall: Dave Snyder, Al Canfield, Bob Feyereisen, Dave Feyereisen and Kevin Louden. “We are all about good beats and moving your feets! And we’re always looking for one more perfect gig that can change the world,” they say, adding that their influences include: Merle Haggard, Dale Watson, Dwight Yoakam, Buck Owens, Gram Parsons, Johnny Cash, CCR, Hank Jr., The Mavericks, The Valley Boys and Larry Schorn.
— “The Elvis show is a tribute to the different periods of Elvis’ career: the 50s, the movies, his 1968 comeback special, his gospel music and the record breaking years in Vegas,” they say. Joe Sir is the leader of that band, and they have taken the name Rockabilly Rebel Band.

— The fair’s music opens with a heavier sound, provided by the group The Fourth Degree, also hailing from the area, in this case Hammond. On lead guitar and backing vocals is Tyer Dennis, lead vocals Lexi Vasser, guitar and piano and backing vocals Cris Carrasco, drums RJ Feyereisen, and bass Alex Golden. They are a group of young people that give a fresh sound to the fair, playing around the same time as the queen coronation, which means there will be all kinds of royalty from other communities present, making it even more an event of choice for a younger crowd, as far as bringing in young blood as spectators.
— For another still fresh face, although having played gigs for several years while providing his fresh sound, check out Sam Kuusisto at the Bungalow Inn in Lakeland as part of its ongoing Tuesday music lineup of duos and solo players. He will be on from 5-8 p.m. on July 17.

As should surprise no one these days, country in all its various forms and combinations with other genres, will rule at River Falls Days this weekend.
Things get going early on Friday, with a band that plays just what its name describes, Old School, at 4 p.m. Then a relatively new area act that has been riding high on the country highway takes over — fresh off a Thursday appearance at New Richmond’s annual festival — Rural Route 5, at 8 p.m. Lastly, another group with a largely similar name, that gives a nod to just what type of country they will be playing, Red Dirt Road, closes starting at 10:30 p.m.
On Saturday, its a band with yet another telling name, Journey to Recife, at 2 p.m. Paisan and the Family Brass takes over the stage, with their varied styles on display, at 7 p.m. Sushi Roll comes rolling along, with a dance twist added in, at 10 p.m. There are two more acts that follow on Sunday, Beebe and Keeley, as the similar vowels are roughly the same in number as again, the styles played, and they are on bright and early at 11 a.m. The folksters in The Hunyuks close out the fest at 2 p.m. Unless otherwise noted, bands will play at Heritage Park on the banks of the Kinnickinnic River.
And, you will find additional bands during the weekend at Johnnie’s Bar on Main Street, and at selected other establishments.
— You have this weekend in the bag, because of bookends to the city of Hudson. There are early “bags fly” events, beanbag tossing tourneys that is, all over in the coming days. First is July 14 at the New Richmond Fun Festival, (starting late morning), then July 15 as part of River Falls Days, (starting at noon), sponsored by the River Falls Moose Lodge.

Don’t get Inside Out over the current but rapidly waning, extended Fourth of July holiday, as there is multiple music, munchies and margaritas that are much closer in reach than that piece of fireworks that could just blow off your fingers:
— As said, this weekend, so closely following The Fourth, can turn you all around. No problem, as you could turn it all back around by going to see the band Inside Out on Friday evening, July 6, at the Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt.
— There is a special that started around the time of the holiday at Buffalo Wild Wings, and as they say will Go Fourth from there. It is for at least four different kinds of BBQ BWW chicken wings. After all, what is more American than consumerism?
— There doesn’t seem to be very much Moose music unless you are in Pittsburg; and a month into the summer acoustic season, at least their music listings are easily accessible online. And yes there is a Smiling Moose, spelled one letter different, in Pennsylvania, not just the one in downtown Hudson, but with those guys its easy to find what they offer, which starts with karaoke several times a week and also moves on to things like trivia contests and other bar games (and yes, our Moose has the latter on Sunday Funday afternoons). The difference also is clear with the band announcements at Big Guys BBQ Roadhouse north of Hudson. The guys at Big Guys have the bands that are playing for each following weekend clearly displayed on their big sign, sitting unobstructed not far from the highway right-of-way. For the record, this weekend there is Bo Fodor (Friday evening) and Kurt Allen, Titanium Blue (Saturday).
— This is a deal that might require you to take a siesta, rather than party the weekend after The Fourth away. At Azul Tequila on the south end of not Mexico but rather Hudson, they have specials you won’t normally see, for their margaritas. These are of the type that most places reserve for rail drinks or domestic beer. Namely, its two-for-one margaritas Sunday through Thursday, and that offering even extends in rare form, although slightly tweaked, to the weekend, where its buy two and get one free. Also on the margarita front, there is an occasional special at Rio Loco tequila bar and cantina for getting that specialty drink for $3.
— All this weekend, it is the Basilica Block Party in Minneapolis, and apparently God is a rocker. After all, a noteworthy hashtag involving the event has been #GodHasSpoken, as they compete with the aforementioned local offerings, as part of the substantial flotila that each weekend dutifully foresakes the Warehouse District and comes to Hudson instead. The blockers even suggest in an over-the-top manner that people volunteer, as this is doing God’s Work. (The event does raise a lot of money for charity). To that point, despite the overt evangelization of the offering, it has been called the hottest church party of the summer.