If the dog is blind, can he see the Fat Tuesday beads? Find out by checking out upcoming events:

— They say dogs are very loyal, and this is especially true of the band Blind Dog and their sticking to it as far as specializing in modern rock. They play at the Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt on Saturday, Feb. 6. Of Blind Dog’s 59-song play list, there are only a few that steer from that approach, and those tend to be southern rock that steers toward regular rock, (think Lynyrd Skynyrd), and pop that leans toward rocking out (such as Blink 182).

— Fat Tuesday these days is somewhat of a forgotten holiday, but on Feb. 9 at Green Mill, from 4-9 p.m., they’ll strive to make it bead-worthy, with food and drink specials that include $4 Hurricanes, and the chance to get a $25 gift card by guessing the number of beads in a jar. There also is a buy one, get one free offer for short Miller Lites. The online coupon for that specifies that the free beer is only available to the person who orders and consumes the first beer. Gee, that must mean that I’m not the only one who is one-and-done, and just maybe might give away that second drink!
A guy you might see is an occasional patron who lives in the southwest metro but says he comes all this way to partake in the local Green Mill specials. It was pointed out to him that there are other Green Mills along the route he travels, but his preference is the one here in Hudson. All that gas, just to save some green!

There is so much music and other activities in which to partake at the 27th annual Hudson Hot Air Affair, which has as its theme Paint the Sky, there is no way you’ll be painted into a corner when deciding what to do.
The longtime ballooning extravaganza running from Feb. 5-7 also is sponsoring the Taste of Hot Air Affair as a fundraiser. It features a sampling of food and drink, appetizers and desserts. The charitable event will include music by Boondoggle, members of which come from the Roberts area. The five-member country, rock and blues band covers songs from more than 50 years.
The tasting event is set for Saturday from 7:30-10 p.m. in the Chateau Room of the Hudson House Grand Hotel, 1616 Crestview Drive. Proceeds from the Taste, in its fourth year, will go to the Hudson High School Mental Health Program.
Pre-sale tickets can be purchased for $20 (or $25 at the door) at event sponsors Hudson WESTconsin Credit Union, the Hudson House, or Linda White Family Hair Care.
Also as part of the Hot Air Affair, Urban Olive and Vine will again feature a pair of very different bands. Jazz Savvy takes the stage on Friday and the duo of Kiersty and Nathan Santos on Saturday. Both start at 7 p.m.
The Negret winery in downtown Hudson will have a duo of brothers, Matt and Max, playing on Friday and Saturday nights. In sessions at Negret, Matt plays a toned down style that allows people to converse or even read a book, and not be hampered by a loud guitar.
There is deejay dance music downtown at Dick’s Bar and Grill on Friday and Saturday starting at about 10 p.m., which gives a chance to mingle with the pilots, especially after the adjacent Torchlight Parade and following fireworks starting at 7 p.m. Friday. Also, there is karaoke in an intimate setting at the bar at the Plaza Lounge/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.
The Hot Air Affair has as its corporate sponsor the WESTconsin Credit Union.
Visit www.hudsonhotairaffair.com for more information.
Urban Olive and Garden has some “warmup” gigs for the Hot Air Affair this weekend:
— Yes, some great jazz comes straight outta Iowa. Get your groove on, it’s suggested, as the Bierma duo from there say they will provide lively jazz played from the heart, featuring Nancy on piano and Jim on bass. They are on Friday, Jan. 29, at Urban Olive and Vine.
Nancy Anderson-Bierma is a jazz pianist in Minneapolis. She has played piano since age four and has a degree in music from Drake University in Iowa. Since 1980, she has played professionally with her own jazz groups, as a soloist, and with jazz fusion, R&B and pop bands. She’s performed extensively in the Midwest and made her mark behind the piano. Living in Des Moines, Iowa, for many years, Nancy was a well known jazz musician and organizer of jazz events.
Jim Bierma played with the Irene Myles Trio at the Hotel Savery in Des Moines for 18 years. Some of the musicians that sat in with that trio included Tony Bennett, Chick Corea, New Kids on the Block, Dizzy Gillespie, Bill Stewart and Johnny Mathis. Musicians that he plays with in the Twin Cities include Debbie Duncan, Phil Aaron, Charmin Michelle, Ron Lee, Phil Hey, Tom Pletscher and Dennis Spears.
— With a name like Classico Brazil, you know what you are getting. They play at Urban Olive and Vine, with Tony Hauser, Hans Friese and Tim O’Keefe performing Brazilian jazz to kick off your weekend, their online bio suggests, even though in this case, they take the stage on Saturday, Jan. 30.
Classico Brazil performs classics from the vast Brazilian repertoire in a traditional format, typical of the bossa nova and choros era in 1930-1970 in Rio de Janeiro, using guitar and flute, sax and percussion. Such music originates from Baden Powel, Jobim, Pixinguinha, Ernesto Nazareth, Jacob do Bandolim, Tony Hauser, Ary Barroso and Egberto Gismonti.
What follows are two other entertainment choices for this weekend:
— The country, pop and light rock band Still Runnin’ posted 18 new photos on their website, all of them taken at a gig at the Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt on Dec. 12, 2015. The shots show plenty of audience members — you might even recognize yourself — but the photo gallery also is pertinent considering lead singer Jenna Reed’s various shades of red-hot auburn hair. There’s a chance for more of this when Still Runnin’ again hits the stage at The Willow on Saturday evening, Jan. 30. The band’s play list has a lot of country, but also ranges deep into the vault to cover groups like Thompson Square.
— Kozy Korner patrons may or may not choose to be left out in the cold (while gaming, or warming up indoors) this weekend, depending on the timing of when their contests come up, as they can compete in an outdoor bean bag tossing tournament.
Saturday afternoon is the third annual Frosty Bags tourney, hosted by Kozy Korner Pub and Restaurant in North Hudson, which also offers hot food when you come in from the outdoor elements. Also set to warm your innards, between games ot tosses, are samplings of a new local liquor, Demon Rum.
The area available for playing is the size of many outdoor ice rinks. However, the south wall of Kozy is right at the sidelines, so it shouldn’t take much time out in the cold to venture over and have some pizza or rum to stay warm. Or debate the merit of gloves vs. no gloves while playing, like an NFL athlete, over some of the beer offered for free. But none of this should put a chill on your competitiveness.
Mild temperatures, in the 30s, are forecast, but there is a chance of precipitation, so you might want to duck inside on occasion for that pizza and beer.
The event, which starts at 1 p.m., is a fundraiser for St. Croix Valley Rotaract. Two-person teams will compete for a guaranteed first-place prize of $200. Entry fee is $20 per person, and the event is only open to those 21 and over with proper identification.
Contact Alicia Schneider for more information at (715) 338-3664, or at alicia@logomos.com.

The Bungalow Inn in Lakeland always kicks off the new year with a series of singing contests dubbed Bungalow Idol, which continue to pick up steam and resume on Friday with the second to last qualifying night, even though the TV show after which it is patterned is having its swan song.
Although it has not been around quite as long as the American Idol series, which is celebrating its final season, Bungalow Idol still can boast a run of several years. With apologies to Jethro Tull, it still hasn’t bungled it in what can be the jungle of karaoke competitions. The train keeps rolling …
Over all that time, there have been scores of musical styles represented, and some of the singers are good enough that they could probably front a band, but they don’t want the hassle of touring. One commentator noted that participation levels were high and that the singers who did best, as numbers were pared down by judges, were those who chose numbers that were more current — though those covering Sinatra always stand out for their quality.
Some of those singers who are longtime karaoke stalwarts have tried for the coveted crown at The Bungalow multiple times, and they say really look forward to the annual January and February event, and talk about it between songs at other karaoke venues when the previous fall rolls around.
This all got rolling at the Bungalow when a longtime karaoke-meister, Lori, was at the helm, having gotten started in singing while a music teacher and building a reputation as a superior songstress. She would take the mic and do an introductory song or two, to warm up the crowd, then might do the same at certain junctures at other points in the night. There since have been other band leaders for Bungalow Idol, such as the current Chad, each bringing their own style and many times prompting people to hit the spacious dance floor. They would also get up and boogie during the competition itself.
This Friday, Jan. 22, and the next are the last nights to qualify for the finals, which will be held Feb. 5. The four qualifying rounds started Jan. 8. All the steps in the competition are held on Fridays, with things getting going about 9:30 p.m. and running until quite late when merited.
For information, call the Bungalow Inn at (651) 436-5005.
— Over decades, Howard “Guitar” Luedtke has built a reputation for what has been called a powerful, muscular blues sound in the electrified Chicago style, with some of the best guitar to be found from a Wisconsinite, as a rare genuine blues man. Indeed, Luedtke really seems to live the blues, not just pump out its tunes. You can judge for yourself this Friday evening when he performs with his band, Blue Max, at the Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt.
Though his solo shows have a toned-down acoustic essence, Luedtke’s Blue Max performances show high intensity and emotion he says people can feel.
Luedtke has maintained that energy built on bluesy guitar runs, often on slide guitar, over a run of nearly 35 years, most of it with Blue Max.
Though he and wife, as well as longtime bassist, Deb Klossner, have scaled back their number of shows, which have been as high as 150 a year, they still play as much as possible.
Their show usually is a mix of crowd favorites and 1960s-era rock and blues covers, mixed in with a bit of stuff that’s more recent.
— Great liquor is born not made, so if you want some “American Born Moonshine,” you can order it at Dick’s Bar and Grill for a mere $4, but that’s only good for the brand’s “apple pie” version. If just that, could be a lot to serve: I think Mom needs a raise! Be assured that despite the moonshine name, this is legal, as Dick’s has been open for business without interruption since 1860, both before and after prohibition and through all the travails where people have made their own. The fact the business has been around that long is celebrated as one of the things listed on their chalkboard, right alongside a drawing of their llama mascot and motivation for their Lucky Dog brand of house beer, which also has been around for many years. The llama on the drawing appears bug-eyed; I guess you would be too if you had been open for 156 years! And there is another prominent $4 special on tap for this bar that is billed as the oldest in Wisconsin, and lets you “get Surly” in the Badger State. Its Furious brand is now available here, not just in Minnesota, as the chalkboard also says. A like-minded sticker that is attached to the counter at the bar that you can flip up says this: “Arise Surly Nation.” All this could be seen as the reverse of border hopping as it compares to the recent New Glarus debacle, where Twin Cities bar owners came HERE to get Spotted Cow beer, because it isn’t available in the Gopher State. Bartender Matt and I joked about these things being regulated not by the FDA, but the FBA (Food and Beer Administration).

The group called The Strangers, and the various configurations of bands in which they play, is no stranger to the local music scene, and have attracted critical acclaim, all while being stalwarts in Burkhardt.
The Strangers again play the Willow River Saloon on Friday night, Jan. 15. Founding member Steve and well-represented guitarist Rich, have performed together since high school, which is many years, and Steve said their set list is heavy on ’70s classic rock.
Steve also regularly runs sound at The Willow, so he has seen hundreds of bands perform there and knows what acts are the most stellar, and the Strangers and accompanying bandmates are near the top of the list, Steve said. Most of these musicians are local, or at least have strong regional ties. (In his day job, Steve also owns a series of area convenience stores, including the one across the street from The Willow).
He raves about the lead singer, Nikki, in both the Strangers and other area bands, with whom there is some mixing and matching. Included in that realm is the group Nikki & the Ruemates, which includes her beau, that being the aformentioned Rich.
Acoustic country blues is a growing thing in Minnesota, and Nikki pulls off the same re-animation trick for hippie folk-rock, too, having disarming, convincing vocals and being an unguarded, very personal songwriter, which means that by turns, music of her bands is dreamy, sexy, gritty, smooth and always intimate, wrote reviewer Tom Surowicz in the Minneapolis-based Star Tribune, about the Ruemates in particular. Nikki also is said to have a piercing but sweet, achy warble in her voice that makes her perfect for her genres. And she too can play a killer guitar, and has been compared to Memphis Minnie and Iris DeMent in her originals.
Also looking back, Nikki was a finalist on the annual “A Prairie Home Companion” talent contest at the age of 16. In that moment, she was said to sing like it’s 1967 and she’s auditioning for Elektra Records.
In more than one band, Rich plays a lot of resophonic guitar, as well, and has been reviewed as raising up the Muddy Waters and Blind Willie McTell covers from being more than mere coffeehouse workouts.
“In a music industry where most artists seem to take yesterday’s remix as a starting point, it’s refreshing to hear music that has the nerve to dig a little deeper and look a little further back,” wrote Youa Vang in the Twin Cities City Pages about the Ruemates.
Also added to the Strangers mix, on bass and keyboards, and — you guessed it — also on guitar is Dan, who is described by Steve as being a quick study who can pick up fast on how to play a song, even if he does not know it well. Such was the case recently when a patron made a request for Desparado by the Eagles.
— For something on the other end of the area, at Shiner’s in Lakeland, you can find some targeted specials that are set apart by the fact they are offered all day and night, every day. You know the direction this is taking when seeing a sign on the back wall at the edge of the bar rail that says, “Combat veterans parking only, all others will be deployed.” Under this heading, “Local hero,” such veterans, and EMS, fire and law enforcement personnel, and school teachers, get 20 percent off. (To elaborate on what the signs say at Shiner’s, that’s 10 percent on food and 10 percent on liquor). They might have to show some ID, but hey, flipping out your badge is not hard to do. Another special is 10 percent off for people coming from the St. Mary’s Point skating club and showing one of their jerseys or jackets — whether hungry after attending a kid’s practice or getting together after a game, your choice.
— And across the St. Croix River at Pudge’s, the pour-it-from-a-hopper tradition continues, this time with four Wisconsin craft brews, these being fairly well-known, not the kinda obscure kind. Your $20 gets you 96 ounces of Wisconsin beer that goes well beyond Miller.

From acoustic at Afton Alps and other attractions, to breakfast appetizers, you can hit a diverse series of events in the coming days.
— A local man recently hitting the music scene, and forming an acoustic duo with his female counterpart, says his goal for the winter season is to play about one gig a week — at different venues, for the sake of variety. With that in mind, Garret will play Afton Alps this coming Tuesday, Jan. 12, from 6-8 p.m. at Paul’s Pub, the main stage area for that ski-based attraction, then follow up with performances around the area, including River Falls. He adds that because of a change in policy, patrons do not have to pay a cover to get in and watch the band, like if they were to be using the ski hill.
— This new year’s holiday, and post-holiday season, is all about you and your honey celebrating edibles such as entrees and appetizers in twos, which is why breakfast offered at the Willow River Saloon/Carbone’s in Burkhardt is so applicable. You can get two eggs, two slices of bacon, two sausage links and hash browns for $2 on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to noon, not to mention their daily specials, which include the 2 for Tuesdays, namely two pizza sandwiches for $8, two small pizzas for $16, two medium pizzas for $18 and two large pizzas for $20, all pizzas being one topping. (All these references to “two” made me consider substituting the words “couple of,” but you get the drift.) On the flip side, eggs withstanding, the counterpoint this weekend at night is the music of Full Tilt on Friday, Jan. 8, and Fiddlin’ Johnnie on Saturday, Jan. 9.
— And there is more at The Willow this weekend, sandwiched between the times when the two bands play, that being an benefit event that’s noteworthy on many fronts. It runs Saturday from 3-6 p.m. and is for Mike Miller, the long-time sexton at Willow River Cemetery who is father to nine children in a blended family, (his wife’s mother died last fall to increase the loss), and also is a long-running member of the North Hudson Pepper Festival community. It is a group from their board that set up the event, which features a silent auction and, of course, a spaghetti and pizza dinner for $10 a person to aid the cause. Miller, who hopes to be well enough to attend, for a long time has battled myriad medical conditions, one of which would lead to another, as what could go wrong would. The problems started with gastrointestinal woes that were a combination of colitus and a nasty infection called C-Diff.
— On a lighter note, this Sunday is the back-to-back playoff times for the Vikings and Packers, starting at noon. While many a venue is offering specials, Pudge’s hopes to take advantage of their position of first bar over the border by already advertising its drink specials on a marquee outside on Thursday.

The New Year’s offerings around the immediate area, but still closeby, are as many and varied as the communities from which they hail — from Burkhardt to Bayport, and Lake Mallalieu to Lakeland — with these being a few of the most prized:
— If you choose to stay up late enough on the night before New Year’s Eve, and get over to Kozy Korner in North Hudson, you might get to see the Badger football team close out an up-and-down season on a high note.
On Jan. 30 at 9:30 p.m., Wisconsin takes on Southern Cal in the Holiday Bowl, in the balmy climate of San Diego, not unlike the pizza-oven warmth supplied at the aptly named Kozy, one of the best places in the area to view such a game. The Badgers might be considered favorites because of their 9-3 record. Their opponents come in at 8-5, although they are ranked No. 25 for this, the arguably biggest bowl name on this date.
While you’re at it, being up very late at Kozy potentially two nights in a row, you just might want to stay for breakfast. As one deserves another, it starts at 1 a.m. on Jan. 1. There are also prizes and happy hour specials before and after. (And that late night theme continues with the most meaningful Packer-Viking contest in years, at about 7:30 p.m. Sunday).
— Another Border Battle, in this case involving Not Justa Bar in downtown Bayport on Dec. 31, might be considered a tie, although we’ll give the nod to the Minnesota establishment for its originality in going non-stop.
While a handful of Wisconsin-side bars stay open all night on New Year’s Eve and into the following a.m., it is very unusual for their counterparts in the Twin Cities to offer no-closing-time, but that’s just what Justa is doing.
They will be serving breakfast all night to folks from both sides of the St. Croix River, and a shuttle van is available, so there is no need to drive, especially if it is late.
— Located just north of Interstate 94 along Minnesota Hwy. 95, the Bungalow Restaurant and Bar in Lakeland is in an ideal location for celebrating New Year’s Eve — no matter where you’re coming from, on either side of the St. Croix River.
In case you want to do some dancing, the old-school band is Vinny and the Spoilers, a group of friends who play for their church’s worship teams and love to do cover songs of mostly ’60s and ’70s hits. There will be steak and seafood specials, a free champagne toast at midnight, and starting eight hours later, at 8 a.m. on New Year’s Day, there is breakfast offered. The Bungalow is also an ideal place to watch football, with their offerings of bowl game parties.
Reservations are required for New Year’s Eve, so be sure to drop them a line soon at (651) 436-5005. More information is available at www.bungalowinn.net.
— The Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt has a number of activities to entertain you, both before and during the holiday.
There is the annual Tom and Jerry party, with complimentary drinks of those type and appetizers, on Dec. 30. From 8-11 p.m. is the band Load Center, which plays, with a bit of humor, “classic rock, blues, originals and five country songs” and is kind of a kickoff party for the New Year’s holiday. On that eve, there are party favors and champagne at midnight. There also is the band Buck Tucker on New Year’s Eve, a group of Hudson area men who play the St. Croix Valley and might be recognized from the day-job business community. They are followed by another, female-led country band that has shared the stage with some stars, Drop Tailgate, on the night of Jan. 1, and a group doing what’s billed as being the truest tribute to the Man in Black,  Johnny Cash, and other related songs, Church of Cash, on the night on Jan. 2.
To kick it all off, on Saturday, Dec. 26, there is yet another band whose name says it all, Country Outlaws.

— At Shiner’s Bar in Lakeland, the  music starts fairly early on New Year’s Eve at 8:30 p.m. with Beebe and Keeley, a male and female duo of singer-acoustic guitarists. Their online bio is more descriptive then most acts, saying they play current and classic country, upbeat blues, soulful R&B, ’60s and ’70s folk, Americana, jazz, novelty songs and an occasional original. I should note that the male musician has long blonde locks that resemble that of another crooner, Robert Plant. They are on until 12:30.

Rock out, rock steady, rock hard and with apologies to the late Dibbo’s staff and their radio commercials, be rock solid this weekend:
— The band name of these Hudsonites says it all, Rock Hard. They list their genre as Attention Deficit and their online persona has photos with David Grohl of the Foo Fighters and at least one guy in a monkey suit, so you know there will be a great time when they bring their act to the Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt on Saturday, Dec. 18. The youthful local members who on that day will be playing local are Brad Langer, Dave Kortum, Patrick Martin and Ross Goulette. (Just don’t confuse them with the Twin Cities burlesque act of the same name). In fact, the band only gets back together to play special gigs, typically about once a year around the holidays at a specific local venue, according to bartender Darren at the Village Inn in North Hudson. Last year’s holiday performance of choice was at The Village, and a packed house saw a great show, he said.
— If you need a warmup act for Rock Hard, there is more rock in store at The Willow the previous evening, on Friday, as a Twin Cities band named East River Rock accomplishes just that, trekking east of the St. Croix River to appear in Burkhardt. They have been around a lot longer, and physically appear a little more rough around the edges, but use that and the talents that go with it to bring a wide spectrum of hits from the ’70s on down.
— With the recent proliferation of ugly sweater parties, and things such as questionable pants and headgear also, (such as a Gringe-like corkscrew extending upward from one person’s pate), these non-fashion statements continue to be seen out and around the downtown long after the actual contests were held and the (non)-winners named at places like Shiners and Kozy Korner. Some of the beasties hailed from holiday staff parties at locales such as Dick’s Bar and Grill and Mike’s Em Pour E Yum, then proliferating outward. It is the season for final judgment on other things, too, such as stupid pet toys, signs point out.
As for humans, what appear most popular on flashy colored shirts are tiny insignias of things such as reindeer on sweaters, not much bigger that postage stamps. (Maybe they could be mailed to Siberia, where ANYTHING warm is appreciated). A couple of bartenders said the choices for worst outfit were so many they could not single any one item out, they all morphed into a multi-colored stew in their brains. One added their most populous such partiers came on buses from the Cities, and may have numbered as many as 20.
— Along these lines, you can really sock it to ’em at Dick’s, as with a purchase of a $5 Christmas stocking, “you can get your name in lights” and “your name here,” on the fuzzy top ring of the stocking (eh, like you’d want it there!) But it’s all in good fun, as all the proceeds go to the Hudson Food Shelf or Hudson Backpack program.
— Again along those lines, the jukebox at Smilin’ Moose had a song from Justin Timberlake and featuring Jay Z that highlighted the phrase “as long as I get my suit and tie.” A patron walked in and his buddy said, “You sings this song, you know.” Just goes to show there are still, basically, 12 days of Christmas to take in all the ugly attire at the dozen or so local watering holes.

This saga goes back even farther than Mr. T, the actor.
— I used to like to go into the old Mr. T’s Bar right before Christmas. I had been on the slo-pitch softball team they sponsored, but this time of year even more of a draw was their holiday lighting. Kept relatively simple. Quite Quaint. A bit country. But satisfying.
The longtime proprietor of the tavern, which was a fixture in the local nightlife scene from its position smack dab in the middle of the downtown, was Lora. She turns 80 later this week, and the birthday celebration is in the middle of what will likely be a very busy Saturday at the Willow River Inn in Burkhardt. Many of the workers and patrons remember her and her establishment well. The Dec. 12 affair, to which all are invited, will go from “3 p.m. to whenever.” Since this is The Willow, which of course has a big restaurant that is namely Carbone’s Pizza in the back half, food will be provided from 3-4 p.m. To RSVP or for more information, call Lori at (715) 760-2238.
Part of the celebration is the Saturday evening band Still Running, which takes the stage around 9 p.m.
Kicking things off on Saturday is a different take on an old favorite activity, that being the breakfast buffet with Santa. There is one free gift per child, running from 9 a.m. to noon. Call The Willow for reservations at (715) 386-2201).
— Following the local December trend to have bands that are old standbys, Dick’s Bar and Grill will feature Jambo on Friday, Dec. 11, who will try to meld his summertime trop-rock into these cold temps. Then its the duo Practical Goods on Dec. 18.
— Also at Dick’s, for something different, is a doubles cribbage tournament, starting a 1 p.m. Saturday. There will be a cash prize for first place, a free drink for all players and gift cards. Entry fee is $10. Signup with a bartender.
— For more of your Winter Wonderland, Hinterlands, which is billed as a Packerland Pilsner, is available at the Village Inn in North Hudson. But wait a minute, it’s alcohol level is only 4.6 percent. That low a ratio in Wisconsin? Maybe better (and a bit less outlandish) might be the Rhinelander beer special at Dick’s, either Octoberfest or lager. And how many to have? How ’bout “one if by ‘land’ and two if by sea?”

— Now that December is here, its again time to ring in some good cheer (possibly) with the now annual holiday tradition of ugly sweater parties. First off is a low-key affair with mostly regulars — although you can bring an item for the Hudson Backpack program and get a prize as well as happy hour prices from 9 to close — at Kozy Korner in North Hudson on Friday, Dec. 4, but it gets bigger from there. Shiner’s in Lakeland has theirs the next day, on Saturday with an 8:30 p.m. start, and if that sweater isn’t cozy enough, you can also rub elbows by the bonfire near the patio. Plus, there will be a grand prize for the ugliest such sweater, even if its not that warm.
There will also be music to dance to and get your (inner) nerd on, by “Just The 2 of US,” a husband-and-wife team all the way from Kansas City who play jazz, blues and R&B, (I bet he won’t get away with wearing an ugly sweater).
— The month at the Smilin’ Moose features bands on the first three Friday evenings that are frequent performers there, starting with Cherrygun, followed by Uncle Chunk, and then Smokescreen, each having a slightly different take on mostly pop songs.
— Not all the bands playing locally are from the Twin Cities area. Hailing from central Wisconsin and playing all around the Badger State is Lonesome Red and the Blue Strings, and they will bring to Maverick’s Corner Saloon in River Falls on Saturday night their sound of various strings. They include upright bass and have a mix of country-americana-bluegrass.

Lately there has been, and will be, a continuing diversity of sound to be thankful for:
— On The Biggest Bar Night Of The Year, you can take in Mystic Funk at the Village Inn in North Hudson, a soulful troupe that is a mix of male and female, black and white, thin and heavy, and young and old. What am I thankful for? That kind of diversity. See these various mixtures there when Mystic Funk plays their variety and dance music on Wednesday night.
— Garret took the mic from Jeff Loven as The One Man Band took a set break, and followed-up on the most up-tempo version of Folsom Prison Blues you’ll ever hear, by sliding into a song I’d never heard — but would remember because of its unusual style. He can also be seen frequently as part of a duo, playing venues such as, of course, Dick’s Bar and Grill.
— When singing “Should I Stay Or Should I Go,” I just had to razz a Sunday night patron who had fallen asleep at the bar — “if he goes there will be trouble and if he stays he might just mumble …” That pushes the limit even more than when I once covered Clapton and changed a few words to his song about “Sheriff John Brown” to make it go, “I shot the sheriff of St. Croix County. And on my head he’s put a bounty.” Just kidding of course.
— Arch Allies made another local appearance, this time at the Smilin’ Moose, and on this occasion mixed in some Bon Jovi with its tribute to Styx, Journey and REO Speedwagon. My friend Tom, who is a big fan of REO from way back in the day, took in the Double A’s for the first time and said they did not disappoint. Look for them to return to the area soon, especially at community-based festivals.
— A big sign at the Village Inn stated that patrons during the Packer game could be taught to twerk (or maybe not). Those very offensive linemen need to learn how to busta move!
— There was free chili at Pudge’s during halftime of the Packer-Viking game, and if you missed out on that, there’ll be snacks available at Dick’s Bar and Grill after turkey (starting at 7 p.m.) during the Packer-Bear game on Thanksgiving Day. Following that feast at Dick’s is the special, slated for Nov. 28 and advertised on a brand name liquor poster, of you have earned this deer hunting “hangover” so now make sure you enjoy it!
— Another last ode to Halloween (redux again). Seen advertised at local watering holes is The Darker Side of Shandy, featuring ale with real pumpkin — and scary art work on the label to boot.