Tunes and turkey, (including the various types of hunting), and a new duo mark the highlights of this weekend’s activity:
— The Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt has been advertising as a group a trio of bands in the vicinity of Turkey Day, involving the eight days before and after the holiday, which also features there a meal with the oven roasted bird or carved ham and all the fixings. These groups include Lady Luck (Nov. 20 with their edgy Old School and new rock), Fiddlin’ John (Nov. 21 having instrumental with an edge) and The Farmer’s Daughters (Nov. 27 with an edge of female-led country excitement and enthusiasm).
— The duo of “Josh and Dave,” on guitar and vocals, have recently teamed up after playing with a variety of other bands and take their new act to Shooters Pub in River Falls on Saturday, Nov. 21. Josh most recently took the stage with the Jeff Loven One-Man-Band and laid it down with a bluesy, guitar-driven rendition of country rock. As in his days with The New Skinny, they will likely go deeper than the tried-and-true standards, as can be seen with Josh’s influences, which include The Blend, Young the Giant, Stereophonics, Lights Out Dancing, New Medicine, All the Right Moves, Anberlin, MGMT and the Naked and Famous, and several more mainstream bands.
— Just in time for hunting season is a beer of the month special, Low on Doe, otherwise known as Old Milwaukee Light, at Dick’s Bar and Grill. And it will only cost you, literally, a couple of “bucks” as long as you order before 10 p.m. That gives you plenty of time to stop in after hunting hours close.
— Halloween lives on (redux). The Jacko traveling pumpkin shandy is available as the November beer of the month at the Village Inn in North Hudson, and with each bottle you get a “mustache” in case you’re still in need of a costume. And The Village perhaps leads the way in its promotion on its marquee on the battle-for-first between Green Bay and Minnesota, by saying they will have on their 20-plus TV screens the 3:15 p.m. Sunday contest with the “ViQueens.” As much as that gets our kudos, we must say “boo” to the Big Guys BBQ Roadhouse online post about the game that some viewed as offensive to the Purple People.

Feeling lucky this weekend? There’s no punk to be heard, but plenty of pop.
— What makes the Lucky Dog so lucky? Simply that there is an annual party in its honor, drawing all its friends, and a great and established band will be playing. This celebration of Lucky Dog beer, the house variety at Dick’s Bar and Grill, and customer appreciation night, will be held there on Saturday, Nov. 14, with free appetizers and drink specials. The band from 6-9 p.m. is the local trio Jawsy, which continues to evolve, and now has three musicians contributing to vocals, a fact that has not gone unnoticed by audience members, who say that has become one of the band’s strengths. Initially a showcase for the singing of Amanda Fagerlund, the group now adds to its vocal stylings Will Reinhardt, a founding member from back in early 2013, and John McConville, which allows “even bigger harmonies,” according to the band’s online bio. A sign at Dick’s advises patrons to “get there early,” and has the trademark heart symbol that accompanies references to Amanda at the end of the phrase.
— When the group Tripwire brought its varied array of music and instrumental to the Smilin’ Moose last Friday, one thing noticable was the bright purple spotlight that at times was awash over the band. Can you say Deep Purple? (When I got in my car to drive home, the classic Knocking on Your Back Door was played on the radio). What also makes this all fitting is that the last time I saw Ronnie James Dio, of Rainbow-Deep Purple-Black Sabbath fame in concert before he died, he admonished the guy on lights to stop shining them brightly on his face, but rather focus on members of the audience. That may have been blinding Dio, who stood 5-foot-4, especially since the Twin Cities venue where this took place, The Medina, is known for its very low ceiling.
— If you go to The Moose THIS Friday, you will hear Junk FM, which has a play list that doesn’t have any Deep Purple or other hard rock, but lots of current (mostly) and older pop songs on its about 100-tune play list.
— Guitarist Steve Holt played at Big Guys BBQ Roadhouse on two different nights right before Halloween, and according to someone who should know, Geno who was formerly the guitarist for Saving Starz, said that this past player with the Stevie Ray Vaughn band and now in a featured role, was the best he’s heard. With that kind of praise and the fact that he was on for consecutive nights, expect him to be back in the area soon to crank out the blues. As for the former singer for Saving Starz, Anthony, he has now teamed with Marcus Lere to form a duo appearing around the area.

This weekend’s music slate features two bands that hail from far afield and haven’t played the area much, both claiming to be high energy and each, oddly enough, having a group that doesn’t always get covered, the Violent Femmes, on their play list.
— Based out of Rice Lake, Sidekick Abbey “brings an energetic blend of your favorite country and rock hits,” according to their bio, to the Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt on Saturday night, Nov. 7. They feature the whaling vocals of Pam Dawn (winner across both states of numerous casino karaoke contests), Rob Storm (vocalist and guitarist from the popular cover bands Third Gear and My Device), veteran musician Ron the Riffster (Black Diamond, Quick Fire and No Refund), self-proclaimed as a talented bass geek Ryan Bocephus (Quick Fire), and Caveman on drums (Roadhouse and Wild Oats).
Interesting song choices of their play list are She Hates Me by Puddle of Mudd, Blister in the Sun by the Violent Femmes and I Think Were Alone Now by Tiffany. Also on the almost-60-song play list, as an example, are three songs by Little Big Town, and two each by Trick Pony, Billy Idol, Bryan Adams and Sheryl Crow. That means there are 50-plus artists represented on that list.
— Try to pigeonhole these guys! Tripwire from Fargo, a foursome of young guys who play the Smilin’ Moose on Friday night, have a post-grunge look about them but play virtually every genre and decade, with the possible exception of the really early rock and pop. Their instrumentation includes three musicians who play the kazoo, two who will pick up a trumpet, two who blow into a harmonica, and also fiddle, sax, mandolin, banjo and even melodica and beatbox. There 127-song play list goes right up to the present day.
— Halloween is past, but the drink specials live on, at least at Dick’s Bar and Grill, where its advertised that you can order Serpent’s Bite, which wouldn’t you know it includes not only whiskey, but also apple cider flavoring. The sign shows a snake with the fruit of knowledge in its mouth, (musta tricked Eve to parttake in this, since as Crosby, Stills and Nash sang, we’ve “gotta get ourselves back to the garden.”) If that weren’t enough, another sign at Dick’s, just a couple of feet away, is hawking Jim Beam Devil’s Cut.

The witching hour is near, along with its different forms of costumed revelry, and what follows is a primer to profile many of the Halloween parties and costume contests to hit the Hudson area this weekend. (And, for even more costumed enjoyment, they’ll go an hour later than usual because of the Daylight Savings Time switchover).
— The party at Shiner’s in Lakeland is set apart from others because it has an accompanying and ongoing outdoor bonfire, as well as one free drink, among the various fun options available, for patrons dressed as witches or warlocks.
The main party is Saturday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. and features live music from the band Trouble Maker, $15 gift cards handed out every 60 minutes, (on the half-hour) for best costume, and an overall $75 gift card given at midnight for the best group costume.
The bonfire is out in back — in the area that during the summer had lots of action at sand volleyball courts, and continues well into the fall to have a big, active patio that’s complete with lots of big table-topping umbrellas and big heaters, when the weather makes it necessary. That just might come into play, as the bonfire will go on virtually all day, and into the dark night, possibly even through the witching hour, (for prize-hungry patrons so dressed).
Participants must be 21 years or older. The bar and grill is located along St. Croix Trail, a mile or so south of Interstate 94.
— Ellie’s on Main has a costume contest of such a large scale that you have to be there a half-hour early, even though judging is held late, (between midnight and 1 a.m.), to take part.
On Saturday, such patrons typically gather around the dance floor in a circle several layers deep, so they can cheer as the finalists strut their stuff to help their cause. While they dance in the middle of that circle, the deejay serves as an emcee. A sign outside Ellie’s promotes both the contest and Jose Cuervo tequila, and notes that partiers need to “have a story.” Hey, they’ll have no problem coming up with one.
First prize for best costume is $150, second $100 and third $75.
— The Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt is one of just a few venues offering costume contests on both Friday and Saturday, as well as bands both nights. Like the Four Horsemen, numerically, that’s four ways to enjoy the Halloween weekend.
It’s just cool enough that an alleged local ghost, who knows, just might come in out of the cold and make one of his rare appearances. Eerie, but no reason to be frightened, everyone says. Just another mystery to make Halloween fun.
The band on Friday is Country Outlaws, and on Halloween itself is Strangers, taking the stage at about 9 p.m. That’s starting a bit earlier than usual to benefit the costumed crowd, and they go strong until 1 a.m. Costume judging on both nights is at midnight during a set break from the music, and there are gift card prizes for first, second and third places.
As is reported by late-night staff in at least four bars right around Hudson, The Willow also allegedly has its ghost, which fits the bill that has often been described at these places — that of an old-time hunter all dressed up and ready to hit the woods prior to his demise, but first making the rounds on occasion, using a similar path, in the tavern. (Fans may note that Cardinal quarterback Carson Palmer, when addressing the media after breaking records on Monday Night Football, wore similar flannel, as was seen at local sports bars, including the Willow). Its staff, past and present, add that there have been instances of the electric lights oddly going on and off upstairs, (and hey, noting the holiday at hand, that’s not exactly reaching Heavenward).
Other venues where there have been strange goings-on include the former Dibbo’s music hall (in their basement), and across the street in what is now the Winzer Stube (all along the bar rail late at night when staff used to close).
— The newly recreated Guv’s Place, in the North Hudson building that used to be Mudd’s ‘N Sudds, offers a whole host of new Halloween possibilities for co-owner Jess Thompson, who treats this as the Holy Grail of holidays.
Because the design of the building is new to them and L-shaped, all her favorite beasties have new homes from which to haunt humans. For example, there are several monsters apparently trapped beneath the ceiling, which has an overhang above the bar rail that is only a foot or two tall but covers the size of a couple of big rooms. These creatures can be seen poking their heads out, while chains sometimes hang from them — but not weighing them down enough to make them crash to the floor. However, to view all these you might have to crane your own neck.
And that’s what it’s really all about, coming to visit whether you be an old patron or newbie, and seeing what Jess has done differently from her former Halloween in Houlton digs. You can check it out over coffee, a beer, or some food for breakfast or otherwise, between now and Halloween on Saturday, or possibly a bit beyond that point, as the decorations probably won’t be taken down right away. A logical time for such exploration might be Halloween night, when there will be Jess’ typical party to mark the holiday, her first in the new joint, and creatures will abound, whether in the form of patrons or things hanging from the wall.
That night, in one of several such offerings in the area, the Absolut Girl models will be on hand doing their thing with vodka from 9-11 p.m. And their also will be live music, of course, from Wade and Ella, starting at about the same time.
And not all those things need to be over the top to be scary. The fact that there are more tap beers in the offing than at their former location, means there are all kinds of diminutive demons scattered amongst the spouts that make all those brews pour. Other ghouls of their small stature, as also seen at other venues, are hanging from the edges of wreath-like weavings on the walls.
Also new, there is a serpent wrapped around the steel ceiling frames, and for a decidedly local twist, an RIP tombstone that’s almost three feet high that has scrawlings on it about “The Nightmare before PepperFest.”
Some of the bigger monsters appear to be new to the Guv’s Place anthology, and they’ve been thoughtfully erected by Jess over the past couple of weeks, tidying up a video gaming station here and a table with chairs there to make room for them showing their true colors, of late October. Jess said her main challenge has been finding ways to fit them all in.
— Other than those previewed above, there also are noteworthy extravaganzas in the area at Dick’s Bar and Grill (Saturday night) and the Smilin’ Moose (both Friday and Saturday, with the biggest prizes) in downtown Hudson, the Village Inn in North Hudson (Saturday), Bo’s ‘N Mine, Maverick’s, Shooters and Juniors in River Falls (all on Saturday, with the latter being biggest in scale), Woody’s in Bayport (Saturday), and Coaches in River Falls (a rare Friday party).
— If you’ve had too much of Halloween, (after reading all this stuff?), turn your focus back to football. There will be a “live drawing party” at the Willow River Saloon at 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2, and this facet is new to the endeavor in 2015. The drawing is for a set of tickets to Viking-Packer games on either Nov. 22 at TCF Bank Stadium, or Jan. 3 at Lambeau Field. The chances to win stem from clipping and delivering registration slips, from the Oct. 18 edition of The Shopper/Free Press, to participating local businesses. Hurry while there is still time.

If your stomach is growling, maybe what it needs is some nearby new beer, poured down while listening to some new music, and topped off with some new BBQ.
— The area’s newest brewing company and tap room, Barley John’s on Madison Avenue in New Richmond, has its grand opening Saturday, Oct. 24, starting at 1 p.m. but going strong for nine hours until 10 p.m. Beer specials include give-aways of a growler on the hour. Live music includes an old standby and two bands you don’t get that much of an opportunity to see, and least some places in the immediate area. One of those, The Pretty Durties, has a long stint on the stage, from 6-10 p.m. Tommy Bentz and his band are on at 4 p.m. and Matt Fox at 2 p.m.
— You need a pumpkin to carve on, and they provide it. Two local bar and grills establishments have that in common with Halloween happenings they host prior to the holiday.
The kids can have their fun at Dick’s Bar and Grill THIS Saturday morning, Oct. 24, with a pumpkin carving activity, but there are things provided for the adults, too. While faces are being created on pumpkins, with the artwork being done from 9:30-11 a.m., the adults are invited to part-take in Bloody Mary’s and that infamous champagne-orange-juice blend that is so popular.
That same Saturday, at Shiner’s in Lakeland, is a contest for various carving prizes, for “kids” of all ages, the main two categories being, essentially, teens and pre-teens. There are three carving contest categories, and registration is from 4-5:30 p.m., with carving itself from 4-6 p.m. Winners will be announced at around 7 p.m. Fee is $5, but the prizes include gift cards of up to $25.
— The latest breast cancer fundraiser is also one that has been publicized on bulletin boards for several weeks. This is a dart tourney at Big Guys BBQ roadhouse (formerly the Valley House) on Sunday, which includes $1,000 added, and also a silent auction that starts at noon. There is a choice of open luck of the draw doubles or another doubles format, that being elimination or 501 cricket. There is a $20 fee, half of which goes to the charity. There is a 10 a.m. signup and noon start for the darts. You will know you are in the right place of the newly opened establishment, halfway between Hudson and Houlton, if you can smell the sweet smoke of their signature BBQ from the middle of the parking lot.
— For another Halloween option that is already unfolding, check out the under-renovation Pudge’s and its lifesize (or more) creepy creatures, which at times take their seats at tables or by video game machines. Also in that mode, there is a skeleton that is being manhandled by a headless but still taller-than-human armored knight, (it since has been replaced by a dark black pumpkin). A few of the patrons allegedly have jokingly done “inappropriate things” with the skeleton, (maybe they have it confused with an anorexic supermodel, hence the draw). Pudge’s also is offering as part of its specials a 96 ounce hopper filled with domestic beer for $15, or in what is a real deal, craft beer for $20. The Halloween tie-in? One of the hoppers on display has, on and off, been sitting on its top a full-size skull hawking Oculto style tequila. Does that head come to a head, like the head on the aformentioned beer?

This weekend has not only music, but German-themed fun with a little pumpkin carving on the side.
— Don’t be sidetracked by other area Oktoberfests, the real deal is in Roberts on Saturday, Oct. 17. Sponsored by the downtown Sidetrack Saloon and Grill, this 17th annual fest has authentic German fare, such as a log sawing contest, sauerkraut trot races, hammerschlagen and good ol’ German food and, of course, beer. All these activities happen right after a 3 p.m. Oktoberfest-themed parade down the main drag. There will be old tyme music by the Dave Sowada Concertina Band at 4 p.m., and more along the lines of what’s reported on this web site, the rock band Sunday’s Regret from 9 p.m. Saturday until, you guessed it, 1 a.m. Sunday.
— The kids can have their fun at Dick’s Bar and Grill on Saturday morning with a pumpkin carving activity (pumpkins provided), but there are things provided for the adults, too. While faces are being created on pumpkins, with the artwork being done from 9:30-11 a.m., the adults are invited to part-take in Bloody Mary’s and that infamous champagne-orange-juice blend that is so popular.

— The weather was so balmy for the semi-annual Frosted Nuts motorcycle rally that one wonders if there was anything frost-worthy at all, and that typically brings record-breaking attendance, of 5,000 or more riders. As for bikers and the balance of the riding season, this Saturday is expected to be much more chilly, especially in the morning when it might dip below freezing, than it was around this time a week ago, when the “Nuts” run was held.
— As you might expect from them, the staff led the way at the ’70s party thrown by the Green Mill to celebrate 40 years of their deep dish pizza. Jenn wore a relatively short dress with frills on the bottom that totally fit the bill, and Shavon had on a T-shirt that really had a theme like The Doors working. Meanwhile, one of the managers who wasn’t on duty recalled those days, when he was quite young, and said: “It’s like somebody tore up a couch and made it into a jacket.”

This local food offering is not just bar fare, or your father’s fish, but right now is fully fall flavored — as is especially fitting for what’s fast-becoming a favorite, the walleye jambalaya.
That last dish is only the most recent in a long line of likable walleye at Season’s Tavern in North Hudson. These meals have taken on new luster as the establishment’s signature dishes.
With the walleye, it’s balls to the wall, so to speak, as far as number of choices. And we’re talking stuff that goes far beyond typical bar food. And the walleye cakes, cake sliders and cake benedict really, dare I say it, take the cake.
Different types of walleye served are: deep fried, which is dusted with flour and cracker meal with seasonings; grilled, with lemon pepper and seasoned salt on a flat top grill; and blackened, spiced with Cajun seasoning on such a flat top grill.
The dishes offered are:
— Walleye and wild rice pilaf;
— Walleye basket, in other words fish and chips;
— Walleye dinner with the walleye prepared to guest’s liking and served with choice of potato, vegetable and soup or salad;
— Walleye sandwich with the fantastic fish again prepared to guest’s preferences and served with lettuce, tomato and raw onion on a ciabatta bun;
— Walleye jambalaya of course, served blackened over jambalaya with Andouille sausage on top of wild rice pilaf;
— Walleye cakes, with that offering filled with walleye, and wild rice, vegetables and seasonings, fried and served on a bed of spring greens with bernaise;
— Walleye cake sliders, their cakes topped with lemon dill aioli and served with spring greens and tomato on a slider bun;
— And last but not least, walleye cake benedict, for breakfast only, with the cakes topped with a basted egg and hollandaise and served with choice of potato.
What walleye dishes does the future hold? “We are working on a few things that will be available over the next few months as chef specials, but that is a secret until then,” owner Brad said coyly.
“Our customers have been very responsive to our selection of walleye, saying things like ‘the best walleye in the St. Croix River Valley,’ and ‘best benedict in the Valley,'” he also noted, adding that the somewhat less adventuresome but still tasty walleye with wild rice pilaf attracted a lot of sales and similar comments when served via a booth at the recent St. Croix arts fest.
“The one thing I learned is to not over-season walleye,” Brad said. “It is a wonderful sweet fish that needs little help to be delicious!”
Here are other items of note as we prep for what’s fast becoming one of the most major holidays of the year:
— Just in time for Halloween, or actually about three weeks before, is the premier party for the new season of TVs the Walking Dead, held at Dick’s Bar and Grill at 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11. They note that there will be door prizes (in case your head has been eaten away and you need a replacement), drink specials (maybe Bloody Mary style?) and free chips and dip (perfect food fodder for a zombie show). They assure us that this party will be “spooktactulous” (I think they mean spooktacular). The zombie episodes have been popular at several local bar and grills, such as when some of the staff at Green Mill made it their Sunday night fave not too long ago.
— Speaking of Green Mill, they invite you to party like the age that you just might be, circa 1975, as they celebrate its 40 years of serving acclaimed deep dish pizza. Dust off your fringed vest and platform shoes, if you can still find them in the closet, and dude yourself up like the guy in their online promo sporting disco duds. It’s a ’70s party, not to be confused with or maybe just like That ’70s Show, on Wednesday, Oct. 14. The fun starts at 6 p.m. and includes, to use another old word, a contest for best ’70s “garb” and there’ll be spinning of the again-becoming-popular vintage records, not just CDs, from that era, and several drink and food specials.

Back patios are the place to plunk down, whether at a table or in front of a video game:
— The Smilin’ Moose finally has its big back patio, both upper and lower levels, open for patrons. The upper portion, which has a great view of the St. Croix River and a lot of tables with big umbrellas over the top, has been available to customers for the past weekend or two, and was well attended. The lower level was supposed to have an official opening of sorts on Wednesday, but because paint and stain was not yet dry, it was pushed back to Friday, Oct. 2, staffers said.
— The largely acoustic duo of Garret and Embry, who comprise Crystal Creek Falls, are back playing Dick’s bar and grill on Friday from 6-9 p.m. They were about to make a joint debut last month, but Garret ended up going it alone when his songmate had an earlier-in-the-day medical emergency and had to postpone her end of the show. This is your chance to catch them both at once, and take in jointly their male and female stylings.
— With fall set to arrive, and the cool weather coming and going, this might be your best remaining chance to play some video games outdoors — or at least on the back patio at Ellie’s. If that doesn’t fit into your plans this weekend, however, note that Ellie’s always puts up some potent heaters out back that can keep you toasty warm even if you are a few feet away, like the distance between you and the minions you are fighting on-screen.
— You may remember acoustic guitarist and singer Dave from the intimacy of those old Twisted Grille open-mic performances. He says that feeling is brought back when he plays gigs up north in The Sticks, his favorite spot to croon. He also said that he’s getting the band back together, so to speak, by joining forces with several other longtime Hudson-based rockers, such as from the former band New Skinny, and putting in place a new quartet.
— It was touch and go at first, but in the end the Beer Stein Challenge, well, met the challenge and attracted a fairly good crowd, which tended to run together in big groups, when it was brought by specialty beer makers to Kozy Korner in North Hudson and the Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt. The events last weekend featured big beer mugs that winners would hold just the right amount away, at arm’s length, as a display before quaffing. They also featured the Sam Adams Girls, complete with their Octoberfest finery. Pub owners said they would likely do the event again, a few months down the line, but would want to shore up a few details.
And, at the Willow this weekend, things will rock out even more than usual, with the slightly harder sounds of Full Tilt on Friday evening and especially, Roughhouse on Saturday. They’ve been doing such music for years as part of a variety of lineups, this mixture of local lads and ones from the Twin Cities.

Go fishing in the dark with a farmer’s daughter, or take in a fabulous festival:
— A fishing tournament on the St. Croix River with some different twists will be sponsored by Dick’s Bar and Grill on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., so you might not want to dance too long to the deejay the night before. In this catch and release tourney, you must be wearing your T-shirt and be photographed with the fish for prizes that go beyond the biggest three. Other prizes are for the most rough fish, most unusual catch and smallest catch. You can stake out your favorite spot on the river; no boat is needed. Prizes will be awarded at Dick’s at 6 p.m. There is a $20 entry fee, which includes raffle ticket.
— The Farmer’s Daughters, billed as Minnesota’s premier band that’s fronted by two women, will play the Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt on Friday night, following up on playing a variety of venues around the area for several years. Both women doing country songs have similarly styled long locks, and each are pictured prominently with microphone in hand on an online site, which promises that you’ll fall in love with the lasses when taking in their performance at “your favorite honky-tonk.”
— A Hudson Hometown Music Festival of family friendly fare, sponsored by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, has an old favorite with her new band in a headliner role. That would be Trandy Blue and the Crew, as perhaps the most locally recognizable of several acts, with a mixed genre of music, at the fest, which will be held Saturday from noon to 9:30 p.m. Also, hailing from a bit outside the immediate area, New Richmond, is Ten Mile Creek, which will crank out diverse hits of almost all standard genres, as well.
— There also are several bands at the Spirit of the St. Croix Art Festival on Saturday and Sunday, starting at 10 a.m. each day at Lakefront Park and going until 4 or 5 p.m. They are: The fast up-and-coming, and already there, bluegrass band Barley Jacks with Brian Wicklund; Alex Rossi; August Blues; newcomers gaining popularity Firefly; the longtime local duo of the Van Valkenbergs named Practical Goods; ForAllBrazil; and Paul Imholte. Some of the food favorites are these signature dishes from local eateries: Wisconsin cheese curds from the local Carbone’s; fresh walleye over wild rice pilaf from Seasons Tavern in North Hudson; tomato basil soup and caprese salad on a stick from Urban Olive and Vine; and rich tiramisu from Mama Maria’s.
— They may be a mostly country band, but that didn’t prevent the guitarist from having long dreadlocks. That was the case when Coyote Wild played the Smilin’ Moose recently, and the Bob Marley-looking guy put his own twist on Rocky Mountain Way by Joe Walsh, and then the instrumental intro to that “Streetlight People” song by Journey was done with a plucky banjo.

Gimme some new band configurations, and make like TMZ and give them questions galore, about the Green and Gold:

— To use a reference with some meat, the Bacon Bash in River Falls will have some music that is simply shredding it this weekend. On Saturday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. is a newer twist on the often solo performances of a veteran band, this time being the Dave Synder Triplicate. Then from 1:30-4:30 p.m. is the Everett Smithson Band, and from 5-8 p.m. the Danger Rangers. Sunday’s band, Wade and Ella, will take the stage from 1-4 p.m. Also on Saturday afternoon is a dance-off, sing-along that’s called not Gimme Some Lovin’ or Gimme Shelter or Gimme Three Steps, but Gimme Some Bacon.

— The Zebra Mussels, who use the phrasings online about which Mussel is the one that’s say, the most Irish, might also be asked which Mussel takes a lineman stance and is the biggest Packer, or Viking fan. You could take that opportunity when they take their party and variety rock to the Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt on Friday night, although they might just clam up. But the Willow is also the place to catch the Packers so you can score a chance for a later flight to Vegas, (see below).

— It’s the return of the Flood Run motorcycle rally on Saturday, and the staff at Dick’s Bar and Grill invite you to have breakfast there before leaving, and also possibly dinner there after you’ve ridden many a mile.

— There is indoor and outdoor appeal when the Village Inn celebrates its 10-year anniversary on Saturday starting at noon. That’s when the band The Way Out starts playing, with Mystic Funk to follow from 6-10 p.m. Don’t miss bean bag games and, as is fitting for the day it is, outdoor cooking with the fabulous smoker of owner Leigh Halvorsen.