You’ve got to think that Bon Scott would love it … and drive it.

A friend who was visiting from Milwaukee was driving with me downtown, when I mentioned the annual Brit Fest car show sponsored by Dick’s Bar and Grill, at that moment off to our right. He was at the time dressed like an AC/DC singer, complete with English Valley Cap (or is it just a beret?) and muscle shirt for possible use in viewing muscle cars.
He immediately noticed, parked closest to us, a bright yellow Victory car, vintage 1960s from the Continent, and pointed it out. (dejavu, I think this same thing happened last year!) What made this trek different was seeing another ’60s MG roadster parked just one street up on Locust.
That’s less than a block from the Smilin’ Moose, who for a couple of weekends this month has finally featured a woman DJ. I pointed this fact out to her, and she confirmed, “Yup, I’m the only female.” Perhaps making way for the lady is, as pointed out before in these pages, another DJ who is a dead-ringer for the drummer of, yup, AC/DC. I say dead-ringer because that guy was hauled from a concert stage and into an English courtroom for allegedly arranging a murder for hire.
A last double-shot moment on classic, or soon to be classic, cars: Not one but two advertising-based sports cars, with an oversize can of Red Bull hoisted on top of the roof, started the line that formed at a red light on Second Street the other day.

Of class-act Chris and Chester coincidences and classic cars from the continent, (some of which might cross the new Stillwater bridge, which has been Diver Down):
— Downtown Hudson recently payed tribute, in its own way, to Chester Bennington and his close friend Chris Cornell, two hard-rock lead vocalists who committed suicide in the past few weeks. A man who looked just like Bennington, same age and really complete with the same face and crewcut, was at Dick’s Bar and Grill, when a few minutes later, a dude who could have been a doppelganger for Cornell came in the door, with the long wavy, dark hair done in just the right way. Even more fitting concerning Dick’s, is it will be a gathering place for Brits such as Bennington — who wrote a cryptic, prior-to-death letter to Cornell about a dream that started out with the Beatles’ Rocky Raccoon — when it hosts the annual British vintage car show in early August. And as far as jukebox song requests, Cornell still reins as king, (as wearing the crown, in one of his last song efforts before his death), more so than Bennington, say local club sources.

— Some divers who work for a special company that does underwater welding, and calling themselves “Poisidon’s Rejects,” had a nightcap at the Village Inn in North Hudson while away from their job building the Stillwater Bridge, which will officially open Aug. 3. They were in town about a year ago, when the first parts of the span were being connected to Wisconsin soil, although their job was down near the bottom of the river — with no surface in sight, since other workers had built a small, airtight room around the welders. The men had also been working on a Chicago project of equal difficulty, although the local project is a hard gig to get, they said. So much so that one of them was writing a book on how their job is accomplished. The most talkative of the crew said that he didn’t feel bad about getting from $40 to $80 an hour for such work, when you look at what management in such niche-market companies make. He added, based on his own experience, that while unions have power-hungry people at the top, just like virtually anyone in management, they have their place and are better than the alterative — which certainly would lead to workers getting shafted.

(For more on bridges and bars, see the latest entry in the Notes From the Beat department of this web site).

— Speaking of top-shelf workers who probably make more than they are worth, it was late at Dick’s one night, and hardly anyone was in the place, largely because of the thunderstorms that were forecast to be moving in. The couple of us there were tracking the storms on social media as they rolled through central Minnesota. But if I had been there a couple of hours earlier, I could have gotten it straight from the horse’s mouth, as longtime metro weatherman Dave Dahl — who like everyone in his position gets it wrong about as often as they get it right — had been in for a couple. This brings back memories of the old Dibbo’s, when it was known that he would stop in on occasion, possibly to take in a band. Was he also branching out into entertainment reporting?
— Speaking of the old Dibbo’s, as it again was referenced during an encounter at Dick’s, a woman with long blonde hair approached me and asked if I remembered her from, say, 20 years ago at the rock club. Her question for me was the one that always comes up, are you still writing, or did our back in the Stone Ages economy finally do you in? She added that she is also in journalism, but is doing much better because there are some things people always find money for, beer being one of them, even if they then can’t afford to buy breakfast in the morning. Anyway, she has spanned the country taking photos for hot rod magazines and the like, some of them appearing on the covers. Some people are such OCD collectors, it seems, that they will always find a way to tame their need to accumulate such stuff on street rods, no matter what their means. So it looks like my old friend has a job for life.
— Speaking of such machines, I was walking out of Dick’s and a patron pointed out of me a miminuative motorcycle parked in the next stall. It was a Genesis model by Yamaha, and the guy said that I struck him as someone who would drive such a thing. To me it looked like a small crotch rocket, and since the words “small” and “crotch” were linked, I was wondering what this says about me. Maybe don’t want to know …
— The next block to the north, a stop sign was bent over … barely. We’re talking about six or seven degrees from straight. I’m guessing some drunk didn’t steer well and struck the sign — even though it would appear he was too wasted to build a speed more than 2 mph.
— Where you going wearin’ those shoes? Tennis shoes, that is, which have been all the rage for women in recent months, but in this case were seen on members of a bachlorette party along with the fancy dresses. And, at one of the many bachlorette parties filtering through the Smilin’ Moose, was a plastic doll of a guy noticable for all the fake black hair on his chest. Or is that “fake news.” Regardless, the Moose gives all the young women a reason to dress up to the nines, unlike at some of the pre-existing Hudson clubs, says a former North Hudson man and longtime club-goer now living in New Richmond,
— The sign outside Casanova Historic Liquors said they prefer their “kale” to have a silent K. Similarly, I might invoke that type of editing to the category of “there’s an app for everything,” and add “tap” beer — of course with a “silent” second P and adding the introductory T.

Just like a circus under the Big Top, a huge tent will cover several well-attended offerings held by the West Wind Supper Club during River Falls Days, running the entirety of this coming weekend. The activities, which mark the West Winds’ foray into becoming the go-to venue for the annual city festival, begin with a parade and include two bands, a boxing show, bingo and lots and lots of food.
The Friday parade on Main Street starts at The West Wind — located at 709 N. Main — at 6:30 p.m. and immediately following the parade’s conclusion, at 7:30 or 8 p.m., is live music under the tent by The Coxmen.
On Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. is a River Falls Fire Department fundraiser, the chicken and corn feed, with some of the proceeds going for purchase of new safety equipment for the department. From 3-8 p.m. is a bingo marathon with magic ball jackpot and coverall jackpot estimated at $2,500. All bingo proceeds go to the River Falls Youth Hockey Association. After the close of bingo, at 8 p.m., is music by the Stone Daisy Band.
Sunday brings Golden Glove live boxing, with gates opening at 4 p.m. The tournament is provided by Peek-A-Boo Boxing, a popular and well-reviewed local gym ran by resident Boyd Davis that over years has put boxing on the map in River Falls.
West Wind will sponsor an outdoor grill and keep the food going throughout all events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The offerings include pork chops, burgers, brats and hot dogs, as well as a full outdoor bar. Seating for more than 300 people is provided, with more added for Saturday’s chicken and corn feed.
All weekend events are held under a big tent in the West Wind front parking lot that will provide the occasionally needed cover from the partly cloudy to sunny skies that are forecast. The tent goes 40-by-120 feet, complete with a 24-foot stage.
“In the past we have always had quite a few events going on under the same size tent. My hope is to keep that tradition alive and well for many more years to come,” said Tony Leone, owner of the West Wind.
The Coxmen are part of an original Galliform collective, using several instruments to serve up “old-fashioned rural hip hop and rock.” They consist of Dave on fiddle and bass, Brandon on bass and guitar, Andrew on guitar and mandolin, and Drew on drums and harp.
The Stone Daisy band fills all of the stage with tried and true musicians. They include:
— Alicia Brown, an experienced country and rock vocalist with a dynamic voice and stage presence.
— Dave Callies, a familiar face in the metro band scene, having been with many bands, providing screaming guitar licks and pumping rhythms to the likes of So Big and No Promises.
— Fans of country music will know JP Petersen as one of the best country vocalists in local bands. He has worked with several local and regional projects, as well as frequent gigs as a solo singer and songwriter, and has performed all over the Midwest, sharing the stage with country legends Dierks Bentley and Clay Walker. He also provides a powerful rhythm guitar.
— Drummer Chad Molva has been the core of several bands in the Twin Cities market, has shared the stage with regional and national musicians and is a recognized powerhouse of a rhythm player in the metro area, having started on the drums at age eight.
— Larry Ober has played with local bands for years, mastering classic rock, country, jazz, big band and even polka stylings, laying down a low guitar groove.
— Scott Schufman has worked in several Twin Cities-based bands over 25 years, including variety, R&B and blues, and classic rock formats. A true fan of Americana music, his influences include early blues, country, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll. Scott brings piano, organ, and other added sounds to round out the mix.
“The bands were decided on by recommendations from friends, research and a general (desire) to change it up from past years,” Leone said, even though for years they have given a long and strong regional presence.
The boxing show gets underway at 5 p.m. Admission is $12 in advance and $15 at the door. For tickets, call Boyd Davis at (715) 220-0284. The local gym takes its name, Peek-a-Boo, from a popular boxing style where the hands are placed in front of the boxer’s face to offer extra protection.
The club has three of its fighters on the card, Coty Reh at 150 pounds, Mitchell Radcliff at 130 pounds, and Jake Rode at 165 pounds. All have been training for about a year.

(And for a roundup of how The Fourth played out, see this web site’s Notes From The Beat department).

If you trek three minutes up the freeway after crossing the St. Croix River, you can exit to get stuff that goes boom in the night and be back there in the time it takes to play a few favorite songs on the radio — then have your own Capital Fourth either on the water or in other wide open spaces of western Wisconsin.

So if you plan a fireworks display soon, a prime place to consider is the longtime, locally owned and operated Venture Fireworks in the town of Hudson. Whether your party is big or small, celebrating the loud bang or the subtle pop, their staff that’s studious about the many fireworks they sell is waiting to serve you.
Venture is unlike other Hudson fireworks stores in that they have a full staff and are much easier to find, being just a jaunt off the freeway rather then congested miles off of it, and offering a greater volume of choices as well. It is also a cut above, in a different manner, then those further down Interstate 94, as that requires people to trek all the way deeper into Wisconsin for a big box store. As far as gas and convenience, Venture Fireworks gives you more bang for your buck — a mid-summer night’s dream, because you don’t want to wait when there is a feast for your eyes and ears awaiting.
Until July 4, they are open seven days a week until 9 p.m., so if you want to get some fireworks — even close to the last minute — for shortly before dusk, this place is for you. And if you want to get a jump on things, they open at 9 a.m. (After The Fourth, the hours change to 10 a.m.-8 p.m. until Labor Day, after which they are closed until Dec. 26-31, at which time they reopen for New Year’s Eve sales.) And as they say “we offer all the good stuff.”Venture Fireworks is conveniently located just off of Interstate 94, a jog north on Exit 4, just three miles east of the border with Minnesota. That border, a veritable lake of water, can make flashy reflections in summer not unlike the snow-covered glow that is another specialty produced by Venture Fireworks when they open for sales around another holiday — New Years.
Jeff Osbeck of Venture Fireworks is a longtime Hudson resident, so he knows a thing or two about them. He says how they are different from the big box stores for fireworks is the friendly and knowledgeable staff, who will steer you in the right direction to have a fun, safe and hassle-free experience, throughout the middle of the summer.
Osbeck heard such high praise from a couple who recently got married. The wedding gift of fireworks he gave them created memories beyond the usual household items that are typically received. It was such a hit that a phone call was received from a long distance away on the wedding night, to say that the extra visual effect had made their celebration truly extraordinary.
There are military and cash discounts available. Venture Fireworks can be found at 631 Commerce Drive, Hudson, WI 54016, just north of Interstate 94 off Exit 4 in the town of Hudson. Contact them at (715) 386-8757, or at www.venturefireworks.com, or on Facebook. Please mention this article if you patronize Venture Fireworks.

If you trek three minutes up the freeway after crossing the St. Croix River, you can exit to get stuff that goes boom in the night and be back there in the time it takes to play a few favorite songs on the radio — then have your own Capital Fourth either on the water or in other wide open spaces of western Wisconsin.

So if you plan a fireworks display soon, a prime place to consider is the longtime, locally owned and operated Venture Fireworks in the town of Hudson. Whether your party is big or small, celebrating the loud bang or the subtle pop, their staff that’s studious about the many fireworks they sell is waiting to serve you.
Venture is unlike other Hudson fireworks stores in that they have a full staff and are much easier to find, being just a jaunt off the freeway rather then congested miles off of it, and offering a greater volume of choices as well. It is also a cut above, in a different manner, then those further down Interstate 94, as that requires people to trek all the way deeper into Wisconsin for a big box store. As far as gas and convenience, Venture Fireworks gives you more bang for your buck — a mid-summer night’s dream, because you don’t want to wait when there is a feast for your eyes and ears awaiting.
Until July 4, they are open seven days a week until 9 p.m., so if you want to get some fireworks — even close to the last minute — for shortly before dusk, this place is for you. And if you want to get a jump on things, they open at 9 a.m. (After The Fourth, the hours change to 10 a.m.-8 p.m. until Labor Day, after which they are closed until Dec. 26-31, at which time they reopen for New Year’s Eve sales.) And as they say “we offer all the good stuff.”Venture Fireworks is conveniently located just off of Interstate 94, a jog north on Exit 4, just three miles east of the border with Minnesota. That border, a veritable lake of water, can make flashy reflections in summer not unlike the snow-covered glow that is another specialty produced by Venture Fireworks when they open for sales around another holiday — New Years.
Jeff Osbeck of Venture Fireworks is a longtime Hudson resident, so he knows a thing or two about them. He says how they are different from the big box stores for fireworks is the friendly and knowledgeable staff, who will steer you in the right direction to have a fun, safe and hassle-free experience, throughout the middle of the summer.
Osbeck heard such high praise from a couple who recently got married. The wedding gift of fireworks he gave them created memories beyond the usual household items that are typically received. It was such a hit that a phone call was received from a long distance away on the wedding night, to say that the extra visual effect had made their celebration truly extraordinary.
There are military and cash discounts available. Venture Fireworks can be found at 631 Commerce Drive, Hudson, WI 54016, just north of Interstate 94 off Exit 4 in the town of Hudson. Contact them at (715) 386-8757, or at www.venturefireworks.com, or on Facebook. Please mention this article if you patronize Venture Fireworks.

If you trek three minutes up the freeway after crossing the St. Croix River, you can exit to get stuff that goes boom in the night and be back there in the time it takes to play a few favorite songs on the radio — then have your own Capital Fourth either on the water or in other wide open spaces of western Wisconsin.

So if you plan a fireworks display soon, a prime place to consider is the longtime, locally owned and operated Venture Fireworks in the town of Hudson. Whether your party is big or small, celebrating the loud bang or the subtle pop, their staff that’s studious about the many fireworks they sell is waiting to serve you.
Venture is unlike other Hudson fireworks stores in that they have a full staff and are much easier to find, being just a jaunt off the freeway rather then congested miles off of it, and offering a greater volume of choices as well. It is also a cut above, in a different manner, then those further down Interstate 94, as that requires people to trek all the way deeper into Wisconsin for a big box store. As far as gas and convenience, Venture Fireworks gives you more bang for your buck — a mid-summer night’s dream, because you don’t want to wait when there is a feast for your eyes and ears awaiting.
Until July 4, they are open seven days a week until 9 p.m., so if you want to get some fireworks — even close to the last minute — for shortly before dusk, this place is for you. And if you want to get a jump on things, they open at 9 a.m. (After The Fourth, the hours change to 10 a.m.-8 p.m. until Labor Day, after which they are closed until Dec. 26-31, at which time they reopen for New Year’s Eve sales.) And as they say “we offer all the good stuff.”Venture Fireworks is conveniently located just off of Interstate 94, a jog north on Exit 4, just three miles east of the border with Minnesota. That border, a veritable lake of water, can make flashy reflections in summer not unlike the snow-covered glow that is another specialty produced by Venture Fireworks when they open for sales around another holiday — New Years.
Jeff Osbeck of Venture Fireworks is a longtime Hudson resident, so he knows a thing or two about them. He says how they are different from the big box stores for fireworks is the friendly and knowledgeable staff, who will steer you in the right direction to have a fun, safe and hassle-free experience, throughout the middle of the summer.
Osbeck heard such high praise from a couple who recently got married. The wedding gift of fireworks he gave them created memories beyond the usual household items that are typically received. It was such a hit that a phone call was received from a long distance away on the wedding night, to say that the extra visual effect had made their celebration truly extraordinary.
There are military and cash discounts available. Venture Fireworks can be found at 631 Commerce Drive, Hudson, WI 54016, just north of Interstate 94 off Exit 4 in the town of Hudson. Contact them at (715) 386-8757, or at www.venturefireworks.com, or on Facebook. Please mention this article if you patronize Venture Fireworks.

If you trek three minutes up the freeway after crossing the St. Croix River, you can exit to get stuff that goes boom in the night and be back there in the time it takes to play a few favorite songs on the radio — then have your own Capital Fourth either on the water or in other wide open spaces of western Wisconsin.

So if you plan a fireworks display soon, a prime place to consider is the longtime, locally owned and operated Venture Fireworks in the town of Hudson. Whether your party is big or small, celebrating the loud bang or the subtle pop, their staff that’s studious about the many fireworks they sell is waiting to serve you.
Venture is unlike other Hudson fireworks stores in that they have a full staff and are much easier to find, being just a jaunt off the freeway rather then congested miles off of it, and offering a greater volume of choices as well. It is also a cut above, in a different manner, then those further down Interstate 94, as that requires people to trek all the way deeper into Wisconsin for a big box store. As far as gas and convenience, Venture Fireworks gives you more bang for your buck — a mid-summer night’s dream, because you don’t want to wait when there is a feast for your eyes and ears awaiting.
Until July 4, they are open seven days a week until 9 p.m., so if you want to get some fireworks — even close to the last minute — for shortly before dusk, this place is for you. And if you want to get a jump on things, they open at 9 a.m. (After The Fourth, the hours change to 10 a.m.-8 p.m. until Labor Day, after which they are closed until Dec. 26-31, at which time they reopen for New Year’s Eve-based sales.) And as they say “we offer all the good stuff.”Venture Fireworks is conveniently located just off of Interstate 94, a jog north on Exit 4, just three miles east of the border with Minnesota. That border, a veritable lake of water, can make flashy reflections in summer not unlike the snow-covered glow that is another specialty produced by Venture Fireworks when they open for sales around another holiday — New Years.
Jeff Osbeck of Venture Fireworks is a longtime Hudson resident, so he knows a thing or two about them. He says how they are different from the big box stores for fireworks is the friendly and knowledgeable staff, who will steer you in the right direction to have a fun, safe and hassle-free experience, throughout the middle of the summer.
Osbeck heard such high praise from a couple who recently got married. The wedding gift of fireworks he gave them created memories beyond the usual household items that are typically received. It was such a hit that a phone call was received from a long distance away on the wedding night, to say that the extra visual effect had made their celebration truly extraordinary.
There are military and cash discounts available. Venture Fireworks can be found at 631 Commerce Drive, Hudson, WI 54016, just north of Interstate 94 off Exit 4 in the town of Hudson. Contact them at (715) 386-8757, or at www.venturefireworks.com, or on Facebook. Please mention this article if you patronize Venture Fireworks.

This has got to be the most interesting thing that’s happened next to a corn field since Mrs. O’Leary’s cow started the famed Chicago fire — even though what’s become a Sunday western Wisconsin tradition of each summer also brings some heat to the mix.

Jeff Loven, who has a virtual lock on being this area’s top one man band, will again perform this Sunday, June 25, starting at 4 p.m. at Meister’s Place in Boardman for the first of several such gigs through August, with a stage set up not in the spacious back room, but near the corn field out back. And he has a little help from his friends.
Adding to Jeff’s renowned show, the proprietor, Dave Meister, usually makes an appearance to change it up a little bit — as if the show needed any more firepower. Dave typically is in an Elvis suit, and he brings even more flair then the usual Elvis impersonator. Dave has been known to make his entrance via an airplane (there’s no word yet if roadies help him exit the plane when it swings over the nearby farm field). In any case, he comes bolting in from the corn field to take his place on the stage and go to it.
“The shows are the same as nightclub gigs except outside in the open air. We have had extremely good luck with weather. Dave calls it, ‘the Boardman Bubble,’ because rain will just go around Boardman sometimes and we’re still dry on the patio even though surrounding areas get wet,” Jeff said.
In what ways does Dave’s presence add to things? “We love Elvis! Everyone gets a kick when Elvis mysteriously appears out of the corn field directly behind the performance area. They can see him approach the stage during my set,” Jeff said. “It’s like the movie Field Of Dreams!”
And, of course, it can get outrageous. “Elvis arrived in a small airplane right behind the stage last year when they grew soybeans instead of corn. It was something to behold,” Jeff said, making this show sound not unlike the spectacle of those old mega-concerts. “The plane buzzed the stage a couple times before landing.”
Dave does three songs on his own, plus one with Jeff. “It’s Neil Diamond,” Dave said — an act that has a loyal following as far as being covered. It’s all part of a full show of music by Jeff, and one where Dave is a star in his own right and doesn’t just need to ride on Jeff’s coattails.
A favorite Meister’s moment was when the drummer from Obsession, the speed metal band in which Jeff cut his teeth in the 80, came out for Jeff’s show. Old pal — and Jeff has a lot of them around the Midwest — Todd McNurlin showed up with his family. “He sat in a bit on cowbell,” Jeff said, referring to the part of the show when an audience member is brought on stage to emulate Will Ferrell on Saturday Night Live. No word on how skilled Todd was with this style of percussion.
And Jeff does all his other audience participation things, which include a bit of comedy, such as when he rolls out his Heavy Metal Polka (see more below), or brings someone up to be “loosy goosy” and helps them refine their tambourine-playing routine. And he regularly revs up the guitar and vocals, sometimes with a partner, for new songs on the set list, such as the recently-added, guitar heavy version of Bus Stop, and the even newer Paradise By The Dashboard Light.
“I knew Meister’s was going to be a great venue for my one-man show (plus Dave) from the very first gig there almost 10 years ago,” Jeff said. “People love the atmosphere and large dancing area in front of the stage, and they are constantly asking me if Elvis will be there!”
“I engage my audience at every performance. Whether there’s 500 or 15 people I put on the same show and I go the extra mile to make sure that every single performance is as good as it can be, whether I’m doing a wedding, corporate event or a nightclub,” Jeff said. Or a farm field. “I am very grateful to be working doing what I love!” That includes an opportunity to do his virtuoso guitar work without having to go through the rigors of touring, as it was back in the ’80s, and without having to be in a different end of the country as his wife and children.
BACK IN THE DAY …
You can see some of the following famed Loven performances when checking out Meister’s this summer, or if they are not part of his set at that moment, by tuning in to them online.
— After viewing Jeff’s Youtube sensation Heavy Metal Polka, which is a staple part of his routine and even includes an accordian, the casting producer for NBC hit series America’s Got Talent has called Jeff several times in hopes of bringing the spectacle to network television and has left an open invitation for upcoming season 10. The video, which featured Jeff and full band wearing of all things elf costumes, (a part of the role that’s not often reprised), was filmed at Uncle Mike’s in the town of Hudson, before a large crowd of regular patrons, some of whom even got into the act as they say, by being in the front row. Jeff was so absorbed by laying down the riffs that he almost stepped on top of a flame pot as it shot up a 10-foot spire of fire. He barely avoided getting burned.
— Thirty years ago Steve Vai, Steve Morse and Mark St. John selected Jeff’s entry from thousands as winner of the Kahler International Bridge to Stardom guitar contest. This solo displays Jeff’s fast and amazing command of multiple textures and techniques and even includes a bit of play acting and guitar generated sound effects during the intro (think a Maiden-esque air raid siren) that definitely prompted the judges to give it a closer listen.
— Jeff even got his published photo taken with fellow guitar great Eddie Van Halen back in the day, when Jeff was with his like-minded group Obsession, and he and Van Halen were both having gigs in New Orleans.
— It was around that time that Jeff drew the jealousy of Motley Crue, as he relayed the story recently when celebrating his 15th anniversary of playing in the Hudson and Boardman area. Obsession was laying it down to School’s Out For The Summer — prior to the Crue’s version that was soon to come out — and members of the famed metal band were in the audience on the Sunset Strip when they heard it and were running scared that Obsession might beat them to the punch and release a single. Motley Crue then put a rush on their release of Schools Out — taking just another three weeks — and the rest, as they say, is history.
The next performance at Meister’s is this Sunday, June 25, from 4-8 p.m. — as these are the usual hours — then at various dates throughout the summer. Get the latest scheduling information by checking out Jeff Loven’s web site. (And you then might consider taking in his Sunday evening show at Dick’s Bar and Grill, as some people have done as a nightcap, just in case you “need more cowbell.”)

(Also, in this week’s Notes of the Beat Department, see the late Chris Cornell consecrated on Craig’s List, that reference not consisting of cuisine but of actor Daniel and peers, one kinda local, in the James Bond series).

One of the newest places in town, with lots of well-known faces on staff, Pedro’s del Este, sits literally in the heart of historic downtown Hudson, boasting Latin character with a modern design. The restaurant also differs in that it features many small plate options with Spanish, Cuban and Latin influenced cuisine, desserts and craft cocktails, complimented with by all accounts, cool lounge amenities that include big, cushy chairs in many places, as well as the more standard ones, too — the only available option in most local restaurants. The relaxing, urban ambiance is perfect for a date night, happy hour, or a social get-together with friends. And being open to 1 a.m. on weekends, if gives an option that’s rare in the downtown, getting a late-night bite, and many people are choosing to sample various of the dishes available, not just one.

With their small plates specialty, if you get a craving when out on the town, you can get a quite quick, high-quality meal around midnight or after, and still be able to hit another club or two before everything in town closes down for the night.
The lounge-style restaurant gives Hudson and those who travel here, such as from the Twin Cities, a late-night opportunity in addition to — and to compliment — the existing nightclub scene, filling a longtime void while offering greater variety. Especially considering the small-plate emphasis, there’s no place like this in Hudson or the rest of the St. Croix Valley, says owner Pete Foster, despite the existence of a demand, and Pedro’s del Este hopes that will help give it its own identity.
Thusly, the atmosphere and visual appeal will be different and provide yet another option to one of Foster’s other properties, the next-door San Pedro Cafe, which has Caribbean-style cuisine with full service coursing. Pedro’s del Este, by contrast, is a combination of three other ethnic food styles, comprised of 17 items all designed to be shareable plates.
Fare with flair
Among the most popular dishes at Pedro’s del Este, which have many and varied main ingredients, include grilled ahi ceviche, empanadas, saffron-fried cauliflower and sopes. The place will also feature signature cocktails like Latin Manhattan and Cuba Argentina Libre, a not-often-seen-locally baker’s dozen craft cocktails, 12 wines by the glass, and five often fruit-infused “sweets” desserts.
The cuisine, like the design, is reflecting Spanish, Cuban and Latin influences, boasting colorful features with every bite, and may even feature a band on occasion. Whether meeting up with friends for a late or non-so-late cocktail, or having a special date and teaming it with appetizers and dessert, “you’ll leave craving more,” Foster said.
You’ll also crave what is experienced with the eyes. All of the numerous framed art pieces on the walls are either original works from local artists or photographs — both obtained during the restaurant owner’s trip to Havana, Cuba, in January 2017. You will also see paintings from the family’s many travels to Key West, FL.
The whole atmosphere is colorful, from tapestries hanging from the ceiling — which itself is adorned with bright, artistic designs — to the framework inside the ornate windows. Red brick walls flank the sides of the venue.
Foster was born and raised in Hudson and has done business here with his three well-known restaurants for more than 20 years. Pedro’s del Este completes the trifecta and was developed with the same team, many of whom provided a few weeks of hard work prior to the March opening to bring it all together, with the same standards. It is already known for its quality and attentive service, patrons say. The team that Foster gives credit to reportedly includes its Director of Restaurant Operations Susie Halverson and Del Este Executive Chef Luke Sawtell.
Pedro’s del Este, along with sister restaurants, Barker’s Bar & Grill and The San Pedro Café, want to reward loyal customers, so why not join their Loyalty Club and start earning rewards with every visit to any one of those locations. They are all within a block of one another, so consider putting a visit to more than one in your calendar. You’ll earn a point for every dollar spent at the restaurants, and on Tuesdays at the two long-running initial establishments, earn two points per dollar. For every 150 points collected, you’ll earn a $10 reward, which can be used to cover up to 50 percent of your pre-tax total on your next visit — and unlike other dining opportunities in town can be used at any of the three aformentioned locations. Just ask your server for more details.
The emphasis of the new place is to provide people a chance to come together more than they might otherwise, over cocktails or just the right size plate, and be sociable while dining out, while expanding a sense of community.
Pedro’s del Este is less then a block up Walnut Street from the main drag, kitty-corner from San Pedro. You will know it by — as being colorful is a theme — the bright lighted sign that leads you to the entrance.
The new restaurant is open Wednesday and Thursday from 4 p.m. to midnight, Friday from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday from noon to 1 a.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. — or later that night as the size of the crowd dictates. For the first six hours on Sundays, the venue will be serving what Foster calls an incredible brunch. (They are closed Monday and Tuesday). The space also is available to rent for events during the day and may have live music on some summer evenings, as well.

A local rum product is taking the two-state area by storm and its developers are now making a marketing push into eastern Wisconsin as part of a plan to eventually go national, so travelers heading to the Hudson area for the three-day holiday might want to put it into their itinerary to seek out and sample it.
That shouldn’t be hard, as Demon Rum is well represented in bars, liquor stores and restaurants in this region. This product, which is different because it can also be sipped or enjoyed on the rocks, is easily accessible for people who want to see, and taste, for themselves, then make their voice heard, because as its creators say, its “liquid to lips” that will inevitably determine the scope of its availability — likely in your area if you happen to be a visitor.
All this didn’t occur overnight. “My business partner Jeff Warren had the idea of ‘Demon Rum’ put in his head one night over 15 years ago. His father was offering fatherly advice on a night he was heading out with his buddy,” said brand co-creator Wayne Karls. “‘Don’t let the Demon get you,’ it was said as they left. That night, a less than inspired rum drink inspired the idea of Demon Rum. Wouldn’t it make a great rum brand?”
Years later, after Karls decided to move his family back to Wisconsin from St. Paul, Warren, who was their home builder, asked for a Demon Rum drink from a bartender, knowing full well they didn’t have anything called Demon Rum available. It was a standing item from then on, that Warren would ask the bartender or server if they carried the Demon Rum brand.
“Being in advertising and marketing as owner of a small local ad agency called 2-Creative advertising, I was intrigued. I’ve developed many brands for other businesses, but thought Demon Rum had immediate marketability,” Karls said, and it has spread all over the two-state region, and currently is dropping their name in the hat, in a big way, in eastern Wisconsin. Hopefully, some people who travel here from there, such as over a three-day weekend like the approaching Memorial Day holiday, will seek it out at local venues. “Three years ago on New Years Eve, I toasted and proposed we stop talking about it and do it. That is when Demon Rum started,” Karls said.
What are patrons saying? “Demon Rum is smooth and very flavorful. They like that it is complex,” Karls said. “They are surprised that it is such a drinkable rum, as most people would never consider to drink most rums straight or on the rocks.”
Demon Rum was developed to accentuate any cocktail it is used in. “We built it to be delicious, beautiful, complex. Our tagline is ‘Seductively Spiced. Sinfully Smooth.’ It is truly one of only a few rums that can be sipped and again, enjoyed straight or on the rocks.” Karls said. “If you dig and look hard you can find some expensive, obscure rums that do a nice job of being sippable. But Demon Rum is all of that AND made for the masses.” He described it as very affordable and competitively priced at around $19.99 for a 750 ml bottle, but it delivers flavor like none other. And it’s 80 proof, which is important.
“We started the process of development by exploring craft distilling of our own product. We quickly found that this would price us out of the competitive market AND strap us from a product availability standpoint,” Karls said. “We had a very good idea of what we wanted from a flavor concept, and needed to figure out how we would achieve it affordably. To do so we worked with another craft distiller to help us work through the startup, flavor profile and supply issues.” They quickly learned that not all rums are alike and what they had in their minds did not fit what most craft distillers were producing. “We were after something much tastier, and much much smoother,” Karls said. “We decided to search where ‘real rum’ is from, the Caribbean! We found what we were looking for here … that by combining two rums — our silver and our barrel-aged rum (of three-to-five years) — we had the base from which we could build upon.”
Now they had the supply, and the instant credibility that only the Caribbean can give. “From here, we built our proprietary flavor profile that makes Demon Rum truly unique,” Karls said.
But there was more. “Eventually, as a brand developer, I knew that if we could secure the rights to the name, we had something special. Luckily, Demon Rum was available and is now TM protected by Demon Spirits LLC. (Our company). We are in year three of development, and we hope to start making a profit in or around year five,” Karls said. “Of course it all depends on the audience. So far we are slightly ahead of our expectations from a distribution standpoint. It is being accepted and is very well liked.”
They do have a second Demon Rum product in the works. “But that will not be introduced until we get the needed traction from this initial product,” Karls said, adding that the new one will fill expectations established with Demon Rum “Unleashed,” but provide a different mixology need. “That’s all I care to say for now. The next year will involve establishing the brand across Minnesota and Wisconsin. We will need to work hard to entrench it and make it solidly viable. We are not a flash-in-the-pan, nor a micro-brand. We aim to go big, but first we need to build a strong brand following close to home.”
He added a base in Hudson allows them to work to the east and west fairly efficiently. “We are currently distributed in both Minnesota and Wisconsin. But that only means the distributor can supply us. The hard work comes in getting it placed. To do so, we need people to ask for it, and ask often. This is how brands are built. The consumer needs to want it,” Karls said.
Today Demon Rum is found in liquor stores, restaurants and bars in northwest Wisconsin — including strongly but not limited to the Hudson area — as well as the Twin Cities and Rochester. But patrons won’t find it everywhere yet, and Karls and his crew are continuing to do the hard work that means they are in it for the long haul, and are keeping their eyes on the goal. They would like their brand to be well-known nationally in five to ten years.
That’s where regional rum lovers come in — they will need to ask for it, and keep their eyes on the shelves and menus. “We need the public to want it — and from experience, once they taste it, they want it,” Wayne said.
Karls has worked in agencies and design firms since the mid-80s and said he has a firm grasp on brand development and advertising. Business partner Warren started at Piper Jaffray and has been a high-end home builder for 15 years. “Together, we have experience to take us fairly far in this. We do however learn something new every day and look forward to further learning the nuances in the spirits industry. We’ve made some very valuable contacts and feel we stand a better-than-average chance for success,” Karls said. “But liquid to lips is the key. People need to taste Demon Rum to appreciate it. After that, we’ve got a customer.”