You need three hands to count the combined musical acts that show up at two venues during an early-started weekend that carries over to the wee hours before the New Year:
— Avanna, a fresh new face, leads off four straight nights of music that switches over to stalwarts at Urban Olive and Vine, starting Thursday, Dec. 20 at 6 p.m. On the next three nights its Quinn and Meyer, Flamenco with Tony Hauser, and Kate Malanaphy. And there’s three more bands to come on the following long holiday weekend.
— This is not the only string of events that is worthy of pointing out. At Dick’s Bar and Grill, there is an ugly sweater contest on Saturday, Dec. 22, that differs by offering a free drink to all participants, be they individuals, couples or trios (OK we’re teasing about that last one). Then there is the obligatory set of New Year’s Eve activities, from fine dining with two especially prominent featured entrees with the option of re-ordering, to a band, Joel Kachel, who starts at 6 p.m. followed by deejay music and dancing afterward. The Dick’s DJ is also on duty the Friday and Saturday prior, right before Christmas, and also the Friday and Saturday between the two holidays. And don’t forget the pajama party on The First during the midday — good timing considering the potential lateness of the hour on the previous night — complete with prizes and drinks.
— One of my favorite River Falls bartenders says that yes, at Broz where she works, the drink and eat specials are creative with a capital C — and there are adventuresome patrons who line up to give them a try — and these drinks that are advertised on their walls with flyers can indeed be off the wall. But nothing compares to their December monthly burger special, just in time to take a bite out of the stress of the holidays. It boasts Hararti cheese (do you know how hard it is to verify that spelling on the internet, and this just goes to show how exotic that cheese is), applewood smoked bacon, both slathered on, get this, a bourbon maple glazed doughnut, and topped with roasted pecans and then more bacon. This may contribute another trip to the gym or two once your post-holiday diet gets underway.
— Another holiday special, and thusly you’ll need to get it now, is the Nutcracker-themed vodka displayed right at the front counter at Village Liquor in North Hudson, just on top of the liquor-laced ice cream.
— HudsonWiNightlife doesn’t always get into dinner theater, but considering the season, we just couldn’t pass on this one, termed Sorry! Wrong chimney! (Well placed exclamation points). It shows Santa going in head-first to go down below and getting hopelessly stuck. And what does this offering, at the Hudson House Grand Motel, have to do with nightlife? Read on, quoting their bio: “A lighthearted Christmas tale full of mistaken identities and zany foulups, with a smattering of slapstick.” Add lipstick and it sounds like what you might find at the bar! And as far as the slapstick coming forward, does Chad, my favorite bartender/quipster, know that he’s being challenged? And who’s better? You have until Jan. 5, as in the 12 days of Christmas, to take in both of these “shows” and decide.