Why are you here, I know, but why this page? Maybe you and your clicking finger won’t forget and you can refocus if you cut back on guzzling the Guinness and look on other pages that include the home page, on this web site for literally dozens and dozens of even more-than-just-daily updates on the local scene as it involves topics that start with, sorry but the latest of the virus, with a tone that’s instant-all-things-Irish and how its influencing their hallowed holiday — and all the events that are still on will be described here in detail and lots of them so you can pick — moving on to literally hundreds of snippets on the impact of the virus sticking to topics concerning this web site, and lots of these, that you can only find here. Virus views going virtually viral? Close. And gosh, even very soon on this now vacant department heading . And speaking of departments, you will get a partial breakdown of topics tackled as soon as they merit Being There. May the wind be at your back, unless its carrying something nasty.
Monday, March 16th, 2020
What you expect more? You just have to wait for these stack of stories, but if you’re Lucky, and that’s what we’re thinking, it will only be an hour or two before it really starts to hit, not on Irish-style time. After all, if people have the patience and fortitude to get through the potato famine and other really big headaches that are like the ones you wind up with too much Irish whiskey, and they can still believe in a future including a Pot O’ Gold, they don’t mind walking to the pub for a bit until the news comes out, and you know, they might even have some of that walk come their way along the way by meeting up with a leprechaun. Me think’s the Irish don’t deal with deadline devotion, rather of course, other types. See I gave you something anyway, even though it may not carry quite the same punch as a good ol’ Guinness on top of green beer.
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Get your Irish on, well in advance, and hit The Village Inn to kick in gear the area St. Paddy’s Day celebration, which will showcase a variety of bands, with The Jorgensons, who unlike most of the parades will remain on after promenade closings were called earlier Friday. So everyone’s Irish, even if light rock is their rhythm of choice.
March 14th, 2020Get started with your St. Patrick’s Day experience early with a duo that for many years has brought in the green for scores of prominent nightclubs all across the metro and into Wisconsin. The duo The Jorgensons join an ever growing lineup of big bands, so to speak, that have brought their locally popular strains to the burgeoning scene at the roomy Village Inn in North Hudson, making other often even larger clubs green with envy.
That acoustic male and female combo is doing a nightcap on Friday night, Feb. 13, that goes well.
<<But then hey, there’s more festive in a big way coming up, for Cinco De Mayo, to get with dishes and drinks that are truly in sync with being Mexican.>>
That said, Habaranos on The Hill is the real deal, both because their Mexican food is more authentic then virtually all places that make such a claim, and when you look at what you get for your money, rivals even other places nearby such as Taco Johns and Taco Bell. That is because in their extended, broad happy hour, it’s max out true Mex. Want festive food now that the virus has taken hold, this is your place, as shown by the accurately Aztec god standing between signs of specials. There are 2-for-1 specials on hump day Wednesdays, not just their competitor’s buy one and get 50 percent off the second, to make you truly happy, on not just the usual stuff, but also house margaritas and other margaritas based on actual Corona Premium (aptly named these days on two different fronts). The specials go beyond the usual Mexican fare in this country, and feature names such as Pastor (like a spiced up shepherd’s pie), Cartinas (often using pulled pork and branching off far beyond the usual taco meat), Pollo (with main items and spices of other ethnicities often inserted), Arroz (adding tomato laden rice), barbacoa, and other meats such as chicken and beyond — and don’t forget the steak — and cheeses. Plus, there is a dish spelled like the fajitas that are part of the list of specials but again, beyond. For the record, this is flauta, with again, chicken being central.
Make this your target and trek here, just north of Target.
And now that that’s mentioned, back to retro, so to speak, going back to the Jorgensons and their longtime hold on the local and regional music scene. into the evening at the Village Inn nightclub. This song example can show the quality that has stood the test of time, but not nearly as long at The Jorgenson tenure, that you are likely to hear: In a recent gig at another spacious inn, named the Bungalow, that is across the St. Croix River in Lakeland and one of the many Minnesota venues to benefit from the band that can be a veritable pot of performance gold, The Jorgensons covered a song in their set of a standard by one of the bands in the classic Alanis Morrissette style. This time around the vocals were shared by both Jorgenson and his somewhat younger sidekick. A special added feature was the way their vocals of somewhat different levels, high and low, but of much the same texture, waned up and down and then drew together again to match each other and at times to briefly take on their own distinct sound.
A band played near here a bit back that featured a duo with a style and look that could be seen as similar, although both older, to a degree. The also still quite comely Pat Benatar, has quite the same look but shorter locks that fall in a way that’s less straight. The guitarist who plays his instrument a bit louder and faster paced then Jorgenson, has hair a lot more tinted with grey and again shorter, this time by lots. They were seen posed with faces close together in a sizeable newspaper ad for a casino concert. In a different image outside the Village Inn, in their big and colorfully lighted neon marquee pitching the performance, their was much a same appearance, but even more of a resemblance.
The band will be back at The Village two weeks later, another Friday in March, this time the 27th, and use largely the same format – -they noted from the stage early in their show — and that’s no April Fool, as that Day is five days later, a number that is barely more than half the size of their full band, which has almost as many musicians as, say, The Doobie Brothers. And yes, that’s No April Fool, but right now a Lucky March Leprechaun.
Speaking of which, also at The Village, another totally experienced act for the St. Patrick’s Day foray, now finally begun in its full form, has another band who like the Grateful Dead meets ZZ Top-with-shorter-beards, and all get tighter harmonies with age. The Old Feral Cats, which despite the name has the cool and verve of the Stray Cats, has also played the main gig in Bayport, the American Legion Hall, to rave reviews that crossed to the other side, that being North Hudson, where patron Whitey holds court, as well as a relative of the ownership family at the Village Inn, and they all feel downright harmonious with one another, musicians or not.
Then there are the mountains of music that include Ten O’Clock karaoke and other revelry flowing from a hilltop, as high as can be, to a waiting Pot of Gold on its very end. It forms an isle that’s set aside from the rest of hill and dale, as the host there, T-Buckets, brings the party back to the area of Somerset. We’ll bey you’ll see it all on the 10 O’Clock news.
The place and people are all brimming with various forms of gaudy green garb. That will get you some gold, as well, as the best outfit of the Irish and beyond gets a $25 bar tab, which can then be back in turn used to buy drinks, a couple of which are a wee bit on the end of some you rarely see, so tuck in your kilt if that’s all right and come on over until close, and throw down some grub so you can Irish gig it away from those leprechauns with gobs of glee on a full gut. Such status is now obtained here by the chugging of $4 Black and Tans and $5 Car Bombs — get them before the more sensitive of the Irish folk note that indeed they are not kosher, as their Jewish pals might say, and call for somewhat sobering consumption consequences. That might not sit well with the best of Irish imbibers and could be a tad difficult to get going now that the hand has struck the hour. That tad is helping the players negotiate the trifecta of power hours, formed to consider the best of hard-hitting specials of 3 for 1.
Take Me To Church to take in Elvis and other rockin’ music, get pizza and fried chicken and more, and let First Baptist entertain you, for the long and short of it. And yes its its not only Elvis featured, and not just Gospel
March 7th, 2020This may be chiefly a church concert, part of an ongoing series that recently started, held mostly every Friday which is more than some nightclubs do, but people there really rock and are not stuck in the mud. They are led by a jazz group that are also often club performing parishioner musicians in their own right and own way at, yes, a quite conservative church who still rip through it raucously resembling rock stars. There is an Elvis show, not the only act that will be covered over time, that is there somewhat later in the evening, as you would expect from bar nightowls, held at the First Baptist Church on Friday, March 6, featuring the long-running and popular show of Joe Sir and the Rockabilly Rebels, and its cool that a church — hey, they too have have limited funds, like everyone these days, including financially struggling rock musicians — can book a band of this caliber. (Much like the every other Thursday community dinner at Bethel Lutheran Church, which also draws types from all over town, and is funded by contributions from almost all of the area churches, and they share the wealth and also the financial pain). That last style is something we don’t hit that often, although we try and every once in a while at HudsonWiNightlife succeed in that form of tuneage (is that a word?) if our musical information sources in low, or in this case somewhat low, come through (like groupies?)
But still, this can hit the church end of things well, in kinda a Nashville tone, as Elvis was known for catering to the Gospel motif, although they can rock out, as heavy metal bands often lyrically do and their fans can be spiritual if not sometimes churchy, to hit a broader clientele than the church people. That’s much like the attending Ashwood family that consist of three largely fusion based jazz musicians who prize their popular pace that can be over the top. This is not always just your traditionally-based cool jazz. The son who is their main leader and promotionalist, Chris, told me about this while sporting a T-shirt pumping a somewhat obscure festival featuring, as is typical, some oddly creative named groups.
As its getting quite late, even if you can’t hit the show tonight, you can — to make another religious reference, in God’s time — come back to this in one of the few downtown churches offered on basically recurring gigs most every week, as this is called A Slice Of Friday, great for Lent. Hey, sorry, it starts at 7 p.m., but even as a musician type and fan who can dally with time, I thought you would like to know as in any case because this musical mission that goes in very frequently. For that name and other reasons, as there are snacks and more afterwards, so you still can have a late-night window to get there and take in the experience — like the Jimi Hendrix Experience that can be jazzy motivated? — before you move on to other nightspots, which as always are chronicled by HudsonWiNightlife for your reference. Because like aging rock bands, and the elder Ashwood — and their endeavors have long been printed, and I know this is not paper but social media, on these pages — is getting up there, endless opportunities to see them exist because of the recurring retirement tours. And it will vary from the Second Coming of Elvis, although he will also be in concert here frequently. This make this your regular Friday night gig, and we will announce the other groups playing, along with the Friday fish fry. For much more information, and this by contrast is a very short email address, unlike a long sermon, visit fbhudson.org (wait, even though a longtime print journalist, and I referenced this above, did I get more into the social media end of things?). This is billed as a free concert for the whole community. That’s you. So as a popular even secular song says, Take Me To Church. Especially around 7 p.m., when the music starts.
— Also at First Baptist on the weekly basis, this time Wednesday nights is a community dinner that is billed as a great way to socialize with other often like-minded folk and, as the title suggests have the community come together in a quite special way regularly. But indeed it started back in the day when the economy first went bad, and some of those people and others that in many cases were struggling heard of this great social and song scene, as yes there is always a piano player plinking out light tunes during many of such offerings — and no offering donation is ever asked — for not only the regular music gigs each two days later, but of this fantastic way to eat for no cost with very good but not fancy food, and really stretch the budget. Not as long-running as the first and third Thursday of each month at Bethel Lutheran a few bl0cks away, but each serving a much needed purpose in a slightly different way with slightly different food, the content of which is changed up on occasion to never get dull, especially at Bethel where the entree that always has at least some meat even during Lent is altered every time and not often repeated. But more to the point, one meat entree that you can always count on at First Baptist is loads of fried chicken, filling at least two oversize aluminum pans with even more brought out and bagged by the diligent church ladies who also stuff more into big plastic Baggies to take home. Hey this choice is befitting a (Southern) Baptist group, and is donated by I’m sure KFC, who adds to that southern flair with not only their well known still-some-what-secret original recipe and also of course newer extra crispy that is maybe even more appropo. Lesser known around here than down south is the Popeye’s franchise that recently opened a branch on a newer part of the hill’s most bustling area and is situated north of Crest View Drive. The point I’m getting around to is one Wednesday a small group of eaters hit on these points and more in what started as casual conversation and turned into thorough review of those two chicken shacks. They agreed that Popeye’s is a cool alternative, but also is somewhat more spicy, moreso than one of the older gents tastes can take, than hit into a bit more of the KFC breading to wash that recollection away. Yes, Popeye’s is that famed down there Louisiana style, possibly a bit Cajun infused, so I thought I’d go check it out for myself, and interestingly many if not most of the patrons were black women, and lets face it there are not scores of them who live in Hudson, so this is a popular style with this loyal but not large clientele who I’d guess know from much experience this kind of poultry is far from fowl. This was at the end of the Monday noon hour, a bit past one and there were still a lot of people munching the stuff in their cars before going back to work. Yes an extended noon hour, but most of them were taking their time because this also apparently Finger Lickin’ Good. In other nearby eateries it was much the same, with even more people using up the bulk of their noon hour in their cars, largely economy versions from people who I know, know how to use a frugal deal well, and some trucks. Lastly here, there is back at First Baptist the first time around each month, there also is an even greater supply of all varieties of pizza, including but certainly not limited to pepperoni, from EJ’s, who also provide their brand at the above mentioned First Friday concerts. And you know what, it is can include, of course, BBQed chicken. Things get going at each community dinner around 5:30, and at Bethel a bit earlier.
— Today is the day when they will take it all back to you, and your sports sense, as Kozy Korner in North Hudson is your Oasis. That being Sunday, when their will be a bus to the college women’s hockey playoff game in the Twin Cities for the Badger team that fights like that state animal, and is always prominent with such contests and in the title hunt, and that non-commuting transport to the Cities as this is a weekend leaves at 1 p.m. (Also by bus, this time arriving and not leaving, is the Badger marching band that will play at Kozy on Saturday morning, as was detailed at length on a post in this web site’s Friday edition, so you can check it out and see what you are missing if you don’t skate on over the Kozy right away, as being work ethic Wisconsin farm boys, like so many Packer linemen in the past, they always give a full-length concert, and will do more than the occasionally typical one or two encores — if you buy the ones over 21 a beer, especially that killer cute and quite curvy clarinetist, if that is a word, and Spellcheck did recognize it. And there is the chance that traffic will back up on Interstate 94 and they will arrive late and that kicks in another chance get their before kickoff — wrong sport? — to both see the band and listen, and even have another beer, even though they say you shouldn’t. And yes, even after the band, there’s a version of the after-bar party promise, a great free drink if you arrive before kickoff, or the first faceoff, of all the other game(s) on Saturday and Sunday beyond, many of them playoff caliber, that can even reasonably considered local or regional, and even say the Vikings and non-Badger-state squads). And the bus may even travel as far as Fargo to take on the hated, I assume, North Dakota-based college teams and their tiny prairie dogs, not big Badgers, who always seem to be a quite bogus blip in the way of the UW and their championship quest that who knows, might even have a few local players featured. Also upping the ante across the street, the these two sports bars piggy back on each other, easily flipping across the two-lane main drag and its only moderate traffic, at the Village is the killer deal and party that takes people by bus to at least one Packer game a season, and they can pig out on some prized pizza prior to leaving. And a perk especially for the local people helping populate the state, is that you can even drink on the bus on the way to Green Bay — as this is not the big Greyhound or Megabus franchises with in some cases ownership in Europe, where you think they would get it, you in the U.S. you can’t have a beer on board, as they ban that even in Wisconsin! Anyway, get there or make your reservations early, as the tickets or seating can go fast. And since it appears the spring weather has arrived, but not enough to melt the ice rink, and you don’t want to be inside, don’t drop your smile or your puck or breezers, as the Badger band will always be back at Kozy again soon, possibly both later in this season or certainly the next, as this as they say is big! View this web site for updates on when and on who the Badgers are going to beat badly — and take heart, that free drink offer ALWAYS stands.
— They say that, to add the possibly bluesy band to the mix, rockers called quite incredible Blue Dream are finally back at Ziggy’s after a time. For a time reference, its the Hudson version of Ziggy’s and not the Stillwater place that is part of the same chain — OK, they”re not that big of a corporation — and has existed in the enemy state for somewhat longer. although the cool Hudson place is now open on more days a week, seven to count. And the time, to use that word again, is now, Friday night. That seems to be a music lover’s dream and cure their blues.
It’s the icing on the cake for a sports season that since just ended, but even that virtually vicious virus could not stop this public appearance, as the Badger band and the hockey team for which it plays, again find a haven (from frozen zombies?) on North Hudson ice at Kozy Korner pizzaria, like few can. (And lets take a lesson from Kari)!
March 6th, 2020(A timeout that’s the full one and not the shorter 30 second version, then you can read a big bonus of a read we think worthy of all these bonus babies and franchise player tags. Even though we until now, as people such as blue-color, beer guzzling Brewer fans — some of them ones that Google says read this website even though its far afield, as opposed to Twins fans locally, and may be stepping aside from that Brewer game on the tube as there simply is no such thing right now — though loving their sports didn’t like the rich diva idea. The UW Madison marching band music of instruments made of metal and maple aside, as sports seasons are being cancelled faster than the famously printed in the past the Nolan Ryan fastball, there are some things that have stood the test of time and are more permanent and possibly eternal than even the worst viruses, which will eventually fall by the wayside like the rink ice melts do come spring and the cleansing of renewal. That’s coming soon. Like Led Zeppelin and the equally famous Stairway to Heaven song that is a virtual hymn promises, “If there’s a Bustle in Your Hedgerow, Don’t be Alarmed Now. It’s Just a Springclean For the May Queen.” Springsteen would like all this, minus the partial plagerism that he would consider another form of plague and maybe pagan, although I think the latter is just fine, and given beliefs that they hold as Earth Day has almost arrived, and because as the numbers of death mount we need more than ever, evermore, all of us, to come together as one to . But there is not eternity to wrap up this transition. However, extra innings often are in the offing when interpreting of truth, as America’s Game, taken to The Continent, the rest of Europe and the other continents, is more vital even as it and its lasting hopefulness are shared with the rest of the world. The above are things we gave to take solace in and contemplate, and indeed keep constant focus on, like a batter with unyielding eyes always of the baseball. In time more sports seasons will come and be played, as even a virus is not forever. There will not be an overtime to this battle, much less two, as the Wild across the Deep and Wide St. Croix River that will not stop flowing, often wrestle with. Break On Through To The Other Side. And as a man who is spiritual merging with religious, it quite obviously is ticking time to look to God, if even just a bit more, and even ask him to intervene. Given the nature and tone and tome of this post, and this is something I seldom do but not never, note the lack of capitalization, a choice not easily made, when I invoke the deity. Devine and even more human than our theology might hold. And even if not a spiritual or ecumenical believer, or none at all, please join me and ALL others, as the virus does not hold anyone sacred only scared — when the next games inevitably come — in prayer/and/or/meditation/and/or even basic and simple thought as theology.
There is a compelling reason to recite this treatise, which even though having its main thought behind the philosiphising, to again board the Zeppelin and its songs of hope, “All will be revealed.” And sooner rather than later, as it concerns the following article branching off into the realm of competition (American Idols) that find the Badger Band taking stage as one that provides both styles including music, Swoop Here It Is: I have given it somewhat of a redaction, now a more and more used political term as disaster waits for no editor, now tossing in a lot of quips and puns in order to entertain, certainly not offend, but does humor know no boundaries? In the final analysis, while laughter may give mirth to the soul that is ill and distressed, that soul can also be harmed in a bad way no virus can accomplish. So I promise be careful and more than usual, take a bit more time to edit, revise if the tone would provide more evil than good, and maybe even a few times delete after further review. Avoiding bringing further pain to those already ready suffering, even though a gut-buster can again both help them or bring a queasy stomach or sometimes both, is The Prime Directive. With that said, in coming weeks you are sure to see reams of quasi-medical coverage in this style on these pages as it pertains to nightlife and what businesses such bars and their owners, staff and patrons face while still striving to be able to pour drinks to roughly the same number of people, and maybe also able to provide entertainment like that here — nobody can tell a joke or story like a bartender. And I’m sure we say as one, as this is what’s in the front page of the playbook, let’s try please not to offend.
Lets all hope such journalism remains active long after the virus is a distant memory. Although and here’s the rub, better to laugh than cry. So after having to fight all the way through, here is your reward, sometimes light in nature and possibly edging toward gallows humor considering the subject matter can be much darker in spurts. Hope you enjoy this read and let’s play hockey. But sorry, not quite yet.
Once you are done, double back and at least skim these basic (really, though I may drop the ball) journalistic ground rules I have set for myself, and I hope you can chuckle at not only this post, but also the many that follow on sports and other topics, such as music, as they really tease the Irish by using expounding on their stereotypes, as I go in part secular, but I hope we ALL laugh, and not get up our collected Irish. And yet again, it hope it is seen in that spirit. And with that said, I hope you can tolerate all my bad puns and long stream-of-thought sentences and milking of references that also include music, and constant alliteration and other wordplay that I hope is worth a laugh and a respect toward my atypical style everyday that readers say is mostly mine alone and brings them as often as they have time, which can be quite a bit shorter these days with the many and varied forms of virus prep. Hope hat lengthy rationalization is worthy of, say, the singular and stellar solo in the song, as I again copy it as both a singer and writer, Stairway to Heaven in the extended version(s), as here I go again, as you will see it a lot in the future, if their is as future, and lets be hopeful rather than frantic.
I like this post I have made, and I have seen more and more like it, and I like that attention to what matters. So you may see the message again on these pages in a shortened version that’s edited down form, and I’ll do my best to be concise even though as you can see that could be even more of a wee woe for me and soon worsening than even further on the finding now-hoarded necessities. But we need to be reminded often and at length as the complex medical details of this malady unfold, moreso sooner rather than later, or until the virus poses no more threat than the flu. I had a good downtown-scene friend who was longtime, back in the day that it really kicking in again, Kari McDaniel, you would always say things like, “I like talking to you,” rather than the other L word. A last thought, I promise, and that consideration is more vital than ever these days and that goes double for our politicians and how the handle this whole multi-faceted mess: Like Kari, we are all these days are hedging our bets as then we can take the time to think things through and be more cautious then ever in most cases and compulsively collecting TP is an exception. Kari has not only beauty but brains, although she would likely not even allude to it, much less state those words directly as do our more and more brazen political hacks, and we can learn from her and take the lead minding from that and those previously stated attributes.
Whew. Lets play hockey. UW style.
<And now here it is, the rest of the ‘long’ story, now sport>
This big Badger marching band will again bring their swing music our way and march into Kozy Korner on Saturday morning, the March Seventh of March Madness, as they have done for well over a decade, and make their almost always annual trip to the Twin Cities and beyond for the postseason play that includes both the men’s and women’s teams of hockey and basketball from UW. They have more members than the politicians now confirmed to have the MegaBug, and the band is so popular that even the virus and its possibly music-hating zombies are not likely to decrease the number of musicians playing a like number of instruments. The this instance intimate indoor experience, there’s no social distancing here, that benefits the women’s hockey squad will transpire in the north part of North Hudson at the pizzeria and bar around 10 a.m. That’s before zombies rise, and time in transit before boarding the big Badger band bus, then dodging any that exist and try to cross the freeway and get to the other side, depends on whether it snows and brings a you-never-know-its-spring-in-Wisconsin March Madness event now bye-bye sheet of ice to Interstate 94 that’s beyond the thickness of the frozen water found on a rink, all of which was thought might freeze the zombies and kill the zombies even further, thus saving the day (and even the night) and the season. But unlike rock star divas, these musicians will never cancel a trip or performance, unless the frigid Frozen Four flurry of flakes builds to the point it freezes over the freeway. But these players and their band are masters of strategy, and they still might find a way to get to this place where even the occasional open stretches of water on the St. Croix River would then ice over.
At one point a few years ago, before the local Badger base built even more, and newbies to the community were exposed to the Frozen Four frenzy to Fargo, where was a second chance in three days to see the Badger band kozying up to Kozy, as they and their pumping horns swung through all the way up to the eastern edge of North Dakota. There’s got to be some value in that trek, and build even more of a fan base, as it makes the Hudson-Twin Cities trek seem almost like going around the block. Not that they don’t prize the Kozy experience, although it still is somewhat of a hike, as they plan their travel time around it and deviate — did I use that word about the Madison and State Street crowd, although over decades the partying has ebbed — their schedules to make sure they get there. And about the reference earlier in the sentence, they know how to party as pertains to some of the brothers in their Nelson ownership more than others as that makes the family-run place at Kozy even more of a homey hockey draw, and make Kozy truly social and special, as befits the name, as they sometimes kozy up to places even around town into Hudson. But they always stay in control enough to not only be the life of the party, but make time with the ladies, even the really nice ones, who can be quite friendly in a good way on the North Hudson into Hudson scene anyway, as Wisconsin has been know to best even Minnesota nice. But stop in Kozy to have the band of brothers regale you with tales of yore with their “research, both here and yonder. It all brings a new sense of ambiance to the casual, or a bit raucous, conversion that combine to define the Kozy experience — and like supermodels, and also those rock god version of musician, have come to be known locally by a one-word name.
And I really do digress, or maybe regress, but boy do those horns swing. They once again they’ve been the definition of demonstrative, swaying sideways or up and down with every passing second. Despite that speed, there was still time for them to flash a waving hand or thumbs up sign between notes. It was right around 5 p.m. — as it has to be 5 O’Clock somewhere, why not here? — in days back, typically making the time, that the two dozen or so members marched into Kozy, and quickly rounded a couple of corners in the establishment, with some of them flipping on through to the back area without missing a beat.
After a quick first number, instructions made their way to the end of the band’s line via both words and non-verbal cues have always been a consistent staple, adding to the quality of this performance, even though live. Soon they would be circling up and around past the kitchen area — or have one of their members with the biggest instrument stand up high inside a booth to toot his horn — taking time on occasion for chant lines such as “when you say Wisconsin …”
The patrons love it, as again back in the day that was even more the prime of Badger glory years they have built on over many years with Kozy’s help, a woman just an arm’s length away from one of the players led them in swaying with the band. A pair of young girls stood on their chairs to applaud, and closer-by, two young boys next to the tuba player covered their ears. Between the reactions of the four of them, it appeared the volume was at just the right level.
One of the patrons, a recent transplant from Ohio, said she was heartened by the family friendly atmosphere, and the politeness and attentiveness to the children’s needs even as the music poured out — something you wouldn’t necessarily find in her home state. When she had come in with a relative, they were asking the best place to see the soon-coming show, and the locals said, again politely, that any of the booths were fine, as the band by the nature of their performance would be cycling through the entire area.
The newfound fan from Ohio — where her favorite being Ohio State that is well-known as was told to me by a patron at a downtown Hudson bar, and she never misses a game mostly at only the cool local Buffalo Wild Wings and is befitting this entire bar area its also cool staff, and is a college and not so much a bonafide university known at a football factory over other sports and studies — whew — as had even for her night out at Kozy had gone out to buy a black Badger sweater, with slightly edgy lettering that was partially in a neon green, kinda like those Packers also big at Kozy and Vikings and other grid teams too. (They will all get you a free drink it you arrive before kickoff on game day). She thought this more appropriate than her Buckeye shirt.To wrap up that earlier weekend, there was a Badger men’s basketball against Ohio State, at 3:30 p.m. around happy hour time, and hockey that night. You just might see someone in Buckeye garb. With that said, Amy, can we kiss and make up, so to speak, even though you stiffed us on the rent, and we can party down with the Badger band, as I know you like to do this once in a great while on a special occasion, and we both are certain this qualifies.
Co-owner father of Ryan Nelson, who appears to be the mainstay of many mainstays that include some of the longtime staff that are even known across the street to workers at an enemy sports bar, just kidding as they are all kozy — again, whew –has known the longtime Badger band director, Mike Leckrone, for years, going back beyond the days along time back when his charges started building their North Hudson experience, by playing at that bar across the street, which has even more room, although even back then was still full, although remaining kozy. It was at this place that the pizzeria that is now Kozy began, and is still running after years of experience that mean both places are still serving some of the best pizza in the area. Ryan, who got started there by putting years under his belt, said the band leader is a “Hall of Fame type,” known for his ability to remember names, presumably quite a few people locally.
While it has become “second nature” to hear the swing play, the music still gets people pumped. The band is fun and loud, in a good way, and their trademark songs, such as On Wisconsin and Varsity, never get old, Ryan said. They may also throw in a variation from their usual song list, such as Swingtown, the favorite of Ryan’s dad.
There were from that earlier HudsonWiNightlife report, about 23 musicians performing at the pizzaria, and they will likely make it an even two-dozen tomorrow, which is a common traveling size and a good enough number to make the rocking joint truly cozy but again, not too jam packed. You have to consider that the band is used to playing at really packed bars of all sizes back in Madison.
The Badgers on the court not the ice, also a hallmark at Kozy, in that earlier excursion forced also prized viewing at a No. 7 Oregon and Wisconsin contest by beating American by 40 points, their biggest postseason win ever, which also was shown dunking their way through at Kozy.
And hey, if you can’t show to see the show on Saturday if its too early from the night before — shame on you, the Nelsons and Leckrone say — the Badger band presumably with new soloists will be back many times again, and look for the announcements here — maybe even still this sports season(s). Any questions, call Kozy, as the staff will field your call, possibly with a listing of their many prominent food and drink specials, and don’t forget the pizza, thick or thin, which can also be delivered if you are visiting from a place like Madison, or other Cheesehead country from elsewhere in the state and even the very rural parts unknown where there is any appreciation for the favorite sports team of the (many) seasons, and cheese and beer and other spirits. After all the staff has tales to tell of many sorts, of both magical music and in that vein maybe even all the spirits that are said to abound locally.
Is your hot homey a hometown hockey honey, the sweet server who slathers cheese on the holiday pizza, or the Guv’s guy who’s got more big game with volleyball than those gunning right now for actual office
March 2nd, 2020(Did we say hockey? Tune in Friday for puck primer preview report, as the big Badger band that plays for them and their basketball teams makes yet another a stop at Kozy Korner in North Hudson, kinda the ice capital of Wisconsin at many levels, with horns blowing and fill the place up. Don’t miss the advance coverage!)
What’s your favorite political hack, and pizza snack, and hockey puck-slapping honey? And can they carry a swooning tune that can keep up with the Joneses? Read, and listen, on for the rest of this rambling rant of a roundup …
— The bartender at Green Mill had her birthday (Sweet 16?) on Valentine’s Day, and when she told me this it was National Pizza Day, to boot, their specialty. The trifecta? And have this reference become the Frozen Four — the Kozy Korner kind now that its high school and college hockey playoff time with the local girls team going — and the server noted that she would still be wearing her flip flops to further force spring and its holidays, but they broke, in part because of the cold they were exposed to. And across the freeway at Jonesy’s The Local, its been a while since I’ve given the gift of macho gab and his place a plug, there was a big placard about an extended V-Day special, with dozens of red hearts decorating it. It was an off hour, and there still were more people in the place then hearts. A truly popular place, even in the winter doldrums …
— Across from Guv’s Place and its many outdoor volleyball courts tucked in the back, on the right side is (or was) a big excavation machine, even bigger than some of the popcorn machine honkers at certain area bars. These are sand volleyball courts, of course, and the big digger might do some heavy lifting and supply more sand not only for the courts, but for some of the icy roads, such as the ones revamped out front — more lanes to get to Guv’s. But now the big rig has been moved, probably because spring is (relatively) near and the need for sand on streets is less. And when what’s left of the snow melts, the grit under players feet takes care of itself.
— The vote is in and its maybe a bit like American Idol, singers vs. politicians. In the St. Croix County primary election, and I was there at the courthouse taking notes, Tom Tiffany took it, emulating the success that the bubble gum pop singer Tiffany had years back (similarity about substance, no not those kind of substances?) He beat out guy by the name of Church, a politician that likely was milking, in of all places Wisconsin, the dairy capital of the world if you rule out California, the Religion factor as he is a Republican, and this Church seemingly didn’t have the same success as country singer of much the same philosophical ilk Eric Church. And on the way home, his campaign signs seemed buried in snowbanks, in groups, and hard to see. (So was this all a snow job?) And also on the way home, well after polls closed and just in time for last call, I saw a bunch of painted-on kites (flying?) on an electrical box. Gee, Ben Franklin and his famous shocking experience … Maybe he should rise again, now that its Lent, and run for office again. We could use him! Especially with the enemy state’s Amy K. now gone. (We were debating how to spell that one, maybe for the last time).
— You gotta love these signs. At Kozy Korner, there was the current message: Justin Beiber’s song Baby was written about a breakfast pizza. A little baby or a babe love interest? In the latter case the pizza, if its high on pepperori and she indulges here too frequently, and they get celebs, might lead to complection problems that look the same way on a face, it would seem. (I’m sorry if that was mean, but to keep up the goods with Justin, you have to be upper crust.) So Kozy might consider offering some free ointment along with the extra cheese (Just kidding. These guys and gals at Kozy are just great, and they can party a bit too. Just ask forever weeknight bartender Sue across the street at the Village Inn, and Sue knows). And to invoke one more Kozy sign, If at first you don’t succeed, go ask mom. As in the old Italian matriarchs that really populate the village, hey their families are big.
— And then across the way at The Nova, with summer coming and outdoor music, there was this great tidbit of a topical message. Yes, HudsonWiNightlife can be current with the news once in a while: We would have a better sign, but the Astros stole it. And for even more topical, if not tropical punch, which we hesitate to mention because there has now been a United States death, (but as a bar buddy of mine so often says, better to laugh then cry). But consider this sign: Our Corona 7 is virus free … yet. (Dots added). To that point, a friend has been put in a two week quaranteen because a co-worker had been to China recently. Sucks, because he still owes me bar money, and hey, I can’t collect if his cash is tainted, even when he gets out. And one more, another friend was waiting to get her driver’s license renewed … is she young enough to get carded and need ID? … because wanted to get new glasses to make sure she would pass the vision test, and the glasses were held up in shipping from China, where everything is made these days starting with eyeware (they are a bit behind in porn, the regime squelches stuff like that), and it will be another month before it gets here via (visa) Chinese Pony Express — otherwise known as Panda? Her mom stepped in, another mom reference, and saved the day by mailing her — Express mail this time — the shapes of all the signs so even if you can’t read the letters, you can still find a way to skirt the system. And not to joke any more about the land that is bad tariff territory, and the awful thing that may be soon befall many of us, not just them, I’ve often wondered this, long before the current virus outbreak, about the shirts worn at Dick’s Bar and Grill by the staff — but the bouncers and not the bartenders — that says simply “Staff” on the back: Gee, is that a statement about employment status or some kind of infection? And do the bartenders who do not wear these shirts know something that their co-workers don’t. With that said, I met a worker I know at Freedom in the bathroom — don’t read anything into that — and suggested he wash his hands the proverbial, or did I just make it proverbial, six-and-a-half minutes, “or the virus police will get you.” He scoffed a bit at that, but then did wash at least the prescribed minute. I on the other hand bolted without doing the same, hey the sink was occupied? What, you’re telling me there was more than one faucet? Crap, also an operative word. Around the house I would not get away with that. And now we here Corona is present in every continent but Antarctica. Apparently penguins are immune to the virus, maybe because they don’t indulge in Corona-type booze, yet another advantage of sobriety.
— You can buy into the future of the former Season’s Tavern building, but it will cost you more than one of their famous Bloodies. The sign now says — on one side only, hmm. — not something about food and that noted Thursday Camel house band, but this: Buy or lease: (651) 233-7339. (Free plug for a great former customer of HudsonWiNightlife). If you take away the area code, you just might have the asking price? Or, there is an option, and it involves their most noted entree and its many varieties. The monthly payment could be the equivalent (in kind?) of 50 walleye dinners (discounted for fast sale?) And the closing costs are covered with those many sides of tartar! (Just kidding and Brad know this from me). Good luck to him and we will miss him and his frenetic drumming with Thirsty Camel. Not Keith Moon, but hey …
— The Lord’s Chair, not just the Lord’s Prayer via again Iron Maiden, has been constructed of snow in North Hudson, and can be seen on your way back from Starr’s Bar, with a snowman watching over like an angel. The sofa of snow says in front where an ottoman would be, its hard to tell, but they kind of read the same, either Lord or God. This is the same place that had a Halloween style Nativity a few months back. I guess this family is in good stead without further Lenten penance, as they beat it to the punch.
–When the weather got even a few degrees warmer, but still below freezing, the people in shorts started coming out. And I, being the one who braves the late night temps well into November wearing such to bring you these news tidbits, was leading the way. But then the day when the warmth finally creeped up to get to the freezing mark and a bit above, you could easily tell that the joggers shorts were REALLY short. But there was still that one running person wearing a hat … And on a day that was back to cool temps, there still were those cross country team runners, two of the three, who were shirtless. This as almost as macho as football players and wrestlers. And the next day, when colder again, the CC people in River Falls were out and about with hooded sweatshirts. And again, the next day, or was it two days later, it was back to warmth, but even so, some were back to sporting parkas, some even with sweatshirt sleeves under. (The commonality: Lots of spandex pants, cut off at the calf). What a difference a day, or more, make.
Nightlife fixture Jay will be feted with two bands and, of course, a DJ, and some cocktails to warm your cockles as a countdown to spring
February 27th, 2020Three bands plus one, and they are largely new, mark the scene this weekend, and there are DJs you don’t always see as well:
— A longtime Hudson fixture on the nighttime scene is suffering from liver cancer, and there is an over-the-top benefit for him that is drawing attention everywhere, that will be held at Dick’s Bar and Grill for most of the day Saturday, Feb. 29, featuring two rock on the light side bands that are new on the scene — so there is a listening opportunity here — and a nighttime DJ until close. Jay Langer is a tattoo artist who goes back more than two decades locally, long before tattooing really became big, and the signs about his benefit are up everywhere at local night spots. (He also occasionally sits in and plays a mean guitar in some of those places, and has been with a rock band). The band that will play on his behalf at Dick’s are the Dirty Press (who that sometimes be me?), and The Other Baldwins (gotta love that name and it evokes from a music sense the days of the actor’s friend Bill Clinton and his sexy sax playing, ask Monica Lewinski). Then there also is a meat raffle in the afternoon when the bands start and other draws.
A lengthy aside: Jay celebrated a similarly big event awhile back with his tattoo shop, located a block down the main drag and prior to that a couple of blocks further down, in the building where the Madison Avenue brew and wine now sits. The reason for that big party at Dick’s was 20 years in business, and he was a standard bearer for tattooing, in part because of very creative designs of his own where I loved the often spiritual nature, back then when there were few other such places outside of downtown Minneapolis in the region. I broke that new business story, a full page with as you might guess cool spread in the old Hudson Star-Observer — now so part of the bigger Rivertowns, Red Wing and Forum corporate conglomerate as to be locally unrecognizable as far as weekly newspapers go. Some of the stayed longtime locals raised a few eyebrows. I was offered a free tattoo as a –try it out myself — part of the story, and a prominent party friend from all across the Cities said, Oh What Did You Get? My wife put an end to that fast. Anyway, I offered to do with Jay, who has more than made up for my lack of tattoos, a 20-year-triumph article on how does one stay in this business so long. and how do you evolve to stay so very valid in the next 20 years. It never happened because of busy schedules, but here’s to say bury the hatchet as far as a bit of the publishing bath I took, and lets hope there is another anniversary. So, be one of the more than 300 pe0ple at the party, an RSVP tally taken that was in place all the way back midweek and has been sure to grow.
— In this era of DJs everywhere who are mostly hip-hop, there is an old school answer, that being Chopper DJ, who you can guess from the biker style name is a rocker more into stuff like classic rock and country rock. He is back after a hiatus at the Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt on Saturday night.
— There are trio of big triumphs to be celebrated by the Tommy Bentz Band, with its bluesy rock, at Johnnie’s in River Falls on Friday night. The local band coming off its showing on a stage of an international blues festival, is performing its ninth annual tribute to the Beatles George Harrison on his birthday and is also marking the release of its new CD at the same night. On a flyer around RF is a lighthearted depiction of Harrison on the left side and Bentz on the right, side by side, suggesting a resemblance in appearance, and they do look a bit alike, especially the long hair (Harrison’s is farther down the shoulder). The local band’s music is largely drawn from the Beatles, although Bentz says their style is just as much like that of Van Morrison.
— Another local favorite is back an Urban Olive and Vine, that being their mulled red wine concoction — we use that term in a good way — simmered with five different ingredients that start with oranges and get even more diverse from there. Perfect for something different to warm your palate until the weather truly gets warm.
— Buffalo Wild Wings has an opportunity that is so good it comes around once in a blue moon. That is the chance to again have your beer and eat it, too, as they say. That is wings with sauce tinged with Blue Moon Beer, in this case their light version flavored with citrus and wheat, which is what they say feeds the world, and hey Buffalo Wild Wings is everywhere. And the wings are listed as the BBQ version, which is one more thing to heat your cockles. And, BWW is now adding brisket to their menu, just in time for St Patrick’s Day, and will be leaning more toward craft cocktails, although they obviously will keep beer as a stalwart. And the server that told me this, let it be known, says on the QT that she actually likes the Green Mill version of traditional boneless wings, served across the street, more than the variety at her home store. Ouch …
Going way back, and it is a long ways, I never knew Emma, but she must have been a Hottie, as the tavern that’s named after her is making the cold winter warmer with its longtime chili cookoff (and another new, chili story to follow, with Lent, cornbread and cole slaw))
February 22nd, 2020The storied long-time River Falls tavern, Emma’s, is again hosting its storied chili cookoff, and with the experience that comes with being one of the longest running events of its kind in the area, it knows how to bring the diverse tastes people have come to expect — and in some cases bring the heat, although their are milder varieties also for the weaker of palate and the kiddies. No problem here if they may like more subtle tastes.
The ingredients in the Saturday event, that runs all afternoon and more, include all different kinds of not only vegies, and not just many types of peppers, but meats that in some cases even include seafood. The variety can be fantastic, and mom’s style will be available, although with the diversity you will find, it is not necessarily your mother’s Wisconsin chili. So check them out in the south end of the downtown, since they have been around for decades and also have a lot of history behind them. And the prices for things such as drinks to wash down that chili, especially if its hot, are among the lowest in River Falls, and definitely the drop-dead lowest in the entire region.
— The Snow Daze festival in Somerset held for most of the day Saturday offers what might best be described as alt country; think what kind of music you will hear when the headliner, Enticer, is the model for fans to emulate in a best mullet contest. There are also other music acts, bar stool races, of course, good grub, and the chance to meet the latest babe from radio station 93X and their Half-Assed morning show. We assume she has a full butt.
— But back to chili. Read to the end for the spicy “rub.”Hey its Fat Tuesday, also known in Catholic circles and they are big on this, as Schrove Tuesday. Its a bit late and far afield, but go gotta love this tidbit from Rice Lake — that being Twin Cities way east, and not the local truck stop by that name. Their chili feed with various varieties also features the cooler and different offering of either cole slaw or corn bread, and a grilled cheese sandwich. And other Catholic churches that are closer by I’m sure have something similar, as they love to pig out before fasting, even if its not on a poke. So, all you readers of HudsonWiNightlife who may have quasi-questionable morals, its not too late to redeem yourself before Lent. Go save your soul by contributing to the local parish coffers and buying something tasty but largely meatless, still tonight. But wait, midnight has passed and its too late. I guess we, me too for being tardy and I understand this is one of the seven deadly sins, will see you in Hell, along with Michael Jackson, who a wayward women said spent 23 hours there and spotted him. Hey this was a long way round and about to go for a music reference, but hey HudsonWiNightlife never rests. Well sometimes. And of course this dry rub, referenced right off the bat of this item, is meatless. Because, you know, Ash Wednesday is a fasting day, usually defined as one full meal and two small ones, for everyone under 60. Two things: You can forget late night happy hour appetizers, and two, if you are a senior just go for it. And one last thing, I assume I got the whole Ash Wednesday timing thing right. Because I was born a Lutheran, and most of them simply don’t care as much about things like fasting, and even church attendance, so I often tend to think gee, is Ash Wednesday at the other end of Lent, right before Holy Thursday, which we called Maundy Thursday. With a name like that, I think that’s when you should fast.
Walter Kronkite, or is it Charles Kuralt — forming the Double K, wow — might make another trip to Somerset’s streams, if not rolling in his grave, as the Oval Office they used to report on gets even stranger
February 18th, 2020“And that’s the way it is,” as seen through less then rose colored glasses, and politics aside, I hope I don’t lose any redneck readers (am I being stereotypical, for a joke, we love all you guys?)
The latest in a string of events in Russia, as pertains to our country, was that a high-ranking official shot himself after being found guilty of a serious crime, and too much vodka at the bar. The latest alleged communication — and they all seem alleged — between the two heads of state, on the QT, was that maybe Donald Trump should in some way emulate the deceased … uhm, never mind.
Also lately, there was news that the Daytona 500, with Trump using his executive powers and making a presence in front of his ilk, was being rained out. Does this indeed rain upon his parade … of fired workers and quote your favorite hard rock song about the betrodden? (I’ll take Judas Priest and Breakin’ The Law). After, all is that not what Trump does?
A pub friend of mine says, counter to some of the prevailing thought, that he thinks Jimmy Carter was the worst president of all time. He describes himself as an upper case Libertarian and lower case republican. One would think that would make Carter, being from Georgia, more im-peach-able. Is that kinda like Uncle Mike’s Em Pour E Yum? Sounds like it.
Thus Trump is now acquitted of crimes versus sanity, although his bizarre presidency lives on and becomes stranger, and even the soused can see that. Again thusly, if this doesn’t suggest that Trump and his supporters have difficulty with the language, although of his origin, I don’t know what does. An ad for a group billing themselves as Latinos for Trump, and even that is strange — or am I imagining a late night visit and delivery of this flyer, as if it was a latent post-bar encounter — by in that very flyer another member holding up a sign with that message, although the letter P could not be seen because of another volunteer in the picture. Wait, do I recognize her, from that late night/early morning visit. I’m sure that Hilary was monitoring the resulting action, or am I being paranoid/dated. And this is someone who is not an ordinary volunteer. Ivanka Trump said she would not necessarily sign on as an advisor if the current president is re-elected. Heard she got a better offer from the Ukraine! And was it topped by a member of The First For Now Family having to fess up to some old revealing photos now released. Like that’s a new thing.
And with that in mind, there was something else that needs to be reckoned with, this time a classic rock song. “Carry on my wayward son. There will be peace when you are done. Lay your weary head to rest. Don’t you cry no more.” (Was he is under duress because this is November, and the polls had closed?)
Another miscue, this time in an online ad, said this, that could be seen as a precursor to Trump’s impeachment at a time in office that is unprecedented: “First U.S. presid (first line), could make great again (second line). Actually it wasn’t calling for Trump’s head, rather announcing the first American team in their category to win a presidential fitness award in the country. (And if Trump is indeed involved, it would be as a “sitting”president, and the golf course doesn’t count).
I have a political question for the ages, if not only now. If a redact is redacted, does it mean the original version is what’s left?
As the economy still wavers, tis the season for another restaurant and bar to close. North Hudson had only seen the closure of the small boutique across from the Mallalieu Inn, which saw the demise of a few ventures, and a bank at the other end of town, and an auto shop or two in-between. But now after a great run Season’s bar and grill stands empty, as noted early by an atypical blank sign and comments on social media. As one man said at a local pub, he will really miss that walleye, made several different ways. And the Village Inn appears to have taken advantage of the opportunity, by putting a message on their sign saying simply, “Walleye. Walleye. Walleye.” More on these themes locally will come on this site in short order, like a short order of short ribs.
One more question as alas another rocker has died, someone who crossed boundaries and opened doors to non-metal-heads, even locally. Drummer and song-writer Neil Peart of Rush (not Limbaugh, or we think) has passed on. What struck with me early was that Rush was the favorite band of an editor I worked with for of all things, an area Catholic newspaper. Rush did seem to me to not automatically embrace Christianity, in songs like Free Will. “You can a find a ready guide in some celestial voice. You can choose not to decide, but you still have made a choice. You can choose a steady course and kindness that can kill. I will choose free will.” Lastly, I doubt if they’re embracing the drummer, but a local bluegrass group has long had the name “Pert Near Sandstone.”