And you might have thought that touring summer rock shows have an extensive list of bands. The following is the formidable lineup, 17 diverse music acts in all as well as workshops and other attractions, that make up the Roots and Bluegrass Music Festival, which will be held in River Falls from April 9-12:
— Thursday, 7-10 p.m., Walter Croll and Friends, at Juniors Bar and Restaurant.
— Friday, 5-8 p.m., Pushing Chain as part of the beer and wine tasting event; 6-9 p.m., King Wilkie’s Dream, Johnnie’s Bar; 8-11 p.m., Barley Jack’s, Juniors; 10 p.m.-2 p.m., Dead Horses, Shooter’s Pub.
— Saturday, 9-11 a.m., Rush River Ramblers, South Fork Cafe; 10-10:45 a.m., Snap, Tap and Clap, Brickhouse Music; 10 a.m.-noon, open jam with Fish Heads, Family Fresh Market; 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Paint the Town, Funktion Junktion; 10 a.m.-1 p.m., ukulele workshop, Brickhouse music; 11 a.m.- 1:30 p.m., flatpick guitar competition, Juniors; noon-12:45 p.m., Banjo 101, Brickhouse Music; 1-1:45 p.m., Percussion Petting Zoo, Brickhouse Music; 2-4 p.m., Attic Treasure Appraisal, Riverwalk Art and Antiques; 2:30-4:30 p.m., singer-songwriter competition, Juniors; 3-4 p.m., Paint the Town, Best Western lobby; 3-5 p.m., open jam with Fish Heads, Funktion Junktion; 3-6 p.m., Blue Hazard, Bo’s ‘N Mine; 4-6 p.m., open mic with Pushing Chain, Dish ‘N the Spoon Cafe; 4:30-7:30 p.m., Cousin Dad, Lazy River; 6-9 p.m., Fish Heads, Johnnie’s; 8-11 p.m., Art Stevenson and High Water, Junior’s; 10 p.m.-2 a.m., Kind Country, Shooter’s Pub; and 11 p.m.-2 a.m., Sans Souci Quartet, Maverick’s Corner Saloon.
— Sunday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Good Intentions, West Wind Supper Club; 2-3 p.m., Paint the Town, Funktion Junktion.
— For a different type of spring foray, check out the beach party at Dick’s Bar and Grill on Saturday, with hauled in sand, sand and more sand. The band Puzzle Piece will play at 6 p.m., but you don’t have to wait until then to celebrate, as there are food and drink specials all day. As they say at Dick’s, “Life’s a beach. Party like a beach.”