Friday, August 04, 2006

Where do we go, now that the Viking's closed?

The sad event of the closing of the Viking Bar, one of the oldest bars and most legendary music venues in the Twin Cities is hard to recover from. It leaves a gaping hole in the West Bank music community, and musicians whose livelihood has been seriously dwindled. A few good bars in town are picking up the pieces. I highly recommend people go and support live local music at these clubs, so they do not suffer the fate of the Viking. There were nearly 200 or more people pouring in and out of the Viking all night Monday, drinking and dancing to the funky soul and r & b of Willie Murphy and friends including Max Ray and Mike Rivard. It was a wild night to be remembered. Would that there were more. If people support these musicians at the other venues they perform at such as the 331, The Eagles Club, Mayslacks and more, they can keep it goin' on.

Many of us who've been heading down to the Viking Fridays for nearly 9 years to experience the good times of the Front Porch Swingin' Liquor Pigs, need look no further down the road than the Eagle's Club tonight, from 7 - 9 p.m. followed by the X-Boys (members of the Suburbs, the Wallets, Things that Fall Down, Suicide Commandos) 9 - 11. And I think Willie Murphy, who's performed Blue Monday performs at the Eagles Club every other week. I think tonight he plays after the X-Boys, but you might want to call Eagles Club to check 612.729.4469. The Eagle's is located at 2507 E 25th St, Mpls.

Mayslacks is hosting Jackson's Juke Joint next Wednesday August 9, with the legendary Joe Price and Moreland & Arbuckle (on their way to the Bayfront Blues Fest).

Jackson’s Juke Joint begins a two-month trial run at the 331 Club beginning Aug 23. It’s not that far from the West Bank, (only about 5 minutes drive) so show them your support in this beautiful cozy club that also has good food.

I air a music calendar at 10 a.m. Thursday's Dakota Dave Hull show on KFAI 90.3 FM Mpls, 106.7 FM St. Paul. I'll keep you posted on where people are playing that used to play at the Viking, as well. Here's this week's music calendar of my recommended shows.

Thursday, August 3 —
• Tin Star Sisters regular gig at the 331 Club at 9 p.m.
• this Thursday Demo Lo-Fi features: Lonnie Knight, Felonius Bosch with Freddie Argir from Austin, and more . . . at Acadia 7 pm
• The Raconteurs, Jack White’s new band, tonight at First Ave! 6 pm AA
• Big Ditch Road/Dan Israel/High on Stress/Beight at the 7th Street Entry
• Cadillac Kolstad, his “honky tonkin’ love action” regular Thursdays gig at the Varsity 4:30 – 6:30 p.m

Friday, Aug 4 —
• Liquor Pigs at Eagles Club 7 – 9! After them, it’s the X-Boys, fe: members of the Suburbs, Wallets, Things that Fall Down and Suicide Commandos. Come support them at another venerable institution that’s trying to keep legendary live music happening. Willie Murphy also plays there every other Friday. Next Friday is his next gig there.
• At the 331Club, it’s the Como Avenue Jugband, all 12 of them spilling out from a little stage, a ripsnorting good time. With Tuesdays Robot, and Gabe Barnett, great singer songwriter. At the 331 at 9 pm.
• DEMO PRESENTS – Charlie Burton and the Dorothy Lynchmob Salad CD Release Show w/ Stook & the Jukes, Jake & Dubs, and Cadillac Kolstad
6pm-8pm Pre-show BBQ / 8pm Show
• Fans of honky-tonk piano can find Cadillac Kolstad Fridays at the Loring Pasta Bar with Cornbread Harris. Harris plays from 6 – 10, Cadillac from 10 – Close, and a bird told me they meet on the keys somewhere in between.
• Tangled Roots at Dulano’s 8 - midnight

Saturday, Aug 5—
•The Get Up Johns at the 331 Club with the Carpetbaggers at 9. You know what to do.
• Jonah Montranga and Attention, at the Varsity 5 p.m. All Ages
• At the Turf, its Vetiver from Florida, with the Dad in Common. 9 p.m. at the Turf
• Brennen Leigh at Dulano’s 8 - midnight

Monday, Aug 7 —
• The Roe Family Singers at the 331 Club @ 9
• Old-time square dance at the Eagles Club with stringband fe: Matt Neill, Adam Kiesling, Adam Brainard, and Doug Lohman. Great way to kick up your enthusiasm for upcoming MBOTMA! Dancing starts at 7:30

Tuesday, Aug. 8
• phenomenal blues guitar/singer Joe Price, from Chicago. An inspiration to many, including our fave local washboard player, Mikkel Beckmen.

Wednesday, Aug. 9
On August 9, Jackson’s Juke Joint is hosting KFAI’s Harold Tremblay’s 50th birthday party with the legendary Joe Price and Moreland & Arbuckle (on their way to the Bayfront Blues Fest). Jackson’s Juke Joint is beginning a two-month trial run at the 331 Club beginning Aug 23. It’s not that far from the West Bank, so show them your support in this beautiful cozy club that also has good food.

Coming up next week: Mark your calendars for Aug 10 - 13, the Minnesota Old-time and Bluegrass Music Festival, at el Rancho Menana. Go to http://www.minnesotabluegrass.org/ for more info. on this fun annual event.

This year's old-time stringbands include Foghorn Stringband from Portland, OR(Thu-Sat), Rhythm Rats (Fri & Sat), New Bad Habit (Thu-Sat), and the Mill City Grinders (Sat & Sun).

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