I used to maintain a word doc that I would email to artist that I couldn't book for my Bluff View House Concerts, and I never updated it since the pandemic. Recently Monica Austin, who knew about my love of attending live music events because I've recorded her a few times, asked if I could put together something again. My thought was to make it available in the blog so it was out there for everyone. Let's start off by using my Around Town playlist as reference, mainly because I'm curious about how many venues I've recorded music at... ha.
Venues:
Trempealeau Hotel is special to us; a mere eight miles from our home so we make so many of the artist shows. They have fine tastes in music and vary where the musician plays from the bar, to the back room, to both inside and outside on the deck, and then there is the stage that has hosted many famous people. Ask for Amy and tell her you've found the place through Dave; she knows I have great tastes in music too.
A few years back the Sebranek family put in the efforts to restore an old dance hall behind the bar at
Leo & Leona's, and now it's so special of a place. The door closes behind you from the bar, so the room is one raucous hall, or a listening area. Known as up on the ridge, LaCrosse people find the stop up quick, while we need a half hour to get there; and watch for deer and say hi to the folks. Like Terry who usually is at the door and books most of the shows. They book a lot, and vary in audience sizes. LaCrosse is awesome at showing up for people they know, so make friends.
A long time favorite of ours for music in the area,
The Root Note is back with more bookings again. While not real consistent, when they book it's a pretty innovative artist. It's in the center of downtown LaCrosse.
The
Popcorn Tavern has a lot of history for being a great dive bar in LaCrosse, but recently they cleaned up the interior a bit. Still has a lot of charm, and not a better stage and seating arrangement. Known a little bit more for being more Indie Rock in their music selections; but a good folky like me finds reasons to go there.
While I tell everyone that the Trempealeau Hotel is my local bar,
HD Tavern is actually closer. They fill their Tiki Bar stage schedule pretty quickly in spring. Nice people and they a great job updating that Tiki bar area.
I wanted to get at least my local hangouts up first, and I'll be back to update more places that I have frequented in my Around Town music video memories.
