Summer is here…

From the Bar: 05/30/12

Ed is currently in Spain on a much-needed month and a half vacation, but that is no reason for us to not update. The Mid West Music Fest and especially our Friday night block party was an amazing success. Thanks to Derek from New Belgium for running the beer tent in the back yard, all the MWMF volunteers for helping make it happen, and to everyone who showed up to give us our biggest night in the five-year history of Ed’s.

The month of May is one of the slower times of the year for us, but the wonderful music is still going on. This weekend, D.J. Rhumpshaker (aka Dr. Bob) will be spinning on Friday night, Jake Ilika and Joel Ward will be in on Saturday, and Mike Munson will be picking and singing blues on Sunday night. June 29th will see a show by 4 on the Floor and Charlie Parr, and with July will come yet another Wilkie Days, a week of incredibly talented musicians wrapped up by a piñata smashing in the backyard.

For you beer-lovers out there, June beer club (first Tuesday of the month) will feature summer seasonals from around the country. We’ve had some delicious summer seasonals on tap so far and even more to come from breweries such as Great Lakes, Deschutes, Brooklyn, Odell, Alaskan, and others. For the hop-heads, the recently released Summit Saga IPA is about to hit the pub, along with the Mojo IPA currently on our nitro tap, and as always, we still have Surly Furious on one of our two permanent taps. Be sure to check back regularly to keep up to date on our current tap selection.

Cheers,
Ed, Brandon, Paul, Maggie, Aliza, and Andrew.

Thank YOU for 5 Years at the Pub

From the Bar: 04/18/12

Excuse me if I get a little sentimental, but as we approach five years at the pub, I am overwhelmed with fond memories and a deep appreciation for all who have made this run possible.

From the months of remodeling (joined by such wonderful people in an epic barn raising effort) to opening night with The Hobo Nephews and my good friends in Beet Root Stew to this weekend’s Block Party and the upcoming 80′s Prom, this place has been filled with the magic of an arts community coming together and finding its place between these bluffs.

I am reminded today of events such as the 2008 election with Manfort and a big screen projecting the election results, and the Beatles tribute show featuring some of the finest, most professional young people you’ll meet anywhere. Then there was grand finale of the Thumbelina, Wake Up Bedhead and We are the Branches show where Queen’s ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ was belted out by great friends sharing a truly fun moment, and of course, the wild antics of G-Biz as he rolled around in his briefs on the dirty dance floor after Joe Hastings entered the building from the street and strutted to the stage on the bar top while playing a solo in a gas mask!

I would be neglectful if I didn’t give a thanks to those who have helped out along the way and guided me through the learning process. For example: Rick Alfaro for being the best mentor and friend a guy could have, Dave Sanders for helping to organize beer related events, Dawn Schreiber perched atop the back bar painting the walls, Jim Trouten and Jamie Groth patiently explaining the art of the sound man, Mike Munson lending us his talents every Sunday night, Dr. Bob bringing his puppets, cabarets, and eclectic records down regularly, WSU Facuty and Student Jazz for tearing it up during their monthly performances, Rebecca for joining me on many gravel road trips through MN and WI taking notes as we hammered out ideas for fun parties and a more proficiently run bar, and Tom Fassbender for putting together great, great shows. I can’t begin to thank everyone, but know you are in my heart.

In addition to all the great Winonans who have lent time and talent are the great friends I’ve made from out of town who continue to support us with regular visits and performances: Charlie Parr, Nicholas Mrozinski and The Feelin’ Band, Chris Koza and Peter Sieve and Rogue Valley, Gospel Gossip, The Goondas, Bird Sounds, The F*ck Knights, Hastings 3000, Ian and Teague from the Hobo Nephews, Apollo Cobra, The People Brothers Band, Maudlin, Quillan and Kim Roe, Peter Miller with We Are The Willows and Red Fox Grey Fox. This list goes on and on and on.

The art on the walls has been an essential component of the bar’s atmosphere and aesthetic. Maggie Sather’s current paintings and photography show should not be missed. Some of the highlights for me have been Jamie Harper’s epic fall exhibitions, Matt Semke’s many shows, Billy Hessian’s iconic images, Andrew Foss’s neo-impressionistic salon stacked shows and Lyon Smith’s large scale paintings. In fact, I don’t think there has been a time when the pub hasn’t been bettered by fantastic local artists!!!

Also, I would like to mention the great festivals in Winona that the pub has been proud to collaborate with. GRSF, FRFF, MWMF and Boats and Bluegrass have made Winona the hippest little secret spot in the state. I guarantee we won’t keep that secret too long!

Last, but certainly not least, I want to thank the great staff who have worked here and the patrons that have populated the place. Aliza, Ava, Andrew, Maggie, Justin, Jenna, Dusty, Rebecca, Brandon and Paul… I couldn’t have done this without you!

So… now come on down this weekend to support the Midwest Music Festival and the pub as we celebrate with three great nights of shows including Friday’s Block Party with Charlie Parr, The Feelin’ Band, Chris Koza, Beet Root Stew, Mike Munson and Dr. Bob! This party is for YOU!!!

Cheers!

WSU FACULTY AND STUDENT JAZZ

From the Bar: 04/5/12

Tonight (4/5/12) is WSU Faculty and Student jazz night at the pub, and I’d like to write a post specifically for these guys.
If you haven’t been down for these shows, you are truly missing out.
For the past two years we have been hosting Rich MacDondald and the gang once a month during the school year, and each performance has been special.
The music generally begins around 8:00, always with Rich, and most often with Larry Price, Eric Graham, Ray Dretske and a number of the best local jazz veterans taking the stage together. I’d dare to say that this is one of the best combos playing on any given night in the state, and surely the best you will find playing a no cover charge show in a small bar in a small town anywhere ever! When they play, they demand your attention. Plus, its wonderful to see these guys have great fun on stage together.
As the night progresses, they invite their students to the stage. This is great too. It is a wonderful educational opportunity for the students to sit in at a gig with these veteran musicians. The students bring a different energy to the room and it’s fun to see them gain confidence with each song until they catch fire.
The bar donates money to the WSU Friends of Jazz each show, so coming down and checking it out helps fund a good organization.
We at Ed’s would like to thank these guys for their talents and their efforts in making these nights happen!
Cheers!