Jamming at Shari's
the valley’s haven for blues and bluegrass
Martha Galep, photos by Andrea Paulseth |
It is usually not hard to find the local hot spot in a small town. Find Main Street, turn right, and drive slowly, as there are taverns on both sides of the street. Since you’ll be looking for live music, (right?) have the window down half way. If the soundman is worth his salt, you’ll know when you are close.
I found this method worked just great when I ventured from Menomonie to Durand for a Sunday night jam session at Shari’s Chippewa Club. I’d heard that they sponsor a blues festival there, (the legendary Blues on the Chippewa in August) feature live blues/bluegrass/country/roots/songwriter/alt/stuff, and serve homemade food.
The idea of an open jam session was what did it, though. Since moving to the Chippewa Valley a few years ago, I’m always been looking for folks to pick some tunes with. Shari varies the style of music featured at each jam session, and this happened to be the Classic Country night. I asked Tracy Lea Landis, of Ghetto Princess and the White Trash, just what to expect. Her answer? “Fun, lots of fun, you’ll love it.” (Always listen to your local groove merchant).
Shari’s has a main room where the stage, dance floor, and tables accommodate everyone without blocking a view of the musicians. The bar adjoins this room and connects to the rear of the building where an outdoor deck allows enjoyment of the Chippewa River flowing by. Part pub, part Mom’s Café, part honky tonk – Shari’s is a bit of a jewel for musicians and fans alike. Jam sessions are held on Sunday nights featuring: blues (first), bluegrass/roots (second), Classic Country (third), and Singer/Songwriter (fourth), as well as live performances by local acts the Bear Creek Band, Left Wing Bourbon, and the bar’s own house band, the Love Buzzards.
Owners Rob and Shari Edwards have proven their devotion to supporting live music by doing so much right – the in-house sound system is in the able hands of Dan Callan, all around nice guy and musician himself, and the closed circuit TV throughout keeps everyone in tune with the stage.
“We try to get anyone who wants to play up on stage,” Dan smiles. Shari agrees. “If you are a player, just bring your instrument and have fun. If you are a listener, just bring your ears and have fun,” she says.
The Edwards have seen to it to provide quality hosts, featuring the likes of New North String Band as bluegrass jam hosts and the Chippewa River Band as classic country jam hosts.
The hard work of running a business like this is paying off for the Edwards. A regular named Doug joined me at the bar and explained, “You should see it when they have the blues bands. One couple came down from Hayward and the place was packed. They kept saying they were so glad they came because they had heard about the music here.”
The patrons at Shari’s all seem to share Doug’s enthusiasm for the music and for the club. I spent the evening meeting many nice folks – most strolled over to ask, “What’s in the case, a mandolin?” This is the kind of place where you might walk in a stranger, but you’ll leave a regular. If you love live music, you’ll be glad you found Shari’s.
Shari’s Chippewa Club • 106 W Main St., Durand • 672-8785 • www.sharischippewaclub.com
