By Sawyer Derry

11:47 p.m.

By Hanna Volgarino

9:30 p.m.

This evening Mid West Music Fest goers had the chance to hear a great band called Goodluck and Godspeed. The sound of a dramatic organ spread through The Walnut Castle as Goodluck and Godspeed started to play. The rock/post rock group created a very unique sound and really kept the crowd interested with the many different things they experimented with. During the set, many of the band's songs would often lead into a emotional instrumental phase for a couple of minutes. You couldn’t help but keep your foot tapping and see where the song goes from there. The five-piece band was very talented and kept the crowd interested throughout their set. They had moments of very soft piano lines, and then would enrage into a very climatic sound that interested the ears of many in downtown Winona. Goodluck and Godspeed was a treat for music listeners.

By Sydney Swanson

9:07 p.m.

QUICK! Head over to Jefferson's NOW! A dance pop band called Apollo Cobra is playing and you will love them. It's loud and starting off slow at first. No one is dancing but if you start so will they! I did however catch one little cutie bobbing along to the beat. :) They are combining a rock and dance feel and you do not want to miss out.

By Sawyer Derry

8:43 p.m.

By Hanna Volgarino

8:32 p.m.

Mid West Music Fest is a great opportunity to find new bands that may tickle your fancy. In downtown Winona tonight you can walk three steps in any direction and music will grace your ears. At The Walnut Castle, a variety of music was played by many numerous bands. One of the bands to kick off the night was Rogue The Wolf. The crowd at the Walnut Castle started to fill up as Rogue The Wolf began to play, many observers couldn’t help, but tap their feet or bob their heads to the beats of Rogue The Wolf’s song. Rogue The Wolf was a three piece band including a lead guitarist, bassist, and a drummer. They had interesting guitar lines that were very dirty sounding. At one point, the lead guitarist/singer sang into his electric guitar making a very distinct and cool sound. By the end of their set, the crowd was digging what they heard.

By Sydney Swanson

8:28 p.m.

I find myself back in Acoustic, partially because I'm only having luck with wi-fi here. Now that I'm here, I am here for more than the wi-fi. The spirits are so high in Acoustic tonight! Everyone is out with friends, visiting, laughing, and enjoying the music. The Beef Slough Boys which are a roots and folk-based band comprised of four lovely looking gentlemen. They've been playing some upbeat music that I can't help but want to bounce along to. I've never personally been a folk music fan but they make it hard to not enjoy it. Everything is working now (camera, computer, and I have my wristband) so I find it's easier to get closer to the band and snap some pictures while they are in action. Adam August, a student at WSU, got the chance to beat box with the band in their last couple songs. An amazing melding of generations!

By Erica Knapp

8:10 p.m.

Chris Kendall
-    Local talent
-    What is it with acoustic guitars? They’re everywhere!!  And all of them are beautiful.
-    Folk/Bluegrass songs
-    Smooth tenor voice
-    Phenomenal guitarist
-    “Playing in a band is like driving a tank and playing solo is like driving your bike naked”
-    Took requests from the audience
-    Was slotted to play with his band- but one member fell sick.
-    He is a true entertainer- interacts with the audience and tries hard to make them laugh- but not in a bad way.

The final act of the night for the Blue Heron was local Chris Kendall. Kendall was originally slotted to perform with his two other bandmates, but one fell ill earlier in the day, so it was just Kendall. He is a folk and Christian singer who also happens to have phenomenal guitar skills. Kendall’s smooth tenor voice complimented the guitar nicely. He took requests from the audience and was a true entertainer--Kendall did his best to keep the crowd laughing and took requests from the audience.

By Sawyer Derry

8:00 p.m.

By Syndey Swanson

7:53 p.m.

I stopped in Blue Heron after getting the wristband I was supposed to have gotten before going out to blog and take pictures. Better late than never right? I had some troubles connecting to the internet but got the pleasure of listening to Melissa Kay sing a song she wrote herself. It is absolutely amazing how much she got into this song. You could see on her face how much it meant to her and that it was coming from the bottom of her heart. I almost felt like I knew exactly what she was talking about in her song, even though I hadn't had the experience that led her to write it. In between songs, she joked about everyone being invited to her graduation party in May. Maybe I'll show up. :) I also had some company from a volunteer named Reese. I love when people are friendly.

By Sydney Swanson

7:26 p.m.

Patti Darbo set the perfect mood in Acoustic Café with her soothing voice. She sang a variety of classic folk based songs and did amazing renditions of various covers. My favorite was her version of "You Were Meant For Me" by Jewel. The combination of the emotion behind her singing and her unique voice made for a great performance.

By Sawyer Derry

7:19 p.m.

By Erica Knapp

7:02 p.m.

Melissa Kay
-    Country/folk
-    Not many people
-    Small, intimate setting
-    “Tip jar” is a Crayola box
-    Writes all her own songs
-    Family setting
-    She likes slow/sad songs, but will kick it up
-    Amazing guitarist
-    Why you should be interested: Not many people, great food, and great music. They have an awesome variety lined up. Come enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and chat with some buddies to the background of some awesome music.

Melissa Kay McCarthy took the stage of the Blue Heron at 7 p.m. Friday night. At the beginning of her set, there were only three people in the venue, including me. By the end of her set, there were 18. Not a huge crowd, but it definitely showed her popularity. Belting out country/folk songs for an hour, Melissa made me wonder why she’s still doing small shows like this. She writes all her own songs, but will cover a few known songs, such as Dolly Parton’s “Jolene." Her “tip jar” was a Crayola box, which fit the intimate setting.

By Hanna Volgarino

6:35 p.m.

Hop on board and scrub the poop deck! Mid West Music Fest has taken a swashbuckling turn! It was a pirate-filled evening over at the Winona County Historical Society. Treasure was found for every family that came to see Canon Ball the band. An old organ to a string bass, each pirate showed off their musical talents by playing very unique pirate sounding music. Each of Canon Ball’s songs told a significant tale about one of the many types of mystical characters like mermaids, unicorns and even a scary skeleton. What really caught the kid’s attention was the puppet show. One song was even titled “Scary” and the puppeteer pulled out a dancing skeleton and some of the children weren’t a little bit frightened. The puppets really helped the kids visualize each of the stories. The kids were so fascinated with these puppets, and most of them tried more than once to reach out and grab one of them. The night was a success for the pirates and the families who came to have a good time.

By Erica Knapp

6:14 p.m.

Paul Teerlinck
-    Songwriter
-    Small stage- intimate setting.
-    Not very many people- probably due to weather
-    Just him and his guitar…and an amp.
-    Wrote “talk to me” while working at a juvenile correction facility
-    “I play the guitar and I sweat”
-    “I figure my body has enough holes in them…I don’t need them in my blue jeans”
-    Why you should be interested: small names with big voices and LOTS of room to mingle.

At the Acoustic Café, there’s a lot going on. Food’s being delivered, people are talking, tables are being cleared and music is playing. Paul Teerlinck took the stage at 6 p.m. Because of the small stage, the setting was very intimate. It was just Paul and his guitar on stage. Teerlinck is primarily a songwriter and performed his tune “Talk to Me” that he wrote while working in a juvenile correction facility. Teerlink joked, “I play the guitar and sweat.”
 

By Sawyer Derry

6:06 p.m.

By Hanna Volgarino

5:21 p.m.

Mid West Music Fest is not just for the adults and teenagers in Winona. Here at the Winona County Historical Society, children are having the chance to experience their share of Mid West Music Fest as well. Upon walking into the Historical Society, shouts and laughs from little children fill the building. There is not a lack of energy at this performance. Parents are having the chance to sit back and relax while their children have fun dancing to the music. Amanda Grace was the first to perform for the kids. Grace had a variety of songs that the children danced and sang to. Grace played piano and also invited many kids to come up and sing their songs with her including the "ABC" song. Grace’s last song really caught the kid’s attention because it was about Candy Mountains. Coming up after Amanda Grace will be the pirate crew or band, Canon Ball.

By Dave Dvorak

5:15 p.m.

The music is flowing out of the windpipes and acoustic guitar of Mike Swenson here at Acoustic Café. The crowd is large and entertained. Mike himself sounds like a combination of Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan with an alternative feel. The warm and cozy atmosphere of Acoustic Café is the perfect haven from the April snowfall!

By Dave Dvorak

4:32 p.m.

The New X Art Ensemble evokes the spirit of Frank Zappa with their avante-garde melodies and beyond creative lyrics. Film and art projected onto the walls only adds to the artistic atmosphere of the venue here at the Masonic Temple. Billy X, the front man of the band has some of his older performance art spectacles projected onto a wall. The mood became quite eerie when they played their original song titled “War." New X Art Ensemble is a must-hear for Zappa and jam fans alike.