Validating String Theory - The Inside Out String Trio

Moorhead's own Inside Out String Trio has been playing their refreshing juxtaposition of jazz, bluegrass and rock sensibility for right around a year. Invoking David Grisman and other pioneers of progressive bluegrass music, they offer a sound that is both musically challenging and fun for the ear.

We appreciate such musical odysseys here at the HoDo and are happy to have them stop by the Lounge tomorrow night at 8:30. Don't miss 'em. No cover, 21+

Move To It, Groove To It - Blind Joe Tomorrow

Blind Joe will once again sling up the old six-string and meet up with friends in low places at the HoDo Lounge tomorrow night at 8:30 p.m. You can hear him here, on MySpace, but I also recommend familiarizing yourself with the philosophy of Blind Joe, which can best be summed up by a few lines from his song "It Ain't Country Enough:"

"If you don't hear a fiddle or a steel guitar / a hillbilly singin' about a honky-tonk bar / the pace ain't bangin' and the vocals are rough / brother, it ain't country enough."

"If you can't move to it, groove to it, up and slam some booze to it / party to it all night long / if it ain't about whiskey sippin', guitar pickin', tractors, trailers, trucks or prison / man, it ain't a country song."

Amen, brother. No cover, 21+.

HoDo Lounge Cubby, #2

We last peered into the cubby in the lounge's Adam Kemp mural back in late January (see the original post here) and there have been plenty of additions. Here's a current photo:


Not much else has been attached to the inside of the cubby, if you compare the new to the old photo, but there have been some good scraps and miscellaneous items added, including:

*Plenty of business cards. Way to network, folks. We've got new ones from WF Maxwells, Alexandria Yellow Cab, Salon Why?, Terry Becker Construction and Ulteig Engineers.

*A map for the Bedford Springs Resort in Bedford, Pennsylvania. Seems like a nice place.

*A pair of Focus Dailies one-day contact lenses

*One "normal" feminine hygiene product

*A message from Jenny, Janine, Vincent and Denele dated May 27, 2008 declaring "HoDo! Yay!"

*Another message dated July 14, 2008 declaring "Ed was here."

*A coaster declaring B. Wild's 1st time visit to the HoDo. Thank you too, B.

This is new, too, and I like it a lot:


So true, although we're willing to make them reappear from time to time.

Don't forget to leave your memories in there the next time you're in the lounge. We'll certainly appreciate it.

The Mindfunk Allstars Don't Play Baseball

After the marathon (boondoggle?) of last night's Major League Baseball All Star game, you might think you've had enough all stars for a while, even with territorial hero Justin Morneau (above) crossing home plate for the winning run.

But fret not, friends. Tomorrow night's HoDo Lounge musical guests, The Mindfunk Allstars (here, on MySpace), do not play baseball ... at least not professionally. Instead, they play an inebriating blend of grooving funk and whirling electronic bleeps (reminiscent of the Disco Biscuits or Fargo's late, great Snacktones) tailor made for marathon dance sessions. Perhaps you could show up wearing your Converse All Stars? Ha!

Yeah, bad joke. Show at 8:30 p.m., no cover, 21+.

July's Flavor of the Month - France

Imagine the streets of Paris - lively cafes, elegant bistros and a fromagerie on every block. Whether it's a brie panini in the Luxembourg Gardens or a five-course sauce lesson on plates along the Left Bank, the French have a legendary passion for their food, and we're happy to be bringing a taste of that to July's Flavor of the Month.

Voulez-vous manger a la Francais? Please call ahead for reservations at 478.8888. The menu will be available from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Legionnaires - Whack For My Daddy-o, There's Whiskey in the Jar-o

Howdy! The Legionnaires will ride a horse with no name into the HoDo Lounge tomorrow night with the showdown beginning at 8:30 p.m., no cover, 21+.

Where have all the cowboys gone? In this case, they have turned a country/jam experience into one of the busiest acts in the Fargo/Moorhead area with a sound reminiscent of the western-y fringes of the Grateful Dead. And, just for all the HoDo trail hands, they'll unplug their electrics and play acoustic, just like them ol' cowpokes 'round the fire out on the cattle drive.

And, have a lookie-loo at that Cowboy Martini, made with Pendleton Whiskey, to be served up during the show. All that rootin' tootin' will sure put some hot sauce on your six shooter ... and have you scrambling for your own cowboy metaphors!

The Johnson Family Band - Which One's the Weird Uncle?

The strength of family stems from personality dynamics, a common past and shared experience, and it is easy to make this comparison about the Johnson Family Band. As a group of musicians, they exemplify an internal personality dynamic among themselves and an external distinction among the various musical groups that call the Fargo area home. As a band that specializes in traditional American music, they recall a commonality that we all share in this culture and, as a loose and fun unit that gives a crowd a rollicking good show, they provide a solid dose of experiences to share.

It is fitting, then, that they should professionally call themselves a family, particularly in light of their show with us tonight in the HoDo Lounge at 8:30 p.m. (21+, no cover), where they have certainly become as welcome as family. As we go into a weekend devoted to our own families and the extended family of our fellow Americans, it's even more fitting. Before you head to the lakes or fire up the grill, be sure to get your holiday off to a good start tonight. See you there.

Get to Know a HoDoan #2 - Stephanie

(This is the second installment of our blog feature, Get to Know a HoDoan, where we crawl into the brain of a HoDo team member for your voyeuristic enjoyment. Stephanie is our victim this time around.)


Do you have any nicknames? Squaff or Steph.

What do you do and how long have you been at the HoDo? I work at the hotel front desk and, every now and then, I dabble in some housekeeping. I've been here for just over three years. [Steph just began an event planning/marketing internship with the HoDo as well. - Ed.]

What is your most memorable HoDo moment? Being in the St. Patrick's Day parade. And, how could I forget Bras On Broadway [the HoDo's annual breast cancer benefit/art auction.]?

What do you do in your free time? I enjoy going to concerts; I am very excited that festival season is upon us. I also work with KNDS, our community alternative radio station.


List some favorites of yours. My favorite TV shows are "Arrested Development," "House" and "What Not to Wear." For books, I like "The Comedy Writer" and "Peter Pan." Some of my favorite bands are Rise Against, The Killers, Bon Iver, Sigur Ros, Cake. There's this song called "O'Fortuna" that I really like, but I'm not sure who does it.

What do you recommend to do while visiting Fargo? Check out downtown. There's something for everyone. Cafe Muse, in the Plains Art Museum, is great!

What is your favorite menu item (food or drink) at the HoDo? Any other HoDo favorites? The Espressotini is where it's at. Room 12 is my favorite room in the hotel because there is a great view and the art does a great job of enhancing the open ceiling.


What is your dream vacation? A road trip across the country. I'd drive through the Rocky Mountains, hit Vegas, visit New York, northern California and everywhere in between.

Who are your heroes? My roommate Mark. He brews his own beer.

What would you do if you won the lottery? I'd go on my dream vacation and buy my mom a beach home.

(Many thanks to Steph for her participation. And, we thank her for her pleasant and dedicated service. You rock, Squaff.)