Kowabunga

The Vintage Band Music Festival played host to a "Battle of the Bands" between the Wisconsin 1st Brigade Band and the 26th North Carolina Regiment Band at River Front. The setting was where the Cannon River cuts through downtown Northfield with the bands playing on opposing banks of the river.

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Wisconsin 1st Brigade Band at River Front.
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26th North Carolina Regiment Bandat River Front.

The North Carolinians won the coin toss and opened this musical battle of Civil War era band music. The 1st Brigade returned fire with the "Star Spangled Banner." The concert lasted an hour with each band alternating volley's of music. Both bands cheered the fine performance of their opponent in this contest of musical ability.

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Wisconsin 1st Brigade Band at River Front.
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26th North Carolina Regiment Bandat River Front.

Both bands gave a fine accounting of music from the Civil War era for the hundreds of spectators in attendance and wrapped up with a massed band performance on the footbridge that spans the Cannon River.

Whether North or South, or fan of "Dixie" or thrill to the traditional cavalry standard, "Gary Owen," this was one fine concert.

Both bands will be performing again on Sunday.

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The Brass Works perfomred three lively dance sets at Northfield's National Guard Armory. Although sparsely attended due to the heat and lack of air conditioning at the Armory, those in attendance danced to 19th century waltzes and polkas. The Brass works opened the dance with an 1864 rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" which contained some very interesting flourishes.

As I said, it was very hot in the Armory, so by the end of the second set, I, at least, was drenchd in sweat.

Today, Saturday, will see many concerts, including a "Battle of the Bands" between two Civil War re-enactor bands. Should be good. Hopefully I'll make it into town to catch it.

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Northfield is playing host to the Vintage Band Music Festval. The innaugural event kicked off with a concert at Bridge Square by the San Francisco Brass Works. The Brass Works is a well known band in the Bay Area for its performances at the Gaskell's Victorian Ball (which I attended many of from 1988 through 2000 when I moved to Minnesota), and, to the best of my knowledgge, this is their first appearance in Minnesota, and certainly in Northfield.

586KB jpeg. The Brass Works at Bridge Square.

The opening concert was well attended with some 300 people. Four hot air ballons made a pas over Bridge Park during the concert, adding an additional touch to the outdoor event.

The opening concert was followed by a polka dance on Division Street, with a couple of hundred people attending, many dancing up a storm, and wood wind concerts in some of the local taverns.

There are roughly 20 bands, may from Minnesota, with the Brass Wroks being the sole West Coast representative, two bands from Pennsylvania and one from Germany.

Most concerts are free. If you are reading this during the run of the festival and are in the Northfield area...what are you waiting for...the party is going on now.

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