in MAINSTREET, Hopkins, MN
(October 12, 2019 6:30 - 9:45)
(October 12, 2019 6:30 - 9:45)
~ by Hénock Gugsa ~
===============
A typical, old-fashioned American little town is Hopkins, MN on a Saturday evening!
I was there to attend an evening of jazz-blues entertainment by the legendary Dianne Reeves at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. The concert was scheduled to begin at 8:00, but I arrived in town early to make sure everything went smoothly with finding the venue, and with parking.
When I got there, it was already dark, slightly chilly and a sprinkle of rain was happening, a kind of misty spray really. I found it all charming somehow and not at all unpleasant. MAINSTREET, all in caps, and is about a half-mile long, I estimate. I walked the street a bit and could tell this was a quaint little town. There were closed-for-the-day stores dealing in jewelry, clothing, and a barber-shop with the candy-stripe spiral lamp hanging on the door. I saw also a hardware store, and it too was not open. I also made out one or two church spires a small distance away ... no crowds ... but this was a Saturday evening, actually sin night !
I saw the aforementioned culture center, and across from it was, guess what ... a downright old-fashioned marqueed movie theater, the and they were offering the latest fare! Good for Hopkins ... no mall duplex b.s. for them !!!
There are a few restaurants in town --- a hamburger and ice-cream shop, and even a Tibetan place ! However, the best attraction in town was the sprawling MAINSTREET Bar & Grill. Not a huge monster compared to some sports bars you could find anywhere in Minnesota, but this was just comfortably big. I was surprised to find it somewhat crowded. I could not find a free seat at the bar, but there was a cozy little booth table in an airy, uncrowded corner. There I installed myself, ordered a burger with onions, pickles and lettuce. I also asked for Michelob Ultra, and got one. While I was feasting on the burger, the staff at the bar unfurled a huge wall-to-wall white movie screen and projected a sports program on it. It was a college football match between Baylor and Texas State! This was such an exciting game that I was totally immersed in watching it. Baylor won a THRILLER in double overtime against Texas Tech , become "Butt Bowl" eligible, and remaining undefeated! So, in short, the meal was great, and the TV show was just exciting as heck!
When the time approached to go to the concert, I walked out of the bar promising myself that I will visit it again soon. A few minutes later, I went up the steps of Hopkins' Center for the Arts which was only a block-and-a-half away. I was a little early, but there were no crowds outside or inside. I entered and was promptly ushered to my seat in the Main Theater Lobby. And the show started right on time at 8:00 p.m.
Dianne Reeves and her quartet were fabulous even though the audience was more of a quiet though respectful sort. But then one can hardly expect rowdiness from a mature, senior even, crowd ! Despite all of that, I have to say that I had a memorably great experience ... great music and a peacefully relaxing time !!!
I was there to attend an evening of jazz-blues entertainment by the legendary Dianne Reeves at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. The concert was scheduled to begin at 8:00, but I arrived in town early to make sure everything went smoothly with finding the venue, and with parking.
When I got there, it was already dark, slightly chilly and a sprinkle of rain was happening, a kind of misty spray really. I found it all charming somehow and not at all unpleasant. MAINSTREET, all in caps, and is about a half-mile long, I estimate. I walked the street a bit and could tell this was a quaint little town. There were closed-for-the-day stores dealing in jewelry, clothing, and a barber-shop with the candy-stripe spiral lamp hanging on the door. I saw also a hardware store, and it too was not open. I also made out one or two church spires a small distance away ... no crowds ... but this was a Saturday evening, actually sin night !
I saw the aforementioned culture center, and across from it was, guess what ... a downright old-fashioned marqueed movie theater, the and they were offering the latest fare! Good for Hopkins ... no mall duplex b.s. for them !!!
There are a few restaurants in town --- a hamburger and ice-cream shop, and even a Tibetan place ! However, the best attraction in town was the sprawling MAINSTREET Bar & Grill. Not a huge monster compared to some sports bars you could find anywhere in Minnesota, but this was just comfortably big. I was surprised to find it somewhat crowded. I could not find a free seat at the bar, but there was a cozy little booth table in an airy, uncrowded corner. There I installed myself, ordered a burger with onions, pickles and lettuce. I also asked for Michelob Ultra, and got one. While I was feasting on the burger, the staff at the bar unfurled a huge wall-to-wall white movie screen and projected a sports program on it. It was a college football match between Baylor and Texas State! This was such an exciting game that I was totally immersed in watching it. Baylor won a THRILLER in double overtime against Texas Tech , become "Butt Bowl" eligible, and remaining undefeated! So, in short, the meal was great, and the TV show was just exciting as heck!
When the time approached to go to the concert, I walked out of the bar promising myself that I will visit it again soon. A few minutes later, I went up the steps of Hopkins' Center for the Arts which was only a block-and-a-half away. I was a little early, but there were no crowds outside or inside. I entered and was promptly ushered to my seat in the Main Theater Lobby. And the show started right on time at 8:00 p.m.
Dianne Reeves and her quartet were fabulous even though the audience was more of a quiet though respectful sort. But then one can hardly expect rowdiness from a mature, senior even, crowd ! Despite all of that, I have to say that I had a memorably great experience ... great music and a peacefully relaxing time !!!
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