Our friend Shana invited us to go out to the Greeley Blues Jam 2010 this year. We thought about it, but it is an all-day concert series on a Saturday and we always have so much to do on Saturdays because we work all week. Plus it was $30 a piece and that seemed a little steep to us. However, we did get to go to the preview night last night that was also part of Greeley’s Summer Friday Fest. Which I think was great! They have all the different bands that would be coming out on Saturday perform at local bars in the downtown area free of charge.

So we met at Shana’s house and went to the Rio for dinner. There was quite a long wait, so we hung out outside and watched one of the bands on the 9th Street Plaza while trying to avoid getting wet from the rainy night.

One of the bands (Plus Orphan Annie!)

After about an hour wait, we had dinner in the Rio with Shana and some of her friends.

Out to the Rio on Blues Night

We stayed and listened to the blues band that was assigned to the Rio then we decided to mosey out through the rain to listen to a few others. We passed briefly by Dutch’s Bar, Patrick’s, and the Penalty Box. We then walked to Roasty’s. I haven’t been to Roasty’s in probably over 10 years. It is kind of a rundown old working class bar slash breakfast place owned by an interesting Greek family. We  listened to a really good singer and some bare bones blues.

We also met some VERY drunk people with some pretty funny stories and antics; it was kind of strange actually. They just joined us at our table and hijacked our conversation. When we grew a little tired of their stupor, we called it a night.

Overall, it was a fun time. And I think we made the right decision. We got to see a bunch of bands, have dinner for two and not spend the whole day in the rain for less than one ticket would have cost at the Saturday event!