Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Music Legends Carole King and James Taylor come to the Xcel Energy Center

James Taylor and Carole King on stage
The Troubadour Reunion Tour featuring legends Carole King and James Taylor is coming to Saint Paul and the Xcel Energy Center on May 25th at 8:00. The two iconic musicians are blending their voices and talents for a tour that will feature both of them solo and together.

Joining King and Taylor on tour will be their original bandmates guitarist Danny “Kootch” Kortchmar, drummer Russ Kunkel and bassist Lee Sklar, famous in their own right as “The Section.” Also joining The Section will be: Rudy Guess, Robbie Kondor, Arnold McCuller, Kate Markowitz, and Andrea Zonn.

James Taylor and Carole King are known for there melodic voices and impressive song writing ability. Both have written Top 40 hits and have spent time on top of the charts. The Troubadour Reunion Tour will be a once in a lifetime performance of two of the greatest singer-songwriters of their time. Don't miss James Taylor and Carole King!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Looking for Restaurants near the Xcel Energy Center, West 7th Street Area provides lots of great eateries

Street View from W 7th of the Xcel Energy Center
The Xcel Energy Center is host to lots of great sporting, music and theatrical events every week. As the official home of the Minnesota Wild, during the hockey season it seems like there are always people in and around the arena. With the multitude of people who show up on West 7th and Kellogg Street in Saint Paul to attend events at the Xcel Energy Center it may seem like a daunting challenge to find somewhere to eat that won't have you waiting in line for hours and hours...

I would like to suggest a few of my favorite Restaurants near the Xcel Energy Center that always have fast service and great food. The first and obvious choice is the Eagle Street Grill, although the extreme proximity to the Xcel Energy Center can make this bar and grille a bit busy, the food is amazing and there are lots of great drink specials. If you are looking for a lighter option the chef salad there is one of the best in the city.

Another great place to grab a burger and or a brew before attending something on the Xcel Energy Center Event List is McGoverns. McGoverns is located on West 7th just a block away from the Xcel Energy Center.

A third a total local favorite for MN Wild fans who work in the St. Paul area is Cossetta's... a mix salad, pizza, pasta and sandwiches served deli style and Delicious. My personal favorite is the peperoni pizza or the lasagna.

If you are in a hurry, you can always grab arena food inside the Xcel Energy Center and eat in your seat... For wild games I love a big beer and a hotdog with all of the fixings.

No matter which Xcel Energy Center area restaurant you go to, a night in the W 7th Street area is always a good time!

Monday, January 11, 2010

John Mayer and Battle Studies Tour will stop at the Xcel Energy Center

John Mayer on the Red Carpet
Love him, hate him, think he is a tool... it is undeniable that John Mayer is a mega-star. John Mayer fans stand in line for hours upon hours hoping to get the best tickets, catch a glimpse of John or just hear him sing. His records have all sold millions of copies and he is internationally known as a heartthrob.

The newest John Mayer album, "Battle Studies" is selling like crazy and the hit, "Who Says" is all over the radio right now. The Battle Studies Tour is one of the most anticipated this year, blending classic John Mayer hits like "Your Body is a Wonderland" and new music like his duet with Taylor Swift.

The Battle Studies Tour featuring John Mayer will be stopping in St. Paul at the Xcel Energy Center on March 2nd. Concert Doors for the John Mayer show will open at 7:00. Reggae-funk rockers Michael Franti & Spearhead will open the show.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

World's Toughest Rodeo comes to the Xcel Energy Center for two nights

One of the WTR cowboys on the dirt at a World's Toughest Rodeo Show
Looking for a way to get in touch with your downhome roots? Need an excuse to wear Cowboy Boots and a Cowboy Hat? Look no farther... The World's Toughest Rodeo is coming to the Xcel Energy Center on January 29th and 30th.

The World's Toughest Rodeo is a combination of talent, adrenaline and luck. Watch from the seats of the Xcel Energy Center as some of the world's best cowboys ride, rope and wrangle. The World's Toughest Rodeo lineup includes: bull riding, bareback, saddle bronc and barrel racing exhibitions. Cowboys and Cowgirls alike use the World's Toughest Rodeo Tour to prove they have what it takes to be called the best in the west.

Following Saturday Nights World's Toughest Rodeo Show, Randy Houser the hit country music star will perform as part of the "Party on the Dirt" concert series. Randy Houser is best known for his smash hit "Boots On" which was an anthem of summer country last year. His new single "Whistlin' Dixie" looks like it will enjoy the same success.