'MST3K's' Joel Hodgson scored a swag bag from his Ashwaubenon alma mater
When Joel Hodgson wasn’t able to squeeze in a visit to his alma mater during his recent tour stop in Green Bay, Kate Green decided to take a little of his alma mater to him.
Hodgson, the Ashwaubenon High School grad who created “Mystery Science Theater 3000,” was in town Aug. 6 for the live tour of his TV show at the Weidner Center. Kate Green, manager of the Ashwaubenon Performing Arts Center on the high school's campus, had invited him to come check out the school he attended in the ’70s. He wasn’t able to make it work, so he invited Green to come say hello before the “MST3K” show.
She brought along a swag bag of Ashwaubenon High School goodies that included a T-shirt, sweatshirt, a lifetime sports events pass and a couple of pint glasses. He got a big kick out of the latter, saying to Green, “Wait ... my high school has pint glasses?” For the record, the glasses are for adult alumni, not students.
Green also had with her photos of the auditorium wall Hodgson had signed way back in the day. He was “shocked and thrilled” it was still there, she said.
While Green was getting a photo with Hodgson and the cast of the rebooted “MST3K” on Netflix, he leaned over and told her he thinks the cheerleaders never spelled out “Ashwaubenon” in their cheers because it was too long. And then he preceded to spell out the entire name: “Gimme an A! Gimme an S! Gimme an H! ....” Every letter.
He ended up using that bit at the top of his show, where it got a big laugh from the crowd.
"He was beyond nice and so very appreciative," Green said of their time together.
In case you're wondering, of course, she invited him to come back sometime and play the Ashwaubenon PAC.
Eclipse party with a view
If there’s one place better to watch Monday’s eclipse than on a rooftop, how about a rooftop with food and drink?
Titletown Brewing Co.’s Roof Tap will host an Eclipse the Work Day Party at noon for anybody off work that day or who can swing a long lunch break. Plans call for “eclipsing” pale beers by darkening them with a splash of dark wort syrup. There will also be an Eclipse Burger, Black Mustard Brats, mini sliders and eclipse-themed cocktails. When the historic event passes, everybody will head down to the basement of the brewery for a drink from the Beerbler (yep, a bubbler that dispenses beer).
Did somebody say September?
Three reasons to cross your fingers for nice weather Sept. 21-23:
» The Oktoberfest countdown clock inside the Lorelei Inn has been ticking off the days for months, but if the annual outdoor party isn’t on your calendar, mark it down for Sept. 22-23. The Cougars play the first night and Big Mouth & The Power Tool Horns the second. Admission is a $5 donation at the gates.
» Black Stone Cherry is the headliner for Razor 94.7’s Edgefest on Sept. 21 outside Green Bay Distillery. The Kentucky rockers, whose “Black to Blues” EP comes out the following week, will be joined by 10 Years, Gemini Syndrome and Through Fire for the annual headbangers ball. Advance general-admission tickets are on sale for $20 at brownpapertickets.com.
» Also happening on Sept. 21 is Taste on Broadway, rescheduled from earlier this month due to — what else? — rain. The endless eats in the Broadway District will be accompanied by music on two stages from Augie's Blues Experience, Big Mouth & The Power Tool Horns, The Richard Grant Duo and The Hook Up.