If Backus is a rockin’. . .

The sweet sounds of rhythm and blues and rock and roll, along with traditional blue grass stylings will be filling the vaulted ceiling of the Backus Auditorium in the Falls this weekend as two concerts are planned.
The partying begins on Friday night as the band See-Thru Radio is scheduled to perform in the gymnasium at Backus Auditorium.
“They play a lot of well-known standards in rhythm and blues,” said Citizens for Backus A/B director Barb Metzger. “And they play contemporary rock like the Black Crowes and Tracy Chapman.”^Metzger explained that it will be concert where people are encouraged to get on their feet and dance rather than being seated in the auditorium.
The band is booked to attract a more youthful audience.
“We’ve tried to find a date without a lot of conflicts for young people,” Metzger said. “We would be really happy to have around 100 people. We’ve never done this before.
“If we can provide an audience for this type of music, we’ll have a better ability to entice them to come,” Metzger said of other younger groups, adding that the distance to travel to northern Minnesota turns off a lot of bands.
The band consists students and former students of the Music Tech College in St. Paul which is known for producing talented musical groups. They also play music by Aretha Franklin, Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Ray Vaughn, The Temptations and Stevie Wonder.
She said the Friday concert is aimed at the high school and college crowd but does invite anyone interested in the style of music to attend. Metzger said that there will be snacks, pop and pizza available for purchase at the show.
See-Thru Radio will perform on Friday, Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $10 US or $8 with student card.
On Saturday night the sound of the steel guitar, banjo and Dobro will fill the auditorium as a local favourite returns with a group of talented bluegrass artists.
“It’s traditional country,” Metzger said of the musical stylings of Gail Miles and Friends. “Some are wellknown in bluegrass circles.”^Gail Miles, who was born and raised in Loman, Minnesota, is a popular guitarist who previously has played International Falls.
“She is kind of a local girl,” Metzger said of her northern Minnesota roots. “She’s been here before, most of the musicians with her have been and she’s been very supportive of Backus.”^The concert begins at 7:30 p.m.
on Saturday Oct. 25. Advanced tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids and $25 for families and are available at City Drug, Snyder Drug and Super-Valu in the Falls. Tickets at the door are $12 for adults, $6 for children and $30 per family.
Metzger said at present tickets are not available in advance on the Canadian side of the border.
“We’re still trying to find a ticket outlet in Fort Frances,” she said, adding that their main problem is selling tickets and merchandise in Canada and dealing with customs at the same time. “The Border Concert Series are going to give us a hand in [working out the details with customs].
“We really want to have Canadians feel comfortable here,” she added, saying that a possible $1 off tickets might also be a future initiative to help bring Canadians across and due to the toll costs on the bridge.