Bets Bets

Cowboy hat optional

Ironton native Billy Hanson (right), fresh off a top-three finish in the annual WE Fest Karaoke Roundup, will perform original country tunes at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Memorial Park in Crosby as part of the Music in the Park series. Admission is free; bring your own lawn chair or blanket.

Grandstanders

The Minnesota State Fair's grandstand lineup for the next seven days features country, rock, pop and "Weird Al." The schedule:

Brad Paisley, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, $45.

Goo Goo Dolls and Lifehouse, 7:30 p.m. Friday, $27.

Fergie and Rooney, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, $32-$52.

Fountains of Wayne and the Suicide Commandos, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, free.

"Weird Al" Yankovic and Tonic Sol-fa, 7:30 p.m. Monday, $22.

The Allman Brothers Band with Robert Randolph & the Family Band, 7 p.m. Tuesday, $35.

Vince Gill with Amy Grant and the Del McCoury Band, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, $32.

Breezy blues

California bluesman Corey Stevens (right), who has earned a substantial following in Minnesota, returns to the area for a show at 9 p.m. Thursday at the Commander Bar in Breezy Point. Admission is $5.

Pen and ink

Several of the state's top authors and illustrators will be on hand at the 12th annual Northwoods Art & Book Festival from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday in the Hackensack Community Center and on the grounds. Book readings will be at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Admission is free.

Still kickin

SKATYRS, one of the area's favorite classic rock cover outfits, will perform at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in the Crosslake Town Square as part of the Summer Concerts in the Park series. Admission is free.

Ironton native Billy Hanson (right), fresh off a top-three finish in the annual WE Fest Karaoke Roundup, will perform original country tunes at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Memorial Park in Crosby as part of the Music in the Park series. Admission is free; bring your own lawn chair or blanket.