Last week I went to Sky Harbor with my parents for dinner. I found out then that they’d be celebrating their 43rd anniversary tonight. There’s free cake and the final "Dklu Pickin On" set of the year. Eddie Lee Harrmann and Brian Dennison will be pickin’ and grinnin’ from 7 to 9 PM. I’ve never gone to the same place two weeks in a row, so this is a first for MBIP. Hey, maybe that’s an idea for a new blog, “A Guy Walks Into The Same Bar For 365 Days”...hmmm...
Here we are at the brightly lit up parking lot of Sky Harbor, let's go in and let the anniversary festivities begin!
A welcome sign greets us as we travel through the familiar stone wall foyer towards...
The bar! Hey, I see two familiar faces over there...
It's Sky Harbor owner and host, Daryl Klusendorf with his pretty mom, Ellen. Happy 43rd anniversary to Sky Harbor, long may it keep on running!
Here's the third generation of the Klusendorf clan, Ryan, serving me up an anniversary beer, cheers!
Ryan and Daryl pose for the MBIP camera with Sharon, the pretty and fun waitress who served us last week when we came for dinner. Great to see her again!
There's free cake tonight in honor of the 43rd anniversary...
Red velvet cake, it's delicious!
In addition to the anniversary party, it's also the last Thursday of the month, which means it's the evening for Daryl's "Pickin' On" musical nights. Here he is introducing tonight's featured "Pickin' On" players, Eddie Lee Harrmann and Brian Dennison.
Tonight they're pickin' on Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn along with some surprise songs and original tunes. Sounding great so far!
Here's a shot of the dining room and bar from the vantage point of the stage area.
Eddie's been playing at Sky Harbor for years, he was pickin' and playing at the original restaurant out by the airport. You can check out his facecrack page right here.
Brian hasn't been playing as long, but he sure sounds like a veteran musician. In addition to covering some great tunes tonight, he also is playing some originals and they're great songs. He's a very talented songwriter and singer. Check him out online right here.
Daryl's getting some photos of the action on his phone.
This is the last "Pickin' On" set of the year, the next one will be in January, which will be here before you know it!
Meanwhile, as I'm drinking a beer at the bar, I see someone has joined the duo onstage...
Daryl's mom, Ellen has joined the guys on her signature washboard!
She's adding a great percussive feel to the sounds on stage.
Meanwhile Daryl has strapped on his banjo to sing Happy Birthday to this gentleman and his party.
After the birthday song, Daryl strolled onstage to join Eddie and Brian for a song.
Here they are doing a rendition of Eric Clapton's, "Wonderful Tonight."
Now it's a true family affair on stage as Ellen joins the trio on washboard.
What a fun night of music and anniversary celebration!
This is Eddie's daughter, Megan, singing the Patsy Cline classic, "Crazy." She's got a great voice and can really belt a tune out!
Daryl is sitting back and soaking it in.
Here's a couple of faces in the crowd, Angie, whom I hadn't seen since she was working at Mulit-Ad back in the days when they printed POP magazine and MBIP pal and semi-regular guest star Clare. Great to see both of them!
And here's Sean Kenny from Kenny's Westside Pub and The Country Club stopping by to wish Daryl and his family a happy 43rd anniversary. Nice!
And the music plays on at Sky Harbor!
Sean's recording the action on stage.
That was a great night at Sky Harbor and the party continues tonight. A Halloween costume party and optional bags tournament tonight are happening at the Harbor tonight. There's a Hog Roast buffet and music by Denise Adams. The winner in the bags tournament gets 25% of the entry fees, plus these Rolling Rock trophies pictured above. Thanks to the Klusendorfs and everyone at Sky Harbor for great anniversary evening! We'll see you all tomorrow!
Sky Harbor Steakhouse
1321 North Park Road
West Peoria
309-674-5532
facecrack page
Related posts: Beers @ Jimmy’s Bar, Jan’s Tap and The Last Hurrah.
Surprise link, click on it...I dare you!
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Great Pumpkin Art By Jaws The Cabbie
It’s Halloween and Jaws the Cabbie sent in this timely piece of art. Good grief, Jaws the Cabbie! Thanks and Happy Halloween!
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