Crooked Post and Prairie Fire, Topeka-area wineries, offer good music and more in vineyards
Music will fill the air as the wine-growing season heats up this year at two local wineries.
Kicking off the season is With a Twist: featuring the Hunts, which will play American music favorites from the 1920s through the 1960s from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Crooked Post Vineyard & Winery, 7397 K, KS-92, Ozawkie.
Mickey Munoz will accompany them on drums, and guitarist Stan Unruh will warm up the audience.
Meanwhile, Jayme Green will perform from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Prairie Fire Winery, 20250 Hudson Ranch Road, Paxico.
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Duo loves to perform at wineries
Marvin and Ann Hunt, partners on and off the stage, have been married since 2007. They put together their duo about three years ago, after COVID-19 hit.
The Hunts are also members of a larger band called House Jumpers, a five-piece band.
“It's so nice to work as a duo because it opens up a lot of new venues, like the wineries for us,” said Marvin Hunt, who plays guitar and usually sings backup.
With a Twist does perform originals, but it concentrates on covers for musicians like Peggy Lee, Billie Holiday and Nat King Cole.
“Cheek to Cheek,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” “Ain't Misbehavin’” and “Paper Moon” are part of the duo's repertoire.
Hunts love to brag on each other
Marvin Hunt, who has played music since the 1970s, when he was in a band called Fyre, was inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame in 2019, his wife said.
“He never brags on himself, and I always have to bring that up,” Ann Hunt said.
Marvin Hunt did his own share of bragging when he spoke of his wife learning the upright base, which she picked up to play while at the hall of fame reception.
“She has done remarkably well,” he said. “I mean, she's been a schooled musician. She knows music and stuff, but to pick up an instrument.
“She really took to it. She's been very dedicated to learning. It's not simple stuff. So, I'm real proud of her.”
For those who miss the concert, the Hunts will also be appearing from 2 to 5 p.m. July 9 at Crooked Post.
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Winery has a full schedule lined up
Lori Henderson, who co-owns the winery and vineyard with her husband Kevin, gave a rundown on some other events coming this year.
Performances include EZ Pieces from 5 to 8 p.m. May 28; The Dullards, 4 to 7 p.m. June 11; EDDJ, 6 to 8 p.m. June 18; Colon Nichols, 2 to 5 p.m. June 26: and Matthew Mulnix, 2 to 5 p.m. July 24.
One of its most popular bands is EDDJ, which only plays to raise money. Donations can bring between $500 to $1,000, Henderson said.
"I remember one year they helped a little boy that was crippled," she said. "One year they helped Oskaloosa, they were planting trees.
"They've helped the Jefferson County Humane Society a couple times. They've done cancer events for somebody local that needed help.
"Whatever that cause is, we'll bring in all those people that are aware of that cause."
Crooked Post winery raises money with bingo
Crooked Post also plays bingo to benefit animals. Last year it raised $10,926. This year it will be June 9 through July 28.
The venue has bands booked through the end of the year, except in September, when time is taken off to harvest crops.
Crooked Post produces 18 French American hybrid wines.
Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.
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Jayme Green appears at Prairie Fire Winery
Jayme Green, an acoustic guitar musician and vocalist, will play country mixed with rock and roll from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Prairie Fire Winery, 20250 Hudson Ranch Road, Paxico.
A Topeka police officer, Green wrote and performs the piece "Sacrifice," dedicated to two Topeka Police Department officers lost in 2012 in the line of duty.
Visitors to the winery can sip on their favorite glass while enjoying music from 2 to 5 p.m. every Saturday.
"All of our acts are booked through December 31," said winemaker Bob DesRuisseaux. "We booked the whole year in advance."
Bands who play at the winery usually has a softer sound.
"You want to be able to hold a conversation," DesRuisseaux said.
He said people can get on an email list by going to the company's website.
Prairie Fire Winery business growing
The company, which also sells candles, soaps and other products, has seen an uptick in business.
"We make probably about 300 different products and are in over 200 retail stores in 11 countries," he said. "That part of our business goes far and wide, and is going further and wider every day."
"It's also a great escape," he said. "Eighteen minutes from Wanamaker and you're a world away."
Prairie Fire hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and noon to 6 Sundays.
Catheryn Hrenchir is a feature writer for The Topeka-Capital Journal. She can be reached at chrenchir.gannett.com or (785) 817-638.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Live music fills the air at Kansas wineries Crooked Post, Prairie Fire
