Late last week, its owners announced that Columbia Street West has been sold. The longtime downtown staple was acquired by a local group to be developed as part of The Landing project. 

For more than 30 years, owners John and Hank Freistroffer have contributed so much to The Landing’s rich history as an establishment for food, drinks, and live music of both local and national caliber.  

Ask any local musicians about the Midwest Original Music Showcase at CSW and they will tell you how important it was to the local scene. It was a chance for local acts to ditch playing covers and perform their original material during the Tuesday night showcase. 

It will be sad to see such a mainstay of the downtown nightlife scene go, but thanks for the memories, CSW. I’m looking forward to the future of the building whatever it may be. 

Music fest at Buck Lake Ranch 

Buck Lake Ranch in Angola is set to host the third annual Andy Music Fest the weekend of August 7-9. The festival is a great chance to get out of the house, do some camping, make new friends, and enjoy live music. 

Set to perform are Sum Morz, Plumdingo, Saric, Pop N Fresh, Adam Baker and the Heartache, Clinton Kelly, Big Dick and the Penetrators, Jeff Sonanta, Sietch Ramshackle, Justin Dailey, The Kickbacks, and more. 

A beer garden will quench your thirst, and food, games, and shopping will also be available. 

Weekend passes are on sale now for only $10 through Seetickets.us. Camping is additional. For more info, contact bucklakeranch17@gmail.com. 

Orchard offers live music

Fifteen minutes south of Fort Wayne on U.S. 27 sits Ambrosia Orchard, a 12-acre apple orchard, cidery, and meadery. If you’ve driven that way, chances are you have seen the big red barn where their local ciders and meads are made. 

The business started in 2018 and offers a family-

friendly space to wander through the orchard or enjoy a beverage on the patio or in the tasting room. 

Occasionally, they will have a special event such as live music or food trucks, so keep an eye out. Just the other week, they kicked off their outside concert series with The Debutants. In case you missed it, the second edition of the series is taking place on Friday, July 24, from 7-9 p.m. with live music by Jess Thrower

There is plenty of space for dancing and social distancing. A few picnic tables are available, but feel free to bring a blanket or lawn chair, take in some free live music by Thrower, and relax.