MOSCA — Big city venues certainly have their advantages but nothing can truly compare to sitting in the company of friends on a Saturday night in a beautifully renovated historic 1930s gymnasium and community building, enjoying a favorite drink of choice (from an amazing menu) and listening – even “twisting a boot”, if so inclined - to a fine local band. And if anyone doubts the authenticity of the building’s history, all they need to do is look down. The old basketball floor – complete with lines – is in beautiful shape. .

That’s an experience that would be difficult to match anywhere else, and it’s waiting for anyone who goes to Dune Valley Distillery on Saturday, August 16, where the Buckshot Band will be performing.

“The Buckshot Band plays a quality, unique blend of country and classic rock and roll,” says Nick Chambers, owner and operator of the Distillery. “They bring out the swing-dancing, two-stepping crowd, filling up the old basketball court floor with couples tearing it up. It’s a perfect match for our community space abandoned for years but now hosting new life.”

The menu of libations is as unique as the place where they’re served, including craft cocktails with the Distillery’s own potato vodka, quinoa vodka or apple brandy Radia. They also offer a wonderful selection of wines from which to choose  – all bottled under Chambers’ family wine label of Carbone. In addition to Coors (can, draft pint or pitcher) and Guinness, Dune Valley Distillery also offers Pilsner, Second Kolsch and 1^st cast IPA from Elevation Brewing in Poncha Springs.

The Buckshot Band will start playing at 7:00 p.m. but, for those who come hungry, the restaurant (open until 8:00 p.m.) features, as Chambers describes it, “valley staples, like a Frontier trout fillet on a bed of quinoa with seasonal vegetables or bison tenderloin with our own fingerling potatoes. Also on the menu – peanut ginger quinoa salad with choice of protein, flourless quinoa chocolate cake and more.”

With all due respect, people would have to travel quite a distance to come up with a menu as vibrant as that.

The Buckshot Band – including Dale Hazard, Jerry Ariano, Odin Dean, Chris Mares, Charlie Johnson – will be on stage from about 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. To buy tickets or to check out the Distillery’s extraordinary menu, go to https://www.dunevalleydistillery.com/. Other upcoming events are listed on the website for the month of August and beyond.

Dune Valley Distillery is located at 5301 Terry Street in Mosca. (719)206-3356. Open Thursday to Saturday, 2pm to 8pm most days.