Black Shoe Hospitality — one of Tosa Tonight’s longest Presenting Sponsors and purveyors of fine food — along with our Signature Sponsors are bringing Wauwatosa an evening of the finest local (and global) bluegrass jams this side of the equator. Come to think of it… Black Shoe is bring the bluegrass. Call this our “Black and Blue” night!

Who remembers Valley Fox at Tosa Tonight in 2023? Anyone? You’d be forgiven if you cannot remember. Valley Fox was added to the lineup with Willy Porter as our rainout makeup date. The show was August 23 and Wauwatosa’s high temperature reached 101℉. At 6 o’clock, when Valley Fox took the stage, it was every degree of 101. Sweltering.

The folk power trio of Laura Bomber (guitar), Joe Wais (mandolin) and Tori
Yocum (upright bass) sounded absolutely fantastic and a few of us remembered what a shame it was that more people weren’t present to hear their bold, haunting harmonies that seamlessly blends pristine vocals with gritty string music to create a forceful yet thoughtful sound, blurring the lines of folk, bluegrass and country music.

We always wanted to bring them back for all to hear and in front of Chicken Wire Empire on July 22nd, what a perfect chance to make this happen.

Speaking of bands that got the short-end due to Wauwatosa Summer weather, Chicken Wire Empire was also one of those bands we had on the schedule in 2025 that got canceled due to torrential rains.

Chicken Wire Empire blazes their own path in bluegrass music. Rooted in the Wisconsin bluegrass scene, the band brings a passionate energy to the most beloved elements of bluegrass. Led by a lifetime of dedicated musicianship, CWE’s edge-of-your-seat liveliness is a nod to bluegrass history and the soul of their original sound.

Their 2019 album What Moves Mountains garnered international praise, propelling the group to their first European tour and resulting in the double album Live from Deutschland Vol. 1&2, recorded live in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. The band maintained momentum in 2020 with their release of Fresh Pickles in collaboration with songwriter Chris Castino of The Big Wu. This 11 song LP featured Jerry Douglas, Peter Rowan, Sam Bush, Tim O’Brien, among other bluegrass legends.

The band has gained significant attention at industry events like Folk Alliance International and the IBMA’s World of Bluegrass conference, noted as an exciting and fun band to watch by fans and peers alike. CWE was excited to release a new full-length album — Growing Pains — showcasing the growth of the band in 2025.

This night of Black and Blue is going to be one to remember.