Merry Christmas from Jax and the Golden Strings

The Golden Strings—a group Variety once called the “longest running violin show in the world”—first appeared at the old Radisson Hotel in downtown Minneapolis on Valentine’s Day 1963.  To be more exact, they performed in its famous Flame Room.  They continued playing there until the hotel closed in 1981, consistently before big and appreciative audiences, as more than two million people heard the legendary group at the landmark hotel over nearly two decades.

I first heard the Golden Strings later on, at Murray’s (legendary “Home of the Butter Knife Steak”), just a block away, with my then-wife-to-be Diane.  Let’s just say the evening made a romantic impression.  

Very much related to this Christmas story (trust me, I’ll get there), was my first visit to Jax, the venerated restaurant in Nordeast Minneapolis, a week after moving here in 1974 to work at the University of Minnesota, as two new colleagues wanted me to experience a “real” Minnesota institution.  Their plan worked, and over the years, my family and I have celebrated many occasions there for a variety of reasons, starting with the fact that as an institution, Jax better resembles a warm home than a simple eatery.

Adding all this together leads us to last Monday night, when Diane and I spent a wonderful Christmas-week evening with the Golden Strings at Jax.  It truly was special, but not just because the food was excellent, though of course it was.  And not just because the music was likewise, though of course it was, too.  

Better was how, when the equally terrific vocalist sang “I’ll be Home for Christmas,” we already were there, having arrived well before dessert. Also more important was that when she sang ”It’s Beginning to  Look a Lot Like Christmas,” Diane smiled and said it was the first time it really felt that way in this season of no snow and tropical temperatures.  The fact that several friends, unexpectedly, were seated at two tables next to ours only added to the hearth and heart.

“Home,” while a singular blessing, especially during this time of year, is not a singular noun.  Sometimes, if we’re lucky, it’s also relived memories of iconic musicians performing in restaurants embedded in time and community.    

Merry Christmas.