SOUTH OF MANDAN - It doesn't look like much. Just another white-washed old building along Highway 6.

At second glance, perhaps it's notable for the large, enigmatic letters - ZCBJ - that arch over its doorway. They stand for "Zapadni Ceska Bratrska Jednota."

Translated, that's the Western Bohemian Fraternal Association.

Built nearly 100 years ago, the Bohemian Hall was once a lively gathering place for Czech-Bohemian immigrants. Over time, however, the lights that used to burn into the night at WBFA Lodge 147 dimmed.

Still, a bit of the hall's convivial spirit lives on.

On Saturday, the hall will once again be a social center. Local musician Chuck Suchy and his family will host their fourth annual Bohemian Hall concert at 7:30 p.m.

This year's concert is even more special. Suchy's daughter, Andra, is coming home from Minneapolis.

She'll be the main feature, Suchy said.

Andra Suchy has just finished "Patchwork Story," her first solo album, which will be released Aug. 18 at Mayslack's in Minneapolis.

The album's title refers to the diverse themes of its songs, which were written over a four-year span, Andra Suchy said. These days she describes her style as a blend of roots rock, pop and Americana.

In addition to her upcoming solo album, Suchy continues to perform with various bands in various venues. Her current credits include The Andra Suchy Band, Hookers & Blow, the Dollys, Billy Johnson's Roadshow and The Honeydogs.

The two-time Minnesota Music Academy Female Vocalist of the Year nominee said she has always been ambitious.

"Looking back, I think I just jumped in head-first and went for it," Suchy said. "I have had to … find my way around some obstacles, but everyone does in whatever path they choose. I just keep working as hard as I can."

She's bringing to Mandan a couple of bandmates, including Andrew "A.P." Pierzina, her boyfriend and the producer and guitar player for "Patchwork Story." Pierzina performs and travels with Suchy quite often, she said.

They make it to the Suchy farm, which isn't far from the Bohemian Hall, about four times a year - sometimes just visiting, sometimes playing. This will be Andra Suchy's first Bohemian Hall concert and she's excited about it, she said.

She's not alone. Chuck Suchy said the concert is now a locally anticipated event. He and son Ben Suchy performed at the first three, and Peter Ostroushko, a well-known producer and mandolin player from Minneapolis, joined them last year.

"We keep doing it because people want it," Chuck Suchy said. "We've really lucked out with weather the last three times. That's part of (the reason) people have such good feelings about it."

Ben Suchy said the most remarkable thing about this concert is that even though their audience has swelled to roughly 600 people in the past, there has never been a mess to clean up after the music stopped and the prairie dust settled. He said he appreciates the respectful crowd and is looking forward to his solo set at the concert on Saturday.

These days Ben Suchy's weekly gigs - "Sake and Sushi with Suchy" on Monday nights at East 40 Chophouse and Tavern, and Tuesday nights at The Walrus with Chad Falcon - keep him pretty close to home, but he is still touring regularly to Minneapolis, Grand Forks and Fargo.

Ben Suchy Bandwith is also going strong. The three-piece band - which took its name from a concert bill that proclaimed "Ben Suchy with band" - sometimes picks up a guest or two and becomes Ben Suchy Broadband, Suchy added with a grin.

His future plans include playing at the Burnt Creek Club and possibly touring in Japan, he said.

"Musically he has really grown a lot," Chuck Suchy said. "I look forward to hearing him in about 10 years, and I enjoy hearing him now."

This year's drought has kept Chuck Suchy pretty close to home to give greater attention to his farm, but he will venture out to Chicago in September and to southern Illinois in October for the 2006 Folk Alliance Region Midwest Gathering, where he will be one of the showcase artists, he said.

Chuck Suchy's wife, Linda, who has sung background vocals on some of his albums, will also have her own set at the concert this year, singing and playing guitar.

The Suchys have a group of dedicated, faithful friends and volunteers who help make this concert possible, Chuck Suchy said.

He added that the main credit for the hall's renaissance should go to the Western Bohemian Fraternal Association members who renovate and maintain the lodge.

The Bohemian Hall is located eight miles south of Mandan on Highway 6. Admission is $10.

Free coffee, lemonade and kolaches - a traditional Bohemian pastry - will be served inside the hall. The stage will be set up outside, on the north side of the building. Rainout will be held at the Mandan High School auditorium.