Architecture Amble
Thursday 5/30 | First UU Church, Wausau
I’m a pretty big history nerd, so this one caught my attention. Join a local historian as he goes through the architectural history of our downtown churches. Most of these churches were built between 1850 and 1912, and were “woven into the fabric of Wausau” according to the event description. The history of churches is the history of a big part of social life in the area. It’s free, but make sure to bring your walking shoes. 6:30 pm. Starts at Unitarian Universalist Church at 504 Grant St. Friends of Wausau Historic Landmarks on Facebook.
Wausau Pride
Saturday 6/1 | 400 Block, Wausau
This annual event is becoming a summer mainstay, and keeps growing. Stop down to the 400 Block and show pride in who you are, or support your LGBTQ friends and neighbors. The 400 Block this day transcends into a rainbow flag extravaganza with multiple vendors and information booths (11:30 am-2:30 pm); a teen pride event at Whitewater Music Hall (1-4 pm) which includes a teen-only open mic and a family friendly drag show; and a big Wausau Pride at Night drag show at the Central Wisconsin Convention and Expo Center in Rothschild. The Wausau Pride at Night featured performer is Sapphira Cristal, who appeared on the 16th Season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Check out www.wausaupride.org for more details.
Hyde
Wednesday 6/5 | 400 Block, Wausau
It’s that time of year again! The first Concert on the Square of the year always sends a clear signal: Summer is here. Kicking off this year’s Concert on the Square series is Hyde, Wisconsin’s self-proclaimed Monster Rockers. The band keeps busy touring around the Midwest but this show is a highlight on their calendar. Time to get out those lawn chairs a couple of cold ones and bask in the summer fun. Shows run 6-8 pm rain or shine, and may move to Whitewater Music Hall through a new partnership if there is bad weather. No pets and no smoking. Buffet tables are prohibited because of space issues. Keep an eye on Wausau Events’ Facebook pages for details or changes.
WCT: Anything Goes
Fri.-Sun. 5/31-6/2 | UW Center for Civic Engagement, Wausau
One of my big fascinations is with ocean travel around the turn of the century. Erik Larson’s book on the Lusitania, which many people forget in favor of the Titanic (German U-boats sinking the Lusitania led the U.S. into World War I) is one of my all-time favorite books. This tale, put on by the Wausau Community Theatre, tells the tale of the ocean liner SS American and the misadventures and mayhem of its quirky passengers and crews. Besides comedic situations, the musical is known for its wide-ranging musical numbers and it is worth checking out for that alone. Fri., Sat. 7:30 pm, Sun. 2 pm. If you miss it, the shows run Thurs.-Sun. next week as well. (Same showtimes, but Thursday show is at 6:30 pm. $25. Discounts for students, military and seniors. Wausau Community Theater on Facebook.
Project Pink
Friday, 5/31 | Grand Theater, Wausau
Pink Floyd is one of the most popular rock bands of all time. The group emerged from the 60s British psychedelic scene and achieved massive fame with their 1973 album Dark Side of the Moon. Pink Floyd’s concerts were the stuff of legend – they were pioneers in the kind of colorful, multimedia production that has become the standard for arena concerts today. Project Pink is one of the foremost Pink Floyd tribute acts today, and their show aims to capture not only the music but also the visual and theatrical environment of the band’s concerts. They accomplish this with a large projection screen and a light show that accompanies selections from Pink Floyd’s most popular albums. 7:30 pm. $30-50. More at grandtheater.org
