Artrageous weekend
Sat-Sun 9/7-8 | Various locations, Wausau
The size of this festival, with hundreds of artists from around the country, is truly a local marvel. Bring the whole family down to check out art in four different locations around the city, with the center of activity happening downtown, including art classes, live music, kids activities and plenty of food options.
Art in the Park at Marathon Park. The Wisconsin Valley Art Association hosts this indoor show featuring more than 100 juried artists and fine craft exhibitors in the East Gate Hall and Historic Exhibition Building. Find affordable handcrafted items such as pottery, wearable art, paintings, photography, and more that are perfect for gifts. Sat. 9 am-5 pm; Sun. 9 am-4 pm. Wivalleyart.org.
Festival of Arts, downtown Wausau. Along Third Street and on the 400 Block find work by over 120 juried artists representing a variety of mediums. It’s a lively atmosphere with live music, a family art tent with children’s art activities, art classes, a Young Collector Market, entertainment on the Family Stage, and food stands. Sat. 10 am-5 pm; Sun. 10 am-4 pm. Wausaufoa.org.
Center for the Visual Arts, downtown Wausau. Experience artist demonstrations, including ceramics, digital art, painting, and more. Sat. 10 am-5 pm; Sun. 10 am-4 pm. Cvawausau.org.
Birds in Art at the Woodson Art Museum. Join the opening celebration of this acclaimed annual exhibit. View all-new original avian artworks and meet dozens of artists during the opening festivities on Saturday 9 am-noon. Special Artrageous Weekend hours Sat. 9 am-5 pm; Sun. 10 am-5 pm. Lywam.org.
RiverWest Makers Market and Food Truck Rally
Saturday 9/7 | Western River District area, Wausau
I almost overlooked this event, thinking it was referring to the Milwaukee city district of RiverWest (where a friend of mine used to live). I guess we have our own RiverWest now – it’s the area in the Wausau River District west of the river. Makes sense. And funny, as many people have wondered why Wausau doesn’t really have a food truck rally – well here you go! Stop on down and check out the many food trucks and maker items available, and get a sense of the west side of the river. A perfect complement to all the art activities going around town. 11 am to 3 pm. wausauriverdistrict.org
Dallas Dirty 30
Saturday 9/7 | Intermission, Wausau
It’s not every day you turn 30! Ordinarily City Pages wouldn’t cover a birthday party – but this birthday party happens to include a huge lineup of bands we would ordinarily cover anyway. Dallas Delgado is the drummer for Purging Paradise, and to celebrate his turning 30 Intermission will host his band, Purging Paradise, along with several other heavy bands local and elsewhere, including CASHED, Trash Pandas and Young Pups. This 21-and-up show is free, so come out and support some local music. 9 pm. Free. Intermission Bar on Facebook.
Movie Under the Stars: Top Gun
Friday 9/6 | Towering Pines Park, Kronenwetter
Although watching movies in parks very much seems like a summer activity, this year they seem to be carrying over into fall, and that’s just fine with everyone with kids looking for something to do with the family on a Friday night. Kronenwetter is hosting this showing of Top Gun: Maverick. Tom Cruise is back as fighter pilot Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, and now he’s training the new cadets. But, he’s also dealing with ghosts from his past. People loved this new Top Gun and if you missed seeing it on the big screen, or just want to do so again, this is your chance. Movie starts at dusk, around 8:45 pm, and they suggest arriving around 6:30 pm to secure a good seat. https://www.kronenwetter.org/
CenterStage on the 400 Block
Sunday 9/8 | The 400 Block, Wausau
This is technically happening amongst the festivities during Artrageous Weekend, but we think it’s interesting enough to warrant its own listing. CenterStage in this performance will be giving a small preview of the show it plans to host in the fall at the Grand Theater, “Stage, Screen and Inbetween.” That Grand Theater performance later in September will have solos, costumes and the full band, but this Sunday get an early preview of what is to come in that show. Noon. Centerstagelive.org
