By Kayla Zastrow
Spongebob Squarepants the Musical
THURS.-SAT. 3/9-11 | GRAND THEATER, WAUSAU
In this musical based on the iconic animated Nickelodeon Series, the stakes are higher than ever, as SpongeBob and all of Bikini Bottom face the total annihilation of their undersea world. Chaos erupts. Lives hang in the balance. And just when all hope seems lost, a most unexpected hero rises up and takes center stage. Presented by Wausau Community Theatre. Starts at 6:30 pm on Thurs.; 7:30 pm on Fri.; 2 pm & 7:30 pm on Sat. $22 for adults, $18 for seniors and $14 for youth. Details at wausaucommunitytheatre.org.
Paddy Homan & the Noble Call St. Patrick’s Concert
FRIDAY 3/10 | CAMPANILE CENTER FOR THE ARTS, MINOCQUA
Join The Noble Call for a special St. Patrick’s Concert, as they bring the song and story out of all who gather in honor of Ireland’s patron Saint. The Noble Call derives its origins from that age-old Irish tradition of ‘calling’ on invited guests to share their favorite song or tune or dance. Enjoy the very best of Traditional Irish music and song, from some of Ireland’s leading musicians Led by one of Ireland’s foremost traditional Irish Tenors, Paddy Homan, The Noble Call also includes award winning virtuoso flute and whistle player, Larry Nugent, and Brendan Bulger on Fiddle. The Noble Call are always joined by a host of special guests and dancers for what promises to be an incredible night of music, song and dance. Starts at 7 pm. $30 adult, $15 student. Details at campanilecenter.org.
Sconni River Bluegrass Festival
FRI.-SAT. 3/10-11 | SCONNI’S ALEHOUSE AND EATERY
Sometimes something special can come together very quickly. And that’s just what happened here with this Sconni River Bluegrass Festival. The two-day event features a veritable who’s who of the bluegrass/country music scene around here, including Billy Bronsted and the Loot, Chad O’Kennedy, Feed the Dog, the Bradley Ballard Band and Dig Deep along with bigger names such as Lightning 420 (ft. Eric Berry of Trampled by Turtles), Chickenwire Empire and Adam Greuel and the Boogie. If you love Bluegrass and country, this is the place you need to be. If you’re a bluegrass or country fan, this is probably where you need to find yourself this weekend. $35 Friday only, $50 Saturday only, $75 for both days. Tickets at sconnis.com or on the Sconni’s Alehouse Facebook page. (B.C.K.)
Great Northern Blues Society’s Blues Cafe
FRI.-SAT. 3/10-11 | ROTHSCHILD PAVILION, ROTHSCHILD
Wausau loves blues music. Big Bull Falls Blues Festival, the largest and longest-running blues festival in the state, is held here each summer. And for your winter fix, there’s Blues Café. This 23rd annual music fest features seven blues bands, with Andy Zynda playing acoustic music between sets. While all these acts have a soulful blues base, each brings their own sound and style to the stage. It’s a remarkably diverse lineup of music. This festival is hosted by the Great Northern Blues Society, the oldest blues society in Wisconsin. $30 advance; $10 Fri. only, $35 both nights at the door. Details at midwestblues.org
Lineup:
Friday
6:30 pm | Tommy Bentz Band
8:30 pm | The People Brothers Band
Saturday
1:00 pm | Alex Wilson with Big Al Dorn
3:00 pm | Avey Grouws Band
5:00 pm | Stephen Hull Experience
7:00 pm | Vanessa Collier
9:00 pm | Nick Moss with Dennis Gruenling
The James Webb Space Telescope: An Amazing First Year
TUESDAY 3/14 | UWSP-WAUSAU JAMES F. VENINGA THEATER, WAUSAU
UWSP’s HANK talks feature talented faculty, talking about what they know best. During this talk, Associate Professor of Astronomy, Aaron Steff, discusses The James Webb Space Telescope. Come explore the amazing first year of NASA’s latest great observatory and hear about the scientific discoveries and breakthroughs that have been made to date. The 30-minute presentation will be followed by a live Q&A session. Starts at 7 pm. Free. Details at uwsp.edu/wausau/hank-talks.
Lita Ford
SATURDAY 3/11 | LAKE OF THE TORCHES RESORT CASINO, LAC DU FLAMBEAU
Rock with the legendary Lita Ford at Lake of the Torches! Ford burst onto the world stage as a founding member of the groundbreaking all female group, the Runaways, which charted hits like “Cherry Bomb”. In 1983, Ford launched a successful solo career and hit the charts with “Fire in My Heart” and “Gotta Let Go.” For ages 18 or older. Starts at 7 pm. $20. Details at lakeofthetorches.com.
