By Devon Welsh
Brewery Comedy Tour
Thursday 3/28 | Mosinee Brewing Company, Mosinee
Now in its 11th year, the Brewery Comedy Tour features up-and-coming and established comics at breweries, wineries and distilleries across the country. Comedians rotate in and out of the tour so while I can’t say for sure who will be performing, a surprise is part of the fun of stand-up. While you’re there you can try a range of different beers at the Mosinee Brewing Company’s tap room. The combination of comedy and alcohol is a centuries-old formula, time-tested and guaranteed to be a good time. 7-8:30 pm. $15 early bird, $20 day of show. 18+. Mosinee Brewing Company on Facebook for info.
WCT Theatre on the Side: Outside Mullingar
Thurs-Sat, 3/28-30 | Whitewater Music Hall, Wausau
Wausau Community Theatre has been working on turning things around, and they’ve been trying out different formats. This smaller show at Whitewater Music Hall is one example of that. Outside Mullingar is the story of two introverted, 40-year-old misfits who live next door to each other in rural Ireland and form a strange romance in a tale that’s both hilarious and heartbreaking. And being at Whitewater Music Hall, it means you can grab a beer at intermission. 7 pm all three nights. $15. wausaucommunitytheatre.org (BCK)
Metal at the Mish
Saturday, 3/30 | The Intermission, Wausau
Darkness reigns as a night of Wisconsin metal comes to downtown Wausau. As Bullets Baptize are a Minocqua band that describes themselves as “heavy music from the woods”. Their 2019 self-titled EP is full of harsh anthems with titles like “Give ‘Em Hell” and “Farewell To Flesh”. Wausau-based group Purging Paradise has a retro nü-metal style. Madison death metal outfit EgöDeath plays a fast, brutal brand of metal and in 2023 released their debut album, “Make Sure It’s Dead”. All Out Mutiny, another Wausau band, describe their music as “groove metal”. Their most recent single, 2018’s “Best Exorcism Ever”, is fittingly heavy and has as many guitar squeals as you would hope. Abandon all hope ye who enter this headbanging show. 9 pm. Free. 21+. Purging Paradise on Facebook for info.
4th Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, 3/30 | Willow Springs Garden, Wausau
The origin of Easter eggs as an element of the Easter holiday is not totally clear. The practice of decorating eggshells goes back millenia. Eggs symbolize the end of Lent’s dietary prohibitions as well as the resurrection of Christ. Today however, Easter eggs are most associated with the Easter egg hunt. Willow Springs Garden is hosting their 4th annual Easter egg hunt, celebrating Easter and Spring with a number of activities including face painting, crafts, a child-friendly buffet and photos with the Easter bunny. You may also dye your own eggs for your family to take home. Willow Springs is also encouraging guests to bring a non-perishable item to add to their Easter donation to the Salvation Army. 10 am-1 pm. Free entry. Buffet is $10 for ages 11+ and $5 for ages 5-10. No charge for ages 4 and under. Willow Springs Garden Facebook for more info.
Honor in the Air
Saturday, 3/30 | Marathon County Public Library, Wausau
The local library is hosting a free screening of a documentary about Wisconsin soldier and aviator Capt. Scott Alwin, who served five tours in Vietnam as a helicopter gunship pilot. Alwin earned a record 136 Air Medals, Vietnam Republic Medal, Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Silver Star, and Distinguished Flying Cross. The film features interviews with a number of Alwin’s colleagues, family and friends, as well as never-before-seen footage from the Vietnam War filmed by Alwin’s Crew Chief Frans VandenBroek. Director Susan Reetz will be leading a Q&A following the screening. 1-3 pm. Free. Call 715-261-7230 for more information.
Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis Tribute
Thursday, 4/4 | Arts Council, Wisconsin Rapids
A tribute act to two of the biggest stars of the 1950s – Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis began their careers as “Martin and Lewis”, a music and comedy duo. Martin was the straight man, singing onstage while the goofier Lewis would perform slapstick comedy and heckle Martin. Their inimitable chemistry led to a popular NBC radio program called “The Martin and Lewis Show”. This led to television, regular appearances on the Colgate Comedy Hour, and starring roles in Hollywood films. The rest, as they say, is history. Tom Stevens and Tony Lewis bring the duo’s stage act to life in one of the most highly regarded Martin and Lewis tributes around. 7:30 pm. $49 for adults, $10 for students.
