By Kayla Zastrow
Central Wisconsin Book Festival
THRU SUNDAY 9/25 | WAUSAU, STEVENS POINT & WISCONSIN RAPIDS
Book lovers unite! The Marathon County Public Library is bringing a variety of authors to the area for readings, presentations and workshops during this annual fest. There will be around 25 events held over the course of the 5 day festival. Like last year, festival events will happen all around the region in Wausau, Stevens Point and Wisconsin Rapids, as well as virtually. For updates and a full schedule of events and activities visit mcpl.us/cwbf.
Event Highlights:
Gardening Expert & Melinda Myers · Thurs. 9/22, Iverson Park, Stevens Point. Melinda Myers is a nationally known gardening expert with more than 30 years of horticulture experience, and she’s a TV and radio host, and an author of over 20 gardening books. She’ll discuss what you can plant this time of year and how you can start planning for the next season. There will be plenty of time for questions about gardens, writing and more.6-8 pm.
Quan Barry & Nickolas Butler · Fri. 9/23, Whitewater Music Hall, Wausau. Two internationally known writers from Wisconsin share their recent work on the same stage. Barry is the author of seven books of fiction and poetry. She will share from her 2022 novel “When I’m Gone, Look for Me in the East.” Butler is the author of four novels and one collection of short stories. He will read from his most recent novel “Godspeed.” 7-8:30 pm.
Comics and Sci-fi with John Jackson Miller · Sat. 9/24, McMillan Memorial Library in Wisconsin Rapids and Portage County Public Library in Stevens Point. New York Times bestselling author and Wisconsin resident John Jackson Miller will discuss his work in comics and science fiction, answer questions and sign books. McMillan Memorial Library at 10 am; Portage Co. Library at 1 pm.
Poetry Walk Live Reading · Sat. 9/24, Center for the Visual Arts, Wausau. Poets from central and northern Wisconsin converge for readings and a celebration. There are two dozen poems displayed in windows throughout downtown Wausau and several of the poets will join for a reading of their poems. They will also announce the crowd favorite of the Poetry Walk poems. 12:30-2:30 pm.
Children’s Author Duncan Tonatiuh · Sun. 9/25, Zoom. Award-winning children’s author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh discusses his picture books. He will share what inspires him to create books, show how he makes his illustrations, and explain the book making process. 10-10:45 am. Find the Zoom link at mcpl.us.
The Go Rounds
THURSDAY 9/22 | LAMPLIGHT SESSIONS, MOSINEE
Hailing from Kalamazoo, Michigan, The Go Rounds have firmly established themselves in the Great Lakes music community, becoming staples of the local festival circuit while taking their electric live show from coast to coast. Described as a blend of psychedelia, Americana, twang-rock and jelly-roll with a healthy dose of pop sensibility holding things together, The Go Rounds write music that sounds like bits and pieces of all your favorite bands exploded into rock ‘n roll confetti. Doors open at 6 pm. Show starts at 7 pm. $20. Details at lamplightsessions.com.
CenterStage Band and Show Choir: Only the Best
THURS.-SAT. 9/22-24 | GRAND THEATER, WAUSAU
Once a year, this local group of music- and performance-loving people puts on a fun show based on a collection of energetic tunes. This year’s performance will feature a collection of fan favorites that showcases the talent of the band and show choir. Starts at 7:30 pm. Free tickets available at several businesses and at the Grand Theater the night of performance. Details at centerstagelive.org.
Voices from the Past: A Discovery Walk through Pine Grove Cemetery
SUNDAY 9/25 | PINE GROVE CEMETERY, WAUSAU
Hear stories about Marathon County’s past from costumed re-enactors during a guided tour through Pine Grove Cemetery. With this year being the 150th Anniversary of Wausau becoming a City, the Marathon County Historical Society has chosen to feature historical figures that represent different aspects of Wausau. You’ll learn about a business owner, a farmer, a teacher and several others that helped shape Wausau into the strong community that it was then and has become. Tours start at 11 am with the last tour leaving at 2 pm. $5 suggested donation. Details at marathoncountyhistory.org.
From the Earth to the Universe
SUNDAY 9/25 | UWSP ALLEN F. BLOCHER PLANETARIUM, STEVENS POINT
This stunning, 30-minute voyage through space and time conveys the Universe revealed to us by science. Viewers will revel in the splendor of the solar system and our scorching sun. This planetarium show takes the audience out to the colorful birthplaces and burial grounds of stars, and further out beyond the Milky Way to the unimaginable immensity of a myriad galaxies. Along the way, the audience will learn about the history of astronomy, the invention of the telescope, and today’s giant telescopes that allow us to probe ever deeper into the Universe. Starts at 2 pm. Free but donations welcomed. Details at uwsp.edu.
