By Kayla Zastrow
Bassel & the Supernaturals
THURSDAY 9/29 | GRAND THEATER, WAUSAU
Bassel & The Supernaturals tells the story of Bassel Almadani’s experience as a first generation Syrian-American, with soulful melodies, funk-inspired rhythms, and captivating lyrics regarding love, loss, and the war in Syria. Deeply inspired by Otis Redding, Bassel uses the stage to build awareness and empathy for Syrian refugees, with a substantial portion of the band’s proceeds benefiting the Karam Foundation, a nonprofit focused on building a better future for Syria. Part of The Grand’s Lift Every Voice series. 7:30 pm. Free, reservations required. Details at grandtheater.org.
Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express
THURS.-SUN. 9/29-10/2 | UW-STEVENS POINT
This staged reading based on Agatha Christie’s novel is set in winter 1934 as The Orient Express departs Istanbul for Paris. Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the luxurious train in its tracks. At daybreak, an American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside. Isolated and with a killer in their midst, the passengers rely on detective Hercule Poirot to identify the murderer – before they can strike again. Thurs. at UWSP at Wausau Veninga Theater. 7:30 pm; Fri.-Sat. at UWSP Noel Fine Arts Center. 7:30 pm; Sun. at UWSP at Marshfield Laird Theater. 2 pm. $10 in advance. Details at uwsp.edu.
Andy Braun
SATURDAY 10/1 | MOSINEE BREWING COMPANY, MOSINEE
Andy Braun is a WAMI-nominated singer-songwriter with a folk-rock feel. Growing up as the son of a church choir director and organist, he began singing at a very young age. His passion for music began to flourish when he started listening to oldies on the radio. Braun later started playing guitar and performing when he was in high school, and has played and sung in a variety of bands and musical groups ever since. He plays a variety of cover songs as well as insightful originals featuring acoustic guitar, voice and harmonica. 7 pm. 715-693-2739.
The Woman in Black
THURS.-SAT. 9/29-10/1 | WHITEWATER MUSIC HALL, WAUSAU
See a bone-chilling ghost story performed live on stage by Wausau Community Theatre. The show tells of Arthur Kipps, a solicitor of London sent to the country to settle the affairs of the recently deceased shut-in, Alice Drablow. However, when he arrives in the village, he finds the townspeople less than eager to talk to him or have anything to do with the dreaded Eel Marsh House. As Arthur begins his work, he finds himself stalked by the ghostly vision of a woman dressed all in black. This frightening adaptation is the second longest running play on London’s West End. Using a minimal set and simple special effects with a wealth of theatrical ingenuity, The Woman in Black has proven to be that rare occurrence of a play that is truly terrifying. 7 pm. $15 general admission, $20 preferred table. Details at wausaucommunitytheatre.org.
The Station WeEP Release Party
SATURDAY 10/1 | WHITEWATER MUSIC HALL, WAUSAU
Matt and Jody Duranceau have expanded their duo, Thompson Station, into a full band called The Station. Playing a mash-up of indie-rock and folk, some alt-country and straight up rock, the group has been performing all around central Wisconsin. The band will be officially releasing their debut EP (titled WeEP) to streaming services on September 30 and they are celebrating with a release party at Whitewater Music Hall! The WeEP has been a year in the making and they’ve put their all into it. Their engineer, Tyler Hackbarth, has brilliantly mixed WeEP to precisely capture their live sound and pick up the beautiful musical nuances that The Station prides themselves on. At this show they will play through the EP live, with some added tunes in the second set. Starts at 8 pm. 715-298-3202.
Old Fashioned Harvest Festival
SUNDAY 10/2 | WILLOW SPRINGS GARDEN, WAUSAU
Have some old-fashioned fun at this annual festival with a full day of food and activities for the entire family. You’ll enjoy old-fashioned oat threshing, a craft tent, bounce house, kids games, the corn maze, an apple pie contest, a stick pony rodeo, live music and much more. Like most events at Willow Springs, there’s tons of food available to purchase throughout the day, including breakfast, charcoal chicken dinners, ice cream and more. Starts at 9 am. Details at willowspringsgardens.com.
