Beauty and the Beast
Wed-Sun, 2/21-25 | Grand Theater, Wausau
If you had any familiarity with Disney movies, you surely are aware of the story of Beauty and the Beast. It’s the story of a prince who is a total jerk. When he refuses the enchanted rose of a lowly woman (who is actually a sorceress) in exchange for shelter from the storm, she transforms him into a beast and his staff into chairs and brooms and such. Only if he can fall in love and have that love returned will he be transformed back. This tale is put on by the Central Wisconsin Educational Theater Alliance puts on this feature based on the Disney version of the tale, so it’s sure to be top notch. Wed-Sat 7 pm; Sat.-Sun. 1:30 pm. Starts at $20. grandtheater.org (BCK)
Paint Your Pet
Friday, 2/23 | Lil’ Ole Winemaker Shoppe, Wausau
Do you want to learn to paint on canvas? It can be daunting, but it doesn’t take much to get started. And what better subject for a painting than your dog or cat! In this painting class, participants start with a ‘pre-sketched’ canvas that is prepared with an outline of their pet, then follow the step-by-step instructions to get to a finished image. This could be a fun class for you or someone in your life who wants to try painting on canvas. Pre-register at the Lil’ Ole Winemaker Shoppe Facebook page. 6-8 pm. $50 per painter.
The Krueger Shootout – History Speaks
Saturday, 2/24 | Marathon County Historical Society, Wausau
In 1918, a standoff on a farm in nearby Withee, WI between local lawmen and a family of farmers who were avoiding the draft led to a shootout. In the latest installment of the popular History Speaks lecture series, guest presenter Lee Kaschinska from the Colby Rural Arts Museum will tell the story of the Krueger Shootout and how it fits into the wider story of life in central Wisconsin during the First World War. Kaschinska is an expert on the story and has presented on the subject across central Wisconsin. He also helped create a short video on the topic called “Hysteria” that will be screened at the event. History Speaks is a collaborative effort between the Marathon County Historical Society and the Marathon County Public Library. 2 pm. Free. marathoncountyhistory.org
Indigo Girls
Monday, 2/26 | Grand Theater, Wausau
For those of a certain generation, Indigo Girls was a cultural touchstone. In addition to having sold millions of records, Amy Ray and Emily Saliers have long been regarded as icons of the LGBTQ movement, and have been longtime advocates for a range of political and environmental causes. They released albums throughout the 90s but saw a resurgence of popularity later in the decade due to their participation in multiple years of the Lilith Fair tour. Ray and Saliers will be performing selections from their extensive catalog of songs. This is a concert that is not to be missed, for both old fans and new. 7:30 pm. $45-75. Grandtheater.org
Pop Rock Orchestra
Tuesday, 2/27 | Merrill High School Auditorium, Merrill
There have been plenty of tribute acts coming to town lately (and really, A LOT of tribute acts) but none of them have been quite like this. Pop Rock Orchestra is a band that plays all the old hits, paying tribute to the likes of The Temptations, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, George Harrison, Roy Orbison, and more. But the main appeal here is the lead singer, Billy McGuigan. McGuigan won an award for playing Buddy Holly in the Buddy Holly story, a rare actor who has the chops to not need dubbing! McGuigan and company will put on a show you won’t soon forget. 7 pm. Google Merrill Area Concert Association for more information. (BCK)
