Cabaret, Thriller, downtown Halloween fun and more this weekend

A Night at the Cabaret 

Friday 10/18 | The Great Dane, Wausau 

Here at City Pages we covered the challenges the Wausau Community Theater has faced in recent years. They’re still working hard to keep things going and give local people an opportunity to participate in theater. If you want to support the organization, here’s a great way to do it and have a lovely evening. Held at the Great Dane, the WCT will have a live performance, a three-course meal, a silent auction, a cash bar and more. A fun evening and supporting a good cause - sign me up! 6 pm. General admission is $65, table of eight is $520. wausaucommunitytheater.org

Wausau Dance Theater presents Thriller

Saturday 10/19 | Grand Theater, Wausau 

Every year when I come across this listing I have to pull up the Thriller music video. It’s a classic. Meeting people on a trip who knew the dance and taught it to us, makes it even more special. Fortunately for all of you I won’t be on stage for this production, but the talented dancers of the Wausau Dance Theatre will be, and they always put on a spooky good show. 1 pm and 7 pm. $20 adults, $17 children. Grandtheater.org

Pete Henry 

Friday 10/18 | Malarkey’s Pub, Wausau 

Pete Henry is one of those musicians who can take some pretty standard instrumentation and make it sound fresh somehow. His wispy, gritty voice is compelling and works perfectly with his acoustic playing and harmonica. Sometimes he’s on a resonator and sometimes on banjo, but his unique voice is the gel that keeps the sound together. Henry got his start playing around the Stockton and Modesto areas of California before eventually making his way to the Midwest. He’s opened for Dave Chappelle and the lead singer of Creed, Scott Stapp. Now he’s making his way to Malarkey’s. 8 pm. malarkeyspub.com

Sandy’s Bark Park Dog and Costume Parade

Thursday 10/17 | Sandy’s Bark Park, Rib Mountain

If you've got a k9 friend, you know how important those dog parks are. Doggies gotta run wild! And Sandy’s Bark Park in Rib Mountain is one of the more unique dog parks around. If you’re the type who likes to dress their dog up in costumes (I see you) this event is right up your alley. You’ll dress ole Fido up in his best costume, join the parade and attempt to win prizes. Plus enter drawings, come away with some doggie treats and more. Registration at 4:30 pm, dogs on parade at 5 pm. Village of Rib Mountain on Facebook. 

Halloween downtown trick or treat and movie 

Wednesday 10/23 | 400 Block, Wausau 

There are usually a lot of places to trick or treat (or bar crawls, which are really the adult version of trick or treat) but this one seems like a really good option. Head on downtown with the kiddos Wednesday for some trick or treating right in the heart of downtown. The little ones can take their baskets from business to business picking up some candy along the way from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm, then stick around for a showing of the movie Hotel Transylvania on the 400 Block at 6 pm. Should be great for the adults too since they can sneak a little shopping in. And with the Children’s Imaginarium downtown, families can make a real afternoon of it. Free. Find the Wausau/Marathon County Parks Department on Facebook for all the details.