Copper box, new exhibits and more Wausau events this weekend

COTS: Copper Box 

Wednesday 7/31 | The 400 Block, Wausau

They’re not a central Wisconsin band, but they might as well be. Everyone around town knows who Copper Box is. Bringing that zydeco style with horns, an accordion and a whole lot of energy, Copper Box really is a party in a box. This Oshkosh band has been around since 2002, bringing more than two decades of entertaining people. They’ve played accordion festivals, been on national TV and have received several WAMI awards. What better place to see them than in the big 400 Block park right smack dab in the middle of Wausau? 6 pm. Shows run 6-8 pm. Weather locations vary, but have been held this year at the Rothschild Pavilion and at bantr in Rothschild. Free. Keep an eye on Wausau Events’ Facebook page for any venue changes. 

Hmong Wausau Festival 

Sat-Sun 7/27-28 | People’s Sports Complex, Wausau 

It started as a sports festival, and now it’s grown into one of the largest celebrations of Hmong culture around. Sports still play a central role here, with flag football, soccer and volleyball taking place on the sports complex fields, but there are also dance performances, speeches, plenty of food vendors and other kinds of shopping. Plus there is typically a pretty epic fireworks display in the evening. People travel really far to check out this event, and Wausau area residents are lucky enough to have it right in our backyard. Check out hmongwausaufestival.org for ticket information.

The String Project 

Opening 7/25 | Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art, Wausau 

The Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art has had some really cool exhibits over the past year, but this one is unique because it’s a partnership between WMOCA, The Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin and Wausome. These entities partnered to bring this new exhibit, The String Project, to WMOCA. Kicking off July 25, the exhibit brings 49 photographs from daily life around five different continents. The exhibit, the work of Chelsea Nix of Indiana and Mariano Cortez of Argentina is meant to give viewers an idea of daily life from all over the world. The exhibit runs through Oct. 12. wmoca.org. 

Wisconsin Valley Fair 

Tues.-Fri 7/30-8/4 | Marathon Park, Wausau

A lot has changed with the Wisconsin Valley Fair. With major musical acts charging higher and higher fees, and lowered attendance, the fair shifted to offering other kinds of sports and entertainment. But it also includes two nights of rodeos, plus the fan-favorite demo derbies. Not to mention all the carnival rides, animal shows and general spectacle that the fair always brings.  All Grandstand events (except the Demolition Derby) are included with your gate admission. The gates will open at 4 pm to allow you to set lawn chairs or blankets. Free seating includes the Grandstand itself, the grass berms, and the area between the reserved seating and the grandstand itself. Call the fair at 715.261.1539 or email info@wisconsinvalleyfair.com for more information, including about reserve tickets.

Grandstand entertainment schedule: 

Tuesday, July 30: Night Ranger

Wednesday, July 31: LoCash

Thursday, Aug. 1: Gabby Barrett

Friday, Aug. 2: PRCA Rodeo

Saturday, Aug. 3: PRCA Rodeo

Sunday, Aug. 4: Demo Derby

South Beach Up North: Classical Music at the Museum

Thursday, 8/1 | Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau 

South Beach sounds good right about now, doesn’t it? Turns out you don’t have to travel south to get this experience - it’s coming right to your local museum. Cellist Michael Andrews is a Wausau native so will be returning to the Wausau area to put on this free concert at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum. Joining Andrews is pianist Rie Tanaka, a UWSP graduate and violinist Sheena Gutierrez. They’ll perform the music of Ludwig Von Beethoven and Amy Beach. And hey, what a great excuse to check out some of the artwork at the Woodson while you’re there! 6 pm. 

Paddle Pub Crawl X

Saturday 7/27 | D.C. Everest Park 

Some of you wait all year for this event. It’s gotta be the biggest paddle pub crawl in the state at least. Join hundreds of other paddlers starting at D.C. Everest Park in Wausau as the giant flotilla makes its way to various pubs along Lake Wausau and the Wisconsin River. It’s a hooting good time and its organizer says it’s not just drunken debauchery; there are a number of families who join the fun too. Meet at D.C. Everest Park with your kayak or canoe at 11:30 am, departs at noon. This is the tenth version of the event, so it’s a special one! Find Paddle Pub Crawl on Facebook.