Musicals, Ben Folds and more events in Wausau this weekend

Side by Side by Sondheim 

Multiple October dates | UWSP Stevens Point and Wausau 

This looks to be a promising show and the best part is that there will be multiple changes to see it. This Tony Award-winning musical is basically a love letter to all things Stevens Sondheim. Sondheim is considered one of the most important creators in musical theater of the 20th Century, and his work has become iconic. This musical celebrates all of Sondheim’s work in one musical. $27. See the dates and times below: 

Oct. 4-5: 7:30 pm, Stevens Point 

Oct. 6: 2 pm, Stevens Point 

Oct. 10-11: 7:30 pm, Stevens Point 

Oct. 12: 2 pm, 7:30 pm, Stevens Point

Oct. 18-19: 7:30 pm, Wausau 

Oct. 20: 2 pm, Wausau

UDO: The Voice of Accept 

Saturday 10/5 | Q&Z Expo Center, Ringle 

If we were going to give a band an award for strangest sounding name, this band would get it! UDO is the band of German singer Udo Dirkschneider, and is known as The Voice of Accept. Dirkschneider was born in West Germany in the 1950s, and was first known for his band Accept (hence the “voice of Accept”). In 1987 he left the heavy metal act to start his own act, and he’s been going every since. It might surprise you to go see a heavy metal act by someone old enough to be your dad, but make no mistake - this band shreds. 5 pm. $20 in advance, $25 at the door. www.qzexpocenter.com

Ben Folds 

Tuesday 10/8 | Grand Theater, Wausau 

When I was a teenager fresh out of college, I wanted to learn piano just so I could play like Ben Folds. Most frequent of the CDs played in my car during that time were those of Ben Folds Five. The band was active between 1993 and 2000, with a brief reunion from 2011-2013. Known for its hard-piano driven rock and quirky lyrics, the band saw big success with Song for the Dumped, Battle of Who Could Care Less and Brick, the band’s top single. Outside the band Ben Folds has had a successful solo career. Ben Folds was always like a piano bar musician got really big, with all the high-energy and attitude from that scene. This act is a huge get for the Grand Theater and if there is one must-see show of the year, this is it. $45-$87. 7:30 pm. VIP available through Benfolds.com, sold separately. grandthreater.org

Wayland 

Saturday 10/5 | 4 Fathers Pub, Wausau 

Upon a first listen to the band Wayland, my very first thought was this sounds like a mix of country and rock - it’s got distorted guitars and a singer who sounds more like a rock singer than a country singer, but with a top 40 country structure. Formed in LA, the band after it achieved some success took off to live and tour in the Midwest - sort of the opposite of the typical pattern. Since then they’ve become a national touring act, living in Nashville, charting some singles and continuing the life of a touring band. On Saturday they’ll make their way to 4 Fathers Pub, which is starting to host some pretty good music. 7 pm. 4 Fathers Pub on Facebook. 

Pancake Breakfast in the Clouds

Saturday 10/5 | Rib Mountain Amphitheater, Rib Mountain 

The Concerts in the Clouds music series is over for the summer, but that doesn’t mean you have to let that wonderful amphitheater go to waste. This Saturday make your way there for Pancake Breakfast in the Clouds, which is a great excuse to get up into our little mountain and, well, who doesn’t love pancakes! $10 for adults, $5 children 3-10 and free for children under 3 gets you all the pancakes you can eat, plus three sausages, juice and coffee. Or $2 if you just want coffee. Park sticker required for parking on top of Rib Mountain, or start from the bottom and make a hike out of it (gotta burn off those pancakes somehow right?). Runs until 11:30 am. Friends of Rib Mountain on Facebook.