By Devon Welsh
Looney Lutherans
Thursday, 2/15 | Campanile Center of the Arts, Minocqua
If the name Looney Lutherans didn’t catch your attention, well, I don’t know what to tell you. It gets weirder from there. Formerly known as the Basement Church Ladies, this group of gals dresses up in 60s-style, colorful outfits you might expect to find on a day-glo era children’s show, but give lifestyle tips for healthy living in between musical numbers. “We wanted to bring crazy fun to the Lutherans, which is sort of an oxymoron,” one member said in an interview. A combination of humor, music and well, just some good old-fashioned advice, this show is unlike anything else you’ve probably seen. 7 pm. $30, $15 students. campanilecenter.org (BCK)
Dallas String Quartet
Thursday, 2/15 | Grand Theater, Wausau
If you’re thinking this is your grandma’s string quartet – well, the Wall Street Journal is here to inform you it is definitely not. The Dallas String Quartet plays music like Bon Jovi and Guns and Roses, and for this show will be taking on music from the hit Netflix show Bridgerton, including pieces by Taylor Swift, Shawn Mendes, Katy Perry and more. They’ve played for U.S. presidents, sold out shows around the country and are doing their best to make classic instruments and quartets cool again. 7:30 pm. Tickets starting at $20. Grandtheater.org (BCK)
WCT: The Drowsy Chaperone
Thurs-Sat, 2/15-17 | UW Center for Civic Engagement, Wausau
The Wausau Community Theatre is starting to perform more of their shows at the UW, a good venue for size and cost for the group. With that, it’s presenting The Drowsy Chaperone. It’s the story of a man simply known as “The Man in the Chair” who puts on his favorite 1928 musical called The Drowsy Chaperone… and that’s all it takes for the musical to come to life. According to WCT, that story is “the tale of a pampered Broadway starlet who wants to give up show business to get married, her producer who sets out to sabotage the nuptials, her chaperone, the debonair groom, the dizzy chorine, the Latin lover and a pair of gangsters who double as pastry chefs.” $25, $21 senior, college and military, $17 youth. 6:30 pm Thursday, 7:30 pm Friday and Saturday, 2:30 pm Saturday. Wausau Community Theatre on Facebook. (BCK)
Remembering Bobby Vee
Friday, 2/16 | LuCille Tack Center for the Arts, Spencer
The late Bobby Vee is one of those singers whose songs you’ve surely danced along to at a 50s-style sock hop — but a closer listen reveals that a lot of his songs had a slightly dark undertone and veered just a little outside of the 50s happy norm. “Take Good Care of My Baby” has a more traditional sound but is, of course, about a break-up, and “The Night has a Thousand Eyes” is catchy but with a darker chord structure that helps it stand apart. Bobby Vee is a legend and this show features members of his family performing his greatest hits in one memorable night. 7:30 pm. $35. lucilletackcenter.com (BCK)
Yuyi Morales Gallery Walk & Book Signing
Saturday, 2/17 | Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau
We wrote about the exhibition “Soñadord: Yuyi Morales” when it opened in December. Before it closes at the end of the month, Yuyi Morales will be spending a week in residence at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum. This residency will culminate on Saturday with a gallery walk and book signing. Join Morales on a stroll through the galleries to learn about her artistic process and the inspirations behind her illustrations, after which the artist will be signing any copies of her books. You can also purchase select Morales books at the museum. This is a special opportunity to meet and chat with an artist at their own exhibition. 1-3 pm. Free. lywam.org
Valentine’s Swing Dance Night
Saturday, 2/17 | Whitewater Music Hall, Wausau
Valentine’s Day may technically be just a ‘day’, but the range of events in the area this year has made the occasion into a weeklong event. After all, it’s one of the best excuses we have in February to celebrate. Swing dancing is an energetic activity you can share with a loved one or do on your own. It’s an American style of dance that was first developed in tandem with swing music in the 1920s. The evening event at Whitewater begins with an hour-long lesson before opening up into a dance party. So even if you’ve never tried swing dancing before, you’ll fit right in. Attendees are encouraged to wear pink, red, black or white. Dance lesson at 7 pm. Dance party 8-10 pm. Free. Whitewater Music Hall on Facebook for more info.
