By Devon Welsh
Exhibit Receptions: Piece by Piece / The Vote, White Noise, and Truth
Friday, 4/12 | Center for the Visual Arts, Wausau
This early evening event is a celebration of two new exhibits opening at the CVA this week. “Piece by Piece” is an exhibit that looks at the many different contemporary artistic approaches to quilting and quiltmaking. A number of quilts are displayed alongside representations of quilts in other artistic mediums such as paintings and drawings. “The Vote, White Noise, and Truth” is a solo exhibit of artwork by Jeffrey Morin, a printmaker, book artist and painter. Morin is the president of the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design and was formerly the Dean of the College of Fine Arts & Communication at UWSP. This exhibit is a collection of monoprints by Morin that combine text and images of the human figure. 5-7 pm. Free. More at cvawausau.org
CWCT: Princess Whatsername
Fri-Sun 4/12-14 | Creske Center Auditorium, Mosinee
Central Wisconsin Children’s Theater is putting on a production of Princess Whatsername, a musical about a girl who wakes up in the Misty Forest and must discover her true identity. She is helped along the way by a number of well-known fairy tale characters such as Hansel and Gretel and Cinderella. The play was written by Brian D. Taylor and is a great theatrical event for the whole family, but especially for kids. Performances are Friday at 7 pm, Saturday at 2 pm and 7 pm, and Sunday at 2 pm. $13-15. More at mycwct.org
The Cher Show
Saturday, 4/13 | Grand Theater, Wausau
This musical celebrating the life and music of Cherilyn Sarkisian, better known as Cher, opened in Chicago before spending a year on Broadway. Since then the show has gone on tour, first in the UK and now to stages across America. The play tells the story of Cher’s career using songs she performed throughout her life. Cher’s role is broken up into three different characters, each representing different eras. Played by three different actresses, the different Chers sometimes interact and perform together. This should be a fun and exciting show for fans of Cher or extravagant Broadway musicals. There are only a limited number of tickets left as of this writing. 7:30 pm. $80-112. More at grandtheater.org
Great Wisconsin Birdathon
Monday, 4/15-6/15 | Wisconsin
This two-month event organized by the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin seeks to raise money for bird conservation through none other than the activity of birdwatching. Instead of running a charity race and logging miles, teams of ornithologists of all levels will log their bird sightings and protect bird populations in the process. April 15th is the first day that birdwatching teams can officially compete, and the birdathon continues until June 15th. It’s free to participate and you can go birdwatching anywhere there are birds! All proceeds go to supporting bird populations in Wisconsin. More at wibirdathon.org
The Swimmers – Film Screening
Tuesday, 4/16 | Grand Theater, Wausau
New Beginnings for Refugees is presenting a screening of the 2022 film The Swimmers, which tells the true and extraordinary story of Syrian refugees Yusra Mardini and Sarah Mardini, including a harrowing and dangerous journey across the Aegean Sea and eventual triumphant appearance at the 2016 Rio Olympics. This film about heroism and the struggles of refugees will be followed by a Q&A with the staff of New Beginnings for Refugees, a Wausau organization that assists in the process of resettling refugees in the area. This is a free event and no reservation is necessary. 7 pm. Free. More at grandtheater.org
Brad Emanuel
Friday, 4/12 | The Garage, Wausau
One of Brad Emanuel’s biggest gifts is that he knows, from years of road experience, how to work a crowd. A lot of musicians I know learned that from him too, since several of them played in his band at some point. Emanuel has been on the big stage at Hodag (and has won the state band competition there twice), has played the 400 Block for Concerts on the Square, but he’s just as comfortable raising a beer glass in the air at your favorite bar and getting the crowd to enjoy a drink with him. Come raise a glass with Emanuel at The Garage, Rib Mountain’s burgeoning hotspot for live music and a favorite amongst City Pages readers. 8 pm. The Garage on Facebook. (BCK)
