By Kayla Zastrow
1974
FRI.-SUN. 2/3-5 & 2/10-11 | SENTRY THEATER, STEVENS POINT
It’s the 70’s, again. The war in Vietnam has ended. Women want equal rights. Hippies want legalized marijuana. Walt Disney wants his head cryogenically frozen. And the President wants a way out of Watergate. In a last-ditch attempt to restore his credibility he will address the nation’s top news editors at their convention in Walt Disney World. What could possibly go wrong? Presented by Central Wisconsin Area Community Theatre. Starts at 7 pm on 2/3, 2/4, 2/10 & 2/11, 1 pm & 2 pm on 2/5 and 6 pm on 2/10. $14/adult, $12/senior, $7 veterans/child. Details at cwact.org.
The Prince Experience
SATURDAY 2/4 | GRAND THEATER, WAUSAU
Party like it’s 1999 with classic hits from Prince. Since 2002, Gabriel Sanchez has been portraying the famed musician in this critically acclaimed spectacle. The show began as a small local theatre production of Purple Rain which has since grown into a night of unbelievable entertainment. From top to bottom, this show pays tribute to Prince and celebrates his life and music with all of his greatest hits. You’ll hear tunes such as “Let’s Go Crazy,” “Purple Rain,” “Kiss,” as well as all Prince’s timeless classics. The show is complete with choreographed dances, props and costumes, all of which are sure to get the audience up and out of their seats, from the very first note and continuing on throughout the extravaganza. Starts at 7:30 pm. $33-$45. Grandtheater.org.
Wisconsin Brass Quintet
THURSDAY 2/2 | ARTS COUNCIL, WISCONSIN RAPIDS
This faculty ensemble-in-residence at the UW-Madison has been widely acclaimed since its founding in 1972, performing in Carnegie Hall and other famed venues around the U.S. With trumpet, horn, trombone and tuba, the ensemble for this show presents a vast repertoire drawing from works of all periods and styles. According to the American Record Guide, “The Wisconsin Brass Quintet is a remarkable ensemble that plays with more reckless abandon, warmth, stylistic variety and interpretive interest than almost any quintet in memory.” 7:30 pm. $25 adults, $10 students. Details at savorthearts.org.
Rucksack Revolution
THURSDAY 2/2 | CAMPANILE CENTER FOR THE ARTS, MINOCQUA
Rucksack Revolution is the melding of two of Wisconsin’s most recognized modern singer-songwriters. Adam Greuel, of the high-energy string band Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, and Sarah Vos, of the folk-inspired Dead Horses, draw from broad musical influences ranging from Leonard Cohen to Fleetwood Mac to Gillian Welch & David Rawlings to bring you a show that will be mostly focused on original material. The duo’s chemistry as musical partners and dear friends is apparent as their music features tight harmonies, introspective lyricism, and soaring melodies. 7 pm. $25 adults, $15 students. Details at campanilecenter.org.
James and the Giant Peach
FRI.-SUN. 2/3-5 | WAUSAU WEST HIGH SCHOOL.
Roald Dahl’s famed book James and the Giant Peach is now a musical for the whole family to enjoy in this performance presented by Central Wisconsin Children’s Theater. When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that results in a tremendous peach and launches a journey of enormous proportions. Suddenly, James finds himself in the center of the gigantic peach, among human-sized insects with equally oversized personalities, but after it falls from the tree and rolls into the ocean, the group faces hunger, sharks and plenty of disagreements. Thanks to James’ quick wit and creative thinking, the residents learn to live and work together as a family. The dangerous voyage is a success, but the adventure takes a whole new twist once they land on the Empire State Building. Fri.-Sat. at 7 pm; Sat.-Sun. at 2 pm. Tickets $13-$15. Details at cwct.org.
An Evening with The Willy Porter Band
SATURDAY 2/4 | WHITEWATER MUSIC HALL, WAUSAU
Guitarist, singer and songwriter Willy Porter has been touring solo and with ensembles of different sizes and shapes for over 30 years now. His current band combines Porter’s acoustic and electric fret work with the dynamic drumming of longtime collaborator Dave Schoepke, ever-present keyboardist/collaborator Dave Adler, songstress Carmen Nickerson on vocals and recent band addition Eric Madunic on bass & vocals. Their live sound is a blend of grit, soul and space that moves seamlessly from folk and bluesy Americana to alt and progressive rock in service of Porter’s original tunes. 8 pm. Details at whitewatermusichall.com.
2023 Central Wisconsin Sports Show
FRI.-SUN. 2/10-2/12 | CENTRAL WISCONSIN CONVENTION & EXPO CENTER, ROTHSCHILD
It’s a weekend full of all things fishing, boating and hunting during this family friendly show jam-packed with seminars, fishing tackle & equipment, boats, motors, campgrounds, docks, paddle sports and much more. Bring the kids to learn and practice multi-species casting techniques! Friday 3-8 pm; Saturday 9 am-6 pm; Sunday 10 am-4 pm. $8 adults, youth 12 and under free with family. Details at fishinboatingoutdoor.com.
