Shaun Johnson and the Big Band Experience
Thursday 5/18 | Campanile Center for the Arts, Minocqua
If you’re ready to have a jazzy, big band horn experience, then this is for you! Shaun Johnson and the Big Band Experience channel everything from a big band version of the Spiderman theme to soft ballads driven by Johnson’s silky-smooth voice to zoot suit style numbers that’ll have you swing dancing in your chairs. If you long for that era of Speakeasies and fedoras, you’ll have a blast here. 7 pm. $30, $15 for adults. Campanilecenter.org
Standup Night at Timekeeper
Friday, May 19 | Timekeeper Distillery, Wausau
For awhile there, standup comedy started to disappear around the Wausau area. After KooKoo’s Comedy Nest disappeared there just weren’t too many places to get your laugh on. Now Bantr partnered with the owner of the former comedy shop to put on events, and Mosinee Brewing Co. has participated in a brewery tour comedy series. Timekeeper is the latest to jump into standup with its Friday night Standup Night. Enjoy one or two of those fancy cocktails they’re known for, made with spirits distilled right on site, and laugh your spirits off with comedians Brady Gregurich and Hayden Fredriksen. 7 pm. Reservations recommended. Timekeeperdistillery.com.
Mike Tramp of White Lion
Thursday, May 25 | Tiki Beach Bar and Grill, Konwlton
Bring yourself back to the 1980s — you’re driving a red Trans Am and jamming some tunes on a Saturday night. There’s a good chance you’re listening to White Lion, a band started in New York by Danish musician Mike Tramp. The band achieved a great deal of success in the 80s and definitely embodied the term glam band. Tramp has been touring as a solo act since 1995 is making a stop at Tiki Beach Bar and Grill — so what a great excuse to fire up that Trans Am (or at least pretend) tease your hair up or don that mullet and take a step back to the 80s glam era. 7 pm. Free.
Midwest Truck Series Race
Saturday, May 20 | State Park Speedway, Rib Mountain
It’s hard to get a real sense of the thrill of auto racing unless you’re in the stands yourself, feeling the roar of the engines in your chest as cars (or in this case, trucks) battled head to head to make their way toward the checked flag. The Midwest Truck Series is making its way to State Park Speedway in Rib Mountain this Friday. This is the speedway’s season opener, with plenty of racing ahead on the 2023 schedule. Qualifying at 5 pm, racing starts at 6 pm. $18 adults, kids 6-12 $10, children five and under free. stateparkspeedway.com.
Mystics Market
Saturday, May 20 | Bill’s Moonstones and Crystals, Wausau
If moonstones, crystals and tarot cards are your thing, than you definitely want to check out this market that will be all about those things! The first of several planned Mystics Markets will take place this Saturday right outside of Bill’s Moonstones and Crystals on First Avenue. (Which happens to be right outside of City Pages’s offices now.) You’ll find mediums, reiki, apothecary, natural health support and more. 10 am to 5 pm. For more information, check out Bill’s Moonstones and Crystals on Facebook.
Gin, Chocolate and Bottle Rockets
Friday, May 19 | Whitewater Music Hall, Wausau
Whitewater Music Hall has really become the go-to place for bluegrass and country music – and Gin, Chocolate and Bottle Rockets continues that tradition. The Madison-based trio brings an upbeat, pop country that’s pretty easy to listen to, with just a little bit of vocal twang one would expect of a country act. Interestingly, the music group also book themselves out for speaking gigs. They call it Living in Harmony and deliver a talk about how to bring the principles of harmony into your life. The lyrics in their music brings that message as well. 8 pm. Whitewatermusichall.com
