Wausau events worth checking out for the week of Nov. 3, 2022

By Kayla Zastrow

WÖR

SATURDAY 11/5 | LUCILLE TACK CENTER FOR THE ARTS, SPENCER

WOR Spencer

Back to the 1780s! If it sounded good back then, why not today? WÖR (pronounced ‘were’) is a band of five musicians whose curiosity, passion and talent led them to a niche goldmine of 18th century tunes from the Flanders region of Belgium. They inject new energy into these melodies which results in stunning contemporary arrangements that feature fiddle, bagpipes, guitar, accordion and bari sax. With three albums recorded and numerous awards received throughout Europe, WÖR is now crossing the U.S. on its first American tour. Expect to hear unusual music in a hip and catchy costume, brimming with artistic originality, but always with due respect for tradition. 7:30 pm. $25. Details at lucilletackcenter.com. 

Ye Vagabonds

SUNDAY 11/6 | CAMPANILE CENTER FOR THE ARTS, MINOCQUA 

ye vagabonds

This Irish folk music duo consists of Dublin-based brothers Diarmuid and Brían Mac Gloinn who grew up playing music together around their hometown of Carlow, a small town in the southeast of Ireland. After moving to Dublin in 2012, they quickly became a staple of the live music and session scene in Ireland, playing their own original songs as well as folk songs from Ireland, Scotland, England and America. Since then, they have been busy touring, opening for acts such as Villagers, Roy Harper and Lisa Hannigan. 2 pm. $25 adult, $15 student. Details at campanilecenter.org.

Ron Artis II

WEDNESDAY 11/9 | GRAND THEATER, WAUSAU

This soulful blues singer and guitarist has been called “a pure artist”. From Hawaii, his songs have a relaxed island groove with touches of soul, blues and funk—think Jack Johnson, Marvin Gaye, Gregory Porter and James Brown. Ron always keeps the connection between life and music and believes in making music that heals, so pay attention to his lyrics as he puts careful thought into what he sings and writes about, making his sound sweet and positive. Part of the 10×10 Series. 8 pm. Tickets $10 in advance. Grandtheater.org.

Brothers Burn  Mountain

FRIDAY 11/4 | NORTHERN WATERS DISTILLERY, MINOCQUA

Brothers Burn Mountain

Brothers Ryan and Jesse Dermody form this eclectic blues-rock band based in Duluth. With energy-filled live performances, this soulful, energetic drum and electric guitar duo has toured across the Midwest, playing more than a thousand live shows. Their music features guitar riffs, harmonies and fast drum rhythms. You may even see both playing the drums together, or drumming on bar stools. Come on out and enjoy their mesmerizing and energetic sound. 5 pm. 715-358-0172.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

FRI.-SUN. 11/4-6 & THURS.-SAT. 11/10-13 |NICOLET THEATRE AT NICOLET COLLEGE, RHINELANDER

Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor. During this show presented by Nicolet Players, an eclectic group of sixth-graders vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Starts at 7:30 pm on Thurs.-Sat. & 2 pm on Sun. $10 general admission, $8 seniors. Details and tickets at nicoletlive.com. 

E-sports Gaming Night

WEDNESDAY 11/9 | NTC ACADEMIC RESOURCE CENTER, WAUSAU

The Wausau and Marathon County Parks Department has teamed up with Northcentral Technical College Esports to host an exciting Esports gaming night. Join for a night of video games, such as Mario Kart and Smash Bros, at NTC’s state-of-the-art gaming arena. Participants will receive insight from NTC’s own Smash Bros coach to help them bring their gaming skills to the next level. For ages 10-13. 6 pm. $20. Registration required. Details on Facebook and at co.marathon.wi.us. 

Laser Light Planetarium Shows

THURS.-SAT. 11/3-5 | UWSP ALLEN F. BLOCHER PLANETARIUM AND ARTHUR J. PEJSA OBSERVATORY, STEVENS POINT

Step into new worlds during spectacular laser light shows at UWSP’s Blocher Planetarium. These entertaining and color laser light shows present a wide variety of visual effects with rock or popular music accompaniment. On Thursday you’ll hear Led Zeppelin music, Friday features tunes by the Beatles, and on Saturday the laser shows will be set to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. Shows each night at 8 pm, 9 pm & 10 pm. $6 adults, $5 students, $4 UWSP students with ID. Details at uwsp.edu.