Alastor Rose
Friday, Aug. 4 | Matt’s 101 Pub, Wausau
Alastor Rose may be from out of Nashville, but she might be familiar to central Wisconsin music fans, as she played last year at the Levitt Amp series in Stevens Point, one of the top outdoor concert series around here. The Nashville singer who mixes folk and country has a powerful voice with a little bit of a kick to it, and she’ll be bringing that emerging talent up to Matt’s 101 Pub in Wausau. 9 pm. Check out Matt’s 101 Pub for more information.
Dog Gone Pool Party
Sunday, Aug. 6 | Memorial Pool, Wausau
It’s officially that time of the year, for dogs to go wild! The Wausau/Marathon County Parks Department holds this event at the end of the pool season, allowing you to bring your K9 friends to the pool for one big puppy party to cap off the summer. Let your bow-wows play in the pool in one of two time slots, 10-noon or 1-3 pm. $10 per person, two dogs allowed per person. Must provide proof of rabies vaccination and distemper treatment. Register online on the Wausau/Marathon County Parks Department website.
Wausau Whitewater Rec Release
Sat.-Sun. Aug. 5-6 | Whitewater Park, Wausau
A really fun way to spend a Saturday morning to check out the Wausau Farmers Market and then mosey over to the nearby Whitewater Park kayak course to watch those paddlers navigate the course. There’s great seating long the scenic course and it’s really fun to watch skilled kayakers practice on the course. They’ll be out there most of the day on Saturday and Sunday, free to watch. Check out details for participation on wausauwhitewater.org,
Jazz on the River: Pegasis
Sunday, Aug. 6 | Kickbusch Plaza, Wausau
It’s cool to have the Jazz on the River series back this year, and this particular group – Pegasis — is one interesting addition to the series’ lineup. Originally from the Dominican Republic, the group now calls Green Bay home and has racked up some WAMI wins, as well as played in NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series. This jazzy, funky group will bring a spark of life to the Kickbusch Plaza this Sunday – so don’t miss it. Food trucks available with food for purchase. Bring your own seating. 5 pm.
Sarah Shook
Thursday, Aug. 10 | Lamplight Sessions, Mosinee
There’s a lot of backlash to country going on right now in the national discourse, but there’s a difference between the current pop-country on the airwaves and the underground scene that’s bringing country similar to the old Johnny Cash era. Jenny Don’t and Daniel Donato are great examples – and Sarah Shook, about the play Lamplight Sessions in a week, is another great example. With song titles such as “$^#%^ Up” and Talkin’ to Myself, you can get a sense of the punk rock ethos that’s underlying modern country. Shook is like a punk-country version of Sheryl Crow. Country is a beautiful genre once you get past the posturing of modern country, and bands like Sarah Shook help sell that. Pick up your tickets fast because this one is selling out fast. Also, opening is Free Dirt, a project from Robert Schiller of The Blueheels. 7 pm. $42. lamplightsessions.com.
