The Picks: Artspire 2023, Bonfire Music & Arts Festival & More Event Picks!
June 9-15, 2023
New local picks every Thursday evening to get your weekend started! Check back each week to see La Crosse Local’s picks and to make sure not to miss out on events throughout the year.
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*Note: “The Picks” is reserved for arts, culture, and special food related events! Current advertisers receive priority in the promotion on La Crosse Local’s social media, website, and e-news. Space is limited. Support those that support you.
Thank you, La Crosse Local
Photo by Artspire La Crosse
Featured Festival
Artspire La Crosse 2023: 10th Anniversary – Artspire La Crosse is back for their 10th Anniversary festival! Come out this Saturday and join the Pump House Regional Arts Center for an all-inclusive, free, community arts celebration that showcases the power of the arts to create community. There will be music and performances, a fine art fair & sale, interactive arts, food trucks, and a beer garden.
Check out our Ultimate Fest Guide for Artspire 2023 for all the essential information and tips you need to make the most of your festival experience! Use the guide to check out La Crosse Local Podcast episodes with featured Artspire 2023 artists and performers like Nicholas David, Charlieboy, and High & Rising, read up on festival events, and take a peek at the festground map.
Photo by Driftless Music Gardens
Featured Festival
Bonfire Music & Arts Festival – Get your last-minute tickets for the Driftless Music Gardens’ Bonfire Music & Arts Festival running June 8th-10th! Driftless Music Gardens puts on an epic weekend of live music, outdoor activities and wellness activities and workshops, fishing, kayaking, camping, and some of the most picturesque natural scenery in the Midwest. With a focus on nature, art, and music, the Bonfire Music and Arts Festival is sure to be a fun addition to your summer plans.
Our Bonfire Music & Arts Festival Ultimate Fest Guide is a great place to discover essential information and tips for attending the festival this weekend. Plus discover a range of our La Crosse Local Podcast episodes featuring Bonfire 2023 performers like People Brothers Band, Jaedyn James, Sleeping Jesus, and Feeding Leroy. Take a minute to read up on festival performances and workshops, before buying your tickets if you don’t already have them!
Photo by Artspire La Crosse
Friday 6/9
Glass Stilletto at Alpine Inn – Another night of epic music at Alpine Inn on the bluff! Kick off your weekend on Friday night with popular local rock band Glass Stilleto starting at 8:00 pm. Come by for the live music, and stay for the great drinks and friends.
Photo by Driftless Music Gardens
Saturday 6/10
Pearl Street Wine Run 5k – Sign up last minute for the Pearl Street Wine Run 5k on Saturday, June 10th presented by Pearl Street Brewery. The run/walk starts at 9:00 am and will feature the scenery and landscape of Pearl Street Brewery. Registration includes a range of items and a pour of wine! Register for the race today.
Book Signing with David Marcou – Stop by River City Gallery on Saturday for a Book Signing event with author David Marcou. From 11:00 am to 1:00 pm come by to meet and greet/get a book signed by prolific, prize-winning La Crosse author David Joseph Marcou, who has surpassed his 300th book-title total. The La Crosse-based author-photographer also has had a long freelance journalism career, via many top US & world outlets, with two Pulitzer-nominations for works by him so far.
Second Saturday Art Market – Attend the first Second Saturday Art Market of the year at Artists Alley – Main Street Plaza at the end of Main Street and Second Street in Downtown La Crosse. Second Saturday Art Market features the works of La Crosse area local artists, live music, and food vendors. Purchase great local art on the Second Saturday of each month June-September from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Photo by Artspire La Crosse
Sunday 6/11
A Mississippi Extravaganza – (This event has SOLD OUT) Celebrate Pride Month and have a lovely Sunday evening at A Mississippi Extravaganza with The La Crosse Gurls! Purchase your tickets to take to the Mississippi River on The La Crosse Queen and enjoy an evening of Drag, food, cruising the river, and fun. The event will take place on Sunday, June 11th and ticket holders must be 18 or older to attend. Don’t forget to bring cash to show the entertainers some love!
Fundraiser for Great River FolkFest La Crosse Music Festival – Make the trip to Leo and Leona’s for a fundraiser to continue the long standing La Crosse music festival, Great River Folk Festival! Come by on June 11th between 1:00 pm and 6:00 pm for live music, raffles, and a silent auction, as well as the chance to win a beautiful guitar. The event costs $10 to attend and will help the Great River Folk Festival bring music, dance, and art of the driftless region to La Crosse this year.
Photo by Driftless Music Gardens
Coming Up
Ukrainian Harpist, Veronika Lemishenko Benefit Concert – Support Ukrainians while witnessing a special performance by Ukrainian Harpist, Veronika Lemishenko. Donations will be collected for Veronika’s charitable efforts to help her fellow Ukrainians on Friday, June 16th at the Cappella Performing Arts Center. The performance starts at 7:30 pm.
Cheech’s Deecefest – Cheech’s Deecefest Family Music Festival is back this summer on July 28-30, 2023. Located at the Bluebird Campground in La Crosse, WI, this family-friendly music festival is a great local event to enjoy this summer with music, food, drinks, entertainment, and friends. Deecefest features local and regional artists and is a great opportunity to support the thriving local music scene in La Crosse. Buy your tickets now!
Prairie Dog Blues Festival – Coming up this summer on July 27-29, 2023, make the trip down the river road to Prairie du Chien for the Prairie Dog Blues Festival. Held every year on historic St. Feriole Island, right on the Mississippi River, the Prairie Blues Festival is a blues music festival. Blues and Roots music from Chicago Blues to West Coast Jump, hard-driving Mississippi Hill Country Blues, New Orleans horns and Texas Boogie, Zydeco, Gospel, Blues Rock; the festival makes for a great weekend of live music and entertainment. Buy your tickets now and make plans to camp!
About La Crosse Local
La Crosse Local is an arts, food, and entertainment podcast and publication for La Crosse County and its surrounding communities.
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