The Picks: Holiday Ball, La Crosse Chamber Chorale, Downtown Art Walk, Christmas Gin, and More Weekend Picks!
November 3-9, 2022
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.
Photo by La Crosse Chamber Chorale
All Weekend
The La Crosse Chamber Chorale Presents Come to the Woods – Join the La Crosse Chamber Chorale for their fall performance of their 2022-2023 season, Awake My Soul. The fall performance is called Come to the Woods and will feature both old and new music that reflects the beauty and serenity of nature. The La Crosse Chamber Chorale is a volunteer, community-based choir that was founded in 1986, and the choir singers, staff and board of directors are committed to bringing professional and creative programming to the region. The fall performance will have two performance dates, Saturday, November 5th at 7:30 pm and Sunday, November 6th at 3:00 pm.
The Last Train to Nibroc – Come to the upcoming opening weekend of the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse Department of Theatre Arts’ presentation of the Last Train to Nibroc at the Frederick Theatre. This simple, honest, and genuine play follows the story of two young people, May and Raleigh, who meet on a train at the beginning of World War II. Last Train to Nibroc is a funny and tender tale of two people searching for happiness during the uncertain times of war and is sure to be a touching and enjoyable performance for all. There will be shows at 7:30 pm on November 3-5th, and a Sunday matinee showing on November 6th at 2:00 pm. You can purchase your tickets ahead of time online, or in person/on the phone from the box office.
Mitzi’s Abortion: A Saint’s Guide to Late Term Politics and Medicine in America – An original story by Elizabeth Heffron, come see the Grey Area Productions performance of Mitzi’s Abortion at the Pump House Regional Arts Center. The generous and compassionate comedy show explores the questions that have shaped the national debate over abortion while using humor, intelligence, honesty, and storytelling to address serious themes. It follows the story of a young woman “trying to make an intensely personal decision in a system determined to make it a political one,” and guides the audience in understanding that some decisions are complicated when they become ours to make. There are shows on November 3-5 at 7:30 pm and on November 6th at 2:00 pm, and tickets are available for purchase online.
Friday
First Friday Downtown Art Walk – Held at various locations in downtown La Crosse on the first Friday of every month, come down for this month’s First Friday Downtown Art Walk! Artists, exhibitions, and new collections can be found at River City Gallery, Pump House Regional Art Center, by James Galleries, Larson’s General, Grounded Patio Café, The Root Note, Turtle Stack Brewery, and Vision of Light Stained Glass from 4pm to 7pm. You can spend the evening visiting the art galleries and stops, enjoying music and live demonstrations, and refreshments to kick off your Friday night. Download or pick up your map guide here, and get marked at each location to register for art gifts, plus you can also check out what is happening at each Art Walk location.
La Crosse Community Theatre 2022 Holiday Ball – Join the La Crosse Community Theatre at their 2022 Holiday Ball on November 4th at the Weber Center for the Performing Arts in downtown La Crosse. The Holiday Ball is a fundraising event for LCT, a cultural staple of the Coulee Region, as they look forward to celebrating their 60th year anniversary. The event will include a cocktail hour starting at 5 pm, a silent auction, and an exclusive raffle prize package for one lucky winner who will receive tickets to Irishfest, Summerfest, and a Green Bay Packers game, among other prizes. Additionally, there will be sneak preview performances from upcoming productions of “Scrooge in Rouge ” and “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” with the opportunity to purchase single tickets to all of the shows in the season before they go on sale to the public.
Photo by La Crosse Distilling Co.
Saturday
La Crosse Distilling Co. Spirit Release: Christmas Gin – A much anticipated and beloved specialty spirit from La Crosse Distilling Co., Christmas Gin returns to the tasting room on Saturday, November 5th. With their Fieldnotes Gin as the base, Christmas Gin features an addition of black currant in these small, limited edition batches. Try specialty cocktails to celebrate the spirit’s release, and maybe even grab a few Christmas gifts for loved ones on your list.
Pearl Street Brewery Tours – Take a tour of Pearl Street Brewery! Tours are offered on the first Saturday of every month, plus for groups of up to 20 people by appointment. Located in the old industrial Rubber Mills in La Crosse, you can learn all about the history of the brewery and the beer, while enjoying a pint of your favorite beer or trying something new or seasonal. The tour includes a souvenir PSB pint glass, one free fill, a BOGO voucher for participating bars & restaurants, and the tour.
Photo by Minnesota Marine Art Museum
Coming Up
Fall Seasonal Saturday at Minnesota Marine Art Museum – Make the trip to the Minnesota Marine Art Museum on Saturday, November 12th for their Fall Seasonal Saturday event based on the theme, “Paint the Rainbow: A Celebration of Color” inspired by the MMAM exhibition, Water Stories: New Work by Anne Labovitz. Featuring $1 admission, the event will showcase special themed activities all day long. An artist demonstration with Anne Labovitz, live music by Jim Reinke and Irish trio Dublin’s Daughter, storytelling sessions, a variety of tours, and a range of kids activities await those who visit.
Artaria String Quartet at the Cappella Performing Arts Center – Join the Cappella Performing Arts Center in welcoming Minnesota’s foremost teaching and performing string quartet, Artaria String Quartet, for the second time this fall. From 7:30 pm to 11:00 pm, audience members can expect refined and thoughtful playing and confident interpretations from an exceptional ensemble. They will be performing W.A. Mozart: “Dissonance” Quartet, Elizabeth Maconchy: Quartet No. 3, and Benjamin Britten: Quartet No. 1.
Photo by Dustbowl Revival
Jim Lauderdale + Dustbowl Revival at The Historic Temple Theatre – Head to the Historic Temple Theatre on November 12th to see grammy-winning singer and songwriter Jim Lauderdale and the roots-soul band Dustbowl Revival team up for a special night of rip-roaring performances of the history of Americana. Audience members are in for a treat with Lauderdale, who has collaborated with the likes of George Jones, Willie Nelson, and Elvis Costello. And with Dustbowl Revival, who were awarded Best Live Band in LA by LA Weekly, and have been touring for 10+ years. You might not want to miss this one-of-a-kind event at the Historic Temple Theatre.
Trapper Schoepp In Concert at the Pump House – Come and view Milwaukee based American singer and songwriter, Trapper Schoepp, perform his new album May Day at the Pump House Regional Arts Center on November 12th. A celebration of more hopeful times and a reflection on a darker past, May Day explores themes of ghosts and rebirth, springtime, and renewal. Purchase your tickets online or at the Pump House, and come down for a night of music from a great regional musician.
Photo by Hunt + Gather Grazing Boards
Larson’s Holiday Market – Get in the holiday spirit with Larson’s General and Driftless Skincare’s Holiday Market on Friday, November 11th from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Some great vendors selling holiday treats and gifts will be gathered at the store, making it a great place to shop for the upcoming holiday season. Some popular vendors include Sugar Mama, Wisco Well & Goods, Hunt & Gather Grazing Boards and Merfolk by Katie Lawver.
La Crosse Center Holiday Fair – The La Crosse area’s most spectacular holiday craft show returns November 17th through the 20th at the La Crosse Center. The Holiday Fair is a La Crosse tradition every year and an event for all ages. A large number of craft vendors and vendor booths are set up to shop for holiday gifts. Plus the kids will enjoy photographs with Santa and special appearances by Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer throughout the fair days. There will be door prizes given out every hour, and everyone can view the hall decorated in a charming Christmas/Winter theme while enjoying holiday music.
Photo by Embark Maple
On The Road
Feast! Festival – Take a short road trip and experience the best local foods, wine, beer, and spirits at Feast! Festival in Rochester, Minnesota. Returning Saturday, November 5th, join festival goers in savoring the taste of the region of over 100+ artisan businesses including local foods from Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Sample, shop, and stock up on cheese, chocolate, wine, beer, cider, and more! You can even get a jump start on gifts for the holidays. There will also be kids’ activities, cooking demonstrations and prizes during the event, which runs from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
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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