The Picks: Live Local Music, Art Festivals and Markets, and More Weekend Picks!
September 22-28, 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 Between the Bluffs/Paul Bergquist
All Weekend
2022 La Crosse Hmong New Year – Join the Hmong community in celebrating their 2022 New Year Festival at Veterans Memorial Park in West Salem! The two day festival features a long list of cultural and entertaining events including traditional ball tossing, cultural performances, food and clothing booths and vendors, an evening formal party, and a variety of sports tournaments with cash prizes for the winners. Admission is $5 for adults, and the event is free for seniors 65+ and children 5 years old and under.
Live Music Presented by Broken Wrist Records – Looking for live music this weekend? Hop on the road for two shows presented by Broken Wrist Records this weekend, Andy Hughes Live at Saxon Hall in Brownsville, MN on Saturday from 7pm to 10pm and Andy Hughes & the missing few LIVE at THEE OP in Lansing, IA on Sunday from 4pm to 7pm. Andy Hughes, co-creator of Broken Wrist Records, is an award-winning and chart-topping singer-songwriter who has been a staple of the Midwest alternative music scene for more than 20 years. The shows are a great way to start your weekend with a fun little road trip out of town for a great evening of music.
Between the Bluffs Plein Air Art Show & Sale at Studio 1311 – Running on Saturday from 11am to 4pm and Sunday from 12pm to 3pm, the Plein Air Festival at Studio Gallery 1311 is a great way to support local arts this weekend. The Gallery Art Show and Sale is the main event, admission is free to the public, and all of the paintings from the competing artists will be on display. The festival features original works of art created by artists in the last two weeks of locations within a 15 mile radius of downtown La Crosse. Some of the painting locations include La Crescent’s skunk hollow wetlands, La Crosse cityscapes, farms, rivers, bluff views, secluded coulees, and other locations chosen by the artists.
Photo by Broken Wrist Records
Friday
Current Pump House Regional Arts Center Exhibition – Join the Pump House Regional Arts Center in supporting their currently featured exhibition, which will be on display from September 14 – November 5, 2022. The exhibition features the works of Jane Michalski in Enduring Earth, and the unique group project Drawn Together by a large group of artists, including Jeanne Arenz, Lynne Burgess, Lynnae Burns, Julie Chamberlain, Margaret Ewert, Lori Ehlke, Joan Gunderson, Lynn Hobart, Chris Johnson, Pam Knutson, Pat Gund, Jill Rippe, Ann Schedivy-Tollefson, Marti Schwem, Colleen Shore, Laura Siitari, Marianne Stanke and Marcia Thompson.
Photo by Gregg Hall and the Wrecking Ball
Saturday
Fall Market in the Valley – Head down to Coon Valley for their first annual Fall Market in the Valley at the Coon Dairy Supply, Donna’s Daughters, and Sweet Artisans. You can shop the local craft vendors and artisan shops to find fall decor, apparel, hand crafted items, and more! The market runs on Saturday from 8:00am to 2:00pm with Dan and Mary Sebranek providing live music throughout the day.
Gregg Hall and the Wrecking Ball at Ghost Rider Music Festival – The Meyer Barn is the place to be this Saturday night to see Gregg Hall and the Wrecking Ball and other artists at the Ghost Rider Music Festival presented by Deece Productions and Main Street Music. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 the day of the show, and the festival runs from 12:00pm to 11:30pm.
Ongoing Events
The University of Wisconsin – La Crosse Planetarium Public Performances – Come October the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse Planetarium will bring back its Public Programs that are available to school groups, private groups, and the public. These programs are presented at 1:00pm on Saturdays, and there are 6 monthly Public Programs during the school year in October, November, December, February, March, and April. The programs will include a talk about the current evening sky and then a multimedia audiovisual presentation on an astronomical subject. The October program, “Explorers of Mauna Kea,” will be at 1:00pm on Saturdays, which include October 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29.
Photo by Taqueria Pato Azul
Coming Up
Taqueria Pato Azul Grand Opening! – Come down to 4th Street in La Crosse on Monday, October 3rd for the grand opening of a new authentic Mexican restaurant, Taqueria Pato Azul. Located in a historic building in downtown La Crosse, Taqueria Pato Azul comes from the creators of Bleu Duck Kitchen and serves to give visitors an authentic Mexican culinary experience. You can find a sneak peek of their menu and some of the delicious dishes they will be offering on their Facebook page.
Alpine Inn Fall Rock Fest! – Alpine Inn invites everyone 21+ to get their duff up the bluff for their final music festival of the year on Saturday, October 8th! Starting at 2pm and rocking until late evening, you can come to see Jen Wilder, Overplayed, and the Greedy Volunteers. The outdoor bar will be serving drinks, there will be lawn games, and there will be a free shuttle running to Bennett O’Riley’s every hour starting at 2 pm. Come out for a fun evening of great music, company, and entertainment.
Photo by Sandbar Storytelling Festival
Sandbar Storytelling Festival – Start looking forward to the Sandbar Storytelling Festival, a three day storytelling event held in Winona, Minnesota in October. The festival will bring exciting storytelling performances and chronicles, food, and workshops to Winona from October 14th to 15th. The performances will celebrate and preserve varied cultural traditions and human experiences, while promoting the art of storytelling for all ages.
Phantom Of The Opera (1925 Silent Film) Featuring: The Mighty Moller Organ – Presented by the Cappella Performing Arts Center, come and see the Phantom Of The Opera, the 1925 silent horror film on October 31st at 7:00pm. The film will be accompanied by the Mighty Moller Cappella organ played by Peter Krasinski. A film adaptation of Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel Le Fantôme de l’Opéra, The Phantom Opera stars the Phantom played by Lou Chaney who haunts the Paris Opera House in an attempt to make the woman he loves a star.
Photo by La Crosse Chamber Chorale
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.
About La Crosse Local
La Crosse Local is an arts, food, and entertainment podcast and publication for La Crosse County and its surrounding communities.
Find us in your favorite podcast app.
