The Picks: Local End of Summer Music, Arts and Entertainment & More Weekend Picks!

August 12-14, 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 Mid West Music Fest

Featured Event Giveaway

Mid West Music Fest – La Crosse Ticket Giveaway – Win a pair of tickets to Mid West Music Fest – La Crosse for the September festival. You can see regional acts from all genres of music and enjoy a whole weekend of entertainment and fun (more details below). Enter now to win!

Photo by Pump House Regional Arts Center / Julia Scheckel

All Month

Pump House Current Exhibition – Join the Pump House Regional Arts Center in welcoming and celebrating their next group of exhibiting artists at their various galleries. The exhibition features a variety of artists and works of art, including The Woods are Lovely, Dark and Deep by Julia Scheckel in the Front Gallery, Iowa Combines by Russ Nordman in the Balcony Gallery, Filters and Signals by Nicolas Darcourt, Roger Boulay, and Lois Peterson in the Kader Gallery. The gallery exhibition will be on display at the Pump House from July 20th to September 10th.

All Weekend

Avenue Q – Head to the Lyche Theatre Friday, Saturday, or Sunday to catch the last weekend of the La Crosse Community Theatre’s rendition of Avenue Q. The puppet-filled comedy musical follows a group of twenty-somethings seeking their purpose in big-city life. Winner of the Tony “Triple Crown” for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, Avenue Q is filled with humor and a catchy score, making it a favorite of audiences everywhere. Get your tickets now!

Photo by Ashley for the Arts

Ashley for the Arts – Make the short trip to Arcadia, Wisconsin and celebrate Ashley for the Arts from August 11th through the 13th. This Driftless Region festival is one of Southwest Wisconsin’s largest annual music and arts festivals. Located at Memorial Park, the event will include three stages of live music from local artists to big name acts, art and craft vendors, a hot air balloon launch, a kid’s kingdom playground, an interactive arts station, food and beverage booths and vendors, and much more. Ashley for the Arts is a family-friendly festival, so be sure to bring the family and enjoy a local weekend of arts, music, entertainment, and fun.

Photo by Seasonal Saturdays, Minnesota Marine Art Museum. Photo: Brenda Tran

Saturday

Waterscapes: Summer Seasonal Saturday Event at MMAM – The Minnesota Marine Art Museum’s (MMAM) popular quarterly arts access program, Seasonal Saturday is back this Saturday, August 13th. Located in Winona, Minnesota, the Summer Seasonal Saturday program is focused on the theme “Waterscapes.” The event will be celebrating the exhibition, Impressions of Water: Prints by Clara Ueland 199-2000 with $1 admission, a themed art activity, artist-led programming, live music in the galleries, and 30-minute tours. Seasonal Saturdays are family and kid friendly, with great fun and educational opportunities. Kids and parents can look forward to Science & Nature Activity Kits from the Bell Museum and storytelling from Laura Armstrong this Saturday. There will also be a special bingo gallery game and Driftless Kettle Corn kettle popcorn and beverages outside from 11am- 3 pm.

The SoapGirls with Toyboxes at the Warehouse – An energetic punk band known for their unforgettable live performances, The SoapGirls will be performing at the Warehouse Saturday at 7pm. The SoapGirls have been performing internationally since 2015 and are currently back on their Don’t Give A D*amn World Tour playing all over the UK and Europe, the United States, and Japan. The show will be opened by Toyboxes, a punk rock band from Green Bay, Wisconsin, and is sure to be a fun night for all at the Warehouse.

Photo by The Remainders

Up Next Week

Moon Tunes – Head to the bandshell at Riverside Park every Thursday night during August from 5:30pm to 8:00pm for live, local music. This week features The Remainders, a local favorite in the La Crosse area.

Photo by Great River Folk Festival

Coming Up

Great River Folk Festival – Held annually the weekend before Labor Day, Great River Folk Fest features great music and family friendly entertainment for everyone. The festival is located in Riverside Park right along the Mississippi River with a goal of preserving and promoting traditional and contemporary folk culture in the Driftless Region. There will be music, crafts, dance and food, and plenty to do and see for all ages!

Tommy Prine at Leo and Leona’s – On Monday, September 5th head to Leo and Leona’s to see singer-songwriter Tommy Prine, son of the late legendary multi Grammy award-winning artist, John Prine. Tommy Prine is a Nashville-native, singer-songwriter, and performer whose distinct sound comes from his unique finger-picking style combined with his soul-stirring songwriting. The artist is returning to the Driftless Region for a special performance, so be sure to grab your tickets before the show sells out.

Mid West Music Fest 2022 La Crosse – Mid West Music Fest is coming to La Crosse this September for a weekend of music, entertainment and the arts! Featuring regional artists for over 13 years, the festival promotes music and art of all genres and mediums and supports the connection of the community to our local music and art scenes throughout the area. This special Driftless region festival was held earlier this year in Winona, and the second festival is approaching quickly. Check out the lineup for the La Crosse Mid West Music Fest coming up in September here. Get your tickets now and get ready for a weekend of entertainment, music, and the arts!

Photo by Artaria String Quartet

Artaria String Quartet – Cappella Grand Opening – Join the Cappella Performing Arts Center for their Grand Opening on September 16th, featuring Minnesota’s foremost teaching and performing string quartet, Artaria String Quartet. From 7:30pm to 11:00pm, audience members can expect refined and thoughtful playing and confident interpretations from an exceptional ensemble.

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.

The Picks: Local End of Summer Music, Arts and Entertainment & More Weekend Picks!