The Picks: Rent by the La Crosse Community Theatre, Downtown Art Walk, Alpine Inn Thrill on the Hill & More Event Picks!
May 4-11, 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.
Event Submission
If you would like your event to *appear in “The Picks”, add “La Crosse Local” as a co-host to your one-time or on-going Facebook event(s). We will not be editing, managing, or replying on any co-host FB events.
*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 GROW La Crosse
All Weekend
Rent Presented by the La Crosse Community Theatre – Join the La Crosse Community Theatre for their opening weekend of Rent, the classic Jonathan Larson masterpiece that follows a year in the life of young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side. The show will be running from May 5th to May 21st, with showtimes on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Purchase your tickets now!
GROW Plant Sale – GROW La Crosse is having a plant sale all weekend at their GROW Greenhouse on Vine Street. The sale will be open on Friday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Saturday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, and Sunday from 10:00am to 1:00 pm. There are over 3000 plants ready to find a new home and 100% of the sale proceeds will go toward connecting youth to healthy food and nature through GROW programming.
Photo by Charlieboy
Thursday 5/4
Charlieboy, Toaster Ghost, Gash, Killusonline at Popcorn Tavern – Come out Thursday night for live music at Popcorn Tavern. The evening will feature four Alternative/Indie bands, including local favorites Charlieboy and Toaster Ghost, with guests Gash from Eau Claire and Killusonline from Minneapolis. Charlieboy will be one of the many epic bands playing Mid West Music Fest, so you can enjoy a preview of their set starting at 9:00 pm. You can also learn more about Charlieboy on Episode 382 of the La Crosse Local podcast.
Jazz with Michael Angelo at Schmidty’s – Stop by Schmidty’s for dinner or cocktails at the bar and enjoy an evening of classic jazz standards by local recording artist Michael Angelo. The live music starts at 6:00 pm and will add a touch of elegance to your evening until 9:00 pm.
Photo by River City Gallery La Crosse
Friday 4/28
First Friday Downtown Art Walk – Support local art at the First Friday Downtown Art Walk on May 5th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Meet featured artists, exhibitions and new collections at various arts supporting locations in downtown La Crosse. These include River City Gallery, the Pump House, Fannin Counseling & Art Therapy and more.
Album Encounter at the UW-La Crosse Planetarium – Join the UWL Planetarium for the final Album Encounter of the school year featuring Pink Floyd’s album, “The Wall.” The show will feature the album along with a multimedia light and laser show for $5. The event is in Cowley Hall and will begin at 8:00 pm and run until 9:30 pm.
Photo by Moniker
Saturday 5/6
Alpine Inn Thrill on the Hill – Come out for the first festival of the year at Alpine Inn, the Alpine Inn Thrill on the Hill. Featuring some of the best local bands in La Crosse, stop by on Saturday between 2:00 pm and 10:00 pm for live music, food, drinks, and fun! There will be overflow parking available along with a shuttle to the event, and no cover charge.
Hot Shop Discovery Class | Glass Blowing – Learn how to make a one-of-a-kind glass flower, garden or paperweight in this private, introductory glass blowing class. Participants will learn the basics of a hotshop and how to work with molten glass using furnace glass blowing techniques. The class costs $55.00 and is presented by ArtPop.
Coon Creek Conservation Day – Come and learn about the conservation ideas, practices, and actions taking place in the Coon Creek Watershed at the first annual Coon Creek Conservation Day presented by the Coon Creek Community Watershed Council. The event is on May 6th from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm and will feature organizations and vendors in Coon Valley Veterans Memorial Park for a range of activities for all ages. There will be food, entertainment, and events such as a tree planting demonstration, free fishing poles for kids as long as supplies last, live music by the Spunky Bumpkins, and a hog roast with baked potatoes.
Photo by Mark Joseph
Sunday 5/7
A Tribute to Jim Croce with Mark Joseph, Josh Rabie, and Gregg Hall – Come to Leo and Leona’s on Sunday, May 7th for a Tribute to Jim Croce. Starting at 3:00 pm, see live performances of all your favorite Jim Croce hits by Mark Joseph, Josh Rabie, and Gregg Hall. There will be a $10 cover charge at the door.
Celebration of Motherhood – Celebrate moms of all stages and phases on the Sunday before Mother’s Day with The Motherhood Collective’s Celebration of Motherhood event. Located at the Black River Beach Community Center from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, there will be yoga, community meditation, treats from Dirty Dozen and Sugar Mama, tea, and gifts/door prizes to win from local businesses owned by mothers. Purchase your ticket now!
Photo by Mid West Music Fest
Coming Up
Wings (1927 Silent Film) with Peter Krasinski – Buy tickets to see Wings, a 1927 silent film at the Cappella Performing Arts Center on May 26. The film starts at 7:00 pm and will be accompanied by Peter Krasinski playing the Möller Organ. Don’t miss out on this cinematic masterpiece about love and loss, the tragic futility of war, and the need for peace.
Cabaret in May | The Greatest Show – Come to the Cabaret in May presented by the La Crosse Chamber Chorale at the Court Above Main. Starting at 6:00 pm on Friday May 19th, see a variety of great performances from popular musicals including The Greatest Showman, Cabaret, A Chorus Line, and Moulin Rouge. Tickets are $70 per person for this wonderful cabaret-style performance.
Mid West Music Fest Winona – Next weekend! Mid West Music Fest in Winona! Purchase your tickets for this Driftless region festival that has been 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. The festival will be on May 12th and 13th, 2023.
Photo by Artspire La Crosse
Artspire La Crosse 2023: 10th Anniversary – Artspire is back this June for their 10th Anniversary festival! Plan on heading to Artspire on Saturday June 10th and joining 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. Mark your calendars and purchase your tickets early!
Bonfire Music & Arts Festival – Buy your tickets now for the Driftless Music Gardens’ Bonfire Music & Arts Festival running June 8th-10th The festival in Yuba, WI will feature three days of epic music lineups, wellness activities and workshops, camping, and exploring the beautiful, natural outdoor amphitheater. 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.
Alpine Inn Presents: The Granddad Get-Down – Grab your tickets early for the Granddad Get-Down, a bluegrass and folk music festival this summer at Alpine Inn. The music starts at 2:00 pm on Saturday, June 3 with a lineup featuring Bryce Thomaschefsky, Spine Stealers, Knee High July, Hemlock Chaser, Billy Bronsted and the Loot, and Joseph Huber. Tickets are $10 presale, and $15 dollars the day of the show.
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.
