The Picks: Summer Music Festivals and Events, Local Arts Performances, and More Weekend Picks!
July 8-10, 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 Festival – La Crosse Ticket Giveaway – Win a pair of tickets to Mid West Music Festival – 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 Great River Shakespeare Festival
All Month
Great River Shakespeare Festival – Running from June 18th to July 31st, come on down to Minnesota’s Premier Shakespeare Festival in Winona, Minnesota! The Great River Shakespeare Festival has plenty of drama and excitement in store for its 2022 season, including performances of The African Company Presents Richard III, Always…Patsy Cline, and Twelfth Night. Plus there are two additional events, All the Town’s a Stage: A Winona Story and Callithump! that are sure to add to the fun and entertainment. Currently, you can also enter the Great River Shakespeare Festival’s sweepstakes to win tickets to win tickets to the show of your choice. The Great River Shakespeare Festival is known to be an essential part of summer in Minnesota and a fantastic theatrical festival, so make your plans to go this summer!
Photo by Country Boom
All Weekend
Country Boom – Grab tickets if you don’t already have them and head down to Country Boom this weekend at Maple Grove Venues for music, entertainment, food, and fun. Each year the festival brings a lineup of current country stars and the brightest up-and-coming talent to the stage. This year’s headliners include Blackhawk, Russell Dickerson, and Brothers Osborne. Besides the music, festival goers can enjoy beverages and food options from all around the Midwest.
Friday
Seussical Jr. – Bring the kids down to see the La crosse Community Theatre’s newest Penguin Project production, Seussical Jr. One of the most performed shows in the US, Seussical Jr. is a fantastic performance filled with magic, music, and excitement. The show brings to life Dr. Seuss’ unique characters, like Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, and more. Get your tickets today!
Photo by Tani Diakiti and the Afrofunkstars
Saturday
The Summer Slam – Come down and see a showcase of the best local and regional original rock bands with The Summer Slam at Pearl Street Brewery, presented by imMORTal productions. Live musical performances will include Zammek, Trading Faces, Midwest Voltage, Tendrill, Night Fires, The Right Here, Copilot, and Sunbutt & The Moonshiners. There will also be food provided by The Chili Revolution Food Truck, and a variety of craft beers and beverages crafted by Pearl Street Brewery.
Driftless Music Festival – Music, food and fun! The Driftless Music Festival returns to Viroqua in Eckhart Park on July 9th. This family friendly event is perfect for families and friends to enjoy a small town festival that features music, ethnicities, and cultures that are not always present in a small, rural Midwestern town. Festival goers will be able to hear the McNasty Brass Band, Kendra Swanson, Tani Diakiti and the Afrofunkstars, and Ryan Necci and The Buffalo Gospel.
Photo by Mid West Music Fest
Coming Up
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. This year’s lineup includes Poliça, Bad Bad Hats, Durry, and many more! Get your tickets now and get ready for a final weekend of entertainment, music, and the arts!
Cheech’s Deecefest – Prepare for the third annual Cheech’s Deecefest Family Music Festival from July 29th to the 31st! Presented by Deece Productions, the festival is an all-ages, family-friendly event held in Smith Valley at Bluebird Springs Campground. The weekend will include live performances by local and regional artists and bands, including TUGG, Gregg Hall and the Wrecking Ball, The Lake Effect, Matt Mahlum, and many more. Cheech’s Deecefest weekend passes are $50 and can be purchased at Deaf Ear Records, Tree Hugger’s Coop, Cannabiz Depot, Instrument Repair of La Crosse, and online at Deece Productions. The festival is free for kids under 10.
Photo by Gregg Hall and the Wrecking Ball
Saturday
Live In Viroqua Summer Music on the Streets Series – Join the Viroqua community for Live in Viroqua, the city’s first-ever summer concert series offering free outdoor live music. Every first and third Saturday of July and August, you can come out for an evening of live music from nationally and regionally known musicians including Dead Horses, Them Coulee Boys, Chicken Wire Empire, and more. The venues will include Court Street outside of the Historic Fortney Hotel and Railroad Avenue outside of Driftless Books and Music. Each evening the event will start at 5pm with local food, beverages, and vendors on site, with music playing from 6 to 9pm.
Fourth Fridays – The La Crosse Area Chamber is launching a new summer event in Riverside Park, Fourth Fridays. Occurring every fourth Friday of each month, you can head to Riverside Park for vendors, arts and crafts, music, and fun. The event is family-friendly and free for all ages to attend from 3pm to 7pm.
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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