Imported

Zymurgy Oktoberfest is back and this year it's a three day affair! Saturday will be the big party with the usual activities and hijinx.

We will be pouring our classic Oktoberfest Lager along with a variety of specialty German style beers. There will be limited edition Oktoberfest Steins (they're unique every year)!

German food, fun games, live music and lots of fun! Come get a pretzel and a beer! FREE ENTRY!

Fresh German Pretzels available Saturday & Sunday courtesy of 52 Bakery!

Stay tuned for the event schedule coming soon. Something different happening every day!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1405262210695066/

The rich, reedy tones and all-American, blue-collar themes in his #1 hits I Miss My Friend, Awful, Beautiful Life and Have You Forgotten? are reminders of the down-to-Earth, Haggard-like Darryl Worley you always knew.

The island vibes and blue-eyed soul in new songs It's Good To Be Me, Lay It On Me and Lonely Alone suggest there's another, almost-funky, version of Worley that's been kept under wraps.

The alternate sides are both on display in Second Wind: Latest and Greatest, a project that mixes the traditional-country history he established in Nashville with the ragged soul that's deep in the bones of Muscle Shoals, a musical Alabama hotbed where Worley got his start. The area hosted hit sessions for Aretha Franklin, Bob Seger, Wilson Pickett and The Rolling Stones, and the sweaty swagger of the region's recording studios was a perfect fit for Worley as he recorded an album that re-establishes him in country culture.

It's like we stumbled onto something in an attempt to stumble onto something, Worley says. We were just kind of feeling our way around in the dark.

Produced by guitarist Billy Lawson (Sammy Kershaw, Mo Pitney), Second Wind was built with a relaxed atmosphere. Little attention was paid to the clock by Worley and his longtime band, who helped bring the hits forward to their 2017 sound while pumping some ultra-human attitude into the new stuff as well.

So many of those tracks and grooves on the older songs have changed over the years, Worley allows. Like 'Tennessee River Run,' we did more of a train beat on the original record, but we've always played it like Little Feat, with that funky 'Dixie Chicken' groove, where you almost can't find the downbeat. My band does that as good as anybody. And the songs came out exactly how they sound when you go hear them live.

Second Wind is aptly titled, since it's the first full-length album released by Worley in eight years, following a self-imposed layoff from recording that has the same familial motivations that spawned Garth Brooks' legendary retirement from touring. Worley's wife, Kimberly, gave birth to a girl in 2008, and the weight of the father-daughter relationship was greater than anything he'd anticipated.

I needed to take some time to figure out what being a daddy meant, he remembers, and it meant a whole lot more than what I thought.

He cut back on his touring and limited his studio work to small, focused releases, including an EP that was targeted to his passionate military supporters. He made daughter Savannah his top priority. That was an easy decision, but it dredged up uncertainty about what that might mean for his music career.

A buddy of mine said something to me that was like a God-send at that time, Worley notes. He said, 'You know, people in this business do make comebacks.' I agreed, and he said, 'Well, you've got to go away before you can come back.'

In fact, Worley has never been afraid to walk away if it meant standing up for his mission as a voice for the working class.

I knew who I was, and I knew what I wanted to do, he says. Just as importantly, he adds, I knew what I wouldn't do.

Born and raised in southern Tennessee by a Methodist minister and a church-choir mom he describes as a prayer warrior, Worley started his musical career at the FAME Studio in Muscle Shoals, under the tutelage of producer/publisher Rick Hall (Mac Davis, Jerry Reed), where he remained for a solid five years. He played clubs almost nightly, honing his stage craft at the same time he was woodshedding his songwriting skills, and as Worley gained confidence, he found his way to Nashville. There, he secured a recording deal in 1999 on the basis of some demo recordings that showcased his authoritative vocals and his understanding of the hard-working country audience.

I'm a traditionalist, he proclaims. I came to Nashville because of mentors and heroes like Merle Haggard and George Jones. I'm sure people hear that until they're blue in the face, but to me, it's very true.

He discovered, however, that the music business didn't share the depth of his passion for that old-school sound. Numerous voices in Nashville were pushing him to sing more contemporary songs and to co-write more often with well-known composers. The songs from the demo that got him signed were tossed in favor of other material that may have fit the trends, but didn't quite suit him. So Worley put his foot down.

I just said, 'I don't think I need to be here,' he recalls.

No proved to be a powerful word. The powers that be came after him, relented on their creative demands and - lo and behold - several of those songs from the demo ended up becoming his first hits. His inaugural album landed three Top 20 titles - When You Need My Love, A Good Day To Run and Second Wind - and his second album's namesake, I Miss My Friend, brought his first #1 single.

A USO trip would provide a blockbuster. Worley visited Kuwait and Afghanistan during the Christmas season of 2002, and he was inspired by the dedication and sacrifice of soldiers who put their lives on the line for their beliefs. Shortly after his return, he co-wrote Have You Forgotten? with Wynn Varble (Waitin' On A Woman, A Little More Country Than That), practically demanding that America keep its focus in its battle against terrorists. The song spent seven weeks at #1 on the Billboard country singles chart, one of only five titles to reign that long during the 21st century's first decade.

Have You Forgotten? clearly struck a nerve - It was unifying, it was more the voice of the people than even I thought it would be, Worley admits - but it also proved to be almost too big for his career, which was still building at the time. Some established artists declined to have him open for them, since Forgotten rendered their set anti-climactic. As a result, he skipped a step in country's typical audience-building concert progression.

There's pros and cons to everything, he says with a shrug, but I could be remembered for something a lot worse than that.

That key period in Worley's career impacted his sense of community and the role that music can play in bolstering the mindset of his audience. He's continued to perform for troops since that initial trip, going on more than 15 USO tours, sometimes losing money in the process to show his appreciation to his fellow patriots. Additionally, he established the Tennessee River Run, an annual multi-day event in Savannah, Tennessee, that brings in money for the Darryl Worley Cancer Treatment Center, a facility that offers assistance in a region that was previously unserved. He's enlisted friends such as Ronnie Milsap, Tracy Lawrence, Lee Brice, Craig Morgan, Diamond Rio and Charlie Daniels to play the River Run through the years, typically raising more than $100,000 annually for local charities. The impact of the cancer center was underscored for Worley when his dad coaxed him to attend a cancer survivors event without telling Darryl what he was walking into.

This whole gymnasium was full of families, and when all of the festivities were over, they lined up to shake my hand and take a photo, and the line of people wrapped all the way around the gym, he remembers. I decided I'd never miss another one of these. Those people have walked into the center and walked out with a clean bill of health.

Worley has clearly made a difference in his neighborhood, using his celebrity to improve the lives of the people around him. It's the same goal he's applied to his music, whether it's honoring soldiers in Have You Forgotten? seeking positivity in Awful, Beautiful Life or celebrating responsibility in Family Tree. Those messages are all present in the Greatest portion of Second Wind, and the Latest songs continue the pattern. It's Good To Be Me locates the elusive silver lining in life, Runnin' finds meaning in obsessive activity and Lonely Alone encourages honesty in times of personal hardship.

Lonely worked that way for Worley - it set the stage for a heart-to-heart chat with his wife that set their relationship back on course.It was a wakeup call, he reflects. You just don't know how many other people it might help.

In the end, Second Wind signals Worley's return to the national stage after a period of recommitment in his home life. The new music puts an unexpected sonic spin on a familiar voice while reaffirming the uplifting intent that continues unabated throughout his entire body of material. Worley's always been prepared to walk away if the songs didn't make a difference, and Second Wind is an apt summation of the values and authenticity that have driven his entire career.

I've already had the fame and it almost killed me, Worley says with a laugh. I don't know if I've ever been really big on that, but I have been big on wanting the music to shine. It does the work, it ought to get the credit.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1275511874279076/

CVSO: BEETHOVEN'S FIFTH

Beethoven's Symphony No. 5--the first symphony ever conducted by Maestro Yasuda--is one of the most iconic works in classical music, its famous four-note opening beginning the journey from struggle to triumph. Also featured is cellist Nathaniel Pierce in Tchaikovsky's elegant Variations on a Rococo Theme and Kernis' lyrical Air for Cello and Orchestra.

https://www.facebook.com/events/524737760574614/

Come party with The Part Time Duo! The band will play your favorite songs, tell some dirty jokes, and of course, will drink a few shots with you!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1105072921009367/

Spend a special evening with mystery author William Kent Krueger. He will delight us with a short talk and reading from his new Cork O'Connor mystery Apostle's Cove, with some time for questions. Then you will have a chance to meet him and get your books signed.

Thank you to the UW-Stout Literature Committee for hosting this event at Harvey Hall Theater, 721 3rd St. E. And the Menomonie Public Library for collaborating to make this happen.

We will have some books on hand at the event, but if you'd like to pre-order a copy of his latest book please email [email protected] or call 715-233-6252.

A note from Kent about Apostle's Cove.

On occasion, in the course of my series, I've given readers a glimpse into Cork O'Connor's past. Seldom have I lingered very long. But I've always enjoyed the opportunity to imagine Cork, his family, and friends as they once were.

In Apostle's Cove, the twenty-first book in my series, I take readers back in time more than two decades, to Cork's first murder investigation as sheriff of Tamarack County. The murder, a particularly brutal one, and Cork's investigation of the crime resulted in the conviction of a young Ojibwe man, sentenced to life in prison without hope of parole. As the story opens, an older and wearier Cork receives a call that makes him wonder darkly if, those many years ago, he might have been responsible for the wrongful imprisonment of an innocent man.

I've told this story in two parts. In the first section, novice Sheriff O'Connor navigates the murder, then his first criminal investigation. In the second section, present-day Cork reinvestigates the case that has never sat well on his conscience. As he struggles to understand how he got things wrong-or did he?-it becomes a battle that threatens to brutalize both his body and his soul.

This is a true whodunit. I loved creating this story, spending time with all the familiar characters I've been writing about for more than a quarter century but imagining earlier versions of them. My hope is that you'll enjoy reading Apostle's Cove every bit as much as I enjoyed writing it.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1088821253186345/

Tusk is the number one Tribute to Fleetwood Mac in the world, bar none. No fancy tricks, no gimmicks, just five musicians recreating the music of Fleetwood Mac to perfection with note for note renditions that no other Fleetwood Mac tribute on the touring scene today can come close to duplicating.

Tusk covers all the great hits of Fleetwood Mac, which has featured the talents of Mick Fleetwood, Christine and John McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks and others over the years. The five seasoned, well-respected musicians comprising Tusk have been making music together in various combinations and styles, in original outfits and in cover bands, for over twenty-five years. It seemed only fitting that they should come together to form the Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute, and pay homage to a group that dominated the charts during the band members' formative years. Authentic-sounding and always respectful, Tusk leaves no stone unturned in replicating the sounds of one of the world's best-loved, top-selling bands.

https://www.facebook.com/events/3359664077673471/

WQOW 18 NEWS PROUDLY PRESENTS

BEATLES VS. STONES - A MUSICAL SHOWDOWN

WED, 22 OCT 2025 at 07:30PM CDT
Doors Open: 06:30PM

OnSale: Fri, 11 Apr 2025 at 10:00AM CDT
Announcement: Tue, 8 Apr 2025 at 10:00AM CDT

The British Invasion brought us the two most popular rock groups of all time, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, as well as the liveliest debate in rock history - which band is the greatest? These two legendary bands will engage in an on-stage, mash-up duel featuring internationally renowned tribute bands, Abbey Road and Satisfaction - The International Rolling Stones Show. Electrifying show! said the O.C. Register. The most unique tribute show in decades, said the L.A. Times. The crowd was on their feet screaming the entire time! said the Idaho Statesman. If you missed The Beatles and The Rolling Stones live, here is your second chance, said the San Clemente Times. Alternating power sets with the two bands coming together on stage for an amazing encore makes this show a once-in-a-lifetime event.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1870877540336700/

CVSO: MUSIC UNDER MOONLIGHT

Enter an enchanted world where witches gather in Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain, skeletons dance in Saint-Saëns' Danse macabre, and trolls scamper through Grieg's In the Hall of the Mountain King. With Strauss' Death and Transfiguration and evocative works by Liadov and Sibelius, this hauntingly beautiful program will leave you spellbound. Costumes welcome!

https://www.facebook.com/events/571896185505539/

Follow this event & Colfantastic Events for all the updates and fun!
🎃 FREE Fun for the Whole Family! 🎃

👻 Kid's Costume Parade - Backwards Style!
Spectators toss candy to the kids as they strut their spooky stuff!

🚁 Parade Kickoff:
ACE Helicopters will boo-gie into town and rain down treats to start the spooktacular fun!

🚗 Trunk or Treat - Free!
No sign-up needed--just come ready to decorate your trunk and hand out goodies.

🎈 Jumpy Houses & Spooky Games - Bounce, play, and giggle the day away!

🐴 DONKEY Races - FREE!
Everything is provided--just bring your courage, balance, and best game face.
📋 Sign up here: Click to Register

🛍 Craft Vendors - Unique finds and handmade goodies!

🌮 Food Trucks & Chili Feed - Come hungry, leave happy.

🎁 Community Giving - Drop off gifts, winter gear, pop tabs, and other new unopened items for families staying at Ronald McDonald House. We'll deliver them for you!

https://www.facebook.com/events/612284008570323/

Join Uncommon Denominator for a Halloween extravaganza! They will feature new arrangements, interactive games, and a costume contest! To enter, show up in your best costume and fill out an entry form at the door. The winner will be decided by a live audience poll and prizes will be awarded!

https://www.facebook.com/events/677208765329766/

The New York Times calls it the best musical of this century. The Washington Post says, It is the kind of evening that restores your faith in musicals. And Entertainment Weekly says, Grade A: the funniest musical of all time. Jimmy Fallon of The Tonight Show calls it Genius. Brilliant. Phenomenal. It's THE BOOK OF MORMON, the nine-time Tony Award® winning Best Musical.
This outrageous musical comedy follows the adventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. With standing room only productions in London, on Broadway, and across North America, THE BOOK OF MORMON has truly become an international sensation. Contains explicit language. For more information, visit TheBookOfMormonTour.com.

https://www.facebook.com/events/701398066174640/

The New York Times calls it the best musical of this century. The Washington Post says, It is the kind of evening that restores your faith in musicals. And Entertainment Weekly says, Grade A: the funniest musical of all time. Jimmy Fallon of The Tonight Show calls it Genius. Brilliant. Phenomenal. It's THE BOOK OF MORMON, the nine-time Tony Award® winning Best Musical.
This outrageous musical comedy follows the adventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. With standing room only productions in London, on Broadway, and across North America, THE BOOK OF MORMON has truly become an international sensation. Contains explicit language. For more information, visit TheBookOfMormonTour.com.

https://www.facebook.com/events/706525548635220/

The New York Times calls it the best musical of this century. The Washington Post says, It is the kind of evening that restores your faith in musicals. And Entertainment Weekly says, Grade A: the funniest musical of all time. Jimmy Fallon of The Tonight Show calls it Genius. Brilliant. Phenomenal. It's THE BOOK OF MORMON, the nine-time Tony Award® winning Best Musical.
This outrageous musical comedy follows the adventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. With standing room only productions in London, on Broadway, and across North America, THE BOOK OF MORMON has truly become an international sensation. Contains explicit language. For more information, visit TheBookOfMormonTour.com.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1195158282158387/

SWAN LAKE BY INTERNATIONAL BALLET STARS

FRI, 7 NOV 2025 at 07:00PM CST
Ages: All Ages
Doors Open: 06:00PM

OnSale: Fri, 23 May 2025 at 10:00AM CDT
Announcement: Tue, 20 May 2025 at 10:00AM CDT

Experience the world's most in-demand ballet, Swan Lake, presented by Classical Arts Entertainment and performed by International Ballet Stars. A full-scale production features Tchaikovsky's legendary score and brings the masterpiece choreography by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov to life. Be spellbound by the iconic variation of Little Swans, Odile's 32 fouettés, and the graceful movements of the talented ballet dancers. With over 200 custom scenery pieces adding grandeur and beauty, this production promises to be a spectacular visual treat.
Featuring a brilliant cast of dancers from Italy, France, Georgia, Great Britain, Ukraine, Japan, Moldova, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan, this tour celebrates the diversity and global excellence of classical ballet.
Ballet in Two Acts with 1 Intermission. The show is family-friendly and suitable for ages 3 and up.
You can view the full company's North American Tour's route 2025-2026, Digital Playbill and FAQ on the website www.classicalarts.net.

https://www.facebook.com/events/3893641450885880/

Join us for Northwoods Starfest (NWSF), September 19/20/21, 2025, at Hobbs Observatory, located in the Beaver Creek Reserve (BCR) four miles north of Fall Creek, Wisconsin.

Registration is required...

Adults (13 and over) $115 (if received on or before 8/31/2025), $125 after that date.

Students (5 through 12) $95

Child (under 5) No charge

Full information is available at this link:
https://www.cvastro.org/northwoods-starfest/nwsf-information/

Because of NWSF, there will be no public observing on Saturday 9/20/25.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1504765567167897/

Can you believe it is our 5th Annual Fall Decor and Vintage Market?! We have been busy curating and picking all sorts of great new finds for you! Here are some details in regards to the event:

Location: E3510 State Road 29, Menomonie, WI 54751

Hours: September 20: 9-4, and September 21st 10-2

FREE ADMISSION

This is a large curated event with antiques, vintage, pumpkins, mums, fall grasses and more! All located on our parents dairy farm. We also have 15-20 handmade vendors, food trucks, music and more! We can't wait to see everyone at the sale! More details to come as we get closer to the date!

https://www.facebook.com/events/707276008683687/

Instructor: Noriko Slowinski
Sat, Sep 20, 9:00 am -1:00 pm

Dive into the exciting world of collagraph printmaking, a versatile and beginner-friendly art form that combines texture and creativity! In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to create unique printing plates using various mark making techniques. Through guided instruction, students will explore techniques for building r plates, inking, and printing using a press or hand tools. No prior experience is necessary--just bring your curiosity and a willingness to experiment. By the end of the class, you'll have your own original prints and the skills to continue exploring this fascinating medium. Cost: $75.00 per person.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1409743813503853/

Herbal Journaling & Tea Foraging Retreat

Embark on a creative journey where nature's bounty meets personal reflection. In this hands-on retreat, you will craft your very own personalized journal, explore the art of foraging for herbs, and create a soothing, custom tea blend.

Throughout this half-day experience, you'll:

Craft Your Herbal Journal:

Learn the art of handmade journal creation, where you'll design and bind a beautiful, eco-friendly journal to capture your thoughts, observations, and discoveries. The journal will serve as a personal keepsake for your herbal adventures and a space to document your foraging experiences. Journal-making will be guided by instructor Patty Wollum, who brings her love of art, crafting, and self-care to each retreat experience.

Forage for Healing Herbs:

Master Herbalist Kerri Kiernan of River Prairie Apothecary will lead a foraging walk, guiding you in identifying, connecting with, and ethically harvesting local plants with healing properties. From nutritive and cleansing roots to tangy sumac berries, you'll gain valuable knowledge on how these herbs can support your well-being.

Create Your Own Tea Blend:

After foraging, you'll select from high-quality dried herbs--prepared just for you--to craft a unique tea blend tailored to your personal tastes and wellness goals. Kerri will share her expertise in herbalism, helping you create a nourishing tea infused with intention and care.

Details:

📅 Date: September 20th, 2025

⏰ Time: 9 AM - 1 PM

💲 Cost: $65

📍 Location: Blue Sky Retreat, S15145 Franson Road, Eleva, WI (approximately 30 minutes south of Eau Claire)

🎒 What to Bring: Comfortable outdoor clothing, sturdy shoes for walking, and an open heart for creativity. All materials for journaling and tea-making will be provided.

Reconnect with nature, craft a meaningful journal, and create your own signature tea blend in this peaceful, immersive retreat. Reserve your spot today!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1178739040702717/

Join us for our fall festival. We will have local crafters in the parking lot with Live music. Fall mums will be in to decorate the outside of your home. Fall planting class through out the day. More details to come

https://www.facebook.com/events/1417031272678342/

For all who like steel guitar this is going to be a fun steel guitar event. I will be on the show with a bunch of new songs I have written. Make your plans to be there.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1460038132095275/