Minnesota Marine Art Museum to Feature ‘Underwater Dogs’

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On top of one of the finest collections of art in the region, featuring the likes of Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet and Georgia O’Keeffe, the Minnesota Marine Art Museum (MMAM) in Winona, MN, offers unique, temporary exhibitions all based around the theme of “great art inspired by water.” Opening August 23, 2019 and running through January 5, 2020 is Seth Casteel: Underwater Dogs, an exciting exhibition of photography featuring man’s best friend. 

Seth Casteel is an American photographer best known for his beloved images of dogs underwater. His early images of dogs went viral and led to his book Underwater Dogs, which became a New York Times Bestseller and the best selling photography book of 2012. This will be the first museum exhibition of his popular images. 

MMAM’s monthly Mississippi Sippin’, a happy hour held every Tuesday from 4:30-6:30 through September on the museum’s riverfront featuring beer, wine and food, will be rebranded “Mississippi Sippin (and Slurpin’)” during the exhibition. The August 27, September 3, 10, 17 and 24 events will be dog friendly, the museum encourages participants to bring their dogs and enjoy the riverfront. While the humans sip a beverage, the four legged friends can slurp water and enjoy a treat.. 

For more information, go to www.mmam.org/dogs. 

There is always something new to experience at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, your nonprofit art museum that engages visitors in meaningful visual art experiences through education and exhibitions that explore the ongoing and historic human relationship with water. It is located at 800 Riverview Drive in Winona and is surrounded by acres of native prairie gardens along the Mississippi River. Gallery and MMAM Store hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 10am – 5pm. 

Beyond the Sword at Castlerock

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On Saturday, August 24th at 2pm, Thomas Peters and Derek Olson will give a presentation on “Beyond the Sword: The ‘Tools’ of Medieval Warfare” at Castlerock Museum in Alma, Wisconsin.

Close your eyes and imagine a medieval warrior facing down his enemies on the battlefield. His armor wrapping around protecting his body, a shield gripped tight in one hand and in the other hand, ready to strike . . . wait a minute, that’s not a sword!

Swords are the quintessential romantic weapon of the medieval knight, but could there be other options to wield? Could those options create advantages and outcomes preferable to the blade? What is different about combat involving maces, flails or polearms and where did these weapons evolve from? If the weather permits, there will be a short demo in the museum courtyard showing these “tools” of warfare in action.

Thomas Peters and Derek Olson are medieval reenactors; they have been studying, portraying, and teaching the realities of medieval history and warfare together since the mid 1990’s. This has included hands on experience with many types of medieval weaponry. They believe the sword is an important touchstone to history, but the reliance on it as the sole symbol of the medieval knight is short sighted.

Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for students. Museum members receive a 50% discount. Seating is limited. Registrations are not required but appreciated. Contact the museum at 608-685-4231 or info@castlerockmuseum.com for more details.

Summer Days Sidewalk Sale and Street Dance to Celebrate Summer Downtown

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The Annual Downtown Summer Days Sidewalk Sale has 3 Big Days of Savings from August 1st – 3rd, 2019. The event starts at 8 AM on Thursday, August 1, 9 AM on Friday, August 2, and 10 AM on August 3, 2019. This is our signature Summer Sidewalk Sale event. Come downtown August 1st through the 3rd to find crazy savings, ridiculous deals, sidewalk activities, and more! There will also be a street dance on Pearl Street on August 2, 2019 from 5 pm to 9 pm with music from SELLOUT, Sky Band, and a performance from ClogJam! We invite the entire community to join us to dance the night away. This event is made possible by AARP of Wisconsin, People’s Food- Co-op and Downtown Mainstreet, Inc.

For more information, please contact Robin Moses at robon.moses@lacrossedowntown.com.

Free Nature-Themed Yoga Program at the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge

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Join us for a free adult yoga class at the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge taught by Rylee Hedberg. Rylee is a 230 hour certified yoga instructor and co-owner of I AM YOGA studio in La Crosse. Her passion is to offer yoga to all experience levels and backgrounds to help create an inclusive community. The class is welcome to all levels of yogis, ranging from absolute beginners to advanced! The class will be held inside the Outdoor Wonders Learning Center. After class, we will be offering iced tea and lemonade on the observation deck to sip while watching the sunset. Experience a night of complete relaxation with yoga and the outdoors. 

Details Include: 

When: Tuesday August 13, 2019, 7:00pm-8:30pm 

Where: Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge- The Outdoor Wonders Learning Classroom 

What to bring: Yoga mat, comfortable clothes, water 

How to register: Registration is required to provide the best quality experience to participants. Please contact Nicole at 608-779-2230 or krueger.nicole@uwlax.edu to reserve your spot. 

For more information, contact the La Crosse District Office at (608) 779-2399 or visit the Visitor Center, located at N5727 County Road Z, Onalaska, WI. Visitor center hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (February – November.) The center is closed on Sundays and all Federal holidays. Information on the Refuge may also be found on the Refuge’s webpage: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/upper_mississippi_river/.

8 Spots for Family Fun in La Crosse County

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La Crosse and its surrounding communities are rich in recreation and entertainment opportunities. But, in many cases, it’s not just limited to adults. Kids love La Crosse County, too! Here are eight local spots to maximize your family fun.  

Children’s Museum of La Crosse

With rotating exhibits and generous donors, the Children’s Museum always has something new in store for kids and their families. Play pretend, work out some wiggles, and have some old fashioned, hands-on fun at this La Crosse staple. 

La Crosse Queen

This iconic Riverboat, which docks in Riverside Park, will wow your youngsters with its giant paddlewheel. Enjoy a step back in time on a variety of Mississippi River cruises. A great family option is the relaxed, 1.5-hour Pizza Cruise, a late afternoon ride that features—you guessed it—free pizza! 

Rainbow Ridge Farms

Does your family love farm animals? They’re nice and friendly at Rainbow Ridge Farms in Onalaska. If you’re coming from out of town, the on-site bed & breakfast has Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and other modern amenities you need to keep kids comfortable. Outside, the goats steal the show—even joining visitors on hikes and for yoga! 

Shefelbine Orchards and Pumpkin Patch

Home of the RiverBelle and Pazazz apples with plenty more kinds of apples and pumpkins, Shefelbine is a family-owned pick-your-own operation located in the beautiful Holmen Countryside. 

Kids Coulee at Myrick Park

There are many wonderful parks in La Crosse County, but younger children really love Kids Coulee. With every kind of nook and cranny you can imagine, the wood structures give the feel of unlimited forts and promote imaginative play. The nearby marsh offers trails and wildlife that are a nice alternative for older children and adults, as well. 

La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway

If your family likes lively crowds and high-speed action, take them to the La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway in West Salem. With weekly Friday night races, this NASCAR-sanctioned asphalt track provides an evening of super-fast fun. Families are encouraged to visit their favorite racers in the pit, play on the playground, and enjoy the discounted rate of the Family Pass.

La Crescent Applefest

Known as “The Apple Capital of Minnesota,” La Crescent’s annual festival boasts delicious apples from area orchards. Young and old will like the apple-inspired treats, live music, orchard tours, and King Apple Parade. School age kids will also get a kick out of the carnival rides, kiddie parade, Big Wheel races, pedal tractor pull, and the Little King/Little Miss program. 

Hidden Trails Corn Maze

Located just five miles east of La Crosse, Wisconsin on Highway 16, Hidden Trails Corn Maze is just a short drive from anywhere in the tri-state area. Getting lost in the maze is fun, but there is also plenty of other activities that include pumpkin patches, wagon rides, farm animals, and more!

Disclaimer: This is just my perspective on La Crosse County events, businesses and activities. I’m only one local opinion. Explore the rest of the site to learn more on those that I’ve missed.

Sara Walters

Writer

Sara Walters is a writer, mom and marketing professional. She lives in La Crescent, MN with her husband and two daughters, Caroline and Maggie. Visit Sara’s website at creativecontentandconsulting.com.

International Owl Awareness Day Celebration August 3

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Celebrate and learn about owls with a full day of programs and fun on August 3 in Houston, MN. In addition to the Eurasian Eagle Owl, Great Horned Owl, American Barn Owl and red morph Eastern Screech-Owl who work at the International Owl Center, you’ll also get to see and learn about Quarry Hill Nature Center’s tiny Northern Saw-whet Owl and Oxbow Park’s Barred Owl and gray morph Eastern Screech-Owl.

You’ll also find a plethora of owl items for sale, including owl cookies you can decorate yourself, owl face painting, a scavenger hunt around town and more. There will also be a special exhibition of extremely lifelike owl carvings by Robin Warburton.

Most activities take place at Houston Elementary School, two blocks south of the International Owl Center in Houston. Admission is $7 for adults, $4 for ages 4-17, and free for members and ages 3 and under. Find full details at www.InternationalOwlCenter.org.

Driftless Music Festival Announces Closing Act for 2019

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For nearly 30 years the internationally-known Brotherhood Singers have thrilled audiences with their old-style a cappella gospel quartet performances. They will be the closing act at this year’s Driftless Music Festival on Saturday, July 13 at Eckhart Park in Viroqua. Admission to the event is free.

The Singers, who specialize in intricate and engaging four-part harmonies, weave together a program of both spiritual and secular music, including patriotic and rhythm and blues songs. The ensemble’s founder, Ric Jennings, indicates the group’s aim is to produce music that is “pleasing to the taste buds of the Soul.”  The five-voice quartet (one lead and four harmony vocalists) emerged out of the renowned Ninth Street Baptist Church Men’s Choir of Covington, Kentucky, and modeled itself in the tradition of groups like The Dixie Hummingbirds and The Golden Gate Quartet. The group’s infectious energy has charmed audiences throughout the country and abroad, in churches, secular music venues, music festivals and television spots in the U.S., as well as in Canada, Russia, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland and Spain.

“It’s really hard to find a quartet rooted so deeply in the old-school “jubilee” tradition—so we are very pleased to have landed this premier upbeat group to close this year’s Festival,” indicated DMF organizer Charlie Knower. The Brotherhood Singers will take the Music Festival stage at 8:30 p.m.

Other performers at the event include:
1:00 p.m. The Yellowbellied Sapsuckers, who bring a brand-new take on old-time country—original songs and fiddle tunes inspired by classic hillbilly and old-time fiddling traditions.

2:30 p.m. Honky-Tonk Jump, with classic and classy swingin’ Texas dance hall music in the tradition of Bob Wills, Milton Brown, Ernest Tubb and Spade Cooley, spiced up with a sprinkling of Hank Williams.

4:00 p.m. Orquesta-MAS (Madison All Stars). Thirteen salsa-inspired musicians with roots in Central and South America fill the stage with silky-smooth and irresistibly addictive Latin Rhythms.

6:30 p.m. Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal. “If James Brown and Otis Redding had a love child, it would be Josh Hoyer”—a huge sound that is flashy and bold, but with a wild energy directed by skill and control.

The grounds will open at 12:00 noon for lunch at the Fest’s Food Court, which features wood-fired pizza; Jamaican fare; tacos; burgers, brats, hotdogs and other sandwiches; kettle corn, strawberry shortcake and smoothies, and other dessert offerings, all with an emphasis on local food sources. The Driftless Music Festival, now in its 8th year, is a family-friendly event, and, as always, admission is free. More information about the Fest is available at driftlessmusicfestival.com or by email to driftlessmusicfestival@gmail.com.

Cheech’s Deecefest Family Music Festival Announces Line Up for July 2019

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Deece Productions has released the inaugural Cheech’s Deecefest Family Music Festival Line-Up. The festival, taking place July 26-28 at Creekside Grill and Pub and Bluebird Springs Campground, is a family music festival and will feature over 30 of the Midwest’s finest musicians, a magic show, vendors, and artists (children 10 and under are free).
Friday Creekside Stage
4:00pm -5:00pm Luke and Cheech Show
5:30pm -6:30pm Mr. Blink
7:00pm -8:00pm Mark Joseph and the American Soul perform Paul Simon’s Graceland
8:30pm -10:00pm Gregg Hall and The Wrecking Ball Live album
10:30pm -11:30pm The Crush Brothers Reed Grimm, Heatbox, Mark Joseph, Alex Steele)
11:30pm -1:00am Super Deece
Friday Bluebird Springs Stage
7:00pm -8:00pm Pinch Hitters
8:30pm -9:30pm Side Pork
10:00pm -11:00pm Actual Size
Saturday Creekside Stage
10:30am -11:00am -Mike and Gregg from The 3 Dads
11:15am-12:15pm -Dan the Magic Man
12:30pm-1:30pm -Deece Productions Student Review
2:00pm-3:00pm -Flibbertijibbet
3:30pm-4:30pm  -Spaceheaters
5:00pm-6:00pm -Handsome Animals
6:30pm-7:30pm -Neil Young Tribute featuring the Garden of Eatin’ Family Band
8:00pm-9:30pm -Gregg Hall and the Wrecking Ball celebrates John Prine
10:00pm-11:30pm -Mitgee Evers
Saturday Creekside Acoustic Bar Stage
1:30pm-2:00pm -Joe Cody
3:00pm-3:30pm -Kaleb Harris
4:30pm-5:00pm -Ryan Howe
6:00pm-6:30pm -Cheeba (Chubba and Cheech)
7:30pm-8:00pm -Bri and the Boys
9:30pm-10:00pm -Scott Wilcox
Saturday Bluebird Springs Stage
6:00pm-7:00pm -John Caucutt
7:00pm-8:00pm -Laser Wolf
8:30pm-9:30pm -Dan Berger and Friends
10:00pm-11:00pm -Tommy Bentz Band
 
Sunday Bluebird Springs Stage
11:30 am-12:30pm -A tribute to the Allman Brothers Band (Tommy Bentz Band, Jimbo Zill, and Matt Becker)
Featured Musicians
The Crush Brothers
The Crush Brothers is a super group of Minneapolis musicians including Heatbox, Mark Joseph (the Big Wu), Alex Steele (Roster Mccabe) and La Crosse’s very own UW-La Crosse graduate and American Idol finalist Reed Grimm.
Reed Grimm
Reed is a UW-La Crosse graduate who place fourteenth in 2012’s American Idol, this experience brought Reed many opportunities to travel and perform for concertgoers around the world including multiple trips overseas to entertain members of the US Military. With the help of a successful Kickstarter he released his debut solo album “Reminders” in April of 2018.
“Developed, Mature, Artistic, and Unpredictable”– Alan Ross of WPR
“Genius! Extraordinary!” – Steven Tyler of Aerosmith
Gregg “Cheech” Hall
Gregg is the founder of Deece Productions, songwriter, author, and promoter has been a staple in the Midwest music scene for 20 years.
“Hall is known for his ubiquitous presence on the La Crosse music scene. Besides promoting, playing in and organizing events like the Moon Tunes Woodstock show and countless tribute concerts, Hall fronts Gregg Hall and The Wrecking Ball and tours with “The Voice” finalist Nicholas David and the White Iron Band as well as performing numerous solo and not-so-solo acoustic gigs” -Randy Erickson La Crosse Tribune
Weekend passes and shuttle bus tickets for Friday and Saturday nights are on sale on the Pearl Street Brewery app pearlstreetbrewery.com/app/,deeceproductions.com, Deaf Ear Records, Garden of Eatin, Instrument Repair of La Crosse, 4 Sisters Bar, Old Towne Strings, and Tree Hugger’s Coop.
Overnight camping is available at Bluebird Campground and is $5 for single camping ticket holders and private and RV sites are available by phone at 608-781-2267. Children 10 and under are free.
About Deecefest & Deece Productions
Specializing in concert promotion and events, Deece Productions has put on countless tribute shows, featured many local songwriters and bands, along with one of the biggest shows of the year, the Moon Tunes ‘Woodstock in the Park’ finale at Riverside Park. Deece Productions also supports the La Crosse County community playing benefits for local charities like WAFER and the Local Lupus Foundation, injured bikers, cancer patients, flood victims, and the Rotary Club of La Crosse.  Proceeds from Deecefest will benefit the Boys and Girls Club Guitar Academy and the Town of Medary Fun Days.
Media Contact
Gregg Hall
Owner/Organizer
Deece Productions

Mississippi Valley Mayhem presents roller derby Tournament July 13-14

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Mississippi Valley Mayhem (MVM) will host four bouts Saturday and Sunday July 13-14, 2019 at the Onalaska Omni Center.  “1,000 Miles of Roller Derby,” so named for the collective number of miles teams are travelling to the LaCrosse area, features roller derby leagues from four northern states.  Twitch, 10-year MVM veteran and Interleague Director explains, “Four bouts, 3 visiting teams, 2 days of epic action! We’ve never done anything like this before.”

MVM plays MedCity Mafia of Rochester, MN at 7:30 pm on Saturday, and the Bisman Bombshellz of Bismark, ND at 11:00 am on Sunday.  Doors open at 5 pm on Saturday and 8:3o am Sunday, with Dead River Derby (DRD) of Marquette, MI taking on Bisman at 5:30 Saturday night and MedCity at 9 am Sunday.

This is the first matchup between neighboring rivals MVM and MedCity in over three years, and an exciting new opportunity to play teams from North Dakota and Michigan.  All four teams play in Division 3 of the Women’s Flat Track Toller Derby Association, and began the season very close in rankings.  This weekend marks the end of the 2019 season for both MVM and MedCity, while Bisman and DRD have seasons running through September.  MVM will be boasting a full roster, including Blazin’ Betty coming off the disabled list as a blocker in time to end Season 11, and coach Lightning Thrash taking the track against her former teammates.

As a non-profit organization, MVM is proud to donate 30% of our ticket sales to community partners.  The featured community beneficiary for July is New Horizons Shelter and Outreach Centers

Mississippi Valley Mayhem exists to promote the sport of women’s flat track roller derby in the Midwest, help local charities and organizations and create positive female role models in our community. The league is open to all qualified participants who meet membership requirements.

Mississippi Valley Mayhem (MVM) is an all-female, flat track roller derby league based in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Founded in August 2008, the league consists of a single team which competes against other teams from leagues in the surrounding region, and is one of the many teams worldwide representing Division 3 of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association(WFTDA).

There’s A Charming Village Of Shops Hiding In Wisconsin And You’ve Got To Visit

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If you’re looking for a completely unique day trip destination, look no further than the Village Shops at Down A Country Road. Just as the name implies, it’s a group of shops in a remote locale. But what the name doesn’t tell you is how incredibly charming the shops are. Or that they carry a great mix of merchandise, which includes Amish goods, locally-made items, and unique wares from national markets.

A true hidden gem, the Village Shops At Down A Country Road are tucked away in the heart of Wisconsin’s largest Amish community. More specifically, they are located along Highway 33 near the small town of Cashton. Offering a unique shopping experience, “the village” includes a mix of colorful shops. There are seven stores altogether, and they carry an assortment of merchandise as colorful as the stores themselves.

Just as you’d expect, there’s an Amish store, where you’ll find a wide variety of handcrafted treasures made by local Amish families. If it’s great eats you’re after, you won’t be disappointed with Emma’s Kitchen. Step inside, and you’ll find a wide variety of goodies, like jams and jellies, noodles, home-made candies, honey products, maple syrup, pancake and bread mixes, and other food products. Younger visitors will surely appreciate Country Corner Ice Cream Shoppe and Kinner Korner Children’s Shop, which carries an array of furniture, toys, and gifts for the wee ones. The village also includes several gift shops, where you’ll find all sorts of unique wares and one-of-a-kind items – some of which are sourced from markets around the country.

So, are you ready to pay a visit to this charming group of shops? The Village Shops at Down a Country Road is open May through October. For more information, call (608) 654-5318. You can also visit the Village Shops website or Facebook page.