WPR Music, Arts & Culture calendar

Back by popular demand! Based on Dahl’s beloved classic, this captivating musical follows a brilliant little girl with extraordinary powers who refuses to let her cruel parents or a tyrannical headmistress hold her back. Armed with a sharp mind, a vivid imagination, and a bit of magic, Matilda dares to take a stand and rewrite […]

Enjoy a spectacular show at the La Crosse Community Theatre! In Ken Ludwig’s Lend me a Tenor, Saunders, the general manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company, is primed to welcome world-famous singer Tito Merelli, known as II Stupendo. The greatest tenor of his generation set to appear for one night only, as the star […]

Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy By Kate Hamill Based Loosely on the Novel by Bram Stoker Directed by Mary Trotter Bouncing between horror and humor, Kate Hamill’s adaptation of Bram Stoker’s seminal novel is a thrilling play that questions who the true monsters are. When your survival is at stake…will you be able to distinguish […]

Join us for a spine-chilling musical experience as spooky season begins. METUS—Latin for “agitation” or “fear”—will take you on a sonically eerie journey through repertoire that explores discomfort, frightening creatures, and even the confrontation of death itself. Free parking is available at the Lincoln Center for the Arts. Under the direction of Dr. Paul Thompson, […]

A concert of works for horn with string trio, wind quintet, and oboe, will be presented at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, ELCA, on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at 3 p.m. The concert will feature works by Mike Keegan, Michael Haydn, Beethoven, and August Klughardt.

The UW-Milwaukee Youth Wind and Percussion Ensembles program (“UWAY”) will present a concert of chamber ensemble pieces and repertoire for a large, symphonic wind-band. UWAY musicians are enrolled in grades eight through twelve and are actively involved in their school band/music program. Artist-faculty from the Peck School of the Arts at UW-Milwaukee lead UWAY rehearsals […]

With more than 40 sets of larger-than-life lantern displays, Boerner Botanical Garden in Whitnall Park will be transformed into a magical forest for this 2025 season! Complimentary live stage entertainment is included in the admission daily. The performance hours are 6:30pm, 7:30pm, and 9:00pm. Each show lasts for about 30 minutes. Stage performance might be […]

As the culmination of their fall tour, the Violent Femmes will play a special “Evening with the Violent Femmes” show in their hometown of Milwaukee where they will perform their first two albums in their entirety. Violent Femmes formed in 1981 as an acoustic punk band playing on the streets of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Their main […]

World Class Brass Quintet musical group adding humor, showmanship and audience interaction. The vibrant performance combine classical, opera,jazz,pop and latin styles into an dynamic theatrical concert experience

Join the AVB Community Band for the second concert of its 44th season on Monday, Oct. 20, with an evening entitled “Mystery & Wonder” beginning at 7 p.m. at the beautiful Ashwaubenon Performing Arts Center (PAC), 2391 S. Ridge Road in Ashwaubenon. Doors open at 6 p.m. Admission is at no charge, with donations appreciated […]

Experience the sound of today with UWM’s Pop Ensemble! This powerhouse group of students delivers a vibrant mix of pop, soul, and modern rock in a concert that highlights the creativity and artistry of student musicians. A must-see for fans of live commercial music! The UWM Pop Ensemble is a chamber ensemble that focuses on […]

With more than 40 sets of larger-than-life lantern displays, Boerner Botanical Garden in Whitnall Park will be transformed into a magical forest for this 2025 season! Complimentary live stage entertainment […]

At Paint Nite, you’ll party AND paint the night away. Choose your painting, grab your favorite people and come on out to Birchwood Grill in Kenosha this an upcoming day […]

Local history author Andrea Nolen will speak at Leopold’s Books, Bar, Caffe on Oct 21, 2025 from 6-8 PM. “Lincoln’s Counterfeiters” chronicles the rise and fall of a counterfeiting gang […]

Join WPR for an evening of supporting local music and local radio with our Pint-Sized Concert. WPR is bringing live classical music to local venues. Join us for an evening […]

Herbie – Keys Terence Blanchard – Trumpet James Genus – Bass Lionel Loueke – Guitar & Vocals Jaylen Petinaud – Drums Herbie Hancock is a true icon of modern music. […]

Explore an amazing selection of $1 paperbacks, $2 hardbacks, and higher-priced treasures. Don’t miss your chance to snag gently-used books at unbeatable prices!

Lori Fredrich will share the inspiration behind Wisconsin Field to Fork, a unique cookbook which weaves the stories of local farmers with 70 chef-driven recipes using Wisconsin-grown ingredients. She’ll also […]

Noon Hour Philosophers – 2025 Fall Schedule Fascinating speakers on diverse subjects of community interest, free and open to the public Meets at First English Lutheran Church 326 E. North […]

Get ready for laughs, learning, and a whole lot of “eww!” as author CHRISTINE VIRNIG dives into the stinkiest, slimiest, and most surprising jobs from history featured in her book […]

With more than 40 sets of larger-than-life lantern displays, Boerner Botanical Garden in Whitnall Park will be transformed into a magical forest for this 2025 season! Complimentary live stage entertainment […]

Join WPR and the CWSO Bassoon Ensemble for an evening of classical favorites, pop covers and craft brews. We’ll be at Uncommon Pints from 6-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 22. […]

During a time of the year when everyone is using makeup to look as spooky or outlandish as possible, we thought we’d go in a different direction. Local makeup artist, […]

Join Wisconsin Public Radio with “Drivetime Classics” host Jason Heilman for an evening of classical music featuring young musicians in Milwaukee. Spend the evening celebrating and supporting classical music performed by some of the great young talent from the Milwaukee area. The performance will be in Allen-Bradley Hall, a unique opportunity for both performers and […]

Join Tergar Madison for a 5-week hybrid workshop designed to make meditation enriching and accessible from anywhere. This program will guide you through the essential topics of awareness, compassion, and wisdom, blending traditional teachings with modern insights. The workshop will be led by Scott Anderson, an experienced meditator and teacher who combines his expertise in […]

Baby Man, the new album by Fruit Bats, is like nothing else in Grammy-nominated songwriter Eric D. Johnson’s catalog. Little in the arc of his career—including Fruit Bats’ evolution from home recording project to rollicking roadshow, his solo output, and his work with Bonny Light Horseman—points the way to this album, in which his only […]

Middleton Community Orchestra Fall Concert October 22, 2025 Ryan Tani, MCO principal conductor Come meet Ryan Tani, associate conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony and here our beautiful Fall concert. https://middletoncommunityorchestra.org/ https://mailchi.mp/61e7b5ac70ad/mco_10222025 Fall Concert: October 22, 2025 Middleton Performing Arts Center 7:30 pm Tickets $20 at the door and at Willy St. Coop West. Students admitted […]

Sebastian Smee (art critic, The Washington Post) will speak about how Impressionism, a movement which most of us rightly associate with light and color and beauty, actually came out of a […]

The UW-La Crosse Art Department hosts its 2025 Open House on Thursday, October 23 from 5 to 7 p.m. in various locations in the Truman T. Lowe Center for the […]

You and your furry friends can embark on a delightful stroll through Hilldale and enjoy activities plus specials from your favorite shops and restaurants. • The first 50 dogs to […]

With more than 40 sets of larger-than-life lantern displays, Boerner Botanical Garden in Whitnall Park will be transformed into a magical forest for this 2025 season! Complimentary live stage entertainment […]

Does place change us? Author Christina Clancy’s new novel, The Snowbirds, explores a Midwestern couple’s attempt to work on their relationship and trade the harsh midwestern winter for sunshine and […]

Whether you’re an aspiring author, avid illustrator, or thoughtful gift-giver, it’s hard to beat handmade books. This introduction to coptic stitch binding includes a travel-sized toolkit (to keep!) so that […]

Most people in our community know that we have a housing problem. Prices are up, options are limited, and solutions seem hard to come by. Trying to make sense of […]

Slangin’ songs, spittin’ fire, and sangin’ sweetly, Sugar Ransom returns home to perform in Milwaukee on Oct 23rd at Falcon Hall with Caley Conway and Shawn Alan Hurd. Having moved […]

The Erika Quam Memorial Theater in Shell Lake presents the play, “Freud’s Last Session” by Mark St. Germain. The play portrays a meeting between Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis. They […]

Sometimes, laughter really is the best medicine. This is what Mary Catherine Starr learned back in 2020 when she started making comics about motherhood and sharing them to Instagram. Five […]

Join us for an evening of jazz featuring the UWM Jazz Ensemble, the UWM Afro-Caribbean Jazz Orchestra and the UWM Youth Jazz Ensemble (UJAY). The UWM Jazz Ensemble focuses on […]

The Verona Area Concert Band and Verona Area Wind Symphony will both perform a concert on Thursday, October 23rd from 7:30 – 9:00pm at the Verona Area High School Performing […]

Get ready for an unforgettable night of harmony, humor, and high-energy entertainment as Home Free brings their Jukebox Tour to stages across the country! This one-of-a-kind tour puts the setlist […]

**Every Friday through November** Cave of the Mounds is thrilled to announce the launch of its exclusive Blacklight & Brews Tour, an enchanting and unforgettable experience designed for adults. This […]

Round Trip — Jake Stevenson , Michael Schmidt , Drake Millhausen , and Walker Macmillan — a four piece Indie-Groove band hailing out of Boston MA blend eclectic songwriting and […]

With more than 40 sets of larger-than-life lantern displays, Boerner Botanical Garden in Whitnall Park will be transformed into a magical forest for this 2025 season! Complimentary live stage entertainment […]

In October, the veil between our world and the next grows thin at Old World Wisconsin… watch as supernatural tales brought from cultures the world over come to life before […]

Catch a glimpse of the richness and variety of contemporary South Asian women’s poetry and see new connections between women’s experiences in the U.S and the wider world. Co-editors Drs. […]

Experience thrills and chills with two 30-minute radio plays performed by live actors with sound effects! We’ll start with Blast Off: Tales from Outer Space — a 1950s-style science fiction […]

Free Instrumental/Modern Classical solo pianist performing all original compositions on a Young Chang grand piano in The Drake Piano Bar. Free Parking. Handcrafted drinks and local food available for purchase.

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 […]

The Erika Quam Memorial Theater in Shell Lake presents the play, “Freud’s Last Session” by Mark St. Germain. The play portrays a meeting between Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis. They […]

Country star David Nail brings his heartfelt hits and powerful vocals to the stage for an unforgettable night of music!

Building upon the success and energy of “Kill Tony”, “Killers of Kill Tony” showcases the diverse talent pool of comedians who have graced the stage of the original podcast with […]

Gather for a beautiful show with beloved Midwestern indie singer-songwriter Pieta Brown, accompanied by masterful bassist Liz Draper (known for her work with Low, Iris Dement, and many others)! Audiences […]

Dare to enter the most feared haunted woods in central Wisconsin? There is a place, far worse than any nightmare, and it’s now open to the public. Happens on the […]

Concert 2 – Hungarian Rhapsody Friday, October 24, 2025 @ 7:30 PM Cappella Performing Arts Center Magdalena Sas, cello | Mary Ellen Haupert, piano | Michelle Elliott, violin | Maritsa Rosamilia, viola PROGRAM Hungarian Rhapsody for Cello and Piano, Op. 68 by David Popper Sonata for Cello and Piano, Op. 4 by Zoltan Kodály Piano Quartet No. 2 […]

Poems and conversation with current Wisconsin Poet Laureate, Brenda Cárdenas, moderated by Max Garland.

Go with the flow, Milwookie! You know them. You love them. You missed them. Widespread Panic is BACK in 2025! We’re welcoming them with open arms for another three night residency at the Riverside Theater on October 24th-26th. Mark your calendar and get all the deets below! Here’s what you need to know: Tickets are […]

Experience thrills and chills with two 30-minute radio plays performed by live actors with sound effects! We’ll start with Blast Off: Tales from Outer Space — a 1950s-style science fiction episode featuring a spy mission, space warriors, blob creatures, evil aliens and more! Following a brief intermission will be The Twitshyre Murder Case — a […]

Learn the art of blacksmithing at Wade House!  Strike while the iron is hot, hear the “clang” of the hammer and feel the heat from the forge as you learn the art of blacksmithing in our 1860s-era Dockstader Blacksmith Shop at Wade House. During your forging tutorial, you’ll shape unique knives from various materials and […]

Marcie Rendon, a celebrated member of the White Earth Nation and award‑winning playwright and poet, will delve into the creation of her breakout character, Cash Blackbear—a tough, intuitive young Ojibwe woman whose roots in rural 1970s Minnesota have resonated deeply with Midwestern readers. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of Rendon’s process for crafting authentic Native […]

Saturday, October 25th, from 12 to 5 pm. Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 25th, from 12 to 5 pm, as the Art Department at UW-Madison hosts their annual Fall Open House. This event is FREE and invites prospective students interested in studying at UW-Madison and the general public to interact and celebrate the Art […]

From Iwo Jima to Vietnam, Dickey Chapelle reported from the front lines of the world’s most consequential struggles for freedom, fearlessly pursuing the truth no matter how deeply buried. Unlike many of her peers who blindly believed the government’s line, Dickey insisted on witnessing world events with her own eyes even if that meant marching […]

The Marathon County Historical Society is proud to welcome Brett Barker as our guest speaker for its History Speaks series at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the Woodson History Center (410 McIndoe Street, Wausau). Two hundred years ago the Erie Canal was completed, a 363-mile waterway that connected the Great Lakes and […]

Harjani will share her deeply personal journey as a caregiver—a path that ultimately led to the creation of her powerful book, Postcards from Within: Random Ramblings of an Ordinary Human. Reflecting on the emotional, practical, and spiritual lessons learned through caregiving, Harjani will reveal how the experience shaped her perspective and her writing. Through stories […]

Join the Friends of Devil’s Lake State Park for our annual Halloween Extravaganza! From 4-6 pm, we’ll have free pumpkin carving and kid’s crafts. As dusk falls, join us for a family-friendly torchlit hike followed by a bonfire, hot cocoa, and so much s’mores! Costumes welcome! Events take place at the Rock Elm Shelter (North […]

Liz Pelly is the author of Mood Machine, a critical investigation into the origins of Spotify and the impacts of streaming on music and culture. Drawing on over 100 interviews with musicians and industry insiders, Pelly’s book takes readers to the inner workings of today’s highly consolidated record business, showing what has changed as music […]

**Every Saturday through November** Unique Experience to explore the Cave of the Mounds by Black Light. Watch the cave glow under UV Light. You will learn about ultraviolet light, fluorescence, and see the speleothems GLOW! The tour price includes a black light rental and a guided tour of Cave of the Mounds. Tickets are non-refundable. […]

This program by an unusual trio of duo harpsichord, lute, and recorder, focuses on a collection of suites composed in 1724 by François Couperin. Also included are works by Denis Gaultier, Domenico Scarlatti, Arcangelo Corelli, and the Canzoni by Vincenzo Pellegrini.

Platteville’s spookiest Halloween tradition returns with ghost miners around every corner! Descend 50 feet underground, deep into the past, and experience a mine illuminated by candles and lantern light as you discover historical truths that are stranger than fiction. We dare you to visit Platteville’s most popular underground Halloween event! Prepare for a one-of-a-kind experience!

Magoo is a progressive bluegrass quartet based in Denver, CO, redefining the boundaries of traditional bluegrass with a fresh, contemporary approach. Known for their electrifying live performances, the band creates a unique experience that blends extended improvisations, intricate original arrangements, and tight three-part harmonies. Their foot-stomping grooves and energetic stage presence leave audiences both inspired […]

Please join book festival volunteers and supporters to celebrate the end of our 26th Chippewa Valley Book Festival. We will be gathering in the venue space at Leona’s Pizzeria in downtown Eau Claire. Pizza and beverages will be available for purchase, but camaraderie will be included free of charge. No registration is required. Doors open […]

With more than 40 sets of larger-than-life lantern displays, Boerner Botanical Garden in Whitnall Park will be transformed into a magical forest for this 2025 season! Complimentary live stage entertainment is included in the admission daily. The performance hours are 6:30pm, 7:30pm, and 9:00pm. Each show lasts for about 30 minutes. Stage performance might be […]

In October, the veil between our world and the next grows thin at Old World Wisconsin… watch as supernatural tales brought from cultures the world over come to life before your very eyes for an eerie evening of Halloween-themed spook-tacular activities! Explore the historic Crossroads Village after nightfall for a spirited, one-of-a-kind adventure full of […]

North America’s largest interactive comedy murder mystery dinner theatre show is now playing in Madison, WI! Solve a hilarious true crime murder mystery while you feast on a fantastic dinner. Just beware! The culprit is hiding in plain sight somewhere in the room, and you may find yourself as a Prime Suspect before you know […]

Experience thrills and chills with two 30-minute radio plays performed by live actors with sound effects! We’ll start with Blast Off: Tales from Outer Space — a 1950s-style science fiction episode featuring a spy mission, space warriors, blob creatures, evil aliens and more! Following a brief intermission will be The Twitshyre Murder Case — a […]

Cave After Dark Presents; BRAVE THE CAVE!!! Unleash your inner ghoul and celebrate Halloween early in the depths of the Cave! This adults-only event will feature LIVE MUSIC echoing through the cave chambers, creating an atmosphere as thrilling as it is eerie. Enjoy a drinks and snack before heading into the Cave. Revel in the […]

The Bluff Country Tale Spinners slither back onto the Pump House stage with more Tales of the Creepy and Scary. Stories of mysterious figures, unfortunate events, and creaking floorboards will raise the hair on the back of your neck. It may be best to bring a friend to hold your hand and keep watch for […]

UnSpoken brings their hits to support CupOJoy. One show only at 7pm in Cup3. This will be a ticketed Benefit for CupOJoy to help us raise funds to support the mission of CupOJoy. So come and support big. Thank you to our many business sponsors.

GREEN APPLE HOMECOMING featuring Steam Machine in concert at Mosquito Hill Nature Center (N3880 Rogers Rd., New London, WI) at 7 PM. Admission $15, children 12 and under $5. Steam Machine is a first rate touring old time and bluegrass group, based in Minneapolis that includes David Robinson and AJ Srubas. David and AJ both […]

The RUSH Tribute Project is an homage to one of the most enduring and influential bands in rock music. Combining skilled musicianship with exciting performances, The RUSH Tribute Project (known as RTP to its dedicated fanbase) delivers the magic of Rush’s famous live concerts. Covering all 40-plus years of Rush’s amazing career, RTP painstakingly recreates […]

The MacDowell Music Club presents Bonita Rose, acclaimed pianist, in concert on October 25, 2025, at the Woman’s Club in Janesville, WI. The concert begins at 7:00 p.m. There is no admission charge and free-will offerings will be accepted. Following the concert all are invited to a reception in honor of Bonita Rose. Benita Rose won […]

Dare to enter the most feared haunted woods in central Wisconsin? There is a place, far worse than any nightmare, and it’s now open to the public. Happens on the […]

The Erika Quam Memorial Theater in Shell Lake presents the play, “Freud’s Last Session” by Mark St. Germain. The play portrays a meeting between Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis. They discuss important topics such as religion, death, and humor. October 23 – 25 at 7 PM, October 26 at 2 PM Tickets and info at […]

Celebrate the Menomonee Falls Symphony’s fall season opener with selections from Vivaldi’s memorable Four Seasons featuring Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Associate Concertmaster Jeanyi Kim. The evening‘s bill also includes Paul Dukas’ […]

Monteverdi Chorale and UWSP Opera Workshop Present: “Opera Classics” An unforgettable performance of opera favorites, featuring student and faculty artists

Experience the magic of opera as Monteverdi Chorale joins forces with […]

WORLD PREMIERE Bed and Breakfast of the Damned By Cameron McNary Directed by Jaimelyn Gray ABOUT THE PLAY Written by Cameron McNary, this World Premiere BED AND BREAKFAST OF THE DAMNED is a classic, door-slamming, Feydeau-style sex farce… with zombies. When young couple Ben and Melissa find shelter from the zombie apocalypse at the cozy […]

Experience thrills and chills with two 30-minute radio plays performed by live actors with sound effects! We’ll start with Blast Off: Tales from Outer Space — a 1950s-style science fiction […]

Go with the flow, Milwookie! You know them. You love them. You missed them. Widespread Panic is BACK in 2025! We’re welcoming them with open arms for another three night residency at the Riverside Theater on October 24th-26th. Mark your calendar and get all the deets below! Here’s what you need to know: Tickets are […]

Bestselling, award-winning novelist, LEIF ENGER, a story-teller “of great humanity and huge heart” (Minneapolis Star Tribune), will discuss his most recent novel, I Cheerfully Refuse. Set in a not-too-distant America roiled by climate change and societal collapse, I Cheerfully Refuse is the tale of a bereaved and pursued musician, the affable Rainy, who sets sail […]