John Gay demonstrates the old mantra that appearances can be deceiving. The guy looks like a metal signer but has an angelic, soulful country voice, and he’ll be bringing that to the Mosinee Brewing Company. But we also have a Brad Emanuel Packers Party at Cheeks, a Mexican textile crafting event, an Ice Age Trail hikeathon and much more, all in your Wausome Weekend Guide!
Sponsored by
John Gay
Mosinee Brewing Company
Friday, Oct. 9: John Gay has a shockingly powerful voice. I noticed this immediately upon firing up one of his YouTube videos. Gay uses that voice in a style of music that sounds like a blend of bluegrass and old-school outlaw country that works really well. His voice has just enough break to be a shining example of the genre, and is a little surprising since he looks more like he’d be the lead of a metal band. This should make a great show in a brewery with plenty of delicious options to choose from. 6 pm. See the event page for more.
Brad Emanuel
Cheeks Bar and Grill
Sunday, Oct. 11: Brad Emanuel has become quite the musical force in the Wausau area and beyond, and has been a past winner with his band at Hodag. The singer who came up in Wausau has grown a tremendous following, puts together a group of extremely talented musicians for his band and knows how to work a crowd. He’s a professional through and through and often wins area reader survey awards. This is a great chance to see him at Cheeks Bar and Grill, which has a fantastic menu to boot. Come for the Packers/Bears game at noon and stay for the show. 3:30–6:30 pm. See the event page for more.
8th Annual Ice Age Trail Hike-a-thon
Hatley Library
Saturday, Oct. 10: Wisconsin is blessed to have the Ice Age Trail, one of the few trails of its length in the US. And even more so: several of its segments are within the confines of Marathon County. This event will feature sections of the Ringle Segment in a day-long celebration of the trail. With nearly ten miles of trail to explore, refreshments, and boardwalks, kettle ponds and other geological features, plus a shuttle to the start, hiking enthusiasts and those who’d like an intro to the trail won’t want to miss this one. $30 donation. 8 am–4 pm. See event page for details on shuttles, timeframes to start the hike, and more.
Oaxacan Roots, Wisconsin Soil : A Community Weave
Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum Glass Box Studio
Saturday, Oct. 10: In this free community event, participants will learn about the connections between Wisconsin and Mexico through learning about traditional Mexican artmaking. All supplies are included, so those interested can stop in between 1–4 pm and receive instruction on the project in both Spanish and English. The event is inspired by the textile designs of Zapotec weaver Wence Martinez on display now at the James Watrous Gallery in Madison. 1–4 pm. See the event page for more.
Stadium Drive
The Garage
Saturday, Oct. 10: One of the easiest ways to describe Stadium Drive is that they’re kind of a mix of radio-friendly pop and bluegrass, toeing the line between these two. This central Iowa-based band is making the rounds in Wausau this weekend, with stops at Burk’s Bar and Bull Falls Brewing Company, but their show Saturday at The Garage is definitely worth checking out. 7 pm. See the event page for more.
Harvest Cider Sessions: Mia Brown Duo
Rock Ridge Orchard
Saturday, Oct. 10: It’s hardly the first time we’ve written about Mia Brown, but this event is even more fun because you can enjoy Rock Ridge Orchard’s Cider Bar for delicious refreshments while listening to the music. The Wausau native is a Nashville-signed singer and blends pop, country and ’70s rock and jazz influences into a sound that provides the footing for a powerful vocal performance. 11 am-2 pm. See the main event page for more.
Sponsored by
Upcoming
&$%# The Speakers Up
CW Fly Bags
Saturday, Oct. 17: We haven’t had much for upcoming features, since the Grand has been closed and there haven’t been many shows at Lamplight Sessions lately. But this one is interesting for two reasons. One, it’s an EDM show, something we haven’t highlighted much around here; and two, it’s at CW Fly Bags, which I hadn’t heard of until I saw this event. Apparently, it’s ordinarily a building where people play cornhole. Huh! But on Oct. 17 it’ll transform into a “low-frequency wonderland,” and if PLURR vibes and Kandi trades mean anything to you, you’ve probably already bought your tickets. This one is for those 21 and older. 9 pm. $12 early bird tickets available at time of publication.
In brief
Wausau: Movie Showing: “The Housemaid”, 5:30 pm Wednesday, Oct. 7 at Marathon County Public Library—Wausau Headquarters
Moonbadger Fall Series @ Faraway Place, 7 pm Wednesday, Oct. 7 at Faraway Place
Trivia @ The Glass Hat, 7 pm Wednesday, Oct. 7 at The Glass Hat
Trivia Night, 7 pm Wednesday, Oct. 7 at Mosinee Brewing Company
Open Mic w/ Caleb Delaney, 8 pm Thursday, Oct. 8 at Faraway Place
Karaoke with Jim at The Glass Hat, 9 pm Thursday, Oct. 8 at The Glass Hat
ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY PARTY!, 11 am Friday, Oct. 9 at J&P’s Tippling House
The Bloodhound Band @ Homestead on 52, 7 pm Friday, Oct. 9 at Homestead on 52
New Moon Meditation, 6 pm Friday, Oct. 9 at Shelves of Aeaea
Still Reckless, 7 pm Friday, Oct. 9 at The Garage Wausau
Diwali Bazaar 2026, 10 am Saturday, Oct. 10 at 500 S. 38th Ave.
90’s Night!, 4 pm Saturday, Oct. 10 at J&P’s Tippling House
Music at Pizza Night: Astronomy Night with Dr. Aaron Steffen, 5 pm Saturday, Oct. 10 at Stoney Acres Farm
Pumpkin Fest featuring Mike Maher at Uncommon Pints, 6 pm Saturday, Oct. 10 at Uncommon Pints
Night Shift @ Homestead on 52, 7 pm Saturday, Oct. 10 at Homestead on 52
2nd annual Pumpkin Carving, 7:30 pm Saturday, Oct. 10 at Cheeks Bar and Grill
Reverend Meantooth & TBA at Mish, 8 pm Saturday, Oct. 10 at The Intermission Bar
The Allen Brothers Live at The Glass Hat, 8 pm Saturday, Oct. 10 at The Glass Hat
Wausau Thinks It’s Got Talent- Opening Show, 8 pm Saturday, Oct. 10 at Emerald Night Club
David Paul Martin @ Faraway Place, 9 pm Saturday, Oct. 10 at Faraway Place
Route 66 Corn Maze @ Willow Springs Garden, 10 am Sunday, Oct. 11 at Willow Springs Garden
Nostalgia Cartoons, 11 am Sunday, Oct. 11 at J&P’s Tippling House
Honky-tonk Sundays, 12 pm Sunday, Oct. 11 at Faraway Place
Harvest Cider Sessions: Geoff Landon, Sunday, Oct. 11 at Rock Ridge Orchard (Cider Bar)
Book Discussion: Through The Eyes of Fear, 5 pm Tuesday, Oct. 13 at The Story Cellar
Trivia Night @ Uncommon Pints, 7 pm Tuesday, Oct. 13 at Uncommon Pints
Scarecrow Set Up, Tuesday, Oct. 13 at Monk Botanical Gardens
Thanks for reading The Wausonian! If you haven’t subscribed yet, check out the free and paid options below to help support local journalism: