Jazz powerhouse comes to downtown Wausau | Your Wausome Weekend Guide
Wausau area events for July 29-Aug. 4, 2026
Take That Back is unusual in that it is led by two saxophonists and is an ensemble of some of the Twin Cities’ top jazz musicians. Plus, our good friends Dig Deep are back, classical music comes to the Leigh Yawkey, our county fair starts next week and more in Your Wausome Weekend Guide!
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Take That Back
Kickbusch Plaza
Sunday, Aug. 2: One of the cool things about Take That Back is that it’s led by two saxophonists — and though I’m hardly a hardcore afficionado of all things jazz, that strikes me as unique and interesting. The duo — Joan Hutton and Sue Orfield — gathered some of the Twin Cities’ top jazz musician to round out this powerhouse of an ensemble. And you get to hear it from the comfort of a camping chair at Kickbusch Plaza in this latest of the Jazz on the River series. 5 pm. See the event page for more.
Dig Deep
Uncommon Pints
Saturday, Aug. 1: It’s hard to write a guide like this and not write about Dig Deep over and over — but that’s because they’re worth highlighting. The band looks like a heavy metal/punk band, but they’re all bluegrass, baby! This Stevens Point-based band trades off between playing local shows and touring the country, and it’s always nice when they have a show in town you can check out; and it being at Uncommon Pints means you can pair their show with a beer on tap that you wouldn’t ordinarily see around here. 7:30 pm. See the event page for more.
Wisconsin Valley Fair
Marathon Park
Tues.-Sun., Aug. 4-9: The Wisconsin Valley Fair is one of those events that just happened to start at the tail end of one guide’s coverage, and mostly happens during the next guide’s coverage. Musical acts have started to take a back seat to rodeos and demo derbies, so there is a little bit for everyone. On Tuesday, Chris Janson will take the grand stand stage. Janson is an accomplished country singer-songwriter with six full-length albums to his name, a member of the Grand Ole Opry and national touring artist. The rest of the lineup, which we’ll dive into more next week, includes Wed: Shenandoah; Thurs: Skillet; Fri-Sat: PRCA Rodeo and Sun: Demo Derby. See more information at the event page.
Architecture Amble: South Third Avenue Neighborhood
Riverside Park
Thursday, July 30: If you’ve never been to one of these, it’s a great way to get to know either your own neighborhood, or another neighborhood in your city. And this one covers the South Third Avenue neighborhood. Start at Riverside Park and take a walk while learning about the historic diners, taverns, pools, shops and other places and people who once called this neighborhood home. 6 pm. Free. See the event page for more.
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Hmong Wausau Festival
Peoples Sports Complex
Sat.-Sun., Aug. 1-2: This event launched pre-pandemic as a sports festival and quickly grew into a major Wausau event, bringing Hmong residents from around the Midwest and beyond to this celebration of sports and Hmong culture at the Peoples Sports Complex. See dozens of vendors, enjoy volleyball, soccer and flag football matches, and performances of traditional Hmong dance and singing competitions. Admission opens both days at 6 am. $11 per day, or $20 for the weekend. See the event page for more.
Thunderstruck: A Classic Rock Tribute
Jefferson Street Inn
Saturday, Aug. 1: OK, at first I thought this was like those other candlelight concerts that First Presbyterian has been hosting, but a closer look shows this is very, very different. Instead of a string quartet, this is one person standing in the midst of candles, playing AC/DC on a violin. Blue Violin uses live looping to bring the music of AC/DC, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Led Zeppelin and more to life in a way you’ve never heard. 7:30 pm. $35.98 and up. See the event page for more.
South Beach Up North
Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum
Thursday, July 30: OK, I have of course heard of Brahms, but I haven’t heard of Argentinan composer Astor Piazzolla. So perhaps this concert is a good excuse to hear Brahms and gain an introduction to a new composer. Brought to you by South Beach Up North, this concert features Wausau native cellist Michael Andrews, UWSP alumna pianist Rie Tanaka and violinist Anna Cromwell in this celebration of both of these composers. And you can watch it right in the museum’s galleries, perhaps taking in some art while you’re there. Culture. 6 pm. See the event page for more.
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In Brief
Rothschild: USA Time Travelers, 10:30 am Wednesday, July 29 at MCPL Rothschild Branch
Concerts on the Square: Still Reckless, 6 pm Wednesday, July 29 at the 400 Block
Moonbadger, 8 pm Wednesday, July 29 at Faraway Place
Summer at Mead: Pond Study, 12:15 pm Thursday, July 30 at MCPL Wausau
Pizza in the Orchard: The Jerry Schmitt Band, 5 pm Thursday, July 30 at Rock Ridge Orchard
Dinner in the Vineyard, 6 pm Thursday, July 30 (and on Friday) at Willow Springs Garden
Movie in the Park: Aladdin, 7 pm Thursday, July 30 at The 400 Block
Tiki Beach Thursday Night Concert Series with Jordan Blanchard, 6:30 pm Thursday, July 30 at Tiki Beach Bar & Grill
Open Mic w/ Caleb Delaney, 8 pm Thursday, July 30 at Faraway Place
Luau Night at Tiki: Island Feast & Fire Show, 6 pm Friday, July 31 at Tiki Beach Bar & Grill
Mattea Joy at Pizza on the Farm, 5 pm Friday, July 31 at Stoney Acres Farm
Dinner in the Vineyard, 6 pm Friday, July 31 at Willow Springs Garden
Shrek Trivia, 7 pm Friday, July 31 at Sawmill Brewing Company
Sista Sensi Reggae on the Beach, 1 pm Saturday, August 1 at Tiki Beach Bar & Grill
Living River Concert, 6 pm Saturday, August 1 at Willow Springs Garden
HonkyTonk Highway, 8 pm Saturday, August 1 at Homestead on 52
Moonbadger: Weekend Edition, 9 pm Saturday, August 1 at Faraway Place
Dean & Terry, 1 pm Sunday, August 2 at The Garage Wausau
Sunday Funday Party with Chris Kroeze, 4 pm Sunday, August 2 at Tiki Beach Bar & Grill
Bourbon & Botanicals, 5 pm Monday, August 3 at Monk Botanical Gardens
Teen D&D Summer Adventure, 1:30 pm Tuesday, August 4 at MCPL Wausau
Drop-in Glass Making, 1 pm Tuesday, Aug. 4 at Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum
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