Week ahead filled with fall fun
This week starts with National Badger Day and ends with the Downtown "Fall Into Fun" festival:
Sunday, Oct. 6
Bucky love: Oct. 6 is National Badger Day, which celebrates the animal. But we prefer to instead applaud our own Bucky Badger, still the coolest mascot in the world of college sports. After the football team's rocky start to the season, Bucky needs all the love we can send him!
Celebrating the arts: The new Kenosha Performing Arts Festival concludes today, with performances at four Downtown venues: Kenosha Creative Space, 624 57th St.; The Vault, 625 57th St.; Kenosha Tap House, 125 56th St.; and the White Lilac, 5029 Sixth Ave. Performances start at 1 p.m. and include a wide variety of shows, from international folk dancers to harpist Anne Morse-Hambrock. The cost is $10 for three performances, with tickets available at the door. For a schedule of performers, go to kenoshacreativespace.com .
Pianist performing: Composer, pianist and speaker Eric Genuis performs 3 p.m. today at the Downtown Kenosha Ministry Center Auditorium, 714 49th St. he'll be performing original works, along with violinist Eva Dove, cellist Elliot Yang and soprano Tiffany Ho. Admission is free. Donations will be accepted for his Concerts for Hope charity, which funds performances in non-traditional venues. He'll also meet the public at 2:30 p.m. at a pre-concert reception, with hors d'oeuvres and wine.
Monday, Oct. 7
Boo to you: A lot of Halloween haunts are only open on weekends, but Kenosha's own Dr. Destruction scares folks seven days a week in October at the Jerry Smith Farm. His "Haunted Manor" is open daily through Oct. 30. Admission is $15, cash only. It's open 4-8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The Jerry Smith Farm is located on Highway L (18th Street) just west of Green Bay Road in Somers. Note: The Haunted Manor has its own entrance and is not in the wristband area that requires an additional fee. Go to smithpumpkinfarm.com for more details.
Tuesday, Oct. 8
Under the sea: Oct. 8 is World Octopus Day, celebrating one of the most distinctive, intelligent creatures living on the planet. Their fossils date back more than 300 million years, meaning they pre-date dinosaurs.
Toy story: The Civil War Museum, 5400 First Ave., is hosting an exhibit showcasing a classic all-American toy. "G.I. Joe: America's First Action Figure" examines toy soldiers, from the 1860s to the 1960s. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. General admission to the museum, including this exhibit, is free.
Wednesday, Oct. 9
Celebrating our two favorite food groups: Oct. 9 is International Beer and Pizza Day. You know what to do.
Going batty: Head to the Kenosha Public Museum this morning for Museum Munchkins. The programs are designed to "get your preschoolers excited about science and the world around them." Each week, participants learn about a different museum collection animal through songs, stories and activities. Today's theme is "bats," which is perfect for Halloween season. The free program is 9:30-10 a.m. at the museum, 5500 First Ave.
Thursday, Oct. 10
In stitches: This week is your final chance to visit the "Quilting with the Stars" exhibit at the Anderson Arts Center, 6603 Third Ave. The show features more than 75 quilts crafted by members of the Southport Quilters Guild. The exhibit is open through Sunday, Oct. 13. The arts center is open 1-4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is free. Take it home: Quilt items will be available for purchase in the Anderson Gift Shop. There is also a quilt raffle. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5.
Carthage concert:Invoke String Quartet performs 7:30 tonight in Carthage College's Siebert Chapel. "This genre-defying ensemble is known for its performance of music from a broad range of traditions, including classical, folk, bluegrass and Americana," Carthage officials said. Tickets are $8-$14 through the Carthage Box Office, 262-551-6661, or at carthage.edu .
Friday, Oct. 11
Slice it up: Oct. 11 is Sausage Pizza Day. Now stop picking off the mushrooms and eat it already.
Gather 'round the fire: The Beach House at Simmons Island on Kenosha's lakefront hosts Friday Bonfire Night, with the public invited to "gather around the fire pit" from 6:30-9:30 p.m. The bonfire starts at 8 p.m. Food, drinks and s'more kits are sold. For more details, go to kenoshabeachhouse.com .
On stage: This is the final week for the Carthage College musical "Xanadu," on stage in the college's Wartburg Theatre. The show is directed by Professor Matthew Hougland, with music direction by Yu-Mei Chang. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10-12. The totally realistic plot follows the journey of a magical and beautiful Greek muse, Kira, who descends from the heavens of Mount Olympus to Venice Beach, California, in 1980. Tickets are $8-$14. Call the box office at 262-551-6661.
Saturday, Oct. 12
Fall festival: The City of Kenosha's "Fall Into Fun Festival" is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Veterans Memorial Park, 625 52nd St. Activities include free small pumpkins, costume contest for dogs and humans, face painting and pumpkin decorating. Admission is free.
Now, that's Italian! Kenosha's Italian culture will be celebrated 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 12 at Kenosha HarborMarket. The market — located at Second Avenue and 56th Street on the Downtown lakefront — will feature special Italian-related entertainment and activities, including traditional Italian dancing, music and cooking demonstrations. Visit the Kenosha HarborMarket's Facebook page for more details.
Features/GO Kenosha
