An in-depth look into what makes our community so special — and the arts, creativity, businesses and culture that sustain it.
Weather won’t stop Pride Paddle to bring together, support LGBTQ+ community
Despite inclement weather cancelling the official Pride Paddle, organizers of the event stuck it out and went out on the Wisconsin River with Pride gear and decorated boats to paddle from the Highway 14 boat landing to Pecks Landing June 26.
APT’s The Road Back: More COVID protocol changes on the way
With new guidance from the unions we work with, and the local government, we thought now would be an ideal time to recap the rules in place, and the changes to come July 1 (including the new Facemask Fridays).
Regional Arts: Driftless Music Gardens in Yuba hosts Bonfire Festival
People of all ages enjoy and dance to People Brothers Band at Bonfire Festival hosted at the Driftless Music Gardens in Yuba. The festival marks the first in-person festival at the gardens since COVID-19 shutdowns began.
Review: An Improbable Fiction perfect homage to APT history to kick-off Hill Theater season
An Improbable Fiction kicked off American Players Theatre’s (APT) 2021 Hill Theater season on May 27 with a nod to APT’s strong connection to Shakespearean theater in the quippy play written by James DeVita.
Art from around the Valley: Jen Salt’s “Cat Nap” will melt your heart
My favorite cat, Louisa posed for this painting……she loved her naps.
Taliesin premieres Driftless Landscape Tour to emphasize Wright’s dedication to agriculture
After workshopping the tour last fall, the Taliesin Preservation debuted it’s Driftless Landscape Tour June 12 with an hour long tour of the landscape and agricultural areas of the Taliesin estate.
Movie Review: American Players Theatre Actors Power Short Film ‘One Foot In’
American Players Theatre actors James DeVita and Marcus Truschinski star as grave robbers seeking to reconcile their troubled past by making a big score in One Foot In. The twenty-five-minute independent film was written and directed by Eric Schabla, and produced by Jack Whaley, both APT alumni. Whaley was also director of photography for the film.
American Players Theatre 2021 season is underway, capacity upped
American Players Theatre’s (APT) in-person season began May 14 with Katori Hall’s The Mountaintop in the 201-seat indoor Touchstone Theatre. The first performance of James DeVita’s world premiere of An Improbable Fiction took the Hill Stage on May 27. These two plays will run in repertory until The Mountaintop closes on June 19, and An Improbable Fiction closes on June 26. These will be the first in-person performances since APT was forced to cancel the 2020 season, and the company is beyond thrilled to be welcoming audiences back to the theater.
Village of Plain to see colorful, community oriented art installation
At it’s monthly board meeting, the village of Plain heard from leaders at the Wormfarm Institute about an interactive, community oriented art project being constructed in the village over the summer.
Art from around the Valley: Jen Salt’s ‘Frank’s Hill’
I first climbed Frank’s Hill in Richland County a dozen years ago for the Vernal Equinox celebration. A large group had gathered at the top of the hill near the effigy mounds, along with some of the elders and Frank Shadewald, to watch the sun set, the moon rise and the stars come into view.
Art from around the Valley: Jen Salt’s Mother’s Day
A few years ago I spent some time on the Rod and Loraine Anding farm in rural Arena near Coon Rock. I had asked if I could take photos of their beautiful white faced horned herefords, as I was interested in animal subjects for my future paintings.
Octagon Barn, Enos Farms put on vintage and antique barn sale
The Octagon Barn held it’s third annual Barn Sale, featuring antiques and vintage finds May 8.
Valley Sentinel’s 1st annual Best of the Lower Wisconsin River Valley reader poll now open
Welcome to the 1st Annual Best of the River Valley reader poll! Drawing inspiration from cities like Eau Claire, Madison and Milwaukee, we’re excited to facilitate this reader poll that showcases your voice in sharing the best of what our area has to offer to our community and those who visit it.
Art from around the Valley: Jen Salt’s “Baby Robbins”—an oil painting
Last Spring these baby robins were, for a short time, tucked carefully into a nearby shrub. My neighbors, Ruthie and Jerry discovered their little chirps and pretty soon we were all checking on them daily, especially after thunderstorms. I had a new perspective on robins.
Thoughts on APT’s Final Winter Words Reading: Dontrell by the Sea
Watching and writing about APT’s 2021 Winter Words play readings from my home office in Escondido, California – with actors and directors from home (the Valley) and all over the country – has been, to quote APT’s artistic director, Brenda DeVita, “an unexpected gift of the pandemic.”
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