BLUEGRASS, BOURBON AND BREWS

Live music and drinks festival returns to River Falls.

FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS , the Bluegrass, Bourbon and Brews Festival has brought the River Falls community together. This year, it will take place on April 21 and 22, with music, food and drink events located around River Falls. “It’s a multi-venue music festival with bluegrass bands around town,” says Emily KovachErickson, event and program manager for the River Falls Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau.

While the festival started as a free downtown community event, it was able to expand last year thanks to a JEM Grant from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. This year will continue to build with the same grant. “We’re so grateful for the grant that helps with our marketing efforts and modernizing this event,” Kovach-Erickson says.

The event will have free family-friendly venues in addition to wristband-exclusive venues. Wristbands ($40) are available for adults 18 and older and are required for all bands and includes transportation. VIP bands include all events, transportation, a commemorative T-shirt, plus beer and bourbon tasting events.

The event sold out last year with over 1,000 people in attendance. This year, the festival hopes to top that. In addition to great eats at local River Falls restaurants, there will be beverages and bluegrass music ranging from traditional to contemporary Americana. —Nicole

Berglund

For more information and wristbands, visit riverfallsbluegrass.com.

Local Events

Family Days at The Lumberjack

04/02–04/30

Bring the kids to this axe-throwing entertainment restaurant. Kids throw free every Sunday. All ages. Prices vary. Times vary. The Lumberjack, 123 Second St. N. #102, Stillwater; 651.705.6005; thelumberjackmn.com

Wellness Mondays at Local Luxury Medspa

04/03–04/24

Every Monday, enjoy all the amenities, including wine, yoga, a hot tub and a massage or facial. All ages. Prices vary. Times vary. Local Luxury Medspa at the Hotel Crosby, 232 Main St. N., Stillwater; 651.323.2555; localluxurymedspa.com

Black Tie Bingo

04/22

Local celebrities will be calling Bingo, plus hors d’oeuvres, dessert, online auction and more will be at this black tie event hosted by Community Thread. Ages 21 and over. Ticket prices vary. Grand Banquet Hall, 301 Second St. S., Stillwater; 651.439.7434; communitythreadmn.org

Live Music at Saint Croix Vineyards

04/24

Listen to Kyle Koliha over wine with friends. Ages 21 and older. Free. 2–5 p.m. Saint Croix Vineyards, 6428 Manning Ave. N., Stillwater; 651.430.3310; scvwines.com

Little Red Robin Hood

05/05–05/19

Watch Little Red Robin Hood encounter classic fairy tale characters. Ages 4 and older. Prices vary. Times vary. The Phipps Center for the Arts, 109 Locust St., Hudson, Wisconsin; 715.386.2305; hudsonwi.org

Comedy Night at Hop & Barrel

05/11

Enjoy live comedy routines and drinks. Ages 21 and older. Free. 6–8 p.m. Hop & Barrel Brewing, 310 Second St., Hudson, Wisconsin; 715.808.8390; hopandbarrelbrewing.com

St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour

05/12–05/14

The 31st annual event is back and welcomes potters and pottery enthusiasts to the St. Croix Valley. All ages. Free. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. on May 12 and 13; 10 a.m.–5 p.m. on May 14. Locations vary. minnesotapotters.com

AREA EVENTS

Minnesota Craft Beer Festival

04/01

There will be over 110 breweries providing beer and music from the Rough House. Ages 21 and older. Tickets start at $49.99. 1–5 p.m. Minneapolis Convention Center (Hall D+E), 1301 Second Ave. S., Mpls.; minnesotacraftbeerfestival.com

Twin Cities Auto Show

04/01–04/08

Stop by the Twin Cities Auto Show to look at hundreds of vehicles from both domestic and imported brands. All ages. Ticket prices vary. Times vary. Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 Second Ave. S., Mpls.; twincitiesautoshow.com

Hamilton

04/04–05/06

The story of Alexander Hamilton is brought to life in this musical by LinManuel Miranda. Ages 10 and older. Prices vary. Times vary. Orpheum Theatre, Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.; 612.339.7007; hennepintheatretrust.org

Hamlet

04/08–05/21

Shakespeare’s classic tragedy tells the story of Hamlet, the prince of Denmark, as his mother, Queen Gertrude, weds his uncle soon after his father’s death. Ages 18 and older recommended. Tickets range from $20–$80. Times vary. Guthrie Theater, 818 S. Second St., Mpls.; 612.377.2224; guthrietheater.org

Annual Film Festival

04/13–04/27

Celebrate the art of film with the MSP Film Society. Ages 21 and older. All ages. Prices vary. Times vary. The Main Cinema, 115 SE Main St., Mpls.; 612.395.4444; mspfilm.org

Paw Patrol Live

04/28–04/30

Bring the kids for a night with their favorite cartoon pals. All ages. Prices vary. Times vary. State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.; 612.339.7007; pawpatrollive.com

To have your event considered: email stcroixvalleymag@localmedia.co by the 10th of the month three months prior to publication.

Due to the fluidity being experienced in the current environment, please note that some events/dates and even some business operations may have changed since these pages went to print. Please visit affiliated websites for updates.

La Vie Est Belle Grand Opening

La Vie Est Belle celebrated its grand opening on October 15, 2022. “Our little store was full the entire day with friends, family and strangers that we now call friends. The support from the community has been overwhelming,” owner Kristin Rohman Rehkamp says. The grand opening included book giveaways and a gift basket giveaway. The newly opened boutique is located at 3417 Lake Elmo Ave. N., Lake Elmo. Find more information online at lavieestbelle.live.

To have your event considered: send date, time, location, photos, contact information and a brief description of the event to stcroixvalleymag@localmedia.co.