Green Bay City Pages Highlights: Dec 2 – 9, 2021
Rowdy punk, Christmas classics and more in this weeks’ highlight events
By Rachel Sankey
Maximal Minimalists
Thursday, Dec. 2
Weidner Center, Green Bay
UW-Green Bay’s Contemporary Percussion Ensemble debuts a concert series focused on the works of the late minimalist composers Frederic Rzewski and Julius Eastman.
The ensemble, directed by Associate Professor of Music Bill Sallak, will be performing Rzewski’s “Coming Together/Attica” with narration from Associate Lecturer of Theatre Alan Kopischke. The piece utilizes sections of letters and interviews from the inmates that were a part of the 1971 Attica prison uprising. Rzewski was an American composer and pianist who focused on social and political themes in his works who died in June of this year.
Eastman’s “Stay On It” is showcased in the second part of the program. Eastman was an internationally renowned pianist, vocalist and composer who gained notoriety after his passing in 1990. During his lifetime, he struggled with homelessness and created compositions that also featured social and political themes.
Both ensembles have unspecified instrumentation, leaving the UW-Green Bay Percussion Ensemble to create their own ensemble of percussion, piano, cello and horns.
The Weidner Center (2420 Nicolet Dr) hosts the free event, which starts at 6:30 pm.
A tangy bluegrass and rowdy punk double-feature weekend
Saturday, Dec. 4 and Sunday, Dec. 5
The Lyric Room, Green Bay
The Lyric Room is doubling up on events this weekend. On Saturday, Red Ben and the Missing Miles will be performing with special guest Gin Mill Hollow.
Red Ben and the Missing Miles (pictured) is an alt-grass roots band from Wisconsin. Their lead singer, Ben Lila, is local to Green Bay. The band works with a sonic blend of bluegrass, Americana and rock. contemporary bluegrass music is enhanced with the sweet tang of the mandolin, played by band member Chris LaLonde.
Gin Mill Hollow is an Americana and acoustic, folk-rock band from Madison, WI. Their most recent album, “Busted Bullet,” combines a bluegrass feel with percussion and electric guitar, and features other musicians from the Madison area.
The bluegrass vibes start at 8:30 pm. Tickets are $10. This is a 21+ event.
The jams don’t stop there. On Sunday, The Queers will be performing as well as The Pseudo Feds, Lion Slicer and The Malones.
The Queers are an American punk band formed in 1981. Similar to The Ramones, The Queers’ lyrics combine themes of girls, drugs, drinking, partying and general ruckus. The music features lots of vocal harmonies as well as guitar solos.
The Pseudo Feds are a local punk trio. Their most recent EP, “Powdertail,” was released in February of 2020 and encapsulates a contemporary pop-punk sound.
Lion Slicer is a politically-infused Green Bay hardcore band that has been releasing music since 2013.
The Malones are a Wisconsin pop-punk outfit that will kick off the tunes at 7:30 pm.
Tickets start at $20. For more information on both events, head to the Lyric Room’s Facebook page.
Christmas with the Chorale
Saturday, Dec. 4 and Sunday, Dec. 5
Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Ashwaubenon
The Dudley Birder Chorale kicks off Christmas cheer with two concerts this weekend.
The Chorale has over 150 members from age 18 and up. The St. Norbert College-based chorale has been performing in the area since 1974.
“Christmas with the Chorale” is new this year to the Chorale, and will feature the classic Christmas favorites. There will be a piano and organ accompaniment alongside a variety of other instruments.
The concert on Saturday, Dec. 4 starts at 7:30 pm. The Sunday, Dec. 5 concert starts at 2 pm. Instead of tickets, donations will be accepted. More information can be found here.
Mannheim Steam-rolls into town
Tuesday, Dec 7
Weidner Center, Green Bay
The Mannheim Steamroller continued its globally recognized holiday celebration with a stop at the Weidner Center (2420 Nicolet Dr).
Founded by composer Chip Davis in 1975, Mannheim Steamroller combines classical music rock.
Mannheim Steamroller’s Christmas albums blend Christmas classics with modern musical elements and the addition of vocals throughout some songs.
The Christmas music kicks off at 7:30 pm. Tickets start at $53.
Christmas Ornament Hunt
Dec.1 – 20
Downtown Green Bay
Downtown Green Bay, Inc has placed various Christmas ornaments in downtown businesses, with the help of a local artist.
The scavenger hunt features ornaments painted and decorated by Carolyn Paplham, a local illustrator whose bright, animated art style has been featured at Artless Bastard art gallery in DePere and the Neville Public Museum (and Green Bay City Pages!)
The ornament hunt is open to families and community members of all ages.
Clues will be published on Downtown Green Bay, Inc’s website. When you find an ornament, take a selfie with it to submit for a chance to win one of the prizes that will be offered.
The free hunt starts on Dec. 1 and runs through Dec. 20.
Rachel Sankey is an Arts and Entertainment Reporter for Green Bay City Pages. She can be reached via email at [email protected]