Volume One Contributors

Writers, Photographers, & Artists

Kelsey Smith

photographer

Content By This Contributor:

Wed. Apr. 17th, 2019

Eau Claire Keys up for 52nd Annual Jazz Festival

Rebecca Mennecke, photos by Kelsey Smith

The 52nd Eau Claire Jazz Festival is set to swing into Eau Claire from April 26 to 27. “It is a jazz festival, but it’s really a music festival,” said Breanna DeNure, the communication coordinator of Eau Claire Jazz Inc. ...

Fri. Mar. 8th, 2019

Be a Good Sport: 10th Wisconsin Sport Show Arrives at Expo Center

Lauren Fisher, photos by Kelsey Smith

Dogs, docks, deer, door prizes, and more await at the 10th annual Wisconsin Sport Show. The event begins at the Chippewa Valley Expo Center Friday, March 15, from 3-8pm and continues into the weekend ...

Thu. Jan. 10th, 2019

Boat and RV Expo Features More Than Ever in New Location

Lauren Fisher, photos by Kelsey Smith

The 20th annual Boat and RV Expo will take place at the Chippewa Valley Expo Center, featuring the area’s largest display of recreational vehicles the weekend ...

Wed. Sep. 5th, 2018

Dancing with the Eau Claire Stars celebrates 10 years

Broc Seigneurie, photos by Kelsey Smith

There’s a buzz around town as everyone gears up for this year’s All-Star edition of Dancing with the Eau Claire Stars! Inspired by the hit ABC television show, this will be the 10th anniversary of the benefit held by the Eau Claire Children’s Theatre.

Thu. Aug. 9th, 2018

FEATURE: The Life and Death and Life of the State Theatre

Tom Giffey, graphic designer by Eric Christenson, photos by Andrea Paulseth, Luong Huynh, Lee Butterworth, Timothy Mather, Caitlyn Berlin, Brandon Jenness, Frank H. Robinson, Kelsey Smith

Once a shuttered movie palace, the State Theatre became a beloved arts center and a key element of Eau Claire's artistic renaissance.

Thu. Aug. 2nd, 2018

Dragon Boat Festival Fundraises to Fight Cancer

Emilee Wentland, photos by Kelsey Smith

Come one, come all to watch the fourth annual Half Moon Dragon Boat Festival. The one-day event raises funds to fight against cancer, donating to charities such as Joshua’s Camp, the American Cancer Society ...

Thu. May. 3rd, 2018

Taking a Drink in Stride

Kendra Lamer, photos by Kelsey Smith

World Beer Races combine running, brew-fest

Wed. May. 2nd, 2018

It Keeps You Running

Samantha Kobs, photos by Kelsey Smith

EC Marathon turns 10 with no plans of slowing down

Wed. Apr. 4th, 2018

6th Annual Improv Festival Gives Eau Claire a Taste of the Second City

Lauren Fisher, photos by Kelsey Smith

The Eau Claire Improv Festival is back for its sixth year with a new location and a big headliner. For the first time, the festival will host Chicago-based Second City Improv, a world-renowned organization that comedians ...

Tue. Mar. 20th, 2018

Get the Family Jazzed up for the Eau Claire Jazz Fest

by Lauren Fisher, photos by Kelsey Smith

For more than half a century, Eau Claire has welcomed spring with big band standards and wandering improv riffs. This year, families will be able to enjoy the rhythm of 52nd Street as they wander South ...

The Daily Shakedown

Tue. Feb. 27th, 2018

THIS WEEK: Decadent Cabaret Moves to the Metro

Eric Christenson, photos by Kelsey Smith

The Metro – downtown Eau Claire's newest live music venue – is the new host of legendary Eau Claire festival Decadent Cabaret, where dozens of local bands come together and play tribute sets of their favorite artists. The organizers just released the full lineup of bands for the 39th installment of the weekend-long event on March 1-3.

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Drag Queens & Dessert

Wed. Sep. 20th, 2017

At Drag Queens and Dessert, hosted by performer Alotta Shots, patrons enjoyed an evening of entertainment, two bottles of complimentary wine per table, and a complimentary dessert bar. Photos are from Saturday, September 16 at The Oxford.

Tue. Aug. 22nd, 2017

Buckshot's Big Birthday

Haley Wright, photos by Kelsey Smith

Eau Claire’s original run celebrates 35 years helping Special Olympics

Mon. Jun. 19th, 2017

June 21: Parfaits with a Princess (and Alice in Dairyland!)

V1 Staff, photos by Kelsey Smith

On June 21 The Children’s Museum of Eau Claire will host a special event called Parfaits with a Princess from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Crystal Siemers-Peterman, the 70th Alice in Dairyland, will join kids.

Thu. Jun. 1st, 2017

Cinder City Heats Up

Haley Wright, photos by Kelsey Smith

Altoona kicks off summer with annual festival

Wed. May. 31st, 2017

2 Can't Miss Big Local Shows

V1 Staff, photos by Kelsey Smith

Earlier this month, it was announced that The House of Rock, the long-running rock club staple of the Eau Claire music scene, will be shutting its doors for good. The venerable Water Street venue has long been home to Decadent Cabaret ...

Wed. May. 17th, 2017

Rock No More

Eric Christenson, photos by Kelsey Smith, Lee Butterworth

The House of Rock will shut its doors in July

Wed. Apr. 19th, 2017

Opening Shot | April 19, 2017

photos by Kelsey Smith

IT GROWS ON YOU. At Fashion Without Fabric, UW-Stout’s art and design students showcase unique fashion creations using anything but fabric. This year’s show was April 8 ...

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Fashion Without Fabric 2017

Mon. Apr. 10th, 2017

Fashion Without Fabric is a yearly show at UW-Stout unlike any other, with Stout’s art and design students showcasing unique fashion creations using anything but fabric ...

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JE Sunde Album Release @The Oxbow

Mon. Mar. 13th, 2017

J.E. Sunde is the solo project of Jonathan Sunde. Before striking out on his own, Jon spent years making beautifully unusual music with The Daredevil Christopher Wright. On March, 3rd 2017 he released ...

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5th Annual Eau Claire Improv Fest

Mon. Mar. 13th, 2017

The 5th Annual Eau Claire Improv Fest hosted two days of side-splitting shows on March 10 and 11 – made up on the spot, of course. Improv comedy headliners converged on The State Theatre ...

Fri. Mar. 10th, 2017

Big Plans Are A-Brewin' at Lazy Monk

Hillary Bell, photos by Kelsey Smith

Phase 2 will consolidate the brewery and bier hall – and Phase 3 is a German / Czech restaurant

Fri. Mar. 10th, 2017

Spontaneous Laughs

Hannah Mumm, photos by Kelsey Smith

Eau Claire Improv Festival gears up for year five

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Decadent Cabaret 2017 (Saturday)

Mon. Mar. 6th, 2017

The Eau Claire House of Rock hosted the city's largest celebration of local musicians, Decadent Cabaret 2017 (the 38th annual installment), across March 2, 3, and 4 ...

Wed. Dec. 28th, 2016

Rebuilding Pinehurst

Brendon Paucek, photos by Kelsey Smith

local nonprofit, volunteers turning vision into reality

The Daily Shakedown

Wed. Nov. 16th, 2016

Flying Into the Future

Garrett Denney, photos by Kelsey Smith

While we’re still weeks away from regular snowfall, a flurry of fundraising activity is underway at a local ski club. Eau Claire’s Flying Eagles Ski Club recently kicked off its first-ever capital campaign. Dubbed “Flight into the Future,” the fundraising ...

Mon. Nov. 14th, 2016

Slide Into Winter Break 2016!

V1 Staff, photos by Kelsey Smith

The holidays are approaching, which means the kiddos are going to be filled with holiday cheer and delight (or – if you are surrounded by teens – waning enthusiasm)...

Thu. Sep. 22nd, 2016

This Is Land Is My Land

Hope Greene, photos by Kelsey Smith

new local art show Land:Mine explores our precious land

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"​Land:Mine" Art Exhibit at The Heyde Center

Tue. Sep. 13th, 2016

Co-curated by Lori Chilefone and Jyl Kelley, the inspiration for the Land:Mine exhibit is to provide a diverse platform for visual, musical or performance art bearing witness to the transformations of the area’s natural surroundings ...

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The Tallest Man on Earth

Tue. Jul. 19th, 2016

The Tallest Man on Earth features Eau Claire natives guitarist Mike Noyce (Bon Iver), pianist/pedal-steel player Ben Lester (S. Carey) and drummer Zack Hanson. The performance took place on Saturday, July 16 at The State Theater.

Fri. Jul. 8th, 2016

Knowing What's in Season Is Key to Farmers Market Success

Claudia Cater, photos by Kelsey Smith

Shopping at the local farmers market is a great way to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs! The produce is harvested at the best time for freshness, which improves both the nutritional quality ...

Wed. Jun. 29th, 2016

The Fairest of Them All

Sammy Gibbons, photos by Kelsey Smith

the Northern Wisconsin State Fair's fun and fried food

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Eau Claire Bike Week: Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day

Wed. Jun. 15th, 2016

Part of Wisconsin Bike Week, guided bike rides for kids and parents took place on the trails at Lowes Creek Co. Park on Saturday, June 11. Bike skill activities and a family cookout were hosted by the Chippewa Off Road Bike Association.

Thu. May. 5th, 2016

Veteran Dog Trainer Offers Advice on Picking a Pooch, Breeder

Karen Rude, photos by Kelsey Smith

Selecting a pet for your family is a major life decision. And as with any major life decision, it warrants some planning, family discussion, and thoughtfulness. Here’s a quick guide to get you on your way. Things to think about when selecting a dog: Most important: Make sure if you have children, you pick a breed of dog that is good with kids ...

Tue. May. 3rd, 2016

Savor the Flavor at Chippewa Valley Farmers Markets

V1 Staff, photos by Kelsey Smith

From savoring produce at the peak of freshness to meeting the people who actually grow your food, there are countless reasons to support farmers markets. Grab your shopping lists and canvas carrying bags and head out to load up on fresh fruits and veggies, locally raised meat and eggs, and – of course – amazing baked goods! ...

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Eau Claire Marathon 2016

Mon. May. 2nd, 2016

The eighth annual Eau Claire Marathon had over 3,800 runners racing through town on Sunday, May 1, beginning and ending in Carson Park. Fifty-five charities benefited from this year’s race ...