Volume One Contributors

Feb. 28, 2020

FEATURE STORY: 30 Years of Tokyo

For more than 30 years, Tokyo Restaurant has brought international cuisine – and understanding – to the Chippewa Valley

Emily Anderson, photos by Andrea Paulseth

Tokyo Restaurant has been located in a modest strip mall on London Road since first opening in 1989. Still, you could say the history of the restaurant truly began in 1969. That’s when the restaurant’s founder, Yoshi Tsuanko, left Japan and came to the U.S.

Aug. 29, 2013

Giant Peach Rolls In

CVTG production sings a song of Roald Dahl

Emily Anderson, Andrea Paulseth

Roald Dahl is known for his beloved, imaginative stories, and his 1961 children’s book, James and the Giant Peach, is no different. Now, the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild will bring this wondrous story to life on the stage of the Grand Theatre in ...

Aug. 14, 2013

Menomonie-Upon-Avon

theater group brings the Bard outdoors

Emily Anderson, photos by Leah Dunbar

Shakespeare in the Park is a national trend that has made its way to the Chippewa Valley. The Menomonie Theatre Guild is in its fifth year of presenting the Bard’s works at Wilson Park, a tradition that started in 2008 with Romeo and Juliet ...

Jul. 31, 2013

Gender Swapped

mixed up comedy features classic Broadway tunes

Emily Anderson, photos by Andrea Paulseth

Have you ever wanted to see what your favorite Broadway musicals would be like if all the roles were reversed? Now you can! The Eau Claire Children’s Theatre is putting on its own production of Miscast 2013: Never Underestimate the Power of ...

Jul. 17, 2013

Happy After All These Years

musical version of Happy Days comes to the State

Emily Anderson

For all of you who loved watching the original Happy Days TV show, the Eau Claire Children’s Theatre (ECCT) is putting on a musical with the same name based on this beloved sitcom. Happy Days is set in 1959 Milwaukee just as many of the ...

Feb. 13, 2013

Of Lyrics and Love

CVTG production explores composer’s real-life romance

Emily Anderson

Continuing with their fabulous 2012-13 season, the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild is presenting They’re Playing Our Song at the Grand Little Theatre Feb. 14-17. They’re Playing Our Song is a comedic tale written by Neil Simon based on the real-life...

Jan. 3, 2013

Wynonna to Grace the State

Emily Anderson

Five-time Grammy award winning country singer Wynonna Judd is coming to the State Theatre. On Friday, April 26, Judd will bring her band, The Big Noise, to the theatre for a brand new, energetic show. Judd started out in the music business with ...

Nov. 29, 2012

A Fantastic Ensemble

local vocal group croons into its twentieth season

Emily Anderson

The Master Singers is the Chippewa Valley’s premiere adult choral ensemble. Since the ensemble was founded, the Master Singers have consistently put on excellent performances that clearly display the group’s talent. Part of their success is due ...

Nov. 15, 2012

The Jury Has a Verdict

Emily Anderson, photos by Timothy Mather

The Menomonie Theater Guild is kicking off its 54th season with an edgy drama entitled Twelve Angry Men. Adapted from Reginald Rose’s 1957 movie by Sherman Sergel, Twelve Angry Men is about the trial of a 19-year old man who is convicted ...

Oct. 16, 2012

Bringin' in the Vagabonds

Minneapolis jazz/blues group joins the CV Jazz Orchestra

Emily Anderson, photos by Jesse Johnson

The Chippewa Valley Jazz Orchestra (CVJO) kicks off its 2012-2013 season with a big performance at the State Theatre with special guest Davina and the Vagabonds. The Chippewa Valley Jazz Organization has been providing the Chippewa Valley ...

Oct. 16, 2012

Fanny Hill Gets Chef'ed

Emily Anderson

Dave Fischer, an award-winning local chef, is joining the Riverview Grille team at the Fanny Hill supper club as the executive chef. Having worked in the restaurant business for over 30 years as a chef, owner, and manager, Fischer definitely has ...

Sep. 18, 2012

Lederhosen Ahoy!

annual Oktoberfest mania returns to Chippewa Falls

Emily Anderson, photos by Andrea Paulseth

ober is upon us, and that means it’s time to break out the accordions, brats, and lederhosen to celebrate the area’s German heritage at Oktoberfest. Taking place at the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds in Chippewa Falls, this year’s ...

Sep. 6, 2012

A Sure Thing

UWEC Players are back in action with double feature

Emily Anderson, photos by Andrea Paulseth

The Sure Thing and The Individuality of Streetlamps, two short, one-act plays, are coming to UW-Eau Claire. The UWEC Players, a university organization that gives opportunities to students in directing, acting, designing, etc., has taken on the ...

Aug. 21, 2012

Lombardi

newest CVTG production tackles Packer great

Emily Anderson, photos by Andrea Paulseth

Just in time for the start of regular season football, the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild will be putting on their production of Lombardi. The show is fresh off of Broadway and will be making its local debut at the Grand Theatre in the ...

Aug. 7, 2012

Stacks of Jazz

$200,000 'jazz library' finds home at UW-Eau Claire

Emily Anderson, photos by Bill Hoepner

A part of jazz history has found its way to the UW–Eau Claire. UWEC has recently acquired a collection of jazz recordings and charts valued at over $200,000. This collection is one of the largest in the world and contains many one-of-a-kind ...

Jul. 24, 2012

Former Local Goes Commando

action/comedy Fringe Fest fun from Marcus Downs

Emily Anderson

The year is 1988. The Soviets have captured the leader of the Afghan resistance. Without him, Afghanistan will fall to the Soviets along with the free world. Now it’s up to one American commando to rescue him.

Jun. 26, 2012

Missy Sippy River Saloon

author writes true stories of an Alma bar

Emily Anderson

Local author Audrey Biesterveld has taken the ridiculous shenanigans she witnessed at a local saloon and documented them for all of us to read and enjoy in her very first book. The self-published project Missy Sippy River Saloon contains ...

Jun. 12, 2012

Mysterious Menomonie

local paranormal investigator takes on Menomonie

Emily Anderson

There’s some weird and unusual stuff that goes on in Menomonie and Chad Lewis is going to tell us all about it in his presentation, “Mysterious Menomonie (from Ghosts to UFOs)”. On Sunday, June 17, Lewis, a researcher and author ...

Jun. 12, 2012

The Art of Endurance

downtown event to benefit Alzheimer's patients

Emily Anderson, photos by Andrea Paulseth

Almost 2,000 people in Eau Claire County suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and even more than that have a friend or relative with the disease. With so many of us that are affected by Alzheimer’s in some way, finding a cure is more important ...

May. 31, 2012

Parkbeats: New summer concert series coming to Osseo

Emily Anderson

Summer is a time for family, friends, and enjoying the (hopefully) warm weather. This summer, you can do all three at ParkBeats, a free summer concert series in Osseo, Wis. Presented by The Pulse, a local news ...

May. 2, 2012

Wisconsin Bike Challenge Has been Issued!

Emily Anderson

If you want a fun, easy way to promote health, wellness, and bicycling in your home or workplace, then get signed up for the Wisconsin Bike Challenge. This four month long (May 1 – August 31) free event is for anyone who wants get rewarded for ...

May. 2, 2012

Eau Claire Student Art on Display Through May 15

Emily Anderson

The Eau Claire Area School District is full of artistically talented students of all ages that would love the chance to display their work for their friends, families, and the community. Now is the time of the year when they have that chance! The ...

Apr. 18, 2012

Bubble Mania!

bubble artist comes to town by way of Cirque de Soleil

Emily Anderson

Bubbles aren’t just for little kids anymore. On April 29, Casey Carle will bring his all-ages show, Bubblemania!, to the Heyde Center. Carle is a professional “bubble entertainer” who has performed all over the world. He has a Bachelor of Arts ...

Apr. 18, 2012

Children's Museum Deal Offers Access to Science Museums Across Nation

Emily Anderson

The Eau Claire Children’s Museum is now offering a special membership for families in the Chippewa Valley. If you and your family would like to see what other children’s and science museums have to offer, you can purchase a year-long reciprocal ...

Apr. 18, 2012

A Gypsy in the Valley

everything’s coming up Sondheim for CVTG

Emily Anderson, photos by Andrea Paulseth

The Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild is bringing vaudeville back to The State Theatre. Seventeen years ago director Ron Kreinke put on the musical Gypsy for the Guild, and now he’s doing it again! Based on the life of dancer and actress Gypsy Rose ...

Apr. 2, 2012

Art Comes Springing from the Heyde Center

Emily Anderson

Spring is here, which means it’s time for the 47th Annual Spring Art Show at the Heyde Center for the Arts in Chippewa Falls. Running from April 15-26, this year’s show will feature more than 110 local artists, many of who will show their art for ...

Mar. 20, 2012

Kidz-hop

new dance classes get into the modern arena

Emily Anderson

If at any given time you want to know what our community’s various scenes will look like in the future, a good indicator is looking at the kinds of events and classes offered to our youths right now. And if the surge of movement-based offerings ...

Mar. 20, 2012

Milwaukee Burger Co. expands bar to 32 taps

Emily Anderson

For all you craft beer lovers in the Chippewa Valley, Milwaukee Burger Company has got a treat for you. The Eau Claire restaurant will be adding 24 new taps to its collection, most of which will be brews from regional craft breweries ...

Mar. 20, 2012

Help North High Jazz Students Get to New York

Emily Anderson

Essentially Ellington is one of the country’s most famous high school jazz competitions. Each year 15 high school jazz bands from all over the country are selected to participate in this prestigious event. This year, for the eighth time in ...

Mar. 5, 2012

Annual Danceworks Show Explores "Convergence"

Emily Anderson, photos by Andrea Paulseth

Danceworks is an annual dance performance put on by the UW-Eau Claire Dance Program. It features students from the program and is predominantly choreographed by the students as well. This year’s Danceworks is entitled “Convergence.” ...

Feb. 22, 2012

They Got Spirit, Yes They Do

new group getting young kids involved in cheer

Emily Anderson, photos by Andrea Paulseth

These days, cheerleaders aren’t just the people who stand on the sidelines and root for athletes. They are athletes. Cheerleading has become a competitive sport that requires strength, coordination, flexibility, and teamwork. Chippewa Valley ...

Feb. 20, 2012

Bon Iver Releases Single/Video, Collabs with John Prine

Emily Anderson

For all of you enthusiasts of Grammy-winning Bon Iver, the Eau Claire natives will be releasing a 12” edition of their single, Towers. Named for the infamous UWEC dorms, Towers is from the group’s sophomore album, Bon Iver, Bon Iver. The flip ...

Feb. 6, 2012

Acoustic on the Move?

downtown Eau Claire café could be opening in a new location

Emily Anderson, photos by Andrea Paulseth

The Acoustic Café, one of downtown Eau Claire’s busiest coffee shops, could be on the move. Since 1994, the café has been located at 505 S. Barstow St., providing great food, live music ...

Feb. 6, 2012

Heyde Center Stages Murderous Opera

Emily Anderson

There has been a murder at the opera and Madame Mafalda, the opera’s leading lady, is at the center of it all. In the appropriately named play, Murder at the Opera, Madame Mafalda is “involved” with more than one of the opera’s leading men, and ...

Jan. 23, 2012

Post Haste

downtown Eau Claire’s post office will relocate, create development opportunity

Emily Anderson, photos by Andrea Paulseth

For more than 30 years, the Eau Claire Post Office has been located at 126 N Barstow St. in downtown Eau Claire. But now, with its lease expiring in September 2012, the post office is looking to relocate. While your immediate concern may ...

Jan. 12, 2012

Guys & Does

deer hunting comedy to hit Heyde Center stage

Emily Anderson

Deer hunting is a time-honored tradition for many Wisconsinites, and Fritz Dingleheimer is no different. Fritz’s hunting experiences are brought to life in the hilarious new musical comedy Guys and Does, coming to the Heyde Center. Fritz thinks ...

Jan. 12, 2012

Frozen River Film Festival

sizable regional film festival just a short drive away

Emily Anderson

For the eighth year, the Frozen River Film Fest will take place January 25-29 in Winona, at Winona State University. The festival will feature more than 40 films and documentaries as well as live music, workshops, and free activities for kids.

Jan. 12, 2012

BINGO!

Children’s Theatre musical celebrates Midwestern institution

Emily Anderson, photos by Andrea Paulseth

We all know the image that comes to mind when we think of the stereotypical bingo hall and the white haired players that occupy it. Although it is only a stereotype, the Eau Claire Children’s Theatre is bringing a musical to The Oxford stage that ...

Jan. 12, 2012

Country Jam Jams in the Jammin' Country Jammers

Emily Anderson

For all of you country fans, Country Jam, a big-deal country music festival right in our backyard (Eau Claire), has added three more acts to its already impressive lineup for the 2012 festival. First is CMA award winning duo Montgomery Gentry.

Dec. 21, 2011

It Ragtime Time

Eau Claire Ragtime Festival plans 13th installment

Emily Anderson

The Eau Claire Ragtime Festival is a three-day extravaganza featuring four concerts (Friday and Saturday afternoon and evening). Featured at each concert are performers Paul Asaro and the St. Louis Stompers. Asaro is a Grammy-winning ...

Dec. 6, 2011

A Christmas Present

original holiday play headed for Heyde Center

Emily Anderson

With all of the incredible events that took place in biblical times, one has to wonder how the Christmas story would have played out today. Local playwrights James and Jane Jeffries have written a script that answers just such a question.

Dec. 6, 2011

Holiday Art Fair Returns

Eau Claire Regional Arts Center selling pieces from 40+ artists

Emily Anderson

With Thanksgiving over, it’s time to start thinking about Christmas. Specifically, it is time to start thinking about Christmas shopping. The Eau Claire Regional Arts Center’s Annual Holiday ...

Nov. 23, 2011

Take the Plunge

Get warm fuzzy charity feelings at the same time as frozen fingers at the Polar Plunge

Emily Anderson

Want to prove yourself as a true Wisconsinite? Want to help the Special Olympics? Why not do the Polar Plunge? At Half Moon Lake on February 26, 2012, individuals and teams will jump into three feet of icy cold water to raise money for...

Nov. 22, 2011

New CD from A Cappella Favorites Innocent Men

Emily Anderson

The Innocent Men, a UWEC all-male a cappella group, is releasing a new CD this December and putting on a concert to celebrate it. On December 10 at the university’s Council Fire Room in Davies Center, members Shawn Ryser, Ryan Simmons...

Nov. 21, 2011

Give Yourself a Hand

Emily Anderson

All Eau Clairians have undoubtedly seen the colorfully decorated hand sculptures in the city. And once again you can buy one of your own. Three of the hands from the 6th annual Hands Across Eau Claire project are being auctioned by...

Nov. 10, 2011

Another Last Waltz

Thanksgiving Day tribute concert returns for seconds

Emily Anderson

The Band’s 1976 farewell concert, dubbed The Last Waltz, marked the end of their touring career. For the second time, a local group of musicians have taken on the ambitious task of recreating this piece of musical history. These musicians ...

Oct. 26, 2011

Taste of the North Year Six

Emily Anderson

The sixth annual Taste of the North is bringing all the music, fun, and food of the Northwest to Chippewa Falls on Nov. 5. Set in the beautiful Heyde Center for the Arts, this spectacular evening affair will take place from 6pm to 9pm.

Oct. 26, 2011

Eau Claire the Scene of CSI: Live Stage Production

Emily Anderson

If you love murder mysteries, lasers, and TV’s Crime Scene Investigation (CSI), you’ll love CSI: Live! Presented by Mad Science, this live-action stage production is coming to The State Theatre on Nov. 10.

Oct. 12, 2011

Flyway Film Festival

this year’s fest to include acclaimed documentary

Emily Anderson

If you’re a local movie snob who wouldn’t dream of going to a regional film festival (thinking they pale in comparison to the likes of Cannes, Toronto, or Sundance), the folks of Pepin and Stockholm ask you to reconsider.

Sep. 13, 2011

Eau Claire Jazz Plans Big Band Extravaganza

Emily Anderson

In conjunction with UW-Eau Claire, Eau Claire Jazz has put together an exciting jazz event for all ages that will feature UWEC’s Jazz I and II ensembles.