MONROE - The Monroe Arts Center will present the Wisconsin Music Arts Festival from May 14 to 16. The three-day festival will feature country and western, western swing, and rockabilly music by musicians, singers, and songwriters, along with family and children's concerts and workshops. Locations of performances and workshops will be the Monroe Square, Monroe Arts Center, and the Monroe High School Performing Arts Center.
WMAF emcee Stephanie Elkins, host and producer of WPR's "Simply Folk" and "Morning Classics," will be on the Square at 6:30 p.m. May 14 for the free kick-off performance by The Best Westerns. Hailed as "Milwaukee's Western Swing Kings," The Best Westerns band founder and bass violinist Mark Hembree has performed with Bill Monroe and Randy Travis, and performed the music soundtrack for the movie, "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou."
"Sweet Dreams and Honky Tonks: The Music and Lives of Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, and Johnny Cash" will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. May 15 at the Monroe Arts Center.
Starring Tom Waselchuk and Jami Lampkins, along with their band The Dang-Its, this entertaining musical revue weaves four of the most famous of country music stars into a show that invites the audience into the private lives of these stars, showcases their hits, and brings back memories.
A day-long series of free family and children's concerts and workshops begins at 10 a.m. May 16 at Monroe Arts Center.
Scheduled concerts include singers and songwriters Ken Lonnquist; K.G. and The Ranger; and Monroe's own Rockabillly Junction. Children's music-themed workshops, which will be taught by Jesse Wellington, Sarah Bodell, and Beth Kille include songwriting, building musical instruments, circle drumming, and a drum ensemble recital.
Headlining the Wisconsin Music Arts Festival at 7:30 p.m. May 16 at the Monroe High School Performing Arts Center is Roy Rogers Jr. and The High Riders. It's an evening of authentic classic cowboy and western, bluegrass, and country music. Roy "Dusty" Rogers entertains with songs and stories of his famous family heritage.
Dustin Rogers, son of Dusty and grandson of Roy, joins his father on stage singing in the cowboy tradition of his father and grandfather.
To purchase concert tickets or for more information, contact Monroe Arts Center at 608-325-5700 or 888-596-1249; visit the box office at 1315 11th St., Monroe; or online at www.monroeartscenter.com.
The event has been underwritten by corporate underwriter Colony Brands, Inc., and media underwriters Monroe Publishing, LLC, and Big Radio. Additional support has been provided by Wisconsin Department of Tourism, Wisconsin Public Radio, and Wisconsin Arts Board.
WMAF emcee Stephanie Elkins, host and producer of WPR's "Simply Folk" and "Morning Classics," will be on the Square at 6:30 p.m. May 14 for the free kick-off performance by The Best Westerns. Hailed as "Milwaukee's Western Swing Kings," The Best Westerns band founder and bass violinist Mark Hembree has performed with Bill Monroe and Randy Travis, and performed the music soundtrack for the movie, "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou."
"Sweet Dreams and Honky Tonks: The Music and Lives of Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, and Johnny Cash" will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. May 15 at the Monroe Arts Center.
Starring Tom Waselchuk and Jami Lampkins, along with their band The Dang-Its, this entertaining musical revue weaves four of the most famous of country music stars into a show that invites the audience into the private lives of these stars, showcases their hits, and brings back memories.
A day-long series of free family and children's concerts and workshops begins at 10 a.m. May 16 at Monroe Arts Center.
Scheduled concerts include singers and songwriters Ken Lonnquist; K.G. and The Ranger; and Monroe's own Rockabillly Junction. Children's music-themed workshops, which will be taught by Jesse Wellington, Sarah Bodell, and Beth Kille include songwriting, building musical instruments, circle drumming, and a drum ensemble recital.
Headlining the Wisconsin Music Arts Festival at 7:30 p.m. May 16 at the Monroe High School Performing Arts Center is Roy Rogers Jr. and The High Riders. It's an evening of authentic classic cowboy and western, bluegrass, and country music. Roy "Dusty" Rogers entertains with songs and stories of his famous family heritage.
Dustin Rogers, son of Dusty and grandson of Roy, joins his father on stage singing in the cowboy tradition of his father and grandfather.
To purchase concert tickets or for more information, contact Monroe Arts Center at 608-325-5700 or 888-596-1249; visit the box office at 1315 11th St., Monroe; or online at www.monroeartscenter.com.
The event has been underwritten by corporate underwriter Colony Brands, Inc., and media underwriters Monroe Publishing, LLC, and Big Radio. Additional support has been provided by Wisconsin Department of Tourism, Wisconsin Public Radio, and Wisconsin Arts Board.