The beginning of Summer (or Midsummer, agriculturally speaking) brings us a whopping boatload of stuff to do this weekend, from art festivals and art forms, to lusty vaudvillain sideshows to the biggest river-tubing event in the world (so they say).
- New to the roster this year is something I wish they would have started years ago, but I'm glad to see it now! The famous Rutledge Mansion up on the West Hill in Chippewa will be the site of the 1st Annual Solstice on Grand Art Faire on Saturday, June 20th from 9am to 5pm. The grounds will be transformed into a festival of 60 artists, live music, concessions and tours of the mansion itself. It sounds like a good deal of fun. Don't miss it!
- What would the Summer Solstice be without a celebration of it? Come down to the labyrinth at Phoenix Park from 1-4pm for Eau Claire's Summer Solstice Celebration. This all-inclusive soiree invites participation in a number of fun activities surrounding the height of summer: international folk dancing, some powerful drumming by the West African Music Society, Kirtan chanting, specialized "intuitive" dancing, and heck, maybe a poem or two. The celebration has been yearly and gets better every year with a great turnout.
- On Saturday at 7pm, the Acoustic Cafe will host guitarist Jeffery Jaworski. Following him will be the band Brothers Burn Mountain, whose earthy music seems appropriate for the solstice.
- Don't forget the Stone's Throw at 10pm for the Carnivale of Debauchery and Deviance with its circus-sideshow-inspired managerie of mischief and mayhem. A unique experience for the innocent soul...
- Orestus fans! Your local favorite heavy metal band will be playing at the House of Rock at 10pm on Saturday. For those of you not familiar with Orestus, get a sampling of their experience here.
- And finally, we come to Sunday, June 21st, Father's Day. I know some of you will be grilling out, or maybe boating with dear old Dad, but maybe you should do both and take him to Chippewa's famous FATFAR! What the heck is that, you ask? FATFAR is the acronym for Frenchtown Annual Tube Float And Regalia - a fancy-ism for perhaps the world's largest floating and tubing event. Every year brings thousands of floaters - some bring meager inner tubes or inflatable rafts and such, and then there's those who bring the big guns - huge rafts made for 30 people, grills, lounge chairs and creative decor. Some make it the entire way, some break up along the way, but each year brings plenty of tales about who fared how on the river. FATFAR begins at the launch site just downriver beneath the Canal Street side of the Main St. bridge and flows smoothly down the scenic Chippewa River for several miles. Though many tubers stop off at Loopy's Bar and Grill for its annual FatFest, many continue on to Two Waters Bar in Lake Hallie. Bring your tube, your raft, or your homemade floating party barge and plenty of sunscreen, for the FATFAR is a day to remember!
PS!! The word has just reached my ears that the Stone's Throw, known for its high-quality music acts and awesome food, will be closing on June 23rd!! Apparently, the owners are in negotiations with new owners but it is unknown yet who will take over ownership and when it will reopen. In appreciation for their customers, there will be a 3-day party from Sunday, June 21st through June 23rd. How sad! The Stone's Throw was one of Eau Claire's premier music venues. RIP Stone's Throw...
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