Arts & Entertainment

Sparta High School's Spotlight Players receive top state musical award

Cast picture of “Grease, The Musical,” winner of the third Jerry Award for Outstanding Musical given to the Sparta High School Musical Theater,
Sparta High School Show Choir now has four Jerry Awards for Outstanding Musicals. Sparta Spotlight Players has received the Outstanding Musical Award-the most notable award at Wisconsin’s …

SSH Musical is one weekend only

Sparta High School has a very special Spring Musical running for just one weekend: “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” This musical is loaded with musical, comedic, and acting …

MCCS announces concert fundraiser “Petty Kings”

Monroe County Crime Stoppers (MCCS) announces its annual concert fundraiser, “Petty Kings, A Tribute to Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers,” at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) on Friday, …

Sparta Show Choir Spectacular

On Saturday, March 22 , Sparta High School is hosting its annual Sparta Spectacular.  This event will feature performances by Kiddie Camp and Youth Camp , along with a new youth Show Band. …

“DRIVING MISS DAISY” SET FOR MARCH 13TH AT AREA COMMUNITY THEATRE IN TOMAH

Tomah, Wis. February 12, 2025 – Area Community Theatre (ACT) in Tomah is set to perform one of the most moving plays in modern American theatre, “Driving Miss Daisy.” The ACT …

“Nunsense” coming to United Methodist Church in Sparta

Summit Spirits presents the musical comedy, “Nunsense” at the Sparta United Methodist Church, located at 210 North Court Street. The production will run two consecutive weekends, starting …

Matilda hits the stage at Meadowview Middle

Meadowview Middle School remained in session for some Sparta Area School District students, who were participating in three weekend showings of “Matilda Junior: The Musical,” on the …

Life, Music, and the Legacy of Dana Tock

Teachers play a vital role in shaping the lives of their students. Through encouragement and personalized attention, the teacher fosters a safe environment where students feel valued and empowered to express themselves. Few people possess the skill to break through barriers and reach students so profoundly that it alters their paradigm.

Area harper performs at Wonewoc Public Library

The image of the harp is one that has become practically synonymous with Ireland. In fact, the harp is one of the country’s national symbols, routinely featured in the branding of anything …

ACT opens “Canceling Christmas” January 9th

“Canceling Christmas" opens at ACT this Thursday, January 9th! The story begins with Emily, played by Ashley Williford, putting together her father's Christmas Program at the local theatre. …

The culinary art of Lefse making

The lefse-making season is finally upon us. As a child, my Grandmother would make lefse every year just before Thanksgiving. It's a tradition I remember fondly, one I adopted once I could purchase a …

Jólabókaflóðið

At least ten years ago, during the Christmas season, I stumbled upon an article about an Icelandic Christmas tradition called Jólabókaflóðið, also often spelled …

No More Talk of Darkness visits Tomah High School

The Tomah Concert Association was formed in 1968, with its first concert performance being held in 1969. They are known for bringing in world renowned talent to perform at the Tomah High School, …

Sparta Spotlight Players add encore performance of Grease: The Musical

For the last two weekends, November 8th through the 10th, and November 14th – 17th, Sparta Spotlight Players, high school musical theatre students, have wowed the community audience with their …

The Hidden Art Gallery of Monroe County

Did you know Monroe County has an amazing art gallery? I only discovered this after a Google search earlier this year. The search led me to the Antique Mall in Tomah, Wisconsin. Inside its walls lie …

Wildlife mural-in-progress in Historic Downtown Sparta

On Tuesday, October 29th, Sal D’Agostino carefully hauled down fresh paints, drop cloths, and a table to an area blighted by graffiti along Beaver Creek, in Historic Downtown Sparta. …

Watercolor and Memories

I recently had the pleasure of attending an art reception for lifelong artist and educator Diane Crane at Viterbo University's art gallery. The …

Sparta City Hall to receive local artist’s gift during Wednesday meeting

On Wednesday, October 16th, at 6 p.m., Sparta City Council members will gather at City Hall to witness the unveiling of a special gift of five portraits, painted by local fine artist, Marianne Rice. …

Sparta High showcases talent at Variety Show

On Tuesday, October 1st, Sparta High School was buzzing with anticipation as a packed auditorium awaited the homecoming week Variety Show. Attendees were anxious to embark on a journey of musical …

Local Art News: Sparta Art Society holding mural vote

When it Comes to Community Art, Sparta Art Society believes the community’s voice is important. The Sparta Finance Committee recently awarded funding to the newly formed Sparta Art Society, to …

Visit the 20th Annual Driftless Area Art Festival

A light mist clung to the valley floors the morning of my first visit to the Driftless Area Art Festival a few years ago. I always loved the scene of a valley floor filled with morning or evening mist. It's simultaneously eerie and beautiful, setting the perfect scene for the rest of the day.

Will AI kill the arts?

I am sure most of you have heard about and even dabbled with the Artificial Intelligence platforms sprouting up around the internet in the last few years.   As someone who was a web developer, I …

Stitching together a business built on passion

Originally from Pennsylvania, Rachelle Craig grew up in an area with a high Amish population. When her family relocated when she was a teenager, Craig decided to teach herself how to quilt, taking …

Grease up your time machine

This November 2024, Sparta High School alumni do not need to be “beauty school dropouts” to return to their alma mater. Everyone from near and far is invited to “go back” to …

Wegner Grotto sculpts substantial crowd at decade old art event

For 10 years, Monroe County History Room and Museum has hosted an “Outdoor Art” event at the treasured Paul and Matilda Wegner Grotto, located at 7788 Daylight Road, just North of Sparta, …

Kids from Wisconsin present a “Larger than Life” show

Since their founding, in 1968, the Kids From Wisconsin (KFW) have performed to audiences at fairs, national trade shows, conventions, and festivals. Since their premier introduction, over 10 million …

Wegner grotto sees 10th anniversary of Art Outdoors

On Saturday, August 24th, the Wegner Grotto County Park will host the 10th-annual “Art Outdoors” make-and-take art day. This family-friendly event includes exploring one of …

Kids from Wisconsin to hit Tomah stage

On Tuesday, August 13th, at 7 p.m., the Kids from Wisconsin will be hitting the stage at the Tomah High School, located at 901 Lincoln Avenue, in Tomah. Kids from Wisconsin is a group of 36 kids from …

Artist’s creation brightens bridge underpass

On the morning of July 10th, 2024, under a bridge on East Wisconsin Avenue, popular Sparta artist, Sal D’ Agostino, readied his paints, brushes, and mindset for his next big project: …
Galleries

TOCK + TONE play Concerts in the park

Sparta Horns (left to right) - Logan Eilers | Trombone, Michael Rhodes | Trumpet, Garrick Manning | Alto Sax, Yasmine Campos | Bari Sax, Dana Tock | Keys, Vox, Percussion, Guitar

TOCK + TONE: The Duo - Joel Tock | Vox, Guitar, C Melody Sax, Sound Engineer (orange pants, trying to have fun on a stool) Steve Laxtón | Vox, Keytar, Guitar, Trumpet …

Special Sections
Sparta Horns (left to right) - Logan Eilers | Trombone, Michael Rhodes | Trumpet, Garrick Manning | Alto Sax, Yasmine Campos | Bari Sax, Dana Tock | Keys, Vox, Percussion, Guitar
Sparta Horns (left to right) - Logan Eilers | Trombone, Michael Rhodes | Trumpet, Garrick Manning | Alto Sax, Yasmine Campos | Bari Sax, Dana Tock | Keys, Vox, Percussion, Guitar
Sparta Horns (left to right) - Logan Eilers | Trombone, Michael Rhodes | Trumpet, Garrick Manning | Alto Sax, Yasmine Campos | Bari Sax, Dana Tock | Keys, Vox, Percussion, Guitar
Sparta Horns (left to right) - Logan Eilers | Trombone, Michael Rhodes | Trumpet, Garrick Manning | Alto Sax, Yasmine Campos | Bari Sax, Dana Tock | Keys, Vox, Percussion, Guitar
Sparta Horns (left to right) - Logan Eilers | Trombone, Michael Rhodes | Trumpet, Garrick Manning | Alto Sax, Yasmine Campos | Bari Sax, Dana Tock | Keys, Vox, Percussion, Guitar