Winter break is approaching for UW-Eau Claire students. With time off from class, there are multiple events to enjoy at the Pablo Center over the next month. 

December 16

Dec. 16 is a busy day for the Pablo Center. Local musician Chris Kroeze and the band, The Rattlenecks, will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 16 at the Royal Credit Union Theatre. 

According to Kroeze’s website, his music is inspired by his small-town upbringing in Barron, WI and he’s been featured on NBC’s “The Voice,” winning runner-up in 2018. 

From Dec. 16 through Feb. 19, the Brady & Jeanne Foust Collection will be open to the community. 

According to the Pablo Center website, “this exhibit will feature highlights from their lifetime of collecting art, from original works of famous masters to prominent local artists.” 

The artist reception for the Brady & Jeanne Foust Collection will be from 5-7 p.m. on Dec. 17.

At 5 p.m. on Dec. 16 at the Marilyn Schaefer Riverfront Hall, there will be an artist reception for the “Potters of the North” exhibit.

According to the Pablo Center website, the event will be an opportunity for community members to ask artists questions about their work. 

December 17

George Winston will be performing at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 17 at the JAMF Theatre. 

According to the Pablo Center website, Winston will be performing winter hits from his albums “Linus & Lucy — The Music of Vince Guaraldi Vol. 1” and “Winter.” 

Winston has released 16 solo albums that heavily feature his signature acoustic solo piano according to his website. 

January 13

A 1980s hair metal tribute band, Hairball will be performing at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 13 at the RCU Theatre. 

According to the Pablo Center website, the band will be performing hits from a variety of bands that include Van Halen, KISS, Motley Crue and Queen among others. 

“Hairball is an event; an attitude and expression of music and showmanship that isn’t a retro-flashback,” Hairball said. “It’s a way of life… and it’s not going away!” 

January 19 

1964 The Tribute will be performing at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 19 at the RCU Theatre. 

According to the Pablo Center website, 1964 is a Beatles tribute band specifically focused on the moment in time when the Beatles first began performing live in front of an audience. 

January 21

On Jan. 21 and 22, there will be three performances of “The Book of Mormon” at the RCU Theatre. 

According to “The Book of Mormon’s” website, the performances are part of a larger national tour. 

The musical is South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker’s debut into musicals. 

January 27

From Jan. 27 through March 12, the Tiit Raid collection will be on view at the James W Hansen Gallery. 

According to a Volume One article by Patti See, Raid lived in the Chippewa Valley since 1967 though he had been an artist since 1953. 

The collection will be a retrospective of Raid’s life work in creating art according to the Pablo Center website. 

February 3

From Feb. 3 through 5, the Eau Claire Children’s Theatre will be performing “Little House on the Prairie” at the RCU Theatre. 

According to the Pablo Center website, there will be four performances and the musical will follow the journey of the Ingall family as they travel westward into the frontier. 

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Pablo Center events page.

Adams can be reached at [email protected].