Events are subject to change. Please visit listing sites for the most up-to-date information. Submissions may also be edited and are printed at the discretion of the publisher.
Under the Same Sun
Through Saturday, September 28
@ Voices Studios, 1585 Central Ave.
Prepare to witness a confluence of talent and vision as renowned artists Leslie Bell and Lee White join forces for an extraordinary art exhibition. This display showcases a diverse array of artworks that reflect the profound journeys and creative mastery of both artists. For more information, email VoicesDbq@gmail.com.
A Life Lived in Bright Light
Through Saturday, September 28
@ Voices Studios, 1585 Central Ave.
Original works by artist Andrew Raeside showcase a series of abstract paintings that celebrate the shared emotional experiences and connections between individuals. For more information, email VoicesDbq@gmail.com.
Storywalk
September 1-30
7 AM-Dusk @ Legacy Tree Trail, Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
This month’s Storywalk features the book, I Love Insects! by Lizzie Rockwell. Visit DubuqueArboretum.net.
Buenie Family Picnic
Sunday, September 1
11 AM-3 PM @ Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (North Buena Vista, IA)
Country Store opens at 9 AM. Chicken and ham dinner, inflatables, kids’ games, silent auction, and handmade quilt auction. Visit Facebook.com/BuenieFamilyPicnic.
Blueberry Jam Music Festival
Monday, September 2
2 PM @ Sandy Hook Tavern (Hazel Green, WI)
The annual Sandy Hook party welcomes The Brews Brothers and the Tiger Kings for a fundraiser for the Garrett Wade Stephens Memorial Fund and other local charities. Visit Facebook.com/SandyHookTavern.
Early Explorers
Tuesday, September 3
10-11 AM @ National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
Programs include a variety of hands-on and active activities, including a craft and a game. Ages 2-5, with parent/caregiver. RSVP suggested. Visit RiverMuseum.org.
Triva Night at Riverboat Lounge
Tuesdays, September 3-24
7 PM @ Hotel Julien
Gather a group of 3-5 of your smartest friends (the ones who are best known for their wealth of seemingly useless, random knowledge) for trivia night. Prizes will be awarded to members of the winning team. Visit HotelJulienDubuque.com.
Distinctively Dubuque
Wednesdays, September 4-18
5:30–8:30 PM @ Various Locations in Downtown Dubuque
Distinctively Dubuque is a five-night course hosted by high-energy presenters with in-depth knowledge of the Greater Dubuque region and is designed for individuals who are new to the area within the last five years. Each night explores a different topic at a different venue and includes dinner, highlighting quintessential Dubuque dining experiences. Visit GreaterDubuque.org.
Wild West Wednesdays
Wednesdays, September 4-25
7-11 PM @ Dubuque County Fairgrounds
Come for country dance music and fun. Whether it’s couple dancing or line dancing, request your favorite dance music. All ages. Visit DBQFair.com.
Tree Problems & Maintenance
Thursday, September 5
6-7 PM @ Heinemann Visitor Center, Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
Educational session presented by Ray Kruse. Visit DubuqueArboretum.net.
Gary’s Graffiti Nights
Thursdays, September 5-12
5-9:30 PM @ Kennedy Mall
Celebrating their 42nd year, cars 1979 and older gather for a 1950s-1960s car show based on American Graffiti with music and door prizes. Visit Facebook.com/GarysGraffitiNights.
East Dubuque Cruisin’ Thursdays
Thursdays, September 5-26
5-9 PM @ Sinsinawa Ave. (East Dubuque, IL)
Open to all years, makes, and models of classic, muscle, and unique cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Great food, closed street, open containers, and live music. Visit Facebook.com/EastDubuqueCarShow.
Food Festival Fridays
Friday, September 6
11:30 AM–1:30 PM @ Washington Park
Join area food vendors in Washington Park for a lunchtime food fest. 365ink Magazine brings the perfect side dish to your chicken sandwich, pizza, or coffee–local, live music. Visit DubuqueMainStreet.com.
Dubuque Dragon Boat Festival
Friday through Sunday, September 6-8
8 AM–5 PM @ Miller Riverview Park
Teams from multiple states and Canada compete in 40-foot-long boats shaped like dragons, holding 21 people of all ages, racing on the mighty Mississippi. Races are free to watch. Shuttle service provided. Visit DubuqueDragonBoat.org.
Platteville Dairy Days
Friday through Sunday, September 6-8
8 AM @ Legion Park (Platteville, WI)
Amusement rides, live music, parade, flea market, cattle show, talent show, tractor pulls, food, and more. Visit PlattevilleDairyDays.com.
Cows, Beers & Cheese Curds
Saturday, September 6
6-8 PM @ Berning Acres (East Dubuque, IL)
A VIP event hosted by Matt and Natalie Berning. Begin in the farm shop with beverages and farm intro. Then, head out and about to tour the farm and interact with the animals. Finally, wrap it up back in the shop for a view of the sunset over the farm with your own complimentary basket of a variety of locally sourced cheese curds and a beverage. Visit Berningacres.com/Visit.
First Friday/Sequel Saturday
Friday, September 6, 4:30-7:30 PM
Saturday, September 7, 9:30 AM-12 PM
@ Outside the Lines Art Gallery, 1101 Main St.
Outside the Lines is excited to feature Sun Prairie, WI, artist John McGee on Friday and Saturday. McGee will be demonstrating his oil painting technique throughout the evening and again the following morning. For more information, contact 563-583-9343.
Cows, Kids & Curds
Saturday, September 7
2-4 PM @ Berning Acres (East Dubuque, IL)
Begin in the farm shop with beverages and cheese curds while learning about the farm history and background. Then, head out and about to tour the farm and interact with the animals. Finally, wrap it up back in the shop if you choose, sampling a variety of locally sourced cheeses curds and ice cream. Visit Berningacres.com/Visit.
Grandparents’ Day
Sunday, September 8
9 AM-5 PM @ National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
Happy Grandparents’ Day! All day, grandparents receive $10 off admission. No youth admission is required. Just let the box office know that you are a grandparent. Visit RiverMuseum.org.
JA Golf Classic
Monday, September 9
11 AM-6 PM @ Meadows Golf Club
Proceeds from the JA Golf Classic will help fund JA’s financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship learning experiences benefiting more than 6,000 students locally. 18 Holes Scramble Format $500 per foursome, $125 per golfer. Registration: 11 AM. Shotgun Start: 12 PM. Includes green fees, cart, lunch, on-course games, player gift, dinner. Visit Heartland.JA.org/Events/2024-Golf-Classic-Dubuque.
Mid-Century Modern Architecture in Dubuque County
Tuesday September 10
6 PM @ Dubuque County Library (Peosta, IA)
The distinctive architecture of the 1940s to the 1960s reflects the era’s emerging values, including new ideas of what it meant to live the American Dream. This presentation gives an overview of the types of mid-century buildings that can be found in Dubuque County, and the characteristics to look for in identifying them. For more information, email Stew0220@umn.edu.
City Life for Marshallese Residents
Tuesday, September 10
@ Various Locations in Dubuque
City Life is the City of Dubuque’s fun, free, and interactive course on local government. Learn more about city operations and services that make Dubuque a great place to live. Through presentations, tours, and conversations with neighbors you’ll see taxpayer investments at work and be able to share your thoughts. This edition will be in Marshallese for the Marshallese residents. RSVP. Visit CityOfDubuque.org/CityLife.
Workshop: Decorate a Pumpkin
Thursday, September 12
6-8 PM @ Heinemann Visitor Center, Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
Decorate a real pumpkin with dried flowers. Visit DubuqueArboretum.net.
Bushwood Golf Classic (Rescheduled)
Friday, September 13
12:30 PM @ Bunker Hill Golf Course
The third annual Caddyshack-themed JDIFF Bushwood Classic is an 18-hole scramble featuring a raffle, silent auction, and dinner plus fun surprises throughout the course. Best of all, it supports the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival. Dress in your Caddyshack best, as prizes will be given for best attire. Visit JulienFilmFest.com.
Friday Lights Poetry Night
Friday, September 13
6-7 PM @ River Lights Bookstore
Bring your work to share and read a favorite poem. Listen, laugh, and learn in a quiet space of time. Participate in the poetry book swap—bring one, swap one. Visit RiverLights.com.
The Great Draw Street Art Competition
Saturday, September 14
9 AM-4 PM @ 11th and Main in Dubuque
The public is invited to watch artists of all ages create large scale, pastel street paintings. Vote for your favorite and support the Great Draw Visual Arts Scholarship Fund. Live local music and food trucks on site. Visit TheGreatDraw.com.
Fishtival
Saturday, September 14
9 AM–3 PM @ Downtown (Bellevue, IA)
Celebrate art, fish, and the Mississippi River with activities for everyone including art show and sale, and kids’ projects. Visit Facebook.com/BellevueArtsCouncil.
Dubuque Oktoberfest
Saturday, September 14
11 AM-6 PM @ Q Casino & Resort’s Back Waters Stage
Dubuque Oktoberfest celebrates its 15th year. Music, food, drinks, entertainment, games, including the wiener dog races and stein holding contest. Donations accepted for Camp Albrecht Acres. Rain or shine. Visit DbqOktoberfest.org.
Bloktoberfest
Saturday, September 14
12-5 PM @ Millwork District
With a lineup of BMX, skateboarding, kids’ events, art, yoga, and an array of local food and beverages available for purchase, the free festival promises to be a sensational celebration of community, creativity, lifestyle, and recreation. Visit BloktoberfestDubuque.com.
The Price is Right Live™
Saturday, September 14
7 PM @ Five Flags Arena
Get ready to “Come on Down” and join the excitement the legendary television game show, The Price Is Right™, comes to life in an unforgettable live event. This is your chance to be a part of the action and win incredible prizes. Visit FiveFlagsCenter.com.
Reba, Dolly, and Friends
Saturday, September 14
7 PM @ Ohnward Fine Arts Center (Maquoketa, IA)
A hilarious country revue show filled with classic hits and surprise guests. Don’t miss Brooke Byam, Dustin Weiss, and Eli Traum as they bring these beloved tunes to life, backed by an incredible live band. Visit OhnwardFineArtsCenter.com.
Dr. Bonn Scott: Serial Killers
Saturday, September 14
7:30 PM @ Five Flags Theater
Spend a deliciously chilling evening with renowned criminologist and serial killer expert, Dr. Scott Bonn, as he takes you inside the minds of the world’s most savage and prolific murderers. Adults only. Visit FiveFlagsCenter.com.
Dubuque Cars and Coffee
3rd Sundays, through October 20
9 AM-12 PM @ Veterans Memorial Plaza
Casual meet-up for cars of all makes, models, and years. Coffee, donuts, and drinks will be for sale. Proceeds go to Veteran’s Freedom Center. Visit Facebook.com/DubuqueCarsAndCoffee.
What Style Is It?
Sunday, September 15
1 PM @ James Kennedy Library (Dyersville, IA)
Homes, downtowns, churches, and schools boast a wide range of historic and modern architectural styles. Learn how and why specific styles are used and where they can be found throughout Dubuque County. For more information, email Stew0220@umn.edu.
Murder at the Fish Fry Club
Sunday, September 15
5-7 PM @ Stone Cliff Winery
A night of mystery and intrigue in the wild and romantic era of the roaring ’20s. Buzz Nessman, the owner of Dubuque’s most popular speakeasy—the Fish Fly Club—has just been murdered. Was it the prohibitionist NA O’Doul or Buzz’s jealous business partner Bootleg Willie? Maybe it was the jazz singer Bea Sharpe or perhaps Betty Jane—Buzz’s sweet-but-not-so-innocent mistress. Four “corpse” meal and a show. Visit StoneCliffWinery.com.
Student Oceans Conference
Wednesday & Thursday, September 18-19
8 AM-5 PM @ National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
The Student Oceans Conference is an intensive two-day watershed workshop held at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium (NMRMA), throughout Dubuque County, and on the Mississippi River. This workshop is designed to inspire a watershed stewardship ethic in students and build upon their confidence and individual environmental literacies. Visit RiverMuseum.org.
She Unites
Wednesday, September 18
6:30–7:30 PM @ The Innovation Lab, 210 Jones St.
Come together for an evening of socialization and education. She Unites features rotating speakers, talking about anything and everything pertaining to women in a chill environment. Make a new friend, have authentic conversations, and leave with inspiration to power you through. Visit SheUnitesIowa.com/Events.
Senior Expo 2024
Thursday, September 19
9 AM-12 PM @ Dubuque County Fairgrounds Ballroom
Visit with over 30 vendors to learn more about what our community has to offer for senior living, health care, therapy, insurance, in-home care, selling your home, hospice, and more. Free admission, beverages, and door prizes. For more information, contact 563-582-0646.
Cooper Allen
Thursday, September 19
8 PM @ Five Flags Arena
A rising star with the spirit of a true entertainer, a penchant for outside-the-box thinking and a growing, self-built audience, Cooper Alan is an artist willing to take country music where others have never dreamed. Visit FiveFlagsCenter.com.
Guttenberg Germanfest
Friday and Saturday, September 20-21
Friday, 3 PM; Saturday, 8:30 AM @ 600 S River Park Dr. (Guttenberg, IA)
Yeah, it’s a bit out of town, but it’s well worth the drive. Open-air festival market, festival tent, biergarten, dinners, dances, stein contests, German music, wiener dog races, and more. Visit GuttenbergIowa.net/Germanfest.
A Grand Night for Singing
Friday & Saturday, September 20–21 and 27–28, 7:30 PM
Sundays, September 22 and 29, 2 PM @ The Grand Opera House
Be transported by the wit, charm, and melodies that put Rodgers & Hammerstein in a class of their own. A Grand Night For Singing celebrates over 30 hit songs from all their musical treasures like Oklahoma!, South Pacific, The Sound of Music, Carousel, The King and I, Cinderella, and more. Visit TheGrandOperaHouse.com.
Becoming an Outdoor Woman
Saturday, September 21
9 AM-1 PM @ Mines of Spain Road
Connect with like-minded women and discover the opportunities that are available in the outdoors. Learn outdoor skills from knowledgeable women instructors during this day of fun-filled sessions provided by Dubuque County Conservation. Visit Facebook.com/DubuqueCountyConservation.
West Dubuque Wingfest
Saturday, September 21
10 AM–4 PM @ Farley City Park (Farley, IA)
Competitors cook up approximately 10,000 wings with live entertainment, volleyball, baggo, human foosball, and a wing eating contest. Plus, kids’ entertainment, a dunk tank, and more, all to support West Dubuque High School. Visit Facebook.com/Western.Dubuque.
Trilogy: The Ultimate Tribute Show
Saturday, September 21
8 PM @ Five Flags Theater
Experience the sights and sounds of three epic bands all in one memorable night. Each member of each band looks and sounds like the person they are portraying. Trilogy is made up of professional musicians from all over the nation. The show begins with The Doors Tribute, continues with The Led Zeppelin Tribute, and finish with The Pink Floyd Tribute. Visit FiveFlagsCenter.com.
Pumpkin & Gourd Wagon
Sunday, September 22
10 AM-3 PM @ Heinemann Visitor Center Parking Lot, Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
Growing the most unique varieties of pumpkins and gourds, come get your Fall decorations. Food by OS on the Go. Visit DubuqueArboretum.net.
Garden Tea Blending Lab
Sunday, September 22
1-3 PM @ Heinemann Visitor Center, Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
Rose and lavender tea blending lab by Grace Deane, master herbalist and tea blender at ByzanTEAum. Visit DubuqueArboretum.net.
Mac & Cheese Fest
Thursday, September 26
6–8 PM (VIP @ 5 PM) @ Five Flags Center
Mac & Cheese Fest draws the area’s top chefs and breweries to serve up their own unique spin on mac and cheese. Foodies and craft beer lovers unite to taste more than 20 varieties of mac and cheese paired with over 50 craft beers while raising funds for the University of Iowa Hospitals NICU and Rauen Family Foundation. Visit MacAndCheeseFestDbq.com.
Dubuque’s Largest Flea Market And Garage Sale
Saturday, September 28
8 AM–3 PM @ Tri-State Independent Blind Society
Browse more than 100 tables full of great items at the garage sale/flea market plus baked goods, direct sales, crafts, and more. Visit DSDelights-101810.Square.Site.
Dubuque Latinx Fiesta
Saturday, September 28
1-7 PM @ Smokestack, 62 E. 7th St.
Everyone is invited to celebrate the diverse cultures, art, music, and cuisine of Latin America. Shop diverse vendors and resources and enjoy performances and an art exhibit. Visit DubuqueUnidos.com.
Japanese Garden 30th Anniversary Celebration
Sunday, September 29
11 AM-2 PM @ Japanese Garden, Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
Kiko Qigong yoga. Food by Hibachi Time. ByzanTEAum tea tasting. Demonstrations by Badger Bonsai Society. Music and more. Visit DubuqueArboretum.net.
Active Aging Week
Monday, September 30 through Friday, October 4
@ Stonehill Communities
Join Stonehill Communities and local presenters in a week-long observance of Active Aging Week. There will be free daily activities and workshops on topics related to physical, emotional, spiritual, vocational, and social health. Visit StoneHillDbq.com/ActiveAgingWeek.
Click to subscribe for convenient delivery of Julien’s Journal by mail, or call (563) 557-7571. Single issues are available in print at area newsstands and digitally on JuliensJournal.com.
Comment here