Storywalk
August 1-31
7 AM-Dusk @ Legacy Tree Trail, Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
This month’s Storywalk features the book, Miguel’s Community Garden by JaNay Brown-Wood and Samara Hardy. Visit DubuqueArboretum.net.
River Museum’s Taste of Summer
Thursday, August 1
5-9 PM @ Boatyard/Plaza, National Mississippi River Museaum & Aquarium
Guests are invited to attend this after-hours event in the boatyard and plaza areas on campus. Live music, food trucks, and a beer/seltzer stand will be available. A $5 suggested donation and beverage sales will support the River Museum. Visit RiverMuseum.org.
Gary’s Graffiti Nights
Thursdays, through September 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, through September 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.
Herbs for Relaxation
Thursday, August 1
6-7:30 PM @ Heinemann Visitor Center, Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
Educational session with Briana Cushman, clinical herbalist.Visit DubuqueArboretum.net.
Shullsburg Music in the Park
Thursdays, August 1 & 8
6:30-8:30 PM @ Badger Park (Shullsburg, WI)
This Music in the Park Concert Series offers music from a variety of area artists throughout the summer. Food and beverages will be available for purchase at each event, with different vendors and offerings. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Visit ShullsburgMusicInThePark.com.
Food Festival Fridays
1st Fridays, through 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.
Cascade Rockin’ on the River
Friday, August 2
7-11 PM @ Riverview Amphitheater (Cascade, IA)
Bring a cooler and lawn chair for a night of great music. Food available for purchase. Visit Facebook.com/RockinOnTheRiverCascade.
Dubuque Museum of Art Craft Invitational
Saturdays, through October 13
Visit DbqArt.org.
Ski Bellevue Water Ski Shows
Saturdays, August 3 & 17
4 PM @ Lake Street (Sabula, IA)
Watch Bellevue’s own water ski show team along Riverview St. Enjoy great family entertainment with bare footing, jumping, human pyramids, glittery costumes, and music. Visit Facebook.com/SkiBellevue.
Vesperman Farms Ice Cream Truck
Saturday, August 3
5:30-7:30 PM @ Heinemann Visitor Center Parking Lot, Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
Visit DubuqueArboretum.net.
Shrek the Musical JR.
Saturday, August 3, 7 PM
Sunday, August 4, 2 PM @ Ohnward Fine Arts Center (Maquoketa, IA)
Beauty is in the eye of the ogre in Shrek the Musical JR., based on the Oscar-winning
DreamWorks Animation film and Broadway musical. Shrek leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance. Visit OhnwardFineArtsCenter.com.
Sundaes in the Gardens
Sunday, August 4
11 AM- 3 PM @ McKay Plaza/ Heinemann Visitor Center, Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
Come for an ice cream social, food, and arts & crafts sale. Free ice cream sundaes from 12-1:30 PM. Various local artisans will showcase their unique works of art for sale. Coffee from 11 AM-2 PM by That 1 Place, Bird’s Chicken food truck 11 AM-3 PM. Visit DubuqueArboretum.net.
Mud Lake Bluegrass
Sunday, August 4
12-6 PM @ Mud Lake
The Mud Lake Music Society, in partnership with the Friends of Dubuque County Conservation, announce the return of the Mud Lake Bluegrass Sundays Series. Visit Facebook.com/MudLakeBluegrass.
Music in the Gardens
Sundays, August 4, 11, 18, 25
6-8 PM @ Packard Pavilion, Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
The 32nd season boasts family-friendly music in a variety of styles. Food vendor(s) onsite from either 5-7 PM or 5-7:30 PM, depending on the vendor. Bring a chair or blanket. Visit DubuqueArboretum.net.
Men’s Basketball Skills Camp
Monday through Thursday, August 5-8
8:30-11:30 AM @ Loras College Athletic & Wellness Center
The four-day basketball camp is taught by the Loras College men’s basketball players and coaches. Kids will learn the game of basketball while having fun with friends. Visit MensBasketball.DuhawkCamps.com.
Annie
Wednesday & Thursday, August 7-8, 10 AM
Wednesday through Saturday, August 7-10, 7:30 PM
Saturday & Sunday, August 10-11, 2 PM @ The Grand Opera House
With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. Over 270 area students will be a part of the production onstage, with countless more participating behind the scenes. Visit TheGrandOperaHouse.com.
Flower Pounding/Fabric Dye
Thursday, August 8
6-8 PM @ Heinemann Visitor Center/Rech Family Gardens, Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
Workshop: Flower pounding to dye fabric (project item TBD). Visit DubuqueArboretum.net.
Smokey Bear’s Birthday Party
Friday, August 9
11 AM-1 PM @ National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
Smokey Bear turns 80. Celebrate his birthday at the River Museum. Smokey and friends will be around to have pictures taken and hang out with visitors. Staff and guests will sing “Happy Birthday” at 11:15 AM. Cake and ice cream will be available while supplies last. Visit RiverMuseum.org.
Art on the River 2024
Friday, August 9
5-7 PM @ Grand River Center
The theme for this year’s exhibition is “Culture & Conversation,” with 11 works selected that speak to the artist’s ability to enlighten, educate, and affect communities and culture. Culture is learned. Culture is adaptive. Culture is shared. The reception is free to attend and open to the public. Visit CityofDubuque.org/311/Art-On-The-River.
Is There Life After 50?
August 9-10, 15-17, and 22-23, 7:30 PM
August 11, 18, and 24-25, 2 PM @ Bell Tower Theater
Summer brings the hilarious story of three wives who trick their unsuspecting husbands into spending their yearly vacation at a “health resort.” Will pizza, beer, and The Godfather win out over salad, sparkling water, and jazzercise? This battle of the sexes divides the cabin as they answer the question, is there life after 50? Visit BellTowerTheater.net.
Steppin’ It Up 5K Run/Walk
Saturday, August 10
9 AM @ Crescent Health Wellness Center, 1690 Elm St.
Join in on Crescent Health’s Wellness Expo & 5K Walk/Run at their new wellness center. Enjoy a day of fitness, food trucks, a live DJ, and community resources. Bring family and friends for this free event open to all. Registration opens at 8 AM. Race begins at 9 AM. Shoelace cutting at the new wellness center at 10:30 AM. Visit CrescentChc.org.
Picnic & Play
Saturday, August 10
11 AM–2 PM @ Packard Pavilion/Playground Pavilion, Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
1st Annual Back-to-School Picnic. DJ by Combat D Productions. Food by Hy-Vee. Vesperman Farms ice cream truck. Visit DubuqueArboretum.net.
East Dubuque WingFest
Saturday, August 10
Noon-10 PM @ Sinsinawa Avenue (East Dubuque, IL)
Indulge in tasty wings and family fun at EDGE Foundation’s Wingfest XIX. Enjoy live music, free inflatables for kids, food vendors, and a fireworks display. Visit Facebook/EastDubuqueWingFest.
The FRONTMEN
Saturday, August 10
5 PM @ Diamond Jo Casino
UnityPoint Health-Finley Health Foundation announces country superstars, The FRONTMEN, as the feature act for the annual Miracles on the Mississippi Gala. The FRONTMEN will be accompanied by the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra for a never-before-seen show. The gala will support the establishment of an endowment benefiting the UnityPoint Health Pediatric Therapy Center. Visit Uph.Link/Dbq_Gala_2024.
Murder at the Fish Fry Club
Sunday, August 11
5-7 PM @ Stone Cliff Winery
Buzz Nessman, the owner of Dubuque’s most popular speakeasy—the Fish Fry 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. Includes a four “corpse” meal. Visit Stonecliffwinery.com.
Explore the Gardens
Tuesday, August 13
10 AM-12 PM @ Heinemann Visitor Center, Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
Educational session. Visit DubuqueArboretum.net.
Steve-O
Wednesday, August 14
7 PM @ Five Flags Center
Steve-O is a renowned stunt performer, actor, and television personality. He gained fame as a member of the cast of the hit MTV show Jackass, where he performed a variety of dangerous and outrageous stunts. Steve-O continues to entertain audiences with his daring stunts, comedic talents, and larger-than-life personality. Visit FiveFlagsCenter.com.
Herbal Immune Boosters
Thursday, August 15
6-7 PM @ Heinemann Visitor Center, Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
Educational Session with Briana Cushman, clinical herbalist. Visit DubuqueArboretum.net.
Music on Main Street
Friday, August 16
5-9 PM @ Town Clock, Main Street
As always, free live music under the Town Clock featuring independent national, regional, and local musicians (no cover bands). Visit DubuqueMainStreet.com.
Blues Fest
Friday, August 16, 7 PM
Saturday, August 17, 3:30 PM @ Orchard Lawn, 234 Madison St. (Mineral Point, WI)
Blues & Roots Fest has grown into a two-day festival featuring local bands, solo artists, and award-winning and internationally-touring blues acts. Visit MineralPointBluesFest.org.
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.
Sunflower Bouquet Bar
Sunday, August 18
10 AM-1 PM @ Heinemann Visitor Center Parking Lot, Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
Food by OS on the go. Visit DubuqueArboretum.net.
Girl Named Tom
Sunday, August 18
7:30 PM @ Five Flags Center
Three siblings unlock one harmony to unite the world as Girl Named Tom. The trio notably made history as the only group to ever win NBC’s The Voice. Along the way, they’ve generated millions of streams across chart-rattling covers such as “River,” “The Chain,” and “Dust in the Wind.” Visit FiveFlagsCenter.com.
Distinctively Dubuque
Wednesdays, August 21–September 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.
Summer Stroll & Stories
Friday, August 23
7-9 PM @ Linwood Cemetery
Stroll along the paths with GRIPS, to graves of the movers and shakers of Dubuque buried at the beautiful and serene Linwood Cemetery. Enjoy tales of the tri-state area’s past. Ages 10+. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Visit GripsGhostHunt.com.
Harley Davidson Bike Night
Wednesday, August 28
6-9 PM @ McGrath Dubuque Harley-Davidson
Bike nights aren’t just for bikes anymore. Classic cars, Jeeps, off-road vehicles, or anything with wheels is welcome. Prizes, live music, drinks, and food available. Visit DubuqueHarley-Davidson.com.
Day at the Farm
Saturday, August 31
11 AM–1 PM @ Berning Acres, 8850 N. Menominee Rd. (East Dubuque, IL) Begin with a beautiful picnic on the lawn overlooking the fields and horses playing. Then, tour the farm and interact with the animals. . Visit BerningAcres.com/Visit.
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