Ticket links are below for most of our ticketed events.  Please click the event name, or "buy tickets".

If you would like to buy tickets in-person, the River Arts Center Box Office typically opens 30-60 minutes before a scheduled performance, and is staffed by volunteers or representatives of the performing organization.  

Some events are ticketed by the event presenter, including non-local dance studios.  We are unable to support ticket sales beyond links below for those events.

A note about ticketing fees: Most events will have a small ticketing fee on top of the ticket price.   These fees generally barely cover the cost charged to the show by the ticket processing company.  Most ticketing fees are under $3/ticket, and we are not able to waive those fees, as even when waived, the ticketing company is still charging the event their fee.  Thank you for understanding.

Presented by River Arts Inc

Saturday, September 6th, 2025 at 7pm

Theater

$35 Adults, $10 Students (ages 4-18)

Chicken Wire Empire is a Wisconsin-based bluegrass band known for their dynamic musicality, thorough arrangements, and true-to-life songwriting. The band emerged in 2016 with their debut self-titled album and have since released a prolific catalogue of studio projects and live performances. Their sixth and latest album, Growing Pains, releases June 1 and is a veritable culmination of the band’s growth through the past decade.

CWE continuously captivates audiences with thoughtful, energetic performances. Their high-level musicality turns up a fresh conversation with each show, like a brainstorm of creative musical substance. Americana Highways writes “These musicians must enjoy what they do because their joy translates through their instruments. The energy, fingering techniques are all proponents that deliver substance with a modicum of joy. There aren’t any low points, missteps, loss of heat in any of these melodies.”

The band has been recognized worldwide for their performances and recorded works, with Americana UK calling their latest album “a variety which transcends genre and rewards careful listening.” Capturing the ever-evolving sights and sounds of the road through the lens of their Midwestern roots, the band’s catalog of songs is ever-growing and CWE continues to be acknowledged for their pensive attention to detail in writing and crafting deeply engaging songs.

Chicken Wire Empire has partnered with dozens of artists from all corners of the bluegrass genre, from Sam Bush and Peter Rowan to Vince Herman and Keller Williams. Their forthcoming album features guest appearances from Grammy-winning artists Jerry Douglas and Kyle Tuttle. The long list of collaborators has lent a lifetime of taste and knowledge to CWE’s musical journey while the band has grown into its identifiably authentic yet original sound.

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Presented by Sauk Prairie Middle School and Sauk Prairie Music

Friday October 24th at 7pm

Saturday October 25th at 7pm

Sunday October 26th at 2pm

Theater

Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka JR. follows enigmatic candy manufacturer Willy Wonka as he stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whomever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy. Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats, but the fifth is a likeable young lad named Charlie Bucket, who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather. The children must learn to follow Mr. Wonka's rules in the factory — or suffer the consequences. 

Tickets Available Soon!

Presented by River Arts Inc

Sunday, November 9, 2025 at 2pm

Leola Hall

$35

Gin, Chocolate & Bottle Rockets combines the musical styles of three solo-artists-turned-bandmates. Hailing from Southern Wisconsin, Jennifer Farley, Shawndell Marks and Beth Kille blend their voices into sublime 3-part harmonies, backed by Marks on keyboard, accordion and bass, Kille on guitar and mandolin and Farley on percussion. Individually, these performers have collected numerous musical accolades across multiple genres. The Madison Area Music Association (MAMA) has recognized both Marks and Kille with Female Vocalist of the Year honors, and Farley’s powerhouse singing netted GCBR the Blues Song of the Year honors for their original tune “Flash Flood” in 2019. They were collectively honored with the 2015, 2017, 2020, 2021 and 2023 MAMA Award for Ensemble Vocalists of the Year and will be inducted into the Hall of Fame now that they’ve amassed five wins in this category. Recently, the band crafted a tribute to The Trio – Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris – titled “Legends in Harmony,” to celebrate these artists and their greatest hits. This 2-set, multimedia show, delivered with GCBR’s signature powerful vocal blend, features songs like 9 to 5, You’re No Good, Desperado and Two More Bottles of Wine.

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Presented by BPE Productions

November 11th at 7pm

Theater

$35 - $45

A Motown Christmas is a powerful family-oriented show combining Motown’s greatest hits with everyone’s favorite holiday classics. This show features those famous Motown trademarks: dazzling choreography and unforgettable harmonies all performed in that memorable, soulful Motown style.​

Details

Tour website

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Presented by River Arts Inc

Saturday, January 10th, 2026 at 2pm

Leola Hall

$30

The Willy Street Chamber Players are a dynamic ensemble of string musicians formed in 2015 dedicated to creating community through classical music. WSCP presents a popular summer concert series each July that has become a fixture of the vibrant Willy Street neighborhood cultural scene. The group has received wide critical acclaim for its accessible and exciting performances, intelligent and fun programming, and community partnerships.

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Presented by River Arts Inc

Friday, February 6th, 2026 at 7pm

Leola Hall

$25

The Madtown Mannish Boys are a Madison-based Blues band who are steeped in Chicago-style Blues, including artists like Muddy Waters, Junior Wells, Otis Spann, Paul Butterfield, and Little Walter. They perform with raw exuberance and driving rhythms that make you want to boogie. Some of their tunes are harmonica-driven, played with gritty fervor and intense energy. Others are soulful ballads, heavily influenced by the likes of Otis Redding and Sam Cooke. This mix of styles and genres makes for an entertaining and dynamic show that you won’t want to miss.

Paul Schwoerer wields his harmonica with a chip on his shoulder and his vocals are gripping and yet smooth. Jesse “Honey Boy” Steinberg injects melodic flurries of guitar riffs into the lively grooves laid down by Joe Iaquinto (bass) and John Sickerdick (drums). Todd Phipps is one of the most sought-after Blues keyboardists in the Midwest. He is a sponsored artist by Hammond Organ and plays with various other bands in the Midwest.

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Presented by River Arts Inc

Friday, February 27th, 2026 at 7pm

Theater

$35 adults, $10 students (ages 4-18)

The Neverly Brothers concerts take you on a guided musical VIRTUAL TOUR of the birth, near death and resurrection of rock n’ roll rock n roll – from 1955 to 1965. You’ll learn rock history and be thoroughly entertained with their chronological song sequence, stories behind the music and vintage wardrobe changes. Their energetic stage show consists of show-stopping renditions of early hits by Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, and more!

The first half of their concert pays tribute to the music created by the 1950s American Rock n’ Roll pioneers – which by 1960 had become a distant memory but became the inspiration for the next wave of young rock bands from Britain. The second half then pays tribute to the 1964 British Invasion bands that re-recorded the forgotten 1950s American rock music – along with lesser known early 1960s rhythm & blues songs, recorded their own original songs and pulled Rock n’ Roll from the edge of extinction by re-inventing and re-energizing it for a new generation.

Their repertoire includes spirited performances of classics like Great balls of fire, Johnny B. Goode, Wake up little Susie, Summertime blues, That’ll be the day, Twist & shout, Roll over Beethoven, Satisfaction, You really got me, Love potion #9 and many more!

It‘s not “moldy oldies”- it’s “old-school cool!” So hop aboard our virtual tour bus and fasten your seatbelts for an exciting MAGICAL HISTORY TOUR!

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Presented by River Arts Inc

Saturday, April 11th, 2026 at 2pm

Theater

$30 adults, $10 students (ages 4-18)

oin Lindsey Giese and Matt Brennan (both Sauk Prairie alumni) on a musical journey through the decades. Enjoy some of your favorite hits from the 1950s to present day mixed in with some musical theater showstoppers. Backed by an incredible band and featuring some of their talented friends, you do not want to miss this one-time opportunity!

Lindsey graduated with two Bachelor of Fine Arts Degrees in Music Theatre and Arts Administration from Viterbo University. For four years, she travelled the high seas as lead singer for Holland America and Celebrity Cruises before returning to her hometown as Executive Director for River Arts Inc until 2023. Other recent performance credits include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Narrator), The Last Five Years (Cathy), Into the Woods (Cinderella), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Olive) all with the Sauk Prairie Theatre Guild. Lindsey also toured with the Dang-its for six years in their revue show, Sweet Dreams and Honky Tonks. She is currently the Director of Philanthropy for UnityPoint Health – Meriter Foundation.

Matt graduated from Drake University with a focus on Music Education and Vocal Performance. After finishing his degree, he returned to Wisconsin to become the Choral Music Director at Sauk Prairie Middle School for three years before accepting the position at the Sauk Prairie High School in 2012. His roles at the high school level include; musical director, Executive Session/YTBN director, 4 choral ensembles, annual Madrigal Dinner and their annual 9th Street Revue. Recent performance credits include The Last Five Years (Jamie), Into the Woods (Baker), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Barfee) with the Sauk Prairie Theater Guild. He also has performed with local band, The Water Street Jacks, for the last eight years.

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