Don't miss Louisiana band Feufollet at Thrasher Opera House or these other Fond du Lac-area events this week

Mara Wegner, Fond du Lac Reporter
·4 min read

FOND DU LAC — Feb. 16, Louisiana-based band Feufollet will visit the Thrasher Opera House while The Lenard Simpson Quartet will perform at Ripon College.

Waupun’s IceFest will take place over two days or take part in the Celebrate commUNITY event to learn more about other cultures.

Crafters also have a chance to help kids in need through a Project Linus blanket making day.

Here are five can’t-miss events happening in the community this week.

1. Louisiana-based Feufollet comes to Thrasher

Louisiana band Feufollet will play Feb. 16 at the Thrasher Opera House in Green Lake.
Louisiana band Feufollet will play Feb. 16 at the Thrasher Opera House in Green Lake.

Feufollet, a band hailing from southwest Louisiana, will play the Thrasher Opera House in Green Lake at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16. The group offers a musical journey that transcends genres, embracing Cajun, honky-tonk, and string-band roots while exploring uncharted territories of modern sound.

Taking Cajun traditions as a springboard, Feufollet channels its vibrant energy and open-minded approach into its latest release, “Two Universes.” The album breaks free from the constraints of defining musical boundaries, showcasing the band’s evolution beyond their Cajun origins.

Tickets are $26 at thrasheroperahouse.com or 920-294-4279.

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2. Lenard Simpson Quartet performs Feb. 16 at Ripon

The Lenard Simpson Quartet will perform Feb. 16 at Ripon College as part of the Chamber Music and Jazz at Ripon series. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. in Demmer Recital Hall, C.J. Rodman Center for the Arts. Admission is free and the public is welcome.

Simpson is an active, in-demand performer, composer, arranger and educator, described as “quickly becoming one of the most important saxophonists of this generation.” He teaches at the Milwaukee Institute of Jazz. He has served as an adjunct saxophone professor at Northern Illinois University; taught masterclasses in Melbourne, Australia, Sitka, Alaska, the Birch Creek Jazz camp, Northern Illinois Jazz camp and UCLA Global Jazz camp.

Quartet members are Simpson on saxophone; Runere Brooks, bass; Julius Tucker, piano; and Samuel Jewell, drums. They have performed at the Hyde Park Jazz Festival and premier clubs and jazz festivals throughout the Chicago and Milwaukee area.

3. Help make blankets for kids in need with Project Linus

Project Linus will host a Make a Blanket Day Feb. 17. The public is invited to help make blankets for kids in need between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at Covenant United Methodist Church, 20 N. Marr St.

There will be raffle prizes, food and lots of crafting. Bring materials or completed blankets to donate and receive a free raffle ticket. Items needed include yarn, batting, fabric, ribbon, fleece and thread.

For more information, contact Penny at 920-251-3527 or visit projectlinus.org.

4. Waupun celebrates winter with IceFest Feb. 17-18

Waupun’s IceFest will take place Feb. 17 and 18 at locations around the city. Activities will take place 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Feb. 17 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 18.

Highlights include ice sculptures, food, horse-drawn carriage ride, ice-carving demonstration, even make a snowman.

There also will be a winter market, bake sale, story time and more.

For more information, including a full schedule, visit https://www.waupunicefest.com.

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5. Learn about other cultures, religions at Celebrate commUNITY

Celebrate commUNITY 2024, a day of cultural immersion, will be held Feb. 17. The event runs 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds Expo Center, 520 Fond du Lac Ave.

The event starts with a flag ceremony, drummed in by Native American elders. Guests will be welcomed by city and county officials.

Attendees will have the chance to visit more than 50 booths that represent different countries, religions and community organizations. From noon to 3 p.m., many booths will serve free ethnic food samples, while others will sell their ethnic wares and artifacts.

Families also can take part in games, crafts and activities.

Admission is $5 per person with ages 12 and younger admitted free. For more information, visit unitedfordiversity.org/celebrate-community.

Contact Mara Wegner at mwegner@gannett.com or 920-996-7241.

This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Waupun IceFest among events in the Fond du Lac area