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Here are a selection of brief news items pertaining to arts, entertainment, culture and other fun things to do in your spare time:

Acoustic duo to play at The Timbers

Local indie rock duo the Songs For will perform from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at The Timbers in Onalaska.

This acoustic duo featuring R. Lawrence Lueckar and David Bashaw will perform original music as well as some more familiar tunes. Borrowing sounds from artists like Tegan and Sara, Pete Yorn, Elliott Smith and Belle and Sebastian, the Songs For promises a unique, edgy, melodic and entertaining listening experience.

Historical societies plan presentations

The Onalaska Area Historical Society will feature a talk by marathon runner John Blanchar of La Crosse at its June 10 meeting, which starts at 6:30 p.m. at Onalaska United Methodist Church, 212 Fourth Ave. N.

Blanchar has run marathons in all 50 states and all seven continents, including one last year in Antarctica, in which he finished fourth out of 145 runners.

The OAHS meeting will feature a potluck supper. People are asked to bring table service and a dish to pass.

MVC to host Holland Sand Prairie hike Saturday

The Mississippi Valley Conservancy, in partnership with the Prairie Enthusiasts, is sponsoring a guided tour of the Holland Sand Prairie starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 7.

This event, free and open to all, is part of MVC’s “Linked to the Land” series of monthly outings on permanently protected properties.

Jessica Bolwahn, MVC’s restoration biologist, will lead this hike and will take participants on a tour of a rare native sand prairie with prairie larkspur, goat’s rue, silky prairie clover and prickly pear cactus all likely to be in bloom.

To get there, take the McHugh Road exit off Highway 53 and go west half a mile. The Holland Sand Prairie entrance is opposite Garden Street.

Participants should bring sturdy shoes, drinking water, insect repellent and a camera for this hike. Registration is appreciated. To register, e-mail mrich@MississippiValleyConservancy.org.

12th annual German heritage dinner set for June 17

The city of La Crosse’s German International Relations Committee will host its 12th annual German American Heritage Dine Out and Dance (fundraiser) on Tuesday, June 17, at the City Brewery Hospitality Center, 1111 S. Third St., La Crosse.

The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with a hospitality hour, consisting of City Brewery beer, cash bar and soft drinks. Dinner will begin at 7 p.m. and will feature a buffet of traditional German food.

At 8 p.m., the New Ridgeland Dutchmen will perform and a silent auction is planned.

Proceeds help Central and Logan high school German language students participate in their exchange programs.

Cost is $30 through June 11. After June 11, 2008, the price will be $35. There will a limited number of tickets at the door.

Tickets are available in the gift shop at the City Brewery Hospitality Center; Satori Arts-Gallery, 201 Pearl Street; La Crosse Clock Company,125 S. Second St.; and from Pat Boge at the La Crosse Public Library.

Tickets on sale for ‘Robin Hood’ show

Tickets for the La Crosse Community Theatre’s production of “The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood” are now on sale.

“The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood” tells the legendary story of the man who steals from the rich and gives to the poor, but with an unexpected twist. In a frantically funny Monty Python-esque retelling of the classic, Robin Hood encounters a lovely damsel in distress (oddly obsessed with skin conditions); an ever-scheming sheriff who would rather bowl a strike than hit a bulls-eye; a gold-hoarding, bad-guy monarch wannabe; and a good-natured “Town’s Guy” who manages to make his way into every scene, whether he belongs there or not.

Show dates will be June 13-15 and June 20-21 at 7:30 p.m., with 1 p.m. matinee performances June 14-15 and 21-22.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. For tickets, call the box office at 784-9292, ext. 2, or stop in at 118 Fifth Ave. N. Box office hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and one hour before curtain time during performances.

Adult kickball tournament to aid BBBS

Big Brother Big Sisters of the Coulee Region will host a double elimination co-ed adult kickball tournament on Saturday, June 28, at Onalaska Community Park, 515 Quincy St.

Teams consist of eight to 12 players and all participants must be at least 18 years old. The cost is $20 dollars per player, which includes a T-shirt, at least two games of kickball and one entry for door prizes.

There will be concessions at the event as well as raffle drawings. All proceeds will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Coulee Region.

For more information or to register, log onto www.bbbsofcr.org/kickinitforkids.html or call 782-2227.

Monthly Brice Prairie art fairs planned

The La Crosse Society of Arts & Crafts plans a Season of Art this summer, consisting of a series of art fairs to be held the first Saturday of each month from June to September.

These outdoor art fairs run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will be on Brice Prairie on the shore of Lake Onalaska at 7203 North Shore Drive (look for the white barn).

The June 7 fair, which is expected to draw about 20 vendors, will feature music by Peter Phippen.

Alice Cooper joins Scorpions for Fort McCoy show

Alice Cooper will join the Scorpions as co-headliners at a Saturday, Aug. 9, performance at Fort McCoy. An opening act is still being sought.

A ticket kickoff will be held June 27, with tickets for $30 that day only. Locally, tickets will be available at the Kwik Trip stores on Highways 16 and 35 in Onalaska and on Rose Street in La Crosse.

Tickets also will be available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Fort McCoy’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Web site http://www.mccoymwr.com or by calling the MWR events line at (877) 864-4969.

Tickets from June 28- Aug. 8 will cost $35, and tickets the day of the event will cost $40. Ticket sales are subject to ticket availability.

Up-to-date information about the concert will be posted to the MWR Web site or by calling the MWR events line.

Norskedalen plans family fest

Norskedalen’s Midsummer Fest, a Scandinavian-style celebration with fun, food and activities for the whole family, will be held the weekend of June 20-21 at Norskedalen, three miles north of Coon Valley on Highway PI.

The festivities kick off Friday with a bonfire and program at 8:30 p.m. Activities run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, including demonstrations, pioneer baking, trolls, alpacas, fjord horses, wagon rides, petting zoo, children’s games, food and refreshments, the Coulee Region Rosemalers Show, music and more.

For more information, call (608) 452-3424 or log onto www.norskedalen.org.

Gary Sinise coming for June 7 show

Emmy Award-winning actor Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex as part of the Veterans Memorial Ride.

The Remainders will open at 7 p.m., and a program will begin at 6 p.m.

Tickets are $25 for general admission, $45 for preferred seating in the grandstand and $125 for VIP seating and parking. To purchase tickets, go to the event Web site at www.vetsride.com and click on the Ticketmaster logo.

This concert will be the last event in the stadium before it is torn down to make way for a new stadium.

Sinese plays bass in the band, which focuses on classic rock and R&B covers.

Sinise’s concert is part of the Veterans Memorial Ride, which will include thousands of motorcycle riders who will converge on La Crosse, gathering first at the National Guard Armory in Onalaska, at 3:30 p.m., leaving there at 4:30 p.m. led by former Gov. Tommy Thompson, and arriving at the field at 5 p.m.

Sinise, who stars in “CSI: New York” and played the part of Lt. Dan in “Forrest Gump,” is a long-time veterans advocate. This ride and Sinise’s concert will be the kickoff for what is to become an annual fund-raising event in La Crosse to raise money for the Hall of Honor for Veterans at UW-L.

Fort McCoy fish contest runs to Sept. 1

Pine View Recreation Area Campground at Fort McCoy will host its annual fishing contest through Sept. 1.

The contest is open to the public. All fish must be caught in Fort McCoy waters, registered at the campgrounds office, building 8053, within 24 hours and can't be frozen.

Anglers must follow all applicable Fort McCoy and state regulations and possess state of Wisconsin and Fort McCoy fishing licenses/permits. Personnel can purchase all of these items at the Pine View Campgrounds office.

Participants in the Fort McCoy fishing contest can enter fish in one of six categories: largemouth bass, rainbow trout, crappie, catfish, bullhead and bluegill. Prizes will be awarded by weight and limited to one per person. A first- and second-place prize will be awarded in each category.

For more information, call Pine View at (608) 388-3517.

Annual biggest baby shower set for June 8

Franciscan Skemp’s seventh annual Biggest Baby Shower EVER will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 8, in the employee parking ramp on 10th Street between Market and Ferry streets. The shower is co-sponsored by Magic 105.

In addition to informational displays by Franciscan Skemp, participants can shop local vendors, win prizes and enjoy refreshments and children’s activities. Infant car seat checks will be available on a limited basis.