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November 2024

Racine Symphony Orchestra

(Photo: The Racine Symphony Orchestra performs "The Fantastic Symphony" at its 90th anniversary season finale concert in May 2022.)

Racine County Arts Spotlight: Racine Symphony Orchestra

Each month, Visit Racine County is shining a spotlight on the vibrant arts community in Racine County. From instrumental and vocal music to drama and comedy performances, there is something to enjoy nearly every week of the year. Racine County is home to a nationally recognized art museum, engaging hands-on art studios, and inspiring art galleries that showcase talented regional artists. This month, we feature the following article by Heather Keszler, patron services and marketing manager at Racine Symphony Orchestra.


The Racine Symphony Orchestra (RSO) is one of the longest continuously operating orchestras in the state of Wisconsin. Its mission is to enrich, educate and entertain through the power of symphonic orchestral music with a vision to grow opportunities for others to experience extraordinary music that touches and transforms the heart and soul.


The RSO was established in 1932 by Frederick Schulte, and he conducted it for 25 years. For much of its history, the RSO’s musicians consisted of local amateur musicians. Since the late 1990s, however, the orchestra has consisted of professional musicians, many of whom have advanced degrees in music performance or music education. Approximately 85% of musicians live in Southeast Wisconsin with about 25% in Racine County. A few musicians come from Chicago, Madison, and even Appleton.


Music has changed significantly since the beginning of the RSO. Concerts typically consisted of classical music in the early years, but as society changes, so does the RSO. It introduced Pops concerts in 1989, and in 2021, started its Musical Flights series. The most important part is that these events are accessible to people.


In addition, the RSO is committed to its education programming. The Racin Unified School District’s Fine Arts Coordinator, Regan Schmidt, has been working with the RSO’s Executive Director, Jonathan Winkle, on ensuring the educational events are planned and executed with student engagement in mind.


The RSO faces many challenges, as do most orchestras around the country. The RSO is working on re-establishing a presence in Racine County. The staff and board members are constantly looking for new ways to bring high-quality orchestral experiences to the audience. They are also working on finding partnerships with businesses around Racine County. The partnerships created are a key part of ensuring that the Racine Symphony Orchestra continues to its 100th anniversary.

Celebrate Racine County Arts
Eave at Hotel Verdant

Where to Stay in Racine County This Holiday Season

The holidays are upon us! Do you have friends and family visiting this holiday season? Direct them to the Visit Racine County website for a full list of places to stay. Racine County has a wide selection of accommodation choices ranging from full-service major hotel chains to budget motels. We encourage visitors to check hotel websites and social media sites for packages and discounts.

 

Enjoy easy access to the freeway with hotels such as Clarion Pointe by Choice Hotels, Comfort Inn, Delta Hotels by Marriott-Racine, or Fairfield Inn by Marriott-Racine, or enjoy beautiful views of Lake Michigan in downtown Racine at the Doubletree by Hilton-Racine Harbourwalk or Hotel Verdant.

 

Racine County looks forward to welcoming your family and friends to our community!

Get Cozy and Stay Awhile
Christmas Carnival of Lights

Christmas Carnival of Lights Opens November 23

Christmas Carnival of Lights at Jellystone Park Camp-Resort is the Midwest's biggest, brightest and most dazzling drive-through holiday light show!

Relax in the comfort of your own vehicle as you wind your way through the campground's 1.6-mile winter wonderland, book your seat on Santa's Giant Sleigh, or take a ride in the Golf Cart Holiday Train for a unique experience. Enjoy Christmas in the country with lights on all sides that are high above in the trees and one-of-a-kind hand-crafted displays.


Open November 23 through December 31, 2024 (closed November 28 and December 25).

Enjoy the Most Dazzling Lights
RAM Fall Pumpkin Acrylic Painting

Festive Decor Workshops at Racine Art Museum

Celebrate the holiday season by creating festive decor! RAM's Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts has fall and winter themed workshops for you to get creative and cozy indoors.


November 7 Try It Thursdays: Fall Florals on Canvas


November 9 Sketch, Draw, Paint: Fall Floral Designs Workshop


November 16 Fall Landscapes Workshop for Ages 7-13


November 23 Fall Polymer Clay Workshop


December 14 Holiday Art Extravaganza! A Workshop for ages 7-13

Create Festive Decor

Light Up the Night in Burlington

Kick off the holiday season on November 22 with a Downtown Burlington and city-wide shopping experience in the moonlight! Over 50 businesses will stay open late with discounts and treats. Make an evening of it with dinner and drinks around town, and catch a FREE horse-drawn carriage ride.


Pick up a punch card at participating businesses. Visit at least eight shops to enter a raffle to win fun prizes.

Shop-Hop in the Moonlight
Small Business Saturday Downtown Racine

Support Small Business Saturday with The Grinch

Embrace the spirit of Small Business Saturday in Downtown Racine on November 30! Businesses will roll out the red carpet with exclusive in-store promotions and specials just for you. It's the perfect opportunity to discover hidden gems and snag one-of-a-kind finds while supporting our community's entrepreneurs.


Look out for The Grinch! This mischievous character will be handing out over $1,000 in Downtown Racine gift cards. If he crosses your path, pick an envelope and unveil a gift card ranging from $5 to $20.


Enjoy FREE meter parking all day. Most meters will have a four-hour limit to ensure space turnover. The lakefront lot and ramps with gates are excluded from the free parking.

Shop Small & Support Local
Canadian Pacific Holiday Train

CPKC Holiday Train Returns December 7

The CPKC Holiday Train is traveling back to Wisconsin this holiday season! This FREE event will raise money, food and awareness for local food banks with two stops in Racine County on December 7!


7:00 p.m. Amtrak Depot - Sturtevant


8:15 p.m. Railway Crossing - Caledonia


Attendees are encouraged to bring cash or non-perishable food donations for local food shelves. The Holiday Train is all about families and communities coming together to celebrate the season and help those in need.


Since its inaugural journey in 1999, the CPKC Holiday Train has raised more than $24.3 million and collected approximately 5.3 million pounds of food for community food banks in Canada and the U.S.

Catch the Holiday Train
Blood Drive 2024

Racine County Visitor Center to Hold Blood Drive December 19

A single donation of blood can save lives! Mark your calendar to donate blood during the Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin blood drive at the Racine County Visitor Center on Thursday, December 19.


More details coming soon.

Donate Blood, Save Lives
Happy Thanksgiving

Ongoing Wright Before the 'Lloyd,' Racine Heritage Museum

Ongoing Racine: Drum and Bugle Capital of the World, Racine Heritage Museum

Through Nov 3 Jack-O'-Lantern Nights, Racine Zoo

Through Nov 10 "Little Women," Racine Theatre Guild

Through Nov 15 City of Racine Thanksgiving Food Drive, Racine

Nov 1 Racine Symphony Orchestra Fall Masterworks "Celebration of Strings," Racine

Nov 1 Free Family Hands-On Art Activities, Racine Art Museum

Nov 1 First Friday, Downtown Racine

Nov 1-2 Bluegrass Sampler, Mount Pleasant

Nov 1-2 Rituals to Honor Our Dead (El Día de los Muertos), Caledonia

Nov 1-2, 7-9 AAUW Used Book Sale, Racine

Nov 2 Belle City Paracon, Racine

Nov 2 Beer & Bacon Walk, Downtown Racine

Nov 8 SPARK! Memory Loss Engagement Program, RAM's Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts

Nov 8 Pure Soul Presents, Downtown Racine

Nov 9 Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting, Downtown Racine

Nov 13 & 27 Racine Chess Club Open Play, Racine Public Library

Nov 14 Free Drop-in for Art, RAM's Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts

Nov 16 Ladies Day Out, Downtown Racine

Nov 22 Light Up the Night, Burlington

Nov 22 Second Hand News - Fleetwood Mac Tribute, Downtown Racine

Nov 23-Dec 31 Christmas Carnival of Lights, Caledonia

Nov 29 Bourbon & Beer Walk, Downtown Racine

Nov 30 Small Business Saturday with The Grinch, Downtown Racine

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