A new performing arts center planned downtown, 9 years ago

In November of 2011, Viterbo and the La Crosse Community Theatre announced a partnership to put up a new theatre building along the riverfront, next to the Logistics Health complex.  L-C-T had been in the old Cavalier restaurant since 1968, and had spent years making expansion plans.  Viterbo was also looking for more performing space.  There was some doubt about the agreement from community theatre members, worried that the college might have too much control over the building.  But the Weber Center project moved ahead, and opened with “Macbeth” in 2013.  

The fall of 2011 marked the official launch of a recall campaign against first-year Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.  Opponents of Walker’s Act 10 bill to limit collective bargaining had two months to collect more than half-a-million signatures.  Earlier in 2011, State Senator Dan Kapanke of La Crosse was recalled for supporting Walker’s plan, and was unseated by State Rep Jennifer Shilling.  Voters chose Democrat Jill Billings to replace Shilling in the Assembly.   

New shows on TV that fall included “2 Broke Girls,” “Pan Am,” “Last Man Standing,” and “Unforgettable.”   

The defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers were having an unforgettable year, only posting one loss in the regular 2011 season.  They started the season by winning their first 13 games, including a Monday night game at Lambeau Field in November, beating the Vikings 45-to-7…yesterday in La Crosse.