FIRESIDE TUNES on The Lakely Patio with Emily Watkins, Maggie Sills, and Val Evans

This brand new event, dubbed Fireside Tunes, is meant to capture the essence of some of our most-loved experiences – spending the evening outside on The Patio with folks we care about, listening to live music in a down-to-earth, low-key (but high-vibe) atmosphere, sipping craft drinks, and sharing a love of music – all around our stone-cut fire pits.

Emily Watkins has been an active member of the Chippewa Valley music scene for over ten years. During her time with Grammy-nominated UW-Eau Claire’s Jazz Ensemble I, the group was awarded the Downbeat Award for Best Undergraduate College Big Band. She currently plays in several jazz groups, including Cathy Reitz & 7 Swing and the Chippewa Valley Jazz Orchestra. Emily is well-versed in a variety of styles of guitar playing, including funk, country/folk, classical, blues, and many varieties of rock music. She is the guitarist and a vocalist in Uncommon Denominator, which has been voted Best Cover Band in the Chippewa Valley in the Volume One Reader’s Poll for three consecutive years. Emily has also played in pit orchestras for almost thirty different musicals, playing guitar primarily and doubling on banjo and mandolin. In 2021, she played with the Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre in Grand Lake, Colorado. You can find Emily on Facebook @emilywatkinsmusic 

Maggie Sills is a graduate student at the University of Minnesota studying occupational therapy, who met Emily in the French horn section of the Eau Claire North High School Band. Val Evans studied trombone and vocal performance at UW-Stevens Point and graduated in 2020. Val teaches private music lessons and works with the Stand in the Light Memory Choir. You can find Val on Facebook @ValerieEvansMusic

At Fireside Tunes, you can expect an emotive musical experience of local, regional, and occasionally touring artists with a strong lean towards acoustic, folk, and Americana styles. Fireside Tunes offers listeners a well-rounded sound, with occasional notes of indie, rock, and other musical genres.

Fireside Tunes is held on select Wednesdays throughout the summer and autumn on The Lakely Patio from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. In the event of inclement weather, Fireside Tunes will move inside to The Lakely Stage. This event is free to attend, but please come thirsty!

Are you a musician interested in gigging at Fireside Tunes? Send a note to stage@theoxbowhotel.com for more info!