No matter what you're into, Milwaukee has something for you this weekend! Whether you're making it all about mom this weekend or opting to do your own thing, there's plenty of events happening, spanning music, sports, art, culture and much more. (You should probably at least call your mother, though.)
Check out this week's Weekend Preview brought to you by Potawatomi Casino Hotel!
FRIDAY
EDDIE GRIFFIN AT PABST THEATER
Eddie Griffin has built an ever-growing fan base since jumping onto the comedy scene in 1990 and hasn't looked back since. His Stand-Up Comedy Specials have received rave reviews, and now you can see him live at one of Milwaukee's most iconic venues.
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MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS VS. TEXAS STARS
After falling down two games to none in their best-of-five series, the Milwaukee Admirals have new life after a big Game 3 home win against the Texas Stars on Wednesday night. Cheer on the Ads as they continue their comeback and aim to continue their postseason charge toward the Calder Cup at the UWM Panther Arena! Puck drops on Friday night at 7 p.m.; for tickets and info click below:
milwaukeeadmirals.com/
LAURA JANE GRACE, SAM RUSSO, PIGEON PIT AT VIVARIUM
Laura Jane Grace is a major figure in today’s rock scene as both a solo artist and the front person of Against Me!. Grace has released four solo offerings and seven albums with Against Me!, and will bring her solo work to Milwaukee's new venue on the East Side.
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MILWAUKEE CONTRA DANCE
Join Milwaukee Contra Dance for a friendly and open contra dance with live music and a caller (similar to square dancing). No partner or experience necessary. New? Please come to the pre-dance lesson around 6:30 p.m.
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ADULT ADVENTURE SERIES - KAYAKING AT URBAN ECOLOGY CENTER
Join the Urban Ecology Center for an adults-only kayaking series spanning three exciting sessions! Learn kayaking techniques and safety tips, all while enjoying the thrill of being out on the water.
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THE MESSTHETICS, JAMES BRANDON LEWIS, STRANGELANDER FEATURING AMANDA HUFF AT CACTUS CLUB
The last time drummer Brendan Canty and bassist Joe Lally were in a band together, they were the rhythmic architects for Fugazi, an organization whose decade and a half of disciplined progressivism provided a necessary bridge between the zenith of late-punk expression and everything alternative in rock that followed. In 2016, the two were enlisted by guitarist Anthony Pirog in a conspiracy to subvert and reimagine the power trio that mixes jazz, psych and funk. The project will be supported by James Brandon Lewis and Milwaukee's own Strangelander.
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Partner Pick
Friday, May 10
DANCEFESTOPIA AT MIRAMAR THEATRE
For one weekend every fall, something magical awakes in the heart of Kansas. The Emerald City comes alive and fesitvalgoers find themselves in a world of enchantment, wonder and bass. The all-stars from that festival are coming to Milwaukee this weekend for a night full of house music guaranteed to get you moving.
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WONDERFUNK, BIG SWIG AT LINNEMAN'S
Wonderfunk is the funky brainchild of Ben Majeska (of Armchair Boogie) and Trevor Northsoul. Together, these far out friends form an electrified rotating cast of the midwest’s heaviest hitting musicians. It’s a funk band, on steroids.
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DVORAK'S "NEW WORLD" AT BRADLEY SYMPHONY CENTER
Dvorak’s Ninth Symphony, “From the New World,” blends the traditional folk sounds of the composer’s Czech homeland with melodic influences discovered in African American and Native American music – tunes Dvorak first heard in his “new world,” the United States. Conductor Joseph Young makes his MSO debut in this dynamic program.
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SATURDAY
FARMER'S MARKETS ARE BACK!
There's simply nothing better than a farmers market in Wisconsin. It's the perfect opportunity for local growers to show off their goods, while consumers get a refreshing break from strolling the aisles in the supermarket.
Farmers Market Guide
BUILD YOUR OWN BANQUET AT 414LORAL
Join the party at 414loral Studio every Saturday for BYOB (Build Your Own Bouquet) fun! No reservations required! Grab your besties or fly solo and let your creativity bloom as you craft your own floral masterpiece!
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IT'S BEER GARDEN SEASON
The sun is rising on beer garden season in Milwaukee! Here's the dish – or should we say, the pour – on this year's beer gardens around Brew City, including when they're open and what they're serving.
Beer Garden Guide
GOOD VIBES ONLY AT CACTUS CLUB
It's all in the title – Good Vibes Only – at the regular hip-hop showcase at Cactus Club. This edition features performances from nine artists, including PeezSW, Rtystic, Shadi and more.
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MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL 2 AT PABST THEATER
All aboard, sisters! The hysterical sequel to the smash-hit "Menopause The Musical" is finally here! Five years after their chance encounter in a department store, we set sail with our beloved ladies for more hijinks on the high seas.
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BUFFY BINGO & TRIVIA FROM AWKWARD NERD EVENTS
Join Awkward Nerd events at Cactus Club for Buffy Bingo and Trivia! Think you know all things vampire slayer? Test your knowledge for a chance to win tickets to their upcoming Buffy Prom and much more.
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BOYS OF FALL, GREYWIND, GOOD TERMS, GOLD STEPS, LILAC & LOTUS AT X-RAY ARCADE
A quintet of pop punk and alternative rock acts from around the country and beyond comes together in Cudahy at X-Ray Arcade on Saturday night. Milwaukee's Gold Steps is the lone Cream City representative, alongside Lilac & Lotus from Madison, Greywind from Ireland, Los Angeles band Good Terms, and Boys of Fall from Detroit.
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KASH'D OUT AT VIVARIUM
Florida based Reggae/Rock band Kash’d Out have been hustlin’ hard since the beginning. The band quickly caught the attention of Hawaiian favorites Pepper, who signed the band to their label LAW Records and released “The Hookup” – Kash’d Out’s first full-length album.
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WHAT'S SHOWING IN MILWAUKEE MOVIE THEATERS?
There's plenty of movies coming out this weekend – from the latest chapter of the "Planet of the Apes" franchise to some Milwaukee Film Festival movies coming back for another encore and the summer fun of "The Fall Guy." That's just a bit of what's on the big screen this weekend – so to help you find a film, here's what's playing on Brew City screens. Check out the listings here:
Milwaukee at the Movies
TRY A NEW RESTAURANT!
Every year, our own Lori Fredrich compiles 52 restaurants, with the goal of supporting one local restaurant every week. How many of these have you checked off of your list so far?
52 Restaurants
SUNDAY
10 EXPERIENCES TO CELEBRATE MOTHER'S DAY
Whether you are spending time with your mom or your kids or both, here are 10 ideas of activities to do for Mother's Day. And if you just want to have a kid-free day, that's perfectly fine, too! You do you, mamacita.
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MOTO MOTHER'S DAY AT HARLEY-DAVIDSON MUSEUM
Let's make this Mother’s Day one for the books with the ultimate tribute to all the motorcycle moms out there at the Harley-Davidson Museum, where moms get in free! Whether you're a biker babe, a family that lives for the two-wheel life or just someone who loves a good adventure, the H-D Museum campus is the place to be.
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CIDER & PAINT AT POMONA CIDER CO.
Each purchase for this event includes a pair of tickets, a free cider pour, two canvases and all the materials you will need to create your acrylic paintings. But here's the twist: Every 20 minutes, you'll swap canvases with your painting partner, adding your own touch to each other's masterpieces!
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MILWAUKEE MOTHER'S DAY 5K
Do something fun with Mom on her special day! Go for a run through Veteran's Park, with this special themed 5k race.
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SENSORY-FRIENDLY SESSIONS AT BETTY BRINN CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
Families can enjoy the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum in a calmer, quieter space during the museum's Sensory-Friendly Sessions. These special playtimes include open-play and facilitated Programming. Advanced reservations are recommended.
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FREE SWIM ARTIST MARKET AT CACTUS CLUB
The first Free Swim artist market of the 2024 season at Cactus Club looks to highlight a variety of local small business vendors and creatives. From clothing to DIY zines, there's something here for everyone.
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PUPPY ANGST, BREAKUP TOUR, GLITZY, KILLER HIGH LIFE AT X-RAY ARCADE
Puppy Angst is a gazy dreamy fuzz pop band from Philadelphia started by singer/songwriter Alyssa Milman. They'll be joined by a trio of Milwaukee bands for a Sunday night show full of fun indie rock.
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KEG STAND UP AT LAKEFRONT BREWERY
Experience Lakefront Brewery like never before – as a comedy club. Once a month on Sunday evenings, the Beer Hall is transformed to give you an intimate show full of fresh laughs and fresh beer. The area’s top stand up comics are performing live at one of the biggest craft breweries in the state.
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MARCUS MOTHER'S DAY MOVIE BRUNCH
Celebrate mom at the movies with Marcus Theaters, as select locations will serve up tasty brunch before screening either Greta Gerwig's recent Oscar-nominated "Little Women" adaptation or the new Hollywood blockbuster "The Fall Guy." For more information, click below:
Event info
ALL WEEKEND LONG
MILWAUKEE BREWERS VS. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
The Brew Crew is back in town, and they'll take on one of their NL Central rivals this weekend when the St. Louis Cardinals come to town. American Family Field is sure to be noisy, so cheer on your Brewers all weekend long.
Get more info here
MILWAUKEE PSYCH FEST
Milwaukee Psych Fest IX will feature a total of 19 acts from all over the world performing over a two-day span. Beyond the live music, there will also be “live rhythm painted visuals” provided by Mad Alchemy and Luminacidy.
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COOL MOMS SERIES AT ORIENTAL THEATER
Celebrate Mother's Day with some of the best (and some of the worst) moms in movie history! This weekend, the Oriental will be having family reunions with iconic movie matriarchs from "Almost Famous," "20th Century Women" and "Terms of Endearment." For specific showtimes – and for the entire month-long lineup – click the link below:
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NINA SIMONE: FOUR WOMEN AT MILWAUKEE REPERTORY THEATER
The creator of some of our nation’s most powerful Civil Rights anthems, Nina Simone shook the world with her music. After the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Simone's tribute song "Four Women" transformed her from gifted pianist to trailblazing activist, charting a new course as an agent of change and healing.
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DUNCAN TRUSSELL AT MILWAUKEE IMPROV
Duncan Trussell is a stand up comedian, podcaster and actor. He grew up in North Carolina and got a bachelor's degree in psychology. He has performed standup at Montreal's famed Just for Laughs Festival and Austin's Moontower Comedy Festival. He also wrote and performed on Fuel TV’s sketch show "STUPIDFACE."
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"THE NOT-SO-ACCIDENTAL CONVICTION OF ELEVEN MILWAUKEE ANARCHISTS" AT MILWAUKEE CHAMBER THEATRE
Playwright Martín Zimmerman is best known for his work as a writer on the Netflix hit shows, "Ozark" and "Narcos." But in this must-see world premiere, Zimmerman turns his focus to one of the most complicated and impactful moments in Milwaukee history: the 1917 bomb explosion inside the Oneida Street police station.
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NEXT ACT THEATRE'S "THE TREASURER"
In this darkly funny, sharply intimate portrait, Max Posner chronicles the strained ties between a son and his aging mother, and the hell of a guilty conscience.
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ABSTRACTING GEORGIA O'KEEFE: SPRING SHOW AT THE DOMES
Gather with friends and family for a floral tribute to the art of Georgia O’Keeffe. Blooms of spring are revealed in all their glory. Enjoy hydrangeas, spring bulbs and poppies among other inspirations for O'Keeffe's art.
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PIANO MEN 2 AT STACKNER CABARET
Come ready to laugh, clap and sing along as two virtuoso pianists play dazzling renditions of your favorite hits, live! No two shows are ever the same, so bring your song requests as this hit production makes its return by popular demand.
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