Today, the Thanksgiving turkey officially became leftovers, shoppers bombarded the stores and the radio waves were filled with Christmas music. What better way to kick off the holiday season than to take in a show? I ventured out to see In Tandem Theatre's “A Cudahy Caroler Christmas” which just opened in the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts' Vogel Hall. It met the mark in setting the tone for holiday fun.

The musical features In Tandem's own talented Chris Flieller as Stasch Zielinski, narrator and principal character who ably threads songs together with story. Stasch sets out to unite the wayward choir members that have not graced the community with their musical genius for five years. Each character is comically introduced and endeared to the audience through ample airing of their imperfections. The librarian number was of particular note. Who could ever imagine what goes on in those prim and proper little heads? Of course, lots of beer, sausage and Packers references pull their weight in audience appeal. The current rising Packer fever undoubtedly works in the show's favor.

When the group is finally gathered, further drama ensues. There is ample fuel for the fire with the mother-daughter relationship, the estranged friend relationship, the widower and the hottie. Any proud Milwaukee area native can find plenty to relate here. I, for one, am not from Cudahy or the South Side, but there were plenty of searing references to the North Shore to make me roll my eyes at myself. And of course, I can understand the appeal of a bowling alley on a cold winter night (and I can score without the help of a computer thanks to my high school bowling class). In fact, pretty much anyone from our great state of Wisconsin can find the beauty in this baby.

The show is ripe with one-liners that made me laugh out loud and likewise recoil in horror. It is full of big dreams for the future and a testament to the power of friendship. And yes, you can drink beer in th…

I headed down to 10th and National last night for Día de los Muertos and found Milwaukee's South Side to be very much alive. Walker's Point Center for the Arts was packed with people there to check out the altars and “ofrendas” created by artists to represent their personal reflections on Day of the Dead. The United Community Center (UCC) likewise opened their Día de los Muertos ofrendas exhibit Friday evening.

Though both exhibits primarily reflected the Latino culture from which the festival originates, the shows also interestingly included altars created by African Americans and European Americans. The altars personally commemorate loved ones who have passed on, but also honor leaders such as Father Groppi, artists (Frida Kahlo) and groups of people such as those who have “disappeared” when taken as political prisoners in Central and South America, and those who have died trying to cross the border. Mothers Against Gun Violence had a powerful altar to commemorate those who have been lost to murders and the senseless killing.

The altars were filled with candy skulls, bread, chocolate, pictures, poems, pottery and colorful flowers -- marigolds in particular, as their scent is known to attract the souls of the dead. They are a feast for the eyes and the soul.

The festival was audible as well as visible -- music was also a part of the celebration. I had the pleasure to enjoy the music of “Grupo Mono Blanco” that graced the stage at the UCC. The group plays Son Jarocho, traditional music from the Mexican state of Veracruz. They wore white guayaberas and jeans, topped with simple sombreros -- the clothes of campesinos (country people).

The group played instruments they crafted themselves -- principally the “jaranas,” (small guitars) and the jarocha harp (a small harp lifted up on two legs). Their powerful voices swept over the room and brought with them both the sorrow and happiness with which they celebrate the dead.

Their perfo…