By Allen Halas OnMilwaukee Staff Writer Published Nov 15, 2024 at 6:00 AM

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The Weekend Preview is brought to you by Potawatomi Casino Hotel. Get there this weekend! 

The weekend is here, and there's no shortage of action happening in Milwaukee this week! We've got everything from sports to theater, concerts, and more happening throughout the city, as well as several chances for you to get a start on your holiday shopping. No matter what you're into, there's something for you to do in town. Here's your Weekend Preview, brought to you by Potawatomi Casino Hotel!

FRIDAY

WWE SmackdownX

WWE Smackdown at Fiserv Forum
Don't miss Friday Night Smackdown, with appearances from Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, LA Knight, WWE Women's Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill, Bayley and Solo Sikoa!
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“Rock your Mocs” Hike at Lakeshore State Park
Rock Your Mocs is a worldwide Indigenous Peoples virtual unity event during which people wear their moccasins, take a photo, add the hashtag #ROCKYOURMOCS and upload to social media. This creates “an online photo album” for the world to see and enjoy.
Event Info​

Gimme Gimme Disco at The Cooperage
If you can’t get enough of ABBA, boy does The Cooperage have the dance party for you! The DJs will be playing all your favorite ABBA tracks, plus plenty of other disco hits from the 70s & 80’s like The Bee Gees, Donna Summer, Cher, & so much more. So honey honey, take-a-chance and you’ll be dancing all night long. Grab tickets, put on your best disco attire, bring your friends, and have the best night of your life!
Event Info

Lore Podcast Live at Turner Hall Ballroom
Lore is an award-winning, critically acclaimed podcast about true-life scary stories. Lore exposes the darker side of history, exploring the creatures, people, and places of our wildest nightmares. Because sometimes the truth is more frightening than fiction. 
Event Info

Clyde's at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre
In a diner kitchen that might be hell, limbo, or just a greasy spoon off the Pennsylvania turnpike, four formerly incarcerated cooks strive for redemption through their shared quest to create the perfect sandwich—all under the devilish gaze of their hard-driving boss. "Clyde’s" combines uproarious humor, fulsome heart, and generous hospitality into a delicious theatrical meal that shows why Lynn Nottage is among America’s greatest living playwrights. 
Event Info

Marie and Rosetta at Milwaukee Repertory Theater
Before Little Richard, Johnny Cash, and Jimi Hendrix, Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s groundbreaking blend of gospel music, swing rhythms and fierce electric guitar made her an unconventional music superstar in the 1930s and 40s. Acclaimed writer George Brant unearths the unsung roots of the fearless “Godmother of Rock ’n’ Roll” and her wide-eyed protégée Marie Knight, as they begin their revolutionary ascent to become one of the most influential teams in music history.
Event Info

Dogs In A Pile at Vivarium
The sandy shores of Asbury Park, New Jersey are hallowed ground in the northeast; the rolling waves have ushered generations of venerated musicians to worldwide acclaim. Dogs in a Pile, an eclectic quintet, has emerged as the heir apparent to the town’s rich musical legacy. 
Event Info

Ex Fabula & HYFIN present AfterDark: For The Culture at Radio Milwaukee
Come listen to some of Milwaukee’s favorite storytellers or drop your name for a chance to share an original poem or true, personal story on “culture.” You can also submit an UltraShort! These are short stories (a few sentences) on the night’s theme that the emcee reads on stage. (They can be anonymous!)
Event Info

A Night in Greece at UWM Planetarium
Join Planetarium Director Jean Creighton on a tour through her hometown, Athens, visiting her most beloved spots and hearing her favorite Greek myths. The program will include an indoor stargazing session of the night sky followed by the opportunity to ask questions. Not recommended for children under 4.
Event Info

Thank Cod It's Fryday!
Thank cod it’s Fryday! Celebrate all things weekend, fun, and relaxation with this Milwaukee tradition! Find your favorite restaurant to grab a fish fry – or find a new favorite – with dining editor Lori Fredrich’s fish fry guide right here:
Thank Cod It's Fryday!

SATURDAY

Kip MooreX

Kip Moore at The Rave
Hailed as “an uncompromising, genre-defying artist firing on all cylinders” and “one of country music's more thoughtful artists”, multi-platinum-selling singer/songwriter Kip Moore has blazed his trail and cemented his place as one of music’s most beloved artists. 
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Milwaukee Admirals vs. Grand Rapids Griffins
The Admirals are back at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena on Saturday, and they meet up with Central Division foes the Grand Rapids Griffins for a Saturday night showdown! It's also Dog Day at the hockey game!
Event Info​​

Holiday Market at Story Hill FireHouse
Come out and shop small, local businesses, all in one convenient location! Get some of your holiday gift list checked off, and treat yo' self too at the 6th annual event.
Event Info

Slow Art Saturday: “Robert Longo: The Acceleration of History” at Milwauikee Art Museum
Have a look at the exhibition "Robert Longo: The Acceleration of History" to explore a single work of art in depth. This program is led by Amy Kirschke, Barbara Brown Lee Senior Director of Learning and Engagement, and encourages presence and promotes well-being.
Event Info

Handmade Holiday at the Lincoln Warehouse
Get your shopping started at the Holiday Marketplace packed with the most unique, impressive, delicious, fun-filled gifts the artists of Lincoln Warehouse have to offer. This event will take place in and throughout the Lincoln Warehouse. This event is free and everyone is welcome.
Event Info

Tequila Tasting - Extra Anejo at La Pina
Don’t miss La Pina's first-ever Extra Añejo Tequila Tasting: a celebration of exceptional craftsmanship and rich flavors. You’ll enjoy four exclusive pours: Don Fulano, G4, Tapatio, and the rare Tears of Llorona.
Event Info

Wild Game Dinner at the Polish Center of Wisconsin
Join the Polish Center of Wisconsin for a meal that includes Venison Kielbasa, Duck Liver Mousse, Wild Boar Bigos, Duck Confit and much more. Seating is limited with only eight people per table.
Event Info

Denude, Credentials, Exit Statements at X-Ray Arcade
Denude traverses state lines with members from Chicago and Milwaukee. We don't know if supergroup is the right term, but anyone who's familiar with elusive Midwest bands like Tintoretto, Murder In The Red Barn, Credentials or Piglet knows they're in for a treat.
Event Info

Dear Nora, Marielle Allschwang at Cactus Club
Founded in 1999 by Lewis & Clark College classmates Katy Davidson, Marianna Ritchey, and Ryan Wise, Portland’s Dear Nora was originally an indie-pop project in the vein of DIY greats like the Softies, Gaze, and the Aislers Set. As Davidson became the band’s sole driving force, Dear Nora’s musical style changed as well, shifting from speedy pop to atmospheric slow burners. They'll be joined by Milwaukee's own Marielle Allschwang.
Event Info

SUNDAY

Anthony Pettis Fighting ChampionshipX

Anthony Pettis Fighting Championship at Potawatomi Casino Hotel
APFC makes its return to Milwaukee for their first event at the Potawatomi Casino Event Center on Sunday. MMA legend and former UFC World Champion Anthony "Showtime" Pettis presents another exciting night of live MMA featuring the very best the Midwest has to offer.
Event Info

Wanda Sykes at The Riverside Theater
Wanda Sykes is an Emmy-winning stand up comic, writer, actress and producer who has been entertaining audiences for over twenty years. She has ranked among Entertainment Weekly's “25 Funniest People in America” and her peers have called her “one of the funniest stand-up comics” in the field.
Event Info

Milwaukee Makers Market at The Ivy House
Milwaukee Makers Market is so much more than a makers and artisan fair. It’s a celebration of the city's creators and our local community. Creator Ryan Laessig curates each market to create a perfect opportunity for small business owners to sell their wares and make connections with fans and other makers.​
Event Info

Family Friendly DIY Workshop at Board & Brush
Looking for a creative way to spend time with friends or family? Join for this popular DIY workshop, where you’ll craft your very own unique wood sign! Choose a wood project from an extensive gallery, and the store will provide all the materials and step-by-step instructions to guide you in creating a stunning piece for your home or to give as a special gift.
Event Info

Alcina: A Vintage Opera at Dandy
Early Music Now and Milwaukee Opera Theatre joined together to present the Baroque opera Alcina, composed by G. F. Handel. All is not as it appears in this one-act tale of a lovelorn sorceress who turns her exes into lions, tigers, and boulders.
Event Info

One Thing I Wish You Knew at Marquette University Alumni Memorial Union
Join for the second annual One Thing I Wish You Knew community mental health event, co-hosted by Friendship Circle of Wisconsin and REDgen. It will feature an evening of heartfelt conversations and authentic connections. Four teens will share their vulnerabilities and experiences with mental health and the challenges they face.
Event Info

Rap J, Riz, Amara at Anodyne Coffee Roasters
Rap J is an artist born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. At the age of six years old, he started freestyling and discovered his passion for hip-hop. Born with cerebral palsy, Rap J uses music to express himself and showcase that the condition does not define him. 
Event Info

Ballyhoo! at Vivarium
Ballyhoo!'s music has become known as the go-to for setting the tone for a day at the beach. A nice drive on a beautiful day. A backdrop for pre-game drinks with friends. 
 Ballyhoo! shows are about love and good vibes. The melodies are contagious and the lyrics are meant to connect at a human level. This band wants to lift up anyone that wants to listen.
Event Info

ALL WEEKEND LONG

Pro PickleballX

Milwaukee Open - Veolia Pickleball Tour
Come watch the world's best pickleball players compete at the Milwaukee Open! The action begins on Wednesday and runs through the full weekend at Baird Center, with the Pro Championships on Sunday. Don't miss it!
Event Info

"Oliver!" at Skylight Music Theatre
The streets of Victorian England come to life as Oliver, a malnourished orphan in a workhouse, escapes to London and finds acceptance amongst a group of petty thieves and pickpockets led by the elderly Fagin. Oliver! is a musical theatre masterpiece, perfectly showcasing the talents of a large ensemble cast, including two dozen local youth performers, to bring these classic characters and score to life.
Event Info

Jon Lovitz at Milwaukee Improv
Saturday Night Live alum and star of "The Critic," Jon Lovitz will make his way to Milwaukee this wekeend for three shows in the Main Room of the Milwaukee Improv. Head over to the Corners of Brookfield for this comedy all-star!
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Dana Gould at The Laughing Tap
You've seen comedian Dana Gould on Comedy Central, Conan, Jimmy Kimmel and more. Now you can catch him live for a weekend of standup at The Laughing Tap!
Event Info

Affirmation/Transformation: Fandom Created at the Haggerty Museum of Art
Cheeseheads, Swifties, Beatlemaniacs, Trekkies, Whovians, Potterheads, Beyhive, the Cenation, ARMY. People are fans of all sorts of things. But what makes someone a fan? Is there a difference between enjoying something and being a fan of that thing? This exhibit explores that and more.
Event Info​

The Big 4-0: New Views of the Collection at Haggery Musuem of Art
The Haggerty Museum of Art at Marquette University presents an exhibition in celebration of its 40th anniversary. Curated by Dr. Kirk Nickel, Marc and Lillian Rojtman Curator of European Art, the show comprises a two-part installation of the exhibition galleries, in fall 2024 and spring 2025, and features well over 100 works of art from the Museum’s collections. 
Exhibit Info

Try a new restaurant!
Now's a great time to support Milwaukee restaurants! And how convenient: Our own Lori Fredrich has compiled a list of 52 Restaurants to try in the Milwaukee area. Pick a number from 1-52, and visit that restaurant this weekend!
#52Restaurants