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Milwaukee is bustling this weekend, and there's a wide variety of events for you, your family, and even you furry friends to enjoy. From the Bark & BBQ this Saturday at the Harley-Davidson Museum to the Milwaukee Comedy Festival, concerts and more, you've definitely got something to put on your calendar. Here's your Weekend Preview, brought to you by Potawatomi Casino Hotel!
FRIDAY
Bruckner's Fourth Symphony: Wanderers Awaken at Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Artistic Partner Dashon Burton gives voice to this wistful cycle of four Lieder which hint at Mahler’s own experience with unrequited love. In honor of Bruckner’s 200th birthday, Music Director Ken-David Masur conducts one of the best-loved pieces in Bruckner’s repertoire: his “Romantic” Fourth Symphony with its pastoral warmth, stunning brass chorale, and energetic hunt.
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Underoath, Static Dress, Graysea at The Rave
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of their influential studio album, "They’re Only Chasing Safety" Underoath will perform the album in its entirety, followed by a unique fan-voted set every night. They'll be joined by Static Dress and Milwaukee's own Graysea.
Event Info
Korea Day Celebration and Symphony Orchestra Concert at Helene Zolazo Center
The 2024 Milwaukee Korea Day Celebration at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee will take place at the Helene Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts on Friday from 4:30-9:30 p.m. The day will feature K-Pop dance performances, a show-and-tell about Korea by students and community members, and Taekwondo demonstrations by a local community group, as well as a grand finale concert.
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Partner Pick
Quarters Comedy Hour #7 at Quarters Rock N' Roll Palace
Come on out for an hour of comedy followed by a live DJ.Laughs provided by Tory Ward, Jack Allen, Jakar Scott, Michael McChesney, Tika G and Syed.
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Ricky Montgomery, Ray Bull at The Rave
Music always lures Ricky Montgomery back. He blames the internet. First a devotee of the Vine underground, and now—nearly a decade and several jobs later—an unexpected hitmaker, the Los Angeles native has spent the last few years trying to reconcile with his artist self. He's on the "One Rick To Rule Them All" tour with Ray Bull, which comes to Milwaukee on Friday.
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Maricka Hackman at Vivarium
Songwriter and multi-instrumentalist known for her emotionally honest and personal lyrics, Marika Hackman first made a name for herself with a spare, acoustic-oriented approach. Receiving acclaim for her musical talent, lyrical depth, and unique style, Marika has been recognized through interviews, reviews, and profiles around the country.
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Anthony Q, Urban Mystic at Turner Hall Ballroom
Get ready for a night of Southern soul, with two of the most soulful artists in the genre, Anthony Q and Urban Mystic. Inspired by the soulful harmonies of the boy band era in the ’90s, with artists like H-Town, Silk, and Jagged Edge resonating deeply with him, Anthony Q discovered his love for R&B and hip-hop. He'll bring that to Turner Hall Ballroom on Friday.
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Pat and the Pissers, North Warren, Courtesy, Oh Well, OK at Cactus Club
North Warren, named after the street he lived on as he began releasing music, is the creative endeavor of Milwaukee's Luke Esperes. They'll join Indianapolis rockers Pat and the Pissers, as well as Milwaukee bands Courtesy and Oh Well, OK at the esteemed Bay View club.
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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
Bark & BBQ at the Harley-Davidson Museum
An afternoon of fun for you and man's (or woman's) best friend. Over 30 vendor booths and food trucks with loads of treats, shopping and dog-related services from Bentley's Pet Stuff, Camp Bow Wow, US Cellular and more. Plus, activities to entertain and engage your pup.
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Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues at Fiserv Forum
The Chicago Blackhawks are returning to Fiserv Forum to host a preseason game against the St. Louis Blues as part of the arena’s “Home Away From Home” series on Saturday. It will be just the second NHL game played at Fiserv Forum and the second in Milwaukee since 1993.
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Beet Street Fall Festival at Cactus Club
The annual, family-friendly celebration takes over the 2400 block of S. Wentworth Avenue between Cactus Club (Russell Ave) and Goodkind (Potter Ave) to celebrate music, food, art, and community. A quiet tree-lined street will transform into a bustling array of artists and small, independent businesses. The block is bookended with local food trucks and a large stage showcasing local, national, and international musicians.
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Camp Alice Chester 100th Anniversary Celebration
Join the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Wisconsin to celebrate Camp Alice Chester's 100th Anniversary with a gigantic celebration event of all things camp. Enjoy your favorite camp activities in this open house style event- archery, rock climbing, hatchet throwing, sports and games, arts n' crafts, s'mores, scavenger hunts, letterboxing, fishing, campfire songs and more.
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Partner Pick
Family Free Day at Milwaukee County Zoo
The Zoo is a harvest of beautiful fall colors in October. And on October 5, all guests are admitted FREE! (Parking and regular attraction fees still apply.) To enjoy the vibrant colors of the trees, along with the animals, stroll through the outdoor areas to see elk, giraffes, and camels, just to mention a few!
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"Waitress" at Skylight Music Theater
Brought to life on Broadway by a groundbreaking, all-female creative team, Waitress features original music and lyrics by six-time Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles ("Brave,""Love Song"), and a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson. Nominated for four Tony Awards (including Best Musical), Waitress is inspired by Adrienne Shelly's beloved film and offers a special recipe for finding happiness in unexpected places.
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88Nine Presents: State of Sound - October Edition
State of Sound stands as a testament to the power of music to bring people together. It provides a stage for emerging artists, a haven for music lovers, and a space where the local community can unite to celebrate the incredible sounds and talents Southeastern Wisconsin has to offer. This month features Cozy Danger, Hello Face, Caley Conway, and Fuzzysurf.
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AFSP Out of the Darkness Walk
The Milwaukee Out of the Darkness Walk will support AFSP’s education programs, research and programs for survivors of suicide loss. In addition to raising awareness and funds to fight suicide, the walk gives those who attend a chance to connect with others and know they are not alone, whether they walk in memory or in support of a loved one or in honor of their own mental health journey.
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Quinn XCII, Knox at The Rave
Quinn XCII (pronounced Quinn Ninety-Two) is the kind of person you root for. Back in 2015, Quinn XCII emerged with a disarmingly catchy and dynamic personal style of his own punctuated by alternative nuances and unexpected (yet undeniable) pop prowess. He has accumulated over 3.5 billion global streams across his catalogue and earned successive Platinum singles, including "Straitjacket," "Kings of Summer" with ayokay, and "Love Me Less" with MAX. He'll come to Milwaukee on Saturday night.
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Bitchcraft Fair at Baird Center
Milwaukee's premiere magickal handmade halloween marketplace features 200+ original makers and mystics, a witches brew cocktail collection, trick-or-treating (free admission for little ghouls and boys 10 & under) & a costume photobooth so you can flaunt & haunt in costume!
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SUNDAY
Bill Nye the Science Guy Live! at Pabst Theater
Bill Bill Bill Bill! It's an eye-opening, funny, informative, incredible evening with every Earthling’s favourite scientist – Bill Nye the Science Guy live at the Riverside Theater on Sunday. Bill will be talking about climate change, natural disasters and how we, all of us, can make the world a better place…. with Science!
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Brady Street Pet Parade
Bring your furry, feathered, or scaly friends to the annual Brady Street Pet Parade! Enjoy live music, entertainment, local vendors, and some friendly competition while showing off your beloved pet. At 1 p.m., gather at St. Rita’s Catholic Church for a heartwarming pet blessing by Father Brian.
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A Taste of Italy at Italian Community Center
Typically a spring event in the past, the Italian Community Center's annual A Taste of Italy food-focused fundraiser takes place in October this year.
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Partner Pick
Kirb Your Enthusiasm: A Kirby-Themed Market at X-Ray Arcade
Welcome to Kirb Your Enthusiasm, a Kirby-themed pop market that centers around your favorite, little pink guy in the form of paintings, ceramics, stationary goods, 3D model work, and more - showcased by about 12 of our local creatives and vendors!
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Milk Comics Indie Festival at The Cooperage
The mission of Milwaukee Indie Local Comics (MILK) is to create and foster a creative comics community in Milwaukee and the greater southeastern Wisconsin area, culminating in our one-day festival. Join at The Cooperage for a day of laughs!
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Emmy's 5th Annual Sale at Cactus Club
Pickles, honey, tea, and preserves from Emmy Yates! One day only, but once a year! Stock up while you can!
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Homeshake, Freak Heat Waves at Vivarium
Indie artist Homeshake is touring behind "Horsie," his latest album that he released this past June. That includes a tour stop in Milwaukee at the city's newest venue in Vivarium. Freak Heat Waves will join in to round out the bill.
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Sequestered Puppiez at Anodyne Coffee Roasters
The band describe themselves as "an evolving ensemble of dangerous fun," and they'll feature on a 6:00 p.m. Sunday show. Don't miss a night of catchy, perhaps dangerous, fun.
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Chorale Fall Concert at UWM Peck School of the Arts
Join UWM’s flagship choral ensemble – the Concert Chorale – for an afternoon of choral music. They will be joined by several area high school choirs!
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ALL WEEKEND LONG
19th Annual Milwaukee Comedy Festival
More than 20,000 people have laughed with the Milwaukee Comedy Festival in it’s history! Festival alumni have appeared in movies and television including Comedy Central, Netflix, HBO, Saturday Night Live, Hulu, MAD TV, BET, Conan, Late Nite and many more. Don't miss this Milwaukee institution!
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"An Iliad" at Milwaukee Youth Arts Center
A lone Poet, exhausted from the front lines of history’s epic wars and aided only by a single Muse, steps onto an empty stage and weaves a tale filled with honor and hubris, fortitude and fallibility, and righteousness and blind rage. Intimate, urgent, and incisive, this modern retelling—adapted from Robert Fagles’ gold-standard translation and featuring a live score from Milwaukee’s own Klassik—hones Homer’s epic to a gleaming edge as captivating as it is timeless.
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Autumn at the Streets of Old Milwaukee
From Sept. 19 until Nov. 4, the Milwaukee Public Museum's Streets of Old Milwaukee will experience autumn for the first time, including Halloween.
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Pete Holmes at Milwaukee Improv
Pete Holmes is the creator and star of HBO's Crashing (produced by Judd Apatow) and TBS' The Pete Holmes Show (produced by Conan O'Brien). He's also the star of CBS' How We Roll as well as two HBO stand-up comedy specials. Catch him for four shows this weekend at the Milwaukee Improv.
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The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity at Next Act Theatre
In this corner, Chad Deity: the greatest champ professional wrestling has ever seen. But behind every winner lies the story of a really excellent loser. Enter Macedonio “The Mace” Guerra: a wrestler paid to lose night after night. For the chance to tell his own story in the ring, he’ll do almost anything. Kristoffer Diaz’s play is a high-octane powerbomb of thrilling spectacle, larger-than-life characters and pop culture commentary that you can’t find on pay-per-view.
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China Lights: Year of the Dragon, at Boerner Botanical Gardens
Experience China Lights 2024, a world-class lantern festival with the magical glow of more than 40 larger-than-life sculptural light displays. The Dragon King, flower tunnel and zodiac lanterns are just some of the highlights of this year’s event at the renowned Boerner Botanical Gardens.
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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.
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Oktoberfest!
Prost! Oktoberfest is already upon us, and Milwaukee's celebrations begin this weekend. To make things easier, we've compiled an Oktoberfest guide to all of the beer, pretzels, and hammerschlagen you can handle.
Oktoberfest Guide
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
Milwaukee Jewish Film Festival
The 27th annual Jewish Film Festival will take place Sunday, October 27 - Thursday, October 31 at Marcus North Shore Cinema in Mequon. Celebrating the finest in Jewish films and filmmaking, the 2024 festival will feature five films featuring a wide array of subjects and themes speaking to Jewish traditions, culture and history.
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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
