Our fat-free, dolphin-safe Milwaukee calendar is chock-full of things to do, but only a handful of events contained therein are worthy of the lofty “Record Recommended” (patent pending) honor. Here are our recommendations for the week of March 14-20, 2016.
Monday, March 14
Louie Anderson @ Northern Lights Theater
Before he was a regular in ’80s and ’90s movies, a cartoon protagonist, and the host of Family Feud, Louie Anderson was a comedian…a pretty damn good one, at that. Though his cultural significance and his IMDb page have softened of late (minus his role in the new FX series Baskets), Anderson remains a more-than-capable comedian. The Minneapolis-born funnyman returns to the Midwest for three nights of shows at Potawatomi’s Northern Lights Theater.
Also: Prima Vera + SIN BAD, Kate Moths @ High Dive
Tuesday, March 15
David Cross: Making America Great Again! @ Pabst Theater
At a time that finds America’s ideological gap widening at an alarming clip and the upcoming election only fueling the flames of political divide, the country needs a good laugh. Enter David Cross. Over the course of his lengthy and accomplished comedy career, the comedian, actor, and author has coaxed laughter from pointed social commentary directed at trends and caricatures seated on both sides of the aisle. Sadly, being on set hasn’t permitted Cross to tour since 2009. That is, it hasn’t until now. Fresh off his incredible (yet far too short) Netflix series W/ Bob & David, the Mr. Show co-creator, Arrested Development never-nude Tobias Fünke, and incomparable stand-up comic will embark on a lengthy nationwide tour. Fortunately, his “Making America Great Again!” tour will stop at Pabst Theater.
Friday, March 18
A Conversation On Making A Murderer Dean Strang & Jerry Buting @ Riverside Theater
Perhaps you’ve heard of Making A Murderer, the 10-part Netflix documentary investigating the contentious legal issues surrounding Manitowoc resident Steven Avery and the murder of Teresa Halbach. Perhaps you’ve read the 8 billion articles and follow-up stories about said documentary. Perhaps you’ve seen the memes. Hell, perhaps you’ve even heard the rap. But, have you had a chance to listen to Making A Murderer dreamboats (and attorneys) Dean Strang and Jerry Buting speak about the U.S. criminal justice system, as well as the broader implications of the Avery case in person? No? Then you’re in luck! The conversation will be moderated by WUWM Lake Effect host Mitch Teich.
Also: Nineteen Thirteen @ Anodyne Walker’s Point
SIN BAD + Cherry Cola, Bad Girl @ Company Brewing
Saturday, March 19
They Might Be Giants @ Turner Hall
A They Might Be Giants show is one of the few live shows that requires an explicit “FOR AGES 14+ ONLY” warning. For the past 30 (!) years, Johns Flansburgh and Linnell have effortlessly moved and blurred the lines between geeky “adult” music (Lincoln, Flood, the new Glean) and geeky “kid” music (Here Come The ABCs, Here Come The 123s, Here Comes Science). In the ’80s and ’90s, TMBG struck a chord with an army of put-upon junior-high dorks with songs like “Ana Ng” and “Birdhouse In Your Soul”; today, they delight the offspring of those same dorks with songs like “The Vowel Family,” “Ten Mississippi,” and “I Am A Paleontologist.” TMBG are a geek-rock institution like no other, bridging young and old, past and present, cool and square.
Soul Low vs. D’Amato @ Anodyne Walker’s Point
With Soul Low recently covering Tigernite at Local Coverage and temporarily tacking on extra members for a rare unplugged session at UW-Milwaukee, the beloved Milwaukee band will return to business as usual. And business is good. While they loom in “vinyl purgatory” as they await the late summer arrival of their latest full-length, Nosebleeds, they’ll take the stage with rapping/R&B hybrid D’Amato, with whom they’ve developed something of a rivalry lately. Like most Anodyne events, this show is all-ages.
Also: Jose Gonzalez With yMusic @ Pabst Theater
Blax + Mike Regal, Lucien Parker, Chakara Blu @ Mad Planet
Body Futures + CONTROL, Pink Trilliums @ Cactus Club
Vincent VanGreat @ Riverwest Public House
Sunday, March 20
WMSE Rock-N-Roll Bowling Tournament II @ Bay View Bowl
WMSE’s second annual Rock-N-Roll Bowl will feature two sessions of 12 teams of four bowlers rolling three games. WMSE DJs Erin Wolf, Faux Eyes, and Marty will be on hand for all your musical needs (we’ll eat our ball towels if “Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)” doesn’t get a spin), and prizes will be given out for team high score, individual high score, team low score, and individual low score. The first session of rock throwing begins at 12:30 p.m., and the second at 2:30 p.m. Mark it, dudes.