Some of you are in a serious relationship, or at least involved in a budding romance. Others are happily (or perhaps miserably) single. No matter where your love life lands, the same thing holds abundantly true for everyone: you need to go out and do something—anything!—on Valentine’s weekend. Though V-Day proper is over a week away, most people will celebrate (or be reminder they’re alone and true love might never find them) this weekend.

Whether you’ve simply procrastinated on cementing post-dinner plans for you and that special someone, or you just need to escape the imposing specters of loneliness and self-doubt that loom between you and your exhausted Netlix queue, allow Milwaukee Record to serve as your cherubic guide to celebrating and/or escaping this Hallmark holiday with some suggestions of shit to do this weekend.

Friday, February 10

Rhett Miller + Trapper Schoepp @ The Back Room
Though you probably know him better as the singer of Old 97’s, Rhett Miller has plied his songwriting skills into a respectable solo career, too. The crooner will play material from his seven solo records and, with any luck, stripped-down versions of Old 97’s classics. Trapper Schoepp opens.

Gladys Knight @ Pabst Theater
The “Empress Of Soul” doesn’t make it to Milwaukee very often, so don’t miss this chance to see the legendary singer behind such hits as “Midnight Train To Georgia” and “That’s What Friends Are For” in the gorgeous confines of the Pabst Theater.

Subjective: A Comedic Showing @ Var Gallery
Kaitlin McCarthy’s monthly Subjective showcase brings a diverse grouping of comedians to the Var Gallery stage to display their finest work of art: their unique storytelling ability. This time around, up-and-coming Chicago (by way of Milwaukee) comic Sammy Arechar headlines a bill that also includes Krains Butter, Luke Merwin, and Brittany Tilander.

Dope Knife, Rusty P’s, Bo & Airo, Nate Brady @ Cactus Club
Savannah, Georgia rapper Dope Knife stops by Cactus Club to head a show that’s bolstered by local hip-hop talent including Rusty Pelicans, Bo & Airo (Bo Triplex and Airo Kwil), and Nate Brady.

Dead Rider + Talker @ Company Brewing

Saturday, February 11

Valentine’s Weekend Laugh-A-Thon with Earthquake + Aries Spears, and more @ Milwaukee Theatre
Since 2006, Milwaukee Theatre has given both comedy-loving couples and laugh-seeking loners reason to smile on Valentine’s weekend. This year’s lineup is headlined by the incomparable Earthquake. The force of comic nature is joined by MadTV alumnus Aries Spears, among others.

Sam Llanas’ Birthday @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Sam Llanas isn’t a stranger to the Linneman’s stage. The BoDeans founding member heads a weekly songwriter showcase at the beloved Riverwest bar, but he’s going to take this Thursday off and, instead, celebrate his birthday with a Saturday showcase.

Jim Brickman Pure Piano: The Greatest Hits @ Pabst Theater
Award-winning singer and songwriter Jim Brickman with bring the romance to Pabst Theater with ivory-tickling renditions of sweet seasonal selections.

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live @ Riverside Theater
If the whole “having reproduced” thing will prevent you from enjoying a night on the town with the one you love, transform date night into a family day on the town by taking in an afternoon or evening show with the kids. As the youngsters sit mesmerized by their generation’s take on Mister Rogers Neighborhood, look over at your partner and long for the next time you can go out for dinner and a show alone.

Ordinary People @ Avalon Theater
With the recent passing of Mary Tyler Moore, Avalon Theater will host two special screenings of her heartwrenching 1980 drama, Ordinary People. The first screening is Thursday night, but there’s also a 10:30 a.m. Saturday matinee.

VoodooHoney’s Valentine’s Day Soiree @ Company Brewing
Not long removed from the young label’s Halloween show and New Year’s Ball, VoodooHoney is back with another holiday-themed hullabaloo at Company Brewing. With Reginald Baylor Studio co-presenting, VoodooHoney as rounded up an eclectic lineup of performers including a collaboration between B-Free, Lex Allen, and DJ Tarik Moody. Before that, Ahvant Soul will perform, Christopher Gilbert will lead a “Chicago stepping” dance class, Tomas Antonic will play solo jazz ballads on guitar, and during a special “aphrodisiac dinner.”

Robert Ellis + Jenny O. @ The Back Room

Floor Model + Beaker, Mr. Russia, and The Meatcurtains @ Cactus Club

Sunday, February 12

Cloud Nothings + Moon Bros, and Dramatic Lovers @ Turner Hall
With just one month in the books, Cloud Nothings have already gone and released what’s sure to be one of 2017’s best albums. The band’s days-old Life Without Sound is an unflappable collection of post-punk masterpieces. Be sure to catch Cloud Nothings at a venue without seats while you still can. They probably won’t be playing Turner next time around. Moon Bros and new Milwaukee supergroup Dramatic Lovers open.

Impractical Jokers Live @ Riverside Theater
Nothing says “I love you” quite like watching four dudes in their 40s humiliating each other for the sake of entertainment. The stars of the wildly-popular truTV series, Impractical Jokers, return to the Riverside for two shows. Say what you will about the hit-and-miss hi-jinks of the basic cable prank professionals, but it’s sure to be a memorable Riverside residency.

About The Author

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Co-Founder and Editor

Before co-founding Milwaukee Record, Tyler Maas wrote for virtually every Milwaukee publication (except Wassup! Magazine). He lives in Bay View and enjoys both stuff and things.