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. Since this V-Day proper lands on a Thursday, most people will either celebrate (or be reminded they’re alone and true love might never find them) on February 14 itself or will push plans to 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 Netflix queue, allow Milwaukee Record to serve as your cherubic guide to celebrating and/or escaping this Hallmark holiday with some suggestions of stuff to do.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14
Jackie Kashian @ The Underground Collaborative
Since leaving her hometown of South Milwaukee, Jackie Kashian has sustained a long and successful career in comedy that includes a Comedy Central special, a few Conan appearances, and her long-running Dork Forest podcast. Last summer, Kashian came back to her old stomping grounds as part of the Lady Parts Justice League tour. This Valentine’s Day, she’ll return to headline an Underground Collaborative with opener Carmen Morales.
Milo + Pink Navel, and SB The Moor @ Cactus Club
Milwaukee expat Rory Ferreira will return to his former hometown during what he’s calling the last U.S. tour for his inimitable and influential Milo project. You should never miss a chance to see Milo, especially if it might be your last chance to catch him live.
NO/NO + DJ Why B @ Boone & Crockett
Valentine’s Day will double as “Sexual Health Awareness Day” at Boone & Crockett. The bar will feature a card-making station, a special menu, raffles for adult toys, and music from NO/NO and DJ Why B. Best yet, proceeds from raffles and $1 from every drink sold will be donated to Planned Parenthood.
Gang Of Four + The Quilz @ Shank Hall
Post-punk pioneers Gang Of Four will celebrate Valentine’s Day over at Shank Hall along with some local support from The Quilz. If your date is into Gang Of Four, you’ve found a keeper.
Bobby “Flowers For Valentine’s” @ Urban Bay View
Former Carolina member and current Hello, Face front man Bobby Flowers will go solo for a night to give Urban Bay View patrons “Flowers For Valentine’s.” Starting at 8 p.m., Bobby will curate a romantic playlist and will be joined on stage by some special guests throughout the night. Urban will get in on the romance with $10 bottles of champagne and free chocolate covered strawberries.
The Art Of Love @ The Tonic Tavern
Elsewhere in Bay View, The Tonic Tavern is hosting an extra special holiday art event. The Art Of Love features works from couples who don’t typically make art together. The exhibition will also include music from Jeffrey Eckel and Anna Banwell (a couple) and champagne specials all night long.
The Notebook @ Avalon Theater
The Notebook came out in 2004. Fifteen years later, it’s regarded as a modern romantic classic. See Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling get very close to kissing in the rain. Full disclosure: we’ve never seen this film and we’re basing all of this on what we remember from the movie poster.
Night Of The Loving Dead @ X-Ray Arcade
On the exact opposite of the cinematic spectrum is X-Ray Arcade’s V-Day event. The Cudahy arcade bar’s Night Of The Loving Dead offer is good for dinner, drinks, free video games, and a screening of 1968’s Night Of The Living Dead on X-Ray’s massive projection screen.
I Would Die 4 U @ Snack Boys
Those rascals at Snack Boys will take a goofy, princely turn on Valentine’s Day. Spend an evening with “his royal badness” at the Walker’s Point snack bar’s I Would Die 4 U event. There will be Prince-themed cocktails and snacks galore.
Valentine’s Day Bingo @ Pabst Milwaukee Brewery & Taproom
If you’re asking “Will I B alone N Valentine’s Day?” You won’t B if you GO to Pabst Milwaukee Brewery & Taproom for Valentine’s Day Bingo on Thursday night.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15
MAM After Dark: Glitz & Glam @ Milwaukee Art Museum
To coincide with both the holiday and opening of their new Bouguereau & America exhibition, Milwaukee Art Museum will host a night of “Glitz & Glam” for this month’s After Dark installment. The event will also include aural accompaniment by local harpist Ann Lobotzke and DJ Shawna, a photo booth, wine, chocolates, DIY crafts, and trivia.
Flat Out Friday @ UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena
Motorcycle racers ride on top of a track slathered in Dr. Pepper syrup and it’s fucking awesome. Need we say more?
Flat Out Friday Official After Party @ The Cooperage
Once the fumes clear from Flat Out Friday, make your way to The Cooperage for an awesome after party featuring biker-suited tunes from Toke, Big Balls, Kingston Burial, Jason Robson, and Kenny B Wangin’.
Droids Attack + Full Vinyl Treatment, Powerwagon, and Preomnor @ Cactus Club
While not official, the fine folks at Cactus Club are giving bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts another entertainment option with a wicked and wonderful post-Mama Tried party. The veteran Madison rockers in Droids Attack head up a solid show that also features Full Vinyl Treatment, Powerwagon, and Preomnor.
Wavy V + Soda Road, and Warhola Cats @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Think of psychedelic music in 2019 and you’ll probably think of heavy, tripped-out music designed to blow your mind and assault your senses. Then there’s Wavy V, a Milwaukee sextet (formed from the ashes of the gone-but-not-forgotten Candeliers) that mines the softer side of psychedelia. Riles Wash, Emily Morrow, and company load up on baroque chamber-pop instrumentation, heavenly harmonies, and starry-eyed songwriting on their first seven-inch, W. Friday, the group celebrates the release of A. Get in on the ground floor before the inevitable release of V and Y.
All Messed Up 9 Showcase @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
The 2015 installment of All Messed Up found the fate of the unique concept show up in the air. Though creator Anthony Dean Schwader has since stepped away from the concert where 64 musicians of all backgrounds and skill levels are randomly arranged into 16 bands, AMU, fortunately, has lived on and is enjoying its ninth year. Don’t miss what could be your one and only shot to see IPAholes, Crawdaddy, and Linneman Toast Crunch add to the rich tradition of one of Milwaukee music’s strangest and best annual events. All Messed Up will also continue on February 16.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16
Food & Froth @ Milwaukee Public Museum
Want to hang out at the Milwaukee Public Museum, sip beer from dozens of local breweries, eat food from oodles of local restaurants, and mess around with the snake buttons? Then the museum’s annual Food & Froth blowout is for you. Explore the Streets of Old Milwaukee while enjoying a beer! Hang out in that igloo while enjoying some appetizers! Hide from that territorial howler monkey while enjoying music from The WhiskeyBelles, Category X, Alpine Blast, and The Hungry Williams Band! General admission tickets to this 21+ event are $75. Get yours fast, because the VIP tickets are already sold out.
Whips + Get Rad @ Company Brewing
Between events like Flat Out Friday and the bike show itself, Mama Tried is an all-around awesome weekend that helps heat Milwaukee up in the middle of February. Not only are the official events great. The various affiliated after parties are outstanding as well. This pairing of Whips and Get Rad just so happens to be the best one.
Amanda Huff + Saebra & Carlyle, and King Courteen @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
There’s no real Valentine’s theme for this. It’s just a good-ass show that you should attend.
Chris Novak Spectacular with The Hussy + Valerie Lightheart, Faux Fiction, and Clear Pioneer @ The Cooperage
Celebrate the birth of Milwaukee music lover and all-around great guy Christopher Novak with an outstanding lineup he curated for the occasion. Head to The Coop to see The Hussy, Valerie Lightheart, Faux Fiction, and Clear Pioneer. And wish Chris a happy birthday while you’re at it.
Valentine’s Weekend Laugh-A-Thon @ Miller High Life Theatre
The annual Valentine’s Weekend Laugh-A-Thon returns to Miller Life Theatre. Consider bringing your special someone to see Corey Holcomb, D.C. Curry, Kountry Wayne, Comedian JJ, and T-Dot do their thing om stage.
Body Language: Comedy & Burlesque @ The Underground Collaborative
The Underground Collaborative’s Body Language show promises “a body positive and intimate night of laughs, story telling and burlesque.” Comedian Brittany Tilander hosts an evening of sex positive storytelling that’s sure to be equally funny and powerful.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17
Disney On Ice @ Fiserv Forum
If you’re not able to break away from the kids, Fiserv Forum has something the whole family can enjoy this weekend. If you can’t make it to one of the three Disney On Ice shows on Sunday, there’s also a show on Thursday, one Friday, and a triple-header on Saturday. What could be more romantic than watching Toy Story characters skate around.
Milwaukee Ballet presents Genesis 2019 @ Pabst Theater
Watch three up-and-coming ballet choreographers combine their talents, using Milwaukee Ballet’s international dancers as their vessels. Though only one choreographer will ultimately get a contract to produce a show for a future season, all in attendance will be winners.
Fiddler On The Roof @ Marcus Center For The Performing Arts
Winner of 10 Tony Awards, Fiddler On The Roof is one of the longest-running musicals of all time for good reason. You’ll never have to imagine “If [You] Were A Rich Man” when it comes to getting tickets. The show is running February 12-17 and there are seats available at all price levels.