April is typically a period of rebirth. Brewers baseball season is back, the first full month of spring is upon us, and rampant festival announcements combine with extended daylight and occasional days of unseasonable warmth to signal the city’s best days are soon to come. While we’re still two months removed from PrideFest (the official start of festival season), April brings about other reasons to celebrate.
This particular April will shower the city with tremendous entertainment options, including Midwest Gaming Classic, the annual Milwaukee’s Best Bloody fundraiser, a new Milwaukee Record-produced ElimiDATE rewatch event, and a ton of excellent touring musicians and comics. There’s a lot happening this April, but here are 15 events that stand out to us.
Wednesday, April 2
Mannequin Pussy + Finom @ Turner Hall
Now in its 15th year as a band and firmly implanted in the punk rock zeitgeist, Mannequin Pussy is no longer “up and coming” because, well, they’ve arrived. The Philly outfit will drop into Turner Hall in belated support of last year’s album, I Got Heaven, with Finom in tow.
Friday, April 4 through Sunday, April 6
Midwest Gaming Classic @ Baird Center
In a city absolutely stuffed with events, the annual Midwest Gaming Classic is one of our favorites. Want to relive the 2024 installment? Read our one-day minute-by-minute report HERE. Want to experience all the video games, pinball, tabletop games, panels, music, and more for yourself? Then drop by the downtown Baird Center April 4-6. Yep, MGC is BACK.
Friday, April 11 and Saturday, April 12
Daniel Van Kirk @ The Laughing Tap (three shows)
Dan Van Kirk is the pride of Rochelle, Illinois. The (now-L.A.-based) stand-up comedian, improvisor, impressionist, and podcaster—who’s probably best-known in the medium for his work alongside the Sklar Brothers on Dumb People Town—returns to his beloved Midwest April 11-12 for a total of three shows at The Laughing Tap.
Saturday, April 12
Wheatus + Rematch, Breakup Tour @ X-Ray Arcade
Teenage Dirtbags take note: Wheatus (yes, that Wheatus!) will return to X-Ray Arcade just shy of two years after its first appearance at the Cudahy venue. They’ll have local support from the likes of Rematch and Breakup Tour.
Sunday, April 13
Milwaukee’s Best Bloody @ State Fair Park
On April 13, the 13th annual Milwaukee’s Best Bloody contest will find bartenders showcasing their signature bloody marys at State Fair Park while vying to have their cocktail concoction crowned, well, Milwaukee’s Best Bloody. As if the opportunity to try a bunch of bloodies and cast your vote on your favorite one isn’t enticing enough on its own, proceeds from the event “support Great Lakes Hemophilia Foundation in their mission to educate, support and advocate for the Wisconsin bleeding disorders community.”
Thursday, April 17
ElimiDATED in MKE: A Rewatch Event @ The Laughing Tap
Join Milwaukee Record at The Laughing Tap on Thursday, April 17 for the first “ElimiDATED in MKE” rewatch event. Starting at 7 p.m. (6 p.m. doors), we’ll screen three early 2000s episodes of ElimiDATE that were filmed right here in Milwaukee. Along the way, we’ll take some time to discuss some of the local references, provide updates on shooting locations and contestants, and recap some of the best (and worst) moments we witness in the reality dating show.
Friday, April 18
Avenues + Something To Do, Local Legends, Gold Steps, Bodyman Want @ X-Ray Arcade
Not only is this an all-around excellent local lineup, it’s also a concert for a great cause. With an aim to bring in the necessary cash to make the business as accessible as possible, the fine folks at X-Ray Arcade have announced some “Accessible Entryway Construction Fundraiser” efforts, which will take place this spring. This stacked show is one such fundraising event where 100% of ticket sales will be allocated to X-Ray’s accessibility efforts. There’s also the option to donate more when purchasing the tickets.
Friday, April 18
Bob Mould Band + Craig Finn @ Turner Hall
Legendary punk/alt-rock pioneer Bob Mould—he of Hüsker Dü, Sugar, and solo fame—and his band will headline a can’t-miss show at Turner Hall on Friday, April 18. Craig Finn—he of The Hold Steady and solo fame—and his band will open.
Sunday, April 20
Pattie Gonia Presents: Save Her! @ Turner Hall
Beyond being a beloved drag queen, Pattie Gonia is an environmentalist and community organizer who has earned praise for their efforts in the realm of climate change from the likes of Outside Magazine, TIME, and National Geographic. On April 20 (in accordance with Earth Day), Pattie Gonia will bring the environmentally-focused “SAVE HER!” show to Turner Hall.
Wednesday, April 23
Milwaukee Record Presents ‘Total Recall’ @ Avalon Theater
On Wednesday, April 23, Milwaukee Record will bring some sci-fi movie fun to Avalon Theater with an extra special screening of Total Recall in accordance with the movie’s upcoming 35th anniversary. The classic 1990 flick stars Arnold Schwarzenegger in one of his most iconic roles. Schwarzenegger is joined by a great supporting cast that includes the likes of Sharon Stone, Rachel Ticotin, Ronny Cox, and Michael Ironside. It ruled 35 years ago and it still rules today.
Thursday, April 24
Smoking Popes + Off With Their Heads @ X-Ray Arcade
Talk about a one-two punch! On Thursday, April 24, a pair of prominent pop-punk projects will join forces on a nostalgic night in which Smoking Popes will play its 1994 album Born To Quit in full and Off With Their Heads will perform 2010’s In Desolation in its entirety.
Thursday, April 24
IshDARR + special guests @ Cactus Club
On Thursday, April 24, IshDARR will mark the 10th anniversary of his breakout album, Old Soul, Young Spirit (and the new release of the album’s 10th anniversary edition) with a Cactus Club show. The accomplished Milwaukee rapper will be joined on stage by special guests TBA.
Thursday, April 24 through Saturday, April 26
Marlon Wayans @ Milwaukee Improv (five shows)
In addition to being an actor, filmmaker, and one half of the Wayans Brothers, Marlon Wayans is an accomplished comedian. In fact, standup has been his primary focus of late, as he’s released five specials since 2018. As the world waits for Scary Movie 6 and White Chicks 2 (both of which are reportedly in the works), you can catch Wayans in Brookfield when he performs a total of five shows at Milwaukee Improv between April 24 and April 26.
Thursday, April 24 through Thursday, May 8
Milwaukee Film Festival @ various locations
The 2025 Milwaukee Film Festival is set to run April 24 – May 8. It will feature approximately 200 short and feature-length documentary and fiction films from around the world (and Milwaukee, of course). Advance ticket packages and passes are available NOW. The full lineup hasn’t been released quite yet, but based on the festival’s track record and what’s been announced so far, it’s gonna be great.
Wednesday, April 30
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds @ Miller High Life Theatre
It’s only been about 18 months since Nick Cave graced Milwaukee with his powerful presence. But that was Nick Cave solo (along with Radiohead bassist Colin Greenwood). What about Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds? Good news, Milwaukee, because Cave and the Bad Seeds are scheduled to play the Miller High Life Theatre on Wednesday, April 30 as part of The Wild God Tour.