Though July comes close to matching it, there’s simply no month in Milwaukee that’s more jam-packed with entertainment than June. Now that festival season has officially kicked off and will fully hit its stride with PrideFest, Summer Soulstice, and most of Summerfest. Meanwhile, a bundle of concert series like Chill On The Hill, Jazz In The Park, and Third Space’s “Under The Bridge” all begin, making every week enjoyable.
We’ve already detailed most of those things in our exhaustive Summer Festival Guide, but there’s also a ton of non-festival shows adding to the summer-long entertainment dilemma. From stacked local bills to touring talent to our monthly movie screening, there are lots of ways to enjoy June amid the festival frenzy. Here are just a few events that stand out.
Monday, June 1
Kevin Morby @ The Argo
Less than three weeks removed from the release of his latest, Little Wide Open, prolific singer-songwriter Kevin Morby will stop by The Argo in Whitefish Bay to perform songs from the brand new album and other material from his extensive catalog.
Thursday, June 4
The Alice Bag Band + Clickbait @ Anodyne’s Walker’s Point Roastery
From her days fronting first-wave L.A. punks, The Bags, appearing in Penelope Spheeris’ documentary The Decline Of Western Civilization, to her solo material, Alice Bag has maintained a creative spirit. In the more than four decades since the demise of The Bags, she has performed in numerous bands, tackled motherhood, learned to paint, and wrote a few books. She is the rare example of a person with a seemingly endless supply of creativity. Bag and her eponymous The Alice Bag Band will come to Anodyne’s Walker’s Point Roastery on June 4. Chicago post-punkers Clickbait will play in support.
Thursday, June 11
DeVotchKa + Known Moons @ Turner Hall
In honor of the 20th anniversary of Little Miss Sunshine, Denver indie folkers DeVotchKa—who scored the Oscar-nominated film—are coming to Turner Hall to play songs you surely recognize from the celebrated movie. Milwaukee’s own Known Moons will play in support.
Thursday, June 11 through Saturday, June 13
George Wallace @ Milwaukee Improv (four shows!)
George Wallace is one of the best to ever do it. The iconic comic, actor, the singer of the fictional Milwaukee Peaches, and one of the only few bright spots left on Twitter will treat the Milwaukee Improv in nearby Brookfield to four performances over the course of three June nights. It’s going to be great and whatnot.
Sunday, June 14
The McAdamy Awards @ Interchange Theater Co-Op
Actor and sketch comedian Joe McAdam (he of Butt fame) will come to Milwaukee’s Interchange Theater Co-Op to host “the only award show that honors abstract concepts, mundane events, and guys from the internet he’s obsessed with” on Sunday, June 14. Don’t miss it!
Tuesday, June 16
The Aquabats! + Koffin Kats, Sullvn @ Turner Hall
They’re incomparable, influential, iconic, and admittedly kind of tough to explain. They’re The Aquabats! The seminal, long-tenured, and unflinchingly goofy costumed ska-punk superheroes (which featured Travis Barker in its ranks before he joined blink-182) will pay a rare visit to Milwaukee to headline a Tuesday night Turner Hall outing that also includes opening support from Koffin Kats and Sullvn.
Tuesday, June 16 and Wednesday, June 17
Garth Brooks @ American Family Insurance Ampitheater
Country superstar Garth Brooks is playing TWO Summerfest “kick-off” concerts in June. The first show will take place at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater Tuesday, June 16. That will be followed with a second show, scheduled for Wednesday, June 17—a day before the first official day of Summerfest—also at AmFam Amphitheater. These will be Brooks’ first Summerfest shows ever, and his first Milwaukee shows in over a decade.
Wednesday, June 17
The Phantom A.D. + Devils Teeth, dREW And Associates @ X-Ray Arcade
The Phantom A.D. specializes in so-called “Ghoulish Rock N’ Roll,” which is a blend of surf rock, garage rock, and rockabilly performed with a swagger that’s equal parts spectacle and just darn good music. The headliner will get local support from Milwaukee’s own Devils Teeth and dREW And Associates from nearby Sheboygan at this midweek X-Ray Arcade soiree.
Wednesday, June 17
Ope! To End Alzheimer’s @ The Argo
See some of the city’s best stand up comedians and support a great cause in the process. On Wednesday, June 17, the “Ope! To End Alzheimer’s” comedy showcase will raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association Wisconsin chapter. The gut-busting benefit at The Argo will be headlined by Charlie Berens, who will be preceded by the likes of Chastity Washington, Ryan Mason, Dana Ehrmann, Tyler Menz, and Rachel Mac. All ticket proceeds from the event will be donated to Alzheimer’s Association.
Wednesday, June 17
Milwaukee Record Presents ‘Face/Off’ @ Avalon Theater
We’ve got two words and a forward slash for you: Face/Off. Yep, Milwaukee Record is screening it at Avalon Theater on June 17 and you’re invited. In case you’ve been living under a rock…or you’re not 35 or older, this straight-up bonkers 1997 blockbuster stars Nicholas Cage as international terrorist Castor Troy and John Travolta in the role of Sean Archer, the FBI agent whose life mission is bringing Troy to justice for his crimes. Faces and identities are swapped and a wealth of hilariously unrealistic action sequences—the type only a director like John Woo could pull off—ensue. Oh, and Gina Gershon, CCH Pounder, Thomas Jane, Margaret Cho, and John Carroll Lynch are in the this thing, too. It’s wild! It’s fun! It’s Face/Off.
Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 20
Guy Branum @ The Laughing Tap (three shows!)
When he isn’t writing and/or producing some of your favorite TV comedies (such as Hacks, The Other Two, and The Mindy Project) or acting opposite Seth Rogan, Rose Byrne, Jean Smart, and Natalie Portman in both television and film properties, Guy Branum is on stage performing stand up comedy. The accomplished comedian and award-winning writer will drop by The Laughing Tap’s new and improved downtown location for a total of three shows split between two nights.
Monday, June 22
Nick Shoulders @ Falcon Hall
The timeless, tireless, and tremendously talented Nick Shoulders is breathing new life into traditional southern music with his outstanding voice (as well as his distinct yodel and top-notch whistling), guitar picking, and fiddling. About nine months removed from the release of his latest album, Refugia Blues, Shoulders will return to Milwaukee—a city that’s thankfully been on his tour itinerary regularly in recent years—to perform at Falcon Hall.
Tuesday, June 23
Tommy Stinson @ Cactus Club
It isn’t very often that a founding member of The Replacements plays an intimate show at a beloved Bay View club. But it’s happening on Tuesday, June 23. Don’t miss your opportunity to see Tommy Stinson performing at Cactus Club. Tickets and square footage are limited, so act fast.
Sunday, June 28
Milwaukee Record’s WNBA Watch Party: Minnesota vs. Dallas (w/ Genesis Renji Halftime Show)
Milwaukee Record has partnered with Cactus Club and WYNK to bring you multi-faceted WNBA watch parties. Once a month, we’re highlighting a specific game that will be shown (with sound on) at Cactus Club, both on the bar’s televisions and on a projector in the back room. There will be specials on WYNK and Pacifico (and you’ll get a ticket when purchasing either brand for a raffle that will be held after the third quarter). DJs will play music during commercial breaks. We’ve also lined up some halftime entertainment for you. Come watch the Minnesota Lynx and Dallas Wings with us and catch a free halftime performance by Emmy-nominated rapper, producer, and WNBA super fan Genesis Renji.
Monday, June 29
Sincere Engineer Acoustic Performance and In-Store Signing @ Lilliput Records
A few days after appearing at Summerfest, Sincere Engineer’s Deanna Belos will play a free all-ages in-store performance at Lilliput Records followed by a signing of the band’s new album, Probable Claws, at Lilliput Records. You can RSVP here.