March is a period of transition. The month straddles two seasons…a part-time resident in the ass-end of winter and a temporary tenant within the burst and bloom brought on by spring. As the season changes and we gain an hour of daylight, the glorious onslaught of local festivals is so close, yet still aggravatingly out of reach. However, there’s still a wealth of places to go, people to see, and things to do this month while awaiting the warmth and activity of summer.
Between respected touring musicians and comedians, some very compelling local concerts, our screening of Mortal Kombat, and Bruce Goddamn Springsteen (!!!), this March isn’t shaping up to be half bad! Here are 13 standout events happening in and around Milwaukee in March.
Thursday, March 2 through Saturday, March 4
Michael Rapaport @ Milwaukee Improv
In addition to being an accomplished actor, a popular podcaster, and a certified hoops authority, Michael Rapaport is also a stand-up comedian with decades of on-stage experience to his credit. Originally slated to perform at the Milwaukee Improv last year, Rapaport had to reschedule his dates to early 2023. From March 2-4, he’ll be in Brookfield to perform four shows over a three-night span.
Tuesday, March 7
Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band @ Fiserv Forum
THE BOSS IS COMING TO MILWAUKEE! What more needs to be said? Nothing.
Friday, March 10
Katt Williams @ Miller High Life Theatre
Last spring, comedy legend Katt Williams performed at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena. Roughly a year later, he’ll take his decades worth of on-stage experience around the corner to nearby Miller High Life Theatre as part of his “2023 And Me” tour.
Saturday, March 11
The Dollyrots + The Von Tramps, Gold Steps, The Stinkeyes @ X-Ray Arcade
During the band’s 20-year run, The Dollyrots have released more than a dozen albums and EPs, played all over the world, performed with countless punk and rock and roll mainstays, and had their music featured on television shows and in films. Just shy of a year after playing at X-Ray Arcade, the veteran pop-punkers will come back to Cudahy for a stop on “The Hey Girl 2023 Tour” with special guests The Von Tramps, Gold Steps, and The Stinkeyes.
Dropkick Murphys (Admirals Post-Game Concert) @ UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena
If you haven’t made it to an Admirals game this season, you should probably change that on March 11. After our Ads and the Tucson Roadrunners are done using the ice, Dropkick Murphys will play a post-game concert in the arena as part of the long-running Celtic punk project’s ongoing “St. Patrick’s Day” tour.
Monday, March 13
Os Mutantes @ Cactus Club
Seminal psych rock outfit Os Mutantes are among the most well-known and accomplished rock bands in Brazil. The influential group will treat Cactus Club to an intimate performance of songs from their 50-year run on Monday, March 13. Don’t miss this!
Thursday, March 16 through Saturday, March 18
David Koechner @ Milwaukee Improv
Saturday Night Live alumnus, Anchorman co-star, and veteran character actor David Koechner is also an outstanding storyteller and comedian. You can catch Koechner on stage for four standup shows over a three-night span. He’ll also be involved in “The Office Trivia” as his infamous Todd Packer character on March 17. Whammy!
Friday, March 17
Reba + Terri Clark, The Isaacs @ Fiserv Forum
Over the course of her incomparable career, Reba McEntire has done it all. Though she was the star and namesake of a popular sitcom, an accomplished film and voiceover actor, a remarkable philanthropist, a cultural touchstone, and even the first female Colonel Sanders, Reba will always be a musician first and foremost. The “Queen Of Country” will drop by Fiserv Forum to treat a Milwaukee crowd to her countless hits from her 30-plus albums that have sold more than 75 million copies (and counting!) over the course of her amazing 45-year career.
Saturday, March 18
Bug Moment (album release) + Shooby, Spoy @ The Back Room @ Colectivo
Formed in late 2020, Bug Moment has quickly become one of the city’s most exciting and (pun intended) buzzed about bands. On one of the last nights of winter, the emo-leaning Milwaukee alternative act will add to its reputation with the release of its new album, The Flying Toad Circus, during a show at The Back Room @ Colectivo. The release show will also feature opening support from Shooby and Spoy. Circus-themed costumes, makeup, and clothing are encouraged.
Thursday, March 23
Peter Mulvey + SistaStrings @ The Back Room @ Colectivo
In late 2020, prolific singer-songwriter Peter Mulvey and the incomparable instrumentalists in SistaStrings co-released Live At The Cafe Carpe, a live album the accomplished artists recorded at the eponymous Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin cafe in pre-pandemic times. Almost two years removed from that record’s release, Mulvey—a Milwaukee-born musician who now calls Massachusetts home—and the Ross sisters—a Milwaukee mainstay who are enjoying tremendous amounts of success following a recent move to Nashville—once again collaborated on a joint album. A few months removed from the release of Love Is The Only Thing and a handful of weeks after last taking the stage in Milwaukee in support of Ani DiFranco, Mulvey and SistaStrings will return to their hometown to perform songs from their two albums.
Friday, March 24
Jimmy Flemion of The Frogs + The Quilz @ X-Ray Arcade
On March 24, Jimmy Flemion—who you might know as half of the celebrated Cream City sibling duo The Frogs—will play his first hometown outing in 17 years when he takes the stage at X-Ray Arcade in Cudahy. We have no idea what to expect, but there’s no way in hell we’re missing it!
Friday, March 24 and Saturday, March 25
Chris Fairbanks @ The Laughing Tap
Over the course of the last two decades, comedian Chris Fairbanks has delighted audiences all over the country and he’s amassed credits on Comedy Central, TruTV, TBS, and a variety of other platforms along the way. Don’t miss the comic, actor, and podcaster when he comes to The Laughing Tap for a total of three performances March 24-25.
Wednesday, March 29
Milwaukee Record presents ‘Mortal Kombat’ (1995) @ Avalon Theater
Mortal Kombat is the feature film complement to the arcade hit and subsequent Sega Genesis smash by the same name. The Paul W.S. Anderson-directed vehicle features fighters with diverse skill sets competing against one another in a high-stakes tournament in order to save the world…or something like that. With a modest budget of just $20 million, this cult classic earned an astonishing $122 million in theaters while entertaining gamers and non-gamers alike in the process. We’re screening it on Wednesday, March 29. Get over here and join Milwaukee Record at Avalon Theater.