November. Summer is now far in the rear view mirror. By now, your Halloween costume has been washed, de-vomited, and stored away for later use. Save for Thanksgiving, November doesn’t offer much. It’s the continuation of one season and the precursor to another. Still, between lauded comedians and bands coming to town, some local release shows, a couple unconventional benefits, and Urban Garage Sale’s debut in the Mitchell Park Domes, there’s plenty to keep Milwaukee occupied as we await the impending wintry doom.
Tuesday, November 1
Destroyer + Liam Hayes @ The Back Room at Colectivo
Destroyer’s Dan Bejard comes to town to play an uncharacteristically intimate show at Colectivo’s Back Room. You pretty much have to go to this.
Saturday, November 5
Brett Newski (album release) + The Kickback, and Detlef Schrempf @ Cactus Club
Brett Newski calls Milwaukee home, but really, he belongs to the world. His unending world tour found him recording tampon commercial jingles in Vietnam, and playing throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the contiguous United States. Fresh off a few West coast shows in support of Violent Femmes, Newski returns home (technically) to celebrate the release of a new album, Land Air Sea Garage.
Wednesday, November 9
Bridget Everett @ Turner Hall
After straight up stealing the show as opening support when Amy Schumer came to the Pabst in 2013, powerhouse comedian Bridget Everett will headline at Turner as part of her “POUND IT!” tour that promises loads of laughs during the commanding cabaret comic’s lewd lounge act.
Thursday, November 10
The Good Life + Jake Bellows, Our Fox, Oquoa @ Cactus Club
Cursive bandleader Tim Kasher’s other band, The Good Life, comes to the Cactus Club. Besides the all-too-rare living room show, this is probably the smallest place you’ll catch Kasher or any of this other projects.
Friday, November 11
Martin Lawrence @ Riverside Theater
Though his sub-par starring roles in Black Knight the Big Momma’s House trilogy might lead you to think otherwise, Martin Lawrence remains a skilled and influential comedian. With well over a quarter century of experience logged on stage and in front of cameras, the transcendent comic still has what it takes to make a room of strangers double over with laughter, at least if his 2011 Riverside Theater stop is any indication. Back in September, Lawrence’s latest special, “Doin’ Time” aired on Showtime. Now, the veteran funnyman swings Milwaukee’s way as part of his “Doin’ Time” tour. Damn, Gina! You seriously should consider going to this show.
AUTOMatic (album release) + Vincent VanGreat, and El Shareef @ Cactus Club
Has it really been four years since AUTOMatic released its last full-length album, Art Imitates Life? Yes, yes it has. Not that the Milwaukee hip-hop duo has been laying low: APRIME and Trellmatic released an AUTOMatic EP, ARISING, back in October 2015, while APRIME went solo under the moniker “3099” for this spring’s AUTOMatic Presents 3099. Now AUTOMatic is back with a new full-length (finally!) entitled Marathon. Vincent VanGreat, and El Shareef round out this release show lineup.
Sunday, November 13
NOFX + Pears, and Useless ID @ The Rave
After more than 30 years together, not to mention 12 records (and close to 20 EPs), and hundreds of thousands of miles logged on the road, NOFX deserves a break. Don’t tell them that, though. The veteran punkers come to town just weeks removed from the release of its latest record and return to form, First Ditch Effort, and months after releasing a tell-all biography, NOFX: The Hepatitis Bathtub And Other Stories. Labelmates PEARS and Useless ID open up.
Thursday, November 17
MKE Unplugged presents Midnight Reruns + Ian Olvera @ UW-Milwaukee (Helene Zelazo Center)
Last fall, Soul Low swapped their amplified instruments for acoustic ones and sought accompanying musicians for a special “MKE Unplugged” show on the UW-Milwaukee campus. This year is Midnight Reruns’ turn to take on the daunting task of adapting its always-enjoyable and endlessly-energetic songs into an unplugged format. This one-time affair is free. Former Sleepwalkers frontman Ian Olvera opens.
Tuesday, November 22
Colors & Chords @ Turner Hall
The night of November 22, eight local musical acts and eight area artists will come together at Turner Hall for an event being billed as “Milwaukee’s Music And Art Spectacle.” Sounds provided by Rusty P’s, Midwest Death Rattle, Nineteen Thirteen, Hello Death, and others. Visuals will be handled by Jeff Redmon, Pamela M. Anderson, dwellephant, Frank Juarez, among others. Proceeds from this mixed media-assemblage of Milwaukee talent will go to Islands Of Brilliance.
Wednesday, November 23
Danksgiving @ Mad Planet
On the eve of Thanksgiving, show your appreciation for the wealth and variety of Milwaukee music talent as Rusty P’s, No No Yeah Okay, Bo & Airo, Dad, and DJ Marcus Doucette celebrate “Danksgiving” at Mad Planet. If you’re not out of town, you should make it out to this, turkeys.
Nod To Bob @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Nod To Bob has long served as an autumn evening of charity and entertainment at Linneman’s. For the 18th year, an eclectic group of songwriters will gather at the Riverwest bar to honor one of music’s most influential songwriter’s and iconic voices with a night of Bob Dylan covers. While some cover bands aren’t without their cheesiness, there’s nothing hokey about this once-a-year festivity that also serves as a benefit for Hunger Task Force.
Saturday, November 26 and Sunday, November 27
Urban Garage Sale @ Mitchell Park Domes
Over the course of its first eight years, Urban Garage Sale has served as an invaluable marketplace of Milwaukee artists, crafters, retailers, and makers, while also working its way to becoming part of the holiday tradition for many local consumers. Following last November’s event at Turner Hall, which found the line to get in extending down the ballroom’s stairs and out onto Fourth Street, the ninth annual Urban Garage Sale is moving to Mitchell Park Domes‘ Annex Greenhouse and, in effort to accommodate the expected turnout, adding a second day. Saturday, November 26 and Sunday, November 27, approximately 60 artists, makers, and shop owners will help you find one-of-a-kind, locally produced holiday gifts.