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 live On The Record podcast, and Urban Garage Sale’s return to the Mitchell Park Domes, there’s plenty to keep Milwaukee occupied as we await the impending wintry doom. Here are 13 of our top picks.
Friday, November 3 and Saturday, November 4
Bill Burr @ Riverside Theater
Yes, beloved stand-up comic, popular podcast host, F Is For Family co-creator, talk show regular, and new father Bill Burr is checking in on Milwaukee once again. Will he talk about boozing? A lack of boozing? Drumming? Cigars? Fatherhood? The lovely Nia (his wife)? That Yoko Ono bit you’re probably not supposed to like but is still kind of funny anyway? You have three chances to find out! (The Saturday, November 4 show is already sold out.)
Tuesday, November 7
Guns N’ Roses @ BMO Harris Bradley Center
You know where Guns N’ Fucking Roses are going to be Tuesday, November 7? They’re going to be at the BMO Harris Bradley Center, baby. They’re gonna die. Well, hopefully not, because, yeah, the reunited GNR are bringing their “Not In This Lifetime…Tour” to town, which is awesome.
Thursday, November 9
On The Record LIVE @ Urban Harvest Brewing Company
Every now and then, we decide to bring our “On The Record” podcast to the public by booking a variety show at a bar or another performance venues. The show strives to offer something for all tastes, with a blend of music, comedy, and general interest guests. Join us at Mojo Dojo Comedy (inside Urban Harvest Brewing Company) for another installment. Guests include Milwaukee writer Caleb Westphal, who will be fresh off his cameo in the documentary, We’re Here For A Fish Fry, and just days removed from eating his 200th consecutive Friday fish fry. Liz Smith and Kari Houghtaling will also be on hand to talk about their shot-for-shot Home Alone remake, Abode Solo. Husband and wife synth-pop duo Golden Coins will play a rare live outing before discussing their ongoing attempt to adopt a child
Friday, November 10
Colors & Chords @ Turner Hall
Local musical acts and area artists will come together at Turner Hall for an event being billed as “Milwaukee’s Music And Art Spectacle.” Joining the visual artists at this year’s Islands Of Brilliance benefit is an eclectic cast of performers including Collections Of Colonies Of Bees, Rose Of The West, Jay Anderson, and Twin Brother.
Friday, November 10 and Saturday, November 11
Lewis Black @ Pabst Theater
Few if any humorists since Sam Kinison have managed to erect more prominent comedy careers from expertly articulated blind rage than Lewis Black. The longtime Daily Show correspondent and veteran stand-up has been screaming about all facets of society’s many failings for decades, and with the current state of the world, he’s surely not worried about running out of material any time soon. A year after his unannounced warm-up spot for his pal Kathleen Madigan’s Pabst Theater special filming, Black returns to the heavy-drinking land he loves for a pair of headlining shows at the very same venue.
Thursday, November 16
Burnhearts’ Punk House Kegger @ Burnhearts
While most Milwaukeeans know Burnhearts for its beloved annual Mitten Fest and Pabst Street Party celebrations or, you know, being on the short list of great local beer bars every day, the Bay View corner tap also keeps busy with other, smaller-scale events spread throughout the year. On November 16, Burnhearts will partner with Three Floyds for a popular autumn standard, the Punk House Kegger. For its fourth annual Punk House Kegger festivities, Burnhearts decided to do without punk bands, instead replacing the potent perennial punk pairing that’s usually booked to play in the back of the bar with a trio of hip-hop acts. This year’s headliner will be Guerrilla Ghost, followed by Bo & Airo, and Zed Kenzo.
Dave Coulier @ Potawatomi Hotel & Casino’s Northern Lights Theater
While you probably know him better from Full House, (allegedly) the pointed lyrics of Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know,” and that Tumblr page where somebody posts the same picture of him every day, Dave Coulier has made a steady post-sitcom living as a stand-up comedian. The actor/comic/impressionist brings his time-tested and quasi-clean comedy to the casino for an evening of nostalgic laughs. Cut it out.
Friday, November 17
St. Vincent @ Riverside Theater
Is there anyone better than Annie Clark, a.k.a. St. Vincent? No, no there is not. She’ll be here just over a month after the release of her latest album, Masseduction.
Tom Clark @ The Underground Collaborative
Milwaukee-born funnyman Tom Clark has done voiceover work on Aqua Teen Hunger Force, wrote for The Man Show, and acted opposite Bob Odenkirk, Denis Leary, and Kyra Sedgwick in small film and television role. However, the locally-bred talent is probably best known for his work on stage, having amassed appearances on Conan and Comedy Central. The longtime road comic and comedy club regular will return to his hometown for one night only to headline Tom Clark’s Stand-Up Special Spectacular.
Wednesday, November 22
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 19th 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 25 and Sunday, November 26
Urban Garage Sale @ Mitchell Park Domes
Over the course of its first nine 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 year’s debut at the Mitchell Park Domes‘ Annex Greenhouse, the 10th annual Urban Garage Sale will return. Over the course of two days, approximately 60 artists, makers, and shop owners will help you find one-of-a-kind, locally produced holiday gifts.
Wednesday, November 29 and Thursday, November 30
Charlie Berens: Keep ‘er Movin’
They say everyone will get 15 minutes of fame. Charlie Berens is currently on his 17th minute…with more on the way. The Los Angeles (by way of Elm Grove) actor has utilized his Badger State background to fashion a cottage industry that’s finding an audience, especially in his home state. Last year, Berens produced Wisconsin-themed Titanic, Batman, and Making A Murder parody videos that garnered millions of views.
Berens returned to the well of Wisconsin-focused funniness in January when he put on a camouflage jacket and took a seat in front of a camera to deliver the inaugural Manitowoc Minute. In late June, the video series went weekly, and it quickly found a sizable and devoted viewership on Facebook and YouTube. Berens will “keep ‘er movin'” with a pair of sold-out Turner Hall shows that will serve as an unofficial culmination to the most successful year of his career. Oh my gosh!
Thursday, November 30
Nick Offerman @ Riverside Theater
Enough talking: Nick Offerman—noted humorist, writer, woodworker, and Ron Swanson—will return to Milwaukee a week after Thanksgiving, which seems to be an especially Offerman-y holiday. The comedian will be performing a solo stand-up set, musing on “survival in the wild, living with enthusiasm, and most importantly, the cultivation of fulsome body hair.” The name of his tour, appropriately, is the “Full Bush” tour.