Some of you are in a serious relationship, or at least involved in a budding romance. Others are happily (or perhaps miserably) single. No matter where your love life lands, the same thing holds abundantly true for everyone: you need to go out and do something—anything!—on Valentine’s weekend. Though V-Day proper is a week away, most people will celebrate (or be reminded they’re alone and true love might never find them) this weekend.
Whether you’ve simply procrastinated on cementing post-dinner plans for you and that special someone, or you just need to escape the imposing specters of loneliness and self-doubt that loom between you and your exhausted Netflix queue, allow Milwaukee Record to serve as your cherubic guide to celebrating and/or escaping this Hallmark holiday with some suggestions of shit to do this weekend.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9
Jens Lekman + Peter Oren @ The Back Room at Colectivo
Has it really been 10 years since Jens Lekman played Milwaukee? Unless someone knows otherwise, it appears the Swedish indie darling last played our fair city March 29, 2008 at the Pabst Theater. Sheesh. Well, fast-forward a full decade and prepare for a much-needed reintroduction, because Lenkman is set to play The Back Room @ Colectivo. Finally.
Guthrie UNCOVERED @ Turner Hall
Local music treasure Johanna Rose of Nickel&Rose notoriety is leading “a unique interpretation of the music of Woody Guthrie” at Turner, produced by David Ravel and featuring accompaniment by Painted Caves, Klassik, Peter Mulvey, Abby Jeanne, Hello Death, and many more. You’ve heard Guthrie’s music before, but you’ve never heard it sound quite like this. And you’ll never hear this again.
Subjective: A Comedic Showing @ Var Gallery & Studios
Dodgeball + Atheists & Airplanes @ Club Garibaldi
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts @ UWM Panther Arena (Admirals post-game concert)
How often do you get to see a Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame act and an AHL game on the same night? Shockingly, kind of regularly, it seems. Not 15 months after the Milwaukee Admirals hosted Cheap Trick, 2015 Hall inductee Joan Jett and her Blackhearts will play a post-game show at Panther Arena.
Smoking Popes + Mark Mallman @ The Back Room @ Colectivo
Avatar + The Brains, and Hellzapoppin @ The Rave
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra: My Fair Lady @ Marcus Center for the Performing Arts
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11
Milwaukee Ballet’s MXE: Milwaukee Mixed @ Pabst Theater
Five Milwaukee Ballet Company choreographers have joined forces with a cast of local musicians like LUXI, Tontine Ensemble, The Vitrolum Republic, and more for this can’t-miss event. Sunday’s matinee is the last performance in a four-day, four-show run.
Vice President Joe Biden: American Promise Tour @ Riverside Theater
Terror Pigeon + Storm Chaser, LUXI, and Real Dom @ High Dive
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12
Abby Jeanne’s “Fire In February” Residency @ Company Brewing
Abby Jeanne capped off a breakout 2017 with her “Electric New Year” show, an unofficial culmination of a year in which the owner of Milwaukee’s most captivating voice released her well-received debut album, stole the show at Local Coverage, played a flurry of festivals, released a few music videos, and put out her best song to date. Though last year was big for her, Abby Jeanne seems poised for even bigger things in 2018 with her “Fire In February” residency. The run of four Monday night shows at Company Brewing will span the entire month. This one also features Klassik providing opening support.
Rostam + Joy Again @ Turner Hall
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Live Stand-Up @ Var Gallery & Studios
Milwaukee Comedy welcomes touring comedians Max Fine, Aaron Naylor, and Jordan Mather-Licht to the intimate Walker’s Point Gallery for what’s sure to be a hilarious Valentine’s Eve showcase.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Atlanta Hawks @ BMO Harris Bradley Center
Giannis Antetokounmpo dunked over someone last night. Like…he jumped over his head and dunked the ball.
Yes, #Giannis DID JUMP OVER HIM!! pic.twitter.com/RGa6LsPUg3
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) February 7, 2018
STRFKR + Reptaliens @ Turner Hall
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14
Farley + Barley (Tommy Boy screening) @ Avalon Theater
Even now, more than 20 years since his untimely death, Chris Farley still holds a special place in the hearts of comedy fans and Wisconsinites. To celebrate the life and the work of the Madison native and Marquette graduate, Lakefront Brewery and Avalon Theater are joining forces for a special screening of Tommy Boy for an event the brewery has dubbed “Farley + Barley.” The quotable 1995 comedy classic will be shown on the eve of what would have been Farley’s 54th birthday. The screening will double as a tap takeover at Avalon, with Lakefront serving up a variety of beers that have been temporarily renamed for the occasion.
A Very Emo Valentine’s @ Company Brewing
This Valentine’s Day, a skilled backing band will take the stage at Company Brewing to accompany the likes of Zed Kenzo, Britney Freeman-Farr (aka B~Free), Fernando Arias, Yasmeen Daniel, and Mario Betancourt Lanza to perform songs “in the spirit of Riverwest Valentine’s Day sadness.” Some of the “emo” acts who will be covered at the event are Bright Eyes, My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, Yellowcard, 30 Seconds To Mars, Paramore, Hawthorne Heights, Panic At The Disco, The Killers, and more. While we have no idea whether this cast of musicians could possible enhance some of these embarrassing songs from the early aughts, we’re excited to watch them try.