Our fat-free, dolphin-safe Milwaukee events calendar is chock-full of things to do, but only a handful of events are worthy of the lofty honor of “Record Recommended” (patent pending). Here are our recommendations for August 1-7, 2022.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 2
Chill On The Hill: Gego y Nony + Peshtigo @ Humboldt Park
Chill On The Hill’s 17th season—which kicked off June 7—features a total of 13 weeks worth of free, family-friendly entertainment. Like last year, Chill has expanded its footprint by designating the space between the band chalet and the Vine Beer Garden for show-goers. The ever-popular concert series continues its 2022 season with performances by Milwaukee reggaeton duo Gego y Nony and dream wave outfit Peshtigo. Go find your lawn chairs, break out your comfiest blanket, and put some beverages in the cooler.
WMSE’s Local/Live: Collections Of Colonies Of Bees @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3
Washington Park Wednesdays: Gego y Nony + Brown’s Crew @ Washington Park Bandshell
If you missed Gego y Nony at Chill On The Hill on Tuesday, catch them at Washington Park on Wednesday! Also playing this DJ Kenny Perez-curated show: Brown’s Crew, a masterful Latin hip-hop duo featuring Cristo Paz and El Sebas. And yes, the latter headlined last week’s Chill On The Hill.
Tosa Tonight: Porky’s Groove Machine + Holy Pinto @ Hart Park
Since 2000, the Tosa Tonight summer concert series has brought free and family-friendly live music to Rotary Performance Pavilion in Wauwatosa’s Hart Park. Following a pandemic-prompted hiatus in 2020, the series returned with eight concerts in the summer of 2021. Thankfully, Tosa Tonight is back again in full force this summer. The series continues tonight with performances from Minneapolis “nerd-funk” band Porky’s Groove Machine and Milwaukee’s own Holy Pinto.
Death Valley Girls + Diet Lite, Daisychain, The Nile Club @ Cactus Club
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4
Wisconsin State Fair @ Wisconsin State Fair Park (through August 14)
One doesn’t hit up the Wisconsin State Fair to eat organic small plate cuisine and witness evocative performance art. People go to the fair to eat cream puffs and weird stuff on a stick, watch pig races and dog diving demos, compete in livestock competitions, and catch performances from acts like Nelly, The Oak Ridge Boys, Tesla, and Charlie Berens. It’s weird, it’s wonderful, and it’s back. WE CAN’T WAIT.
Third Space Presents: Long Mama @ Third Space Brewing
Every Thursday through September 15, “Third Space Presents” brings a different musical act to the Menomonee Valley brewery’s new and improved outdoor patio. In addition to the concert (which runs from 6-8 p.m., including an intermission) and plenty of award-winning local beer on site, Triciclo Peru is always on hand to serve empanadas and other Peruvian goodies out of its food truck. Tonight’s can’t-miss installment features music from classic country group Long Mama.
Eliza Edens + My Tree, Ellie Jackson @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
FRIDAY, AUGUST 5
Brandi Carlile + Lake Street Dive @ Fiserv Forum
After spending years on the periphery of mainstream notoriety, Brandi Carlile has finally (and quite deservedly) broken out. This week, the multi-Grammy-winning singer and songwriter returns to Milwaukee in belated support of last year’s lauded In These Silent Days. Oh, and Milwaukee’s own SistaStrings will be part of her backing band!
Doughboys Podcast @ Turner Hall Ballroom
Way back in January, Doughboys—a popular chain restaurant podcast—announced the postponement of its latest Milwaukee show. That live show, originally scheduled to take place at Turner Hall on January 28, was moved to August 5. A few years after enshrining Culver’s in the Golden plate Club during a Turner Hall live show, Mitch and Wiger will return to Milwaukee with special Marisa Pinson to evaluate another regional chain. This time around finds the ‘Boys reviewing Kopp’s Frozen Custard. Wow.
Tigera + The Keystones, Fuzzysurf @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
The members of Milwaukee alt-pop outfit Tigera have more on their minds than just playing shows. Via their Milwaukee Music Village network, they’ve organized concerts that have benefited the Milwaukee Rescue Mission, Miracle League of Milwaukee, and more. For this show, Tigera will be joined by fellow pop-rock powerhouses The Keystones and Fuzzysurf for an MPS school supply drive. Acceptable donations include spiral notebooks, pocket folders, Crayons, washable markers, colored pencils, rulers, erasers, glue sticks, highlighters, scissors, supply pouches, and backpacks.
Telethon @ X-Ray Arcade
Back in 2017, Milwaukee “hard pop” project Telethon released a 30-track, 90-minute “five-act rock opera about the internet, culture, human relationships, and the apocalypse” called The Grand Spontanean. Now, five years later, the group will perform the album in its entirety.
Milwaukee Boat Line Concert Cruise: Undercover Organism @ Milwaukee Boat Line
Every Friday night between early June and the end of August, a variety of Wisconsin bands board the Vista King to perform on the lake vessel’s poop deck while the beer and pre-mixed margaritas flow liberally from 9-11 p.m. Milwaukee Boat Line’s Concert Cruise series continues this week with a performance from Milwaukee’s own “jamtronica” group Undercover Organism.
Luke Bryan + Riley Green, Mitchell Tenpenny, DJ Rock @ American Family Insurance Amphitheater
SATURDAY, AUGUST 6
Black Arts Fest MKE @ Henry Maier Festival Park
Founded in 2018, Black Arts Fest MKE has been a welcome addition to the city’s busy summer festival season. Art, music, wellness, community, and heritage are just a few of the areas the fest focuses on; as for music, expect a spotlight on local talent like Lena Cole and Cigarette Break. Black Arts Fest MKE runs from noon until 10 p.m.
Toadskin (record release) + Lunar Moth, Smart Shoppers, The Nile Club @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Gigs 4 Good: Cosmic Endeavors @ The Tonic Tavern
SUNDAY, AUGUST 7
Puerto Rican Family Festival @ Jackson Park
Wisconsin’s only Puerto Rican festival returns for its ninth year. In addition to the usual mix of music, food, and arts and crafts, expect a salsa and merengue dance contest, a domino contest, and a baseball contest. In addition to being free and open to the public, the family-friendly event is alcohol-free.
Brewtown Rumble @ Deer District
Milwaukee is steeped in motorcycle culture—perhaps you’ve heard of Harley-Davidson?—and recent years have seen a welcome resurgence of homegrown bike shows and races. The sixth annual Brewtown Rumble features a ride-in vintage motorcycle show complete with live music, food, vendors, and more.
Waxahatchee + Liam Kazar @ The Pabst Theater
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