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 the week of February 11-17, 2019.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14
Milo (last U.S. tour) + Pink Navel, SB The Moor @ Cactus Club
Milwaukee expat Rory Ferreira will return to his former hometown during what he’s calling the last U.S. tour for his inimitable and influential Milo project. You should never miss a chance to see Milo, especially if it might be your last chance to catch him live.
Mama Tried Kick Off Party @ Fuel Cafe On 5th Street
Gear up for a wild Mama Tried weekend at Fuel Cafe on 5th Street. The bar/restaurant and coffee shop should pretty much be your headquarters when you’re not at any events. Starting at 7 p.m., Fuel will host an official Kick Off Party, complete with a Black Sabbath vs. Metallica DJ set from Frank Straka and specials on Good City beer.
Jackie Kashian @ The Underground Collaborative
Since leaving her hometown of South Milwaukee, Jackie Kashian has sustained a long and successful career in comedy that includes a Comedy Central special, a couple Conan appearances, and being on what could be the most tense episode of Pete Holmes’ You Made It Weird podcast. Over the summer, Kashian came back to her old stomping grounds as part of the Lady Parts Justice League tour. On Valentine’s Day, she’ll return to headline an Underground Collaborative bill that’s also loaded with local talent.
NO/NO + DJ Why B @ Boone & Crockett
Gang Of Four + The Quilz @ Shank Hall
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15
Wavy V (record release) + Warhola Cats, Soda Road @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Think of psychedelic music in 2019 and you’ll probably think of heavy, tripped-out music designed to blow your mind and assault your senses. Then there’s Wavy V, a Milwaukee sextet (formed from the ashes of the gone-but-not-forgotten Candeliers) that mines the softer side of psychedelia. Riles Wash, Emily Morrow, and company load up on baroque chamber-pop instrumentation, heavenly harmonies, and starry-eyed songwriting on their first seven-inch, W. Tonight, the group celebrates the release of A. Get in on the ground floor before the inevitable release of V and Y.
Flat Out Friday @ UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena
Motorcycle racers ride on top of a track slathered in Dr. Pepper syrup and it’s fucking awesome. Need we say more?
MAM After Dark: Glitz & Glam @ Milwaukee Art Museum
All Messed Up @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Droids Attack + Full Vinyl Treatment, Powerwagon, Preomnor @ Cactus Club
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16
Mama Tried Motorcycle Show @ The Rave/Eagles Club
Behold a sprawling indoor invitational that showcases an amazing array of more than 200 custom-built bikes on Saturday. Now in its second year at The Rave, expect big things from the event’s largest venue to date.
Mama Tried Afterparty: Whips + Get Rad @ Company Brewing
Between events like Flat Out Friday and the bike show itself, Mama Tried is an all-around awesome weekend that helps heat Milwaukee up in the middle of February. Not only are the official events great, the various affiliated afterparties are outstanding as well. This pairing of Whips and Get Rad just so happens to be the best one.
Food & Froth @ Milwaukee Public Museum
Want to hang out at the Milwaukee Public Museum, sip beer from dozens of local breweries, eat food from oodles of local restaurants, and mess around with the snake buttons? Then the museum’s annual Food & Froth blowout is for you. Explore the Streets of Old Milwaukee while enjoying a beer! Hang out in that igloo while enjoying some appetizers! Hide from that territorial howler monkey while enjoying music from The WhiskeyBelles, Category X, Alpine Blast, and The Hungry Williams Band! General admission tickets to this 21+ event are $75; get yours fast, because the VIP tickets are already sold out.
Chris Novak Spectacular: The Hussy + Valerie Lighthart, Faux Fiction, Clear Pioneer @ The Cooperage
Amanda Huff + Saebra & Carlyle, King Courteen @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Long Mama + Caley Conway @ Sugar Maple
All Messed Up @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17
Mama Tried After Party @ Iron Horse Hotel
If you still have any energy left after everything else, make your way to Iron Horse Hotel and keep the party going at the official after party. This goes for each and every event: please be safe out there, riders.