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 January 10-16, 2022.

MONDAY, JANUARY 10

mewithoutYou @ X-Ray Arcade
Has it already been 16 years since mewithoutYou released Brother, Sister? Since mewitoutYou is about to embark on a 16-Year Anniversary Tour in honor of the iconic album, we’re going to say it has. That tour will stop in Cudahy for a Monday night performance at X-Ray Arcade.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 11

Movie Night: ‘Big’ @ Lakefront Brewery
There are oodles of iconic scenes from Penny Marshall’s 1988 “little kid wishes he was big” film, Big. The Zoltar machine. Tom Hanks waking up in the morning as Tom Hanks. Tom Hanks and Robert Loggia jumping around on a piano at FAO Schwarz. But there are smaller scenes that make an impact, too. Our favorite: at the very end, when the young-again Josh asks his adult sorta-girlfriend Susan to come with him. “No,” she says. “I’ve been there before. It’s hard enough the first time. You know what I mean?You don’t know what I mean.” Good stuff.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13

Chastity Washington @ Dandy
Chastity Washington has earned her fair share of attention and accolades from some pretty impressive places. The 25-year stand-up comedy veteran earns a living touring the country, and she’s appeared on HBO’s Def Jam, BET’s Comic View, and was a finalist for the “Stand Up NBC” comedy diversity showcase. In 2015, Washington earned another credit to her undeniable comedy career, as she beat out three other finalists to win the 2015 American Black Film Festival’s Comedy Wings Competition. She’s opened for Tommy Davidson, David Mann, and Roy Wood Jr. On Thursday, Washington will headline a show at Dandy.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 14

Yule Ball @ Turner Hall Ballroom
Celebrate five years of the Yule Ball with two nights of Harry Potter-focused fun presented by our friends at Awkward Nerd Events. In addition to the expected revelry of previous Balls, this year’s installment will also feature a Pride Night with drag performances on Friday, and the first ever Triwizard Tournament on Saturday.

Johnny Beehner @ The Laughing Tap
Since starting out in Milwaukee roughly 20 years ago, comedian Johnny Beehner has accomplished quite a lot. The now-Los Angeles-based comic performed on the Late Show With David Letterman shortly before the host retired, and he’s become a frequent feature act for renowned humorists like Brian Regan and Jim Gaffigan. Beehner will return to his hometown January 14-15 to headline a pair of shows at Laughing Tap.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 15

Johnny Beehner @ The Laughing Tap
Since starting out in Milwaukee roughly 20 years ago, comedian Johnny Beehner has accomplished quite a lot. The now-Los Angeles-based comic performed on the Late Show With David Letterman shortly before the host retired, and he’s become a frequent feature act for renowned humorists like Brian Regan and Jim Gaffigan. Beehner will return to his hometown January 14-15 to headline a pair of shows at Laughing Tap.

Yule Ball @ Turner Hall Ballroom
Celebrate five years of the Yule Ball with two nights of Harry Potter-focused fun presented by our friends at Awkward Nerd Events. In addition to the expected revelry of previous Balls, this year’s installment will also feature a Pride Night with drag performances on Friday, and the first ever Triwizard Tournament on Saturday.