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 January 28-February 3, 2019.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30
Stand Up Science: Shane Mauss @ The Cooperage
Shane Mauss brings his show, Stand Up Science, to The Cooperage. The night will feature sets from Shane, local comic Whitney Chitwood, plus Dr Krista Lisdahl and Prof Christine Larsonfor a show that’s equal parts haha and aha! Shane opens the show with some of his best funny material on brainy topics, followed by his special guests who will, in turn, make you laugh as much as you learn. It’s funnier than a TED Talk and smarter than a traditional night of stand-up comedy. After the performances, Shane and his guests return to the stage for an interactive discussion and Q&A with the audience.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31
414 Live: Cashfire Sunset @ 88Nine Radio Milwaukee
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1
Peeper & Le Play (record release) + Stacian, Stormchaser @ Cactus Club
On 2015’s delightfully titled Mandatory Fantasies, Trusty Knife frontman Zack Pieper and Milwaukee film/music staple Didier Leplae tumble down a sonic rabbit hole of cockeyed funk, off-kilter disco, warped indie, and general experimental fuckery. “Allow Me” and “Bedtime” play like Ween at its most playful and Prince-esque, dropping lines like “Had to pay the milkman / To take your money down / To the DMV.” “Funny Money” dips its toe into outré hip-hop, “Jake’s Day Off” pits two narrators against each other to tell a ridiculously mundane story, and “The Haunted Hot Tub (Surrounded!)” is everything you’d hope for from a song called “The Haunted Hot Tub (Surrounded!).” Tonight’s show celebrates the release of the group’s latest masterpiece, Find The Earth (Club Frills Vol. 1).
Insane Clown Posse’s Shaggy 2 Dope + Ouija Macc @ Club Garibaldi
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2
Mitten Fest 2019 @ Burnhearts
For the past five years, Burnhearts’ Mitten Fest has helped combat cabin fever for thousands of people who converge in a two-block stretch on Bay View’s Potter Avenue (and part of Logan the last three years) with a wintry mix of live music, food, beverages, and charity. Who’s playing this year’s shindig? How about Abby Jeanne, Vincent Van Great, Surgeons In Heat, Cashfire Sunset, Nickel&Rose, and (as always) DJ Chris Schulist? And as if the stacked cast of musicians wasn’t enough, Burnhearts will serve rare and limited beers from Central Waters and Founders, barrel old fashioneds, Korbel, Tito’s, and Tullamore Dew craft cocktails, and ginger brandy (plus a full bar inside). An array of local vendors will sell food and non-alcoholic beverages. Cortney Heimerl (of Hover Craft) will enlist a varied grouping of local vendors for an art, craft, and maker fair. As always, Burnhearts will also accept cash and non-perishables for Hunger Task Force along with clothing donations. Also, Compost Crusader will strive to reduce waste.
Trapper Schoepp (record release) + Nineteen Thirteen @ The Back Room @ Colectivo