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 July 12-18, 2021.

TUESDAY, JULY 13

Chill On The Hill: The Hungry Williams + Litmus Vinyl @ Humboldt Park
After a year away, Chill On The Hill is back! “We have been anxiously waiting for Chill On The Hill to make its return, and we are excited to present many of the local bands that we had previously booked for 2020,” said Patty Thompson, Executive Producer of Chill on the Hill, in a recent press release. “Our neighbors need this kind of community connection more than ever, and this event provides the space and place to do that.” Celebrate Chill’s return with jump blues/swing/R&B group The Hungry Williams, as well as Litmus Vinyl.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 14

NBA Finals Game 4: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Phoenix Suns @ Fiserv Forum
THE BUCKS ARE PLAYING AT HOME AGAIN AND THEY CAN TIE THE SERIES AT 2-2 AND THINGS OUTSIDE THE FISERV WILL LIKELY GET REALLY OUT OF CONTROL AGAIN AND OH GOD WE CAN’T WAIT GO BUCKS.

THURSDAY, JULY 15

Walter Salas-Humara (Silos) + Jon Langford @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Hasn’t it been great to see live music venues finally come back after 8,000 years of nothing? Yes, yes it has. The Walker’s Point Anodyne will celebrate its first post-pandemic show with Silos frontman Walter Salas-Humara. The incomparable Jon Langford will play in support, and both artists will have paintings for sale. Welcome back, Anodyne!

FRIDAY, JULY 16

Sean Patton @ The Laughing Tap (8 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. shows)
Los Angeles—by way of New Orleans—comedian Sean Patton has performed on network television talk shows like Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and Conan, been a frequent fixture on Comedy Central stand-up showcases (including his own half-hour), released two outstanding comedy albums, and has likely been a memorable guest on some of your favorite podcasts. Patton has also become something of a frequent Milwaukee visitor, thanks to the fine folks at Milwaukee Comedy booking him in recent years. He’ll come to the Milwaukee Comedy-owned and -operated Laughing Tap in Walker’s Point for a total of four shows spread over the course of two nights.

SATURDAY, JULY 17

Concert Cruise: The Grovelers + Fox Face @ Milwaukee Boat Line
Despite the dozens of festivals, block parties, and weekly outdoor music series taking place on Milwaukee soil (almost) every summer, Milwaukee Boat Line also sees fit to extend the city’s celebratory spirit to the water with its annual Concert Cruises. On Friday and Saturday nights in July and August, a variety of Wisconsin bands will board the Vista King to perform on the lake vessel’s poop deck while the beer and pre-mixed margaritas flow liberally for two hours. This July 17 pairing of The Grovelers and Fox Face is one of the best shows on the Concert Cruise schedule this summer, mateys.

NBA Finals Game 5 Watch Party: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Phoenix Suns @ Deer District
THE BUCKS ARE STILL IN THE FINALS BUT NOW THEY’RE BACK IN PHOENIX OH GOD.

Florentine Opera Al Fresco Series: Flora & Fauna @ Robbins home in River Hills

Sean Patton @ The Laughing Tap (8 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. shows)

SUNDAY, JULY 18

Sunday Cruise + Negative/Positive, Scarlet Demore @ Cactus Club
What happens when a former pre-teen band grows up and its members get ready to go off to college? That band embarks on a Graduation Tour, of course. Such is the case for Negative/Positive, the forever-awesome Milwaukee band that formed at the first Girls Rock Milwaukee camp when its members were roughly 10 years old. The group has a slew of final (?) shows lined up, including gigs at the State Fair and Summerfest. See them here as they open for Illinois indie/emo band Sunday Cruise.