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 15-21, 2019.
TUESDAY, JULY 16
Johnny Pemberton @ The Underground Collaborative
On name alone, you might not be aware of who Johnny Pemberton is. Yet whether you know it or not, you’re surely familiar with his face and his voice from virtually every recent film and television show. Okay, that might be a slight exaggeration, but the actor and comedian has appeared on the silver screen in 21 Jump Street (a role repeated in 22 Jump Street), This Is 40, Action Point, and The Watch; on shows like New Girl, It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Kroll Show, Superstore, and as the titular Son Of Zorn; and has voiced animated characters on Adventure Time and Bob’s Burgers.
Junior Brown + Liar’s Trial @ Shank Hall
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17
Milwaukee Record presents: UHF @ Avalon Theater
Put down your remote control. Throw out your TV Guide. Put away your jacket. There’s no need to go outside. Well, there is a need to go outside when we screen the classic 1989 “Weird Al” Yankovic film UHF at Avalon Atmospheric Theater. Just like last year, we’re doing it in honor of an upcoming Al gig (July 27 at the Miller High Life Theatre). The movie starts at 7 p.m. As always, tickets are $5 and Lakefront Brewery will have some of its great beers on tap. Milwaukee Record, Avalon Theater, and UHF: It’s the reason movies were invented! (Get your tickets now!)
Abortion AF: The Tour Presents Burlesque AF @ The Cooperage
THURSDAY, JULY 18
Chuck Klosterman @ The Back Room @ Colectivo
Has it really been 16 years since Chuck Klosterman published his classic Sex, Drugs, And Cocoa Puffs: A Low Culture Manifesto? Yes it has. Anyway, Klosterman’s new book is a collection of “fictional non-fiction,” Raised In Captivity. We just started it. It’s good! See the author here in conversation with Doug Gordon, producer and host of Wisconsin Public Radio’s BETA.
FRIDAY, JULY 19
IfIHadAHiFi (record release) + Blood, Cindy Cane, Daughters Of Saint Crispin @ High Dive
“Death Van! You’re riding in the Death Van!” That’s the chorus to “Death Van” (natch), a standout track on IfIHadAHiFi’s new album We’re Never Going Home. Recorded and mixed at Howl Street Recordings, the group’s first record in seven years is a typically noisy and chaotic affair, full of high-tension guitar playing, pissed-off drumming, and bursts of room-clearing shouting. But there’s a decidedly mature, socially conscious vibe running through the record, giving songs like “Hot Take On Line One” and “Bigfoot, Take The Wheel” a real-world urgency.
Friday Nite Music: B~Free + Quinten Farr @ Colectivo Lakefront Cafe
For a second year, Colectivo Coffee has asked Milwaukee Record to put together a free, weekly concert series called Friday Nite Music. Every—you guessed it!—Friday night, we bring you a different Wisconsin singer-songwriter or band outside Colectivo’s Lakefront Cafe from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. This week: the can’t-miss duo of B~Free and Quinten Farr.
Cinema Hooligante: The Wicker Man (1973, final cut) @ Oriental Theatre
If you’ve been to the Milwaukee Film Festival in the past five years, you’ve probably encountered a peculiar set of films called Cinema Hooligante. This often bloody, disturbing, sick, subversive, and just plain fun program has been proudly sponsored by Milwaukee Record. Now, Cinema Hooligante is a year-round affair, with Hooligante-tastic films screening at the Oriental Theatre every other Friday and Saturday. This time around, be sure to check out the final cut of the original Wicker Man, which rules. Even better, we’re told there may be a surprise before each screening… (Also July 20.)
Festa Italiana @ Henry Maier Festival Park
Picture what you love most about German Fest and Polish Fest, then add better food and more Dean Martin tribute acts. Toss in some of the best fireworks of the summer and BOOM! Festa Italiana! Oh, and don’t forget about the music, including headliners KC And The Sunshine Band. (Through July 21.)
Abortion AF: The Tour @ The Underground Collaborative
Snail Mail + Sasami @ Turner Hall Ballroom
The Hatchets (record release) + Neocaveman, The Oxleys @ Company Brewing
Michael Sodnik + Caley Conway @ Circle-A Cafe
SATURDAY, JULY 20
Paper Holland (vinyl release) + Immortal Girlfriend, Shle Berry @ The Cooperage
Last June, Paper Holland released its long-awaited sophomore album, Galápagos, a meticulously crafted batch of summertime-suited songs that cracked the top 15 on our list of 2018’s best Milwaukee records. This June, the band will finally release Galápagos on vinyl. To mark the momentous occasion, Paper Holland asked a bunch of other artists to record remixed versions of songs from the record. Also, they’ll officially mark the album’s release with a Cooperage show that features opening support from Immortal Girlfriend and Shle Berry.
The Posies + Big Mother Gig, Cabin Essence @ The Back Room @ Colectivo
You know who’s great? The Posies. Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow have been doing their power-pop thing since the ’80s, and it’s always a treat to see them live. (Their gig at Summerfest 2018 was a gem.) Don’t miss out on this one, especially when you add openers Big Mother Gig and Cabin Essence to the mix.
SUNDAY, JULY 21
Armenian Fest @ St. John The Baptist Armenian Orthodox Church
Sick of summertime brats and hamburgers? Neither are we, but at least Armenian Fest offers up plenty of alternatives. With roots as a family picnic, this free fest features chicken and beef kebob, cheese and spinach burek, lahmajoun, humus, tabouleh, choreg, veggie and meat sarma, and other traditional dishes.
Milwaukee Makers Market @ Discovery World
The city’s largest and longest-running makers market returns for a handful of dates throughout the summer and fall. Browse the talents and wares of local crafters and hobbyists, artists, freelance designers, performance artists, and small business owners.
Loose Koozies + Long Line Riders, Hot Dog! Classic Country Record Spin @ Cactus Club
Clem + Bum Alum, Man Random, Zaq Baker Quartet @ Company Brewing