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 June 24-30, 2019.
MONDAY, JUNE 24
JP Harris + Eddie Crummer & The Good Land Band @ X-Ray Arcade
A road-hardened neo-country great, Nashville’s JP Harris is a rare breed of roots musician who actually did many of the things he chronicles in his songs. The musician, truck driver, construction worker, carpenter, and shepherd spent years living in a cabin with no electricity. If his stories aren’t amazing enough, his music more than makes up for it. Last year’s Sometimes Dogs Bark At Nothing garnered its fair share of critical acclaim on the weight of standout songs like “When I Quit Drinking” and “JP’s Florida Blues #1.”
TUESDAY, JUNE 25
The Erotic Adventures Of The Static Chicken @ The Jazz Estate
If you were around for the weekly, now-legendary Erotic Adventures Of The Static Chicken shows at The Jazz Gallery back in the day, here’s your chance to relive those days. If you weren’t around, go to this show, because any opportunity to see Matt Turner, Jeremy Kuzniar, and Aaron Gardner do their thing is too good to pass up.
Chill On The Hill: Daley Debutantes Baton And Drum Corp + Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra @ Humboldt Park
The concept of Bay View’s weekly Chill On The Hill is simple: laying out on a blanket and imbibing food and beverages brought from home (or purchased from a series of vendors on site) whilst enjoying a diverse bevy of homegrown talent. With a terrific 2019 lineup, there’s bound to be something for most every taste.
SOURCED: Keith Pulvermacher @ The Ivy House
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26
Summerfest @ Henry Maier Festival Park
Perhaps you’ve heard of this thing called Summerfest. Perhaps you’ve heard that this year’s amphitheater headliners include Jennifer Lopez, Billie Eilish, Bon Iver, and some country stuff. Perhaps you’ve heard that this year’s grounds stage headliners include Lizzo, The National, Courtney Barnett, Guided By Voices, The Roots, Liz Phair, Andrew W.K., The Lonely Island, and some more country stuff. Buckle up, because The Big Gig is back. (Through July 7; off July 1)
Washington Park Wednesdays: Zed Kenzo + DJ Dripsweat, Saebra & Carlyle, Shle Berry, DJ Boyfrrriend @ Washington Park
This free mid-week music series features a wide range of local acts performing under the gorgeous Washington Park bandshell. If the scenery alone isn’t worth the trip, this year’s downright awesome list of performers—Zed Kenzo, Immortal Girlfriend, Klassik, Ruth B8r Ginsburg, many more—certainly is.
Wonderful Wednesdays: The Last Bees @ Lake Park Summer Stage
Family-friendly fun may be the name of the game for this free concert series on Lake Park’s Summer Stage, but the music isn’t all Raffi-esque. Look for a nice mix of blues, jazz, and soft rock every Wednesday night beginning at 6:30 p.m.
THURSDAY, JUNE 27
Possum + Cream Vellum, Versio Curs, Life In Vacuum @ Cactus Club
Summerfest may dominate the Milwaukee music landscape for the next week-plus, but there’s still plenty going on in the city’s non-Big-Gig venues. In the mood for some Canadian psych-rock? Of course you are. Then check out Toronto’s Possum at the Cactus Club. The group just released a new album, Space Grade Assembly.
FRIDAY, JUNE 28
Cinema Hooligante: Who Killed Captain Alex? @ 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. But now, Cinema Hooligante is a year-round affair, with Hooligante-tastic films screening at the Oriental Theatre every other Friday and Saturday. YES. This week…well, just watch the trailer below.
Friday Nite Music: Two Tones @ 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.
Milwaukee Boat Line Concert Cruise: Rust Belt + God’s Outlaw @ Milwaukee Boat Line
WHT SMMR: Maal Himself & Genesis Renji + Renz Young, C.T., Grey Genius @ Cactus Club
SATURDAY, JUNE 29
Burnhearts/Pabst Street Party @ Burnhearts
Each summer of Burnhearts’ existence, the Bay View beer bastion has simultaneously celebrated summer and one of the most iconic (formerly) Milwaukee-made beers. Past installments of this fest have found acts like Sylvan Esso, GGOOLLDD, Klassik, Platinum Boys, Collections Of Colonies Of Bees, and more taking the stage at the corner of Logan and Potter avenues. This year’s lineup is a great one: Immortal Girlfriend, Shle Berry, Fuzzysurf, L’Resorts, Marielle Allschwang & The Visitations, and SistaStrings.
Cinema Hooligante: Bad Black @ Oriental Theatre
SUNDAY, JUNE 30
Girls Rock MKE Showcase @ Turner Hall Ballroom
The mission of Girls Rock MKE (and Ladies Rock MKE) is to “empower girls, women, and transgender and gender non-conforming individuals of any identity, and of all backgrounds and abilities through music education and performance.” To that end, this end-of-camp showcase will feature 10 bands of up-and-coming rockers, aged 8-16, performing an original song for friends, families, and supporters.