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 27 – July 3, 2022.
MONDAY, JUNE 27
Combo Chimbita + Browns Crew @ Cactus Club
What should you expect when you take in a live show from New York psych outfit Combo Chimbita? How about “Afro-Caribbean transcendance, bewildering chants, booming drums, and psychedelic distortion”? Combine that with the Latin hip-hop of Milwaukee’s own Browns Crew, and you have a Monday-night Cactus Club show that should not be missed.
TUESDAY, JUNE 28
Chill On The Hill: American Legion Band 100th Anniversary Celebration @ Humboldt Park
Chill On The Hill’s 17th season—which kicked off June 7—features a total of 13 weeks worth of free, family-friendly entertainment. Like last year, Chill has expanded its footprint by designating the space between the band chalet and the Vine Beer Garden for show-goers. The ever-popular concert series continues its 2022 season on Tuesday with a performance by the American Legion Band, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Go find your lawn chairs, break out your comfiest blanket, and put some beverages in the cooler.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29
Milwaukee Record Presents: ‘Blade’ (1998) @ Avalon Atmospheric Theater
Before Marvel movies were MARVEL MOVIES, there was Blade. The bloody 1998 vampire-action film based on the superhero with the same name was a box office smash, a fan favorite, and the progenitor for the onslaught of comic book movies that have followed in the quarter century since its release. Blade is great and tickets are available NOW!
Tosa Tonight: Phillip-Michael Scales + Barbara Stephan Band @ Hart Park
Since 2000, the Tosa Tonight summer concert series has brought free and family-friendly live music to Rotary Performance Pavilion in Wauwatosa’s Hart Park. Following a pandemic-prompted hiatus in 2020, the series returned in the summer of 2021. Thankfully, Tosa Tonight is back again in full force this summer. The series continues tonight with performances from Phillip-Michael Scales and the Barbara Stephan Band.
THURSDAY, JUNE 30
Summerfest (Weekend 2) @ Henry Maier Festival Park (through July 2)
Hey! Summerfest 2022 still has two more Thursday-Friday-Saturday blocks to go: June 30 – July 2, and July 7-9. The fest has been delightfully pleasant so far—full of people but not too full of people. Oh, and the music has been good, too! Highlights of this weekend include amphitheater headliners like Machine Gun Kelly and Halsey; grounds stage headliners like Juliana Hatfield, Craig Finn, Indigo Girls, 2 Chainz, New Pornographers, and Taking Back Sunday; and local luminaries like Vincent Van Great, Buffalo Nichols, Avenues, and, why not, Pat McCurdy. Click HERE for the full schedule, with dates, times, and stages!
Third Space Presents: Fellow Kinsman @ Third Space Brewing
Every Thursday through September 15, “Third Space Presents” brings a different musical act to the Menomonee Valley brewery’s new and improved outdoor patio. In addition to the concert (which runs from 6-8 p.m., including an intermission) and plenty of award-winning local beer on site, Triciclo Peru is always on hand to serve empanadas and other Peruvian goodies out of its food truck. Tonight’s installment features music from Fellow Kinsman.
Jay Anderson + David Wake, Amanda Huff, Genesis Renji, John Simons, Dave Schoepke @ The Jazz Estate
Former Milwaukee jazz musician Jay Anderson has been calling New Orleans home for the past few years; any chance to catch him back on his home turf, therefore, is a welcome one. If you missed him at The Jazz Estate last weekend, catch him tonight for a double-set show featuring pals David Wake, Amanda Huff, Genesis Renji, John Simons, and Dave Schoepke.
Sun Silo + Economy Superstar, Gorilla Knifefight @ Bremen Cafe
Social Cig + Park National, Wyatt Moran, Buena Cara @ Company Brewing
FRIDAY, JULY 1
Milwaukee Boat Line Concert Cruise: Slippery People @ Milwaukee Boat Line
Despite the dozens of festivals, block parties, and weekly outdoor music series taking place on Milwaukee soil every summer, Milwaukee Boat Line sees fit to extend the city’s celebratory spirit to the water with its annual Concert Cruise series. Every Friday night between early June and the end of August, a variety of Wisconsin bands board the Vista King to perform on the lake vessel’s poop deck while the beer and pre-mixed margaritas flow liberally from 9-11 p.m. The series continues this week with a performance by Talking Heads tribute band Slippery People.
SATURDAY, JULY 2
Alejandro Escovedo + Hanna Simone @ The Cooperage
Transcendent singer-songwriter Alejandro Escovedo brings his decades of genre-jumping and altogether astounding material to “The Rushes Patio” outside The Cooperage for a free performance as part of the venue’s Summer Camp series. When you have a chance to see a rock and roll legend on a quaint patio for free, you take it!
Gigs 4 Good: The Breadmen @ The Tonic Tavern
Last summer, The Tonic Tavern celebrated its 12th anniversary with a new charitable music series. “Gigs 4 Good” featured a wide range of Milwaukee musicians performing at Tonic on select Saturdays. It went so well, Tonic is bringing it back for 2022! Like last time around, proceeds from the concerts (brought in through audience donations and from the bar donating a portion of that night’s sales) will benefit Milwaukee Center For Children And Youth, Bay View Community Center, and The Women’s Center. The series concludes tonight with a performance from The Breadmen.
SUNDAY, JULY 3
Lakefront Fireworks @ Milwaukee lakefront
After a two-year hiatus, Milwaukee’s July 3 lakefront fireworks are back! Join a zillion other Milwaukee-area folks (Urban Milwaukee always calls this “Suburb Day,” lol) for a night of colorful explosions and conflicted feelings about this garbage fucking country! Don’t forget the lawn chairs!
Scam Likely + Spoy, Clementine, Watermellon Collie @ Cactus Club
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