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 November 8-14, 2021.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8

Jill Sobule + Hallowtribe @ Shank Hall
“I have never really been angry or had ill feelings towards Katy herself. I was actually in a small way happy to not be the ‘Kissed A Girl’ girl anymore.” That was musician Jill Sobule in 2009, speaking about Katy Perry’s breakout 2008 hit, “I Kissed A Girl.” You see, more than a decade earlier, Sobule hit the big time with her own song called “I Kissed A Girl.” So yeah, Jill Sobule isn’t the “Kissed A Girl” girl anymore; for further proof, just look at the title of her 2018 album: Nostalgia Kills.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9

Movie Night: ‘Dumb & Dumber’ @ Lakefront Brewery
A free screening of 1994’s Dumb & Dumber on Lakefront Brewery’s 165-inch projector screen? Food and drinks available throughout the night? So you’re telling us there’s a chance this won’t be another dull Tuesday night? Count us in.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10

Midweek Music: Derek Pritzl & Andrew Koenig @ Crafty Cow Tosa
This fall, Milwaukee Record is bringing live music to the new Crafty Cow Tosa (6519 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa). The weekly concert series, called “Midweek Music,” features a total of eight Wednesday night performances from an eclectic array of local artists. There is no cover for these all-ages shows, which run from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. And if a free weeknight show isn’t already great enough on its own, Crafty Cow Tosa is offering $2 Indeed Brewing Company pints. Crafty Cow will also have a “Cheap Date” special, which includes two entrees, an appetizer, and two drinks for just $29. Tonight’s installment features Americana singer-songwriter Derek Pritzl and guitarist Andrew Koenig.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11

Mustard Plug + Something To Do, Size 5’s, DJ Kyle SKAnston @ X-Ray Arcade
Skank your way down to Cudahy to see 30-year-ska staples Mustard Plug headline a Thursday night soiree that also features local support from Wisconsin ska-punk stalwarts Something To Do and Size 5’s. DJ Kyle SKAnson will spin records between sets.

Protomartyr + Melkbelly @ Cactus Club
Though Protomartyr has been kicking since 2008, the Detroit post-punk project didn’t break out until late 2015. That year, Protomartyr’s third full-length, The Agent Intellect, was released, and was privy to loads of critical acclaim along with a warm reception from a continually growing fan base. The band followed that up with 2017’s even-better Relatives In Decent, and last year’s wonderful Ultimate Success Today. After a few postponements, this Cactus Club show is finally happening! So don’t miss it!

The Fixx + Fastball @ Turner Hall Ballroom

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12

Credentials (record release) + Resurrectionists, Kendraplex @ X-Ray Arcade
Milwaukee experimental/noise/post-punk band Credentials may just be hitting the public radar, but they’ve been kicking around for a few years. A collection of demos appeared on Bandcamp in May of 2019, and the group played a handful of shows that year as well. Luckily for the city, the pandemic did not crush the group’s momentum; tonight, Credentials will celebrate the release of their debut album, Why Is My Arm Not A Lilac Tree?

Mr. Nice Guy Presents: SSAANN + Toadskin, The Midnight Purchase, The Panoptics @ Cactus Club

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13

Bill Burr @ Miller High Life Theatre (7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. shows)
Though Bill Burr is known and loved throughout the world, the legendary comedian and surprisingly skilled actor has a special connection to Milwaukee. In 2017, he raved about The Pfister Hotel, the Riverside Theater, the Harley-Davidson Museum, The Vanguard, Milwaukee’s beer, and the city’s comedy crowds on his Monday Morning Podcast. Likely adding to Burr’s fond feelings for Milwaukee is the fact that he regularly performs to sold-out theaters when he comes to town.

Milwaukee Comic Con @ Wisconsin State Fair Park
Behold! More than 200 tables of comics, collectibles, characters, and more will be on hand during the 2021 Milwaukee Comic Con! And hey! Kids are free, and everyone gets a free comic at the door!

Jeremy Pinnell + Liar’s Trial @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Yes, this show is a great chance to see Kentucky country artist Jeremy Pinnell up close and personal, but it’s also your last chance to see Milwaukee country band Liar’s Trial. “After 10 years, four albums, and an almost two-year long COVID-induced hiatus, we have decided to call it quits,” the band tells us. “Come for the funeral, stay for the cake, and BYO shovel, cause we have a body to bury.”

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14

Tiki Takedown @ Turner Hall Ballroom
Following a lengthy pandemic-related postponement, Tiki Takedown officially returns! From 12-3 p.m., Turner Hall Ballroom will host mixologists from a variety of local bars and restaurants, who will be serving up samples of handcrafted tiki cocktails as they compete for the coveted Tiki Takedown Trophy and Tiki Master title. Confirmed participating businesses include: Blackwood Brothers Restaurant & Social Club, Blue Bat Kitchen & Tequilaria, Boone and Crockett, Burnhearts, DanDan, FINKS, Sabbatic, Shanghai Speakeasy, Station No. 6, The Belmont Tavern, Third Street Tavern, and Ula Ula. The event will also include DJ sets by DJ E.Rich, a raffle, and rum sampling from official Tiki Takedown spirits partner Cutwater Spirits.

Milwaukee Record Halftime Show: Versio Curs @ Cactus Club
After a season away, the Milwaukee Record Halftime Show series has returned! This season, we’ve assembled a stacked roster of 17 performers that will provide FREE all-ages entertainment during halftime of Green Bay football games. Like previous seasons, our friends at Miller High Life will sponsor our football-focused festivities, meaning fans can enjoy “The Champagne Of Beers” and Miller Lite for $2.50 a bottle or $10 for a bucket of five beers all game long. This week, halftime entertainment will be provided by Milwaukee pop-punk phenoms Versio Curs.

Bad Religion + Alkaline Trio, War On Women @ The Rave/Eagles Ballroom
Punk vets Bad Religion and Alkaline Trio are co-headlining a long-awaited tour, and will treat The Rave/Eagles Club to decades worth of songs you know and love. Making this Sunday night show even sweeter is the involvement of excellent opener War On Women.

Bert Kreischer @ The Riverside Theater (7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. shows)