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 September 19-25, 2022.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
Milwaukee Night Market @ 3rd Street Market Hall
Remember the NEWaukee Night Market? The big art fair/food truck fair/”Hey, it’s the Milwaukee Blacksmith family!” fair that would take over a prime chunk of Wisconsin Avenue outside the old Shops of Grand Avenue four times a year every summer? It was great! Well, it’s now just the Milwaukee Night Market (and the old Shops of Grand Avenue are now 3rd Street Market Hall), but it’s back! For one more night! Yes, tonight’s night market will be the last for 2022. Here’s to more markets at night in 2023!
Divide And Dissolve + Pleasure Thief @ Cactus Club
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
Astral Hand + Dead Feathers @ Boone & Crockett
Way back in 2019, forever-awesome Milwaukee psych band Calliope transformed into the heavier, rougher Astral Hand. Not that Milwaukee had much of a chance to enjoy the group’s rebranding—just as Astral Hand was ready to strike, the pandemic hit instead. The group spent 2020 and 2021 refining its still-unreleased Lords Of Data album, and has been playing a handful of shows in 2022. For this (free) show, Astral Hand will be joined by fellow Chicago psych-rockers Dead Feathers.
Dan St. Germain @ The Laughing Tap
Over the course of his long and impressive comedy career, Dan St. Germain has accumulated a bunch of TV credits, amassed a mess of late night appearances, racked up a wealth of writing work, and somehow still finds time to craft top-notch standup material to perform at comedy clubs all over the county. The New York comic will treat The Laughing Tap in Walker’s Point to a total of three performances from September 22-24.
Jazz In The Park: Nineteen Thirteen @ Cathedral Square Park
Nineteen Thirteen is a group that’s more normal than its two-person lineup may suggest—and one that’s much, much weirder. On one hand, founding Violent Femmes drummer Victor DeLorenzo and cellist Janet Schiff produce surprisingly accessible music, especially considering the musicians play the drums and a 100-year-old cello, respectively. On the other hand, Schiff’s cello is often processed through a dizzying array of effects pedals, and DeLorenzo’s occasional cool-cat vocals seem beamed in from another dimension. Tonight, Nineteen Thirteen makes its long-overdue debut at Milwaukee’s ever-popular Jazz In The Park.
Weakened Friends + Fuzzysurf, Bug Moment @ X-Ray Arcade
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
Canni Music Series: Chris Rosenau @ Canni Hemp Co.
Canni Hemp Co.’s aptly named “Canni Music Series” features intimate performances on the store’s newly renovated rear patio space on select Thursday and Friday nights. The series concludes tonight with a can’t-miss performance from Collections Of Colonies Of Bees mastermind Chris Rosenau. These 18+ shows start at 7 p.m. and a minimum purchase of $10 (or $5 for Canni Members) is required to attend.
Harvest Fair @ Wisconsin State Fair Park (through September 25)
Does the idea of a less-crowded Wisconsin State Fair that takes place in early fall sound appealing to you? It should, because State Fair Park’s annual Harvest Fair is always a delight. Music, food, lumberjack shows, scarecrows, pumpkin bowling, and oodles of vendors are all included in this free three-day fest.
Shamewave + Gentleman Speaker, Brat Sounds @ Boone & Crockett
Hungry Hearts: Bruce Springsteen Benefit For American Heart Association @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Dan St. Germain @ The Laughing Tap
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
Doors Open Milwaukee @ various locations (through September 25)
One of Milwaukee’s most unique events is Historic Milwaukee’s annual Doors Open Milwaukee, a citywide “open house” where folks can explore the normally off-limits insides of theaters, museums, art galleries, and random businesses. This year’s edition will boast more than 100 participating sites, including new sites like Fiserv Forum, the Komatsu Customer Experience Center, and the Milwaukee Athletic Club. The complete list of sites can be found HERE.
Fromm Petfest @ Henry Maier Festival Park
Summer’s over. Woof! So why not say goodbye to the season with the always adorable Fromm Petfest? All the things you know and love will be back for this pet-tastic shindig: dock diving, lure and agility courses, the Doggie Dash speed trial, the Petfest Marketplaces, and KITTY CITY. Oh, and the whole thing is free! Don’t forget to bring your (properly leashed and vaccinated) pet!
Festa Italiana @ Italian Community Center (through September 25)
Festa Italiana’s big Summerfest-grounds blowout didn’t happen this year (just like it didn’t happen in 2020 and 2021), but a smaller, back-to-basics fest is set for this weekend at the Italian Community Center. Expect plenty of music, food, and fun, plus Sunday mass and a Procession to Pompeii Square.
Northless (record release) + Convert, Snag, Cryptual @ X-Ray Arcade
The Milwaukee sludge purveyors of Northless are coming to X-Ray Arcade to play a belated release show in support of their new record, A Path Beyond Grief. If that’s somehow not already compelling enough to bring you out to Cudahy, Northless will be supported by a trio of local heavy-hitters in the form of Convert, Snag, and Cryptual.
The Nile Club + Diet Lite, Totally Cashed @ Shank Hall
Incubus + Winona Fighter @ The Rave / Eagles Ballroom
Gigs 4 Good Finale: The Steph Lippert Project ft. John Stanford @ The Tonic Tavern
Dan St. Germain @ The Laughing Tap
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
Milwaukee Record Halftime Show: 1-800-HUG-ME @ Cactus Club
Our Milwaukee Record Halftime Show series has returned! This season, we’ve assembled a stacked roster of 16 performers that will provide FREE entertainment during halftime of Green Bay football games. Miller High Life, Miller Lite, and Rehorst Vodka Bloody Marys will be on special. Meanwhile, Awkward Nerd Events will occasionally pop by for giveaways to their upcoming events and other fun complements to the in-game/on-stage action. There will also be touchdown shots (both regular and N/A)! This week’s Halftime Show features 1-800-HUG-ME, a.k.a. the side project of GGOOLLDD’s Margaret Butler and Nick Ziemann.
Lucinda Williams @ The Pabst Theater
With 16 outstanding albums, three Grammys, immeasurable artistic influence, and an ever-evolving sound she’s graciously shared with audiences all over the world throughout her 45-year career, it’s safe to say Lucinda Williams is nothing short of legendary. Don’t miss you opportunity to see the incomparable singer-songwriter when she comes to the Pabst Theater on Sunday.
Old 97’s + Vandoliers @ The Rave / Eagles Ballroom
Two years after releasing their aptly named 12th studio album, Twelfth, Americana stalwarts Old 97’s are hitting the road again. Thankfully, they’ve included Milwaukee on the long-awaited tour AND they’re bringing fellow Texas country-punkers Vandoliers with them for a must-see show at The Rave / Eagles Club.
Bean Plant Block Party @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Can Milwaukee squeeze in one more end-of-season festival this week? Yes it can. The inaugural Bean Plant Block Party will take place outside on Bruce Street between 2nd and 3rd, and will feature skateboard ramps and obstacles from Sky High; food from Tots On The Street; beer from Low Daily; and live music from Fake Twin, Overhand, and Piles. The event is free and open to the public. Skaters of all skill levels are welcome!
Squeak Fest @ Clock Shadow Creamery
Okay, one more festival. It’s Squeak Fest! Just around the corner from Anodyne at Clock Shadow Creamery! Food! Lakefront Brewery’s Curd Wagon! Beer from Indeed Brewing Co.! Music! More!
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