Our fat-free, dolphin-safe Milwaukee Events Calendar is packed with activities, but only a handful of events deserve the high honor of Record Recommended (patent pending). Here are our recommendations for September 27th – October 3rd, 2021.
Courtney Marie Andrews + The Brother Brothers @ The Back Room @ Colectivo
“This is my story of the most heartbreaking, but also soul-revealing year of my life. I went crazy. ”This is what Courtney Marie Andrews says about her 2020 album Old Flowers by Fat Possum. The record is a breakup album – Andrew’s nine year relationship ended before it was made – but it’s so much more. When you need a foggy, sepia-toned country album to set your terrible years to music, look no further.
Mick Foley + Dolph Ziggler @ Turner Hall Ballroom
Mick Foley – also known as the Man Who Mankind was – has taken his previous appearance as an often-bloody WWE wrestler and used it to launch a successful second career as a writer, stand-up comic book and spoken word performer . And who says there are no second acts in life? Buckle up for a night of uncompromising stories and anecdotes from a man who always risked everything.
Show me the body + blue fear, big laugh, sex scenes @ X-Ray Arcade
Slipknot + Killswitch Engage, Fever 333, Code Orange @ American Family Insurance Amphitheater
Anyone else following the great Slipknot / Machine Gun Kelly feud? Funny things! Anyway, Slipknot is in town this week (at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater on Summerfest grounds) while Machine Gun Kelly will be in town next week (Oct. 5th at The Rave). So close! Still funny things!
Velvet Vision + The Little Tulips, PSIRENS, Dora Diamond @ Cactus Club
Lara Beitz @ Milwaukee Improv
A few weeks after opening for Joe Rogan at the Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee born and raised comedian Lara Beitz (who now lives in Los Angeles) returns to her old turf to run over the newly opened Milwaukee Improv in nearby Brookfield. In recent years, the native humorist has been acclaimed by Judd Apatow and David Spade and has become the lead actor for Pete Holmes. But don’t trust the boys at their word: Come to improv and see for yourself.
Hayward Williams + John Statz @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Hayward Williams doesn’t leave much in the way of his creative process. Though the world definitely threw more than a few curve balls in its path prior to the recording of his latest album Every Color Blue, the veteran Milwaukee singer-songwriter rolled the punches, made the necessary adjustments, and managed to turn something good out of a particularly chaotic one to pick up point in his life. In addition to the “lineup of friends and employees who were let loose from the chain to” create shimmering and soulful material for eight original songs, Williams and Co. also have unique covers of four songs by singer friends Jeffrey Foucault (“Passerines”), Kris Delmhorst (“If Not For Love”), J. Hardin (“Run Jackie Run”) and John Statz (“With Some Horses”). Between these captivating covers and outstanding tracks like the warm “If You Want Me To Beg”, the silky-soft “Oh What You Must Think Of Me”, the uplifting title track and the wild album ender “Paradise Springs” – with Sturgill Simpsons Brass! —Williams didn’t just make the most of a stressful time with Every Color Blue. He’s also probably made his best record yet.
With love, Milwaukee Block Party @ Lincoln Warehouse
Food trucks, beer, cocktails and live DJs will be available in the Lincoln Warehouse during the so-called “Love, Milwaukee Block Party”. Breweries from across the city will be on tap while Immy’s African Cuisine and Transfer feed the crowds.
Alice Cooper + Ace Frehley @ BMO Harris Pavilion
Ever heard of Alice Cooper’s Nights With Alice Cooper radio show? Isn’t it funny that most of the stuff he plays is really obvious and over the top, like “Crazy Train” and “Baba O’Riley”? Strange. Alice Cooper is still great.
Dehd + Bnny @ Cactus Club
Big Mother Gig + Cabin Essence @ The Back Room @ Colectivo
Founded when frontman Richard Jankovich and friends were students at Marquette, Big Mother Gig has slowly carved out a local niche as an energetic, back-up favorite in a sea of mediocre cover bands. A debut LP was released in 1993 (My Social Commentary), followed by an EP in 1994 (Transition) and an LP recorded by Jeff Hamilton in 1996 (Smiling Politely). But when Jankovich suggested moving the Big Mother Gig to New York City, his bandmates were reluctant to leave. On August 30, 1996, Big Mother Gig played a farewell show at The Globe. But the story was not over yet. Jankovich eventually moved to Los Angeles and reformed the band in 2017. Two singles and a full-length album, No More Questions, followed. The new Gusto, on the other hand, is known as the “recovery record” and deals with a variety of age-appropriate concerns: addiction, sobriety, family, marriage, depression and hope. Opener “The Underdog” is an anthemic stunner, the lead single “My Unveiling” is a sparkling swoon and “Sober Man’s Test” is an alternative country singer. Throw in the world-weary “The Doctor Will See You Now” and the driving “High Functioning” (see a common theme in the song titles?) And you have a terrific record that spans decades.
The Lowdown @ Indeed Brewing Company
For the third year in a row, Indeed Brewing Company will be hosting The Lowdown inside and outside of their Walker’s Point taproom. From 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., the brewery closes part of Second Street for an all-day festival of delicious beer (some of which are exclusive to events!), Great music, and autumn fun. There’s also live art by Jeff Redmon, on-site dining from Twisted Plants, and The Beer Brûlée Experience, which uses hot fire poker to caramelize pints of beer. Oh, and there will also be live music from the likes of You Win !!!, Browns Crew, Chicken Wire Empire, Dropbear Collective, and a long-distance broadcast from The Boogie Bang.
Fall Block Party @ Enlightened Brewing Company
The final block party the Enlightened Brewing Company will have this year will be a particularly good one. Bay View Brewery serves great beers (including their new Cosmic Hazy IPA, three new types from the Rough Draft range and some obscure beers from their cellar), tasty treats from Vanguard and melodies from Sweet Sheiks and The Westerlees.
Blake Shelton + Lindsay Ell, Martina McBride, Tracy Byrd, John Anderson @ Fiserv Forum
Dead Soldiers + The Wealthy West, Jayke Orvis & Mikey Classic @ The Cooperage
Frail Body + Hazing Over, For Your Health, Snag, Livid @ X-Ray Arcade
Brady Street Pet Parade @ Brady Street
After a purely virtual parade in 2020, the best good boys, pretty girls and parrots (and their human companions) in town will again have the chance to strut their things in flesh and blood. The family-friendly event takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The parade, which begins at 1 p.m., runs west from Brady Street and Franklin Place to Cass Street. Then it goes south to the Catholic Church of St. Rita, 1601 N. Cass St., where Father Tim Kitzke of the parish of St. Hedwig Three Holy Women celebrates the pet blessing. There will be prizes and music! Will Ted Perry from FOX6 and Anna Laridnois from Gothic Milwaukee be prominent jurors? Yes sir. Will Trapper Schoepp provide live music after the parade? Yes sir. Oh, and Milwaukee Record’s Matt Wild will be the host.
Milwaukee Comedy Festival @ The Laughing Tap (and other locations)
After a shortened 2020 edition that featured fewer shows, a far smaller audience, a more localized lineup, and a lot more protective face covers than ever before, the 2021 Milwaukee Comedy Festival is back to normal. While the full line-up and list of shows is not entirely known, the state’s largest and longest-running comedy festival has announced Neil Hamburger, Myq Kaplan and Lara Beitz as headliners. (until October 10th)
Milwaukee Record Halftime Show: Ladybird @ Cactus Club
After a season the Milwaukee Record Halftime Shows series is back! This season we’ve put together a stacked list of 17 cast members who will provide FREE entertainment for all ages during the halftime of the Green Bay soccer games. As in previous seasons, our friends at Miller High Life will be sponsoring our football-themed celebrations, which means fans will get The Champagne Of Beers and Miller Lite the full game for $ 2.50 a bottle or $ 10 for a bucket of five beers can enjoy for a long time. This Super Bowl XLV rematch features mid-game entertainment from the new Milwaukee country outfit Ladybird.
Hasan Minhaj @ The Riverside Theater
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