May 11-17

Monday, May 11

WUWM 89.7 Milwaukee Public Radio Spring Fund Drive
Starts at 6 a.m., ends at $130,000

This should be the easiest event to go to this week, since you don’t even have to leave your home! Tune in the 89.7 on Monday to show your support for public radio in Milwaukee. If you’re like us, WUWM’s award-winning programming, news coverage and original music shows get your brain out of bed in the morning and reconnects you with the world at large when you head home for the day. More than 88% of WUWM’s operating costs are covered by the community, and the drive continues until the goal of $130,000 is reached. The faster you donate, the sooner we can all go back to our regularly scheduled radio lives! www.wuwm.com/give or call 414-227-3210.

The Soul of John Black
7:30 PM- FREE
Turner Hall Ballroom
1034 N. 4th street

Have you been to a “No-Buck” show yet? The Pabst unveiled this amazing concept a few months back, bringing hot indie bands from around the nation to Milwaukee so music lovers can enjoy great shows without having to decide whether to spend their cash on concert tickets or toilet paper this month. Start the week off right with The Soul of John Black, a neo-soul duo featuring former Fishbone guitarist John Bigham.

Tuesday, May 12

Burlesque Costume Making with Alley Cat Revue
6:30-8:00 PM – $20
The Tool Shed
2427 N. Murray Ave.

Make the most of your Spring Fever at the Tool Shed tonight! The ever-sultry Alley Cat Revue is hosting a burlesque costume making workshop where you’ll learn how to make your own pasties and shimmy belt! Shazaam!

Finger-Lickin’ Chicken & Mighty Fine Wine Supper
6-9 PM- $40
Balzac
1716 N. Arlington Pl.

Get out yer bibs and elastic-waistband pants – this ain’t no high-falutin’ supper.  Balzac hosts a decedant down-home affair, featuring comfort food faves like fried chicken, five bean casserole, bacon & bleu cheese potato salad and so much more. Stick around for champagne cocktails, wine and Watermelon Wop for dessert. Sorry kiddies, you must be 21+ to enjoy this feast and seating is limited. Call 414-755-0099 for reservations!

Wednesday, May 13

Gilda’s Club Fashion Show of Support
11:00 AM-1:30 PM – $65
Italian Conference Center
631 E. Chicago St.

Gilda’s Club Southeastern Wisconsin hosts the fifth annual fashion show and luncheon, “A Show of Support.” The fundraising event will feature Fox 6 news anchors Ted Perry and Kim Murphy as emcees and registration begins at 11:00 a.m. along with a silent auction and raffle. Cancer survivors will model spring fashions provided by local retailers. Each model will walk the runway with a person who provided critical emotional and social support during their cancer journey. Proceeds from the fashion show and silent auction are used to fund the Gilda’s Club Southeastern Wisconsin mission of providing a welcoming community where men, women and children living with cancer, along with their family and friends, join with others to build emotional and social support. For more info call 414-962-8201.

Thursday, May 14

Future Shock: Breakbeat, Hip-Hop and Jazz Fusion
7PM- $18
Wisconsin Conservatory of Music
1584 N. Prospect

Jordan Lee, Eric Meyer, Jamie Breiwick, Aaron Gardner and Maurice Cotton will be playing some of the newest sounds and technology in music today. Conservatory faculty will drive jazz, funk, hip-hop gospel, soul R and B grooves infused with turntablism, real time sampling and beat machines. These adventurous musicians will perform on an assortment of piano, keyboards, guitars, trumpet, saxophone, flute as well as loop pedals, “wah wah” pedals and various other electronics.  For more info, please call 414-276-5760.

Steven Wright
8PM- $36
The Pabst Theatre
144 E. Wells

Known for his lethargic voice and deadpan delivery, Steven Wright serves up some of the most hilarious ironic and nonsensical comedy around. You can bet that his show at The Pabst will be at once awkward and brilliant. Don’t miss it!

Friday, May 15

The Smoking Popes
7:30PM – $12
Turner Hall Ballroom
1034 N. 4th Street

I’ll try not to sound like too much of a douchebag when I say this brings me back. Anyone who spent their formative years in the 1990s listening to punk-rock inspired pop had at least a short love affair with the Smoking Popes. If we’re lucky, their show at Turner Hall will be a delightful mix of new sounds combined with our old favorites. Get there early to catch Milwaukee’s own Maritime!
Saturday, May 16

2nd Annual Riverwest Pub Crawl
1:00-8:00 PM- $10 advance/ $15 door
The Gig
1132 E. Wright St.

Kick off the summer season with a pub crawl in Riverwest! Sponsored by The Kiwanis Club of Metro Milwaukee. Fifteen to 20 bars will participate in the crawl. Proceeds from this fundraiser will be given to the neighborhood COA center. Cost includes a T-shirt (first 250 participants only), map, tickets for $1.00 beer and/or drink specials at each bar, plus a donation to the COA. For more info, call 414-562-0219.

Juniper Tar, The Championship &  The Vega Star
9PM – $6
Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
1001 E. Locust St.

Should you find yourself on my side of the river this weekend, be sure to stop at Linneman’s for an evening of Milwaukee-style rock n’ roll. Come and show your support for three hardworkin’ local bands!

Composting Workshop
10-11:30 AM-$15
Outpost Natural Foods- Bay View
2826 South KK

If you missed last weekend’s Green Living Festival, here’s your chance to brush up on some eco-friendly practices. Learn how to turn table scraps and kitchen waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. To register, visit the link above or call 414-272-5462 ext. 105.

Party For The Planet
May 16 & 17, 9 AM-4:30 PM
Milwaukee County Zoo
10001 W. Bluemound Rd.

Join your pals at the Zoo this weekend for a new annual event that celebrates all things green. Visitors can enjoy favorite activities such as bird banding and the Migration Game, as well as new features like chatting with Smokey Bear and learning more about making your home earth-friendly through wildlife and conservation outreach booths. Stick around for wood carving demos, cell phone recycling and farm art. All activities are free with Zoo admission. For prices, please visit the website linked above.

PaddleFest 2009
May 16 -10AM-4PM
May 17 12PM-4PM
Laacke & Joys
1433 N. Water St.

Get on the water at Wisconsin’s largest test paddling event, hosted by Laacke & Joys. Test paddle over 100 different canoes and kayaks on the Milwaukee River. Special pricing, factory representatives, guided paddles, slide shows, clinics, seminars and more will be available. This event is free and open to the public. For more info, please visit the website linked above.

Sunday, May 17

Swap-O-Rama-Rama
10AM- FREE
Future Green
2352 South KK

Milwaukee’s ultimate rummage sale! Bring a bag of old clothes and swap em’ out with other attendees. Plus, there’s going to be sewing and beading demos, plus handy tips on how to recycle your old threads!