May 25-31
Monday, May 25
Southern Culture on The Skids
7:30 PM * $15
Turner Hall Ballroom
1032 N. 4th Street
Turner Hall hosts a Memorial Day show like no other, featuring the country-fried rock n’ roll of Southern Culture on The Skids and Los Straitjackets.
Memorial Day Parade
2PM
4th & Wisconsin Ave.
Honor America’s vets at the 144th annual Memorial Day parade. The parade steps off at 4th and Wisconsin streets and will proceed to Veteran’s Park, where there will be a wreath laying and brick dedication ceremonies.
Tuesday, May 26
Chill on the Hill
6:30-8:30 PM * FREE
Humboldt Park, Bay View
The Bay View Neighborhood Association and Milwaukee County Parks have expanded the Chill on the Hill series for summer 2009! After seeing so many amazing institutions close down this year, it’s great to know that at least a few are alive and kicking. The summer series begins tonight with performances from the Bay View area schools, so bust out those lawn chairs and coolers — it’s been a long winter and they’re feeling a bit neglected. Check out the rest of the lineup here.
Jon Ginoli: Book Reading and Acoustic Show
7 PM * FREE
The Tool Shed
2427 N. Murray
Legendary queer rocker Jon Ginoli (founder and guitarist for Pansy Division) is hosting an intimate engagement at the Tool Shed where he’ll read from his autobiography Deflowered: My Life with Pansy Division and play acoustic versions of some of PD’s classics. This event is FREE and open to the public. Don’t miss it!
Wednesday, May 27
Left-Hand Brewing Beer Tasting
7 PM * FREE
The Bomb Shelter
1517 S. 2nd Street
Colorado’s Left Hand Brewing company visits Milwaukee for The Bomb Shelter’s weekly “Suds Club” beer tasting. Stop in and sample delicious ales, porters and pilsners. Personally, I’m partial to the Milk Stout. Save me a seat at the bar!
Thursday, May 28
Downtown Dining Week
$10-$20
Various Locations
Downtown Dining Week is back in action and bigger than ever. Today through June 4, you can enjoy three-course meals from 40 local eateries for a delicious price- $10 for lunch and $20 for dinner. This week-long event is a great way to support local businesses without thinning out your wallet. Plus, you could $1,000 in dining gift certificates! For more info and participating restaurants, click on the link above.
Friday, May 29
The Decemberists
8 PM * $25
The Riverside
116 W. Wisconsin
Portland Indie rockers (that almost sounds redundant, doesn’t it?) The Decemberists visit the third coast on their Hazards of Love tour. Their latest album has been described as many things, but I think this review by Alex Petridis at The Guardian sums it up : “a 17-track concept album that attempts to tell a story about – sharp intake of breath – a fair maiden called Margaret who is ravished by a shape-shifting demon.” I’m in.
Saturday, May 30
Hot*Pop One Year Anniversary Party
9-11 PM * FREE
Moct
240E. Pittsburgh
Hot* Pop celebrates one year in business! Get down to Moct for live music by King Hell Bastard and The Rusty P’s, plus DJs Why B, Diamonds and Dwood. Dwellephant will grace the walls with original artwork and there will be food, drink specials and giveaways. Happy “paper” Hot Pop!
Spring Harvest Celebration
12-4 PM * FREE
Anaba Tea Room
2107 N. Capitol Dr.
Rishi Tea invites you to enjoy some exceptional teas from this year’s harvest! Enjoy free appetizers and music, provided by Anaba and WMSE while listening to informative “tea talks” by Rishi’s experts.
Sunday, May 31
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
7:30 PM * $25
The Rave
2401 W. Wisconsin
Normally, I’m not a huge fan of The Rave. However, when Morrissey came through last month, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the show was in the Eagle’s Ballroom and the acoustics were better than I had remembered. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs are sweeping through this weekend, bringing their fun, new-school punk sensibilities to Milwaukee.
Unwigged & Unplugged
8 PM * $35-$60
The Riverside
116 W. Wisconsin
I was going to try and incorporate a really sweet quote from Spinal Tap in this write-up, but there are far too many and none of them would keep us within in a PG-13 rating. Nonetheless, this is one of those shows that fans of Christopher Guest, SCTV and the Second City have to see, or we’ll be kicking ourselves for the rest of the summer. I mean, it’s Christopher Guest, Michael Mckean and Harry Shearer. Together. With guitars. I don’t know that I’m ready to hear men the same age as my grandfather singing Big Bottom, but there’s only one way to find out.
