Party on, MKE

Film

The Milwaukee Film Festival is back for its fifth year, screening 240 films over a 15-day run (Sept 26 through Oct 10). TCD will have a running guide to the Festival as it’s underway, but in the meantime, head over to the MKE Film Fest website for a comprehensive film guide, complete schedule, ticket information, and more. An (epic) opening night party will be held at Discovery World Thursday September 26, with music, drinks and raffle prizes. Thursday’s opening night film is the German mega-hit comedy, Break Up Man. Hotel Foster hosts the “Soundtrack” portion of the festival, featuring live music every night (free entry with film ticket stub). Many of last year’s popular screenings sold out in no time–make sure you’re on the ball for this incredible MKE event.

Theater

The Milwaukee Rep premieres Venus in Fur, a sultry play following director Thomas and young actress Vanda as they create a stage adaptation of an erotic novel. David Ives’ comedic writing carries the sensual story, opening Friday September 27 in the Rep’s Stiemke Studio. Tickets are $30, $25 for seniors and $20 for students and those ages 19-35, available online or call (414) 224-9490.

Windfall Theatre opens its season this Friday, September 27 with An Empty Plate in the Cafe du Grand Boeuf. Michael Hollinger’s absurdist play promises a “comic tragedy in seven courses,” as Hemingway-lover Victor vows to starve himself in his restaurant out of severe depression, while his staff tries to save him. The show takes place at Village Church Arts, 130 E Juneau Ave. Tickets are $20 online or call (414) 332-3963.

Youngblood Theatre opens its season this Thursday, September 26 with Christopher Shinn’s drama Dying City. After losing her husband in Iraq, Kelly finds herself alone with his twin brother a year later when he shows up at her NYC loft unannounced. The show is staged at the newly renovated Lincoln Storage Warehouse in Bay View. Tickets are $15 online, $20 at the door (cash only).

Music

The MSO welcomes violinist Augustin Hadelich for this weekend’s Seductive Ravel program. Hadelich will perform Stravinsky’s Violin Concerto, while the MSO delivers the Ravel’s “seductive” Daphnis and Chloé. Performances are at 8 p.m. Friday, September 27 and Saturday, September 28. Tickets range from about $20 to $100, available online or call (414) 291-7605.

Prometheus Trio’s season opener takes place at 7:30 p.m. Monday, September 30 at the Conservatory, with a second performance at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 1. The program includes pieces from Debussy, R. Clarke, and Schubert. Tickets are $25 at (414) 276-5760.

Tonight, catch underground folk legend Billy Bragg at Turner Hall with special guest Joe Purdy. Also this week: The Zombies at the Pabst, Atlas Genius at Turner Hall, Capitol Steps at the Pabst, Cold War Kids at Turner Hall, Wisconsin favorite Justin Vernon and his new outfit Volcano Choir at the Pabst, Sarah Brightman at The Riverside, San Fermin at the Pabst Pub, and Black Joe Lewis at Turner Hall. We’ve got it good here, MKE, we really do. Find the full calendar and tickets prices online.

Visual Art

The 10th annual Nohl Fellowship Exhibition opens Friday, September 27 at UWM’s INOVA. Selected from 140 applicants by a panel of jurors in November 2012, the seven artists include Danielle Beverly, Faythe Levine Colin Matthes, Lois Bielefeld, Tyanna J. Buie, Brad Fiore and Paul Kjelland. The Nohl Fund Fellowships provide unrestricted funds for these artists to create new work or finish an existing project. Opening reception is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with a gallery talk at 7 p.m. from the jurors.

Special Events

Join 88.9 Radio Milwaukee for the grand opening of their new Walker’s Point studio, Saturday September 28. NEWaukee hosts the party, with DJs, tours of the new space, a cash bar, raffles, and more. Doors open at 4 p.m. and tours begin at 5:30 p.m. An after party will be held next door at Prodigal Gastropub, beginning at 10 p.m.. Find more details and RSVP on Facebook.

Bay View Gallery Night is back, with over 120 artists and 50 local businesses participating. Head down Friday September 27, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. (some events go later) to celebrate Bay View’s unique, artistic community. Find a full list of events and participating businesses on the BVGN website.

It started yesterday, but there are still plenty of opportunities to participate in Milwaukee Cocktail Week. Catch special events, menus, and (of course) drinks at some of Milwaukee’s favorite bars and restaurants. A full schedule is posted here, with detailed descriptions of each event.

It wouldn’t hurt to find yourself at Linnemann’s for Poets Monday on September 30. Modern, slighty off-kilter poet Matt Cook will be featured, whose recent collection Proving Nothing to Anyone holds the funny, everyday musings that we all wish we could relay so artily. Cover is $3.

Last Chance

American Players Theatre: All My Sons, through Sept. 28

Soulstice Theatre: Betrayal, through Sept. 28

The Quasimondo: Bacchanalia, through Oct. 1

Ongoing

APT: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, through Oct. 5

Skylight Music Theatre: Fidelio, through Oct. 6

APT: Two Gentlemen of Verona, through Oct. 6

Next Act Theatre: Perfect Mendacity, through Oct. 13

Milwaukee Chamber Theatre: The Detective’s Wife, through Oct. 13

APT: Dickens in America, through Oct. 19

APT: Antony and Cleopatra, through Oct. 20

Milwaukee Rep: I Left My Heart: A Salute to the Music of Tony Bennett, through Oct. 20

Milwaukee Rep: Ragtime, through Oct. 27