Celebrate International Human Rights Day

Human Rights. (Pixabay License).

There’s plenty to do in Milwaukee this week.

Each week, Urban Milwaukee is curating a list of events that are taking the necessary safety precautions provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in order to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

This week, The Milwaukee Repertory Theater is carrying on its annual tradition of Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol, pivoting to an online formula that your family cozy up at home and safely watch. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has a unique opportunity to explore the night skies of Africa and learn more about the country’s culture. International Human Rights Day offers the opportunity to reflect on the tumultuous but important year that 2020 was.

December 10-27: Candy Cane Lane

Candy Cane Lane, a West Allis tradition since 1984, will once again brighten W. Manitoba Street with holiday decorations worthy of a drive-by sight-seeing experience. Every year, Candy Cane Lane raises money for the MACC Fund, encouraging those who drive through to donate to a cause dedicated to fighting cancer and blood disorders. Candy Cane Lane will be fully lit up from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m on weekdays and from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, with daily entertainment and the chance to see Santa himself. For those who are unable to make it to Candy Cane Lane this year, but are interested in donating to the MACC Fund, follow this link.

The Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival is celebrating its 22nd year with a socially distanced six-week-long event. Three Milwaukee parks and the Wisconsin Avenue Chandeliers, will be transformed with holiday lights. Cathedral Square Park will become the “Community Spirit Park” featuring Santa’s Mailbox presented by Educators Credit Union, where families can drop off their letters to Santa. If you drop it off before December 13th,  you’ll receive a personalized response in return. Pere Marquette Park will become “Tinsel Town Express,” where families can explore the North Pole’s “delivery depot” and pick up a holiday tree from the festive tree lot. And finally, take a photo in Santa’s chair at the “Polar Plaza powered by We Energies.”

December 10-24: Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol

The Milwaukee Repertory Theater is continuing its tradition of putting on a production of Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol, this time pivoting to a virtual format. This year also marks’ the production’s 45th anniversary. The show stars Lee E. Ernst and features an original soundscape by Dan Kazemi. The show is available to stream through Christmas Eve, and tickets cost $20 per household. Visit MilwaukeeRep.com for more information.

December 11: Under African Skies

Each week since November 6, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has hosted events exploring cultures through the lens of star-gazing. This week, the event will discuss stories and cultural perspectives from Africa and how they connect to the night sky. The event also features guest speaker Wilkistar Otieno, a native of Kenya. This event is a collaboration between UWM’s Sociocultural Programming, African and African Diaspora Studies department and the Black Student Cultural Center. To register for the event, visit this link.

December 12: Backline Workshop #10 Streaming, Marketing & Money

Backline Workshop, the music startup partnership presented by gener8tor and 88Nine Radio Milwaukee, is hosting its tenth workshop focused on helping aspiring musicians with turning their passion for music into a business. This workshop will discuss streaming, marketing and money — specifically how to approach marketing in a way that will help artists generate income through streaming platforms. Industry leaders J.R. McKee of Alamo Records and Dante Smith of Capitol Records will make up the panel for this virtual event. The event will run from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. The event is free but requires registration. To register, follow this link.

Even though fall is coming to a close, there are still farmers markets to enjoy, such as the Milwaukee Winter Farmers Market. The market, which is celebrating its 12th season, takes place on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Greenhouse Annex at the Mitchell Park Domes (524 S. Layton Blvd.) until March 27th, 2021. The market will feature 30 vendors offering fresh local produce, baked goods, cheeses, handmade soaps and more. COVID-19 safety precautions and guidelines will be enforced, including a mandatory mask policy and restrictions on eating and drinking in the market.

December 12: The 2020 Milwaukee Celebration of International Human Rights Day

The Milwaukee Equal Rights Commission, Milwaukee County Human Rights Commission and the United Nations Association of Greater Milwaukee are celebrating this year’s International Human Rights Day with a virtual Zoom panel discussing what this year has taught us about human rights. The panel will feature guest speakers Tony Snell (Chair of the Milwaukee Equal Rights Commission), Steve Watrous (President of the United Nations Association of Greater Milwaukee) and Reggie Jackson (award-winning Senior Columnist for the Milwaukee Independent News Magazine). The event is free, but registration is required for access to the Zoom meeting. Captioning and on-screen sign language interpretation are available. To register, visit this link.

December 15: Virtual Tour of The Museum of Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot in Tel Aviv, Israel

The Jewish Museum Milwaukee has a new online adventure series called “Global Museum Passport: Virtual Home Edition,” in which international partners of the museum will bring a virtual journey to a different country each month featuring special exhibitions, historical sites and collection highlights. This month, travel to the Museum of the Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot located in Tel Aviv, Israel. Guests will virtually explore the museum’s “Let There Be Laughter” exhibit, which takes a look at the origins of Jewish humor and how that humor has remained constant throughout history. The virtual tour will run from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and is free. For more information, visit this link.