Humane Society Fundraiser At Black Husky Brewing

Black Husky Brewing. Photo taken on June 20, 2019 by Mariiana Tzotcheva

If you’re looking for gifts for the upcoming Mother’s Day and Father’s Day holidays, here are many arts and crafts events happening in Milwaukee this weekend.Do your parents enjoy retro video games and all-things nerdy? Check out the Midwest Gaming Classic — where you’ll find plenty of board games, video games and pop culture collectibles. Shop local makers at the first annual Makers Marketosa, and visit the Botanical Gardens for its annual Art in the Garden Craft Fair. Show your love of dogs (and beer) at Black Husky’s Bark at the Bar event, which will raise funds for the Wisconsin Humane Society’s Milwaukee Campus.

April 29-30: Good Land Records 11th Anniversary Celebration

Since its inception in 2011, Good Land Records has been releasing music from Milwaukee favorites such as Direct Hit!, Telethon and Joseph Huber. The local label was set to celebrate its ten year anniversary last year, but canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. Now, Good Land Records is set to put on a celebration its been planning for two years. The two-day event will feature two lineups in two different cities. On April 29, The Figgs, Limbeck, Joseph Huber and Rx Drugs will take the stage at The Cooperage in Milwaukee. On April 30, Direct Hit!, Limbeck, Proud Parents and Coasting will perform in Madison at the Majestic Theatre. For additional info and to purchase tickets, click here.

Pinball tables, retro video games, board games and more will fill the Wisconsin Center this weekend for what is being billed as the biggest Midwest Gaming Classic yet. The Midwest’s largest gaming event will feature gaming competitions as well as casual play, rare collectibles and art and pop culture panels. For ticket pricing and weekend passes, click here.

April 30: Milwaukee Zine Fest

Milwaukee Zine Fest is putting on its first in-person event since 2019, once again setting up shop in the Central Branch of the Milwaukee Public Library. The event is a celebration of DIY print media featuring dozens of vendors, all-day activities and two mid-day workshops. Activities include making a zine of your own and printing a mini-poster. The event will run from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The library isn’t requiring masks, but Milwaukee Zine Fest would appreciate those attending to wear one.

April 30: Bark at the Bar

If it isn’t already obvious from the name, Black Husky Brewing loves dogs. The brewery is hosting Bark at the Bar, a fundraising event for the Wisconsin Humane Society’s Milwaukee Campus. The event will feature plenty of beer and raffle items that include donations from Milwaukee businesses like Central Bark, Nessun Dorma, Cafe Hollander and more. The event will also feature food from Pedro’s South American Food and RollMKE food trucks. Bark at the Bar will run from 1 p.m. 5 p.m.

May 1: FemFest May Day

FemFest returns this year to an in-person format after two years of going virtual. FemFest is a celebration of femme, trans, GNC, women, non-binary and BIPOC creatives, and typically involves live performances, maker’s markets and fundraisers. This year, FemFest is celebrating May Day with a lineup of local bands, a panel discussion about labor organizing, a maker’s market and brunch served by Frida’s Cocina. The 12-hour event will feature performances by Rat Bath, Puerto Wiccan, Ruth B8r Ginsburg, Fox Face and more. At 4 p.m., Flour Girl & Flame will also begin serving food. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Cactus Club, and admission to the event is $10.

In need of some unique Mother’s Day gifts? Wauwatosa is putting on its first ever Maker’s Marketosa, a family-friendly event that will feature over 40 local artists, small businesses, food trucks and more. The event will take place in the North Playground of Washington Elementary on 68th and Garfield and will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For a list of participating artists, maker, small businesses and organizations, click here.

May 1: Art in the Garden Craft Fair

Here’s your chance to support local arts while taking in the environment of the Boerner Botanical Gardens. The Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens’ annual craft fair returns, featuring unique and handmade local arts and crafts. Over 50 local artists and crafters will sell anything from clothing to accessories as well as plenty of home goodies such as pottery and candles. Proceeds from the event will support the children’s plant science programs for the Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.