Visions of velvet and cupcakes dancing in my head

This Friday, MAM After Dark: A Very Velvet Holiday will feature music, movies, art, drinks and about 8,000 cupcakes. Photo by James Conway Photography.

Mark your calendar and diet for the next day or so because the latest edition of MAM After Dark is coming up this Friday. The theme is “A Very Velvet Holiday,” but it promises much more than the elegant warmth suggested by said fabric. The evening will include music, movies, art, drinks and about 8,000 cupcakes to keep you entertained.

Yes — 8,000, and that’s no joke. The oven mitts are off as eight local bakeries and caterers compete for the title of Iron Cupcake Milwaukee. In the true spirit of dessert democracy, MAM attendees will vote for the winners. This sweet drama is organized by Milwaukee Cupcake Queen and founder of Iron Cupcake Challenges, Sandy Ploy.

Not only will the winning bakers bask in the luscious glow of their achievement, but they’ll also receive a trophy to commemorate their title, created by area artists. Further exploring the spirit of democracy, MAM After Dark attendees will vote on the trophies to be awarded.

The competition may take the (cup)cake, but the whole evening will be filled with tantalizing delights, not all of the nibbling kind. The evening kicks off at 5 p.m. with Historic Milwaukee’s Anna-Marie Opgenorth speaking on urban design and identity as part of the Fuel Milwaukee / Historic Milwaukee Scavenger Hunt. Two films within the realm of velvet themes will be shown: National Velvet, starring a very youthful Elizabeth Taylor, at 6 p.m., and Velvet Goldmine with Ewan McGregor, Christian Bale and Eddie Izzard at 9 p.m.

Winners of the Iron Cupcake Milwaukee challenge will win trophies created by area artists and will be voted on by MAM After Dark attendees. Photo by James Conway Photography.

More than a little night music will flavor the evening with the surf sound of The Exotics, and the turntable talents of DJ Madhatter (Jordan Lee of 88Nine Radio Milwaukee). Mix into all this a cash bar, complimentary snacks from Café Calatrava, a DIY studio, photo booth, plus the icing on the cake: a chance to see Andy Warhol: The Last Decade before it heads out on tour in January.
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Participating Bakeries and Caterers:

Karen Smith of The Cake Lady & Petite Pastries
Ashley Weber of Miss Cupcake
Tawanda Frazier of Gourmet Delights
Danielle Eyre of Blue Moon Cupcake Co.
Erica Elia of Classy Girl Cupcakes
Jennifer Goldbeck of Delicately Delicious
Jennifer of Bay Bakery
Emily Silverson of Chez Cupcake

Kendall Polster/The Weld Guy
Christopher Leslie
Rory Burke
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MAM After Dark: A Very Velvet Holiday
Milwaukee Art Museum
700 N. Art Museum Drive, Milwaukee
414-224-3200

Friday, Dec. 18, 5 p.m. to Midnight
Free for members; $12 at the door; $6 online in advance (plus fees)