1. Life is Brewtiful Blood Drive
MAY 1 | LAKEFRONT BREWERY BEER HALL
A pint for a pint – that’s the deal at this brewery blood drive. Lakefront Brewery is partnering with the American Red Cross to help combat the ongoing blood shortage. All donors get a coupon for a free beer at the taproom, which can be used anytime.
2. LEGO Workshop: The Architecture of Agriculture
MAY 6 | GROHMANN MUSEUM AT MILWAUKEE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
Build barns, fields, silos and grain elevators at this LEGO workshop for all ages. The event is inspired by the Grohmann Museum’s current photography exhibition, “David Plowden: The Architecture of Agriculture.” Building materials will be provided, and the workshop is included with a paid museum admission.
Experience an unforgettable evening celebrating great design!
3. Ex Fabula All Stars
MAY 11 | THE COOPERAGE
The crowd will crown a winner at the end of this storytelling event starring this season’s audience favorites. Audience members also get to submit their “UltraShorts” on a slip of paper to be read onstage by the emcee.
4. Star Wars: The Force Awakens
MAY 12-14 | BRADLEY SYMPHONY CENTER
Lightsabers and a live orchestra! The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra will perform the score as the movie plays on screen.
5. Warm Your Heart Chili & Jewelry Sale
MAY 13 | ST. ANN CENTER’S STEIN CAMPUS
Shop for baubles and stay for lunch! You’ll find tables filled with vintage, heirloom and costume pieces for sale, as well as an assortment of traditional and vegetarian chili.
6. Global Big Day Bird Count
MAY 13 | WEHR NATURE CENTER
More than 50,000 birders participate in this worldwide research project. Join up with fellow naturalists at Wehr Nature Center and log your sightings on eBird.
7. Greendale Pet Palooza
MAY 13 | HISTORIC DOWNTOWN GREENDALE
Agility courses, the Doggie Dash and a pet psychic are just a few of the attractions at this suburban festival. Plus, there’s a pet fashion show for some friendly competition.
8. Mother’s Day at the Zoo
MAY 14 | MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO
Moms get in free this Mother’s Day at the Milwaukee County Zoo. Make sure to celebrate animal moms, too, at the prehensile tailed porcupine, giraffe and Japanese macaques habitats.
9. Lizzo
MAY 16 | FISERV FORUM
All the rumors are true: Lizzo is coming back to Milwaukee. Expect a high-energy concert with an uplifting message about self-love.
10. Joan Curto: The Songs of Sondheim
MAY 17 | SHARON LYNNE WILSON CENTER
Celebrate the music of Stephen Sondheim with Jan Curto, a musician who has been performing his work for decades. The concert will feature a mix of songs written by Sondheim for stage and screen.
11. Pete Holmes
MAY 18 | TURNER HALL BALLROOM
Pete Holmes is a “very silly man,” according to Forbes. The comedian, podcaster, TV writer and author is in town on his latest standup tour, which promises a lot of laughs.
12. Maifest
MAY 19-21 | GERMANTOWN MARKETPLACE
German Fest isn’t until July, but consider this Germantown party your pregame. It’s a celebration of spring with live music, dancing and traditional German dishes like frankfurters, spaetzle and landjäger.
13. Il Barbiere di Siviglia / The Barber of Seville
MAY 19-21 | MARCUS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Enjoy a night at the opera with this romp. The show promises memorable melodies, physical comedy and frivolous fun.
14. KASE + Tiffany Miller Vinyl Release
May 19 | Saint Kate – the Arts Hotel
Milwaukee improvisational jazz trio KASE is teaming up with Milwaukee poet Tiffany Miller to release a new limited-run vinyl. The recording was taken during a live performance at The Jazz Estate.
15. Big Truck Day
MAY 20 | RED ARROW PARK
A fleet of trucks will fill Red Arrow Park for kids to get an up-close look. The event promotes the city’s public works and fire departments. There will also be face painting, bubble art and a basketball free-throw contest.
16. Lager & Friends
MAY 20 | OLD HEIDELBERG PARK
There’s a great deal of range in the lager family of styles, from easy-drinking to rich and robust. You’ll find them all at this festival, along with the perfect setting: the Germanic beer garden and hall next to Bavarian Bierhaus.
17. SuperYou
MAY 26-JUNE 18 | SKYLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE
This musical tells the story of a comic book artist whose characters come to life, reminding her of the power of her voice.
18. Magnificent Bird
MAY 31-JUNE 1 | JAN SERR STUDIO
Composer Gabriel Kahane did the unthinkable: He spent a year off the internet. This concert is inspired by his final month offline and is a “portrait of daily life in the roiling chaos of the 21st century.”
