1. Paramore
AUG. 1, FISERV FORUM
Fresh off their first new album in six years, Paramore is at the top of the punk-pop game. Expect a lot of songs off their new album This Is Why mixed in with old favorites like “Misery Business” and “Still Into You.” fiservforum.com
2. David Najib Kasir Artist Talk
AUG. 1, VAR GALLERY
Oil painter David Najib Kasir is talking about his exhibition “Neighborhoods in Subtraction,” which is up at Var Gallery through Aug. 6. His paintings examine the role Western media plays in constructing cultural narratives.
3. Water on Water
AUG. 2, THE STUDIO, CEDARBURG
Water Street Dance Milwaukee continues its summer season with this performance featuring choreography by the Artists of Water Street.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
4. USA Triathlon Nationals
AUG. 4-6, DOWNTOWN MILWAUKEE
Head Downtown to see this gathering of elite athletes. The swimming, taking place in the cove between Lakeshore State Park and the Summerfest grounds, is especially cool to watch.
5. Studio K Flamenco
AUG. 5, SUNSTONE STUDIOS
Flamenco guitarist/composer Marija Temo and dancer/choreographer Kerensa DeMars will bring classical Spanish dance moves to Sunstone’s stage.
6. Firefly Art Fair
AUG. 5-6, KNEELAND-WALKER HOUSE
Set in the Victorian gardens of the Wauwatosa Historical Society’s Kneeland-Walker House, this market is an annual showcase for local and national artists.
7. Wisconsin IPA Fest
AUG. 5, THIRD SPACE BREWING
More than 40 Wisconsin breweries sample their IPAs at Third Space for this festival. Tickets come with a sampling glass, which gets you unlimited pours. Plus, there are food trucks and a DJ. (And if you’re not huge on IPAs, brewers will have samples of other beer styles available, too.)
8. Poetry in the Park
AUG. 8, JUNEAU PARK
Set up chairs or a blanket, pull out a cooler full of snacks, and listen to the beautiful words, presented by Woodland Pattern Book Center. Four poets will read their works for the crowd.
9. A Guide to Midwestern Conversations
AUG. 9, BOSWELL BOOK CO.
Taylor Kay Phillips’ new book explains the phrases that characterize us Midwesterners. Hear from her during this book talk, then pat your knees twice and say “Welp” before walking out the door.
10. Village Days
AUG. 10-13, GREENDALE
Car shows, a rummage sale and tons of live music from local bands are in the lineup for this ’burb bash.
11. ‘Pause/Connect’
AUG. 11-NOV. 10, THE WAREHOUSE
The Warehouse Art Museum is showing off its photography collection, including works by Uta Barth, Margaret Bourke-White, Helen Levitt and more.
12. Kids’ Art Days
AUG. 15, GROHMANN MUSEUM
Take your kids to the art lab where they can build sculptures with air-dry clay, cardboard and wire. Supplies are provided.
13. World’s Largest Coffee Break
AUG. 15, CATALANO SQUARE
Join hundreds of other folks for this brief respite from work. Coffee, doughnuts and live music are provided.
14. Irish Fest
AUG. 17-20, HENRY MAIER FESTIVAL PARK
Come one, come all, for the largest celebration of Irish culture outside of Ireland. There’s dancing, red hair contests and more. Want to get in the spirit early? Start listening to Irish Fest’s Spotify playlists (bit.ly/irishbops) before the fest.
15. A La Carte
AUG. 17-20, MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO
Munch with the animals! Milwaukee restaurants set up shop around the zoo, while local bands and other acts perform on six stages.
16. MKE Fringe
AUG. 18-19, MARCUS CENTER
This festival spotlights the kind of performance that often gets overlooked. It’s a showcase of art and artists ranging from tap dancers to playwrights.
17. Art & Chalk Fest
AUG. 19-20, MUSEUM OF WISCONSIN ART
Glass blowing, pottery throwing, chalk drawing and more live art will be the stars of this outdoor festival at the Museum of Wisconsin Art. If you’re there with kiddos, stop by the face-painting station and balloon sculpture artists.
18. Puerto Rican Festival
AUG. 20, VETERANS PARK
It’s the 10th annual Puerto Rican Family Festival! Celebrate island culture with stages carrying salsa, bomba and plena acts. Plus, there will be food from delicious Boricua restaurants.
19. Social Cig, Fellow Kinsman, Diet Lite and Bug Moment
AUG. 25, TURNER HALL BALLROOM
Social Cig brings skate rock, Fellow Kinsman packs psychedelic-surf sounds, Diet Lite’s known for garage rock, and Bug Moment embraces emo melancholia. Together, the four beloved Milwaukee bands make for one jam-packed indie lineup.
