1. ‘Cloth as Land: Hmong Indigeneity’
THROUGH JUNE 16 | JOHN MICHAEL KOHLER ATS CENTER
“Cloth as Land” showcases 30 textiles from JMKAC’s collection, including newly commissioned works by artists Ger Xiong/Ntxawg Xyooj, Pao Houa Her and Tshab Her.
2. ‘Watercolor Wisconsin’
THROUGH APRIL 13 | RACINE ART MUSEUM’S WUSTUM MUSEUM
“Watercolor Wisconsin” was launched in 1966 to spotlight the range of the form by artists from our state. This year’s exhibition features 96 works by 80 Wisconsin artists. ramart.org
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
3. D.L. Hughley
FEB. 2-4 | MILWAUKEE IMPROV
You may know his 11 standup specials or the 1990s sitcom “The Hughleys.” He also does a radio show and writes; his latest book is How to Survive America. improv.com
4. The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical
FEB. 3-MARCH 3 | FIRST STAGE
In this all-ages adaptation of the bestselling kids series, Percy discovers his strange powers and learns he’s the son of Poseidon. firststage.org
5. Six-String Showdown at the Guitar Festival
FEB. 3 | LATINO ARTS
The 11th annual Guitar Festival and Youth Competition includes master classes and a concert featuring youth performers and soloist Andrea González Caballero. latinoartsinc.org
6. Knightwind Ensemble Winter Concert
FEB. 4 | SOUTH MILWAUKEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Get into a Victorian mood as this local wind ensemble presents their winter concert. The featured piece is Erika Svanoe’s Steampunk Suite. southmilwaukeepac.org
7. The Fourth Wall
FEB. 4 | WISCONSIN LUTHERAN COLLEGE
This musical group combines “deft choreography” with elements of theater and the circus to present a wacky hybrid. Their variety show features Chopin, Satie and more. wlc.edu
8. Author Talk with Talia Dutton of M is for Monster
FEB. 7 | BOSWELL BOOK CO.
Boswell hosts an evening with Dutton, assistant professor at MIAD, for a chat about her new graphic novel. M Is for Monster puts a queer, young adult spin on the classic Frankenstein story. boswellbooks.com
9. ‘Chroma – Color and Abstraction’
FEB. 10-APRIL 13 | TORY FOLLIARD GALLERY
This year’s annual exhibition of contemporary abstract art includes artists Derrick Buisch, Ben Grant and Stephanie Trenchard. toryfolliard.com
10. Xuefei Yang Classical Guitar
FEB. 10 | SHARON LYNNE WILSON CENTER
Xuefei Yang, one of the world’s finest classical guitarists, shows off her dexterous fingerpicking. wilson-center.com
11. Milwaukee Comic Con
FEB. 10 | STATE FAIR PARK
This comic book and pop culture convention showcases vendors, artists, creators and special guests including decorated former Disney artist Topper Helmers and Dr. Ivan Cryptosis, “Curator of the Macabre.” mightyconshows.com
12. The Record Company
FEB. 10 | TURNER HALL BALLROOM
Singer/guitarist Chris Vos was raised on a farm outside Burlington. He and his band bring bluesy guitar, heavy bass and meaningful lyrics to town for a special evening.
pabsttheatergroup.com
13. Little Women
THROUGH FEB. 18 | MILWAUKEE REP
During the Civil War, 15-year-old Jo March and her sisters come of age amid challenging circumstances. Enjoy a new take on this classic tale by playwright Kate Hamill. milwaukeerep.com
14. Darcy & Jer
FEB. 14 | TURNER HALL BALLROOM
This comedy duo (and couple) are self-styled “idiots on the internet,” shelling out viral videos on their relationship, ADHD, plants and more. pabsttheatergroup.com
15. Dance Theatre of Harlem
FEB. 14 | MARCUS CENTER
This company’s repertoire includes classics, neoclassical works by George Balanchine and resident choreographer Robert Garland and forward-looking contemporary works that celebrate Black culture via ballet. marcuscenter.org
16. Winterlude
FEB. 18 | VILLA TERRACE
Imagine yourself in a rom-com set in Florence at Italianate Villa Terrace as violinist Ilana Setapen, cellist Susan Babini and pianist Yaniv Dinur entertain you in the venue’s Winterlude concert series. villaterrace.org
17. Cedarburg’s Winter Fest
FEB. 17-18 | DOWNTOWN CEDARBURG
Risk a charm overdose at a festival that attracts more than 10,000 each year. “Back to the ’80s” is the theme. Events in the notoriously cute downtown include an ice sculpting contest, iceberg golf open, a marketplace and a pancake breakfast. cedarburgfestival.org
18. Molly Grace
FEB. 22 | VIVARIUM
Beta-test Milwaukee’s newest concert venue, Vivarium, by attending one of its first shows: Nashville-based Molly Grace, who delivers genre-bending pop-funk. She’ll be performing with special guest The Wonderlands. pabsttheatergroup.com
19. Bodytraffic
FEB. 23 | SHARON LYNNE WILSON CENTER
In their Milwaukee debut, LA-based Bodytraffic presents a lively program highlighting the music of James Brown, Dean Martin and Peggy Lee. Called “breathtaking” by The Boston Globe. wilson-center.com
20. Burn Bright MKE
FEB. 24-25 | X-RAY ARCDE
This two-day festival brings the best in current-day emo to Milwaukee. The 14 acts include Oklahoma self-described “butt-rock band” Ben Quad, Philly indie outfit Carly Cosgrove, and Upper Peninsula power-pop group Liquid Mike. xrayarcade.com
21. Lakefront Brewery Trivia
WEDNESDAY EVENINGS | LAKEFRONT BREWERY
Flex your knowledge with trivia contests in the beer hall. Lakefront Brewery gift cards are available for the top finishers. Expect to compete with 10-20 teams on average each week. lakefrontbrewery.com
Want more great Milwaukee events? Check out our calendar!
