Memorial Day isn’t all cookouts and parades.
#5: Willie Porter at Shank Hall.
Why? Because Willie keeps writing the songs and playing the tunes, and he’s one of ours. There will no doubt be chances to see him play on one of Milwaukee’s outdoor stages this summer, but why not send him some love (and some cover-charge cash) in the intimate confines of Shank, where music like his was meant to be heard. He can be soulful and bluesy, but he can also whisper a ballad. And that just isn’t the same when you’re trying to hear it above the roar of Hoan Bridge traffic.
#4: Pulp Fiction at Turner Hall.
Why? Because you might not be able to get a Royale with Cheese, but the Beer and a Movie series (BAAM!) offers the chance to see Quentin Tarentino’s classic flick with a few hundred of your rowdy friends and free flowing beer. For the hungry, there will be pizza. So you can gasp to the “hypo-to-the-heart” scene, swoon at Uma and John doing the twist to Chuck Berry, and orate-along to Samuel Jackson quoting Ezekiel 25:17.
#3: Ex Fabula All-Stars at Turner Hall.
Why? Because everyone has a story to tell. But Memorial Day family picnics are not exactly prime time for original and imaginative yarn-spinning (will Uncle Russ again talk about the time he ran into Joey Heatherton in a Vegas parking lot?). But never fear. Milwaukee’s organization for primo-narrativo celebrates the end of its second season with a visit from The All-Stars, seven storytellers who received audience favorite awards during previous Ex Fabula outings. But, wait, there’s more. Ex Fabula stalwart – and WMSE manager – Tom Crawford will also introduce his “Terminal Milwaukee” project, which follow his life story through five Milwaukee neighborhoods. Historian John Gurda will also be on hand to share the city’s contributions to the evening’s theme: “Secrets & Lies.” Photo by Kat Berger.
#2: Fine Arts Quartet at Bader Concert Hall at the Zelazo Center.
Why? Because while most arts group hibernate for the summer, the FAQ ramps things up. Summer Evenings of Music offers four concerts in the space of month, and as UWM’s residence quartet – one of the finest chamber groups in the United States – draws an impressive array of guest artists. For the opener, cellist Ronald Thomas, MSO violinist Ilana Setapen and pianist Xiayin Wang join the quartet for music by Hugo Wolf, Ernest Chausson and Schubert, the justly famous “Death and the Maiden” quartet.
#1: Youngblood Theatre’s An Apology For The Course And Outcome Of Certain Events Delivered By Doctor John Faustus On This His Final Evening at The Pritzlaff Building.
Why? Because the last time Youngblood hooked up with Chicago playwright Mickle Maher the result was Spirits to Enforce, a mash-up of The Tempest, The Hunt for Red October, and Marvel Comics that was one of the highlights of the theater season. Here, Maher is speculating on the mind of that ol’ soul-seller himself, Dr. Faustus, as he chats with the devil and others during the last hour of his life. This time, the Youngblood crew is getting help from old pro director Edward Morgan, who has a way with the skewed visual poetry that drives Maher’s imagination. Photo by Joe Hang.
