MILWAUKEE COMEDY FESTIVAL
August 1-6
Multiple venues
The city’s biggest comedy event of the year showcases standup, improv and sketch comedy talent from around the country. Michael Ian Black headlines.
TRAVELING BEER GARDEN 5K
August 3
Lake Park
This summer, the Milwaukee County Parks sponsor four races over four months, as part of their traveling beer garden series. For the fourth and final race, a 5k at Lake Park, participants receive a free pint of Sprecher at the Traveling Beer Garden. Beer may not be the healthiest brew, but it’s a great reward for crossing the finish line.
PANEL DISCUSSION: ART, POLITICS AND ACTIVISM
August 3
Milwaukee Art Museum
Curator Margaret Andera moderates a discussion about contemporary art and activism, and our nation’s ongoing political debate, in conjunction with Rashid Johnson’s work, on view through September 17.
CENTER STREET DAZE
August 5
Center Street, between Holton and Humboldt
This Riverwest block party has been going strong since 1997. Be sure to catch the pushcart race – friends and families spend months constructing box carts, then push them down the street as they jockey for first place.
FIREFLY ART FAIR
August 5-6
Kneeland-Walker House
Held amid the lush gardens surrounding the Wauwatosa mansion, this fair features works by more than 75 artists. A historic exhibition on children’s pastimes, curated by the Wauwatosa Historical Society, will be on view inside the Kneeland-Walker House.
JAZZ VISIONS ON THE LAKE
August 6
Henry Maier Festival Park
Looking for a lazy Sunday activity? At this free afternoon event you can lounge by the lake and listen to CNJ Latin Jazz and the Milwaukee Jazz Orchestra.
GRATEFUL DEAD NIGHT
August 9
Miller Park
To honor Jerry Garcia’s legacy, the Brewers are inviting all Deadheads to Miller Park to rock out while their hometown team plays the Minnesota Twins. Fans who purchase a ticket package also receive a one-of-a-kind T-shirt.
PUERTO RICAN FAMILY FESTIVAL
August 13
Humboldt Park
This year marks 100 years of U.S. citizenship for Puerto Rico, so grab a piña colada and start salsa-ing! You can almost imagine that you’re on the Caribbean island instead of in Humboldt Park.
SCULPTED REALITIES: ADOLPH ROSENBLATT IN PERSPECTIVE
August 16
Jewish Museum Milwaukee
Sculptor Adolph Rosenblatt strove to represent the world around him honestly, even at its ugliest. At this talk, art historian Sarah C. Schaefer discusses how perspective plays a role in Rosenblatt’s work – on view at the museum through August 27.
NEWAUKEE’S NIGHT MARKET
August 16
West Wisconsin Avenue, Second to Fourth Streets
Fine art, food, music and crafts come together at this free, open-air market, billed as an inclusive event for people of all ages and backgrounds. Dozens of Milwaukee restaurants – including local favorites like
Honeypie Cafe – and cultural organizations set up tents along bustling Wisconsin Avenue for the monthly event.
IRISH FEST
August 17-20
Henry Maier Festival Park
The Smithsonian Institution has called this “the largest and best Irish cultural event in North America.” Internationally renowned Irish musicians Frankie Gavin, Paddy Keenan and many others take the stage this year.
MKE PUNK FEST
August 17-20
Multiple venues
True to its punk ethos, this four-day fest – which spotlights dozens of local and national acts – has a rough and tumble, DIY vibe. Lace up your combat boots and get ready to mosh.
INDIAFEST
August 19
Humboldt Park
This fast-growing festival, founded in 2013, showcases Indian food, costumes, dance, music and cultural demonstrations. So channel your favorite Bollywood star and get ready for your close-up.
LAKEFRONT MOVIES PRESENTS LEGO BATMAN
August 19
Veterans Park
Can’t decide whether to spend your Saturday soaking up some sun at a park or catching another big-budget blockbuster? At this free outdoor screening of the kid friendly hit Lego Batman, you can do both. The movie starts at dusk, but you’ll want to arrive early to stake out a good patch of grass.
DEAD MAN’S CARNIVAL
August 23
Washington Park
Step right up to a modern-day variety show, complete with magicians, jugglers and other vaudeville-type performers. The Brew City Fire Brigade also dazzles audiences – literally – with pyrotechnics at the park’s bandshell.
HARRY & PEG BRADLEY’S BACKYARD BARBECUE
August 24
Lynden Sculpture Garden
Once a year, the Lynden Sculpture Garden throws a backyard benefit. Braise caters, while Brenner Brewing provides drinks. Musicians Nickel & Rose, the Nathan Hale High School orchestra and magician Matthew Teague entertain attendees with music and sleight of hand.
AN EVENING WITH THE TRAILER PARK BOYS
August 25
Riverside Theater
You probably won’t want to bring your mom to this event, unless your mom is an ex-convict with a taste for rum on the rocks. But you can be sure that the cast members of the Canadian mockumentary will offer up an evening you won’t soon forget.
MEXICAN FIESTA
August 25-27
Henry Maier Festival Park
Taste-test tacos and listen to mariachi music at this spirited festival. The celebration, which also includes educational events and awards presented by the Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation, honors the culture of our city’s growing Hispanic community.
SAINT MATTHIAS PARISH FESTIVAL
August 25-27
92nd and Oklahoma
Proof that the devout can still be down to party, this neighborhood event offers live entertainment, Alpine amusement rides, bingo, food, wine and – curiously – plenty of secure motorcycle parking.
WISCONSIN BAT FESTIVAL
August 26
Mitchell Park Conservatory
These creepy flying critters have their fans, and they are sure to converge at this family-friendly event, which features an inflatable cave for kids to crawl through, wildlife demonstrations for adults and – of course – plenty of bats.
NATIONAL HOG RALLY
August 30-September 2
Multiple venues
Get ready to rev your engines at this massive motorcycle rally, which includes several group rides, professional stunt shows, biker bingo and more than 20 musical guests. And yes, head-to-toe leather is entirely appropriate.
‘Agenda: August’ appears in the August 2017 issue of Milwaukee Magazine.
Find it on newsstands beginning July 31, or buy a copy at milwaukeemag.com/shop.
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