Animals
Great Lakes Pet Expo
Feb. 2
Wisconsin State Fair Park
Leave Fido at home, but find plenty of animals to adopt if you are looking for another furry friend, plus hundreds of exhibits with the latest pet products and services, education from vets and industry experts, animal acts and a huge reptile display. Ticket sales support homeless pets in Wisconsin.
Music
Trapper Schoepp
Feb. 2
The Back Room @ Colectivo
Beloved Milwaukee rocker Trapper Schoepp is back with a fourth album, Primetime Illusion, featuring new music and additional lyrics to the unfinished 1961 Bob Dylan song “On, Wisconsin.” Special guest is Nineteen Thirteen, the award-winning duo of cellist Janet Schiand Victor DeLorenzo, founding drummer of Violent Femmes.
DANCE
Shen Yun
Feb. 2-3
Miller High Life Theatre
A Shen Yun performance is like nothing else you’ve seen. Translated as “The beauty of divine beings dancing in the heavens,” Shen Yun features classically trained dancers, music and animated backdrops and, new in 2019, a live orchestra. This is visual storytelling at its fi nest – showcasing 5,000 years of Chinese culture.
Free / Outdoors
Burnhearts Mitten Fest
Feb. 3
Burnhearts
A wicked Milwaukee winter won’t stop Burnhearts from throwing a killer street party. Expect a steady stream of barrel-aged beers and old fashioneds (and other cocktails), as well as local musicians, food vendors and crafters on the block in front of the Bay View bar. Bring food, cash and clothing to donate to Hunger Task Force.
Entertainment
Dancing with the Stars Live!
Feb. 4
Riverside Theater
See celebs and professional dancers from the ABC hit show cha-cha, rumba and even hip-hop right in person in a brand-new production. Guest stars like “Grocery Store Joe” Amabile, Mary Lou Retton, Bobby Bones, Milo Manheim and more will bring the moves, costumes and pizzazz that make the show so entertaining.
Music
John Mellencamp
Feb. 8
Riverside Theater
This Rock & Roll Hall of Famer has been R.O.C.K.-in’ in the U.S.A. for 40 years and isn’t slowing down. His new tour features classic songs plus new cover material from his 24th album, Other People’s Stuff.
Theater
The Chinese Lady
Feb. 13-March 24
Milwaukee Rep Steimke Studio
This new historical play tells the story of America’s first female Chinese immigrant, Afong Moy, a sideshow performer known as “The Chinese Lady,” as she acculturates. Lloyd Suh’s script digs deep into themes of the way we look at others and ourselves.
Valentine’s Day
Hearts Under Glass
Feb. 14
Mitchell Park Domes
Take your sweetheart to the Domes for a different kind of Valentine’s Day celebration: cocktails, small-plate dining and desserts, with romantic lighting washing over the flora to get you in just the right mood.
Imbibing
Food & Froth
Feb. 16
Milwaukee Public Museum
Meander through the Milwaukee Public Museum after dark with beer in hand. This adults-only event is an exciting opportunity to explore the exhibits — with beer and food samples and live music on three exhibit floors, and without throngs of children.
Bikers
Mama Tried Motorcycle Show
Feb. 15-17
Eagles Club Ballroom
Racers and enthusiasts can find all things motorcycles at this show. The indoor invitational features over 100 motorcycles from bike builders of all types – flat-tracker, hill climber, chopper and bar hopper. The biggest draw is Flat Out Friday, where bikes race on a Dr Pepper-soaked track.
Free fest
Winter Festival
Feb. 16-17
Downtown Cedarburg
Charming Cedarburg’s tribute to all things cold features activities up and down Washington Avenue, including an ice-carving contest, sledding, skating, a parade and an old-fashioned dog pull. Warm up with a chili contest, live music and a hot cocoa bar.
Entertainment
Tripoli Shrine Circus
Feb. 22-24
UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena
In its 84th year, the Milwaukee circus is the longest-running Tripoli Shrine Circus in the country. Watch lions and tigers and bears (oh my!) along with amazing feats of strength and skill. In addition, there will be dozens of awe-inspiring acts and everyone’s favorite, the cannon – plus a few new tricks such as a giant mechanical gorilla.
Automotive
Greater Milwaukee International Car & Truck Show
Feb. 23-March 3
Wisconsin Center
Shopping for a new ride? Find more than 500 new vehicles on display inside three floors of the convention center. Enjoy no-pressure perusing and test-drive cars from traditional to luxury, exotic to electric. Attractions like mini golf and zip-lining can keep not-yet-drivers entertained.
Music
2CELLOS
Feb. 24
Fiserv Forum
Croatian cellists Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser are an international sensation launched to fame on YouTube with their 2011 rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal.” They cover everything from classical to pop and rock in their electric and dynamic style.
Imbibing
Milwaukee’s Best Bloody
Feb. 24
Italian Community Center
The Great Lakes Hemophilia Foundation has an innovative fundraising technique. It’s inviting local bartenders to compete to make the best Bloody Mary the city has ever seen. Guests can sample multiple drinks and vote on their favorites. And, yes, there’ll be beer chasers and snacks, too.
