THEATER
The Book of Mormon
Jan. 2-6
Marcus Center
Follow two hapless Mormon missionaries to a remote Ugandan village, where they attempt to convince locals that the prophet Joseph Smith can solve all their worldly problems. The New York Times has lauded this raunchy play, co-created by Robert Lopez and “South Park” showrunners Trey Parker and Matt Stone, as “the best musical of the century.”
MUSIC
Steely Dane
Jan. 4
Pabst Theater
This tribute band – featuring no less than 15 members from around Dane County – storms the Pabst stage tonight to play Aja, Steely Dan’s classic 1977 album, in its entirety. Be sure to stay for an encore performance of other Steely songs.
LIFESTYLE
Wonderful World of Weddings
Jan. 5-6
Wisconsin State Fair Park
The WWW (that’s the Wonderful World of Weddings, not the World Wide Web) has been helping couples plan for their nuptials for more than 50 years. Almost 200 industry insiders will be attending this two-day conference, which features daily fashion shows and multiple prize giveaways.
COMEDY
Trevor Noah
Jan. 5
Riverside Theater
The beloved “Daily Show” host and comedian had to postpone a Milwaukee appearance scheduled for November because he got sick (evidently laughter isn’t always the best medicine). But he’s returning to the Cream City tonight for two back-to-back performances.
FREE MUSIC
Gospel Brunch
Jan. 13
The Back Room @ Colectivo
Wake up happy this morning with a cup of coffee and a shot of gospel music. From noon to 2 p.m. today, local gospel groups will be singing traditional songs and raffling off prizes to raise funds for Progressive Community Health Centers.
LITERATURE
Nick Petrie in Conversation with Bonnie North
Jan. 14
Boswell Book Co.
Acclaimed local author Nick Petrie chats with WUWM’s Bonnie North about his latest thriller, Tear It Down. Check out the talk, or the book – which will be available at the bookstore – if you’re a fan of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series.
FOOD AND DRINK
BREWtanicals
Jan. 17
Boerner Botanical Gardens
Have you ever wondered where your favorite local brewers source their hops and barley? At this recurring event series, put on by The Friends of the Boerner Botanical Gardens, you can meet the creative team behind a local brewery (Component is on tap this time), sample a few of their beers and ask them about their work.
MUSIC
Strauss and Dvořák
Jan. 18-19
Marcus Center
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s longtime violin virtuoso and concert master Frank Almond delivers a dizzying rendition of two pieces by Ravel and Bartok. And Carlos Kalmar rounds out the evening by leading performances of Strauss’ Don Juan and Dvořák’s Sixth Symphony.
FREE ART
Gallery Night and Day
Jan. 18-19
Multiple Venues
Inject a little color into this cold, gray month by attending one of the city’s best wintertime art events. Dozens of galleries and museums scattered across the city open their doors (and, often, bottles of wine) for visitors over the course of this two-day event.
SPORTS
Marquette vs. DePaul
Jan. 23
Fiserv Forum
The Bucks aren’t the only basketball team to play under Fiserv’s shiny new roof. The Marquette men’s team, led by guard Markus Howard, forward Sam Hauser and coach Steve Wojciechowski, will (hopefully) score big at tonight’s home game against the Blue Demons, the Golden Eagles’ Big East rivals to the south.
CULTURE
Spectacular: Gut Feeling
Jan. 23
Turner Hall
The fabulous members of the live lit organization Ex Fabula have invited several local storytellers to talk about times when they did, or didn’t, follow their gut. The stories are sometimes sad, sometimes funny, and always engaging.
FOOD AND DRINK
MKE Chili Bowl
Jan. 27
Potawatomi Hotel & Casino
For more than a decade, some of Milwaukee’s best chefs have been coming together to raise money for the Hunger Task Force while serving up hearty samples of chili. The best chef wins a coveted Golden Ladle award. But really, we’re all winners when we can eat chili and support a charity at the same time.
CULTURE
Sam Harris Presents: Experiments in Conversation
Jan. 29
Pabst Theater
Sam Harris has written about morality, science and religion for the likes of The New York Times and Washington Post. And he proved himself adept at thinking on his feet during appearances on “The O’Reilly Factor” and “The Colbert Report.” Tonight he and mathematician Eric Weinstein wax philosophical about some of the most pressing issues of our day.
DANCE
Cirque du Soleil: Crystal
Jan. 30-Feb. 3
Fiserv Forum
One of Canada’s most beloved cultural exports (sorry Justin Bieber) is filling Fiserv Forum with ice to put on a one-of-a-kind show that blends traditional figure-skating with circus acts and acrobatics.
