Polar Bear Dash
Jan. 1
South Milwaukee’s Grant Park
Shake off that champagne headache with a brisk 5K race that benefits the Wisconsin chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Winter Blues Night with Lil’ Rev & Friends
Jan. 6
Anodyne Coffee Roasting Co.
Ukelele enthuiasts will want to plop down in the warm, bean-scented environs of Anodyne to enjoy an evening of folksy blues with Milwaukee’s Lil’ Rev.
The Other Cinderella
through Jan. 8
Wisconsin African-American Women’s Center
Chicago’s Black Ensemble Theater adapts the fairytale and gives it a contemporary, Afro-centric spin. Jackie Taylor, the 40-year-old company’s founder, directs.
Local Coverage
Jan. 13
Turner Hall Ballroom
Milwaukee Record brings back their concert where local acts, including The Pukes, Marielle Allschwang and Abby Jeanne, play each other’s music.
3 Dinners to Combat the Winter Blues
Sprecher Beer Dinner
Karl Ratzsch/c. 1880 owner Thomas Hauck and the MAM’s Jason Gorman team up for a five-course meal inspired by the German cinema exhibit at the Milwaukee Art Museum. Jan. 12, 6 p.m. Cost: $115. mam.org
Third Space Beer Dinner
Two-night affair held at Tess Restaurant (2499 N. Bartlett Ave.). Jan. 24-25, 6 p.m. Cost: $58. tess2499.com
Snowshoe Dinner
Walk over the snow while wearing special footwear, then dine on a meal prepared by Braise restaurant staff. Held at Jeff-Leen Farm in Random Lake. Jan. 29, 3 p.m. Cost: $65. braiselocalfood.com
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Multiple dates
Marcus Center for the Performing Arts
This month in true classics, the MSO tackles Scheherazade (13-14), Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony with Finnish violinist Elina Vähälä (21-22); and Tchaikovsky’s Fourth, guest conducted by Asher Fisch, a Romantic-era specialist (27-28).
Welcome to Bronzeville
Jan. 13-Feb. 5
Todd Wehr Theater
This coming-of-age tale set in the city’s Bronzeville neighborhood in the late 1950s is the last of First Stage’s series of performances about Wisconsin. Written and directed by Sheri Williams Pannell, this all-ages history piece was created with input from Bronzeville residents and the musical aid of Billie Holiday.
Winter Farmer’s Market
Jan. 14
Growing Power
No need to wait until the ground thaws, because here you’ll find produce, meat, handcrafted soaps and more.
Waukesha Expo Market
Jan. 14-15
Waukesha Expo Center
Hunt for treasures, pretend you’re on “Antiques Roadshow” or take in the people-watching at the semi-regular flea and antique bonanza.
Riverwest FemFest
Jan. 18-22
Multiple locations
Over 75 acts, most of them local, take over Riverwest for the third annual arts and music fest that pays homage to women and femininity. Funds raised go to the Coalition for Justice and the Milwaukee Women’s Center.
You Can’t Take It With You
Jan. 19-Feb. 4
Sunset Playhouse
Like a palate cleanser for the holidays, this Sunset Playhouse production of the 1936 Pulitzer Prize winner will have you laughing at the antics of someone else’s family, instead of your own.
Gallery Night & Day
Jan. 20-21
Multiple locations
Roughly 50 galleries, studios and shops open their doors to the public for this quarterly arts celebration. Many galleries time their most important shows with this event, which means strong exhibits and opportunities to part with a few Andrew Jacksons.
Luna Gale
Jan. 20-Feb. 12
Broadway Theatre Center
Renaissance Theaterworks produces this story of a young, drug-addled couple who must give up their baby, Luna Gale, to her grandmother. Told from the perspective of the couple’s social worker Caroline. Rebecca Gilman’s play, directed here by Mary McDonald Kerr, will have you contemplating life’s uncomfortable, and maddenly common, moral conundrums.
McGuire
Jan. 20-March 19
Stackner Cabaret
Tony Award-wining Marquette grad Anthony Crivello returns to his hometown. The one-man Milwaukee Rep show honors sports hero Al McGuire, Marquette’s basketball coach who, of course, led the then-Warriors to the 1977 NCAA national championship title.
Monster Jam
Jan. 20-21
BMO Harris Bradley Center
An evening of cars and trucks jacked up on fat black tires racing all over an arena floor covered in mounds of dirt. It’s a fast-paced night of, ahem, free-wheeling fun.
DaVinci & Michaelangelo: The Titans Experience
Jan. 21
Pabst Theater
The Pabst hosts this traveling visual history lesson that compares the two men and their greatest artistic works, machines and inventions.
Florentine by Request
Jan. 27-28
Wayne & Kristine Lueders Florentine Opera Center
Just two weeks before they put on Romance Espanol, this year’s crop of studio artists performs requests from the audience.
Brewers on Deck
Jan. 29
Wisconsin Center
Meet the players, high-five the mascots, ask the coaches what-in-the-heck they were thinking. It’s the perfect day for Brew Crew fans of all ages.
Chili Bowl
Jan. 29
Potawatomi Hotel & Casino
Pack your Pepto and head to Canal Street to sample, get this, some of the 60-plus varieties of chili from Milwaukee’s restaurants and chefs, that are as inventive as beer-cheese, bacon brat chili, and smoked wild boar chili. Your ticket nets you eight samples, but more can be purchased. Don’t forget to bring a few canned goods for Hunger Task Force.
Gospel Brunch Live
Jan. 29
Back Room @ Colectivo Prospect
A quartet of local gospel singers puts on a free morning show as a sort of warm-up to the fourth annual Milwaukee Gospel Jubilee on Feb. 3. A raffle will benefit Progressive Community Health Centers.
This Month in Milwaukee History
On Jan. 28, 1959, the Packers named Vince Lombardi its coach; he would lead the team to five championships in nine years. The final three of these were in January, including (the retroactively named) Super Bowls I and II, on Jan. 15, 1967, and Jan. 14, 1968.
Sweat Sessions
Start the New Year right with a class
SpeedFit at Invivo Wellness
(2060 N. Humboldt Ave. invivowellness.com)
A 45-minute, full body circuit workout.
Barre at BarreDistrict
(two locations, barredistrict.com)
Strengthen your gams while someone else watches your kid at BD’s Kids District.
Orange 60 at OrangeTheory Fitness
(multiple locations, orangetheoryfitness.com)
Run, row and track your heart rate in this delightfully intense circuit session.
Kickbox at 9Round
(multiple locations, 9round.com)
These 30-minute sessions of kickboxing and related maneuvers start every three minutes, so you can get your workout in at a time that’s convenient for you.
Magical Movements
Jan. 29
Marcus Center for the Performing Arts
Instruct your children to put down the iPad and take them to see Yaniv Dinur conduct this family-friendly showcase of the MSO’s range with the help of DanceWorks Chicago. ◆
