LORDE: MELODRAMA WORLD TOUR
March 1
BMO Harris Bradley Center
The reigning queen of radio-friendly electro-pop, Lorde is kicking off the U.S. leg of her 2018 Melodrama world tour right here in Milwaukee. Expect pulsing strobes, screaming fans and bedazzling costumes.
SHAMROCK SHUFFLE
March 3
Multiple locations
Billed as “Wisconsin’s largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration,” the Shamrock Shuffle is a sprawling block party – stretching across four city streets – that touts food and drink specials, live Irish music and a 4k charity run.
PAULA POUNDSTONE
March 3
The Pabst Theater
She’s added “best-selling author” and “beloved radio personality” to her resume, but Paula Poundstone is still best known for her stand-up comedy. Reserve a seat up front, if you’re brave – Poundstone likes to talk to, and about, audience members.
RAIN – A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES
March 8
The Pabst Theater
It’s been 50 years since the Beatles first crooned about a “girl with kaleidoscope eyes,” but “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” hasn’t aged a day. Come see this elaborately costumed tribute band play Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band note for note in celebration of the iconic album’s anniversary. And yes, you can expect psychedelic background visuals, too.
HENRY V
March 9-24
Milwaukee Youth Arts Center
Some high schoolers sleep their way through drama class. But not the students of First Stage’s Young Company, who can rattle sabers and deliver soliloquies with the best of them. This month, they take on Shakespeare’s blood-soaked epic, Henry V.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE
March 10
Downtown Milwaukee
Local celebrities, dancers, drummers and other performers roll out the green carpet for this long-running parade, which begins at noon. Slip into something shamrock-hued and come cheer along.
BEHIND THE SCENES WEEKEND
March 10-11
Milwaukee Zoo
Ever wonder how much elephants eat, or where kudus sleep when it’s cold outside? Find out this weekend, when the zoo opens some of its animal enclosures and staff-only areas – like its winter quarters, training center and “grocery store” – to the public for behind-the-scenes tours.
WMSE’S 16TH ANNUAL ROCKABILLY CHILI
March 11
MSOE Kern Center
More than 50 local restaurants bring the heat to this annual cook-off, with winners in five categories. Ticket-holders get to sample chili from heavy hitters (Gypsy Taco, Hue and Hi- Hat won big last year), then vote for their favorites.
RODRIGUEZ
March 14
The Pabst Theater
Decades after abandoning hope that he’d make it as a musician, Detroit folk-rocker Sixto Rodriguez discovered that he was a hit in South Africa – where his records were selling better than Elvis Presley’s. His story was eventually immortalized in the 2012 Academy Award-winning documentary Searching for Sugar Man, and now the 75-year-old singer-songwriter is enjoying success on both sides of the Atlantic.
SHEN YUN
March 16-18
Miller High Life Theatre
Do your eyes and ears a favor and treat yourself to a Shen Yun performance. Dozens of dancers – wearing intricate costumes inspired by ancient Chinese culture – complete dizzying leaps and tumbles set to live orchestral music.
CHEFS
March 22
The Pabst Theater
If you can’t decide whether you’d rather spend the evening watching “MasterChef” or Magic Mike, you’re in luck. This interactive show invites you to feast your eyes on scantily clad hunks cooking, and stripping, on stage.
EARTH, WIND & FIRE
March 23
The Riverside Theater
For nearly fifty years, this Chicago-based funk band has been a force of nature, selling more than 100 million records and touring the world. They’re returning to Milwaukee this month, “chasing the clouds away” with smooth harmonies and electrifying horn solos.
TONY DESARE
March 23-25
The Marcus Center
Tony DeSare tickles the ivories while belting out hits by some of the world’s greatest pop music pianists, past and present. Think Ray Charles, Billy Joel, Elton John and Jerry Lee Lewis.
WILLIAM SHATNER
March 24
The Riverside Theater
In 1966, an idealistic crew of space cadets set out to “boldy go where no man had gone before,” and William Shatner has been a star ever since. Catch a screening of the 1982 movie Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, then listen to Shatner field fan questions about his life and career. ◆
