1. See The Spitfire Grill
ARCHER PARQUETTE, MANAGING EDITOR
One of the many benefits of my job is that I sort of have a personal cultural concierge. OK, not really – but every month our culture editor Evan Musil puts together a bevy of interesting stories for his section, and when those stories reach me for a copy edit, they double as a an itinerary for my month ahead.
When we featured Skylight’s production of The Spitfire Grill in the February issue’s Spring Arts feature, the show struck me as quite cool. It’s a musical take on the 1996 film about folks finding community and redemption at a grill in small town Wisconsin. For the first time in over two decades, James Valcq, one of this 2001 musical’s creators, is returning to the show to make changes and updates to his work. I’m looking forward to the new take on the show at Skylight, running Feb. 27-March 15.
2. Check Out Taste and Toast
ANN CHRISTENSON, DINING EDITOR
This week, happy hour is calling. The annual Taste & Toast event, which offers happy hour specials at select local restaurants and bars in the Downtown area, is back this week – it runs Feb. 23-27 (Mon-Fri). This year’s event features over 30 businesses offering deals on appetizers, small plates and drinks (wine, beer, cocktails) between 4 and 7 p.m. Participants include Avli, Central Standard Crafthouse & Kitchen, Cubanitas, The Edison, Elsa’s on the Park, Flourchild, The Knick, Las Gardenias, Lobby Lounge at the Pfister Hotel, Merriment Social, Third Coast Provisions, Tre Rivali, Tupelo Honey, Ward’s House of Prime and more. You can check out the menus for the event on Milwaukee Downtown BID’s website.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
3. Hear Rainbow Kitten Surprise at Landmark Credit Union Live
AMRITA THAKKAR, DIGITAL EDITOR
The new Landmark Credit Union Live venue has been attracting its fare share of both interest and controversy, especially as competition to locally owned and run music venues. That being said, I’m curious to see how its first big show turns out, and how it compares to other beloved auditoriums and theaters.
As for the band, Rainbow Kitten Surprise’s alternative rock tunes are right up my alley. Despite their sometimes darker lyrics, their music has an upbeat tone that truly lives up to their name and lends itself to well to dancing – a good option for a venue that’s largely standing room only.
4. Brood at ‘Dark Busby’s’
CHRIS DROSNER, EXECUTIVE EDITOR
For bartender Jake Rohde’s birthday, Busby’s in Bay View goes dark. It turns over the bar’s playlist to Rohde’s predilections toward the many flavors – all dark – of metal and hardcore. It is not everybody’s thing, of course, but the music is exceptionally well curated by Rohde, and if you’re into the genre, you’re sure to hear something new. This year brings one-off metal-themed cocktails like Birth of New Realities and the Malört-based Suffering Without Reason. You can get a beet juice shot dubbed Blood of My Enemies. Food is from chef Paul Zerkel of Goodkind. 3475 S Kinnickinnic Ave., 6 p.m.-midnight Thursday, Feb. 26
5. Eat a Scoop of Cold Spoons Gelato
EVAN MUSIL, ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR
Nothing is meant to last. Time comes for us all, and we must embrace change rather than vehemently cling to a past long gone. These lessons would’ve served me well when a neighbor shared a rumor that two beloved neighborhood spots – Highlands Cafe and Cold Spoons Gelato – will be closing by the end of March. I was stunned and turned to denial. It couldn’t be true, I decided. But alas, dear reader, it was. The owner of both establishments is retiring, she announced on Sunday. Good for her, sad for us.
But before it was made official, heeding caution to the rumor anyway, my partner and I ate brunch at Highlands and stocked on rations of gelato this weekend. I will miss those eggs Benedict at Highlands, but I might miss the easy access to pints of pistachio more. Production of the frozen goodness will continue Ultimate Confections – a silver lining, to be sure. It won’t be the same, but at least we have time to enjoy the gelato shop one more time – and another time after that.
