1. Catch a Flick at the Avalon Theater
CHRIS DROSNER, EXECUTIVE EDITOR
I haven’t been to a lot of movies lately, but I might change that after my experience at the Avalon last weekend. Anyone passing by on KK knows this grand old theater looks the part outside. But while the glory has faded from some of these stage-and-screen gems of days gone by, the Avalon is in tip-top shape from top to bottom. Cushy seats, very comfortably spaced apart? Yep. A little table top at your seat for your popcorn and refreshment? You know it. Sparkly “stars” up on the ceiling above the enormous screen? Uh-huh. High-end, updated bathrooms? Yes! And $5 pints of Bell’s Two Hearted Ale? Hell yes! The Avalon is hosting nearly two dozen films over the last few days of the Milwaukee Film Festival, which wraps up Thursday, and is squeezing in a few showings of Viking epic The Northman, too.
2. Watch The Trust
ARCHER PARQUETTE, MANAGING EDITOR
I’m trying to watch every Nicolas Cage movie ever. Sometimes that means watching fantastic films like Wild at Heart or Adaptation. Other times that means watching … not so fantastic films, like Grand Isle or Rage. And other times it means expecting the latter and getting the former. The Trust is a small crime film Cage did with Elijah Wood in 2016. The pair play cops who decided to rob a criminal stash house. It’s a slick, funny, stylish modern noir that never fails to surprise with its quality combination of comedy and thrills. Is it the best movie ever? It’s not Manchester by the Sea, so no. But it’s worth a watch.
3. Eat a Kouign-Amann
ANN CHRISTENSON, SENIOR FOOD EDITOR
If you’re ever unsure if eating a sweet baked good is really a good idea, don’t think. Just do it. Your day will be infinitely better because of it. For this editor’s pick, I’m zeroing in on one in particular – the kouign-amann, an incomparably rich pastry from the Brittany region in France. New York pastry chef Dominique Ansel (who created the famous Cronut) has called it a caramelized croissant. It has this crispy-crunchy sugary texture that blows my mind – and rings true to Ansel’s description. But the kouign is also more compact and dense than a croissant. It’s pure buttery decadence, one of my very favorites in pastry land. Where can you find it in the MKE area? Here: Rocket Baby Bakery (6822 W North Ave., Tosa); and here: Mid-Way Bakery at Third Street Market Hall (275 W. Wisconsin Ave.)
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
4. Tune in for the Bucks vs. Celtics Series
ALLI WATTERS, DIGITAL AND CULTURE EDITOR
I’m not one to watch a lot of sports, but the last two years I have been obsessed with Bucks playoff basketball. In this rec, I’m not talking to you year-round sports fans – you already know, so watch this video of Giannis Antetokounmpo organizing his Oreos instead – I’m talking to the people who think there are too many games to keep up with in a season and don’t follow along. My message to them: Now is the time. Essentially, the Bucks are the defending champs and they have to win four games per series or they’re out. That means the stakes are really high! The next two games of the series will be on Tuesday (in Boston) and Saturday (in Milwaukee). If you don’t have a way to watch at home, the games play at local bars and in the Deer District. I also recommend subscribing to the Bucks’ YouTube channel for post-game interview gems.
5. Go to the Milwaukee Public Library’s Central Branch
BRIANNA SCHUBERT, ASSOCIATE DIGITAL EDITOR
I’m a regular at the Milwaukee Public Library’s East Side Branch, but this past weekend I went to the Central Branch for the first time and – oh my goodness – it is beautiful. Besides the huge selection of books and the sheer number of new books on display (like, brand new, just published books, which is my love language), the building itself, which opened its doors to the public in 1898, is a reason to visit on its own. The exterior of the building is grand, and just inside is a gorgeous rotunda that I couldn’t help but stare up at for a few minutes before proceeding in to look at the books. If you have a Milwaukee Public Library card, consider making the trek to this branch next time you need to check out a book. If you don’t have a library card, first of all, why not? And second, still head over to this library and take in the beauty and grandeur of this building.
