1. Milwaukee Ballet: MKE MIX
ALL WEEKEND | PABST THEATER
This weekend, you can watch the Milwaukee Ballet’s new contemporary triple-bill series, MKE MIX. As the dancers take the stage, the thrilling choreography that embodies 21st century ballet will come to life in three creative pieces. Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. Buy tickets online.
2. Milwaukee Metal Fest
ALL WEEKEND | THE RAVE / EAGLES CLUB
Milwaukee Metal Fest is back! There’s a pre-party on Thursday, May 16, to kick-off the weekend of live music and podcasts, vendors and surprises. Get your ticket, two-day or three-day pass here.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
3. DIY: Lake Michigan Wall Art
FRIDAY FROM 5-6:30 P.M. | 840 N. GRAND AVE.
Fisk Avenue is hosting a DIY experience on Friday evening. In the workshop you can make Lake Michigan wall art – using layered, precut pieces of wood, participants will paint or stain each piece before gluing the final display together. Materials and tools will be supplied.
4. Exhibition Opening: Go Wild! 2
FRIDAY FROM 5-8 P.M. | SCOUT GALLERY
As Scout Gallery celebrates its five-year anniversary, there will be a second installment of Go Wild!, one of the first open call exhibitions hosted by the gallery in 2019. Go Wild! 2 will, once again, explore artwork in a variety of styles, with plants and animals as subjects. This exhibition opening is free to attend.
5. Enchanted Forest Gala
FRIDAY FROM 7-11 P.M. | 838 S. SECOND ST.
A magical evening of drinks and dancing in the heart of Walker’s Point is upon us, and it’s all happening to support a community charity. Hosted by WGIRLS Milwaukee, the Enchanted Forest Gala will bring together the city’s prominent young professionals and leaders, using proceeds to benefit Fostering Community, a Milwaukee nonprofit that empowers families in adoption and foster care through community-based support. Buy tickets here, and head to Fuel Cafe for the after party.
6. Honkey Tonk Night
FRIDAY AT 9 P.M. | COMPANY BREWING
Head to Company Brewing on Friday for Honky Tonk Night! There will be a DJ, line dancing and live music by Billy Boy Brad and Convoy. Sport your western wear to get a free t-shirt.
7. Jim Florentine
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY | 3RD ST. MARKET HALL
Jim Florentine is headlining StandUp in the Starlight Room at 3rd St. Market Hall this weekend. He’s noted as a Howard Stern Show regular and has been featured in the films Beer League with Artie Lange and Trainwreck with Amy Schumer. Buy tickets online to catch the comic who’s stayed in the scene for nearly 25 years.
8. Senior Screenings
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY | UWM UNION CINEMA
Check out the thesis films of the next generation of artists and filmmakers coming out of Milwaukee on Friday and Saturday, before they graduate their programs on Sunday. The films will also be available virtually.
9. Cream City Fitness and Wellness Summit
SATURDAY FROM 9-11 A.M. | 731 N. WATER ST.
Spend your Saturday morning at Gold’s Gym on Water Street listening to fitness and wellness enthusiasts lead inspiring talks, interactive workshops and activities. An event ticket gets you a free acai bowl, a two-week pass to Gold’s Gym and a raffle ticket.
10. Baird Center Open House
SATURDAY FROM 1-5 P.M. | BAIRD CENTER
The newly-expanded Baird Center is ready, and you can check it out at the free, public open house on Saturday. The venue features green building technology, inclusive accommodations, a view of the city from the Baird Sky View Terrace and art from many Milwaukee and Wisconsin-based artists. Enter via the Kilbourne Street entrance.
11. Journey of Love
SATURDAY FROM 2-4 P.M. | 2145 W. BROWN DEER ROAD
The Lynden Sculpture Garden and the Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network are hosting a fundraiser and screening of Journey of Love, a short documentary. There will be refreshments to enjoy and a Q&A session to learn more about Rohingya refugees. All event proceeds will support Rohingya families in Aceh. Register here.
12. Washington Park Plant Sale
SUNDAY FROM 7:30 A.M.-2 P.M. | URBAN ECOLOGY CENTER – WASHINGTON PARK
Stop by the Prairie Future Seed Co. Plant Sale at the Urban Ecology Center in Washington Park! Experts will be on site, ready to answer all of your plant-parenting questions and help you transform your yard with native plants. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Urban Ecology Center.
13. Wag Around the Ward
SUNDAY AT NOON | CATALANO SQUARE
Ever tried doga (dog yoga)? MKE Yoga Social is hosting a 45-minute class for you and your fur baby at Wag Around the Ward in Catalano Square. After class, stick around to enjoy pet-friendly vendors, live music, the Third Ward Beer Garden and more.
14. Peace Paintings & Pizza
SUNDAY FROM 2-6 P.M. | 2961 N. OAKLAND AVE.
Celebrate the diverse voices that make up the Milwaukee community at an art show featuring neighborhood creatives at Lisa’s Pizza. The event is free to attend, but pizza and soda is $15 AYCE.
15. María De Buenos Aires
SUNDAY AT 2:30 P.M. | TURNER HALL BALLROOM
Opening night has sold out, but you can still journey through the urban underbelly of Buenos Aires at Turner Hall on Sunday afternoon, and hear the story of a poor girl lured into a world of seduction, depravity, redemption and rebirth through the Florentine Opera’s rendition of Astor Piazzolla’s nuevo tango. Buy tickets online.
