1. Bull in a China Shop
NOV. 2-10 | INSPIRATION STUDIOS
Based on real letters between Mount Holyoke College president Mary Woolley and her partner Jeannette Marks, this comedic play from Milwaukee’s 1-year-old Kith & Kin Theatre Collective sees the two pioneering 20th-century suffragists transforming women’s education and their own relationship. The performance on Nov. 9 will be American Sign Language interpreted.
2. My Brother, My Brother and Me
NOV. 7 | PABST THEATER
Known for their many humorous podcasts – and for campaigning their way into an appearance in the animated film Trolls World Tour – brothers Justin, Travis and Griffin McElroy will record the show that made them famous live on the Pabst stage. Expect some absurd advice and other Internet-derived oddities from the comedic trio.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
3. Celebrate Diwali
NOV. 8 | MANFRED OLSON PLANETARIUM
The annual Hindu festival of lights falls on the first weekend of November this year, but there’s still plenty of time to recognize the holiday in Milwaukee. This celebration the following weekend at UW-Milwaukee’s Manfred Olson Planetarium features music, stargazing and, of course, many, many colorful lights. Discount admission is available for UWM students.
4. Clyde’s
NOV. 8-24 | MILWAUKEE CHAMBER THEATRE
What makes the perfect sandwich? Four formerly incarcerated cooks are tasked with crafting it in the kitchen of a greasy-spoon diner, all the while dreaming about their aspirations for their lives after prison. This humorous and pointed play by Lynn Nottage was the most produced of the 2022-23 theater season.
5. Veterans Day Parade
NOV. 9 | DOWNTOWN MILWAUKEE
Hundreds of veterans, active military members, families and more from around the state will march down Wisconsin Avenue and Water Street to recognize and commemorate their service.
6. re:Craft Holiday Market
NOV. 9-10 | MILWAUKEE COUNTY SPORTS COMPLEX
Can you already hear those sleigh bells jingling? Get a jump start on holiday shopping at this market featuring over 160 local vendors selling handcrafted and curated apparel, decor and more.
7. SEWERFest
NOV. 10 | FOUNTAIN BANQUET HALL, STURTEVANT
SEWER stands for South East Wisconsin Exotic Reptile. This quarterly captive-bred reptile show claims to be the largest in the state. Expect lizards, turtles, snakes and more.
8. Modest Mouse
NOV. 13 | RIVERSIDE THEATER
This influential indie band is hitting the road for the 20th anniversary of its mainstream breakthrough album Good News for People Who Love Bad News. Come for the hits like “Float On” and stay for fan favorites like “The World at Large.”
9. some wounds never heal
NOV. 15-16 | MARCUS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
The contemporary dance company’s artistic director, Jared Baker, choreographed this study on grief and loss – how it stops us in place and how we move forward. This is 3-year-old Nova Linea’s debut at MPAC.
10. Make Holiday Cards
NOV. 16 & 23 | THE BINDERY
Forget Hallmark – send your season’s greetings with a personal touch with this two-session marbling and foil-stamping class. You’ll walk away from the workshop with 10 custom cards along with envelopes.
11. ‘Mysterious Creatures of Wisconsin’
NOV. 18 | ZABLOCKI PUBLIC LIBRARY
Do you believe in Bigfoot? What about the monster of Lake Pepin? Paranormal investigator Chad Lewis will bring unusual photos, odd testimony and old legends to give the lowdown on our state’s mythical beings.
12. Johnny Mnemonic with Robert Longo
NOV. 21 | ORIENTAL THEATRE
Legacy visual artist Robert Longo made a (brief) foray into film with this 1995 Keanu Reeves-starring cyberpunk flick. He’ll speak with Nō Studios founder John Ridley about its making after a screening of the film in black and white.
13. Poetry Open Mic
NOV. 22 | WOODLAND PATTERN
For the poetically inclined looking to share their words, this event presents a safe space to try out new ideas, resurrect old ones and take inspiration from others.
14. Bucks vs. Pacers
NOV. 22 | FISERV FORUM
A burgeoning rivalry between Indiana and Milwaukee began to show itself during last season’s heated games, including the first-round playoff series that ended the Bucks’ season. Catch their next showdown during the NBA’s in-season tournament.
15. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio
NOV. 22-24 | BRADLEY SYMPHONY CENTER
It’s not Handel’s Messiah, but Bach’s no slouch, either. The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra is delivering the first three cantatas of the Baroque composer’s joyous and divine celebration of the holiday feast.
16. ‘Concert of Peace’
NOV. 24 | ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST
Present Music’s Thanksgiving tradition returns with works about fighting oppression and striving for unity. The headlining piece by MacArthur Grant-winning composer Courtney Bryan features spiritual influences and activist voices.
17. HYFIN’s Blackity Black Holiday Market
NOV. 30 | TURNER HALL BALLROOM
This local artisan fair featuring Wisconsin Black businesses is back for its third year. Along with browsing dozens of makers, shoppers can nosh on local food to tunes curated by the station.
