Film
In its second week, Milwaukee Film Festival will continue to roll out documentaries, shorts and feature length films all weekend through Thursday, October 12. Though it’s less than a decade old, the festival is already one of the top five most attended film festivals in the country, thanks in no small part to artistic director Jonathan Jackson’s creative drive. The weekend is jam-packed with films offering something for everyone at the Avalon Theater, Downer Theatre, Fox Bay Cinema, Oriental Theatre and Times Cinema. Browse the calendar to choose what films you want to check out.
Theater
It’s been 20 years since this Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical about arty East Village residents contending with the HIV/AIDS crisis premiered. If you missed its original 12-year, 5,123-performance run, you shouldn’t wait “Another Day” to see it live. The musical premieres Tuesday, October 3 and runs all weekend at the Marcus Center’s Uihlein Hall (929 N. Water St.).
All the Great Books (abridged)
They whittled down the complete works of Shakespeare, the history of the world, and the Bible. But the folks at the Reduced Shakespeare Company weren’t done yet. All the Great Books (abridged), staged by In Tandem Theatre, offers the CliffNotes versions of everything from The Aenied to Wuthering Heights. Tickets to the Tenth Street Theatre (628 N. 10th St.) performance, which runs Thursday, October 5 through Sunday, October 29, are $25 to $35.
Art
Rick Shaefer: The Refugee Trilogy
Connecticut-based artist Rick Shaefer asks: “How does one deal with the onslaught of horrific imagery and news of countless waves of refugees coming from the Middle East and elsewhere?” In this sobering but stunning exhibition of three massive charcoal triptychs, he approaches the question from multiple angles. The exhibit goes on view Thursday, October 5 at the Haggerty Museum of Art (530 N. 15th St.) and will be on display until January 14.
Gerit Grimm’s Fairytales: In a Time Neither Now nor then
Let master ceramist Gerit Grimm show you a world of whimsy and enchantment at her MOWA (205 Veterans Ave, West Bend) exhibit beginning this Saturday, October 7. Her fanciful figurative sculptures – which vary in scale from miniature to life-size – are inspired by myths, fairy tales and other supernatural stories. Grimm’s work will be on display through January 14.
Comedy
On Saturday, October 7 at the Riverside Theater (116 W. Wisconsin Ave.), Monty Python co-founder and champion silly walker John Cleese answers questions about his life and work, followed by a screening of Monty Python and the Holy Grail in its entirety. Expect audience members to recite their favorite lines along with the actors.
Culture
Ever wanted to see a suit of armor in person? How about a shark-toothed sword or Apache revolver? Then come to the opening of the Milwaukee Public Museum’s (800 W. Wells St.) edgiest fall show, an exhibition of more than 180 weapons and artifacts culled from the museum’s archives – on view Saturday, October 7 through January 1.
Family Fun
The Pfister’s Rouge Ballroom (424 E. Wisconsin Ave.) will host a Mad Hatter-themed tea party on Saturday, October 7 from 10 a.m. to noon. Pfister narrator Nicole Mattke will provide a reading of the Lewis Carroll classic as families enjoy morning tea, sandwiches and desserts. Tickets are $39 for adults and $20 for children.
Enjoy the mild fall weather at UWM’s Harbor Fest with bike tours, fishing demonstrations, waterscape painting classes and more. Belly up to the shipping container bar, learn how to make sushi with Screaming Tuna and enjoy live music. The event goes from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. outside of the UWM School of Freshwater Sciences (600 E. Greenfield Ave.).
Music
The quartet begins its 55th and final season at UW-Milwaukee’s resident ensemble with a trio of crowd pleasers by Beethoven, Haydn and Samuel Barber on Sunday, October 8 at the Zelazo Center (2419 E. Kenwood Blvd.). The free three-concert series will wrap up on January 27 and 28.
