Featured Events

1. Margarita Week

ALL WEEKEND FROM 11 A.M. TO 10 P.M. | BLUE BAT KITCHEN & TEQUILARIA

Four days, four new margaritas, free chips and salsa with every purchase, what more could you ask for? Leading up to national Margarita Day, Blue Bat is also hosting live music, food specials, a raffle and so much more. Check out their website for a full list of each day’s events.

2. Purl Jam Fiber Club

THURSDAY FROM 6 P.M. TO 9 P.M. | THE DRAWING ROOM

All fiber artists must gather for this fiber craft social club. Bring the project you’re working on, grab a drink at the gallery bar, get comfy and hang out with other crafters. This space is totally relaxed and everyone is invited regardless of experience level. Admission is free but a donation of $5 to $10 is welcome.

3. The Horse Runs Wild Through the Midwest Tour

FRIDAY AT 7 P.M. | THE CACTUS CLUB

Winefred RT, Alewives and Max & the Fellow Travelers are making their way through the Midwest to celebrate their regional ties. The three groups are up and coming in the indie and folk-rock underground and their unique styles are brought together through their shared DIY upbringing. Tickets are available online in advance for $16 or $19 at the door.

4. Cheers for Wishes Mardi Gras

FRIDAY FROM 7 P.M. TO 10:30 P.M. | SAINT KATE – THE ARTS HOTEL

Wishmakers of Wisconsin is hosting its fourth annual Cheers for Wishes fundraiser, benefitting children with critical illnesses. The evening will be serenaded by the Extra Crispy Brass Band and the appetizer stations will be with New Orleans treats. Tarot card readings, live artists, casino tables and more will keep you entertained all night. General admission tickets are $100 each and include a drink ticket, Mardi Gras beads, $50 worth of casino chips and access to all of the activities.

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5. Sketching in the Galleries

THURSDAY FROM 12 P.M. TO 1 P.M. | GROHMANN MUSEUM

Artists of all levels are invited to sketch in the gallery this weekend. Using a pencil and paper, take inspiration from the works around you to create something new. Each month, the sketching will focus on a different part of the collection. Art supplies and stool are provided and the event is included with admission ($5 for adults, $3 for seniors and students). 

6. Language Models: Happy Hour Spin

THURSDAY FROM 4 P.M. TO 7 P.M | THE CACTUS CLUB

In honor of Thomas Edison patenting the phonograph in 1878, the Cactus Club is hosting happy hour. DJ Language Models will spin trippy tracks and patrons are encouraged to dance.

7. Ellis: A Benefit Reading

THURSDAY FROM 7 P.M. TO 8:30 P.M. | ZAO MKE

Zao is hosting a staged reading of nine personal stories, poetry and recipes from immigrants both past and present. Their stories explore the immigrant experience in the US and highlights the shared humanity that unites us. All proceeds from this event will be donated to immigrant advocacy and rights organizations Comité Sin Fronteras and Monarca. General admission tickets are available online for $25. This event is recommended for those ages 14 and up.

8. Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty

FRIDAY AT 11:15 A.M. AND SATURDAY AT 7:30 P.M. | BRADLEY SYMPHONY CENTER

World renowned conductor Alpesh Chauhan will lead the orchestra in the iconic Sleeping Beauty. Many audience members will recognize the romantic melodies from the Disney adaptation of the show. Tickets are available online starting at $90 each.

9. Synergy Social: Salute to Black Entrepreneurs

FRIDAY FROM 6 P.M. TO 8 P.M. | SYNERGY REAL ESTATE GROUP & EVENT SPACE

In celebration of Black History Month, Synergy is hosting Poet Laureate of Milwaukee Mario Willis and Saxophonist Tobias Cainion. The night will be filled with soothing jazz and lyrical melodies.Tickets are available online for $10 and all tickets include appetizers.

10. MAM After Dark: Hearts on Fire

FRIDAY FROM 7 P.M. TO 11 P.M. | MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM

It’s time to turn up the heat with a night of high-energy salsa music at MAM After Dark. Guided instruction will teach you the moves, so don’t worry if you have no previous experience. The gallery will be open and activities will take place throughout the night. Tickets are available online in advance at $15 for members and $35 for non-members. Tickets will be $20 for members and $40 for non-members at the door.

11. Milwaukee Comic Con 2026

SATURDAY FROM 10 A.M. TO 4:30 P.M. | WISCONSIN STATE FAIR PARK

Milwaukee’s long running comic convention is back in the Wisconsin Building with over 200 vendors and artists. Check out prime comic dealers, toy vendors and art in your best cosplay. General admission tickets are available online for $10 and children 12 and under get in for free.

12. Bug Out: A Beginner’s Preparedness Workshop

SATURDAY FROM 1P.M. TO 3 P.M. | THE CACTUS CLUB

Right now, the state of the world tends to feel pretty off balance. Whether you’re living in an area prone to climate disasters or you’re trying to be prepared in the face of political unrest, having a go-bag or a “bug out bag” can help you feel more secure. This free workshop was created using knowledge from Hurricane Helene and a community of preppers and activists. The subject of preparedness and disaster can be daunting, so this event is recommended for those 18 and older. 

13. Crowning Glory: The Roots of the Black Hair Industry

SATURDAY FROM 2 P.M. TO 3 P.M. | ATKINSON LIBRARY

Maria Cunningham, owner and curator of The Whatnot Museum, is hosting a lecture on the early trailblazers of the Black hair industry. The story is one of resilience as the innovators worked through poverty and faced discrimination. This event is free and fit for all ages.

14. Yoga in the Greenhouse

SATURDAY FROM 9 A.M. TO 12 P.M. | VETERANS PARK

Salted Earth Yoga will teach a grounding, all-levels yoga class surrounded by the warmth and greenery of Webster’s Greenhouse. This class blends intuitive movement with mindful breathing and is fit for all levels. Tickets are available online for $13 and students must bring their own mat. Students are also welcome to bring any props like blocks to support their practice.

15. Black History Month Sip and Paint

SUNDAY FROM 6 P.M. TO 8 P.M. | BEAUTY BAR BY WHITNEY

If you’re looking for a creative way to celebrate Black History Month, check out this sip and paint class hosted by Whitney Walker. The vibe is relaxed so whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting out, there’s room for you in this class. Along with painting, there will be live music, snacks and a raffle. Tickets are available online for $42.

MILWAUKEE – A Milwaukee family is remembering Rev. Jesse Jackson as a national figure who helped amplify their fight for justice after the 2014 police shooting death of Dontre Hamilton.

What we know:

The longtime civil rights activist and two-time presidential candidate, died Tuesday, Feb. 17, at his home in Chicago. He was 84.

Jackson supported Milwaukee families in high-profile cases and visited as recently as 2023.

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One of these cases involved the death of Hamilton.

The backstory:

Hamilton, 31, was shot 14 times in April 2014 by a now former Milwaukee police officer after being awakened while sleeping in Red Arrow Park. The officer was fired but never criminally charged. 

The shooting sparked months of protests across Milwaukee.

In 2015, Jackson invited Hamilton’s family to share their story at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition in Chicago. That same year, he stood with them on the steps of the federal courthouse in Milwaukee and marched through the city as they pushed for a federal civil rights case.

What they’re saying:

Family members say Jackson continued to inspire them in the years that followed, forming a relationship born out of tragedy that lasted more than a decade.

“He showed up and he continued to show up even after the situation,” said Dameion Perkins, Dontre Hamilton’s brother. “He wasn’t just speaking about black people. He spoke about all different colors and just equality for everybody.”

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His brother, Nate Hamilton, Jr., said Jackson’s presence left a lasting impression.

“It’s just an honor to be able to follow and be able to say, ‘Hey, I knew a man who inspired me to be who I am today,’” he said.

“Anytime we called him, he showed up,” said Nate Hamilton Jr., Dontre Hamilton’s brother. “He was a real person, and he was quick about his actions.”

Big picture view:

Following Hamilton’s death, the Milwaukee Police Department began using body cameras, a change the family had pushed for. Years later, they continue to advocate for police transparency and accountability.

Milwaukee Bucks are holding on to potential play-in tournament hopes after finishing with a 23-30 record in the first half of the season.

The Bucks won five of their last six games going into the All-Star break, giving them an opportunity to potentially move up if they have a strong second half. However, Bleacher Report writer Grant Hughes believes the Bucks won’t have a lot of success in the second half of the season, finishing the year with a 32-50 record.

“Giannis Antetokounmpo lasted through the deadline and is again professing his undying loyalty to the Milwaukee Bucks. Stay tuned for the offseason when we’ll undoubtedly re-enter the “will he, won’t he?” cycle of trade agitation that never quite rises to the level of a demand,” Hughes wrote.

“Antetokounmpo’s calf strain is a wild card. Nobody’s sure how long he’ll be out or how the Bucks will react if he says he wants to go full throttle whenever he returns. They need to maximize their draft position, and Giannis has proved this season that he can lift this mess of a team to respectability when healthy. They’re 15-15 with Antetokounmpo in the lineup but perform like one of the two or three worst teams in the league when he isn’t.

“This downgraded record is a bet on Antetokounmpo playing relatively little down the stretch, and on Milwaukee looking completely overmatched for most of the games he misses.”

Bucks Projected to Miss Playoffs

With 32-50 being the final record, Hughes believes the team will only win nine more games this season. That being said, the Bucks still have a shot to make it to the play-in tournament. They only sit one and a half games back of the Atlanta Hawks for the number 10 seed. The Hawks lost their last three games going into the All-Star Break, so there is potential for some shakeups in the standings.

The Bucks have some tough games down the stretch and will have to pull off some upsets in order for them to move up in the standings. They will also need Antetokounmpo to make a return from his calf strain. If Antetokounmpo can get healthy, the Bucks’ chances of making it to the playoffs are much higher; however, there is not a lot of confidence in a possible return.

The Bucks return to the court for the second half of the season against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday at 7 p.m. CT inside the Smoothie King Center. Fans can watch the game on FanDuel Sports Network or stream it on NBA League Pass.

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