Milwaukee, WI
OnMilwaukee Weekend Preview: January 24-26, 2025
The weather is warming up just in time for a great weekend! There’s plenty going on, too, with Dry January events, concerts, plenty of local sports, and tons of ways to support local businesses. Here’s your Weekend Preview, brought to you by Potawatomi Casino Hotel!
FRIDAY
Milwaukee Admirals vs. Charlotte Checkers
Join the Milwaukee Admirals as they take on the Charlotte Checkers as part of a Central Division showdown. It’s also Nashville night, with a post-game concert from Chase Matthew!
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Animal Encounters at Discovery World
Turtles and snakes are some of the most fascinating creatures on the planet. Join the Discovery World team for an adventure in their Great Lakes Future exhibit as you meet the animal ambassadors that call Discovery World home.
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The Woman In Black with Milwaukee Repertory Theater
Direct from London’s West End comes the chilling and electrifying theatrical event that has kept millions of audiences on the edge of their seats for more than 30 years. Director Robin Herford’s production is a gripping study in atmosphere, illusion and controlled horror.
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MAM After Dark: Salsa Night at Milwaukee Art Museum
Join in on a sizzling night of Latin flair as salsa band Orquesta Ayala fills the air with irresistible rhythms made for dancing. Never tried salsa before? No worries! Mezclando will teach you the right moves to hit the dance floor in style.
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Beach Bunny at Turner Hall Ballroom
Few artists can pinpoint an emotion as clearly and honestly as Beach Bunny’s Lili Trifilio. With its openhearted themes and progressive, hook-filled take on pop rock and pop punk, Emotional Creature only further cemented Beach Bunny and Trifilio’s well-earned reputation as the leading voice of their generation.
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Brian Regan at Pabst Theater
Having built his 30-plus year career on the strength of his material alone, Brian’s non-stop theater tour continuously fills the most beautiful venues across North America, visiting close to 100 cities each year.
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Annual Mocktail Dinner at Lupi & Iris
Whether participating in Dry January, living a sober lifestyle, or just curious about dry cocktails, “Cheers!” to a spirit-free dinner! Join Lupi & Iris for an evening celebrating n/a options. Our team has created a five-course dinner paired with perfect non-alcoholic libations.
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Tigernite, Breakup Tour, Long Line Riders, (D)Vices at X-Ray Arcade
Milwaukee glam rock darlings Tigernite are back, if only for a night to benefit Planned Parenthood. They’re joining up with Breakup Tour, Long Line Riders, and (D)Vices for a full night of music at X-Ray Arcade.
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Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press at Vivarium
Rod Tuffcurls and The Bench Press is a peak experience band from Chicago, IL. With a focus on bone-crushing 3-part harmonies, laser-sharp musicianship, and a top-tier light show, Rod Tuffcurls and The Bench Press is a live performance powerhouse.
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So Zuppy, Ghost Cuts, Courtesy at Cactus Club
So Zuppy is the solo project of producer Micah Foust. Over the past several years this he has perfected a bright and bubbly bedroom pop production merged with a distinct soft voice. In the last year or so, So Zuppy has transformed into a quietly engaging live act, with members of Overhand, Big Laugh and Obess Tact backing up Foust’s delicate but hook-laden songs.
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Oh Well, Ok, Killer High Life, Brindled, In Shining Armour at Falcon Bowl
Four bright emerging Milwaukee acts are headed to Riverwest on Friday night, when they’ll take over Falcon Bowl. Don’t miss some of the next generation of great Milwaukee bands!
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Hi Score, Arcade Mode at Linneman’s
Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Hi Score brings classic video game soundtracks to life with styles ranging from rock, jazz, fusion, and Latin to other genres.
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Music Bingo at MOTOR Bar & Grill
If you can’t get no satisfaction from your regular granny’s bingo, then this is the bar game just for you! TuneMaster’s live music bingo is coming to Motor Bar and Restaurant at Milwaukee’s Harley-Davidson campus every Friday night!
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Friday Brewery Tours at Pilot Project Brewing
Head to Pilot Project Brewing for their weekly brewery tour! Your ticket includes five 5 ounce tasters of beer and/or booch, a taster glass to take home with you, the inside scoop on the origin story of Pilot Project Brewing, and a tour of their brand new facility. Friday tours are available at 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
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SATURDAY
Kelsea Ballerini at Fiserv Forum
Taking her already captivating live show to another level, the four-time GRAMMY nominee and multiple Country Music Association Award winner is bringing Kelsea Ballerini On Tour to Fiserv Forum on Saturday with openers MaRynn Taylor and Maisie Peters.
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Milwaukee Admirals vs. Charlotte Checkers
The Admirals play Charlotte in back-to-back games this weekend, and Saturday night’s alright for fighting! Saturday night is also the annual Teddy Bear Toss, so throw a stuffed animal on the ice after the first Admirals goal!
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Zero Proof: A Dry January Groove at Canni-MKE
Whether you’re committed to Dry January or just want a fun night out with friends, this is your spot to dance, chill, and enjoy a different kind of nightlife. Good tunes, great drinks, and zero proof. Let’s make it a night! No alcohol, no problem.
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Urban Seed Exchange at Wantable Cafe
Snow flurries might be flying, but spring is right around the corner. And that means it’s time to think about testing out your green thumb. Whether you’re garden-curious or experienced in horticulture, you’ll find inspiration at the Urban Seed Exchange, which takes place on Saturday.
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Partner Pick
January 25th · 5-9 pm Join us for The Riverwest Co-op Annual Spaghetti Dinner across the street at the Falcon Bowl on January 25th from 5-9 pm—an evening to break bread, enjoy live music by Trio du Monde, and be with community. This is the perfect chance to learn about the Co-op, explore volunteer opportunities, and hear about their exciting 2025 Membership Drive.
Plus, mark your calendar for the Co-op Cafe Grand Reopening starting February 1st. Open 7 days a week, 9 am – 3 pm. “We can’t wait to welcome you!”
Learn more Falcon Bowl at 801 E Clarke St, Milwaukee
Milwaukee Winter Farmers Market
The Milwaukee Winter Farmers Market provides a venue for the community to access local and regional produce, meats, bread, honey and other value-added products throughout winter and early spring. In addition, it supports local family businesses & entrepreneurs and has become a social and educational gathering space.
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Tophy at The Wicked Hop
Every Saturday night, Milwaukee’s own Tophy curates the sounds at The Wicked Hop in the Third Ward. Join at the Jackalope Lounj for a free night of dancing to all of your favorites including throwback pop, hip hop and much more.
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Sapphic Social at Pomona Cider Co.
Looking to make new connections and build lasting friendships in a welcoming and inclusive environment? Join in at Pomona Cider Tasting Room for the monthly Lesbian/Sapphic friending event! This is a perfect opportunity to meet like-minded individuals, share experiences, and enjoy some of the finest ciders in town.
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Bay Ledges at Vivarium
Bay Ledges delivers a hypnotic form of indie-pop that alters the way we experience time, inviting both a dreamlike nostalgia and heightened attention to the present moment.
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8th Anniversary Party at Explorium Brewpub
Explorium Brewpub opened their doors at Southridge Mall eight years ago, and they’re celebrating with their annual anniversary party!
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DJ Goose at Potawatomi Casino Hotel
DJ Goose has performed all over Milwaukee, and he’ll bring his skills on the turntables to Potawatomi Casino Hotel on Saturday, with a free set on the second level!
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SUNDAY
The Rock and Roll Playhouse at Turner Hall Ballroom
Are you looking to get out of the house with the kids this January?! Get ready for some Fab Four fun for the whole family! The Rock and Roll Playhouse is a concert for kids and families to share the music of their favorite artists, including The Beatles!
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Ben Schwartz & Friends at The Riverside Theater
Ben Schwartz has leading roles in Lord & Miller’s AppleTV+ miniseries “The Afterparty” as well as the second season of Greg Daniels and Steve Carell’s Netflix series “Space Force”, in which he stars opposite stars Carell and John Malkovich. Ben is also the voice of Sonic The Hedgehog in both the original and sequel films for Paramount, or you may know him as John Ralphio from “Parks and Recreation.” Catch him at The Riverside Theater!
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Sunday Yoga at Villa Terrace Arts Museum
New Year, new yoga classes! Villa Terrace will be keeping Sunday morning yoga going, with classes from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. this weekend. Feel refreshed as you stretch your way into the new week.
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Bubbles & Brunch at Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel
Start the weekend off right with Bubbles & Brunch at Saint Kate! Experience a local brunch that is anything but basic in their second floor restaurant, ARIA. Choose from an assortment of brunch favorites and enjoy specially crafted brunch libations, including Mimosas and Mimosa flights!
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Elevate Yoga at Canni-MKE
Ignite your senses with a gentle yoga flow and the soothing benefits of cannabis. It’s a perfect opportunity to unwind, connect with like-minded individuals, and explore the harmony of mind and body. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or just starting your journey, this class is designed for all levels. Grab your mat, inhale the good vibes, and exhale the stress. See you on the mat!
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Musical Vacation at Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Beat the winter blahs with the ultimate getaway to some warmer climates – through music! Experience a rodeo out West, travel to Hollywood with “Hedwig’s Theme” from Harry Potter, dance along to the Conga del Fuego Nuevo in Mexico, experience Orlando (and Arendelle) with selections from Frozen, and more on this whirlwind musical journey!
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Fox & Branch at Anodyne Coffee Roasters
For over two decades, Dave Fox and Will Branch have energized audiences in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Ireland. Their dynamic mix of old-time music, original songs, and family folk music has appealed to children and adults, giving everyone a chance to actively participate.
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Sound Waves Winter Concert Series with Roxie Beane at Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
Bring the whole family to hear Milwaukee musicians live on six Sunday afternoons this winter at the Sounds Waves Winter Concert Series! Listen to pleasant music while enjoying beverages available for purchase at the Audubon Center.
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The Namby Pamby, The Part Timers, Caley Conway, Maximiano at X-Ray Arcade
Indiana band The Namby Pamby and Chicago band The Part Timers are currently on tour together, and they’ll come to X-Ray Arcade on Sunday, assisted by Milwaukee acts Caley Conway and Maximiano. Join for an intimate night of indie rock.
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ALL WEEKEND LONG
Milwaukee Boat Show at Wisconsin State Fair Park
The finest displays of the newest boats retailed in the region will be on display at the one Boat Show that all boating enthusiasts know to attend. This is Wisconsin’s largest boating exposition with over 300 boats from over 80 manufacturers – motor yachts, runabouts, aluminum boats, pro-style fishing rigs, pontoon boats, ski & surf boats, cruisers…you name it!
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Juliet & Romeo at Skylight Music Theater
15th-century Verona and modern-day NYC collide in this new musical comedy! Experience a fresh take on Shakespeare’s classic when time traveling, romance and New York pizza collide.
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The Dinosaur Play at First Stage Children’s Theater
Step back in time, millions and millions of years ago, when dinosaurs roamed the earth. There you will meet a dinosaur egg, tapping out a call for help. It’s up to you to figure out what the egg is saying and how to help it hatch. During your adventure, you will befriend a surly Triceratops, help protect a newly formed dinosaur family, and defeat the Tyrannosaurus Rex.
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“The Craic” at Stackner Cabaret
Step in to one of South Kerry’s most welcoming pubs, somewhere along the Dingle peninsula, where stories and songs flow as easy as a whiskey and a pint – with a group of master storyteller-musicians leading the way. From jigs and fairy tales, to drinking songs and war stories, you’ll enjoy good cheer and great company while having some craic along the way.
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Tim Dillon at Milwaukee Improv
Tim Dillon is a stand-up comedian, writer, and actor, known for his no-holds-barred humor and incisive social commentary. His latest Netflix special, Tim Dillon: This Is Your Country, takes on the political and cultural chaos leading up to the 2024 election.
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Chris Fairbanks at The Laughing Tap
Standup comedian Chris Fairbanks is headlining two nights of comedy at The Laughing Tap this weekend, and you can join in on the fun! You’ve seen him on Comedy Central, Amazon Prime, Do You Need A Ride? and more.
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The Big 4-0: New Views of the Collection at Haggery Musuem of Art
The Haggerty Museum of Art at Marquette University presents an exhibition in celebration of its 40th anniversary. Curated by Dr. Kirk Nickel, Marc and Lillian Rojtman Curator of European Art, the show comprises a two-part installation of the exhibition galleries, in fall 2024 and spring 2025, and features well over 100 works of art from the Museum’s collections.
Exhibit Info
Try a new restaurant!
It’s impossible to know what 2025 will bring. But we’re certain of one thing. Regularly supporting our locally owned restaurants is among the most impactful things we can vow to do. Lori Fredrich’s list of 52 Restaurants for 2025 is here!
#52Restaurants
Milwaukee, WI
Sherman Park Grocery at risk of closing; serves Milwaukee food desert
MILWAUKEE – A grocery store on Milwaukee’s north side needs your help, or they could close. The Sherman Park Grocery store serves one of 13 federally recognized food deserts in Milwaukee.
What we know:
The grocery store serves one of the most underserved areas of Milwaukee. But in order to stay open, the store owner, Moe Wince, says he needs help.
The store is dealing with a multitude of obstacles – including paying monthly bills, increased food prices, and flood damage.
Sherman Park Grocery Store says it’s the only Black-owned grocery store in the state and serves one of 13 food deserts in Milwaukee.
Food deserts are areas with low income households and poor access to grocery stores.
Sherman Park Grocery Store
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What they’re saying:
“We can’t sustain ourselves. If things do not change, or we don’t start collaborating and getting somebody or an organization or nonprofit or philanthropy group stepping up and saying ‘Mo, this is what it looks like for us, and we want to maintain your store, we want to make sure you sustain yourselves, not just tomorrow, but long term,’” said Mo Wince, Sherman Park Grocery owner.
The store says their goal is to help provide healthier food options to the area.
In an effort to keep their doors open, Sherman Park Grocery is reaching out for help to anyone – including state government, local non-profits, businesses and volunteers.
The Source: This post was produced by FOX6 News.
Milwaukee, WI
Pregnant Milwaukee mom of 3-year-old dead after arson fire, police say
Suspected Milwaukee drunken driver drives into sheriff deputy, footage shows
A 21-year-old, accused of drunken driving the wrong way on Interstate 43 and crashing into a Milwaukee sheriff’s deputy on January 1, was charged with second-degree reckless endangering safety and a driving while under the influence, second offense.
Provided by Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office
A 22-year-old pregnant Milwaukee woman was found dead in a house fire that was intentionally set, leaving behind a 3-year-old daughter.
The family of Gladys Johnson is heartbroken at their loss. Her death occurred 33 years almost to the day that her brothers died in a fire.
Gladys Johnson was discovered by her mother, Michelle Johnson, following a fire at their residence in the 2800 block of North 26th Street on Jan. 5.
The Milwaukee Police Department said a 21-year-old man has been arrested for arson. Police said the man intentionally brandished a firearm and then started a house on fire.
The man who was arrested is the father of Johnson’s daughter and unborn child, according to Josie Johnson-Smith, Gladys Johnson’s aunt.
Police said Gladys Johnson’s cause of death is officially undetermined and under investigation, but the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death a homicide.
“He took my niece’s life,” Johnson-Smith said. “He threatened to kill her before. That’s why she ended up back with her mom.”
The Journal Sentinel does not typically name suspects unless they’ve been formally charged with a crime.
Gladys Johnson was five months pregnant with a baby boy, according to Johnson-Smith. “She was so happy, teaching her daughter that she was going to be a big sister,” Johnson-Smith said.
Fire-related death reopens old wounds
Gladys Johnson’s death reopens old wounds for her mother, who lost two sons in a bar fire in Milwaukee in 1992.
Milwaukee Journal reporting from the time recalls Terrance Bizzle-Johnson, 4, and Antonio Bizzle-Johnson, 2, being found dead on New Year’s Eve 1992 from smoke inhalation after a fire broke out at a family tavern on the north side of the city.
The Journal’s article details a harrowing rescue attempt by family members, including by Josie Johnson-Smith and Michelle Johnson.
Gladys Johnson was the ‘light in our family’
Gladys Johnson was named after her late grandmother.
“She was the most loving person you ever wanted to meet,” Johnson-Smith said. “Her spirit was a light. If you were in a bad mood, she would cheer you up. She was the light in our family.
“Her daughter is 3 years old and can talk, spell, and say her ABCs. She was a good mom.
“We’re just so devastated right now. He’s seemed like a nice man. So many young women have passed away with domestic situations and it’s just overwhelming.
“The only thing I’d ask the community, to the young women out there that are going through situations similar to my niece, speak out. Don’t be ashamed. You have to tell somebody.”
Gladys’ Johnson’s family started a GoFundMe fundraiser to help cover funeral expenses.
Where to find help for domestic violence
Victim advocates can help with safety planning. Calls to advocates are confidential and do not involve law enforcement.
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233.
- The National Sexual Assault Hotline is 800-656-4673.
- End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin has a statewide directory of resources at endabusewi.org/get-help.
- Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault has a statewide directory of resources at wcasa.org/survivors/service-providers.
- The Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee operates a 24-hour confidential hotline at 414-933-2722.
- The Milwaukee Women’s Center offers a 24-hour crisis line at 414-671-6140.
- We Are Here Milwaukee provides information on culturally specific organizations at weareheremke.org.
- Kids Matter Inc. provides free legal services and specialized assistance to individuals caring for children impacted by domestic violence and homicide. Kids Matter can be reached at 414-344-1220 and offers free online resources at kidsmatterinc.org.
Milwaukee, WI
Don Richards, the former Milwaukee District 9 alderman, dies at 89
Take flight over the Milwaukee area
Get a bird’s-eye view from a drone over downtown Milwaukee, American Family Field, the Mitchell Domes, and along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Former Milwaukee Common Council member Don Richards died on Dec. 26 at age 89.
Richards served on the Milwaukee Common Council between 1988 and 2004, representing District 9 on the city’s north and northwest sides until his retirement due to health reasons, according to his obituary.
During his tenure at the city, Richards was a member of the Judiciary and Legislation Committee, Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee, as well as the Housing Authority and City Records Committee.
Although the two had a brief overlap in city government, former Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who was first elected in 2004, recalled Richards as “always smiling and always caring.”
“He was a wonderful man. A very Christian man who cared deeply about the community and the people who live here,” Barrett told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Before becoming a city alderman, Richards participated in the citywide marches protesting a lack of open housing legislation in the city in the 1960s and was a priest in the Milwaukee Archdiocese for almost two decades, starting in 1963. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the St. Francis Seminary and Catholic University in Washington, D.C.
Following his time on the Common Council, Richards began to teach local government classes at Alverno College. He also worked as an economic development specialist with the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation, his obituary said.
Richards is survived by his brother, Bob (Joanne), and was preceded in death by his wife, Doloros; his parents, Gregor and Rose Richards; and his brothers, Jim Richards and Ed Richards, according to his obit.
A visitation is planned at 10 a.m. Jan 8 until his funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at Alvina of Milwaukee Chapel, 9301 N. 76th Street.
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