Milwaukee, WI

15 Things to Do in Milwaukee This Weekend: Feb. 19-22

Published

3 months ago

February 18, 2026

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15 Things to Do in Milwaukee This Weekend: Feb. 19-22

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.

Celebrate the Milwaukee leaders who foster connection, create opportunity and strengthen our community!

More Events

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.

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Milwaukee, WI

MPS staffer who got plea deal in slapping case had earlier incident

Published

2 hours ago

June 3, 2026

Press Room

MPS staffer who got plea deal in slapping case had earlier incident

A former Milwaukee Public Schools paraprofessional received a deferred plea agreement for slapping a special education student.
Personnel records show the paraprofessional, Demitrios Visvardis, was accused of slapping another vulnerable student a year earlier.
Milwaukee Public Schools did not report the first incident to the police, according to department records.

When family members of a special education student voiced displeasure with a deferred plea agreement for former MPS paraprofessional Demitrios Visvardis in February, they were told it was fair given his lack of prior offenses.

Visvardis was charged with battery four months earlier in connection with an incident involving Shrone Dunn, 18, of Riverside High School.

“This ain’t nothing but a slap on the wrist,” Tyrone Dunn, Shrone’s father, said during the plea hearing. “We’re looking for justice.”

Milwaukee County Judge David Borowski assured Dunn of District Attorney Erin Karshen’s ability to fully prosecute based on what was known.

But records obtained by the Journal Sentinel through an open records request raise questions about Visvardis’s history, and how much was known before the plea deal was reached.

Visvardis has no prior criminal record, but documents in his personnel file at Milwaukee Public Schools reference a 2024 accusation that he struck a special education student.

In a December 2025 letter filed after a disciplinary hearing, MPS hearing officer Natalie Fluker said the November 2025 incident involving Shrone Dunn was “the second time in a year that [Visvardis has] been accused of slapping a vulnerable student.”

The letter references findings made by hearing officer Gary Johnson during disciplinary proceedings related to the 2024 incident.

Earlier incident also involved slapping

According to the December letter, another Riverside High School staff member expressed concern to Principal Jeff Lasky after witnessing Visvardis slap an intellectually disabled student on October 10, 2024. As with the incident involving Dunn, review of security footage confirmed the allegations.

Visvardis physically kept the student on a vent near an exit on the first floor of the school building despite the student’s multiple attempts to get up, according to the letter. Describing the footage, Johnson wrote, “The student appears to scream and you turn and slap him on the face. You then exit the hallway.”

Visvardis apologized for the incident, stating it was the worst thing he’d ever done.

Milwaukee Public Schools failed to report prior incident

According to the MPS employee handbook, the district generally follows a progressive discipline model that depends on the behavior and frequency of occurrences.

Johnson found the first incident to be “especially egregious, considering the unnecessary and excessive force” used on Student A and recommended a departure from the progressive discipline model. The departure meant Visvardis would be issued a three-day unpaid suspension and required enrollment in a course in nonviolent crisis intervention.

The school district did not directly respond to questions from the Journal Sentinel about whether the police were notified of the incident in 2024. It also declined to say whether Student A’s parents were informed or what steps were taken to protect the student following the incident.

“The safety of our students is our highest priority,” Stephen Davis, a media relations manager at Milwaukee Public Schools, told the Journal Sentinel in an emailed statement. “We cannot discuss the details of any personnel matter, and the current administration would not be able to speak about how a prior case was addressed in 2024.”

But according to Milwaukee Police Department records, no report associated with Visvardis exists since January 2021 beyond the report on his arrest on November 13, 2025. That’s the day after Riverside cameras captured footage of Visvardis slapping Dunn “with an open hand to the left side of face,” according to police records.

Review hearing scheduled for this week

Visvardis is due back in court on Thursday, June 4.

According to the deferred prosecution agreement obtained by the Journal Sentinel, he will be eligible to seek employment in a “school, group home or any other place of employment where he would interact with other vulnerable people” this month, given successful completion of an anger management treatment program.

Meanwhile, the Dunn Family has filed a lawsuit against the City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Board of School Directors, and Visvardis.

April Quevedo covers Metcalfe Park for the Journal Sentinel’s Neighborhood Dispatch. Contact: aquevedo@usatodayco.com.

Neighborhood Dispatch reporting is supported by Northwestern Mutual Foundation, Journal Foundation, Bader Philanthropies, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, and reader contributions to the Journal Sentinel Community-Funded Journalism Project. Journal Sentinel editors maintain full editorial control over all content. To support this work, visit jsonline.com/support. Checks can be addressed to Local Media Foundation (memo: “JS Community Journalism”) and mailed to P.O. Box 85015, Chicago, IL 60689.

The JS Community-Funded Journalism Project is administered by Local Media Foundation, tax ID #36-4427750, a Section 501(c)(3) charitable trust affiliated with Local Media Association, and EnMotive, a subsidiary of USA TODAY Co.

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Milwaukee, WI

Celebrating 250 years of independence through Milwaukee’s immigrant narratives

Published

12 hours ago

June 2, 2026

Press Room

Celebrating 250 years of independence through Milwaukee’s immigrant narratives

MILWAUKEE — This Fourth of July marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which created the United States of America.

In honor of that milestone, the Milwaukee County Historical Society is launching a new exhibit, “We the People: Milwaukee Stories of Immigration, Citizenship, and Community,” on June 12.

What You Need To Know

The exhibit showcases the real people who came from all over the world for a better life. The people, who over time, helped shape our country into what it is today

The experience comes with audio recordings from people who immigrated to Milwaukee, and their children

A big part of Milwaukee’s history is the Great Migration of African Americans from the rural South to the Midwest in the mid-20th century. That is documented in We the People

Overall, the team at the Milwaukee Historical Society hopes the new exhibit reminds people of our similarities and shared home, as our nation turns 250

“This is the perfect opportunity to maybe tell a story that isn’t always told,” said Ben Barbera, executive director and president of the Milwaukee County Historical Society. “We can’t necessarily talk about the founding fathers. There weren’t many Revolutionary War battles here. But we can tell a story that is essential to the country.”

That story showcases the real people who came from all over the world for a better life — people who, over time, helped shape the country into what it is today.

The story starts with those who were here first.

“The Indigenous populations of Wisconsin, because without them being pushed out and forced out, we wouldn’t have immigration come to this space,” said Olivia Hoff, community programs manager for the Milwaukee County Historical Society.

The exhibit features photos and artifacts dating back centuries.

“This is a sewing kit that was made from clothing that was worn by people who came here from England,” said Janean VanBeckum, curator of the exhibit. “They were Puritans being persecuted. They came in, settled on the East Coast, and then their family moved here.”

Families from Germany, Poland, Italy and Ireland followed. Decades later, there was a surge of immigrants from Latin America, Asia and parts of Africa.

“When you start the exhibit, you get an identification card of an immigrant,” said VanBeckum. “It’s based on real immigrants, but not any particular person, and you can go around and choose your own adventure to kind of see what happens to your immigrant’s life as they move through the process of coming here and either becoming a citizen or not becoming a citizen.”

The experience includes audio recordings from people who immigrated to Milwaukee and their children.

“This is the humanistic story,” said Hoff. “It really generates empathy too because you are hearing it from the people themselves.”

The exhibit also highlights people who came to the Milwaukee area from within the United States. A major part of Milwaukee’s history is the Great Migration of African Americans from the rural South to the Midwest in the mid-20th century. That history is documented in “We the People.”

Overall, the team at the Milwaukee County Historical Society hopes the new exhibit reminds people of their similarities and shared home as the nation turns 250.

“People can realize that everyone has a similar scope of their life and that we all may be struggling to fight some of the same battles, and that by working together, creating a civic discourse, we can be less divided.”

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Milwaukee, WI

Post From Community: Forward Scholars: Sips for Scholars invitation | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service

Published

22 hours ago

June 2, 2026

Press Room

Post From Community: Forward Scholars: Sips for Scholars invitation | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service

Editor’s note: Post From Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.

By Bernard Rahming, Forward Scholars

Forward Scholars is a Milwaukee-based nonprofit providing one-on-one reading tutoring to K–3rd grade students who are not yet reading on grade level. With the support of more than 300 volunteers and a community of generous donors and partners, we empower students to build the skills and confidence to succeed.

Sips for Scholars is our summer fundraiser and celebration of student growth. Join us for an evening of connection, inspiration, and community as we celebrate the impact of literacy and invest in brighter futures for our students.

Date: June 30, 2026
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Location: Broken Bat Brewing (135 E Pittsburgh Ave, Milwaukee, WI, 53204 )
Tickets: $50 Per Person (Advance tickets close June 23)

Get your tickets!

Everyone is welcome. We’d love for you to join us!