By OnMilwaukee Staff Writers   Published Feb 21, 2024 at 12:31 PM Photography: Harrison Dilts

Just three months ago, the Pabst Theater Group planted the roots of a new all-ages music venue on the East Side. And last night, that venue – Vivarium – saw its first musical blooms, hosting its first concert of many more to come.

Last year, the Pabst Theater Group announced that, after eight years, it was moving out of The Back Room in Colectivo and creating its own new East Side venue: Vivarium. Located at 1818 N. Farwell Ave., in between Chopstix Chinese Food and Arlanderz Chicken & Fish, the new all-ages space features vibrant natural decor and green foliage. (Take a first look right here.) 

Most importantly, though, Vivarium will feature great live performances – which began Tuesday with an opening night showcase starring Milwaukee acts Wave Chapelle (joined on stage by fellow Brew City musicians Dak DuBois and Mark Soriano in his backing band), ADORNER and DJ Kenny Perez.

Take a look at Vivarium's first-ever party and performance on the East Side, with photos courtesy of Pabst Theater Group and photographer Harrison Dilts:

Vivarium's first show
A shot from Vivarium's first concert on Tuesday night
DJ Kenny Perez
DJ Kenny Perez
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Vivarium's first show
ADORNER
XVivarium's first concert
ADORNER
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Vivarium's first show
ADORNER
Wave Chapelle at Vivarium's first show
Wave Chapelle 
Vivarium's first concert
Wave Chapelle
Vivarium's first show
Wave Chapelle
Vivarium first concert
Wave Chapelle
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Vivarium's first show
Wave Chapelle
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Vivarium's first concert
Wave Chapelle
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Of course, Tuesday night's dynamite debut is just the opening act for Vivarium. The new East Side venue will host its official first public show on Thursday night courtesy of pop-funk singer Molly Grace, followed by a mix of national and local acts slated for the brand new stage including Masood Boomgaard on Feb. 24, Enter the Haggis on Feb. 28, Diet Lite on March 1, Buffalo Nichols on March 2. The venue's inaugural lineup already has bookings all the way through October, including Them Coulee Boys on March 16, The Verve Pipe on March 30, Five for Fighting on April 2 and G Flip on May 26. 

For the full Vivarium schedule, click here – or check out OnMilwaukee's monthly concert guide for Vivarium and beyond.