Sure, it technically started two months ago – but spring has now officially sprung in Milwaukee. And whether you're looking to head out and enjoy the nice weather, or would prefer to keep things indoors (we see you, allergy sufferers) there's certainly a lot going on. Not to mention there's Star Wars Day, the Kentucky Derby, Cinco de Mayo and much, much more happening. Catch up with it all in the Weekend Preview brought to you by Potawatomi Casino Hotel!
FRIDAY
HOG FEST AT FISERV FORUM
Fiserv Forum and 102.9 The Hog are ready to turn things up another notch this weekend, with Hog Fest at the Downtown arena. A stacked lineup consists of Staind, I Prevail, Asking Alexandria, Dayseeker and a VIP acoustic set from Tim Montana.
Get more info
PULSE AT MIRAMAR THEATER
Prepare to have your senses electrified at Pulse, the first party of its kind. A multi-floor, multi-genre experience that will redefine your perception of nightlife! The Miramar Theater will be transformed into a pulsating haven of music, vibes and euphoria.
Event Info
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! Get your bingo card and win prizes if the DJ plays your songs!
Event Info
TACO DINNER FUNDRAISER AT FLORES HALL
Mexican Fiesta are hosting the Taco Dinner All You Can Eat fundraiser on Friday from 5-8 p.m. at Flores Hall (2997 S. 20th St.) This event will be an evening of fun, food and entertainment to raise funds for scholarship awards for deserving students in the community.
Event Info
SAM EVIAN, HANNAH COHEN AT VIVARIUM
Sam Evian is a New York-based musician, songwriter and producer. He released his debut full-length album, "Premium," in the fall of 2016. His latest album, "Time to Melt," is out now, and he'll bring it to the East Side on Friday night.
Event Info
WIRE & NAIL, MODERN JOEY, BOMBER AND RED AT THE COOPERAGE
Milwaukee's own Wire & Nail will be releasing a new album this weekend, and they're celebrating by headlining a quartet of bands at The Cooperage. If you like a fusion of rock and roll, blues, elements of Americana and more, this is the show for you.
Event Info
TRANSPORT VOL. 1 AT CACTUS CLUB
Hypnotic techno and house music will take over Cactus Club for a new late night experience. Immersive and continuous rhythms featuring musical ideas that flow into each other seamlessly at the first installment of this event series.
Event Info
BEER BEHIND THE SCENES AT COMPANY BREWING
Want a free brewery tour? Company Brewing will have their brewery door open from 4-6 p.m. each Friday night, with tours for whoever wants to check out the Riverwest venue. Grab a beer and wander on in.
Event Info
INFANT ISLAND, SENZA, ASEETHE, MALEVICH, SNAG AT X-RAY ARCADE
It's another loud night at X-Ray Arcade, as a quintet of screamo bands make their way to the Cudahy club. Milwaukee's Snag will be joined by four bands from various parts of the country.
Event Info
SATURDAY
SAUCED MARKET AT PILOT PROJECT BREWING
SAUCED Night Market returns to Pilot Project Brewing Milwaukee for two nights of eating, drinking and shopping. Peruse goods from dozens of the Midwest's finest small businesses with a beer in hand. The market will feature vendors BB Cakes, Bold Blossom Shop, Chelotzin, Plume, Sam Thompson Ceramics and more as well as music from DJ DRiPSweat and cocktail samples courtesy of Drink Wisconsinbly.
Get more info
KENTUCKY DERBY DAY AT NORTHSOUTH CLUB
It's Derby day! NorthSouth Club will be hosting an event featuring shuffleboard, complimentary mint julep cocktails, a best dressed contest, as well as a giveaway contest with a chance to win a bottle of Woodford Reserve Derby.
Event Info
POURS FOR A PURPOSE
Celebrate 31 years of community support for children with special needs and their families. Sample wine, beer, chocolate, spirits and more, while generously bidding on exciting silent auction items and purchasing raffle and wine pull tickets. When you support this event, you have a direct impact on St. Francis Children’s Center and our programs that serve children with special needs.
Event Info
BARNES & NOBLE BAYSHORE STAR WARS LEGO BUILD-OFF
May the Fourth be with you! Join Barnes & Noble at Bayshore for Star Wars Lego Build! You must reserve your kit ahead of time due to limited quantity. There will also be a Star Wars Story Time at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. for young Jedis, as well as a Star Wars costume contest (child and adult) so come in your best cosplay!
Event Info
Partner Pick
RIVERWEST PUB CRAWL
The Riverwest Brewing Syndicate has again joined forces with volunteers from the Riverwest Pub Crawl group to raise money for the Kinship Community Food Center on Saturday, May the Fourth from 12-7 p.m. by crawling for a cause. Participants can acquire a wristband at Gathering Place Brewing, Amorphic Beer, Black Husky Brewing or Company Brewing for $10 (100% to the charity) and then crawl their way through the neighborhood receiving drink specials and discounts at 18 local establishments.
Event Info
TACOS & MARGS CRAWL
Get ready to spice up your Cinco de Mayo weekend at the Milwaukee Tacos & Margs Crawl! Many of downtown Milwaukee's best bars and restaurants will host hundreds of attendees for a thrilling taco & margarita-fueled fiesta.
Event Info
THE HIP ABDUCTION AT VIVARIUM
Evoking the ocean and guided by the spirit of travel, The Hip Abduction pilot a sonic expedition past genre barriers with a mutual appreciation for African, Reggae and American music.
Event Info
MOVIE MUSIC OF JOHN WILLIAMS AT BRADLEY SYMPHONY CENTER
Oscar-winning composer John Williams’s music has been a staple of cinema for decades, capturing all the excitement and emotion of classic movies like "Jaws," "Indiana Jones," "Harry Potter" and so many more with just music. Check it out with the help of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra at Bradley Symphony Center.
Event Info
MINNESOTA, ABELATION AT MIRAMAR THEATRE
Producer and DJ Minnesota is finishing up his "Into The Void" tour – and that concludes on Saturday night with an all-out rager, featuring himself, Abelation, Jeevus Christ and Effigy.
Event Info
THE SWIVELS, STEVE COHEN AT LINNEMAN'S
The Swivels play funky original rock 'n' roll, and recently released their debut CD "Dawn of Swivelization." Catch them in Riverwest on Saturday night.
Event Info
SUNDAY
AN EVENING WITH ALAN RUCK AND "FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF" AT PABST THEATER
"You're not dying, you just can't think of anything good to do." Get ready for an unforgettable evening watching, quoting and laughing along with your favorite cult classic alongside Cameron from the movie!
Get more info
REVIVAL PRESENTS CINCO DE MAYO AT THE COOPERAGE
Head to the harborfront for a family-friendly Cinco de Mayo! The day will consist of live music featuring local bands, DJs and traditional mariachi music. You can also enjoy delicious Mexican cuisine from local vendors, traditional dance, a kids zone and much more.
Event Info
THE ROCK & ROLL PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS MUSIC OF TAYLOR SWIFT AT TURNER HALL BALLROOM
Calling all Swiftie parents! Share your love of Taylor Swift with your kids at Turner Hall Ballroom on Sunday. Rock 'n Roll Playhouse is bringing the Music of Taylor Swift + More for Kids with Taylor and the Anti-Heroes to the venue for a matinee event.
Event Info
RIVERWORKS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION'S 53212MARKETPLACE
More than 25 local vendors will be on hand at Amorphic Beer for a good cause of their 53212Marketplace. The event includes over 25 local vendors showcasing their jewelry, art, body products, apparel, specialty food products, plants and so much more.
âÂÂEvent Info
BOTANICAL BATTLE ROYALE AT THE IVY HOUSE
It's a bartender battle at The Ivy House on Sunday! Prepare for an unparalleled sensory journey as Wisconsin's premier bartenders unite to curate a bespoke seasonal menu, showcasing a rich tapestry of cocktail styles.
Event Info
VISION VIDEO, THEN COMES SILENCE AT VIVARIUM
Vision Video is a post-punk goth rock band that injects modern malaise into classic sounds of the late 70's and 80's. The band pays homage to classics like the Chameleons and The Cure, while also bringing a refreshing modern element to the genre.
Event Info
FERNWOOD MONTESSORI ARTS FEST
The Fernwood Montessori Arts Fest has something for everyone - an array of handmade goods from local artists and students: pottery, glass, textiles, jewelry, wearable art, prints, and all types of artwork and gift items.
Event Info
MYSO PRESENTS: RHYTHM & BLUES CONCERT
Enjoy an eclectic mix of gifted young artists on Sunday with the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra. An afternoon performance features jazz combos, including Latin jazz combo Rumba and the elite Bronzeville Jazz Ensemble, plus the Calypso and Soca steel bands.
Event Info
ZONK ROLAN, ELI $TONES, JOSE YELLOW, POLICE CREATE HIPPIES, DJ BREEZY AT CACTUS CLUB
In an event dubbed "Rager De Mayo," Cactus Club will feature an eclectic bill that highlights the worlds of Reggaeton, hyperpop, hip hop and more. Get a look at some of the next generation of Milwaukee music talent.
Event Info
ALL WEEKEND LONG
PIANO MEN 2 AT STACKNER CABARET
Come ready to laugh, clap and sing along as two virtuoso pianists play dazzling renditions of your favorite hits, live! No two shows are ever the same, so bring your song requests as this hit production makes its return by popular demand.
Get more info here
THE MAGICIAN'S GUILD AT THE FITZGERALD
The Magicians Guild, a collective of the world’s greatest magicians, will present a series of extraordinary shows in one of the Pabst Theater Group's most intimate and immersive settings.
Event Info
WHAT'S SHOWING AT MILWAUKEE MOVIE THEATERS
There's plenty of movies coming out this weekend – from the new summer blockbuster "The Fall Guy" to encore showings of the Milwaukee Film Fest's best. So to help you find a film, here's what's playing on Brew City screens. Check out the listings here:
Milwaukee at the Movies
EARTHQUAKE AT MILWAUKEE IMPROV
Comedian, actor and voice-artist, Earthquake earned a strong fan-base in stand-up comedy via programming platforms fueled by BET, HBO, Comedy Central, Showtime and more. Now you can see him in Milwaukee with four shows this Friday and Saturday.
Event Info
IT'S BEER GARDEN SEASON
The sun is rising on beer garden season in Milwaukee! Here's the dish – or should I say, the pour – including when they're open and what they're serving.
Beer Garden Guide
TJ AT THE LAUGHING TAP
Comedian TJ has made a name for himself in recent years, performing everywhere from the Netflix Is A Joke festival to national TV appearances on Fox and at Gotham Comedy Live. Check him out in Walker's Point this weekend!
Event Info
MAKE YOUR DINNER PLANS!
Among the most impactful things that any one of us can choose to do in 2024 is commit to supporting our local restaurants, all of which have been through hell and back over the past four years. Pick a new spot to call your favorite.
52 Restaurants
"FROM HERE TO ETERNITY" AT SKYLIGHT MUSIC THEATER
Skylight presents the Midwest premiere of the legendary Tim Rice’s epic wartime musical "From Here to Eternity." This fascinating new musical, with a powerhouse rock and blues score, continues its US development with this production.
Event Info
COOL MOMS SERIES AT THE ORIENTAL THEATER
Celebrate Mother's Day with some of the best (and some of the worst) moms in movie history! This weekend, the Oriental will be having family reunions with iconic movie matriarchs from "Carrie" and "Lady Bird." For specific showtimes – and for the entire month-long lineup – click the link below:
Event Info
