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06 Endorsements
12 News - Small Business Saturday
13 This Modern World
14 Changing Technology and K12 curriculum — Issue of the Month
16 Peggy West — Hero of the Month
18 Michael Ford — MKE SPEAKS: Conversations with Milwaukeeans
FOOD & DRINK
22 New California now tasting wine... with Bill Gardner — Beverages SPECIAL SECTION
24 Sports Spotlight
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The Shepherd Express enthusiastically endorses Kamala Harris for President of the United States. The choice before the public is quite clear. You have a biracial woman and a child of immigrants who worked hard and excelled becoming a district attorney, an attorney general, a U.S. senator and vice president. She prosecuted rapists, multinational corporations, gangrelated crimes, child sexual assaults and other major crimes against innocent citizens.
Her opponent, Donald Trump, is a felon convicted on 34 charges who is awaiting his criminal sentencing, and who also faces three other felony indictments. Being a convicted felon is not how our high school civics textbooks described the qualities of a great president. Also, for those who were concerned about Biden’s age, if elected, Trump will be older than Biden is today during his time in the White House.
Again, this should be a slam dunk race for Harris, a highly successful prosecutor against a convicted felon, but because of the polarization growing in our country, the highly partisan news networks, and the continuous lies from Trump including immigrants eating your neighbor’s dogs, it will be a competitive election.
Endorsements for the November Election
BY THE SHEPHERD EXPRESS EDITORIAL BOARD
Trump stokes fears and hate to divide our nation, including blaming immigrants for increased crime rates even though all of the data show that the crime rate for immigrants is lower than that for American-born citizens. Unfortunately, rightwing media organizations uncritically quote and promote all of Trump’s lies. For these reasons and more, we are going to have a very close race.
MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION IN OUR LIFETIMES
Many argue that this is without question the most important election in our lifetimes. Yes, Trump already served a term as president and American survived as a democracy. However, after three Trump appointments to the U.S. Supreme Court, we now have one of the most extreme rightwing courts in our over 240-year history. Overturning Roe v. Wade was the most egregious decision from this extreme supreme court so far, but there were other lesser publicized court decisions that have damaged our freedoms and moved our country backward.
The court recently opened the door for Trump, if elected, to have an expanded level of immunity for many of his crimes. But another Trump presidency will be different and more damaging. In Trump’s panic to get himself elected with the desire to fire the Justice Department prosecutors who have strong cases
against him, he is willing to cut deals with anyone who is willing to help him. He offered the fossil fuel industry anything they want in return for funneling $1 billion into his election effort. Despite all his denials, Project 2025 is his playbook if re-elected. About 100 of his former MAGA employees were involved in Project 2025 and his vice presidential choice, JD Vance, wrote the forward to the 900 page Project 2025 document. Policies like a national ban on abortion and even outlawing contraception, and that is no exaggeration, would be on the agenda.
NO CANDIDATE IS PERFECT
Understand that no candidate is perfect. Some on the editorial board said they had a lot of problems with Biden and didn’t like a number of his policies and actions over his career. Some said that they didn’t support Biden in the 2020 primary, but once he was the candidate everyone got behind him and strongly supported him because it is then a binary choice, Biden versus Trump.
So, if you have some serious issues with Kamala Harris on some policies, let’s get her elected and then work to influence those policies you are critical of. Please don’t sit out this election. If Trump wins Wisconsin and it swings the national election his way, America will be pushed backward, and you will never forgive yourself.
Kamala Harris
Courtesy of Susan Hodler / Democratic Party of Wisconsin.
For the past 12 years, Sen. Baldwin has served Wisconsin with distinction both in Washington and back home in Wisconsin. Here in Wisconsin, she continually meets with her constituents to learn about their issues, their concerns and their aspirations for themselves and their families. She has a reputation as the hardest working U.S. senator.
In Wisconsin, Baldwin has focused on lowering prices on the basic kitchen table issues and has delivered for us. She has had successes with all these issues. With health care, she is one of the leaders in the Senate for defending a woman’s right to control her own body including her reproductive choices.
She has also been a leader fighting Big Pharma to lower the costs of prescription drugs. One big victory, for example, was getting the price of insulin down to $35 per month for seniors.
Now she is fighting to get it down to $35 for all those who need it.
With housing affordability issues, one of its causes is the fact that Wall Street’s Private Equity Funds are buying up hundreds of housing units in the larger cities,
dramatically increasing the rents and quickly evicting those who are having trouble with the new higher rents. Baldwin worked to eliminate some of the various tax breaks these Private Equity Funds were getting to buy up these city rental units.
She has also worked to help young families pay for decent childcare. She has been going after the price gouging that is responsible for some of the increases in our groceries. On higher education, she continues to be a leader on fighting to make higher education and post-high school training within the financial reach for middle class and working families. We could go on, but it is so clear that we have a choice on November 5, to re-elect Sen. Baldwin. She is successful because she has always been willing to work with senators across the aisle to win for Wisconsin.
Please Vote to Re-elect Tammy Baldwin for the U.S. Senate on November 5.
Now with the fairly-drawn congressional districts, Wisconsinites living in the district that goes from Milwaukee’s Southside to the Illinois border have a chance to make a needed change. They are fortunate to have a candidate with the right experience to represent and serve the First District.
Peter Barca has spent his career working to improve the lives and raise the standard of living to working and middleclass families. He has delivered.
Barca was born and raised in Kenosha County. He was a champion for the middle class and working families when he served in the Wisconsin State Assembly, in Congress in the 1990s, as Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue and as Midwest Regional Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration. He was successful in all these positions because he was always willing to work with and negotiate with the Republicans when it would bring positive results for his constituents.
On the issues, Barca has been a strong advocate for public education, higher education and vocational and technical training, because he knows that education and training is the ticket to the middleclass.
Barca is viewed as a top expert in economic development and job creation. He understands that creating jobs does not mean you have to destroy the environment. He is a strong advocate for environmental protection and strongly supports the efforts to remove the very dangerous “forever chemicals” from our drinking water. His opponent has voted seven times against legislation to regulate toxic “forever chemicals.”
Barca believes that a woman has the right to make all her own health care decisions, end of story. Regarding our senior citizens, he is very concerned about the Republican Party’s attacks on Social Security and Medicare.
Photo courtesy of Tammy Baldwin Senator for Wisconsin.
UNITED STATES SENATOR
The Shepherd Express enthusiastically endorses Sen. Tammy Baldwin for Re-election to the U.S. Senate.
Photo courtesy of Citizens for Peter Barca.
CONGRESS
The Shepherd Express strongly endorses Peter Barca for Congress in Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District.
Barca understands the importance of these programs for older working and middleclass citizens, and unlike his opponent,
he understands that working people pay for these programs in their paychecks every two weeks. Please Vote for Peter Barca for Congress on November 5.
CONGRESSIONAL
Shepherd Express endorses U.S. Representative Gwen Moore for Re-election in Wisconsin’s 4th Congressional
Moore has served residents of the 4th District with genuine concern for their well-being and in Washington with effectiveness for the past 20 years. She does a great job because she listens to her constituents, and she understands their problems and their needs.
In Washington, Moore has earned the respect of her colleagues and now serves on the very important and powerful Ways and Means Committee.
Please Vote for Gwen Moore for Re-election in the 4th Congressional District on November 5.
PLEASE VOTE NO ON THE
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
On our November 5 ballot, there will be another voter suppression constitutional amendment.
This amendment was created and supported solely by the Republicans in their efforts to confuse voters with a constitutional amendment that is already covered by state law.
This adds nothing to our already very safe, honest, and professional state voting system in our state. What it does, is open our state for rightwing activists and rightwing think tanks to sue in hopes that a future rightwing state supreme court like we had
until August 2023 when Janet Protasiewicz was sworn in as a new justice to limit our voting rights.
There are language changes in this proposed amendment that are subtle and appear innocuous but make a major change. For example, the simple change of word from “every” to “only” downgrades all our voting rights. It could allow the legislature to require birth certificates, passports, or any other documents to simply register to vote.
The gold standard of fair elections, the Wisconsin League of Women Voters, agrees. Please Vote No.
Habush Sinykin supports the return to Roe v. Wade guarantees, a full repeal of the Wisconsin 1849 abortion ban, as well as full access to contraception and IVF for Wisconsin families.
Her opponent, Duey Stroebel, voted to enforce Wisconsin's 1849 abortion ban, voted against a right to contraception, voted against IVF access and was the only Wisconsin state senator who voted against extending federally funded postpartum care to moms in need.
Also, in the healthcare field, Stroebel, her opponent, voted against bringing up a vote on the “Less for Rx” bill which includes a $35 price cap on insulin and other provisions to reduce prescription drug costs.
Habush Sinykin advanced the Great Lakes Compact and other conservation initiatives over the course of her career as an environmental attorney, policy expert and educator. Stroebel, her opponent, anonymously objected to Knowles-Nelson funding for the Cedar Gorge Clay Bluffs natural area along Lake Michigan, despite strong local support and a decadelong fundraising effort.
Habush Sinykin supports increased funding for public K-12 education and the University of Wisconsin system. Duey voted to cut the governor’s proposed K-12 education budgets and to starve the University of Wisconsin System for more than a decade, despite record state budget surpluses.
The 8th Senate District deserves a thoughtful leader for the future, not a right-wing zealot like Duey Stroebel.
Jody Habush Sinykin is the thoughtful leader which the 8th Senate district deserves.
Please Vote for Jody Habush Sinykin for State Senate on November 5.
Photo courtesy of Gwen Moore for Congress.
DISTRICT FOUR:
The
District.
Photo courtesy of Jodi for State Senate.
STATE SENATE
The Shepherd Express’ endorsement of Jodi Habush Sinykin would be justified on the issue of reproductive rights alone.
Vining draws from her personal experiences and struggles and professional knowledge to advocate for a strong healthcare agenda for all Wisconsinites; including the Mental Healthcare is Healthcare package of legislation, restoration of reproductive freedom, maternal and infant health, postpartum Medicaid expansion and epinephrine affordability.
A small businesswoman herself, Vining supports the Go Big for Small Business portal for the state. She understands Fair Maps, ending gun violence and moving forward on climate legislation all make Wisconsin a better state for all our businesses.
Strong support for education runs in her family and she supports the Save our Schools legislation, quality affordable childcare and knows the incredible work teachers perform throughout the state. She will make our public schools strong for all.
Rep. Vining deserves a fourth term.
Please Vote for Representative Robin Vining for State Assembly on November 5.
Tenorio was born and raised in West Allis, son of Filipino immigrant parents who worked hard in union jobs so their children could realize the American Dream. Tenorio is a graduate of University of WisconsinMadison and served in the Wisconsin Army National Guard. He also was elected to the West Allis Common Council, committed to making West Allis the best it can be for all its people to enable them to succeed wherever their dreams lead them. He believes in public service and giving back what was given to him.
In his efforts to serve the community if elected, Tenorio wants to continue his volunteer efforts to protect the environment and fight climate change. He will also work to strengthen public education which enables people to reach their full potential. Tenorio is a strong advocate for women controlling their own health care decisions and is strongly prochoice on reproductive rights. He clearly understands the need for more affordable housing options for people including a realistic pathway to home ownership.
Finally, he supports commonsense gun safety laws that will protect our citizens and that fit within our Second amendment rights.
Please Vote for Angelito Tenorio for State Assembly on November 5.
After a successful career in business, Marstellar was moved by Obama’s positive campaign and decided to devote his efforts to public service.
He describes himself as a fierce health care advocate which stems from the fact that he had hereditary congestive heart failure and the fact he almost died because of insurance issues. His brother died from that same condition. As his heart condition deteriorated, he had to spend more time in the hospital and was eventually terminated from his job. Losing his job meant losing his health insurance. Eventually it became clear that he needed a heart transplant. It was the Affordable Care Act that enabled him to get the heart transplant and to save his life.
Photo courtesy of Robyn Vining for State Assembly.
STATE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 13
The Shepherd Express strongly endorses Rep. Robin Vining for State Assembly District 13 based on her strong record since being elected to the Assembly in 2018.
Photo by Erin Bloodgood
The Shepherd Express endorses Angelito Tenorio for Assembly in the 14th District comprising West Allis.
STATE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 14
Photo courtesy of David Marstellar for Wisconsin Assembly District 21
The Shepherd Express endorses David Marstellar for Assembly in the 21st District on the southeastern portion of Milwaukee County including Oak Creek.
STATE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 21
Along with advocacy for good health care, Marstellar wants to see more efforts to curb reckless driving and drunken driving. “We need stronger penalties for reckless driving and more support for our law enforcement to make that happen, no one in our community should fear taking a walk, riding a bike, or something as simple as sitting at a bus stop.” He also wants to work on ways to bring down our prices that rose quickly during the pandemic.
His opponent’s campaign is getting nasty with false and negative accusations. Wisconsin deserves better.
Please Vote for David Marstellar for State Assembly on November 5.
Wisconsin will move forward with the continued strong leadership from representatives like Deb Andraca.
Please Vote for Deb Andraca for State Assembly on November 5.
Serving Bayside, Fox Point, Grafton, Mequon, Thiensville and Whitefish Bay, Andraca has worked since 2021 on key issues facing the community.
She has been a strong advocate for common-sense firearm safety, red light cameras to address the problems of safety on our streets and communities. Andraca also believes very strongly that women should be able to make all their own health care decisions.
Her background in teaching gives her the know-how to champion strong reliable public-school funding with a special focus on supporting funds for our special needs students.
Andraca believes all Wisconsinites should have access to quality, affordable healthcare and has worked to ensure this is reality for everyone.
She has championed responsible stewardship of Wisconsin’s natural resources, a source of great pride in our beautiful state but also a major factor in our state’s growing economy. She knows the value of clean air and water and the need to protect these invaluable resources for generations to come.
That district includes Sheboygan, which is a little north of the Shepherd’s media market, but we were so impressed with him that we added his endorsement.
In this time of great divisions, Sheehan believes strongly in “finding common ground” if you want to see some progress and bring some improvements to the lives of your constituents.
Sheehan is an educator, coach, school superintendent and also an economic development professional. He spent 38 years in education, 20 years of those 38 years were spent as school superintendent in Sheboygan. Sheehan also has a Ph.D. in education administration. His other area of expertise is economic development/ job creation. He spent two years as the head of the Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation.
Photo by Captiol Photographers
The Shepherd Express express gives its strong endorsement to return Deb Andraca to State Assembly District 23.
STATE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 23
Photo courtesy of Joe Sheehan for 26th Assembly.
The Shepherd Express enthusiastically endorses Joe Sheehan for State Assembly in the 26th district.
On the issues, he is very supportive of education, pro-choice on women’s reproductive health and a strong advocate for expanding Medicaid, which will literally save lives. The expansion of Medicaid is funded by Federal government’s Affordable Care Act of 2010.
Please Vote for Joe Sheehan for State Assembly on November 5.
If you want a one sentence to describe Bird, it is “I just can’t sit back when I see a problem.” For decades she has been actively working on issues that directly affect our everyday lives. She has been a leader in working to make sure that women control their own bodies when it comes to access to reproduction health care and all other aspects of their health care. She is concerned about young families having a decent start in life, so she has been focusing on lowering the high costs of childcare, health insurance and housing. Home ownership is important, and it is the way that the average working family can build their net worth.
She is doing all this while also caring for her husband who is permanently paralyzed.
When her husband struggled to get access to their children’s schools because he was wheelchair bound, Bird didn’t sit back, she got elected to her school board and now all 22 facilities in the school district are fully accessible.
When her neighborhood water supply was being contaminated by a leaking and faulty septic system, she got herself appointed to the Sanitary Commission and now her neighborhood has a well-functioning sewer system.
Bird doesn’t just sit back and complain about problems, she fixes them. We need LuAnn in the State Assembly.
Please Vote for LuAnn Bird for State Assembly on November 5.
His work on Buy American legislation, lowering property taxes for working families and small businesses and closing corporate tax loopholes are central to his agenda for a fairer, better Wisconsin.
Public Safety ranks high on his agenda, including efforts to promote safe, healthy neighborhoods, secure resources for first responders, support criminal justice reform that addresses racial disparities and modernize the criminal justice system.
McGuire supports a strong university system, technical colleges and apprenticeship programs for our students.
He knows the importance of reducing prescription drug costs and providing protections for frontline workers. His advocacy of accepting federal health care dollars will serve Wisconsin well.
Please Vote for Representative Tip McGuire for State Assembly on November 5.
Beside serving his home community as a legislative aide to his predecessor, Rep. Peter Barca for five years, McGuire also worked as an assistant district attorney for Milwaukee County. His top priority in the legislature has been to restore the path to economic security for working and middle-class families.
Photo courtesy of Tip McGuire for Wisconsin.
The Shepherd Express endorses Representative Tip McGuire for State Assembly District 64, serving Greater Kenosha and Racine area since 2019.
STATE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 64
Photo by AGENCY Strategies.
The Shepherd Express strongly endorses LuAnn Bird for State Assembly in the 61st District.
STATE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 61
Buy Local to Help Build Community on Small Business Saturday
BY MIKE MUCKIAN
The year-end holidays are looming on the horizon. That means we must be on the cusp of “shopping season,” that time of year when just about everyone spends too much money on gifts and good cheer in hopes of better celebrating whichever holidays mean the most to us. Sometimes, the financial expenditure helps; often, it does not.
Nevertheless, expect pre-Black Friday overnight queues of anxious shoppers outside big-box retailers hoping to nab the latest and greatest gifts at unseasonably low prices. An equal number, if not more, will save their energy for Cyber Monday, when home computers will be abuzz with online orders for many of the same consumer goods with the added benefit of having purchases delivered directly to buyers’ homes and offices.
However, don’t overlook Small Business Saturday. Coming after Black Friday, on November 30, it’s a day dedicated to local small businesses, the goods and services they offer, and the chance to financially help our friends and neighbors by contributing directly to the local economy. Such assistance also goes a long way in strengthening our communities at a time when we need it most.
What most people don’t know is that Small Business Saturday is a registered trademark of American Express. The first “official” Small Business Saturday took place in 2010, and its prevalence has only grown from there.
A small business, as defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), employs fewer than 500 people. Together they generate about 44% of the nation’s economic activity. The U.S. has 31.7 million small businesses. In the Milwaukee metro area, there are nearly 38,000 small businesses and, no matter what their size, they offer strong economic benefits to the communities and customers they serve:
• Small businesses excel in job creation, most often for community members. According to SBA, small businesses created 12.9 million jobs over the past 25 years which accounts for 66% of all job created during that period. By comparison, large corporations added just 6.7 million jobs during the same period.
• Small businesses are developed by those with an entrepreneurial mindset and are responsible for many of the leading innovations due to their ability to respond more quickly to changing market trends than their larger counterparts.
• Small businesses also have a greater financial impact on the communities they serve in everything from driving the need for the creation of other local business and providing more economic input in terms of everything from increased tax revenue to more charitable contributions, which can have a direct positive impact on more community members.
As you jot down you holiday shopping ideas this season, make it a point to add small local businesses to your specific destinations. The people who run them tend to be more cordial and helpful, the goods and services are often more imaginative and better tailored to local needs, and more of the money you spend will stay in the local community, which helps everyone.
And you don’t have to worry about wearing a cup.
Michael Muckian was the banking and finance writer for the Milwaukee Business Journal and is the author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Financing and Accounting and The One-Day MBA in Finance and Accounting.
Changing Technology and K-12 Math Curriculum
BY WILLIAM HOLAHAN
According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (nces.ed.gov), 33% of Wisconsin 8th graders scored “proficient” in math. Meanwhile, occupational pay data (e.g., Payscale.com) shows that the top earning disciplines tend to be in STEM—science technology engineering and math—plus STEM-adjacent application areas like economics, finance, statistics and computer science.
How can students be convinced during their K-12 years, when math is introduced and skills and talent discovered and developed, that serious study of the subject and its applications will likely enhance future payoff? How can a greater percentage of students find interest in the subject and reason to prepare for careers in fields requiring working knowledge of quantitative methods? AI offers a way to augment the math curriculum that might convince more students that the effort is worth it.
Part of math instruction is a “tool kit” of technique, the manipulation of equations or recollection of formulas, with numerous exercises. Learning this toolkit is absolutely necessary student work but often does not convey the importance of mastery.
RESOLVING ISSUES, REACHING SOLUTIONS
By contrast, word problems take math to a higher level. They are verbal descriptions of situations with a problem posed for the student to solve. Such problems require nuanced reading, decisions about relevant facts and how they inter-relate, and choosing the mathematical techniques to resolve issues and reach solutions.
By careful choice of narrative description, a word problem can serve a dual purpose, first as a meaningful math exercise for the student and second as a description of a real situation encountered in business or government or other organizations. Each problem is a small project; each solution a step toward a problem-solving skill.
Through word problems, students can get a sampling of how established disciplines use math.
Economics: Demonstrate how import tariffs are paid by the consumers living in the importing country.
Engineering: How to build an electric hybrid vehicle to cut fossil fuel usage.
Chemistry: How to modify the formula for concrete so that it will sequester rather than emit carbon into the atmosphere.
Astrophysics: How to rescue stranded astronauts from the International Space Station.
Law: How to calculate the money damages suffered in accidents, or broken agreements, or defamation.
Medicine: How to estimate the laminar flow of blood through an artificial heart valve.
Political Science: How rules of probability can be used to interpret opinion surveys.
Philosophy: How to apply the principles of logic to civil argument.
REAL WORLD PROBLEMS
A shift toward more real-world word problems requires very high cost in terms of time and effort. To properly grade word problems the teacher must perform diagnostic effort that is painstaking and time-consuming. The logic and accuracy of each step the student takes in the process of setting up and solving a word problem must be examined, and the student must be shown any errors in logic and better ways to approach a problem. However, class sizes are large, and teachers are already stretched; new resources are needed.
Fortunately, developments in AI teaching assistance and AIbased tutoring can reduce these costs, performing many of these tasks and never run out of energy and patience. For a pioneering example of a well-developed AI-based assistant, click on Khan Academy (khanacademy.org). Khan Academy has long provided courses and video instruction, and in the last few years has added an AI-based assistant, Khanmigo.
This assistant guides students through problem sets, providing prompts and suggestions. It can also generate the word problems that illustrate the wide applicability of math through challenging assignments. By reducing the time and money cost of formulating the problems and the required intense grading, AI can accommodate a curriculum shift toward more word problems. Student practice would enhance the development of skill and interest, and the confidence to enroll in advanced courses and succeed in them.
William Holahan is emeritus professor and former chairman of the Department of Economics at UW-Milwaukee.
THero of the Month: PEGGY WEST,
Hero of the Month: PEGGY WEST, ST.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL MEAL
VINCENT DE PAUL MEAL
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
BY BEN SLOWEY
BY BEN SLOWEY
he St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) Meal Program serves free, hot, nutritious meals throughout the week as part of their mission to eliminate poverty and hunger. With two locations, Harambee Kitchen on the north side and Cross Roads Kitchen on the south side, SVDP welcomes and accommodates all. Peggy West has been SVDP’s meal program manager for almost a decade and finds immense joy in helping facilitate a safe, accessible place for folks to be served healthy meals.
“I love the work that Vincent de Paul does,” West affirms. “They really listen to what you need and try to help you with your life.”
The meal program serves food that comes from churches of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. The program is made possible by generous volunteers, of which there are typically 10 to 15 on-sight each night.
West says about the program’s volunteers and staff, “I hire a lot of people who are just as impacted, people who grew up in these neighborhoods and understand the plight, and people who have been our guests. You don’t want someone to come in and look down their nose at people and act like it’s just a job to them.”
FRESH PRODUCE IN A FOOD DESERT
“We don’t ever serve something one day and then serve it again the next day,” West assures. “If your mom wouldn’t do it, we wouldn’t do it either.”
Hunger Task Force also provides the meal program with fresh produce. “We’re kind of in a food desert, so it’s always nice when folks can take home fresh peaches and broccoli,” West adds.
In addition to meals, SVDP offers clothing and school supplies to those in need. The program has also helped eligible folks register to vote and has offered free haircuts. For days they are closed, SVDP packages meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner the day prior to give to folks so that they do not go hungry.
READY TO SERVE
West describes the SVDP community as having a readiness to help other people, giving as an example, “One of our volunteers talked to a girl who was struggling to go to school because she needed clean clothes, and the volunteer ended up coming to do the girl’s laundry for her every two weeks.
“The girl ended up being able to graduate from high school, which she wouldn’t have been able to do if that person wouldn’t have been doing her laundry. It’s amazing, the selflessness that people have, and that’s been really heartwarming.”
West wants to eventually have a free laundry program at SVDP as well as implement the shower program at the North Side location. Another goal of hers is to change the narrative about why meal programs are necessary in the first place by way of civic engagement. She elaborates, “Our numbers have been the highest they have been since before the pandemic, and 90 percent of the people we serve have jobs or income of some kind.”
CALL FOR MORE
West concludes with a call for more volunteers, “Thankfully, we were able to get generous people to see that this is a need and were able to bulk up our staff, but some nights we still don’t have enough people to help serve.”
Photo by Catalina West-Esquivel.
Cross Roads Kitchen (931 W. Madison St.) is open Sunday through Friday, 2-6:30 p.m. Exclusive to the South Side location is a free shower program starting at 3 p.m. each day. All shower necessities are provided by SVDP. Harambee Kitchen is at All Peoples Church (open Monday through Friday, 2-6:30 p.m. Meals are served at both locations every day at 5:30 p.m. SVDP submits their menus to Hunger Task Force every month to ensure that each meal they serve is nutritious and substantial.
St. Vincent de Paul also runs three thrift stores in Milwaukee (2320 W. Lincoln Ave., 8010 N. 76th St, and 4476 S. 108th St in Greenfield). Proceeds from each store support the meal program. Rounding up at these stores helps SVDP incorporate exciting projects like Thanksgiving meals or back-to-school bags.
Those interested in volunteering at either St. Vincent de Paul location may sign up at svdpmilw.org/meal-program.aspx.
Ben Slowey is a Milwaukee writer and regular contributor to shepherdexpress.com.
Photo of groceries on countertop by GettyImages/Candle Photo. Photo of grocery pile by GettyImages/bit245.
Michael Ford Brings Hip-Hop Architecture to the Bronzeville Center for the Arts
BY TOM JENZ
The $55 million Bronzeville Center for the Arts (BCA) and its 50,000-square-foot museum will be located on the corner of North Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in the central city. As a lighthouse of creativity for the Black community, the BCA will anchor the Bronzeville business district.
With funding nearly half complete, the BCA board of directors recently chose BrandNu Design as the architecture firm to design the BCA. Headed by Michael Ford, BrandNu Design has offices in Madison, Dallas and New York. It specializes in cultural centers and museums, with a design portfolio that includes New York’s Universal Hip Hop Museum and New Jersey’s Black Inventors Hall of Fame Museum. In 2022, Michael Ford was named Young Architect of the Year by Wisconsin’s Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
Known as the “Hip-Hop Architect,” Ford is a designer, educator and keynote speaker. Through hip-hop architecture, Ford provides an alternative to the western canon in architecture and urban theory. His ideas have been published in venues including the Oprah Winfrey Network, Rolling Stone, Architect magazine, Vibe magazine and NBC’s “The TODAY Show.” His manner is measured, thoughtful and confident. He grew up in Detroit and received a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Detroit Mercy.
What was your career evolution as it relates to establishing your successful Brandnu Design business? The topic of my master’s thesis was “Cultural Innovation, a Hip Hop Inspired Architecture.” My thesis explored the history of architectural styles and how they are created. My theory was that every era in history has an associated architecture.
I explored this question: “What style of architecture will result from the biggest cultural movement of all time, the hip hop culture?” Later, when I was working at architectural firms, people became aware of my graduate thesis, and I began to give lectures on my hip hop theory at colleges and universities, and at design conferences around the country.
So how did this all evolve into launching your own Brandnu Design firm?
My lectures started growing in scale. For instance, I was a keynote speaker at several design conferences such as the American Institute of Architects. Michelle Obama was also one of the other keynotes. In 2010, I relocated from Detroit to Madison, Wisconsin, and I worked at a great firm there, Flad Architects. But I wanted to focus on my own projects, and so I started my Brandnu Design Studio. Our goal is to work on projects important to my design philosophy. We go after projects that improve the quality of life or tell Black stories.
Where is your architectural firm, Brandnu Design, located?
Home base is Madison, but we have an office in Dallas and in New York.
I understand that your architectural style is centered on social justice and the built environment, challenging the standard approaches to architecture and design. What are the standard approaches and how are you challenging them?
The standard approach is based on the lived experiences and the memories of architects and designers, and their perceptions of space and place and how they play out in their design styles. But only two percent of architects are Black. Therefore, it is rare that you hear a design approach based on the lived experiences of African Americans.
Photo courtesy of Michael Ford.
When I do a project, during the design process, I am heavily engaged with the community where the structure will be located. In other words, I do not design for a community but rather with a community. Community members have seats at our table.
You once said, “My work is defined by my love of Black music. My work extracts the rhythms, patterns, textures and structures which are unique to the elements of hip-hop culture and converts them to architectural structure.” How would you define hip hop-culture?
We are in the 51st anniversary of hip hop music. Hip hop is now the most consumed music genre around the world. There are five universal truths of hip hop culture: DJ-ing, MCing, Breaking, Graffiti and Knowledge of Self. For example, I incorporated these principles into my textures, math, and pattern-making that I designed in carpets in collaboration with Shaw Contract, one of the world’s leading carpet manufacturers. My approach to architecture is not purely based on aesthetics, not whimsical, and not inspired by graffiti. I try to incorporate a 51-year backlog of critiques of urban space embedded in hip hop lyrics. We spent time dancing to those lyrics but not solving the problems related in the lyric stories. They are critiquing their urban spaces—schools, houses, streets, neighborhoods and spatial inequalities.
And how does your hip hop philosophy manifest itself in your architecture and design work?
My philosophy is reflected in our programming, the types of projects we go after. Architecture is more than bricks and mortar just like hip hop is more than beats and rhymes. It is about exploring the depths of the culture, and the power architecture has over people.
Let’s talk about the future Bronzeville Center for the Arts in Milwaukee. You were recently awarded the design contract. According to John Russick, BCA’s managing director, $55 million is the current estimate for the construction of the new building, which will contain 50,000 square feet. How will you go about making the design plans, given this budget? And what will your hip hop style mean to the new BCA building?
People sometimes think the architect does the drawings, and the building gets built, but it is really a collaborative project. For the BCA, I will be working with other design professionals including Peter Cook of HGA Architects and Engineers and also with the prominent landscape architect, Walter Hood. We are all nationally known African American designers.
Do you see your hip hop style working its way into the new building?
Most definitely. Every project I work on has some element of hip hop, whether patterns in the public plaza or textures on a building facade. As for the BCA, we are talking with the local community to get input, even young Milwaukee people at our architecture camp shared design ideas for the BCA.
Currently, less than two percent of architects in the United States are Black and less than one percent are Black women. You've said that if architecture can be more diverse, it could change the world. How would it change the world?
When architecture continues to get more diverse, there will be designers who take on the challenges of diverse communities. For instance, injustices to Black and brown women and men, and police and citizen brutality happen in public places. Architecture is the backdrop for these events acted out in public. Architects try to plan for everything we think will happen in our spaces, for instance, a public plaza where impromptu skateboarders can perform, or a victory rally for a sports team, or a graduation ceremony. Security in spaces play a part in whether people are safe. As the architecture profession becomes more diverse, we have the opportunity that allows people to become their best selves. If you think about it, where you spend your day has been scripted by designers.
You created The Hip Hop Architecture Camp for young students of color, and you hosted a camp here in Milwaukee not long ago. There is no cost to attend the camps. You describe the camp as “an international initiative which uses hip-hop culture as a catalyst to introduce underrepresented youth to architecture, design, and urban planning in a culturally relevant way.” How does your architecture camp accomplish this?
In 2016, I started the camp in Madison in partnership with Madison Public Libraries and the city planning department. The goal is to expose Black children to hip hop, one of the most creative cultures history has ever seen. Young people created hip hop, and they are still the cultural validators. No matter where you go in the world, people are emulating young Black and from major American cities like Detroit or Milwaukee.
This includes the fashion industry copying the style of how kids dress in urban Black neighborhoods. Even the hip hop language is adopted around the world. These Black urban kids are trendsetters, and yet they don’t benefit financially. Hip hop is a multi-billion-dollar marketing force. In each Hip Hop Architecture Camp, I encourage the young participants to bring their hip-hop culture along, the made-up words, the language, the fashion, the dancing and music, and we will explore ways we can convert that culture into architecture. I tell the kids that this hip-hop design approach will set you apart from traditional architects.
Do your students create architectural designs at the camp?
They do three things: One, they deconstruct hip hop song lyrics and reconstruct it as architecture. Two, we include local or nationally known rappers or MCs, who teach the children how to write in rap language. For instance, in Milwaukee, the young people wrote rap songs about Bronzeville Center for the Arts. Three, we take them to a studio where they record their songs and create a music video. They also learn about how a studio is designed.
According to you, the built environment has a profound impact on the lives of its inhabitants, but these effects are disproportionately detrimental for people of color. Can you further explain?
If you are interested in urban planning in architecture, listen to the stories in the hip hop lyrics, and how they describe their urban neighborhoods. We can design and build structures by understanding the urban culture. I have a word/text I made up … Hip Hop Architecture: The Post Occupancy Evaluation of Modernism. In other words, whenever architects design a building, we do a post-occupancy evaluation so we can improve on our next project, for example, a hospital. In public housing for Black and brown people, there is hardly ever a post-occupancy evaluation. Public housing is rarely designed by Black architects, yet through hip hop, the residents have told the stories of living in that environment.
Tom Jenz is a Milwaukee writer and photographer and author of Central City Stories on shepherdexpress.com.
New California Now Tasting Wine with... Bill Gardner
BY GAETANO MARANGELLI
It’s an irresistible October afternoon. The kind of autumn day that makes you embrace morning frost and dying leaves and waxing hours of night. Sun is splashing through windows and across a table where Bill Gardner, the domestic Wine portfolio manager of Left Bank Wine and Spirits, a Wisconsin distributor, has set nine bottles of wine made by his portfolio’s exemplary New California winemakers. “I don’t want our tasting to be about New California wines made in an old European way,” he begins, “but about California wines that taste delicious. But New California is still a useful category to help contextualize and understand where a California winery is coming from.”
The New California Wine movement began around the turn of the century but coalesced around 2010. The first wave of its winemakers marked a new chapter in American wine, a departure from industrialized, high-alcohol, oaky, fruity California Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, and a turn to new varietals and lesser-known terroirs, to wines of greater balance, elegance, and finesse, to wines with an emphasis on acidity and a sense of place, to cultivating grapes and making wines honestly.
“There have been several waves of New California winemakers,” Bill continues, “and what binds them together is a spirit of adventure and discovery. Have they toppled their predecessors? Not necessarily. But they have garnered their share of the market.”
MARTHA STOUMEN
“Martha Stouman is lovely, wildly intelligent, down-to-earth, and incredibly conscientious,” relates Gardner. “And she just exudes all of that in the least pretentious way possible.”
Stoumen is from northern California, but she isn’t from a winemaking family. As a young vinicola, one of her most pivotal experiences was making wine for Giusto Occhipinti at Azienda Agricola Cos in Cerasuolo di Vittoria in Sicily. Occhipinti and Cos make their wines naturally, but they don’t advertise themselves as natural winemakers. It’s just the way they are. “And I think that,” says Gardner, “kind of blew her mind.” As we lift our glasses with Stoumen’s Mendocino County Nero d’Avola, Gardner observes, “When you taste her wines, they taste like the Cos wines of Sicily. They’re high-toned with lots of acid, and they want food.”
The beauty, depth, and elegance of Stoumen’s wines reveal themselves to you inexorably, bewitchingly. The more you taste them, the more you fall in love with them.
A TRIBUTE TO GRACE
“A Tribute to Grace is Angela Osborne’s love affair with Grenache,” says Gardner. “Grenache in all its incarnations— Grenache Noir, Grenache Gris, Grenache Blanc.”
Osborne is a native of New Zealand who arrived in California as a kind of Grenache missionary. “Grenache,” declares Osborne on her website, “encapsulates grace.” Diving into Osborne’s Grenache Noir wines from Santa Barbara County and Cucamonga Valley, Gardner describes their effects. “All of her wines are beautifully textured. They’re soft, and they deliquesce beautifully. They aren’t rustic, but polished and pretty. I would drink these wines every day if I could.”
So would I. So would I.
JOLIE-LAID
Jolie-Laide translates to “Pretty-Ugly,” which is how the French fashion world describes somebody or something of unconventional beauty. Scott Schultz is the founder of the winery, and he and his spouse Jenny are its winemakers. “The project embraces many of the values that define New California Wine—a focus on grapes atypical to California, minimalistic winemaking, a stylistic emphasis on acid and freshness,” says Gardner. “Like the A Tribute to Grace wines, I’ve found there to be a textural element to the Jolie-Laide wines that unites them. They’re all quite fresh and clean.” That texture and that freshness shine through each of the three delicious Jolie-Laide wines on the table. Their zenith for me is the lovely Trousseau Gris from the Fanucchi-Wood Road Vineyard in Sonoma County.
CLOS SARON
The last wine of the afternoon is the 2016, Clos Saron, North Yuba, Home Vineyard, Pinot Noir. Clos Saron is a singular California winery making small quantities of singular California wines. The Home Vineyard is made from a twoacre vineyard at the home of winemakers Gideon Bienstock and spouse, Saron Rice. The earth of the Sierra Foothills isn't regarded as Pinot Noir terroir, but Bienstock knew the site's cool microclimate would be ideal for cultivating the grape.
“Pinot Noir thrives in these granitic, volcanic, ashy, yellow loamy soils of North Yuba in the Sierra Foothills,” Gardner explains. “I think when you taste the wines of these vineyards, they show a similarity with the wines of Beaujolais. Once you’ve tasted wines from granitic terroir, you recognize a set of flavors that only granite can impart.”
If you have yet to explore these wines of New California, this holiday season offers you many occasions to invite them to your table. What they promise you is the discovery of the delicious ways this new America makes wine.
For more on California wine visit www.shepherdexpress.com
Gaetano Marangelli is a sommelier and playwright. He was managing director of a wine import and distribution company in New York and beverage director for restaurants and retailers in New York and Chicago before moving to Wauwatosa.
Will MKE teams reach the NCAA Tournament this Season?
BY LIAM HANLEY
The 2023-24 season was an exciting year to be a fan of Division I men’s college basketball in Milwaukee. Marquette, led by point guard sensation Tyler Kolek, reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since before falling to North Carolina State.
Across town, UWM fans watched star wing BJ Freeman put up a historic season, leading the Panthers within a few buckets of a Horizon League title.
Both squads must endure the departures of their dominant frontmen. But with solid foundations and promising incoming talent, Milwaukee and Marquette are poised for strong seasons on the court again.
UW-MILWAUKEE
PANTHERS
Stack good days. That is the motto UWM Men’s Basketball coach Bart Lundy preaches to keep his unit focused on its current challenges.
The team had very few good days early in 2023-24, but the veteran squad clicked down the stretch—winning six straight before falling to Oakland in the conference championship game.
The 2024-25 season goal is clear: reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014. The program returns six of its top 10 minute-getters from a season ago but faces the loss of superstar BJ Freeman, who transferred to Arizona State.
Freeman was one of four DI players to average better than 20 points, six rebounds, and four assists per game last season.
Coach Lundy added four experienced players from the transfer portal to offset Freeman's departure. First were a pair of Milwaukee area prospects: Brown Deer’s John Lovelace Jr. and Whitnall’s Danilo Jovanich.
Lovelace is a versatile 6-7 wing who spent two seasons at Youngstown State. Jovanovich played limited minutes at Miami (FL) and Louisville but was Wisconsin’s #3 prospect in the 2022 class.
Lundy also signed the backcourt duo of A.J. McKee (Queens) and Themus Fulks (Louisiana). McKee, an ASUN SecondTeam All-Conference player, averaged 18.8 points per game, while Fulks and his 4.4 assists per game (third in the Sun Belt) finally give Milwaukee a true point guard.
These transfers will look to mesh with returners Erik Pratt (13.1 PPG), Faizon Fields (the conference leader in offensive rebounding rate), and Kentrell Pullian (six 20-plus point performances) as Milwaukee eyes a March breakthrough.
MARQUETTE GOLDEN EAGLES
In a new era defined by the transfer portal, Marquette’s roster construction under head coach Shaka Smart has remained traditional.
The Golden Eagles were one of five DI programs without an offseason transfer departure and they did not add a scholarship player in the portal.
Photo by Tyler R. Klein.
After reaching the Sweet 16 a year ago, Coach Smart must replace two second-round NBA Draft picks: guard Tyler Kolek and forward Oso Ighodaro.
Kolek was Marquette’s motor, earning consensus AllAmerican status and leading the nation with 7.7 assists per game. The lanky 6-11 Ighodaro — All-BIG EAST Second Team — led MU in rebounds and blocks.
Fortunately for Smart, Kolek and Ighodaro were the only losses. The Sweet 16 group returns starters Kam Jones (a team-leading 17.2 PPG), defensive stopper Stevie Mitchell, and Brookfield Central product David Joplin, plus several key bench pieces.
Joplin transitioned from sixth-man to starter last year. The team will need him to become a more efficient scorer and a bigger presence defensively in the paint.
While the Golden Eagles were quiet in the portal, a talented group of incoming freshmen led by Damarius Owens is poised to impress. ESPN’s 81st-ranked recruit, the 6-7 Owens is an explosive scorer in the paint and a solid shooter.
This year’s Marquette squad does not have the ceiling of last year’s group. But this deep, veteran crew has the components for an NCAA Tournament run.
Liam Hanley cohosts the MKE Sports Express podcast on shepherdexpress.com.
Thanksgiving Dining Guide
BY JULIA MARSHALL
ALIOTO’S RESTAURANT
3041 N. Mayfair Road, Wauwatosa (414) 476-6900 aliotos.net (Dinner)
ARIA
139 E. Kilbourn Ave. (414) 276-8686
Saintkatearts.com (Dinner)
BUNZEL’S MEAT MARKET
9015 W. Burleigh St. (414) 873-7960
(Pre-ordered Dinners for pick-up)
THE CAPITAL GRILLE
310 W. Wisconsin Ave. (414) 223-0600
Thecapitalgrille.com (Dinner)
There are many reasons a person may choose to eat out on Thanksgiving rather than cooking a whole meal at home. Maybe you simply don’t have enough space to host your friends and family, or you’re simply not interested in cooking. Whatever the reason, the Shepherd Express has your back with a list of restaurants who will do all the work for you.
Whether you’re looking for a Thanksgiving brunch, buffet or a fullfledged dinner, Milwaukee and area restaurants are doing what they can to help those who don’t plan to make a meal on their own.
CRAFTY COW
6519 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa (414) 897-7453
2675 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Milwaukee (414) 808-0481
133 E. Wisconsin Ave., Oconomowoc (262) 354-8070
GRAND GENEVA RESORT
7036 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva (262) 249-4788
www.grandgeneva.com/thanksgivingbrunch (Brunch)
MADER’S RESTAURANT
1041 N. Old World 3rd St. (414) 271-3377
madersrestaurant.com (Buffet)
MASON STREET GRILL
425 E. Mason St. (414) 298-3131
Masonstreetgrill.com
(Dinner)
OAK BARREL
1033 N MLK Drive (414) 897-8320
Oakbarrelmilwaukee.com
(Pre-ordered dinners for pick-up)
THE PFISTER HOTEL
424 E. Wisconsin Ave. (414) 273-8222 www.thepfisterhotel.com/events (Brunch)
Boasting Wisconsin’s largest lighting showroom, you’re sure to find the right piece that fits your style. The friendly sales staff are readily available for answers to all your lighting questions.
C3 DESIGNS
2110 10th Ave., South Milwaukee 414-764-3892
C3-designs.com
C3 Designs is the best jewelry store in the Milwaukee area to help with your holiday gift giving ideas. Store owner Chris Jensen is a nationally award-winning jewelry designer who has won over 25 awards for his custom creations. His design team at C3 Designs can help you choose the perfect one-of-a-kind gift for this holiday season.
DISCOUNT LIQUOR
5031 W. Oklahoma Ave., Milwaukee 414-545-2175
919 N. Barstow Ave., Waukesha 262-547-7525
Discountliquorinc.com
Discount liquor is your one-stop shop for all your gift-giving needs with our expansive selection of 8,000 wines, 4,000 liquors and 2,000 beers. Check out our huge variety of holiday liquor, beer and wine gift sets perfect for friends, co-workers and loved ones. Find out why we have been voted the best for 23 award-winning years.
GALLERIA GREENDALE
5640 Parking St., Greendale 414-344-8244
Galleriagreendale.com
NO OTHER STORE LIKE THIS!
Gifts galore for the holidays – your one-stop shop to buy one-ofa-kind items. Discover the work of more than 80 talented artists from across the U.S. – plus a gorgeous collection of Women’s Art-To-Wear in all sizes! Discover jewelry, glass, garden art, painting and home décor accessories – all original, handmade and specially selected for the store. Ladies’ Night Out! Demos, special offers, registerto-win drawings, refreshments, and a SPECIAL VISIT FROM ELVIS throughout downtown Greendale. Thursday, Nov. 14, 4-8 pm.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON MUSEUM
400 W. Canal St., Milwaukee 877-436-8738
harley-davidson.com/us/en/ museum.html
Gift the gift of Harley-Davidson this holiday season at the H-D Museum, a place where families can build and continue their own traditions and make lasting memories. Bring the family to Breakfast with Santa on December 1, 8, and 15. We’re offering a full holiday experience including a delicious brunch buffet in Rumble, letter writing to Santa, cookie decorating, holiday movies, and of course photos!
HEALIUM HOT YOGA-WEST ALLIS
6679 W. National Ave., West Allis, 414-616-1106
Healiumhotyoga.com/hhy-west-allis
HEALIUM HOT YOGA-BAY VIEW
2534 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Milwaukee 414-232-2165
Healiumhotyoga.com/hhy-bay-view
HEALIUM RESTORE
435 E. Lincoln Ave., Milwaukee 414-232-2165
Healiumhotyoga.com/ restore-bay-view
HEALIUM HIIT
2865 Kinnickinnic Ave., Milwaukee 414-309-0472
Healiumhotyoga.com/hiit-bay-view
Give the gift of Healium Yoga and HIIT this season! 10% off gift cards Nov. 29 - Dec. 24! 5, 10 and 20 class packs (good at all four studios) plus Month of Unlimited Yoga or HIIT gift cards all on sale! Healium Gift Card
Photo of presents by GettyImages/Di_Studio, Christmas light background by GettyImages/Abbasy Kautsar. Illustrations by Ali Bachmann.
KNUCKLEHEADS WELLNESS
2949 N. Oakland Ave., Milwaukee 414-962-3052
Knuckleheads.shop
Slide on down to Knuckleheads Wellness and check out why Knuckleheads won “Best of Milwaukee” Best Head Shop, Vape shop AND CBD Shop 2019-2023! With the holidays coming up, Knuckleheads knows exactly how to help you get into the Holiday spirit with their Black Friday BLOW OUT Nov. 29 –Dec 2; enjoy 20%-75% the entire store! Need something closer to the Holidays? Have no fear! Our Holiday Sale starts Dec 13 – Dec 24, 15%-75% the entire store! Need something before or after then? Check out our large variety of Wellness products. Visit on a Saturday or Sunday and enjoy 15% off all Wellness.
MARCUS HOTELS & RESORTS
MarcusGiftCards.com
Buy a Marcus Hotels & Resorts
$100 Gift Card and receive a $25 Promotional Bonus Card to keep! Use this Promotional Bonus Card at any participating Marcus Restaurants and Spas. Hurry-this deal expires on December31st, 2024! Shop now at MarcusGiftCards.com. Terms and conditions apply.
MILWAUKEE FILM
Mkefilm.org
Give the gift of film! Milwaukee Film has gifts for everyone on your list at mkefilm.org, including 2025 Milwaukee Film Festival ticket packages available starting Cyber Monday!
MILWAUKEE INSTITUTE OF ART & DESIGN (MIAD)
273 E. Erie St., Milwaukee 888-749-MIAD
Miad.edu/holidaysale
Join us at the MIAD Holiday Sale, an annual tradition! The MIAD Holiday Sale is your opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind art and design gifts, from sculptures to greeting cards, paintings, photographs, jewelry and more, created by MIAD students and alumni at affordable prices. Preview night: Dec. 5, 6-9 p.m., $10 admission. Free admission Dec. 6, 5-9 p.m. and Dec. 7, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
MILWAUKEE MAKERS MARKET
MilwaukeeMakersMarket.com
Nov. 17: “Early Bird Holiday” at The Ivy House
Nov. 23: "Cheer District Pop-Up" at Deer District Beer Garden
Nov. 30: “Shop Small Saturday” at Discovery World
Dec. 15: “Holiday Pop-Up” at Discovery World
Milwaukee Makers Market encourages shopping Small, Local Businesses this Holiday Season! On Saturday Nov. 30 at Discovery World from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. The Market will feature over 50 Local Businesses including art, jewelry, soaps, clothing, candles, unique gifts, Milwaukee themed accessories and more! Admission to the Market is free! More information online.
MUSEUM OF WISCONSIN ART
MOWA | West Bend
205 Veterans Ave., West Bend
262-334-9638
wisconsinart.org
Champagne Shopping, December 6–8
Find art-inspired gifts for everyone on your list this year at the MOWA Shop during Champagne Shopping! Throughout this three-day event, members sip champagne while they shop and receive exclusive discounts on a wide variety of products from Wisconsin-based artists and makers. Remember, a MOWA membership makes a great gift, too. Beginning at just $15, membership grants access to exhibitions, art making, tours, and so much more. Visit wisconsinart.org/join
Photo of presents by GettyImages/Di_Studio, Christmas light background by GettyImages/Abbasy Kautsar. Illustrations by Ali Bachmann.
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 30, hit up the businesses of South Milwaukee for the second annual “Shop Small World Tour 2,” a cornucopia of cultural diversity, shopping, food, wine, entertainment, and more! Parkway Floral will host a French wine and dessert tasting among luxe plants and artisan gifts. Bakehouse 23 will represent Ukraine. Get out of the cold and grab a cup of Borscht or Vareniki (Ukrainian perogies). Treats also available. Laskavo prosymo! OMEN Clothing and Music will have Grýla and her Yule cat standing by to give you some cash back on purchases and gift cards and add some Cryptid creepy vibes to your holiday shopping.
THE JEWELERS GUILD
2408 E. St. Francis Ave., St. Francis 414-488-2727
Jewelersguild.biz
Milwaukee’s most unique jewelry store has brilliant holiday gifts available for you in their gallery showroom: rubies, opals, sapphires and diamonds. Custom designs, repairs, and appraisals are their specialties as well as their exclusive Make Your Own Wedding Rings! Power rings handmade, locally by masterful designers, Goldsmiths and Jewelers. Check out their Online Store.
ULTRATWIST VINTAGE
7730 W. National Ave., Milwaukee www.ultratwistvintage.com
Ultratwist Vintage is the place to find true vintage clothing, as well as new retro-inspired and recycled clothing in sizes XS-5X. From classic silhouettes to bold prints and bright colors, we've got style with a twist so you can wear your personality!
Photo of presents by GettyImages/Di_Studio, Christmas light background by GettyImages/Abbasy Kautsar. Illustrations by Ali Bachmann.
Arts and Entertainment
ART & CRAFT
FAIR/MAKERS MARKET
Falls Festival of the Arts
Hover Craft
Milwaukee Maker's Market
Milwaukee Night Market
Tosa Locally Made Pop-Up
ART GALLERY (NON-MUSEUM)
Art ByTerra
ART LOUNGE
Saint Kate - The Arts Hotel
Var Gallery
ART MUSEUM
Grohmann Museum
Haggerty Museum of Art
Milwaukee Art Museum
Museum of Wisconsin Art (MOWA)
CHORAL GROUP (LARGE)
Aperi Animam
Bach Chamber Choir
Bel Canto Chorus
Milwaukee Choristers
CHORAL GROUP (SMALL)
Milwaukee Symphony Chorus
Our Voice Milwaukee
Sacra Nova Chorale
CLASSICAL MUSIC ENSEMBLE (LARGE GROUP)
Festival City Symphony
Milwaukee Community Orchestra
Milwaukee Musaik
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
CLASSICAL MUSIC ENSEMBLE (SMALL GROUP)
Philomusica Quartet
Present Music Prometheus Trio
COMEDIAN
Carly Malison
Charlie Berens
Dana Ehrmann
John McGivern
COMMUNITY FESTIVAL (NON-LAKEFRONT)
Bastille Days
Bay View Bash
Falls Festival of the Arts
Falls Lavender Fest
DANCE COMPANY
Danceworks
Milwaukee Ballet
Panadanza Dance Company
Pole Factory MKE
ETHNIC FESTIVAL
Festa Italiana
German Fest
Irish Fest
Mexican Fiesta Polish Fest
ILLUSIONIST / MAGICIAN
Chris Ivanovich
David Seebach
Glen Gerard
Luka
Two Brothers One Mind
LAKEFRONT FESTIVAL
German Fest
Irish Fest
Pride Fest
Summerfest
LOCAL RADIO PERSONALITY
Ally Faith
DJ Christreater
Don Black
Dori Zori
Kat Froehlich
LOCAL TV PERSONALITY
Brian Kramp
Gideon Verdin-Williams
Mark Baden
Ted Perry
MILWAUKEE AUTHOR
Christopher Chan
Dave Luhrssen
Fran Janczak
John Gurda
MOVIE THEATER
Avalon Theater
Marcus Majestic
Marcus South Shore Cinema
Marcus Theatres
Oriental Theatre
MUSEUM (NON-ART)
America's Black Holocaust Museum
Discovery World
Harley-Davidson Museum
Milwaukee Public Museum
MUSIC EDUCATION
BeSound Music Studios
Gateway Organization Milwaukee
Milwaukee Jazz Institute
Wisconsin Conservatory of Music
OUTDOOR MUSIC SERIES
Chill on The Hill
Falls Sunset Concert Series
Jazz In The Park
Lake Park Music in the Park
RADIO STATION
88Nine Radio Milwaukee
WJMR Jammin 98.3
WMSE 91.7FM
WUWM
SMALL PERFORMING
ARTS GROUP
Deeplight LARP
Milwaukee Jazz Institute
Milwaukee Chamber Theatre
Present Music
STAGE ACTOR
Adrian Feliciano
Dimonte Henning
John McGivern
Matt Daniels
Shawn Holmes
Suze Falk
Tommy Hahn
THEATER COMPANY
Falls Patio Players
Milwaukee Repertory Theater
Next Act Theater
Renaissance Theaterworks
Skylight Music Theatre
Sunset Playhouse
Bought and Sold
ANTIQUE STORE
Antiques on Pierce
BC Modern
Clocktower Antiques
Creekside Antiques
Dandy
APPLIANCE STORE
Appliance Gallery - Milwaukee
Grand Appliance & TV
Ritzman Applicance
AUTO DEALERSHIP - DOMESTIC
Badger Truck & Ford
Boucher Buick GMC Waukesha
Kunes Buick GMC Greenfield
Lake Ford
AUTO DEALERSHIP - IMPORT
Acura of Brookfield
Lexus of Brookfield
Reina international autos
Sommers Subaru
AUTO DEALERSHIP - PREOWNED
Acura of Brookfield
Boucher Buick GMC Waukesha
Rosen Honda Greenfield
Schlossmann Subaru City
BIKE SHOP
Allis Bike & Fitness
South Shore Cyclery
The Bikesmiths
Truly Spoken Cycles
Wheel & Sprocket
BOOKSTORE
Boswell Book Company
Downtown Books
Half Price Books
Lion's Tooth
BOUTIQUE CLOTHING
Boho Luxe Boutique
Fifth-Main
Omen
SHOP
CAKE/SPECIALTY
Aggie's Bakery
Batter & Mac
Greige Patisserie
Simma's Bakery
CARPET/FINE RUGS
Carpets Galore, Grafton
Hunts Flooring
Shabahang in Waukesha
Stu's Flooring
CBD RETAIL SHOP
Canni Hemp
Kelly's Greens
Kind Oasis
Knuckleheads Wellness
TerraSol Dispensary
CLOTHING - CHILDREN'S
Blackbear Children's Boutique
Creatively Yours
Lyss + Littles
CLOTHING - MEN'S
Harley's
NL Suits
Omen
Rich Earth Resale
CLOTHING - WOMEN'S
Boho Luxe Boutique
Fifth-Main
Omen
Rich Earth Resale
COMIC BOOK STORE
Collector's Edge
Lions Tooth Lost World of Wonders
EYEWEAR
414 Eyes
Be Spectacled
Eyes On The Lake
Metro Eye
Milwaukee Eye Care
FASHION ACCESSORIES
Bandit
Boho Luxe Boutique
Fifth-Main
Omen
FINE JEWELRY STORE
A Trio Jewelry
Cival Collective
Emily Klopstein Fine Jewelry
Tobin Jewelers
FLOORING (NON-CARPET)
21st Century Tile
Carpets Galore, Grafton
Contemporary Carpet in Hales Corners
Floor Coverings International
Platinum Plus Flooring
Stu's Flooring
FLORIST
414loral
Belle Fiori
Flowers for Dreams
M&F Floral + Decor
FURNITURE - NEW
BILTRITE Furniture & Mattress
Colder's
Steinhafels
Stone House Collective
FURNITURE - RESTORED
BC Modern
Rustic Rehabs
Spectre Vintage
GARDEN CENTER
Bayside Garden Center
Minor's Garden Center
Plant Land
Stein's Garden & Home
GIFT SHOP
Altered State of Mind
Angelic Roots
Poppy & Thyme
Swoon Trinkets and Doodads
HARDWARE STORE
Ace Hardware-Lisbon Ave
Bliffert Hardware
Downer True Value Hardware
Elliot Ace Hardware
HEAD SHOP
Blue on Greenfield
Knuckleheads Wellness
Smokin' Glass Greenfield
TerraSol Dispensary
LIGHTING SHOWROOM
BBC Lighting
Brass Light Gallery
LUCE Lighting and Design
MATTRESS STORE
BILTRITE Furniture
HassleLess Mattress
Verlo Mattress
MOTORCYCLE DEALERSHIP
House of Harley-Davidson
Suburban Motors Harley-Davidson
Wisconsin Harley-Davidson
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STORE
Brass Bell
Cream City Music
Music Go Round
Wade's Guitar Shop
NEW RETAIL STORE (OPENED IN (2023)
Boho Luxe Boutique
Ebb & Flow
Game Together MKE
Rich Earth Resale
NOVELTY / VARIETY STORE
Altered State of Mind
American Science and Surplus
Art Smart's Dart Mart
Fischberger's
Winkie's
PET RETAIL STORE
Bark N Scratch Outpost
Mac's Pet Depot Barkery
Pet Supplies Plus
Skilos
RECORD STORE
Irving Place Records
Lilliput
RushMor Records
Volta Records
SHOE STORE
Rogan's Shoes
Shoo
Stan's Fit For Your Feet
TIRE STORE
Discount Tire
Manyo motors
Mr. P'S Tire
Ray Tann
Riverside Automotive
VAPE SHOP
Blue Dream
Blue on Greenfield
Knuckleheads Wellness
TerraSol Dispensary
VINTAGE/THRIFT STORE
BC Modern Dupree's Vintage Fifth-Main Game Together MKE Rich Earth Resale
City Confidential
LOCAL ACTIVIST
Chloe Longmire
Heba Mohammad
Lisa Proeber
Michael Hupy
Ryan Clancy
Vaun Mayes
MILWAUKEEAN OF THE YEAR
Eric Nehm
Hazel Flint-Jones
Jackson Chourio
JMatt of HashtagMKE
Pete Marshall
Ryan Clancy
Ryan Laessig
MOST BELOVED POLITICIAN
Mayor Cavalier Johnson
Ryan Clancy
Tammy Baldwin
Tony Evers
MOST TRUSTED PUBLIC OFFICIAL
Cavalier Johnson
Chris Larson
Marina Dimitrijevic
Ryan Clancy
Tammy Baldwin
MILWAUKEE INFLUENCER
@MKEeeeEats
HashtagMKE
Ryan Laessig
Thee Traveling Attorney
Wisconsin Cheese Please
SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS (NON-LAW FIRM)
Accessible Career Options
Chase My Creations
Crime Stoppers
Penzeys Spices
PHILANTHROPIST
Bader Philanthropy
Chris Abele
Donald & Donna Baumgartner
Dr. Anthony Porcelli & Jesse Mendelsohn
Educators Credit Union
Herb Kohl Charities
Mark Wimmer
Michael Johnston
Mikey Cody Apollo
Shane Kennelly
STATE LEGISLATOR
Chris Larson
Deb Andraca
Robyn Vining
Ryan Clancy
MOST DESPISED POLITICIAN
Bob Donovan
Jonathan Brostoff
Robin Vos
Ron Johnson
ORGANIZATION SUPPORTING VETERANS
Broadscope Disability Services
Dry Hootch
Milwaukee Homeless Veteran Initiative
Oak Creek Community Center
VA Hospital
Vets Place Central
NON-PROFIT/HUMAN SERVICES ORGANIZATION
Broadscope Disability Services
Courage MKE
Girls on the Run Southeastern Wisconsin
Menomonee Falls Events
Street Angels
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
LOCAL CHARACTER
Dear Ruthie
John McGivern
Milverine
Paul Lawson
Space Time Coffee Adam
LOCAL ENTREPRENEUR
JMatt of HashtagMKE
Lisa Proeber
Marisa Schmitz
Ryan Laessig
MILWAUKEE COUNTY SUPERVISOR
Justin Bielinski
Marcelia Nicholson
Sheldon Wasserman
LOCAL PODCAST
Cinebuds
Milwaukee Uncut
MKE Sports Express
Tell Them You Mean Business
MILWAUKEE ALDERPERSON
JoCasta Zamarripa
Marina Dimitrijevic
Peter Burgelis
Scott Spiker
TO PICK UP THE SHEPHERD
HOME
ROOM
CLOSET DESIGN
All About Organization
Closets by Design
JJB Home Improvements
LaBonte Construction
ELECTRICIAN
Best Electric
Current Electric
Roman Electric
Spark Shark
Triple T Electric
GARAGE DOOR
INSTALLATION/REPAIR
A1 Garage Door
Briggs Overhead Door
GEIS Building Products
GUTTER INSTALLATION/REPAIR
Allrite Home & Remodeling
East Side Roofing
Swift Roofing
WeatherPro Exteriors
HOME BUILDER
Bielinksi Homes
Blue Harmony Homes
LaBonte Construction
Stepping Stone Homes
HOME REMODELING
Home Path Windows and Doors
JJB Home Improvements
KL Construction
LaBonte Construction
Refined Renovations
HVAC
Belle Heating
Donovan & Jorgensen
Roman Home Services
Third Coast Heating and Cooling
INTERIOR DESIGN
Anea Design Co.
JJB Home Improvements
LaBonte Construction
KITCHEN REMODELER
JJB Home Improvements
KL Construction
LaBonte Construction
Refined Renovations
LANDSCAPER/LAWN
MAINTENANCE
Cream City Landscaping
M C Green Services
Secret Garden
Taylor's Landscape Construction
PAINTER
Bill Weber
EZ Flooring & Painting
Premier Painting
PLUMBER
Borth Wilson
Budiac Plumbing
Dr. Plumber
Milestone Plumbing
Roman Home Services
Rozga Plumbing
ROOFER
Allrite Home & Remodeling
American Roofing
Formula Home Improvements, Inc
Weather Tight
WINDOW & SIDING
All City Contracting
Allrite Home & Remodeling
Formula Home Improvements, Inc
Home Path Windows and Doors
LGBTQ-INCLUSIVE
Flour Girl & Flame
POP
JP Beauty Services Lakefront Brewery
Thrive Holistic Medicine
LGBTQ ADVOCATE
Courage MKE
Ester Flonaze
Flour Girl & Flame
Michael Hupy
Ramona the Drag Queen
LGBTQ EVENT
Pride Fest
POP Pride
Courage MKE Gala
Lakefront Brewery Drag Queen Bingo
Pride Parade
LGBTQ-OWNED BUSINESS
Flour Girl & Flame
JP Beauty Services POP
Zilli Hospitality Group
DRAG PERSONALITY
Ester Flonaze
Ruthie
Ramona the Drag Queen
Adam Furie
Locally
Owned Food -Retail
ARTISANAL CHEESE
Alpinage Cheese
Sendik's Food Market
The Village Cheese Shop
West Allis Cheese & Sausage Shoppe
Wisconsin Cheese Mart
BACON
Becher Meats
Bunzel's Meat Market
Kettle Range Meat Market
Ray's Butcher Shop
Usinger's
BAKERY
Aggie's Bakery
Bakehouse 23
Grebe's Bakery
Rocket Baby Bakery
The Pretty Pink Apron
BEER SELECTION
Bert's Liquor
Discount Liquor
Ray's Liquor
Woodman's
BRATWURST
Becher Meats
Bunzel's Meat Market
South Milwaukee Sausage and Meats
Usinger's
BUTCHER SHOP
Becher Meats
Bunzel's Meat Market
Ray's Butcher Shop
South Milwaukee Sausage and Meats
CHEESE CURDS
Bunzel's
Sendik's
West Allis Cheese & Sausage Shoppe
Wisconsin Cheese Mart
Woodman's
CHEESE SELECTION
Glorioso's
Outpost
West Allis Cheese & Sausage Shoppe
Wisconsin Cheese Mart
CHOCOLATIER
Burke Candy
Freese's Candy Shoppe
Indulgence Chocolates
Tabal
CRAFT BEER
Eagle Park Brewing Company
Faklandia Brewpub
Lakefront Brewery
Ope! Brewing Co.
CUPCAKES
Aggie's Bakery
Bakehouse 23
Classy Girl
Jen's Sweet Treats
Simma's
DISTILLED SPIRITS
Central Standard Craft Distillery
Great Lakes Distillery
Handen Distillery
Spirits of Norway
Twisted Path Distillery
FARMERS MARKET
Greenfield Farmer's Market
Oak Creek Farmer's Market
South Shore Farmer's Market
Wauwatosa Farmers Market
West Allis Farmer's Market
FROZEN PIZZA
Cedar Teeth
Connie's Pizza
Lotzza Motzza
Palermo's Pizza
Screaming Scicilian
GOURMET POPCORN
Goody Gourmets
Knights Gourmet Popcorn and Candies
Lush Popcorn
Pop's Kettle Corn
GROCERY - ALL PURPOSE
Groppi Food Market
Outpost Natural Foods
Sendik's Food Market
Woodman's
GROCERY - ETHNIC
El Rey
Glorioso's Italian Market
Indian Groceries & Spices
Parthenon Foods
GROCERY - GOURMET
Glorioso's Italian Market
Groppi Food Market
Metcalfe's Market
Sendik's Food Market
GROCERY - ORGANIC
Fresh Thyme
Good Harvest Market
Outpost Natural Foods
Whole Foods
HARD CIDER
Cache Cider
Island Orchard Cider
Lost Valley
Pomona Cider Co.
HOME COOKING
MEAL KITS
A to Z Dinners
Bunzel's
Freshchef Meal Prep
Kettle Range Meat Co.
HOT HAM & ROLLS
Batter and Mac
Glorioso's Italian Market
Grebe's Bakery
Layton Fruit Market
LIQUOR STORE
Bert's Beer & Liquor
Discount Liquor
Otto's Wine & Spirits
Ray's Wine & Spirits
MEAT SELECTION
Becher Meats
Bunzel's
Kettle Range Meat Co.
Ray's Butcher Shoppe
South Milwaukee Sausage and Meats
SAUSAGE
Becher Meats
Bunzel's
South Milwaukee Sausage and Meats
Usinger's
SAUSAGE SHOP
Becher Meats
Bunzels
South Milwaukee Sausage and Meat
Usinger's
West Allis Cheese & Sausage Shoppe
SODA
Black Bear
Jolly Good
Lakefront Brewery
Sprecher Brewing Co.
Top Note Tonics
TAKE-OUT DELI
Bunzel's
Glorioso's Italian Market
Groppi Food Market
Rupena's
Sendik's Food Market
TEA
Honey Bee Sage and Wellness
Rishi Tea
Tootsie's Tea
Urbal Tea Co.
WINE SELECTION
Discount Liquor
Nonfiction Wine
Ray's Liquor
Thief Wine
Locally Owned Restaurant
AFRICAN RESTAURANT
Alem Ethiopian Village
Blue Star Cafe
Ethiopian Cottage
Immy's African Cuisine
BAGEL
Allie Boy's
Hen's Deli
Ruby's Bagels
BAR FOOD
Camino
Layman's Brewery
Miller Time Pub & Grill
Pete's Pub
The Brass Tap
The Vanguard
BARBECUE
Double B's BBQ
Redbar
Smoke Shack
Sweet Smoke Barbecue
BREAKFAST
Blue's Egg
Cafe at the Plaza
Comet Cafe
Mad Rooster
Uncle Wolfie's
BRUNCH
Comet Cafe
Blue's Egg
Bubbles & Brunch at Saint Kate
Copper on King
Uncle Wolfie's
BUFFET
India Garden
Maharaja
BURGERS
Camino
Crafty Cow
Kopp's
Oscar's Pub & Grill
BURRITO
Cafe Corazon
Cozumel Mexican Restaurant
Jalisco's Mexican Restaurant
Taqueria el Cabrito
CARIBBEAN RESTAURANT
Cubanitas
McCoco's
Mobay Cafe
Uppa Yard
CENTRAL/SOUTH AMERICAN RESTAURANT
Chef Paz Restaurant
La Cocina del Sur
La Masa Empanada Bar
Noche Restaurante
CHEAP EATS
Chubby's Cheesesteaks
Kopp's Frozen Custard
Pomona Cider Co.
Todd I Believe I Can Fry
CHEF
Adam Pawlak
Dan Jacobs
Dana Spandet
Heskeith Flavian - Saint Kate - The Arts
Hotel
CHICKEN SANDWICH
Club Garibaldi
Crafty Cow
Heirloom MKE
Palomino
Pete's Pub
Points East Pub
The Brass Tap
Todd I Believe I Can Fry
CHINESE RESTAURANT
Emperor of China
Fortune Chinese Restaurant
DONUTS
Cranky Al's
Grebe's Bakery
Mochi Ring
Mochinut
FAMILY FRIENDLY RESTAURANT
Chef Paz Restaurant
Kin by Rice N Roll
Safehouse
Sala Modern Sicilian
The Little Village Play Cafe
The New Fashioned
Todd I Believe I Can Fry
FARM-TO-TABLE RESTAURANT
Braise
Heirloom MKE
Odd Duck
Parkside 23
FINE DINING
Birch
Harbor House
Morel
Sanford
FISH FRY
Kegel's Inn
Lakefront Brewery
Layman Brewing
Packing House
FOOD TRUCK
Flour Girl & Flame
Lakefront Brewery CurdWagon
Ruby's Bagel
Tots On The Street
Vocado MKE
FRENCH RESTAURANT
Bavette
Lake Park Bistro
Le Reve Patisserie & Café
Pastiche
FRIED CHEESE CURDS
Crafty Cow
Lakefront Brewery
Miller Time Pub
Todd I Believe I Can Fry
FRIED CHICKEN
Crafty Cow
Maxie's
Secret Hot Chicken
Todd I Believe I Can Fry
TomKens
TsaoCaa
FROZEN YOGURT SHOP
Smart Cow
Yo Factory
Yo Mama!
GELATO SHOP
Cold Spoon
Divino Gelato Cafe
Glorioso's
Golosi Gelato Café
GERMAN RESTAURANT
Kegel's Inn
Maders
The Bavarian Bierhaus
Von Trier
GLUTEN-FREE/FRIENDLY RESTAURANT
Cafe Manna
Lakefront Brewery
Pomona Cider Co.
The Lafayette Place
GREEK RESTAURANT
Apollo Cafe
Avli
Oakland Gyros
Ouzo Cafe
HOT DOG
Dr. Dawg
Martino's Hot Dogs & Italian Beef
The Dogg Haus
The Vanguard
HOTEL RESTAURANT
Ash
Mason Street Grill
Saint Kate's The Arts Hotel
The Café At the Plaza
RuYi
Sze Chuan Restaurant
COFFEE SHOP
collectivo
Stone Creek Coffee
Valentine Coffee Co.
Vendetta Coffee Bar
ICE CREAM/FROZEN CUSTARD
STAND
Gilles Frozen Custard
Joy Ice Cream Social
Kopp's Frozen Custard
Leon's Frozen Custard
Scratch Ice Cream
INDIAN/PAKISTANI RESTAURANT
Cafe India
India Garden
Maharaja
Saffron
IRISH RESTAURANT
County Clare
McKiernan's Irish Pub
Mo's Irish Pub
O'Lydia's
ITALIAN RESTAURANT
Carini's
Sala Modern Sicilian
Santino's Little Italy
Tenuta's Italian Restaurant
JAPANESE RESTAURANT
Hungry Sumo
Kawa
Kin By Rice N Roll
Kyoto
JEWISH/KOSHER-STYLE
RESTAURANT
Benji's Deli
Hen's Deli
Jake's Deli
On Rye Deli
KITCHEN OPEN AFTER 10 P.M.
Oakland Gyros
Pete's Pub
Steny's
The Vanguard
KOREAN RESTAURANT
Back Street
Char'd
Sinabro
Stone Bowl Grill
LOUISIANA/SOUTHERN RESTAURANT
Crawdaddy's Lowcountry
Maxie's
Tupelo Honey
MAC & CHEESE
Comet Cafe
Crafty Cow
Double B's BBQ
Egg & Flour Pasta Bar
Lakefront Brewery
MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT
Apollo Cafe
Carini's Casablanca
Lebnani House
Oakland Gyros
Pita Palace
Sharwarma King
Tre Rivali
MEXICAN RESTAURANT
Botanas
Cafe Corazon
Guanajuato Mexican Restaurant
Jalisco's Mexican Restaurant
MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT
Casablanca
Lebnani House
Shaharazad
Shawarma King
Taqwa's
NEW RESTAURANT (OPENED IN 2023)
Copper on King
Room Service
The New Fashioned
Todd I Believe I Can Fry
OUTDOOR DINING
Barnacle Bud's
Café Benelux
Lakefront Brewery
Sala Modern Sicilian
PIZZERIA - DEEP DISH
Fixture Pizza Pub
Flour Girl & Flame
Tenuta's Italian Restaurant
Tomaso's
PIZZERIA - THIN CRUST
Balistreri's Bluemound Inn
Lisa's Pizza
Tenuta's Italian Restaurant
Zaffiro's
PIZZERIA - WOOD-FIRED OVEN
Carini's
Flour Girl & Flame
Proof Pizza
Santino's Little Italy
PLACE TO EAT ALONE
Pete's Pub
Pomona Cider Co.
Sze Chuan
Todd I Believe I Can Fry
RAMEN
Easy Tyger
Hungry sumo
Kawa
Kin By Rice N Roll
RESTAURANT OPEN ON CHRISTMAS DAY
Emperor of China
India Garden
Mason Street Grill
Sze Chuan Restaurant
The Packing House
RESTAURANT SERVICE
Harbor House
Sala Modern Sicilian
Sanford
The Jackson Grill
RESTAURANT WITH A VIEW
Avli
Barnacle Bud's
Harbor House
Lake Park Bistro
Lakefront Brewery
Saffron
Vault
RIBS
Carson's
Double B's
Pitch's
Smoke Shack
ROMANTIC RESTAURANT
Lake Park Bistro
Movida
Sala Modern Sicilian
The Cheel
SANDWICH
Benji's Deli
Cousins
Hen's Deli
Riley's Social House
SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
Harbor House
Milwaukee Sail Loft
St. Paul Fish Company
Third Coast Provisions
SOUL FOOD
1700 Pull Up
Bungalow
Coaches 1125
Crawdaddy's
Daddy's Soul Food & Grille
SOUPS
Bakehouse 23
Loup
Sala Modern Sicilian
The Soup Market
SPANISH RESTAURANT
Amilinda
Cavas
La Merenda
Movida
Spanish Traveller
STEAKHOUSE
Dream Dance Steakhouse
Five O'Clock Steakhouse
Mo's... A Place For Steaks
Rare Steakhouse
SUB SANDWICH
Cousins Subs
GoldCoast Subs
LuLu Bay View
Suburpia
SUPPER CLUB
Buckatabon Tavern & Supper Club
Five O'Clock Steakhouse
Jackson Grill
The Packing House
SUSHI
Hungry Sumo
KIN by Rice & Roll
RuYi
Screaming Tuna
TACO
BelAir Cantina
Daily Taco + Cantina
Taco Pros
Taqueria el Cabrito
TAPAS (SMALL PLATES)
La Merenda
Movida
Odd Duck
The Cheel
Vault
THAI RESTAURANT
EE-Sane
Rice n Roll Bistro
Thai Kitchen
Thai-Namite
VEGAN-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT
Beans & Barley
Beerline Cafe
Cafe Manna
The Lafayette Place
Twisted Plants
VEGETARIAN-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT
Beans and barley
Beerline Cafe
Cafe Manna
Twisted Plants
VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT
Hue Asian Kitchen
Pho Cali
Pho Saigon
Pho Viet
Vientiane
WINE LIST
Café Benelux
Mason Street Grill
Sala Modern Sicilian
Sanford
Medical
ALCOHOL & DRUG REHAB CENTER
A Right Path Wellness Recovery
Meta House
Rogers Behavioral Health
United Community Center
CANCER CENTER
Froedtert Cancer Center
Polly & Van Dyke Cancer Center Ascension
ProHealth Care
Reiman Cancer Center Rawson Avenue
CARDIOLOGIST
Brad R. Stair, MD, FACC
Dr Anthony DeFranco
Dr. Thomas Mahn
James Roth
CHIROPRACTOR
Ascent Chiropractic
Chiropractic Company
ChiroWay Chiropractic
North Point Chiropractic
COSMETIC DENTIST
Major Dental Clinics
Peter Wagner, DDS
Stephanie Murphy, DDS
COSMETIC SURGEON
Anand D Patel - Visage Facial Plastic
Surgery
Daniel Butz
Dr Maida Parkins
Quintessa Plastic Surgery
DENTIST
Joyce Family Dentistry
Major Dental Clinics
Riverwalk Dentistry
Stephanie Murphy DDS
DERMATOLOGY
Dr. Edit Olasz
Dr. Heather Wells
Dr. James Russell
Dr. Jonathan Bonchak
EYE DOCTOR
414 Eyes
Dr. Vaugn Schneider
Metro Eye
Milwaukee Eye Care
HOME MEDICAL CARE
Comfort Keepers
Hearts To Home
Horizon Home Care and Hospice
Ralyn Homecare
HOSPITAL
Ascension Columbia St Mary's Hospital
Aurora-Grafton
Froedtert Hospital
St Luke's
LASIK SURGEON
Dr. Louis Probst
Dr. Ronald Allen
Milwaukee Eye Care
Milwaukee Eye Care Associates
OB-GYN
Jennifer Moralez
Jonathan Berkhoff
Moreland OB-GYN Associates
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Froedtert Rehab department
Little Light Pediatric Therapies
Medical Support Services
ORTHODONTIST
Bell Orthodontic Solutions
Bubon Orthodontics
Grafton Orthodontics
Orthodontic Experts
PEDIATRICIAN
Dr. Dahlman-Aurora
Dr. Jean hoopfer
Dr. Kathrynn Fee
Dr. Laura Franck
Dr. Michael Flancher
Dr. Robert Brueggemann
Dr. Timothy Richer
PERIODONTIST
Burke Periodontics
PHYSICAL THERAPIST
Freedom Physical Therapy Services
Erik Heinlein
Cream City Physical therapy
Brittany Bergman @ Evolve Physical Therapy
PSYCHIATRIST / PSYCHOLOGIST
Jacob Behrens
Kailagh O’Keefe Lewis
Dr. Carlyle Chan
Jacob Behrens (Envision ADHD)
SOUND THERAPY
Parisa Yoga Shala
Ananda Healing Arts
Adagio Sound Healing
Angelic Roots
SPEECH THERAPIST
Communication & Feeding Specialists
Concordia University Speech - Language
Little Light Pediatric Therapies
Medical Support Services
SPORTS MEDICINE
MCW Sports Medicine Center
Aurora Sports Medicine - Grafton (Arik
Tavs)
Breathe in Motion
Children's Wisconsin
TELEMEDICINE PROVIDER
Thrive Holistic Medicine
A Right Path Wellness Recovery
CLARA Healing Institute
Children's Wisconsin
WOMEN'S MEDICAL SERVICES
Thrive Holistic Medicine
Rejuvenate MKE
Planned Parenthood
Jennifer Moralez
MIND, BODY, SPIRIT
PILATES STUDIO
Afterglow
Body Language Pilates
East Side Pilates
Embody Yoga
Flying Squirrel
Solidcore
BOUTIQUE FITNESS
Healium HIIT
Peak Physique Personal Training
Pole Factory MKE
SPIRE Fitness
CROSSFIT-STYLE GYM
A2FIT
Badger CrossFit
Burn Boot Camp Brookfield
Drop Out Fight Club
MASSAGE THERAPIST
Lotus Om Wellness
Marylisa Ayala
MKE Mindbody Wellness
Susan Arenkill
ALTERNATIVE MEDICAL CLINIC
A Right Path Wellness
MKE Mindbody Wellness
Rejuvenate MKE
VIVA Wellness
GYM
Bay View Fitness
Healium HIIT
SPIRE Fitness
Toned Body Fitness
Wisconsin Athletic Club
YOGA STUDIO
Collective Flow
Healium Hot Yoga
The Heart Revival Center
Yoga by Analisia
PERSONAL TRAINER
Audrey Allen
Elena Altoro-Rodriguez
Raj Shah
Reggie Bonds
SPA
Beau-T Works
Bloom Skin Spa
Elevate + Co.
JP Beauty Services
Milwaukee Laser & Body Aesthetics
ACUPUNCTURIST
A Right Path Wellness
Amanda Gawrysz
Milwaukee Community Acupuncture
MKE MindBody Wellness
REIKI STUDIO
A Right Path Wellness
Angelic Roots
Kiralily Healing
MKE Mindbody Wellness
Susan Arenkill
Music
INDIE BAND
D’Aych & The Next Level Band
Lack of Reason
VOCALIST—MALE
Johnny Franchino
Andy Gonzales
Adam Fettig
Ernie Z
JAZZ COMBO
B.D. Greer & The Gents
Milwaukee Jazz Institute
Garrett Waite
Donna Woodall Grouo
J. Ryan Trio
POLKA BAND
November Criminals
The Squeezettes
Copper Box
BLUES BAND
Milwaukee Blues Rock Collective
Jonny T-Bird and The MPs
Altered 5 Blues Band
Leroy Airmaster
VOCALIST-FEMALE
Ashley Patin
B.D. Greer
Alissa Weber
METAL BAND
Still Stayer
Metal Men
Cherry Pie
Conniption
Convert Snag Without Annette
RAP/HIP-HOP ARTIST
Johnny Franchino
Ernie Z
Guerilla Ghost
D’Aych
Genesis Ishdarr
J.P.
Spade ONE
Vincent Van Great
COVER/TRIBUTE BAND
Failure to Launch
Cherry Pie
Fallback
COUNTRY
Shotgun Jane Rebel Grace
The Whiskeybelles
Bella Cain
Catelyn Huckstep
Ladybird Wire and Nail
ELECTRONIC ARTIST
Johnny Franchino
Shxde
Immortal Girlfriend
Chan
Hot Science
The Quilz
Tron Jovi
FOLK BAND
Atlantic Wave
The Midnight Purchase
Paddygrass
Dead Horses
Long Mama
MUSIC PRODUCER/ENGINEER
SD Produces
Mitch Cooper
Jeff Hamilton
Gucco
Timothy Rickettes
BLUEGRASS BAND
Derek Byrne and Paddygrass
Chicken Wire Empire
The Whiskeybelles
Valley Fox
ACOUSTIC MUSICIAN
Catelyn Huckstep
Roxie Beane
Joey Gleesing
John Nicholson
Paul Rebeck
ROCK BAND
The New Grey
Fallback
Cherry Pie Without Annette
CLUB DJ
DJ Chex
DJ Megadon
Goth Barge
DJ Breezy
Sushi Lor
digital.maddie
Out And About
ALL-AGES VENUE
Cactus Club
Room Seven
The New Fashioned
X-Ray Arcade
ARCADE/GAMING
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Just Learning
5 Tips for Surviving Puppyhood 5 Tips for Surviving Puppyhood
HERE'S THE POOP... HERE'S THE POOP...
Most puppy parents, if not all, wonder at some point what the heck they got themselves into! I sometimes joke that puppies are so stinkin’ cute for this reason –it’s hard to resist those floppy ears, puppy breath and classic, puppy dog eyes!
Puppyhood will eventually end, and things will get easier for you and your furry friend! Until then, though, here are five tips to help you and your family survive puppyhood:
1. Exercise: Your puppy’s endless energy can be offset with a consistent routine of exercise that gives them a way to channel that energy for good and take a snooze afterward!
2. Sleep: Speaking of snoozing…A tired dog may be a good dog, but an overtired dog is a menace! An enforced nap schedule is not only necessary for your puppy’s development, but it’s a way to prevent the “acting up” that comes with being overtired and fighting sleep!
3. Mental enrichment: Wearing out your puppy’s body is important, but so is giving that brain a workout! Enrichment helps build confidence, problem solving skills, and can be just as tiring as physical exercise.
4. It takes a village: If you need a break from your furry T-Rex (and we all do at some point), reach out to and lean on your village (friends, family, daycare, etc.) to give yourself a break for a few hours.
5. Reward the calm: Puppies don’t need help getting wound up, so work to look for and draw attention to the calm, relaxed, and settled behaviors your puppy offers! Hand out treats, petting, praise, and all the good stuff (calmly) for chilling out, so your puppy learns to offer more of this stuff.
Struggling with your puppy? Reach out – we’d love to help!
Happy training!
Jennifer Prill, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA Owner, Lead Trainer & Behavior Consultant
414-207-8060
sidekick-dogtraining.com Monday-Saturday 10AM-8PM
WE ARE FINALISTS FOR BEST PET SERVICES AND BEST DOG WALKER
Tis' the Season for the arts Holiday Arts Guide
Oliver! For The Holidays
BY DAVID LUHRSSEN
AChristmas Carol has endured as a remarkable story about society told entertainingly, not polemically. Its rival in the Charles Dickens’ canon has to be Oliver Twist, as incarnated in Lionel Bart’s musical Oliver! and its transformation into a film by the great British director Carol Reed. Oliver! receives it Skylight Music Theatre debut this season under the company’s artistic director, Michael Unger. “I love Dickens and spent 20 years doing A Christmas Carol on the East Coast,” Unger says. “He had a Shakespearean sense for helping us understand the human condition.”
Oliver! concerns homelessness and the street crime that arises from bad social conditions. The protagonist, Oliver Twist, escapes from a cruel orphanage and encounters a young thief, the Artful Dodger, who introduces him to Fagin, ringleader of a criminal enterprise. Fagin’s gang is a surrogate family with the usual familial range of personalities including Nancy, a kindly godmother trapped in an abusive relationship with Bill Sykes, the story’s bad guy.
“We see how Sykes grew up—he is a villain, but we see the flicker of humanity. Hopefully we’ll come to care about Sykes—no one is mean without a reason, a sense of failure they are compensating for,” Unger says.
“Dickens did not shy away from serious topics. I love the humanity and honesty of the story. Even though it’s set in Victorian England, it still feels contemporary.”
Drawings by 19th century illustrator Gustav Dore will be projected as backdrops, setting the period and tone. The show includes 24 children, 12 in each cast, including female actors as the Artful Dodger, usually depicted as a boy. Unger commends the play’s musicality. “It’s tuneful, melodious with songs that never get old,” he says.
Oliver! will be performed Nov. 15-Dec. 29 at the Broadway Theatre Center’s Cabot Theatre.
53212 PRESENTS 53212presents.org
5 POINTS ART GALLERY 5ptsartgallery.com
ACACIA THEATRE COMPANY acaciatheatre.com
Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, Dec. 7-15
Jane Austen fans—and anyone who enjoys a charming holiday show—will be delighted to know that there’s a sequel to her classic Pride and Prejudice. Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley finds those Bennet sisters in December 1815, two years after Elizabeth and Jane have married well and found happiness. But then there’s the “Miss Bennet” of the title; bookish, outspoken Mary, who takes care their aging parents. Cue the matchmaking sisters and brothers-in-law, William Darcy and Charles Bingley. And who shows up to celebrate Christmas? But the equally awkward and bookish Lord Arthur DeBurgh. (Harry Cherkinian)
THE ALICE WILDS thealicewilds.com
Shana McCaw, Brent Budsberg: The Amaranthine Room, through Nov. 2
ALL IN PRODUCTIONS allin-mke.com
ALVERNO ART & CULTURES GALLERY
AMERICAN PLAYERS THEATRE (APT) americanplayers.org
Nat Turner in Jerusalem, Oct. 17-Nov. 10 (Hill Theater)
The play by award-winning playwrightscreenwriter Nathan Alan Davis shines a light on Nat Turner, an enslaved person who paid with his life by leading an 1831 rebellion in Virginia. Turner claimed to be guided by the Holy Spirit in his march to Jerusalem, a town in Virginia. (David Luhrssen)
APERI ANIMAM aperianimam.com
ARTS @ LARGE artsatlargeinc.org
BACH CHAMBER CHOIR bachchoirmilwaukee.com
A Ceremony of Carols, Jan. 5 (Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church)
BAYVIEW GALLERY NIGHT bvgn.org
BEL CANTO CHORUS belcanto.org
Voices of Glad Tiding, Dec. 13-15 (Basilica of St. Josaphat)
Bel Canto will perform John Rutter's Gloria, based on a Latin text and drawn from Gregorian chant. Bel Canto encourages the audience “to join in,” as this concert features “several audience sing-a-longs to help you get into the spirit of the season.” (Morton Shalbotnik)
BLACK ARTS MKE blackartsmke.org
Black Nativity by Langston Hughes, Dec. 5-8 (Wilson Theatre at Vogel Hall, Marcus Performing Arts Center)
The upcoming production reunites last year’s creative team of Wanyah L. Frazier and Ashley S. Jordan. “We stepped into the shoes of giants,” Frazier says, speaking of such illustrious local predecessors as Dimonte Henning and Malkia Stampley. “A number of hands have touched it, and each year built on the previous year—it’s a Milwaukee legacy show containing lots of perspectives from people who’ve had their hands in the story.” (David Luhrssen)
All That Jingle: A Holiday Review, Nov. 29-Dec. 1 (Sunset Playhouse)
The festive holiday event will feature classic carols and contemporary holiday hits. The two-act concert will showcase the talents of eight outstanding vocalists. Festive cocktails will be served. (Morton Shlabotnik)
BOULEVARD THEATER milwaukeeboulevardtheatre.com
I Never Sang for My Father, Nov. 25-26, Nov. 29, Dec. 1 (Sugar Maple)
Boulevard’s irrepressible founder Mark Bucher will direct an “elevated reading” of Robert Anderson’s two-act drama. It’s the story of an American family in the ‘60s torn apart by divided loyalties, misplaced prejudices and shattering emotional circumstances. (David Luhrssen)
THE BOX THEATRE CO. boxtheatreco.org
BRONZEVILLE ARTS ENSEMBLE facebook.com/ BronzevilleArtsEnsemble
Black Nativity by Langston Hughes, Dec. 5-8 (Wilson Theatre at Vogel Hall, Marcus Performing Arts Center)
BROOM STREET THEATRE, MADISON bstonline.org
Are We Delicious: Are We Dell’arte, November
CABARET MILWAUKEE facebook.com/cabmke
CAPITAL CITY THEATRE, MADISON capitalcitytheatre.org
It’s a Wonderful Life, Nov. 22-Dec. 1
CARROLL PLAYERS carroll-players.com
CARTHAGE COLLEGE THEATRE carthage.edu/arts/experience-thearts/theatre-dance-performances
CATEY OTT DANCE COLLECTIVE cateyott.com
On Display Global/Heidi Latsky Dance, Nov. 9 (Haggerty Museum of Art)
CEDARBURG ART MUSEUM cedarburgartmuseum.org
Atmospheric Wisconsin: Six Impressions, through Nov. 10
My Friend: Doris White, through Nov. 10
CEDARBURG CULTURAL CENTER cedarburgculturalcenter.org
A Journey to the Far Side of Imagination: Joan Hollnagel and Simply Doll Face by Karla Byl, through Dec. 1
The Art of Terry Field, through Dec. 1
CEDARBURG PERFORMING ARTS CENTER cedarburgpac.com
Frankie Moreno with Frankie’s Christmas Party, Dec. 13
CHANT CLAIRE CHAMBER CHOIR chantclaire.org
St. Sava Christmas Concert, Dec. 7 (St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral)
Wake Awake, Dec. 14 (Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church)
CHARLES ALLIS ART MUSEUM charlesallis.org
Talk Back Chapter Two: Collection Christina A. West and Meg Lionel Murphy, through Feb. 16
CHAZEN MUSEUM OF ART (UW-MADISON) chazen.wisc.edu
Nordic Utopia? African Americans in the 20th Century, through Nov. 10
Petah Coyne: How Much the Heart Can Hold, through Dec. 23
CHORAL ARTS SOCIETY OF SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN choralartsonline.org
Lessons and Carols: Good Tidings of Great Joy, Dec. 7 (First Presbyterian Church, Racine)
CIVIC MUSIC MKE civicmusicmilwaukee.org
Kids Music Fest, Nov. 10 (Milwaukee Youth Arts Center)
Meet area youth music organizations, soak up some knowledge, join in on some fun, and listen to live performances by participating youth music organizations. (Morton Shlabotnik)
THE CONSTRUCTIVISTS theconstructivists.org
CONCORD CHAMBER ORCHESTRA concordorchestra.org
No Place Like Home: A Celebration of Winter Music, Dec. 7 (Basilica of St. Josaphat)
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY cuw.edu
Annual Pops Concert, Nov. 1
Civic Choral and Handbells Concert, Nov. 9
Christ the King Celebration Concert, Nov. 17
Christmas at Concordia, Dec. 6-7
COVERED BRIDGE ART STUDIO TOUR cedarburgartistsguild.com
DANCECIRCUS dancecircus.org
DANCEWORKS PERFORMANCE MKE danceworksmke.org
Dis/connect, Nov. 7-10
DAVID BARNETT GALLERY davidbarnettgallery.com
Animals in Art, through Jan. 11
DAWN SPRINGER DANCE PROJECT dawnspringer.com
DEAD MAN’S CARNIVAL facebook.com/Dead-MansCarnival-338362982860387
DOOR SHAKESPEARE doorshakespeare.com
EARLY MUSIC NOW earlymusicnow.org
Anne Azema and Shira Kammen, The Man in the Moon: Songs and Tales of Medieval Albion, Nov. 23 (St. Paul’s Episcopal Church)
Rachel Barton Pine with Trio Settecento and Guests: A Baroque Christmas, Dec. 7-8 (St. Paul’s Episcopal Church)
“We are thrilled to once again to present Rachel Barton Pine to our Early Music Now audiences,” says EMN’s artistic director, Chuck Grosz. “Rachel is considered one of America’s greatest violinists, regularly performing throughout the world. Joining Trio Settecento will be Rachel’s daughter Sylvia, a celebrated violinist in her own right.” (David Luhrssen)
EX FABULA exfabula.org
Story Slam: Missed Connections, Dec. 3 (Next Act Theatre)
Live storytelling; come listen or share! Doors open at 6:30 p.m., stories start at 7 p.m.
FALLS PATIO PLAYERS fallspatioplayers.com
A Christmas Carol, Dec. 6-8
FESTIVAL CITY SYMPHONY festivalcitysymphony.org
Festival Carols & Bells, Dec. 4 (Marcus Performing Arts Center)
FIRST STAGE firststage.org
Pete the Cat, through Nov. 3 (Marcus Performing Arts Center)
Another beloved children’s book character comes to life to open a new season for First Stage as it presents Sarah Hammond’s one-hour musical adaptation of Pete the Cat. The cool, blue cat created by Kimberly and James Dean graces the stage of the Marcus PAC’s Todd Wehr Theater. (Russ Bickerstaff)
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer; The Musical, Nov. 29-Dec. 29
FLORENTINE OPERA
florentineopera.org
An Aria Extravaganza, Nov. 14
Caroling at the Fireplace, Dec. 10
Carols and Classics, Dec. 12
FORTE THEATRE COMPANY fortetheatrecompany.org
FORWARD THEATER, MADISON forwardtheater.com
Murder Girl, Nov. 7-24
FOUR SEASONS THEATRE, MADISON fourseasonstheatre.com
All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914, Dec. 5-15
FRANKLY MUSIC franklymusic.org
Music of Haydn, Prokofiev and Chausson, Nov. 19 (Milwaukee Youth Arts Center)
FRESCO OPERA THEATRE, MADISON frescoopera.com
GALLERY 218 gallery218.com
GALLERY 2622 gallery2622.com
GALLERY NIGHT AND DAY, gallerynightmke.com
Milwaukee’s original art hop happens quarterly with a focus on galleries in the Third Ward, East Town and Walker’s Point. (Morton Shlabotnik)
GERMANTOWN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER gsdwi.org
Radium Girls, Nov. 1-3
GREEN GALLERY
Thegreengallery.biz
GREENDALE COMMUNITY THEATRE greendaletheatre.org
GROHMANN MUSEUM msoe.edu/grohmann-museum
Gil Reid and Friends: Working on the Railroad, through Dec. 22
“Retired railroad executive Chris Burger and his wife Rita have made annual gifts to the museum of much of Gil’s calendar work for Amtrak, along with other illustration work. Given the Grohmann Museum’s hallmark of displaying the art of industry, and the railroad’s intimate connection to it, we make exhibitions of railroad art a regular feature,” says the Grohmann’s director James Kieselburg. “Southeastern Wisconsin has a considerable rail following among its thousands of railfans, which makes it a natural for us.” (David Luhrssen)
GROVE GALLERY
gallerygrove.com
HAGGERTY MUSEUM OF ART marquette.edu/haggerty-museum
Material Muses: Medieval Devotional Culture and its Afterlives, through Dec. 22
Affirmation/Transformation: Fandom Created, through Dec. 22
The Big 4-0: An Exhibition Celebrating the Haggerty Museum of the Arts Forty Years, through Dec. 22
It’s a short walk between centuries at the Haggerty Museum of Art. Religious images and artifacts from medieval Western Europe are the topic of one of its current exhibitions, “Material Muses.” Across the gallery, “Affirmation/Transformation” explores creative acts that can emerge from fandom (The Beatles? Star Trek? Dr. Who?). And there is more on the museum walls, including “The Big 4-0,” a something-for-almost-everyone survey of diverse work from the permanent collection to celebrate the Haggerty’s 40th anniversary. (David Luhrssen)
HARLEY-DAVIDSON MUSEUM harley-davidson.com
Mama Tried: Bringing It Together, through January 2025
Creating a Legend: Art & Engineering at Harley-Davidson, through spring 2027
Harley-Davidson motorcycles have often featured striking designs in recent decades. This is not a new development. If you imagine that Messrs. Harley and Davidson, tinkering in the tool shed in 1903, were concerned only with making those early bikes run, you’d be wrong. Company cofounder William S. Harley was an artist as well as an engineer.
H. F. JOHNSON GALLERY OF ART carthage.edu/art-gallery
Fibrecate, through Nov. 22
Senior Exhibitions: Visual and Performing Arts Lab, Dec. 6-12
HOVER CRAFT hovercraftmke.com
Holiday Fair, Dec. 1 (Pritzlaff Building)
HYPERLOCAL MKE hyperlocalmke.com
INSPIRATION STUDIOS ART GALLERY inspirationstudiosgallery.com
Bull in a China Shop, Nov. 2-10 (Kith & Kin Production)
Edison’s Last Breath, Nov. 15-24
Art Sale, November-December
JAZZ GALLERY CENTER FOR THE ARTS
jazzgallerycenterforarts.org
Free Improvisation Sessions, Saturday mornings
Milwaukee Jazz Institute, Sunday afternoons
Art on the Edge: Fear and Censorship in an Era of Political Turmoil, through Nov. 23
JEWISH MUSEUM MILWAUKEE jewishmuseummilwaukee.org
Against the Grain: The Remarkable Life of Artist Bernard Perlin, through Jan. 26
Bernard Perlin “is not a household name. As an important and yet often overlooked artist of our time, he should be,” says curator Molly Dubin. Perlin executed social realist posters for the federal government during World War II and progressed to magical realism with an ability to “communicate emotion and engender empathy” that “pulls the viewer into the story he’s telling,” Dubin continues. “He had an extraordinary life and career as a gay Jewish artist, from the early years of Fire Island through World War II to New York City society life.” (David Luhrssen)
JOHN MICHAEL KOHLER ARTS CENTER jmkac.org/home.html
Milestones in the Making, through January
Workplace, through Jan. 19
Mad Dash: 50 Years of Arts/Industry, through Feb. 2
Clocking In: 2024 Arts/Industry Residents, through March 2
Willie Kohl: Home Assembly, through April 27
Lunch Break: Arts/Industry In Between, through May 4
KETTLE MORAINE SYMPHONY kmsymphony.org
Christmas Concert, Dec. 21 (Silver Lining Arts Center)
KIM STORAGE GALLERY kimstoragegallery.com
Equus Intersections, The Blue Horses 2019-2024: Maggie Robertson, through Nov. 16
Mind’s Eye, Nov. 22-Dec. 21
KITH AND KIN THEATRE COLLECTIVE kithandkintheatre.com
Bull in a China Shop, Nov. 2-10 (Inspiration Studios)
KOHLER MEMORIAL THEATER kohlerfoundation.org
KO-THI DANCE COMPANY ko-thi.org
LAKE ARTS PROJECT lakeartsproject.com
LAKE COUNTRY PLAYHOUSE lakecountryplayhousewi.org
Christmas Carol, Nov. 3-Dec. 15
LAKEFRONT FESTIVAL OF ART mam.org
LATINO ARTS, INC. latinoartsinc.org
Day of the Dead Concert: Grupo Bella, Nov. 1
Day of the Dead Ofrendas, Nov.1-15
Cut and Paste: A Solo Exhibit by Ellia Ana Hill, Dec. 6-Feb. 21
Soy de Aqui Ahora: I’m From Here Right Now, Dec. 6
LILY PAD GALLERY WEST lilypadgallery.com
Shadow Play: The Art of Michael Patterson, through Dec. 31
“My work has focus on several objectives. Light, reflected light and its color effects, as well as the positive and negative shapes of equal importance, creating the graphic energy of my compositions,” says painter-sculptor Michael Patterson. “This sets the rhythm for a piece and influences where the viewer’s eye travels and at what pace. Finally, the subject of my work most always includes the human figure wherever they may be—city streets, markets, the beach, alone or in groups. People are the most interesting part of creation. (David Luhrssen)
LUTHERAN A CAPELLA CHOIR OF MILWAUKEE lutheranacapella.org
"...and night shall be no more," Dec. 6 (First United Methodist Church)
"...and night shall be no more," Dec. 8 (Mount Carmel Lutheran Church)
LYNDEN SCULPTURE GARDEN lyndensculpturegarden.org
MADISON BALLET madisonballet.org
The Nutcracker, Dec. 13-22
MADISON MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART mmoca.org
MARCUS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
marcuscenter.org
Casanova, Nov. 1-3 (Milwaukee Ballet)
Eclipse: The Best of Pink Floyd, Nov. 9
Nova Linea: Contemporary Dance Presents Some Wounds Never Heal, Nov. 15-16
The Hip-Hop Nutcracker, Nov. 22
Elf the Musical (Broadway Series), Nov. 26-Dec. 1
Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical, Nov. 27-Dec. 29
D-Rock’s Live Taping Special, Nov. 30
Christmas with Lorie Line, Dec. 1
The Nutcracker: Drosselmeyer’s Imaginarium, Dec. 7-24 (Milwaukee Ballet)
Luminaire Christmas, Dec. 12
MARN ART + CULTURE HUB marnarts.org
MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY THEATRE marquette.edu/communication/ theatre-arts.php
Sanctuary City, Nov. 15-24
Much Ado About Nothing, Nov. 16-23
MASTER SINGERS OF MILWAUKEE mastersingersofmilwaukee.org
MATERIAL STUDIOS + GALLERY materialstudiosandgallery.com
MEMORIES DINNER THEATRE memoriesballroom.com
The Miss Magnolia Senior Citizen Beauty Pageant, Nov. 1-10
Winter Wonderettes, Dec. 13-22
MENOMONEE FALLS SYMPHONY www.mfso.net
Holiday Spirit, Dec. 7 (Hamilton Fine Arts Center, Sussex)
MIAD GALLERY AT THE AVE galleryattheave.miad.edu
MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM mam.org
Farm to Frame, Dec. 6-ongoing Currents 39: LaToya M. Hobbs, Carving Out Time, through Jan. 5
Robert Longo: Acceleration of History, through-Feb. 23
Even in the 20th century, Robert Longo’s artwork—often (but not limited to) large-scale charcoal drawings— was described as “apocalyptic Pop.” He fell under the broad heading of Pop Art, but with an unnerving edge. “Acceleration of History” collects Longo’s work from the past 10 years, including his uneasy reflections on climate change, mass migrations, the disruptions of war and disjunctions of politics. (David Luhrssen)
Light and Shadow: John Constable’s English Landscape Prints, through March 16
True Story: Photography, Journalism, and Media, through March 16
On Site: Derrick Adams Our Time Together, through May 11
MILWAUKEE BALLET
milwaukeeballet.org
Casanova, Nov. 1-3
The Nutcracker: Drosselmeyer’s Imaginarium, Dec. 7-24
Many cities across the planet enjoy productions of The Nutcracker during the holidays, but only Milwaukee has the joys of The Nutcracker: Drosselmeyer’s Imaginarium. Artistic Director Pink defines Imaginarium as “a place where anyone can imagine anything they wish.” Until now, his reimagined take on the tale that inspired Tchaikovsky’s beloved score was constrained by his predecessor’s designs. This new production—completely redesigned and substantially transformed—is Pink’s Imaginarium come full bloom.
In the Tony-nominated comedy by Pulitzer-winner Lynn Nottage, “four formerly incarcerated cooks strive for redemption through their shared quest to create the perfect sandwich—all under the devilish gaze of their harddriving boss.” Dimonte Henning directs. (Morton Shlabotnik)
Milwaukee Makers Market champions local artists, creators, designers and crafters to celebrate the city’s small businesses. This one-stop shop experience provides an inclusive environment for local makers to showcase their talent and connect with Milwaukeeans. (Sophia Hamdan)
There will be a bit of magic in the air this fall when Milwaukee Opera Theatre returns to the stage with Handel’s Alcina. The opera’s setting is an enchanted island where the sorceress Alcina turns the lovers she tires of into objects, plants or animals. “We were looking for a project to do with Early Music Now,” says MOT’s artistic director, Jill Anna Ponasik, referring to the baroque chamber group formed last year by Milwaukee’s longtime early music concert series. (David Luhrssen)
MILWAUKEE REPERTORY THEATER milwaukeerep.com
Women of Rock, through Nov. 3 (Stackner Cabaret)
Marie and Rosetta, through Dec. 22 (Stiemke Studio)
While gospel music is at the root of 1950s R&B and influenced Elvis, few gospel singers have been included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Sister Rosetta Tharpe (inducted posthumously in 2018) deserves the honor. Unlike many gospel performers who kept blues and vernacular music at arm’s length, Tharpe embraced the electric guitar and the rhythms pouring from the rural South into Chicago’s South Side. Marie and Rosetta tells the story of Tharpe and her protégé, Marie Knight. They enjoyed a Top-10 R&B hit together in 1948, “Up Above My Head.” (David Luhrssen)
Lumberjacks in Love, Nov. 8-Jan. 12 (Stackner Cabaret)
A Christmas Carol, Nov. 28-Dec. 24 (Pabst Theater)
MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA mso.org
Reinhardt Conducts Beethoven, Nov. 15-16
German conductor Ruth Reinhard enjoys an international reputation for programming work by contemporary Europeans, especially female composers. For her MSO concerts, she sticks with men from German-speaking Europe who composed enduring work from past centuries. Beethoven (Piano Concerto No. 3) needs no introduction. Haydn (Symphony No. 80 in D minor) was a bridge from the earlier 18th century to Mozart. Weber (Overture to Oberon) led the way to 19th century Romanticism. And Hindemith’s Symphonic Metamorphosis was a 20th century tribute to Weber. (David Luhrssen)
Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, Nov. 22-24
MILWAUKEE YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA myso.org
Play Your Part 2024, Nov. 9 (Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts)
MILWAUKEE YOUTH THEATRE milwaukeeyouththeatre.org
Joan, Dec. 13-15
MKE BLACK THEATRE FESTIVAL blackartsmke.org
MKE STUDIO TOUR mkestudiotour.com
MORNING STAR PRODUCTIONS morningstarproductions.org
Mr. Fezziwig’s Feast, December
MUSEUM OF WISCONSIN ART wisconsinart.org
Weaving a Legacy: Ho-Chunk Black Ash Basketry, through Nov. 10
Mirrors, Not Windows: Photography by Asher Imtiaz, through Nov. 24
Chris T. Cornelius: ukwé·tase (newcomer/stranger), through January
The three-dimensional structure blends contemporary and traditional architectural aspects in unique and compelling ways, while exploring themes of familiarity and alienation within the environment it seeks to capture. The work represents humankind’s place in a world to which it is both resident and stranger, creating a sense of wonder and wariness of the world around us, the Milwaukee-born Indigenous artist says. (Michael Muckian)
MOWA | DTN (SAINT KATE-THE ARTS HOTEL)
Triangulator: The Art of Liubov Szwako, through Dec. 2
MOWA on the Lake (St. John’s on the Lake)
Here to Hear: Pieceworks by Rosi Petri, through Dec. 15
NEXT ACT THEATRE nextact.org
Almost, Maine, Nov. 20-Dec. 15
“With over 5,000 productions to date, Almost, Maine has established itself as a significant work in the American theater,” says Next Act’s artistic director, Cody Estle.
“First performed in Milwaukee at the Rep 14 years ago, this unsentimental romantic comedy returns with a fresh professional production. I’m excited to welcome back Karen Estrada to Next Act to direct this piece for the holiday season. Set in a small town in the far north of Maine, come join us for a cozy winter night out—if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights!” (David Luhrssen)
NŌ STUDIOS nostudios.com
NORTH SHORE ACADEMY OF THE ARTS
facebook.com/ northshoreacademyofthearts
NORTHERN SKY THEATER northernskytheater.com
OCONOMOWOC ARTS CENTER oasd.k12.wi.us/artscenter
OIL A CITY GALLERY oilmilwaukee.com
OPTIMIST THEATRE optimisttheatre.org
OUTSKIRTS THEATRE facebook.com/outskirtstheatre
OVERTURE CENTER FOR THE ARTS, MADISON overture.org
PORTRAIT SOCIETY GALLERY portraitsocietygallery.com
SEAMS II: Criss Cross, through Nov. 9
The theme of the Portrait Society’s second group fiber show is journeys, travel and border crossing. Among the artists represented in SEAMS II are Heidi Parkes, Rosemary Ollison, Anika Kowalik, Monica Rezman, Liv Aanrud, Lisa Barber, Rosemary Ollison and Ella Clemmons. (Morton Shlabotnik)
PRESENT MUSIC presentmusic.org
Concert for Peace, Nov. 24 (Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist)
“This year we are offering a ‘Concert for Peace,’ with music from various cultures which transcends borders and politics, and focuses instead on our shared humanity,” says Present Music Co-Artistic Director Eric Segnitz. Work by Native American, Ukrainian, Black Gospel, Muslim, Jewish and South Asian composers will be performed. “Music can be a powerful means of healing divides and forging new bonds—we want people to leave this concert feeling hopeful and uplifted,” he adds. (David Luhrssen)
PROMETHEUS TRIO wcmusic.org
Beethoven, Frank and Brahams, Dec. 2 (Wisconsin Conservatory of Music)
QUASIMONDO PHYSICAL THEATRE quasimondo.org
RACINE ART MUSEUM ramart.org
Nicole Acosta: Hoops—Beyond the Aesthetic Lies the Story, through Nov. 23
Craft in Color, through Jan. 11
In Between: Contemporary Artists Working in Two and Three Dimensions featuring Dennis Lee Mitchell, through Jan. 25
Low: Rene Amado, through July 2025
Rene Amado showcases the cars, bicycles, and community of lowrider culture through photography and video. “Low” blends his photography with custom bicycles and other small vehicles from various builders/makers (including himself) and a video in which he expands on the story of lowrider culture through interviews and documentation. (Morton Shlabotnik)
RACINE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA racinesymphony.org
Fall Masterworks, Nov. 1 (First Presbyterian Church)
RACINE THEATRE GUILD racinetheatre.org
Little Women, through Nov. 10
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical, Dec. 13-22
REAL TINSEL GALLERY realtinsel.com
Fluffy, through Dec. 15
Real Tinsel hosts some of the more progressive exhibitions in Milwaukee, unafraid to take chances on emerging artists and curators whose execution does not neatly fit into more visible galleries. The eight artists in the show—Cristina Covucci, Karla Zurita, Chloé Wilcox, Marta Lee, Loretta Violante, Karissa Kendricks, Izzy Casey, and Andrea Emmerich— have each contributed a painting or a sculpture loosely cohered around a domestic animal theme. The resulting exhibition “Fluffy,” curated by Rachel Yanku, explores cuteness aggression, technology, and human-animal relationships. (Annie Raab)
RENAISSANCE THEATERWORKS r-t-w.com
The Moors, through Nov. 10
The Moors by Jen Silverman tells the story of a young governess, a gothic romance, and an unlikely sisterhood. Dark, funny, and thought-provoking, with Silverman’s clever signature writing, the show has drawn Homeland and Big Little Lies actress Sarah Sokolovic back to Milwaukee to star as Agatha. (Elizabeth Lintonen)
SACRA NOVA CHORALE sacranovacathedrale.com
SAINT KATE - THE ARTS HOTEL GALLERY saintkatearts.com
SCULPTURE MILWAUKEE sculpturemilwaukee.com
Sculpture Milwaukee has been programming the streets of Downtown since 2017, with certain works remaining and becoming permanent fixtures on our urban landscape. This year’s cohort of artists joins works still in place from “Actual Fractals Act I” and a few holdovers from its predecessor, “Nature Doesn’t Know About Us.” Each iteration of the program seeds Downtown streets with unexpected surprises and seems to get more ambitious with each trip around the sun. (Shane McAdams)
SEAT OF OUR PANTS READER THEATRE mkereaderstheatre.com
Anastasia: The Musical, Nov 22-24 (Brookfield Central Theater)
Caroling at the Fireplace, Dec. 10
MSO Holiday Concert, Dec. 13
IMPACT Music Group Tribute to Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles, Dec. 14
Milwaukee Jazz Institute Big Band Holiday, Dec. 19
Kathy Mattea: Winter Gathering, Dec. 20
A Warm and Fuzzy Christmas, Dec. 21
Ring in the New Year with Jayne Taylor, Dec. 29
SHEBOYGAN THEATRE COMPANY stcshows.org
Murder on the Orient Express, Dec. 6-14
SKYLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE skylightmusictheatre.org
Oliver! Nov.15-Dec. 29
SOUTH MILWAUKEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER southmilwaukeepac.org
Sista Strings, Nov. 22
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Wild & Swingin’ Holiday Party, Dec. 18
More so than any other act, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy helped launch the ’90s swing revival with their performance in the 1996 comedy Swingers. The songs they featured in that film, “Go Daddy-O” and “You and Me and the Bottle Makes Three Tonight,” remain their biggest hits, but the band carried on even as the swing revival faded into memory, continuing to perform lively, feel-good shows.
(Morton Shlabotnik)
SUNSET PLAYHOUSE sunsetplayhouse.com
Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5, through Nov. 3
Murder’s in the Heir, Nov. 9-10
Frozen: Kids, Nov. 16-24
All That Jingle: A Holiday Revue, Nov. 29-Dec. 1 (Bombshell Theater)
‘Twas the Month Before Christmas, Dec. 5-22
Merry & Bright, Dec. 5-8
Kenny Loggins & Friends Tribute, Dec. 9-10
Into the Woods, Jr., Dec. 12-17
Stephen Sondheim’s 1986 musical is a tribute to the Brothers Grimm, weaving several of their fairy tales, including Rapunzel and Cinderella, into the story of a childless baker and his wife who hope to start a family. Into the Woods was turned into a 2014 Disney film and has seldom been absent from stages. The Jr. version is only 50 minutes long with songs transposed into keys suitable for children’s voices. (David Luhrssen)
The two-person play by one of Hungary’s top contemporary playwrights, György Spiró, concerns a couple struggling to stay afloat in the new reality of a post-Communist society. And then they win the lottery. “The couple travels through 75 minutes of whirlwind reasoning and discussion as they face this opportunity that rarely comes around to anyone. Spiró loads the stage with many vital and pertinent issues, seen through the eyes of the couple. Handled with a sense of humor and deep understanding, this play touches the heart and inspires the mind,” says Gigante’s Co-Artistic Director Isabelle Kralj. Her partner, Mark Anderson, will direct. (David Luhrssen)
THEATRICAL TENDENCIES theatricaltendencies.com
THIRD AVENUE PLAYHOUSE, STURGEON BAY thirdavenueplayworks.org
THRASHER OPERA HOUSE, GREEN LAKE thrasheroperahouse.com
John McCuen and the Circle Band, Nov. 2
Chatham Rabbits, Nov. 15
William Elliott Whitmore, Nov. 16
The Empty Pockets: Mistletunes, Dec. 5
Mr. Sun: Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker, Dec. 13
The Alley Cats, Dec. 14
TOOTH-AND-NAIL GALLERY toothandnailmke.com
TORY FOLLIARD GALLERY toryfolliard.com
Fred Stonehouse, through Nov. 16
The work of Wisconsin painter Fred Stonehouse teems with detail and specificity. Its superficial resolution and directness almost seem to spurn any sort of abstract interpretation. Even the most uninitiated viewer would refrain from referring to any of his cast of tightly rendered objects and characters as “abstract.”
A late and likely collaborative Shakespeare play, Pericles was popular in its day but has accrued a large measure of critical commentary over the centuries. The surviving text has been deemed problematic— mangled on its way from the stage to the printer? Regardless of those scholars who don’t hear “the authentic Shakespearean voice” in its first two acts, Pericles concludes in glorious style as dramatic tension rises. (David Luhrssen)
Gabriel Faure: Choral & Orchestral Works, Nov. 8-9 (Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts)
Experimental Tuesdays: Ayanna Dozier Short Films, Nov. 12 (UWM Union Cinema)
Premiers of New Music, Nov. 12 (Music Building, Recital Hall)
Crossing Over, Nov. 15-Dec. 11 (UWM Union Art Gallery)
Piano Studio Recital, Nov. 18 (Music Building, Recital Hall)
Experimental Tuesdays: From the Archives, Nov.19 (UWM Union Cinema)
Classical Guitar Studio Concert, Nov. 19 (Music Building, Recital Hall)
New Dancemakers, Nov. 20-23 (Mitchell Hall, Studio 254)
Art & Technology Night, Nov. 21-23 (Kenilworth Square East Gallery)
UWM Steel Panthers Steel Band & Community World Music Festival, Nov. 21 (Kenilworth Square East Jan
UWM Wind Ensemble, Nov. 22 (Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts)
Opera Scenes, Nov. 23-24 (Music Building, Recital Hall)
UW-WHITEWATER YOUNG AUDITORIUM uww.edu/youngauditorium
VAR GALLERY & STUDIOS vargallery.com
VILLA TERRACE DECORATIVE ARTS MUSEUM villaterrace.org
We Are Reflections: Celesste Contreras, through Dec. 15
Dia de los Muertos Celebration, Nov. 2
Winterlude at the Villa, Nov. 10
Winerlude at the Villa, Dec. 8
VILLAGE PLAYHOUSE villageplayhouse.org
VOICES FOUND voicesfoundrep.com
WALKER'S POINT CENTER FOR THE ARTS wpca-milwaukee.org
32nd Annual Dia de los Muerdos, Nov. 2
WAREHOUSE ART MUSEUM wammke.org
WATER STREET DANCE MILWAUKEE waterstreetdancemke.com
Solstice VII, Dec. 14
WAUKESHA CIVIC THEATRE waukeshacivictheatre.org
Sixty Minute Shakespeare Macbeth, Nov. 15-24
Legally Blond: The Musical, Dec. 6-22
Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra, Dec. 7
Joel Kopischke’s I Got Yule, Babe, Dec. 11-12
Golden Girls Holiday Special, Dec 18-19
Neverly Brothers: A Rock’n’Roll Tribute from Elvis to The Beatles, Dec. 28
WEST ALLIS PLAYERS westallisplayers.org
WEST BEND THEATRE COMPANY westbendtheatreco.com
A Christmas Carol, Dec. 6-8, Dec. 13-15
WEST PERFORMING ARTS CENTER nbexcellence.org/community/ westpac.cfm
And Then There Were None, Nov. 8-10 (New Berlin West Players)
Dan Lepien Band, Nov. 15
Whiskey Belles and Tenors MKE Christmas Show, Dec. 18
WILD SPACE DANCE COMPANY wildspacedance.org
WINDFALL THEATRE windfalltheatre.com
WISCONSIN CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC wcmusic.org
WISCONSIN CRAFT wisconsincraft.org
WISCONSIN LUTHERAN COLLEGE CENTER FOR ARTS AND PERFORMANCE wlc.edu
WISCONSIN MUSEUM OF QUILTS & FIBER ART wiquiltmuseum.com
Pattern, Rhythm, and Play, through Dec. 1
WISCONSIN PHILHARMONIC wisphil.org
Harmonious Masters, Nov. 7 (Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts)
WOODLAND PATTERN BOOK CENTER woodlandpattern.org
Alternating Currents Live, Nov 17
Formations Series for Live and Improvised Music, Nov. 21
Tanner Menard, Dec. 14
Formations Series for Live and Improvised Music, Dec. 19
WUSTUM MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS ramart.org
An Artist ‘Against the Grain’ at Jewish Museum Milwaukee
BY DAVID LUHRSSEN
Bernard Perlin (1918-2014) lived his life as a double minority, Jewish and gay. The exhibition of his work at Jewish Museum Milwaukee, “Against the Grain,” is well titled. Perlin aroused controversy from the get-go with his 1938 mural for the South Orange, NJ post office, breaking the color line by depicting Black and white workers shouldering their responsibilities side by side. He was unafraid to represent the less heroic side of World War II as a contributing artist for Life magazine. In ‘50s, New York, his figurative work ran contrary to the prevailing dogma of Abstract Expressionism. And he didn’t much care for the Pop Art that followed.
“His multifaceted identity was behind everything he did,” says the museum’s chief curator, Molly Dubin. “Everything was imbued with empathy and deep emotional connection.”
Included in the exhibit is Perlin’s 1937 self-portrait, painted while studying at New York’s seminal Art Students League. The portrait was modern with its simplified lines, realistic but focused more on the psychology than the physiognomy of his subject. The mock-up on display for his post office mural shows Perlin’s debt to 1930s social realists such as Ben Shahn and Grant Wood. After the U.S. entered World War II, Perlin worked for the Office of War Information executing propaganda posters such as the striking Avenge December 7, featuring a sailor in a battle-tattered jersey with a raised fist and a defiant glare.
On assignment for Life, he rendered the emaciated survivors and gutted buildings of the Nazi Holocaust in Greece in stark black and white. His painting of a casualty being helped by Greek villagers onto a rowboat, heading for rescue by a British warship, captures the motion and exertion of a community working together to save a single life.
CREATING BEAUTY
Soon enough, Perlin transitioned from social realism to magical realism. “He lived and painted in Italy 1948-‘53, first on a Chaloner Foundation Prize at the American Academy in Rome, and later with the support of a Fulbright,” Dubin explains.
“He went to museums, engaged with Renaissance art and biblical and mythological themes, and pivoted toward creating beautiful pieces.”
Returning to New York, he earned a living from commercial work, proving that advertising can also be beautiful. He continued to paint, enjoyed his first solo show at the Knoedler Gallery and depicted the city’s gay life. In his painting from that period, The Bartender, row upon row of bottles confront a crowd of men, their faces concealed in dark shadows.
Bartender, 1958. Oil on canvas, by Bernard Perlin. Michael Schreiber Collection.
Many of his paintings from the ‘50s onward were bathed in shimmery mystery with luminescent with incandescent landscapes and spectral human figures. But his career as an artist followed no straight line and included many tangents.
Although his social circle overlapped with Truman Capote and Gore Vidal, and he painted Leonard Bernstein’s wife Felicia Montealegre Bernstein, Perlin mocked the pretense of New York’s visual art scene and went into what Dubin describes as “self-imposed exile in Connecticut.” He has been overlooked. “Against the Grain” is an opportunity to reexamine Perlin’s place in the story of 20th century American art.
“Against the Grain: The Remarkable Life of Artist Bernard Perlin” runs through January 26 at Jewish Museum Milwaukee, 1360 N. Prospect Ave. For more information, visit jewishmuseummilwaukee.org.
David Luhrssen is the author several books on the intellectual and cultural history of 20th century America.
Drivetime Classics with WHAD’s Justin Heilman
BY DAVID LUHRSSEN
It was something of a homecoming for Jason Heilman when the Wisconsin-born musician, educator and broadcaster began hosting “Drivetime Classics” on Wisconsin Public Radio/WHAD (90.7 FM) in June. However, he left the state with his parents when he was only five and grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He learned trumpet in middle school and “got the bug after a while,” he says. “I thought maybe I could do this as a career.” Heilman graduated from Duke University with a Ph.D. in musicology during the 2008 financial meltdown.
With no jobs available in academia, “I had to make my own luck,” he continues. He worked with a newly formed chamber ensemble, the Tulsa Camerata, programming their seasons and giving preconcert talks. This led to college lecturing and a classical music show on Public Radio Tulsa along with his own podcast, “Masterworks in 10 Minutes or Less.”
“I was a concert narrator in Tulsa, not unlike what I do on the air in Milwaukee,” Heilman explains. “The Tulsa Camerata played some out-there stuff—for Tulsa—and my job was to invite the audience in, helping them to hear what to listen for.”
SHIFTING TO THE CLASSICS
Heilman broadcasts from the Downtown Milwaukee studio of WHAD. The station switched from news to music earlier this year. “We have heard from Milwaukee listeners for years that they want WPR to bring classical music radio back to the city,” as there hasn’t been a full-time classical station in town since the demise of WFMR in 2007, explained Jeffrey Potter, WPR’s marketing & communications director. “Milwaukee has a thriving music and arts community that we’re excited to be a part of.”
Like the station’s other classical music hosts, Heilman often gives short introductions to the music he plays. He has “complete freedom” to program “Drivetime Classics” (4-7 p.m. weekdays) within certain parameters. “I know what the expectations are,” he says. “Drivetime is a different listening experience than the middle of the day or late night. Drivetime tends to have a fragmented audience, possibly distracted, listening 10-15 minutes at a time.”
Responding to the perceived needs of those listeners, Heilman offers “a friendly format of short pieces,” including individual movements rather than entire symphonies. He enjoys contrast, a Baroque concerto followed by a Romantic overture and a contemporary composition, including works that are new to him.
Heilman talks of music in terms of “smooth vs. crunchy.” By crunchy, he means more dissonant, less familiar, and he often heads that direction late in his shift. He will surprise listeners with a Sibelius piece that flirts with atonality. Schoenberg? Heilman recently played an early Schoenberg nocturne by way of introducing his audience to a challenging composer they might otherwise ignore.
“The challenge of classical radio is that everyone is listening for something different,” he says. “You can’t please everyone at once. Some listeners might want the excitement of a Tchaikovsky finale, others might want to chill out with Delius.”
WHAD intends to bring its musical mission to the public through community events. Heilman will be part of that effort. “I’ve had a lot of experience talking about music. I’ve taught music and led dozens of preconcert talks. I enjoy the give and take of talking to a live audience.”
David Luhrssen was A&E Editor of the Shepherd Express from 1994-2016 before becoming Managing Editor.
Photo by Tom Krueger Photography.
This Month in Milwaukee EIGHT THINGS TO DO IN NOVEMBER
BY SOPHIA HAMDAN, GREGORY HARUTUNIAN, BARRY HOULEHEN, ELIZABETH LINTONEN, DAVID LUHRSSEN AND BLAINE SCHULTZ
NOVEMBER 3
Jeff Kinney
Riverside Theater
Boswell Book Company presents a unique opportunity to see the worldrenowned author of the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series, Jeff Kinney, at the Riverside. The series follows a scorned middle-schooler, Greg Heffley, as he navigates life in a very relatable way. Kinney’s talk on the latest addition the series, Hot Mess, will be an entertaining, interactive, hilarious way to experience the character’s life.
NOVEMBER 8
Atomic Bitchwax and Supersuckers
Club Garibaldi
Cactus Club presents this night of explosive music. New Jersey stoner rockers Atomic Bitchwax join Supersuckers, the Eddie Spaghetti-led trio described as “the bastard sons of Foghat, AC/DC, and ZZ Top after being weaned on punk rock, unafraid of massive guitar riffs, outsized personalities, or pledging allegiance to sex, weed and Satan with a wink and a nudge.”
NOVEMBER 11
Habib Koité, Aly Keïta, Lamine Cissokho and Mandé Sila Vivarium
Three standard-bearers of West African musical traditions come together to celebrate Mandé Sila: the way of the Mandingo empire, symbolizing languages, cultures, music and the entire organology of West Africa. One of Africa’s most popular and recognized musicians, Habib Koité, is joined by kora player Lamine Cissokho, descendant of a famous griot family whose traditions date back to the 14th century, passing traditional pieces down from generation to generation. Balafon player Aly Keïta gained worldwide recognition for his mastery of the xylophone’s cousin. The virtuoso artists, linked by the same cultural heritage, are joined by percussionist Mama Kone.
NOVEMBER 13
Irish Music Session
Black Husky Brewing
Beer and Irish music—a match made in heaven! The second Wednesday of each month, Milwaukee’s Celtic traditional music players get together to play tunes at Black Husky Brewing in Riverwest. It’s called a session, and they’re traditionally played at pubs. Everyone's welcome, so if you're a musician, bring your acoustic instrument and sit in. The session is led by veteran fiddler TJ Hull. If you’ve never played Irish music, it's a great place to listen and learn. Or you can just sit back and listen to the jigs, reels, and other types of Celtic tunes on fiddles, whistles, accordions, and guitars, while you enjoy some fine Black Husky beers and ales. The session runs from 6:30 to 8:30 and is free.
MILWAUKEE HOLIDAY LIGHTS FESTIVAL
NOVEMBER 21-JANUARY 1
Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival Downtown Milwaukee
This year will mark the 26th anniversary of the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival. The festival features a variety of interactive light displays and street decor along Wisconsin Avenue (an 18-block stretch of gold and silver chandeliers) with notable installations at Cathedral Square Park, Pere Marquette Park and Zeidler Union Square. In addition to the lights, the festival offers Jingle Bus rides, visits with Santa and a lighting ceremony.
NOVEMBER 22
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Indiana Pacers Fiserv Forum
The Bucks renew their rivalry with the Indiana Pacers on Nov. 22, 6:30 p.m., at Fiserv Forum. The Pacers have eliminated the Bucks in the first round of the playoffs for two consecutive years. Regular season meetings have not been cordial either. This is also a pairing for the In-Tournament Cup.
NOVEMBER 27
Nod to Bob Linnemann’s Riverwest Inn
What began as a benefit 26 years ago when Paul Cebar and the Milwaukeeans’ van full of gear was stolen has grown into an annual event that also serves a meetup for folks coming home for the holidays. For the price of the door, you get an evening of Bob Dylan songs as performed by dozens of most talented musicians in the area. Proceeds benefit Hunger Task Force.
NOVEMBER 30
The Hungry Williams Shank Hall
Emerging from a tryptophan cocoon or needing a break from Black Friday madness? The Hungry Williams are your perfect prescription. Since the mid ‘90s, drummer/bandleader John Carr has led the hard swinging R&B combo that includes a lineup of some of Milwaukee’s finest music veterans. The horn-driven group draws from a stacked deck of New Orleans-inspired originals and Crescent City deep cuts. Expect to hear calendarappropriate selections from their Mambo Santa Mambo EP.
THE HUNGRY WILLIAMS
Photo by Mark Hines Photography.
Dear Ally,
My good friend has always been a caretaker for her family. That’s what women do, right? I’m afraid that my friend has gone overboard this time.
In recent years, because of illness, she’s taken care of her mother until she passed and after that, her brother. In between her family’s illness, she volunteered to sell her relative’s home in Florida. (Before Hurricane Helene hit that region.) This took up a great deal of research, time and effort.
Now, her husband is struggling with cancer and is losing his ability to function, doing daily tasks. She’s again found herself in the caretaking role. Like anyone would, she’s angry, frustrated and resentful because she never gets time to take care of herself. But she doesn’t realize that oftentimes, she has put herself in this situation.
As if her husband’s cancer wasn’t enough, recently, she’s assumed even more responsibility by helping her ill stepbrother move to Wisconsin. The assistance includes helping him secure medical insurance, an affordable apartment (she’s paying the first month’s rent) and finding him a decent job. Her intense involvement led someone associated with her brother’s matters to leave a voice mail that said; “I don’t know who I should be calling, you or your brother.”
I had always known the word codependence to be associated with enabling an addicted loved one to continue their addiction. Could my friend be addicted to helping people?
Concerned Friend
Your insights are excellent, and your friend is lucky to have you in their life. Yes, co-dependency is just as addictive as drugs or alcohol. The addicted, obsessive part of the codependent thrives on fear, anxiety, chaos and problems. Like drugs and alcohol, it can kill you.
We become co-dependent by learning at a very young age, that we had to abandon ourselves in order to take care of others. This early foundation set us up to learn that our value in the world is earned by helping others. In other words, putting others first over our own needs and wants. Life-long behavioral patterns begin from there.
Co-dependents need to fix others’ problems. They become obsessed with it. They cannot stay in their own lane. Co-dependency is the soft side of control, disguised as helping and it’s the perfect distraction away from solving our own problems.
Dear Concerned Friend, Ally
Enabling is doing something for someone else that they can do themselves. Your friend is definitely enabling her brother in helping him with all matters in the move to a different state.
In essence, enabling robs someone the dignity of their own choices.
When the co-dependent aspect of our personality gets triggered, anxiety and fear take the wheel and drive us around to the destination of chaos. The co-dependent can only stop themselves once they become aware of their patterns and how their behavior is destroying them. They need to get help through a therapist, Alanon or Co-dependents Anonymous. CoDa.org
You can help your friend by reminding her about the importance of self-care. Boundaries are an important first step. This is significant in overcoming co-dependency. By setting healthy boundaries, hopefully, she will begin to recognize when she is overextending herself and sacrificing her own wellbeing for others.
You can work with your friend by helping her practice saying “No” to others’ requests and prioritizing selfcare instead. Your friend needs to understand that you are not judging her. Please speak in a gentle voice and a soft heart to assure your friend that you will support her as she tries to navigate these significant changes.
Once you have this life-saving conversation with your friend about the co-dependency issue, you can support her by recommending key resources:
Co-dependency No More – Melodie Beatty (a classic book on this subject)
The Better Boundaries – Dr. Sharon Martin (Workbook available.)
How to Do the Work: Recognize Your Patterns, Heal from Your Past and Create Your Self- Dr. Nicole LePera (Audiobook)
You are a loving, courageous friend. By having this difficult conversation, you may be saving your friend’s life. Changing life patterns is never easy, but almost always shapes our lives for the better. Please let us know how the conversation goes.
Here for you,
Send your questions to AskAlly@shepex.com.
Gratitude, or its absence, makes or breaks life satisfaction. The behavioral science is clear. Grateful people are happy people. Thankless ones are not.
At the wrong end of the continuum measuring the attitude of gratitude, we find folks like Nick, a middle-aged professional with a lucrative job who’s on his third marriage and second Mercedes. As he sees it, he is unappreciated and overlooked. Nick’s relationships with his adult children are rocky at best, he has little good to say about his colleagues or relatives, and views life as unfair, at least to him.
“My family doesn’t appreciate how much I do for them, how hard I work to keep them comfortable,” he told me, exasperated. “And the CEO of our company has no idea how much I bring to the business.”
POOR ME?
After he concluded his litany of complaints and “poor me” anecdotes, I asked him a simple question. “Do you feel lucky?” It gave him pause, during which I hoped he was recognizing some of the largesse fate has bestowed upon him—good health, intelligence, talent, looks, etc. But his next utterance was, “Not really.”
Nick is what some folks call an “ingrate.” His awareness focuses on what he doesn’t like and doesn’t have, reflecting what psychologists call a “negative cognitive bias.” He looks for the downside in most everyone and everything and largely ignores the upside.
Like the rest of us, Nick harbors his share of problems and challenges, but failing to count his blessings leaves him feeling victimized and unhappy. When saying grace at his Thanksgiving feast later this month, I doubt his utterances will prove genuine.
FEELING LUCKY?
Jane is the flip side of Nick’s attitudinal coin. Raised in a dysfunctional family, she became pregnant in high school, married the wrong guy and clawed her way through two decades of emotional abuse before entering her forties divorced and poor.
Blessings Are in the Eye of the Beholder
BY PHILIP CHARD
Despite all that, she resolved to put her life in order, a yearslong effort that is only now bearing tangible fruit. I put the same question to her. “Do you feel lucky?”
She paused, as well, during which a quiet smile rippled across her face.
“ I do,” she said. “I know that sounds odd given all I’ve been through, but I do.”
Jane doesn’t dwell on the big negatives in her personal history—failed marriage, victimization, money woes, single parenthood, etc. Those downers remain a part of who she is, but she does not let them define her.
“When I made coffee this morning, a pair of beautiful cardinals were at my feeder, and that early light really set off their colors. The smell of the coffee, too, made it a nice way to start my day,” she told me, authentic happiness in her eyes.
Gratitude has less to do with our circumstances and much to do with our attitudes toward them. All lives have good and bad happenings, but we choose which receive the majority of our focus and attention. Even when the over-arching aspects of one’s life turn negative or hurtful, there remain what my mother called “small favors.” Jane, despite all else, finds and embraces those. Nick fails to acknowledge them.
Extensive research shows that being grateful is central to a satisfying and fulfilling life. Which is why Jane, who has little in life, is quite content, while Nick, who has much, remains miserable.
Like beauty, blessings are in the eye of the beholder.
Philip Chard is a psychotherapist and author with a focus on lasting behavior change, emotional healing and adaptation to health challenges. For more, visit philipchard.com.
Photo by GettyImages/AnnaElizabethPhotography.
INVESTING IN A (WET) DREAM
DEAR RUTHIE,
I have a friend who thinks he’s a budding porn star with accounts on several pay-per-view type sites. At first, he made a lot of money. He quit his job and thought he was about to embark on a lucrative lifestyle in the adult industry. WRONG!
The money isn’t coming in like it used to, he had to get two roommates to make rent, spent all of his savings and constantly asks for money from family and friends.
I’m sick of him looking to me and our friends for handouts! Get a real job! How can I convince him to give up this insane dream, get a job and get his life on track?
THE BANK IS CLOSED,
Poor David
DEAR DAVEY,
If your buddy isn’t hurting anyone (including himself), let him be. If this is his dream and if he thinks he can make it work, let him go for it! Stay out of it.
When I say stay out of it, however, I mean it. Let him know that you love him but that you’re not going to keep giving him money. You can (and should) be his friend but ask him not to expect any more cash from you.
If he wants to pursue this career, that’s fine. Support him emotionally and enjoy his friendship…but it’s not up to you to financially invest in his (wet) dream. XXOO
Ruthie's Social Calendar
NOVEMBER 2
MISS GAY WISCONSIN USOFA AT WYNDHAM GARDEN FITCHBURG (2969 CAHILL MAIN, FITCHBURG): Beauty, talent, glitz and glam take center stage during this pageant. More than 20 of the state’s favorite performers vie for the crown in this competition. The 34th annual installment of this legendary night, begins when the doors open at 4 p.m. with the pageant starting at 7 p.m. Email kmichaelswiusofa@gmail.com for tickets.
NOVEMBER 6
MTQD SHOT CLINIC AT ZAO MKE CHURCH (2319 E. KENWOOD BLVD.): Milwaukee Trans and Queer Depot (MTQD) is a group of trans and queer folks helping one another in a safe, sober and friendly space. Learn how to correctly administer your shots, discover what supplies are best for you, and more during the 3-7 p.m. clinic.
NOVEMBER 7
BITCHIN’ DRAG BINGO AT POP (124 W. NATIONAL AVE.): I’ve teamed up with the fantastic crew at Pop to host a whole new charity bingo night! Join me every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. where we play 10 rounds of bingo, including crazy jukebox and video bingo. You’ll even find a yummy menu of savory bites in addition to specialty drinks. Best of all, donations go to a local charity each night! Come on down and watch me yank balls for prizes!
NOVEMBER 15-17
WISCONSIN LEATHER PRIDE WEEKEND AT LACAGE NITECLUB
(801 S. SECOND ST.): Warm up your autumn with three days of leather-filled fun at the city’s mega LGBTQ+ dance club. From classes and competitions to brunches and bootblacks, it’s a weekend you’ll never forget. Stop by www.wisconsinleatherpride.com for daily schedules.
NOVEMBER 19
“WICKED/WIZARD OF OZ” TRIVIA AT COUNTRY CLARE IRISH PUB (1234 N. ASTOR ST.): Check out this noon to 4 p.m. afternoon where local artists, makers, crafters and vendors line Brady Street, selling their best. Grab a meal or a drink at one of area’s restaurants or bars and relish the last bit of summer.
NOVEMBER 22
PRIDE NIGHT MARIE AND ROSETTA AT MILWAUKEE REPERTORY
THEATRE (108 E. WELLS ST.): Join me and the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce for an unbeatable night of music and theater! The 6 p.m. evening includes a cocktail hour with complimentary wine, beer and soda before we head into the theater to watch this sensational show. Simply use the code PRIDENIGHT when ordering tickets at www.milwaukeerep.com/202425/pride.
NOVEMBER 28
THANKSGIVING AT HARBOR ROOM (117 E. GREENFIELD AVE.): Join the gang at Harbor Room for the annual Thanksgiving Day buffet at 1 p.m. Free with a drink purchase, this heartwarming spread of Turkey-Day delights and comfort-food classics promises to make your day memorable and oh-so yummy!
Adecade or so ago I recall reading a column entitled “The Ten Top Startup Businesses Doomed to Fail.” Along with video rental joint and yogurt shop, “gay bar” was among the ventures the article predicted would likely end in financial ruin. As if to prove the point, BTW Lounge, a supposed bisexual themed gay bar on Buffalo in the Third Ward, opened in 2011 and lasted less than a year.
According to other sources, 50% of gay bars across the country closed between 2012 and 2021. Milwaukee, which once boasted dozens of gay and lesbian bars located throughout the city, had more than its share of closings in that decade as well. Among them were the Boot Camp Saloon in 2011, Triangle and Mona’s Out and About in 2012, Boom and the Room and Nut Hut in 2014. Various factors caused their closures but there was little incentive for entrepreneurs to open new venues.
It seemed we were indeed on the verge of a post-gay world where the dimly lit, seedy bars of yore, despite their cheap drinks and gritty charm, were passé. The seeming strides of LGBTQ progress and marriage equality gave credence to those who advocated LGBTQs melding into the grander scheme of things.
Milwaukee's LGBTQ Bar Scene Offers Something For Everyone
BY PAUL MASTERSON
For those who promoted equality in its most idyllic and utopian sense, it seemed like LGBTQ assimilation was just over the rainbow. Anyone can go anywhere was their wishful thinking motto. It also appeared that those insisting on embracing queer identity rather than dilute it with the trappings of straight monotony would be sidelined.
STRADDLING THE CUSP
In fact, locales like Hamburger Mary’s that opened in 2011 straddled the gaystraight cusp. For over 13 years, Mary’s gay owners exploited the broader marketing appeal of queer culture to attract the trendy straight folks who lived their enlightenment by venturing into the exotic LGBTQ underworld. The result was good for business. Bachelorette parties enthusiastically supported the venue’s drag shows while its drag bingo nights helped local charities of all persuasions to raise funds.
Conversely, but in a similar spirit, in 2012 the Guerilla Gay Bar movement hit Milwaukee. The idea was for a mob of LGBTQ people to take over a straight bar. Although originally intended to surprise the targeted locale with a gaggle of hard drinking and big tipping gays,
eventually the events were prearranged not only to avoid an awkward reception but also to allow the bar to staff adequately to accommodate the sudden influx. Complaints by gay bar owners over lost business and the fading novelty eventual lead to the Guerilla Gay Bar’s quick demise.
The end of the progressive Obamaera and the subsequent Republican backlash to it after the 2016 election brought advances to LGBTQ rights to a halt. Besides, during those heady years of would-be social integration, there may have been a bit of soul searching. Some LGBTQ patrons were not amused and found straight gawkers at gay bars intrusive. Comments on social media opined that one goes to one’s own bar for one’s own people and not to be a tourist attraction. They also noted that feeling of “something missing” when exploring the realm of straight bars. Perhaps there was something to the old “birds of a feather” adage after all. One would hardly expect Guerilla Methodists to descend on a Roman Catholic Church. Ecumenism notwithstanding, the impasse over transubstantiation would inevitably cast a pall over any church social.
RETURN TO HOMOPHOBIA?
That reality and the return to overt homophobia as a political tool may have actually inspired a Renaissance of LGBTQ dedicated public entertainment spaces. According to research undertaken by the Lesbian Bar Project, of the 200 lesbian bars that existed in the ‘80s, as of 2020 there were only 15 remaining nationwide. Listed among them was Milwaukee’s Walker’s Pint, located for over two decades in the city’s gayborhood, Walker’s Point. Their complete extinction seemed just a matter of time. Today, however, according to Krista Burton’s 2023 memoir Moby Dyck: An Obsessive Quest to Track Down the Last Lesbian Bar in America, there are at least 35.
Meanwhile, last year, just around the corner from the Pint, a new gay bar POP opened at 124 W. National Avenue. Located in the same building that once was home to Switch, a gritty old school gay bar that closed in 2008, POP is a bright, polished and trendy dance bar with all the amenities. It recently hosted a Coming Out Celebration with Chasten Buttigieg, gay dad and husband of US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, as its honored guest. Drag diva Dear Ruthie has also moved her bingo and cabarets to POP.
Currently, including POP, there are 10 bars and clubs that still warrant the “gay” or “lesbian” moniker, while several others, while not gay per se, are LGBTQ owned or community friendly.
Opened in 1968 and located on the Lower East Side, This is It, Milwaukee’s remains the oldest and longest continuously operating bars in the city (and in the country). Now co-owned by mega drag icon Trixie Mattel and George Schneider, it has evolved from an unmarked, old school gay bar to a high profile dance and drag show venue attracting a younger clientele. It even made the Republican National Convention’s list of recommended sites to see.
LIVELY WALKER’S POINT
Most of the remaining bars on the list are in Walker’s Point. On the corner of National Avenue and Water Street, D.I.X. bucked the conventional wisdom of the day and opened in 2010. It carries on regardless today. Since 1984, La Cage on the opposite end of the block at National Avenue and Second Street has always been a destination for the dance obsessed but also has as long a reputation for drag shows, theatrical productions and events.
Fluid, at National and Second Street, Kruz, at the east end of National Avenue, Harbor Room on East Greenfield and Water Street, and Woody’s at Second and Lapham Avenue, all have been part of the scene for decades and cater to a diverse clientele of bears, sports enthusiasts and other sundry gays. Woody’s even hosts a sheepshead night on Thursdays, preserving a Milwaukee tradition.
Among the other LGBTQ-embracing locales are Club Charlie’s in the Third Ward, the home of Karen Valentine’s “Showtunes Sunday Funday,” and Sabbatic in Walker’s Point with the Art Bar on Burleigh Avenue in Riverwest and Cactus Club on East Russell Avenue in Bay View bookending the northern and southern frontiers of city.
Despite its fewer numbers, Milwaukee’s LGBTQ bar scene remains alive and well with something for everyone.
Paul Masterson is an LGBTQ activist and writer and has served on the boards of the Milwaukee Gay Arts Center, Milwaukee Pride, GAMMA and other organizations.
Photo of drinks at bar by GettyImages-Ladanifer. Brick background by GettyImages/LtHqDmIll. Bar lights background by GettyImages/August0802.
From The City That Always Sweeps
BY ART KUMBALEC
I’m Art Kumbalek and man oh manischewitz what a world, ain’a? So listen, it’s November already? For cripes sakes, didn’t we just have the Halloween schmutz with the candy and costumes and now we get the cranberry (ever had it for breakfast? Me neither. Ever want it, anytime of day? Me neither) plus Sahara-dried turkey white meat served with a side-course of political palaver spewed across the gathered-round thankful table from a whiskered aging goofball uncle?
Cliché- touché.
Anyways, here I be with my essay for the Shepherd’s November magazine, which means I had to slap this palaver together back in late September, as deadlines dictate.
So, by the time you peruse these golden words, together we will have experienced Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Hallofocking-ween and a presidential election, not to mention the possibility of a visitation by aliens from outer space, maybe an appearance of another novel virus that makes COVID seem like an ice-creamed stroll on a brightly colored sea-shelled beach with a balloon, a Brewers World Series Championship.
And as for what I can tell you’s how to feel about 2024’s big-time election, all I can do is to quote the late, great latenight “Dark Side” jazz DJ Ron Cuzner, that being:
I sincerely hope you are warm tonight, and that you are together tonight, and that your cookie jar is filled to the very brim… with the cookies of your choice, of course.
Yeah yeah, November. Astrologically, I got a Scorpion B-day near the top-of-this-month, just so you’s know. And at my advanced age, one of these new-fangled GoFundMe deals sent my way would be much appreciated. I could use a new pair of shoes, a bag of socks, not to mention monetary relief from a boatload of medical $chmutz. Also, I take a 42-44 regular in a nice sports coat, god bless you.
Thanksgiving. As a safety tip, allow me to suggest that wherever you go for the holiday, do not forget to pack a piece of concealed-carry protection in the event some in-law has too much holiday vino, gets a little cranky and all of a sudden whips out a heater and wants to blow your head clean off ’cause he just remembered you didn’t come by to lend a hand and help take his focking pier out up at his crappy cottage by Hayward last Labor Day.
Which reminds me, how ’bout I give you a little something you can take along and share at your gathering of thanks so’s you don’t show up empty-handed like some kind of freeloading fockstick. If you’re too damn lazy to bring a dish or gallon of bourbon, a humorous story would be a nice alternative, you betcha.
There’s this group of hunters who always go up to the same neck-of-the-woods every year for a three-day beer-drinking shootout. Each morning they’d pair off in twos for the hunt. Well sir, one evening one of the guys came back alone, dragging a huge 10-point buck. The other guys wanted to know where Jerry was, and the guy dragging the deer said that Jerry had a stroke or maybe a heart attack, couple miles back. “Cripes, you left Jerry lying there in the cold and the dark and dragged the deer back instead?” And the guy says, “Yeah, it was a tough call, but I figured no one would steal Jerry, so what the fock.” Ba-ding!
Yes sir, that ought to bring down the house gathered ’round ol’ Tom Turkey, ain’a? As for me, I’ll be gathered ’round something other than a turkey ’cause I never touch the stuff, no sir. For my Thanksgiving feast, I enjoy to boil up a nice ring baloney because I cannot eat turkey out of respect for our Founding Fathers who dang near made it our National Bird for christ sakes—I’m guessing because of the turkey’s much ballyhooed beauty and intelligence, what the fock.
And I guess had they made that decision, today we would be basting and carving the traditional eagle come the fourth November Thursday. Well, maybe not necessarily the eagle, but whatever bird it would be, it sure as hell wouldn’t be the turkey ’cause you just don’t cram a thermometer up the butt of the National Bird, I don’t care who you are.
But if it were to be the eagle, you know what? I got a sneaking hunch that it doesn’t “taste just like chicken,” no sir. In fact, I got a funny feeling that the eagle tastes just like a woman’s saddle shoe, size seven, shoelace included. So yes, I’m thankful that the Founding Fathers failed to make the gobbler our nation’s fowl symbol for all that’s noble and strong about our country. Besides, the focking turkey carries enough symbolic weight as it is anyways, witnessed by the fact that we elect so goddamn many of them to Congress every couple years, ain’a?
And in conclusion, let me say that wherever you find yourself this Thanksgiving holiday, god speed and remember to fight the good fight ’cause I’m Art Kumbalek and I told you so.
