Community Calendar

Join us for Trainfest 2026, a family-friendly celebration of trains, model railroading, creativity, STEM, and transportation!

Trainfest brings together model railroaders, train enthusiasts, vendors, exhibitors, interactive displays, and activities for all ages. Whether you’re a longtime hobbyist or simply love trains, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

📅 November 7–8, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
📍 Baird Center
400 W Wisconsin Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53203

Children 12 and under are FREE!

Tickets can be purchased online or at the show. Skip the line and purchase your tickets online in advance:

Trainfest 2026 Event & Ticket Page

Come experience one of the Midwest’s premier celebrations of model railroading and the train hobby!

The United States marks its 250th anniversary in 2026. To understand how our nation came to be, we invite you to think about how immigrants have shaped the United States, starting right here in Milwaukee.
Indigenous Peoples were the first to live on this land. Later, waves of immigrants arrived, changing the community and creating the Milwaukee we know today. Examining immigration in Milwaukee offers a window into the larger American story.
For over 180 years, immigrants have shaped Milwaukee’s economy, neighborhoods, and culture. Waves of German, Polish, Italian, and Irish newcomers built businesses to grow the city in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Their skills and labor established Milwaukee as a center of industry and craftsmanship.
As new generations arrive from Latin America, Asia, Southwest Asia and North Africa (also referred to as the Middle East), and Africa, they bring traditions, languages, and foods that continue to redefine what it means to be American. Milwaukee’s diversity can be seen in its restaurants, festivals, and neighborhoods. Here, the legacies of past and present immigrants come together to shape the future.

Family histories, myth, and memories not only survive migration and cultural transplantation; they persist at the foundations of identity. Warren King’s sophisticated sculptures explore his family’s origins in Shaoxing, China, their journey to the suburbs of Wisconsin, and how he understands this displacement in light of his own Western upbringing. King’s sculptures often combine thematic and aesthetic elements from Chinese and Western traditions, masterfully working cardboard into near life-size figures and wall pieces that recall traditional lacquerware and woodcarving. This exhibition originated at the James Watrous Gallery in Madison, Wisconsin, where it was co-curated by Jody Clowes and Warren King, and is presented in collaboration with the Organization of Chinese Americans-Wisconsin.

Learn and discover in the great outdoors! This program offers guided, hands-on exploration that brings seasonal topics to life for children ages 4-12.

SEPTEMBER 2 — Home Sweet Habitat: Explore wildlife habitats from the perspective of the animals that live there.

SEPTEMBER 16 — The Incredible Water Journey: Find out where water comes from and where it goes – some surprises are in store!

OCTOBER 7 — Nature’s Builders: Let’s take a closer look at the home-building skills of different insects.

NOVEMBER 4 — Glacial Wisconsin: Learn to read the glacial landscape of Retzer and discover the importance of glaciers to our region.

NOVEMBER 18 — Thankful for Nature: Enjoy a fun discussion and hike about the ways nature can help us, feed us, or protect us.

DECEMBER 2 — Hibernation/Migration: Explore the trails of Retzer to see which animals stay, sleep, or leave during winter. Participants will hike with snowshoes if trails permit.

Play Date: Social: Friendsgiving Playground Hop is a free, welcoming morning for local families. We will start at Atwater Park Playground in Shorewood, where children can play while parents and caregivers meet their small Friend Circle. Then each family can drive or bike about two miles to Lake Park Playground for more play, simple friendship missions, an optional holiday recipe exchange, and hot chocolate together. Your host will be easy to find, introduce families with children around similar ages, explain every transition, and make sure no one has to walk into a crowd alone. Recommended for ages 2 to 10, with siblings welcome. Caregiver supervision is required.

Step into a world of high-octane piano and legendary hits! Rock ‘N’ Roll Piano Man takes you on a thrilling journey through the history of rock ‘n’ roll piano—from the rebellious roots of Little Richard and Fats Domino to the soulful sounds of Ray Charles, and piano legends Elton John and Billy Joel. JP Coletta, who brought down the house as Jerry Lee Lewis in Million Dollar Quartet, and his band bring each song to life with electrifying energy, dazzling skill, and irresistible charisma. Experience classics like “Great Balls of Fire,” “Benny and the Jets” and “Always A Woman” in an unforgettable tribute to the music that shaped generations.

“Coletta is a star stepping into his prime.” – BroadwayWorld

Created by JP Coletta

Saturdays from 5:30-8:30PM- No cover charge. Low and slow BBQ. Bold flavor. Cold brews on tap.
Spend your Saturdays at MOTOR Bar & Restaurant with mouthwatering smoked BBQ, 12 rotating taps of local and regional beers and ciders, and live acoustic music from 5:30–8:30 p.m. No cover charge. Just show up hungry.

Reservations are highly encouraged. Call: 414.376.3696

Ages 21+

Some say he’s the best-kept secret in stand-up comedy: Joey Coco Diaz. His energy and his storytelling abilities are second to none. Joey most recently appeared on Netflix as mobster Buddha Bonpensiero in the Sopranos prequel film, The Many Saints of Newark. He’s also made memorable appearances in Taxi, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Longest Yard, Spider-Man 2, Everybody Hates Chris, Grudge Match and My Name is Earl. Joey’s stand-up shines in storytelling series such as Netflix’s The Degenerates (2018) and Comedy Centra’s This is Not Happening (2019). Joey’s first full hour special, Sociably Unacceptable (2016), can be found on Amazon Prime and Peacock. Perhaps most notably, Joey’s voice found a captive audience in his podcast “Uncle Joey’s Joint”, where he tells stories of his life and his criminal past, as well ashow he made it to where he is today. He is also a regular guest on the massively popular podcast, “The Joe Rogan Experience”. Diaz’s brutally honest but wickedly funny stories brought him to the New York Times best seller list in his 2023 book, “Tremendous: The Life of a Comedy Savage”. Joey’s a father and husband, but that hasn’t slowed him down- he continues to perform his electric stand-up in theatres across the country. His live performances are unpredictable, hilarious and dangerous all at once. If you get a chance to see him, you’ll realize it’s not what you say but how you say it that makes Joey a true comedian.

Goose is an American rock band known for its genre-blending sound, improvisational live shows, and deeply dedicated fan base. The band — Rick Mitarotonda (vocals, guitar), Peter Anspach (vocals, keys, guitar), Trevor Weekz (bass), and Cotter Ellis (drums) — has risen from performing in Connecticut basements to headlining some of the country’s most iconic venues. Blending indie-rock hooks with expansive improvisation, Goose has built its following organically through relentless touring and a strong DIY ethos, leveraging platforms like YouTube, Bandcamp, and nugs.net to connect directly with fans.

The band recently announced their sixth studio album, BIG MODERN!, arriving June 12, alongside lead single “Good2B,” a sun-soaked, high-energy introduction to the record. The release follows a prolific 2025 that saw the arrival of two studio albums, including Everything Must Go and Chain Yer Dragon, which propelled Goose to #2 on Billboard’s Top New Artist Albums chart and drew praise from Rolling Stone for its balance of studio precision and live energy. Everything Must Go’s singles “Give It Time” and “Your Direction” both charted simultaneously at AAA radio, making Goose the only band to achieve this distinction.

Austin Giorgio brings the Lovers Never Die Tour to the Caribou Room for an intimate night of live music on November 7.

Get ready for an unforgettable night as Austin Giorgio takes the stage at the Caribou Room for the Lovers Never Die Tour.

Located in Wisconsin and produced by Interstate Music, the Caribou Room offers an intimate live music experience with professional sound, lighting, and a full-service bar. Guests can expect an up-close performance in a venue designed for memorable nights of music, connection, and energy.

Known for his smooth vocals, bold style, and genre-blending sound, Austin Giorgio delivers a performance that feels classic, cinematic, and fresh all at once.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering Austin Giorgio for the first time, this show will bring the emotion, style, and live performance that makes his music stand out.