With temperatures hitting a summer high point this weekend it makes sense that maybe you’d stay at home in that one room that the window unit can cool. Or maybe you got it better and can enjoy your hermitude in complete comfort. Better yet, get out a bit, you won’t melt, and there’s no suffering that isn’t made better with others to moan about it with. And if you don’t have AC, you’re probably making plans to get out anyway, here’s some suggestions from me…
#1. David Wax Museum
Hang out with me through my shift today and you’ll get treated to another live session at 2pm; this time with David Wax Museum. They're in town for a performance at Shank Hall in support of their latest, 2015’s Guesthouse. To me, David Wax and Suz Slezak, the married couple who form David Wax Museum, are a pair of traveling musicologists that let the ‘ology’ inform their music in ways that keep their interest in global sounds authentic. After years studying folk music in Mexico, digging back to its roots to find inspiration, they’ve honed a sound that though technically “world” music is also about ideas that I think everyone can relate to.
Take their latest release as an example of that unpretentious ingenuity as they shimmer through vibes incorporating interests as diverse as son jarocho, ragtime reels, norteno among other strains I don’t recognize but dig. Educated, worldly indie-folk unafraid of being pop-y or as weird as they want to be and importantly, good at it.
Tonight at 8pm @ Shank Hall, 1434 North Farwell Avenue, East Side
#2. Black Cat Alley
Black Cat Alley is one of the main reasons I've already been looking forward to this fall, and tonight kicks off this awesome new addition to Milwaukee: an alley full of street art. With the help of various sponsors and volunteers, the alley between the Oriental Theater and Colectivo Coffee on Milwaukee's East Side is going to be turning into a "gallery" for Milwaukee street art. Head on over to the East Side tonight to catch some of this art being made before your eyes by the European street art legend, MTO.
Tonight at 5pm @ UWM Kenilworth Building, 1915 E Kenilworth Place, East Side
#3. Firkin Fest
Granted, in Milwaukee we never really need another excuse to drink beer, but when it comes to Firkin Fest it's too fun not to miss. Taking place in Cathedral Square Park, this is any beer-lovers dream: samples from over 150 brews, more than 40 firkins, live entertainment, beer memorabilia... sounds pretty firkin awesome. Don't forget your pretzel necklace!
Saturday at 4:00pm @ Cathedral Square Park
#4. Synth Fest
For it's very first year, Synth Festis already looking to be awesome. Showcasing the talent of Milwaukee's electronic music scene, this two-day festival features over 30 electronic artists. New to electronic music? The first half of each day (1pm-6pm) takes place at Acme Records and is free with an encourage donation and for those of us looking to keep grooving into the night, from 9pm-1am the festival moves over to Cactus Club.
Saturday and Sunday @ Bayview's Cactus Club and Acme Records.
#5. Milwaukee Comic Con
Comic lovers unite! This weekend Milwaukee's Comic Con is back. Head over to American Serb Hall on Sunday to not only get your comic fix, but check out live gaming, a huge cosplay contest and special guests and artists. Plus, with the convention running from 10-4:30 you still have plenty of time to grab Sunday brunch, head over to Comic Con and then gab about your experience with friends over a beer afterwords.
Sunday from 10am- 4:30pm @ American Serb Hall
