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Holiday Arts Guide

Shepherd Express Holiday Arts Guide 2024
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

alverno.edu/gallery

American Players Theatre (APT)

americanplayers.org

  • Nat Turner in Jerusalem, Oct. 17-Nov. 10 (Hill Theater) The play by award-winning playwright-screenwriter 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

Bay View 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)

Black Holocaust Museum

abhmuseum.org

Boerner Botanical Gardens

boernerbotanicalgardens.org

  • Education Center open 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. 7 days a week.
  • Botanical Gardens open May 1 – Sept. 10: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., 7 days a week
Bombshell Theatre Co.

bombshelltheatre.org

  • 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 Theatre

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.

boxtheatre.co.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

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
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-Mans-Carnival

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

Since 2009, Ex Fabula has been connecting community through the art of true, personal storytelling. Ex Fabula, which is Latin for “from stories”, presents storytelling workshops, StorySlams and Community Collaborations where people listen to each other, feel heard, and grow in empathy and understanding. (Morton Shlabotnik)

  • Story Slam: Missed Connections, Dec. 3 (Next Act Theatre))
Falls Patio Players

fallspatioplayers.com

  • A Christmas Carol, Dec. 6-8
Festival City Symphony

festivalcitysymphony.org

First Stage

firststage.org

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

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. Featured are Harley’s Model 6 Single (1910), Brook Stevens’ FL Hydra Glide (1949) and Willie G. Davidson’s FX Super Glide (1971). (David Luhrssen)

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
Irish Cultural and Heritage Center

ichc.net

James May Gallery

jamesmaygallery.com

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

  • 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 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

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

Madison Theatre Guild

madisontheatreguild.org

Marcus Performing Arts Center

marcuscenter.org

  • 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

  • Arise, Shine, Nov. 24 (St. Matthias Catholic Parish)
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

  • 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. (John Schneider)

Milwaukee Chamber Theater

milwaukeechambertheatre.org

  • Clyde’s, Nov. 8-24

    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 hard-driving boss.” Dimonte Henning directs. (Morton Shlabotnik)

Milwaukee Children's Choir

milwaukeechildrenschoir.org

    All Choir Concert featuring Milwaukee Youth Chorale, Lyric Chorale, Preparatory Choir and Introductory Choir, Nov. 4 (St. Sebastian Parish)
Milwaukee Comedy

milwaukeecomedy.com

Milwaukee Festival Brass

mfbrass.org

Milwaukee Film

mkefilm.org

Milwaukee Fringe Festival

mkefringe.com

Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design Gallery

miad.edu

  • MIAD Pathsetters: An Emeriti Exhibition, through Dec. 7 (Brooks Stevens Gallery)
Milwaukee Irish Arts

milirisharts.org

Milwaukee Jazz Institute

milwaukeejazzinstitute.org

  • MJI Jam Session, Nov. 11 (Jazz Gallery)
  • Geof Bradfield Quintet, Nov. 16 (bar centro)
  • MJI Jam Session, Dec. 9 (Jazz Gallery)
  • MJI Holiday Big Band Concert, Dec. 19 (Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts)
Milwaukee Jazz Orchestra

mjojazz.com

Milwaukee Makers Market

milwaukeemakersmarket.com

  • Early Bird Holiday, Nov. 17 (Ivy House)

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)

Milwaukee Musaik

milwaukeemusaik.org

  • Refined Essence, Nov. 17 (Wauwatosa Presbyterian Church)
Milwaukee Opera Theatre

milwaukeeoperatheatre.org

  • Alcina, Nov. 12-17 (Dandy, 5020 W. Vliet St.)

    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

  • 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
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

Over Our Head Players

overourheadplayers.org

  • Schmeatre Christmas, Dec. 6-7, Dec. 12-14, Dec. 19-21, Dec. 27-28
Overture Center for the Arts, Madison

overture.org

  • Straight No Chaser, Nov. 6
  • Barenaked Ladies, Nov. 7
  • Murder Girl, Nov. 7-24 (Forward Theater)
  • Fialkowska on Fire, Nov. 8
  • Ken Lonngquist, Nov. 9
  • Nate Jackson, Nov. 10
  • Momentum Nov. 15-17 (Madison Symphony Orchestra)
  • Beni Deiko, Nov. 18
  • Alysha Umphress, Nov. 21
  • Lyra Ensemble with Greg Zelek, Nov. 21
  • Handel’s Messiah, Nov. 22-23 (Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra)
  • Ben Wendel & Taylor Eigsti, Nov. 22
  • Yid Vicious, Nov. 23
  • & Juliet, Nov. 26-Dec. 1
Paint Cedarburg: A Plein Air Painting Event

cedarburgartistsguild.com/paint-cedarburg

  • June 8-15
Peninsula Players

peninsulaplayers.com

Philomusica Quartet

philomusicaquartet.com

PianoArts

pianoarts.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

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

Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts

wilson-center.com

  • Wisconsin Philharmonic Presents Harmonious Masters, Nov. 7
  • Travis Anderson Trio, Nov. 8
  • Mummenschanz, Nov. 15
  • 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 Theater 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)

  • Tenor MKE Christmas Spirits Holiday Concert, Dec. 17
Theatre Gigante

theatregigante.org

Theatrical Tendencies

theatricaltendencies.com

Third Avenue Playhouse, Sturgeon Bay

thirdavenueplayworks.org

Thrasher Opera House, Green Lake

thrasheroperahouse.com

  • 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.” Every piece of content is identifiable if not nameable. (Shane McAdams)

UW-Parkside Theatre

uwp.edu/therita/theatreperformances.cfm

  • Hand to God, Nov. 22-24, Dec. 6-8
UW-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts

uwm.edu/arts/events

  • Upstart: Dance MFA Concert, July 25 (Mitchell Hall)
UWM Theatre/Peck School of the Arts

uwm.edu/arts/events/category/theatre

  • Pericles, Nov. 6-10 (Theatre Building, Mainstage Theatre)

    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 Serr Studio)
  • UWM Wind Ensemble, Nov. 22 (Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts)
  • Opera Scenes, Nov. 23-24 (Music Building, Recital Hall)
  • Quey Percussion Duo, Dec. 2 (Music Building, Recital Hall)
  • Experimental Tuesdays: From the Archives, Dec. 3 (UWM Union Art Gallery)
  • Musical Theatre Capstone Performances, Dec. 4-8 (Theatre Building Mainstage Theatre)
UW-Whitewater Crossman Gallery

uww.edu/coac/crossman

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
  • Winterlude at the Villa, Nov. 10
  • Winterlude at the Villa, Dec. 8
Village Playhouse, Wauwatosa

villageplayhouse.org

Voices Found

voicesfoundrep.com

Walker's Point Center for the Arts

wpca-milwaukee.org

Warehouse Art Museum

wammke.or

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

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