Bob Dylan @ Riverside Theater, 8 p.m.
Thursday, May 7
Fetty Wap @ The Eight Nightclub, 9:30 p.m.
New Jersey rapper Fetty Wap had never sung on a recording before giving it a go on his 2014 track “Trap Queen.” That risk paid off big time: After building huge buzz online, that single—a woozy tribute to a girlfriend with a knack for cooking crack—became a hit on both rap and Top 40 formats, where it’s now routinely spun between Maroon 5 and Ed Sheeran songs. It remains to be seen whether Wap will be able to score a follow-up smash, but he’ll try to prove he’s not just a one-hit wonder later this year when he releases a self-titled mixtape.
Friday, May 8
Nick Offerman & Megan Mullally @ The Riverside Theater, 7 and 10:30 p.m.
Though he may not share his hardline libertarian beliefs, Nick Offerman otherwise has a lot in common with his “Parks and Recreation” creation Ron Swanson, a walking celebration of masculinity in its purest, meat-devouring, wood-splitting form. That role sometimes paired Offerman on screen with his real-life wife Megan Mullally, an equally gifted comedian who has continually shined in guest sitcom appearances since her breakout role as the boozy socialite Karen Walker on “Will & Grace.” For this show, part of their “Summer of 69: No Apostrophe” tour, the two will pay tribute to their love during an evening that promises both comedy and music.
Living Life in 10 Acts @ Next Act Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
Milwaukee Metropolitan Voices’ (MMV) resident performance group In Good Company presents Living Life in Ten Acts by Joanna Kerner, an exploration of Milwaukee labor’s struggles and victories through drama and song. The story, which is the brainchild of IGC member and MPS teacher Barbara Czarkowski, takes place in a local union hangout on Blue Mound Road in 2011, just months before the introduction of Act 10 by the Wisconsin legislature. A stranger arrives—an architect from Delafield—and the co-mingling between him, the bartender and regular patrons sparks a discussion about Milwaukee’s laboring workforce. The show is directed by Mallory Metoxen with musical direction provided by Trefor Williams. Featured alongside IGC performers are David Franz, Kelly Doherty, guest musician Macyn Taylor, who was named 2013 WAMI Folk/Celtic performer of the year, and some of Czarkowski’s students from Zablocki Elementary School. Musical selections include “Solidarity Forever,” “We Don’t Want Your Millions,” “Nine to Five” and “It’s The Hard Knock Life.” (Also Saturday, May 9 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, May 10 at 3 p.m.)
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Saturday, May 9
Tech N9ne w/ Chris Webby, Krizz Kaliko, Murs, King 810 and Zuse @ The Rave, 8 p.m.
Though it sometimes can seem that way, radioplay isn’t the only measure of a rapper’s popularity. Take Kansas City hardcore rapper Tech N9ne, who has barely received any radio support over his lengthy career yet amassed one of underground rap’s most loyal followings. Of course, it helps that he records at a near maniacal clip, and has long had the support of some of rap’s biggest names. His fifteenth and latest album, Special Effects, features guest spots from Eminem, Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, T.I., E-40, Yo Gotti and many others. That album just came out this month, but Tech N9ne already has plans for another, Strangeulation Vol. II, which he hopes to release this year. Smart money says he will.
The Growing Power 5K Walk/Run @ Growing Power, 7:30 a.m.
Milwaukee’s inner city is what’s known as a “food desert,” an urban area where fresh, healthy foods are not readily available because of the lack of grocery stores. To help raise awareness for food deserts, and to raise money for urban agriculture in Milwaukee, Growing Power will host its second annual Good Food Revolution 5k Walk/Run, which will span one of the city’s largest food deserts, starting at Growing Power’s headquarters and ending at Westlawn Gardens on West Silver Spring Drive.
Performing Arts in the Park @ six Milwaukee County Parks, 9:30 a.m.
In partnership with The Park People of Milwaukee, Next Generation UPAF presents free performances by six UPAF member companies at six county parks on the morning of the day before Mother’s Day. All performances take place indoors, rain or shine. Artists and locations are: The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra at Humboldt Park Pavilion, 3000 S. Howell Ave.; Skylight Music Theater at Lincoln Park Pavilion, 1301 W. Hampton Ave.; Florentine Opera Company at Gordon Park Pavilion, 2828 N Humboldt Blvd.; Milwaukee Ballet at Mitchell Park Pavilion, 2200 W. Pierce St.; Danceworks at LaFollette Park Pavillion, 9418 W. Washington St.; and First Stage at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Auditorium, 1531 W. Vliet St. This first time event is for everyone.
Tuesday, May 12
Melt-Banana w/ Zebras and Rio Turbo @ Cactus Club, 9 p.m.
Japan’s Melt-Banana has been making freaked-out, spastic noise-punk for two decades, and they haven’t tamed a bit with age. Ichirou Agata’s screechy guitar still hits masochistically shrill notes, and Yasuko Onuki still yelps, barks and screams with such zeal that her nose sometimes bleeds. The band has continued to push their sound in new directions, though. Their 2009 live record Melt-Banana Lite Live: Ver. 0.0, ditched their trusty guitars in favor of equally extreme synths and samples, a shift that carries through their most recent studio album, 2013’s Fetch.
Wednesday, May 13
Bob Dylan @ The Riverside Theater, 8 p.m.
In the late ’80s, Bob Dylan began what fans have affectionately dubbed “The Never Ending Tour,” their name for the almost relentless touring schedule the folk and rock legend has maintained for the last quarter century. Still a road warrior at age 73, Dylan will bring his bluesy band back to the Riverside Theater for his first Milwaukee appearance since his show at the Bradley Center in 2012, and his first show at the Riverside since his 2008 date there. He has some new material he may or may not play, too: In February he released his 36th studio album, Shadows in the Night, a collection of standards popularized by Frank Sinatra, which continues Dylan’s career-long fascination with the American songbook.
