Photo via Puerto Rican Festival of Wisconsin - Facebook
Puerto Rican Festival of Wisconsin (2025)
Puerto Rican Festival of Wisconsin at Henry Maier Festival Park (2025).
Thursday September 10
Seat of Our Pants Readers Theatre Troupe's American Voices A-Z: a 9/11 Tribute at Whitefish Bay Library
SoOP member Mark Flagg adapted 30 segments of the New York Times' “Portraits of Grief” series published after the East Coast terror attacks a quarter-century ago. The resulting play will be performed at the library at 4:30 p.m. Tomorrow the tribute is set to play at the Creator Collaborative Studio on E. Silver Spring Dr. at 7 p.m. Both shows are pay-what-you-will, and more information may be had from tinyurl.com/2cy95e3t/
Author Ron Faiola at Boswell Book Company
The former drummer for Couch Flambeau and current WMSE DJ will talk about his third book about Wisconsin supper clubs, Wisconsin Supper Clubs: One for the Road, at one of the N. Downer Ave. bookseller's free events. As is most often the case with Boswell events, the 6:30 p.m. talk is free but requires registration. Accomplish that at tinyurl.com/bdhc4f6t.
Trivia Mafia Presents Trivia Thursday at Indeed Brewing Company
This is the kind of bar game the Buzz can get behind: free to enter and no signing up required. Prizes? First place gets a 12-pack of an Indeed brew, and second place earns a six-pack of same. Learn more about the weekly 7-9 p.m. knowledge challenge from tinyurl.com/3z4cxeu9.
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Friday September 11
Opening Reception for “ChemLight” at UWM’s Kenilworth Square East, 4th Floor Gallery
Students in the university's photography courses display their pictures utilizing traditional and experimental lighting techniques in this exhibition. Today's free reception goes 5-7 p.m. Find more “ChemLight” details and the gallery's hours at tinyurl.com/yemydhkk.
Artist's Reception for Paula Swaydan Grebel's “It's Not What It Isn't” at Tory Folliard Gallery
The Wisconsin painter inspired by Paul Cézanne's nuanced use of hues to depict interior settings and domestic scenes opens her current exhibition at the N. Milwaukee St. location, 5-7:30 p.m. with this free event. Learn more about Swayden Grebel, see some of her work, at tinyurl.com/mw94ptpp.
The Journal Improv Comedy Group 11th Anniversary Performance at Interchange Theater
Not to be confused with a certain local daily newspaper, this Journal is the longest-lived improv group in the city. To celebrate, they'll be plying their artistry, and the wonderfully named X-Fools will open for them. Word is that there will be cake for the occasion, giveaways, an anniversary drink special, and other goodies. Get tickets for the 7:30 p.m., two-hour show from tinyurl.com/yaemzp5n.
WLC Theatre Department Presents New York at Wisconsin Lutheran College Center for Arts & Performance
David Rummer's play originally intended to raise funds for mental health workers who volunteered their services post-9/11 is performed tonight and tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. Tickets and donations benefit Tunnels to Towers Foundation, providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families, among other programs. Obtain tickets here: tinyurl.com/mrejw249
Racine Theatre Guild Presents The Play That Goes Wrong
Jonathan Sayer, Henry Lewis and Henry Shields' work directed by Doug Instenes is suggested for comedy buffs appreciative of plays within plays. As may be surmised from the title, the murder mystery this production is about goes all kinds of sideways. It opens tonight at 7:30 p.m. for the first of 13 performances. Find a schedule and more about what Goes Wrong via tinyurl.com/4s5thcu2
Saturday September 12
Gift of Wings Presents IKEA Frank Mots International Kite Festival at Veterans Park
The local kite shop chain sponsors this annual free jamboree of airborne toys 10 a.m.-6 p.m. today and until 5 p.m. tomorrow. See multiple kite-flying teams, an “America's Got Talent” alum attempting to fly four kites simultaneously while doing tricks, watch 100 kites launched in unison, learn to fly one yourself, and plenty more. Get a fuller rundown the fest's itinerary from tinyurl.com/auw2wkmw.
Milwaukee County Historical Society Presents Trimborn Farm Harvest of Arts & Crafts
The Glendale farm, part of Milwaukee County's park system, hosts this fundraiser for the historical society today and tomorrow 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The funds will be raised from admission as well as sales of the artwork and crafted goods available. Find further details upon reaching tinyurl.com/bdfed4fp.
The Well Red Damsel Presents “From Milwaukee with Love: Meet Me on North Romance Book Crawl”
The Wauwatosa romance book shop is behind this free 10 a.m.-4 p.m. kind of extended meet-and-greet for 85+ authors at 30+ small businesses on North Avenue. Nab a crawl passport, get it stamped at locations you visit, and qualify for prizes, including a $500 Well Red Damsel gift card. Nab further details from tinyurl.com/mrye5s68.
Puerto Rican Festival of Wisconsin at Henry Maier Festival Park
The 13th annual celebration of the island’s culture features at least 25 food and drink vendors, four headlining musical acts, dance classes, a vinyl record spin and multiple exhibitions to take up its 10 hours, starting 11 a.m. Purchase tickets and discover more once you reach www.prfestivalwisconsin.com/.
VIA CDC Presents Silver City Fest
This free South Side community celebration will pack much multicultural fun into its five hours starting 12 p.m. Alongside bands and folk dancers, expect a mini zoo, a live chalk art mural, face painting and a wide assortment of vendors of food, beverages and other goods. Get the full scoop on the neighborhood get-together after you get to tinyurl.com/4uyuv7sz.
Urban Harvest Brewing Company Block Party
Highlights of this seven-hour shindig at the S. 5th St. venue starting 1 p.m. should be the release of UHBC's limited-run Short Stack Maple Brown Seasonal beer, and bluegrass music by the Sorry Mountain Band. Find out a bit more about this event, probably best left to adult attendance, through tinyurl.com/4puu5zzd.
Warhawk Band Boosters Present Marching Band Madness at Datka Stadium
Germantown High School's facility hosts this three-hour competitive musical spectacle among five area high school groups. Amid the new shows from each band, some perennial favorites for this kind of ensemble will also be performed. Purchase tickets for the 7 p.m. event and logo-emblazoned merch once you log onto tinyurl.com/4xme3ks7.
Sunday September 13
Comedy Open Jam/Open Mic Night at Interchange Theater
There is no cost to either participate in or attend this weekly 6-8 p.m. opportunity to hone your improvisational and stand-up comedy skills at N. 10tt St. church-turned-humor haven. Read more about it in Shepherd Express here: tinyurl.com/yvbd8d2f. And check out the venue's own website at https://www.interchangetheater.com.
Tuesday September 15
“Macondo: Reconociéndonos/Recognizing Us” at the Catacombs of Neto
One of the myriad art galleries in the Marshall Building hosts the free 3-5 p.m. opening of an exhibition to coincide with Hispanic Heritage Month and, per the Catacombs' description, provide "identity woven from family histories, culture, community, and collective memory." Read more about it when your cursor takes you to tinyurl.com/4wf8kcf6.
Mitchell Street Arts Hoop + Poi Workshop
Learn the fundamentals of hula hooping and poi (fire dancing) to enhance body strength, coordination and flexibility in this 90-minute class led by MSA staffer Marilyn Besasie. Session starts at 6 p.m. Hoops and poi equipment are available for free to use, and the session is held on a pay-what you-can-afford basis (though $10 is suggested). Register and glean more information via tinyurl.com/449vs7ev.
Cudahy Historical Society and Friends of Cudahy Library Present “Betsy Ross: Brave Deeds of the Petticoat Patriots” at Cudahy Family Library
Kathleen Mohr portrays the seamstress responsible for the United States' first official flag and tells of the accomplishments of other courageous women during the American Revolution in this free program for all ages starting 6:30 p.m. Be reminded of and inform yourself about more about the program at tinyurl.com/2axvymfj.
Experimental Tuesdays: Being Where at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts
Here is an evening of avant garde short films drawn from the UWM Cinema Arts Archive and elsewhere, all dealing with the theme of place. There's no cost to take a seat and watch, with the show running 7-9:30 p.m. Learn more about it upon going to tinyurl.com/24r7mcuw.
Wednesday September 16
Retzer Nature Center Outdoor Classroom: The Incredible Water Journey
The latest edition of the 10 a.m. al fresco learning sessions for children ages 4-12 will educate kids on what keeps us hydrated, with some surprises to be had as well. Sign up the youngster in your life for the hour-long program when you happen upon tinyurl.com/3yrbpa5m.
Lunch & Learn: Meet the Composers at Woman's Club of Wisconsin
Venue name aside, all are welcome to this 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. meal and conversation with two alumnae of and one mentor in the Luna Composition Lab, who will have world premieres of compositions the next evening under Present Music's auspices at the club's 150th anniversary celebration. Find more at tinyurl.com/jdhzzby3 and the gala via tinyurl.com/3ed25pc2.
Near West Side Partner Present Rev-up MKE at the Rave
What is usually a place for music becomes the location for a competitive Near West Side entrepreneur expo for neighborhood businesses and those who patronize them. Learn business owners' stories, sample food from local establishments, vote for your favorite Near West Side biz... all for free. Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is preferred and may be done at tinyurl.com/4snnxjt2.
Brewhouse Inn & Suites' Beer Hunt
This free, 21+ scavenger hunt at the historic hotel allows participants to discovery a bevy of local breweries and other businesses and sample their wares. Visit every spot on the map, and join the party at On Tap next door for free food, drinks, giveaways, etc. The organizers are also collecting money for Ales for ALS. Secure a spot for the 6-9 p.m. search by way of tinyurl.com/mrafm3tx.
