MEMORIAL FOR DONNA – A memorial celebration for Donna Schlieman, who passed away on Dec 20, will be held on Wed, April 9, 6:30PM at the Charles Allis Art Museum (1801 N Prospect). Donna was an active historical preservationist and all groups that she belonged to are invited to come and share stories about her. There will be displays, a booklet, and discussion of ideas for a permanent memorial (such as a tree, park bench, or walkway) in her honor.
YOUTH PILGRIMAGE – This summer youth from Riverwest and Harambee will share a once in a life time trip to Italy, following in the footsteps of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi. Led by Milwaukee-based Franciscan Pilgrimage Program, high school students from All Peoples church will join students from Christ Church (Episcopal) on an 8-day journey through Rome and Assisi. To help raise funds for travel costs, Centro Café is hosting a “Passport to Peacemaking” open house on Mon, April 28, 5-8PM. $20 at the door includes complimentary appetizers and one glass of wine, with full bar and menu available. Two specially selected Italian wines will also be featured at a special price (and may be purchased at retail bulk prices). For more info or to make a donation, go to allpeoplesgathering.org.
BOOKS FOR SKOOL – Help stock the library at the new location of True Skool at 161 W Wisconsin, Suite 1000 (lower level). Viva Fidel states, “We are specifically requesting non-fiction, how-to and instructional books on art, design, music production, entrepreneurship, and technology. Also self-help books based on health, wellness, spirituality and leadership are needed. Finally, we need books on world history, social activism, politics, and general literature targeted to the Hip Hop audience.” Comics, animation books, and photographic look books are accepted as long as the content is child friendly and does not promote drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, or graphic sexual images. The official opening of the True Knowledge Library will be on National Book Day, Wed, April 23, 4PM with a ribbon cutting, special guests, and refreshments. To donate books, email vivafidelinfo@gmail.com.
EDIBLE BOOKS – Gastronomy geek/rock star Kyle Cherek cooks up a reading of food-related literature at the 8th annual Edible Books Show on Sun, April 6, 1-5PM. For the last seven years, Woodland Pattern Book Center has hosted the only edible books event in Milwaukee, in conjunction with the International Edible Book Festival (IEBF). To register your edible creation, call 414.263.5001 by April 4. Audience members ($5-$8) get to vote on their favorites and sample the literary treats at the end of the show (woodlandpattern.org).
FIVE STAR FOOD – Ed Franks as Frank Sinatra lends an air of class to MATC’s popular Five Star Food & Wine Evening on Thu, Apr 3, 5:30-8:30PM. Sample an enticing array of food and desserts prepared by MATC Culinary & Pastry Arts Students, paired with wine and local craft beer. Tickets – $45 advance/$55 at the door – include four beverage tickets (at the Downtown Campus, 1015 N. 6th St). Proceeds benefit the Culinary Arts program. More info at fivestar.matc.edu or 414.297.6535.
MPT STEAMPUNK – Milwaukee Public Theatre will celebrate their 40th anniversary with a steampunk style party on Fri, Sep 19. MPT is trying to locate past performers. If you ever worked with MPT and would like to participate in the reunion and celebration, call 414.405.4309.
YPWEEK – Young Professionals Week, April 12-19, is a platform for discovery, adventure, and meaningful conversations about issues that matter to Milwaukee’s millennials. Each year, NEWaukee partners with over 50 local organizations to create a springboard for idea and goal sharing among the city’s YP workforce. More details at newaukee.com.
SERVING THE POOR – The House of Peace hosts a Holy Week Lenten presentation on Wed, April 16, noon, at St. Francis of Assisi Parish (1927 N. 4th St) with Capuchin Friar Perry McDonald, House of Peace pastoral director, and Gerri Sheets-Howard, executive director of the central city ministry “Everyone is excited about Pope Francis’ initiatives to serve the poor. We thought people would like to learn more about St. Francis’ spirituality which our new Pope has referred to so often. The teachings of St. Francis can show us how to serve the poor,” explained Father McDonald. A simple lunch of bread and soup will follow the reflection; donations of hygiene items appreciated; open to the public.
WORLD TAI CHI & QIGONG DAY – Learn more about Tai Chi on Sat, April 26, 1-3PM with presentations by Alice Kuramoto of Tai Chi Works, Robert Thoreau & students, YMAA Tai Chi Ch’uan, Rising Dragon Martial Arts & others. The second half of the program includes instructors leading Qigong sequences. Free admission and free parking at Riverside Univ High School (see ad Page 8).
VICTORY GARDEN – Become a Garden Mentor and help sprout newbie gardeners! VGI is hosting Garden Mentor training sessions on Sat, April 12, 9-11AM or Tue, April 29, 6:30-8:30PM at the VGI office (1845 N Farwell). Helpers are also needed to build 500 raised beds in two weeks for the Victory Garden Blitz, May 10-24. To sign up for a garden and/or volunteer, go to victorygardeninitiative.org or 414.431.0888 (see ad Page 7).
GREEN BIRDING DAY – Round up your team and binoculars for the 4th Annual Green Birding Challenge on Sat, May 10 at the Urban Ecology Center. The team-based challenge is unique in that teams compete on foot or bike in one of four categories, without using any fossil fuels. Each bird found helps raise money for the Center’s Research and Citizen Science program. More details and registration at urbanecologycenter.org.
UWM PLANETARIUM
Physics building, 1900 E Kenwood Blvd (& Cramer)
planetarium.uwm.edu
A NIGHT IN GREECE
Fridays, April 4-May 9, 7-8PM
Soak up the land of the gods as Jean Creighton shares beautiful landscapes, favorite monuments, music, and myths of Greece. There will also be a stargazing portion with stars projected on the dome to simulate a city or country sky ($2).
STARGAZING
April 9 and April 21-24, 9-10PM
Peer through telescopes at stars, planets, and moons; free. All dates are weather dependent – check web for cancellations.
ART IN SPACE BENEFIT
Sat, April 12, 6:30-8:30PM
Space-themed art by students, faculty, and the community will be displayed and sold during a silent auction, with a planetarium program by Jean Creighton, and light refreshments. Tickets $5-15, with proceeds split between the artists and support for UWM Planetarium programs.
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CHURCH CONCERTS & HAPPENINGS
[ IMAGE – ANGEL ]
COMMUNITY POTLUCK & SING-A-LONG
Sat, April 5, 5:30-8:30PM
Milwaukee Friends Meeting
3224 N Gordon Place
Everyone welcome. Bring food to share and your voice to sing!
DANCES OF UNIVERSAL PEACE
Fri, April 11, 7-9PM
Milwaukee Friends Meetinghouse
3224 N Gordon Place.
Everyone welcome! No partner or experience needed.
EAST SIDE CHAMBER PLAYERS
Sat., April 12, 7PM
All Saints Cathedral
818 E Juneau
Sacred Music concert of Haydn, Handel, Corelli, Messian & Schubert. Tickets: eastsidechamberplayers.org.
SPRING TEA
Sat, April 26, 2PM
All Saints Cathedral
818 E Juneau
An elegant afternoon tea with sandwiches, pastries, and music. See ad on Page 12 for reservation information; a table of 8 is only $70. Proceeds benefit the mission and ministry of All Saints.
PARISH FESTIVAL
Sun, April 27, 10:30AM-6:30PM
Falcon Bowl, 801 E Clarke
Our Lady of Divine Providence Parish Festival with the Bluegrass All Stars & Trio D’Amour, games, raffles, children’s activities, and bowling 1-4PM. Free admission and free parking at St. Casimir’s lot! Bring an item for the Riverwest Food Pantry (see ad on back page).
CONCERT AT ST. CASIMIR
Sun, April 27, 4PM, donation
Easter music with St. Mark’s Brass and Organist Gary Wood.
PLYMOUTH CHORALE
Sun, April 27, 7PM
Plymouth Church
2717 E Hampshire
Choral works of Mozart and Schubert with Soloists Lydia Rose Eiche, Leigh Akin, Nathan Wesselowski & James Sampson under the direction of Donna Kummer; reception follows. Tickets at the door.