They say you can’t buy happiness, but you can buy local! The Green Holidays section is a handy guide to local holiday music, fairs, art, books, shopping, and dining. “Green Holidays” means local shopping and keeping the “green” in the hood. It also means going “green” with eco-friendly gifts. Our local shopkeepers offer many ways to be green and merry for the holidays with reindeer on standby to carry all your packages. Merry & Happy!
MUSIC OF THE SEASON (by date)
CAROLS AT COLECTIVO
Sat, Dec 6, 11AM
Colectivo Humboldt, 2999 N Humboldt Blvd
Sip on a mug of hot coffee and enjoy soaring traditional carols with Florentine Opera, free, colectivocoffee.com
ADVENT LESSONS & CAROLS
Sun, Dec 7, 3:30PM
All Saints Cathedral
818 E Juneau Ave
Steep your soul in Advent Lessons and Carols, beginning with an Organ Prelude at 3:30PM followed a Procession and Service at 4PM with the Cathedral Choir. A reception follows in the Guild Hall.
FLORENTINE OPERA
@ The Center: Home for the Holidays
Fri & Sat, Dec 19 & 20, 7:30PM
926 E Burleigh
The Florentine Opera Studio Artists present a warm and bright evening of holiday carols, reminding audiences of the joys of this most wonderful time of the year! For tickets, go to florentineopera.org.
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Sun, Dec 28, 4PM
St. Casimir Church (OLDP)
Bremen & Clarke
Traditional Christmas concert featuring a soloist, violinist and organist.
FAIRS & FESTIVALS (by date)
CRAFTERS MARKETPLACE
Sat-Sun, Nov 29-30, Noon-5PM
Jazz Gallery Center for the Arts
926 E Center
Weaving, knitting, felting, crochet and other hand-made items. More info at riverwestart.org and Facebook.
WINTER FARMERS MARKET
Riverwest Public House
815 E Locust St
Saturdays in December, 11AM – 3PM
Fresh products will be available all winter at this indoor market in Riverwest, with local vendors providing organic produce, eggs, meat, olive oil, bath & beauty products, and more. The market will be open on Saturdays throughout the winter.
INTERNATIONAL GIFT SHOP
Fri, Dec 5, 4-8PM and Sat, Dec 6, 9AM-4PM
Milw Friends Meeting (Quakers)
3224 N Gordon Place
The International Gift Shop features hand-crafted local and global gifts with dozens of artisans offering toys, handmade crafts, clothing for adults and children, jewelry, pottery, rugs, fair trade products, and more. Take a break at the Friends Cafe with hearty soups, breads, bakery & hot beverages. Free parking in the school lot to the south.
FESTIVUS
Sat, Dec 6, 9:30PM-1:30AM
Brady Street
This local festival is based on the popular Festivus Seinfeld episode from 1997. Festivus attendees have a chance to air their grievances and participate in feats of strength in an effort to win the highly coveted Festivus Pole. In honor of this wonderful un-holiday, Brady Street merchants offer shopping, dining, and drink deals throughout the day.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Polish Falcon Nest 725
Sat, Dec 6, 10AM-2PM
801 E Clarke
Join the fun with a pancake breakfast served until 11:30AM. Noon to 1PM enjoy photos and gifts with Santa Clause. Sing-along and annual awards ceremony 1 to 2PM. $6 for all adults and non-member youths. Youth PFA members are FREE. Includes breakfast and treats from Santa!
CREAM CITY CREATIVES
CRAFT FAIR 2014
Sat, Dec 6, 10AM-3PM
Turner Hall Ballroom
1040 N 4 th St
Crafters, artists, painters, pottery, jewelry, photography and handmade goodies. creamcitycreatives.com
WINTER FAIR & OPEN HOUSE
Sat, Dec 6, 10AM-5PM
Tamarack Waldorf School
1150 E Brady
Enjoy a warm seasonal experience with unique vendors, natural crafts, children’s activities, Lunch & Dessert Cafe, and live music entertainment. This is also a great opportunity to tour the school and view the work of students in grades 1-8.
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR & COOKIE SALE
Sun, Dec 7, 9AM-1PM
St. Casimir Church (OLDP)
Bremen & Clarke
The annual Christmas Bazaar at St. Casimir’s offers a variety of homemade crafts, gifts, and home baked sweets for the holidays.
MILWAUKEE BIKE SWAP
Sat, Dec 13, 9AM-3PM
Riverside University High School
1615 E Locust
The 7th annual swap returns to RUHS gym. Buy used and new bikes, parts, clothes, and accessories from more than 50 vendors. Or sell your used bike in the Bike Corral for $5 – just bring your bike to the registration table. Proceeds benefit RUHS Wellness Programs & Milwaukee Bicycle Works. VIP admission at 9AM for $10; general public at 10AM-3PM for $5 ($3 college ID, $2 MPS ID). Kids 12 and under – FREE! More info at wisconsinbikefed.org
WOODLAND PATTERN BOOK CENTER
Annual Open House
Sun, Dec 14, 1-5PM, free
720 E Locust St
Stop in for the annual holiday open house at Woodland Pattern where you can munch on a cookie while browsing the books, woodlandpattern.org.
RIVERWEST RANDOM RECYCLED
ART & GIFT SHOW (RRRAGS)
Sun, Dec 14, 10AM-5PM
Falcon Bowl
801 E Clarke
The annual RRRAGS show is where you’ll find unique hand crafted creations and recycled art made by local DIY artists; lunch and bakery also available. Admission is $3, kids free.
WINTER SOLSTICE
CANDLELIGHT WALK
Sat, Dec 21, 7-9PM
Urban Ecology Center
1500 E Park Place (Riverside Park)
Celebrate Winter Solstice in the glow of a candlelight walk with poetry and readings of the season. Afterwards, warm up by the fireplace with hot cider, snacks, and music, $5/$7 non-members. urbanecologycenter.org.
SHOPPING, DINING & FEASTING
ART BAR
722 E Burleigh
For art on a budget, check out the Mini Art Show of “tiny art” for gifts that make a lasting impression for the art lover on your list (maybe you?).
BLIFFERT’S LUMBER & HARDWARE
1014 E Chambers
Look for fresh cut trees, wreaths and poinsettias at Bliffert’s where you’ll also find shovels and sidewalk salt. This is also the place to get a sharp edge on your ice skates or your snow blower tuned up.
BLUE ANCHOR TATTOO
2604 N Booth
Itching for some ink? Blue Anchor Tattoo has got you covered with personalized service and creative designs. Stop in every day (except Monday) from Noon to 8PM – or check out their art portfolio at blueanchortattoo.com. Gift certificates also available.
BURKE CANDY
3840 N Fratney
Spoil your friends with Burke’s holiday peppermint collection of barks, bonbons, and caramels. BC’s fine gourmet candy is produced daily in small batches for that heavenly melt-in-your-mouth experience.
CAFÉ CORAZON
Tu y Yo Tuesdays
3129 N Bremen
In addition to the finest of Mexican cuisine, Café Corazon offers “Tu y Yo Tuesdays” with $2 tacos and 2-4-1 drinks.
CENTRO CAFE
808 E Center
Centro Café, with intimate dining and a winning Italian menu, makes a perfect gift certificate surprise for mom and dad, your boss, or even yourself! Celebrate the New Year in Riverwest at Centro. We are serving from 5 to 10PM. Get your reservations early, because space is limited! 414.455.3751 centrocaferiverwest.com.
FISCHBERGER’S VARIETY STORE
2445 N Holton
Dubbed the Riverwest “Winkies,” Fischberger’s has an awesome selection of classic toys, jewelry, books, gift items, and fun and quirky household items. For DIY crafters there’s also a nice section full of fabrics, trims and yarn.
JEWEL OF INDIA
826 E Center
Jewel of India is a hidden gem in Riverwest offering Amrit Yoga, Vedic Astrology, and a fine selection of handmade arts & crafts from India and Kashmir. This year’s Holiday Sale & Open House is on Fri-Sun, Dec 12-14, and Fri-Sat, Dec 19-20, Noon-5:30.
MILWAUKEE URBAN ACUPUNCTURE
2600 N Booth St
Milwaukee Urban Acupuncture offers community style acupuncture with treatments given in a quiet community room with reclining chairs arranged in a circle. This allows for lower costs and the option to be treated together with family or friends. Treatments are affordable and based on a sliding scale ability to pay; gift certificates are also available.
PEOPLE’S BOOKS CO-OP
804 E Center
Books are the best holiday gifts. They’re easy to wrap and always look great under the tree. They also contain wisdom and whimsy, drama and delight. There’s something for everyone at People’s Books.
RAUEN GUITAR
2473 N Weil
Got a guitar but don’t know how to tune it? Learn how in Denny Rauen’s DVD that shows you how to do setups for acoustic, electric, jazz and slide guitars, plus many trade secrets. Order it on the web at rauenguitars.com where you’ll also find a list of clients that reads like a who’s who of the local and national music scene.
RIVERWEST CO-OP & CAFE
733 E Clarke
Riverwest Co-op has a little of everything that you need for the holidays – fresh organics, deli, bakery, cafe, and gifts! Buy a membership for yourself (or a friend) and get a 5% discount every time you shop. Christmas Eve hours are 7AM-1PM; closed on Christmas Day. New Year’s Eve hours 7AM-9PM. New Year’s Day hours are Noon-9PM.
RIVERWEST DINING
A dining Gift Certificate is just the ticket for a merry meal! Many restaurants in Riverwest also have a hall or space for parties. Try them all with friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. Cafe Corazon * Centro Cafe * Club Timbuktu * Colectivo Coffee * Fuel Cafe * Klinger’s East * Nessun Dorma * Milwaukee Brew Pub * Riverwest Co-op & Cafe * Scardina Specialties * Stonefly * Tracks Pub & Grille * West Bank Café * Riverwest Pizza * Dino’s * Riverwest Filling Station
RIVERWEST PUBLIC HOUSE CO-OP
815 E Locust
Milwaukee’s only co-op bar offers entertainment from thoughtful to outrageous with debates, spelling bees, potlucks, organization meetings, political rallies, drag shows and all kinds of music from punk to bluegrass. A co-op membership makes an ideal gift for a friend – or yourself!
RIVERWEST YOGASHALA
731 E Locust
Gift yourself or a friend with restorative yoga classes at Riverwest Yogashala. Learn more at riverwestyogashala.com.
SCARVACI FLORIST
2663 N Holton
Your neighborhood florist since 1949, Scarvaci’s has beautiful seasonal flowers and fresh plants for your holiday table, with delivery available anywhere in the city. More info at scarvaciflorist.com.