2011

Not to be totally eclipsed by all the more widely commercialized holidays, Festivus is raising its unadorned aluminum pole at the Milwaukee Art Museum’s MAM After Dark series. Yes, there will be the customary Feats of Strength and as in Festivus celebrations of yore, there’s the time-honored Airing of Grievances. From the web (with a […]

Dobie Maxwell is a Milwaukee-grown comic based in Chicago who contributes a blog to OnMilwaukee.com. Recently, he lamented that political satire – exemplified by Will Durst (also a Milwaukee-area native) – has become more difficult with “audiences getting dumber by the minute” because Americans no longer follow current events. There’s even a university study suggesting

My mate and I are planning to attend the premier of a new musical in Milwaukee Thursday. We don’t know what it’s about. The cast and the band are just as clueless. That’s the point of The Improvised Musical (T.I.M.). The audience suggests the title for a musical that has never before been staged, and

Besides watching TV and playing cards, I can’t remember doing much of anything you’d vaguely consider cultural during the holidays when I was growing up. Nowadays, dragging the family to the theater or a ballet or concert has become part of our seasonal tradition. This year, there’s no shortage of shows to choose. Bunny Gumbo

The Wisconsin Department of Tourism is planning a news conference Thursday, Dec. 15, featuring the department secretary and David Zucker, the Shorewood-grown writer, director and producer of such funny films as “Airplane,” “The Naked Gun” series, “Ruthless People” and the last two installments of “Scary Movie.” That’s also the day Zucker is scheduled to shoot

Much maligned, in my humble estimation, are the holiday fruitcakes so often poked fun of in yuletide ditties and skits. I mean, c’mon, what could be better in a sweet bread than alcohol and dried and candied fruit? Which brings us to a production this weekend at the Cedarburg Cultural Center, called “Instant Fruitcakes.” From

Fans of team-oriented competitive improvisational comedy – and anyone drawn to free entertainment – should know about the upcoming playoffs for the ComedySportz Recreational League. After months of grueling workshops and hard-fought battles of wit, eight teams of improvisers will compete in a single-elimination tournament this month. The first round of bouts begins at 2

Ah, the Christmas season. Peace on Earth. Restful merry gentlemen. Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow. Just the occasion for a bloody murder mystery – OR TWO! Starting Thursday, Dec. 1, Alchemist Productions and Project Empty Space present an interactive murder mystery called “Who Killed the Ghost of Christmas Past?” From the web: “The

Three weeks from winter solstice, the nights are getting longer. When looking for ways to break them up, remember the recurring Wednesday Sketch Comedy Night at Potawatomi Casino, 1721 W. Canal St. From the web: “This hilarious show is a mix of comedy sketches & improvisational games–it is sure to tickle your funny bone. The

Homegrown is back with some hilarious yule-tide laughs – improv comedy style!  The night will get you in the holiday spirit with high quality laughs at Black Friday prices.   Homegrown Electric Circus Presents: A Homegrown Christmas is happening this weekend at ComedySportz for only $5.  This group of funny makers don’t wear dreamy red sweaters