Best of Milwaukee 2022: Arts & Entertainment

Art galleries (not museums)

Saint Kate Art Hotel

Since 2019, St. Kate’s Art Hotel offers live music, art exhibitions, theatre, cocktails and food from steak to pizza. Its location is close to the Riverwalk, theaters, Lake Michigan and Third Ward. Winning in multiple categories is the icing on the cake for this unique destination. These galleries, one run by MOWA and the other by the hotel, are worth a visit. (Brian Schultz)

Finalists:

dream lab

En Pointe Galleries and Gifts

is the gallery

Museum of Art

Milwaukee Art Museum

The soaring spire of Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava’s museum addition has become a Milwaukee icon—and in winter, you can’t beat that heated underground parking lot. The Milwaukee Art Museum has a rich collection at its base spanning the ancient world from yesterday and hosts several major exhibitions each calendar year. Don’t miss the current exhibition, “After Ashcan: 14th Street School,” through March 26, to learn about the artists who reflected America’s gritty urban scene in the early 20th century. (David Luhrssen)

Finalists:

Groman Museum

Haggerty Museum of Art

Warehouse Art Museum | WAN

Craft Fair/Maker Market

Milwaukee Bookmakers Market

To support local artisans, Ryan Laessig hosted Milwaukee Makers Market, a small outdoor event in 2015 in the parking lot of Colectivo Coffee’s Bayview location. Now hosted at venues such as Discovery World and The Ivy House, the market has grown into a thriving hub for makers to sell their wares and connect with clients and fellow artists. (Sheila Joulson)

Finalists:

Cream City Creative

hovercraft

Re: Craft and Relic

choir

kids from wisconsin

The Kids From Wisconsin are a group of talented singers, musicians and dancers. Do yourself a favor and check out one of their shows for all ages. Kids will amaze you with their energetic renditions of classic tunes, Broadway hits, pop and country songs. (Susan Harpert Grimes)

Finalists:

Bach Chamber Choir

claire lead singer

Milwaukee Symphony Chorus

classical music ensemble

Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra

Under the direction of music director Ken-David Masur, MSO’s season includes everything from Disney’s animated film scores to Handel’s Messiah, from contemporary composer Tan Dun to concert hall favorites Dvořák and Vivaldi— — usually centered against a gorgeous backdrop of the Bradley Symphony Orchestra. (Morton Shrabotnick)

Finalists:

Bach Chamber Choir

claire lead singer

present music

comedian

charlie behrens

Over the past decade, Charlie Behrens has become a local household name. While he’s traveled the country on comedy tours, written hilarious Midwestern survival guides, and given countless interviews over the years, Behrens is perhaps best known as the “Manitowoc Minute Man” who helped us Laugh at our Wisconsin. Our accents, our unique customs, our heroes, and perhaps most importantly, ourselves. (Susan Harpert Grimes)

Finalists:

Dana Elman

John McGiven

johnson

community festival

bastille day

Bastille Days hosts a variety of French events downtown. The festival has everything for the Francophile within you; live music, a wide variety of food, a 5K run to kick off the festivities, a replica of the Eiffel Tower and more. At Bastille Days, there’s a steady stream of beautiful arts and cultural fun, as well as the best crepes this side of the Atlantic. (Elizabeth Lintonen)

Finalists:

bay view carnival

Milwaukee Irish Festival

pet day

dancing club

Milwaukee Ballet

The Milwaukee Ballet continues to blend the modern with the classic, making it a Shepherd Express reader favorite. Throughout its 52-year history, the Milwaukee Ballet has gained national acclaim for its productions in historical productions of modern ballet such as Swan Lake. For kids, there’s always the much-loved holiday Nutcracker. (Harry Cherkinian)

Finalists:

Catey Ott Dance Collective

dance company

Ko-Thi Dance Company

local radio personality

alley faith

Radio Milwaukee has few regulars, but for the past 18 years, one has been listening to Alley Faith in the mornings on 103.7 KISS FM. Whether discussing celebrity gossip or sharing stories about her own family, Ellie is always popular as part of a morning radio show. In addition to radio, Faith hosts a public affairs podcast for the station and is known for volunteering his time and giving back to the greater Milwaukee community through radio. (Alan Halas)

Finalists:

anthony foster

Element Everest – Blank

mandy scott

Local TV Personality/Stage Actor

John McGiven

There’s something about John McGivern that will put a smile on your face. He has a huge personality and is full of positive energy. His exploration of Milwaukee neighborhoods and neighboring neighborhoods on the PBS show “Around the Corner” is a delight to watch. If you’ve seen him on stage, you’re sure to find yourself laughing as John McGivern does what he does best — making Milwaukee a brighter place. (Susan Harpert Grimes)

Finalist: TV Personality

Brian Gott

Shannon Sims

Ted Perry

Finalist: Stage Actor

anne marie zorn

dear ruth

Dimonte Henning

Alice Edelman

milwaukee author

British Nicole

Brit Nicole is many things – poet, singer, therapist, performer and musician, to name a few. Co-founded PENtastic open mic in 2013; currently, she chairs Open Mic Lyric Sanctuary and is involved with Heal the Hood MKE, Wisconsin Association of Child and Adolescent Care Professionals, and Rooted Society. In early April of this year, Nicole released her first spoken-language album, Nocturnal Butterfly. (Ben Slowe)

Finalists:

David Rulson

alia anna hill

Jenna Cashew

Cinema

Oriental Theater MKE

Milwaukee is lucky to have several movie theaters from Hollywood’s golden age that still operate as movie theaters today. Perhaps the grandest oriental architecture of these is the architectural fantasy of the fusion of the Near and the Far East. Its ambitious program includes foreign independent films and revival films of all genres. (David Rulson)

Finalists:

Avalon Atmospheric Theater

Donner Theater at Landmark

Marcus Theater

Museum (non-art)

Milwaukee Public Museum

800 W. Wells Street

mpm.edu

The Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM) is Milwaukee’s beloved natural and human history museum, first opened to the public in 1884. Since then, permanent exhibits such as Old Milwaukee Streets, as well as special exhibits, programs and collections, have educated and entertained more than half a million visitors each year. With a new home on the horizon, MPM will provide the wonders of the world for generations to come. (Sheila Joulson)

Finalists:

Black American Holocaust Museum

discover the world

Milwaukee Jewish Museum

musical education

Wisconsin Conservatory of Music

For nearly 125 years, the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music has been Wisconsin’s leading community music school. The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music is now the first institution to offer Smart Start™, a new innovative early childhood education program that uses musical activities to train fundamental cognitive skills in children under age 4. Students of all ages are welcome to study; WCM also offers tuition assistance. (Brian Schultz)

Finalists:

kids from wisconsin

Milwaukee Jazz Academy

sound check studio

lakeside festival

summer carnival

Milwaukee’s premier music festival and outdoor venue puts “Summer” in a festival setting. The internationally renowned music feast covers almost all kinds of music and entertainment activities under the sun, moon and stars. In fact, that’s the best way to enjoy it. (Harry Cherkinian)

Finalists:

german superstar

ireland festival

pet day

Outdoor Music Series

relax in the mountains

As you all know, in Milwaukee we try to make as much of the summer as possible during these precious few days of warm weather. Every Tuesday night from June to August, the bandshell in Humboldt Park hosts a series of live local music. This family-friendly event attracts a crowd of food trucks, a beer and wine garden, and all are welcome, dogs are welcome. The site also hosts other events, including a fall pumpkin pavilion, ethnic festival and movie nights. (Brian Schultz)

Finalists:

Franksville Craft Beer Garden

jazz in the park

Tosa tonight

radio station

radio milwaukee

For 15 years, Radio Milwaukee has worked to make our radio bands a happier place. Because they are supported by the community, they seem to know what people want to hear. Whether it’s Marcus Doucette taking requests on Saturday mornings and weekday midday, or Kenny Perez giving us a reason to get up and dance on Saturday nights. There’s something for everyone on 88.9 FM. (Susan Harpert Grimes)

Finalists:

91.7 WMSE-FM

Milwaukee’s NPR 89.7 WUWM-FM

WISN – News/Talk 1130

troupe

Milwaukee Repertory Theater

Milwaukee’s premier theater company ranks among readers for its innovative and diverse programming.

Now 67, The Rep continues to live by the mantra: “The show must go on!” even as the pandemic shuts everything down, including the final season of Titanic: The Musical last spring in mid-, er, mid-2022 production. The ill-fated ship sailed again last fall when The Rep brought it back, stronger and stronger in a sleek, stylish production that enlivened live performances and captivated audiences. (Harry Cherkinian)

Finalists:

waterfall patio players

The first stage

next act theater

Skylight Music Theater