SHEPHERDEXPRESS , WE ARE COMMITTED TO ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND RESPONSIBLE PRACTICES.
THE
COMES
TREE FARM
(ASTFS), ENSURING
RESPONSIBLY MANAGED FORESTS.
ADDITION TO OUR ECO-FRIENDLY PAPER, WE UTILIZE INKS THAT INCORPORATE RENEWABLE RESOURCES SUCH AS SOYBEAN OIL, LINSEED OIL, CASTOR OIL, TALL OIL ROSIN, AND GUM ROSIN. THESE CHOICES REFLECT OUR DEDICATION TO REDUCING OUR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND PROMOTING A GREENER FUTURE. MOREOVER, OUR DEDICATION TO SUSTAINABILITY EXTENDS TO THE END OF THE PUBLICATION'S LIFECYCLE. OUR PRINTED MATERIALS ARE DESIGNED TO BE RECYCLABLE, ALLOWING READERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND PLAY A PART IN PRESERVING THE ENVIRONMENT.
PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Louis Fortis (louis@shepex.com)
MANAGING EDITOR: David Luhrssen (dluhrssen@shepex.com)
GENERAL MANAGER: Peggy Debnam (peggy@shepex.com)
MEDIA SALES MANAGER: Jackie Butzler (jackie@shepex.com)
SENIOR MEDIA CONSULTANTS: Bridgette Ard (bridgette@shepex.com) Chuck Hill (chuck@shepex.com)
MEDIA CONSULTANTS: Jennifer Jepson (jennifer@shepex.com)
IN MEMORY OF DUSTI FERGUSON (OCTOBER 18, 1971 – NOVEMBER 20, 2007
WEB COORDINATOR: Caroline Dannecker (caroline@shepex.com)
DIGITAL STRATEGIST: Sophia Hamdan (sophia@shepex.com)
Distribution: New issues of the Shepherd Express magazine are on the street, on the first Wednesday of each month, free of charge. The Shepherd Express may be distributed only by authorized distributors. No person may, without prior written permission of the Shepherd Express, take more than one copy of each monthly issue. Mail subscriptions are available. No refunds for early cancellations. One year (12 issues) via First Class mail: $100.00.
207 E. Buffalo St., Suite 410, Milwaukee, WI 53202 Phone: 414/276-2222
MARTHA KANNAS AND EXPLOIT NO MORE ARE DEVOTED TO ELIMINATING THIS HIDDEN TRADE
BY TOM JENZ
On the list of crimes that thrive in the shadows, human trafficking ranks among the darkest. It’s not a distant problem overseas. It also happens in the United States, in Wisconsin, in Milwaukee. Trafficking is the use of force, fraud, lies or coercion to exploit people for labor, services, or commercial sex. It’s often called modern-day slavery, a term that feels startling but achingly accurate. Victims might be teenagers, women or men who thought they were being offered safety or opportunity, only to find themselves trapped in a cycle of manipulation and abuse.
Milwaukee has long been marked by this hidden trade. Its trafficking rate is among the highest in the nation. For every number, there is a story: a teenager drawn in with promises, a woman trapped by coercion, a man dealing with threats made against his family. To work against this dysfunction requires persistence, empathy and no small measure of resilience. Enter Exploit No More, a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to ending the exploitation. At the center of the organization is its executive director, Martha Kannas.
Kannas’ roots are in Kenosha, where her parents worked as public school educators just across the border in Zion, Ill. “My mom and dad were my inspiration for working with lowincome families,” she said.
That inner drive carried her to UW-Madison, where she earned degrees in social work and women’s studies, then into a career spent almost entirely in the nonprofit world: counseling at-risk teen girls, managing shelters, working within Girls, Inc., and later joining Pearls for Teen Girls in Milwaukee. By 2019, she joined the board of Exploit No More. Within two years, she stepped into the executive director role, where she now leads the fight against human trafficking from the organization’s offices inside Christ Church Milwaukee near Downtown.
We met in an urban coffee shop, the kind of neutral place where difficult conversations sometimes land more gently. Dedication is an easy word. Living it, day after day, is something else entirely, and Kannas not only talks, she walks.
What exactly is Human Trafficking as you know it?
Human trafficking takes many different forms, but at Exploit No More, we focus on sex trafficking, which, by definition, means inducing someone to participate in a commercial sex act by force, cause, or coercion. That did not become a legal definition until 2000.
Photo of Milwaukee skyline by GettyImages/Sean Pavone. Photo of evidence board by
Photo collage by Timothy Czerniakowski.
That is surprising. No law for all those years?
I know. What we see in Milwaukee is usually a young person, most often a girl, who has been trafficked by a family member. A girl’s mother is sometimes the trafficker. The mother may be doing it for drug money or house rent, allowing a boyfriend or husband to have sex with the girl. In trafficking, there are three parties we call the triangle— the victim, the buyer (or the John), and the trafficker (or the pimp). The trafficker might even have manipulated the victim into drug addiction in order to gain control. In the triangle, the victim gets no value. In fact, the trafficker can have total control as to when a victim eats, sleeps, or goes to the bathroom, breaking her down to be totally dependent.
Why would the trafficker or the victim stay in that toxic triangle, which seems to be largely psychological?
It has a lot of intersection with domestic violence. The trafficker might be a family member, or the victim might not have the resources to move out of the house. The victim could perceive the abuse as a relationship. The girl thinks that the trafficker loves her, not knowing what a healthy relationship feels like. She has only experienced dysfunctional relationships in her extended family or friends. There might even be a threat, such as, “I will kill you or hurt your family members if you leave me.”
What ages are you generally talking about for victims in human trafficking?
On average, the typical female would be 12-13 years old, but they can be of all ages, 20, 30, 40, and even women in their 60s.
That old? Seems unbelievable.
Some of the older women have no alternative for self-sufficiency. But the abuse begins when they are teenagers. It can be a lifetime of abuse—some having seen their parents go through similar experiences. The adults who should have been caring for them failed them.
If I could name the number one cause of poverty and social ills, it is the degradation of the American family. It’s hard for single mothers. If that happens, the odds of living in poverty are high. And also, that your child will repeat the cycle. Many teen girls have no father or enough love and support, so they get pregnant and have a baby they can love. The status for boys can be to father as many kids as he can.
How and when did Exploit No More begin and how did you become executive director?
It started in 2013 with a network of local churches that were aware of Milwaukee as a hotbed for trafficking. The churches came together to start Exploit No More as a 501c3 nonprofit. The goal was to serve minor girls, but further research showed that the best practice was not to congregate teen girls together in a house. Instead, these churches focused on adults.
You serve on the board of directors of Aurora West Allis Medical Center, home to one of Aurora's Healing Centers for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.
Aurora has a number of healing centers in the metro area, and there is one in West Allis, and that’s where I am active. This is an innovative way of providing healthcare for victims and includes an emergency department and a birthing center. People who have been assaulted come into the emergency department, and the Aurora Healing and Advocacy services (AHAS) respond immediately to that victim. Medical care is sometimes the only time a victim is separated from the controlling trafficker and buyer. So, it is critical that caregivers understand the signs.
Hypothetically, if I am a girl who is a victim and I come into Aurora, what can you do for me? Do you call the police?
We don’t call the police, because that is the choice of the victim. But Aurora has a 24/7 hotline operated by trained professionals. And there are forensic nurses called SANE nurses, the acronym for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners, who are trained to examine for invasive injuries and trauma. They are available at all times. There are also survivor advocates who help victims navigate the justice system. There are counseling services, individual therapy or group sessions. And there is help for Spanishspeaking survivors and also male survivors. There is also help for loved ones of survivors.
Do you keep these victims overnight at Aurora? If patients require hospitalization, then they would be admitted. If not, advocates would help them access the follow up they need.
I understand that Exploit No More provides safe housing and supportive services to those in need. How do you go about this?
We at Exploit No More now have our offices at Christ Church Milwaukee. That is where we provide case management services for women in the community who have had any kind of sexual exploitation. We partner with the CCS program, Comprehensive Community Service, supported by Medicaid. This is for women who have mental health, substance abuse, or sexual exploitation issues. We work with them to perhaps find permanent housing and employment, and following through with trauma therapy and physical health, also education and their children. This means we can work with clients over a period of time. We’ve often had clients say, “Working with you saved my life.”
Milwaukee consistently ranks among the top U.S. cities for youth rescued in FBI human trafficking stings, tied with Las Vegas for third most in one year. Why do you think Milwaukee is a trafficking hub? First, Milwaukee is a highly segregated city. Second, Milwaukee is part of the I-94 corridor. That highway runs from Chicago through Milwaukee and Madison, through Minneapolis and on up to the Dakotas where men are working away from women and families. They might solicit girls. The criminals move drugs, weapons or people. People are the most lucrative because you can keep selling them over and over. These criminals are on a higher level because they sell people as a product enterprise. The profile of a buyer is typically a white college grad, who is a middle-class husband and father. Most traffickers sell their victims online. I’ve heard it said you can order a girl faster than a pizza.
I have found that Milwaukee law enforcement statistics likely represent just a fraction of actual trafficking incidents due to stigma, victim silence and exploitation complexity. Many youthful victims may not self-identify as trafficked, especially when emotionally manipulated or trapped in complex dependency. Do you agree with my findings? I do agree, and the statistics are underreported. It’s hard to prosecute the traffickers, who know how to play the system. The basics are that most victims don’t realize they are being manipulated. Girls can crave male attention if there is no father in their lives. They are desperate to get attention and approval from older guys—it’s that need for a father figure. They are vulnerable to be attracted to a “Romeo Trafficker,” who sets the stage for the relationship. When they get older, they might become a “bottom bitch” where you don’t have to turn tricks. I’ve found that these kind of crimes are underreported, but the Milwaukee Police Department is fortunate to have an excellent sex crimes detective unit, and we work closely with them. They are called the Sensitive Crimes Unit.
Another finding: The overlap with youth in foster care or group homes is a major vulnerability. A quarter of human-trafficked young people have run from such placements, with some reported missing hundreds of times. Can you comment?
Group homes and congregate living is not the best practice to help victims of sex trafficking. Girls, in particular, need individualized care. Family based care, if possible, is best. If not, then foster care is better than group homes. The main goal is for the victim to have limited temporary care.
If I am a young woman or girl, and I feel I am being exploited, who do I contact for help?
A trusting doctor or nurse, or a social worker. The Aurora Healing Center hotline. And her school counselor. Of course, the police. We work with Pathfinders, a youth serving organization in Milwaukee. And there is a national human trafficking hotline run by Polaris.
Human trafficking isn’t just in segregated neighborhoods in Milwaukee, is it?
Human trafficking does occur in all 72 Wisconsin counties but is most prevalent in poor communities.
For help, call the Polaris National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free hotline, available to answer calls, texts, emails, and live chats from anywhere in the United States, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in more than 200 languages.
Call 1-888-373-7888 | Text 233733 (Befree)
Tom Jenz writes the Central City Stories column for shepherdexpress.com.
The Huckster in Chief The Huckster in Chief
BY E.G. NADEAU
Where to begin? So many con games, misleading promotions, false advertising and conflicts of interest, so little space to write about them.
This is the fifth in a series of articles on Trump’s corruption. It focuses on his second term in office. The theme of this article is how he is blatantly making money by selling stuff related to his presidency.
According to the Brennan Center for Justice, Trump is the only president since the 1970s who has not “placed his assets in a ‘blind trust’ that hid their contents from him and was administered by an independent trustee.” Far from it. For Trump, the office of the presidency itself is an asset, which he has leveraged to hawk all sorts of shlock and paraphernalia.
Can he get away with this presidential profiteering in the long run? We'll get to that toward the end of the article.
AGGRESSIVE, DISHONEST, ANNOYING
According to Merriam Webster’s online dictionary, a "huckster" is “one who sells or advertises something in an aggressive, dishonest, or annoying way.
They have been selling things out of the back of wagons, in narrow alleys, and on the fringes of towns for years (though nowadays, they're more likely to plug their wares on television or the Internet).”
Does Trump deserve this unsavory label? The nonprofit organization, Democracy 21, argues that “Trump’s ‘for profit’ corrupt practices have fundamentally compromised our national interests and integrity, and provided yet one more example of why Trump is the worst president we have ever had.”
Does Trump hide his presidential selfdealing? Au contraire, it's right there on the “about us” page of the website for the Trump Store—“the official retail website of the Trump Organization.”
The Trump Store carries hundreds of products—from golf club covers to MAGA hats to jewelry. The Trump Organization has several other affiliates and subsidiaries that also sell merchandise linked to Trump’s presidency. And who is the sole owner of the Trump Organization? The Donald himself.
MADE IN AMERICA?
The Trump Store and other Trump promotional schemes frequently toss around the phrases “Made in America” and “Make America Great Again.”
The acronym, “MAGA,” adorns many pieces of merchandise. But a little research shows that items for sale are often not made in America. Claiming that they are is illegal.
Profits from the sale of MAGA-labeled products are going into Trump’s pockets, not the making of a great America (whatever that is).
Some of my favorite examples of Trump's hucksterism include the following.
• The God Bless the U.S.A. Bible
According to Wikipedia, the country singer Lee Greenwood first cobbled together and published a King James version of the Bible combined with his song “God Bless the U.S.A.,” the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and other documents in 2021 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center in New York. Trump cut a deal with Greenwood in March 2024 to share royalties on a Trumppromoted series of these Bibles and related paraphernalia.
Illustration by E.G. Nadeau.
The website for these products features a basic USA Bible for $59.99, a pink and gold edition for $74.99, a President Donald J. Trump signature edition for $1,000, and, believe it or not, a series of Trump Guitars, the most expensive of which is autographed by Trump and runs for $11,500.
• Trump Watches
These watches are sold through the gettrumpwatches.com website. The site advertises dozens of men’s and women’s watches, including, for example, the “Fight Fight Fight Red Beauty” version, which sells for $499.
• Trump Sneakers
The Trump Sneakers website carries a range of different shoes, including “Exclusive ‘Trump 2028’ Gold High Tops” for a mere $799 a pair.
• Trump Mobile Smartphones
In June 2025, Donald Jr. and Eric Trump announced the upcoming launch of Trump Mobile, a new cellular service and cell phone company. The feature product of the company is T1, a gold Smartphone inscribed with the words “Trump Mobile – Make America Great Again,” priced at $499, not including monthly service fees. Initially, the T1 Phone was promoted as “built in the U.S.,” but the company website was changed to read “designed with American values in mind,” because many of the components necessary to build the phone are not made in America.
• Bright Red Silk Ties
These ties, emblematic of Trump’s attire, can be purchased at the Trump Store for $110 each. At Amazon, similar red ties go for $19.99. The silk cloth from which the Trump ties are made is cut and assembled (but not manufactured) in the United States.
POTENTIAL POST-PRESIDENTIAL PENALTIES FOR TRUMP'S HUCKSTERISM
The Federal Trade Commission's Made in USA Labeling Rule states that “[m]arketers are . . . subject to civil penalties if they use an unqualified Made in USA label on a product that is not “all or virtually all” made in the U.S. . . .” As recently as June 2025, the news source AOL identified 15 products the Trump Store was hawking that were in violation of the labeling rule.
If a Democrat were to become president in 2029, his or her appointees to the Federal Trade Commission could seek civil penalties for all of the Trump products that violate this rule.
SUCCESSFUL CHALLENGES TO THE SUPREME COURT RULING ON PRESIDENTIAL IMMUNITY FROM CRIMINAL PROSECUTION
Based on a Wikipedia article on Trump v. United States, the Supreme Court ruled on July 1, 2024 in a 6–3 decision “that presidents have absolute immunity for acts committed as president within their core constitutional purview, at least presumptive immunity for official acts within the outer perimeter of their official responsibility, and no immunity for unofficial acts.”
The court, however, did not go into detail on what constitutes core presidential powers, other official acts, and unofficial acts. These distinctions will be determined in the future by Federal District Courts, U.S. Courts of Appeals and subsequent Supreme Court rulings.
I don’t think it’s far-fetched to suggest that selling merchandise for profit by a sitting president will be considered an “unofficial” act in future court rulings and, therefore, not protected by presidential immunity from criminal prosecution.
CONCLUSION
Thus, there may be civil penalties and even criminal prosecution for Trump after he leaves the White House as a result of his presidential profiteering. But given the recent rulings by our current Supreme Court that vastly expand the power of a president to do as he or she sees fit while in office, who knows?
E.G. Nadeau is co-director of the Cooperative Society Project, dedicated to the idea that humanity may be on the verge of a new era of cooperation, democracy, equitable distribution of resources and a sustainable relationship with nature.
Market economic principles can protect us from radical economics
BY WILLIAM HOLAHAN
Since 1776 when Adam Smith infused the rigor of the Enlightenment into economics, steady refinements via the professional peer review process have resulted in a disciplined way to think about economic problems. The resulting “Principles of Economics” describe the economy's private and public sectors and the importance of representative government.
Smith discovered that when privatesector markets are competitive—i.e., information is transparent, property rights are well defined and secured by the public sector courts and police forces, and transaction costs are low—private profit-seeking enterprises tend to deliver goods and services more efficiently than government provision even though that is not part of the interest of the profit seekers. Just as important, where these "axioms” are not present, the principles can guide economic policy. Smith’s work supported the calls to freedom, and the revolutionary dismantling of monarchical and feudal concentrations of power. Two hundred fifty years of refinement through peer reviewed research and empirics continue to support the finding that decentralized market mechanisms outperform top-down control.
TWO RADICAL DEPARTURES FROM ECONOMIC PRINCIPLES
Consider two recent government actions based on Project 2025 that violate core principles of market economics. First, chaotic tariff policy has disrupted functioning international trade markets by injecting uncertainty into pricing and supply chains, diverting power from the market to the president. Second, deep cuts to publicly funded research that, by its nature, must be conducted in the public sector. These cuts deny the market system a steady infusion of new knowledge.
TARIFFS SHOULD BE A CONGRESSIONAL DECISION: THE CONSTITUTION SAYS SO, AND SO DOES ECONOMICS
Import tariffs are reflected in the prices that U.S. consumers pay for imported goods. Trade has real costs, including the cost of import and export harbors, airports and border crossings, plus military protection on high seas. By including these costs in the prices, consumers pay for imported items, consumers can choose between domestic and imported options on the basis of fair price comparisons. These days, however, due to Trump's much higher tariff rates, the tariff revenue does not just pay for the operating costs of trade but also offsets some of the deficit increase resulting from Trump's tax cuts.
Because U.S. consumers pay the tariffs, the income extracted from them is shifted up the income scale from average Americans to the wealthy.
Article I of the U.S. Constitution assigns tariff authority to Congress—not the President. This assignment is sound economics: when in the hands of a unitary executive, whether King George III or President Trump II, tariffs become tools of protectionism, executive coercion and transactional diplomacy. So rather than trade allocated by market forces, it is instead allocated by the chaotic policies of the unitary executive—just as the Founders feared.
GOVERNMENT SPONSORED RESEARCH
Left solely to market forces, the creation of new knowledge—a public good—would be under-produced; foundational breakthroughs that benefit the general public would be chronically underfunded. Basic science not only entails high cost but also often lacks immediate commercial value and clear profit incentive. In these cases, public funding or institutional support is essential to ensure continued progress. Consequently, much of America’s scientific research is conducted in federal labs—run by agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
These agencies gain a multiplier by contracting with highly qualified professors at research universities. They award grants and contracts to faculty who have proven their research capability through the peer review process, a highly rigorous screen. The payoff to society comes in the form of breakthroughs in vaccines, energy, cybersecurity and technologies that drive our economy and protect national defense.
The payoff also comes in the form of educating future researchers: Students can benefit immensely from attending universities where research is actively conducted, and through their internships learn whether they have the talent and will to become researchers themselves.
Recent cuts in these agency and university research activities forfeit the promise of mRNA vaccines for childhood diseases, cancer therapies, and future COVID variants—along with advances in climate resilience, cybersecurity and AI. These cuts also deter top researchers and brilliant students from pursuing STEM careers in the U.S., weakening our workforce, stalling innovation, and compromising national security.
The chaotic tariff policy and the massive cuts to basic scientific research erode our ability to lead, innovate, and enable our citizenry to afford their accustomed daily activities. They render our nation increasingly dependent on foreign innovation, less competitive, less secure and ultimately, less free.
William Holahan is emeritus professor and former chair of UWM’s department of economics.
For Milwaukee’s most comprehensive coverage of music, visit shepherdexpress.com
Header photo by GettyImages/Dilok Klaisataporn. Illustration by GettyImages/Bismillah_bd.
Inclusive Midwifery Care at Transitions Birth Services Inclusive Midwifery Care at Transitions Birth Services
BY BEN SLOWEY
Midwives are responsible for the clinical care of birthing parents and babies during childbirth. They are different from doulas, who provide emotional support to mothers during childbirth and advocate for their clients’ voices to be heard. Lucky Tomaszek is a licensed midwife who has also worked as a doula, and with her business Transitions Birth Services, she provides welcoming and inclusive midwifery in the Greater Milwaukee Area. Transitions is located at 2610 N. Fratney St. in Riverwest, through the yellow door on the building’s rear.
Tomaszek emphasizes care for parents and babies as a unit rather than as individuals, and she adopts an inclusive model for her practice that sees, hears and caters to queer, Black, Brown, disabled and unhoused clients, or anyone who has felt excluded or unacknowledged by the healthcare system. “If you choose to move forward with a pregnancy and want to work with us, we are going to take such good care of you physically and emotionally in every possible way that we can,” Tomaszek affirms.
Her business’s full name is Transitions: Birth For Every Body, titled to challenge the cisgender, heteronormative, whitewashed paradigms of parenting and birthwork. “In my time as a sexuality educator, and as a queer woman, I have learned more and more about what queer folks face in healthcare,” Tomaszek explains. “When I was seeing doctors for things, I got really different responses after I came out to my providers as queer than I did when I was married to a man.”
She continues, “I saw highly trained and skilled midwives still carrying a lot of different biases—against Black and Brown people, against poor people, or even just cluelessness. I worked with one midwife who told people to eat four to six cups of kale a day, but many of our clients were too poor to do that even if they wanted to. People have been given ridiculous recommendations or suggestions that aren’t culturally or socioeconomically appropriate.”
CLIENT AUTONOMY
Transitions recognizes each client’s autonomy in making their own informed decisions. “Nobody touches you in our practice without specific consent—not even to check your pulse,” Tomaszek mentions. Services offered include community-based midwifery care for people who want to do homebirth or give birth in a private birth suite. Prenatal care follows the same schedule recommended by American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), while postpartum care includes at least five visits for both parent and baby. All appointments last about an hour to ensure that Tomaszek and her team, comprising student midwives Tamara Thompson and Tori Freund, engage in best practices with each individual client.
“You can have any friends or family with you,” Tomaszek adds. “When it comes time for the birth itself, we want it to be a family-centered event to the degree that you want.”
Header photo from left to right - Tamara Thompson, Lucky Tomaszek and Tory Freund.
Photo by Betty Nikia.
They provide all standard prenatal tests and lab work, and there is always a plan for hospital transfer in case of emergencies. Transitions accepts Medicaid and is flexible regarding payment. Tomaszek and company are often found tabling at community events and periodically host events of their own, including an open house for International Day of the Midwife every May. “You don’t actually have options if you don’t know what those options are,” Tomaszek notes. “People don’t even know that homebirth is still an option.”
TURNING POINT
Originally from Iowa, Tomaszek has loved babies since she was little. A turning point for her was at the age of 12 when she cared for her cat Duchess while she gave birth to a litter of kittens. “When Duchess went into labor, she came and got me, meowing at me until I followed her. From that point on, I knew I had to do something in this world.”
While pregnant with her first child in 1995, Tomaszek would go to the Des Moines library and learn all about childbirth— specifically, procedures she did and did not desire. For her second pregnancy a few years later, Tomaszek’s family practice doctor assured her that she would be perfectly fine giving birth at home with a trained midwife instead of a hospital. “That was really affirming,” Tomaszek recalls. She now has three adult children.
Tomaszek began her birthwork career as a doula. She moved to Milwaukee in 2000 and completed midwifery training in 2006. After a few years, Tomaszek took time off from midwifery to finish school and became a sex educator in the interim. “I still missed it the whole time,” she remembers. After several years of re-certification, Tomaszek resumed midwifery in 2020 and subsequently launched Transitions Birth Services.
Outside of midwifery, Tomaszek has hosted the six-part Birthworker Inclusivity Training Series and previously wrote the MKE Sex column for Milwaukee Record. She served as Sexuality Educator and Education Coordinator at The Tool Shed for 12 years and continues to partner with them for community events.
In terms of goals for Transitions, Tomaszek shares, “We would like to get our own building in the Riverwest neighborhood that we have control over. We have been looking for something affordable.”
Contact Transitions Birth Services at https://www.transitionsbirthservices.com/contact-themidwife.html.
Ben Slowey is a Staff Writer at Shepherd Express.
Holly McCoy of Literacy Services of Wisconsin HER MISSION: HELPING ADULTS LEARN TO READ
BY TOM JENZ
If you were casting a film about Literacy Services of Wisconsin, the obvious pick for the lead would be Holly McCoy. No need to audition. She’s already living the role.
McCoy’s story is archetypal American: a childhood marked by instability, a young adulthood shaped by perseverance. Raised in difficult circumstances and familiar with the struggles of economic hardship, she charted a path from instability to leadership.
She rose from those margins to become the driving force behind a vital Milwaukee organization, Literacy Services of Wisconsin. At just 40, mother of five children, she discovered her purpose in the often-overlooked mission of helping adults learn to read. If you think about it, literacy isn’t just a skill. It’s the key to everything else.
I met McCoy at the newly dedicated Literacy Services of Wisconsin headquarters on North Palmer Street in Milwaukee’s Brewer’s Hill neighborhood. Outside, century-old homes and timeworn churches illustrate the city’s past. Inside, in a small room off the hallway, we sat at a conference table. Instantly likable, McCoy exhibited abundant enthusiasm, her smile rarely taking a break. She spoke with conviction and made it clear that this work is personal. Not just to her, but to the thousands of adults still waiting for their chance to learn.
Tell me about your background, parents, schools, neighborhoods and educational background. I believe you came from difficult circumstances as a youth. I grew up in a trailer park in North Fond du Lac. My family moved to Milwaukee when I was in sixth grade. We lived with some church friends for quite some time. My dad struggled with drug addiction throughout most of my life and also with chronic homelessness. My mom was a seamstress. When I was halfway through high school, my parents got divorced. We moved around a lot. I went to three different high schools.
I had a baby at 16, and my mom helped me, but I did graduate from Pulaski High School. I moved out of her house at 18. By the age of 22, I had three daughters.
Were you married at that time?
Back then, I was with the same man whom I will marry in a few weeks after 21 years of being together. I now have a total of five children. But I did manage to go onto college. After some time, I was able to graduate from Alverno College. Wonderful experience. Alverno profoundly changed my life for the better. I have one daughter who is enrolled there now.
You have really done well.
Thank you. When I was attending Alverno College, I wanted to be a teacher because I had so many great high school teachers.
Photo of Holly Mccoy
They were so kind to me at a rough time in my life. But when I graduated from Alverno in 2010, teaching jobs were scarce. Yet I truly believe that God set this career path for me because I got a job at Milwaukee Achiever Services, and I managed their Adult Learning Center. I discovered the need for adult education services there. Later, I got my master’s degree. I’ve been in this same organization for 14 years, although there have been several mergers and name changes.
Give me the history of the Literacy Services of Wisconsin. It was started in 1965?
Yes, in one form or another, LSW had been around for 60 years, and I’ve met some of the original people who started there. The literacy group kind of took off after people from a North Shore Congregational Church decided that adults needed literacy help. Adult literacy, nationally and internationally, was led by Dr. Frank Laubach, later Laubach Literacy. He visited Milwaukee and helped locals to coordinate the first volunteer effort. In 2010, after expansions, we moved to downtown, and then we moved here in this new building not that long ago. In 2017 and 2020, we merged with two other organizations. We have a long line of volunteers.
On the LSW website, the mission is stated: “Literacy Services of Wisconsin partners with motivated adults to provide access to quality basic education and skills training so they can improve their lives, enrich their families, and strengthen our community.” How do you try to accomplish that mission?
With adult education, we meet students where they are at, not only through education, but also geographically. We have nine locations throughout southeastern Wisconsin. For example, we work with students at the Racine Correctional Institution. At the Racine Youthful Offenders Center, we offer a high school equivalency program along with a building trades program. We are also in the Milwaukee County Jail where we provide a GED program, a high school equivalency credential. We partner with MPS schools to provide parents with education at North and South Division. We have a location at the Silver Spring Neighborhood Center, and also in downtown Waukesha.
What impact has the internet, computers, and smartphones had on how we communicate and share information in the 21st century? And also, in terms of your LSW services?
Technology has transformed the way we look at education. About 35% of our adults are learning remotely through virtual classes. That way some of those adult students don’t have to worry about childcare and transportation. This new building where we are here right now is designed to integrate technology. We want our students to feel comfortable with technology.
What about AI, artificial intelligence and ChatGPT?
I see AI as a resource, a tool. As time moves on, we want to make sure we support our students to employ these new techniques that add value to their learning experiences.
Can Artificial Intelligence teach a person to read?
AI can support reading in different ways. By the time you are an adult, your brain is more limited in learning. If you already learned how to read as a child, you take that for granted. Sometimes, we have to go back to phonics and sounds, the basics of reading, to teach an adult to read.
Are your clients poorly educated Americans who have trouble reading and/or can they be refugees who have trouble with the English language?
Literacy and graduation rates are not tied to intelligence. Often, it’s about opportunity and access children get during their formative years. There are challenges in their families and communities and schools. For instance, with my own challenging background, I personally know how hard it can be in school attendance when things are not going well at home. Attendance is so important to participate in learning.
We as a community need to ask: So what happens then, and what can we do about it? As far as refugees, we do support English language learning. We have students that represent 64 different countries.
Are your clients primarily adults?
They are all adults, 18 and over.
Let me read a quote from you, “The heart of our mission has always been to create programming that impacts literacy for generations to come.” Can you expand on this mission for my readers?
When we provide literacy for adults, we are indirectly helping their children. If we want to see K-12 outcomes improve, we need to concern ourselves with adult education impacting their kids.
How many students do you teach over a year?
Last year, we supported around 1,300 adult students and had 240 GED graduates. We are very proud of those numbers.
I believe you have a partnership with MATC, Milwaukee Area Technical College. How does that work?
MATC is an amazing partner. MATC works with us to meet students where they are at geographically and academically. MATC has community-based instructors that come to the communities they partner with to provide instruction on site. For instance, we have an MATC classroom in this new building.
An example: let’s say I am about 40, and I want to read better. How do I get in touch with you?
You can call our main phone number or go online to our website and schedule an enrollment appointment at any of our offices.
What happens when I get here?
Great question. You would start in our welcome center, and we would get to know you and give you an assessment and then figure how we can support you.
Let’s say I have a sixth grade reading level. For most folks, their actual goal would be sixth grade reading.
How about if I have a third grade reading level?
We would find that out in the assessment, discuss the results, and work with you to improve. For example, if you want to complete a high school diploma, we would suggest you enroll in a class and work with a tutor. We would map out a plan for you. We test our students every four months.
You have a new headquarters building in the Brewer’s Hill neighborhood where we are now. Tell me about that, and what will this mean in terms of teaching more students?
There are multiple spaces here that can be used in multiple ways, classrooms, multimedia, technology. Someday, we will have a GED testing center.
How is LSW funded? Also, do you have a partnership with the Greater Milwaukee Foundation?
We do partner with the Greater Milwaukee Foundation and other big nonprofit organizations. We get some federal funding. And we have many individual donors. It’s a diverse funding model.
You have close to 300 volunteers. Who are they? Where do they come from?
Many of them are retired teachers who may have taught elementary school but now want to work one on one with adults. A lot of our evening tutors are working professionals. If you want to volunteer, call our office or contact us through our website. Most volunteers work with one student once a week. It is a commitment but rewarding.
Tom Jenz is a Milwaukee writer-photographer and author the Central City Stories column for shepherdexpress.com.
Authentic Korean Dining at K Street Cafe Authentic Korean Dining at K Street Cafe
BY HAZEL WHEATON
Located on Greenfield Avenue, just off the corner of 70th Street, K Street Cafe is a sleek, surprisingly peaceful refuge from the traffic of the main street. K Street was launched in February to bring an authentic Korean café experience to Milwaukee; here’s hoping they stick around for a long time. Modern lines dominate, with bright white walls, cool wood tones, and black ceilings, counters and seating, all softened by the natural light streaming through the front windows. The ultra-modern seating is surprisingly comfortable; every time I’ve visited, there was at least one customer with a laptop settled in for an extended work or study session. That’s perfectly in keeping with Korean café culture, where cafes provide spots to socialize, relax and work with cafes even rivaling libraries as preferred study spots.
I’ve stopped in several times over the last few months to explore their menu; if there were ever any kinks to be worked out, they’re long gone. Counter service is professional and efficient, with orders taken quickly and the friendly staff willing to answer any questions about the menu … or help with pronunciation!
The real fun at K Street is found in things you can’t get elsewhere; why go for vanilla when you can try a Dalgona latte? Dalgona, a brittle candy with a toffeelike taste, is crumbled and sprinkled over top, making a distinctive alternative to more familiar sweet coffees. “Non-coffees” on the menu include light, refreshing fruit ades and spritzes ranging from safe and still delicious (strawberry, grapefruit) to more adventurous. If you’ve never tried it, give omija a try. A Korean berry that’s too pungent to be eaten raw, omija is fermented before being mixed into a beverage; at K Street, you can have it as a cool ade or a hot tea. My favorite drink on the menu is the black sesame latte. No coffee, just sesame paste, steamed milk, and cream for a nutty, creamy concoction that’s soothing, sophisticated, and not too sweet.
Desserts come in two main categories. Croffles are croissants cooked in a waffle press, resulting in a crisp, buttery confection and served with a variety of toppings.
Bingsu is a curious and delightful ice cream alternative made of milk shaved ice. In the bowl, it has a texture that initially resembles super-fine sawdust but melts into pure creaminess in the mouth. Topping options include fruit (mango, blueberry, strawberry), matcha, and more decadent flavors (Oreo, tiramisu, blueberry cheesecake). I went for the traditional Korean Injeolmi, topped with glutinous rice cakes and sweet red bean paste, and devoured every bite (even though the “small” portion was easily large enough to share).
Although K Street is described as a “dessert café,” there’s a solid list of food options that blur the line between brunch and lunch. The bulgogi is tasty and the spicy kimchi is downright delicious; try one or the other (or both together) on toast or in a bap (served over rice and topped with a fried egg) for a more substantial meal. The K Street sandwich is a delicious mix of cooked egg, sliced ham, and cabbage topped with a sauce of mayo and ketchup between thick slabs of milk bread. The bread is crusted with a sprinkling of coarse-grained sugar, which makes a surprisingly great contrast to the salty ham. The whole thing is drippy and messy, but well worth grabbing a stack of napkins from the counter. The food options don’t come with sides, but packaged chips and other Korean snacks are available at the counter if you want to fill up your plate.
K Street Café
7028 W Greenfield Ave. (414) 500-7028; www.kstreetcafe.online
Hours:
Monday–Saturday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sundays: closed Sundays
Drinks: $4–$6.50
Desserts: Croffles $5 – $9; Bingsu $11.50–$15.50
Food: $4 – $15.50
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir And Thanksgiving Dinner
BY GAETANO MARANGELLI
Two tribes stand at either end of the poles of pinot noir. The pole to the east belongs to a tribe called Burghounds. They worship the region of Burgundy, the eponymous name of wine made with pinot noir from the region, the terroir of the grape’s ancestry. (The wine regions of Europe name their wines after the terroir grapes grow on. The idea of terroir says the soil, climate, topography, and traditions of a grape’s land dictates the character of its wine.)
The vins rouges of Burgundy—from the Côte Chalonnaise in the south to the Côte d’Or in the north—are made with pinot noir, and Burghounds know all of their villages and vineyards, as well as their vignerons. Like gamblers in casinos in the small hours of the morning, they wager their sums on Burgundy bottles which may—or may not—prove worthy of the odds. Burghounds banter about the folly of their vice. They brag about the price of their perfidy.
The pole to the west finds a tribe which lacks the formality of Burghounds but suffers the addictive quality of pinot noir just as seriously. We might call them Hesperides. Like scions of wealth or captains of industry who go to the opera because their role in society says they should, Hesperides drink pinot noir because popular culture says people who know wine best drink pinot noir. (An example of their behavior is what the wine trade calls “The Sideways Effect,” which refers to the effect of the 2004 movie Sideways on the sales of pinot noir and merlot. The movie depicts Paul Giamatti as a wine connoisseur who exalts pinot noir and deprecates merlot. In a research paper presented at the Sonoma State University Department of Economics Seminar Series, as well as at a meeting of the American Association of Wine Economists in Portland, Oregon, Steven S. Cuellar, Ph.D., an Associate Professor of Economics at Sonoma State University and a Senior Research Economist at Sonoma Research Associates, concluded, “Virtually all the results are consistent with the theory that Sideways had a negative impact on the consumption of Merlot, while increasing the consumption of Pinot Noir.”)
EARTHY AND LUSTY
Where Burghounds like the pinot noir of Burgundy for its earthy quality, its berry fruit, and its lively acidity, Hesperides like California pinot noir for its lusty fruit, body and alcohol.
In the geography between these two opposing poles, stands a tribe with an affinity for the pinot noirs of the Willamette Valley of Oregon. These pinot noirs aren’t lusty like those of California, but they yield riper fruit than those of Burgundy.
For the great American holiday in the offing, may I suggest Willamette Valley pinot noirs? They provide ideal foils for Thanksgiving dinner and its culinary chaos of savory next to sweet next to fatty next to sour next to buttery next to bitter next to creamy next to tart.
The Willamette Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) stretches south from the Columbia River in Portland to the Calapooya Mountains outside of Eugene. Its temperate maritime climate makes the region ideal for cultivating a cool climate grape variety like pinot noir. The diurnal swing of the region’s warm days to cool nights allow the grape to develop its flavor and complexity while preserving its native acidity. The Willamette Valley AVA includes the sub-appellations of the Dundee Hills AVA, the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, the McMinnville AVA, the Ribbon Ridge AVA, the Yamhill Carlton District AVA, and the Chahalem Mountains AVA. As a family, these pinot noirs are earthy, with aromas and flavors like cranberry, black cherry, currant, black tea, cinnamon, and clove. They celebrate the mean of opposing poles our great American holiday calls for.
Gaetano Marangelli is a sommelier and playwright. He was managing director of a wine import and distribution company in New York and beverage director for restaurants and retailers in New York and Chicago before moving to Wauwatosa.
Holiday Arts Guide 2025
TBY DAVID LUHRSSEN
hat opening line from Charles Dickens, the one about the best of times and the worst of times, seems appropriate. In its 2025-26 season, the Rep will cut the ribbon on the Associated Bank Theater Center. But in the run up to the season, the August 9 flood that devastated many Milwaukee homes and businesses burst through the Rep’s Wauwatosa production center with three feet of water.
Chad Bauman, the Rep’s Ellen & Joe Checota executive director, is candid about the destruction, which destroyed some 30,000 items, including lights, sound equipment, sets and props.
“The loss is estimated at $7.5 million. Because the floodwaters were contaminated with sewage, anything they touched could not be saved. Thankfully, items stored above the waterline were spared. This has been a heartbreaking setback for our staff and artists, but together we’ve worked quickly to move forward,” Bauman says. The facility has been cleaned and cleared with hopes of reopening in early 2026.
“In the meantime, we have established a temporary production space to keep building our 2025–26 season. Our cherished production of A Christmas Carol, which was lost in the flood, is already being lovingly rebuilt by a commercial production shop in Calgary, Canada. Though the damage has been immense—both financially and emotionally—we remain committed to our mission. We are deeply grateful for the support of our community, and we do not anticipate any delays or cancellations to the opening of the Associated Bank Theater Center or to our performances.”
And the best of times? The Milwaukee Rep has long operated with three distinct stages within their Downtown complex, state of the art as the century began but, according to Bauman, “increasingly outdated and, in recent years, failing.” He adds, “Audiences will notice the difference immediately: larger and more comfortable seats, improved sightlines, stunning lobbies, a show-stopping donor lounge, and expanded amenities such as valet parking, coat check, and bars serving delicious drinks and snacks.” Accessibility for disabled people and families has been enhanced.
“Behind the scenes, our theaters are now equipped with state-of-theart technology including intelligent lighting, digital sound, video projection, scenery automation, and advanced fly systems,” he continues. “The venues are also flexible, able to shift between multiple stage and audience configurations,” allowing the Rep to create Broadway-ready productions.
The Rep’s mission remains the same. “We are living in increasingly polarized times, when opportunities to come together across our differences feel rare,” Bauman says. That is the magic of theater—and of Milwaukee Rep. Each year, we stage more than 500 performances that welcome hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life to share in the power of live storytelling. Theater invites us to see the world through the eyes of others. It sparks empathy, deepens understanding, and reminds us of our shared humanity.”
Milwaukee Rep Opens Associated Bank Theater Center
Freud’s Last Session, Oct. 24-26, Oct. 30-Nov.2., Nov. 6-9
It is a question as old as time, as infinite as the universe: Does God exist? In Mark St. Germain’s cleverly written play, Freud’s Last Session, we don’t get an answer. But we do gain a better understanding of its two sparring protagonists, psychiatrist Sigmund Freud and theologian/philosopher C.S. Lewis. (Harry Cherkinian)
ALL IN PRODUCTIONS allin-mke.com
ALVERNO ART & CULTURES GALLERY alverno.edu/gallery
AMERICA’S BLACK HOLOCAUST MUSEUM abhmuseum.org
Sailing to Freedom, through Jan. 1
AMERICAN PLAYERS THEATRE americanplayers.org
The 39 Steps, through Nov. 30
APERI ANIMAM aperianimam.com
Gratia, Dec. 13 (St. Jude the Apostle Church)
ARTS @ LARGE artsatlargeinc.org
BACH CHAMBER CHOIR bachchoirmilwaukee.com
BAYVIEW GALLERY NIGHT bvgn.org
BEL CANTO CHORUS belcanto.org
Resounding Joy, Dec. 5-7 (Basilica of St. Josaphat)
Plan B: Sketch Comedy that Explores Life’s Surprises, Saturdays in November (The Interchange)
BRONZEVILLE ARTS ENSEMBLE facebook.com/BronzevilleArtsEnsemble
BRONZEVILLE CENTER FOR THE ARTS Bcamke.org
BROOM STREET THEATRE, MADISON bstonline.org
inertia follies, Nov. 7-23
CABARET MILWAUKEE facebook.com/cabmke
CAPITAL CITY THEATRE, MADISON capitalcitytheatre.org
CARROLL PLAYERS carroll-players.com
CARTHAGE COLLEGE THEATRE carthage.edu/arts/experience-the-arts/theatre-dance-performances
Everything You Touch, Nov. 14-16
CATEY OTT DANCE COLLECTIVE
CEDARBURG ART MUSEUM cedarburgartmuseum.org
Collecting Her: Women from the Cedarburg Art Museum’s Permanent Collection, through Nov. 9
The Shadow Resembles Me: Photographs by Kayla Bauer, through Nov. 9
CEDARBURG CULTURAL CENTER cedarburgculturalcenter.org
40 for 40 Anniversary Exhibit, through Nov. 23
CEDARBURG ARTISTS GUILD cedarburgartistsguild.com
Blizzard of Art, Dec. 2 (Main Street Gallery)
CEDARBURG PERFORMING ARTS CENTER cedarburgpac.com
Sons of Chicago: The Music of Bruce Springsteen, Nov. 1
Breaking Barriers with Becky Calder, Nov. 5
Griffin House, Nov. 8
Matthew Broussard, Nov. 21
CHANT CLAIRE CHAMBER CHOIR chantclaire.org
CHARLES ALLIS ART MUSEUM charlesallis.org
Human Condition: A Study of the Body, through Dec. 11
CHAZEN MUSEUM OF ART (UW-MADISON) chazen.wisc.edu
Pablo Delano: Caribbean Matters, Assemblage and Sculpture, through Dec. 14
Toshiko Takaezu: Worlds Within, through Dec. 23
CHORAL ARTS SOCIETY OF SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN choralartsonline.org
A Candlelight Concert in Collaboration with Music & More, Dec. 6 (First Presbyterian Church, Racine)
Strings of Jewish Resistance and Resilience
November 5, 2025 – January 25, 2026
An extraordinary historical and cultural experience featuring 24 violins rescued from the Holocaust!
JE WISHMUSEUMMILWA U K
Image courtesy of Violins of Hope
CIVIC MUSIC MKE civicmusicmilwaukee.org
Dream! Discover! Do!, Nov. 9
THE CONSTRUCTIVISTS theconstructivists.org
Bed and Breakfast of the Damned, through Nov. 7 (Broadway Theatre Center’s Studio Theatre)
Cameron McNary, a self-described “deeply committed geek,” penned his take on that pervasive pop culture theme, the zombie apocalypse (some say it’s already happened and we’re living in the end times). A young couple take shelter in a bed and breakfast, breathing a deep sigh of relief, but find that people can be just as monstrous as zombies in this “door-slamming, Feydeau-style sex farce.” Jaimelyn Gray will direct the world premiere. (David Luhrssen)
A Very Deadly Constructivists Holiday, Dec. 18-20
CONCORD CHAMBER ORCHESTRA concordorchestra.org
Hope and Harmony, Dec. 6 (Mount Carmel Lutheran Church)
DANCECIRCUS
dancecircus.org
DANCEWORKS PERFORMANCE MKE danceworksmke.org
Echoes of Hope: Violins of Hope Residency, Nov. 22-23 (Danceworks Studio Theatre)
DAVID BARNETT GALLERY davidbarnettgallery.com
The Artwork of Marc Chagall, Featuring New Acquisitions, through Jan. 13
Few 20th century artists painted as distinctively as Marc Chagall. He was a modernist grounded in a tradition—the landscape and folkways of Russia’s Pale of Jewish Settlement. His figures often float, literally, as if dreaming of places lost forever. (David Luhrssen)
DAWN SPRINGER DANCE PROJECT dawnspringer.com
DOOR COUNTY CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR doorcountycontemporary.com
DOOR SHAKESPEARE doorshakespeare.com
EARLY MUSIC NOW earlymusicnow.org
Bella Voce: Handel’s Complete Messiah, Nov. 22 (St. Joseph Chapel)
Most of us hear “Hallelujah Chorus” when we think of Handel’s Messiah, but those triumphal chords were a small part of a larger work. Chicago’s Bella Voce will perform the complete Baroque-era oratorio with a mighty chorus and period instruments. (David Luhrssen)
EX FABULA exfabula.org
Story Stretch, Nov. 6
After Dark: For the Culture, Nov. 13
FALLS PATIO PLAYERS fallspatioplayers.com
Christmas Carol Musical, Dec. 5-7
FESTIVAL CITY SYMPHONY festivalcitysymphony.org
FINE ARTS QUARTET fineartsquartet.com
FIRST STAGE firststage.org
Goosebumps: Phantom of the Auditorium, through Nov. 2
The Rose of Treason, Nov. 7-16
In the U.S., student protestors have faced clubs, tear gas, occasionally bullets. In Nazi Germany, they faced certain death if caught. James DeVita’s play is based on the student group the White Rose whose members (in today’s terms) circulated an anti-Nazi zine. Performances are in partnership with Violins of Hope-Wisconsin (presented by Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra)
(David Luhrssen)
The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza, Nov. 21-Dec. 28
FLORENTINE OPERA florentineopera.org
Celebrating the Season in Song, Dec. 3 (Milwaukee Club)
Caroling at the Fireplace, Dec. 9 (Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts)
Carols and Classics, Dec. 11 (St. Paul’s Episcopal Church)
FORTE THEATRE COMPANY fortetheatrecompany.org
Miracle on 34th Street: A Radio Play, Dec. 13-21
FORWARD THEATER, MADISON forwardtheater.com
Gutenberg! The Musical, Nov. 6-23
FOUR SEASONS THEATRE, MADISON fourseasonstheatre.com
The Hello Girls , Dec. 11-21
FRANKLY MUSIC franklymusic.org
FRESCO OPERA THEATRE, MADISON frescoopera.com
GALLERY 218 gallery218.com
GALLERY 224 Gallery224.org
GALLERY 2622 gallery2622.com
GALLERY NIGHT AND DAY gallerynightmke.com
Milwaukee’s original night and day art hop happens quarterly with a focus on galleries concentrated in the Third Ward, East Town and Walker’s Point. (David Luhrssen)
GERMANTOWN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER gsdwi.org
GREEN GALLERY Thegreengallery.biz
GREENDALE COMMUNITY THEATRE greendaletheatre.org
Bing Crosby Christmas on the Air, Dec. 4-6 (Greendale High School)
- DAVIDSON MUSEUM
GROHMANN MUSEUM
msoe.edu/grohmann-museum
The Legend Lives On: 50 Years Later, through Dec. 1
Few maritime tales resonate like the wreck of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald. Immortalized in art and song, the fateful day of November 10, 1975, lives on in Great Lakes lore,” says the Grohmann’s director, James Kieselburg. “For the 50th anniversary of this this tragic event, we commemorate the ship and her impact on popular culture through this display of paintings, photographs, models, and drawings of the ship under construction and on the water.”
(David Luhrssen)
GROVE GALLERY
gallerygrove.com
HAGGERTY MUSEUM OF ART marquette.edu/haggerty-museum
No One Knows All It Takes, through Dec. 20
Life Lines, through Dec. 20
Capturing the Senses: Beauty and Horror in Early Modern Art, through Dec. 20
In our increasingly anxious era, selfhelp nostrums of varying efficacy are almost as common as air. “No One Knows All It Takes” offers an examination of “the inextricable ties between personal health and collective wellness.” It’s juxtaposed with three concurrent exhibitions housed on the Haggerty’s two floors, “Life Lines” and “Capture the Senses: Attraction and Horror in Early Modern Art.” (David Luhrssen)
HARLEY-DAVIDSON MUSEUM
harley-davidson.com
“Creating a Legend: Art & Engineering at Harley-Davidson,” through spring 2027
“Ezy Ryders: History & Tradition, Heart & Soul,” through 2026
Photographer Cate Dingley’s book Ezy Ryders focuses on New York City’s Black riding culture today. Images and text from her book have been chosen for the new exhibition at the HarleyDavidson Museum. All of Dingley’s photographs are in black and white. “There’s a sense of timelessness to them, black and white can be a very expressive medium,” curator Ann Sinfield says. (David Luhrssen)
H. F. JOHNSON GALLERY OF ART carthage.edu/art-gallery
IMPRESSIONS FINE ARTS GALLERY blueharboaresort.com
INSPIRATION STUDIOS ART GALLERY inspirationstudiosgallery.com
Green Day’s American Idiot, Nov. 1-8 (Milwaukee Rock Theatre)
JAMES MAY GALLERY jamesmaygallery.com
JAZZ GALLERY CENTER FOR THE ARTS jazzgallerycenterforarts.org
Free Improvisation, Saturdays Milwaukee Jazz Institute, Sundays
Photo of the Harley-Davidson Museum by Timothy Czerniakowski.
HARLEY
JEWISH MUSEUM MILWAUKEE jewishmuseummilwaukee.org
Violins of Hope: Strings of Jewish Resistance and Resilience, Nov. 5-Jan. 25
“Jewish Museum Milwaukee is honored to be the only Jewish institution exhibiting these instruments during this incredible residency, through the lens of Jewish identity and with the respect these vessels of memory deserve,” says Molly Dubin, chief curator. “We are especially excited to welcome guest curators from the Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center, who bring expertise in Holocaust education, teaching about Jewish culture, and ways to engage K-12 audiences.” (David Luhrssen)
JOHN MICHAEL KOHLER ARTS CENTER jmkac.org/home.html
Ashwini Bhat: Reverberating Self, through Jan. 11, 2026
Familiar Texture: The Fibers of Childhood and Home, through April 5, 2026
A Beautiful Experience: The Midwest Grotto Tradition, through May 10, 2026
“Madeline Buol’s grotto is a part of a lineage that continues today, and the exhibition brings this tradition of Midwestern grottos to life with other artifacts from our permanent collection as well as new commissions by artists Stephanie H. Shih and E. Saffronia Downing who reimagine the (grotto) tradition in a contemporary context,” says curator Laura Bickford. (Michael Muckian)
Silvio Barile, through Spring 2026
KETTLE MORAINE PLAYHOUSE kmplayhouse.com
Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some), Nov. 23-Dec. 14
KETTLE MORAINE SYMPHONY kmsymphony.org
KIM STORAGE GALLERY kimstoragegallery.com
Michael Banning: My Window is a Garden Gate, through Nov. 8
Paul Krainak: New Work, through Nov. 8
Kevin Hankes: Mostly Stripes, Assemblages and Collages, Nov.14-Dec. 20
KITH AND KIN THEATRE COLLECTIVE kithandkintheatre.com
KNEELAND-WALKER HOUSE wauwatosahistoricalsociety.org
LUTHERAN A CAPELLA CHOIR OF MILWAUKEE lutheranacapella.org
The Glorias of Christmas, Dec. 5 (St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, New Berlin)
LYNDEN SCULPTURE GARDEN lyndensculpturegarden.org
Chris Salas: Forms of Remembrance, through Nov. 2
Faythe Levine: Time is Running Out, Nov. 15-March 14
MADISON BALLET madisonballet.org
The Nutcracker, Dec. 12-14, Dec. 19-21
MADISON MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART mmoca.org
Fall Gallery Night, Nov. 7
MADISON THEATRE GUILD madisontheatreguild.org
MAKING MUSIC VOCAL ARTS mmvocalarts.com
KIM STORAGE GALLERY
Snowy background by GettyImages/Larysa Pashkevich.
Photo of the Kim Storage Gallery by Timothy Czerniakowski.
MARCUS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER marcuscenter.org
Les Misérables , Oct. 28-Nov. 2
Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus Live, Nov. 8
Barney James, Nov. 13
The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza, Nov. 21-Dec. 28
Wheel of Fortune Live, Nov. 21
A Celtic Christmas, Nov. 23
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, Nov. 25-Nov. 30
Christmas with C.S. Lewis , Nov. 30
The Nutcracker (Milwaukee Ballet), Dec. 6-26
Second City’s Jack Frost Roasting on an Open Fire, Dec. 19-20
MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY PLAYERS SOCIETY marquette.presence.io/organization/ Marquette-players-society
MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY THEATRE marquette.edu/communication/theatre-arts.php
Fairview, Nov. 14-23
MASTER SINGERS OF MILWAUKEE mastersingersofmilwaukee.org
Hope, Nov. 24 (Congregation Shalom, Fox Point)
MATERIAL STUDIOS + GALLERY materialstudiosandgallery.com
MEMORIES DINNER THEATRE memoriesballroom.com
Blithe Spirit, through Nov. 2
Noel Coward was one of England’s most popular playwrights in the first half of the last century, cited by a contemporary for his “gay and impudent dialogue.” His amusing story of marriage and ghosts, Blithe Spirit (1941), was adapted for a 1945 film by David Lean. (David Luhrssen)
Remains to Be Seen, Nov. 14-16
Cinnamon Grits: Christmas in the South, Dec. 12-20
MENOMONEE FALLS SYMPHONY www.mfso.net
Gifts of the Season, Dec. 6
MIAD FREDERICK LAYTON GALLERY miad.edu
The Dry Points, through Dec. 13
MIAD GALLERY AT THE AVE galleryattheave.miad.edu
MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM mam.org
Reviving the Dance of Death, through Nov. 30
Bradley Collection of Modern Art: A Bold Vision for Milwaukee, Sept. 26-Jan. 18
MILWAUKEE BALLET milwaukeeballet.org
The Nutcracker, Dec. 6-26
Everything flows in Michael Pink’s latest revision. Rather than a series of scenes, it’s a non-stop dream from start to finish. The few moments of silence or stillness are there to heighten the drama, not to draw applause. Tchaikovsky’s beloved music remains the basis for all that happens. (John Schneider)
Murder Girl, Nov. 14-30 (Broadway Theatre Center, Studio Theatre)
That Upper Midwest mainstay, the supper club, has gained attention in recent years. The play by Wisconsin native Heidi Armbruster is set in a Northwoods supper club during the holidays—and it’s a murder mystery. MCT’s Brent Hazelton directs. (David Luhrssen)
MILWAUKEE INSTITUTE OF ART & DESIGN GALLERY miad.edu
Constant Practice: New Work from Faculty & Staff, through Nov. 20
The Dry Points, through Dec. 13
Our Mothers, Ourselves, through Dec. 13
MILWAUKEE IRISH ARTS milirisharts.wordpres.com
MILWAUKEE JAZZ INSTITUTE milwaukeejazzinstitute.org
MILWAUKEE JAZZ ORCHESTRA mjojazz.com
Skylight Series, Nov. 2 (Broadway Theatre Center)
Photo of the Milwaukee Art Museum courtesy of the VISIT Milwaukee Media Library.
MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM
MILWAUKEE MAKERS MARKET
https://www.milwaukeemakersmarket. com/
Nov. 29 (Discovery World)
Dec. 21 (Discovery World)
MILWAUKEE MUSAIK milwaukeemusaik.org
MILWAUKEE OPERA THEATRE milwaukeeoperatheatre.org
MILWAUKEE REPERTORY THEATER milwaukeerep.com
It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, through Dec. 21 (Stackner Cabaret)
Come From Away, Nov. 4-Dec. 14 (Checota Powerhouse Theatre)
A Christmas Carol, Nov. 25-Dec. 24 (Pabst Theater)
MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA mso.org
Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience, Nov. 2 (Riverside Theater)
Wizard of Oz in Concert, Nov. 7-9
Paul Lewis Plays Grieg, Nov. 14-15
British pianist Paul Lewis will lead the MSO through Scandinavia in a concert featuring the familiar Piano Concerto by Norway’s Edvard Grieg and Symphony No. 4 “The Inextinguishable” by Denmark’s Carl Nielsen. Of special interest, Finland’s Einojuhani Rautavaara’s Cantus Arcticus, a 1972 work bridging human and avian by incorporating tape recorded bird songs. By then, the composer had abandoned the 12-tone sterility of his youth for neo-romantic, sometimes mystical soundscapes.
(David Luhrssen)
Handel’s Messiah, Nov. 21-23
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York in Concert, Nov. 28-30
The Commercialists, Dec. 5
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Dec. 5-7
Holiday Pops, Dec. 13-14, Dec. 19-21
MILWAUKEE YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA myso.org
MILWAUKEE YOUTH THEATRE milwaukeeyouththeatre.org
Schoolhouse Rock Jr., Nov. 14-16
MKE BLACK THEATRE FESTIVAL blackartsmke.org
MKE STUDIO TOUR mkestudiotour.com
MORNING STAR PRODUCTIONS morningstarproductions.org
MUSEUM OF WISCONSIN ART wisconsinart.org
Susan S.G. Frackelton: American Potter and Entrepreneur, through Nov. 9
Frank Lloyd Wright: Modern Chair Design, Taliesin to Usonia, through Jan. 25
Even some of the most ardent Frank Lloyd Wright fans know little about one of the most significant aspects of the 20th century American architect’s storied career—furniture design. The Museum of Wisconsin Art (MOWA) in West Bend aims to rectify the situation with its upcoming exhibit Frank Lloyd Wright: Modern Chair Design. This is a unique exploration of 40 of the hundreds of pieces of furniture designed by Wright during his career. (Michael Muckian)
MOWA | DTN (Saint Kate-The Arts Hotel)
Muneer Bahauddeen: In Homage, through Nov. 30
MOWA on the Lake (St. John’s on the Lake)
Jim Brozek: Honest Work, through Nov. 16
NEXT ACT THEATRE nextact.org
Boswell, Nov. 19-Dec. 14
“Certain books really speak to me, especially when written in the first person,” Milwaukee playwright Marie Kohler says. In Boswell, Kohler introduced a contemporary character, a Latina academic trying to climb the ladder of success, into her study of James Boswell, the famed sidekick and biographer of 18th century English writer Samuel Johnson. (David Luhrssen)
NŌ STUDIOS nostudios.com
NO INSTRUCTIONS GALLERY moinstructs.com
Cody Tumblin, through Nov. 7
Shane McAdams: Recent Paintings, Nov. 14-Dec. 19
New works by Shane McAdams “explore the relationship between expectation and accident in the process of painting. With a loose grip on a few basic oppositions—figure and ground; natural and artificial; concrete and abstract—the work in the show leaves the rest up to chance and the will of the medium. But with one finger hovering above the button.”
(David Luhrssen)
NORTH SHORE ACADEMY OF THE ARTS facebook.com/northshoreacademyofthearts
NORTHERN SKY THEATER northernskytheater.com
OAK CREEK PERFORMING ARTS AND EDUCATION CENTER oakcreepaec.com
OCONOMOWOC ARTS CENTER oasd.k12.wi.us/artscenter
An American Christmas, Dec. 14 (Wisconsin Philharmonic)
OIL A CITY GALLERY oilmilwaukee.com
OPTIMIST THEATRE optimisttheatre.org
OUTSKIRTS THEATRE outskirtstheatre.org
OVER OUR HEAD PLAYERS overourheadplayers.org
Birthday Candles, Nov. 21-Dec.14 (Sixth
PENINSULA SCHOOL OF ART peninsulaschoolofart.org
PHILOMUSICA QUARTET
philomusicaquartet.com
PIANOARTS
pianoarts.org
PINK UMBRELLA THEATER Pinkumbrellatheater.org
PORTRAIT SOCIETY GALLERY portraitsocietygallery.com
PRESENT MUSIC
presentmusic.org
Thanksgiving: Of Being Numerous, Nov. 23 (Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist)
“Contemporary music has a unique way of meeting the moment, and that’s exactly what Chris Cerrone's new work for Present Music and The Crossing does, setting poet George Oppen's Pulitzer prize-winning Of Being Numerous, with its vision of diverse voices creating unity in a fractured time,” says PM’s co-director, Eric Segnitz. PM will also perform Paul Wiancko’s new commission. Little Priest Singers will open and close the concert. (David Luhrssen)
PROMETHEUS TRIO
wcmusic.org
QUASIMONDO PHYSICAL THEATRE quasimondo.org
RACINE ART MUSEUM ramart.org
RAM Showcase: Focus on Adornment, through Nov. 22
Fool Me Once: The Trompe L’oeil Sculptures of Karen Dahl and James Doran, through Jan. 10, 2026
On Fire Part II: Surveying Women in Glass in the Late-Twentieth Century, through Jan. 24, 2026.
RACINE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA racinesymphony.org
RACINE THEATRE GUILD racinetheatre.org
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors , through Nov. 9
Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen aren’t the first writers to mine horror for humor; their Off-Broadway spoof of Bram Stoker won rave reviews for its wink-at-the-audience comedy. The hijinks have drawn comparisons to Monty Python (David Luhrssen)
REAL TINSEL GALLERY realtinsel.com
Gig’s Up: 50 Years of Milwaukee Punk Posters, through Dec. 21
The exhibit covers a half century of posters by Milwaukee artists for local bands and punk/post-punk concerts in the city. Among the artists whose work will be included are Eric Von Munz, Francisco Ramirez, James Kloiber, The Factory, Guy Hoffman and Bob Solem, along with many anonymous artisans who produced posters for Violent Femmes, Die Kreuzen, Plasticland, Shivvers, Oil Tasters, Haskels, Ama Dots, Couch Flambeau and Wild Kingdom at clubs such as Zak's, Starship, Palms, Papagaio, Century Hall, Metropole Theater, Stone Toad, Boardwalk, Unicorn and Circle A. (David Luhrssen)
RENAISSANCE THEATERWORKS
r-t-w.com
Switzerland, Oct.19-Nov. 9
Patricia Highsmith spent half her life in Europe (in voluntary exile from the U.S.) where she turned out a series of venomous novels and, occasionally, a twisted screenplay (Alfred Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train). In Joanna Murray-Smith’s play, an elderly Highsmith is confronted by someone who might well have been one of the sinister antiheroes of her own fiction. (David Luhrssen)
RIVER PRESS riverpressmke.com
Sarah Jane Sutterfield: Life Should Make More Sense Than This, through Nov. 2
SACRA NOVA CHORALE sacranovacathedrale.com
SAINT KATE - THE ARTS HOTEL GALLERY saintkatearts.com
SCHOOL SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS sssf.org
St. Joseph Chapel Holiday Concert, Friday, December 5, 7:00 p.m.
1501 S. Layton Blvd, Milwaukee
The School Sisters of St. Francis present a Christmas concert featuring the Lakefront String Quartet in their newly restored 108-year-old chapel. A festive holiday-themed reception follows the concert. Proceeds support the sisters? global missions and the care of retired sisters. Details and order tickets at sssf.org
SCULPTURE MILWAUKEE sculpturemilwaukee.com
Sculpture Milwaukee was founded in 2017 from an idea by local entrepreneur Steve Marcus and became an independent nonprofit in 2020. Sculpture Milwaukee has commissioned work to line Wisconsin Avenue from living artists, some with ties to our state. As much as possible, the sculptures are fabricated in Wisconsin in keeping with the Badger State’s machine-shop history.
(David Luhrssen)
SHARON LYNNE WILSON CENTER FOR THE ARTS wilson-center.com
Mostly Mozart, Nov. 5 (Wisconsin Philharmonic)
Shaun Cassidy, Nov. 6
Joshua Redman Quartet, Nov. 8
Grammy-nominated, Downbeatwinning tenor saxophonist Joshua Redman grew up with jazz—his father Dewey played with Ornette Coleman and Keith Jarret—and has performed with Elvin Jones, Pat Metheney and Charlie Haden but also with rock band Umphrey’s McGee and with symphony orchestras. Expect eclectic. (David Luhrssen)
Juan Pablo Horcasitas, Nov. 14
SKYLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE skylightmusictheatre.org
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Nov. 14-Dec. 28
A year or so before Jesus Christ Superstar, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice found biblical inspiration in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Their early musical has endured more brightly than Superstar to become a mainstay on stages across the world. Michael Unger will direct the Skylight production. (David Luhrssen)
SOUTH MILWAUKEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
southmilwaukeepac.org
The Flamenco Nutcracker, Dec. 6 (Studio K Flamenco)
Something Rotten, Nov. 21-23 (Brookfield Central Theater)
Caroling at the Fireplace, Dec. 9 (Florentine Opera)
Holiday Big Band Concert, Dec. 18 (Milwaukee Jazz Institute)
Brass Transit, Dec. 13
SUNSET PLAYHOUSE sunsetplayhouse.com
The Many Disguises of Robin Hood, Nov. 8-9
Annie, Kids , Nov. 14-23
Nuncrackers , Dec. 4-21
Coffeehouse Christmas: Folk Favorites, Dec. 8-9
Dino’s Coolest Yule, Dec. 11-14
Tenors MKE Holiday Concert, Dec. 16
Happy Elvis Eve, Dec. 31
, Dec. 5-13
Photo courtesy of the School Sisters of St. Francis.
SCHOOL SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS - LAKEFRONT STRING QUARTET
THEATRE GIGANTE theatregigante.org
The Last Laugh, Nov. 23
In German director F.W. Murnau’s The Last Laugh (1924), the great Emil Jannings plays the doorman at a grand hotel, proud of his braided uniform and the status it conveys. When forcibly retired to the lesser role of men’s room attendant (with requisite loss of uniform), he becomes a laughingstock, degraded in his own eyes and society. Theatre Gigante’s musical collaborators, Little Bang Theory, will accompany the screening with an original score performed on toys and children’s instruments.
(David Luhrssen)
THEATRICAL TENDENCIES theatricaltendencies.com
THIRD AVENUE PLAYHOUSE, STURGEON BAY thirdavenueplayworks.org
A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play, Dec. 3-28
THRASHER OPERA HOUSE, GREEN LAKE thrasheroperahouse.com
THREE POINT PROJECT threepointproject.wi.wordpress.com
TOOTH-AND-NAIL GALLERY toothandnailmke.com
TORY FOLLIARD GALLERY toryfolliard.com
Mark Mulhern: New Paintings, through Nov. 29
Doug Hatch: The American Scene, through Jan. 3
UNDERSCORE (INSIDE REAL TINSEL) underscoreprojects.info
University Community Orchestra Fall Concert, Dec. 7 (Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts)
New Music Ensemble Fall Concert, Dec. 8 (Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts)
UWM Pop Ensemble, Dec. 9 (Kenilworth Square East, Jan Serr Studio)
African, Salsa/Merengue and HipHop Showcase, Dec. 11 (Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts)
UWAY Concert, Dec. 14 (Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts)
UWM UNION ART GALLERY uwm.edu/studentinvolvement/ arts-and-entertainment/union-artgallery
Crossing Over, Nov. 14-Dec. 11
UW-WHITEWATER
CROSSMAN GALLERY
uww.edu/coac/crossman
UW-WHITEWATER
YOUNG AUDITORIUM
uww.edu/youngauditorium
VAR GALLERY & STUDIOS vargallery.com
VILLA TERRACE DECORATIVE ARTS MUSEUM villaterrace.org
The Beat Goes On, through Jan. 18
The first hit song by a Milwaukeean was written by Charles K. Harris. His melancholic, romantic “After the Ball” sold five million copies—not records but sheet music. The success encouraged Harris to leave the Midwest in the 1890s and set himself up as a music publisher in New York’s Tin Pan Alley.
The success of “After the Ball” was an inspiration point for the Villa Terrace exhibition “The Beat Goes On! The Art and History of Sheet Music, 1897-1957.” (David Luhrssen)
VILLAGE PLAYHOUSE villageplayhouse.org
VOICES FOUND voicesfoundrep.com
WALKER'S POINT CENTER FOR THE ARTS wpca-milwaukee.org
WATER STREET DANCE MILWAUKEE waterstreetdancemke.com
Solstice X, Dec. 20-21 (Cedarburg)
WAUKESHA CIVIC THEATRE waukeshacivictheatre.org
Laughter on the 23rd Floor, through Nov. 2
She Kills Monsters Young Adventurers Edition, Nov. 7-16
ACAP Filmmakers Higher and Higher 2: Around the World, Nov. 21-22
Disney’s Newsies , Dec. 5-21
Joel Kopishke’s I Got Yule, Babe, Dec. 17-18
WEST ALLIS PLAYERS westallisplayers.org
WEST BEND THEATRE COMPANY westbendtheatreco.com
WEST PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
nbexcellence.org/community/westpac. cfm
WILD SPACE DANCE COMPANY wildspacedance.org
WINDFALL THEATRE windfalltheatre.com
WISCONSIN CLASSIC STAGE joshpohja.com
WISCONSIN CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC wcmusic.org
WISCONSIN CRAFT wisconsincraft.org
WISCONSIN DANCE THEATRE wisconsindancetheatre.com
WISCONSIN LUTHERAN COLLEGE CENTER FOR ARTS AND PERFORMANCE wlc.edu
WISCONSIN MUSEUM OF QUILTS & FIBER ART wiquiltmuseum.com
Rosemary Ollison: Know My Heart, through Dec. 7
WISCONSIN PHILHARMONIC wisphil.org
A Mostly Mozart Matinee, Nov. 5 (Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts)
The Philharmonic will perform all four movements of Mozart’s celebrated serenade, Eine kleine Nachtmusik, each segment a distinct manifestation of his lighthearted genius. Also on the program, Mozart’s Divertimento in D and a work by Russian composer Anton Arensky. Arensky was the pupil of Rimsky-Korsakov, the disciple of Tchaikovsky and the teacher of Rachmaninoff. His own music deserves more attention. (David Luhrssen)
An American Christmas, Dec. 14 (Oconomowoc Arts Center)
WOODLAND PATTERN BOOK CENTER
woodlandpattern.org
WUSTUM MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS ramart.org
Supporting Small Business is a Big Deal Supporting Small Business is a Big Deal
BY MIKE MUCKIAN
When Sarah Fischer and her former husband moved to Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood 27 years ago, they thought they had found the perfect spot to raise their family. The housing was affordable, the neighbors friendly, and the location central to Downtown with easy access to other parts of the city.
One thing was missing. At the time Riverwest didn’t have much of a commercial district and lacked the kind of businesses she felt a young family could visit while going for an afternoon walk. As someone who while growing up loved visiting Ben Franklin stores, F.W. Woolworth outlets, and other so-called five-and-dime retailers with her mother, Fischer felt the absence of such simple shops undermined the community feeling she sought when she first moved to the neighborhood. So, she started her own store.
“This was always my dream,” says Fischer, who now owns and operates Fischberger’s Variety at 2445 N. Holton St. “We’re a gift shop for all ages, plus we sell fabric, yarn, and crafting supplies. We hope our customer range runs from babies to grandparents. Most of all, I wanted to contribute to an environment where people can live their lives.”
AN ENTERPRISE REACHING BEYOND JUST INCOME
Fischer’s enterprise, as well as her contribution to neighborhood growth has blossomed over the past two decades. With her 1,000-square-foot store wellestablished as a neighborhood destination, Fischer predicts that the gross sales for what will be her 19th year in business will top $500,000. That won’t hold a candle to a retailer like Walmart, which already has reported 2025
fiscal year earnings of $462.41 billion nationwide. But when it comes to small businesses, there is more to the value equation than simple earnings. And the growing number of small businesses in both the Milwaukee area and state of Wisconsin exhibit both the viability and community value of such enterprises.
“Small business is huge in Wisconsin,” says Kathryn Dunn, president and chief visionary officer for Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corp. (WWBIC). “Together, small businesses make up 99% of all business in Wisconsin and account for 48$ of overall employment.”
WWBIC serves the professional development and economic needs of women-owned small business statewide. Dunn says women-owned businesses, which tend to be on the smaller side, account for 179,000 small enterprises throughout the state, including 163,000 located in rural areas. Milwaukee County has about 62,000 nonemployer establishments, meaning that they are owneroperated and tend to rely on part-time workers and family members to pitch in, much like Fischberger’s does. But Dunn says the impact of those businesses to the communities they serve far outweigh the value of any Walmart outlet or other chain store.
“There’s a tremendous amount of recirculation of small business earnings that funnel back into the community,” Dunn explains. “Shop owners pay rent to local landlords and wages to employees who then recirculate that money into the local communities before those dollars eventually leave the area.
Photos by Timothy Czerniakowski.
Shopping locally impacts the local economy financially, but it also helps keep the social fabric of the community whole.”
INVESTING IN SOMEONE’S DREAMS
Retail sales of all types will get its annual shot in the arm this month and next as people start to spend for the upcoming holidays. That includes small businesses who will get their moment in the sun on Nov. 29. That’s Small Business Saturday, a shopping holiday traditionally squeezed between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Given the changing economic and political environment, shopping locally has become more important than ever to local entrepreneurs, say both Dunn and Fischer, who agree the current economic climate will make it hard enough to survive, much less thrive. And the Trump Administration’s tariff programs are just one compromising factor.
“The tariff’s impact can be positive or negative depending on what kind of business you’re talking about,” Dunn says. “Some small businesspeople are saying it’s killing their enterprises, while others say it has had a net positive effect.”
Fischberger’s imports a lot of its goods and merchandise, and Fischer has had to change her plans thanks to the tariff burden. This year she had planned on importing some ceramic Snoopy mugs, based on the “Peanuts” character, from the United Kingdom which, in turn, imported them from a Chinese manufacturer for finishing. Tariffs and fees at each leg of the journey would have increased the product cost, raising the required retail sales prices from $12 to $24 per mug, which Fisher felt was too much for her lowto-moderate income clientele to manage. She’s also gone around her store reducing the markup on multiple items both to increase sales and meet her customers’ needs.
“Life is not just about buying and selling, and it’s a shame I can’t better serve the people in my neighborhood,” Fischer says. “My spirits become a little deflated when that happens, but I am not a worrier, and I don’t think my personal joy in this business will go away any time soon.”
Fischer’s advice to other small business entrepreneurs during these times is to stay flexible, be aware of and respond to changing conditions, and address the needs of your customers.
“The sun will come out tomorrow and we’re going to do what it takes not to lose customers so we can meet them where they’re at,” she explains. “And customer service is key.”
Dunn agrees: “When you buy from a local small business, you’re investing in more than just an object. You’re investing in what at least once was someone’s dreams. To buy locally from small businesses is literally putting those dreams to work for the betterment of all.”
Michael Muckian was the banking and finance writer for the Milwaukee Business Journal and is the author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Financing and Accounting and The One-Day MBA in Finance and Accounting.
BBC LIGHTING
2015 W. St. Paul Ave., Milwaukee 414-933-0808
Shopbbclighting.com
Boasting Wisconsin’s largest lighting showroom, you’re sure to find the right piece that fits your style. The friendly sales staff are readily available for answers to all your lighting questions.
C3 DESIGNS
2110 10th Ave., South Milwaukee (414) 764-3892
C3-designs.com
C3 Designs is the best jewelry store in the Milwaukee area to help with your holiday gift giving ideas. Store owner Chris Jensen is a nationally award-winning jewelry designer who has won over 25 awards for his custom creations. His design team at C3 Designs can help you choose the perfect one-of-a-kind gift for this
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2025
DISCOUNT LIQUOR
5031 W. Oklahoma Ave., Milwaukee (414) 545-2175
919 N. Barstow Ave., Waukesha (262) 547-7525
Discountliquorinc.com
Discount liquor is your one-stop shop for all your gift-giving needs with
our expansive selection of 8,000 wines, 4,000 liquors and 2,000 beers. Check out our huge variety of holiday liquor, beer and wine gift sets perfect for friends, co-workers and loved ones. Find out why we have been voted the best for 24 award-winning years.
FISCHBERGER’S VARIETY
2445 N. Holton St., Milwaukee (414) 263-1991
Fischbergers.com
There’s so much in stock this holiday season at Fischberger’s Variety! Celebrating our 19th year and still bringing you the funnest, freshest gifts around! Add FREE gift wrapping and you’re done! Gifts for the whole family, always edgy and wholesome. Always at the lowest possible price!
GALLERIA GREENDALE
5640 Parking St., Greendale (414) 344-8244
Galleriagreendale.com
NO OTHER STORE LIKE THIS! Gifts galore for the holidays—your onestop shop to buy one-of-a-kind items. Discover the work of 80+ talented artists from across the U.S.—plus a gorgeous collection of Women’s Art-To-Wear in all sizes! Discover jewelry, glass, garden art, painting & decorative accessories – all original, handmade & specially selected for the store. Shop Ladies’ Night Out! Thur., Nov. 13, 4-8 p.m. Grab your BFF and shop 'til you drop! Special offers, register-to-win drawings and free refreshments throughout Historic Downtown Greendale along Parking St. and Broad St.
GALLERY 507 GIFT SHOP
507 W. North Ave., Milwaukee 414-307-4888
A new addition to the Bronzeville community, the Gallery 507 Gift Shop offers a curated selection of unique items from local artists and artists around the world, perfect for your holiday shopping. Your purchase directly supports the Bronzeville Center of the Arts and its future museum endeavors.
GRAVEYARD GALLERY MKE
Follow Online @GraveyardGalleryMKE
Milwaukee’s Own Themed PopUp - For Small Creatives, By Small Creatives! Join us on November 29 for our Inaugural Small Business Saturday Pop-Up Market at Experience Milwaukee @ Wantable Café (123 E. Walker St.). Shop small, Shop local!
HARMONIC HARVEST
This holiday season, shop with purpose and discover handcrafted pieces that support artisans and our nonprofit mission. Harmonic Harvest fosters social sustainability by empowering community connection. We envision a future where communities are woven together through meaningful gatherings, collaboration, and collective care.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON MUSEUM
400 W. Canal St., Milwaukee (877) 436-8738
harley-davidson.com/us/en/museum. html
Rev up the holidays at the H-D Museum, where families can build and continue their own traditions and make lasting memories. Head to Breakfast with Santa on December 7, 14, and 21 for a full holiday experience including a delicious brunch buffet in Rumble, letter writing to Santa, cookie decorating, holiday movies and photos with our guest from the North Pole!
HEALIUM HOT YOGA-WEST ALLIS
6679 W. National Ave., West Allis, 414-616-1106
Healiumhotyoga.com/hhy-west-allis
HEALIUM HOT YOGA-BAY VIEW
2534 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Milwaukee 414-232-2165
Healiumhotyoga.com/hhy-bay-view
HEALIUM RESTORE
435 E. Lincoln Ave., Milwaukee 414-232-2165
Healiumhotyoga.com/ restore-bay-view
HEALIUM HIIT
2865 Kinnickinnic Ave., Milwaukee 414-309-0472
Healiumhotyoga.com/hiit-bay-view
Give the gift of Healium Yoga and HIIT this season! Our 5 Class Pack is on sale Nov. 24-Dec. 31! Our class packs work at all four of our studios: Healium Hot Yoga-Bay View, West Allis, Healium Restore and Healium HIIT. 2025 Best of MKE Finalist!
IAN’S PIZZA
2035 E. North Ave., East Side 5300 W. Bluemound Rd., Story Hill 146 E. Juneau Ave., Downtown ianspizza.com/city/milwaukee
Give the gift that doesn't disappoint! Ian's pizza! Step into one of our three locations and treat someone this Holiday Season with a Gift Card from Ian's. Pizza is a gift that never goes out of style! East Side| Story Hill| Downtown
KNUCKLEHEADS WELLNESS
2949 N. Oakland Ave., Milwaukee (414) 962-3052
Knuckleheads.shop
Slide on down to Knuckleheads
Wellness and check out why Knuckleheads won “Best of Milwaukee” Best Head Shop, Vape shop and CBD Shop 2019-2024! With the holidays coming up, Knuckleheads knows exactly how to help you get into the Holiday spirit with their Black Friday blow out November 28–30; enjoy 20%-50% the entire store! Need something closer to the Holidays? Have no fear! Our Holiday Sale starts Dec 13–Dec 24, 20%-50% the entire store! Need something before or after then? Check out our large variety of Wellness products.
MILWAUKEE FILM Mkefilm.org/gifts
Give the gift of film! Milwaukee Film has gifts for all the movie-lovers in your life, from Gift Memberships to Cinema Gift Packs—plus 2026 Milwaukee Film Festival ticket packages available starting Cyber Monday!
MILWAUKEE INSTITUTE OF ART & DESIGN (MIAD)
273 E. Erie St., Milwaukee (888) 749-MIAD
Miad.edu/holidaysale
Join us at the MIAD Holiday Sale, an annual tradition! The MIAD Holiday Sale is your opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind art and design gifts, from sculptures to greeting cards, paintings, photographs, jewelry and more, created by MIAD students and alumni at affordable prices. Preview night: Dec. 4, 6-8 p.m., $10 admission. Free admission Dec. 5, 5-8 p.m. and Dec. 6, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
MILWAUKEE MAKERS MARKET
MilwaukeeMakersMarket.com
Nov. 7: “Bonus Market” at Davians (Menomonee Falls)
Nov. 29: “Shop Small Saturday” at Discovery World
Dec. 7: “Early Bird Holiday Market” at Prairie Springs on Park
Dec. 21: “Holiday Showcase” at Discovery World
Milwaukee Makers Market encourages shopping Small, Local Businesses this Holiday Season! On Saturday Nov. 7 at Davians and Saturday Nov. 29 at Discovery World from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. The Market will feature over 50 Local Businesses including art, jewelry, soaps, clothing, candles, unique gifts, Milwaukee themed accessories and more! Admission to the Market is FREE! More information online.
MUSEUM OF WISCONSIN ART (MOWA)
205 Veterans Ave., West Bend (262) 334-9638
wisconsinart.org
Champagne Shopping
December 5–7
Find art-inspired gifts for everyone on your list this year at the MOWA Shop during Champagne Shopping! Throughout this three-day event, members sip champagne while they shop and receive exclusive discounts on a wide variety of products from Wisconsin-based artists and makers. Remember, a MOWA membership makes a great gift, too. Beginning at just $15, membership grants access to exhibitions, art making, tours, and so much more. Visit wisconsinart.org/join
RENAISSANCE BOOKS
Milwaukee General Mitchell Airport Public Side of TSA Checkpoint (414) 747-4550
instagram.com/ renaissancebooksmilwaukee/
Thank you for supporting our local, independent, and family-owned store-since 1959. Come visit the world’s first and only used bookstore in an airport, conveniently located on the public side of the TSA Checkpoint. Renaissance Books sells used, new, rare, antique, and first edition books. Now offering bookish accessories as well. Free parking with purchase.
Celebrate the holidays at “Christmas at DeKoven” on Sunday, December 7! This new family-friendly festival features local artisans, festive food, live music, a gingerbread competition, and a live nativity scene— all on our beautiful historic lakeside campus. Free entry.
THE JEWELERS GUILD
2408 E. St. Francis Ave., St. Francis (414) 488-2727
Jewelers guild.biz
Looking for something that says “only me” this holiday season? Join us at the Jewelers Guild where we feature stunning fine jewelry all made by hand in our studio! From classic to whimsical, the Jewelers Guild offers beautiful bespoke jewelry to fit every budget. Or give the gift of classes! Yes, we do that too! Gift Certificates, custom jewelry, watch repairs, and appraisals, all under one roof.
Local.
Handmade.
The Jewelers Guild.
Keep the SAD Away this Winter with Indoor Sports
Keep the SAD Away this Winter with Indoor Sports
BY TYLER KLEIN
The winter months can be brutal in the greater Milwaukee area—don’t let the weather and the lack of sunlight get you down; find your own warmth. These indoor sporting tips are sure to get the blood pumping and keep the SAD (seasonal affective disorder) away.
Holler House is a Milwaukee hidden gem, whose claim to fame is being Milwaukee and America’s oldest sanctioned bowling alley. Tucked away in the city's historic Polish South Side, Holler House boasts over 100 years of family, tradition and fun. I talked with owner Cathy, who said that it began in 1908 and has remained a two-lane alley, hosting countless tournaments, a PBA tournament featuring Jason Delmonte and a star-studded list of bowlers and celebrities, including Jack White, Joe Walsh, Cyprus Hill and more. They also have a tavern upstairs that will remind you of being a kid in your grandparents' Milwaukee basement.
Downstairs, you won’t find TVs or fancy amenities but rather an alley as it looked at the turn of the 20th century. The walls are adorned with signatures of past and present bowlers, as well as multiple scuff marks from lessthan-ideal rounds. It is well worth the trip and an excellent way to keep the cold weather at bay.
Since Holler House is family-owned, make sure to text or call 262-442-2517 before your pilgrimage to ensure that they are open. Also, be sure to bring cash as Holler House is a cash-only bar—the trip to the ATM is well worth it to experience a taste of history.
TURNER HALL
Turner Hall has been a Milwaukee staple since its inception in 1882. Home to an eclectic mix of concerts and shows, the lesser-known basement of Turner Hall is home to a full rockclimbing gym, a weight room and a gymnastics facility—all great ways to get the blood pumping in the winter months. Turner’s rock-climbing gym is the oldest in Wisconsin. I took a trip to experience it for myself and found the space packed with rock walls, gym equipment and gymnastics equipment. The Turner Hall rock climbing venue has a bit of everything for each skill level. The reasonable rate of $20 gets you a full day's pass.
If you are a beginner climber, then you don’t need to fear— they have classes as well, which will get you thinking about an Everest summit in no time.
PETTIT ICE CENTER
This next suggestion is perhaps a little oxymoronic—an indoor sporting activity that is … cold? The Pettit Ice Center is home to as much ice skating as you can do for only $16 with a pair of rental skates. It’s also a sanctuary for runners— not only is there a regulation ice skating oval, but also a running track on the perimeter. This is the perfect place to log miles in the cooler months without having to fight a losing battle with Mother Nature.
X-GOLF
One of the most exhilarating spots in Milwaukee for indoor sporting fun is the X-Golf virtual course located within American Family Field, the home of the Brewers. I wasn’t sold on the idea of a golf sim until I tried one in the wintertime—the feeling of being able to let it rip in the offseason is exhilarating. A golf simulator uses artificial turf and a canvas-like screen that you hit balls into using the technology of the high-speed camera system and sensors. X-Golf claims to be the most accurate golfing simulator. This X-Golf location comes with seven simulators, to host 200 guests, a full restaurant and bar, as well as amazing views of American Family Field. Whether you are a seasoned PGA pro or an amateur, you have to give this a swing.
PICKLEBALL KINGDOM
Pickleball has taken the U.S. by storm as a fun and consumable way to enjoy a lifelong racket sport. I was shocked when I heard that a Packer Hall of Famer wanted to get skin in the game; Donald Driver is the owner of the Pickleball Kingdom franchise location in Menomonee Falls. I took a visit and was shocked by how big and how busy it is. The Menomonee Falls location is home to 17 courts, complete with a pro shop and locker room facilities. You can go with a group or sign up online as a single to join their open play. They also offer coaching, so you can become a pickleball master this winter. When you go, make sure to take a look at the shrine to Donald Driver in the lobby—it brings me back to Super Bowl XLV.
3RD STREET MARKET HALL
Did you know that Milwaukee is home to the second-best food hall in the entire U.S., according to USA Today? The 3rd Street Market Hall is not just home to countless eclectic restaurants but also to a day full of winter sports activities. The Market Hall is home to a TopGolf Swing Suite where you can lower your handicap or have a virtual driving contest with your buddies. They also offer a whole host of free games.
The hall has a fifty-square foot astroturf area, complete with your favorite backyard games as well as two full shuffleboard courts. If you’re looking for more of a virtual experience, they have three consoles with six TVs ready to go with retro and classic video games. For a day of fun without breaking the bank, 3rd Street Market Hall is the way to go.
This winter doesn't have to be as brutal as it could be. Get the blood pumping in style and while having some fun.
Tyler Klein and Liam Hanley co-host the MKE Sports Express podcast at shepherdexpress.com.
Photo of rock climbing wall by GettyImages/Abdul Khafid.
The roof will hold for another year,” Paul Cebar sings on “Didn’t Bring It Up.” So maybe it’s a bit of cosmic coincidence that he immediately apologizes for some recent water damage to his place.
The genesis for new album, titled Paul Cebar, began before the pandemic and moved through several stages, music being just one of them. The album includes various permutations of Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound (the live group of Reggie Bordeaux on drums, Mike Fredrickson on bass and Bob Jennings on keyboards and saxophone), and a handful of other players including producer-engineer-multiinstrumentalist Alex Hall. Cebar also credits Jake Guralnick, who offered an ear and objective opinions on the collection of songs that had been recorded at a number of different studios and situations—including Cebar’s home demos.
Cebar was put in touch with Milwaukee’s Cloudland Recording studio and in 2019 Tomorrow Sound recorded and finished a pair of songs before the pandemic beckoned.
Then came lockdown.
GOSPEL DETOUR
“We were out of luck for a year and a half,” Cebar recalls. When he met with Alex Hall (Reliable Recorders/Hi-Style Studio in Chicago) to see if they were simpatico in the studio, he knew he was on the right track.
A few years ago, Cebar was contacted by Steve Berlin (Los Lobos) who was set to produce an album by The Blind Boys of Alabama and asked if Cebar had potential songs for the album. “In the course of things Steve got aced out and ended up being one of four producers” and apologized that the songs would probably not be included.
As an agnostic, Cebar wrote secularized material that was open to interpretation;
Paul Cebar’s ODYSSEY
BY BLAINE SCHULTZ
“If You Lead Me” draws from the way the group takes the stage. “The most sighted of them is in the front and they put their hand on each other’s shoulder,and they have that procession. I always thought that was beautiful. There is a such a solidarity in singing. That’s one of the things you take away from their shows or any gospel show,” Cebar says.
Just before the lockdown Cebar was told the songs would not be part of the project. The silver lining was he now had half an album in his back pocket.
“I’m the only one who didn’t go into the family business,” Cebar jokes about his parents and sister, who all were teachers.
Yet anyone who has tuned into his weekly radio show on WMSE (and many years previously on 88.9) would disagree. Cebar’s knack for connecting musical, cultural and historical dots rates as a weekly three-hour master class. During the lockdown his shows were received like notes from the underground.
“HOLD OUT HOPE”
Before the album would be released Cebar would negotiate personal loss. In early 2024 his father Tony passed at age 100. The centenarian was a visible presence at Milwaukee Sound concerts, especially those in the local parks. Later that same year Cebar’s wife Cynthia Zarazua would also pass away. The former New Orleanian’s exuberant personality and non-stop dancing set her as a fixture at any concert she attended. The album includes a tribute Zarazua as well as images of the couple’s Milwaukee home—which certainly recalls the Crescent City.
But to rewind a bit, Cebar had reached out to Jake Guralnick periodically for bits of advice. The son of writer Peter Guralnic, Jake represents Nick Lowe, John Doe and Los Straitjackets, among others—a roster that Cebar would well fit in.
Cebar’s notebooks, digital and otherwise, are filled with ideas. One never knows when an idea from 25 years ago will surface as relevant to project.
The spare, haunting “Sunday Ride” was inspired by the day after a gig in Detroit a quarter of a century ago. Cebar describes the first day of a fall, still in summer’s thrall. Detroit’s giant Uniroyal tire, and vivid recollections of a pair of motorists set the scene—a poised place in time.
“It was just perfect,” he recalls, “crazy clouds, 75 degrees … we saw this guy pulled over to the side of the road and his license plate read ‘MRJAZZ.’ It was a brown, giant Cadillac and he had a brown leather suit and jacket that matched the car. And just down the way was a guy on a motorcycle that also had a leather suit that matched the saddle bags on his bike. Both African Americans and complete dudes.”
Late evenings at home, Cebar picked up a guitar in an open tuning, strumming quietly and a chord sequence came about. In the studio Hall sat behind the drumkit, Scott (Ligon) sat at the Hammond organ “and 15 minutes later we had it.” Essentially, Cebar waited for the song, allowing it 25 years to basically write itself.
HANDING OFF
With the collection of 15 songs finished, Cebar realized he was too close to the project and asked Guralnick if he would give his thoughts on song selection and sequencing. “It was a relief for me to turn it over to somebody,” Cebar says of Guralnick’s ideas.
Guralnick’s take was the songs remind the listener of good times, without being retro. “Jake saw the album as a ‘60s kind of the thing.” Material that hinted at the ‘70s or ‘80s didn’t make the cut, presumably saved for another project.
Guralnick also agreed to pitch the record to prospective labels. It found a home with Dick Connette’s StorySound Records via Gurlanick’s wife Connie Kirch, a music project manager—“she loved the record,” Cebar says.
A deal was struck at the end of ’23, with a plan to release the record in the spring of ’24.
When Cebar lost his father and wife the label was understanding. “Dick called the next day and said, ‘We are ready when you are ready.’ I was very relieved.”
Photo of Paul Cebar by Ken Hanson.
Blaine Schultz is a Milwaukee musician and Staff Writer for the Shepherd Express.
This Month in Milwaukee 9 THINGS TO DO IN NOVEMBER
BY SOPHIA HAMDAN, DAVID LUHRSSEN AND BLAINE SCHULTZ
NOVEMBER 3-9
Milwaukee Vegan Week
“Our hope for Milwaukee Vegan Restaurant Week is simple,” says Wendy Mireles of Café Corazon. “We want to shine a bright spotlight on all of the options we have for dining out in our amazing city.” Timed with the first full week of National Vegan Month, Milwaukee Vegan Restaurant Week includes 29 restaurants that have teamed to create the week’s first-ever iteration. The grassroots effort is designed to feature small businesses and celebrate the area’s best plant-based menu items and those who love eating them.
THROUGH DECEMBER 1
“The Legend Lives On: 50 Years Later” p
Grohmann Museum
The exhibition remembers the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, one of the last maritime disasters on the Great Lakes and includes paintings of the ship by Milwaukee’s Edward Lewandowski and Russ Porter and a photo essay by Great Lakes historian Christopher Winters.
NOVEMBER 5
Jeff Tweedy w/ Liam Kazar
The Pabst Theater
From playing The Toad Café and sleeping on the floor of Milwaukee bands with Uncle Tupelo to headlining shows at Summerfest with Wilco to book-signing events, Jeff Tweedy is no stranger to Cream City. Tweedy’s new release is Twilight Override, a triple album affair with a band that includes his sons.
NOVEMBER 7
DeWitt Clinton
Boswell Book Company
The alone time during the early months of the pandemic fostered many creative projects across all media. Among them is the just-published collection by the prolific Southeast Wisconsin poet DeWitt Clinton. When & If consists of poems published in various periodicals in the early years of the present decade. Clinton is professor emeritus of English at UW-Whitewater and has authored numerous chapbooks and five previous full-length collections. He will read from When & If at 6:30 p.m., Friday Nov. 7 at Boswell.
NOVEMBER 11
Messer Chups
Shank Hall
The surf rock band from Saint Petersburg, Russia, Messer Chups was formed in 1998 by composer and guitarist Oleg Fomchenkov-also known as Oleg Gitarkin, who has naturally cited Link Wray and The Ventures as influences. The group combines surf rock and traditional Russian music, as well as samples from historical recordings, lounge music, and vintage film soundtracks. Live shows feature projections of old horror and sci-fi movies.
NOVEMBER 15
Holiday Market
Story Hill FireHouse
It’s the 7th Annual Holiday Market at Story Hill FireHouse (407 N. Hawley Road) from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Entry inside the market is free, with over 35 small, local businesses to shop from for the holidays. Food and drink specials will be available, along with a leashed pup-friendly yard. Learn more about the event at storyhillfirehouse.com.
NOVEMBER 15
Long May You Run – A Musical Tribute to Neil Young
Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
For two decades Milwaukee artists have gathered to celebrate the mercurial words and music from Neil Young’s six decades-plus catalog of songs. With Young, you never know what you are going to get and these annual shows gather solo acoustic performances and full band workouts.
NOVEMBER 20
Hayes Carll w/ Aaron Raitiere
Vivarium
Hard to believe Hayes Carll has been releasing albums since 2002, yet he has become a link in the lineage of songwriters that includes John Prine, Ray Wylie Hubbard and fellow Texan Townes Van Zandt. Carll’s new album We’re Only Human is the latest chapter, singing songs “filled with snapshots of quiet clarity, hard-won insight, and wry observation. He sings like someone still doing the work—and that’s what keeps people coming back.”
NOVEMBER 22
When Dylan Met Guthrie
Anodyne Coffee
Bob Dylan held Woody Guthrie in high esteem and in some ways patterned his early image after the heroic, prolific folksinger. In this two-man show longtime Milwaukee music stalwarts Lil Rev and Will Branch celebrate the life and music of Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan in story and song, including refreshing new takes on old classics, lost treasures and sing-along favorites from two of America's greatest balladeers.
Dear Ally,
My husband had cancer a couple of years back. The doctor recommended that he exercise during his recovery due to the drug’s side effects. He didn’t. The results have been devastating. Now he’s barely mobile and incontinent at night, increasing his dependency on me for his daily needs.
I’m angry and resentful. Why didn’t he take the doctor’s advice rather than become a couch potato? I’m not only upset at his decreased quality of life, but mine as well.
I still hold onto dreams that we’ll travel together, fool that I am. I’m too embarrassed to complain to my friends, afraid they’ll judge me as selfish.
We’re only in our fifties. This happened too soon, too fast. Can you help?
Resentful, Sad and Hopeless
Dear Resentful, Sad and Hopeless,
I too have had my dreams dashed with a family member. Because it’s not my life partner, the relationship dynamics are different; but we share several things in common:
1) surprise— life wasn’t supposed to go this way; 2) extreme disappointment— why is this happening to me? And 3) powerlessness— we can’t change or control the situation.
The universal answer remains the same: we can only change our reaction to the situation. How do we do that? It’s a really hard process and complicated too. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross wrote about the five stages of grief. Let me try to focus on the important steps pertinent to your situation. 1) Grieve the loss of your dream; 2) Accept your current situation; 3) Find a possible compromise.
Grieving the loss of our dreams is painful. There’s really no space in our culture to grieve or express our deepest sorrows. However, CNN’s Anderson Cooper has started to create space for this. In his podcast, “All There Is,” he openly talks about it. He also has created videos about grief on You Tube. It has helped many people accept their life’s challenges.
Anderson interviewed Francis Weller, author of The Wild Edge of Sorrow. Weller encourages us to grieve anything that creates a loss in our life. He believes that grief is a powerful emotion and can “break us open,” to a deeper connection to our soul and to joy itself. Weller has created several practices to help us grieve and process our sorrow in a healthy way. I would encourage you to try one of these practices. I recently did and it really helped.
Yoga teaches us to be better, not bitter. One of the only ways to achieve this is to fully grieve the loss of our dreams. Holding in anger hurts our bodies. It needs to be released. Grieving is one of the only ways to get to the other side of it. Somehow grieving lets the anger and resentment go in a gentle way.
Accepting our circumstances, especially when they play havoc with our life is difficult. Denial is sometimes used as a coping mechanism. Forcing ourselves to look at the real situation is important. Take time to see the whole picture and try not to let fear color your perceptions. Breathe and express your true feelings to a trusted friend or a therapist.
Feel free to cry your heart out. Give yourself lots of time to absorb the truth and its’ impact on your life.
Find a Possible Compromise. Once you fully grieve your loss of traveling with your partner and come to peace with it, your travel options may become clearer. Would you consider taking day trips with your husband?
If your heart is set on long distance travel, can you find a suitable travel companion or trips geared to solo travel? If that’s an option, you’ll also need to find care for your husband while you’re gone.
Let me confirm that you’re not acting selfish or self-absorbed with your travel dreams. You have the right to create the life you want. Once you take the time to accept your current situation, your travel choices will flow easily from the depth of your heart. I’m sure of it!
Here for you,
Ally
Send your questions to
A Less Thankful Thanksgiving
BY PHILIP CHARD
By any measure, I have much to be thankful for and damn little reason to complain, but I’m about to.
As Thanksgiving approaches, I’m preoccupied with thoughts that don't fit the occasion. My mind keeps returning to what I'd like to be thankful for but cannot.
You see, the gratitude that arises from my personal good fortune goes just so far. To be true to its name, Thanksgiving must be about blessings bigger than merely my own, those that flow not merely to any individual but to the less fortunate, the victimized, the wounded.
My melancholia and disquiet amped up when I was walking to my car outside some retail mecca. There I noticed a woman and two young children sitting in a rusty old beater.
The woman’s head was down, and she was obviously crying. The oldest of her little ones was trying to comfort her in that wonderful, awkward way children give solace to adults. The little one saw me staring and looked back with a woeful expression.
I approached the vehicle, leaned down and tried to make eye contact with the woman in distress. She looked at me briefly, but with a wave of her hand and a shake of her head, motioned me to move on. I did, albeit reluctantly.
SUFFERING SOULS
This brief interlude reminded me of the legions of suffering souls who find our world an increasingly indifferent and unforgiving place. Granted, there are many good and caring people but, increasingly, our collective social well is poisoned by greed, hate and cruelty.
To assuage my disquiet, I conjured a list of what I'd like to be thankful for on Thanksgiving but, sadly, can’t be.
A few examples:
I'd be thankful if we’d all act like grown-ups, trust the climate scientists, take responsibility for destroying the planet, and dedicate ourselves to saving it for our children and theirs.
I'd be thankful if exposure to the news wasn’t a constant invitation to be emotionally triggered by the enmity, divisiveness, avarice and ignorance undermining our social compact.
I'd be thankful if more Americans believed in and lived the principles that we tell others we stand for, like equality for all, justice for the oppressed, fair play, compassion for the downtrodden, honesty in government, and tolerance for differences.
THANKS FOR?
I'd be thankful if some men stopped treating women like sexual objects, viewing them as property to be used or even preyed upon. How long will girls and women be targets for sexual predators and misogynists?
I'd be thankful if some of us quit pretending to stand at the right hand of God and instead admitted nobody has all the answers, that we're all lost in our own way and, hopefully, will be found in our own way. Being a spiritual seeker is no sin.
I'd be thankful if we made certain no child, elderly or vulnerable person went without life’s basic necessities, food, clothing, shelter and health care.
I'd be thankful if some night while the world slept, aliens came and confiscated all our guns and weapons of war, saving us from ourselves.
I’d be thankful if the only thing that mattered in partnering was that you love someone, and the rest of it was mere details. Gay, bi, straight, whatever . . . just live and let live.
I’d be thankful if kindness was the defining principle of our politics and culture. We’re all in this together and need each other to make the best of it. Otherwise, we all lose.
This list could go on. There's no shortage of things that need fixing and people in need of healing. I know, we should be grateful for what we have, and many of us are. But being a citizen and neighbor doesn’t just mean taking care of oneself and one’s own. So, I’ll keep wanting more to be grateful for. Not for me. For us.
Philip Chard is a psychotherapist and author with a focus on lasting behavior change, emotional healing and adaptation to health challenges. For more, visit philipchard.com.
SHAKE IT UP THIS NOVEMBER
DEAR RUTHIE,
I’ve been with my girlfriend for two years. I love her, but I kind of miss being single and flirty. Is it normal to feel this way or am I being shady? Maybe I’m not as ready for a commitment as I thought.
THANKS,
Restless Romantic
DEAR RESTLESS,
You’re not shady, sugar booger; you’re just human—maybe with a dash of sass mixed in, too. Long-term love is like your comfiest bra: supportive, familiar, but sometimes you just wanna rip it off and dance around with those puppies in the wind. The trick is figuring out whether you miss the freedom, the thrill or if you’re actually feeling stuck.
Try adding a little spice into your relationship. Shake things up by injecting some playful energy into the mix. Keep your romance spicy and not sneaky, and you’ll likely reinvigorate things. Check out my social calendar for some date nights to help keep the fun flowing.
XXOO
Ruthie
Ruthie's Social Calendar
NOVEMBER 2
CLOSING NIGHT LES MISÉRABLES AT MARCUS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (929 N. WATER ST.): Don’t miss this exciting production before it packs up and rolls on to the next city. A musical that captivated hearts for decades, this sensational show promises to make memories for years to come. See www.marcuscenter.org for tickets.
NOVEMBER 6
PRIDE NIGHT COME FROM AWAY AT MILWAUKEE REP (108 E. WELLS ST.): Be one of the first to experience the newly renovated Checota Powerhouse Theater when you join me and my gal pals for this award-winning musical. Your Pride Night ticket includes access to the complimentary pre-show cocktail party at 6 p.m. before the spectacular production at 7:30 p.m. See www.milwaukeerep.com, using “Pridenight” as a discount code.
NOVEMBER 7
COURAGE+ 2025 FAMILY GALA AT BAIRD CENTER
(400 W. WISCONSIN AVE.): One of the city’s most beloved charities celebrates 10 years of success, dedication and love with this annual bash. Featuring dinner, cocktails, auctions and more, this year’s event sees the return of breakout sensation, Jaida Essence Hall (season 12 winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race”). Don’t miss your opportunity to experience the glitz, glamor and glory of this 5:30 p.m. evening with tickets from www.courageplus.org.
NOVEMBER 9
THE WIZARD OF OZ WITH ORCHESTRA AT BRADLEY SYMPHONY CENTER (212 W. WISCONSIN AVE.): The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra hosts this delightful afternoon where live music meets the iconic 1939 film. Hear the familiar score like never before when you purchase tickets to the 2 p.m. event via www.mso.org.
NOVEMBER 14
MR., MISS & RISING STAR LA CAGE PAGEANT AT LA CAGE NITECLUB
(801 S. SECOND ST.): Celebrate the royal court of La Cage with this 9 p.m. pageant. Not only will you experience an evening of pure glamor, but you’ll be treated to numerous performances from past winners. Dress to impress and come ready to party because this is one pageant that consistently brings the house down.
NOVEMBER 21 THROUGH 23
WICKED WEEKEND AT POP (124 W. NATIONAL AVE.): The second installment of Wicked opens this month, and the team at Pop can’t wait! Enjoy a 7 p.m. Wicked shadow cast on Friday. Saturday, I host a special, Wicked edition of drag bingo at 1 p.m., followed by Pop’s Ozdust Ball at 8 p.m. Don’t miss Sunday’s Wicked Drag Brunch at noon. You’ll also find Wicked karaoke (Monday at 8 p.m.) and trivia (Tuesday at 6 p.m.).
NOVEMBER 26
OUR TABLE POTLUCK AT MKE LGBT COMMUNITY CENTER (315 W. COURT ST.): If you’re 50 or older, check out this welcoming space offering the opportunity to not only share a tasty meal but make some heartfelt connections. Bring a dish to pass or simply bring yourself to the 5 p.m. gathering.
NOVEMBER 28
OPENING ‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE… BY CIRQUE DU SOLEIL AT MILLER HIGH LIFE THEATRE (510 W. KILBOURN AVE.): Usher in the holiday season with this enchanting performance that puts the whimsical Christmas tale in a new light. Fun for the entire family, this one-of-a-kind experience runs through November 30. Nab your tickets at www.pabsttheatergroup.com.
After 30 Years, the G/L Community Fund Continues Its Philanthropic Mission in Uncertain Times
BY PAUL MASTERSON
This year the Gay/Lesbian Community Fund (GLCF) celebrates its 30th anniversary. Established by community activist Si Smits in 1995, the Fund’s original purpose was to raise money for the then nascent LGBT Community Center, a project that was then still a work in progress. Asked about his motivation, Smits cited a fortunate and timely moment of inspiration. “I had money generated from a defunct organization and intended to create a building fund for the community center,” Smits said.
After the Center opened in 1998, Smits expanded GLCF’s mission. Now, it would seek out and support other LGBTQ entities in Southeast Wisconsin representing all facets of the community’s infrastructure. The focus, however, would be on helping independent, underserved and grass roots organizations otherwise overlooked by larger foundations. Over its history, that strategy would eventually expand the Fund’s giving to dozens of groups and organizations. Smits recited a litany of beneficiaries from health, youth, family and senior services to the arts and athletics.
Among the first recipients were SAGE (senior advocacy), HIV/AIDS services like BESTD Clinic and the ARCW Food Pantry, GPU’s Youth Program, The Queer Program (weekly cable TV program hosted by Michael Lisowski), the Gay Men’s Chorus, House of Infinity and the Gay Fathers Association. Over the years, the list of beneficiaries increased exponentially.
It would include the Pride Parade, Veterans Do Ask Do Tell (a support organization dedicated to LGBTQ veterans), the Milwaukee LGBT Film/Video Festival, FORGE (transgender advocacy), Milwaukee Rainbow Alliance for the Deaf, Rainbow Families, PrideFest, the Lesbian Alliance, Fair Wisconsin, the Leather Archive, UWM-Golda Meir Library, Black and White Men Together, SSBL (Saturday Softball Beer League) and the Milwaukee Counseling Center among many others.
GREATEST NEEDS
“Funds are directed to those groups with the greatest need unless otherwise designated by the donor,” Smits explained, adding, “Senior and youth groups tend to receive the most attention. Of course, donors can also direct their money be given to another group that may not yet be on GLCF’s radar. In that case, the new group will be added to the list for the future.” Smits noted SHEBA, a transgender focus group under the auspices of Diverse & Resilient as well as the LGBTQ dedicated Boulevard Theatre and Theatrical Tendencies as examples of those that have been added in recent years.
In 2025, for example, the G/L Community Fund helped underwrite a queer film and music project by Present Music, Milwaukee’s arts organization dedicated to the works of modern composers.
The ambitious presentation at the Oriental Theater consisted of a rare screening of trans filmmaker Wu Tsang’s art film Moby Dick: Or, The Whale accompanied by a live orchestra performing the film’s original score.
Photo by GettyImages/Ajax9.
Shortly thereafter in April, Smits directed funds to the Lesbian Visibility Week committee. That inaugural event for the city’s lesbian community included a proclamation issued by both the city and county of Milwaukee, the former made at City Hall during a meeting of the common council.
GLCF grants and donations are sometimes modest. However, for smaller or start-up LGBTQ organizations, a comparatively small donation can make a difference. Smits notes the sundry costs of running any organization, “Even all-volunteer-run groups struggle with financial matters,” Smits explained, “back before the internet, the cost of postage, printing and other administrative costs, could be a major burden. Today, most groups rely on communication through social media but there are still hidden costs of maintaining viability,” The GLCF, he noted, is itself run by volunteers and still depends on annual mass mailings. “The Fund relies on its fall fundraising appeal and we do it the old-fashioned way,” Smits said. In fact, he single-handedly stuffs hundreds of envelopes with solicitation letters that are then sent to prospective new donors and to a cadre of loyal core supporters.
GENEROUS SPONSORS
“I have to thank all generous sponsors and donors who have contributed over the years. They have truly made an impact on many lives over the past three decades,” Smits said. But he also laments the passing of many older individuals who had been giving to GLCF over its entire history.
“We thought the fight for social change would get easier over time as hearts and minds changed.
The expectation has always been that the LGBTQ community would eventually be free from discrimination that would make many of its dedicated groups and organizations superfluous. But today the opposite is taking place. We need new donors more than ever before.”
Now that Federal funding has been cut off for any causes deemed “woke,” some corporations are following suit and ending their sponsorships for fear of repercussions by the regime. The recent closure of the LGBTQ Center of SE Wisconsin and the financial dilemma faced by Milwaukee’s LGBT Community Center underscores the resulting urgency cited by Smits.
Additional information about the G/L Community Fund, its sponsors and beneficiaries may be found at www.glcommunityfund.org.
Paul Masterson is an LGBTQ activist and writer and has served on the boards of the Milwaukee Gay Arts Center, Milwaukee Pride, GAMMA and other organizations.
From The City That Always Sweeps
BY ART KUMBALEK
I’m Art Kumbalek and man oh manischewitz what a world, ain’a? So listen, I expect to enjoy immensely this year’s November primarily ’cause there’s no state/nation-wide elections, which means no barrage of million-dollar political ads on my TV suggesting that said bullshit candidate deserves your vote based on the family photo-op in front of a Christmas tree holding high-powered rifles that Santa brought ’cause they’re rough-and-ready on crime. Cripes.
Give me a Roto-rooter, Pepsodent toothpaste or old-school Phil Tolkan “Talking Pontiac” commercial any day, I kid you not.
Anyways, here we are as we globatize the Sun, this 11th month of the year, the one we call November from the Latin novem meaning 9 (Huh? Was the robed gang who in the olden, olden days slapped together the calendar we use today the ancient forefathers of those who designed the Ford Edsel or who determine what constitutes an acceptable pass reception in the National Football League?).
But it is November, and as I check my “Strumpets of the South Seas” wall calendar, I see we got a month that includes All Saints’ Day; All Souls’ Day (a day that I learned during my scholastic purgatorial period back at Our Lady In Pain That You Kids Are Going Straight To Hell But Not Soon Enough we ought to pray for the souls receiving an asskicking comeuppance in purgatory); a Daylight Saving Time adjustment ( we pick up an extra hour, Nov. 2, an hour which I plan to put to productive usage, such as finally starting and finishing Finnegans Wake and slapping a fresh reed on the ol’ Buffet and re-memorizing Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto in A major, K. 622); big-buck Bambi-dad deer slaughtering; Thanksgiving; Black Friday shopping.
Reminder Alert: Astrologically, I got a Scorpion B-day near the top-of-this-month (cold cash in a thoughtful card appreciated), just so you’s know. Also, at my advanced age, one of these new-fangled GoFundMe deals sent my way would be welcome. And, I could use a nice new fall jacket, a bag of socks, not to mention monetary relief from a boatload of medical $chmutz. And what the fock, I take a 42-44 regular in a nice sports coat that could come handy for my display in the coffin if I choose such an au revoir, god bless you.
Yeah yeah, we’re talking November, but I’m flipping this essay together at the end of September due to deadline/ printing schmutz. Cripes, by the time you read this palaver, I could be dropped over deader than a doornail, how ’bout that? You may have read my obit before you read this page. Yeah, the obit with the headline “Art Kumbalek,” and then continues for a while downhill from there. Good lord, I haven’t even thought of an epitaph for the gravestone yet; although, I am leaning toward something like this: “Your call is important to us. Please remain on the line, and someone will be with you shortly,” or, “Anybody got a light?” or, “I knew I should’ve looked both ways, goddamn it.”
And of the Thanksgiving. There are a couple, three perennials that could happen in the future I would be thankful for: “President” Trumpel-thinskin doing the perp walk sporting a nice pair of fool’s gold handcuffs. Yours truly wins a $3 billion Megabucks lottery drawing, because I could really use the dough. Jordan Love leads the Green Bay Packers to victory in Super Bowl LX.
Which reminds me, how ’bout I give you a little something you can take along and share at your gathering the fourth thankful Thursday of November so’s you don’t show up empty-handed like some kind of freeloading fockstick. If you’re too damn lazy to bring a dish or gallon of bourbon, a humorous story would be a nice alternative, you betcha. It goes something like this:
So these two ladies fall off a hiking cliff to their death and are waiting in purgatory to hear the results of their life audit. A door opens and two men enter. An angel walks in with an ugly, gremlin of a man. The angel says “Nancy, in 1982 you ran over a duck with your SUV: Punishment will be to spend your eternal life with this pustule of a man” He slaps the shackles on each of their arms and are sent off together for eternity. Next, an angel walks in with a gorgeous hunky dude. He slaps the shackle on Alice and the handsome man and she are sent on their way. During their walk, she thinks she must have been a good person during her life on Earth, when she’s interrupted by the man’s muttering: “I knew I shouldn’t have killed that duck.” Ba-ding!
And in conclusion, let me say that wherever you find yourself this Thanksgiving holiday, god speed and remember to fight the good fight ’cause I’m Art Kumbalek and I told you so.
Photo of thanksgiving dinner by GettyImages/Drazen Zigic.
