Trains, crafts and R&B on tap
All aboard for Trainfest
If you’re looking to get into training, you’re in luck: Trainfest, billed as America’s largest operating model railroad show, returns Saturday and Sunday to the Wisconsin State Fair Park Exposition Center, 8200 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis. The weekend’s timetable includes 70 operating model railroads depicting actual rail lines; a celebration of the history of the Soo Line; 10 groups sharing their knowledge of railroad history; a kids’ train ride courtesy of the Milwaukee Light Engineering Society; more than 100 hobby dealers and manufacturers displaying their wares; and more. Trainfest runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Admission Saturday is $15, $5 for kids ages 4 to 12, free for Scouts in uniform and kids 3 and younger; on Sunday, it’s $20, $6 for those ages 4 to 12, and free for Scouts in uniform and kids 3 and younger. Info: trainfest.com
Getting in tune for vets
On Veterans Day Saturday, Doc’s Commerce Smokehouse, 754 N. 4th St., is hosting “Rock to Remember,” a fundraiser for Guitars 4 Vets, starting at 5 p.m. The band lineup includes God’s Outlaws (5:30 p.m.), Kharma Shotgun (6:45 p.m.) and Sam Llanas Band (9 p.m.). Admission is free, but donations of cash and guitars accepted; there are live and silent auctions, and 100% of the proceeds from featured special items going to Guitars 4 Vets, the Milwaukee-based nonprofit that uses music to help veterans dealing with the after-effects of their military experience. Info: docsbbq.net/milwaukee/events
Here comes Santa Claus (and friends)
The Milwaukee edition of the Jingle
Bell Run, a 5K event that raises money for the Arthritis Foundation, kicks off at 10 a.m. Sunday at the Rock Snow Park, 7900 W. Crystal Ridge Drive, Franklin. Participants run/walk in ugly Christmas sweaters and, if so desired, with bells on their shoes. Registration fees are $20 for kids and $40 for adults, with proceeds going to fight arthritis. Registration is available at the website. Info: jbr.org/milwaukee
Memphis on the Milwaukee River
“Take Me to the River” is a touring concert inspired by the 2014 documentary of the same name, which chronicled the recording of an album that brought together musicians from Memphis’ soul/R&B heyday with new performers. (Talking Heads bandmate and Shorewood native Jerry Harrison co-wrote and produced the movie, which screened at the 2014 Milwaukee Film Festival.) The concert — at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Wilson Theatre at Vogel Hall in the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St. — features an A-list lineup as the Take Me To The River Memphis Soul and Rhythm & Blues Revue, including William Bell, Charlie Musselwhite, Bobby Rush, Frayser Boy, Al Kapone, the Hi Rhythm Section and the Stax Academy Alumni Band. Tickets are $65. Info: marcuscenter.org
A craft-y shopping option
Beat the holiday shopping rush with a stop at re:Craft and Relic, a flea market of sorts featuring more than 150 curated “artists, junkers and makers” peddling handcrafted and vintage goods, Saturday and Sunday at the Milwaukee County Sports Complex, 6000 W. Ryan Road, Franklin. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days; admission is $7, free for kids 12 and younger. Info: recraftandrelic.com
A fifth of Tchaikovsky
Violinist Jennifer Koh joins the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra this weekend for a program including Nico Muhly’s “Mixed Messages,” Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 and Szymanowski’s Violin Concerto No. 2. The performances are at 11:15 a.m. Friday, 8 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m Sunday in Uihlein Hall at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St. Tickets are $17-$82. Info: mso.org
Rockin’ for Neil at Linneman’s
Linneman’s Riverwest Inn hosts its annual “Kneel to Neil,” a Neil Young tribute that doubles as a benefit for WMSE-FM (91.7) and Young’s Bridge School, at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Riverwest music spot, 1001 E. Locust St. The lineup for the 13th Neil-fest already has 11 acts ready to do their best Neil salutes. Info: linnemans.com
New on stage
“Murder for Two”: In this farcical mystery-musical, a detective confronts the suspects — all of them played by the same actor, in Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s new production starting Sunday at the Stackner Cabaret, 108 E. Wells St. (The show runs through Jan. 14.) Info: milwaukeerep.com
“Mad Li(m)bs”: Improvisers Jason Powell and Andrea Moser join Danceworks Performance Company in a performance drawn from audience suggestions, ad-libbed movements and “general hilarity.” The production starts Saturday at Danceworks Studio Theatre, 1661 N. Water St. (It runs through Nov. 18.) Info: danceworksmke.org
Last call “Sex With Strangers”: A forty-something novelist connects with a younger writer who admires her in Laura Eason’s intimate drama, being staged by Renaissance Theaterworks. The run ends Sunday at the Broadway Theatre Center’s Studio Theatre, 158 N. Broadway. Info: r-t-w.com