Time to stomp for Samson, watch some Bruisers, get punny and honor King
Home-makeover shopping
If your resolutions list included giving your house a do-over, the Metropolitan Builders Association’s Home Building & Remodeling Show at State Fair Park in West Allis might be a worthy destination this weekend. Attractions include the culinary stage, a landscape park and a preview of the 2018 Parade of Homes. The show, in the Wisconsin Exposition Center, 8200 W. Greenfield Ave., runs from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $12, $8 for seniors, $6 for members of the military (with I.D.), and free for kids.
Info: mbaonline.org
Bruisers, assemble
Milwaukee’s own roller-derby outfit, the Brewcity Bruisers, has its first bouts of 2018 Saturday night at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, 400 W. Kilbourn Ave. Derby combatants from the Bruisers’ four home teams — Crazy 8’s, Maiden Milwaukee, the Rushin’ Rollettes and the Shevil Knevils — for Season 12 take to the rink starting at 6 p.m. Tickets at the door are $18, $15 for kids, seniors and members of the
Criss Angel, unplugged
Theatrical magician Criss Angel shows a different side of his act with “RAW — The Mindfreak Unplugged,” described as a more stripped-down, intimate and “inyour-face” show than his Vegas extravaganza. Angel and friends come to the Riverside Theater, 116 W. Wisconsin Ave., at 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $39.50 to $125. Info: pabsttheater.org
Stomping for Samson
The 38th annual Samson Stomp & Romp, a run/walk fundraiser for the Milwaukee County Zoo, gets in step Sunday morning at the zoo, 10001 W. Blue Mound Road. The 5K competitive run starts at 9:30 a.m.; the 2-mile “Fun Run/Walk” is at 10:15 a.m.; a 1-mile Romp for children at 10:45 a.m.; and a quarter-mile Mini-Romp for kids at 11 a.m. Registration is $30 per runner the day of the Stomp; there are discount rates for advance registration. Info: milwaukeezoo.org
Remember a King
Milwaukee’s 34th annual Martin Luther King Jr. birthday celebration, one of the longest-running such events in the country, starts Sunday at 1 p.m. in Uihlein Hall at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St. With the theme “Take a Stand for Truth and Justice,” the celebration includes student speeches, presentations and performances, along with a variety of cultural groups, including United Indians of Milwaukee, Latino Arts Strings, Milwaukee Flyers Tumbling Team and the Milwaukee High School of the Arts Jazz Ensemble. Admission is free. Info: marcuscenter.org
❚ For the formal observance of Martin Luther King Day on Monday, the Milwaukee Public Library hosts a whole day of entertainment and activities at its Martin Luther King Branch, 310 W. Locust St. Crafts, games and other hands-on family activities take place from 9 a.m. to noon, with live music and spoken-word performances from noon to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free. Info: mpl.org.
Pun-ishment at Shank Hall
Finally, a chance to put your punning to good use. Shank Hall, 1434 N. Farwell Ave., hosts Pundamonium: The Milwaukee Pun Slam Friday at 8 p.m. It’s just like sounds: a poetry slam, only with puns. Fifteen contestants have to craft puns based on prompts, then do it again, with a panel of audience members ranking the punners. Four finalists square off in a final pun-off. Admission is $8. Info: shankhall.com
New on stage
“Animal Farm”: The Milwaukee Repertory Theater takes on George Orwell’s satirical fable, with help from puppets and masks to blur the line between man and beast. Preview performances lead up to the production’s formal opening Friday in Quadracci Powerhouse, 108 E. Wells St. (The show runs through Feb. 11.) Info: milwaukeerep.com.
“The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane”: First Stage’s latest production follows the adventures of a stylish toy animal who, tossed overboard from a cruise ship, has a grand adventure traveling across America to get back home. The tale is based on the Newbery Award-winning book by Kate DiCamillo. It begins its run Friday, going through Feb. 11. Info: firststage.org.
Last call
It’s your last chance to see this production.
“Murder for Two”: A detective confronts the suspects — all of them played by the same actor — in this two-player farce from the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, which winds up its run Sunday at the Stackner Cabaret, 108 E. Wells St. Info: milwaukee rep.com.