Sounding a note for schools, art, trees
Whole lotta Arte going on
It’s hard to beat Arte Para Todos for variety and volume. Running through Sunday, the four-day event, held in 26 venues with performances by 97 acts, is a benefit for arts education at Milwaukee schools. Highlights include hip-hop artist Klassik Friday night at 12:30 a.m. at Club Garibaldi, 2501 S. Superior St.; a “Broken Up Band Bazaar” from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Black Husky Brewing, 909 E. Locust St.; local music legends, including the Rusty Pelicans, playing at Company Brewing, 735 E. Center St., 1:30 a.m. Saturday (early-early Sunday); and a free music open jam session from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Urban Ecology Center, 1500 E. Park Place. Info: arteparatodos.me
Speak for the trees (for free)
Get in touch with your inner Lorax at Boerner Botanical Gardens Friday, where they’re marking Arbor Day with free admission at 10 a.m. There’ll be a ceremonial tree-planting, and 100 visitors will receive free saplings courtesy Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful, in partnership with the Argosy Foundation. Dave Wanninger, Boerner’s horticulturist-in-charge, will lead a walk focused on the historical trees of the gardens and arboretum. Boerner is at 9400 Boerner Drive, Hales Corners, in Whitnall Park. Info: (414) 525-5601 or countyparks.com
Art on W. Vliet St.
West Vliet Street, an organization encompassing the Vliet St. corridor from N. 43rd to N. 62nd streets, hosts an ArtWalk from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Restaurants, shops and galleries along Vliet will be showing their stuff, and food trucks will be along to feed your hunger. Info: meetonvliet.com
A stroll for the birds
Join expert birder Paul Boyer on the first of the season’s bird walks at Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, 1111 E. Brown Deer Road, Bayside. Meet in the nature center’s main parking area at 7:30 a.m. Saturday. The sights and insights, and the hike, are free. (The free Saturday morning bird walks run through May 19.) Info: sanc.org.
Channeling Liberace
Philip Fortenberry knows his Liberace, having been the piano double for Michael Douglas’ portrayal of Milwaukee’s favorite glam son in HBO’s “Behind the Candelabra” and serving as artist-in-residence at the Liberace Museum. Fortenberry brings his one-man cabaret show, “The Man at the Piano,” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday to the Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall in the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St. Tickets start at $45. Info: marcuscenter.org
New on stage
“The Fantasticks”: The beloved musical — filled with memorable tunes including “Try to Remember” — closes out the 2017-’18 season for In Tandem Theatre, opening Friday at Tenth Street Theatre, 628 N. 10th St. (The show runs through May 20.) Info: intandemtheatre.org.
Last call
This weekend is your last chance to check these out.
“I and You”: Classmates working together on a poetry project find a connection beyond the words in Next Act Theatre’s production of Lauren Gunderson’s drama, which ends its run Sunday at 255 S. Water St. Info: nextact.org.
“Top Girls”: A woman’ in line for a big promotion, over her male colleagues, celebrates her success with five legendary women from history, even as she weighs what she has to give up to get there in Caryl Churchill’s play, courtesy Renaissance Theaterworks’ production in the Studio Theatre at the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway.
The play closes after Sunday’s performance. Info: r-t-w.com.
“Doubt”: Milwaukee Chamber Theatre’s production of the Tony-winning drama of faith, power (and the abuse of same) and uncertainty ends its run Sunday at the Cabot Theatre at the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway. Info: milwaukeechambertheatre.com. “Back Yards to Big Leagues: Milwaukee’s Sports and Recreation
History”: The exhibit celebrating Brew City’s love of play, from the Braves to the Does (you could look it up) has its last day Friday at the Milwaukee County Historical Society, 910 N. Old World 3rd St. The historical society is open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday; admission is $7, $3 for kids ages 6 to 12, and free for members and children 5 and younger. Info: milwaukeehistory.net. “Turning to Turner” and “Designing Paris: The Posters of Jules Cheret”: The Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Drive, is ending two exhibits Sunday — a collection of prints by English landscape painter and watercolorist Joseph Mallord William Turner, and a colorful assortment of posters celebrating (and selling) the attractions of Paris during the Belle Epoque (late 19th and early 20th century) by French artist Jules Chéret. Info: mam.org.