Frogs a-leaping, bulls a-riding, beer a-hoisting and more festive events
Frog fever
Get all your hopping jokes warmed up:
“Frogs!” opens Saturday at the Milwaukee Public Museum, 800 W. Wells St. The exhibit boasts more than 100 live frogs from around the world, along with activities ranging from checking out frog calls to a virtual frog dissection. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. The exhibit, which runs through Jan. 6, is included in museum admission: $24, $18 for seniors 65 and older, $16 for kids ages 4 to 13, and free for museum members and children 3 and younger. Info: mpm.edu/frogs
The cider making Schlitz Park famous
The former home of Milwaukee’s biggest brewery, Schlitz Park, hosts a celebration of some of Milwaukee’s smallest brewers and cider makers. At
the Milwaukee Cider & Nano Beer
Fest, in the office park at 1543 N. 2nd St. from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, you’ll be able to sample more than 40 ciders and craft beers; there’ll also be live entertainment and more. Tickets are $45, $15 for designated drivers and $69 for VIP passes (you get in an hour earlier). Info: milwaukeeciderfest.com
Another round of Oktoberfests
In Milwaukee, Oktoberfest continues into, well, October. Among this weekend’s prosit-fests are:
Milwaukee Oktoberfest: It’s the ninth annual Milwaukee Oktoberfest, but it’ll be the first party of any kind to be held on the new entertainment plaza outside the Fiserv Forum, 1111 N. Phillips Ave. A ceremonial keg-tapping kicks things off at 5 p.m. Friday, with free beer till the keg’s dry. The fest, which runs through Sunday, sports music from more than a half-dozen bands, the traditional stein-hoisting contest, a wiener dog show, a brateating competition and more. Hours are 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. Info: milwaukeeoktoberfest.com.
Bavarian Bierhaus Oktoberfest: The Bierhaus’ five-pack of Oktoberfest weekends wraps up Friday and Saturday at Heidelberg Park, 700 W. Lexington Blvd., Glendale, with Germaninspired meals, a midway and live music (inside the Bierhaus) twice a day. The gates open at 5 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday. General admission is $10; table reservations are $10 (for a table of eight) Friday, $35 for a table for eight Saturday. Info: thebavarianbierhaus.com.
PBR me (no, not that PBR) at Fiserv Forum
For Fiserv Forum, it will be their first rodeo: The bull-slinging (and being slung by bulls) will be on in earnest
Saturday and Sunday when the Professional Bull Riders’ Ariat
Invitational gallops into Fiserv Forum, 1111 N. Phillips Ave. The world’s top bull riders show how they got to be that way in matches starting at 6:45 p.m. Saturday and 1:45 p.m. Sunday. For the more than 35 riders, there’s a lot at stake: The matches in Milwaukee are two rounds away from the world finals in Las Vegas in November. Tickets start at $15 and go up to $300. Info: fiservforum.com
Falling into Vliet Street
The second annual West Vliet Street
Fall Festival takes over Vliet Street from North 54th Street to Hawley Road. On tap: a drum circle, a pumpkin-pie-making contest, tarot readings, food trucks, live music, a Lego building station and more. Info: West Vliet Fall Festival Facebook page
Free day at the zoo
Saturday is the first of the fall Family
Free Days at the Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W. Blue Mound Road. It’s a great opportunity to see Lily, the zoo’s new red panda cub, along with Mira, the new southern three-banded armadillo, and other new additions. The zoo’s open Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; although admission is free, parking is $12 per car. Info: milwaukeezoo.org
Celebrating those in our past
Forest Home Cemetery gets a head start on Day of the Dead celebrations with a Day of the Dead Remembrance
Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The day includes a service of remembrance at the cemetery, 2405 W. Forest Home Ave., given by Father Norberto Sandoval of St Roman’s Parish and a procession — which all are welcome to join — led by the Dance Academy of Mexico. There’ll also be music and a genealogy booth, among other diversions. Admission is free. Info: Day of the Dead Remembrance Facebook page
Last call
This weekend is your last chance to catch these shows.
“The Taming of the Shrew”: Dale Gutzman’s take on Shakespeare’s battle-of-the-sexes comedy ends its run Sunday at Off the Wall Theatre, 127 E. Wells St. Info: offthewalltheatre.com.
“Pippin”: Skylight Music Theatre’s production of the exuberant musical closes with Sunday’s performance at the Broadway Theatre Center’s Cabot Theatre, 158 N. Broadway. Info: sky lightmusictheatre.org.