WEEKEND TO-DO LIST Peeks inside and new lights in the sky
Doors Open policy
There are more than 170 sites taking part in this year’s Doors Open Milwaukee, the city’s annual peek-show offering free glimpses inside many of Milwaukee’s architectural, cultural and historic treasures (plus lots of cool spaces as well). Destinations offering an inside look Saturday and Sunday range from Milwaukee’s Central Library and the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church to many of Milwaukee’s historic churches to bridge houses on the Milwaukee River to … you get the idea. A complete list and a roster of 30 ticketed tours during the weekend are available at the event’s website. Info: doorsopenmilwaukee.org
Panda-palooza at China Lights
One of Milwaukee’s shiniest — and most popular — attractions is back, a little more cuddly than in past years.
“China Lights: Panda-Mania” opens Friday at Boerner Botanical Gardens, in Whitnall Park at 9400 Boerner Drive, Hales Corners. Forty-five larger-than-life lantern displays, accompanied by a marketplace, cultural entertainment, food and beverage options, and more fill the park. The display is open to the public daily (closed Mondays) 5:30 to 10 p.m. Admission is $20; $12 for seniors 60 and older and kids ages 5 to 17; free for children younger than 5. (VIP and season passes also are available.) Parking and shuttle services are available. Info: chinalights.org
Wine & Food Experience
Foodies and oenophiles, unite: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Wine &
Food Experience is Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Reed Street Yards Park, 223 S. Third St., across the river from the Harley-Davidson Museum. More than two dozen Milwaukeearea restaurants will be serving up samples and chef demonstrations. “Top Chef” winner Richard Blais is the event’s celebrity chef. (VIP and Chef’s Package ticket-holders get in at noon.) Tickets are $85 at the door. VIP tickets are $115, and Chef’s Package tickets are $150. Info: wineandfood.jsonline.com
Beer and cheese on Old World Third Street
Downtown’s newest street festival has all the basic food groups covered. The first Barley and Whey Craft Beer and Cheese Festival, Friday through Sunday at North Old World Third Street and West Highland Avenue, boasts live music and DJs, cheese-cutting demonstrations and cheese-sculpting competitions, beer and cheese pairings, and a free tapping of Milwaukee Brewing Co.’s Grand Madame Brandy Barrel Aged Barley Wine (4 p.m. Friday). The free street festival runs from noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from noon till after the Packers game on Sunday. The new festival is presented by MKE Brewing Co.
All about comics and the people who love them
More than 300 artists, vendors and pop-culture creatives will be on hand for Milwaukee Comic Con Saturday at Wisconsin State Fair Park’s Wisconsin Products Pavilion, 640 S. 84th St. Meet artists, voice actors, comicbook vendors and publishers, and check out their products; there’s also a video-game tournament and more stuff to do. Comic Con runs from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday; admission is $5, free for kids 12 and younger — and everyone gets a free comic book at the door. Info: mightyconshows.com/show/ milwaukee
A Carnival in Riverwest
Teatro di Affetto brings the Night
Carnival back to Riverwest’s Garden Park, 821 E. Locust St. From 5 p.m. to midnight Saturday, the company — purportedly arriving from the Floating City — will bring an interactive performance that includes the firedancing troupe Sisters of the Eclipse. There’ll also be local artisans and artists, food trucks, and a beer garden hosted by Riverwest Public House Cooperative. Admission is free. Info: The Night Carnival Facebook page
A wizarding world in Waukesha
Ready to get into a wizard-wand duel? Learn how to play Quidditch? Check out some mystical creatures, costume contests and more? Then you’re looking for the first Midwest
Magic Fest, this weekend at the Waukesha County Expo Center. In addition to all the action, there’ll be plenty of photo opportunities, from hanging with wizards to a giant broomstick. The fest runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Expo Center, 1000 Northview Road, Waukesha. Tickets are $25 ($45 for a VIP two-day pass); kids 3 and younger get in free. Info: midwestmagicfest.com
Apple mania in Waukesha
Thirty-eight varieties, arts and crafts vendors, a beer garden, live music — how do you like them apples? They’re all part of the 32nd annual
Apple Harvest Festival at Retzner Nature Center, S14-W28167 Madison St. Admission is $5 per car (cash only). Info: appleharvestfestival waukeshacounty.gov/
New on stage
“In the Heights”: The Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s production of “In the Heights,” by “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, begins, after previews through Thursday, Friday at the Quadracci Powerhouse Theater, 108 E. Wells St. (The show runs through Oct. 28.) Info: milwaukeerep.com.
“Pippin”: The award-winning musical from the creator of “Godspell” and “Wicked” opens Friday courtesy Skylight Music Theatre in the Cabot Theatre at the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway. (It runs through Oct. 7.) Info: skylightmusictheatre.org.
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar”: First Stage presents an adaptation of four classic Eric Carle stories, with help from 75 puppets, in a run beginning Saturday at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, 325 W. Walnut St. Info: firststage.org.
“Chapatti”: Milwaukee Chamber Theatre stages this odd-couple romance (pets included) starting Friday at the Broadway Theatre Center’s Studio Theatre, 158 N. Broadway. Info: milwaukeechambertheatre.com.