Fests for the eyes — and taste buds
Join the party at Irish Fest
One of Milwaukee’s biggest parties, Irish Fest, is back this weekend at Maier Festival Park. In addition to a massive lineup of Celtic-centric music acts, including national acts such as Gaelic Storm, Irish Fest has a cultural pavilion; a Theatre Pavilion featuring plays by Irish playwrights; a street market centered on Irish and Celtic artisans; plenty of food, beer and, yes, whiskey; and even a Literary Corner. The festival runs from 4 p.m. to midnight Friday, noon to midnight Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. Admission at the gate is just $15 on Friday; on Saturday and Sunday, it’s $21, $15 for seniors 60 and older, and free for kids 12 and younger. Info: irishfest.com
Eat with (not like) the animals at the zoo
Twenty-seven restaurants, six music stages and lots and lots of animals are on the menu for Milwaukee a la Carte at the Zoo, running through Sunday at the Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W. Blue Mound Road. Entertainment headliners include Journey with former lead vocalist Steve Augeri (8 p.m. Friday) and Survivor (8 p.m. Saturday). Milwaukee a la Carte runs from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $16.25, $15.25 for seniors 60 and older, $13.25 for kids ages 3 to 12, and free for children 2 and younger. (Parking at the zoo is $12.) Info: milwaukeezoo.org
Get out of your shell
Even if you don’t speak shellfish, the Great American Lobster Fest might be for you. Making its Milwaukee debut outside Fiserv Forum, 1111 N. Phillips Ave., the fest offers the opportunity to try a whole lot of dishes incorporating the clawed delectables, from lobster rolls (natch) to nachos and surf-and-turf burgers and more. But there’s also a range of other stuff to eat, from shrimp to cheeseburgers. There’s also live music, games, activities and more. Lobster
Fest runs from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday. General admission is free; lobster dinners are $39 (advance purchases only go through Friday), with VIP dinners, including four drink vouchers and private seating, in advance at $99. Info: americanlobsterfest.com
Celebrate India in Wisconsin
The seventh annual India-Fest Milwaukee brings Indian culture, cuisine, costumes, a parade and more to Humboldt Park, 3000 S. Howell Ave., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Among the music highlights is a performance by award-winning percussionist Pandit Prodyut Mukherjee. Admission is $5, free for kids 8 and younger. Info: indiafestmilwaukee.org
Sample a first-time food festival
The Milwaukee area’s first Jewish Food Festival takes place Sunday and Monday at Mequon’s Virmond Park, 10606 N. Lake Shore Drive. The festival, organized by the Peltz Center for Jewish Life, will serve up a feast of traditional Jewish and Israeli foods, from falafel to apple strudel, along with entertainment and kids’ activities. The festival runs from noon to 7 p.m. both days; admission and parking are free. Info: chabadmequon.org/festival
Play around in the Harbor District
If you haven’t had a chance to check out one of the fastest-growing parts of Milwaukee, here’s your chance: The Harbor District, 600 E. Greenfield Ave., is hosting Play Streets from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. The street’s closed off for skating, bike-riding, activities and games for the whole family. And it’s free. Info: Play Streets Facebook event page
Get FAT in Bay View
The second annual FAT
Fest (for Food, Art and Tunes) turns Bay View’s Lenox Street from Kinnickinnic to Russell avenues into a party from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday. On the menu: food from Lumpia City, Tots on the Street, the Vanguard and Scratch Ice Cream; beer from 3 Sheeps Brewing and Third Space Brewing; canned cocktails from Plain Spoke; five music acts, starting at 1:30 p.m.; and live demonstrations from Milwaukee Blacksmith. Admission to the fest, thrown by Crafty Cow, is free. Info: FAT Fest Facebook page
Meet at the dock (party)
Milwaukee Brewing Co. hosts its first Dock Party Saturday from 2 to 10 p.m. at its newish digs in the former Pabst complex at 1128 N. Ninth St. The outdoor bash will have local music, brewery tours, timed tappings of rare beers and more. Admission is free. Info: mkebrewing.com/events
Bow down to Leslie Jones
She regularly rules “Saturday Night Live”; now comedian-actress-”Game of Thrones” fan Leslie Jones is taking her reign on the road, including a stop 8 p.m. Friday at the Pabst Theater, 144 E. Wells St. Tickets are $39.50, $49.50 and $59.50. Info: pabsttheater.org Contact Chris Foran at chris.foran@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @cforan12.