Upcoming events
MASC: QUEER MASQUERADE DANCE PARTY
masq4masq anyone??🍸
JOIN US MARCH 27TH FOR OUR QUEER MASQUERADE DANCE PARTY!
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SOUNDS BY @r3algrl & @myagoetsch_
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BURLESQUE SHOW 10PM: @bodaciousburlesque
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3/27/26
8PM-12AM
THE COOPERAGE
21+
Early bird: $15
Presale: $20
DAY OF: $25
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FIRST 50 PEOPLE RECEIVE A FREE MASQ
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Outfit inspo, & pregame playlist coming soon!
Gather Them Anniversary!
Gather Them returns for another iteration of the wildly popular queer dance party!
After the rousing success of the first Gather Them to celebrate the life of a beloved safe space, we decided to keep the fun going! Join us for a night of community, celebration, drag, and music on the Harborfront. We will be having an early bingo and a late night of partying!
Bring an open heart and your dancing shoes because Gather Them is a celebration of pride and a demonstration of queer joy. 🖤
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Blue House Women's Screening
Blue House Film is a DIY film organization in Milwaukee that showcases short films and builds community connections, often hosting events at the Jazz Gallery Center for the Arts. They host regular screenings, including Women's History Month events and 92 Minutes At Your Side screenings and are bringing a very special screening to The Cooperage, Monday, March 30th.
Polica: Dreams Go Tour 2026
Minneapolis legends Polica return to the Harborfront for the first time since 2019 for a very special performance.
Since their emergence from Minneapolis’ vibrant underground in 2011, Poliça has carved out a singular space in electronic indie-pop, blending shadowy synths, pulsating rhythms, and the unmistakable vocal presence of Channy Leaneagh—a voice that bends and refracts like light through water, shaped by intricate processing yet deeply human at its core. Co-founded by producer Ryan Olson, the band’s alchemy has long been defined by its balance of warmth and detachment, with Chris Bierden’s melodic basslines and the dueling drums of Ben Ivascu and Drew Christophersonanchoring their hypnotic sound.
Dykes & Damsels: Queer Renaissance Faire!
🗓️: April 4th, 2026
⏰: 6pm-12am
📍: The Cooperage (822 S Water St) (Wheelchair accessible)
🍸: 21+
🎟️ : (Early Bird: $20) (Presale: $25) (DAY OF: $30)
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DJS: @r3algrl @mowiah._ & @myagoetsch_
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What is included in admission price? We are happily including pickles from our Dyke Pickle Priest, our Pole Show, Drag performances, DJ’s all night, and face painting and balloon animals at our Clown Station! & More to be announced👀
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Attractions:
Dyke Pickle Priest
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Vendors list coming soon!
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Flash Tattoos by @izzydaisytattoo
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Tarot Readings by @four.7.7.7
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8PM Drag Performances by @bubblez.drag @bonk_the_clown @posiethedoll & @dinah.bolical
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9PM Pole Show by @sj__juice ! Line up coming soon!
Kid Boogie Down
The Kid Boogie Down brings its family friendly fun to The Cooperage! Founded in Milwaukee in January 2017, Kid Boogie Down began as a full sensory family-friendly dance party experience. Primarily designed as an indoor dance party with lights, lasers, music videos and bubbles to combat winter blues, Kid Boogie Down is something enjoyable not just for kids, but for people of all ages.
Prominent Milwaukee-based DJ Lukewarm introduces young audiences to genres ranging from classic disco and funk to modern hits synced with matching music videos. Children of all ages can come ‘Boogie Down’ to the sounds of a live DJ with visuals, lights, lasers, bubbles, and more!
5th Annual 80's Prom
Join us at The Cooperage for the 5th Anniversary of Milwaukee's 80's Prom!Calling all Heathers, Veronicas, JDs, and Rams!We are bringing the 80's Back To The Future with the premier 80's new wave cover band: 'The First Wave'ALL 80's/ALL NIGHT: an immersive experience! Dancing, a prom king and queen will be crowned, a dedicated prom photo area to get your prom pic, and yes! PRINCE makes a special appearance (aka Gabriel: the world's most elite Prince tribute).Join us for a night of retro fun!
Americana Matinee: Erik Koskinen & Long Mama
Erik Koskinen is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, whose music is not categorized by sub-genres. Stylistically he is on his own. Influenced by roots music of the Americas and the world, the rhythmic integrity and musical tone are as important as the lyrical content and the artistic intent.
Erik Koskinen’s Burning the Deal (released June 28, 2019 on Real Phonic Records/Tone Tree Music) is steeped in American roots traditions. Born in Fort Collins, Colorado, raised in Northern Michigan and upper New York state, then living in urban Minneapolis and now, rural Minnesota, Koskinen grew up with the rhythms of weather, factory towns, and farmlands. Koskinen worked in construction for years as he developed his music career, and he now resides on a farm near where he owns a recording studio in Cleveland, Minnesota, population 717.
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Long Mama’s music blisters with the heart and grit of someone who has lost hard, loved harder, and licked her burns until they stung then silvered. In a drafty attic just west of the Milwaukee River they grew up on, you’ll find songwriter Kat Wodtke (Wood-key) raking through notebooks in search of a salve: words, stories, and sounds to temper the dumpster fires we never mean to light. Flickering behind each song is Wodtke’s lived insight into our human faults and fissures — the moments in life when we can slip and lose our footing or claw our way out, better people on the other side of the blaze.
The Plastic Constellations/Tornavalanche/Group of the Altos
THIS ONE SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. An incredible lineup of insane reunions comes to The Cooperage for one night only!
The Plastic Constellations were a Twin Cities-based indie rock band, formed around 1995 in Hopkins, MN. They were known for their rhythmic intensity, anthemic melodies, and playful sense of humor. After a prominent presence on the Minneapolis rock scene for over a decade, the band announced an "indefinite hiatus" just before their album release show for their fourth and presumably final album, "We Appreciate You." This last performance was on April 19, 2008 at First Avenue in Minneapolis. They released albums via Frenchkiss Records, but earlier releases had been on 2024 Records, Modern Radio Records, Blood of the Young Records, and Pretentious Records.
This is run of shows is the band's first live performances in over 15 years. Let's do this thing.
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Out of the depths of Ten Grand (Iowa City) and Forstella Ford (Milwaukee) rises one of the best new bands in the Midwest, Tornavalache. Both Ten Grand and Forstella Ford released a slew of records and toured non-stop in the late 90’s. Their overlapping tour schedules brought them together and they became friends, playing a number of shows throughout the midwest and beyond. Ten Grand spent over 100 days on tour during 2002 alone. In 2003, they released their 2nd full length, “This Is How To Rule”, on Southern Records and supported the record with a European tour. Ten Grand’s end came after the death of our dear friend, singer/guitarist Matt Davis. He will be forever missed, but the bond forged by the remaining members made it impossible to stop making music together. Zach, Bob and Joel of Ten Grand joined forces with Whitney and Dan whose band Forstella Ford had broken up. Claiming both Chicago and Milwaukee as homes, Tornavalanche began playing and recording together in Fall of 2004, and in the Summer of 2005 they reached out to the greater Midwest.
This is their first tour since 2008.
The Return of Melvin Seals & JGB!
Don’t miss Melvin Seals & JGB on April 18th as they bring their special mix of all the tunes you know and love to the Harborfront!
Melvin Seals has been a powerful presence in the music industry for over 30 years with a long-established reputation as a performer, recording artist and producer. Melvin is most revered for his powerful, high-spirited, Hammond B-3 organ, and keyboards in the Jerry Garcia Band. Melvin spun his B-3 magic with the Jerry Garcia Band for 18 years and in doing so helped pioneer and define what has now become "Jam Band Music". From blues to funk to rock to jazz, Melvin Seals serves up a tasty mix with a little R&B and gospel thrown in to spice things up. Melvin and JGB bring an intuitive, expressive style, soul, spontaneity and remarkable chops to the table. John Kadlecik on lead guitar and vocal duties, John-Paul McLean's savory bass, Jeremy Hoenig on the drums and, of course, a heapin' helpin' of the wizard's magic on Hammond B-3 Organ and keyboards. Their chemistry is the focus from which they create a spontaneous and high art where the sky is the limit musically. They offer an exciting, often psychedelic musical journey that changes nightly and keeps the audience dancing and smiling(and some staring in amazement) for hours. Adding his rock-gospel-soul-rhythm and blues touch with his funky style of playing, no wonder Jerry nicknamed him "Master of the Universe". Melvin continues to treat music lovers to his unique brand of melodic flavor with JGB. Come see and hear for yourself!
MELVIN SEALS & JGB:
Melvin Seals-Hammond B3 Organ, Keyboards & Vocals
John Kadlecik-Electric Guitar & Lead Vocals
John-Paul McLean–Bass & Vocals
Jeremy Hoenig-Drums
The Goddamn Gallows with special guest Jayke Orvis
The Goddamn Gallows return to the Harborfront with former/founding member Jayke Orvis!
In 2004 The Goddamn Gallows began their rough and tumble voyage and haven't looked in the review mirror since. Leaving six studio albums in their path, they have been reinventing their music with every record. Spit from the heart of America's Rust Belt, arising from a night of flophouse violence. Drifting across the states, they cemented their sound in Portland, OR and later in Los Angeles, CA, where they lived in abandoned buildings, squatter camps, storage units and shoebox apartments. In 2007, they left everything behind and spent the next four years living out of whatever vehicle would get them to the next town. Building upon their original sound of twanged-out, punk rock "gutterbilly" (Life of Sin 2004 and Gutterbillyblues 2007), they began picking up stray musicians along the way and adding to their sound; washboard, accordion, mandolin and banjo (Ghost of th’ Rails 2009 and 7 Devils 2011) creating a sound referred to as "hobocore", "gypsy-punk" or "americana-punk", while never being stuck in any one sound. Enter 2018 and The Goddamn Gallows have reinvented themselves once again with The Trial. From rockabilly, psychobilly and punk rock, to bluegrass and metal, The Trial infuses disparate sounds into a new strange recipe of seamless genre bending profundities. Chock full of impromptu antics of the shocking variety and hauntingly eclectic instrumentation, The Goddamn Gallows have made legions of fans with their legendary, live shows. The Goddamn Gallows, takes their progression of mixing punk rock, bluegrass, psychobilly, and metal to a whole new level! The Goddamn Gallows have now partnered with Sailor's Grave Records to help deliver the next chapter of their legacy to the world. The Trial begins now.
Torcado: Live Album Recording
Torcado returns to the Harborfront for a live album recording!
TORCADO is a Milwaukee based Indie project formed in 2023. Combining Indie, Funk, Alternative and Blues, TORCADO brings a wide variety of sounds to a live set. Founded by Jon Blair, TORCADO has played many times to packed crowds at The Cooperage and we are excited to have our first ever live album recording here at the venue!
One Trick Pony
ESTABLISHED IN 2014, ONE TRICK PONY WAS FORMED BY EVENT COORDINATOR, MAUREEN POST AND ALIVE AND FINE OWNER, ASHLEY SMITH AS A MILWAUKEE BASED VINTAGE MARKET. OUR FIRST MARKET FEATURED OVER 20 OF THE BEST VINTAGE VENDORS AROUND AND ESTABLISHED OTP AS A MUST ATTEND EVENT. IN THE YEARS FOLLOWING, WE’VE FEATURED OVER 100 UNIQUE VENDORS IN LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY AND BROUGHT IN THOUSANDS OF ATTENDEES WHO’VE BECOME A LOYAL FAN BASE OF FASHIONABLE, FORWARD THINKING SHOPPERS AND PEOPLE WHO LIKE TO PARTY.
FROM OBSCURE BOOK TITLES TO 1920’S FLAPPER DRESSES TO 90’S HYPE TEES, ONE TRICK PONY REPRESENTS VINTAGE FOR ALL. OUR DIVERSE MARKETS OFFER MORE THAN JUST INCREDIBLE VINTAGE SHOPPING. OTP PROVIDES A PLATFORM FOR VINTAGE SHOPPERS TO CONNECT TO SELLERS AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS IRL AND SUPPORT SUSTAINABILITY IN STYLE.
OUR SPRING AND HOLIDAY INDOOR EVENTS AT THE COOPERAGE FEATURE A HIGHLY CURATED, EXCLUSIVELY VINTAGE LINE UP WHILE OUR SUMMER AND FALL OUTDOOR EVENTS AT BAD MOON SALOON FEATURE OVER 60 VINTAGE AND HANDMADE VENDORS FOR AN ULTIMATE FLEA FEEL WITH A TASTY COCKTAIL TO BOOT.
Julius Rodriguez
The Cooperage welcomes Julius Rodriguez for an intimate performance on the Harborfront.
Julius Rodriguez is an American jazz pianist, composer, and rising star in the vibrant alternative jazz scene. Known for his soulful sound and dynamic playing, Rodriguez blends a deep understanding of traditional jazz with modern influences, creating a distinctive voice that resonates across genres. His music effortlessly merges elements of jazz, funk, and soul, capturing the essence of both old-school and contemporary styles.
Born and raised in New York, Rodriguez began his musical journey at an early age, studying piano and drums and developing a love for jazz through the city's rich musical history. He made a name for himself as young as eleven years old in the vibrant West Village jazz club scene, and later honed his craft at prestigious institutions such as the Juilliard School of Music, where he further shaped his sound and refined his improvisational skills.
Steez presents: French Connection
The French Connection is a tribute show by the Madison-based band Steez, that honors French electronic artists like Daft Punk, Justice, and Air... A high-energy, danceable show that celebrates the music of French electronic artists. 2 sets from the live band and 3 VJ sets from Milwaukee legend DJ Lukewarm.
STEEZ is a popular five-piece funk/jam band from Madison, Wisconsin, known for their high-energy "Creepfunk" style, blending electronic, improvisational, and danceable funk with originals and covers, featuring members like Matt Williams (keys), Steve Neary (guitar/vocals), Alex Roberts (drums), Chris Sell (bass), and Andrzej Benkowski (sax/keys). Formed by UW-Madison students, they built a strong Midwestern following through festivals and venues, praised for their musicianship and camaraderie, balancing touring with studio albums.
The Boy Band Night!
All live, full band experience from Chicago! All the HITS all the MOVES from Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, NKOTB, One Direction and more!
The Boy Band Night is the ultimate live tribute to the biggest boy bands of all time—delivering a high-energy, full-band show that recreates the moves, the moments, and the melodies that defined a generation. From Backstreet Boys and NSYNC to One Directionand Jonas Brothers, every performance is all-live, no tracks, and packed with fan-favorite hits.
With three frontmen and a full band behind them, the show blends tight choreography, big vocals, and real musicianship to bring arenas and bar stages alike to life. Whether it’s a bachelorette blowout, a summer festival, or a throwback club night, the crowd doesn’t just watch—they sing, scream, and dance like it’s 1999.
Founded by Glenn Hudy and Kenny Braasch—co-founders of The Right Stuff Entertainment—The Boy Band Night has grown from a passion project into one of the most in-demand tribute acts in the country. With national tours, international shows, and a dedicated fanbase, the band continues to deliver the kind of throwback night that always feels like the main event.
SPRING BREAK POP PUNK PARTY with REVIVAL and GOLD STEPS
oin us for a Spring Break warm up on the Harborfront!
Revival was born in Kenosha, WI in 2016 with a drive to build something different than the typical group seen at your local festival or bar. ‘Not Your Uncle’s Cover Band’, Revival, brings an energy-packed performance that is guaranteed to have you singing and dancing along. While our repertoire primarily consists of 90’s and 2000’s pop and rock hits, our song list has something for everybody– complete with current Top 40s hits and re-imagined takes on classic throwbacks.
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Gold Steps has opened for Billboard-charting artists The Used, CharlotteSands, Stand Atlantic, Hit The Lights and letdown. to name a few. The band has
fine-tuned their energetic live show through extensive touring, including
supporting SayWeCanFly and Johnnie Guilbert on a full US Tour in 2022. Gold
Steps has performed at several prestigious music festivals, including the Vans
Warped Tour, Summerfest, SXSW and So What Music Fest.
Alternative Press named Gold Steps as one of “13 Artists Who Are Reclaiming
The Pop-Punk Music Scene in 2021” alongside Meet Me @ The Altar and Jetty
Bones. Gold Steps has over 1.91 million streams on Spotify, with tracks featured
on playlists including “Pop Punk’s Not Dead,” “New Punk Tracks” and “Fresh
Finds Rock.”
Kowan & Da Homies
Welcome to the electrifying world of Kowan Turner & Kowan & Da Homies, where Jazz Fusion collides with Funk, Hip-Hop, and fearless improvisation. A national and international recording and touring artist, Kowan Turner has established himself as a commanding force in the modern live-music landscape, captivating audiences across The Midwest, Parts of the south , West coast and more with his explosive musicianship, deep pocket, and undeniable stage presence.
Throughout his career, Turner has collaborated and toured with an impressive range of artists, including Robert Randolph and Jeremy Garrett, alongside Althea Rene, Steady Flow Funk, Watermelon Funk, Caleb Hawley, and Cisco Adler. These experiences have shaped a sound rooted in tradition yet constantly evolving—bold, expressive, and unmistakably his own.
PHUN RETURNS!
Phun returns to the Harborfront for a night of hot Phish jams!
The Midwest’s best Phish Tribute Band is coming to the Cooperage! PHUN brings a new energy and hunger to put smiles on faces and gets you on your feet. You do not want to miss this!
PHUN has been blessed with the opportunity to share the music of Phish with crowds all over the Midwest for over ten years. Members of PHUN all enjoy the improvisational nature of the music, and the layers they can bring to a song, so its unique every time! “Part of our success is the energy and band chemistry we bring to the show,” said Mike Scieszinski, guitarist.
The band is active on social media where songs and setlists are voted on by fans. It's a great way for the band and the audience to share the love of Phish that brought them together in the first place. Check it out on the bands Facebook page!
The band aims to create a safe space for any and all to enjoy the groove; good vibes, kindness and respect. Some sit, some stand, some dance, and some sway; but everybody is entitled to a little PHUN!
RADIO RADIO RETURNS
From Bowie to Berlin, Nick Lowe to New Order, The Cars to The Cure to The Clash, a Flock of Seagulls, with a flock of b-sides and one-hit-new-wave wonders.
Straight from a vinyl and cassette collection of the new wave era, 1977 through the mid 80’s. Radio Radio is a band of Milwaukee pop musical stalwarts playing the new wave songs you havent heard live in decades, and in a way that makes you feel you are seeing and hearing the real thing live for the first time.
This unique and specific genre draws fans from an amazingly wide range, from twenty-somethings discovering new wave for the first time (thanks to video games, commercials and movies) to forty and fifty-somethings with old cassette collections filled with new wave.
People Brothers Band with Hot Like Mars
Wisconsin jam and funk favorites People Brothers Band returns to the Harborfront!
The People Brothers Band’s unique brand of rhythm and soul features some of the most talented vocalists and musicians in the region. The vibrant group of longtime friends, collaborators, and multi-dimensional artists formed in 2008 as an open mic songwriting outfit and hasn’t looked back since. The band has cultivated a captivating musical alchemy through collective dedication to their craft, the Midwest music community, and each other. The People Brothers Band is united by their shared vision of uplifting friends and fans through music.
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From the furthest depths of the galaxy, Chicago-based funk phenomenon Hot Like Marshas been sending shockwaves across the music scene lately. Possessing a refined blend of soul, funk, and high-octane dance music, Hot Like Mars puts on a masterclass of musical patience, excellence, and enthusiasm, carefully curating their sounds into an explosive array of musical prowess. If the backbone of Motown and gospel met the psychedelic experience of the jam world, Hot Like Mars would emerge from the ashes to deliver the funk to all those fortunate enough to bear witness. While these cats have already become a cornerstone in the Chicago music scene, The Hot Like Mars experience continues to grow nationally and has become a can’t-miss act in venues across the country.
Back to the Wherehouse!
La Gozadera Social MKE is a Milwaukee-based Latinx dance social rooted in salsa, community, and cultural connection. Created to fill a gap in consistent, high-quality Latinx social dancing in the city, the event was founded by local dancers and organizers passionate about building an inclusive, welcoming space centered on Afro-Caribbean rhythms, social salsa, bachata, and community joy. What began as an intimate gathering for dancers seeking strong music selection, intentional branding, and a safe dance floor is growing into one of Milwaukee’s recognized salsa socials. Organized by a team of culturally fluent creatives and experienced dancers, La Gozadera Social MKE blends DJ-driven Latinx music, themed nights, performance showcases, and thoughtful visual identity to create a vibrant social dance experience. The mission remains clear: cultivate connection, celebrate Latinx culture, and provide Milwaukee with a consistent, elevated salsa social where beginners and seasoned dancers alike feel seen, respected, and energized.
Back to the Warehouse!
La Gozadera Social MKE is a Milwaukee-based Latinx dance social rooted in salsa, community, and cultural connection. Created to fill a gap in consistent, high-quality Latinx social dancing in the city, the event was founded by local dancers and organizers passionate about building an inclusive, welcoming space centered on Afro-Caribbean rhythms, social salsa, bachata, and community joy. What began as an intimate gathering for dancers seeking strong music selection, intentional branding, and a safe dance floor is growing into one of Milwaukee’s recognized salsa socials. Organized by a team of culturally fluent creatives and experienced dancers, La Gozadera Social MKE blends DJ-driven Latinx music, themed nights, performance showcases, and thoughtful visual identity to create a vibrant social dance experience. The mission remains clear: cultivate connection, celebrate Latinx culture, and provide Milwaukee with a consistent, elevated salsa social where beginners and seasoned dancers alike feel seen, respected, and energized.
New Wave Fest 2026
New Wave Fest is back on the Harborfront in 2026 baby!
New Wave Fest 2026 returns with more fun and more excitement than ever! Join the largest new wave dance party in the area.10pm The First Wave - Your favorite new wave hits
9pm Xposed 4Heads - Original new wave fun
8pm Special Guest to be Announced
7pm Doors Open
Xposed 4Heads is a legendary fun high energy dance party band led by Mark G.E. with Kelp Chofs, Greg Barta, and Andy Stilin and Star Girls Linda Strain and Theresa Ala Mode!
RnB Live: March Madness
NEW YEAR, NEW SINGERS, NEW THEMES....SAME GREAT VIBEZ!
hosted by Lena Cole & DJ Mister Martin
Performing: TBA
Fur Ball: Benefitting friends of MADACC
It’s time…
To purchase your tickets to the Friends of MADACC 2026 Fur Ball!
Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Cooperage in Milwaukee
on March 21, 2026, from 6p - 11p.
Enjoy drinks, dinner, snacks and entertainment - all benefitting the beloved pets in our community!
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-fur-ball
(Don’t want the full meal? No worries, buy a dance, dessert, and snaaaacks ticket instead!)
Also check out these sponsorship opportunities:
WIJAM presents: Cosmic Railroad wth Ifdakar
WIJAM brings Cosmic Railroad and Ifdakar to Milwaukee's Harborfront!
Since 2010, WIJAM has had its finger on the pulse of the Wisconsin original music scene. From partnerships with industry heavyweights such as FPC Live, PTG Live Events, and Live Nation, to talent buying at local clubs, and festival production for annual events like the Moon Dance Music Festival, WIJAM is a non-stop entertainment machine, built on a foundation of integrity and quality.
Performing regularly since the spring of 1999, Cosmic Railroad has become well known for it’s live performances particularly in the Milwaukee and Chicagoland area. They have appeared at such nationally recognized clubs as “The Brat Stop” and “The BBC”. They have also been invited to play at several different festivals in the southeastern Wisconsin and Illinois area, as well as different colleges throughout the Midwest.
Ifdakar's pursuit of musical growth and experimental improvisation create an experience not to be forgotten. Hailing from Madison, Wisconsin, this five piece band has garnered recognition for their live performances, where the band channels elements of psychedelic rock, funk, jazz, and electronica.
Kid Boogie Down
The Kid Boogie Down returns to the Harborfront for an all inclusive, dance party for the kids!
The Kid Boogie Down brings its family friendly fun to The Cooperage! Founded in Milwaukee in January 2017, Kid Boogie Down began as a full sensory family-friendly dance party experience. Primarily designed as an indoor dance party with lights, lasers, music videos and bubbles to combat winter blues, Kid Boogie Down is something enjoyable not just for kids, but for people of all ages.
Prominent Milwaukee-based DJ Lukewarm introduces young audiences to genres ranging from classic disco and funk to modern hits synced with matching music videos. Children of all ages can come ‘Boogie Down’ to the sounds of a live DJ with visuals, lights, lasers, bubbles, and more!
Sappho’s Secret Stoplight
Sappho's Secret STOPLIGHT Party is coming BACK to The Cooperage
March 13th • STARTING AT: 7pm
21+
$15
GREEN: single and ready to mingle
YELLOW: "it's complicated"
RED: already cuffed up
Wear your color for $10 cover at door
The Dose: A PSYCHEDELIC COMEDY SHOW
A mind-bending journey of experimentation, laughter, and healing. Set in a vibrant and surreal venue, THE DOSE is a fully immersive psychedelic experience featuring a carefully curated line-up of some of the best comedians in the country (seen on HBO, Comedy Central, Late Night, Netflix, Don’t Tell, and more!).
THE DOSE is more than a comedy show, it’s a multi-media event featuring our very own DJ and he will play before, during, and after the show! Don't miss the pre-show DJ set (starts at 7 pm doors), its becoming more and more popular. It features live music, visuals, vendors, and flow performers.
SXSW Sendoff Party!
COME OUT AND SUPPORT MILWAUKEE'S OFFICIALLY SELECTED SXSW ARTISTS AS THEY EMBARK TO PERFORM AT THE WORLD'S LARGEST GLOBAL MUSIC CONFERENCE!
A Few of Milwaukee's finest have been chosen to perform in front of 1,000's of music executives, reps, and agents at this year's SXSW Global Music Conference and Festival... but getting there ain't cheap and we need these guys rested and stress free so they can give their all! That's where you come in! We've put together a killer lineup of the possible next up and comers to come out and play while helping us raise funds to keep these guys with transportation and a roof over their heads for the duration of the tour/trip, food to eat, and whatever other surprise expenses covered along the way. SO PLEASE COME ON OUT AND SUPPORT MILWAUKKE ON THE GLOBAL MUSIC STAGE! WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER!
Seaside Zoo live from The Cooperage!
Seaside Zoo is a Madison-based Grateful Dead tribute band formed in 2019. Composed of eight members, Seaside Zoo covers everything from the 60’s Pigpen songs to the late 80’s ballads. This group is sure to keep even the pickiest of Dead Heads dancing all night.
Wisconsin's quirky Grateful Dead tribute band, dishing out sun-soaked melodies, fuzzy guitars, and lyrics that wander from beachside daydreams to urban zoo chaos—dontcha know, it's like a surfboard crashed into a punk bar brawl. Their live sets are a wild ride of infectious hooks and zero pretension, perfect for chuggin' PBR's while you sway, stomp, or just lose your mind. Catch these zoo animals unleashed, ya betcha—it's a party that roars louder than a lion with a hangover.
Very special two set/no opener evening packed to the gills with all your favorite's!
Yonder Mountain String Band comes to The Cooperage!
Yonder Mountain String Band, a driving force in roots music for nearly three decades and a key player in the progressive jamgrass movement, kicks off a new chapter with Nowhere Next. Featuring original songs inspired by lived experiences, people, and places that have shaped them, the album is a mix of bluegrass, rock, and country with soulful, funky grooves. Their 11th studio album follows the Grammy-nominated Get Yourself Outside (2022), adding depth and momentum to Yonder’s rich musical legacy. �Nowhere Next showcases the musical talents and collaborative writing efforts of founding members Adam Aijala (guitar, vocals), Dave Johnston (banjo, vocals), and Ben Kaufmann (bass, vocals), alongside multi-instrumentalist Nick Piccininni (mandolin, banjo, fiddle, vocals), a five-year veteran whose contributions as a singer and instrumentalist shine throughout the record. Together, they co-wrote nine of the eleven tracks, artfully blending their unique perspectives and vocal ranges to give each song its own distinct character.
Paul Cauthen live at The Cooperage!
Big Velvet returns to the Harborfront after 5 long years to close out our Mama Tried weekend events!
Paul Cauthen first earned his reputation as a fire-breathing truth-teller with the acclaimed roots rock band Sons of Fathers, but it wasn’t until the 2016 release of his solo debut, My Gospel, that he truly tapped into the full depth of his prodigious talents. Vice Noisey dubbed it “a somber reminder of how lucky we are to be alive,” while Texas Monthly raved that Cauthen “sound[s] like the Highwaymen all rolled into one: he’s got Willie’s phrasing, Johnny’s haggard quiver, Kristofferson’s knack for storytelling, and Waylon’s baritone.” The album landed on a slew of Best Of lists at the year’s end and earned festival appearances from Austin City Limits and Pickathon to Stagecoach and Tumbleweed along with dates opening for Elle King, Margo Price, Midland, Cody Jinks, Social Distortion and more. He followed it up two years later with Have Mercy, an album that prompted Rolling Stone to dub him “one of the most fascinating, and eccentric, new voices in country music” and NPR’s Ann Powers to proclaim 2019 as “the year of Paul Cauthen.”
Chris Novak Birthday Extravaganza!
Chris Novak, you know him, you love him, he's the best Milwaukee has to offer... and it's his birthday yet again! Welcome to another year of Chris's fave bands playing his fave show... his own! This year Chris welcomes Milwaukee's own Wonderful Bluffer with Madison's best Carrellee, with support from Prairie Dogs with Rebz River and the Racing Pulses! As always this is not one to be missed, so join us on the Harborfront for a celebration of all things Chris! Doors at 7, Tickets on sale now!
Horny Hawg Hootenanny - Flat Out Friday Official Afterparty
If you've been, you know... Welcome back to ten years of Flat Out Friday Official Afterparties at The Cooperage and this year will be no different! Music, mayhem, spaghetti wrestling, motorcycles, booze, and a whole lotta fun.
HEATED: a heated RIVALRY DANCE PARTY
GBH Events brings you a hot night of entertainment inspired by Heated Rivalry... Dreaming of what? Bronze medal?
HEATED
A heated rivalry dance party.
Come dance to our favorite songs from the show — reworked for the floor — alongside timeless gay anthems.
World's Smallest Flat Track Races
World's Smallest Flat Track Races return to the Harborfront presented by Flat Out Friday and hosted by the legendary Joey Turbo!
The Cooperage is happy to welcome back the World’s Smallest Flat Track Races! It is exactly what it sounds like. We’ve built a mini flat track inside The Cooperage for a night fun, frights and mayhem! So grab your friends, and local hooligans, get a couple of drinks rippin, suck some exhaust and witness the most electrifying spectacle to kick off the festivities of the greatest part of Milwaukee’s year! THIS THING IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!
BLAX OMNIPOTENT METHODOLOGY ALBUM RELEASE PARTY & BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
Blax brings their record release to the Harborfront on February 15th!
BLAX (Adebisi Agoro)** is a Milwaukee-based hip-hop artist with over 20 years in the underground conscious rap scene. As founder of God Degree Media, he maintains complete ownership of his masters, publishing, and touring revenue while building a career rooted in authentic storytelling and community. A 2018 WAMI Award winner for Best Rap/Hip-Hop Artist, BLAX has earned critical acclaim from The Fader, The Source, and Respect Magazine, recently gaining national exposure through [MSN.com](http://MSN.com). His experimental, West African-influenced sound bridges Milwaukee’s hip-hop generations as co-founder of Fresh Cut Collective.
Featuring performances by:
BLAX
Modern Tigers
Dana Coppa & Mike DNA
Youth Energy
Je’Love
They Want Blood
Groove Theory: A Valentine’s Day Tribute to D’Angelo
Milwaukee ensemble Brew City Soul curates a rich, romantic set honoring D’Angelo’s legacy—performed by Milwaukee’s premier vocalists.
Join us Saturday, February 14, for a special Valentine’s Day concert as Groove Theory returns with a tribute to one of R&B’s most iconic artists—D’Angelo. Known for redefining modern soul through raw vulnerability, masterful musicianship, and timeless love songs like “Lady," “Cruisin’,” “Untitled (How Does It Feel),” and “Really Love,” D’Angelo’s catalog sets the perfect tone for an unforgettable Valentine’s night.
Kid Boogie Down
The Kid Boogie Down returns to the Harborfront for an all inclusive, dance party for the kids!
The Kid Boogie Down brings its family friendly fun to The Cooperage! Founded in Milwaukee in January 2017, Kid Boogie Down began as a full sensory family-friendly dance party experience. Primarily designed as an indoor dance party with lights, lasers, music videos and bubbles to combat winter blues, Kid Boogie Down is something enjoyable not just for kids, but for people of all ages.
Prominent Milwaukee-based DJ Lukewarm introduces young audiences to genres ranging from classic disco and funk to modern hits synced with matching music videos. Children of all ages can come ‘Boogie Down’ to the sounds of a live DJ with visuals, lights, lasers, bubbles, and more!
OnMilwaukee Adult Spelling Bee
OnMilwaukee will once again host an adult spelling bee and is currently seeking 25 meticulous spellers to compete on stage.
The OnMilwaukee Adult Spelling Bee takes place on Friday, Feb. 13 at The Cooperage, 822 S. Water St. at 7 p.m. All spellers get in free! Tickets to attend this event will be available soon, but mark your calendars now.
However, now's the time to register to compete in the Bee. The first 25 people to sign up will be emailed with further instructions. We've made some changes and are ready to host the very best Bee yet!
One Trick Pony: Low Budget Show
ESTABLISHED IN 2014, ONE TRICK PONY WAS FORMED BY EVENT COORDINATOR, MAUREEN POST AND ALIVE AND FINE OWNER, ASHLEY SMITH AS A MILWAUKEE BASED VINTAGE MARKET. OUR FIRST MARKET FEATURED OVER 20 OF THE BEST VINTAGE VENDORS AROUND AND ESTABLISHED OTP AS A MUST ATTEND EVENT. IN THE YEARS FOLLOWING, WE’VE FEATURED OVER 100 UNIQUE VENDORS IN LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY AND BROUGHT IN THOUSANDS OF ATTENDEES WHO’VE BECOME A LOYAL FAN BASE OF FASHIONABLE, FORWARD THINKING SHOPPERS AND PEOPLE WHO LIKE TO PARTY.
FROM OBSCURE BOOK TITLES TO 1920’S FLAPPER DRESSES TO 90’S HYPE TEES, ONE TRICK PONY REPRESENTS VINTAGE FOR ALL. OUR DIVERSE MARKETS OFFER MORE THAN JUST INCREDIBLE VINTAGE SHOPPING. OTP PROVIDES A PLATFORM FOR VINTAGE SHOPPERS TO CONNECT TO SELLERS AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS IRL AND SUPPORT SUSTAINABILITY IN STYLE.
Join us for a very special low budget evening edition!
WMSE presents Pirate Steve's Reggae Jam
WMSE and The Cooperage proudly bring you Pirate Steve's Reggae Jam this February on the Harborfront!
This February, The Cooperage, Hazy Days and WMSE are bringing you a heater in Pirate Steve's Reggae Jam; a fundraiser for the mighty WMSE! Head down to the Harborfront for a night of music and fun, grab a drink beforehand at Boone & Crockett, or some food at South Water Snacks! Doors to The Cooperage open at 8pm with Music from Chicago's premier reggae band Indika, Carla Starla, and JD Rankin! Hosted by the Boogie Bang's own Barry Johnson, this will not be a night to missed! Tickets on sale now!
Club Ritual Vol. 2
Club Ritual brings it's underground dance party back to the Harborfront for Volume #2
If you’re hip to Milwaukee’s underground dance scene, you’re almost certainly hip to Club Ritual. The dance-happy event series has brought beats to places like High Dive, Mad Planet, Quarters, and even Black Cat Alley since 2016. Asher Gray and Greyhound bring you the best in indie underground dance culture for a Friday dance party with the hottest djs doing it in Milwaukee. Special guest Digital Maddie.
In Memory of Bob Weir
Man, this one hits hard. 💔
Join the fam in a night of paying tribute to the one and only, Bob Weir. Free and open to the public, celebrate the life and music this man has given us over the years.
💀 Doors open at 5 pm with local shakedown and curated playlist.
💀7 pm - @another.one.mke live tribute performance
💀 Benefit for @headcountorg , a cause near to Bobby’s heart.
Breaking & Entering presents: Avenues
Beaking & Entering return with a killer lineup on January 30th down on the Harborfront!
Breaking & Entering is your guide to Milwaukee's best music and source for up and coming artists. This time around they're bringing the heat with a high energy lineup headlined by pop punk quartet Avenues.
Avenues are known for their fast paced tight driven sound pulling influences from their roots of classic skate punk bands. Vin’s catchy song writing, vocal hooks, and melodic guitar riffs will have you singing along for days after you see them. Avenues have toured through the US and Canada and have played festivals such as Punk Rock Bowling, Warped Tour, Pouzza Fest, Envol Et Macadam, Summerfest, and Midwest Punk Fest sharing the stage with notable acts like the Buzzcocks, Rise Against, Teenage Bottlerocket, Red City Radio, 88 Fingers Louie, Strung Out, Swingin’ Utters, The Queers, and Masked Intruder.
Joining them on the bill are Calamity and Tiger Lily. Doors at 7, Music at 8.
5th Annual Bluegrass Winter Heater
IT'S BACK BABY! The gull darn 5th annual Bluegrass Winter Heater! This lineup is FIRE.
The Milbillies host a litany of wonderful artists to help set your icy souls on fire on Saturday January 24th! Art Stevenson & High Water, Derek Pritzl & The Gamble, Valley Fox and more round out the evening with Jordan Kroeger on emcee duties and visits from special guests Ernie Brusubardis IV and Artist at Large! Get your tickets now!
The Milbillies area bluegrass band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, formed in 2018 with members Joe Wais (fiddle), Eben Flood (guitar), Matt Brey (mandolin), Dan Shaw (banjo), and Pat Zimmer (bass). They are known for their blend of traditional and progressive bluegrass, described as energetic and high-spirited. The band gained recognition by winning the Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) New Artist of the Year award in 2020 and the John Hartford Memorial Festival band contest in 2022. They have released two albums, the self-titled The Milbillies (2022) and Capital B (2023).
Guitarist, singer, and harmonicist Art Stevenson (Babcock, Wisconsin) has played in bluegrass bands since the late 1970s. Art learned bluegrass guitar after attending the Mole Lake Bluegrass Festival in 1976, and he has played harmonica since early childhood. Art organized Art Stevenson & High Water in 1993. Art is known for his powerful lead singing on traditional bluegrass, early country, and western ballads, and for his driving rhythm guitar playing. His harmonica renditions of fiddle tunes like Orange Blossom Special always bring the house down. Art is promoter of Bluegrass In The Pines, a long running bluegrass festival in Rosholt, Wisconsin, and hosts Back To The Country on WORT 89.9 FM, Madison.
Mondo Lucha!
Milwaukee's own, MONDO LUCHA! returns on Friday January 23rd to the Cooperage for another wild and exciting night of high-flying wrestling action. Featuring all your favorite MONDO LUCHA! superstars and personalities. Get ready to enjoy all the thrills and chills as the Cooperage gets turned upside and body slammed by the insane world of pro wrestling! DOORS AT 7, SHOW AT 8!
Kid Boogie Down
The Kid Boogie Down returns to the Harborfront for an all inclusive, dance party for the kids!
The Kid Boogie Down brings its family friendly fun to The Cooperage! Founded in Milwaukee in January 2017, Kid Boogie Down began as a full sensory family-friendly dance party experience. Primarily designed as an indoor dance party with lights, lasers, music videos and bubbles to combat winter blues, Kid Boogie Down is something enjoyable not just for kids, but for people of all ages.
Prominent Milwaukee-based DJ Lukewarm introduces young audiences to genres ranging from classic disco and funk to modern hits synced with matching music videos. Children of all ages can come ‘Boogie Down’ to the sounds of a live DJ with visuals, lights, lasers, bubbles, and more!
ALL YOUR FRIENDS: The Indie Party
An indie dance party for the ones who still romanticize a scratched iPod, American Spirits, and a blurry night scored by Bloc Party and Crystal Castles.
All Your Friends is your basement-floor flashback to the bloghouse, post-punk revival, and early Tumblr era — when the jeans were tight, the eyeliner was smudged, and every night felt like a house show turned afterparty. Expect to move to LCD Soundsystem, The Rapture, Foals, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV on the Radio, and that remix you forgot you loved.
N/A Day: A Dry January Beverage Festival
On Saturday, January 3 from noon to 4 p.m., Milwaukee Record will host the fifth annual Milwaukee edition of N/A Day at The Cooperage. The “Dry January Beverage Festival”—which is sponsored by Athletic Brewing Company, Clausthaler, WYNK, Gruber Law Offices, and WMSE—will give people an opportunity to enjoy unlimited samples of more than 50 products in the wide-ranging, ever-evolving, and rapidly-growing non-alcoholic drink market.
Vendors range from local operations to nationally-regarded brands in the N/A space. Tickets cost $20 in advance and $30 at the door. Whether you’re looking to turn over a new leaf in the new year or you’re just seeking to add some more refreshments to your personal repertoire, Milwaukee Record's N/A Day is sure to be a fun and low-risk way to try some new drinks on for size.
GATHER THEM NYE!
Gather Them brings the party to the Harborfront for NYE!
After the rousing success of all things Gather Them to celebrate the life of a beloved safe space, we decided to keep the fun going! Join us for a night of community, celebration, drag, and music on the Harborfront. We will be having an early bingo and a late night of partying!
Bring an open heart and your dancing shoes because Gather Them is a celebration of pride and a demonstration of queer joy. 🖤
Ugly Xmas Sweater Party: Charity Toy Drive
Get ready for the biggest party of the year! Grab your ugliest sweater and come out and kick it with your favorite podcast!
Teezy Talks Presents: Ugly Sweater Party 9
Come join us at The Cooperage MKE for the biggest Ugly Sweater Party! Y'all know how it goes. This is our 9th year and we are doing it even bigger. It doesn't matter if you're making your ugly sweater or buying it,just remember we have an ugly sweater contest and winner gets a cash prize! DJ Nick Stokes will be spinning so you know its lit, a night of good music, dancing, and good vibes. Grab your friends and family and enjoy the night. Don't wait, get your tickets today!
