Upcoming events
Redd's Lineup: Line Dancing Spectacular
7:45pm-Midnight
Doors 6pm
Beginner Class (1 hour) ($10) 6:30-7:30
Free Lesson around 8:15 (15 minutes)
*Cap at 150 dancers
La Gozadera at The Cooperage
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.
R&B LIVE MKE - 17 Year Anniversary Show!
R&B LIVE MKE is celebrating 17 years of providing a platform for the city's most talented musicians and vocalists.
WE ARE CELEBRATING 17 YEARS OF AMAZING MUSICIANS AND VOCALISTS ROCKIN OUR STAGE!!
SUNDAY, SEPT. 20TH
LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR. DOORS OPEN 6PM.
hosted by Lena Cole & DJ Mister Martin
R&B LIVE Band: D Will (guitar), Eric Lock (keys), Mike Evans (percussion), Dave James (bass), Olen Franklin (drums)
Power Line Up: JOSH JONES, ELLE RENEE, JONAS JONES, TJ JEANES, TERRY PUGH, CHELSEA STINGLEY, BRIAN CRAWFORD, KISHI JOHNSON, MICAH EMRICH , LILY E'LON, JMIKA DESHAZER, SCALEZ.......more TBA!
Follow us on all social media platforms:
R&B LIVE Milwaukee Band (Facebook)
rblivemke (Instagram)
Big Shrimp with Modern Joey
Big Shrimp is coming all the way from Bridgeport, CT to make their Harborfront debut at The Cooperage!
Big Shrimp is a young high-octane progressive improvised rock quartet formed in 2024in Bridgeport, Connecticut, blending danceable funk, exploratory rock, and fearless improvisation into a sound that’s as intricate as it is infectious. Built on diverse, catchable songwriting delivered by all four members featuring Jared Sage Cowen (Guitar/Vocals), Max Perrotti (Bass/Vocals, Daniel Cohen (Keys/Vocals), Henry Thomas (Drums/Vocals), Big Shrimp’s material has quickly earned national attention, including placement on Spotify’s Modern Jam Band editorial playlist.
Known for their adventurous live shows, the band balances tightly crafted originals with fresh, unexpected covers all filtered through their playful, high-energy lens. These performances have helped cultivate a fiercely loyal fanbase known as The Prawn Stars, whose growing presence in rooms across the country has fueled the band’s rapid rise. That momentum landed Big Shrimp on Grateful Web’s “Top 12 Upcoming Jam Bands to Watch in 2026,” further cementing their status as a breakout act.
Marielle Allschwang and the Visitations/ Exit Statements/ Body Futures
Get ready for a night of uncompromising local music. Marielle Allschwang and the Visitations, EXITSTATEMENTS, and Body Futures take over The Cooperage in Milwaukee on Saturday, September 27 for an evening of creative melody, atmospheric tension, and unforgettable performances. Doors open at 6:00 PM, with music starting at 7:00 PM. Join us at The Cooperage, 822 S. Water St., Milwaukee, WI. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Don’t miss one of Milwaukee’s most powerful local lineups this year!
Americana Matinee: Amy LaVere & Will Sexton Live with very special guests!
Amy LaVere and husband Will Sexton have been music collaborators and touring companions for 11 years. The quality of their craft, the miles traveled and their original catalog is ever growing.
LaVere’s songwriting is pointed and clever with lyrics that are hard to shake. Once you hear her captivating voice, it will be forever instantly recognizable.
Over the past three decades, Will Sexton has grown into a skilled musical polymath: an esteemed writer, producer, session player and solo artist with a string of acclaimed LPs to his credit. Sexton’s seasoned guitar playing and velvet vocals are a superb fit to LaVere’s distinctive talent and smooth, percussive upright bass prowess. Amy and Will are among the finest musical craftsmen and performers in the Americana genre. Their spellbinding show is incomparable, something you must see for yourself.
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!
Mobilize the Poets Presents: AFTER THE WAR: 1919
AFTER THE WAR: 1919 A multimedia "rock and roll history show" about one of the most troubling peacetime years in the history of the United States. The post-war, post-pandemic country is reckoning with the fundamental rights of its citizens.
Americans have just fought a war “to make the world safe for democracy” and now are fighting to preserve that very democracy at home. Strikes, race riots, women’s suffrage, mass deportations, the Red Scare, and Prohibition dominate the headlines and people’s lives.This show reflects on the lives of everyday people who lived during this extraordinary time, the meaning of peace, and Wisconsin’s role in it all.
"Packed with rollicking incisive poetic songs, stunning visuals, and authentic voices conjuring 1919, a momentous year with striking parallels to the present. A Wisco-centric rival of Brecht & Weill's visionary fusion of music, art, political history, and stagecraft.”
Support provided by:
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Veterans Museum
Milwaukee Chamber Theatre
Milwaukee Opera Theatre
Vanguard Milwaukee
Antishadows Theatrical Design
Hinckley Productions
Brainstormer Studios
ABOUT MOBILIZE THE POETS
Mobilize the Poets is a cross-discipline troupe of musicians, historians, and theatre artists dedicated to honoring the lives of everyday people who have lived through extraordinary times. We bring history and music together in powerful multimedia productions. We call them “rock and roll history shows.”
MMF presents: Carnivore Carnival
Midwest Mud Fest returns with a Halloween Extravaganza!
Step Right Up and join the Carnivore Carnival!!! A spectacle of acts @thecultofspaceskull@thecultofnasty @thepublikband @h0tscience from around the Midwest!!! A sideshow of wrestlers getting down in a Ball Pit... dress as your favorite clown and carnivore freaks, we have so much more in store for this evening of delights!!! Stay tuned, and Be prepared to be in awww...
FLAMINGOSIS: Bright Moments 10 Year Anniversary
Flamingosis comes to the Harborfront on Halloween to celebrate 10 years of Bright Moments! Grab your costume or your hottest attire and make your way to the hottest party in town on the most festive weekend of the year!
Flamingosis makes the soundtrack to being your best self. Under the spell of Aaron Velasquez, the New Jersey-raised and Brooklyn-based artist and producer, handcrafted electronic beats meet live instrumentation spiked with funk in the center of the dancefloor (right underneath the disco ball). The ensuing overflow of energy might just inspire you to get up and move, fall in love, or even change your life. Extending a creative arc without comparison, he strikes a deep emotional chord on his 2024 full-length album, Better Will Come.
“Everyone wants to get better in some way,” he states. “The album highlights my own personal experience of growing, and you can potentially relate your story to what I went through. I learned a lot of hard lessons, but I made a conscious effort to grow in every way—not just musically, but physically, mentally, and spiritually. I did a lot of inner work, and I channeled these experiences into the music. If you pursue self-improvement, life improves around you too.”
Artistically, he has continued to progress at an impressive pace. Piling up over 100 million streams and counting, he has dropped one fan favorite project after another, including Pleasure Palette [2015], Kahunastyle [2016], Bright Moments [2016], Daymaker [2021] and collaborative album Bliss Station [2023]. Of the latter, ThisSongIsSick raved, “This is the perfect album to rinse outside by the pool, at the park, in your backyard, or wherever you have a space to move around,” and EARMILKchristened it “an electronic journey through time and space.” Along the way, he teamed up with everyone from Big Gigantic, GRiZ and Tokimonsta to Matoma for collaborations. Simultaneously, he notably shined at festivals, including Austin City Limits, Electric Forest, Okeechobee, Holy Ship!, Voodoo Music + Arts, and more.
Scorpio Season Bash 3: The Finale
Come celebrate Robb Breaks 50th on the Harborfront with some of the biggest dj's in hip hop! FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!
FEATURING: Trackstar, Greg Nice, Dj Rob Ski, Robb Breakz, And the Treat Yosef Crew (Nu-Stylez, Bizzon, SwadeTrackz)
Best known for his prolific mixtape & radio work, and as the tour DJ for Killer Mike and Run the Jewels, Trackstar the DJ has been fortunate to travel the world playing music he loves, working and performing with many of the greatest artists in hip hop since his start behind the turntables on college radio in St Louis in 1999.
Trackstar built a reputation for creativity and consistency by releasing nearly two hundred mixes including collaborations with Royce da 5’9, Big Boi, Lupe Fiasco and other legends. His work with the elite online tastemaking team The Smoking Section and a constant presence on radio (currently, SiriusXM’s Shade45, every Friday night since 2017) helped him develop a significant following. Track continues to be on the road, playing for crowds across the globe performing including Bottlerock, Dusk, Adult Swim Festival, Boiler Room and more.
Greg Nice broke into the music scene as a beat boxer for Hip Hop Legend T-La Rock. While Smooth B honed his skills at local talent shows, blending lyrics with harmonies. Nice & Smooth came together thru an introduction by a mutual friend in 1985. They put out their first single independently in1986 before they signed to Sleeping Bags Record and later DEF JAM. Their first indie single featured "Skill Trade" and "Dope on a Rope". The duo released four albums from the late 1980s to the mid 1990s. Their first collaborate appearance was on the song, "Pimpin Ain't Easy" by Big Daddy Kane on his album, It's a Big Daddy Thing in 1989.The group notably collaborated with New Kids On The Block and went on to smash stages from Madison Square Garden to the Meadowlands Arena. In 1991 the group was featured on 3rd Base's Gold Album Derelicts of Dialect on the song "Microphone Techniques". Mary J Blige featured Greg Nice on her first platinum single "You Remind Me" in 1991. Smooth B wrote rhymes for Bobby Brown that appeared on his debut album King of Stage and second album Don't Be Cruel. Greg Nice was also featured on C+C Music Factory's platinum selling single "Do you wanna get funky", furthering the group reach in the pop arena.
Jo Jo Hermann of Widespread Panic!
JoJo Hermann is an American musician best known as the longtime keyboardist for the Southern rock jam band Widespread Panic. Born in New York City in 1962, he grew up with a passion for blues and New Orleans-style piano, influenced by artists like Professor Longhair and Dr. John. After studying at college in Mississippi and immersing himself in the local music scene, Hermann joined Widespread Panic in 1992, adding his signature blend of boogie-woogie piano and organ to the band's improvisational sound. His dynamic performances and deep love of roots music have made him a fan favorite and a vital part of the band's enduring success.
In addition to his keyboard work, JoJo Hermann has contributed vocals on several notable Widespread Panic songs, showcasing his distinctive style. Some of his standout performances include fan-favorites like "Ain't Life Grand," "Blackout Blues," and "One Arm Steve," all of which highlight his soulful voice and bluesy piano flair. Beyond his work with Widespread Panic, Hermann has pursued other musical projects, including his solo work and collaborations with various bands. He formed the band Missing Cats with singer-songwriter Sherman Ewing, focusing on a more stripped-down, folk-rock sound. He has also played with JoJo and His Mojo Mardi Gras Band, which reflects his deep love for New Orleans funk and R&B, bringing a celebratory, improvisational feel to his performances. Hermann’s diverse musical influences and his collaborations have solidified his reputation as a versatile and passionate musician.
MKE Music Night XCIV: Latin Night
Friday, September 4th MKE Music Night RETURNS to THE COOPERAGE for a latin BANGERANG For the first time in three years the LATIN NIGHT show series returns to the cooperage featuring some of our cities up and coming latin bands...
MKE Music Night is a local art and music showcase which has been throwing live music events for 6 years at various venues. (9/4/26) will mark the 104th MKE Music Night and we will be filling the venue with local art vendors and stacking the lineup with some of the KILLER talent our rockin' city has to offer. Check out the lineup below
6:30pm Doors Open
---------------------
7-7:30pm ~ Tlalok
7:40-8:40pm ~ Pulpa de Guayaba
9-10:15pm ~ Los Mitoteros
10:30-11:45pm ~ Calakas Sonoras
The Cooperage (822 S. Water st.)
Doors at 7pm · Music at 7:30pm
Friday, September 4th
Coop 60 hr Film Festival
We at the Coop 60 comittee are dedicated film makers and film lovers. Our goal is to create a space for filmmakers to have fun and explore.
A 60 hour film fest is 60 hours for a film making team to write, shoot and edit a film. At the kickoff event, teams will recieve randomly drawn assignments they must include in the film, this is to ensure each film is something new as well as a source of inspiration. The result is something beautiful, a screening of all the films together where we can see the hard work and brilliant ideas showcased at Milwaukee’s premiere indepedent venue, The Cooperage. The goal with random assignments isn’t to tell you what kind of film to make, it’s to give you a challenge that you can rise up to.
Patrick Fliess, Will Nicholas, Max Lambert, Mandy Freund, and Natalie Schomisch. We are graduates and students from the UWM Film Program. Former comittee members of The Milwaukee Underground Film Fest. Active Filmmakers in Milwaukee. We want more 24 and 48 hour film festivals in Milwaukee, so we’re putting one on ourselves and giving people a liiiiitle more time so they can be that much more proud of the work they exhibit.
FM106 Secret Show
FM106.1 5th Secret Show!
We're bringing back our Secret Show, powered by Dr Matt Smith at Revive Dentistry in Pewaukee, to The Cooperage on Saturday, August 29th!
We can't tell you about the acts performing at it, but we can tell you that general admission tickets are only $40 each... and a portion of the proceeds goes towards our St. Jude Radiothon!
Food trucks and the outside bar will be open prior to doors opening for some early fun!
Doors open at 11:15am, and the show starts at 12pm!
Gather Them: Animal Instinct
Calling every class, order, and species in the animal kingdom! Get ready for the most WILD night of Gather Them yet!!Prowl our indoor party - featuring your favorite local DJ and Grand Martial, Femme Noir as our headliner! Experience the collaboration of our local creator vendors and take advantage of our pole, tattoo, and tarot pop ups! Or, touch some grass and enjoy our outdoor activities, games, and art table! We are excited to present our first ever- animalistic burlesque show with a steamy pack of sensual beasts who will awaken your primal instinct. Unleash your inner animal with our queer dance party or let loose with outdoor activities and bingo scavenger hunt! There is something for every creature!
Advance tickets start at $10 and go through the end of July. Don't wait to secure your spot at our watering hole! General tickets are $15 starting August 1st! Day of tickets will be $20. Make sure to get yours early!
All net profits from Gather Them go directly back into our collaborators and community. We are grateful for your support, and excited to party with you!
CusCampbell live at The Cooperage!
Award winning R&B legend CusCampbell makes his Harborfront debut!
CusCampbell is an award-winning R&B artist, trombonist, and singer-songwriter. He first gained national attention with a co-sign from Snoop Dogg during Peace Out 2020, a year-end special hosted by Keke Palmer and David Dobrik and produced by ATTN: for Facebook Watch.
He was also featured in a viral TikTok campaign alongside Grammy-winning artist and composer Jon Batiste. Additional credits include recording with legendary producer Sha Money XL and performing for Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and the WNBA.
His single “Party All Night” led to a 50-city headline tour with sold-out shows across North America. A true dual-threat artist, CusCampbell stands out as one built for long-term industry impact.
La Gozadera
Doors at 8:45 p.m. Salsa, bachata, and cumbia all night, with Francis Annan teaching beginner salsa at 9:00 p.m. sharp, he is visiting from London, to teach the community that shaped him. DJ Furcio holds down the music through the night, until 1:45 a.m. Follow us on Instagram for our performer lineup and details. @lagozaderasocialmke
$20 cash only at the door
ALLEY EYES/HOT MESS/CALLBACK/FAKEOUT
ALLEY EYES—LOUD, STYLISH, AND UNFILTERED. BORN OUT OF THE CITY’S DIY SCENE, THE FOUR-PIECE BLENDS SHARP HOOKS, GRITTY GUITARS, AND A TOUCH OF CHAOS INTO SOMETHING THAT FEELS BOTH NOSTALGIC AND BRAND NEW.
THEIR LATEST EP BONDAGE IN THE AFTERNOON IS A COMING-OF-AGE SOUNDTRACK FOR ANYONE WHO’S EVER DANCED THROUGH HEARTBREAK OR LIT A CIGARETTE JUST TO FEEL CINEMATIC. WITH NODS TO THE STROKES, THE BEACHES, AND INHALER, ALLEY EYES CHANNEL EARLY-2000S INDIE WITH A MIDWESTERN HEART.
Hot Mess is a rising Milwaukee pop-rock band consisting ofReid Stevenson (vocals), Sam Theno (guitar), Owen Stevenson (guitar), Trevor Gallagher (bass), and Aidan Valentine (drums). Known for punchy guitars and anthemic hooks, they recently released their latest single, "Take Me Home"
Callback is a Minneapolis-based alternative pop/rock project. Formed in early 2024, Ben Klepfer (Vocals/Production) and Bailey Prevost (Guitar/Production) released their 7-track debut EP, Overobsessed, the following October. Since then, the group has established regional praise for their energetic, captivating, and consistently memorable performances. After releasing a lone single in 2025, Callback has never been more confident in their sound — from the studio to the stage. 2026 promises large steps forward for the project, as Callback remains a must-watch talent in the alt-pop scene.
Fakeout (often styled as F//O) isa hard-hitting alternative and hard rock band based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
2026 Girls Rock Camp Session 2 Showcase
Come cheer on the next generation of rock stars and celebrate the accomplishments of our Girls Rock Camp Session 2 rockers!
All week camp attendees of all skill levels learn how to play a rock instrument, form a band, write an original song and perform that song they created on their new instrument at this magnificent showcase. The Girls Rock Showcase is the big concert event where campers perform their original songs. Let's cheer them on!
The Cooperage (822 S Water St, Milwaukee, WI 53204)
Free parking in the lot or on the street.
**DOORS at 11:30 a.m.
SHOW at 12:00 p.m. **
Reserve your spot at the show by purchasing this advanced ticket. Tickets will also be available at the door with a sliding-scale door cover of $10-20 that goes to support Girls Rock MKE camp operations. This is a family-friendly event with accompanying family-friendly activities. Fans and friends of all ages are welcome to attend. Kids 10-years-old and under get in FREE!
Merch and refreshments will also be available. We also invite you to enjoy the food trucks parked outside the Cooperage venue before, during, or after the show!
Thank you to media partners 88.9 Radio Milwaukee, HYFIN, and WMSE. Shout-out to Adeline Pumplun (@Adelinejean.art) for the sick camp logo design!
Gimme Gimme Disco
Gimme Gimme Disco returns to the Harborfront!
If you can’t get enough of ABBA, boy do we have THE dance party for you! We are a DJ based dance party playing all your favorite ABBA tracks, plus plenty of other disco hits from the 70s & 80's like The Bee Gees, Donna Summer, Cher, & so much more. So honey honey, take-a-chance and you’ll be dancing all night long. Grab tickets, put on your best disco attire, bring your friends, and have the best night of your life!
SSAANN/KENT AVENUE CARPOOL/CLAIRE MARTINE/MY MELODY
SSAANN Hypnotic dream pop paired with dramatic shoegaze. SSAANN romanticizes soft vocals with massive guitar textures, translating to a floaty, heavenly space flooded with emotion. Supported by live light shows, the 5-piece bring a full sensory experience to their audiences.
Kent Avenue Carpool is an indie psych-rock band born in Milwaukee and based in Chicago. Their dreamy, ethereal sound is driven by founders Sam Beem and Liam Hartnett alongside Josh Trimble and Hugh Maxey.
Claire Martine was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and now is based in New York City. She grew up playing violin and now I'm writing and producing original alternative music.
88Nine Radio Milwaukee's states, "A classical foundation provides the framework where Martine thrives. Her elegantly soft singing voice bounces around the mix, parallel to the other [band] members ... Martine brings this to her music: an understanding of who she is to her core that rings out of the speakers."
My Melody is a Milwaukee-based indie rock and emo trio featuringKidd Starck (guitar/vocals), Oli Smith (drums), and a third member, blending 90s alt-rock and 2000s math rock.
Geena Fontanella: The Millennial Tour
Geena Fontanella brings her Millenial Tour to the Harborfront!
Geena is a punk millennial artist channeling the raw, angsty energy of the 2000s — think burned CD mixes, chipped black nail polish, and late-night MySpace confessions. Her music blends throwback pop-punk hooks with fresh frustration: loud, heartfelt, and the soundtrack to the teen years you never quite outgrew.
After turning heads with a gritty DIY parking garage tour that turned underground spaces into echo chambers of teen heartbreak, Geena returns with her new single,"Best Friend’s Brother." Out July 30th, it’s a nostalgia-soaked anthem loaded with sharp hooks and the kind of emotional chaos you swore you’d moved past — but secretly still love.
Bikini Bottoms
Milwaukee’s Annual Queer Summer Darty!!!!!!
🐬🍑🌊🦀🐚🌈💦☀️🫧🌺🐠🪼
Join @thevenussocialclub3 at @cooperagemke for a dance party under the summer sun, featuring DJ’s @r3algrl b2b @mowiah._ , @myagoetsch_ , @_.jayxz._ , @ifallinlove2easily, & @_tab333 !
🏄♀️
This isn’t only an indoor and outdoor dance party… with admission you get access to all djs, @houseofonyxx_mke pole dancing, our tiki bar, vendors, soap wrestling, wet t shirt contest, @arikakaosa ‘s arm wrestling competition, a pool to sip our featured cocktails in, and Milwaukee’s ONLY queer summer darty!
Wisconsin electoral socialists benefit show!
Donate to support socialist candidates in Wisconsin!
Friday, July 31, 7PM
The Cooperage
822 S Water St
21+, $15 donation
Donate using this form, or bring cash night of the show
Featuring performances by:
Ladybird (https://ladybirdmke.bandcamp.com/album/clementine)
Thyone (https://thyone.bandcamp.com/)
Queeriosity
All proceeds split between candidates endorsed by Wisconsin Electoral Socialists, including: Amy Donahue, Ryan Clancy, Francesca Hong, David Liners, and Christian Phelps.
Visit WeSocialists.com for more info.
![Not That Innocent [2000s dance party]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67b78d4e450e454da3786c60/1783803505608-52A1AZZ1IGKPWPLUBEI5/image.png)
Not That Innocent [2000s dance party]
It's getting hot in here...
Join us for a taste of poison paradise and dance till the world ends with all the best pop & classic tunes from the 2000s, by artists such as:
Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Ke$ha, Nelly, Beyoncé, Usher, Rihanna, Pitbull, 50 Cent, Shakira, Snoop Dogg, Flo Rida, Fergie, Drake, T-Pain, Amy Winehouse, Pink, Outkast, Lady Gaga , Shakira, Eminem, Pink, Black Eyed Peas, Jay-Z and many more.
2026 Girls Rock Camp Session 1 Showcase
Come cheer on the next generation of rock stars and celebrate the accomplishments of our Girls Rock Camp Session 1 rockers!
All week camp attendees of all skill levels learn how to play a rock instrument, form a band, write an original song and perform that song they created on their new instrument at this magnificent showcase. The Girls Rock Showcase is the big concert event where campers perform their original songs. Let's cheer them on!
The Cooperage (822 S Water St, Milwaukee, WI 53204)
Free parking in the lot or on the street.
**DOORS at 11:30 a.m.
SHOW at 12:00 p.m. **
Reserve your spot at the show by purchasing this advanced ticket. Tickets will also be available at the door with a sliding-scale door cover of $10-20 that goes to support Girls Rock MKE camp operations. This is a family-friendly event with accompanying family-friendly activities. Fans and friends of all ages are welcome to attend. Kids 10-years-old and under get in FREE!
Merch and refreshments will also be available. We also invite you to enjoy the food trucks parked outside the Cooperage venue before, during, or after the show!
Thank you to media partners 88.9 Radio Milwaukee, HYFIN, and WMSE. Shout-out to Adeline Pumplun (@Adelinejean.art) for the sick camp logo design!
Midwest Mudfest: Triple Threat
Get ready for a night of absolute grit and chaos as Midwest Mudfest takes over the patio at Boone and Crockett AND inside The Cooperage!
The Main Event: Mud Wrestling
The centerpiece of the night takes place on the Boone patio. We are featuring a roster of 20 mud wrestlers who will be going head-to-head in the pit.
The Musical Lineup
We’ve assembled a heavy-hitting roster of bands to provide the soundtrack to the night.
Bussy Kween Power Trip (Chicago)
Coming up from Chicago, Bussy Kween Power Trip is a Black Queer Punk trio that ditches guitars for a massive, bass-driven sound. Known for their "fuzz-drenched" riffs, skull-cracking drums, and sinister vocals, they bring a fierce, anti-establishment energy that is designed to shake the room.
Sex Scenes (Milwaukee)
A staple of the Milwaukee hardcore-punk scene, Sex Scenes is synonymous with "chaos-drenched liberation." Their sound is a snotty blend of thrash riffs and mid-tempo hardcore hooks. Since front-woman Sarah Turbo took the mic in 2021, they’ve solidified their reputation for raw, unapologetic live sets.
Chapped Lips (Milwaukee)
This Milwaukee four-piece delivers a high-voltage blender of indie-punk, alternative rock, and "shreddy, heavy, twinkly" riffs. Known for their contortive dance moves and a deep musical chemistry that dates back to childhood, Chapped Lips brings a frantic, engaging energy to the stage.
The Cult of Nasty (Milwaukee)
True to their name, The Cult of Nasty (aka Nasty Boys) are local legends of the gritty and the loud. This drum-and-bass duo brings "hips, nips, and naughty nether region bits" to their performances, offering an intense, balls-to-the-wall energy that proves Nasty Boys really do do it all.
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.
Pole Factory presents: GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS
Join Pole Factory MKE for a 1980s Sunset Strip themed Pole Show featuring local Midwest pole artists, a costume contest, vendors, flash tattoos, Polaroids & one hell of a show. If you loved our hit 2025 Bad Reputation: Punk Rock Pole Show, this is our reimagined 2026 version!
This show is all about the women of The Strip that made the after parties what they were. Think Tawny Kitaen, glam metal, motorcycles, big hair, fishnets, and a whole lot of rock n roll. You’ll hear hits from bands like Def Leppard, Guns N Roses, Van Halen, ACDC & more!
Audience members are highly encouraged to dress the part! Bring your bike & bust out the band tees, leopard print, denim, hairspray & your best washed-up rockstar energy. Bonus points if you look like you got kicked out of a Mötley Crüe afterparty. The best costume will be chosen during the show!
Come ready to scream, throw cash, and lose your voice.
Makers Market in Milwaukee | by Pop Up Gallery
✨ Discover unique creations and local talent at our upcoming Makers Market, hosted at Cooperage MKE in Milwaukee! ✨
Pop Up Gallery is popping up at Cooperage MKE for a Sunday filled with local creativity, good drinks, and community vibes.
Come browse a curated selection of local artists, makers, and small businesses, offering everything from art and handmade goods to unique gifts you won’t find anywhere else.
✨ What to expect:
Local artists & small businesses
Handmade goods, art, and unique finds
Free, family-friendly event
📍 Location: Cooperage MKE (822 South Water St. Milwaukee)
📅 Date: Sunday, June 28th
⏰ Time: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Calling Vendors:
Vendor applications are still open!
Email us at: bookings@popupgallerymarket.com
Bring friends, grab a drink, and support local — we’ll see you there!
SUMMER SIDE SHOW presented by MKEmo & JBP
Milwaukee's best in rock/punk/emo head to the Harborfront for Summerfest Tech adjacent evening of fun and tunes!
A night of fun and music to run alongside the Summerfest Tech festival. Milwaukee's own Gold Step's, Outpacer, Barely Civil, Alley Eyes and Fakeout will bring the entertainment while Taco Moto provides the food and the vibes provided by you. This one is free to Summerfest Tech attendees/badge holders. Doors at 6, Music at 7, party forever.
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.
Gather Them
GATHER THEM! returns to the Harborfront June 12th!
GATHER THEM IS COMING IN HOT
Join us June 12th for our Pride Party! This collaboration with the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project is going to be an event to remember!
We are so excited to introduce a new format and so many new things to do!!
Scavenger Hunt Bingo
Pop up Variety Shows
Outdoor Games and Crafts
Queer Dance Party
Local Vendors
Presale lasts until June 5th so get your tickets NOW!!
Venus and Pole Party present Pride Parade Afterparty
Get ready to keep the celebration going at The Cooperage! Join us on June 7, 2026 at 7:00 PM (Central Time) for an epic afterparty following the Pride Parade. Expect great vibes, awesome music, and a fun crowd. Don’t miss out on this chance to dance and connect with friends old and new. See you there!
7-8) silver october
(8-9) mya
(9-11) r3algrl (pole show 9-10)
(11-12) mowiah
OUTSIDE
(7-8) r3algrl
(8-9) mowiah
(9-10) djs pause for pole show
(10-11) silver october
(11-12) mya
Pop Out for Pride Market
A Pride pop-up market highlighting the local LGBTQ+ community!
2026 HYFIN Anti-Gala
On June 5, HYFIN will host its signature annual fundraiser, the HYFIN Anti-Gala, an immersive cultural experience where music, community and impact collide.
This year’s theme — “Shell Toes. Soundwaves. Social Impact.” — celebrates the bold creativity of the 1980s, a decade that reshaped Black music, fashion, entrepreneurship and global cultural influence.
More than a celebration, the Anti-Gala is a powerful investment in the future. The evening will honor four distinguished awardees whose work embodies HYFIN’s pillars — Music & Culture, Entrepreneurship, Youth Education and Storytelling — along with the prestigious Davis Award, recognizing a community leader who has dedicated their career to uplifting and empowering youth.
Guests will experience a one-of-a-kind atmosphere blending the energy of a family-style cookout, the nostalgia of the 80s, and the power of cultural storytelling, featuring DJs spinning classic sounds of the decade, authentic 80s memorabilia curated by the Milwaukee Hip Hop Museum, and a signature dessert experience from Kimberly Sweets, winner of the Netflix series Is It Cake?
General Admission tickets: $50
* Access to the party indoors
* Access to outdoor food trucks throughout the night
* A vinyl painting experience provided by Jack Daniel's
VIP tickets: $150
All the benefits of General Admission, plus:
* Early and exclusive access to the outdoor BBQ catered by Saz's
* A pair of Adidas shoes provided by Eric "Shake" James from Clicks
* A pair of Summerfest tickets
Sponsor this year's event!
The HYFIN Anti-Gala offers sponsors more than visibility. It provides an opportunity to align with one of Milwaukee’s most influential cultural platforms and directly support the preservation, amplification and future of Black music and culture. For more information about sponsoring, contact director of underwriting Jeremy Zuleger.
The 2026 HYFIN Anti-Gala is sponsored by Bill and Christie Krugler, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., Peoples State Bank, Milwaukee Turners and Brewers Community Foundation.
Kid Boogie Down Reschedule!
id Boogie Down returns to the Harborfront for an all inclusive, dance party for the kids!
Kid Boogie Down brings its family friendly fun to The Cooperage! Join us one more time before we break for the warm weather! Live music/video show by DJ lukewarm complete with lights, lasers, bubbles, and more! Sugar Spun will be on-site with delicious fresh spun all natural cotton candy available for purchase.
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!
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.
BIG BEAT MILWAUKEE PRESENTED BY BREAKING AND ENTERING
Breaking And Entering is proud to present Milwaukee’s premier beat battle tournament, Big Beat MKE. Sixteen producers will compete in a head-to-head battle tournament over the course of four weeks. One lucky producer will be taking home a huge prize pack, as well as the honor of being dubbed the winner of the Big Beat MKE Tournament.
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!
The initial sixteen producers will be chosen based on online submissions reviewed by a selection committee consisting of members of Milwaukee’s music scene. Battles will be determined by a random draw.
During a battle, two producers will go head to head for three one minute rounds, alternating beats for the judges and the crowd to hear. If the crowd demands it, one optional overtime round will be contested. Judges will pick the winner based on style, overall sound quality, and crowd reaction.
May 28 – Semifinals and Finals
Performances by Kia Rap Princess and Mami Zaddy
Thelma and the Sleaze with Outpacer: Summer Vacation Kickoff
✨LAST MINUTE TOUR ADDITION!
Wednesday, May 27th we welcome back our friend @thelmaandthesleaze with outpacer and a very special guest to celebrate the end of another school year and the birthdays of a few of our in house bad boys Will and Max, who shot this video @jasonburczyk presents showcase at this year’s @sxsw!! GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!
