Kenosha Calendar: Black History Month celebration continues

Black authors are in the spotlight at local events this weekend, as Kenosha continues to celebrate Black History Month.

Best Bet

The African American Read-in is set for 1-2 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 19). This virtual event is available to watch live on the Kenosha Library Facebook page. 

The read-in celebrates literary works by African American authors. Adult and youth readers from our community will share poetry, essays, short stories and children’s books during the event, which is in its 33rd year nationally. The read-in will also pay tribute to longtime Kenosha activist Kay Wikel. 

Local author and poet Aliyah Jackson will do a reading, sign books and chat with readers from noon-2 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 19) at Blue House Books, 5915 6th Ave. A. 

Jackson’s debut full-length poetry collection, “Planting Gardens on the Moon” was recently published. It centers around themes of depression, isolation, and the uncertainties behind the refuge in religion, spirituality and interpersonal relationships.

Publicity for the book describes “Planting Gardens on the Moon,” as “Aliyah Jackson tilling the fertile soil of her experiences, her fears, and the quiet that eludes her mind to expose it to the light. With no words wasted, each poem is like its own vignette where you are sure to find the details of your own journey.” 

The event is free to attend, and copies of  “Planting Gardens on the Moon” are available for purchase 

Top Picks

UW-Parkside men’s and women’s basketball teams have a chance to finish their 2021-22 season strong with a pair of doubleheaders at the De Simone Arena, 4130 Petrifying Springs Rd.. this weekend. On Thursday (Feb. 17) the Rangers take on Ferris State with the women’s tilt at 5:30 p.m. and men’s game at 7:30 p.m. Then, Lake Superior State visits Saturday (Feb. 19), beginning with the women’s contest at 1 p.m. and men’s game at 3 p.m. as both squads’ seniors are honored. Tickets are available online and at the event. 

The Rangers men’s team has one more home game, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22 vs. East-West. Both teams end the regular season on the road next week. 

***

KUSD Theater Arts presents “As She Likes It,” a twist on a Shakespeare favorite, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday (Feb. 17-18) in the Indian Trail High School Auditorium, 6800 60th St. 

The play is directed by Thomas Weissgerber. The cast includes Ashley Anderson, Marcie Davis, Mackenzie Douglas, Haden Gonsowski and Abbie Weate. 

The show will also run next weekend, with shows Feb. 24-26. Tickets are $13 for the general public, $11 for senior citizens, and $6 for KUSD students/staff. 

*** 

Kenosha Creative Space is sponsoring a unique, innovative workshop designed to develop resilience and risk-taking skills through the creative lens of music and theater. 

“Take a Risk!” set for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 19), will provide participants with an opportunity to build confidence by learning to take small, creative risks in a fun and safe setting. Participants will explore their aversion to risk and develop new strategies to approaching the risks taken in their daily decisions, their relationships, and their professions. 

Musician, business consultant and entrepreneur Rachel Page will facilitate the workshop. She has international experience in entertainment, partnering with Second City on Norwegian Cruise Lines, Kwan Kwan Music Theatre School in Jinan, China, and Eolia Conservatory in Barcelona. 

Tickets are $75 and available on a first come, first served basis. 

*** 

The third Saturday of each month provides an opportunity for elementary-age children to learn about a special hero in history at Young History Heroes Story Time. This month’s storytime is set for  11 a.m. Saturday (Feb. 19) at the Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave., and celebrates President’s Day and Lincoln’s Birthday with the story “Abe Lincoln: The Boy Who Loved Books” by Kay Winters and Nancy Carpenter. 

Day Tripper

Kenosha native and WAMI Hall of Famer John Sieger and his band will be performing fresh takes on his favorite songs from his former bands including Semi-Twang and the R&B Cadets 8 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 19) at Anodyne Coffee, 224 Bruce St. in Milwaukee’s Walker’s Point neighborhood  The John Sieger Combo includes his brother Mike Sieger on bass and vocals, Bob Schneider on drums. Steve Cohen, the great harmonica player, adds some color. Tickets are $15 adv/ $20 at the door (advance sales until 3 p.m. day of show, then available at the door). Doors open at 7 p.m. 

Heads Up

Coming up in Kenosha is a unique weekday event and a chance to see a popular band in a cozy setting next weekend. 

Public Craft Brewing, 628 58th St., presents PUBLIC Education: Famous Artistic Vices, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, another in its collaborative series with the Kenosha Public Museums. The presentation asks the questions: “Do you have to be a jerk to be a good artist? Why does the primarily male “tortured genius” artist trope continue to persist in our collective memory? Participants are invited to grab a beer and decide for themselves if a variety of vices improved the artwork of Vincent Van Gogh, Thomas Kincaid, Paul Gaughin, Lucien Freud and Salvador Dali. 

Tickets are $25 general public/$20 for KPM members, which includes a beverage. 

***

The indie trio Violet Wilder brings their unique sound blending voices and strings to an  unplugged concert at Blue House Books 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26.

Tickets are available at $10 (+taxes & fees) per person for this intimate show, available at the bookstore or online. The store will be open before and after the show for shopping, with 10% of purchases going to the band. 

The Lineup

THURSDAY, Feb. 17 

Music 

Rhythm Dogs Blues Jam featuring Marie Martens, 8 p.m., Union Park Tavern, 4520 8th Ave.

Theater

KUSD Theater Arts presents “As She Likes It” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday (Feb. 17-18) in the Indian Trail High School Auditorium, 6800 60th St. Tickets are $13 for the general public, $11 for senior citizens, and $6 for KUSD students/staff. 

Art

 “1-Inch-by-1-Inch Challenge,” a show featuring detailed pieces, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Artworks, 4513 Sheridan Rd. (through Feb. 27) 

V Crushable exhibit at the H. F. Johnson Gallery, Carthage College campus, 2001 Alford Dr. Sculptures and paintings created by Noah Kashiani and Kelly Reaves, Noon-8 p.m. (through March 11). Free. 

African American Club exhibit highlighting notable Black Kenoshans, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Kenosha History Center, 220 51st Pl. and Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave. (throughout Black History Month).

Artist of the Month: Mitch Braver, Public Craft Brewing, 628 58th St. (throughout February). 

Scared Scars, Shadowed Ground – Battlefield Photographs by Larry Stuart, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave. This visual narrative of 25 archival photo prints captures the emotional essence of the famous and forgotten stories of the battlefields of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County.

Selections from the Collections: Inuit Art. Prints and sculptures from the Arctic Circle. Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 1st Ave., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (through March 6).

Chiwaukee Prairie Exhibit, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Kenosha Public Museum. This exhibit is a photo journal of the preservation of Chiwaukee Prairie State Natural Area located in Kenosha County. 

Potpourri 

UW-Parkside basketball doubleheader vs. Ferris State, women’s game 5:30 p.m. and men’s game at 7:30 p.m. De Simone Arena, 4130 Petrifying Springs Rd. Tickets are available online and at the event. 

Family 

Kenosha Public Library Virtual Storytime, 10:30-11 a.m. on KPL’s Facebook Live

Downtown Story Walk, “When the Snow is Deeper than My Boots are Tall.” The story is told page-by-page in the windows of local businesses. See online map for all locations. Free and always open. (through March). 

Open Skate, City Ice Rink at Veterans Memorial Park, 625 52nd St. Daily 9 a.m.-10 p.m. (weather permitting). Free skate rental (first-come, first-served) available 4-9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays, and noon-8 p.m. Sundays. Photo ID required for skate rental. Free. 

FRIDAY, Feb. 18 

Music 

Would You Kindly? and Violet Wilder, 8 p.m., @The Space, Kenosha Creative Space, 624 57th St. (Doors open 7 p.m.) All ages. $10. 

Kewl Zoo (‘90s), 9 p.m., Fusion, 5014 7th Ave. $10. 

The Falduto’s (Blues duo), Union Park Tavern, 4520 8th Ave., 9 p.m.

Theater

KUSD Theater Arts presents “As She Likes It” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday (Feb. 17-18) in the Indian Trail High School Auditorium, 6800 60th St. Tickets are $13 for the general public, $11 for senior citizens, and $6 for KUSD students/staff. 

Lakeside Players present “High School Musical,” 7:30 p.m., Rhode Center for the Arts, 514 58th St. Tickets $15 general public, $12 students/senior citizens. 

Art

V Crushable exhibit at the H. F. Johnson Gallery, Carthage College campus, 2001 Alford Dr. Sculptures and paintings created by Noah Kashiani and Kelly Reaves. Noon-8 p.m. (through March 11). Free. 

African American Club exhibit highlighting notable Black Kenoshans, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Kenosha History Center, 220 51st Pl. and Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave. (throughout Black History Month).

Artist of the Month: Mitch Braver, Public Craft Brewing, 628 58th St. (throughout February).

Scared Scars, Shadowed Ground – Battlefield Photographs by Larry Stuart, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave. This visual narrative of 25 archival photo prints captures the emotional essence of the famous and forgotten stories of the battlefields of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County.

Selections from the Collections: Inuit Art. Prints and sculptures from the Arctic Circle. Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 1st Ave., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (through March 6).

Chiwaukee Prairie Exhibit, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Kenosha Public Museum. This exhibit is a photo journal of the preservation of Chiwaukee Prairie State Natural Area located in Kenosha County. 

Family 

Kenosha Public Library Virtual Storytime, 10:30-11 a.m. on KPL’s Facebook Live 

Downtown Story Walk, “When the Snow is Deeper than My Boots are Tall.” The story is told page-by-page in the windows of local businesses. See online map for all locations. Free and always open. (through March). 

Open Skate, City Ice Rink at Veterans Memorial Park, 625 52nd St. Daily 9 a.m.-10 p.m. (weather permitting). Free skate rental (first-come, first-served) available 4-9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays, and noon-8 p.m. Sundays. Photo ID required for skate rental. Free. 

SATURDAY, Feb. 19 

Music 

Darkside, 9 p.m., The Brat Stop, 12304 75th St. $10. 

Pieptone (German Pop) 8-11 p.m., Union Park Tavern, 4520 8th Ave.

Rokken Dokken, 58 Below, 504 58th St.

Theater

Lakeside Players present “High School Musical,” 7:30 p.m., Rhode Center for the Arts, 514 58th St. Tickets $15 general public, $12 students/senior citizens.

Art

V Crushable exhibit at the H. F. Johnson Gallery, Carthage College campus, 2001 Alford Dr. Sculptures and paintings created by Noah Kashiani and Kelly Reaves. Noon-8 p.m. (through March 11). Free.

African American Club exhibit highlighting notable Black Kenoshans, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Kenosha History Center, 220 51st Pl. and Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave. (throughout Black History Month).

Artist of the Month: Mitch Braver, Public Craft Brewing, 628 58th St. (throughout February) 

Scared Scars, Shadowed Ground – Battlefield Photographs by Larry Stuart, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave. This visual narrative of 25 archival photo prints captures the emotional essence of the famous and forgotten stories of the battlefields of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County.

Selections from the Collections: Inuit Art. Prints and sculptures from the Arctic Circle. Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 1st Ave., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (through March 6).

Chiwaukee Prairie Exhibit, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Kenosha Public Museum. This exhibit is a photo journal of the preservation of Chiwaukee Prairie State Natural Area located in Kenosha County. 

Potpourri

UW-Parkside basketball doubleheader vs. Lake Superior State, Senior Day, women’s game at 1 p.m. and men’s game at 3 p.m. Tickets are available online and at the event. 

Author appearance and poetry reading with Aliyah Jackson, author of “Planting Gardens on the Moon,” noon-2 p.m., Blue House Books, 5915 6th Ave. A. Free.

Take a Risk workshop, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., with Rachel Page, Kenosha Creative Space, 624 57th St. Tickets $75. 

Military Collectibles show, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., American Legion Post 21, 504 58th St. Admission $1, kids 12 and under admitted free. Buy, sell, trade, or get an appraisal of any military related item from any time period. There will be several vendors on site.

HarborMarket Indoor Season, 9-1 p.m., Kenosha Union Club, 3030 39th Ave. 

Kenosha Public Market Indoor Season, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., The Vault, 625 57th St. 

Family 

African American Read-in, 1-2 p.m., Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 1st Ave. Free. Watch live on the Kenosha Library Facebook page. 

Young History Heroes Story Time, 11 a.m., Civil War Museum Resource Center, 5400 1st Ave. Celebrate President’s Day and Lincoln’s Birthday with the story “Abe Lincoln: The Boy Who Loved Books” by Kay Winters & Nancy Carpenter (elementary age). Free. 

KPL Family Night To-Go Boxes: Encanto-inspired activities and craft boxes, limit 2 per family. Available at all branches on first-come, first-served basis, beginning at 9 a.m. (check branch for opening times). 

Downtown Story Walk, “When the Snow is Deeper than My Boots are Tall.” The story is told page-by-page in the windows of local businesses. See online map for all locations. Free and always open. (through March). 

Open Skate, City Ice Rink at Veterans Memorial Park, 625 52nd St. Daily 9 a.m.-10 p.m. (weather permitting). Free skate rental (first-come, first-served) available 4-9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays, and noon-8 p.m. Sundays. Photo ID required for skate rental. Free. 

SUNDAY, Feb. 20 

Music 

Cy’s Piano Jams, 4-7 p.m., Union Park Tavern, 4520 8th Ave.

Open Mic with Daniel Thompson and his 3 AM Saints, 4-8 p.m., Fusion, 5014 7th Ave. 

Art 

Scared Scars, Shadowed Ground – Battlefield Photographs by Larry Stuart, noon.-5 p.m., Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave. This visual narrative of 25 archival photo prints captures the emotional essence of the famous and forgotten stories of the battlefields of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County.

African American Club exhibit highlighting notable Black Kenoshans, noon-5 p.m., Kenosha History Center, 220 51st Pl. and Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave. (throughout Black History Month).

Selections from the Collections: Inuit Art. Prints and sculptures from the Arctic Circle. Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 1st Ave., noon.-5 p.m. (through March 6).

Chiwaukee Prairie Exhibit, noon-5 p.m., Kenosha Public Museum. This exhibit is a photo journal of the preservation of Chiwaukee Prairie State Natural Area located in Kenosha County. 

Theater 

Lakeside Players present “High School Musical,” 2 p.m., Rhode Center for the Arts, 514 58th St. Tickets $15 general public, $12 students/senior citizens. 

Family 

Downtown Story Walk, “When the Snow is Deeper than My Boots are Tall.” The story is told page-by-page in the windows of local businesses. See online map for all locations. Free and always open. (through March). 

Open Skate, City Ice Rink at Veterans Memorial Park, 625 52nd St. Daily 9 a.m.-10 p.m. (weather permitting). Free skate rental (first-come, first-served) available 4-9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays, and noon-8 p.m. Sundays. Photo ID required for skate rental. Free. 

To submit an event for Kenosha.com’s Calendar, please email Laura@Kenosha.com and be sure to include contact information.