NOVEMBER 2006 - Special Events

Complete address of sites is listed with first mention. Area codes of phone numbers are 414 unless shown otherwise. Please confirm events when possible; listings are subject to change.

POTAWATOMI BINGO CASINO, 1721 W. Canal St. Located minutes from downtown, this two-story entertainment complex offers high-stakes bingo; craps, roulette, blackjack table games, and video and reel slot machines. 500-seat cabaret-style theater and 1,800-seat concert hall host some of the nation’s top performers. Dining options include international buffet, sports bar & grill, fine dining restaurant and snack bars. Open 24 hours a day. Call toll-free, 1-800-PAYS-BIG or visit www.paysbig.com

SKYWAUKEE TOURS, Saturdays at 1 p.m., Oct. 21-Dec. 30, Jan. 6-May 26, 2007; Meet in front of the statue (street level) between TJ Maxx and Linens ‘n Things inside the Shops of Grand Avenue, 161 W.  Wisconsin Ave. Explore the early history of Milwaukee as seen from the modern skywalk system. Presented by Historic Milwaukee, 277-7795.

REGULAR WORKSHOPS, various times; Betty Brinn Children's Museum, 929 E. Wisconsin Ave. Same-day registration is required on a first-come basis. Most workshops free with regular museum admission. 390-5437.

THE TOUR OF A LIFETIME, through Nov. 11; Ten Chimneys, 543 W31575 Depot Rd., Genesee Depot. Home of Broadway legends Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, with original furnishings. 262-968-4110.

FIRST FRIDAY: RUN-UP TO THE RUNWAY, Nov. 3; Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Dr. Cutting-edge fashions. 6:15 & 7 p.m., Saul Leiter exhibition tour 6:15 & 7 p.m.; dance performance 6:30 & 7 p.m.; Fashion Show 8 p.m. 224-3200.

CELEBRATIONS OF CULTURE, NATIVE AMERICANS, Nov. 3-4; Milwaukee Public Museum, 800 W. Wells St. Art, stories, activities and live music and dance by nationally and internationally renowned performers. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 278-2702.

HUNTING MOON POW WOW, Nov. 3-5; Wisconsin Expo Center, Wisconsin State Fair Park, 8100 W. Greenfield Ave. Forest County Potawatomi and Potawatomi Bingo Casino host this three-day competition Pow Wow featuring Native American dancers, singers, craft and food vendors. 847-7320.

CHRISTMAS FANTASY HOUSE/ELM GROVE, Nov. 3-12; 1505 Greenway Terrace, Elm Grove. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. 7-11 p.m. preview night, Nov. 3, subsequently 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Fri, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat & Sun. www.christmasfantasyhouse.com.

CEDAR CREEK WINERY HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE, Nov. 4; Cedar Creek Winery, Cedar Creek Settlement, Cedarburg. Wine and specialty food sampling, wine accessories plus the local artisans and skilled craftsmen who create them. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 800-827-8020.

FESTIVAL OF TREES, Nov. 10-11; Midwest Airlines Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave. The Boy Scouts of America-Milwaukee County Council present the Festival of Trees celebration, two days of activities, decorated trees and wreaths and a silent auction. 908-6001.

FAMILY FREE DAY, Nov. 11, Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W. Bluemound Rd. All visitors receive free admission; parking fee remains in effect. 256-5412.

LEONARD BEARSTEIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, Nov. 13-Jan.6; Shops of Grand Avenue Atrium, W. Wisconsin Ave. at Old World 3rd St. Conductor “Bearstein” and his 18-piece orchestra of animated bears return to perform on the hour. 224-0655.

SEVEN SEAS DINE WITH WINE DINNER, Nov. 14; Weissgerber’s Seven Seas Restaurant on Lake Nagawicka (1807 Nagawicka Rd., Hartland). “Spring Time Down Under” theme brings wines from Australia to be served with five-course meal. 6:30 p.m. 262-367-3903.

DORI MAIE AND HER FRIEND BILLIE, Nov. 11; Milwakee County Historical Society, 910 N. Old World 3rd St. Doris Alaimo-Mellillo signs her book as part of the opening of the Billie the Brownie exhibition. Related events include a free luncheon lecture from noon-1 p.m. on Nov. 16.1-5 p.m. 273-8288.

JEWEL-OSCO NEIGHBORHOOD NIGHT, Nov. 16; Betty Brinn Children’s Museum. Free admission. 5-8 p.m. 390-5437.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS KICK-OFF EXTRAVAGANZA, Nov. 16; Pere Marquette Park, W. State and Old World 3rd St.; Entertainment including live music and fireworks show, all leading up to the simultaneous flip switching of the holiday lights in three different parks. Attendees receive complimentary Jingle Bus rides from Pere Marquette Park, hot cocoa and coffee, cookies, and free coloring books and crayons. 6 p.m. 220-4700.

MILWAUKEE HOLIDAY LIGHTS FESTIVAL, Nov. 16-Dec. 31; Downtown Milwaukee. Cathedral Square Park, N. Jefferson and E. Wells St.; Pere Marquette Park, W. State and Old World 3rd St.; Zeidler Union Square, W. Michigan St. between 3rd and 4th St. Jingle Bus to displays operates Thurs.-Sun., 6-9 p.m. The last Jingle Bus departs at approximately 8:20 p.m.  The Jingle Bus will not operate Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, or New Year’s Eve. Catch the Jingle Bus for $1 at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, 509 W. Wisconsin Ave. 220-4700.

UNDERWOOD AVENUE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, Nov. 17; Underwood Avenue in the Village of Wauwatosa. Four shops in the village combine to celebrate their anniversaries Friday evening: The Underwood Gallery at 1430 Underwood; Anthilia at 1440; Juxt at 1504, and Vino 100 at 1442B Underwood. Special sales, wine tastings and tapas are planned from 5-9 p.m. Special activities also are planned for Nov. 18 & 19.

HOLIDAY FOLK FAIR INTERNATIONAL, Nov. 17-19; Wisconsin Exposition Center, Wisconsin State Fair Park. See Key Cover feature.

CEDARBURG FESTIVE FRIDAY EVES, Fridays, Nov. 17, 24, Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22; Cedar Creek Settlement, Washington Ave. and Bridge Rd. in Historic Cedarburg. Series of free, family-oriented special evening events during the holiday season Continues every Friday through Dec. 22 with a different theme for each night. Nov. 17, “Merry Christmas in Ireland,” and Nov. 24 “Home for the Holidays.”

ORNAMENTS & ADORNMENTS, Nov. 17-19; Milwaukee Art Museum. Ninth Annual Juried and Invitational Holiday Show and Sale features more than 60 artists' work in jewelry, hand-wovens and knits, baskets, ceramics and gift items. 5:30-8 p.m. Fri. (preview), 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. & Sun. Free admission. 224-3200.

MILWAUKEE HOLIDAY PARADE, Nov. 18; Downtown Milwaukee. 9:30-10:30 a.m. 262-377-5935.

SNAKE DAY, Nov. 18; Milwaukee Public Museum, 800 W. Wells St. Visitors can touch and hold some reptiles and learn all about these fascinating creatures.

HOLIDAY ARTS FESTIVAL, Nov. 19; Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, 19805 W. Capitol Dr., Brookfield, in Mitchell Park (198th and Capitol Dr.). Includes excerpts from The Nutcracker performed by Milwaukee Ballet School in two shows; puppet making with Milwaukee Art Museum; photo opportunity with a ballerina; Milwaukee Ballet costume display; holiday music by the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, and refreshments throughout the day. Noon-4 p.m. 262-781-9520.

GINGERBREAD WORKSHOP, Nov. 24; Betty Brinn Children’s Museum. Create a gingerbread house to keep or give as a gift. $25 for non-members, register at 390-5437, ext. 239.

HOLIDAY CRAFT AND GIFT SHOW, Nov. 24-26; Wisconsin Expo Center, Wisconsin State Fair Park. Largest art, craft and gift show event in the Midwest. 321-2100.

SESAME STREET LIVE! ELMO MAKES MUSIC, Nov. 24-26; Bradley Center. Jenny, an enthusiastic new music  teacher is joined by her Muppet friends to make beautiful music together. 276-4545.

HOLIDAY FUSION SUNDAYS, Nov. 26, Dec. 3, Dec. 10, Dec. 17; Mio Bella, Brookfield Towne Centre, 18905 Capitol Dr., Brookfield. Live music, artist demonstrations, refreshments and more. Noon-4 p.m. 262-781-6707.

CANVASBACKS WAREHOUSE SALE, Nov. 30-Dec. 2. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Thurs. & Fri., 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat. 384-4484.