Milwaukee Film Festival: Where to go for your pretentious post-movie discussions

A round-up of parties taking place during the local movie bash

by A.V. Club staff September 21, 2009

Here at The A.V. Club we're super psyched about the Milwaukee Film Festival, which opens Thursday and runs through Oct. 4 at the Oriental Theatre in Milwaukee and North Shore Cinema in Mequon. We'll be spotlighting seven films we're most excited about seeing here at milwaukee.avclub.com on Wednesday-also in our print edition for you tree killers out there-and then posting daily reviews of festival films. It's definitely worth checking out before you head out to the movies.

Along with presenting more than 140 films, the Milwaukee Film Festival will also be hosting some ragin' parties, including get-togethers Oct. 2 at the Harley-Davidson Museum and Oct. 3 at RDI Stages. It all begins with an opening night gala Thursday at Discovery World, after the screenings of the excellent festival-opening documentary Racing Dreams. The party starts at 8:30 p.m. and will include live music, drinks, and lots of free pretentious movie discussions. General admission is $15, or $10 with a festival movie ticket stub.

On Thursday Oct. 1 music, movies, and art collide at Turner Hall for a free concert featuring local soulsters Kings Go Forth, films by Brian Gallagher, and "live art" by Dwellephant and Reginald Baylor Studios. Music will also play a big part Oct. 3 at Moct, which is hosting "the friendliest DJ battle ever" featuring Milwaukee's best turntable masters and a surprise guest DJ.

In addition to parties, there also will be themed DJ nights taking place at bars near Oriental Theatre. On Sept. 27 at Yield (1932 N. Kenilworth) DJ Dori Zori will play songs by artists associated with the All Tomorrow's Parties  music festival after the screening of the All Tomorrow's Parties documentary. Over at The Wicked Hop (345 N. Broadway) on Sept. 30, DJs will playing songs from their favorite movie soundtracks. Finally, festival-goers are invited to Beans & Barley (1901 E. North) Oct. 4 for a festival wrap-up gathering. For more information, go to milwaukee-film.org.