First Fridays

First Fridays is a free concert series offered on the first Friday of every month at Grace Lutheran Church in downtown Milwaukee. Concerts begin at 5 p.m., and last approximately one hour, with light refreshments served post-concert.

About First Fridays 2023

On the first Friday of every month, the community is invited to attend First Fridays, a free concert series open to Grace members and the public. This concert series spotlights various Milwaukee groups and performers, and past performances have included APERI ANIMAM, Chant Claire, Natalie Ford, Riso Quartet, and Camerata Milwaukee.

Concerts begin at 5 p.m., and last approximately an hour, with light refreshments being served afterward.
Concerts are free, however donations are accepted. Proceeds go to supporting the artists and concert series.

Want to Support the Series?
If you would like to support the concert series, you can make a donation at any time.

Text to Give: 414-404-5193
Donate Online - CLICK HERE

All donations given go on to support the artists and the First Fridays concert series.

Want to learn more?
If you would like information on next month's concert, scroll below to see the remainder of this year's line up.
Otherwise, contact Chelsie Mattek at cmattek@gracedowntown.org.

Viola & Piano
Fri., Jan. 6, 2023

First Fridays presents Amanda Koch, viola and Steven Ayers, piano. 

Date: Friday, Jan. 6, 2023

Time: 5 p.m.

Place: Grace Lutheran Church
1209 N. Broadway, Milwaukee

Violin & Guitar
Fri., Feb. 3, 2023

First Fridays presents Letitia Jap, violin & Kyle Thompson, guitar! This duo will present a program of pieces by Niccolo Paganini, Astor Piazzola, Manuel de Falla and Robert Beaser. This is Kyle's third time performing at Grace and Letitia's first time.

Date: Friday, Feb. 3, 2023

Time: 5 p.m.

Place: Grace Lutheran Church
1209 N. Broadway, Milwaukee

Clarinet, Piano & Cello
Fri., March 3, 2023

First Fridays presents
Orlando Pimentel (Madison Symphony Orchestra), clarinet, Elena Abend (UW-Milwaukee Piano and Chamber Music Faculty), piano & Peter Thomas (Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra), cello! This trio will feature works by:
​Johannes Brahms, Martin Katz, Enrique Granados, Fernando Obradors, Joaquin Rodrigo, and Paquito D’Rivera.

Date: Friday, Mar. 3, 2023

Time: 5 p.m.

Place: Grace Lutheran Church
1209 N. Broadway, Milwaukee

NO CONCERT
Fri., April 7, 2023

Please note there is no First Fridays concert on Friday, Apr. 7, 2023, due to the observance of Good Friday.

Classical Guitarist
Fri., May 5, 2023

First Fridays presents
Chandler Dillingham, guitar! 

Date: Friday, May 5, 2023

Time: 5 p.m.

Place: Grace Lutheran Church
1209 N. Broadway, Milwaukee

Sopranos & Piano
Fri., June 2, 2023

First Fridays presents
Cecilia Davis & Ruth Brown, sopranos, with Maggie Rebers, piano

Date: Friday, June 2, 2023

Time: 5 p.m.

Place: Grace Lutheran Church
1209 N. Broadway, Milwaukee

Tenor & Piano
Fri., July 7, 2023

First Fridays presents
Tim Rebers, tenor and Maggie Rebers, piano

Date: Friday, July 7, 2023

Time: 5 p.m.

Place: Grace Lutheran Church
1209 N. Broadway, Milwaukee

Organ
Fri., Aug. 4, 2023

First Fridays presents
Kevin Becker, Organ!

Date: Friday, August 4, 2023

Time: 5 p.m.

Place: Grace Lutheran Church
1209 N. Broadway, Milwaukee

Violin, Piano & Cello
Fri., Sept. 1, 2023

First Fridays presents
Michael McCarthy, violin, Joseph Hauer, piano and Aidan Hogan, cello!

Date: Friday, Sept. 1, 2023

Time: 5 p.m.

Place: Grace Lutheran Church
1209 N. Broadway, Milwaukee

Guitars
Fri., Oct. 6, 2023

First Fridays presents
René Izquierdo and Elina Chekan, guitar

Date: Friday, Oct. 6, 2023

Time: 5 p.m.

Place: Grace Lutheran Church
1209 N. Broadway, Milwaukee

Fulton Chamber Players
Fri., Nov. 3, 2023

First Fridays presents
Fulton Chamber Players!

Date: Friday, Nov. 3, 2023

Time: 5 p.m.

Place: Grace Lutheran Church
1209 N. Broadway, Milwaukee

Flute & Guitar
Fri., Dec. 1, 2023

First Fridays presents
Kim Fleuchaus, flute and Julie Goldberg, guitar!

Date: Friday, Dec. 1, 2023

Time: 5 p.m.

Place: Grace Lutheran Church
1209 N. Broadway, Milwaukee