What's On Tap

Erika Smith, Executive Director of Light The Hoan, joins What’s On Tap w/ Sandy Maxx live in studio to celebrate the organization’s holiday lights and recap highlights from 2025. She also shares plans for 2026, including upcoming events and new initiatives designed to bring even more magic to Milwaukee. A behind-the-scenes look at one of the city’s favorite seasonal attractions.

Tyler Nikolas, Artistic Director of the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, joins What’s On Tap w/ Sandy Maxx live in studio to kick off the show and highlight upcoming events. From the Pat Murphy Show to other exciting performances and community programming, Tyler shares what’s on the calendar and why audiences won’t want to miss it.

Multiple-Grammy winner and 2026 Grammy nominee Cheryl Pawelski joins What’s On Tap w/ Sandy Maxx to talk about her work preserving Vince Guaraldi’s iconic A Charlie Brown Christmas music. The Milwaukee native and Omnivore Recordings co-founder explains why protecting music history matters—and how Guaraldi’s work continues to resonate generations later. She also reflects on her newest Grammy nomina...

Deb Marett stops by the studio to talk about her latest personal art projects and what’s inspiring her right now.

Milwaukee County Federated Library System’s Deb Marett joins What’s On Tap w/ Sandy Maxx for a Partner Spotlight on the Libby app and how it’s transforming access to library resources. From audiobooks and e-books to magazines and more, Libby makes your local library available anytime, anywhere. Deb explains how easy it is to get started and why digital access is expanding equity across Milwaukee C...

This episode of What’s On Tap w/ Sandy Maxx blends music history, local arts, and Milwaukee culture. Sandy spotlights the Milwaukee County Federated Library System and the Libby app, then welcomes multiple-Grammy winner Cheryl Pawelski to discuss preserving Vince Guaraldi’s iconic A Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack and her newest Grammy nomination. The show also features in-studio conversations...

Cedarburg Art Museum Interim Executive Director John Bauer shares how the mansion transforms for the holidays by becoming a storybook experience in every room, plus exciting plans for 2026.

Join What's on Tap w/ Sandy Maxx for a festive three-hour journey celebrating the holiday season in Wisconsin! From Powerball dreams and must-have indulgences to the magic of local events, this episode highlights all the ways to get into the spirit. Explore the Cedarburg Art Museum’s holiday celebrations and plans for 2026 with Interim Executive Director John Bauer, enjoy original seasonal music w...

Join What’s On Tap w/ Sandy Maxx for a festive and arts-filled episode! Actor James Pickering reflects on his remarkable 50-year journey performing in the Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s A Christmas Carol and shares news about his upcoming one-man reading fundraiser for The Constructivists. Marcus Corporation CEO Greg Marcus calls in to remember Rob Reiner’s on-screen legacy and celebrates Marcus Th...

Monica Bullington from Visit Milwaukee joins What’s On Tap w/ Sandy Maxx live in studio to talk about the new Buy Local Bonus Campaign. Learn how the initiative supports local businesses, encourages community shopping, and gives Milwaukee residents exciting ways to save while keeping dollars in the local economy.

Summerfest announces Jelly Roll’s 4th of July performance. Sandy also highlights two EPIC listings in Green Bay, the band Blood Sweat and Tears and an appearance by Brewers Manager Pat Murphy.

Milwaukee Public Schools educators Raymond Roberts, Ann Marie Sims, and Jennifer Santiago join What’s On Tap w/ Sandy Maxx live in studio to discuss Hugh Jackman’s recent visit to Milwaukee High School of the Arts. They also highlight the wide range of arts education opportunities available across MPS and why creative learning matters at every age.

Marcus Corporation CEO Greg Marcus joins Sandy Maxx to share his recent experience meeting and improvising with filmmaker/actor Rob Reiner and remember Reiner's contributions to cinema. He also discusses Marcus Theatres’ 90th anniversary and his picks for upcoming holiday film releases.

Actor James Pickering shares his unique 50 year history with The Milwaukee Repertory Theater's production of "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, plus previews his upcoming one-man reading of the play on December 21st benefiting The Constructivists theater group.

Several suggestions for live entertainment in southeastern Wisconsin this holiday season including: + Discover Church's "Carry the Light" + "A Christmas Carol" productions at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater and Madison's Children's Theater + "All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914" by Vanguard Milwaukee + "It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater's Stackner Ca...

Sandy Maxx rolls the winning clip and digs into why “Deep Thought” earned the 2025 Standout of the Year award from the Wisconsin's Morning News team.

What’s On Tap w/ Sandy Maxx shines a spotlight on Wisconsin’s local music scene with a special holiday call for song submissions. Sandy invites musicians from across the state to share their original holiday tracks while highlighting the importance of supporting local artists during the season. Submit your holiday-themed music for consideration to be aired on “Sandy’s Holiday Soundtrack” radio sho...

What’s On Tap w/ Sandy Maxx delivers a super-sized holiday edition packed with music, culture, and community. Milwaukee singer Joel Kopischke joins Sandy live in studio to share his festive parody songs and preview his upcoming performances at the Waukesha Civic Theatre, including The Song You Need to Hear: “Ground Control to Santa Claus.” The episode also features updates on Wisconsin holiday eve...

Milwaukee singer/songwriter Joel Kopischke joins What’s On Tap w/ Sandy Maxx to talk holiday song parodies, seasonal performances, and what makes local Christmas shows so special. He also previews his upcoming concerts at the Waukesha Civic Theatre and shares the inspiration behind his festive favorites.

The Cratchits come to life on What's on Tap w/ Sandy Maxx as Milwaukee Rep actors Reese Madigan and Lachrisa Grandberry join us for a joyful conversation. From heartwarming moments on stage to fun behind-the-scenes memories, they bring the magic of A Christmas Carol right to the mic. Plus, we debut a festive original track from Fox Valley artist Joe Sly in this week’s “Song You Need to Hear.”

Sandy Maxx joins Wisconsin’s Morning News for The Weekend Trend highlighting Wisconsin holiday lights displays including Glendale’s Hanukkah Festival Sunday at Bayshore Town Center. Seasonal on-stage musical entertainment includes the 10th annual Black Nativity, the 4th annual All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914, Carry The Light, It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Tuba Christmas MKE, M...

Libby Collins steps in for Sandy Maxx for a lively three-hour edition of What’s On Tap. The show features pro wrestlers Zach Hendrix and Doc Simmons ahead of their Brew City Wrestling championship bout, plus Milwaukee writer Nicole Hassey recounts her high-pressure run on Jeopardy! against a super champion. Emmy-nominated filmmaker Michael Trinklein stops by to talk classic TV, a new documentary p...

Holiday spirit takes center stage as What's on Tap w/ Sandy Maxx opens the show with favorite Wisconsin light displays and a look at West Allis’ creative snowplow names. She’s joined by The Constructivists’ Jaimelyn Gray to preview their darkly festive new production, then welcomes musician Sarah Fierek for live conversation and performances of “Holiday Season.” Sandy keeps the energy going with t...

Milwaukee native Beth D’Amato—Associate VFX Supervisor and Digital Paint Supervisor at Industrial Light & Magic—joins What's on Tap w/ Sandy Maxx for a full-hour conversation about her remarkable Hollywood career. She reflects on her work in visual effects, the projects that shaped her path, and the unique experience of watching Song Sung Blue as the daughter of Lightning & Thunder’s co-manager, T...

What's on Tap w/ Sandy Maxx sets the stage for the show’s next conversations and spotlights local singer-songwriter Sarah Fierek, who joins in-studio to talk and perform her holiday tune “Holiday Season.”