Residents from the Amani neighborhood wait for customers to come purchase plants during the Amani Bloom & Groom sale in 2012. (NNS file photo by Edgar Mendez)

It’s Friday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please submit your news by clicking here at least two weeks in advance.

1. R&B Fridays: Friday, May 17

Every Friday, Mi Casa Su Cafe hosts “R&B Fridays After Work Set” from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. The next one is scheduled for Friday, May 17 at 1835 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. There will be a live DJ, guest performances and more. More information here.

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2. Bloom & Groom Plant Sale: Saturday, May 18

Amani’s annual spring plant sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 18 at 2470 W. Locust St.  Residents can purchase plants and mulch grown by Teens Grow Greens and the Domincan’s Center hydroponics lab. You can also pre-order here and pick up during plant sale hours. More information here. 

3. Housing Resource Fair: Saturday, May 18

VIA Community Development Corp. will hold its annual housing resource fair from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 18 in the east parking lot of Sacred Heart, 1545 S. Layton Blvd. Attendees will receive resources, advice from real estate professionals and more. Click here to register.  More information here. 

4. Food Drive: Saturday, May 18

Food Not Bombs MKE will hold a food drive for individuals to pick up or donate food. It will take place from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 18 at Jackson Park, between South 43rd Street and West Kinnickinnic River Parkway. More information here. 

5. Square Plaza Market: Sunday, May 19

Vendors will gather from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 19 at Walker Square Park, 1031 S. Ninth St. To cultivate community, there will also be a car show, food, music and resources. If you are interested in becoming a participating vendor, click here to sign up.   More information here. 

Bonus: Earth Day in May: Sunday, May 19

Celebrate “Earth Day in May” at the Sherman Park “Bloom & Groom” plant and vegetable sale between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 19 at 3000 N. Sherman Blvd. Attendees can take advantage of a variety of eco-friendly resources, participate in a “Stuff Swap” and more. This free event will take place regardless of weather. Click here to register for the “Stuff Swap.” More information here.

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Chesnie Wardell serves as the intergenerational reporter for NNS. In addition, she writes features on notable North Side and South Side residents. She reported for other newsrooms like the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, covered teacher vacancies through an O'Brien fellowship and was selected as an inaugural member of the New York Times Corps. She is a 2025 graduate of Marquette University, where she studied journalism and theology.