The White Lilac

08/16/2025

The White Lilac was built for one reason: to give artists a home in Kenosha — and to give our community performances you can’t find anywhere else. From Grammy nominees and NPR Tiny Desk favorites to local and regional treasures, our stage has welcomed the likes of Nellie McKay, Helen Money, Steve Forbert, Esmé Patterson, Violet Wilder, Haven Wells, John Sieger, Anna Fermin, Betsy Ade, Paul Cebar, Ike Reilly, Jon Langford & Sally Timms of the Mekons, Bad Bad Hats and more.

We’ve hosted folk, indie, avant-garde, burlesque, comedy, electronica and everything in between — always with one guiding principle: artists are treated equitably, and audiences leave feeling like they were part of something special.

✨ But right now, we need help getting back on our feet. ✨
The White Lilac is 100% community-fueled. Every donation — large or small — directly supports artists and ensures Kenosha continues to have a space for adventurous, heartfelt, world-class performance.

💜 If you believe in supporting the arts, in keeping Kenosha creative, and in lifting up artists from near and far — please consider giving today.

👉 Donate & learn more: www.whitelilackenosha.com
👉 GoFundMe: gofund.me/678c2029

The White Lilac isn’t just a venue. It’s a community. And with your support, we’ll keep making magic together. 🌸

Welcome to the White Lilac Rentals Contact Us Welcome to the White Lilac Rentals Contact Us Upcoming Events Never Miss a ShowLooking for unforgettable performances? Look no further than The White Lilac Kenosha, Kenosha’s Premier Performance Space. Join us and never miss a show at The White Lilac K...

08/14/2025

Get your pre-order in now for your edition (think get a jump on Christmas). Every sale donates $3 to help rebuild The White Lilac

Pre-order your copy of The Color of Kenosha ROCKS 2025 before August 24th and $3 of the sale will go toward helping our neighbors, The White Lilac, repair their building after their wall collapsed. We need to get this neighborhood back up and running!

08/13/2025

Jon & Sally of Mekons are fantastic and we are happy to call them friends that have performed at Kenoshas "Tiny Venue" The White Lilac. Here they are in the latest edition of NPR's Tiny Desk.

The world is doomed, but at least we've got the Mekons. The British punk band rumbles through its down-but-not-defeated songs with rowdy defiance.

08/11/2025

We still need help reaching our goal. Please share, please donate:

Help Save The White Lilac Today, something heartbreaking happened. The exterior… Kelly Mackay needs your support for Help Save The White Lilac

08/10/2025

We are super excited for our 2x White Lilac performer and friend Nellie McKay!

https://playbill.com/article/aubrey-plaza-dion-graham-nellie-mckay-more-cast-in-ethan-coens-lets-love-off-broadway

08/08/2025

08/01/2025

🌈🧱 Big love and major thanks to Studio Moonfall for being an absolute gem in our community!

They’ve just opened up pre-orders for The Color of Kenosha ROCKS — a wildly fun, locally inspired coloring book — and they’re donating $3 from every book sold to help us at The White Lilac Kenosha rebuild after our wall collapse. 🧱💔➡️💜

This project is a celebration of Kenosha creativity, and now it’s also helping restore one of Kenosha’s most unique little stages. That’s what community looks like. 🙌

So grab your crayons and snag your copy (or seven) before August 24th — and support local art AND local music all in one shot. 🎨🎶

Order here:
https://studiomoonfall.com/product/the-color-of-kenosha-rocks-2025/
Thank you, Studio Moonfall. You rock. (Literally.) 💥

Pre-order your copy of The Color of Kenosha ROCKS 2025 before August 24th and $3 of the sale will go toward helping our neighbors, The White Lilac, repair their building after their wall collapsed. We need to get this neighborhood back up and running!

07/30/2025

🚨 URGENT: White Lilac needs early donations to REBUILD before fall.

🧱 Our wall collapsed. But what we built together isn't gone.

We’re less than halfway to our goal. And right now, even a $5 gift makes a big impact—especially early.

Already gave? You’re amazing.
Want to go legendary? Give again—or set a small recurring gift.

This place has held your memories, your music, your magic.
Now it’s asking for your help.

👉 DONATE: https://gofund.me/242f4107
🎉 Small gifts. Early gifts. Second gifts.
Let’s bring it back.

07/27/2025

Last night’s appreciation/benefit concert didn’t go exactly as planned—but in a good way. With rain in the forecast, we had to make a quick pivot and are incredibly grateful to Olafson & Porter Vintage Goods for welcoming us into their space on short notice. The room was beautiful, the energy was warm, and Mean Mary delivered a performance that was nothing short of unforgettable.
This show was part of an ongoing effort to support The White Lilac and the work we’ve been doing to bring unique, world-class music to Kenosha. We’ve been hoping to bring Mean Mary here for years, and we’re proud to have finally made that happen—thanks to a community that continues to rally around us.
Huge thanks to everyone who showed up, donated, and helped make the night special. It may not have been where we originally planned it, but the spirit of the event never wavered. That’s the magic we’ve been building—and it keeps growing, rain or shine.

07/22/2025

Over the past two years, The White Lilac has quietly (and sometimes loudly!) become something truly rare in Kenosha—a home for national and international touring artists, local original artists, puppet shows, comedy, speakers, experimental music, intimate storytelling, and meaningful connection. We’ve hosted performers from around the world, right here in a tiny building held together by passion and persistence.
When our wall collapsed, it wasn’t just bricks and mortar—it was our whole dream suddenly on pause.
Now we see another venue stepping in, saying they’re filling a void that was not being met But let’s be real: there was no void—we have been here, grinding, building, pouring everything we’ve got into showcasing talent in our city. And it’s only because of YOU, our community, that we’ve done it.
White Lilac isn’t just a venue. It’s your venue. Every show, every ticket, every drink, every dish of popcorn, every after show meeting with the artist —this has been a labor of love that we all built together.
So, no—this isn’t about competition. This is about continuing a dream that already exists. One that’s just temporarily behind a construction barrier.
We need your help more than ever. To rebuild. To rise again. And to remind Kenosha of the magic we’ve already created. We can't wait to get back together with you.

Help Save The White Lilac Today, something heartbreaking happened. The exterior… Kelly Mackay needs your support for Help Save The White Lilac

07/16/2025

First off—thank you. Seriously. Over $14,000 raised so far? That’s incredible. It shows how many people care about this little place we call The White Lilac. You’re the reason we haven’t just thrown in the towel.
But here’s the honest, no-BS update: after all the inspections, we're being told we can’t just patch it up. They’re requiring us to pour a whole new foundation for the collapsed wall. Not exactly what we had in mind when we started this journey.
Basically, it’s like finding out your old be**er car needs not just new tires but a brand-new engine. It’s a lot more money—tens of thousands more. And it’s non-negotiable if we ever want to reopen.
We’re not developers or a big corporation. We’re just folks who love live music, art, and creating a space where people actually feel welcome. We don’t have deep pockets, but we have a lot of heart—and thankfully, a lot of friends like you.
So we’re asking, as humbly as we can: if you’ve got anything to spare—even a few bucks—please help us keep going. And if you can’t donate right now (we get it—times are tough), sharing this with someone who might help is just as valuable.
The White Lilac isn’t just bricks and mortar. It’s music, laughter, storytelling, and community. We’re determined to do what it takes to keep it standing and thriving for years to come.
Thanks for being with us. We truly can’t do it without you.

Help Save The White Lilac Today, something heartbreaking happened. The exterior… Kelly Mackay needs your support for Help Save The White Lilac