June 29-July 5
Monday, June 29
Heart
9PM * $15
M&I Classic Rock Stage
200 N. Harbor Dr.
You know, I really wanted this week’s Haps to be free of any and all Summerfest activities, but as it turns out, the beginning of the week looks pretty dire for events. If you make it down to the Fest, I suggest that you rock out with the Wilson sisters at the classic rock stage. If you’re lucky, you can also catch Lupe Fiasco at the Miller Lite Oasis at 10 PM.
Tuesday, June 30
Joan Jett and The Blackhearts
9:30PM * $15
M&I Classic Rock Stage
200 N. Harbor Dr.
Another Summerfest listing! I told you it was a slow week. Tonight at the Big Gig you can check out punk-rock goddess Joan Jett. The last time I saw her in concert was at a fishing jamboree in my hometown, and it was f-ing AWESOME.
Wednesday, July 1
AstroBreak: The Hero, Hercules
12:15PM * FREE
UWM Manfred Olson Planetarium
1900 E. Kenwood Blvd.
Join your pals at the planetarium for this free show! Explore the night sky and learn how to identify what you’re looking at when you stare up at those sparkly lights. This week’s program focuses on the fifth largest constellation Hercules, the greatest and strongest of the Greek demigods.
Public Enemies Premiere
6:30PM * $9
The Oriental Theatre
2230 N. Farwell
The most anticipated film of the summer is finally here and the folks at The Oriental invite you to celebrate in style, so bust out your best gangster threads and join them for the premiere of the John Dillinger biopic Public Enemies! Come early to check out period vehicles and Dillinger memorabilia before the show!
Thursday, July 2
The Paper Chase, Call Me Lightning & Red Knife Lottery
10PM *
The Cactus Club
2496 S. Wentworth
At this point in the Summerfest extravaganza, after a week of insane traffic, loud music and being crowded out of our favorite bars by out-of-towners, we all need a little break. Take a little vacation from the hullabaloo and head to the Cactus Club in Bay View to dance your pants off . You’ll still hit traffic, hear loud music and be crowded at the bar, but at least you’ll be among friends and it will be music you actually like.
Friday, July 3
Fireworks Kite Festival
11AM-9:30PM
Veterans Park
1010 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr
It’s no doubt that the lakefront is the best vantage point to see the fireworks every year, but finding a good spot to unleash all of your oohs and aahs means schlepping yourself and all of your supplies down very early in the day. Lucky for us, there’s plenty to do while we wait for the big show. Come down early for an amazing kite show that will fill the sky with dozens of exotic kites and performances by kite experts.
Free First Fridays
10AM-5PM
Racine Art Museum
441 Main Street
If you read TCD’s Summer Travel Series to Racine, you know that the RAM is a great destination for any summer day-cation. Take a short jaunt (about 45 minutes!) down to the “Belle on the Lake” and enjoy FREE admission to all of RAM’s current exhibits.
Saturday, July 4
Red, White & Pabst Blue Ribbon Festival
1PM * FREE
Burnhearts
2599 S. Logan Ave.
When the news broke in March that Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks would return to Milwaukee to play a free show in Bay View – and on Independence Day at that – it drew a collective “holy shit!” from just about everyone. It’s finally here! It’s gonna be hot as hell and extremely packed, but once the music begins and the PBR flows like water, you’ll forget all about that. The party goes on all day with music from Kid Millions, Maritime, Maps and Atlases and Rock Plaza Center.
4th of July Beach Party
Noon * FREE
Bradford Beach
Celebrate Independence Day at Bradford Beach this year! There will be volleyball tournaments, refreshing beverages, live music supplied by Milwaukee alt-country favorites The Championship and a Ms. Bradford Beach pageant. I’m not too keen on the pageant part, but I’ll keep my fingers crossed that it won’t be too sleazy.
Sunday, July 5
Life Moments: The Work of Molly M. Johnson
Gallery Hours: 12-4PM
Cedarburg Cultural Center
W62 N546 Washington Ave., Cedarburg
Molly Johnson’s subject spectrum embraces landscape, still life and figurative. Having had award-winning pieces in both watercolor and oil, she understands and enjoys how each medium compliments and challenges the other. Her latest show “Life Moments” opens today at CCC and runs through August 16, 2009.
