Jarreau, Opera, Ballet, and Bombastics

TCD contributor Stephanie Graham talks with the organizers of Gathering on the Green about tonight and Saturday’s events

Unlike many other summer festivals in the area, Gathering on the Green‘s two-day event in Mequon’s picturesque Rotary Park focuses on families. Executive Director Beth Bauer explains, “Our purpose is to introduce new audiences, families, and children to the Performing Arts. The one thing they’ve found is that when children go to performing arts events with their parents, they’re more likely as adults to also go and enjoy the performing arts.”

With Thursday night’s concert with 7-time Grammy Winner Al Jarreau, interactive activities for the kids, ballet and opera features, and a finale of unbelievable fireworks Saturday night — it’s a party unlike most others in the greater Milwaukee area this July.

Legendary jazz singer Al Jarreau returns home with his quartet for of a night of his music hits including “We’re in the Love Together” and “So Good”. Bauer admires Jarreau as an inspiration to other kids growing up here who want to be entertainers someday.

“He is originally from Milwaukee, born and raised, went to Lincoln High School, graduated from Ripon College, and his roots are still here,” she says. “He sings fabulous scat, he makes his voice sound like an instrument, he can sing Take 5 and sound like all of the different instruments, he’s just so extremely versatile.”

It’s not just lip service. Jarreau’s concert will be a benefit for two different local charities; proceeds will go to the Gathering on the Green Youth Program Fund and The Thomas Cheeks Educational Scholarship Fund. The latter provides scholarships for African-American men pursuing teaching degrees at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

“I think it speaks bundles about him as a person and his character,” Bauer stated.

The event takes a break on Friday, then focuses on family once again Saturday with a performing arts spectacular. On stage, it’s a mix-up of some of Milwaukee’s talented musicians, singers, and dancers in an event that will feature a collaborative performance between the Milwaukee Ballet, the Florentine Opera Company, and the Gathering on the Green Festival Orchestra called a “Red, White, and Blue Tribute.”

Kids will have various opportunities to meet the performing arts groups. Bauer notes that with the ballet, they can learn different steps the ballet dancers, with the Florentine Opera they’ll learn how to conduct, with an Irish Dance group they can learn how to do a jig. The Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra will be there with what they call a petting zoo and different instruments, so kids can look at that and try different instruments.

Of course, it’s not a summer festival in Milwaukee without food and fireworks. Dozens of vendors from the area will be on hand with both delicacies and standard festival fare. The Saturday fireworks show is no average light show. In keeping with the event’s theme, they are a performance art of light and sound.

“It finishes with a fireworks finale, which we call a pyro musical, because the fireworks are choreographed to the music,” Bauer explains.

The park opens at 5 p.m. tonight, and Al Jarreau takes the stage at 7 p.m. Meanwhile, the Performing Arts aspect starts Saturday with the park open at 4 p.m. and the shows starting at 7:30 p.m. Bauer says despite the economy, tickets are selling very well and the community is very excited about the event. Ticket packages are available for families, and kids 12 and under are free.  Prices start at $15 and go up to $37 for general admissions, with a discount when buying for two days. Go to http://www.gatheringonthegreen.org/code/home.php for more information.