April 17, 2009
Where to go and what to see on Gallery Night.
Apr 15th, 2009 by Erin Petersen
Art and performance 4/15 to 4/21
Visual Art Gallery Night and Day, metro Milwaukee area, Friday evening on April 17 and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 18 (most locations) *See our special section for a preview of this quarterly must-see event. Multimedia Tile, Quilt, Pixel: Paul Berger, UW-Milwaukee, Wed. April 15 at the Arts Center Lecture Hall. Starts at 7 p.m. Paul Berger talks about the trajectory of his composite and collage works over the course of the last thirty-five years. Currently a professor of art at the University of Washington’s School of Art where he founded the school’s photography program, Berger moved from traditional forms to digital manipulation and gained fame throughout Europe plus grants from the National Endowment of the Arts. A retrospective of his work showed at the Museum of Contemporary Photography in 2003. He will be speaking about his work as part of UWM’s 2008-09 Artist Now series. Merengue: Visual Rhythms, Latino Arts museum, now through June 5. Open M-F 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. In this Milwaukee stop on a national tour organized by International Arts and Artists showcases 27 classic and cuurent artists from the Dominican Republic. The focus of the show looks at that country’s national music form through mediums including photographs, sculpture, paintings, and videos by “analyzing the rhythm’s artistic components and environmental contexts”. Admission is free. Theater Last of the Red Hot Lovers! , Broadway Baby Dinner Theatre, now until April 26. Milwaukee’s longest-running dinner theater is putting on Neil Simon’s successful 1969 comedy. The story revolves around a middle-aged and shy man who hopes to join the sexual revolution before it’s over. Lacking experience and chutzpah, he arranges three separate seductions with women of various neuroses — one of whom is his best friend’s wife. The Cherry Orchard, Milwaukee Rep at the Quadracci Powerhouse Theatre, April 14 to May 10. Anton Chekhov’s last play is the newest production by members of the Resident Acting Company and other guest actors. While Chekhov intended this to be a comedy, its first director set it as a tragedy. Directors have been wrestling with what it is ever since. Brooklyn Boy, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre at the Cabot Stage. Opens April 16 running through May 3. The MCT will finish its 34th season with Pulitzer Prize-winning Playwright Donald Margulies’s drama about a best-selling author of a loosely autobiographical novel describing growing up Jewish in Brooklyn. But the author also experiences a midlife crisis as he struggles to come to terms with an aging father, a failing marriage and lost roots. Zombies From the Beyond, Cardinal Stritch at the Nancy Kendall Theater. April 17-19 and April 24-26. The school’s Music and Theater Department is premiering this hit Off-Broadway play, adapted for local reference. The original musical comedy by James Valcq skewered American ideals during the Eisenhower era using a sci-fi B-movie structure. The local production sets the play at “the Milwaukee Space Station, where a flying saucer lands, piloted by Zombina, an alien aviatrix”. How I Became a Pirate, Milwaukee First Stage at the Todd Wehr stage. Opens April 17 running weekends until May 17. based on the well-known children’s book by Melinda Long and given new lyrics and notes by […]
Apr 14th, 2009 by Brian Jacobson
Janet Zweig ain’t Karen Finley
The breaking news from Milwaukee’s City Hall Tuesday was that the Common Council voted, by a lopsided 12-2, to approve the public art installation for E. Wisconsin Avenue designed by Janet Zweig. The tempest in a teapot didn’t boil over and Mike Brenner did not even have to resort to defecating on the lawn of any alderman who opposed the project. The threat, he says, was a conscious decision to throw fuel on the fire of the controversy to focus attention on the importance of supporting Zweig’s project. Ald. Joe Dudzik, who, along with Ald. Bob Donovan, ultimately voted against the project, went for Brenner’s bait. He left a message on Brenner’s voice mail daring the provocateur to make good on his promise, thoughtfully leaving his home address. Brenner, being the creative guy he is, recorded a remix using Dudzik’s phone message and posted it on his web site. Well, boys will be boys. Now I really have to move on from the Brenner-Dudzik, err, pissing match before you get the impression that the Zweig piece coming soon to Milwaukee’s downtown is some kind of creepy, offensive concept with the potential to embarrass our fair city. History is full of examples of high-concept art intended to shock and/or disgust, often referencing urine or feces. Who can forget Karen Finley’s creative use of chocolate or the incredibly self-indulgent Andres Serrano even going all the way back to Marcel Duchamps’s celebrated and controversial urinal of 1917. Zweig’s public art for the Instructional Technology Center, Santa Fe Community College. It invents and writes a new line of text, displayed on a mechanical “flip-disk” sign every time someone passes through. Sorry to disappoint, but Janet Zweig’s art is none-of-the-above. Janet Zweig is a Milwaukee-born artist who has built a national reputation developing the kind of interactive art that engages without offending. Take a look at the current issue of Sculpture magazine for an overwhelmingly positive examination of her work. The process that culminated in her being chosen for this project has been going on for years, at least since 2002. Milwaukee Magazine’s Bruce Murphy does a nice job of reviewing the history and, bless his soul, contextualizing the current flare-up. Zweig seems to have bent over backwards to avoid offending anybody. Her use of old-fashioned flip-disk technology, the kind associated with signs at rail stations, introduces a type of interactivity to her work that is refreshingly modern without appearing pretentious. And she plans to involve local artists and others in the work as a clever way to return some of the funds to the community. The lion’s share of the $300,000 cost is coming from the federal government and the $60,000 city contribution goes exclusively to local folks. Hard to find anything to complain about, right? Well, not so fast. I’m not an expert on art but my gripe with the proposal is that it doesn’t appear to be public enough. As engaging as the concept seems, I believe that one strength of the […]
Apr 14th, 2009 by Ted Bobrow
Zweig Public Art Project to go to full council this morning
Despite the efforts of outspoken detractors Bob Donovan (Ald., 8th District) and Joe Dudzik (Ald., 11th District) to kill the project in committee, a full house of supporters of the project that included Visit Milwaukee (title) Dave Fantle, Cultural Alliance Executive Director Christine Harris and many others, joined the project’s elected supporters – especially Nic Kovac (Ald., 3rd District) and Michael Murphy (Ald., 10th District) to rally sufficient support to move the project forward. The Common Council meets later this morning. Public comment will not be permitted on the issue, but the council is expected to cast the votes that will decide the fate of the E. Wisconsin Ave. endeavor.
Apr 14th, 2009 by Jon Anne Willow
What Goes Around Comes Around 3rd Annual Milwaukee Invitational 35mm Slideshow Fri 4/24
If this isnt the most heart warming thing you’ve read all day, I demand that you unplug your typewriter from your TV and never log onto the interweb again. xo, REEL Milw @ TCD Carousel: What Goes Around Comes Around 3rd Annual Milwaukee Invitational 35mm Slideshow Friday, April 24, 7pm $4 Woodland Pattern Book Center, 720 E Locust St. 414 263 5001 / http://www.woodlandpattern.org Presented by the UWM Film Department and Woodland Pattern Book Center “Carousel” unspools like this: Carousel sends a roll of slide film out to invited artists who work in a variety of media, but not slideshows. They in turn make their first slideshow – of their own design. No rules regarding quantity of slides (or of projectors, or of screens) or regarding accompanying sound. The slideshows are debuted in live performance the night of the show. Past multimedia extravaganzas have featured “audience chant-a-longs; slides advancing at high speed so as to achieve animation; acting performances; overlapping imagery; slides projected side-by-side; confessionals (something along the lines of a catalogue of former boyfriends); one banjo; and something bordering on witchcraft.” [excerpted from attached Press Release.] Organized, in part, as a tribute to this mechanism the slide projector, which is now no longer manufactured, but also as testimony to its ongoing potential and possibility. While PowerPoint is widespread – even uncorked in a popular series of local barroom events – 35mm slide projectors offer a singular combination of artistry and of the homespun, of the evanescently beautiful and of the reliably mechanical. As the Carousel artists testify, reports of the slide projector’s death is premature. And Woodland Pattern’s gallery space is a perfect venue to unfurl these creations. A most intimate setting for this unique relationship between advancing image and rapt audience. It is also the best venue to enjoy the comforting purr and clunky click of the slide projector in action. (At last weekend’s Edible Book Art show, Woodland Pattern offered pages to eat; on April 24th it will eschew the digital.) This year’s invited slide show artists include: Brian Perkins (Milwaukee); Kimberly Miller (Milwaukee); Warehouse Cinema (Milwaukee): Patrick Gulke & Drew Kunz (Bainbridge Island, Washington); Jennifer Kelly (Brooklyn); John Orth & Alan Calpe (Gainesville / Brooklyn); Angela Deane (New York City); and more!
Apr 13th, 2009 by Howie Goldklang
Acacia Theatre seeks auditions for summer musical version of Little Women
ACACIA THEATRE will be holding auditions on Monday and Tuesday, April 27 and 28 between 6:30 and 9:30 for its summer musical, Little Women. This production will require 6 women and 4 Men (17 – 60). Please prepare 12 – 16 bars of a song (accompaniment provided) Readings will be from script. Auditions will be held by appointment only at Church in the City, 2648 N. Hackett, Milwaukee. Performances (July 10 – 19) are at Concordia University. To make an appointment: (414) 744-5995 or email acacia@acaciatheatre.com. Additional info: Little Women: The Broadway Musical, book by Allan Knee, Lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, Music by Jason Howland, will be directed by Janet Bouman Peterson. Music Director is Jane Foerster. A very few copies of the script are available at Acacia’s office. They may be borrowed for 2 days for a $25 returnable deposit (our cost). (Call office first to make arrangements). Large portions of the script have been posted online at: http://www.littlewomenonbroadway.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?num=1113524273/0#0 Please be prepared to provide all “conflicts” from May 26 – July10. If new to Acacia, please provide a photo. If needed: Callbacks will be Sunday, May 3rd at 2:00. (If unable to attend, please still come to initial audition) Rehearsals are at Church in the City. For directions to Church in the City, go to: www.citcweb.org Ages: Since the musical portrays the girls in the same way as the book, the youngest daughter is Amy who eventually gets married. Even though she may still be a teen when she gets married, it is important that it isn’t a huge stretch for the modern eye to see that actress as both an impetuous early teen and a young married. Beth is even older. Therefore, we will not be able to see anyone who still looks like a younger teen. If a girl is 16 or 17 and we could imagine them as married, they are welcome to audition. If we cannot imagine that, then it is respectfully requested that they not audition. Thank you so much for understanding. Song suggestions: It would be wise to pick something short (which is why we are requesting only 12-16 bars), which shows your musical strengths and/or suggests the character you are auditioning for. If your voice lends itself to two completely different styles, you may do two contrasting 12 bar selections (to show range or style differences). Please … no longer. We hope to provide accompanists for all auditions … remember they are sight-reading. A very ROUGH estimation of the roles and ranges: Marmee – alto, ballads Jo – gutsy, strong, wide range, but primarily alto Meg – legit soprano Beth – sweet soprano Amy – primarily alto Aunt March – wide range, character Laurie (Theodore Laurence III) – Energetic, wide range tenor Professor Baehr – Baritone John Brooke – Baritone – to II Tenor Mr. Laurence – Baritone, character
Apr 13th, 2009 by Brian Jacobson
Public comment opportunity on Streetscape Project Tuesday morning
On Tuesday, April 14 at 8 a.m., Milwaukee’s Public Works Committee (in City Hall Room 301-B) will again be considering the Janet Zweig proposal for the Streetscape Arts Project. Public comment is invited. This Committee will vote up or down on the project. Procedurally, it is likely to be taken out of Committee (no matter what the vote) and moved to the Common Council – which meets at 9 a.m. on Tuesday. Public comment is not allowed at a Common Council meeting, but it is open to attendance. Emails and phone calls to the Aldermen are critically important, particularly if they come from a constituent. Please make lots of contact, and get your friends to do the same. Here is the Council website: http://www.ci.mil.wi.us/council If you are interested, here is the body of the letter we sent to each Alderman: We believe that a strong public art program raises our creative capital. Milwaukee’s image as an innovative city with a vibrant arts community and top-notch creative assets is critical to whether or not we can recruit talent to move here, or get good employees to stay here. Having a strong public arts program is one step toward improving the image of Milwaukee, which doesn’t always get the credit it deserves for our arts and culture assets and amenities. This public art process was put in to place years ago and the project has been moving forward according to all of the guidelines. The money has already been approved. The public art committee was comprised of people with the background and commitment of the public interest to make an artist choice that will serve our community well and meet the budgetary requirements. The chosen artist, Janet Zweig, has committed to spend the $60,000 matching dollars being approved with local artists, thereby giving very valuable jobs to our city and helping to make the project community-relevant. Furthermore, she has a stellar international reputation for her work and a Milwaukee background. We don’t need to personally like every piece of public art that we vote for – that is a good thing! Art is a matter of preference. You just need to like the idea of crafting a first-class city that can compete in these trying economic times. Art goes hand in hand with better transportation, business development and all of the other efforts to bolster our economy. We appreciate all that you do to make this a better place to live, work, play and learn. We, the creative industries, are equally committed to making this a better place for all – and to bring lots more people and business. Diverse, creative expression is an important component to our city’s attraction Thank you. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Christine Harris President and Executive Director Cultural Alliance of Greater Milwaukee 648 N. Plankinton Ave Suite 425 Milwaukee, WI 53203 charris@culturalalliancemke.org
Apr 13th, 2009 by Jon Anne Willow
Special “pay what you can” for opening of Cherry Orchard
The Milwaukee Repertory Theater indicates on its website that first two opening performances of “The Cherry Orchard” by Anton Chekhov will be “pay what you can” starting with a $5 minimum available just two hours before curtain. It’s a chance to see this Tuesday, Apr. 14 or Wednesday Apr. 15 evening for some great theater in Milwaukee by a good company of actors for possibly a fraction of the usual cost. Contact The Rep’s box office (414-224-9490) for more information, and stayed tuned to TCD for a future review of this staging.
Apr 13th, 2009 by Brian Jacobson
One more reason to respect Iowa
“I’m almost ready to up and leave Iowa and move back to Minnesota,” one woman said angrily. “There’s something about it happening in the heartland that has got to accelerate this process for the whole country,” said another. On April 4, the Iowa Supreme Court overturned the ban on same-sex marriages, giving lie to the myth that Iowa folks are strictly conservative. Some would say they are, indeed, Progressives. Whatever your take on the same-sex marriage issue, the court’s web site had 1.5 million viewers on the day of the decision. The court’s seven members made it a unanimous decision. I have a beautiful niece, one of several. Not only is she highly intelligent, she is a hard-working and has for many years supported herself. She is loved by her father, her mother, her sister, and her devoted partner, Annie. My niece is a lesbian. In the building I occupy are several gay and lesbian couples. They come and go like other occupants, off to shop or walk their pets. One of the gay partners is a well-respected judge in our county court system, and I volunteered for his re-election campaign. If you placed these couples (or individuals) in a crowd, you’d never be able to identify their gender preference. For instance, is that fellow over there gay, the one dressed in a suit and tie? Yes, he is. He’s a parole officer. His partner works for Milwaukee’s Health Department. And the lady in the flowered suit and fashionable shoes? Oh, she’s one of our State Representatives. She’s a lesbian. The aforementioned judge and his partner throw a big Halloween costume party each fall. It’s a blast. That said, no one swings from the chandeliers brandishing sex toys. At the last one I attended, the guy I was standing next to was dressed as a Milwaukee police officer. A gay chap, he really is a Milwaukee police officer. Milwaukee has churches friendly to gay and lesbian couples. In the summer, the city celebrates Pride Fest and I can think of no place in town that would single out lesbian and gay couples as “unwelcome,” though Pride Fest is sometimes picketed by those who think their way is the only way. We have a center for “Gay Arts,” but it isn’t the art that’s gay, it’s the artists who produce it. I have a lady friend who, after an unsuccessful heterosexual marriage, partnered with a woman. When one of their mothers died last year, the two of them steered her wheelchair through small town Iowa, in a “Race to Beat Cancer,” event. Together, they grieved over their loss. A teacher gal pal married and raised a fine son who is currently serving in Iran. When her child rearing days were over, she left her marriage to live with a woman who leads a blues band. She told me she knew early on that she preferred the company of women, but societal pressures directed her toward a heterosexual marriage. Incidentally, the lady […]
Apr 13th, 2009 by Judith Ann Moriarty
35mm Slideshow @ Woodland Pattern
Celebrating the artistic possibility and readily available charms of a technology and a medium being shuffled off to obsolescence, Carousel: The 3rd Annual Milwaukee Invitational 35mm Slide Show invites a diverse – and cross country – league of artists to work in a form they haven’t tackled before: they were each asked to generate a slide show of 35mm still images. The yet-to-be seen results will be unfurled Friday, April 24 at 7pm at Woodland Pattern Book Center. The show starts at 7pm and is $4. Woodland Pattern Book Center is located at 720 E Locust and at http://www.woodlandpattern.org The invited artists this year include: Brian Perkins (Milwaukee); Kimberly Miller (Milwaukee); Warehouse Cinema (Milwaukee): Patrick Gulke & Drew Kunz (Bainbridge Island, Washington); Jennifer Kelly (Brooklyn); John Orth & Alan Calpe (Gainesville / Brooklyn); Angela Deane (New York City); and more! Presented annually by the Film Department at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and Woodland Pattern Book Center, Carousel works like this: organizers Naomi Shersty and Carl Bogner – both instructors in the UWM Film Department – send a roll of slide film out to a variety of talented, creative folk, individuals and collaborative teams. The roster of artists this year includes photographers, visual artists, filmmakers, animators, poets, performance artists, and a film projector performance collaborative.
Apr 13th, 2009 by Erin Petersen
Zweig Project Would Add a Twist to Milwaukee
The debate swirling around the Janet Zweig art project got me thinking about the value of public art to our city and how other cities embrace opportunities to enhance their public places.
Apr 13th, 2009 by Dave Reid
