A Pair of Streets That Need to Go on a Diet
The streets, E. State St. and E. Wells St., need to lose some weight because these multi-lane one-way expressways that run through East Town disrupt an otherwise walkable neighborhood.
Apr 24th, 2009 by Dave Reid
Hair wants to shine, but falls flat
Even though Hair defined the "rock musical" genre and illustrated drug use, its message was actually quite serious and intellectual. But the players at UWM seem to have trouble paying homage to these great American social issues. On stage, actors seem more intent on portraying various stages of being stoned. Illegal drug use pervades the entire show, but it here it seemed to overtake all other aspects.
Apr 24th, 2009 by Russ Bickerstaff
Committee Approves Two-way State St.
Clearly this meeting of the Public Works Committee was not as colorful as recent meetings but there were a couple of items of interest. The first item was a proposed lease agreement between Waters’ New Biotech Company and the Port of Milwaukee. This proposal would be the second large alternative fuel facility in recent years to open at the Port of Milwaukee. Waters’ New Biotech Company intends to develop a facility that will convert wood waste into a solid fuel which will be used as an alternative fuel to coal. This file was approved and will now go before the full Common Council. The second item was the culmination of three years of efforts by Alderman Robert Bauman. In an effort to improve the walkability and vibrancy of East Town, he has been working to convert E. State St. between N. Edison St. and N. Prospect Ave. to two-way traffic. His efforts resulted in the necessary changes to file number 081667 which will provide the funding to reconfigure E. State St., rebuild and repave the street, reconfigure the signals, construct a median at Water St., and potentially add a new signal. This file was approved and will now go before the full Common Council.
Apr 24th, 2009 by Dave Reid
Friday Photos Friday, 24. April 2009
The Edge The Edge 1824 E. Park Place 1824 E. Park Place Water Taxi Sign on Riverwalk
Apr 24th, 2009 by Dave Reid
Brooklyn Boy at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre
Milwaukee Chamber Theatre closes its 34th season with playwright Donald Margulies’s semi-autobiographical play. It focuses on a novelist who, after two attempts at the great American novel, gets it right on the third try to critical acclaim and popularity by penning a semi-autobiographic novel called Brooklyn Boy. With the vague notion that this achievement may endear him to his dying father and save his withering marriage, the author attempts to re-draw his life as he thinks it should be. But new found fame and a re-discovered past proceed to pull him in opposite directions. James DeVita is understated and charming as Eric Weiss, the writer suffering through a mid-life crisis. As the character is quietly devastated to learns that success cannot alter the relationships with his father and soon to be ex-wife, actor DeVita expresses frustration and anger with a unique deft without resorting to simply yelling. The supporting cast members all neatly avoid playing into stereotypes. Robert Spencer as Eric’s father Manny Weiss is able to create a rich and complicated relationship with his son. Rebecca Rose Phillips gives depth as an enamored groupie and Tom Klubertanz is lovable as Ira, Eric’s childhood friend who forces him to reminisce and ultimately deal with his grief. Rounding out the cast is Darrel Cherney, Michelle Lopez-Rios and Julie Swenson in strong and multi-faceted performances. Although much of the play is a reflection on Weiss’s life growing up in a Jewish family and community, director and MCT Producing Artistic Director C. Michael Wright makes sure the play is not just a Jewish story. Brooklyn Boy is relatable to anyone, regardless of religious or ethnic background. Brooklyn Boy runs through May 3rd at the Broadway Theatre Center. For tickets call 414.291.7800 or visit MCT’s website.
Apr 23rd, 2009 by Russ Bickerstaff
All left turns
As someone who often blurs the lines between spiritual and secular, I’m a big fan of “Turn, Turn, Turn” by the Byrds. The song’s peace-anthem lyrics, which were inspired by Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, still feel relevant today. As I was researching the penman, Pete Seeger, I noticed a comment that asked, “What’s an Ecclesiastes?”At first, that question made me chuckle. After more than 15 years of religion classes, Ecclesiastes is just as common to me as, say, Deuteronomy. But when I started thinking back over these and other Old Testament books, I also realized the truth behind the statement: “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Maybe one reason the world is round is because everything really does come full circle. When Ecclesiastes was written, most of the population was working “green” jobs, such as sheep herding, fishing, farming and baking (with 100% organic ingredients). But there was another occupation that was fairly common too – which was serving in the army. And that brings us right back around to that 1965 anti-war song. Regardless of our beliefs, life does seem cyclical, doesn’t it? That’s why I’m convinced the world (heck, the entire universe) has its own rhythm. And even though we mortals can influence it to a great extent, there must be something (or in my belief system, someone) more powerful orchestrating it all. The thing is, I’m not sure if that realization comforts me or worries me. As a bit of a control freak, I’m much more comfortable being in charge than being at someone else’s mercy. And God knows this past decade alone has seen its fair share of blindsides. So what’s our paradigm today, in 2009 A.D.? It certainly has shifted since the days of Solomon and even the young days of Roger McGuinn. Is it possible to have the power and wealth (and sometimes, greed) of modern times and expect the peace and quiet of simpler days? Or am I being too romantic by imagining that peace ever existed in its truest form? And that greed didn’t? Wherever the lines are and no matter how blurred they’ve become, I have hope. I’ve seen the wonder of spring in my nieces and nephews, but I also saw my grandparents through the fall and winter of their lives. It’s those bookends – and all that lives in between – that remind me it’s all connected. We’re all really jogging on the same big track where there are plenty of turns, except ultimately they’re all in the same direction. I believe the tide will turn. In time, war will give way to peace. Tears will become laughter. Poverty will be changed into wealth. And that’s just the beginning of a brand-new upswing. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 from the Old Testament To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted A time to […]
Apr 23rd, 2009 by Michelle Sieg
Live at WMSE Vol. X Release Party
TONIGHT! 91.7 WMSE and Decider Milwaukee celebrate the release of Live at WMSE Vol. X with a CD release party at the Miramar Theater. This new collection of songs features the best in-studio performances from 15 local and national acts. The station’s staff handpicked the tracks from more than 100 live performances that were broadcast on WMSE in 2008. According to WMSE Promotions Director Ryan Schleicher, the compilation leans toward the indie rock side of the musical spectrum. “Some of the live volumes are more themed than others,” Schleicher said. “Volume X doesn’t have any blues or Chicken Shack type stuff because those genres tend to get their own release.” The staff’s selections include cuts from national acts like Jones Street Station and Joe Pug. WMSE also pays tribute to its home base by presenting recordings from Milwaukee favorites like The Championship and The Peder Hedman Quartet. Mysteriously absent from the lineup is the local, nu-metal/jazz fusion outfit Noose Call, which was first presented to the world on the ThirdCoast Digest Podcast: Episode 2 (co-produced by the WMSE team). Quinn Scharber and the … In addition to a full spin of the new album and live performances from Testa Rosa and Quinn Scharber and the… (both featured on Volume X), Schleicher speculates that the party will be feature appearances from some of Milwaukee’s finest and most fun-loving residents. “Our listeners know how to whoop whoop and what what!” Schleicer says. Admission to the event is $10 and includes a copy of Live at WMSE Vol. X. All proceeds go directly to the station’s spring pledge drive, which begins Monday, April 27. “WMSE does not exist without substantial financial support from our listening community,” Schleicher says. “Listeners keep us breathing. Especially right now, we can’t lay any extra burden on already taxed listeners, so we have to keep finding more ways to generate income.” After tonight’s festivities, WMSE and its tireless employees will almost immediately begin to compile material for Volume XI. The station has already lined up two on-air gigs for next week’s broadcasts. “I’m personally looking forward to Robbie Fulks’ [performance] on April 30th,” Schleicher comments. “Locally, I’m really excited to hear what Adebisi and the Fresh Cut Collective bring this coming Tuesday, the 28th, on Local/Live.” The Live at WMSE Vol. X release party begins at 7:30 pm and features the “optical mayhem” of Paka Paka, the lightshow team that provided on-stage visuals for the Atomic Valentine concert.
Apr 23rd, 2009 by Nick Schurk
Tulip, Starbuck, and the Death of Chivalry (A Reaction to Peach & Sparrow)
if the damsel in distress is going to suddenly fight back (Joss Whedon’s initial idea for Buffy the Vampire Slayer came from the idea that the classic hot blonde victim from every horror movie suddenly would turn around and kick the monster’s ass), she’s going to have to take some punches too.
Apr 23rd, 2009 by DJ Hostettler
‘I Just Stopped to See the Man’ at Steimke Theater
Whether an individual actually walks side by side with the Devil or only faces personal demons during his life, the human soul suffers — needing to sing “the blues”. In the Stiemke Theater’s final selection of the season, I Just Stopped By To See The Man, all three of its characters sidestep tragedy in order to gain greater self-understanding through songs played from the strings of a guitar named Angela. Striking chords of a story that blends both American music history and broken humanity, renowned British playwright Stephen Jeffreys concentrates on myths surrounding ‘the devil’s music’, or the blues. The Rep invited director Regge Life with his prestigious credentials and experience to develop these character studies together with the Milwaukee Repertory Theater actors by debuting Eric Hellman (Karl) and Cedric Young (Jesse). Resident Rep acting company member Lanise Antoine Shelley (Della) complements the small cast that reveals the complexity of certain personalities and circumstances on the stage. The premise of the play surrounds Jesse Davidson, an aging blues musician of legendary fame who faked his death in a devastating car accident to escape his former life. His only legitimate child, a daughter named Della, returns home after a long estrangement as a fugitive from her own mistakes at the age of 27 and the pair hide in seclusion. Then Karl, an English rock star on tour in Memphis, enters the quiet but sullen household searching for his musical blues hero and the inspiration to redeem himself from his own devils. This compelling and soul searching play challenges the audience assertions on what one considers to be the devil’s activities, especially in music, and the choices made in life when one might claim “the devil made me do it.” Simultaneously, the script confronts racial prejudices and religious conformity viewed from several time periods. Hellman, Young and Shelley provide emotionally nuanced performances integrating all these elements that makes the audience care for each character, especially bluesman and rock star who form an unexpected connection. Hellman and Young sing evocative rhythms on the guitar including Churchyard Blues lyrics that cry: where my body’s broken/and my soul is damned to hell /The devil has me right down/under his spell. Acted on a simple but beautifully constructed set with a skewed perspective, the stage lighting casts shadows through the slats of the humble home reinforcing the mindset that human lives are indeed shadowed by misfortune. Despite one’s belief in an actual ‘Devil’ or his ability to buy a person’s soul, the play celebrates through the power of a uniquely American music through the suffering of all humanity — but also the innate desire to survive deep pain by invoking compassion and understanding. I Just Stopped By To See the Man throws insight on life’s everyday woes when the only relief as Jesse believes is “to sing those blues, when the heart’s too sick to pray.” I Just Stopped By To See The Man until May 3. For information call: 414.224.9490 or milwaukeerep.com.
Apr 22nd, 2009 by Peggy Sue Dunigan
How I Became a Pirate at First Stage
Each pirate on this ship, cleverly dressed for the sailing, sings and dances to rhythmic tropical tunes while young Jeremy learns pirate code and language enough to join the crew. When a midnight storm ensues, the mast lets loose over the stage before intermission. In the second act, pirates search the audience. Representing the Arrgh's cast, Austin Zdziarski as Jeremy Jacob ably handles this zest for sea life, and helps them bury their booty. But he still longs for soccer games and kisses goodnight.
Apr 22nd, 2009 by Peggy Sue Dunigan
Ain’t Misbehavin’s Trenyce Cobbins dishes on the show
"It's amazing," says Cobbins. "Now it's like a well-oiled machine - but somehow it's a different show every day. [Players] keep adding to the show. The way you say a line, a harmony with more emotional investment in it."
Apr 22nd, 2009 by Brian Jacobson
The Politics of Real Estate Development – Park East Edition
The tale of the Fair Market Development, LLC Park East development proposal is one already lined with intrigue.
Apr 22nd, 2009 by Jeramey Jannene
