June
Ah, Memorial Day– the unofficial start of summer. We couldn’t be more excited. After another long and dreary winter in Milwaukee, we’ve been fiending for the warm and heady days of summer. As always, there’s tons of stuff going on this season, so much so that it can get a bit overwhelming. But here at TCD, we don’t want to miss a minute of it, so we’ve created this handy dandy guide to city’s festivals, outdoor music and fun, free stuff to aid in making 2010 your best (and cheapest!) summer ever. We also recommend hanging out at Bradford Beach as much as is humanly possible.
Check back at the beginning of each month for a full list of awesome activities. Enjoy!
June Festivals
Verge Music Festival
June 4-5
Henry Maier Festival Park
Milwaukee’s newest indie/rock festival, featuring big name bands of the past decade and indie groups beginning to emerge on the scene. Also featuring hot local acts like Red Knife Lottery, Jaill, Juniper Tar , The Championship and many more.
Port Washington Pirate Festival
June 4-6
Downtown Port Washington
It’s free! And it’s a PIRATE FESTIVAL!
Pride Fest
June 11-13
Henry Maier Festival Park
This year catch headliners Patti Labelle, Kathy Griffin and Joan Rivers, plus drag shows, dancing and tons of great performances by regional and national acts.
Gathering Waters Fest
June 13, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Lakeshore State Park
A free urban outdoor event on Milwaukee’s lakefront featuring local music, food & beer, rock wall climbing, boat and bike rides and many more outdoor activities.
June 13, 11 a.m. — 5 p.m.
Locust Street, between Holton and Humboldt Avenues
Local bands! Food! Tai Chi! Beer run!
Lakefront Festival of Art
June 18-20
Milwaukee Art Museum
One of the nation’s premier juried art festivals, the Lakefront Festival of Art has been going strong for nearly 40 years. Featuring work from 181 national and regional artists, food, wine and live entertainment. Passes are $7 if you purchase them in advance.
Summer Soulstice
June 19, Noon-11 p.m.
North Avenue
The Summer Soulstice festival celebrates ten years with headliners the .357 String Band and a full day of outdoor festivities.
Juneteenth Day
June 19, 9 a.m. — 6 p.m.
3030 N. Martin Luther King Drive, between Center and Burleigh
Commemorating the end of slavery, Milwaukee’s Juneteenth Day festivities features food, music and a parade in this free outdoor celebration.
Polish Fest
June 18-20
Henry Maier Festival Park
America’s largest Polish festival! Vodka tastings and 50 cent admission on Friday from noon-5 p.m.
Milwaukee Greek Fest
June 25-27
Wisconsin State Fair Park
Food, dancing and FREE admission.
Summerfest
June 24-July 4
Henry Maier Festival Park
You know the drill — 11 days, 11 stages, a crap-ton of music. Did you know that Public Enemy is coming this year? Oh snap!
Fine (and free) Outdoor Music
Jazz in the Park
June 3- September 23, 6-9 p.m.
Cathedral Square Park
This year’s opener — The Bad Plus! Bring your blankets (but no carry-in booze anymore) and stake out some real estate.
Música de Lago
June 3 & 17, 7 p.m.
Alterra on the Lake
1701 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr.
Alterra presents another season of hot (and free!) Latin music, featuring Bahia on June 3 and De la Buena on the 17th. Grass seats fill up fast!
Florentine at the Lake
June 10 & 24, 7 p.m.
Alterra on the Lake
What better way to enjoy the Florentine Opera company than under the setting sun on Milwaukee’s lakefront?
Concerts in the Parks
June 8 – August 25
Various locations
Tons of free concerts in Milwaukee’s lovely parks all summer long. For a full listing of shows and events, click here.
Café Sopra Mare
June 6-September 26, 10:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m.
Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum
2220 N. Terrace Ave.
Spend your Sunday mornings relaxing in the Villa Terrace’s gorgeous gardens, sipping tea and listening to a free concert.
Shakespeare in the Park : The Tempest
June 18-20, 24-27, 8 p.m.
Alverno College courtyard
3400 S. 43rd St.
The Optimist Theatre offers several free productions of Shakespeare’s The Tempest this month. Though tickets are free, reservations are suggested.
Ways to spend an afternoon
DrawCamp
June 12, 9 a.m. — 9 p.m.
Bucketworks
706 S. 5th Street
A full day of free seminars activities like sketch-noting, iPad drawing and illustration workshops, plus a chance to meet new people and support arts programs in Milwaukee.
AstroBreak
June 2,9 & 16, 12:15
Manfred Olson Planetarium
1900 E. Kenwood
Every Wednesday you can explore the universe with a free show at UW-Milwaukee’s planetarium. Sounds like a cute nerdy date to me.
