Milwaukee Day 2012

By now you’ve probably heard of Milwaukee Day, the annual city-wide celebration held on April 14th (or 4/14, get it?). While the celebration is in its second year, some of us found ourselves a bit confused as to what the day is all about. We decided to get some clarification before the 2012 celebration this Saturday. TCD had a chat with Milwaukee Day organizers Timm Gable, Brent Gohde and Andy Silverman about its history, what to expect and what’s to come.

Timm Gable: About two years ago we got a text from a friend of ours that said “Hey, April 14th should be Milwaukee Day,” and after receiving it we all agreed that it really should be a holiday. So we pretty much just went with it. I think Andy’s brother Toby had the initial idea. Then Justin [Kay] created the logo that afternoon and Sam [Macon] created the website that night. That was kind of the birth of it all.

Andy Silverman: We shot the first video shortly thereafter and just decided to run with it.

Brent Gohde: We were amazed at how many people latched onto this idea and this love of Milwaukee. The best part was that it was so positive.

Gable: And that’s basically what the three of us along with several other friends have done, just coordinating a bunch of events to celebrate the city that we all love. We’re encouraging other people to have events and just do whatever they love in celebration of this wonderful city.

TCD: I feel like the two main events that are getting a the most attention are the shows happening at Cactus Club and Club Garibaldi. Are there more events besides these?

Silverman: You bet. We’re holding a film festival at Hotel Foster where we’ll be showing some great locally made films.

Gable: There’s going to be an urban trash clean up event at Washington Park. Cream City Skatepark will be unveiling a new bowl that they’re really excited about, and they’ll be having a skate party there. So there’s stuff throughout the day. The site will give more detailed info as to times and locations of the events, but there’s definitely a lot more to Milwaukee Day than just the shows.

Silverman: We’re trying to reach as far into the community as possible, and we’re also finding others to get involved. We’re also going to have a list on the website in the coming days of things that people can do to celebrate Milwaukee Day. It’s not just about going to shows and it’s not just about drinking. It’s about being a positive force in the community, which is something we’re strong advocates for.

TCD: That’s great. So this doesn’t mean that the Milwaukee Day celebrations are limited to just the scheduled events then?

Gable: Absolutely not. That’s kind of the mission behind the whole thing. The events that are scheduled are more or less how we want to celebrate, but that’s just us. We really want people to embrace this holiday. If you’re going to have a cookout, have a Milwaukee Day cookout. There’s a Bucks game that night. Go to it in honor of Milwaukee Day.

Gohde: We’re not excluding anyone. We’re just trying to be a catalyst for something that is city-wide and really positive. Our hope is that not everyone looks at us and says “Oh, what’s going on for Milwaukee Day?” We’re actually looking out and saying, “Hey everyone, what’s going on for Milwaukee Day?”

Silverman: There are a number of local organizations that have really helped us with that. The Brewcity Bruisers are going to tie in all their pre- and post-bout events to be Milwaukee Day tailored. Obviously, Battle Cry has helped us out tremendously, Redwall Prints has been very helpful. Milwaukee Brewing Co. is going to have a Milwaukee Day tailored brewery tour. So yeah, there’s a lot of great things going on.

TCD: So if one were to sum up Milwaukee day in a nutshell, it’s an all-inclusive ultra-positive one day celebration of our city?

Gohde: Absolutely. This is an opportunity for everyone to celebrate all the things that make this community great.

TCD: I know that Milwaukee Day 2012 hasn’t happened yet, but have you started planning for next year?

Gohde: I can’t say too much about it yet, but we have big plans for next year. If the world doesn’t blow up in 2012, I think we’re going to have to outdo ourselves pretty well.

What will you be doing to celebrate Milwaukee Day? ThirdCoast Digest wants to know, so we’ve created the #TCD414 Twitter hashtag to keep up on all of the day’s events as they’re happening. An up-to-date list of events can be found at milwaukeeday.com. See below for the current list, and check out sales and specials from your favorite Milwaukee businesses like Stone Creek Coffee. But even if you’re hanging out at the zoo on free Family Fun Day, eating custard at Leon’s, touring the Basilica, or doing anything that screams “iconic Milwaukee” — let us know! Take pictures, jot down what you see, smell, and taste, and we’ll be out on the town joining in the celebration. Follow TCD on Twitter and Facebook to share in the fun.

What will TCD doing to officially celebrate the day? We’ll be at the AIGA footPRINT Exhibition and Party at the UWM Kenilworth Building along with 88.9 Radio Milwaukee. Visit footprintwisconsin.com for details, and we hope to see you and hear from you on Saturday! Happy Milwaukee Day!

• Cactus Club: The Cave Singers, Absolutely, Greatest Lakes, Icrarus Himself, Slow Walker (7 p.m.) Presented by Battle Cry
• Can’s Milwaukee: Weekend Natives outdoor party – Oakland Ave & North Ave – Hugh Bob & the Hustle, Boy Blue, Delta Routine, The Gazettiers, Jayk, much more (3 p.m.)
• Club Garibaldi: Sat Nite Duets, Northless, Moon Curse, Across Tundra, Hearts of Stone (7 p.m.) Presented by Battle Cry
• Cream City Skate: Milwaukee Day Pool Party w/ music, prizes, and a brand new pool to skate! (4 p.m) Presented by Cream City Skatepark and Sky High Skate Shop
• Washington Park Clean-Up: Join Purpose by Designs to do some spring cleaning litter pick-up.
• Riverwest Public House: The Altos, One Wind (9 p.m.)
• Turner Hall: Brewcity Bruisers After-Bout Party feat: James Freshluggage (10 p.m.)
• G-Daddy’s BBC: AC/DC tribute band Big Balls w/ Special Guest, Midnight toast to Milwaukee Day (4/13 – 10 p.m.)
• Hotel Foster: Screening of locally made films and music videos followed with music by Party Unlimited, LLC (Andy Silverman & Justin Krol) (6 p.m)
• Mo’s Irish Pub (Wauwatosa): 5 Card Studs (10 p.m.)
• MOCT – 40 oz Night w/ Kid Millions, DJ Doc B, DJ Bizzon (10 p.m.)