Travel Channel Seeks City’s Secret “Treasure”
"Expedition Unknown" to search for unique ceramic cask buried in 1981 but never found.
Jan 17th, 2018
“Crossroads of Civilization” Tells Great Story
New Milwaukee Public Museum exhibit on ancient Mediterranean civilization offers dramatic look at 4,000 years of history
Mar 19th, 2015
Consider the Lowly Braunschweiger
The classic Milwaukee sausage is paired with Old Milwaukee Rye Bread. Delicious. And nutritious.
Dec 17th, 2014
The Milwaukee Beer Float
Combine Purple Door's Whiskey Ice Cream, made with Great Lakes Distillery Kinnickinnic Whiskey and Brenner Brewing's Imperial Stout. Result: delicious.
Dec 2nd, 2014
The Whole Cityscape
Call it a bonus round: an assemblage of photos taken in my tour of many great vantage points in Milwaukee.
Nov 20th, 2014
From The Pfister Hotel
At dusk, the 23rd floor of the Pfister Hotel tower offers beautiful views of a changing city
Nov 13th, 2014
From The Railway Exchange Building
Built in 1901, the classic, 12-story building is well-situated for great views of Downtown and the old and new city.
Nov 6th, 2014
From the Potawatomi Hotel
From the 20th floor, a magnificent view of the city and its central valley, once grimly industrial and now turning ever more green.
Oct 30th, 2014
From the Hyatt Polaris Room
My goal was to duplicate the 1896 view of Milwaukee in the famous lithograph. Not quite, but great views anyway.
Oct 22nd, 2014
From Atop the Hilton Hotel
Make that the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, which, with its radio antenna, is about as tall as the U.S. Bank building, and offers stunning views.
Oct 15th, 2014
Rooftop Dining
The dramatic yet oh-so-civilized views from Cafe Benelux, Wolf Peach and Hotel Metro's Zen on 7.
Oct 10th, 2014
From The Moderne
Its signature penthouse, known as “THIRTY 01,” may offer the best view of the city.
Oct 2nd, 2014
Gimbel’s Building
The classic retailer is long gone, but the “ASQ Center” lives on.
Sep 25th, 2014
Milwaukee Public Library
Giant Eagle sculptures outside of the central branch evince an intriguing history.
Sep 18th, 2014
Catholic Financial Life Building
The Modernist downtown property has a history of transition, and one heck of a view.
Sep 12th, 2014
The Road to Creativity
Despite carping from critics, the Creational Trails project seeks to artistically enliven 10 blocks of Wisconsin Avenue.
Oct 31st, 2013
Travel Channel Seeks City’s Secret “Treasure”
"Expedition Unknown" to search for unique ceramic cask buried in 1981 but never found.
Oct 7th, 2013
The Man Who Retired the Museum’s Debt
Milwaukee Public Museum President Jay Williams will step down in February. Can the museum build on his legacy?
Sep 18th, 2013
The Mystery of the Germania Statue
It’s the city’s greatest art heist. How did a monumental, three-ton bronze statue disappear?
Aug 13th, 2013
The Kashubes’ Polka Picnic
The annual picnic celebrates the 73 years (until 1943) that these Polish ancestors lived on Jones Island.
Aug 6th, 2013
We Want to Save the Warner
A non-profit trust hopes to restore a classic downtown theater as a concert hall.
Jun 12th, 2013
“American Idiot” rocks, but with shallow roles
The touring Broadway rock opera is all punk and bombast, but leaves story depth and complexity off stage right.
Apr 13th, 2013
The Milwaukee Theatre hosts iconic “Final Fantasy” scores
"Distant Worlds" takes Nobuo Uematsu's symphonic scores from computer tones to full-fledged masterworks with Bel Canto Chorus.
Feb 15th, 2013
Amanda Palmer and the Grand Theft Orchestra at Turner Hall
At Turner Hall on Sunday night, Amanda Palmer blasted through songs from her new album "Theater is Evil."
Nov 12th, 2012
Aboard the Solomon Juneau
The tugboat harbored along the Riverwalk of the Milwaukee River exists as a monument to a fishing legacy--and as Mark Gubin's "floating Winnebago."
Oct 29th, 2012
Radiolab Live makes science artful at the Riverside
The little radio show from WNYC and NPR brings inventive audio and visual ponderings about how we see life to Milwaukee.
Oct 1st, 2012
Q&A with Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich
In this extended interview, TCD dissects all things Radiolab before "Live: In The Dark" takes the stage this Saturday at the Riverside Theater.
Sep 25th, 2012
The Color Run
Thousands of Milwaukee runners were doused with brightly-colored powder at this colorful 5K, held outside Miller Park.
Aug 27th, 2012
Four Days in Hayward
The idea was to soak in Hayward, Wisconsin's "Musky Fest," a celebration of the idyllic northwoods, but what our TCD contributor got was a renewal of the spirit.
Jul 23rd, 2012
Scenes from LEGO KidsFest
Brian Jacobson visits the Frontier Airlines Center for the celebration of a little building block, complete with a giant LEGO Hulk.
Jun 19th, 2012
A Day of Pride
ThirdCoast Digest took in the sights of the 25th annual celebration of LGBT culture and came away with photos and more to share.
Jun 13th, 2012
“Return to Wake Robin”
Brian Jacobson reviews Marnie O. Mamminga's memoir of "Up North" Wisconsin vacations in the 1930s.
Jun 13th, 2012
The Haggerty goes large and complex, then dark and gritty
A new trio of shows is on display, including first showings of selected works from the Tatalovich Collection.
Jun 9th, 2012
2012 UPAF Ride for the Arts
TCD recaps the UPAF Ride for the Arts with two flickr galleries and a YouTube video that captures the best of one of the nation's largest one-day bike rides.
Jun 6th, 2012
Examining the haute return of Food Trucks in America
Before five-time James Beard award-winner for food writing John T. Edge's's Boswell Books event, TCD looks at his new cookbook on roadside cuisine.
May 15th, 2012
Tango, Samba, Jitterbug, Tap
Mad Hot Ballroom fills the Bradley Center, as 43 schools dance to be champs.
May 14th, 2012
Prime Time for Storytellers in Milwaukee
On the eve of This American Life's live broadcast, TCD looks ahead to staged oral tales happening in Milwaukee in the coming weeks, from Ex Fabula to The Moth.
May 9th, 2012
Harley-Davidson goes Mondo for Cinco de Mayo
Luchador Mask? 800 pounds of iron and rumble? Burlesque Girls? Pinata Forest? Milwaukee celebrates Cinco de Mayo with Hogs and wrestling. Photos by Benjamin Wick.
May 8th, 2012
The Old 97s at Turner Hall Ballroom
The southern country-rock stylings of Rhett Miller and Old 97's showed the band still had its chops in the sweaty confines of Milwaukee's hallowed concert hall.
May 3rd, 2012
Inside the MAM’s annual Bal du Lac
It was an "Alice in Wonderland" theme for this year's Ball of the Lake, a gala starring some of Milwaukee's greatest art philanthropists.
Apr 30th, 2012
Spring Gallery Night in Review
The staff at TCD "Storify" the Night's (and Day's) events with photo galleries and notes from all over Milwaukee.
Apr 22nd, 2012
Death Cab for Cutie at the Riverside
Ben Gibbard and friends (including a string orchestra) get over a case of the Sundays to leave everything on the stage floor in Milwaukee.
Apr 17th, 2012
Reflections on a multi-ball world
Brian Jacobson's musings on the Midwest Gaming Classic, which had crowded rooms and halls filled with pinball and video arcade machines free to play.
Mar 30th, 2012
Isaac Julien at MAM
The renowned video/installation artist is showing a trilogy of works at the Milwaukee Art Museum this year.
Mar 29th, 2012
The Meatball Challenge at Milwaukee County Historical Society
Closing out the exhibit "Faith Family Fiesta" celebrating Italian roots, the Society holds a competition between area chefs to come up with the best meatball.
Mar 27th, 2012
Kevin Smith at the Pabst
Promoting his new book, "Tough Sh*t: Life Advice from a Fat, Lazy Slob Who Did Good," Silent Bob's talk was more about inspiration than entertainment.
Mar 26th, 2012
The sun sets on the corner video store
As more corner video stores and even chain store locations bite the dust, how are we making our movie entertainment choices?
Mar 25th, 2012
Open House at UEC showcases Community Supported Agriculture
There was plenty of green at the Urban Ecology Center's 10th annual event introducing farmers to potential shareholders.
Mar 19th, 2012
Saturday night with the Brew City Bruisers
Milwaukee's flat-track roller derby league suited up for a battle at the U.S. Cellular Arena, bucking for rank before heading into the Semi-Finals.
Mar 13th, 2012
“Forward 2012” juried art show at Charles Allis
This annual visual arts showcase at the Charles Allis Art Museum has landscapes and whimsy for all sorts.
Mar 12th, 2012
Michael Feinstein’s Sinatra Project, at the Riverside
The song historian and Broadway star pursues his ongoing interest in all things written and sung by Ol' Blue Eyes.
Mar 4th, 2012
Scenes from the pm@mpm
Newaukee helps the Milwaukee Public Museum launch an evening social experience. We hid in the corners of Old Milwaukee and took notes.
Mar 3rd, 2012
All things bacon unite at Harley-Davidson museum
102.9 The Hog hosts "BaconFest" at the Harley-Davidson museum. See TCD's gratuitous photos of bacon, Elvis and a giant sandwich.
Feb 27th, 2012
MAM opens Kohl’s Art Education centers
Saturday marks the grand opening of a gallery, lab, and permanent studio in former display sections for youth education. A sneak peek inside from TCD.
Feb 25th, 2012
Scenes from the First Stage Make Believe Ball at the Hilton
Families enjoyed activities, arts, improv and candy before the big fundraising dinner and dance for the Milwaukee premier children's theater organization.
Feb 14th, 2012
RadioMilwaukee at Iron Horse
88.9 hosts "Soundbites," where nine Milwaukee chefs team with nine RadioMilwaukee DJs to create a unique sensory experience at the Iron Horse Hotel.
Feb 7th, 2012
The City of Milwaukee celebrates 166th birthday
Held at the historic Grain Exchange, the Milwaukee Press Club holds its annual birthday party and declares it the year of "the Big League City."
Feb 2nd, 2012
Scenes from the Chili Bowl 2012 at Potawatomi
A look at the 6th annual chili cook-off held by Milwaukeefood.com, representing more than 30 restaurants across Milwaukee County and beyond.
Jan 30th, 2012
Ready with a new image
Before the local craft brewery's party at Turner Hall, TCD tours the 2nd Street facility to check out the new look and try out the new flavors.
Jan 28th, 2012
Inside the Tripoli Shrine Center
From the top floor Billiards Room to the basement Egyptian Room, TCD takes an intimate look at this historic venue.
Jan 25th, 2012
The Europeans and Guston at the Haggerty
Marquette's museum presents Tina Barney's lush photographic series and Philip Guston's final thoughts through lithographs.
Jan 23rd, 2012
snow, paintings, conversations, salsa dancing
Why turkey sandwiches taste better in the presence of art collector Cissie Peltz. Check out our photo gallery from this fabulous winter event.
Jan 22nd, 2012
A Winter’s walk through the Lynden Sculpture Garden
For "Light Up The Garden," people created their own personal glass lanterns for a peaceful winter stroll.
Jan 20th, 2012
The (future of the) diner on the corner
With the loss of the Michigan Street Diner, metro Milwaukee is left with a dearth of simple lunch counters. What's the key to success?
Jan 2nd, 2012
Jim Gaffigan at the Pabst Theater
Gaffigan's act channels that hilarious suburban guy you met once at a party, who just got a break from his four kids.
Dec 31st, 2011
Winterfest Begins!
The annual indoor event at the Frontier Airlines Center has a life-sized snow globe, ornaments and cookies galore, a carousel, and an ice rink. Photos by Jennell Jenney.
Dec 23rd, 2011
NEW! MSO plays Led Zeppelin at the Riverside
On some songs like Kashmir, hiring a strong orchestra to back you up is necessary. On Whole Lotta Love, it gets weird and a little epic.
Dec 11th, 2011
Wilco at the Riverside Theater
If hell is chrome, heaven is Wilco at the Riverside. The short version? Brian's best Wilco experience yet (and it's not his first rodeo).
Dec 10th, 2011
CoPA Juried Show at WPCA offers a panorama of viewpoints
CoPA show, curated by Catherine Edelman, offers exposure and an in-depth survey of Midwestern contemporary photography.
Dec 8th, 2011
Heavy Metal Tannenbaum
The Harley-Davidson Museum asked area artists to create Christmas Trees to benefit Arts@Large, and the artists went hog wild.
Dec 8th, 2011
A Country Christmas through a tunnel of lights
With Thanksgiving out of the way, we drink the eggnog and take in the sneak preview of the grand hotel's woods-filled holiday lights display.
Nov 26th, 2011
“Hugo”
Martin Scorcese makes his case for use of 3-D, film preservation, and how to make a PG-rated story with Sasha Baron Cohen in it.
Nov 24th, 2011
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Turducken Meatloaf
The Deep-Fried Romantic returns for a holiday special which requires the use of the "Perfect Meatloaf Pan" (As Seen on TV) and some specific ingredients.
Nov 24th, 2011
Starting the Holidays off with a Bang
Winter holiday lights celebrations kicked off in Milwaukee Thursday night, and TCD caught the fireworks show at Pere Marquette Park.
Nov 18th, 2011
Mark Herro (aka Mantic59) comes to Stag and brings his razor
Before a class on the art of shaving, TCD sat down with Wisconsin-native Mark Herro (aka Mantic59) about becoming a cult internet figure for grooming.
Nov 17th, 2011
Million Dollar Quartet
History and rock 'n' roll fantasy collide at the Marcus Center as four legends meet at Sun Records in this tribute/musical.
Nov 16th, 2011
Scott Wilke curates his own Milwaukee bicycle museum
The co-owner of South Shore Cyclery talks about his collection of historic bikes and accessories, and what makes a piece collectible.
Nov 15th, 2011
ArtWorks for Milwaukee at the Manpower HQ
More than 300 people attended the sold out ArtWorks for Milwaukee fundraiser at Manpower, and TCD was there to capture the sights.
Nov 14th, 2011
Found vs. Found
Two camps from two very popular yet different underground cultural anthropology mediums find each other and do battle. Interview with Davy Rothbart and Nick Prueher.
Nov 14th, 2011
Bottle Caps, Captain America, Brownies, Trolls and more
Collector's Day at the Milwaukee Public Museum brought out some special displays and stories straight from the people that love them.
Nov 13th, 2011
Ray Davies at the Pabst Theater
After an assortment of his best known solo work, Davies fined himself $5 every time he mentioned the Kinks. But he hauled out the hits anyway.
Nov 10th, 2011
Morrissey, Joy Division, and the Pretenders evoked at Turner Hall
Video and photos from Friday night's Pablove Foundation charity concert with Salford Lads Club, Maritime, and Testa Rosa in homage.
Nov 6th, 2011
The Puppet Show
We bring you an audio and video recap of the Angry Young Men, Ltd. and MUTES production at the Oriental Theater on this All Hallows' Eve.
Oct 31st, 2011
The Lamb lies (way) down on Broadway at the Pabst Theater
Genesis' Rock Opera, re-created by The Musical Box, does not hold up well over time. Plus: How I discovered the fire escape while trying to flee my seat.
Oct 30th, 2011
Riverside Theater
Ghost hunter (and well-known theater figure) Susan Fry and ghost victim (and long-time employee) Jason Gierl walk us through dark and spooky hallways.
Oct 27th, 2011
A look at Apple Holler, Borzynski’s
Visible from I-94, this orchard farm meets amusement park feels like a tourist trap until you walk back into the trees and the din disappears.
Oct 24th, 2011
Sheer, sometimes madness
The annual epic fashion show at the Milwaukee Art Museum featured slinkiness, tribbles, and optical illusions.
Oct 23rd, 2011
A quick pre-RunUp interview with Ra’mon Lawrence
This Minneapolis-based designer made a splash on Project Runway, a hubbub at RunUp to the Runway, and his mark on the fashion scene.
Oct 22nd, 2011
30 Paintings in 30 Days before Gallery Night
The Artist-in-Residence at the Pfister fulfills a pledge by finishing a collection of street photography-inspired paintings with some recognizable landmarks.
Oct 21st, 2011
Mondo Lucha! and YOU are there
Milwaukee's favorite Luchador-style wrestling, live music, and burlesque show returns to the Turner Hall Ballroom. A capsule in audio and pictures.
Oct 13th, 2011
Art Jamboree in the Plankinton Arcade
Art Milwaukee celebrates its first year in existence with a major party in the eastern wing of the Grand Avenue...which happens to be TCD's new address!
Oct 9th, 2011
A funny elegy for summer draws thousands
The final Fish Fry and a Flick at Discovery World's lakeside amphitheater sees more chairs and blankets than it can handle. Has the event outgrown the space?
Sep 26th, 2011
“People of the Big Voice”
Wisconsin Historical Society Press publishes a photo book of Charles Van Schaick's turn-of-the century focus on the Ho-Chunk Nation with revealing results.
Sep 22nd, 2011
Block Party!
Summer is winding down, but the celebration of Milwaukee rolls on. TCD joins in the fun with Artworks and the folks of Washington Heights at two separate block parties.
Aug 30th, 2011
Get on board the Art Bus
Art Milwaukee bought a former school bus special for transporting enthusiasts around on Gallery Night. We dared to ride along.
Aug 3rd, 2011
Chinese Cultural Fest at the MAM
It was a packed house in Windhover Hall as a Qìngdiǎn for the new "Summer of China" broke out.
Jul 25th, 2011
A sanguine Bastille Days
L'après-midi au doux Place de la Cathédrale ont été remplis avec du fromage, aile, chanson, et craies. Une galerie de photos par nos stagiaires d'été.
Jul 18th, 2011
How to make steamroller art at Redline MKE
We stopped by on Saturday to find artists in the street, allowing their woodcuts to be run over by a ton of pressure. Now with video proof!
Jun 25th, 2011
The TCD Mega-Gallery!
We covered the UPAF ride from atop the Hoan and got a special visit from Cream City Rickshaw at the finish line. Check out TCD's photos and tag yourself on Flickr!
Jun 7th, 2011
Aboard the SV Denis Sullivan for the first sail of 2011
In this Memorial Day gallery, we take an atmospheric journey aboard Milwaukee's classic schooner for its inaugural voyage and welcome at Discovery World.
May 30th, 2011
The Return of the King
King Gambrinus, the patron saint of brewing and a lost Milwaukee icon, has come home to its courtyard at Best Place.
May 23rd, 2011
Nine taverns in four hours, plus a barrel roll
Historic Milwaukee, Inc. hosts a 30th anniversary party for Spaces and Traces in Riverwest, profiling classic and renewed Wisconsin taverns.
May 17th, 2011
Mad Hot Ballroom and Tap 2011 in images
It was a miserable, cold Saturday -- except at the Bradley Center, where students from 39 schools competed for dance titles in this 6th annual Danceworks event.
May 16th, 2011
Pride Prom 2011
It was an evening of DJs and dancing as college students and high school seniors celebrated UW-Waukesha's first annual Pride Prom in style.
May 2nd, 2011
Zombies For Change in Madison
On Saturday, zombies shambled on Madison, croaking for the brains of Scott Walker. It was much-needed levity for the long battle in Wisconsin's capitol, and TCD has the pictures.
Apr 2nd, 2011
Art in Bloom at the MAM
For one week, floral designers examine famous works from the Milwaukee Art Museum and create tribute pieces in a special show.
Apr 1st, 2011
Hurricanes and Mucca Pazza
88.9 Radio Milwaukee brought the world's most bombastic marching band to town as Maxie's Southern comfort dishes it out. A photo gallery in living color.
Mar 10th, 2011
Rockabilly Chili brings the heat
Some 3,000 chili lovers descended upon the Kern Center, sampling veggie and meat varieties from area restaurateurs and caterers vying for bragging rights.
Mar 8th, 2011
A Photo Gallery
Students in Milwaukee take the annual stage reading to new performance and multimedia levels in this version supported by the Theatre and Social Justice Fund.
Feb 26th, 2011
the Coupon Wars
Clipping coupons may be a thing of the past, as dozens of daily bargains from local restaurants, spas, and shops flood our inboxes.
Feb 9th, 2011
The State of Karaoke
To my fellow Milwaukeeans who worried the grand tradition of unabashed singing was dead: Have no fear. Underground Karaoke is coming this weekend.
Jan 26th, 2011
Winter Gallery Night in Images
It was a cold one, and yet Milwaukeans came out to see good art and nibble on cheese and a candy buffet.
Jan 24th, 2011
Milwaukee celebrates MLK Jr. birthday with a gala show
Sunday's 27th annual event celebrated ethnic identity and togetherness in a showcase featuring the city's children. A TCD Photo Gallery.
Jan 17th, 2011
The Rep’s Gerard Neugent dishes on “The 39 Steps”
Milwaukee's versatile vet illuminates what it's like to quick change and on playing over 20 characters in a play.
Jan 14th, 2011
Now with 300% more video
Get Xtranormal and a little freaky this week as DFR wonders: Will the next great auteur come out of the amateur video wasteland?
Jan 12th, 2011
Fierce quick-change highlights The Rep’s “39 Steps”
Versatile Rep vet Gerard Neugent and APT star John Pribyl perform a cavalcade of characters in the four-actor adaptation of epic comedy/mystery "The 39 Steps."
Jan 11th, 2011
All hail the arrival of Mistress of the Toy Piano
Margaret Leng Tan, having conquered the the classics and experimented with the likes of John Cage, sets her sights on legitimizing a tiny plinking sound.
Jan 5th, 2011
New Year’s Eve with the Dead Man’s Carnival
While some clinked champagne glasses and sang 'Auld Lang Syne', we watched in morbid fascination the high-flying, comedic freakshow that is Dead Man's Carnival.
Jan 3rd, 2011
Where are they now?
Two years and 45 low-culture slap happy columns later, we look back with wonder at this slice of Americana and any changes that may happened.
Dec 29th, 2010
Legacy” : Making the case for seeing films in 2D
With the glut of movies being touted in 3D, a realization is made after watching "Tron: Legacy" twice about a loss in technological translation.
Dec 20th, 2010
Candy Cane Lane
Celebrating 25 years of running up the electric bill and warming souls, this winter wonderland collects for the MACC Fund and sets an artistic tableau.
Dec 15th, 2010
Milwaukee teens brave the cold for a good cause
A photo gallery of the Cardboard Christmas Village created by area teens to raise to awareness for youth homelessness.
Dec 9th, 2010
It’s a Wet Nap World
I can't tell if the marriage of paper goods and liquid product is actually greener for the environment, but it certainly feeds our need for convenience.
Dec 1st, 2010
Art of the Table at the MAM
The MAM pays tribute to art and design with a three-day installation, a special visit by Alberto Alessi and the arrival of Robert Therrien's "Under the Table."
Nov 22nd, 2010
Project Winter Beard is a Go
It's that time of year when men from the Midwest bond over the primal, almost feral desire for facial hair.
Nov 17th, 2010
A very subdued “Young Frankenstein”
For those who loved the Mel Brooks film, watching the musical can become a game of "listen for the famous line."
Nov 3rd, 2010
The Trouble with “Best of” Lists
Everyone has their favorite local establishment and publications make a mint off declaring "The Best" - so how does low culture choice often win out anyway?
Nov 3rd, 2010
Children of God
Equal parts romance and arthouse thinkpiece, the festival's closing night film from the Bahamas is methodical, though challenging and intimate.
Oct 24th, 2010
Whither the Shops of Grand Avenue?
With the announcement that the troubled downtown mall would be put up for auction, one can't help but wonder what went wrong and what should happen next.
Oct 11th, 2010
Deep-Fried Romantic takes in a Packers game
To outsiders, saying you come from Wisconsin but haven't been inside Lambeau Field is strange. But natives know it's a hard ticket to get.
Oct 6th, 2010
Metropolis with the Alloy Orchestra
We couldn't help but sneak in and capture some images from this special presentation of the restored masterpiece scored live at the Oriental.
Sep 30th, 2010
Williams S. Burroughs – A Man Within
The Holy Ghost of the Beat Generation trinity of writers finally gets a documentary about his life.
Sep 29th, 2010
Global Union 2010 ushers in Autumn with song
The weather was cool but the sounds were warm and inviting as Milwaukeeans swarmed Humboldt Park for some world music and our infamous photo booth.
Sep 28th, 2010
Kicking off the 2010 Milwaukee Film Festival in style
The air was electric, the moon full, and the theater busting at the seams. TCD captures the opening night festivities for MFF'10.
Sep 25th, 2010
Deep-Fried Romantic finds a father figure
Louis CK, as predicted, brought down the house at the Riverside Saturday. But it's a lasting feeling that brings us here today.
Sep 22nd, 2010
a Preview
The acerbic, sadsack comedian is riding high with a concert movie (shot in Milwaukee), a hit show on FX, and an unsafe Twitter account.
Sep 17th, 2010
You Are There as Mondo Lucha! invades Turner Hall
We set up our photo booth at the Milwaukee extravaganza and also captured a flying Luchador goat, sultry burlesque ladies, and some fantastic music.
Sep 14th, 2010
Oh, Despicable Them
Despite previews luring us to an exciting fall TV season, we're still in the summer doldrums of trashy "reality" shows and hackneyed talent competitions.
Sep 8th, 2010
Family Portraits
Made in Milwaukee's annual celebration of local art and culture was a beautiful kick-off for fall. TCD joined in on the fun with our own MiM photo booth.
Sep 7th, 2010
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World vs. the media landscape
The film adaptation of Bryan Lee O'Malley's cult comic is funny, visual and crowd-pleasing. Somehow, it is also less than stellar at the box office.
Aug 27th, 2010
Deep-Fried Romantic Rocks the House
An unexpected road trip brings Brian to the House on the Rock, inspiring a column that looks at the idea of "EPIC" defined, for better or worse.
Aug 25th, 2010
Amongst Kaszubes
This week, we forgo the easy target of the Wisconsin State Fair and instead crash the annual Polish reunion on Jones Island.
Aug 11th, 2010
Witches’ Night Off
The cast of "Wicked" stripped the stage bare to sing and dance through standards and raise money for the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin.
Aug 4th, 2010
Scenes from the Riverwest 24
After a full cycle filled with sun, rain, dark of night, construction hazards, and bugs in the teeth -- Milwaukee's famous marathon bike race comes to a close.
Aug 2nd, 2010
Milwaukee Brewfest 2010
It's the first year for a new supergroup of entrepreneurs and brewers to hold a favorite Milwaukee event, featuring crafted beers from Wisconsin and the nation.
Aug 1st, 2010
The end of potluck dinner as we know it
Does anybody remember the days when tables of homemade food went on without end? Because it sure doesn't happen now.
Jul 30th, 2010
A personal photo essay
Photo Editor Brian Jacobson finds that against his own Gallery Night seeking sensibilities, he can't manage to leave the Marshall Building.
Jul 26th, 2010
Band of Horses at the Rave
On the heels of a hotly anticipated album, Milwaukee fans swelter under the spell of Ben Bridwell and company.
Jul 19th, 2010
RIP, Harvey Pekar
America, in all its splendor and gritty everyday minutiae, perhaps doesn't realize the loss as it loses its most honest and critical eye.
Jul 14th, 2010
APT’s version of “Godot” entertains, nearly makes Beckett understandable
A skilled foursome of acting pros have workshopped out a well-timed, funny, and nearly understandable version of the 20th Century's best play.
Jul 12th, 2010
A photo gallery
Wasn't Friday awesome? Wasn't Saturday fantastic? Photo Interns Nicole Braunsdorf and Jennifer Bartel make us weepy for the Big Gig.
Jul 6th, 2010
Tour de Fat and PBR Street Party mesmerize Bay View
The day began with a carnival of entertainers and bike parade, while later the sounds and smells captured a new demographic in Bay View.
Jul 6th, 2010
a Tamarack Grows in Milwaukee
Milwaukee used to be rife with high, sandy cliffs and strange, deciduous trees. Whither the pine beauty now?
Jun 30th, 2010
Landmark Lanes
The Underground City will have to go smokeless July 5, forcing Bukowskis and frat kids alike to hike up and down to take a drag.
Jun 23rd, 2010
Optimist Theatre’s Tempest interrupted by tempest
Milwaukee's only known Shakespeare in the Park this summer was a grand production -- until lightning and rain wrecked it.
Jun 20th, 2010
the mental vacation edition
It's summer, so this installment digests some of the season's most relevant low-culture issues -- like road construction and plaid shorts.
Jun 16th, 2010
Last Comic Standing, Milwaukee-style
Denis Leary headlines a quartet of stand-up acts this week at the Riverside/Pabst/Turner Hall venues.
Jun 16th, 2010
Harley Davidson unveils the company’s future
Bike night at the HD Museum in Milwaukee got a live look at the XR1200X Sportster, currently only available abroad but now coming stateside.
Jun 5th, 2010
Tis the Season for cruising
As the great surge at Milwaukee's lakefront recently proved, everyone's favorite people (and car) watching activity has not disappeared into low culture history.
Jun 2nd, 2010
Memorial Day Parade and Service in Milwaukee
Images from Monday's downtown parade and ceremony honoring those who have served and sacrificed for America.
Jun 1st, 2010
Scouting and Modern Warfare 2
The Boy Scouts of America quietly introduce a new belt loop patch for Video Games. It's not as exciting as it sounds, but that doesn't stop the blogosphere and media from having a jamboree with it.
May 19th, 2010
Danceworks’ 2010 Mad Hot Ballroom and Tap Competition
TCD showcases kids from Milwaukee-area schools as they vie for the title of best salsa, tango, tap and more at the Bradley Center.
May 17th, 2010
On Mosquitoes and Cinema
Southeast Wisconsin's Drive-In movie theaters are open once again -- and following a financial cue from the multiplex giants.
May 5th, 2010
Seen and heard at Florentine’s “Opera Showcase”
The 2009-10 Studio Artists bring the power of Puccini, Verdi, and others at the Florentine Opera Center. An audio slideshow from the first half of the night.
Apr 27th, 2010
the Best Place in Milwaukee
"Art there, beer here," cries Jim Haertel out the door of his new tavern in the old Pabst Brewery. It was a sneak preview we can't believe.
Apr 21st, 2010
Spring Gallery Night in Images
TCD's intrepid Photo Editor Brian Jacobson traversed the town on Friday night, camera in hand. Here's what he saw.
Apr 19th, 2010
Bugs Bunny on Broadway with the MSO
As the national tour begins its final curtain call, the malleable MSO collaborates with conductor George Daughtery once more to bring the yuks and awe.
Apr 18th, 2010
The 5 Browns talk musical telepathy and “monster concerts”
The wunderkind piano quintet talk to TCD about their new album, life on the road, and reading each others' minds.
Apr 16th, 2010
Legally Blonde the Musical
Elle Woods breezes into the Marcus Center bringing the Milwaukee audience what they crave -- frothy song and dance without too much substance.
Apr 14th, 2010
The United States of Plastic
An excavation of two wallets, several business card folios and a tin reveals a card for everything.
Apr 7th, 2010
Devouring books in the non-metaphorical context
Woodland Pattern holds a contest to create physical books and literary interpretations -- and attendees ate it up.
Mar 29th, 2010
Just don’t call it Generic
The rebirth and rebranding of America's favorite way to shop for goods without all that marketing. Well, less of it anyway.
Mar 24th, 2010
Collapse
To drink the Kool-Aid or not? That seems to be the question director Chris Smith and Co. posit in this Errol Morris-inspired documentary about conspiracies come true.
Mar 15th, 2010
Blockbuster takes one step back
Faced with competition from On-demand, Netflix and RedBox, America's flagship movie rental chain reconsiders a few policies-in the wrong direction.
Mar 10th, 2010
Milwaukee Rep’s grand design for 2010-11 theater season
Mark Clements stepped up on the Powerhouse stage Monday night and launched grand plans and guest artists for the upcoming Rep season.
Mar 9th, 2010
2010 Rockabilly Chili Roundup
The Kern Center was busting at the seams, the chili flowing like lava as dozens of Milwaukee vendors vied for crowning glory. A review and photo gallery.
Mar 9th, 2010
Radio Golf at The Rep’s Stiemke Theater
The final work from August Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle of African-American plays raises new thoughts about gentrification.
Mar 6th, 2010
Harley Museum spotlights myriad celeb cycles
Take a private photo tour of Milwaukee's preeminent bike shrine with Conservator Bill Rodencal.
Feb 24th, 2010
Get ready for D&B
After two years of negotiations and development issues, Dave & Buster's opens March 1 in Wauwatosa. Now the fun begins.
Feb 24th, 2010
Fresh AiR at the Pfister
Katie Musolff will be the Milwaukee hotel's new Artist in Residence; and Reginald Baylor tells where he's setting up shop next.
Feb 16th, 2010
Pączkis at the National Bakery
Buttery pastries that honor Polish traditions are all the rage at this popular Milwaukee hot spot in mid-February.
Feb 16th, 2010
Ice volcanoes and other Lake Michigan oddities
TCD's latest winter gallery features ice volcanoes, frozen skipping stones, miniature glaciers and a mystery post-Valentine's message.
Feb 15th, 2010
The Seafarer at the Milwaukee Rep
Conor McPherson's compelling story of a card game with the ultimate stakes brings down the house at the Rep's Quadracci Theatre.
Feb 13th, 2010
Brynn Unger’s “Full of Earth”
She's turning 20 this month, but already this travel photographer and missionary has helped in more countries than many of us will ever see.
Feb 11th, 2010
Pop music through rosy kid glasses
The popular Kidz Bop music series takes songs that children hear on the radio and sanitizes them into something that's more accessible. Good idea?
Feb 10th, 2010
From Saturday’s Green Fair and Green Furniture at the MAM
View images from the weekend's eco-friendly event at MAM and highlights from the ongoing green furniture exhibit.
Feb 3rd, 2010
A bit of luster rubs off old Oscar
The Academy Awards nominations aren't out yet, but with this year's wider field of candidates, it's easy to predict who will be in the "Best Picture" camp.
Jan 27th, 2010
Local show run canceled after actor injury
Youngblood's performance of Red Light Winter is forced to end after lead actor Andrew Voss is hospitalized.
Jan 25th, 2010
The Thief Lord at First Stage
For kids, this epic children's tale is a visual fantasy. For adults, it's a frothy adventure of runaway youth, but could it be more?
Jan 23rd, 2010
Guest artist John December’s HDR Milwaukee River
One of Milwaukee's architecture and urban landscape photographers shows us the view from the icy water's edge.
Jan 20th, 2010
James DeVita on adapting Thief Lord for First Stage Children’s Theater
Wisconsin's prolific actor, author and playwright discusses the challenges of bringing Cornelia Funke's book to a world premiere staging.
Jan 18th, 2010
Once Pandora’s Box is open, you have to deal with it
Our TCD contributor finds out that there's more to casinos than the glitzy, high-rolling life that they promise.
Jan 13th, 2010
The toboggan slide
Daredevil ice slides and more. In this installment, it's all about sledding downhill -- rollercoaster fast.
Jan 12th, 2010
The Polar Bear Plunge
Age-old tradition lured dozens of Milwaukee bathers to the icy cold shores of Bradford Beach on New Year's Day.
Jan 4th, 2010
Holiday Lights
Our Winter Scenes series continues with a pictorial of some of Milwaukee's sparkling displays.
Dec 31st, 2009
The Christmas Newsletter
TCD's Brian Jacobson ruminates on holiday newsletters and offers an optimstic take on his own year in review.
Dec 30th, 2009
Milwaukee music pros list their Top 5 Desert-Island Picks
We rounded up a few local experts to share their favorite releases from the Milwaukee Sound of 2009.
Dec 29th, 2009
Escaping the cold at the Domes
There's much to appreciate about Milwaukee's Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory, not only as a unique feature on the city's horizon but as a spectacular escape from winter's cold, cold days.
Dec 22nd, 2009
As seen on TV, now in stores and our lives
In honor my desire to buy the "Big Top Cupcake" maker, here's a look at (and salute to) useful and unneccessary things.
Dec 16th, 2009
Ice skating at Red Arrow Park
The downtown attraction held its grand opening on a very cold Friday, but luckily there was hot chocolate. TCD's first in a seasonal photo gallery set.
Dec 16th, 2009
Bel Canto at the Basilica
The warmth of St. Josaphat is accented by the cheer of holiday choruses and handbells.
Dec 13th, 2009
Shopping on Martin Luther King Drive
While many hit the malls or look for bargains online, may we suggest a unique set of retail shops to scope out for a few precious finds?
Dec 11th, 2009
Sister’s Christmas — Mystery of the Magi’s Gold
Diana Carl Alioto hosts more of a Whodunit cocktail party than a show as we deduce who took baby Jesus' gold.
Dec 3rd, 2009
Celebrity addicts
In light of Tiger Woods feeling below par, the Hoff being sent to a psych ward and Jacko going laser -- what do fans really deserve to know about celebs?
Dec 2nd, 2009
A Christmas Carol at the Pabst Theater
Filled with elegant, traditional prose and visuals -- Dickens story is idyllic to a fault.
Nov 28th, 2009
James Pickering takes on Scrooge again and again
As the stage version of A Christmas Carol returns to the Pabst Theater, the accomplished actor who plays the lead talks turkey. (Podcast included.)
Nov 26th, 2009
Diana Carl Alioto gets thee to a nunnery
As Sister's Christmas Catechism: Mystery of the Magi's Gold unfolds, the actress chats with TCD about the role (Podcast included).
Nov 25th, 2009
Weekly Highlights from 11/25 to 12/1
Gobble, Gobble! It may be a short week, but it marks the start of some major holiday shows. Christmas Carol and Nutcracker, anyone?
Nov 24th, 2009
Thanksgiving for Present Music, in pictures and sound
Our audio slideshow, featuring Alexandra du Bois's new work.
Nov 23rd, 2009
Moon Over the Brewery at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre
This four-character play packs a lot of unexpected psychological whomp, between three socially challenged people and one devilish rogue.
Nov 20th, 2009
A change in the cultural landscape, via home video
Days after AFV crowns a $100,000 winner, did anyone notice a shift in the show's tone?
Nov 18th, 2009
Highlights from 11/18 to 11/24
It's cornucopia time as Milwaukee's performing artists provide splashy musicals, quiet choirs and prayers and humor in need of therapy.
Nov 17th, 2009
The Week in Highlights 11/11 to 11/17
Strings rule the week with showcases as diverse as Turtle Island's take on Danzón at the Wilson Center to renowned violinist Guillermo Figueroa at UWM.
Nov 10th, 2009
Scenes from Feed Your Soul at Flux Design
Feeding America and others collaborate at North Side custom design/build firm headquarters for a charity art party.
Nov 9th, 2009
In celebration of National Sandwich Day
We take a look at the greatest food construction ever, conceived on this sacred holiday.
Nov 3rd, 2009
Weekly Highlights from 11/4 to 11/10
It's a big week for all things brash and colorful, from the master percussionists of STOMP to the tot-friendly "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie... "
Nov 3rd, 2009
A Haunted Halloween Bash at the Brumder Mansion
B&B owners Tom and Julie Carr pick up the spirit that Carol Hirschi left behind with a classy All Hallows Eve event.
Oct 29th, 2009
A tour of the Brumder Mansion
A further look at the rooms at this quiet B&B gem, just west of downtown Milwaukee.
Oct 28th, 2009
Highlights from 10/28 to 11/3
As Halloween descends, Milwaukee shrieks and shivers with pajama parties, Polish spirit music and Chihuly and de Waart.
Oct 27th, 2009
Junie B. Jones at First Stage Children’s Theater
Milwaukee's premiere children's theater dishes up an authentic portrait of a "spirited" girl who thinks her brother is a monkey.
Oct 26th, 2009
Happy Now? at the Milwaukee Rep
The Repertory actors actually exceed Lucinda Coxon's thirtysomething dilemma story script with fleshed-out performances.
Oct 24th, 2009
Superhero, celeb and couple sets leap forward
You would think we're talking about kids' play, but this year it's the adults who are taking dress-up seriously.
Oct 23rd, 2009
Highlights from 10/21 to 10/27
Fairy tales are afoot, jazz and modern dance flow and youth are the focus in this week's edition.
Oct 20th, 2009
Wiggling with the Wiggles
TCD's Brian Jacobson enlists his tot niece to weigh in on the live stage show. Plus, a sweeping look at the Milwaukee children's entertainment scene.
Oct 19th, 2009
Dance, from the streets to the stage
A look at a movement that propelled Rennie Harris and Co. from the projects of Philly to Puremovement dance.
Oct 14th, 2009
Milwaukee actors participate in stage history
Youngblood Theatre and the UWM Department of Theatre read epilogue to "The Laramie Project" along with acting companies worldwide.
Oct 13th, 2009
Highlights from 10/14 to 10/21
What suits your fancy? It's a huge week for any venue, but especially a big one for eclectic stagings and for youth who enjoy dancing ballerinas and wiggling with the Wiggles.
Oct 13th, 2009
Spring Awakening at the Marcus Center
"Awakening" is vibrant, showy, rebellious and perhaps unlike anything the regular theatergoer has seen before.
Oct 7th, 2009
The man behind the ‘Pennyworth’ mysteries
Milwaukee trial lawyer and author Michael Bowen has two well-known local actors help out at tonight's Boswell Books reading.
Oct 6th, 2009
Spring Awakening’s Jake Epstein talks about the musical
The former "DeGrassi" actor and musician discusses his transition to the stage.
Oct 6th, 2009
Highlights from 10/7 to 10/13
This week marks many local season premieres and a few special events worth attending.
Oct 6th, 2009
Mad Hot Ballroom auditions for ‘Forever Tango’
More than 40 Danceworks students tried out for coveted spots in Luis Bravo's show staging in Milwaukee.
Sep 30th, 2009
Everlasting Moments
MFF film offers snapshot of photography in 1914 Denmark. We look at how it's changed the way we've viewed life ever since.
Sep 29th, 2009
Highlights from 9/28 to 10/6
This week brings promise of Yo-Yo Ma, 'awakened' senses, an ode to jazz and also women pilots. Plus, tango and 'Gonzo Ballet' updates.
Sep 29th, 2009
“The Receptionist” is perplexing and political
Windfall's production of "The Receptionist" comes with intrigue and office dysfunction but not a lot to hold it all together.
Sep 26th, 2009
Amy S. Jensen steps into Managing Director role at Skylight
Former Skylight finance director returns to fill the embattled role left open when Eric Dillner resigned.
Sep 23rd, 2009
Highlights from 9/22 to 9/28
It's a big week for classical music, smaller think pieces and raucous comedies.
Sep 21st, 2009
A tour of the new Florentine Opera space in Riverwest
Get a peek at the opera company's new digs where players rehearse, costumes are fitted and opportunity abounds.
Sep 16th, 2009
A short tribute to a Gen-X icon
Or, what happens to thirtysomethings when their version of John Wayne passes away
Sep 15th, 2009
Highlights from 9/15 to 9/21
Skylight highlights a show about a Useless Precaution, the Symphony does Lady Ella and Satchmo, Wildspace gets vertical at Turner Hall and a little thing called Global Union take place this week.
Sep 15th, 2009
Government Inspector at Milwaukee Rep
The uproarious farce from Russia is lavish and well-skilled, even if only half the available laughs make the hand go to the knee.
Sep 14th, 2009
Mary’s Wedding at Next Act Theatre
When all is said and done, the best part is the first kiss. Here, it's a powerful and ultimately intimate moment that seals the play as a romance with loss — and fufills Next Act's purpose.
Sep 12th, 2009
Year-one theater companies talk about their future
Three freshman stage groups formed earlier this year to a great amount of buzz. Now, TCD checks in to see how they're doing - and what's next.
Sep 9th, 2009
Highlights from 9/9 to 9/15
This week will see music of the present with John Adams' Gnarly Buttons, farce and wit with Gogol's Inspector and just about every theater type in other fall premieres.
Sep 8th, 2009
Hip Hop, Modern and Kathak dance to play Kohler
Rennie Harris re-stages a classic. Liz Lerman goes eco, and Kathak dance comes to Wisconsin
Sep 7th, 2009
Labor Day Parade through Milwaukee
See scenes from the downtown march to Laborfest parties at the lake involving labor unions, workers, Harleys and paper mache loan sharks.
Sep 7th, 2009
A farcical musical, Narnia tale and Wild West Shakespeare
Theater Department Chair David Oswald talks about the daring, upcoming set of shows by Milwaukee's northern university students
Sep 7th, 2009
Marcus Center’s Broadway series gets new name, strong lineup
Now known as the Time Warner Broadway at the Marcus Center series, the name upgrade leads to an increased lineup of national touring companies
Sep 6th, 2009
ThirdCoast Digest’s 2009-2010 Fall Performing Arts Season Guide
TCD unveils a new era of arts coverage with an handy, online lodestar to premieres by area companies, musicians and performance venues.
Sep 6th, 2009
Disney buys Marvel. Why?
In a move that shocked the worlds of business and fans alike, Disney will soon own Marvel Entertainment. Why is Mickey Mouse getting claws?
Sep 2nd, 2009
highlights from 9/3 to 9/8
As companies ready for season premieres, a peek at a few items happening this week.
Aug 31st, 2009
APT saves biggest emotional wallop for last
A strong cast and perfect setting help APT stage a resonant "Long Day's Journey into Night"
Aug 28th, 2009
As Marcus Center’s Phantom ends its run, charities and patrons benefit
The last six performances from the Broadway national tour of Phantom of the Opera included discounted ticket deals with a donation to chosen local charities.
Aug 27th, 2009
8/25 to 9/2
This week: the Milwauke Ballet lifts the veil, the Skylight throws open its doors, the hills are alive and it's still mighty nice for an outdoor show.
Aug 24th, 2009
Steampunk Night at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre
MCT hosted a steampunk night on Thursday, in honor of the style and design of Mark Brown's "Around the World in 80 Days."
Aug 21st, 2009
Innovations, Contrivances and Crazy Straws
Nostalgia and future shock, as seen through everyday objects we buy and use. Includes a link to hundreds of drinking straw designs.
Aug 18th, 2009
8/18 – 8/24
Great outdoor concerts and exclusive engagements this week: the Glenn Miller Orchestra, bluegrass at Chill on the Hill, Concord Chamber Orchestra at Boerner Botanical Gardens, Lou Fanucchi and more.
Aug 17th, 2009
Highlights from 8/12 to 8/18
Storms turn Gaelic in Tosa before Irish Fest this weekend. Alchemist gets Broadminded, DanceCircus hits the Boys and Girls circuit, and a little Steampunk hits the Cabot.
Aug 10th, 2009
Scenes from Rockerbox
It was one of the most visually arresting and noisy events to happen in Milwaukee on Saturday. Here's some photographic evidence.
Aug 10th, 2009
Our State Fair is a great State Fair
Pig races. Foods on sticks and deep-fried. Carnival rides. Beer. Was I going to write about anything else in this week's column?
Aug 4th, 2009
Highlights from 8/7 to 8/13 (Updated)
It's muggy, and the performing arts world gets a little crazy--crazier than usual--as a month-long Phantom of the Opera rolls in, the surreal Missoula Oblongata arrives, and a full-on puppet parade. Includes footnotes of Milwaukee auditions, news, and more.
Aug 3rd, 2009
A new space, a punk populist spirit, and hot vocalists
The Florentine is getting ready to open up new rehearsal digs, is in the midst of a popular lakefront program, and is getting ready to open themselves up to the "old" punk spirit of opera.
Jul 30th, 2009
Dousman Derby Days State Frog Jumping Contest
The Summer Travel series continues with a brief stop to watch the 2009 Wisconsin State Frog Jumping Contest.
Jul 27th, 2009
July 28 – August 3
What's the bigger opener this weekend: the world-influencing Emergence by Milwaukee Ballet, or Cats (not the broadway musical but actual performing felines) at Alchemist?
Jul 27th, 2009
Dispatches from Catalano Square
At 8 a.m., 70+ concerned Skylight supporters gathered in Catalano Square. At 9, a beleaguered Eric Dillner and interim board president Terry Kurtenbach came out to face them.
Jul 24th, 2009
A primer, recap, and update
As of this writing, the board of Skylight Opera Theatre met in emergency session after losing two more major players. Herein lies a look at the institution and how a 50th Anniversary season is in peril.
Jul 23rd, 2009
The Treehouse that Never Was
It started out with a simple suggestion from my sister to Dad. So far it has resulted in family debate, referencing local law books, price checks at the lumber store and a spray-painted pine.
Jul 21st, 2009
7/22 to 7/28
This week on Milwaukee stages: dancing, tuba-playing contests, street music, tango and scenes from Shakespeare's greatest hits.
Jul 20th, 2009
Beauty’s Daughter for Uprooted Theatre
Milwaukee's new African-American Theate company opens with a powerful, poetic, and late-night experience as told through Marti L. Gobel's one woman performance from a famous Orlandersmith play.
Jul 20th, 2009
7/15 – 7/21
Milwaukee stages are jumping with fearless productions, including offerings from Youngblood, Danceworks, and Uprooted Theatre. If you're ready for something fresh, edgy and fabulous, get out there.
Jul 14th, 2009
Savage in Limbo
Youngblood’s eponymous crew delivers in this immersion theatre piece, performed at Landmark Lanes
Jul 14th, 2009
Skylight offers, Theisen nixes
Skylight Opera's board responds to the outrage over recent firings with a surprising announcement. But the damage has been done. Or has it?
Jul 10th, 2009
A Night at the Circus
It may just be a boutique festival circus attached to a much larger parade, but on a cool summer night at Milwaukee's lakefront -- it's pure magic.
Jul 9th, 2009
Hitting up the drive-in this summer
There are still two or three great drive-in movie theaters to try out in Wisconsin, but this summer also find the loving low-culture return of the outdoor cinema party at three different Milwaukee locations. The 41 Twin is dead; long live the 41 Twin experience.
Jul 7th, 2009
July 7 to 13
July stage work in Milwaukee comes back roaring like a tiger with a gaucho on its tail, a ballerina pirouetting to fireworks, three men in a foreign prison, and a @#%$^ Mamet couple. Confused? All becomes clear within our weekly highlight roundup.
Jul 6th, 2009
New Glarus, where beer is born
It's a pleasant day in one valley in western Wisconsin, a place where the Swiss have colonized and beer is born high on a Hilltop Brewery. A travelogue in pictures and words.
Jul 1st, 2009
Summerfest Day 5
There's a lot of great people watching to be had at Summerfest, and even on a Monday there's some great characters. Presented here is a photo gallery and slideshow of some citizens enjoying the day, along with shots of stage acts like Vega Star, Sick of Sara, the American Indian Center Dance Troupe, Miss Deringer, Heart, and more.
Jun 30th, 2009
A Bye Week
With the upcoming holiday weekend, there isn't much starting up, besides a few items of note. We look at what's going on and why the next few weeks are going to be huge, like an elephant big.
Jun 30th, 2009
An Open Letter to Skylight
An excerpt from Sarah Krieg Hwangs letter: Being a company with 501(c)(3) status means you benefit the public. If you benefit the public then shouldn't that public be informed? Don't they deserve it?
Jun 28th, 2009
Dispatch from a Chuck Klosterman book reading
"So, Michael Jackson is dead." So Chuck Klosterman, journalist/essayist/pop culture commentator and author of Killing Yourself to Live -- in which the writer visited famous rock and roll death sites -- begins his Thursday night lecture at Boswell Books.
Jun 26th, 2009
Chorus Line brings renewed relevance to the stage
In a time in which theater is hurting due to the economy, and in a pop culture environment of reality show competition formats - think American Idol, Survivor, Big Brother, where unknowns compete for a semblance of fame - the current national tour of A Chorus Line is more relevant than ever.
Jun 24th, 2009
For your consideration, an ALDI flyer in June
On the front cover, young white kids are blasting each other with water cannons attached to an 18-foot self-contained water slide. There is no sense of place like a backyard or street since the photo has been skillfully edited. The price? $199.99 each. Not bad, considering most above or in-ground pools run more than that. Four tickets to Noah's Ark in the Wisconsin Dells costs almost $150.00 (not counting transportation).
Jun 23rd, 2009
June 24 – 30
There are some eclectic events that are soldiering on despite the Summerfest competition such as Boulevard Theatre's Audition Idol, American Players Theatre's new Harold Pinter play at the new indoor Touchstone stage, the Cedarburg Strawberry Festival features a National Guard jazz band, and the week-long run of MSO's Pops concert series. Cue the Mission: Impossible triangle......
Jun 23rd, 2009
Beal resigns from board in protest
Most know the story by now. The Executive Committee of Skylight Opera, without board discussion or vote, last week eliminated key staff positions that many supporters believe lets flow freely the lifeblood of this traditionally family-like company. This morning Jonathan West posts the full text of the resignation letter of long-time supporter and board member, Robert L. Beal, on his blog, Artsy Schmartsy.
Jun 22nd, 2009
Naked Boys Singing! at Turner Hall
In the end (or the front, I suppose), it's just an organ, for crying out loud. As the cast filed out and revealed themselves during the opening "Gratuitous Nudity" number, their male organs were no more harmful than a gym locker room or historical art sculpture. But it was difficult not to look at the forbidden fruit, any more than you could not notice the trunk on an elephant in the room.
Jun 20th, 2009
A sneak peek at Naked Boys Singing!
It's sweltering in the Turner Hall Ballroom as cast members of Naked Boys Singing! run through tech rehearsals in their underwear. The problem at the moment is the wireless microphones. The cast members have never played to such a cavernous space in a five-year Chicago-based and road tour, so where exactly do you attach the mics when the players in this cabaret-like revue will be in the buff?
Jun 19th, 2009
June 16 to June 22
Gotta sing, gotta dance! Gotta thrill the whole world without pants! There's a great benefit show for the Milwaukee Gay Arts Center at the end of this week, a Chorus Line kick-steps off at the beginning of next week in what's lining up to be a stellar national tour season for the Marcus Center -- all the while Every Little Step screens in Milwaukee running up to that live show. Plus, the Florentine Opera plans on getting lots of fresh air at two events.
Jun 15th, 2009
Bury Me Not …
I want sloppy joes served at the wake. I'll allow a hymn at the service, but then I want Carl Stalling scores played. You can't prevent tears if people loved you (and I hope someone does), but play the music from a Tex Avery cartoon and force-feed them one of my mother's famous garlic dill pickles and the emotion will change.
Jun 9th, 2009
June 9 – 15
The weather might not feel like June, but oh boy is that summer feeling ever-present in Milwaukee's many performance spaces -- open air bandshells and dark, cozy stages alike. While this week has only a small sample of offerings as various entities like Danceworks and First Stage Theater Academy hold summer camp, the rest of Wisconsin is abuzz with community events and performances, from Lake Geneva Theater's Mystery of Irma Vep to American Players Theatre's opening night of The Philanderer. So in this edition, we have featured a few of the shows happening across the best Midwestern state in the world. Road trip!
Jun 9th, 2009
UPAF & Miller Lite’s Ride for the Arts
After the wheels are done spinning and the kickstands go down Sunday morning, participants and supporters will enjoy select performances on the Summerfest grounds by some of the supprted performing arts groups in Milwaukee. A small donation will be asked for at the entrance -- and with attendance numbers that reach over 6,000, UPAF might see that $5 could add $30,000 to the final total. But will it be enough to save an opera, a kids theater workshop, or a Broadway showstopper?
Jun 4th, 2009
June 2 – 8
June is the definitive start of the off-season for stage, except if you're the venerable and fun American Players Theater. Well, it's for sure the time in which the city of festivals silences the horn section for some rowdier fare. Unless, of course, you're in the French Horn section sending maestro Andreas Delfs off in style. At least the streets will be safe, unless you happened to be standing in the way of a couple hundred bicyclists this weekend who have a big heart for the arts community in southeastern Wisconsin.
Jun 2nd, 2009
The state of Lunch Counter and Diner Culture, 2009
With the collapse of the Brady Street Café (formerly Pharmacy) and the late 2007 demise of Goldmann's on Mitchell Street, I've been wondering if diner culture is near collapse in Milwaukee. Are we in danger of losing our vital ability to communicate, empathize, and nourish without bankruptcy?
May 27th, 2009
May 26 – June 1
With spring awakening ancient feelings, Milwaukee's fine arts scene turns to a celebration of the spirit. We suspect many artists, actors, and musicians are oiling up their bikes for next weekend's Miller Lite Ride for the Arts (more on that in a feature article for TCD next week). But there are several programs for kids, by kids, and by up-and-comers featured this week.
May 26th, 2009
May 19 – 25
This week on ThirdCoast Digest's weekly look at highlights in the world of local stage and music:the opening of Skylight Opera's staging of Gilbert and Sullivan's best known comic opera, right before the Florentine Opera concludes a 75th Diamond Anniversary year with a huge concert celebration. Also, Stonefly Brewery plays host for one night to an unusual traveling comedy examing surrealism, and a international pop star of sorts is coming to the Milwaukee Theatre.
May 18th, 2009
Dandelions and the Persistence of Life
Quite suddenly last week, there were dandelions everywhere. It was as if we were paying attention to other trivial matters when the little yellow flowers just popped into existence. They covered open fields by the thousands and small patches on city boulevards. It was the official sign that spring is here in Wisconsin, and a subconscious switch in the brain that life is still happening despite our best efforts. So let’s talk about our love/hate relationship with a bitter flower. What is considered a weed by many lawn owners, a brilliant bouquet to a child, a wine source to a few (recipe), and scientifically known as the flowering plant Taraxacum to horticulturalists often takes on a certain low-culture status when compared to roses and garlic mustard alike. Its scent is earthy, attractive only attractive to the bees. It’s an invasive species more prevalent than kudzu, yet milder and easier to get rid of, making it low on the daisy chain of pests to obliterate. But it’s also a symbol of true freedom. It can grow almost anywhere, from a bed of silt loam to a crack in the sidewalk. You can step on it, but it will keep going. It comes in only one color – joy – with intricate little petals. When the flower dies, those petals become ghostly parachutes and fly away. Its spirit is at once indomitable and transitory. There is already a canon of books devoted to ridding a prized lawn of dandelions, but there could also be a library dedicated to our sublime relationship to this temperate climate bloom, filled with philosophy and analogies to love, life, the recession, childhood, politics and so forth. What begins as a gentle and soft thing becomes sharp and brittle when aged (the origin of ‘dandelion’ is actually from the French ‘Dents de Lion’ or ‘Lion’s Tooth’). It is everywhere, and cannot be defeated by cutting off the head. Underneath the surface of a supple, green plant structure we pull out a massive, spiraling root that has burrowed deep into the soil. It is a menace when the little white puffs blow into our eyes and over our clothes. Yet we know that this process will ensure their return and sustain the environment. The dandelion might be perceived as innocuous and trifling in the detailed scope of daily life. It is persistent, it comes back in cycles, and the petals stain the skin. The bitter greens can be used in salads, but they also have a diuretic effect. The flower once picked for mother as a sign of love will quickly wilt and smell. It is something that we are aware of once seen, but quickly forgotten once gone until we encounter them again with spring anew. So what seems like something that is beneath us – not just beneath our feet – is the ultimate persistent advertising the world has to offer. The world cannot reason with us, but it can make us feel.
May 12th, 2009
May 12-18
This week in Performance and Visual Arts: live improv comedy, Ko-Thi's 40th anniversary, "Common People" (yep, the Shatner ballet) at Milwaukee Ballet, Paul Cebar and David Greenberger at the Pabst, pajama jamborees, a "no instrument spared" musical event at the WCM, True Skool (sic) at MAM and much, much more.
May 11th, 2009
‘Children of a Lesser God’ and ‘The Great Divorce’
There is - at least on some surface or technical levels - a certain kinship of challenge between the two productions currently staging on two opposite sides of Milwaukee County this month. Both have entirely black stages, with many benches, stairs, or props painted black as well to give the idea that the play takes place in the mind of the main character. That protagonist remains on stage and speaking for most of the time. Both plays have religious or theological underpinnings, although one is more direct about it.
May 11th, 2009
May 4-12, 2009
It's a splashy week in Milwaukee performing and visual arts: Marvin Hamlisch, old-time radio, The Great Divorce, Beauty and the Beast, 42nd Street, Willy Wonka, Mad Hot Ballroom, Cirque du Soleil and more.
May 3rd, 2009
‘Cabaret’ at Carte Blanche Studios
...many of the players have to deliver lines, sing, and kick kick twirl kick while in various stages of provocative wear only inches from the front row. A series of invisible doors and narrow entryways rush players onstage and props switch back and forth. With no abundance of space, every inch becomes amorphous and left to the audience to imagine further.
May 3rd, 2009
April 29 to May 4
We’re adjusting the timing of this weekly preview to give you a better jump on planning your outings. As a result what you see here are the events going on just through this weekend (and one event beyond). Check back Monday, May 4 for a new selection of performing, musical, and visual arts happening in Milwaukee and the surrounding areas. The first days of May (May Day! May Day!) presents new offerings from a wild farce from Windfall Theater (I had seven margaritas!), a Wild Space Dance performance about Jones Island (Kaszubes in ballet shoes!), and a standout from Alverno Presents (Inyembezi Zam!). Comedy Headline Comedian Mike Kosta, JD’s Comedy Café, 4/30-5/2 Also Featuring Josh Alton, Steve Hartman, Geoff LaFleur. Contact: 414.271.5653 or JD’s. The Midnight Show, ComedySportz, 5/2 at 12:00 a.m. (naturally) The hardest working day of the week for this venue is Saturdays, when they regularly host a 3:00 p.m. matinee for kids and then two more shows at 7:30 and 10:00 p.m. But it’s the adults only, must be 18 or older show that takes place late which has the most ribald sass. Contact: 866.512.5233 or ComedySportz. Headlining Comedian Billy Gardell, Jokerz Comedy Club, 4/30-5/2, 8 p.m. Star of Hit TV Series such as Heist, Yes Dear, and the King of Queens, Billy Gardell is the kind of comedian that makes you laugh your ass off. Sort of a mix of a New Jersey guy doing the Redneck Comedy Tour material as Jackie Gleason. See here: _ Dance Map of Memories, Wild Space Dance Company at Studio 1661, 5/1. Back by overwhelming public demand, Map of Memories will return for an encore performance, telling the story of Milwaukee’s Jones Island. Inspired by the lives of Polish, Kaszubian, and Eastern European immigrants who founded the Island’s fishing village in the 1870s, Map of Memories merges expressive contemporary dance with historic images and text. Prior to the evening performances, Milwaukee historian and author John Gurda will discuss the island’s journey from thriving fishing village to harbor hub. Contact: 414.271.0712 or Wild Space. Rhapsody in Blue, Cashiel Dennehy School of Irish Dance at South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center, 5/2 A high-flying, powerful performance that combines the traditional, innovative and unique. Rhapsody showcases all that Irish dancing has to offer – there is truly something for everyone in this show. The event features dancers of all ages shining on stage, a raffle, a silent auction and much more. Contact: 414.766.5049 or SMPAC. _ Theater Stations Of The Cross, Boulevard Ensemble Studio Theater, 4/29 Boulevard closes its 23rd season by staging the premiere of local Milwaukee playwright and actress Beth Monhollen’s comedy of waitressing. As an actress, Monhollen has appeared with many companies in Milwaukee (Late-Night Theatre X, Inertia Ensemble) and has consistently won accolades for her work. A founding member of Milwaukee’s WIND-UP DOLLS THEATRE (an all-women improvisational-based theatre company), Monhollen has performed countless times with the feminist ensemble as well as creating many of its pieces. This production marks Ms. […]
Apr 28th, 2009
further details and terms
We posted last week that auditions are being held at the Milwaukee Theatre before the June 5-7 run of the national tour of The Wizard of Oz for additional munchkins in the form of local children. A closer look at the tour's website revealed, however, some qualifiers that will be a boon for some local groups, but a limitation to individual parents that should be known.
Apr 27th, 2009
The EPIC FAIL of MySpace (and why Facebook is next)
As users of Facebook.com "vote" for a bill of rights and the founders of MySpace starting turning a foot towards the door, some thoughts about how low-culture and not 'the nightclub' analogy is to blame for social networking sites downfalls
Apr 26th, 2009
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
Performance and Visual Art Openings April 22-29
This Spring week's new offerings include a night of comedy and trivia at the Cedarburg Cultural Center, a play offering an unusual look at waitressing, the return of Insurgent, . Here are some openings and highlights.....
Apr 21st, 2009
Cherry Orchard at the Milwaukee Rep
The drama also fluently moves through comedy and sadness, although it would have been interesting to see if Chekhov felt enough of the maudlin -- which he hated -- was removed. The dual nature of this play has always haunted each staging, and this one has decided to end on the overly sentimental and tearful instead of farce.
Apr 21st, 2009
The Great Elvis Cake Experiment
A little while ago, after a jaunt down State Street in Madison just to see if it was what I remembered from my youth (the answer: yes and no. Remember Brady Street ten years ago? Yeah. Close your eyes, think about it, then open them while standing outside Hi Hat. Same feeling), I drove over to another section of town to look up an old friend who worked at the Harmony Bar and Grill. A few blocks away was a charming strip (think Downer Ave. without the new-found pretense) with a place called ‘the Blue Plate Diner’. It was a hopping joint, emulating a working-class eatery experience with higher prices. To give it credit, the Blue Plate ambience was exactly what it advertised – albeit with a slightly fancier menu fare. We have come to expect Denny’s or George Webb when it comes to the diner experience; it’s food without thought. So to receive a menu item of a known food and then find it slightly more gourmet was a bit alarming. After a sumptuous bratwurst platter, I was ready for dessert before driving home for two hours. It didn’t help matters that the brightly-lit cabinet was positioned right in front of my counter stool. After asking about the choices, I picked the obvious: the Elvis Cake. It was a tight four-layer banana cake with peanut-butter frosting between layers, cloaked in chocolate icing. The cake was artery-clogging, and for once it was a dessert I couldn’t finish. But when the manager asked me how it was, I told him it missed something: bacon. There’s been a sort of renaissance of sorts lately when it comes to bacon. The online “cool kids” fetishize the meaty strip into ridiculous heights of fancy (see: bacon bra, bacon dinosaur egg, bacon AK-47, pig wrapped in bacon, Jim Gaffigan’s routines, etc). Certain venues (see: the Comet Coffeehouse) and cooking sites (see: Epicurious) brought the use of bacon to a higher art form – away from the forbidden meat of religious and dietary scorn – into the fray as a major force of culinary delight. Bacon (or its cousin, prosciutto) can be wrapped around or inserted into melon, shrimp, water chestnuts, meatloaf, potato, and just about anything to make it smoky and salty. So why is it so commonly left out of the lore of Elvis Presley’s favorite sandwich? Even the postcards at Graceland assert his favorite sandwich is the grilled peanut butter and banana sandwich. You want the recipe? Here: slather butter on one side of two slices of bread. Slather one piece on opposite side with peanut butter, the other slice with mushy bananas. Join. Grill over medium-high heat in frying pan and carefully flip after less than two minutes to fry the other side. To make it perfect, add cooked bacon before joining slices. What we loved about Elvis’s eating habits is that they were so low culture. He was singing royalty that acted just like us. The most famous story involving a sandwich and the king involved the Fool’s Gold Loaf: while […]
Apr 16th, 2009
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
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
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
7 Mile Fair is Dead. All Hail the New 7-Mile Fair!
It began as a flea market founded by a farmer in 1961 on an acre of his own land near the Racine and Milwaukee border along the I-94 corridor. Some might think of 7 Mile Fair as stuck in time, essentially unchanged in the 20 years since they last shopped there, but today’s active consumers and vendors there have fundamentally changed the dynamic, even though the set-up doesn’t look much different. It’s late Sunday morning in early April. The temps outside are still a little too cold for vendors to camp outside in the acre behind the market square and expo buildings – except for that one guy who has eternally camped out his southwest corner spot with permanent wares ranging from old vacuum cleaners to play sets. From a distance, shrouded under a hoodie, he looks like a hermit. I watch him while standing in the long line to get in the door. I have never waited in line during the off-season before. This semi-annual pilgrimage is not special; I just need to kill some time. And, like a true pilgrimage, I don’t fully comprehend the languages spoken around me. The new dynamic of 7 Mile Fair makes it a familiar and welcome gathering space for recent Wisconsin immigrants (Mexican, Puerto Rican, Honduran, Chinese, Korean, Hmong, Pakistani, Indian), who are often treated the same by the old immigrants (Dutch, Czech, Norwegian, Irish, French, Slovenian, German) elsewhere. The funny thing is: the ethnic shift hasn’t changed the makeup of how 7 Mile Fair works in the slightest. A cursory look across internet blogs often bemoans the loss of 7 Mile Fair’s original concept. It used to be a place to find fresh-off-the-farm eggs and vegetables. It used to be a place to find used goods, spare parts, oddities, antiques, shammies, cookware, toys and as-seen-on-TV items. It used to be a place you could haggle and wrangle. The only problem with this complaint: all of this can, of course, still be found there. But some time during the past 10 years, vendors found it profitable to not only reach an untapped market with ethnic wares, but to specifically market ethnic material not commonly found in retail stores. And beyond that, a mashed-up market of Americanized teens belonging to a race via family and neighborhood – who then create mashed-up American products – created an entirely new, ethnic-American flavor. This is how Bart Simpson-as-Latin-gangster t-shirts, full-sized slot machines with Chinese characters and Buddha desk lamps propagate. You can get a treat while you walk around, from homemade ices layered with fruit and lime juice to churros and even off-season corn-on-the-cob. The fruit stands have tomatoes and oranges. These don’t appear to be as fresh as the cacti and peppers, though. It might be a waste of time to complain about a decline in quality over the years. What was cheap and made overseas then is still being sold now. But what qualifies here as a low-culture beat is not the existences of foreign […]
Apr 9th, 2009
Discover ThisTV, even if by accident
It was a channel that remained in the ether and away from the ethos until many picked up a digital converter box. On Nov. 1, 2008, Time Warner Cable bumped a channel to make room for ThisTV (201 on cable and 58-3 on digital air in Milwaukee). Now audiences are discovering this quirky pre-programmed channel offered by Chicago-based Weigel Broadcasting and MGM to bolster sibling station WDJT CBS-58 and predecessor MeTV (58-2). In an age where most Americans have at least seen a cable channel (walking through an airport or bar) or, more likely, have several televisions programmed into a system in their home – the memory of what it was like to get four or five VHF channels and a handful of fuzzy UHF ones on a second dial is fading like a lost signal. But digital antenna programming is about to birth a new renaissance. At first, viewing habits were established around a channel hierarchy which was later weakened by the increasingly commonplace remote control. Cable and satellite programming went from being a luxury of the privileged to a necessity for all classes to stay informed and entertained. Now, in a strange back-sidestep, the strength of independent national broadcasting companies and alliances with multiple local stations have likely created a new form with a widespread marketing campaign and government subsidies proliferating the digital converter box before the new conversion deadline. Watching ThisTV, it certainly feels like a secret. While the rest of the world copes with a proliferating density of cable channels (which then split into additional HD versions and sub-categories i.e. Discovery for Kids, Investigate Discovery, Animal Planet, Discovery Health), the effort to get some piece of the pie with non-cable (ThisTV doesn’t appear to be on DirecTV locally) audiences emerges in a niche programming way. While MeTV plays old TV shows 24/7 similar to TV Land or WMLW, ThisTV mostly plays movies “from the classic age” – as one incessant interstitial ad likes to tout. Read: not classic movies, but from that era. After the overnight and early six hours are done showing old Patty Duke and Mister Ed episodes, the rest of the day is programmed into blocks showing movies from MGM’s lesser-known library. While a few these films’ production dates stray into the new millennium, most are from the 1950s to 1980s – excluding a range of films which were sold and still under control of other companies. Theme days are built around a performer, like the recent Vincent Price set (The Abominable Dr. Phibes, From a Whisper to a Scream) or famous directors (Stanley Kubrick’s Killers Kiss, Brian DePalma’s Blow Out). All the films on ThisTV may be considered B-Movies or second-run features; nothing on the roster ever reaches into AFI’s or imdb.com’s “Top 100” anything. However, there’s a peculiar grace and quietly assuming nature to these films that make them low culture reborn as fresh entertainment. When I worked in video stores, there were always rows of VHS boxes bleached on one […]
Apr 1st, 2009
Notes from the Visual Arts Forum at Haggerty
Things heard and observed at the State of Art: Open Forum about the Visual Arts in Wisconsin held at the Haggerty Museum of Art on March 26, 2009 Forum participants: Jane Simon, Curator of Exhibitions, Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. Polly Morris, Director of Development, Marketing & Outreach at UWM Peck School of the Arts, Milwaukee Arts Board member. George Tzougros, Executive Director, Wisconsin Arts Board. Debra Brehmer, arts writer, owner of Portrait Society Gallery and art history instructor at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design * I arrived early to look at the Current Tendencies: Ten Artists from Wisconsin survey show. I am impressed and captivated, mostly at the transformation Haggerty itself has undergone in the past year to expand its space and scope. Gone are the permanent collection pieces that often featured religious themes and replaced with more provacative work. The selections in this show seemed to be calculated, however, to find individuals set to specific voices. In one room, beaded dolls from Anne Kingsbury seem Native American. The next room has giant paintings of nude Black males by George Williams, Jr. The next, minimalist folk art objects by the late Peter Bardy. Another incredible room created by Jennifer Angus is covered with faux-wallpaper insects and 3D bugs over all four walls. One more room contains paper cutting art by Xiaohong Zhang. The other five artists are less distinct in perspective (except maybe Sonja Thomsen’s Lacuna, which could be described as Caucasians in Wisconsin based on content and concept) but they are all just as compelling. The evening starts as the room nearly fills. Haggerty Museum Director Walter Mason gives an opening speech about questions circling visual thinking and then gives directions on what will happen here. There is to be introductions followed by opening up to the floor to queries. He makes an aside, seemingly joking, that there will be no complaining. This falls on deaf ears as the conversation will immediately devolve to subjects of funding, exposure, and the lack of critical evaluation of local art. If I had a chance to ask a question, it would have been more like “so what have you seen lately and how did it move you?” I always attend these events hoping to talk about art, but they always end up being about tangential subjects to art itself. Introductions start with Debra Brehmer, who takes up the most time initially with a clever photoshopping of a crucifixion painting showing a trinity of artist, dealer, and collector along with bystanders representing media, educators, and others. As the former editor of Art Muscle, Brehmer laments the present-day lack of a print publication that could showcase and critique local art (like Art in America does in a national publication). Evoking Art Muscle’s name will happen again and again by the audience, who may not understand the financial difficulty with putting out a physical edition of something in a period of skyrocketing paper costs and plummeting ad revenue. George Tzougros is next. He’s thankful for […]
Mar 27th, 2009
Now in glorious 3-D!!!
Before it ever became a fond figment of Americana (akin to drive-ins), 3D movies were an effective means of getting people in seats. Studios and distributors alike have a long history of using primal urges and emotional selling points to get your business, from the first sale of popcorn, Cinerama, and Smell-o-vision to today’s shilling of ultra-combos, IMAX and THX sound. But using 3D is a trick of the brain; the device makes a user feel something more than what is there. Objects and actions on a screen appear, surreally, somehow more vivid than what one could experience in real life. It activates nerve receptors that stay locked in fascination until the gimmick wears off and common sense returns. 3D movies therefore offer something hyper-real that tricks us into finding more emotion, drama, suspense or comedy in the story than is really there. This weekend marks the unofficial and incredulous early opening of the big-budget summer movie season with the premiere of DreamWorks’ Monsters vs. Aliens (in 3-D). One could argue that this posited leap-start to the season happened weeks ago with the splashy release of Watchmen, but that opening was to a much smaller niche audience. Opening a kids’ movie in general requires a special finesse and a whole lot of chutzpah marketing. These days, family movies can be sure-fire money makers and a hard-sell item paradox. Parents want to allow their kids entertainment treats by taking them to High-School Musical 3, but don’t want to sit through Tales of Desperaux or Jonas Brothers in Concert (in 3-D!). Kids want to buy memorabilia and t-shirts from their new favorite movie, but if the story isn’t emotionally solid enough, no one buys the Happy Meal toy. Movie producers and distributors can’t sell more tickets than there are people, but want more money. So how do you generate excitement and anticipation for a blockbuster family film when the market is glutted with offerings? Enter 3D or ‘Real D’ technology, for which all of DreamWorks Animation’s movies will now be adapted. Disney made the same point two months prior by showing the first visually-stunning all stop-motion movie Coraline in Disney Digital 3D, which uses the same technology. There is a slate of almost a dozen movies coming out this way in 2009, and lots more on the way next year. This new technological format was first introduced four years ago, but it wasn’t in widespread use until many theater chains agreed to put the requisite projectors in their multiplexes. With the agreement came a host of planned 3D movies with 2D versions at adjoining theaters. You’ll pay as much as $3 per ticket extra for the 3D screening, an upgrade that comes with hard plastic glasses that allows the magic to happen. The catch? You have to give them back. It’s a head-scratcher both in logic and purpose. At the end of your 3D experience, ushers wait with open hands ready to confiscate your “rental”. While theater owners are desperate to get seats […]
Mar 26th, 2009
$3 Wine Test-Drive
There is no better placebo for depression and anxiety than to wander the aisles of a Wal-Mart or Target superstore. It is comforting on many levels: to know that in case of Armageddonic survival there is one place that has it all. To know that there is a product out there which should salve some need in your life. To know that someone is inventing new ways to contain or dispense a beloved product. To know that you can afford something beyond your means - even if it will only last a year before breaking.
Mar 19th, 2009
A proposed playlist for derbying
The Roller Derby List (click here to read article), from warm-ups to cool down: Can I Kick It? by A Tribe Called Quest Let’s Go Crazy by Prince* Filthy Gorgeous by Scissor Sisters Give It To Me Baby by Rick James Funkytown by Lipps, Inc Kiss (covering Prince) by Art of Noise with Tom Jones Rock this Town by the Stray Cats* Goody Two Shoes by Adam Ant Whip It by Devo It’s Tricky by Run-DMC Satisfaction by Benny Benassi* Intergalactic by the Beastie Boys* Girlfight The Remix by Brooke Valentine Push It by Salt-N-Pepa Are You Gonna Be My Girl by Jet Panama by Van Halen Everybody Wants You by Billy Squier Hot Tamale Baby by Buckwheat Zydeco* Timebomb by Beck Try It Again by the Hives* That’s Not My Name by the Ting Tings I See You Baby by Fatboy Slim* Another One Bites The Dust by Queen* We Like to Party! By Vengaboys Firestarter by Prodigy Rock And Roll by Led Zeppelin Dimension by wolfmother* Get Your Hands Off My Woman by the Darkness Rock and Roll Queen by the Subways I Don’t Want To Die (in the hospital) by Conor Oberst Ugly by the Violent Femmes* Paper Planes by M.I.A. Roller Derby (a surf song) by the Challengers You Can’t Roller Skate in a Buffalo herd by Roger Miller *suggests artist with multiple songs in their oeuvre that can be used. Also-rans, songs in no particular order: Everyday I Love You Less and Less by the Kaiser Chiefs Now, Right Now by Reverend Horton Heat The Warrior’s Code by the Dropkick Murphys Block Rockin’ Beats by the Chemical Brothers* The Love Below (Hey Ya!) by Outkast Universal Mind Control by Common Blitzkreig Bop by the Ramones Pump It Up by Mistakens (covering Elvis Costello) Paint It Black by the Rolling Stones My Sharona by the Knack Rollerderby Queen by Red Aunts (I’m A) Road Runner by The Who Middle Management by Bishop Allen Bone Broke by the White Stripes I Would Never Wanna Be Young Again by Gogol Bordello Daft Punk is playing at my house by LCD Soundsystem Everyone Nose by N.E.R.D. Hot Lava by Perry Ferrell (covering Chef) Any way you want It by Journey You Really Got Me by the Kinks Roller Skating Jam Named ‘Saturdays’ by De La Soul I Left my Wallet in El Segundo by Tribe Called Quest And The Girls Go by Men Without Pants Time To Pretend by MGMT Magic Dance by David Bowie Roller Derby Queen by Jim Croce (Queen of the) Roller Derby by Leon Russell American Girl by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Shake Your Groove Thing by Peaches and Herb Come On Eileen by Dexy’s Midnight Runners Bitch Gonna Get Ya’ by RZA Say Aha by Santogold Mercy by Duffy We Will Fall Together by Streetlight Manifesto In the Ayer by Flo Rida I need a Hero by Bonnie Tyler Eye of the Tiger by Survivor Bust a Move by Young MC
Mar 13th, 2009
The Surprisingly Difficult Art of the Roller Derby Playlist
I don’t often put myself into an article. I would rather let the story tell itself. But in this case, a little back story is warranted. Back in September of 2008, I volunteered to help referee the Brewcity Bruisers Roller Derby league. It had been at least ten years since I put on skates and the prospect of joining a close-knit group of refs and rollergirls was a scary one. The learning curve was sharp and continues to be – but I’m still glad I found the courage to do it. One night before a practice, the new stereo system had only a jack for an mp3 player and I was the only one with a working unit. It was an honor and privilege to share my music. No, wait, it was a nightmare. My Zune contains over 4,800 songs. Putting it on shuffle would result in Beastie Boys one minute and Nick Drake the next. There is also an album of accordion classics in there. Embarassed that I had no playlist proper for a warehouse full of women about to knock each other around on wheels, I set the player to Fatboy Slim and hoped for the best. Like Scarlett O’Hara pulling a root from the ground and vowing never to go hungry again, I decided over the next few months to put together some good music for derbying. It became a bit of an obsession. What is produced here illuminates some realizations about the difficult of making a list and choosing the songs within it. A typical playlist – if being used strictly in the course of a bout – would have to last 40 minutes to an hour for two halves of a match between just two teams. If it was a BCB match, there are four teams facing off in two 20-minute jams. So now you are up to 80 minutes. Now factor in warm-up time, introductions, halftime, timeouts – a typical bout can last well over two hours. In that scenario, I leave the expertise up to someone like professional DJ Mike Shank who handles the monthly BCB gigs with aplomb. I consulted him on the idea and took some songs that have been played at the bouts. Even if just for a practice or scrimmage, a good roller derby playlist tends to evoke memories of a Saturday night at the rink just skating around with friends. It almost seems sometimes as if the right balance of tempo and attitude for roller skating was founded in the late 1970s to mid-80s. The best songs are ones to which you could mouth the words while carving the big oval. A few of the rollergirls have said they just need a good thumping beat to go with their workout. Most can’t agree on one format but they appreciate a variety of hip hop, funk, hard rock, electronica, and rockabilly. Folk, Jazz, Bluegrass, and most modern Country doesn’t seem to work. Occasionally new stuff culled from reading SPIN magazine or cribbing off the […]
Mar 12th, 2009
Review and results from WMSE’s 2009 Rockabilly Chili Contest
Neither rain nor sleet nor snow – all three of which came down Sunday afternoon in Milwaukee – could deter droves of hungry people from this year’s premier showcase of some of the city’s best commercial chili recipes while listening to rocking hillbilly tunes. Over 35 area restaurants brought 10 to 15 gallons (or more) each of their original spicy creations to the Milwaukee School of Engineering’s Kern Center in hopes of bragging rights to title of “Best”. After running out of space at the Harbor Lights Room in 2007, the popular event was moved to the university grounds which is home to the host radio station. Organizers are now eyeballing the Field House upstairs for next year, which is big enough to host a regulation soccer game let alone a crowded chili contest. Concerns were even addressed as to the not-so-green nature of the event, which went through many barrels of 2 oz. sample cups, beer cups, and spoons – plus a ton of soda cans. MSOE has recycling containers at the event, but they were not self-evident. WMSE’s General Manager Tom Crawford says that each year the communication improves between organizers and the school on how they can make these things better and these issues were well known. As for the food, everyone brought their ‘A’ game to the contest – even the very few that seemed to show up just for the premium advertising. Many of the chefs expanded or focused previous entries by trying exotic spices or meat varieties. Others remained true to the formulas served currently at the eateries in which they worked. On a special note, it was a bit sad to see two of last year’s winners not around to defend their titles in the Champion’s Corner; both Annona Bistro (2008 Best Veggie Chili) and Great Northern BBQ Company (2008 Best Display) fell prey to economic times and have closed in the last eight months. Still, the representation remains strong from some of Milwaukee’s best restaurants, cafes, delis, and catering. Without further ado, here are the 2009 winners and runner-ups in four categories as decided through ballots turned in by public voters at the event: BEST DISPLAY Winner: McBob’s Bar and Grill Runner-Up: Brewed Café In an example of simple but elegant over epic, McBob’s display of designed welding helmets won out over Brewed’s Ed Roth-inspired racing display for a consecutive runner-up decision in two years. BEST HEAT Winner: Koppa’s Fulbeli Deli Runner-Up: Bremen Café In defense of their 2008 crown for the hottest chili, multiple award-winner Sarah Cordus of Koppa’s brought both a great meat and veggie chili. But it was no match for Bremen’s freshman entry, which boasted Naga Jolokia ghost peppers among 17 ingredients meant to scorch the mouth. Just the right amount was used to prevent real pain, but even two ounces had tasters reaching for beverages immediately. BEST VEGGIE CHILI Winner: Riverwest Co-op Runner-Up: Fuel Café Fuel Café has a beautiful standard red that’s served at the Riverwest hovel, but […]
Mar 8th, 2009
24 years of rock for Atomic. In one day.
In Miramar’s tight lobby, the tension, fervor and anticipation mounts for the upcoming six (plus) hours of current and reunited local music acts playing for Atomic Records owner Rich Menning, store clerks, and the store’s legion of devoted fans. At this early hour, Eric Blowtorch is about to hit the stage and Menning is all sheepish grins. “It was a surprise. It was,” he says. “The more I heard about the [concert] the more I thought, ‘You know, this could be awesome.’” In December, Menning announced that he would be shuttering the venerable 24-year-old music store (before it was Atomic, it was Ludwig Van Ear) located near Oakland Ave. at 1813 E. Locust St.. Differences over rent and the current economic climate made the 2009 financial forecast look bleak, even after success becoming an online broker. During a time when Tower, Virgin, and other mall record stores are closing, it’s often astounding that smaller independents in town (Rush-Mor, Bullseye, Lotus Land, Exclusive Co.) can still operate. The key with some may be the low overhead of having few employees or purchases. Everyone has their own story of working at Atomic or buying their first [insert hardcore punk/progressive/acid/import/death metal/nouveau/ad nauseum musical group here] album from the one store that had a cochlea for important but unheard-of stuff. The clerks at Atomic often put the crew at Nick Hornby’s ‘Championship Vinyl’ (Rob’s record store in High Fidelity) to shame in terms of aural audacity and rock snobbery. This was a selling point for shopping there, not a criticism. The place is small yet stacked to the rafters and sub-levels with posters, t-shirts, vinyl, cassettes, and CDs of stuff you may have only heard on college radio – or, better yet, at a local show. Atomic was also the place where local bands could premiere their recordings on 7” EPs before they ever had a MySpace page. It was this devotion and gratitude that brought erstwhile music acts to reunite for this one night. Musician and longtime Atomic employee Damien Strigens came up with the idea and made a few phone calls. One was to his former bandmates from The Lovelies: Liv Mueller and Barb Endes. Once they agreed to play a concert, calls went out to mostly defunct but well-loved Wisconsin acts such as Couch Flambeau, Sometimes Sweet Susan, a non-billed and incomplete yet devastating Die Krauzen (calling themselves Bob and Joe out of decorum), Liquid Pink, Boy Dirt Car, Mighty Deerlick, the Squares and Cherry Cake. If Atomic Valentine was a compilation album covering the last 30 years of rock in Milwaukee, it would have been a ‘Best Of.’ Many bands sounded better than ever. Everybody with a story to tell about Atomic showed up. The flowing crowd reached the 327 persons capacity at Miramar Theater several times throughout the night. Most of this audience didn’t fit into a definitive age demographic. There were grayhairs with leather pants and moptops with ironic Van Halen t-shirts. Free flowing Pabst beer – with […]
Mar 4th, 2009
RedLine on the front line
Right now, it’s a non-descript 14,400 sq. ft. two-story warehouse abutting a sidewalk just north of the Park East corridor near downtown Milwaukee. There are quite a few similar aging buildings curving up the gentle slope to a downtrodden section of the Brewers Hill neighborhood. But currently, this nearly gutted structure at 1422 N. 4th Street is likely the only one with a red rose petal trail bisecting the dusty wooden main floor – daring you to step over it. It is Valentine’s Day morning. Arts advocate Lori Bauman and well-known art educator Steve Vande Zande stand bathed in sunlight before a small crowd. They introduce a space that may become the city’s next arts “urban laboratory” and educational center. The facility optimally will provide multi-layered services to its artists, including studio workspaces, shared conversations and opportunities for outreach. The idea, according to the mission statement, is to “nourish the individual practice of contemporary art and to stimulate the creative potential of the local community to which we are all linked.” There are plans to have live-in resident artists both national and local, a paid membership program, lending library, a multi-use community room for special events or shows and more. It’s a concept that isn’t completely novel to Milwaukee. Forms of collaborative programming, studio space, on-site education and community projects have existed before in some way with entities such as the Milwaukee Art Museum’s support groups, Bucketworks (which is nearby), Hide House, Milwaukee Arts Resource Network, Kunzelmann-Esser Lofts, Riverwest Artists Association and so on. “What makes this special,” says Bauman at the microphone, “is the way all [our] programs that are under one roof will work together and support each other.” One of Bauman’s specific objectives, as she explains later, is to encourage artists into explore different forms such as video – and to see the way pop culture and media shape identities. Hartford School’s art specialist Vande Zande has broader goals for the space and doesn’t know what his exact role will be yet, stating: “Life has many paths.” While he acknowledges the tough economy and the need to pool all available resources (“we’re working our tails off to get the money to make this”), he believes that the strength in making Redline happen is people’s need to get excited about something. They have a long road ahead if their affiliate center wants to catch up to the buzz Redline founder Laura Merage received with the beautiful and ambitious 20,000 sq ft. space in Denver, Colorado. That location already rolled out its first show in late October of last year. Merage, who is a photographer, sculptor, and now philanthropist after marriage to husband David, sits on the board of the directors for the Milwaukee group and Redline Denver is now the model to learn from and follow. Just a few days prior to Milwaukee’s open house in February, an unnamed set of backers (made up partially of MIAD graduates, Redline partners Kari Couture and Kim Weiss, plus other business […]
Mar 2nd, 2009
Babylon Circus brings dances of resistance to Milwaukee
It’s 12:55 in the afternoon, and I’m preparing to make my first international call through my cell phone. It’s almost 8 pm in France, where lead singer David Baruchel is in the studio with ten other bandmates making their latest album. It’s a big deal. The 2004 Babylon Circus album Dances of Resistance was a hit; worldwide, the group is as big a draw as, say, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are in America. But perhaps you haven’t heard of them. While Babylon Circus has produced three full-length albums and one EP since 1995 and sometimes play for huge audiences (for proof, see here), their influence in the States is relatively minor. This may be in part because most of their songs are in French (sometimes mixed mid-song with English), or it may be because the genre of music they play is hard to nail down and describe. The group’s nom de guerre is apt: Babylon Circus is influenced by Romani music and instruments infused with the bombastic rhythms of reggae and ska. The style is often called “chanson,” which uses the meter and timbre of the French language to set the rhythm. Their onstage antics and cacophony of sound bring frequent comparisons to Gogol Bordello, an international band that plays hardcore cabaret- and punk-influenced rock music. How about this for a written description? Take shades of No Doubt, Sublime, Bob Marley, and Less than Jake – but add even more musical chops. BC’s songs are mostly about social awareness and change, with occasional riffs on personal love and loneliness (like “J’auruis bien voulu”) but nary a treacle-y power ballad in the repertoire. Baruchel emphasizes that the sonic wave of joy and love they send out at their concerts gets bounced right back. “It’s always a big adventure, and we don’t always know what will be next,” Baruchel says. “In New York,” he says – the only North American city the band has played until now – “we played for a big audience in Central Park and a small one in Brooklyn. Each one had a different energy – both were powerful and filled with a lot of love.” Baruchel goes on to describe the vibe from a well-chronicled musical happening in Syria that BC encountered right about the time of the start of the war in Iraq. They weren’t sure how they would be received, but in the middle of the show, the band stepped down from the stage and paraded down the street “carnival style.” Soon shopkeepers were closing up to join the festivities and women in full hijab were dancing along with the music. Even if they couldn’t understand the words, people could relate to the joyful sound. “Afterwards one man took me in his arms,” Baruchel says. “I couldn’t understand what he was saying, but I could feel what he was saying – that it was good to him.” There are other tales of BC’s tours in Ireland, Russia, Australia and beyond. It’s hard to tell […]
Apr 15th, 2008
Pink Martini brings elegance and mystery to the Pabst Theater
Sometimes you need a little reminder that you are living in a city capable of sophistication and intrigue. Inside the intimate yet lavishly gilded atmosphere of the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee, right down the street from bawdy St. Patrick’s Day revelers on Water Street and Bruce Springsteen rocking the Bradley Center, an elegant woman in a black designer dress saunters on stage. Her necklace and earrings twinkle in the spotlight while her lowered face reveals dark eyeshadow with sparkles mixed in. Her face rises and dark red lips part. The 11-piece band crescendos and pauses. Out of singer China Forbes comes fluent musical Portuguese. In another number it is Spanish. Then English. Then French. Later Italian appears and even Arabic for a little Egyptian number that translates to “Tomorrow and the Day After.” It’s clear within the first five numbers (in two hours this “little orchestra” will perform 22 songs with no intermission) that Pink Martini falls within the depth-defying genre known as ‘world lounge’ music. What began as a four-piece performing at political events, founded by artistic director and pianist Thomas Lauderdale, was later expanded with fellow Harvard alum Forbes into a jazz orchestra. Pink Martini recalls the golden age of cabaret showstoppers in samba, salsa, cha-cha and any other number of arrangements influenced by outposts of sound from around the world. The crowd at the venerable music hall is decidedly older for the most part, but the enthusiasm of the crowd – frequently so loud that they interrupt Lauderdale and Forbes’ witty banter – pleasantly startle the band. After ten years recording albums and performing around the world, the pack of mostly under-40 musicians onstage still seemed flummoxed by their avid fans. Some songs illicit cheers at the first notes when they are recognized as revered classics, once sung by the likes of Henri Salvador and Eartha Kitt. Other compositions of original nature such as Pink Martini’s current hit “Hey Eugene” – a song Forbes wrote almost action-for-action about a one-night encounter with an enthusiastic guy who never called her back – garner even more praise from the audience. While the cheers and frequent standing ovations are justly deserved this evening, it sometimes feels like the crowd is so hungry for culture and music not heard outside the realm of occasional NPR programs that they threaten to consume the orchestra whole. When Forbes cryptically dedicates final number “Brazil” to a couple that seems to follow the band on tour dates, it’s obvious that the older-but-energetic woman who runs down the aisle and starts a conga line is the one described by the singer. It’s an odd sensation, watching older people jump out of their seats and start dancing with abandon – but that’s just the power of Pink Martini’s living music, and it must be seen, heard and felt to understand. VS
Mar 19th, 2008
Video Games Live! at the Riverside Theater
When entertainment industry icon Tommy Tallarico met fellow composer Jack Wall while assigned to collaborate on the video game Evil Dead: Hail to the King back in 2000, the two shared their dream – to bring video game music to a larger audience and bring it into its own as a veritable art form. “In Japan for many years they put on a show, not just a symphonic concert of music but a hybrid of entertainment,” says Tommy Tallarico. Their friendship and partnership developed into Mystical Stone Entertainment, which teamed up with Clear Channel in July 2005 to hold the first major video game music concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. The overwhelming response prompted Clear Channel to order up an ill-fated tour, which they soon dropped. That was a big mistake for Clear Channel; it allowed the original team to regain control of the promotion and tone of what is now a famous world tour that played 29 dates last year, including a historic and huge three-day run in Brazil. In 2008 the tour includes 60 dates (in 2009, at least 200), one of which is Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 1. “I get parents coming up to me after the show or emailing me saying, ‘I finally get it now. I get why my kid is into these games – they have these sweeping storylines and graphics and sound’,” says Tallarico. The show has found great success with renowned orchestras internationally after some measure of convincing music directors that the repertoire was more than just boops and beeps – music directors who might not buy the argument that the theme music from Pac-Man (which debuted stateside 28 years ago) is as much a part of the music lexicon as Ira Gershwin and Cole Porter. “The biggest challenge is convincing people,” states Tallarico. “Gamers get it. But it’s a small industry in the symphony world and so one concert master will tell another about it and the word of mouth spread.” But behemoths like the National Symphony in Washington D.C. or London Symphony Orchestra aside, most city symphonies have been looking for ways to bring younger audiences into the concert hall seats. With Video Games Live, each show’s set list is different, and the program is always trying out new gimmicks on stage. Tallarico and Wall’s team create an event that takes on the air of Cirque du Soleil or the Blue Man Group at times with full-scale Tron cycles, big screen displays coordinated with the music and audience participation or giveaways. Milwaukee’s performance will be tailored around the Pabst venue’s capabilities. Each city is emailed the sheet music and sent mp3s showing how the themes from Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Castlevania, Gauntlet and Earthworm Jim will be translated for epic scale with horns, strings and percussion. Some arrangements are symphonic interpretations while other more modern fare like Advent Rising (which Tallarico composed) and Halo already have their compositions set from the original. The response even from non-video game […]
Feb 5th, 2008
funny stuff in January at the Pabst
Although not a household stand-up name like Jerry Seinfeld or George Carlin, Jim Gaffigan is one of the funniest, strangest, most acerbic and affable comedians on the circuit today – which is probably why the Pabst Theater took a risk in booking him as the featured act on New Year’s Eve (the December 30 date was added when demand became high) instead of some hip young musicians like last year’s party with cult rock group Cake.
Dec 27th, 2007
Trying
Trying, written by Joanna McClellan Glass, was inspired by the Canadian playwright’s relationship with Judge Francis Biddle – private secretary to Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Attorney General under President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the primary American judge at the Nuremberg Trials – in his last declining year. The Milwaukee Chamber Theater appropriately places this contemplative show at the mid-point of its season; it regards both a cold seasonal time and the final season of a long life. And while neither riveting drama nor sparkling comedy dominates this two-person play, it seemed a crowd-pleaser for the history buffs and older audience members alike. Biddle is performed deftly by veteran actor Richard Halverson. As many of us with aging grandparents know, it is painful, physically and psychically, to face failing health with so much unfinished business. Halverson dodders about the stage, wringing his arthritic hands and falling into fogs. By contrast, MCT newcomer Molly Rhode portrays Sarah Schorr, a polite Saskatoon prairie girl who has followed her new husband to the American East Coast and seeks part-time work as secretary to the irascible judge. Rhode serves well enough as author Glass’s character double, but the role as it’s written or as it’s played lacks something until the final act, when Schorr transforms. Perhaps it is because of the character’s context in history (the play is set in 1967; Glass tried Trying as a one-act play in 1971 but didn’t finish it until 2004) that the neophyte secretary isn’t played with more confidence or will. A forward-era character wouldn’t have put up with the irritating elderly man’s demands, no matter his historical importance. Certainly a woman of the progressive late sixties, though, could have given Biddle a fighting spirit rather than waiting a year to gain his trust. Then again, perhaps the difficulty lies in perceiving Biddle as having any menace or domination at his age. It’s easy to understand why his previous secretaries quit rather than take a stand. He doesn’t seem worth fighting over. The staging in the intimate Studio Theater was clear and the delivery handled well given the script’s complexity and slower pace. Occasionally, references don’t hold up to modern times any more than a biting satire from Will Rogers might, but they serve well enough as atmosphere. The play at its most interesting lets us watch as the old man copes with his failing mind and body to the point of tearful frustration. At one point, he bemoans that he “may be an invalid, but he’s not yet in-valid.” There’s a subplot about Schorr’s determination to be a writer that is missing from this particular production, which may have made balanced the roles more equally. Otherwise it was a thoughtful, quiet play that braces us for the winter and prepares us for the re-birth of spring. VS Trying continues now through Dec. 16 at the Milwaukee Chamber Theater, 158 North Broadway in the Third Ward; 414-291-7800, www.chamber-theater.com. Pre- and post-talkback discussions with the cast and director […]
Nov 19th, 2007
Michael Chabon at the Jewish Community Center’s Book and Culture Fair
Michael Chabon, author of Wonder Boys, 2001 Pulitzer-winner Adventures of Kavalier and Klay, acclaimed novella The Final Solution and most recently Gentlemen on the Road (a serialized story written for New York Times Magazine in 2007), was arguably the biggest-name Jewish writer out of many to appear at the JCC’s Book and Culture Fair in Whitefish Bay this November (see milwaukeejewish.org for details on remaining dates). The 44-year-old California resident and frequent traveler drew a few hundred attendees, most likely attending to hear him read, as advertised, from his May-released potboiler The Yiddish Policeman’s Union, which has been hailed as his best to date – and perhaps most controversial. But instead the soft-spoken and blue-eyed man in a tweed jacket pulled a sheaf of papers from a folder and began to read loosely from a prepared speech. Instead, Chabon appeared to be seizing the chance to explain his tale to a mostly-Jewish audience. He defended a misunderstood essay he penned which appeared in the June 1997 issue of Civilization Magazine after Yiddish-speaking clubs and stalwarts took him to task and deftly (but not dismissively) handled audience questions about his “bad” characters in Yiddish Policeman’s Union, who appear to be Orthodox Jews. The evening remained genial and gracious throughout. Chabon didn’t stray much from his early critical image as “a nice Jewish boy, so eager to please” as he relays to the crowd. But he also admits that his work remains provocative because of the equally subversive “devil inside [himself]” that writes things you aren’t supposed to talk about. Yiddish Policeman’s Union imagines a Jewish province founded for refugees of World War II and eventually the 1948 Arab-Israeli Conflict. Just as various countries such as Uganda or Argentina were proposed by some early Zionists, then-Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes convinces Congress in this alternate universe to lend the panhandle of Alaskan Territories to the troubled population. Chabon’s town of Sitka, Alaska is a cold, noir location, like something out of Raymond Chandler story. A long-time fan of genre fiction like mysteries, sci-fi, and comic books, Chabon has consistently created deep, hard-hitting characters. But while his prose and craft was praised when the book was first released, it was also dogged for its imagined proposal and treatment of characters. Later Chabon stated that he wanted “to create a home in his imagination,” and that while he once shunned his background, he now seeks ways to explore and cherish it. Perhaps because of the setting, the evening’s talk was dominated with questions about Yiddish, Jewish statehood, and the culture in general. Any deep questions about character development, plot, and the writing process were relegated to short, superficial moments. It may be that the era of small talks with big authors on book tours has led to expectations of intimacy and thoroughness in discussion, but in this instance, just spending some time was fair enough. VS Michael Chabon’s Yiddish Policeman’s Union and Gentlemen of the Road are currently on sale at area booksellers […]
Nov 19th, 2007
Internet killed the video star
Kimberly Miller could be seen as a backward artist in a digital world where YouTube, Metacafe, and Google are the standard mediums of delivery for video art. But due to the omniscient control of the internet viewer, a piece of experimental art or an installation viewed online is kind of safe. It doesn’t help that some of Miller’s pieces incorporate a live element, requiring her to be present. But what is conveyed is so much stronger in person than when someone is home alone, crouched in front of a monitor. While it’s not easy to describe or interpret her work, the viewer always feels something, however ineffable. More questions are raised than answered. If you were having a conversation with Miller she might say “It’s like, you know?” Then you say, “Yeah. It’s all …you know?” This Friday, October 26, at 7 p.m., Kimberly Miller will present selected works on film at Woodland Pattern, where she is hosted and spotlighted by friend and filmmaker Sarah Buccheri. The presentation of selected works and the reception that follows will give the audience a better chance to ask questions and negotiate with Miller regarding her art – which is exactly what she wishes to encourage with her body of work. VS: Is the presentation Friday reflective of what you’re currently working on, or a collective of past and present work? Kimberly Miller: The screening on Friday will show a selection of my video work from the past few years, including a video I made last week. The work represented will be a section of videos and performances-for-the-camera. There will be a live performative element as well, but a bit of a toned-down one. The emphasis will be on the videos. So on a scale of performance from subtle to Vegas-style flashiness: Sequins and glitter? Maybe. Live doves or flying daggers? Probably no. VS: What is your artistic purpose? KM: In my work I’m trying to … grasp certain things, figure them out. What, if any, role can art play beyond cultural production? Does art have the ability to affect change? Is there such a thing as a radically democratic art experience, and if so, what does it look like? Does action determine the actor, is identity determined by what we do, what we say, some combination thereof? I don’t know the answers to these or any other questions, really, but I’m interested in reframing them again and again and attempting to put out some kind of response to the questions. VS: Why did you choose these mediums to convey them? KM: The forms of video and performance are structured within and around language, and for me this is a place where public and private may intersect. Language is public because it is shared; our conception of language is shaped by its use. Yet each of us must come to an individual understanding of language. Language shapes meaning, and may be a place where viewer and artist meet. I try to establish certain parameters […]
Oct 25th, 2007
SITE unveils Fall 2007 installations
Much of Milwaukee’s art revival is concentrated in the condo-ready Third Ward, so it seems a brave feat that a two-block stretch – beginning at the struggling, yet bustling 3500 block of West North Avenue – is seeing a revival of its own. It’s strange and wonderful to see art and vitality on an arterial street that doesn’t share the business or attention of its East Side and Wauwatosa bookends and this installation, organized by IN:SITE, purveyors of public art, features artists Laura Gorzek, Chris Murphy and Kasia Drake. The untitled exhibit opened on October 27, and each of the three installation promises to provoke and inspire. “The thing about public art that I don’t always like is when it advocates a certain point of view,” says Laura Gorzek, a photography-based artist currently attending UWM. “I’d like to keep it more open-ended … letting [viewers] draw from their own experiences, their own level of dealing with something.” Gorzek’s piece, Surface v. Secret, incorporates elements of her photographic works on four vinyl-constructed banners across a large 8-by-24 foot billboard at 3615 W. North Ave. With her artwork she hopes to address women’s identities and self-perception – what is apparent and what lies hidden. Each piece demands multiple viewings to grasp the complex, layered narrative thread. “I thought it would be interesting to try this – most of what I do is more intimate and private. So juxtaposing this to a public space, it’s like making private life more universal,” says Gorzek. Chris Murphy’s piece, Choros, has been gestating for awhile. Murphy watched day after day since last summer as stories of Milwaukee’s homicides racked up on the news. “Someone else is shot again. I mean, I lived in Oakland, California and it didn’t seem this bad,” says Murphy – a master electrician, artist and father. “I’m a very 3-D person, and I thought about ways to put a face on it.” Choros – Greek for the chorus of masked players in tragic plays who offer background or commentary – is composed of scores of semi-translucent masks molded from the faces of real volunteer subjects. The gauzy masks, made of quick-drying water-based resins, are mounted on a maroon backdrop at 3611 W. North Avenue, each lit from behind by LEDs. They represent each person killed by gunshots in the city this year. At night the sculpture takes on an ethereal quality. “I just want to have [the viewer] acknowledge it as a first step,” says Murphy. “I want to humanize the whole thing instead of victims being a whole number. These people are not going to show up to the dinner table – they’re gone.” The final project, by fabric artist Kasia Drake and 11 collaborators, continues the international You Are Beautiful campaign started by anonymous artists in Chicago. It is installed in the long-standing Milwaukee Paint Store windows at 3532 W. North Avenue. YAB’s mission is to “reach beyond ourselves as individuals to make a difference by creating moments of positive […]
Oct 22nd, 2007
Waukesha’s new Majestic Cinema and Palladium dinner theater
Marcus Theaters took a calculated risk opening up the colossal Majestic Cinema (770 N. Springdale Road, Waukesha) over the May 4th weekend, not only as a move to bolster attendance in an era of home theaters with surround-sound and HD/Blue-Ray technology, but also in location and philosophy. Set not far off from the now-demolished Westown and now-defunct West Point theaters, the Majestic is seated on the farthest edge of an industrial complex off the back side of a Home Depot and Sam’s Club. But rather than stick with the familiar spartan, low-ceiling multiplexes that have become a recognizable mainstay for the Marcus corporation theaters in the past 25 years, this 16-screen affair – two of them ‘UltraScreens’ and another a dinner theater called the AT&T Palladium, which will be detailed further along – is a throwback to the art deco days of the cinema house. Starting from the outside, gone is the towering and lit signboard listing movies, in favor of reading the times off the internet, outside posters and electronic marquees over the ticket stations. Forgivably, because there was a rush to get it open for the premiere of Spider-Man 3, the Marcustheatres.com website did not have a working phone number until Friday. Even then, only one automated message worked. You also are not able to purchase show tickets online (as of this writing) as they work out the programming kinks. A giant neon-lined overhang (think: Vegas casino) guides those who want to keep their date dry while they park – or they can use the $3.00 valet service. For once, however, the parking area is well-conceived and the walk to the front door is not necessarily interminable. Once inside and past the long ticket lines, the main lobby opens up to a grand affair. Anyone who has ventured to the new Marcus Renaissance in Sturtevant will recognize the new standard architecture and interior design being adopted for the movie complexes. In the center of the room sits a baby grand piano surrounded by leather sofas and palm trees. The piano mysteriously waits for someone to play it, but it is unlikely the harried and tuxedo wearing employees have the time. On the left is a separate pizza bistro called Zaffiro’s and to the right a Stone Creek Coffee dominated by ice cream shop offerings. The concession stand runs almost the length of the room, illuminated from below by tanks of popcorn. Food offerings here run the gamut from traditional sweet and salty snacks to more complete fast-food offerings. While you wait in line, many flat-screen plasmas distract from the high food prices with previews of coming attractions. Got a kid in tow? The Majestic offers a party room for birthdays and, more importantly, a chamber off the lobby for babysitting services. However, on its first Saturday open the room was dark and empty save for a desk, a pair of handheld buzzers ready to call you back from the show if your kid has a tantrum and a […]
Jun 1st, 2007
Milwaukee Short Film Festival reels up its 9th season
It’s with some irony that the decaying relationship between Time Warner Cable and the local public access outlet (MATA Community Media) helped foster the physical existence of the Milwaukee Short Film Festival, and even more ironic that the internet – well known for stealing eyes away from theaters and television – has helped the local showcase become more popular. Festival founder and director Ross Bigley first showcased local filmmakers’ short submissions – each narrative run between 2 to 18 minutes – for several years on public access in the mid-1990s. After a short break, the festival moved to area coffeehouses before finally landing at its present venue in the Times Cinema (5906 W. Vliet St., Wauwatosa) in 2004. The 2007 series now starts with an unusual feature attraction at the Astor Theater (1696 N. Astor St., Milwaukee) Saturday June 9 at 4 p.m. and continues Sunday June 10 at the Times with a 4 p.m. retrospective and main contest showings at 7 p.m. The rapid ascent of the internet as marketer and community tool actually helped spread the word about the festival. Now entries come all the way from Los Angeles, New York, Toronto and London. MSFF has received notices from magazines and websites and features a judging panel of several accomplished members of the entertainment industry. A $1000 juried grand prize was created by previous festival sponsors and has remained by popular demand along with a separate “audience award,” both to be determined at the event. The monetary prize comes directly from entry fees and sales – so the showcase is not technically a money-making venture. Bigley and friends do it for the love of film and storytelling. MSFF’s growth can be most easily attributed to the loyalty of supporters and now two other events: one is a Sunday afternoon exposition at the Times Cinema featuring “Best Of” entries from a 10-year span by such known artists as Dan Wilson (Leavings), Malona P. Voigt (Chicxulub) and Michael John Moynihan (Take a Chance and Happiness is a Long Shot). The other, and more experimental, event takes place the day prior, way over on the east side of town. The Astor Theater plays host to a special free premiere showing of Realization by Chicago’s Splitpillow. The five-year-old non-profit film company’s concept was to create a feature-length film broken down into seven chapters, with each segment written and directed by different crews all utilizing a continuing thread. Also, different actors play the same characters in each segment, creating a very heady concept film. According to Splitpillow, the plot revolves around “a lovesick physicist trying to complete his father’s unfinished work to impress the girl of his dreams.” Official entries in Sunday’s main event are as widely varied in length as they are tone or subject matter, yet most of them promise to not be the typical summer multiplex film. Some highlights should include: The Furry Revolt, by Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design graduate Jessica Bayliss, is a brief stop-motion animation piece […]
Jun 1st, 2007
Hot summer in the city
Lesley Kagen is looking out the front window of Restaurant Hama, the fine Japanese establishment her and husband Peter Knapp have operated out of the Audubon Court in Bayside for almost 10 years. But this is not a feature about the fine tempura and fried calamari we will feast on in a few minutes. “Piaskowski,” Kagen interjects with another local family name. Her voice is comforting and level as she continues to identify familiar Brew City names and places. It’s a voice perfect for radio commercials – which Kagen did on the west coast for over a decade. But this is not a feature about past successes in television and voiceover work. “I mean, this is definitely a Milwaukee book,” Kagen continues, and then wrinkles her brow within the context. The Vliet Street characters in her debut novel Whistling in the Dark, published by North American Library (Penguin Books), have remarkable depth. The languid summer of 1959 passes by typically with Popsicles, movies and neighborhood games. But this is not a book about how whimsical, simple and tranquil those times were. “A lot of people like to remember the ‘50s, and say ‘oh wow the ‘50s, it was so innocent.’ But in some ways it wasn’t, especially for girls,” Kagen says. “Girls were treated very differently back then. You were a 2nd-class citizen. Boys were important and girls weren’t. And that led to some situations that were not nice and not healthy.” The main heroine of Whistling is 10-year-old Sally O’Malley, a fiercely loyal and smart girl who becomes an unwilling shamus during one summer dotted with personal tragedy and frustration. After promising her dad before he died to always look after her younger sister, Troo, Sally’s world is thrown asunder when her mother is hospitalized, her stepfather turns to the bottle and a murderer/molester appears on the scene. Highly imaginative, Sally is pretty sure of two things: who the killer is and that she’s next on his list. Now she has no choice but to protect herself and Troo as best she can, relying on her own courage and the kindness of her neighbors. For all the dark corners and mysteries in Kagen’s seeming thriller, however, she was stunned during the many accolades the novel received when the Mystery Guild named it an alternate for book-of-the-month. “I thought why? I would say that it’s a literary novel with an element of mystery as opposed to a true genre mystery. I don’t think it has that feel to it at all,” says Kagen. “I don’t think that Sally is thinking about solving the crime. She’s more concerned with getting the information for keeping her and her sister safe. That’s a real different goal.” Another neat trick that binds the book is the committed narrative voice, which is written in the first person from Sally’s perspective and vernacular ability. “I wanted people to remember that children are different than adults,” she says. “They see things differently. The strange ways that words […]
Jun 1st, 2007
Aqualung, May 3 @ The Pabst
Photo by CJ Foeckler/Pabst Theater It’s difficult to write a music review these days without drawing an inevitable comparison to a predecessor or contemporary. The case in evidence: Matt Hales’ Aqualung, which took the stage Thursday night as part of the Milwaukee Pabst Theater’s fairly priced series of talented but mostly underground and underrated national acts. What’s important about mentioning this last part has to due with some intimacy issues in the venue, which will come up again later. Matt Hales appears to be in his early 20s, which is probably important in light of the recent new flood of Britpop artists who have given us boatloads of sensitive rock in the past few years. If we follow a family tree, then Blur begat Verve and Suede, who begat Oasis and Radiohead, who begat Coldplay and Travis, which gave us (and drawing the wannabe label) Aqualung…and Keane, James Blunt, Snow Patrol, the Feeling, and…well, just insert your own VH1 You Oughta Know find – where Hales got his first American-side break. But the 35-year-old piano rock singer/songwriter is a bit older than most on the tree, and did not find success until landing a successful tune for the new Volkswagen Beetle in 2002. It’s hard to quantify a sound when in the middle of it. When synthpop was at its height, did music fans say, “Oh, that Erasure. They’re just a Depeche Mode wannabe.” At the time, there was room for everybody. Shouldn’t it be fair to just claim Aqualung as an overall part of a new movement deeply entrenched in mood and angst? Hales does not make it easy. To sit back in the demure and refined darkness of the Pabst and enjoy his obvious and highly-trained musical talent, there has to be a suspension of disbelief. This would mean in musical terms that the audience member would forgive the lapse in organic flow and just be entertained. But just close your eyes as the four-piece band plays, and suddenly you’re listening to the sound of Ben Folds. Then in another song, Chris Martin. Then another, Damon Albarn. Another, Thom Yorke. The music eloquently meanders like this as you try and guess the influence, like a gourmand attempting to guess the subtle flavors as they emerge in a complex dish. When Aqualung launches into “Pressure Suit,” off his newest studio album Memory Man, suddenly you are hearing Jeff Tweedy and Wilco circa A Ghost is Born. Hales goes so far as to admit a personal infatuation with the band during one of his cheeky bantering with the audience. From there, Hales (now seated at a baby grand instead of standing up front at a Yamaha keyboard) and company attempt to cover Wilco’s “Muzzle of Bees.” “Attempt” is used as the operative word here since it seems like something the guys rehearsed on the tour bus ride into town. Also, the lowdown desperation of Tweedy’s version is missing and replaced with something more harmonious. To his credit, Hales voice often […]
May 4th, 2007
The 2007 WMSE Rockabilly Chili Contest packed quite the punch
As predicted, the 2007 WMSE Rockabilly Chili Contest lived up to its rollicking title on the opening day of April. Despite some inclement weather, the event overflowed the hall and showcased some remarkable 38 chili recipes from area restaurants and cooks. This reporter could only make it through 13 lucky bowls before my stomach wanted to crawl under the cool of the front porch to die. Many great exotic and innovative elements were sampled, along with a few misses and two comforting bowls of Wisconsin-style chili (minus noodles). For the first time in the event’s five-year history, the “People’s Choice” award for meat chili ended in a tie between Wicked Hop and Meat and Metal! from 964 votes. Each chili recipe was a dark and thick brown affair, with a medium kick and a smoldering finish. The winner in the veggie chili category was Stacy Stangarone of Annona Bistro, whose Sweet Potato and Black Bean chili was the buzz on the crowd’s lips. Despite the popular theory that a recipe closely following the middle of the road with the crowd’s tastes would win, in this category the unique idea appealed best. Stangarone’s recipe still tastes very much like a regular chili, but is lifted up to a higher level with certain key ingredients. Crawdaddy’s alligator sirloin based chili was a stewed affair with a light taste. Alligator, by the way, tastes a lot like turkey. Rush-Mor/Palomino probably had the most elaborate affair with their green chili. After plating, the dish was topped with cornbread crumbs and a small lime that was then eyedropped with everclear and set aflame. Mehrdad Dalamie, of VITAL Source and Bremen Café fame, racked up 22 ingredients in his spicy yet thorough concoction, while Solly’s Grille came through with a gorgeous piece of road food good enough for Route 66. One of the most consistent vendors was again Mary Krimmer from Soup’s On! who put out both meat and veggie versions of tremendous character and verve. Koppa’s and Fuel Cafe were some of the first to run out. Sarah Kordus stood under the daunting banner of the reigning champions’ corner, and luckily her batch was as good if not better than last year. Another buzz had gone through the room about Fuel’s veggie batch, which bravely used relatively unknown wheat gluten known as seitan. Often used as an alternative to tofu, it gave the taster the distinct feeling they had just eaten meat-based chili. Finally, one of my favorites was from the Riverwalk Bistro. Billed as “Chorizo and shortrib chili,” it was similar to the two meat winners but provided a little more texture and smokiness than the others I sampled. The event appeared to perfectly serve the exposure satisfaction for WMSE and the vendors. Cold Pabst beer in cans was a favorite spice quaffer, steel guitar music ruled the airwaves and rumors were confirmed that WMSE is securing an even bigger venue for next year’s event. Keep watching http://www.wmse.org/ for final complete tally results, and […]
Apr 1st, 2007
Burning hearts and sharp tongues vie for a higher state of bean
The definition of what makes the best chili – or even just a great chili – is always in dispute. Mostly, the disagreements are over a few particular ingredients and the level of capsaicin (or heat) warranted by any number of chili peppers or powders. On the national competition level, winning recipes posted by the ICS (International Chili Society) in the past two years used a combination of eight different chili spices per pot. No doubt, chili can be a serious business. But from the sounds of the local contenders in this year’s WMSE 5th Annual “Rockabilly Chili Contest,” it’s all in fun. “I like challenges,” says Glenn Fieber, owner of Solly’s Grille. “It’s a fun thing and great exposure for a good cause.” “There’s so much enthusiasm there,” says Sarah Kordus of Koppa’s Fulbeli Deli. “It meant a lot to me and it was for a good thing.” “We all love food,” says WMSE radio host and contest starter Richard Stuntebeck, “and this is a great way to get exposure for the radio station and for the restaurants.” As the conversations with four of the 30-plus participating chefs wear on, however, some spirit of the showdown begins to slip out. “Yeah, I really would like to win,” admits Stacy Stangarone, owner of Annona Bistro. “I have a twin sister, so I’ve always been a competitive person.” Almost everyone has a gimmick or touch of flair planned for the Sunday afternoon event that again promises to pack the Harbor Lights Room of downtown Milwaukee’s O’Donnell Park. Some will offer buffalo as their meat, while others top their chili with a shot of Jack Daniels. Some employ chocolate and a squirt of vinegar, or abide simply with sides of cornbread, cilantro and sour cream. Stangarone’s recently developed veggie chili combination “is a riff on sweet potato and black bean.” Kordus insists that the three kinds of specialty sausage made at Koppa’s on Milwaukee’s East Side and two different kinds of bean were paramount to their Meat Category victory last year. Solly’s will use chorizo and just enough poblano pepper for “a happy burn.” Gene Gallistel of Riverwest Co-op was on the team that won best veggie chili last year and thinks that their red chili sauce – which is not tomato-based – contributed to their win.“It’s just slightly spicy and slightly sweet. We’re working from three separate recipes and cooks, so we pick and choose from that. Even though it’s the same base, it’s unique each time,” says Gallistel. And one entry might even contain alligator meat, according to WMSE’s Stuntebeck. This speculation began in January, when many of the interviewed contestants, organizers and chiliheads partook in another large contest held to raise money for Camp Heartland at Serb Hall. Many participants in the upcoming Rockabilly event also participated in the Heartland chili event, which made it a kind of spring training scouting report. It also gave some the extra chance to gauge audience preferences and adjust accordingly, which can be […]
Apr 1st, 2007
Out of the shower and up to the mic
By Brian Jacobson + Photos By Kat Berger It is a bitterly cold night in Milwaukee, and the idea of staying home and huddling around the warmth of a television set is alluring. Yet many brave souls venture out into the sub-zero darkness this Saturday evening. They’ve come to Frank’s Power Plant in Bay View to engage in the ancient Japanese practice of performing songs for a gathered audience. Until recently, karaoke (literally translated as “empty orchestra” ) fans in the greater Milwaukee area were hard-pressed to find more than a dozen weekly events. Developed in its present form in Japan around 1970 and imported to the states in the 1980s, the U.S. karaoke craze seemed to hit its zenith in the mid-1990s before going the way of the dinosaur and disco. But in the last few years, some funny things have happened involving consumer technology and pop culture, and karaoke has reared its sparkly head again. Now devotees can find a dozen events per night or more in Milwaukee alone, with midweek action of sometimes 20-25. Don’t blame it entirely on American Idol. Yes, the uber-popular contest show may have made people believe that stardom could be found with some colored spotlights, a stage and a wireless mic. But the current scene rarely involves contests for money. Hardly any even use a stage and spotlight. Nobody expects to become a star. HOPELESSLY DEVOTED The popularity of websites like singshot.com and video games like Karaoke Revolution certainly gave the genre a new shot in the arm. But let’s face it; it’s just not the same without a roomful of strangers and a slight tremble in the hand that holds the microphone. Karaoke’s new-found affection seems to be more about sentimental love for popular music from all decades and styles. Singers carry around that certain tune that speaks to them until they find themselves sharing with others. They bring their voices out of the shower or car seat and into the saloon. “I don’t know if it’s really more popular than ever,” says Moonlight Karaoke host Lee Seeber. “But I have been busier lately.” Seeber reflects on his craft as he sets up at Mo’na’s on a Tuesday night. He distributes piles of songbooks to the gathering score of patrons, who set upon them, scribbling out catalog numbers – mostly for country and ‘80s tunes. He got his start as a karaoke enthusiast at a local bar some seven years ago. One night, he was given a chance to take over the hosting gig. Nowadays he packs up his minivan as many as four or five nights a week and takes his own show on the road. Needless to say, he’s seen his share of performances. “Some people think they’re great…and while they’re not bad, they’re not good,” states Seeber. “[But] some are actually incredibly great. They’re usually the ones that don’t care and don’t flaunt it.” Far to the south in Wind Lake, super-sports bar Kelly’s Bleachers II is packed […]
Mar 1st, 2007
