Local Headlines
By The People, For The People?
The eyes of the world are focused on Iran where the will of the people is struggling to be heard. Here in Milwaukee the people spoke in favor of a paid sick leave mandate. So what's the difference?
Jun 17th, 2009 by Ted Bobrow
Hot*pop’s Guest Artist Series, Featuring Trevor Traynor
Gallery Day Event! Milwaukee, WI — Saturday July 25, 2009 — 4 – 7 pm Please join us for Gallery Day as we welcome Trevor Traynor’s touring show, “I Shoot People.” BBQ refreshments and giveaways throughout the day courtesy of Scion. Music by DJ Kid Cut Up of No Request Sound. Brought to you by hot*pop in conjunction with Big Sky Media. Artist Statement: “I Shoot People” is not only Trevor’s first solo show in Milwaukee, but it also marks the debut unveiling of his HIp Hop photography to collectors, his first step outside of his fine arts background. Trevor has been documenting the culture for the past five years; shooting live concerts, portrait shots, album covers, magazine spreads, and more. Notable artists he’s worked with include Afrika Bambatta, Rakim, KRS-One, Nas, N.E.R.D., Mos Def, Q-Tip, De La Soul, M.I.A., Public Enemy, Wu-Tang Clan and much more. His portfolio is a who’s who of Hip-Hop culture, from the underground to the mainstream, from the old school to the new school. Hip-Hop culture was a big influence on Trevor early on. Trevor elaborates, “When I was a youngling in the late 80’s, I would try to break dance with my cousins in Long Island and sneak sessions on my brother’s turntables. I started emceeing on a Japanese label and opening for acts like Swollen Members and Souls of Mischief while my brother Shel Shock made beats for artist like AG (D.I.T.C.), Casual (Hiero), and Dres (Black Sheep). I grew up in the golden years of the 90’s and now I get to shoot people that inspire me. I am grateful for that.” http://www.trevortraynor.com http://www.hotpopshop.com http://www.bigskymediallc.com
Jun 16th, 2009 by Laura Heller
Schwartz void filled by community book co-op
Shorewood, WI. A group of Shorewood, Whitefish Bay and North Shore community activists plans to open and operate a cooperative bookstore, to be located in Shorewood. “It will be a bookstore for the community, created by the community, said organizer Keith Schmitz. “The closing of the Harry W. Schwartz bookstore on Oakland Ave. created a big void in the community. “It’s a void we plan to close,” said Schmitz. “We see it as an important quality of life issue.” The new store, known as Open Book, is expected to open by fall 2009. Open Book will offer new books, including a children’s section, as well as a limited quantity of quality used books, magazines and books on CD, all at competitive prices. Open Book will also provide customer searches for hard-to-find titles. The group’s preliminary business plan calls for a quality store with a comfortable atmosphere that promotes browsing, exploration and community involvement, says manager Lisa Zupke. Zupke previously managed the Schwartz store on Oakland. Open Book will be more than just a bookstore, Zupke added. “We want it to be a community gathering place where friends and neighbors meet for coffee, and small groups hold meetings. That’s something the community sorely needs.” Open Book’s organizers see the East Side and North Shore as the ideal location for a community-based bookstore. “It’s an area chock-full of literate people who understand the importance of a local independent bookstore in the community, and who choose to support well-run local businesses,” says Kit Vernon, a retired marketing executive. Plans for the store are for 3,500-4,000 sq. ft., to be used for the store, a café/coffee shop, office and storage. The store’s inventory will be tailored specifically for the market, based on Zupke’s local experience. Open Book will also host special events such as author readings, children’s story hours, music and book clubs. Open Book will be a limited liability corporation, run on a cooperative model like the Outpost stores, REI or the Packers. Cooperative members will help provide start-up capital and operating funding with their memberships. They will receive discounts on purchases and an annual dividend when possible, plus invitations to special events. In the approximately one month the group has been planning, it has attracted nearly 400 people who have expressed interest in becoming coop members.
Jun 15th, 2009 by Amy Elliott
Date Change for Spectacular! Spectacular!
A NEW DATE SET FOR SPECTACULAR! SPECTACULAR! A BURLESQUE BASH Proceeds benefit the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America MILWAUKEE, WI – New date, same “Spectacular” event. Due to an unforeseen shipment conflict at our venue, Spectacular! Spectacular! A Burlesque Bash to Benefit the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America has been rescheduled. The benefit will be now held from 7 pm to midnight Saturday, July 25, at Tramont Corp., 3701 N. Humboldt Ave. (just south of Capitol Drive) in Milwaukee. Tickets purchased for the earlier date will be honored at the July 25 event. The event will feature a fashion show with top models strutting the burlesque-inspired creations of local designers Shannon Lee Molter and Miranda Levy from UW-Milwaukee’s Peck School of the Arts, and lingerie and underwear fashions from Aala Reed and Boudoir by J. Rath. Guests will also be treated to performances by the Brew City Bombshells burlesque troupe, a live DJ, light fare, cash bars and additional Moulin Rouge-esque surprises. Burlesque-themed costumes are encouraged. Jordan Dechambre-Childers, owner of the Elements of Style personal shopping consulting firm and managing and fashion editor of M: Milwaukee’s Lifestyle Magazine, will serve as emcee with Ringmaster and artist Garrett Gharibeh. Free parking will be available in the Tramont Corp. parking lot, just north of the building. Tickets are $400 for a reserved cabaret table for four, $50 for general admission or $20 for students with ID (must be 18 to enter), and are on sale at www.spectacularmilwaukee.com. All proceeds support the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America and its mission is to cure Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases. Sponsors include Aala Reed, Elements of Style, The Iron Horse Hotel, J. Rath, Lake Hill House, M: Milwaukee’s Lifestyle Magazine, Smart Choice MRI, Tramont Corp. and 88Nine Radio Milwaukee. For more information, e-mail burlesqueball@rocketmail.com or visit www.spectacularmilwaukee.com. About the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America’s mission is to cure Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases. The Foundation ranks third among leading health non-profits in the percentage of expense devoted to research toward a cure, with more than 81 cents of every dollar the Foundation spends going to mission-critical programs. The Foundation consistently meets the standards of organizations that monitor charities, including the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance (give.org) and the American Institute of Philanthropy (charitywatch.org). For more information, contact the Foundation at (800) 932-2423 or visit www.ccfa.org.
Jun 9th, 2009 by Laura Heller
Newsmaker Luncheon to Feature Milwaukee Brewers Manager Ken Macha
MILWAUKEE, WI – May 11, 2009. Milwaukee Brewers Manager Ken Macha will be the featured guest of a Milwaukee Press Club Newsmaker Luncheon on Wednesday, June 10. The public is invited to attend the Newsmaker Luncheon, which will include a discussion between Macha and a panel of local journalists. Macha also will take questions from the audience. The journalists’ panel will include Tom Haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel baseball beat writer, Dan Needles, sports director at WISN-TV, Bill Michaels, host of WTMJ 620 AM’s Sports Central and Parker Gabriel, UW-Madison student journalist. The luncheon will be held on Wednesday, June 10, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Miller Park , in the Right Field Corner. Free parking available in the Brewers 2 parking lot. Enter the stadium through the Clock Tower Entrance on the north side of the stadium near the Home plate plaza area; this will be on your right when facing the stadium from the parking lots. The Milwaukee Press Club’s Newsmaker Luncheon Series is sponsored by Journal Communications and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The Press Club presents the Newsmaker Luncheons monthly to shed light on issues of the day. The public is invited to attend the luncheons. The cost to attend is $25 per person. Lunch is included. Pre-registration and advance payment is required and may be done online at www.milwaukeepressclub.org. Checks may be mailed to the MPC at PO Box 176, North Prairie , WI 53153-0176 . Cancellations will be accepted up to 48 hours in advance for a full refund. Please contact Joette Richards at the Milwaukee Press Club at milwaukeepressclub@gmail.com with any questions; or to pay by credit card, call 262-894-2224.
Jun 8th, 2009 by Laura Heller
Jonathan West will be on “The Story” with Dick Gordon on Friday, June 5
A quick note about something kind of cool happening today. As you may or may not now, Jonathan West has a 20-year history with The Sunset Playhouse. He was an enthusiastic participant in his youth, was away from The Playhouse for many years doing very “un-Playhouse-like” things, and now has returned to the fold for loads of fun. Today, Friday, June 5th, his story will be profiled on the National Public Radio program “The Story” hosted by Dick Gordon. Listen in at 1 pm today in the Milwaukee area on WUWM 89.7 FM. If not then, you can download the episode as a podcast from the program’s website at http://thestory.org/. Thanks for listening in if you can!
Jun 5th, 2009 by Laura Heller
Lee Bergquist Book Celebration
MPC Announcement Thursday, June 18, 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. NEWSROOM PUB 137 E. Wells Street ~ Milwaukee, WI 53202 Lee Bergquist Book Celebration Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Lee Bergquist has completed a marathon – as in a marathon quest to publish his labor of love – Second Wind: The Rise of the Ageless Athlete. To celebrate his accomplishment, the Milwaukee Press Club will be hosting an informal get together with the author himself at the Newsroom Pub, 137 E. Wells Street , from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 18. Lee will talk about his book a bit, sign and sell copies and of course accept our toast for a job well done. Questions? Contact Jim Nelson, jnelson@journalsentinel.com Lee’s website is www.secondwindathlete.com
Jun 5th, 2009 by Laura Heller
Free Family Day at Salvation Army
The Salvation Army Of Greater Milwaukee To Host Free Family Day Saturday, June 20 The Salvation Army Milwaukee Citadel Worship & Community Center, 4129 W. Villard Avenue will hold a free family day on Saturday, June 20, 2009 from 1-3pm. Come and enjoy movies, refreshments, gym activities and more. This event is free and open to the public.
Jun 5th, 2009 by Laura Heller
Charles Allis and Villa Terrace Art Museums Grand Opening
Villa Terrace Art Museum Renaissance Garden Opening Sunday, June 7, 2009 Free Admission The Villa Terrace Art Museum, 2220 N. Terrace Avenue, Milwaukee, is proud to announce the opening of the Renaissance Garden on Sunday, June 7. In celebration of the occasion, the museum will extend FREE ADMISSION to all visitors for the day. (normally $5/adult, $3/student & senior). Festivities include a musical kick-off by Mrs. Fun, opening remarks, light refreshments, guided tours, Bring a Bud Membership Drive, and more! Contact the Villa Terrace at (414)271-3656 or visit www.cavtmuseums.org for more information. Garden Opening Highlights: 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Café Sopra Mare – Mercury Courtyard Featuring the musical talents of Mrs. Fun (keyboard and percussion duo) 12:45 p.m. Opening Remarks – Terrace Refreshments Served – North Terrace 10 a.m – 5 p.m. Bring a Bud Membership Drive Any existing member who refers a new member or anyone who becomes a new member the day of the opening will receive a free impatient or petunia ‘bud’ to take home. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Marina Bychkova: Enchanted Doll (CLOSES) Final day to view this stunning collection of hand-crafted porcelain dolls. About the Villa Terrace Renaissance Garden The inspiring Renaissance Garden graces the yard of Villa Terrace as it sweeps down to Lake Michigan and recreates the classic elements of a 16th century Tuscan landscape, while accommodating the vagaries of the Wisconsin Climate. Originally designed by Rose Standish Nichols in collaboration with the Villa’s architect David Adler, the garden was completely restored to its original beauty in 1997. Landscape Architect Dennis Buettner along with the dedicated Friends of Villa Terrace focused on the classical elements of the original landscaping plan and brought this gem back for the community to enjoy. Points of interest: A dramatic “water staircase” – the classic Scaletta d’Aqua – flowing down past three terraces of flowering crabapple trees to a Vasca (a fishpond historically used to keep the day’s catch fresh) Two secret gardens and a thicket Grassy spaces and benches, bordered with culinary and medicinal herbs, potted citrus trees, unusual plantings, dwarf fruit trees and statuary Monumental wrought iron “Neptune” Gate inspired by master craftsman Cyril Colnik
Jun 5th, 2009 by Laura Heller
Twitter Art
Boris Ostrerov, a Milwaukee based multidisciplinary artist, is pleased to present his latest project titled, “Twitter Installation” at the Walkers Point Center for the Arts (WPCA) Annual Member’s Show on view from June 5th until July 2nd 2009. The “Twitter Installation” explores the phenomenon of Twitter, a micro-blogging service that is becoming an increasingly popular form of communication and sharing. In the “Twitter Installation,” Ostrerov is materializing virtual posts or status updates, known as “tweets” among the Twitter community, into a physical semitransparent mountain or puddle-like form. Utilizing the username “Installation1,” Ostrerov will compile all the tweets of his followers and print them on small translucent strips of paper, which he will bring to the gallery and drop in the same spot on the floor every day of the show. Starting from literally nothing on the first day of the show, the pile of tweets will grow, in size depending on the amount of followers the username “Installation1” gains and the amount of times each follower tweets. You too can contribute in the growth of the mountain of tweets by following the username Installation1 on Twitter.com and tweeting (www.twitter.com/Installation1). If enough people are involved, this installation can grow exponentially to a gigantic, yet sensuous form filling up so much space in the gallery that it encroaches on other artworks or blocks a walking path. At the end of the show Ostrerov will glue all the translucent strips of vellum paper into a sphere, solidifying countless conversations of a past moment in history.
Jun 5th, 2009 by Laura Heller
Al Jarreau Benefit Concert Kicks-Off Gathering on the Green Festival
The 2009 Gathering on the Green offers the rare opportunity to see Milwaukee’s own, seven-time Grammy winner Al Jarreau perform a benefit concert on Thursday, July 9, in Mequon’s Rotary Park. On Saturday, July 11, Gathering will commemorate 15 years of the best of the performing arts for the entire family with “A Red, White & Blue” celebration in the park. A singer and songwriter, Jarreau, has a unique vocal style and innovative musical expression that has made him an internationally known performer. He is the only singer to ever win Best Vocalist Grammys in three categories, jazz, R&B and pop. With hits including We’re In This Love Together, So Good and other classics, Jarreau will treat fans to an unforgettable performance under the stars. People won’t want to miss an evening with this famed jazz vocalist, hailed by critics as “one of the world’s greatest natural resources”. Saturday’s Gathering is truly a family festival of the performing arts. There is free lawn seating for children under 12, picnicking is encouraged or food and beverages can be purchased from on-site vendors. The Children’s Village has expanded with many fun educational activities throughout the afternoon. In the evening, Gathering will feature Milwaukee’s major performing arts groups including the Milwaukee Ballet and the Florentine Opera Company, with the Gathering on the Green Festival Orchestra. The festival concludes with spectacular fireworks choreographed to music. Tickets are available Thursday, June 4th, on line at gatheringonthegreen.org, at all Milwaukee area Boston Stores, at Harris Banks – Mequon & Thiensville or by calling the Gathering offices at 262-236-0510.
Jun 2nd, 2009 by Laura Heller
Poet in Residence – Jack Collom at Woodland Pattern
(Milwaukee, WI) On Saturday, June 6, 2009, poet-in-residence Jack Collom will read from his latest collections of poetry Exchanges of Earth & Sky and Situations, Sings. Collom will also lead an eco-poetics workshop “What’s Funny? Nature?” on Saturday afternoon from 2pm-5pm. Jack Collom was born in Chicago, Illinois, 8 November 1931, and grew up in nearby Western Springs. He walked a lot in Salt Creek Woods and began bird watching at age 11. He joined the U.S. Air Force and wrote his first poems in Tripoli, Libya. After spending time in Germany, he returned to the U.S. and worked in factories for twenty years. He earned an MA in English on the GI Bill, and has taught Creative Writing free-lance for over thirty years. He is Adjunct Professor at Naropa University, where he received the 2001 President’s Award for Faculty and has been teaching Eco-lit (Ecology Literature) for 19 consecutive years, as well as outreach teacher-training. Collom has authored 22 books and chapbooks of poetry. He is, moreover, responsible for three collections (with essays and commentary) of writings by children, all published by Teachers & Writers Collaborative, New York. In 2001, Tuumba Press issued a more than 500-page-long volume, Red Car Goes By, as his Selected Poems. His latest books are Exchanges of Earth & Sky and Situations, Sings (with Lyn Hejinian). Jack Collom long ago rejected the notion that a distinction is to be made between the quotidian and the poetic. There is poetry everywhere. But to find poetry everywhere means that one is incessantly engaged with the world at the level of poetry…. His attention to surprise is pronounced but never programmatic. The result is “the dance and weave between fierce notation and ceilingless song.” from the Editors’ Preface to Red Car Goes By Eco-poetics Workshop with Jack Collom Saturday, June 6, 2-5pm ($25 includes ticket to the evening reading) WHAT’S FUNNY? NATURE? To me, Humor and Nature are one, or maybe one and a half. Nature is everything and everything is funny. Case closed. Incongruity donut, I mean done it. We’ll look into some old shell games (like which is funnier, skeletons or people? trees without leaves or trees with leaves?) but mostly we’ll make our own via tradeoff poems, trying to write something that isn’t funny, and other doomed enterprises. We’ll also woodpecker a little surreal.
Jun 1st, 2009 by Laura Heller
