Urban Milwaukee » 2007-12 Vital Source Mag

2007-12 Vital Source Mag – December 2007

Preview

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 by Brian Jacobson

Call and Response

As teenagers, they learned that musicians get girls. Still embracing that high school mentality as adults, The Response “keep[s] getting older,” but their fans “stay the same age,” says bassist Mikey Blanchard. More playful than pedophiliac, the four-piece has a sense of humor that will surely inspire all kinds of journalistic inaccuracy as they make press for their overdue debut LP, releasing this month.

Dec 18th, 2007 by Amber Herzog

A Grouch Worth Considering

Artist Kenn Kwint goes bonkers when he sees his first name spelled incorrectly. I’ve know him for 20-plus years, enough to know that he whines a lot, but who cares? This chap is a “painter’s painter.”

Dec 12th, 2007 by Judith Ann Moriarty

Cinco Jugueteros de Venezuela @ Latino Arts Center

I hate sounding like Scrooge, but my memory bank is filled with nights-before-Christmas spent assembling toys for my kids. If you’ve ever tried finding a minuscule screw in inch-high shag carpeting, you know what I mean. There were endless batteries to test, a parade of dolls (Chatty Kathy, Baby Wets, Raggedy Ann) and, atop our aluminum tree, a revolving purple-and-blue light on the fritz. And where were Barbie’s pink shoes and Ken’s shirt? Would my 5-year-old like the green cowboy boots I bought in Mexico? I learned later that not one kid in his preppy pre-school wore cowboy boots, let alone green ones. What was I thinking? The turkey thawing in the kitchen seemed to be the only thing not giving me tizzies. On these nightmares before Christmas, I slugged down extra eggnog. Cinco Jugueteros de Venezuela (Handcrafted Venezuelan Toys) was scheduled to open Friday, December 7 (5pm-7pm) at the Latino Arts Center, 1028 S. 9th St. When I arrived for the gala opening, it had been rescheduled. The new date is Friday, January 4, 2008. The show will run through January, so you’ll be able to greet the New Year with a selection of toys crafted entirely by hand, with no assembly required and no lead-paint problems. As I write this, the shipment of toys is sitting somewhere in Memphis, held up due to changes in Venezuelan shipping regulations. “The toys don’t talk, they don’t walk. They run entirely by imagination,” said Zulay Oszkay, a member of the Milwaukee Arts Board and Artistic Director of Latino Arts, Inc. She added that she and her staff had painted the 300 sq. ft. auditorium room entirely white so as to better “show off” the toys. They tracked the Fed-Ex shipment for several days, right up to the last minute, but alas! No toys in time for the December 7 opening. The toys were to be accompanied by the artisans who made them, but they were unable to get visas for the visit. While writing this, I found a website blasting Venezuela’s President, Hugo Chavez. It seems he thinks Barbie and Ken represent “disgusting stupidity”; his holiday choices are items made in Venezuela. For boys, he suggests wooden rocking horses and/or “Ilaneros” (cowboys), and for girls … rag dolls. However, I doubt if politico Chavez was actually thinking about simpler times. Call him a dictator or a Democrat; he does seem a bit sexist when it comes to toys. Venezuela is in the throes of political turmoil, which contributed to the delayed shipment of toys. As Zulay and I sipped coffee and chatted in the auditorium, kids came in to participate in “toy-making” workshops and the United Community Center Youth Cuatro Ensemble arrived to perform. Images of the exquisite toys flashed by on a nearby television screen. Despite the cancellation of the opening, the mood was upbeat and the room sparkled with decorated trees. This is a wonderful facility and worth a visit anytime. Later in the evening, a friend and I […]

Dec 10th, 2007 by Judith Ann Moriarty

A Christmas Carol

Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol at a time when there was a new focus on our growing human family and the plight of the poor. It was also a time when the urban Christmas tradition had started to lose meaning. Although a century or so has passed, A Christmas Carol still reminds us of the importance of charity and love for humanity that’s especially pertinent this time of year.

Dec 6th, 2007 by Vital Archives

Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of A Chr

By Jill Gilmer From the moment you are greeted by the white-haired ladies at the entrance to the playhouse, it’s apparent that this will be no ordinary night at the theatre: this is the Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society. This very amateur acting troupe attempts to perform Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol with comic results, ranging from falling sets to missed lines to an apparent no-show by the actress who plays Scrooge, forcing the company’s director to try to solicit a replacement from the audience at the start of the play. Farndale Avenue is a series of 11 plays-within-plays produced by the society ladies’ drama guild, including their attempts to perform Macbeth, a murder mystery and a French farce. Theatre-goers expecting A Christmas Carol may be disappointed. The seasonal favorite is really just a backdrop to showcase a host of theatrical mishaps and odd divergences from the original script. At the end of the play, the cast abandons the story altogether and leads the audience in a game of charades. The clever script by David McGillvray and Walter Zerlin Jr. is packed with classic British humor, and the challenge for any American theatre company is to capture the play’s wit without degenerating into silliness. Unfortunately, the company has only limited success in this endeavor. The audience laughed throughout the show but at a level far more restrained than might be expected. In many scenes, the ensemble appears to be trying too hard. This production misses the sharp wit of the parody, which requires a much higher degree of subtlety in both its acting and its direction. Bright spots include an excellent performance by Beverly Sargent, whose character inches across the stage wearing a neck brace she acquired in a supermarket accident. Elizabeth Keefe brings a sweet innocence and natural humor to her characters, especially her portrayal of a snowman in the opening scene. Matthew Patten, the only male member of the women’s drama guild, plays the role of a clueless cast member with just the right level of happy-go-lucky confusion. Farndale Avenue continues through December 31 at the Sunset Playhouse in Elm Grove. For tickets or more information, contact the box office at (262) 782-4430 or visit www.sunsetplayhouse.com.

Dec 4th, 2007 by Vital Archives

A Cudahy Caroler Christmas

Bringing back that “old Cudahy Caroler magic” is Stasch Zielinski’s mission in A Cudahy Caroler Christmas, In Tandem Theatre’s co-presentation with the Marcus Center and a Milwaukee holiday favorite. Returning to Vogel Hall in the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts Thanksgiving weekend, this production features both new and returning cast members.

Dec 4th, 2007 by Peggy Sue Dunigan

VITAL’s predictions for 2008

Formulating predictions for a new year can be ironic -- they usually revolve around the roadblocks we couldn't bust through in the previous year. What license are we issued to move the immovable just by the setting and rising of the sun one more time, one more bout of shuteye, one more flip of a shiny but flimsy paper calendar?

Dec 4th, 2007 by Vital Archives

Learning to Fly

There will be parties and openings. There will be better, more informed coverage of and commentary on local culture from the ground up, ramping up our website so we can bring you even more new stuff all month long. And starting with this issue, we’re commissioning our covers for at least the next year. Each will feature original artwork created just for VITAL by some of the city’s most talented painters, illustrators and photographers. It may or may not be related to anything inside the book; it’s a canvas, not a story illustration. And it’s pretty damn exciting.

Dec 1st, 2007 by Jon Anne Willow

Robert Plant/Alison Krauss

If you’re an Alison Krauss fan, this is another jewel in what must be a heavy crown. If you’re a Robert Plant enthusiast and have admired his career of lefts and rights, you should pick this one up. If you’re one of those Plant fans who are still waiting for “Achilles’ Second Last Stand,” you should pass.

Dec 1st, 2007 by Troy Butero

What Gives?

By Kenya Evans, Brian Jacobson, April Jones & Amy Elliott DONATIONS One fairly obvious – and fabulously generous – gift that gives is a donation in someone else’s name. These unique organizations won’t leave your recipients snarling wicked holiday wishes under their breath. a. Ducks! Real, live ducks! $20 Heifer International – heifer.org Who’d imagine a mule, a cow or some simple farming tips had the power to alleviate poverty, hunger and the degradation of the earth? Heifer provides an incredible opportunity for communities in developing countries; sustainability is instilled through training, the offspring of gift-animals spread the wealth and spread hope, dignity and self-reliance in the neighborhood. A flock of ducks ($20) can almost triple a family’s income in China. Give a bicycle and more! $46 – $100 World Gifts – worldgifts.cafod.org.uk World Gifts works with more than 500 partners to help poor countries find long-term solutions. You give a gift, and someone else gets a gift from CAFOD, the Catholic aid agency. Worms for composting plus seeds and tools for sowing runs about $46, a bicyle runs around $100. Your gift buys a bicycle for a health worker who can more easily travel to remote villages in poor countries to treat or prevent killer diseases. A bicycle also allows health workers to bring comfort and advice to the sick and their families when they need it most. An amazing gift for the cyclist in your life. Support small business $25 Kiva – kiva.org Maybe you’re an honorary loan officer for your kids or your unlucky friends, but Kiva gives you the opportunity to lend to entrepreneurs in impoverished communities across the globe, empowering them to “lift themselves out of poverty” and into economic independence. Kiva partners with microfinance institutions to ensure that endeavors are legit. The best part is that you’re helping people who are on their way to financial freedom. ORGANIC AND NATURAL With smaller local farmers struggling, this niche market is a lifesaver. Established and neophyte grocery and specialty shops in Milwaukee have ready-to-give holiday items; some even have online ordering and cross-country shipping. Beans and Barley gift card $40 Beans and Barley – beansandbarley.com 1901 East North Ave. 414-278-7878 An eclectic health food market and a popular café, this East Side institution also has artsy offerings for stocking stuffers. A $40 café gift certificate for two should cover the works: drinks, appetizers, dinner and maybe even a scrumptious dessert. Giftcards may be purchased in any amount. VITAL does not recomend stuffing stockings with actual appetizers, drinks or desserts. Outpost Natural Foods ownership $25 Outpost Natural Foods outpostnaturalfoods.coop Wauwatosa, Bay View and Capitol Dr. in Milwaukee 414-431-3377 Milwaukee’s original food co-op now sports three area locations. Buy someone a one-year “ownership” for $25 and they’ll get special discounts, rewards and the monthly Exchange Magazine. Teach your kids a lesson in responsibility by allowing them to invest in something that will not leave a stain your carpet or wear out the tube on your TV. b. Oskri […]

Dec 1st, 2007 by Amy Elliott