VITAL
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 by Brian Jacobson
Steel Bridge Songfest Night One–Of Laundered Beer and Cougar Dodging
(NOTE: It should be pointed out that while the Steel Bridge Songfest is overall a wholesome, family-oriented event, especially during the daytime, the following journal of misadventures is chronicling the activities of a bunch of scumbag Milwaukee musicians, and thus, should not be considered endemic to the Steel Bridge Songfest as a whole.)
Jun 22nd, 2009 by DJ Hostettler
Backstage with Mark Metcalf and David Begel
Long-time friends Mark Metcalf and David Begel discuss how they met in a Milwaukee Shakespeare production of The Merchant of Venice, David's long and colorful career that spans the great distance between sports writing, MPS administration and acting on stage, how professional sports are like theater, arts criticism and what it will take to make a more vibrant culture for the arts in Milwaukee. Discussed: national public dance, Mark's tardiness, how the internet just lets you keep going and going.
Jun 22nd, 2009 by Amy Elliott
Anderson and Roe dazzles the ivories at PianoArts concert
After performing a world premiere piece, Grand Scherzo based on Mozart's Act One of the opera Cosi fan Tutte, they constructed a duet for four hands on one piano. As the pair crossed over and under each other's arms, the subtle nuances of notes and measures evoked a passionate response from both musicians and audience. You needed to catch only a smile, or a lean into the other's shoulder by either piano player to sense the intense synchronization of genius.
Jun 22nd, 2009 by Peggy Sue Dunigan
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 by Brian Jacobson
June 22-28
This week: Cycling through Kettle Moraine, WWE Smackdown (hell yeah!), movie screenings galore and of course, The Big Gig.
Jun 22nd, 2009 by Erin Petersen
Your 2009 Summer Reading Guide
It's the right time of year to reacquaint yourself with the literate world, so we put on our best nerdy glasses, went on the hunt and scouted out local experts in order to provide you with our first-ever summer reading guide, full of locally-sourced recommendations from Boswell Books, Open Book Co-op, Next Chapter Bookshop, A Broader Vocabulary and friends at WMSE, 800-ceo-read and ChangeThis.com.
Jun 21st, 2009 by Amy Elliott
Help Wanted (37-32)
Even with our very own C+C Hit Factory -- Counsell and Casey McGehee -- continuing their gritty ways, the lack of production from the lower half of the order has put you in a pickle, Ken. Do you look to add another bat to the lineup or do you focus on quality starting pitching, hoping it provides just enough momentum to propel the Brewers into the playoffs? In order to help you help us, Ken, I've compiled a quick summary of the potential players Doug Melvin refuses to acknowledge the Brewers are considering.
Jun 21st, 2009 by Rob Vosters
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 by Brian Jacobson
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 by Brian Jacobson
Howie interviews David Byrne, asks Haley Dekle to marry him
In this edition: NYC love, 19-year-old stoners, watching David Byrne's stuff, The Dirty Projectors, a high school reunion of sorts - and so much more.
Jun 19th, 2009 by Howie Goldklang
Travel team update
By Tea Krulos Photos by Bruce Berna The Brew City Bruiser’s All-star Travel Team kicked off the summer travel season with two games I’m calling the “secret brunch bouts” because they were both on Sunday afternoons and not open to the general public. From what I understand these bouts took place for the love of derby and to help the team meet the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA, commonly pronounced woof-da!) standards. The first of these secret brunch bouts took place May 31st against the Arch Rival Roller Girls from good ol’ Saint Louie. The Archettes flew over the Brew Crew’s heads and won the bout, 81-70. The Bruisers won the nail biter second bout against the valkyries of the Twin Cities Northstar Roller Girls by JUST ONE POINT, 92-91! Great job Bruisers! The next home bout for the Travel Team will be open to the public July 18 against Madison’s Dairyland Dolls. More info at www.brewcitybruisers.com
Jun 17th, 2009 by Tea Krulos
