Free Musical Mondays Summer Series in Lake Park to Feature Diverse Genres from Around World and Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wis. (April 30, 2024) – The nonprofit Lake Park Friends has announced its 2024 Musical Mondays summer concert lineup, which features acts from Zimbabwe, Haiti and Ireland; acclaimed reggae musicians; two exciting jazz groups; and popular Milwaukee R&B and swing/jump ensembles.

“Musical Mondays is proud to offer the community a lineup this summer as musically and geographically diverse as anything we’ve ever done,” said Jeff Bentoff, presenter for series. “It’ll be a summer of music in the park you won’t forget.”

The shows run in Lake Park from 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. from July 8 through Aug. 26. Performances are held at the Lake Park Summer Stage, near the park playground, and are free of charge.

Lake Park Friends Board President Anne Hamilton said the group was proud to present the free Musical Mondays concerts for its 26th year. “We invite people to visit Lake Park for great nights of music under the stars and then to come back for everything the park offers,” she said.

Lake Park Friends presents Musical Mondays in cooperation with Milwaukee County Parks and with generous support from the Coles Family Foundation, Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, 88Nine, WMSE Radio 91.7FM, OnMilwaukee, Milwaukee Record and member volunteers.

The group also offers a free summer series on the Summer Stage, Wonderful Wednesdays, focused on children and families. The shows run from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. from July 10 through Aug. 21.

These are the 2024 Musical Mondays and Wonderful Wednesdays lineups:

Musical Mondays
Shows are 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. The series is for music lovers of all ages.

• July 8: The Hungry Williams. Joined by a love of early swingin’ rock and roll, The Hungry Williams play upbeat music great for dancing or just listening. The band features singer Kelli Gonzalez, drummer and leader John Carr, and ace guitar, keys, bass and horn players.

• July 15: Brian Lynch and Spheres of Influence. Led by the multiple Grammy© Award-winning trumpeter, his ensemble mixes jazz, Afro-Caribbean and more. Lynch, who grew up in Glendale, has worked with everyone from Art Blakey and Horace Silver to Eddie Palmieri and Chucho Valdes.

• July 22: Wesli. Wesli is the stage name of Haitian / Canadian Wesley Louissaint, one of Haiti’s most revered and accomplished musicians. Bringing together Montreal and Haitian talents, Wesli’s music unites Haitian vodou and rara with roots, reggae, Afrobeat, electronic music and hip-hop flavors.

• July 29: R&B Cadets. A celebrated Milwaukee band since the ‘80s, the Cadets are known for their signature, danceable sound featuring originals and obscure covers. The group reunites occasionally, while its front line of Paul Cebar, Robin Pluer and John Sieger lead their own popular ensembles.

• Aug. 5: Mokoomba. Hailing from Zimbabwe, Mokoomba is one of Africa’s most exciting young bands and is setting dance floors ablaze with its unique mix of traditional Tonga and pan-African music cultures with dashes of rap, ska, soukous and Afro-Cuban music.

• Aug. 12: JigJam. These Offaly- and Tipperary-born musicians started the first wave of the new Irish invasion of Americana. Bluegrass and American folk music have Irish roots, and now JigJam is here to take the music back and add its own mark. Foot-stomping and high-energy describe its shows.

• Aug. 19: Fountain of Youth. Fountain of Youth is a project of several Milwaukee musicians representing the city’s next generation of jazz music. Led by guitarist Sam Catral, the band features vocalist Faith Hatch and will cover jazz standards perfect for a summer night in Lake Park.

• Aug. 26: Gizzae. Gizzae is a musical tapestry woven from diverse experiences of its members, hailing from across the globe. With over 35 years of grooving, they’ve won Grammys and Chicago Music Awards and shared stages with Ziggy Marley, Rolling Stones and Toots & the Maytals.

Wonderful Wednesdays
Shows are 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. The series is aimed at children and their families.
 
• July 10: Laura Doherty & The Heartbeats. Award-winning Chicago performer with an intense passion for creating sweet folk-inspired songs that explore the themes of friendship, family and childhood.

• July 17: The Last Bees. Positive, uplifting, nostalgia-inspired melodies, as sweet as honey, with vocals and instruments with an edge that stings like a bee.

• July 24: Frogwater. Renowned for their virtuosity and exuberant live performances, the repertoire of this musical pair spans from Celtic to Delta blues, from classical to pop with a healthy dose of unique original material filling out the mix.

• July 31: Susan Salidor. Award-winning Chicago children’s music composer, performer and author, with the heart of a teacher, whose original music is influenced by her professional experience in musical theatre, cabaret folk and in her work as a preschool music specialist.

• Aug. 7: Duke Otherwise. Playful wordsmith, spirited performer, skilled guitarist and captivating tap-dancer from Madison. Using his distinct baritone, he sings his hilarious and imaginative songs that will delight all ages.

• Aug. 14: Little Miss Ann. Award-winning Chicago musician whose playlist spans different genres with fun, interactive educational songs that will inspire kids to sing, jump, dance and let their own lights shine.

• Aug. 21: Fox And Branch. For over two decades, this award-winning duo has performed a dynamic mix of old-time music, original songs and family folk tunes that appeal to children and adults, giving everyone a chance to actively participate.

For more info and updates about both series, visit https://lakeparkfriends.org/visit/events/music-in-the-park/ and https://www.facebook.com/lLakeParkFriends  The non-profit Lake Park Friends promotes the preservation and enjoyment of Lake Park; sponsors educational, recreational and cultural events in the park; and raises funds for restoring and enhancing the park in the spirit of its designer, renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.