Washington Park Wednesdays Presents: Venus Rising
Ladies Must Swing Headlines July 8 at Washington Park Bandshell Presented by Stifel
Milwaukee, WI — Washington Park Wednesdays kicks off its 2026 season on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, with Venus Rising — a femme-forward celebration of women in music and the arts. The evening features Ladies Must Swing, a 13-piece all-women swing powerhouse, headlining the bandshell, with Ellie Jackson, a soulful Milwaukee-native vocalist, opening the night. Devin Drobka activates the grass level stage with percussion and multi-instrumental work.
Venus Rising centers women artists, female-identifying performers, entrepreneurs, and powerful creative voices in Milwaukee’s music and arts community. From the bandshell to the community partners, every performance amplifies the work of artists who are shaping the city’s cultural landscape.
Event Schedule
• 5:30–6:00 pm — Grass-level entertainment: Devin Drobka
• 6:00–6:45 pm — Opening set: Ellie Jackson
• 6:45–7:00 pm — Grass-level transition: Devin Drobka
• 7:00–8:30 pm — Headliner: Ladies Must Swing
• 8:30 pm — Close
More than JUST a concert series
Now in its 2026 season, Washington Park Wednesdays continues to evolve as a platform for workforce development, accessibility and neighborhood connection — offering more than a concert series.
• Through an ongoing collaboration with The New State, young creatives gain hands-on experience in live production, sound engineering and artist management at every event.
• In partnership with the Center for Independence (CFI), free meals are provided to youth at each event.
• Washington Park Wednesdays remains the only free concert series in Milwaukee to offer American Sign Language interpretation at every performance.
Story Ideas for Media
• The legacy of women in jazz and swing — and why it still matters on a Milwaukee bandshell stage in 2026
• How WPW programs intentionally around identity and representation, not just genre
• Ladies Must Swing as a touring ensemble: what 13 women on one stage looks like and sounds like
• Ellie Jackson’s Milwaukee roots and national trajectory as a vocalist and performer
• The Venus Rising theme as a model for femme-forward public arts programming
Event Details
Date: Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Washington Park Bandshell, 4599 W. Lloyd Street, Milwaukee, WI
Admission: Free and open to the public
Presented by: Stifel
Coming July 15: Ride On! — a bike-forward celebration in partnership with Bublr Bikes and Wisconsin Bike Fed
About Washington Park Wednesdays
Washington Park Wednesdays is a free, weekly outdoor concert series held at the historic Washington Park Bandshell in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Running every Wednesday from July 8 through August 26, 2026, WPW brings together live music, community programming, food access, and arts activation in one of Milwaukee’s most beloved public green spaces. WPW is presented by Stifel and supported by Milwaukee County Parks, Harley-Davidson, WMSE 91.7 FM, and Visit Milwaukee. Washington Park Wednesdays is the only free concert series in Milwaukee to offer ASL interpretation at every performance.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
Recent Press Releases by Washington Park Neighbors
Washington Park Wednesdays Presents Viva! Latin Swing July 30 Concert
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Washington Park Wednesdays Presents Cool School Concert Night July 23
Jul 18th, 2025 by Washington Park NeighborsKal Bergendahl Project and Big Style Brass Band perform on jazz & funk night
