If options appeal to you, take a gander at the 10 days of non-Summerfest (free) fun from June 30 to July 10.
Thursday, June 30
Comedy on Broadway at Broadway Theatre Center
158 N. Broadway
(414) 291-7800
9:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
www.skylightopera.com or www.historicthirdward.org
Join comedian Tony B. Miller Thursday night at 9:30 in the Skylight Bar to enjoy the talent of Milwaukee's young comedians. Comedy on Broadway repeats every Thursday throughout the summer and is free.
Thursday, June 30
Música del Lago at Alterra at the Lake
1701 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr.
(414) 223-4551
7:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
www.alterracoffee.com
The second of a free six part summer concert series, Música del Lago features Bahia – a Caribbean-styled jazz band from Milwaukee.
Música del Lago is an effort by Alterra to educate the public about coffee and the different cultures that produce it. Over the past four years, Alterra has showcased specific coffee-growing countries or regions, and this concert series will highlight several of the musical traditions of Latin America. All artists are Milwaukee-based.
Música del Lago will complement the Florentine at the Lake series that Alterra is presenting with the Florentine Opera eight times this summer.
Friday, July 1
Edelweiss Boat Tour
Riverfront Plaza
1110 N. Old World Third Street
(414) 272-3625
10:30 p.m. - midnight
Cost: $15 in advance; $20 walk-up (Includes all you can drink beer and all you can eat food)
www.wegmke.com/edelweiss/edelweiss.shtml or www.1037kissfm.com
On Friday nights, local radio station 103.7 KISS FM hosts the Kiss Kruise on the Edelweiss.
The Edelweiss docks in front of Dockside Patio and Bar, cruises the Milwaukee River and heads out onto Lake Michigan for a one-and-a-half hour boat ride. And when Kiss FM hosts the cruise, it becomes more like a Booze Cruise than a calm ride.
Reservations are encouraged and you must be 21 for the Kiss Kruise (which is every Friday night during the summer). Listen to Kiss FM’s morning show for your chance to win tickets.
If you are not 21, there are many other times to go out on the boat. Just call (414) 272-3625 to make reservations or obtain information.
Saturday, July 2
East Town Farm Market at Cathedral Square Park
(414) 271-1416
7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Music from 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
www.easttown.com
Saturday mornings at Cathedral Square Park, Milwaukeeans can hit up the Farm Market. From 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., not only are their vendors showcasing their wares (especially in the interim before the opening of the Public Market) but there are also musicians playing. On this particular day, the Bill Gandt Jazz Quartet will begin at 10 a.m.
Seasonal fruits, vegetables, fresh-cut flowers, plants, homemade foods and jewelry, and other wonderful things are peddled by over 40 Wisconsin farmers, craftsmen, bakers and chefs.
I stopped by opening weekend of the market, and I found entirely refreshing not only to be outside and in a lovely little park, but to hear music and casually stroll through the stalls of goods. Even if you don’t make it this Saturday, be sure to stop by sometime during the summer!
Sunday, July 3
The Taste at Grant Park in Chicago
Friday, June 25- Friday, July 2 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday, July 3 – Sunday, July 4 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Cost: Free. Food is sold in tickets (11 for $7 or 11 for $5.50 at Dominick’s June 17-24)
http://egov.cityofchicago.org
For some reason, Chicago feels a need to compete with the largest outdoor music festival in the world. And frankly, I think it might be a nice escape from Summerfest.
I’m planning on heading down to enjoy the sights and sounds and food. More than 70 restaurants are serving food (which is a great way of sampling Chicago’s cuisine without having to sit down for a whole meal) and there are Carousel rides, entertainment stages, cooking demonstrations, the Independence Eve concert and a fireworks display.
Monday, July 4
Wauwatosa’s 72 Annual Independence Day Celebration in Honor of America’s Heroes
www.Wauwatosa.net
As a native, I grew up with Wauwatosa’s parade and fireworks being an anticipated event of my summers. But now that I live downtown, I am thinking about returning since finding a spot for the downtown fireworks is nearly impossible (plus, their the night before). So why not head back to my roots?
Beginning at 9 a.m. on Independence Day, the main drag of North Avenue from 104th to 80th Streets is filled with clowns, fire trucks, marching bands and other traditional I-love-a-parade elements. And let me tell you, if you live anywhere in eastern Wauwatosa, you can’t ignore the parade (no matter how hung over you may be).
After that, the party moves to Hart Park (adjacent to Wauwatosa Avenue/State Street). From 12:30 p.m. – 4 p.m., Hart Park hosts an afternoon of family fun including face painting, a petting zoo, camel and pony rides, live entertainment and free ice cream for all children.
And finally, at 9:30 p.m., the evening entertainment shows up with a bang: fireworks. The rain date for the fireworks is July 5.
Tuesday, July 5
The Nomad World Pub
1401 East Brady Street
(414) 224-8111
5 to 7 p.m.
Cost: Free for the most part, but depends on how much you drink
http://nomadworldpub.com
Visit the Nomad Pub – one of my favorite Brady Street gatherings (as well as the watering hole where I have met the last three of my five dates) – on the first Tuesday of every month for the Stein Club.
Behind the bar, there are many clay steins with names stamped onto them hanging from posts, and if you come in on this particular Tuesday, the first stein fill is free as well as free food from 5 to 7 p.m.
Or, if you are like me and you don’t have a personalized stein, just ask your friendly bartender for details next time you are at the Nomad.
Wednesday, July 6
Noisy Neighbors at Positively Pewaukee
120 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Pewaukee, WI
(262) 695-9735
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Cost: free
www.positivelypewaukee.com or www.noisyneighborsband.com
When Horace Greenly said, “Go west young man,” I doubt he was talking to me. Somewhat self-deprecating, I feel comfortable admitting that west for me is somewhere around 29th and State. When I go far west, it is Wauwatosa. So Pewaukee – that’s the Wisconsin equivalent of Fiji. But I think it might be worthwhile for Positively Pewaukee.
For some reason, people love to be outside listening to music in the summertime (no matter how far west). Each Wednesday until August 31, the Pewaukee Lakefront is hosting a music night. On this particular Wednesday, Noisy Neighbors, a cover band with a few of its own, is the headliner for Positively Pewaukee.
Thursday, July 7
Little Shop of Horrors at The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts
929 N. Water Street
(414) 273-7121
July 5-10; Show times vary
Cost: $23-63
www.broadwayacrossamerica.com or www.marcuscenter.org
Suddenly Seymore can be standing in front of you.
As part of the Broadway Across America tour, Little Shop of Horrors is making a trip (from outer space?) to Milwaukee.
If you are at all familiar with the film version of Little Shop of Horrors (with Rick Moranis, Steve Martin Jim Belushi, Bill Murray and John Candy), the plot line of this one is a little off: a nerdish florist gets a chance at romance because of a man-eating plant from outer space.
The soundtrack includes such favorites as “Dentist,” “Suddenly, Seymour” and “Mean Green Mother from Outer Space.”
As a side note: If you chose to go on Wednesday, July 6 instead, you’ll get a great deal. You can register to buy-one-get-one-at-half and also stick around for the talk back afterward to find out what kinds of tricks the actors used to make Audrey II come to life.
Friday, July 8
Lakefront Brewery Tour
1872 N. Commerce Street
(414) 372-8800
Weekdays 2 and 3 p.m. Check the web site or call for other times or reservations.
Cost: $5
www.lakefrontbrewery.com
Voted the best brewery tour in Milwaukee, this is a deal you should not pass up.
For five bucks, you get an expert tour of Lakefront Brewery, a microbrewery located in (fittingly) Brewer’s Hills. Not only will you learn about the process of brewing beer, but they will try to get you drunk along the way (or, non-beer drinkers are welcome to their non-alcoholic Golden Maple root beer for an additional $2).
The $5 gets you a refillable pint glass as a souvenir, and all the beer you can drink. Most of my friends have to arrange for transportation to and from the tour because they are in no position to be driving afterward.
This is quintessential Milwaukee.
Saturday, July 9
NAACP Convention at the Midwest Airlines Center
400 W. Wisconsin Ave.
(414) 908-6001
www.midwestexpresscenter.com or www.naacp.org
Beginning July 9, Milwaukee is hosting the NAACP Annual Convention themed “Conscience of a Nation” at the Midwest Airlines Center.
The Convention runs until July 14 and activities include a golf tournament, health symposium, commerce and industry show, fashion show, various keynote speakers, and workshops with topics ranging from criminal justice and juvenile justice to national public policy to the quality of education.
Sunday, July 10
Crabby Charters Fishing Charter into Lake Michigan
McKinley Marina
(262) 538-0056
www.crabbycharters.com
I got out my calculator and this is what I came up with: anywhere from 1-6 people, out on a boat for five hours (or fish limit) for $400-425, or (at the max number of people) $66-$70 a person.
Equipment is provided for you, beer is allowed, and – the icing on the cake – they will clean and bag the fish for you!
I don’t think I could go fishing for cheaper than $70!
Crabby Charters has a 35 foot Bertram Charter Boat that will pick up from the McKinley Marina and take you out onto Lake Michigan, where you can fish for Salmon and Trout while viewing the gorgeous Milwaukee skyline.
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