4th of July Fireworks

Looking for fireworks this weekend? 

Check out this listing of times and locations before you head out.

Summer at MPM!

Summer Camps at Milwaukee Public Museum:  deadline to sign up for these camps is this Wednesday, June 26!
 

Creatures of the Deep Blue Sea (ages 3-5) - July 20
Butterfly Invasion (ages 3-5) - July 22
Ocean Adventures (ages 6-8) - July 18 & 19
Ancient Technology (ages 9-11) - July 20 & 21

More Information | Registration

Renaissance Theatreworks 2011/12 Season

From our friends at Renaissance Theaterworks: 

7 reasons to subscribe to Renaissance Theaterworks!!

1. 3 nights out on the calendar...you know you need them
2. Chocolate
3.  3 chances to lose yourself, or find yourself
4. Chocolate
5. Bragging rights to a life filled with arts and culture
6. Chocolate
7. Laugh your butt off, cry your eyes out or both

 Subscribe now!

Summerfest!

On the eve of Summerfest 2011, here's a list of 101 things to do at Summerfest.

Smile on!

Danceworks on Tap

Danceworks on Tap: TAPtivating

August 12-14, 2011

Danceworks Studio Theatre

1661 N. Water St.

Danceworks on Tap (DOT) is Danceworks' resident tap ensemble, under the direction of Amy Brinkman-Sustache. TAPtivating will celebrate the African and Irish roots of American tap dance. DOT will blend traditional and contemporary tap dance and collaborate with special guest artists from Rince Nia Academy of Irish Dance & Culture to create an energizing display of rhythmic expression! Rince Nia is directed by former lead of Riverdance performer Jillian Winke Beglan, both world medalists.

Tickets: $20 reserved seating/$15 general admission/$10 students and seniors

Tickets & Information

Grape Expectations to Support MSO

Join the The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra at the Grape Expectations Wine Tasting Extravaganza on July 22. Sample wine, enjoy delectable hors d’oeuvres, and support the MSO!

Reserve your tickets at www.mso.org or by calling 414.226.7810.

Event Details

Gallery Talk: The Qianlong Emperor

Join AAS Board member, Dr. Jodi Eastberg, as she discusses the Qianlong Emperor in "The Emperor's Private Paradise" exhibition:  Tuesday, June 28 at 1:30 pm.

More Information

A "High Five" From Waukesha Civic Theatre

From our friends at Waukesha Civic Theatre: 

Thank you, High Fivers! We have broke the $1500 mark. We still have a ways to go but it is AMAZING to see how a bunch of small donations from a large group of dedicated supporters can really make a difference. Keep it up and we may be able to get John Cramer and Doug Jarecki into that dunk tank in August.

Learn More About the High Five Club

Iron Horse Promotes Local Art

SWAG has been wanting to add the Iron Horse Hotel to our watch list for some time. The following update posted today by the hotel is reason enough for SWAG.. 

"We're proud to support local artists. Our hotel is full of their work!"

Check it out...

MSO Will Play Carnegie Hall

From our friends at the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra: 

The Spring for Music festival just announced the programs for 2012. The MSO will be playing at Carnegie Hall for the festival on Friday, May 11, 2012. Our program includes Olivier Messiaen - Les offrandes oubliées; Claude Debussy - La Mer, & Qigang Chen - Iris dévoilée. 

Check out the festival website!

Audition with Florentine Opera

Florentine Opera Company is looking for children between the ages of 9-12 to sing in the Turandot children's chorus. Auditions will be held Wednesday, July 27 from 4 - 6 pm.

More Information

Overnight Academy with First Stage

From our friends at First Stage Children's Theater:

Attention tudents entering grades 9-12th (and their parents) - Overnight Academy @ Carthage College is July 31-August 14!

More Information

MSO's "Just Duet": The Argosy Foundation Challenge Grant

For more than 50 years, the MSO has been able to perform great music because of you – our loyal supporters. Now is your chance to feel twice as good about making a contribution to the MSO's Annual Fund. The “Just Duet” challenge grant, made possible by the Argosy Foundation, will match any new or increased gift dollar-for-dollar through July 31.

Learn More & Donate

SMPAC - Jack & Jill Jazz

South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center presents:

Jack & Jill Jazz

June 23 from 5:30 - 7:00 pm

Franciscan Villa.
 

Jack & Jill Jazz perform jazz flavored music that speaks in an easily understood and enjoyable dialect. The couple is a sure-fire crowd pleaser offering an exciting blend of originals, standards, Latin, ballads, swing, bebop and R&B.

"On Golden Pond" in South Milwaukee

Grant Park Players present:

On Golden Pond
Friday, June 24, 2011 • 7:30 pm
Saturday, June 25, 2011 • 7:30 pm
Sunday, June 26, 2011 • 2:00 pm

 Tickets | Information

Milwaukee Fine Arts Quartet | Summer Evening of Music

Wednesday, June 22 marks the third concert of the Milwaukee Fine Arts Quartet’s annual Summer Evenings of Music series, which are free this year in commemoration of the Quartet’s 65th anniversary. It’s also their first concert since the passing of cellist Wolfgang Laufer earlier this month.

Concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Helene Zelazo Center, 2419 E. Kenwood Blvd. 

Tickets (414) 229-4308 | More Information

"Dream Bigger" with Aurum Design

Aurum Design is putting on the finishing touches of this year's Trek spot...watch the Tour de France in July to see it. Lots of amazing hard work going on at Aurum!

Check out: TREK - Dream Bigger!

What's New in Gallerie M?

Intercontinental Hotel - Milwaukee. An important (cultural) asset to the community!! What's New in Gallerie M? Now featuring "MARNmentor Artists"!

Learn More

RIP Clarence Clemons

Today, we remember Clarence Clemons, the "Big Man", 1942-2011. 

Here, Clarence Clemons on Meeting Bruce Springsteen...

Conservatory Jazz Night

Wisconsin Conservatory of Music presents: 

Conservatory Jazz Night Featuring guest artist Brian Lynch at Tosa Tonight this Thursday, June 23 at 6pm 

More Information

Milwaukee Artists United for Japan

From our friends at UWM's Peck School of the Arts:

Under the banner of Milwaukee Artists United for Japan, some top local classical musicians will play a benefit concert June 25 for the American Red Cross Japanese Earthquake/Tsunami Relief Effort...

Read article

Roll Into Betty Brinn!

Raceways and On A Roll back by popular demand at Betty Brinn Children's Museum! Jump, loop and zoom golf balls around tracks to experiment with gravity, acceleration, and momentum in Raceways. Enjoy Loop the Loop, Motion in a Dish, Roller Coaster, and more! 

Learn More 

 

Lakefront Festival of Arts This Weekend!

Lakefront Festival of Arts

Saturday, June 18, 2011

10 am–7 pm

Discover work by more than 180 jury-selected artists at this year’s nationally recognized Lakefront Festival of Arts. Browse the handcrafted creations and purchase the perfect piece (or pieces) for you! And new for this year, in keeping with the Museum’s theme for the summer, LFOA is hosting five artists from China. 

Learn More

Olympia Dukakis Coming to Ten Chimneys

A Conversation at Ten Chimneys with Olympia Dukakis, July 29th, 8pm. This Academy Award-winning actress and 2011 Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship Master Teacher will share anecdotes about her extraordinary life and career, and will answer questions from the audience - a rare and intimate opportunity.

Information/Tickets

Latino Arts, Inc. Receives NAMM Grant!

From our friends at Latino Arts, Inc.:

Latino Arts, Inc. is proud to announce that we have been named one of thirty-five recipients of NAMM Foundation Program Grants nationwide! It's an incredible honor to be recognized by an organization so accomplished in supporting music-making programs such as the Latino Arts Strings Program. Thank you to the NAMM Foundation and all of our supporters.

More About NAMM Foundation

Bastille Days Entertainment

From our friends at East Town Association: 

Full Bastille Days line-up just announced! Mark your calendars for July 14-17! 

Entertainment Line-up 

More About Bastille Days

13th Annual Milwaukee Short Film Festival

The 13th Annual Milwaukee Short Film Festival 2011 is scheduled for November 4-5, 2011 at the Milwaukee Art Museum. 

RSVP before June 30 - $25.

More Information

UWM Alumni Perform

Music notes... 

Peck School of the Arts Associate Dean Scott Emmons, Music alum Jason Behr and the rest of the Milwaukee Guitar Quartet will perform this Saturday evening at Lapham Peak Kettle Morraine State Forest. 

Visit the News Blog to learn more...

MCA - 2011/12 Season

The Milwaukee Choral Artists announce their 2011-12 Season featuring Present Music's Thanksgiving concert on November 20.

Information/Schedule 

Laufer Passed Away at 64

Wolfgang Laufer, cellist of the Fine Arts Quartet from 1979 until March of this year passed yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

TCD Article

Milwaukee LGBT Film/Video at PRideFest

Going to PrideFest Milwaukee this weekend? Be sure to check out the Milwaukee LGBT Film/Video Festival table and visit the Stonewall Tent on Saturday and Sunday at 8pm for a program of short films!

Milwaukee LGBT Film/Video Festival Information  

PrideFest Information

Wright and Like 2011 - This Weekend!

From our friends at the Milwaukee Art Museum American Arts Society: 

Don't forget Wright & Like tour of homes this weekend!  We invite you to learn more about the heritage of Frank Lloyd Wright in his home state of Wisconsin. We further hope you will visit the many public Wright buildings in Wisconsin for an intimate look at his life and work.

More Information

Free Music in Milwaukee!

Summer is here and music is in the air.  Check out all the FREE music in Milwaukee!

Free Outdoor Concert Series Listing

Summerfest & Milwaukee Ballet

From our friends at the Milwaukee Ballet:

The Summerfest Fundraising Program ends tomorrow! Follow this link to buy your tickets and Milwaukee Ballet gets a portion of the profit!

Live Music on Bradford Beach

Bradford Beach Bonfire Music Series kicks off June Thursday, June 16 with Milwaukee’s Ethan Keller.  Event runs from 6:30 p.m. until dusk.

Series Info/Lineup

Demetri Martin @ Pabst Theatre

The Pabst Theater welcomes to the stage Demetri Martin on Saturday, June 18! Ingeniously brilliant standup armed with his signature ‘large pad’ featuring insightfully funny charts, graphs, drawings & even the occasional musical demonstration. You’ll want to be there as Demetri Martin delivers some of the smartest comedy today!

Ticket Information (plus a sneak preview)

Eartth, Moon & Sun @ MPM

From our friends at Milwaukee Public Museum:

Instead of baking in the sun, learn about it! Explore the relationship between the Earth, Moon & Sun with the help of an amusing coyote in our new planetarium show. 

Show Times/Information

PS - MPM has air conditioning.

MSO Ends 2010/11 with "Resurrection"

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra concludes their season this week with Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony. Conducted by Edo de Waart and featuring the MSO Chorus (Lee Erickson, Director). Resurrection Symphony will be performed June 10-12, with 8 pm concerts on Friday and Saturday and a 2:30 pm Sunday matinee. 

Click here for your SWAG ticket discount: (PW: swagtickets)

Performance Details

My Morning Jacket @ Riverside

From our friends at the Riverside Theatre:

Watch My Morning Jacket's moving, insightful, career-spanning performance on this full episode of VH1's Storytellers. 

Don't miss My Morning Jacket live next Thursday (June 16) at the Riverside.  Tickets still available!

A Night at The Museum - MPM Style

Kids think Milwaukee Public Museum overnights are the coolest!! 

Sign up for the Friday, June 24 overnight now! Sleep among the adobe houses of the Pueblo Indians, snooze next to a sea lion, or catch some z's near the Chinese Foo Dog during MPM overnights. During MPM's exciting sleepovers, you'll also explore the Museum through specially planned, educator-led activities and attend a Planetarium show.

More Information

Ten Chimneys on WUWM

From our friends at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater:

Ten Chimneys Foundation President and Executive Director, Sean Malone, was interviewed by Bonnie North on Lake Effect (WUWM - Milwaukee Public Radio). Here’s the link to the interview about this local gem. Added bonus: Sean talks about the play Ten Chimneys in “Supplemental Audio”. Ten Chimneys opens at The Rep in just over 13 weeks! 

Listen here!

The Conservatory of Music Summer Camps

The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music 17th Annual High School Jazz Institute camp begins on Monday! Other offerings include - An Intro to Jazz Camp, Kids on Stage Musical Theatre Camp and Instrument & Art Exploration Camp.

Summer Camp Info/Schedule

Shakepeare in the Park....Nine Days!!

Optimist Theatre, in cooperation with Alverno College, is proud to announce its 2011 production for Shakespeare in the Park: 

Twelfth Night Directed by Laura Gordon 

performances at 8:00 pm 

June 16, 17, 18, 19, and 24, 25, and 26, 2011

Courtyard at Alverno College

Tickets

East Town Tuesday Evening Market

For the first time, the East Town Association is hosting a Tuesday Evening Market...starting tonight! 

Both the Tuesday and Saturday markets are packed with great fresh produce, delicious prepared foods, and unique craft vendors.

More Information

Jeff Coffin @ Jazz

Hey Milwaukee!! Jeff Coffin will be here Thursday for Jazz in the Park with his band the Mut'et! Get there early to get a good seat.

Here's a sneak preview:

MSO Pops on the Road

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, led by Conductor Stuart Chafetz, will perform a free concert at Boerner Botanical Gardens on Thursday, June 16, at 7:30 pm for Boerner’s “Concerts in the Gardens” series. 

The program will feature the music of John Williams, including selections from “ET,” “Harry Potter,” “Jurassic Park,” “Schindler’s List,” and “Star Wars.”

More Information

Fine Arts Quartet 2011/12 Season

Great news via UWM Peck School of the Arts! The Fine Arts Quartet announced that all their 2011-12 season concerts on the UWM campus will be free and open to the public! Tickets will be available soon. 

Visit the Fine Arts Quartet online to learn more.

Free Play Reading @ Ten Chimneys

On June 20th, 18 prominent American theatres will join in a simultaneous reading of the powerful 1955 drama Trouble in Mind by Alice Childress. Ten Chimneys will be hosting Milwaukee's free public reading, which will be performed by the Uprooted Theatre Company. 

Follow this link for more information.

Jersey Boys, at the Marcus Center, July 20-August 14, 2011!! 

"TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE!” raves the New York Post for Jersey Boys, the 2006 Tony® Award-winning Best Musical about Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. 

Click here for SWAG discounted tickets (PW: swagtickets)

Check out this interview with the cast of  Jersey Boys.

One-Acts with Pink Banana Theatre

Pink Banana Theatre has a one-act festival coming up on June 10th, and we've got some pairs of tickets to give away. 

Email rsvpmilwaukee@theonion.com, subject "PB" for a chance to win a pair!

Festival Information

Summer Theatre Conservatory @ The Rep

Aspiring actors are invited to study with Rep Resident actors Laura Gordon and Gerry Neugent during The Rep’s Summer Theater Conservatory 2011. This is a great opportunity for high school through adult actors to study the art of theater.

Learn More

"No Daddy?"

Perils of a Missing Man, stage play presented by Destiny Productions, coming to the Marcus Center Saturday!

Information & Tickets

 

SMPAC Summer Concert Series

Join the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center today  for the kick-off of the South Milwaukee Downtown Market and SMPAC Free Summer Concert Series. Choir Fight performs at 5:30 pm.

Full Summer Concert Series Schedule

Donald Brick on the history of UPAF's Ride for the Arts

Donald Brick has taken part in every UPAF Ride for the Arts event and has the t-shirts to prove it.

This Weekend with MSO

Edo de Waart returns this weekend (June 3-4, 2011), and Xavier Phillips joins the MSO to perform Elgar’s Cello Concerto. Also on the program is Dvorak’s Seventh Symphony. Only two more weekends until the MSO’s 2010/11 Classics season comes to a close.

Visit the MSO website to learn more!