Further Down Stream September 2009
IN:SITE ART – As the September issue of the Currents goes to press, a week of events celebrating the temporary art project in the
Park East Corridor is running from Aug 23-30. This unique and creative use of public art is open for public viewing at 11 IN:SITE art
installations covering a 16 block area. The project was created to foster temporary publi cart in Milwaukee and make use of the Park East space. Project chair Pegi Christiansen said, “Thanks to the support of the Milwaukee Arts Board, stakeholders have provided thirteen local artists the opportunity to create installations that invite people to explore the Park East.” The Arts Board unanimously voted to award artist stipends for the work and a number of special events held throughout August have helped to showcase the project.
RAINED OUT, NOT WASHED UP – The
plucky All-City People’s Parade and Pageant,
rained out on Aug 8, will resurrect to perform
as part of Laborfest on Mon, Sep 7. Beginning
at Zeidler Union Square behind the Shops
at Grand Avenue at 11AM, the All-City
People’s parade will march, dance, and sing
their way down Wisconsin Avenue, featuring
giant, hand-crafted masks, puppets, wacky
costumes, offbeat marching bands, peoplepowered
floats, and regular citizens celebrating
Milwaukee’s hopes, fears, and ultimate sense
of community. At 1PM a narrated Pageant
will explain the story behind the Parade in
front of the Miller Stage. The theme “Making
a New Way—Together” emerged from a series
of brainstorming sessions and focuses on the
economy, ecology, and neighborhood peace.
The Parade has sections entitled “Prosperity
is Just Around the Corner,” “Toward an
Economy of Lasting Value,” “Toward
Harmony in Our Neighborhoods,” “Our
Choices Grow the World,” and “Yes, We Can
Can-Can!” Volunteers of all ages and abilities
are still needed to actually be in the parade-
–to carry puppets, push floats, and wear
masks. Interested people and groups may call
Milwaukee Public Theatre at 414.347.1685 or
email mptheatre2@milwaukeepublictheatre.
org.
MOVIE BUFFS – The MILWAUKEE FILM
FESTIVAL returns with more than 100 films
from around the world. It runs from Sep 24 –
Oct 4 at Landmark Theatres Oriental Theatre
and Marcus Theaters North Shore Cinema.
Visit MilwaukeeFilm.org for tickets, film
festival selections, and special events. UWM
UNION THEATRE has free movies starting
with “The Garden” from Sep 8-10, about
the social and political battle for the largest
community garden in the U.S in south central
Los Angeles. More info at UnionTheatre.uwm.
edu
DIY BIKE FILM FEST – Make your own
bike-themed film, documentary, or music
video and screen it at the D.I.Y. Bike Film
Fest! The 4th Annual event wows viewers on
Fri, Sep 11 at 8PM at the Marsupial Bridge
Media Garden (where Water and Brady Street
split). The Media Garden is covered, so plan
on coming rain or shine. Submissions must
be bicycle related, less than 10 minutes, and
in DVD format. Submit beforehand or bring
the night of. For more info: shea@bfw.org
or 414.431.1761. Afterwards, wheel over to
Stonefly Brewery at 735 E. Center St. for the
after party.
BIKE RACKS ON BUSES – Not sure how to
negotiate those new bike racks on our city
buses? Bring your bicycle or borrow one from
the Urban Ecology Center to practice using
the new racks. Discover for yourself how easy
it is to combine a bicycle ride with a bus trip.
Sep 24-29, 1500 E. Park Place, free. More info:
414.964.8505 or UrbanEcologyCenter.org.
POLISH FALCONS – The Polish Falcons is
one of Riverwest’s best kept secrets for lowcost
physical fitness and gymnastics classes
for adults and kids (ages 5-18). Register on
Tue, Sep 8, 6-8PM at 801 E. Clarke St. for
classes that begin Tue, Sep 15. For more info:
414.562.5640 or www.pfanest725.org
STREET JAM & BBQ – Bring your appetite
and the whole family for the 2009 MLK Street
Jam and BBQ on Sat, Sep 5, 10AM-11PM,
at King Drive and Walnut Street. The fest
features Brew City’s Best BBQ Competition,
a family-fun area, motorcycle-themed
entertainment, BBQ and motorcycle-themed
vendors, and a music stage with local favorites
In Black & White, the Terry Sims Band, and
The Tempters. Sponsored by the Historic King
Drive BID, there’s more info at: MLKbbq.com,
414.265.5809, or bbq@kingdrivebid.com
CENTER ST DAZE – Ah, the thrill is back!
Bring your cameras & sunglasses and join the
crowd lining the street to watch the famous
Art Cart Race at noon on Sat, Sep 12. Adding
to the glee is MC Frank Chandek whose
running commentary enhances the general
mayhem of the competition. Open to anyone,
carts must be human powered. For more info,
contact Sparky at 414.264.4797. NEW THIS
YEAR: A raffle for a Veken Hybrid Scooter
from Planet Scooter! Get tickets now at Planet
Scooter, The Uptowner & Jackpot Gallery.
Also see ad on page 16 for all the details.
TOMATO ROMP – For even more thrills,
head over to North Avenue for Tomato Romp,
also on Sat, Sep 12, 11AM-4PM. One Drum
keeps the beat at the Green Market at 12:30.
Pick up an official ballot for the Bloody Mary
Competition at various bars – the winner will
be announced at 3PM. And top it off with the
messiest Tomato Fight at 3PM (for ages 16
& over); proceeds will go to Second Harvest.
More info at TomatoRomp.com.
FALL FESTIVAL – Crunch in the leaves at
Riverside Park during the Fall Festival on Sat,
Sep 26, NOON-4PM. Spend the afternoon
enjoying music by the Milwaukee Mandolin
Orchestra, carriage rides, nature walks, rock
climbing, crafts, caramel apples and baked
potatoes, and a very friendly pony, pigs,
ducks, and geese. More info at: 414.964.8505
or UrbanEcologyCenter.org
COAST TO COAST – Alisha Howard has
been named the new UWM Community
Outreach and Assistance to Student Tenants
(COAST) Leader for Riverwest. COAST
Leaders are students hired, trained, supported,
and supervised by the Neighborhood Housing
Office to serve as a peer educator and resource
for identified student neighborhoods. COAST
Leaders are not in a position to set rules or
guidelines for their street’s residents or enforce
local or community laws. COAST Leaders do,
however, have the opportunity to program,
network, and communicate with their
surrounding neighbors to create a stronger
sense of community for all. The purpose of
the program is to increase communication
between students, landlords, long-term
residents, and others in the communities
surrounding UW-Milwaukee. There will be
a COAST Leader Kick-off Event on Wed,
Sep 16, 6-8PM at the UW-Milwaukee
Student Union – Fireside Lounge, 2200 E.
Kenwood Blvd. Come and show your support
for continuing strong community building
and enjoy free food, games, music, and raffle
prizes.
ROCK ‘N’ ROLL – Red Arrow Park’s Slice of
Ice rink, 920 N. Water, is introducing three
new in-line and roller skating activities at
the park. “Red Arrow Park will be turned
into an outdoor roller skating rink for three
nights only this fall, and we’re proud to have
come up with this creative and unique idea for
downtown Milwaukee. Hats off to Milwaukee
County Parks for working with us. Bring the
family on Saturday for a great night,” said
OnMilwaukee.com President, Jeff Sherman.
Opening night was Sat, Aug 22 and will be
repeated Sep 19 and Oct 10 from 6-10PM.
Skate rentals are only $2 or bring your own
roller/inline skates. DJs will provide music
and refreshments are also available. For
more info: Milwaukee County Parks Office at
414.257.6100.
FAREWELL CAFÉ BRUECKE – Riverwesters
Christine Lorch and Jerry Patzwald have
announced “with heavy hearts” that they are
placing their beloved Café Brucke, 2101 N.
Prospect, for sale due to the need to spend
more time with ailing family members. In a
press release, the owners commented that,
“The business is strong and we are forever
grateful for the loyal patronage and newfound
friendship of many. However the
calling to spend more quality time with
family has become a greater priority at this
time. As we search for a buyer to keep the
spirit of the “Stammtisch” alive on this little
corner, we look forward to continuing to
serve you great ambience accompanied by
delightful beverages and tasty repast. Prosit
to Gemuetlichkeit!” In addition to the café’s
regular hours, please stop by this autumn for
these events: Sep 15-19 – Milwaukee Beer
Week & Café Bruecke’s display of Munich
Oktoberfest posters from 1984-2004, and Sat,
Oct 3 for Oktoberfest.
Date/Time: Saturday,
September 26th,
9:00am to 12:00pm
Activities: Short Hike and
Native Tree Planting
For more info: Vince Bushell
414-588-7281
vbushell@gmail.com
Gordon Park
Humboldt @
Locust St.