Jazz In The Park Milwaukee 2013 Schedule

One of Milwaukee's most popular summer festivals released its 2013 music line-up recently. Jazz in the Park is one of the city's premier outdoor destinations of tourists and locals alike, who have flocked in ever-growing numbers to the festival since it first began in 1991. An average of nearly 10,000 fans has attended the weekly Thursday shows since then, and this season is expected to raise that number significantly.

Located in the heart of downtown, the event continues its residence at the scenic Cathedral Square this year. Street parking is available for commuters who don't live close enough to walk, the closest spots situated on the streets surrounding the square, Kilbourn, Jefferson, Wells, and Jackson. The city's number 30 bus line also runs directly to the venue.

Debuting just two years ago, Milwaukee's own Extra Crispy Brass Band will headline Jazz in the Park's first show of 2013 on Thursday, June 6^th. The six member group has been a main stay in the bar and festival scene since forming in 2011, including performances at notable events such as the WMSE Backyard BBQ and Bastille Days. The act delivers to fans a plethora of historic and modern brass band music, specializing in early century titles and their own creative originals.

The festival's first out-of-state performer comes to town for the second week of the summer season. Minneapolis’s Davina and the Vagabonds is led by dynamic female vocalist and piano player Davina Sowers, who has been compared to such names as Etta James and Amy Winehouse by many critics. Backed by a four-piece band, Sowers is a classically trained musician who plays her own eclectic mixture of blues, jazz, and ragtime.

Soule Monde (from Vermont,) and Madison native Natty Nation perform before Jazz in the Park takes a two-week hiatus for the 4^th of July and Bastille Days. Tweed Funk reopens the festival on July 18^th, the first of six Milwaukee-based bands to perform before it ends on September 5^th.

Fo/Mo/Deep and Snarky Puppy are the only other non-Wisconsin acts this season. Both have earned national and international attention, Brooklyn's Snarky Puppy even slated to attend this year's London Jazz Festival and New Morning in Paris.

Admission to every show of the 2013 Jazz in the Park festival is free. Alcohol and food are sold by a variety of vendors stationed around the square, though no outside alcohol is permitted on the grounds. Deals on alcohol are offered during the 5PM happy hour. Music starts at 6PM.

2013 Jazz in the Park Line-Up

June

6^th – Extra Crispy Brass Band (Milwaukee)

13^th – Davina & the Vagabonds (Minneapolis, MN)

20^th – Soule Monde (Burlington, VT)

27^th – Natty Nation (Madison)

July

18^th – Tweed Funk (Milwaukee)

25^th – Torn Soul (Milwaukee)

Brewers Huge Win Streak Brings Fans Back To Miller Park

If it weren't for a two-and-eight start, Brewers-nation would have even more to celebrate. Extending their current winning-streak to eight on Monday, and expected to make it nine against the struggling Padres on Tuesday night, the Brewers are looking to put-up their most successful stretch in ten years. And, though the slow start leaves them just a few games above .500, not since 2003 has the team been firing on so many cylinders.

Milwaukee won ten-straight between August 19 and 28th of that year, just shy of the twelve needed for the restaurant chain George Webb's to hand out free hamburgers for a promotion that has been widely popular since the 1950s. The regional greasy-spoon first promised free food if the then Milwaukee Braves could win twelve-straight, though the offer went unclaimed until the 1987 team managed the franchise's longest-ever win-streak of thirteen. Ben Sheets and the 2003 Brewers have been the only roster since to come close to repeating the feat, though they were halted by Sammy Sosa and the Cubs at Wrigley in a four-to-two loss.

The 2013 win-streak has already passed by that rival foe, the Brewers taking a sweep over Chicago at Miller Park. It was Milwaukee's second sweep in as many series, as three wins over the Giants just days earlier gave them their first of the year. That series against the defending world champions was the first in a six-game home-stand for the Brewers, who's win at in San Diego on Monday was the first game in a follow-up six-game road-trip.

Should the Brewers take the pair of away-series, the second starts on Friday against the Dodgers, they will stand at thirteen consecutive wins. A chance to break the franchise record would then come on Monday, April twenty-ninth when the team hosts the Pirates.
Brewers manager Ron Roenicke cites his team's recovery to improved performance from a number of players. Roenicke most notably mentioned poster-boy slugger Ryan Braun in his comments, who has rejuvenated his average to near .300 again with five home runs and thirteen RBIs during the last eight games. The committed career-long Brewers outfielder played the first ten games in one of the worst batting slumps of his career, and was not allowed the benefit of having fellow big-bat Aramis Ramirez to pick up the slack. The third-basemen is currently on the disabled list following a sprained left knee earlier in the month. He and Braun combined last season to bring in the most runs of any back-to-back batting duo in the majors.

Roenicke also said he was pleased to acknowledge better pitching as a factor in the recent victories. A impurity in the Brewers roster for the past three seasons, the manager hoped he had finally found a consistent rotation with the introduction younger minor-league stars into the bullpen during spring training. Eight losses later, however, and a drunk driving charge for sole ace starter Yovani Gallardo, and the experiment looked to be on its last legs.

Signed to a three-year contract just a week before the season, Kyle Lohse delivered four quality starts to regain some momentum. Despite winning just one, Lohse paved the way for Hiram Burgos to become the Brewers first rookie to win his debut outing on the mound since 2007, bringing Milwaukee back to .500 at eight-and-eight on April twentieth.

2013 Bicycle Show At State Fair Park This Weekend | Bike Show Means Spring Is Here

The country's largest bike show is coming to the Wisconsin State Fair Park this weekend. Celebrating the biggest and best innovations in sport and recreational biking since last year's event, the 2013 Wheel & Sprocket Annual Bike Expo Sale returns to the Milwaukee fair ground to kick off another season.

With spring right around the corner, this year's event hopes to take advantage of those trying to get back into beach-shape. Debuting three areas dedicated to over forty various seminars led by industry experts; attendees of every experience level will have a chance to expand their knowledge.

Starting Thursday at 5PM, the hour long seminars are offered throughout everyday of the event. A Flat Tire Workshop sponsored by Wheel & Sprocket offered everyday highlights the classes, though Biking for Women, Triathlon Basics, and Biking Wisconsin are just a few of the other titles taking place.

A number of big names will be on hand for the 2013 Bike Expo. Gary Fisher will lead a pair of seminars dealing with the future of the sport, while the Jeff Hudzinski's team will discuss the benefits of recumbent bikes. Spicing-up the event with a little local flavor, Milwaukee-native and historian John Gurda will be giving a presentation on the history of transportation in the city over the past two centuries.

Trek Bike Models On Display

Beyond the informational-seminars, the already-enlightened enthusiasts who are looking to upgrade their ride can visit representatives from over fifty brands at the event. Companies such as Giant and Trek will debut new models and accessories, as well as offer service, maintenance tips, and advice.

Established tours, clubs, and biking organizations will also be there promoting their services. Warm weather offers ample opportunity to ride the hundreds of tours and trails that snake through Wisconsin, and tour season makes it easier than ever to find your favorites.

The 2013 Wheel and Sprocket Annual Bike Expo will begin on Thursday April fourth at 4PM. The event runs through the weekend, ending Sunday April seventh at 5PM. Admittance to the event is free, while all-day parking in the Expo Center's 10,000-plus lot is five dollars.

2013 Wheel & Sprocket Annual Bike Expo at the Wisconsin State Fair Park Expo Center

 -        Thursday April 4^th, 4PM-9PM

-        Friday April 5^th, 12PM-9PM

-        Saturday April 6^th, 10AM-6PM

-        Sunday April 7^th, 11AM-5PM

Summerfest 2013 Headline Shows | Six Marcus Amphitheater Dates Booked So Far

With more than half of the headline dates booked, it's time to take a look at which bands will grace the Marcus Amphitheater stage during Summerfest 2013.  Keep in mind that Summerfest is more than the big name acts.  With eleven stages all pumping out music twelve hours a day, your muiscal options are vast.  As usual, the powers that be at Summerfest have booked lots of country music.  They threw in some pop bands, and a few classic rock acts too. 

Summerfest 2013 Headline Shows:

June 27 - Fun. / Tegan and Sara
June 28 - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
June 29 - Jason Aldean / Jake Owen and Thomas Rhett
July 2 - New Kids On The Block / Boyz II Men / 98 Degrees
July 4 - Rush
July 5 - Tim McGraw / Brantley Gilbert

That's six of what will be ten headline shows.  As winter turns to spring, the final open dates will be booked.  For now Summerfest 2013 tickets are available for the acts listed above. Don't forget, tickets to the Marcus Amp. shows include admission to the entire festival grounds. See you at Summerfest!