Milwaukee Tickets Blog

Milwaukee Brewers Opening Day 2012

2012-01-27T10:37:00.004-06:00

Milwaukee Brewers opening day 2012 is set for April 6. This first game will feature a rematch between the Cardinals and the Brewers. Both teams will look very different compared the the ones that battled for the pennant in 2011. Gone is the Cardinals Manager. Gone is Prince Fielder. The Brewers might be without Braun until June. A man named Aoki will most likely be in left field at Miller Park that day. Still, Brewers fans will be there in massive numbers.

Milwaukee will have a couple of great home stands, and one very long road trip in mid September. There is an early season road trip that will involve nine games and three opponents. As for inter league play, the Brewers will face the Royals, Twins, Blue Jays, and White Sox. By the time that they play the Sox, Braun should be back in uniform.

The All Star Break is set for July 9 through July 12. Leading up to that break, the team will play the Houston Astros on the road. They will play a six game home stand following the break. First, the Pirates will come to town, followed by the Cardinals for three games. Once again, the Brewers will be at home for most of the Summerfest schedule. There will be plenty to do around Milwaukee!

Bob Uecker Way at Miller Park

2012-01-19T14:58:00.002-06:00

In a rare bipartisan proposal this week, democrats and republicans got behind one another in support of one man; legendary Brewers broadcast personality Bob Uecker. Twelve conservatives and eight of their counterparts joined forces over the weekend to introduce a plan to rename a pedestrian footbridge near Miller Park as Bob Uecker Way.

The bridge crosses over the Miller Park Way exit off the interstate and connects the east parking lot to the center field entrance. The group has already convinced the Scott Walker administration to make January twenty-sixth a state wide appreciation day for Uecker and they say this would be the final step in honoring the historic figure.

The final decision will come down to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. A spokesperson for the department told reporters that officials were considering the idea and would reply to the request within the week.

Packers Playoff Tickets for NFC Championship

2012-01-12T10:56:00.005-06:00

We are all Packers fans here in Milwaukee. With the first round of the Packers playoffs to kick off this Sunday, I'm trying not to think too much about the Packers NFC Championship tickets I purchased. The Packers have to beat the New York Giants first. That game is not going to be a cakewalk for Aaron Rodgers and Co. Will the Packers emerge victorious? Our fingers are crossed.

Brian Bulaga and Chad Clifton are set to play this Sunday. Clifton had a solid first quarter of play two weeks ago. He was a bit rusty and a tad out of position, but this tryout was all about his strength and readiness. Marshall Newhouse did a good job as Clifton's replacement, but Chad has 12 years of football knowledge and experience to counter the Giants deadly pass rush. If he goes down (knock wood,) Newhouse will jump into position.

Giants Pass Rush Must be Stopped

As for Bulaga, he's going to be a welcome site to Aaron Rodgers, when he tucks under center. We need the Packers starting five on the offensive line to be ready to take on the Giants pass rush, featuring Umenyiora, and Justin Tuck. The rush could come from either side at Lambeau this weekend. On the Packers side, the team needs more than Clay Matthews to unsettle Eli Manning. Will the Packers use Charles Woodson as a blitzer? He's got to cover some of the better wideouts in the game, so where does Woodson fit best?

The snow is flying here in Wisconsin, but Lambeau Field will be cleared out in time for the game on January 15. If the Packers manage to win this one, they will face another team that's just as talented, tough, and ready to take down the Super Bowl champions.

Ryan Braun Appeal in January | Brewers Fans Hope for Reversal

2011-12-28T13:09:00.004-06:00

Ryan Braun has a bit of hope that things will turn out well during his appeals hearing this January. Despite the dire reports that no player in professional baseball has ever won an appeal, Brendan Katin did just that in 2007. While the reports that I am contradicting are correct, only because they mince words, Katin, then a minor league player for AA Huntsville, did in fact dispel the accusations that he had ingested steroids.

True, just twelve men on major league’s entire forty-man roster have appealed, and all have lost. Katin is still considered a professional baseball player. He’s the only professional baseball player to ever win on appeal.

Drug Test in MLB Baseball

Katin woke up one morning to a call from Huntsville's employee assistant director who told him of the news. Of course Katin denied the accusations and immediately contacted his agent to file an appeal. If you are unaware of baseball's testing rules then you should be informed that two urine samples are being taken for testing. If the first comes up positive then a more comprehensive test is done on the second. Katin was {unlike Braun,} informed of his failure on the first sample. Braun only learned of his fate after the second, more conclusive test, had been done.

Katin's second test came back negative, which cleared him of all wrong doing. Technically, he was able to appeal after the first test and before the second, thus the record shows him as being the only professional player to ever overturn a positive result. So don't be discouraged Braun, your former teammate at the University of Miami was able to win his appeal. If you truly are innocent then the light shall shine upon you as well.

Nutcracker Ballet at Uihlein Hall 2011

2011-12-22T15:18:00.006-06:00

The Milwaukee Ballet is once again performing The Nutcracker this holiday season. Uihlein Hall at the Marcus Center is where you will find all things Nutcracker up through December 26. This is Michael Pink's version as far as the production, but we all know that the music is exclusively Tchaikovsky. This two hour performance will have one intermission, and tickets are going fast.

Nutcraker Facts

The first run of the ballet was not well received

Thankfully for Tchaikovsky, his suite was something that fans came to love

Americans love Pyotr Ilyich very much

The Nutcracker is based on story by E.T.A Hoffman

The first performance of the ballet took place nearly 119 years ago, in St. Petersburg Russia

Children played nearly all the roles up until 1934

Brewers Fill Roster Spots with Aramis Ramirez and Alex Gonzalez

2011-12-14T10:31:00.004-06:00

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin finished his trip to the annual winter meetings with two final signings. Melvin filled two big holes in the roster this week when he pulled in a deal with free agent third basemen Aramis Ramirez and shortstop Alex Gonzalez. Ramirez has reportedly signed a three-year deal while Gonzalez signed on for a single year. The contracts will be finalized as soon as each passes a physical.

Aramis Ramirez Heads North from Chicago

Ramirez is coming to Milwaukee from the team's league rivals, the Cubs. He has played eight seasons in Chicago, last year appearing in 149 games for the team. He batted .306 during 2011 with twenty-six home runs and ninety-three RBIs. Ramirez will attempt to fill Prince Fielder's shoes as the Brewers premier slugger. He may also have to pick up the slack that will be left behind should Ryan Braun lose his appeal for the alleged positive drug test.

Gonzalez is a bit of a puzzling choice. With the lowest on-base percentage last year, he replaces Yuniesky Betancourt who had the second lowest. He will be the fourth starting shortstop that has played for the Brewers in as many years. It was most likely about the money, as Betancourt was going to cost the Brewers way too much to keep him around.

While Gonzalez is a nine year veteran of the majors, his experience on the field leaves a lot to be desired. He has only played 110 games in the past decade, including a complete absence from the league in 2008. Last year he played for the Braves and hit .211, with fifteen home runs and fifty-two RBIs. Many critics are suggesting that Melvin bring up a reserve shortstop from the minors, just in case his experiment with Gonzalez goes south.

Touring a Milwaukee Bicycle Paint Shop with an Artist

2011-12-05T10:09:00.007-06:00

I had the honor of dining with an artist the other night. No, he doesn't work with clay or charcoal. He works exlusively with paint. His works are rolling through the streets of America right now. Yes, you could say that his works of art are mobile. He is probably the the best bike painter Wisconsin has ever seen. How do I know this? Let me rewind to our pre dinner conversation to give you an idea of how much this guy cares about his work.

We first stopped at his house for a pre dinner drink. He lives in a Milwaukee flat that is tastefully decorated with a mix of 50's furnishings, and vintage skateboards. He had just come home from his shop and was still a bit stressed from his day. When he spoke up about it, he mentioned that he was unhappy with the way that a final clear coat had gone on to one of the bike frames he had in his shop. Later, when I had the chance to see what he was talking about, my untrained eyes saw nothing wrong. He pointed to a couple of spots on the frame, where the down tube meets the seat tube. I didn't pretend to see what he saw, and I trusted him when he said that there was something wrong. He would never let that slide, and the frame was slated for a redo on Monday morning. When he explaind what it would take to fix the problem, I understood a bit more of what he was up against. Nothing leaves his shop until he's happy. Artists can be that way.

Wisconsin may have a short summer season, but some of the most die hard bicyclists will tough it out and ride all year long. He's one of those guys. When we drove with him to the restaurant, our route included a portion of his daily commute. He pointed out the bike lane to my right in a tone that you use when you talk about your pet, or your lover. Milwaukee could use more bike lanes, and people that speak so fondly of them. He's not one of those guys that partakes in the annual Milwaukee Bike race. He's just a huge fan of things on two wheels. Some lucky bike rider will be rolling on that frame he cared so much about, not knowing that this artist just couldn't let it leave his shop until he was satsified. Yes, some things are still made with love and care.

Summerfest Announces Neil Diamond for 2012 Closing Night

2011-11-24T08:39:00.005-06:00

I can hear it now, Sweet Caroline being sung by 25,000 people at the Marcus Amphitheater on July 8. Summerfest locked in Neil Diamond as their closing night headline act, and I couldn't be happier. He may be 70 years old, but he can still rock. He's got the album sales to prove it too.

Neil Diamond will start his summer tour on June 1, playing in Ft. Lauderdale. He has booked 25 dates so far, and there is a bit of room for additional shows in August. He finishes his tour with a Las Vegas show on 9/1, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The Summerfest, Marcus Amphitheater show comes just after the mid-point of his romp around the United States. He will head to Chicago for a United Center performance just three days after Milwaukee.

Sweet Caroline Picked Up by Boston Red Sox

Many know Neil for his early hits, but college age kids have come to know him through the song Sweet Caroline. It all started when B.C. Football fans heard that song over the P.A. system during a break in the action. Who can't help but sing along to the words "So-good, so-good, so-good." It was just a matter of time before the Red Sox picked up the tune. I first heard this when I attended a Brewers road game in Boston this summer.

Brewcity Bruisers 2012 Season Fast Approaching

2011-11-16T12:00:00.005-06:00

The Brewcity Bruisers 2012 opening match will once again be at the U.S. Cellular Arena. Their move to this bigger venue was a big success, and fans are gearing up for their first home game on January 15. The Brewcity Bruisers' home season consists of three regular-season event nights, followed up by semi finals, and finals.

Brewcity Bruisers Team Information
The league is made up of four teams, all with catchy names like "Crazy Eights" and "Maiden Milwaukee." They all take their roller derby very seriously, and are fun to watch. They don't take to the "rink" without full padding, and you know what that means, it's a contact sport. The league is tied to five or six local charities, including Friends of MADACC, the Milwaukee domestic control commission. Bruisers tickets can are available now.

Turner Hall is Home of the Urban Garage Sale 2011

2011-11-09T16:44:00.004-06:00

It may not be a musical event, but Turner Hall will once again play host to the Urban Garage Sale, on 12/10. The sale features local businesses, including Heavy Rotation. If you ever wanted a shot at a very low priced, but still totally cool Heavy Rotation shirt, now is your chance. There is a small fee to get into the event, but from there your savings starts. There will also be local artists at the sale. This is just in time for the holiday season, so keep that in mind when you head on down to Turner Hall.

Summerfest Headline Act for 2012 Already Announced

2011-10-28T14:40:00.005-05:00

The first Summerfest headline act for 2012 was announced today. It will be none other than Lady Antebellum. The band will take a break from touring in January, then it's full on all the way through spring and summer. Thompson Square and Darius Rucker will be the openers for this show.

Halloween Themed Contest for Lady Antebellum Fans

Since this is more topical, the band is hosting a photo contest. Send them your best "themed Halloween" ideas, and you may win a prize. There is still time to get your entry in. In the meantime, you don't have to wait until June to see the band. They play in LaCrosse Wisconsin this December. I would give you the date of that show, but their website is so slow, I just didn't care to wait five minutes for the page to load.

Cheap Trick at Potawatomi Casino for Second Run in 2011

2011-10-18T14:37:00.003-05:00

Due to overwhelming demand, Cheap Trick has come back to the Potawatomi casino in Milwaukee. They play for just a couple of weeks, and only on weekends, but it may be worth the time and trouble to check them out. The venue is one of the coziest in Milwaukee, so you feel like you are right on stage. The only member to miss this run is Bun E. Carlos, their drummer.

Dream Police Album to be Focus of Show

The entire album titled Dream Police will be performed at the event, and that's sure to please the die hard fans. Rest assured, there will be other songs on the set list. It's hard to believe that the album came out over thirty years ago.

Brewers Move on to NLCS

2011-10-07T20:11:00.004-05:00

Nyjer Morgan was the hero tonight, as the Brewers will play in the NLCS. At the time of this writing, we have yet to see who they will face, but there will be at least two games at Miller Park.

Brewers Move on to the NLCS

The Diamondbacks fought back to tie it in the ninth, but the Brewers fought back and won it all in the tenth inning with a one out hit by Nyjer Morgan. The Miller Park crowd erupted, as Carlos Gomez slid head first into home, and the celebration was on. Will those Brewers playoff tickets be in demand? You bet. Congratulations to Milwaukee and their huge win.

Admirals Hockey 2011 Season Just Weeks Away

2011-09-28T15:56:00.006-05:00

We're just a few weeks away from the start of the Milwaukee Admirals hockey season. On October 8, Milwaukee will travel to Peoria to take on the Rivermen. From there, the team has a few days off before playing the Chicago Wolves at the Bradley Center.

Admirals Hockey Homestand in December

Milwaukee has a long homestand starting in mid December. They will play the Rockford Icehogs on 12/11, and a number of other teams through January 7, when they face the Charlotte Checkers. The entire season goes well into April of 2012.

Milwaukee Bucks in Holding Pattern During NBA Lockout

2011-09-20T09:40:00.004-05:00

The Milwaukee Bucks sit idle while the NBA and the players seem to be far apart. One quick scan of Google news on the strike shows that very little progress has been made in the way of a settlement. With the NFL season in full swing, minds are further distracted from basketball.

Star Bucks players like Andrew Bogut and Brandon Jennings find other work to keep themselves busy, but what about the low profile players in the NBA? Are they finding ways to make ends meet? Should we feel sorry for them at all? Nobody likes to be out of work. Is anyone thinking about employees of all the basketball venues across the United States? There is little mention of that, but rest assured, they are hurting too. Word is that preseason games are in jeopardy of being cancelled if the players and teams don't come to an agreement soon. That would certainly have an economic impact on downtown Milwaukee businesses.

Third Album by St. Vincent and Pabst Theater Show

2011-09-07T15:45:00.003-05:00

Those of us who have followed St. Vincent from the start are very excited to get their hands on the third disk from this talented artist, also known as Annie Clark. Thanks to NPR, we can all get a first listen now, as the album has not dropped just yet. The album is titled Strange Mercy, and you are all invited to love it as much as I already do.

When St. Vincent was making the songs for their second disk titled The Actor, Ms. Clark was living in a New York apartment. She couldn't turn the amps up to ten, and she freely admits that her sound was somewhat affected by that restriction. This time, she headed to Seattle, a real studio, and with that the opportunity to be as loud or soft as she liked. After giving Strange Mercy a second go round, I can say that Annie's third album fits nicely with the other two. Her guitar has a "signature sound" and she was wise to keep it close at hand in songs like Northern Lights. On the other hand, I love the guitar sound she created for Dilettante. Do I hear a more open sound coming from the strings? Yes, I think that I do.

St. Vincent will be performing at the Pabst Theater on October 3rd. The show is just $15, and it's general admission. After Strange Mercy comes out, gets the good reviews, and brings more fans to the band I can't see St. Vincent playing a small venue like the Pabst for much longer. At least I got on the bus early.

Milwaukee Brewers Tickets

2011-08-10T17:24:00.006-05:00

Milwaukee Brewers tickets are becoming the hottest item in town. It's easy to understand why as the Milwaukee Brewers have held the lead in the NL Central for awhile now. Regardless of the Brewers' record, fans love going to Miller Park, but victory makes it that much sweeter to catch the Brewers in action. If the Brewers maintain the lead and snag first place in the NL Central, that means that playoffs games will come to Miller Park. Can you imagine a Miller Park World Series? I don't like to get ahead of myself, but that would be so great for our city. Anyways, the Brewers have some exciting games coming up in the next couple of weeks. Right now, they're playing 2nd place St. Louis Cardinals in St. Louis. This weekend, the Brewers host the Pittsburgh Pirates. Sunday is Craig Counsell bobblehead day at Miller Park and next week the LA Dodgers come to town. Don't miss your chance to see the red hot Brewers in action.

Josh Groban August 9th at the Bradley Center

2011-08-02T16:18:00.000-05:00

Josh Groban will perform August 9th at the Bradley Center. The multi-platinum artist is sure to woo crowds with his sensuous voice and even more sensuous lyrics. Josh Groban fans don't need to be worried about raucous crowds as this concert will most likely draw more laid-back concert-goers. This will definitely be a concert that the whole family can enjoy. Groban's concert in Milwaukee is a part of his "Straight To You" tour which promotes his most recent album, Illuminations. Josh Groban tickets are still available for purchase.

Jersey Boys Tickets

2011-07-28T16:09:00.007-05:00

Jersey Boys, the award-winning, Broadway hit musical about the Four Seasons, has come to Milwaukee. You can catch Jersey Boys at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts through August 14th. Jersey Boys has made headlines all over the country and has won both a Tony and a Grammy. The story traces the rise and fall of the Four Seasons told through the eyes of each member. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has given the show a great review. It's great to see award-winning theater make a stop in Milwaukee.

Bradley Center American Idol Auditions July 19th

2011-07-06T16:49:00.003-05:00

The Bradley Center will be hosting another set of auditions this year for the hit show American Idol.
The downtown Milwaukee arena was chosen as a host city for the tenth season of the show. The show was last here in January for their ninth season. The previous year, Milwaukee native, Danny Gokey, was a finalist on the show. He wowed judges and audiences in the early rounds with original songs about the untimely death of his wife. Chris Medina performed at the 2010 Milwaukee auditions. He came close to matching the success of Gokey, also singing about his wife.

The Milwaukee auditions were also made famous when judge Randy Jackson and Molly DeWolf Swensen’s attempted high-five went awry. This was before Swensen began her rendition of “Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay”. She made it into the next round, but did not let Jackson forget about the mishap.

Registration for the event begins at midnight on July 19th. Lines have been long in the past, and this year the center won't allow overnight stays, so make sure to get there early.

Milwaukee Summer 2011 Concert Preview

2011-06-22T15:52:00.017-05:00

Since it is officially summer in Milwaukee, it is time to talk about the hottest concerts of the summer. These concerts have already generated a lot of buzz, which means that these shows are going to be the hottest tickets of the summer. Don't fret if you haven't purchased any Milwaukee Summer concert tickets because there is still time. Let's take a look at some of the hottest Milwaukee Summer 2011 concerts.

Top Milwaukee Summer 2011 Concerts

1) Kanye West--June 30th at the Marcus Amphitheater
Mr. West is coming to the Marcus Amphitheater for the second night of Summerfest and I could not be more excited. I have been a fan of Kanye West since I first heard "Through the Wire" back in 2004. His show will be amazing, I can see it now. Let's hope he performs some of his old classics like "Golddigger." I will freak out, though, if and when he plays "Love Lockdown."

2) Britney Spears--July 9th at the Marcus Amphitheater
It's Britney, beeyatch! The pop sensation is coming to Milwaukee during the second weekend of Summerfest and she's bringing Nicki Minaj with her. This show will be outrageously good. We all know who Britney Spears is, we know what her music is like, and if we were high school boys in the late 1990s, we had crushes on her. Her Femme Fatale tour has already received rave reviews. This will be a good one. Play "Toxic!" Play "Toxic!"

3) Jason Aldean--July 8th at the Marcus Amphitheater
Country fans are ecstatic for Jason Aldean! Jason Aldean is newer onto the country music scene, but already his albums have gone platinum and gold. Chris Young will be opening for Jason Aldean on this Friday night of Summerfest.

4) Bon Iver--July 23rd & 24th at the Riverside
Milwaukeeans love Justin Vernon as he is also a Wisconsin native. Bon Iver wooed indie music fans several years ago with their first album, "For Emma, Forever Ago." Now they are out with a new self-titled album. The first show sold out in a matter of ten minutes, so a second show was added. This will be a great show as Justin Vernon is a talented musician. I hope they don't only play songs from their new album. Play "Skinny Love!"

5) Lil' Wayne--August 9th at the Marcus Amphitheater
Lil' Wayne is out of prison and on tour! He makes his Milwaukee stop in early August and no doubt he will put on a high energy performance. Rap fans, this will be the show for you. Get your tickets while you still can. I would love to put up a video of my favorite Lil' Wayne song ("A Milli") but unfortunately it's too explicit for this family friendly blog.

6) Janet Jackson--August 14th at the Milwaukee Theater
Janet Jackson was the first concert I ever attended. The year was 1994 and my best friend and I both had her CD and were obsessed. Her mom got us tickets and went with us to the show at the Marcus Amphitheater. Now, Janet Jackson is back in town and I am old enough to go to concerts by myself. Perfect timing, Janet! While Janet hasn't released an album recently, she certainly has a huge repertoire to draw from. I prefer her old school music.

There you have it, the hottest concerts in Milwaukee that will be happening this summer. Hope to see you at some of the shows. I'll be the one hootin' and hollerin' in the nose bleed seats (if I'm going to be going to all of these concerts, that's about I can afford).

Jason Mraz Added to Marcus Amphitheater 2011 Lineup

2011-06-07T11:20:00.007-05:00

Jason Mraz has been added to the Marcus Amphitheater's 2011 Lineup. He is the final act to be added as a headliner during Summerfest 2011. Guster will open for Jason Mraz. Guster has often performed on a side stage during Summerfest and has become a staple of Summerfest over the past few years. It's been a couple of years since they last performed at Summerfest and this time they've been upgraded to the Amphitheater. Jason Mraz last performed in Milwaukee during Farm Aid, last October. Mraz last released an EP in 2010 entitled Life is Good. He has plans to release his next album this coming fall. I'm guessing he'll probably give the audience a little preview of his upcoming album at his July 2nd show at the Marcus Amphitheater.

Summerfest Books Britney Spears for 2011 Marcus Amphitheater Show

2011-05-16T06:16:00.005-05:00

It's Britney Spears at the Marcus Amphitheater stage on July 9, leaving only one spot open for Summerfest 2011. Spears Marcus Amp. Tickets for her Femme Fatal tour, and the stop in Milwaukee go on sale this month. July 2 is the final open spot for a headline act at Summerfest.

Bon Iver Adds Second Show to the Riverside July 22nd

2011-05-10T13:25:00.006-05:00

Bon Iver added a second show to the Riverside on July 22nd. Their first show at the Riverside, scheduled for July 23rd, sold out instantly. Milwaukeeans love Bon Iver! Maybe in part because Justin Vernon is a Wisconsin native, but that's just a hunch. Bon Iver's second album, Bon Iver, Bon Iver will come out just a month before these shows at the Riverside. Get your Bon Iver tickets while there's still time!

Bon Iver at the Riverside July 23rd

2011-04-27T16:07:00.003-05:00

Bon Iver at the Riverside on July 23rd is turning out to be the hot ticket of the Summer. Today was the presale for Bon Iver tickets and all of the released tickets were sold out. The rest of the tickets go on sale on Friday and I'm sure they will sell out right away. Local Milwaukeeans have been tweeting their excitement over scoring these highly-coveted tickets. I'm hoping to snag some tickets to this show, too. I'm a big Bon Iver fan, but have never seen them perform. I did see Justin Vernon perform with Gayngs, another project he's involved in, and it was one of the best concerts I've seen in awhile (well, besides The National and Arcade Fire, but that's a completely different story). Lead singer Vernon hails from Eau Claire, Wisconsin and Bon Iver recorded their highly acclaimed debut album, For Emma, Forever Ago in a cabin in northern Wisconsin. The band will be releasing a follow up to For Emma, Forever Ago in June, just in time for the show.

Kid Rock with Sheryl Crow at Summerfest July 3rd

2011-04-14T16:53:00.007-05:00

Kid Rock with opening act Sheryl Crow are the latest acts to be added to the Summerfest lineup at the Marcus Amphitheater. Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow will perform on July 3rd. It's interesting that Sheryl Crow will be playing at the Marcus Amphitheater this year as she has performed in recent years on Summerfest's side stages. Kid Rock's Summerfest show is a part of his Born Free tour, which promotes his album of the same name. Sheryl Crow's latest album, 100 Miles from Memphis, was released in 2010 and is more soulful than some of her other albums. Although this concert isn't exactly on my list of must-see concerts this summer, I do think it is worth mentioning. Summerfest definitely tries to appeal to all different crowds of music fans and this show is a perfect example of that fact.

Peter Gabriel Added to the Summerfest 2011 Lineup

2011-03-24T14:27:00.006-05:00

Peter Gabriel has been added to the Summerfest 2011 lineup. Ever since this announcement was made, I cannot get "In Your Eyes" out of my head. Peter Gabriel will headline the Marcus Amphitheater on the opening night of Summerfest. This year, the opening night of Summerfest will be a Wednesday instead of a Thursday. The powers-that-be at Summerfest decided to make a change this year and for the first time ever, Summerfest will be closed on July 4th. But I digress. Peter Gabriel, known from his Genesis fame, will perform at the Marcus Amphitheater on Wednesday, June 29th with the New Blood Orchestra which will include members of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. That sounds really cool. I really enjoy it when the Symphony teams up with pop singers for performances. I definitely want to get my hands on a pair of Peter Gabriel Summerfest tickets.

Kanye West Headlines Marcus Amphitheater Opening Night of Summerfest

2011-03-15T16:34:00.009-05:00

Hip-hop artist Kanye West will headline the Marcus Amphitheater on June 30th, the opening night of Summerfest with opening act Kid Cudi. This will be an exciting show because Kanye West has never performed in Milwaukee before. I can see this show being one of the hottest tickets of the summer, in part because I think it will draw a lot of people from around the Midwest. West first appeared on the music scene in 1996 as a producer and made his big break when he began producing for the Jay-Z's label. West's latest album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, came out at the end of 2010. He's scheduled to drop another album with Jay-Z sometime this year. West first appeared on the music scene in 1996 as a producer and made his big break when he began producing for the Jay-Z's label. Kanye West has been the source of controversy several times over the past years and has kept a low profile for a little while. It seems like he's back in full force with a new album and a concert at Summerfest. Kanye puts out great music and this is definitely one show I don't want to miss.

Jason Aldean at Marcus Amphitheater July 8th

2011-03-07T15:44:00.013-06:00

Country singer Jason Aldean will headline the Marcus Amphitheater on July 8th. Aldean is the latest headliner to be added to the 2011 Summerfest lineup. He joins the ranks of Katy Perry, Toby Keith, Def Leppard w/ Heart, Black Keys w/ Florence + the Machine, and Sugarland. Aldean has been touring the country with his latest album, "My Kinda Party." When Aldean first came onto the music scene in the late '90s/early '00s, he was initially dropped by his label for his inability to produce records fast enough for their liking. Now, Aldean belongs to an independent label, something you don't see too often with larger acts. It seems that this year's Summerfest Marcus Ampitheater shows will be a big hit for country music fans as Aldean is the 3rd country act to be added to the lineup. Tickets for Jason Aldean at the Marcus Amphitheater go on sale next Saturday.

The National at the Riverside Theater 4/26

2011-03-02T14:09:00.025-06:00

The Riverside Theater just announced that The National will play a show with the Pains of Being Pure at Heart and Twin Shadow on 4/26. Originally, the Pains of Being Pure at Heart and Twin Shadow were going to play at Turner Hall, but now that show will be combined with The National at the Riverside. Tickets for Turner Hall will be honored for the general admission show at the Riverside. I'm super excited for this show because I'm going to see The National open for Arcade Fire in Chicago a few days earlier. The Arcade Fire/The National tour is not making a stop in Milwaukee, but I'm so glad that The National is going to make a Milwaukee stop. They played in Milwaukee in August and sadly I couldn't make it to their show. They have been rocking the success of their latest album, High Violet, which was listed as one of the top albums of the year.

Wisconsin State Fair Bands for 2011

2011-02-23T14:41:00.006-06:00

A few years back, the Wisconsin State Fair made the positive move to avoid booking bands that don't have a family or nostalgic appeal. With Summerfest just four weeks prior to State Fair, there is no point in trying to appeal to people who wouldn't normally go to State Fair. Why try to compete where you can't win?

With that, we have the State Fair 2011 Bands listed below. It's a mix of kid's television stars, mild mannered hip-hop, and almost oldies from the 1990's.

Wisconsin State Fair 2011 Band Listing

8/4 - MC Hammer, Young MC and Tone Loc

8/5 - Casting Crowns (A popular Christian band.)

8/6 - Big Time Rush from Nickelodeon Fame

8/7 - 60's Rock - The Turtles, Grass Roots, Flo and Eddie, Buckinghams, and Mark Lindsay

8/8 - Jeff Dunham the popular ventriloquist with Brian Haner

8/12 - The Oak Ridge Boys

8/13 - Cirque Sublime - ADAMO (Acrobats galore!)

The Wisconsin State Fair runs from 8/4 through 8/14. It's all about the midway, if you ask me. Who doesn't like the rides?

Taylor Swift Tickets Gone in a Flash in Milwaukee

2011-02-19T10:36:00.005-06:00

Perhaps it was the fact that the MPS schools were closed on the day that Taylor Swift tickets went on sale? That meant that lots of kids had the time to get in line for tickets. Perhaps it was her pre-sales that cleaned out the box office. All I know is that a ton of her fans went away unhappy yesterday. The show sold out in what seemed like a minute. The first people in line got crappy tickets, and the second person in line walked away pretty mad. Taylor Swift fans are hoping that she adds a second Milwaukee date.

Milwaukee Venues Close Down During Blizzard

2011-02-02T11:44:00.006-06:00

Milwaukee got hit with over a foot of snow last night, and most venues closed early, in advance of the storm. You know it's going to be a bad one when the schools close the day before. It was as bad as could be expected, with five to eight foot snow drifts, and stranded vehicles scattered all over Milwaukee.

The Bradley Center was closed just by the luck of the schedule. Marquette, the Milwaukee Bucks, and Admirals were either on the road, or taking a day off. Now the clean up begins. It's just as well that there are no college or pro games scheduled for Milwaukee today. The airport has been shut down since 10pm last night.

Milwaukee Packers Fans Fans Celebrate | Packers 21 Bears 14

2011-01-24T10:55:00.003-06:00

I was at a small sports bar in Milwaukee, holding on for dear life, when Sam Shields had his second interception of the day. Game over, Green Bay Packers win. It was pretty fun to celebrate with the crowd that gathered. The game was too close to really relax. When Raji ran back the interception, I was pretty much thinking that this was a done deal. 88 seconds later, it was 21-14 Green Bay, and I was back to worrying.

The Packers haven't been in the Super Bowl since 1998, when they lost to John Elway. I still can't watch the highlights reel of that game. The Packers were a better team, but too full of themselves. They blew it.

This year, they have to go up against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It's going to be the toughest game of the season, to be sure. Milwaukee residents are just as much Packers fans as they are in Green Bay. Some of us are scrambling for Super Bowl tickets.

Brewers Opening Day Dreams

2011-01-18T14:26:00.005-06:00

I wonder if this past snowfall has me dreaming about the Milwaukee Brewers opening day? It's months away, but I can't help but wonder if the day will be warm. This year, the Brewers have only two road games before coming home to Miller Park. There can be a big temperature difference between a game on April 4 or April 12.

It's one of those events where you finally get to take off your jacket, and it feels like you are outside. You can smell the grass of Miller Park, and you catch a whiff of grilled brats too. Do the fans care who wins that game? I supposed that they do.

Kathy Griffin at Riverside Theater February 19

2011-01-11T13:13:00.002-06:00

This is it. This is the time of year when residents of the Midwest tend to hunker down at home and go into hibernation mode. The holidays are over, it’s nearly blizzard like conditions outside and the wind chills are heinous. I get it, I’ve lived here my whole life, things get a little tough right after the new year. I am here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be like that this winter though! With many great events being announced daily, there is something for nearly everyone coming to a venue near you in this great city of Milwaukee. One really cool event happening in the next month is Kathy Griffin’s live taping at the Riverside Theater. Griffin’s performances at the Riverside Theater will take place on February 19, with shows at both 7 and 9 p.m. The filmings will be for a Bravo special that will be aired later this year. Griffin is a native of Chicago, meaning this chick knows that it will be anything but tropical in our neck of the woods but she is coming to humor us anyway! I’m pretty excited for this event because I think Kathy Griffin is one of my favorite female comedians.

Riding Towards Victory - Green Bay Packers Play Wild Card Game In Philadelphia

2011-01-06T13:30:00.003-06:00

Wisconsin football fans had an interesting weekend to start off the new year. On Saturday, we saw a well played game from the Wisconsin Badgers that ended with a devastating loss at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. For the footballers that stayed in the Midwest though, particularly in Green Bay, we saw a very different change of events. The Green Bay Packers took victory at home against their largest rival, the Chicago Bears. So what’s next? The Green Bay Packers will travel to Philadelphia this weekend to play against the Eagles in the wild card weekend games. This game will determine which team goes onto the NFC Divisional Playoffs. Can’t wait to root on the home team and hopefully see the Pack get to the Superbowl!

New Years Day - Rose Bowl AND Milwaukee Bucks Games!

2010-12-28T11:08:00.003-06:00

Can’t make it out to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl this New Years Day? Fret not, sports fans! There is still much fun to be had in your own backyard, aka Milwaukee. Of course there is always the choice of catching the game at your favorite sports pub. My personal selections would probably include Zim’s on Milwaukee St. because they have great food and plenty of space or Replay on Farwell Ave, because how could you not love all those TVs in there? If you’re still a little bitter and just looking to avoid the whole thing, another choice is to check out the Milwaukee Bucks vs. Dallas Mavericks game. Who isn’t all about a Saturday night Bucks game? I haven’t been to a game this season and I’d love to get to see Aussie hottie Andrew Bogut up close and personal. Whatever you choose to do, I’m here to tell you – don’t worry if you’re missing the Rose Bowl folks, there’s still plenty of fun in good old Milwaukee!

Top 3 Milwaukee Concerts in 2010

2010-12-22T16:42:00.005-06:00

It’s getting down to the last days of 2010 and I cannot believe the year went by so quickly! I always enjoy reading peoples lists of their top or favorite things for the year and I figured I would try my hand at it. Here are my top 3 concerts from 2010.

1. GAYNGS at Turner Hall

Who doesn’t love a slightly tongue-in-cheek indie-rock super group? I’m not sure about you, but that is right up my street. Particularly if this super group boasts members from Megafaun, Bon Iver and The Rosebuds. If you can get past the fact that the band feels like it was hatched after a long night of rolling joints and listening to 80s records and live in the moment of the music, I feel like this is a sensual and fun band to listen to. Their live show featured around half of the two dozen band members clad in white on stage, most wearing sunglasses and all definitely enjoying themselves. GAYNGS is possibly hit or miss but simply from the talent alone, they’re worth checking out. Honestly, since seeing them in September, I have been in a GAYNGS induced haze

2. Tallest Man On Earth at the Pabst Theater

Taking a cue from the previously mentioned golden touch Justin Vernon, I picked up an album by Tallest Man On Earth per his praise. Boy, was I glad I did. Kristian Matsson, who goes by the moniker Tallest Man On Earth came out with his second album earlier this year called The Wild Hunt. I was instantly hooked on his stark lyrics and crooning voice, I just HAD to check out his show at the Pabst. I was completely blown away by how such a small man, alone on stage with nothing but his guitar and a large antique chair could belt out such emotive and energetic songs about love and life. Despite his somewhat awkward stage presence (ie I’m super glad I wasn’t in the front row to catch his intense and somewhat creepy eye contact), Kristian Matsson is an artist worth seeing live.

3. LCD Soundsystem at The Rave

Fans found out earlier this year that This Is Happening, LCD Soundsystem’s most recent album and their tour to support it was allegedly the band’s last go before an official hiatus. In October, Milwaukee was fortunate enough to be a stop on this tour. I saw LCD Soundsystem over the summer at Pitchfork music festival in Chicago and despite the sweltering heat, the show was perfect. Seeing them in Milwaukee was a very different vibe though and there was a better opportunity to see their fabulous light show and seeing any band on home turf is always cool. I was surprised that the show was as wonderful as it was considering it was at The Rave in the ballroom which has somewhat shoddy acoustics but the great energy of the crowd made this show a memorable.

Seeing Red - Wisconsin Badgers go to Rose Bowl

2010-12-06T15:08:00.003-06:00

I know quite a few college football fans whose only wish this holiday season was to see their beloved Wisconsin Badgers make it to the Rose Bowl. Looks like Wisconsinites got their wish and will smell the roses in Pasadena on New Year’s Day. This will be the Badger’s first appearance in 11 seasons while opponents TCU are the first team from a non-AQ league in the BCS to play this prestigious game. Despite TCU being bowl “virgins”, the teams are pretty evenly matched up, both tying for fourth nationally and scoring 520 points. TCU has a tight defense but the Badgers are great on the road and have a strong offensive line. We unfortunately won’t be making it out to Pasadena to show our Bucky pride in person but you better believe we’ll be rooting for the Badgers from home!

R.I.P. Rip Tide - Third Ward Restaurant Closes Its Doors

2010-12-01T14:45:00.009-06:00

What’s the deal with restaurants in Milwaukee these days? Currently, Ryan Braun’s Waterfront Restaurant is “temporarily closed” due to renovations and a menu change but some are skeptical that there are greater issues at hand.

Rip Tide, another restaurant with a view of the Milwaukee River, recently closed its doors for good.The eatery had been in business for almost six years and had they offered up better menu selections than pulling carp out of the Milwaukee Harbor, they might still be around. Despite the flop, this space is way too close to the Summerfest grounds/Marcus Amphitheater to remain empty for too long. I’m not sure what will be put in next but a casual place with affordable meals and great drink specials will certainly get business during the warmer summer months because of their outdoor patio. What would you like to see in place of Rip Tide?

Taylor Swift Coming to Milwaukee in June 2011!

2010-11-24T13:56:00.003-06:00

I don’t really buy into that whole “guilty pleasure” schtick. I’m almost certain I’ve discussed my thoughts on this on this blog before, but this has really be reiterated when I found out that my favorite country cutie Taylor Swift is coming to Milwaukee on June 8 and I have no shame in saying I REALLY WANT TO GO TO THIS SHOW! Though the venue hasn’t been announced, it’s very likely Swift will be playing at either the Bradley Center or the Marcus Amphitheater. The country starlet will be supporting her new album, Speak Now, on this tour, which sold over a million copies in its first week on the shelves. I think it’s great to see a young woman with so much talent that is still a pretty good role model for girls, despite the fact that she briefly dated John Mayer. If you need your T-Swift fix before next summer, you can check out the “Speak Now Thanksgiving Special” this Thursday on NBC. I know I will definitely be tuning in!

Milwaukee Bucks v. Los Angeles Lakers: Follow Up

2010-11-17T11:08:00.009-06:00

Yesterday night the Los Angeles Lakers made their way to the Bradley Center to play our very own Milwaukee Bucks. Despite the losing final score of 118-107. Taking a moment to focus on the highlights for the Bucks rather than the pitfalls in strategy, this was the teams highest total so far this season. Both Brandon Jennings and Drew Gooden had fantastic games with Jennings earning 31 points and Gooden making 22 points and 13 rebounds, respectively. I would have to say the Bucks did a pretty good job of standing tall next to the defending world champions and Phil Jackson would have to agree. Before the game, when asked about his impressions of the team he said “…They’re aggressive. They play hard. That’s one of their trademarks…” Not bad, Bucks, not bad. Unfortunately for the ladies out there (ie, me), we didn’t get to catch a glimpse of Laker Lamar Odom’s fashionista/socialite wife Khloe Kardashian because I’m pretty sure Milwaukee isn’t her scene but some familiar faces we did happen to see were those of the Green Bay Packers, including Jermichael Finley and Aaron Rogers. Not a bad turn out! I can’t wait until the next high profile game which will be at the Bradley Center on December 6. If you don’t already have your Milwaukee Bucks Vs. Miami Heat tickets, you better get them quick!

In The Not So Far Future - New Years Eve Shows in Milwaukee

2010-11-08T12:02:00.003-06:00

This weekend I took a break from the Milwaukee nightlife to visit parents house for the weekend and recoup from the stresses of school, work, and that annoying linger of a hangover from Halloween. It’s always a little emotional driving through the town I grew up in but before I could shed a nostalgic tear, I noticed something super weird – CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS ALREADY! Feeling more confused than corny, my mind started to race; Thanksgiving plans, holiday gifts, inescapable family functions. After my minor freak out, I fast forwarded to the fun part of the holiday season – New Years Eve.

This year, I am faced with a tough choice for my New Years Eve entertainment. Two super crackin’ shows have been put on the radar for me, in my very own city of Milwaukee! No traveling to Chicago or Madison to see a great act really puts a smile on my face. But now I have to decide – mashup DJ extraordinare Girl Talk at The Rave or incredible live-show rock act The Hold Steady at The Riverside. Am I looking to spend my night with rolling ravers or drunken derelicts? I am quite fond of both, but is NYE is supposed to be an indication of your year at large, what will my fate be? Either way, it looks like my year will probably be full of fantastic music and badass fun.

The Times They Are A-Changin | So is our Milwaukee Tickets Blog

2010-11-03T14:23:00.002-05:00

Our name has changed but frets not; our blog is still the same and will continue to be updated weekly with great Milwaukee area event info. We are still the number one place to find out about great concerts at places like the Pabst and Riverside theaters, games at the Bradley Center and Lambeau Field and other items of interest to Milwaukeeans seeking great entertainment. Coming up this weekend is the showdown at Lambeau Field with the Green Bay Packers vs. the Dallas Cowboys. Get your Green Bay Packers tickets for this game and the rest of the games this season today!

Great Weekend for Wisconsin Football Teams!

2010-10-25T15:51:00.005-05:00

After this weekend, my faith has been renewed in Wisconsin sports, particularly football. On Saturday, our very own Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes at Iowa with a 31-30 final. Wisconsin have now taken hold of the number 10 spot in national rankings and proved to college football fans their OSU win was no fluke. After this game, the Iowa Hawkeyes are now ranked number 13. The next Badgers game will be November 6 at Purdue. Hopefully they can pull out another stellar win. I can't wait to get my hands on some Wisconsin Badgers tickets!

Sunday was also a day of victory for football in Wisconsin with the Green Bay Packer win at home against division rivals, the Minnesota Vikings. The ante was upped this year with the scandal surrounding Packer veteran QB Brett Favre. The game ended with a 28-24 score and it has been confirmed that Favre actually has two fractures in his ankle from the game yesterday. The Green Bay Packers are now tied with the Chicago Cubs for first place in the NFC North. I’m looking forward to checking out the Packers next game against the New York Jets at New York next week. It will be on Halloween so hopefully nothing spooky happens to any of our players!

Bradley Center Events for November | Bucks Marquette Admirals Schedule

2010-10-21T11:29:00.005-05:00

I know that many of us are thinking Wisconsin Badgers football, after the upset at Camp Randall, but did you know that Milwaukee Bradley Center events are about to kick into high gear? As our Milwaukee Bucks, Admirals and Marquette share the "BC," there is always something going on.

Bradley Center November Events

Milwaukee Bucks home opener is November 2
Marquette plays five home games
The Admirals take to the ice three times
Sesame Street Live will share the venue with the Bucks on November 27

This is the time of year when the hoops are almost always set up, and the Ice is just under the wood, ready for the Admirals. December at the Bradley Center is even busier, with 27 scheduled events.

Great Events at Uihlein Hall This Season

2010-10-11T11:22:00.004-05:00

With the crunchy leaves and cooler temperatures come more indoor entertainment – namely for Milwaukeeans, Uihlein Hall becomes the place to be. Housed in the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, Uihlein Hall is the largest theater in the facility and is designed for everything from orchestral concerts to ballet and everything in-between. If you’re looking for a musical, Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein” will be coming to town in November. I am more partial to ballet than musicals and I am looking forward to both the Milwaukee Ballet’s “Esmeralda” and of course, “The Nutcracker”. No matter what you see at the Marcus Center this season, you’re in for a real treat.

Muse and Passion Pit at The Bradley Center October 6

2010-10-04T13:36:00.004-05:00

This week, Milwaukee music fans have a great opportunity to see two great bands in one of the largest venues in the city. This Wednesday, Brit rockers Muse and indie electro group Passion Pit will be playing at the Bradley Center. I have had my Passion Pit/Muse tickets for a month or two now and I will be interested to see the crowd dynamic with such different artists performing on the same bill. In my opinion, this is kind of a strange mix but I think the two unique sounds will bring some value to music lovers. The Bradley Center will be an upgrade for both bands. The last time Muse was in Milwaukee, they played The Rave, and Passion Pit previously played the Riverside and Summerfest earlier this year. It should be interesting to see how well the bands can fill the arena, both musically and amount of fans. Though I am admittedly not the hugest fan of Muse, it will be interesting to see them after having 6 years between their last appearance in Milwaukee and now. They have since written 2 new albums and created a new and much more elaborate stage setup. The show will start at 7:30 PM this Wednesday, the 6^th of October at the Bradley Center.

Milwaukee Bucks Squad 6 Auditions TOMORROW!

2010-09-29T12:30:00.005-05:00

I’ve kept up with some of the Milwaukee Bucks players through twitter during the offseason and boy let me tell you – 2010/2011 is gonna be a great season for Bucks basketball! With a rebuilt roster, a raring-to-go Brandon Jennings and a healthy Andrew Bogut, I cannot see anything but greatness in the coming months for the team. To get things off to a great start, Squad 6 auditions will be held tomorrow night (September 30). Last year, Bogut purchased 100 tickets for the cheering section under the conditions that the fans were as pumped up as possible in support of the team during games. The great vibes Squad 6 sent out to the Milwaukee Bucks last season brought the team to their first playoff appearance in 4 years and the 2009/2010 season ended with a 28-13 home recorcd. Squad 6 have also been dubbed the rowdiest cheering section in the NBA and have even received complains from other Bucks fans that the group were too loud. My thoughts are forget that, Squad 6! Keep rockin! In the words of the great Andrew W.K., PARTY HARD!

Fall Sports - Milwaukee Admirals Hockey Is Coming Up Soon!

2010-09-22T16:46:00.002-05:00

Fall is here and I cannot wait for the cooler-weather sports to begin. One season I am particularly looking forward to starting is hockey. Hometown team the Milwaukee Admirals will be starting up their season with a home opener on October 9 against the Abbotsford Heat. This will be a great kick off to the season because it’s a Friday night game and what hockey fan DOESN’T like to get rowdy on the weekends? Throughout the season there will be some cool promotions, such as monthly autograph signings and some family skates after games. The event I am looking forward to the most though is when The Village People come in December! I can’t wait to see some hockey AND some legendary disco, all in one place!

Top Three Shows I Am Looking Forward To This Fall In Milwaukee

2010-09-15T14:34:00.006-05:00

This fall, things are looking good for catching great music in Milwaukee. Here are my top three shows I am looking forward to in the coming cooler months.

3. GAYNGS at Turner Hall Ballroom, September 29
The 23 member super group full of Midwestern musicians will be making their debut in Milwaukee this month and I CANNOT wait. The indie outfit boasts some big names, including Dessa from Doomtree, multiple members of Solid Gold and most notably, both Justin Vernon Mike Noyce from Bon Iver. Their album Relayted was released in May of this year was put out by label Jagjaguwar and received mostly positive reviews. This should be an interesting chance to check out the dynamics of the super group in a live setting.

2. Farm Aid at Miller Park, October 2
Farm Aid is by far the largest music event of the season, being a day-long show with over a dozen acts, making it a show with something for everyone. Co-founders Willie Nelson and John Cougar Mellencamp will be playing along with performances from Dave Matthews, Jeff Tweedy from Wilco and The Bodeans among others. I think this is a great event that is putting many great bands in one place for fans at a reasonable price while promoting awareness and funding for family farms.

1. LCD Soundsystem at The Rave, October 22
This is, by far, my most anticipated show this fall. After listening nonstop to This Is Happening since its release in May, LCD Soundsystem have been on heavy rotation all summer. I saw them down at Chicago’s Pitchfork festival and James Murphy and band put on an incredibly powerful and of course danceable show. Another major selling point is that this will be the last chance for Milwaukeeans to catch LCD Soundsystem live – the band have announced that this will be their last tour.

Lady Gaga THIS WEEK at Bradley Center

2010-08-31T12:36:00.005-05:00

I can't believe how quickly this summer came and went but I can't wait to kick off fall with a bang at the Lady Gaga Bradley Center concert this week. Though lately there have been no juicy new stories about the pop princess, I cannot wait to see her perform in Milwaukee. From all the concert footage and photos I've seen of her on the web, her live show is full of immaculate costumes and intense stage designs. I am so glad that I got my tickets right away for the show and all I could think about all summer was rocking out on the dancefloor to great hits like "Bad Romance" and "Paparazzi". I hope that she plays her new song that she debuted in Minneapolis this week called "Living On The Radio". This might be the best show of the season at the Bradley Center. Can't wait to "Just Dance" on Thursday September 2 with Lady Gaga!

WWE Smackdown Comes to Milwaukee October 26

2010-08-26T15:44:00.004-05:00

October is a good month – the coolness of fall in the air, the holidays right around the corner and last but not least – I get to use my WWE Smackdown at the Bradley Center tickets! This will be my first time seeing WWE Smackdown live but I have been following on TV for the last 12 seasons. It’s totally addicting! The event will be taking place on Tuesday, October 26 at 6:30 PM. This will be the last date on a live WWE Tour across the USA this fall. How could a real wrestling fan miss out on this chance to see the best show in entertainment today? I wish WWE Raw was coming but I hear WWE Smackdown is also an exciting and unmissable show.The tickets go on sale Saturday August 28 and I will be one of the first in line at the Bradley Center to pick up a pair of ringside seats!

Irish Fest Milwaukee Celebrates its 30th Season with Discounted Admission Options

2010-08-18T09:03:00.004-05:00

This Saturday I will head to Henry Maier Festival Park to check out Milwaukee's Irish Fest for the first time ever. I have been to many of the ethnic festivals, but not this one. I'm not planning on making it down to see any specific performer, or event. I'm just going to soak it in. Admission is $15, but there there are ways to get into Irish Fest on the cheap.

How do you get into Irish Fest at a discount?

Donate 10 Irish related items to the J. Ward music archives.
Bring a donation of school supplies on Thursday
Provide a food donation before the 9:30am mass on Sunday and you get in for free
Students receive a discounted admission on Sunday

Summer is winding down, but the fun continues on the Summerfest grounds.

NBA Milwaukee Bucks Schedule Released

2010-08-11T15:25:00.006-05:00

The moment the loyal fans have been waiting for since April 30 - the release of the 2010-2011 Milwaukee Bucks schedule. The season will commence October 27 at New Orleans and the Milwaukee Bucks first home game will take place on October 30 against the Charlotte Bobcats. The Bucks picked up the fan tested, marketer approved slogan “Fear the Deer” with their great 2009-2010 season, finishing with a record of 39-42. With the recent success of the team, the NBA is matching them with a tougher season to see if the Bucks really have what it takes to be real “ballers”. Some highlight games this season:

November 3 game in Boston against the Celtics, which will be their first of four ESPN televised games this season
December 6 game at the Bradley Center against the Miami Heat with the trifecta of power players, Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, Lebron James
November 16 game at home against the Los Angeles Lakers, 2010 NBA Finals Champions

Maybe we’ll get lucky and see Laker Lamar Odom’s wife Khloe Kardashian at this game? Probably not. Either way, I’m looking forward to a great Bucks basketball season this fall.

Farm Aid Concert Comes to Milwaukee, WI at Miller Park on October 2

2010-08-02T16:55:00.007-05:00

Just announced today, the 2010 Farm Aid concert will be held in Milwaukee, Miller Park whereThe Milwaukee Brewers are giving up their space for a great cause. Farm Aid is a well known initiative featuring their annual live concert with high profile musical acts, all in the name of supporting the farming families of the

United States

. This year will be celebrating the 25^th anniversary of the event. So far, board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews are all scheduled to perform and more artists will be announced soon. Since the mid 1980’s, Farm Aid has raised over $37 million in and effort to support programs to help farm families, expand the Good Food Movement and to promote family farms over the industrial agriculture. The tickets will go on sale for the event at 9 A.M. on Saturday, August 14 through the Milwaukee Brewers Box office.

Another Cool (and Free!) Summer Event in Milwaukee: Fish Fry and a Flick

2010-07-28T15:08:00.005-05:00

One of my favorite summer weekly events is starting next week – Fish Fry and a Flick! The outdoor event takes place at Discovery World right on the lakefront and features a free showing of a film along with great prices for fish fry by Bartolotta’s Restaurants and POINT Brewery beers. If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, you can check out the outdoor bowling that is offered from Landmark Lanes. The event also has a great outdoor retail bazaar featuring items from local shops. The event kicks off on Friday, August 6 with a showing of the hilarious “The Hangover”. I can’t wait to chow down on some fish fry and see the hotness that is Bradley Cooper! Some other movies they will be showing are:

Inglorious Basterds (August 20)
Darkside of Oz (September 10)
Rocky Horror Picture Show (September 24)

Will you be hitting up Fish Fry and a Flick?

Summer Staples: Shows at Alpine Valley, see Jack Johnson and Phish

2010-07-21T16:44:00.008-05:00

Though August is quickly approaching, Summer concerts at Alpine Valley are not out of the question and are actually the perfect answer to a fun weekend out of the city! For the lovers of beach-y acoustic ballads, Jack Johnson at Alpine Valley this July 24 is just the ticket. He's on tour in support of his newest album “To The Sea” which came out earlier this year. If you’re more into the psychedelic scene, Phish will be making a two-night stop in East Troy on August 14 and 15. In 2009, Alpine was one of the 13 stops on the band’s much anticipated reunion tour and it will be great to see the east coast improv jam group return to the Midwest. Don't miss out on checking out Alpine Valley this summer, it is definitely one of the best venues in the area and has an excellent sound for being an outdoor amphitheater.

All Quiet On The Western Front? NEVER! Milwaukee Keeps The Ball Rolling on Summer Events

2010-07-12T17:19:00.008-05:00

Summerfest may be over and the Milwaukee Brewers might be one of the most terrible teams in the league but fear not, Milwaukeeans! There is still hope for those looking to go out this summer and have a great time! Some cool events coming up this week –

Festa Italiana returns to the Henry Maier Festival Grounds July 15-July 18. Festa is a great place to kick it with the family (or friends) during the day and eat some traditional fare and see music and dancing. If you stay throughout the evening, you can catchFrankie Valli and the Four Seasons at the Marcus Amphitheater on July 18. There is also a great fireworks display every night!

Festa only happens once every year, but we can’t forget about great events that happen weekly throughout the summer season including Chill on the Hill, Jazz in the Park and concerts on the Milwaukee Boat Line. This week on Tuesday night, Chill on the Hill will be taking place at the Humboldt Park band shell with local folk artist Conrad Plymouth and dreamy world beat band Longacre. On Thursday nights, Jazz in the Park takes place inCathedral Square with group Bonerama making an appearance this week. Last but not least, the Milwaukee Boat Line does concert cruises and this week an excellent hometown favorite Decibully playing on the Iroquois this Thursday night.

Are You Ready To Get Wicked? Wicked Musical Starting

2010-07-07T11:28:00.004-05:00

The Big Gig has come and gone and let me tell you, while I had a total blast at Summerfest, it takes a lot out of a person! Lots of eating, drinking and concert going will really wear you out. Now that I have gotten the crazy party portion of summer out of my system, I will move onto more refined things. A performance that will fit the bill perfectly is Wicked at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. This will be the first musical I have seen in years and I seriously cannot wait! If you have been living under a rock for the past decade and haven’t heard of Wicked, it chronicles the lives of the witches of Oz before little Dorothy came along. The musical has received rave reviews on Broadway and everywhere in between and has also won over 30 major awards including a Grammy and three Tony Awards. While fun in the sun is great in the great Wisconsin summers, it is always nice to kick back and enjoy some air conditioned performances and Wicked is the perfect show for this!The musical will be running July 14 through August 8 so there is plenty of time for all Milwaukeeans interested to catch a performance of one of the most popular musicals to hit Broadway.

Justin Bieber VIP Ticket Debacle at Summerfest

2010-06-30T09:38:00.005-05:00

I'm not a huge fan of Justin Bieber. He is a pre-teen idol, and that doesn't work for me. My friend's mom took one of her kids down to Summerfest to see the show. She wasn't pleased with the struggles they went through, just to get through the gates. They paid extra cash to get VIP tickets, thinking they could bypass the long lines. Nope, that didn't happen. It was chaos when they got to the Marcus Amphitheater gates. Granted, moms and kids are not your typical concert goers, but this could have been better organized.

They waited just over an hour to get into Sumerfest, and missed the first two songs of the show. Considering the fact that Justin Bieber only sings around eight or nine songs, they missed a lot. The crowd was having a great time though, and who could complain. The night was special for the kids that made it through the gates at Summerfest.

Summerfest Is Coming Up Soon (June 24-July 4)

2010-06-16T14:58:00.007-05:00

Summerfest is quickly approaching and let me tell you, this years lineup has been a real treat and there are so many great shows that I can’t wait to go see! Along with great side stage shows from some of my favorite bands 311, STS9 and Passion Pit, there are some headliner Marcus Amphitheater acts I want to go to. The first main stage act I will be seeing is Eric Clapton with my dad on Monday, June 28. Clapton was a huge staple for me as a kid and I remember a lot of car ride sing-alongs to “Layla” and “Crossroads”. This is a surprise for my dad and it will be a great late Fathers Day gift! What dad wouldn't love some Eric Clapton tickets?

Another great show is going to be Usher on Wednesday June 30. My Usher tickets were kind of expensive but they will be so worth it since I have been hooked on him and his sick dance moves since 2001 when his album 8701 came out. His newest album, Raymond v. Raymond just came out in March and “OMG” is my new favorite song of his. Usher’s prodigy Justin Bieber, who he recently signed onto his record label US Records, will also be performing at Summerfest. Bieber will be playing the Marcus Amphitheater and he performs on Sunday, June 27. What Marcus Amphitheater tickets are you getting for Summerfest this year?

KISS at Marcus Amp, September 2

2010-06-08T15:46:00.006-05:00

If you’re looking for hard rock music, grown men wearing makeup and a crowd with nobody under 35, I have the perfect show for you – KISS at the Marcus Amphitheater. You can KISS summer amphitheater shows goodbye for 2010 on Thursday, September 2. There will be one more show at the amphitheater afterwards on September 7 when the Jonas Brothers come, but I think it is safe to assume this will be the last show in 2010 for the aforementioned demographic.

Try as I might to understand or at least have some kind of appreciation for the glam rock quartet, I don’t really think that I “get” it. Their pyrotechnics, seriously gruesome makeup and humongous hair all create, what for me, is a totally cheese ball show but hey, different strokes for different folks. What I can appreciate is the ludicrous amount and ridiculous array of KISS memorabilia available for fans of the freak rocker outfit. Many stories have been written about their "merch." They crap they sell includes everything from KISS condoms to a KISS pinball machine. While I would rather end up in the most outrageous KISS merchandise of all, the KISS Kasket, before I would go to this show, I will admit it must be an interesting performance. Are you going to buy your KISS tickets this weekend?

Verge Music Festival This Weekend

2010-06-02T15:07:00.004-05:00

The summer festival season will officially begin for Milwaukee and in particular, for the Summerfest grounds this weekend during the Verge music festival. Debuting this year, the two-day event will be exclusively focused on music and the headliners will be Three Days Grace on Friday night and Weezer on Saturday night. A unique facet of this festival is the blend of both area and national talent in the lineup. Friday night will feature great local acts The Wildbirds and Red Knife Lottery as well as She & Him and Eagles of Death Metal. Saturday night you’ll be able to see one of my favorite area bands, Juniper Tar alongside Manchester Orchestra and Rogue Wave. Though the event is primarily focused on music, other entertainment will be provided such as skateboarding and BMX biking, along with of course beer, food and merchandise. Though I would have liked to see more bands on the lineup, both local and national, it will be exciting to see another festival down at the Summerfest grounds and should be a great kick off to the festival season!

Recap on Tallest Man On Earth At The Pabst Theater Milwaukee

2010-05-26T15:06:00.011-05:00

Swedish singer songwriter Kristian Matsson, more popularly known as The Tallest Man on Earth, graced Milwaukee with his presence at the Pabst Theater last night. This was another show that was part of the “another ten buck show” series from the Pabst venues and let me tell you, ten bucks was a steal. This was different than most other shows I have been to – all that was on stage were a few guitars, a mic, a throne-like antique chair that received many comments from the audience, and Mr. Matsson himself. The setup reflected to the austere nature of Matsson’s music but still the audience was kept on the edge of their seats, waiting for what would come next. His craggy croon and vivid lyrics were perfectly attuned to the intimate Pabst Theater ticket holders here in Milwaukee, where he filled the venue with a wild energy. He wove in and out of the spotlights on stage and filled the entire room with quiet guitars coupled with his powerful voice. There was an interesting banter the entire evening throughout the evening between Matsson and the crowd which is part of what has made the venue one of my favorites. Though the content of most of the songs are quite visceral to say the least, but there was so much enthusiasm from both Matsson and the crowd that not a single spirit in the house could be truly disheartened. After a standing ovation, Matsson came back to perform a cover of Bob Dylan’s “I’ll Keep It With Mine” with a female counterpart and closed with “The Wind” and “Like The Wheel”. All in all, it was an excellent start to what is sure to be a summer full of music for me. What shows are you going to be heading out to this summer?

Jonas Brothers – Marcus Amphitheater – September 7

2010-05-21T14:01:00.003-05:00

The Jonas Brothers will be making an appearance at the Marcus Amphitheater on September 7 to wrap up their summer tour of the US. Special guest Demi Lovato will be joining the trio for this tour. It appears that The Jonas Brothers have been losing the steam they had around this time last year and I know this because I definitely haven’t seen them on Perez Hilton lately. Sounds to me like there was also some bad planning here, as this concert is going to be on a school night for all the tween girls that dig their music. I hate to say it but it looks like the "Jo" bros' fifteen minutes of fame are almost up. Will you be getting Jonas Brothers tickets?

Summerfest 2010 - Best Lineup In Years?

2010-05-14T14:55:00.006-05:00

Summerfest - the staple of every Milwaukee summer. Around this time of year, the Summerfest lineup announcements begin to leak and there is an uproar from fans, either one of disappointment or delight. Fortunately for the 2010 lineup, the latter is the overall consensus. At first I was a little wary but as more groups have been put onto the roster, The Big Gig is looking, dare I say, kind of amazing. This year there will be a little something for everyone with acts including The Hold Steady, Public Enemy, Passion Pit, N.E.R.D., STS9 and Modest Mouse to name a few (the entire lineup can be found here).

Though I am definitely digging some of the acts that have been announced, it would be a lie to say that I am completely impressed with the entirety of the Summerfest lineup. The Marcus Amphitheater will consist of mostly country acts or baby boomer targeted artists like Eric Clapton and RUSH. Though I may not appreciate the "Southern Voice" of Tim McGraw or the adult contemporary style of Tom Petty, it is important to notice the effort that there really is something for almost everybody at Summerfest this year. What concerts do you want to see at Summerfest this year?

Idol Love - Adam Lambert Performs at The Riverside Theater June 15th

2010-05-06T10:51:00.004-05:00

Guilty pleasures – we all have them. Mine include Ben and Jerry’s Chubby Hubby, men’s college lacrosse, and last but not least, Adam Lambert. I wasn’t so sure about him at the start; he was a contestant on American Idol, a show that I despise with all my heart, but there is something aluring about him. I don’t know if it’s the massive amounts of guy liner, his bright baby blue eyes and his serious sass when it comes to his on stage performance, or a culmination of the three. This boy just makes my heart swoon. Despite the fact that he pumps up the shock factor frequently and controversy seems to be his forte, Lambert really does have some pipes.

This openly gay, American Idol runner-up will be making an appearance in Milwaukee at the Riverside Theater on June 15^th. He will be performing music from his debut album “For Your Entertainment” which was released in late 2009. The disk includes hit singles “For Your Entertainment” and “Whataya What From Me” along with much more. This will be his first solo tour and he will be bringing along opening acts Orianthi & Alison Iraheta. Do you have your Adam Lambert Riverside Theater Tickets yet?

Fear The Deer! Milwaukee Bucks V. Atlanta Hawks Game Tonight

2010-04-30T12:45:00.001-05:00

Our very own Milwaukee Bucks have been doing us proud in Milwaukee and on the road and tonight they will be playing home game C at the Bradley Center against the Atlanta Hawks. Their successes have brought them back to their home turf where a win tonight would push them to the next round and enter the play offs. The tickets for the game today are in crazy demand and it appears that the entire city is looking to go this game tonight! What are you willing to do to get Milwaukee Bucks tickets for the game tonight?

Brewers at Miller Park Tonight | Bucks VS Hawks at Bradley Center

2010-04-26T11:38:00.007-05:00

Will the Brewers at Miller Park find a way to once again crush the Pirates as they did on the road? They need to get over the sweep by the cubs. Miller Park will once again be home turf tonight.

It's great to see that the Bucks VS Hawks at Bradley Center turned out to be a win for the good guys. Milwaukee stayed hot all night. Their defense showed up too. Smart passing, and solid work by the entire team brought home a win for Milwauke

Just Announced: Muse and Passion Pit at the Bradley Center

2010-04-20T12:41:00.002-05:00

Though I’m sure you all have your hearts set on the weather warming up and not cooling down, one thing to look forward to this fall has just been announced at the Bradley Center. British rockers Muse will be making an appearance in Milwaukee with special guest Passion Pit. The show is scheduled for October 6^that the largest venue in the city. Fans of Passion Pit will be excited to see them back so soon after their first show which was sold out at the Riverside Theater. The choice of opener does seem a little odd, as Passion Pit are more of a synth based dreamy pop outfit while Muse offer a more grandiose progressive rock sound, blending elements of heavy metal, classical music and electronica. Despite the differences, I am excited for this hot ticket Bradley Center show and hopefully the fall will continue to have such a great lineup!

Milwaukee Bucks Will Play the Atlanta Hawks First Round of Playoffs

2010-04-15T12:26:00.004-05:00

The Milwaukee Bucks will be doing their city proud with their appearance in the NBA playoffs coming up at the end of April. The games will be played in Milwaukee at the Bradley Center, starting April 24 playing against the Atlanta Hawks. The popular fan-created slogan “fear the deer” has been very fitting with the way this season fished, the Bucks winning 46 of their 82 games. Despite the loss of star starter Andrew Bogut, fans are excited to see how the team progresses through the playoffs. I can’t wait to get my Milwaukee Bucks NBA playoff tickets soon!

Get Ready For...Jazz in the Park!

2010-04-12T17:04:00.002-05:00

With the weather hitting the extremes lately with snow one day and 70 degrees and sunny in typical Wisconsin spring fashion, it’s been a little hard to get too excited for the quickly-approaching summer. That being said, here is something to help put you into a more summery state of mind – the Jazz In The Park lineup has officially been announced. The event takes place each Thursday starting at 5:30 PM throughout the summer, beginning June 3 and ending September 23. This annual concert series takes place in the beautiful Cathedral Square which is nestled into downtown Milwaukee, four blocks east of Water Street and two blocks north of Wisconsin Avenue. Get your picnic blankets and travel wine cooler ready for this festive Milwaukee tradition. The lineup goes as follows:

June 3: The Bad Plus
June 10: Jamie Breiwick and Choir Fight
June 17: Reverand Raven and the Chain Smoking Altar Boys
June 24: We Six
July 1: Natty Nation
July 15: Bonerama
July 22: The Twin Cats
July 29: Eddie Butts Band
August 5: La Chazz
August 12: Lubriphonic
August 19: Swing Nouveau
August 26: Tristan Royalty Squad
September 2: On The One
September 9: Streetlife with Warren Weigratz
September 16: Nabori
September 23: The Tempters

Musical Milwaukee - Recap on Shows Last Weekend

2010-04-06T11:53:00.005-05:00

It was a busy weekend in Milwaukee with some big shows at not one but all Pabst family venues. Friday night kicked off the weekend with some excellent weather and a sold out show at Turner Hall featuring an experimental DJ set from Bassnectar and was opened by a local DJ act, Direwolf. The night was full of great beats and a high energy crowd that danced with zest all night.

Just a few blocks away, queen of quirk Joanna Newsom played at the Pabst Theater with Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes as the warm up act. Though the show posed some technical difficulties with Newson’s difficult-to-tune harp and struggling vocal cords, the show was overall very well received. She is currently touring to promote her new album, Have One On Me which came out in February.

The music continued with some great shows on Saturday night as well. The Pabst had one of their ten buck shows, featuring indie dream-pop outfit Beach House. The Pabst theaters offer this deal for many different shows, allowing Milwaukeeans to hear some new music at a great price.

After selling out Turner Hall about a month prior to the show, Passion Pit played at the Riverside on Saturday night, where they played to a sold out theater. The young group have an electro-pop sound that is perfectly attuned for dancing the night away. The show was not one of the best I have ever been to, with a bit of the synth and drum loops being lost in translation during the live show, the crowd was predominantly pleased with the performance.

Milwaukee Bucks Playoffs Nearly A Lock | Bradley Center Prepares for Crazed Fans

2010-03-30T12:13:00.005-05:00

The Milwaukee Bucks are just a few games away from the playoff lock. As it's been four years since our Bucks have made it this far, we see that the Bradley Center fans are excited to have the chance to cheer on their team in the post season. For starters, they need to bury the Los Angeles Clippers tonight.

The Bradley Center tickets will be printed for home Milwaukee Bucks playoff games, as soon as the post season is set. For now, we wait for Milwaukee to win just a few more games. It seems that the Boston Celtics are waiting for the last few games to be played, and that will determine their playoff opponent. Nobody wants to play the Bucks in the first round.

Lady Gaga Bradley Center September 2nd Show

2010-03-24T16:13:00.007-05:00

Announced a few weeks ago, Lady Gaga will be making an appearance at Milwaukee’s very own Bradley Center on September 2nd, on her Monster Ball Tour. On tour since fall of 2009, Gaga will be continuing through summer on a 31 date expedition that kicks off in Quebec, Canada on June 28. When the sensational singer did an interview with magazine Rolling Stone, she explained the first half of this tour as the first “pop-electro opera”, with a theatrical story element woven into the performance, full of wildly imaginative set and outfit changes. Lady Gaga will be singing hits from both albums, The Fame and its reissued follow-up The Fame Monster, respectively. The tour came about after her Fame Kills tour with rapper Kanye West was cancelled last Fall and since then, Gaga and her production team, the Haus of Gaga have created one of the most innovative and widely anticipated tours in the recent years.

At the beginning of 2010, Gaga decided to re-vamp the entire show and create an entirely new narrative, making the Monster Ball into more of a musical than an opera. 2009 was a huge year for Lady Gaga and her tour and Milwaukee fans are hoping that in 2010 she will serve up something hot for her upcoming shows. Can't wait to get my Bradley Center Tickets for Lady Gaga!!

NCAA Tournament in Milwaukee

2010-03-19T15:35:00.003-05:00

This is going to be a busy weekend for the city with the weather finally starting to get nice and many visitors for the games. There are two games on Friday, an afternoon session and an evening session. The first session featured Pittsburgh v. Oakland and Xavier v. Minnesota. The second session will feature Ohio St. v. UC Santa Barbara and Oklahoma St. v. Georgia Tech. On Sunday, session three will see games from the best of sessions one and two.

Though fans would have loved to see a Wisconsin team, either UW-Madison Badgers or the Marquette University Golden Eagles play but this is still a big event for Milwaukeeans and Wisconsinites alike since the tournament has not been hosted in Milwaukee in six years. Many local bars and eateries near the Bradley Center and in the downtown area are graciously welcoming the basketball fans from near and far. Even if you can’t check out the games at the Bradley Center, bars like Major Goolsby’s, Center Court and Fanatics are great spots to watch the game with other fans and compare brackets and strategies!

Verge Festival on Summerfest Grounds June 4 and 5

2010-03-11T12:59:00.007-06:00

This year, the Summerfest committee will be trying something new and have introduced “Verge”, a modern rock festival at the Henry Maier Festival Park which will be held on Friday, June 4 and Saturday, June 5. The name was chosen based on a public vote and the other two options were Diatonic and Parallel. Local senior art director at Kohl’s Department Store Katie Kostuck suggested the winning title.

The festival lineup was careful to include acts for all with a varied group of artists including indie folk outfit She & Him, Milwaukee hardcore rock band Red Knife Lottery and garage-style rockers Eagles of Death Metal to name a few. The headliner for Friday night will be Three Days Grace and Weezer and AFI are set to headline on Saturday. More bands will continue to be announced soon. Summerfest is urging fans to purchase tickets as soon as possible as supplies will be limited and if fans buy in advance, they receive a 1 day pass to Summerfest, running June 24 through July 4. This should be a great kick off to Milwaukee summer festivals and I am excited to check out this brand new event. Will you be going to the Verge Festival this year on the Summerfest grounds?

Brewers Opening Day Countdown

2010-03-04T10:00:00.007-06:00

We have just over a month to go until opening day for the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park with a great matchup with the Brewers playing the Colorado Rockies. The game will be taking place on Monday April 5^th at 1:00 PM, giving fans a chance to have a good morning tailgate. Who doesn’t love brats, burgers and beer for brunch? We are already seeing some warmer temperatures this month so hopefully this will only improve until the big day. I would love to get some great seats in the field infield box and see the Brew Crew get their season started! After catching what I’m sure will be an exciting home opener, I want to check out fan favorite leftfielder Ryan Braun’s brand new restaurant. The new eatery will be located in Milwaukee’s Third Ward and will be appropriately titled Ryan Braun’s Waterfront Restaurant and will open on none other than opening day. All in all, April 5^th will be a great day for the Brew Crew and their fans alike. Official countdown starts now, just 32 more days to go...

Summerfest - Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers and ZZ Top, June 25

2010-02-26T16:08:00.005-06:00

Though there is still snow on the ground, summer is fast approaching and there is one event that everyone has on their minds – Summerfest. The lineup is slowly but surely being announced and the most recent addition is Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers with special guests ZZ Top at the Marcus Amphitheater on Friday, June 25. The Heartbreakers are not new to Milwaukee and have played Summerfest plenty in the last few decades with their most recent stint being July 5, 2008 when they headlined the Marcus Amphitheater. Petty will be promoting his new album “Mojo”.

The Flaming Lips - Riverside Theater, March 21

2010-02-19T11:21:00.003-06:00

Announced this week, Oklahoma City natives The Flaming Lips have released 12 shows for 2010, starting mid March in Austin, TX and going through the end of July where they will finish in New York, NY. There are many opportunities throughout this schedule for more dates and possibilities of playing festivals. This will be a great opportunity for the band to show fans how their newest studio album sounds live. Released last year, Embryonic was a great reminder of the bands musical prowess, showing their ability to create raw and highly-conceptual albums that captivate the listener with their familiar psych-rock sound. Fans of The Flaming Lips know their shows are decidedly theatrical and flashy, complete with confetti and front man Wayne Coyne’s trademark giant bubble. Wisconsin fans need to save the date April 21 when the Flaming Lips will be coming to our very own Riverside Theater in Milwaukee for what will surely be a mind-blowing experience.

Jimmy Buffet June 26 Alpine Valley 2010, Rumors

2010-02-12T10:40:00.006-06:00

Word on the street is that the parrotheads will be seeing their leader Jimmy Buffett at Alpine Valley sooner than later...Buffett is rumored to be coming to perform on June 26^th. Buffett has been playing Alpine Valley nearly every summer for nearly three decades with the exceptions of 1995 and 2005. I can’t wait to go see the Coral Reefer Band and this will be a great way to kick off the summer right. The parking lot parties and the show are always a blast. I am getting very excited and can’t wait to hear about the official announcement so I can buy my tickets right away for the best night of the summer at Alpine Valley!

Leaving Brew City for Badgers Hockey Classic in Madison

2010-02-04T10:24:00.003-06:00

If you’re looking to get out of Milwaukee for the weekend for a little road trip, I have just the event for you – the Wisconsin Badger Hockey Classic in Madison! The hockey games will be on Saturday and this will be an all day event, with the women’s team playing Bemidji State at 2 PM and the men’s team playing Michigan at 5 PM. The event will take place inside of the Badger’s famed football stadium, Camp Randall. A temporary ice rink has been constructed for this special event and on Friday evening, there will even be a public skate available for fans. Hopefully we will get some warmer weather to enjoy this great outdoor event!

Even if you can’t make it out to Madison for the games, you are in luck – both the men’s and women’s games will be aired on the Big Ten network. You can also check out the Badgers online auction for 53 authentic game-issued jerseys that will be worn by the players during the games.

Marquette V. Depaul - February 3

2010-01-28T12:55:00.004-06:00

The Marquette Golden Eagles will be playing their next home game on February 3 against the DePaul Blue Demons. Marquette holds a 12-8 record so far, proving they can keep up with the rest of the teams in the Big East Conference. The Golden Eagles were victorious in their most recent game against Rutgers and we hope to see another win while they are away playing a game at UConn on January 30. DePaul, on the other hand, currently are holding an 8-12 record. When DePaul played Marquette on January 20, they were victorious in an exciting game with the final score 51-50. Hopefully we will see another interesting game Wednesday night at the Bradley Center.

My Favorite Venue in Milwaukee - The Miramar!

2010-01-21T15:28:00.004-06:00

Driving east on Locust St. over the bridge and coming into the east side, you wouldn’t imagine that one of Milwaukee’s best kept secrets is right there, hiding in plain view. You see Riverside High, some houses, Cousins Subs and if you look a little to the south when you hit Oakland, you see the Miramar Theater – my sanctuary. The Miramar Theater has been the venue of choice for me so far living on the east side and attending UWM. Its convenient location, inexpensive shows and consistently interesting lineup have made the Miramar a favorite of many UWM and east side residents. The intimate venue has great acoustics that make any artist sound great regardless of genre. There are rows of theater style seating around the hard-wood floored dance floor in the center. The stage is low and there is no barrier between the band and the fans and I have even danced on the stage at couple of the shows I’ve seen there.

One of the great bands I’ve seen at the Miramar is EOTO. They are an electronic jam band that improvises throughout their entire live show, making every concert a unique and always psychedelic experience. They combine the styles of break beat, house and drum n bass to create a groovy and definitely dance-worthy set-list. The energy at their shows is incredible and the mix of live drums and guitars with the hand percussion and live mixing make for an unforgettable and funky performance.

Another great show that I saw at the Miramar was Pretty Lights which is the brain child of Derek Vincent Smith. He puts on a DJ set and his shows comprise of live drums and digital sampling from other previously recorded songs and creating a new sound that blends many genres including hip hop and old-school funk and soul samples to put on a hard hitting dance party performance. This was by far one of the biggest shows I have ever been to at the Miramar and the place was packed to capacity full of sweaty kids getting their grind on. The lights were of course, very pretty and the DJ set came across extremely well in the tiny theater.

David Gray Riverside Theater Milwaukee Show | Nora Jones The Fall

2010-01-14T09:00:00.005-06:00

Milwaukee’s Riverside Theater has two big name performances scheduled in March. Norah Jones will perform on the 19th. Jones recently released her fourth album, “The Fall” and will head out on a 36 city tour that will feature songs from this album, released November 17th. David Gray will perform in Milwaukee on the 20th. Gray’s tour comes on the heels of his eighth studio album, “Draw the Line” which features eleven new songs including his hit single, “Fugitive.”

John Mayer Bradley Center Show | Battle Studies Review

2010-01-05T11:25:00.003-06:00

Despite his heavy rotation in the tabloids and his undeniably aloof and sometimes abrasive attitude when interacting with interviewers, John Mayer is truly a musician at heart. The John Mayer Bradley Center show is March 1, 2010. In his fourth studio release Battle Studies, he takes a big step outside of his stylistic boundaries set by previous albums and hit singles to write an album with a fresher focus. Battle Studies appears to be Mayer’s musical expansion and exploration as he starts to investigate the moody domain of acts such as Coldplay and Keane while still paying homage to classic guitarists including Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn and George Harrison.

This new album is a great showcasing of Mayer’s chops and his real guitar wizardry. The opening track “Heartbreak Warfare” foreshadows the theme of the album, discussing the struggles of love lost. On the track "Half of My Heart," with Taylor Swift, Mayer plays the dude who kisses, pun intended, half-heartedly with one eye open, scanning for his next acquisition. The first single “Who Says” is an ode to dope-smoking escapism with a folk-pop groove.

After listening to the entire album, it’s easy to find the parallels between Battle Studies and third studio release Continuum but despite the few similarities, they are two very separate bodies of work. While Continuum was chock full of classic Mayer hits and had a more intense and progressive feel, Battle Studies feels like each track is almost floating in a new plane and atmosphere of John Mayer. Battle Studies is an exciting and strong album with a great new collection of sounds and styles for Mayer fans, including a few singles that will certainly make way to the radio waves.

Green Bay Packers Playoffs 2010 Milwaukee Package

2009-12-29T13:41:00.007-06:00

Did you know that there are two season ticket packages for the Green Bay Packers? One is the "Green Package," and one is the "Gold Package." The Gold package is for Milwaukee season ticket holders. The Green Bay Packers 2010 playoffs are a lock. We don't know who they play just yet.

The Packers make efforts to include the Milwaukee season ticket holders in the Green Bay Packers Playoff run. Not every season ticket holder will buy tickets for home playoff games, because the only way the Packers will play at Lambeau would be if they hosted the NFC championship. For now, we will just hope that our friends to the north win their wild card game.

Milwaukee Bucks Playoff Tickets on my Wish List | Bradley Center map

2009-12-23T14:17:00.008-06:00

Dear Santa: For the holiday season, I want Milwaukee Bucks playoff tickets. I know that the Bucks season just started two months ago. I want to know ahead of time that my Bucks will win a playoff spot. Brandon Jennings, Michael Redd, and Andrew Bogut are three strong players that deserve to be in the playoffs.

If I can't have the Bucks tickets, how about I just get a great Bradey Center seat for one of the games. The Bradley Center map is right here santa, so you can see which sections are the best. If you do not have time to actually go to the Bradley center to pick up the tickets, you can have one of your elves order them online. Thanks Santa!

Would Shank Hall be the Venue for Reno Bo's Happenings and Other Things in 2010?

2009-12-16T15:16:00.006-06:00

Musically, I’m drawn to where Reno Bo came from. Look no further than Mooney Suzuki to find Reno. Find Albert Hammond Jr. of the Strokes, and you may see Reno powering through the bass lines of Albert’s solo tunes. After years of playing his part, Reno felt it was time to take the wheel.

Reno Bo has more to offer than where he came from, or his musical influences. Happenings And Other Things is far from a tribute disk to styles created long ago. With that being said, I can’t help but agree with what Electric Western Records is saying about this seasoned artist. Reno Bo took some of the better parts of established rock and roll music, added ingredients, time, his own talent, and cooked up something unique enough to call his own.

There’s A Light may start with simplicity, but make no mistake, it’s powerful and bright throughout. I dare anyone to tell me that they don’t have the chorus down pat by the end of the song. It’s a sticky number, and worthy of popping the cork of this album.

Reno makes it clear that the influences on his album include Zeppelin, The Beatles, and Tom Petty. The songs Off Your Back, and Here Right Now capture the spirit of George Harrison, if I may be so bold. Play either song a second time, and you will agree with me to be sure. Reno is his own man musically, and he should see the comparison as a compliment.

Something similar can be said for Sugar Suite Blues. It’s all Reno on top of a beat that Bonham would have been proud to play. One verse into Sugar Suite Blues, and I’m air drumming behind my pretend Ludwig drum kit. Yep, it’s Zep flavored Reno Bo on that track.

Shake Me Up and How Does It Feel are songs that give Reno’s vocal style just enough room to carry the load. How Does It Feel has room for some smoking solo work on guitar and it gets a bit haunting near the end of the track. I had to back that track up and play the solo a few times before moving on.

Reno seems to flirt with sounds that seem to be so much a part of rock and roll history. Yes, I hear Petty, Zeppelin, and the like, but I don’t want to leave anyone with the idea that Reno does not put his own creative juice on this album. Half way through this disk, I’m thinking back to a time when The Stones and The Beatles still wore the stiff suits, but were ready to show the world that they had something more to offer. Happenings And Other Things is the album that a band makes after they lose the suits and play what they feel.

Reno Bo is most likely going to hit the Wisconsin area in 2010. Seeing that we are just weeks away from the new year, I’m going to guess that a Reno Bo show might end up at Shank Hall in Milwaukee. Shank Hall has the right capacity for Reno’s fans. See you in Milwaukee in 2010 Reno.

AC DC New Milwaukee show date at Bradley Center

2009-12-08T18:56:00.003-06:00

AC/DC will now play their Bradley Center Milwaukee show on April 15th. Pay your taxes and get you butt down to the Bradley Center. That rescheduled date took a long time to come to the fans. AC/DC Milwaukee Bradley Center tickets are nearly sold out, but you can still get in the venue if you act quickly.

Marquette Basketball Team Takes Second in Old Spice Classic

2009-12-03T14:49:00.002-06:00

Marquette started the Old Spice Classic with a big win over Xavier 71-61 in the opening round. Leading Marquette in this game was senior Lazar Hayward who continues to impress scoring 16 points in just the first half. In the semi finals, Marquette went on to beat Michigan winning 79-65. It looked as though the Marquette basketball team was going to finish out with three wins in the series but unfortunately it was only one point that stood between the victory for Marquette on their last game against Florida State losing 57-56. Such a close call for the Badgers in almost dominating this tournament!

Milwaukee Rave Shows in the Coming Weeks

2009-11-25T22:16:00.003-06:00

The next three big bands coming to the Rave Milwaukee are Weezer, Shinedown, and Hatebreed. Starting December 3rd, The Rave will host Weezer in their tour promoting their new cd Raditude released November 3rd. To fan’s excitement the band put out a promotion where if you bought their new cd you would receive a snuggie from their website.

The next band would be Shinedown, a Florida based band looking to electrify their fans with their boldest CD yet titled The Sound of Madness. The concert will be held at the rave Friday December 11th. The CD promises to vibrate it’s listeners with passion and energy.

The last band promoting their new self titled CD Hatebreed will perform December 12th at the Rave. Hatebreed would probably be related to the band Metallica and is influenced by sounds of death metal and grove metal. Their new CD and tour seems like it will be very exciting for their fans since their previous CD released three years ago, so fans have been waiting patiently.

It looks like the rave has some great rock bands booked for the month of December and I’m sure once word gets out about these tour appearances tickets will be flying out the door.

Miller Park Tickets | A Topic for Thanksgiving

2009-11-24T15:03:00.005-06:00

I hear that the Miller Park season ticket billing is in the mail. What that means to me is that my friends will know which games they will offer up as gifts. You can't go to every game, and that's a bonus for guys like me.

Miller Park has the roof in the "open" position for the next five months. At the end of that time frame, we will see green grass, cold brews, and hot Milwaukee Brewers bats.

John Mayer Bradley Center Tickets Milwaukee | Reactions to the New Disk

2009-11-20T12:16:00.005-06:00

With the release of John Mayer’s Fourth CD “Battle Studies” his tour will set out this Tuesday November 24th in Ontario Canada. Faithful Milwaukee fans were amped to hear of his March 1st Scheduled date to come to the Bradley Center with Michael Franti & Spearhead. The Bradley center John Mayer tickets go on sale this Saturday, and this will be a new venue for John Mayer. In the past his usual concert venue of choice has been at the Marcus Amphitheater, usually during Summerfest.

It will be a nice change to see Mayer come play an indoor concert with room for a lot more adoring fans. The release of Mayer’s new CD was this past Tuesday the 17th with his most popular first hit single “Who Says” on it. His previous album “Continuum” was a bit of a change from his normal sappy love songs previously on his album “Heavier Things”. “Continuum” had a fun jazzy blues feel to it unlike his other past albums. It seems as though with each new release of another album Mayer spices it up another notch so it will be interesting to see how well this new CD goes over with his fans. His new album is said to be his most adventurous and ominously personalized lyrics yet. With all of that said, will the release of Mayer’s new album and tour bring on a whole new set of fans as well or will his old fans remain faithful to his new ways?

AC/DC Milwaukee Show for Bradley Center

2009-11-12T10:19:00.005-06:00

Are you still wondering if the AC/DC show in Milwaukee will ever take place? As of November 11th, there is still no news on a rescheduled date for AC/DC. It has been almost two months since the lead singer Brian wrote a note to his fans explaining that he was diagnosed with an ulcer which made him postpone his tour. Specifically six shows were postponed, phoenix, Las Vegas, Louisville, Kansas City, Des Moines and Milwaukee.

Many AC/DC fans, especially in Milwaukee, have been dying to hear any news about a possible new date for the show. Fans are sitting around anxiously calling the Bradley center and ticket companies to find out what they should do with their tickets. I’ve heard that the Bradley center is working hard to secure a rescheduled date for the concert but still no news! The tour has been moving along smoothly ever since the postponement with their next sold out show in Sao Paulo Brazil on the day after thanksgiving. It looks like their world tour will continue until their last stop In Japan March 16th 2010 which leads fans to believe that the rescheduled date wouldn’t be until at least then. With this long of a delay in a set rescheduled date, will AC/DC ever reschedule for Milwaukee’s show? Or is it doomed to be canceled?

Anthony Bourdain Tickets Riverside Theater Milwaukee

2009-11-05T09:13:00.007-06:00

I’m sure fans of world renowned chef Anthony Bourdain never would have thought they’d be able to be up close and personal with him in Milwaukee! Bourdain is recently most known for his show “No Reservations” on the travel channel where he eats just about anything from all around the world. Anthony Bourdain Riverside Theater tickets will will move fast for his Friday January 22nd show. His show will showcase the stories and adventure he has encountered throughout his travels.

An interesting addition to this show for fans is that they can also upgrade to a dinner package at the local restaurants, Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro or Bacchus before the show. I’m hoping that this show will be a big hit because it is unlike any shows that come to the Riverside Theater. I’m thinking that once word hits about Bourdain’s visit, Milwaukee will have a new love and interest in him.

Justin Bieber at The Rave in Milwaukee

2009-10-28T16:14:00.004-05:00

America's newest heartthrob Justin Bieber plays The Rave in Milwaukee. It seems like all of a sudden the world is screaming for Justin Bieber, a name that was unknown until recently. Young girls, teenagers and parents have found themselves scrounging for tickets to see Justin Bieber at his upcoming concert at the Rave in Milwaukee on November 12th. The Canadian Native began singing three years ago when he was twelve. He was later found by one of international Superstar Usher’s marketing executives which quickly escaladed his career as a singer.
His most popular hits right now are "One Time" and "One Less Lonely Girl.”

Once the announcement hit about Bieber coming to Milwaukee’s Rave it seemed like the whole city was talking about and it and needed to get tickets. Even local radio stations were broadcasting that they would be giving away tickets every hour on the hour. Seating for this concert will be all general admission and a first come first serve bases. My guess is that fans will be lined up hours before the doors open just to get up close and personal with Justin Bieber.

Bruce Springsteen Milwaukee, Born to Run Featured

2009-10-21T09:15:00.005-05:00

It's confirmed. Bruce Springsteen in Milwaukee will feature the entire Born To Run album. Why not play a classic, hit filled album to please the fans? Milwaukee is one of a number of Bruce Springsteen tour dates that will feature the old album. Bruce Springsteen will perform at the Bradley Center on November 15th. A quick scan for tickets shows that only the upper level sections are still available.