NEW GALLERY OPENS IN GREENDALE

Galleria Greendale, new art gallery is the Historic Downtown Greendale is opening July 6. The gallery will feature a collection of original, handmade art created by more than 50 artists from Wisconsin and across the U.S.

Galleria Greendale, 5640 Parking St., is owned by the husband-and-wife team of Barb Caprile and Bruce Krajcir. The pair has curated a collection of work in jewelry, fiber, ceramics, leather, wood, painting, sculpture, glass and mixed media that is both functional and decorative.

Milwaukee-area artists represented in the gallery’s connection include: Nancy Crawford, Greenfield (mixed-media wall pieces); Ann Wydeven, Milwaukee (ceramics/mosaics); James Steeno, Wauwatosa (illustrated notecards and prints); Deb Radke, Franksville (copper garden sculptures) and Dagmara Costello, Greendale (jewelry).

Artists from across the U.S. include: Gretchen LimaWood, Vail, Arizona (spirit dolls), Keith Lewis, New Paltz, N.Y. (jewelry); Char Behrens, Mount Carroll, Ill. (glass) and Nana Schowalter, Blanchardville, Wis., (garden sculptures).

The collection will also include Reborn Glass recycled night lights from Cape Coral, Fla. and Pandemonium faux fur apparel from Seattle, Wash.

“Galleria Greendale has been a dream of mine for years. Finding a perfect location in Historic Greendale made it that much easier to make this dream a reality. The collection of original, handmade art that I have curated cannot be found anywhere else in the Milwaukee area,” Caprile said.

During July, Galleria Greendale vistors can receive a free gift with any purchase (while supplies last), and enjoy live music on the patio each Saturday afternoon. A grand opening celebration is planned for later this summer.

Ben Tajnai

Oh Say Can You Sing… The Power of the National Anthem

By Ryan Albrechtson

A poem written in 1814. Later set to music written in 1773. Sung at every school, parade, sporting event, and more across the country for hundreds of years. Still timeless.

Yes, I’m talking about The Star Spangled Banner.

“The first time I ever sang the National Anthem was for the morning announcements in high school,” said Ben Tajnai, who has recently gotten some publicity for being the “good luck charm” of the Milwaukee Bucks - singing their way through victory in the playoffs. “I’d sing into the phone in the office and it would be broadcast across the school. That’s where I got my start.”

Since these early performances, Tajnai has become a staple Anthem performer in the Milwaukee area, having now performed at Bucks games over 50 times.

“About six years ago I auditioned for the Milwaukee Bucks,” said Tajnai. “They had an open call where you could go down to the stadium and sing, kind of like “American Idol” style. I got the call, and I did it for a game and that was already six years ago now.”

“To get that gig doing the Bucks National Anthem was like sort of a dream come true,” said Tajnai. “I was able to combine the two loves of my life: sports and singing.”

Tajnai is no stranger to performing. From his popular vocal coaching at Hartland Music, to acclaimed community theater performances at Waukesha Civic Theatre and Lake Country Playhouse, to professional stage credits at theaters like Skylight Music Theatre, his talent is spread all across the Greater Milwaukee Area. However, there’s a difference between dressing up on stage in character and the vulnerability of being yourself singing a song dedicated to our country.

“I consider the National Anthem important to me,” said Tajnai. “I know a lot of people who have been involved in wars and that sort of thing. I like the honor of it. I like the respect that people give to it… It’s the only time at a sporting event that everyone has to be quiet, and they do. It’s cool to have that moment to honor America.”

“The idea is that you are yourself and vulnerable when performing the National Anthem,” said Tajnai. “It’s just you. When you are doing theater you can put yourself into a character and pretend to be somebody else. When you are doing the National Anthem it’s your authentic voice. No character.”

While Tajnai likes to put his own personal spin on the song (which you can see in the video below) he knows it’s important to pay tribute to the history of the anthem.

“Sometimes I want to just do it the way that I want to do it... people know I add a couple little riffs and things like that, people don’t like that,” said Tajnai. “They get offended by it, they want to hear it the way it was written. Other people love it, they think you are honoring America more by doing something a little more epic and unique. You have to toe that line a little bit.”

Tajnai’s powerful voice and performance continue to set the scene for a beautiful moment at these games. And while he continues to share his talent with fans, he hopes to inspire young performers to find their voice as well. “I didn’t start doing the anthem at professional sports games,” said Tajnai.

“I did them at high school soccer games and things like that. It wasn’t that epic back then. But I got my training through that. I did events where 10 people were there. I just think getting experience is the name of the game.”

CLICK HERE FOR A BEN TAJNAI EXCLUSIVE ARTSSCENE PERFORMANCE OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

For decades Milwaukee fireworks have been linked to the name Bartolotta, Jeff Bartolotta, manager at Wolverine Fireworks Display Co. (which absorbed the Bartolotta Fireworks Co. in 2017). Bartolotta celebrated his 50th year in the pyrotechnics art in 2019. According to an article in Milwaukee Magazine 2019, Jeff set off his first firework at age 9 during a show in Sheboygan.

The Great Circus Parade, which began in 1963, and was first held in Milwaukee in 1963. It continued annually in Milwaukee until 1973. Between 1980 and 2005, it was held in Milwaukee, Chicago or Baraboo, Wisconsin. [No parade was held between 2006 and 2008. The parade resumed in 2009, returning to Milwaukee after a six-year break, after organizers raised $1.5 million. The 2009 parade, which turned out to be the last, celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Circus World Museum.] A much smaller version of the parade “ a parade of elephants” will be part of the Circus Celebration in Baraboo the weekend of July 10. Covid-19 safety protocols continue to prevent Baraboo from holding its traditional parade.

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SEASON

A NEW BEGINNING IS ON THE HORIZON

Our 21/22 symphony season is scheduled to begin in September 2021 — a joyous celebration of Beethoven that will feature many of the artists and programs we had anticipated experiencing throughout this season. We are planning to open 21/22 season renewals and new subscriptions in the Spring. We’re excited to be together with you again feeling the thrill of live music with our orchestra and John DeMain in beautiful Overture Hall.

madisonsymphony.org/21-22 RENEW & SUBSCRIBE SPRING 2021

Milwaukee has a long tradition of parades, starting with the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in March of 1843 - before Wisconsin was a state. The tradition continued in the area nearly nonstop until the pandemic put the brakes on the floats in 2020.While many Independence Day parades were cancelled again in 2021, many smaller communities brought them back in 2021. For example, the Oconomowoc Rotary Independence Day Parade was held on July 3. Germantown, West Bend, Sussex, Glendale, Grafton were also among the communities that held parades.

It is believed that parade floats have their origins in religious-themed theater. They may have been first introduced as far back as the Middle Ages when churches used pageant wagons as movable scenery for passion plays. Artisan guilds were responsible for building the pageant wagons for their specified craft.

SUBSCRIPTIONS ON SALE NOW

The Badger Chordhawks Chorus from Rock County presented its annual Wisconsin’s annual Patriotic Concert on June 25 and 26 The program of all-American music performed by a melting pot of local musicians will be available for streaming ($15) until the end of August at www.PatrioticConcert.com.

The Oconomowoc American Legion Band, established in 1924, is the community band of the City of Oconomowoc and has been designated the official Legion Band of the State of Wisconsin. As well as many parade performances, the band performs weekly outdoor concerts Wednesdays, June through August at 7:30 p.m. in the Rhodee Memorial Band Shell located on the shore of Lac La Belle at City Beach. CLICK HERE for more information!

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