SPECIAL BEST OF MILWAUKEE
ARTS & ENTE RTAI N M ENT
BEST ORGANIZATION SUPPORTING VETERANS
African Percussion, Afro Caribbean, Blues, Broadway, Classical, Contemporary, Finger Style, Flamenco, Jazz, Orchestral Percussion, Pop, Rock and World Drumming. Featured instruments include: guitar, piano, percussion, strings, vocal arts and wood woods and brass—literally something for everyone. (Harry Cherkinian)
Stars and Stripes Honor Flight
starsandstripeshonorflight.org Local organizers were fortunate to fly some of the last surviving veterans of World War II to Washington, and they continue their work by honoring veterans of more recent wars with a trip to the nation’s war memorials. (Frank Gary)
RUNNERS-UP: • Milwaukee Jazz Institute • Music Together North Shore • Sound Check Studios OUTDOOR FESTIVAL
Wisconsin State Fair 640 S. 84th St. | 414-266-7000 wistatefair.com Milwaukee’s “Best Outdoor Festival” actually started out in Janesville in 1851 along the banks of the Rock River. Like its vendors and Midway carneys, it travelled to different cities throughout Wisconsin for the next 41 years. It finally found its home in 1892 in West Allis, celebrating its 170year anniversary in 2021. Over the course of the event’s 11-day run, more than a million fairgoers will visit—and that’s not including the famous “Racing Pigs.” (Harry Cherkinian)
RUNNERS-UP: • Bastille Days Milwaukee • Irish Fest Milwaukee • Summerfest
C IT Y CO N F I D ENTIAL
STAGE ACTRESS
Laura Gordon The Milwaukee-based actress has filled local stages with both her acting and directing skills for many years. Whether it’s directing Shakespeare, Greek classics or Russian epics or in her leading acting roles in Death of a Salesman, Doubt or The Beauty Queen of Leanne, Gordon brings a range and depth that commands attention. Gordon changed her college major three times before settling on acting, picking up directing in the process. Lucky for us. (Harry Cherkinian)
RUNNERS-UP • Megan Rose Miller • Rana Roman • Tami Workentin THEATER COMPANY
RUNNERS-UP: • Dryhootch Coffeehouse • Float Milwaukee • Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce LOCAL ACTIVIST
Frank Nitty Frank Nitty emerged from Black Lives Matter and quickly became a phenomenon. In a few months, dressed in his trademark dreadlocks under a flatbilled cap, he attracted some 100,00 followers across Wisconsin and led a cross-country march to Washington D.C. in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. (Frank Gary)
RUNNERS-UP: • Dr. Monique Liston • Markasa Tucker • Vaun Mayes LOCAL CHARACTER
88.9 Radio Milwaukee
Milwaukee Repertory Theater
414-892-8900 radiomilwaukee.org
108 E. Wells St. | 414-224-9490 milwaukeerep.com
88Nine wins again for its blend of new, cool, independent and communityfocused radio. Whether it’s the station that gets up and moving in the morning or dancing at night, there is something for almost everyone. Radio Milwaukee is one of the jewels in a city with an unusually rich array of non-commercial radio. (Morton Shlabotnik)
Originally founded as Drama Incorporated in 1955, the Rep adapted its new name— and philosophy—eight years later as the Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Dedicated to performing the classics and premieres of new work with a resident group of actors, The Rep continues that commitment today with Artistic Director Mark Clements at the helm. The Rep’s dedication to diversity, inclusion and equity fills all three of its performing spaces, broadening its artistic horizons—and our own. (Harry Cherkinian)
The stuff of legend or just a guy who prefers to walk? Milwaukee has a rich history of local characters including John Hamann (aka Milverine), whose resemblance to a certain Marvel Comics character has made him a recognizable face in his hometown for little more than walking, often shirtless, from Downtown to Bay View. (Blaine Schultz)
RADIO STATION
RUNNERS-UP: • Milwaukee’s NPR 89.7 WUWM • Milwaukee’s Hometown Rock 89.7 WKLH • WMSE 91.7
30 | SHEPHERD EXPRESS
RUNNERS-UP: • Next Act Theatre • Skylight Music Theatre • Village Playhouse
Milverine
RUNNERS-UP: • Flannery Pendergast • JMatt • John McGivern
