Shepherd Express July 2021 by Shepherd Express

JULY 2021

MILWAUKEE-MADE ROOT BEER PETS: EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS

SUMMER DRINK

JULY 2021 | 3

NEWS 06 Is Police Reform Possible in Milwaukee? 09 This Modern World 10 America's Most Important New Social Program is About to Begin — Taking Liberties 12 Wisconsin Can Do More to Prevent Gun Violence — Issue of the Month

14 Noor Jawad is a Healer, Influencer and Supporter for Many — Hero of the Month 16 Planting Gardens with a Conscience — Off the Cuff

GENERAL MANAGER: Kevin Gardner (ext. 3825) MANAGING EDITOR: David Luhrssen (ext. 3804) STAFF WRITER: Blaine Schultz (ext. 3813)

FOOD & DRINK 20 Jose's Blue Sombrero Spices Up Downtown Tosa Dining 22 In Egg Salad, Little Things Add Up — Flash in the Pan

SPECIAL SECTION 24 Summer Drinks

PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Louis Fortis (ext. 3802)

24 Summer Drink It's Time for Cocktails on the Patio 30 Cream City Root Beer SPONSORED BY

32 Summer Festival Guide July-September 2021 SPONSORED BY

46 Emotional Support Animals Enhance Mental Wellbeing — Pets

CULTURE 48 When Art was for Every American

EVENT SALES COORDINATOR: Carrie Fisher (ext. 3823) ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Bridgette Ard (ext. 3811) Andy Roncke (ext. 3806) SALES MANAGER: Jackie Butzler (ext. 3814) BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER: Chuck Hill (ext. 3822) IN MEMORY OF DUSTI FERGUSON (OCTOBER 18, 1971 – NOVEMBER 20, 2007) WEB EDITOR: Tyler Nelson (ext. 3810) WEB WRITER: Allen Halas (ext. 3803) BUSINESS MANAGER: Peggy Debnam (ext. 3832) CIRCULATION COORDINATOR: Blaine Schultz (ext. 3813)

50 Will COVID Change How Performing Arts are Presented in Milwaukee?

54 This Month in Milwaukee 9 things to do in July

LIFESTYLE 56 When Health Care Makes Us Sick — Out of my Mind 58 Republicans Strike Down Evers' $165 Million Legal Marijuana Plan — Cannabis 60 Style and Storage in Small Spaces — Domicile

HEAR ME OUT

SPONSORED BY

62 Finding Mr. Right (Not) Now — Dear Ruthie 64 Summer LGBTQ Reading — My LGBTQ POV

ART FOR ART'S SAKE 66 From the City that Always Sweeps

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Cover photo by Michael Burmesch. Cover photo location: Boone & Crockett.

JULY 2021 | 5

NEWS

Is Police Reform

Possible in Milwaukee? OTHER U.S. CITIES OFFER MODELS FOR POSITIVE CHANGE BY QUINN CLARK

uring the past year Milwaukee protesters have taken to the streets to demand greater community oversight of police. Some of their signs specifically ask for a Civilian Police Accountability Council (CPAC). “Police having their say and having full control over what they do is just not working at all,” says Omar Flores, co-founder of The Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (MAARPR). “So, I think it’s about time that we listen to the people. We’ve got to do something different.”

However, fire and police commissions are mandated under Wisconsin statutes and local leaders hope to introduce reforms within the current system. Common Council President Cavalier Johnson’s resolution “urging” the Fire and Police Commission “to collaborate with the Milwaukee Police Department to engage with community leaders to rebuild trust and discuss community-oriented strategies to address local civil unrest” was passed by the council. In May, the Fire and Police Commission banned the use of chokeholds.

The Milwaukee Alliance’s calls for an elected CPAC that would have the power to “hire, fire and discipline Milwaukee police, create the MPD budget and conduct independent investigations into police crimes,” according to their Facebook page. They would like to eliminate the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission, the present oversight board appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the common council.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is also looking to make changes. Last summer he announced the creation of a Commission on Police Accountability and Reform to “examine police practices and strengthen community trust among law enforcement officers.”

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But a year after the George Floyd murder, Milwaukee lags behind many metropoli-

tan areas in implementing police reforms. One hundred sixty-six cities in the U.S. have developed a civilian oversight board. While these boards have struggled with finances, the “George Floyd Policing Act of 2020” introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would have cities receive funding for commissions working towards police accountability. Several cities have already taken the initiative to reform their police departments. Here are three examples.

BALTIMORE In April, Maryland made the historic decision to repeal the “Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights” (LEBOR). One right detailed in the bill stated that misconduct investigations are handled by law enforcement officials rather than civilians. Now that LEBOR is repealed in Maryland, civilian oversight boards have significantly more power.

Photo by aijohn784/Getty Images.

JULY 2021 | 7

NEWS

“Maryland is leading the country in transforming our broken policing system,” Maryland House of Delegates Speaker Adrienne Jones tweeted. “Now, for the first time in our nation’s history, the rights of officers will not be held above the rights of individuals, and policing in Maryland will be transparent and citizen-centered.” In Baltimore, where police and community tensions have run high, the mayor-appointed civilian review board is an independent agency that reviews police department procedures and public complaints. Maryland’s recent decision to repeal LEBOR could help change the board’s previous struggle to hold real power over the police department. “Baltimoreans, too, have suffered and been subject to violent policing practices and discrimination that have long engendered mistrust between the community and the BPD,” said President and Director-Counsel Sherrilyn Ifill of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund in a press release. “We are gratified that the hard work so many advocates invested in this process has produced real change.”

MADISON In September, Madison’s common council voted to form an 11-member Civilian Oversight Board. The board can make recommendations to the Madison Police Department and Police and Fire Commission on use of force, officer discipline and appoint an independent police monitor. The independent police monitor reviews citizen’s complaints and makes sure that reviews of policing are independent. Unlike other similar groups across the nation, the board has authority to subpoena the police department. Members of Madison’s Civilian Oversight Board were chosen by organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the NAACP. The group is required to be racially diverse and include at least one member who was previously incarcerated. President Barack Obama took to Twitter to call Madison’s new board “progress.” Similarly, the Madison nonprofit Freedom Inc., a prominent activist group calling for

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community control of police, called it a “good first step towards community control over safety” on their Facebook page. Liana Perez, Director of Operations for the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement, told Milwaukee’s WUWM that Madison’s board is one of the strongest in the nation. “We’ve been using Madison as an example in the last couple weeks,” Perez said. “We’re holding up Madison as one of the stronger models being put forward right now.” However, Wisconsin law states that only the fire and police commission can terminate and discipline officers. According to Randy Shrewsberry, former police officer and founder of the Institute for Criminal Justice Training Reform, police officers have historically opposed outside input. “Generally speaking, police agencies dislike external oversight with the belief that civilians wouldn’t ever understand what police must deal with day-to-day or the dangers they face,” Shrewsberry said.

STOCKTON In 2012, Stockton, Calif., declared bankruptcy, forcing the city to defund its police. The Stockton Police Department had to let 440 officers go. However, along with fewer officers came new leadership from Police Chief Eric Jones. Jones is credited with opening honest dialogue on race with the community and starting implicit-bias training. Crime rates dropped, and trust within the city was earned. According to former Stockton Mayor Tubbs, the city released no tear gas and rubber bullets and imposed no curfews during 2020’s protests. In July of 2020, Stockton established a City Manager’s Review Board, formed to “provide insight, guidance, monitoring and recommendations on community-police relations and will serve to support the city,” as described in a press release. The 25-member board is made up of community leaders and members, as well as city administrators and members of the Stockton Police Department. The board was initiated by Jones and City Manager Harry Black.

“Members of this Board offer invaluable expertise. They will become proactive partners in community problem solving and place-based strategies development, building bridges and relationships between the community and the police and helping us to ensure fair, equitable and courteous treatment for all in a collaborative environment,” Black said. The board continues to meet in 2021, and has issued five goals, including improving relationships between the community and the police and ensuring fair and equitable treatment for all. After 17-year-old Black teenager Devin Carter was pulled from his car and badly beaten while pulled over for speeding by Stockton police, last December 30, Chief Jones promised to work with the board of community members. “The City Manager’s Review Board, which began its examination of the Stockton Police Department’s use of force data in October of 2020, will continue their analysis in order to make meaningful changes to policing in Stockton,” he said. “We, as an organization, hold the trust of the community paramount and will continue to strive to exemplify our core values.” Milwaukee advocates have filled the streets calling for accountability and change. Could we soon follow in Baltimore, Madison, Stockton and other cities’ footsteps and give the community more say? “No matter who’s in office, when there’s enough people power behind something, we can get things changed, we can get things done,” Flores said. “So, I guess what I would say is that I think it’s extremely possible in Wisconsin, especially since the Milwaukee Alliance has been expanding out to different areas in Wisconsin.”

Quinn Clark is a Milwaukee writer who will begin graduate studies in mass communications at Northwestern University this fall. Photo by aijohn784/Getty Images.

JULY 2021 | 9

NEWS TAKING LIBERTIES

America’s Most Important New Social Program Is About to Begin BY JOEL MCNALLY On July 15, the nation’s most important new social program is scheduled to begin sending monthly cash payments of $300 for every child under 6 and $250 for those up to age 18 to all but the wealthiest American families. President Joe Biden’s plan to assist families with the costs of childcare passed in March as part of his first emergency package of economic recovery legislation. It’s a Democratic presidential achievement as historic as the creation of Social Security by President Franklin Roosevelt, Medicare and Medicaid by President Lyndon Johnson and the Affordable Care Act by President Barack Obama. Amazingly, the landmark national program benefitting 39 million American families and 88% of all children nationwide passed almost under the radar with surprisingly little public controversy. The direct payments of $1,400 Biden sent to Americans as economic stimulus to boost the economy received far more attention than the child payments with an annual value of $3,600 for every child under 6 and $3,000 for every older child. “With two parents, two kids, that’s $7,200 in the pockets you’re getting to help take care of your family,” Biden told a joint session of

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Congress in April. “That will help more than 65 million children and help cut child-care poverty in half and we can afford it.” Republicans were caught flat-footed. Biden had just soundly defeated their disastrous president. Republicans had no control over either the House or Senate and Democrats used a special Senate budget process to pass Biden’s economic recovery program that didn’t allow a minority of Republicans to undemocratically filibuster desperately needed legislation. It was a good thing because not a single Republican in either the House or the Senate voted to support Biden’s national economic recovery plan. Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell said every Senate Republican was 100% committed to preventing Biden’s agenda from succeeding. That brazenly unpatriotic stand was so absolute Republicans even voted against the $1,400 payments their constituents were eager to receive that were originally proposed by their own defeated president. Republican leaders seem to believe their own voters aren’t bright enough to realize Republican gridlock preventing America’s economic recovery will hurt them.

BENEFITTING ALL AMERICANS When parents begin receiving monthly

payments to help with family expenses, they’ll certainly recognize the value of government programs benefitting all Americans. Biden aspires to an FDR presidency. Biden’s family benefit follows the model of Social Security, Roosevelt’s most popular and enduring social program. It attacks childhood poverty the same way Social Security sought to end poverty among the elderly while benefitting every other American family at the same time. Biden’s emergency economic plan only funded the family benefit for a year, but Democrats already are planning to extend it through at least 2025. They’d be foolish not to. It’s likely to be included in the next budget reconciliation bill to be passed before the midterms in the Senate with a simple majority vote with Vice President Kamala Harris breaking a 50-50 tie if necessary. It might even attract some Republican votes. Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney previously proposed a similar child benefit promoting it as a family-friendly, Republican program that would discourage abortion. Democrats would be happy to fight the 2022 midterms over Republican attempts to destroy Biden’s child benefits going to millions of American families just like they

Background photo by TrongNguyen/Getty Images.

BIDEN ASPIRES TO AN FDR PRESIDENCY. BIDEN’S FAMILY BENEFIT FOLLOWS THE MODEL OF SOCIAL SECURITY, ROOSEVELT’S MOST POPULAR AND ENDURING SOCIAL PROGRAM. successfully fought the 2018 midterms over Republican attempts to destroy the health care protections of the Affordable Care Act. Make no mistake about it. The Republican attacks on what is certain to be a popular Democratic government program benefitting American families are coming. Here’s what Republican leaders absolutely hate about the program. Even though the child benefits are administered by the Internal Revenue Service, the payments aren’t limited to families that pay income taxes. The reason Biden’s program substantially reduces childhood poverty is payments go to families who need them most, those so desperately poor they owe no taxes.

For decades, Republicans have disparaged the poor, often in racist terms as black and brown folks who would rather loll about living off the government than work. There have always been far more poor white Americans than any other race. These days a lot of them live in dying small towns and rural areas where they were attracted by the angry, racist rhetoric of the former Republican president who did absolutely nothing to improve their lives. Instead, he passed enormous tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires including himself and his family.

an appreciation for a competent president like Joe Biden who knows how to create a government program reducing the everyday kitchen table struggles of American families. That’s not the kind of government program Republicans can easily demonize and kill.

Joel McNally was a critic and columnist for the Milwaukee Journal for 27 years. He has written the weekly Taking Liberties column for the Shepherd Express since 1996.

But living through a president who had no idea what to do to protect Americans from a deadly pandemic that shut down their national economy gave the country

JULY 2021 | 11

NEWS ISSUE OF THE MONTH

Wisconsin Can Do More to Prevent

Gun Violence BY DEB ANDRACA

If you’ve never been in a classroom during a lockdown drill, you’re lucky. Huddling in a closet or a corner away from doors and windows, in a classroom full of silent and scared students, is a situation none of us should have to experience. But this is just one example of how our gun violence epidemic has a negative effect on entire communities, including children, families, and people who don’t even own a gun. When I started volunteering for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense, I met with my state legislators who told me that it was the criminals with guns that were the problem, not the law-abiding gun owners. Then after every violent incident, after every mass shooting, they would offer “thoughts and prayers” and little else to 12 | SHEPHERD EXPRESS

help prevent people in Wisconsin from being victimized. But as a mom, as a teacher, as a gun owner, and now as a state legislator, I know there are common-sense steps we can—and must—do to prevent gun violence. I was also told by my then-state representative that we don’t need any new gun laws, we should just do a better job of enforcing the ones we already have. Meanwhile, gun violence has been increasing, and over the past year the pandemic has intensified the impact. Gun sales have surged—there were around 22 million guns purchased in 2020 alone, a 64 percent increase over 2019. The laws on the books are not preventing this accumulating American arsenal.

GUNS KILL KIDS TOO While opponents of gun legislation like to say that “guns don’t kill people, people do,” what they neglect to mention is that many of those people are kids. Unintentional shootings are the second leading cause of death among children, increasing by nearly one-third during the pandemic when many young people had access to unlocked, unsecured guns in the home. Since mass shootings and homicides grab all the headlines, many are surprised to learn that in Wisconsin 70 percent of gun deaths are suicides. Guns are exceptionally effective at killing people and, as a result, are also a particularly devastating means of suicide. Only 4 percent of non-firearm suicide attempts result in

Photo by FireAtDusk/Getty Images.

death, but by using a gun suicide is fatal 90 percent of the time. Access to a gun triples one’s risk of death by suicide, which is why more law enforcement officers die by gun suicide than in the line of duty. With the right treatments and response, these are preventable deaths.

GOP FAILS TO RESPOND For years our state legislative leaders have not only failed to respond, but have refused to even debate the matter. In November of 2019, Governor Evers called a special session of the legislature to address gun violence, but Republican leaders gaveled the session in and out in a matter of seconds. My Assembly joint resolution about Gun Violence Awareness Day, AJR 55, was introduced on May 14 but was never added to the legislative calendar. Year after year common-sense gun legislation is introduced then dies in committee, without so much as a hearing. Meanwhile the deaths continue. On June 13 the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported that five people were fatally shot and 16 others injured by gun violence in a single weekend in Milwaukee. The response from one of my legislative colleagues, Representative Joe Sanfelippo of New Berlin, was to call on Governor Evers to activate the Wisconsin National Guard. There are many data-driven, proven solutions to gun violence but mobilizing our military is not one of them. First, we must be able to talk about the problem without being accused of violating the Second Amendment. The Supreme Court has upheld that the right to bear arms does not extend to those who pose a threat to the safety of themselves or others. Wisconsin must close the private sale loophole and ensure a background check is conducted on every gun sale. If you buy a gun at a licensed firearms dealer, you must pass a background check. But if you buy a gun online, or from your neighbor at a garage sale, not only is this legal but there is no background check required. This is how

the Brookfield Azana spa shooter, who had a criminal history of domestic violence, was able to get a gun and kill four people in a hair salon.

EXTREME RISK To help address gun suicide, Wisconsin needs an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) law. Already in place in red and blue states across the country, ERPO laws allow guns to be removed from a situation where someone is in crisis or if there is reason to believe an individual is planning a mass shooting. Without an ERPO, if a parent or friend suspects someone has a gun and is at imminent risk for suicide, there is no recourse to help prevent such a tragedy. We must also do a better job to ensure a culture of gun safety. Having guns loaded and readily accessible increases the risk to everyone in a household, especially children. Up to 80 percent of shooters under 18 obtained their guns from their own home or someone they know, and the majority of unintentional shootings occur inside a home. Storing firearms unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition can save the life of someone close to you. None of these measures restricts the rights of gun owners, but they will save lives and prevent the trauma that ripples from every tragic shooting. Instead of hiding our students in the corners of our classrooms, practicing what to do in case of a school shooter, we must teach about responsible gun ownership, acknowledge the crisis at hand, and take proven measures to ensure the safety of every community in our state. No army—or National Guard—is coming to the rescue. It’s up to us to elect state leaders who are willing to stand up and do the right thing.

Deb Andraca represents the 23rd Assembly District in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

JULY 2021 | 13

NEWS HERO OF THE MONTH

Noor Jawad is a Healer, Influencer

and Supporter for Many BY ERIN BLOODGOOD

Photo courtesy of Noor Jawad.

oor Jawad has been a healer and an integral part of the alternative medicine community in Milwaukee area for over 35 years. As a founding contributor to CORE El Centro, a current member of the Milwaukee-based Share Collaborative, and the owner of her own private practice offering life coaching, she has helped many people discover new methods of healing. Jawad believes in the holistic approach to medicine—helping her clients improve the health of their body, mind, emotions and spirit. Without working on all the parts of oneself, she explains, we become imbalanced and can’t be fully present in our everyday lives. The path to a healthy mind, body and spirit was not always clear for her. As a child, Jawad was often sick, in and out of doctors’ offices, and was prescribed a lot of medications in an attempt to solve her illness. Because she was often weak and unhealthy, she grew up introspective and developed an interest in alternative healing practices.

MIND AND BODY Constantly reading and researching throughout her adolescence, she became fascinated with how the mind and body worked. Her grandmother also acted as an influence, teaching her how to make

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natural remedies and tea using tree roots. She began experimenting on herself, looking for ways to improve her health without using traditional medicine. “I had a lot of hospitalizations and medications that served a purpose to a limit but didn’t really get to the core issues and help me heal,” she says. That’s a big part of where our society’s health system is broken, Jawad explains. Standard medications and antibiotics put a band-aid on a health problem, but don’t address the fundamental factors causing the issue. In her practice, she’s focuses on the origins of her clients’ health concerns and begins her healing process from there. Her practice extends beyond working with individuals. In her work with the Share Collaborative, she teaches culture reverence to teams within organizations, which enables the organization to support their employees who are Black, Indigenous and people of color. Through the Cultural Humility to Cultural Reverence training, Jawad helps employees become aware of their cultural biases and understand how institutional racism may show up and be damaging to their organization.

Jawad. This is a different type of healing – a cultural healing that addresses the root problems in our institutions and can benefit people in future generations. Whether it’s one-on-one healing sessions or trainings with organizations, Jawad stresses the importance of awareness. To be our best selves and truly thrive, we must be aware of our cultural biases, how our hierarchal structures can be damaging, and be aware of our body, mind and spirit. The decades of time Jawad has committed to improving the health and wellbeing of people has undoubtedly had a significant impact on communities throughout Milwaukee. “Being an influencer and a supporter for others to evolve is very enriching and very rewarding,” she says while smiling. “I really feel that my whole life has prepared me to do this work.”

Learn more about Noor Jawad’s work, visit her website at www.getnoorslight.blogspot.com. Erin Bloodgood is a Milwaukee photographer and storyteller.

“Learning how to have reverence with human beings and their uniqueness, versus their differences, is what Cultural Humility to Cultural Reverence is all about,” says Background by Marje/Getty Images.

JULY 2021 | 15

NEWS OFF THE CUFF

Planting Gardens wiłh a Conscience OFF THE CUFF WITH “PLANT-A-HOLIC” MARGARETE HARVEY

BY VIRGINIA SMALL

argarete and David Harvey’s garden will be one of four gardens open for self-guided tours during The Garden Conservancy's Open Days program, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., August 28 and 29. Milwaukee Art Museum Garden Club volunteers are helping to coordinate and staff the tours. A retired landscape architect, Harvey has gardened for 27 years on 5.5 acres in Bayside. She is equally enthusiastic about public gardens and encouraging opportunities for young people to learn about plants and ecology.

HOW HAVE YOU APPROACHED YOUR GARDEN'S DESIGN? The only overall plan was to follow ecologist and author Aldo Leopold’s motto: “The oldest task in human history is to live on a piece of land without spoiling it.” We live on an exceptional piece of land with level ground above a wooded bluff leading to a large “meadow” overlooking Lake Michigan. So, I am greatly concerned about our environment and all the life forms supported by our little spot on Earth. I understand the “eco-anxiety” many children feel today as I observe events right outside my kitchen window, such as decreases in birds and insects. Or when I see clear-cutting of trees, which invites invasive species to take over, or practices that harm Lake Michigan.

WHAT ARE SOME SUSTAINABLE GARDENING PRACTICES YOU USE? All rainwater that falls on our property stays here, through collection and infiltration. We compost all leaves and brush or otherwise recycle it on site. We bring in lots of cow manure and compost every year to keep building healthy soil. We use chemicals minimally and only on hardscaped areas. I also focus on attracting and protecting native wildlife, for maximum plant and habitat diversity. We have a frog pond, bat 16 | SHEPHERD EXPRESS

boxes, bird feeders and houses, plants for pollinators and butterflies, insect boxes, and a brush pile for habitat. In summer, I raise Monarch butterflies from eggs found in the prairie.

WHAT WILL VISITORS SEE IN YOUR GARDEN? My ornamental garden has evolved on the level ground surrounding our midcentury modern home designed by Fitzhugh Scott. Apart from one somewhat formal space (with an Oval Garden and two waterlily fishponds), I have carved out island beds wherever a tree had succumbed to age, lightning or disease. The lawn shrinks every year and is “full of weeds,” because dandelions, creeping Charlie and clover produce valuable nectar for insects. I am a “plant-a-holic,” so there are plant collections in pots, such as tropicals, orchids and succulents. Most unusual perennials and woody plants will be labeled. We've mostly kept the wooded bluff intact and reintroduced many native plants. This is my place for “forest bathing,” where I listen to the birds. We added two stone staircases totaling 143 steps—my daily workout. The “meadow,” part of the ancient Nipissing Terrace, was overrun by invasive plants and needed the most attention. I've created prairie beds there, replaced many black locusts with various native trees, and installed woodland walks to observe understory plants. I also experiment with no-mow grasses and we have a rustic gathering place overlooking the lake.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO HELP LAUNCH LANDSCAPE-RELATED COMMUNITY EFFORTS HERE? My father and great-grandfather were mayors of their respective tiny communities in northern Germany, so maybe it's hereditary. I also had gotten involved in volunteer

Photography by Virginia Small.

JULY 2021 | 17

NEWS OFF THE CUFF

MARGARETE HARVEY

efforts in our community in rural England when our daughters were young. As a mature student in UW-Madison's landscape architecture program, I studied Milwaukee County’s park system, which had been outstanding but was gradually being underfunded. I joined the Park People: Friends of Milwaukee County Parks. I became convinced that we need more open spaces in Milwaukee’s central city, and access to the lakefront for everyone. I threw myself into the Park People’s mission—to help start park friends groups and to combat invasive weeds—such as garlic mustard, buckthorn and honeysuckle—in natural areas. With Dr. Ken Solis, I initiated the Park People's “Weed-out” program, starting with four parks. It’s still ongoing and now includes many parks! I worked to prevent the filling in of Humboldt Park’s water lily pond and to restore the memorial to Dr. Joseph Schneider, who had donated the land for Doctors Park. With Else Ankel, I started the Riverside Nature Center, which became the Urban Ecology Center. When we celebrated Lake Park’s 100th anniversary in 1994, I was part of the group that founded Lake Park Friends.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO WORK TO PROMOTE WISE STEWARDSHIP OF LANDSCAPE LEGACIES? I just want to leave this world a better place. As landscape architects, with our knowledge of the natural world and understanding of human needs, we can help build awareness about the value

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of designed gardens such as Villa Terrace and Dan Kiley’s now-demised horse chestnut grove. For my graduate thesis I studied children’s attitudes toward the environment, based on their schools’ varying degrees of greenery in their play areas. I was appalled at the sterile play areas in many Milwaukee school yards, which consisted only of concrete, some turfgrass and high chain-link fences.

WHAT ROLES DO YOU THINK PUBLIC LANDSCAPES PLAY? Public landscapes provide enormous community benefits, including fostering mental and physical health, appreciation of the natural world, and perhaps inspiring people to preserve our environment. They also can be an antidote to the grave societal disparities.

Public landscapes are not valued enough. There are too many efforts to build this or that in a park, or to grab a bit of parkland here and there for other uses.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT GARDENCONSERVANCY.ORG. THE GARDENS WILL BE OPEN RAIN OR SHINE AUGUST 28-29, 10 A.M. TO 4 P.M.

Virginia Small is an award-winning journalist and lifelong writer. She has served as a senior editor for Fine Gardening magazine, was a staff reporter and cultural reviewer for several newspapers, and a contributor to many national and regional publications. Photography by Virginia Small.

JULY 2021 | 19

FOOD & DRINK

Jose’s Blue Sombrero Spices Up Downtown Tosa Dining BY SUSAN HARPT GRIMES

estled in the downtown heart of Wauwatosa, the building occupied for 38 years by the Chancery was fully remodeled and relaunched as a new location for Jose’s Blue Sombrero in 2018. The change seems to suit the space perfectly. Anyone who may have felt the Chancery had become a bit out-of-date in its last few years on State Street will appreciate the new airy and bright feel of the interior and relish the open-air balcony and ground floor street side dining opportunities that Jose’s offers. Judging by the sizable crowd of smiling people, sipping margaritas while munching on fresh chips and salsa on a recent warm spring evening, it would seem Jose’s is offering some robust competition to other dining venues in the area. When dining at a Mexican restaurant, guests often expect a good margarita, and that is something that Jose’s has in spades. You can, of course, get a very good traditional lime margarita. But, if you like experimenting with different flavored drinks, Jose’s offers upwards of 15 different options including fun flavors like blackberry, dreamsicle, mango, kiwi and peach. There is also a very respect-

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able list of over 30 different kinds of tequila to enhance your tasty beverage. Depending on how much margarita you want to drink, there’s a range of sizes from 12 oz (starting at $6) to a full pitcher for the table (starting at $24). Or try it El Tornado style, a margarita swirled in the glass with frozen sangria. Another expectation most diners have of a good Mexican place, is excellent guacamole, which happens to be another solid offering at Jose’s. The best way to begin a meal here is with the Tableside Guac ($10.45). The interaction with staff is always a pleasant experience, watching their skilled guacamole preparation can be quite informative, and the result is an excellent dip for Joe’s fresh tortilla chips, made just the way you like it—spicy, with lots of lime or extra garlic.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE Jose’s menu includes something for everyone. Gluten free and vegetarian options are clearly marked. Spice levels are indicated. Traditional foods like tacos and burritos are available with many variations. Some, like the Root Vegetable Tacos (two for $8.95), make for a delicious, meatless departure from the norm, filled with roasted carrot and

Photos taken by Michael Burmesch. Background/accent texture by bpperry/Getty Images.

ROOT VEGETABLE TACOS

parsnips, cauliflower jalapeno hummus, pickled beets, arugula, cilantro and black beans. Or try the Thai inspired Curry Coconut Chicken Tacos (two for $9.95), chock full of chicken and topped with pickled red onion, Thai basil, toasted coconut and ome nice heat from Thai bird chiles. Other Mexican favorites like Chimichangas ($12.95), Enchiladas ($13.95) and Quesadillas ($12.95) round out the dinner menu, along with some “Spanglish” offerings that include a Friday Fish Fry ($11.95). In response to COVID dining restrictions, in addition to their regular menu, Jose’s began offering various take-out family meals meant to serve about five people. They are priced quite reasonably ($34.95-$64.95). Jose’s also offers excellent curbside service. In the parking lot adjacent to the restaurant are spaces clearly labeled for curbside pickup with a number to call when you arrive. The food will be brought out to your car quite promptly. As it can be quite a challenge to find close parking in downtown Tosa at busy times, this service is quite invaluable and will, hopefully, continue.

JOSE'S BLUE SOMBRERO 7615 W. State St. | (414) 453-2300 www.josesbluesombrero.com | $$-$$$ Handicaped accessible: Yes

Susan Harpt Grimes is a longtime restaurant and features writer for the Shepherd Express.

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FOOD & DRINK FLASH IN THE PAN

Photo courtesy of Ari LeVaux.

In Egg Salad, Little Things Add Up

nce, when Mom was out for a visit, she made egg salad sandwiches. The kids wolfed them down before I had a chance to nab a sample. Their mouths were still full when they asked for another round. I paid close attention as she prepared another batch and watched her pull a move I didn’t even know existed. She snapped a piece of celery in half, leaving the two pieces connected by the fibers that run down the ridge of a celery stalk. She pulled the two pieces apart, yanking the strings from both pieces at once. Then she hunted for more, digging and tugging out the fibers with the tip of a knife. The de-stringed celery had a glowing, freshly scrubbed look, while the strings sat in a tangled pile like a green hairball. The resulting egg salad, which I managed to taste, was crunchy and soft, chunky yet smooth.

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BY ARI LEVAUX Next time you want to give someone the royal treatment, peel their celery. Stringfree celery is a luxury on par with breakfast in bed, minus the mess. I had been under the impression that chewing a cud of twine was just the way celery eating went. The new way, crunchy and juicy but not chewy, ushered in a brand-new celery honeymoon. More than once I’ve de-stringed a piece of celery for egg salad and then impulsively popped it into my mouth like a Twix Bar. Pulling those strings will make any celery snack more palatable, and won’t leave your heart deprived of fiber, because there will still be plenty left in that string-free stalk. If you could somehow remove all the fiber from celery there would barely be anything left but a green column of water. Mom lives alone and spent most of her 91st year in near isolation thanks to the

virus. These days when mom makes egg salad, I do the heavy lifting and fiber pulling, and she leans against the counter, watching and tasting progress. The salt has to be just right. And you can’t overwork it. Little things. But if you don’t do the little things, the kids will complain. As for mom, she won’t complain, even if you leave the string in. She never complains. It’s a lesson I hope to learn some day myself. In the meantime, I’m going to keep doing the little things for her that she used to do for me. In life, as in egg salad, the little things add up.

Ari LeVaux has written about food for The Atlantic Online, Outside Online and Alternet.

Mom's Egg Salad Recipe

"BOIL THE EGGS FOR NINE MINUTES. MIX THEM WITH ONION AND CELERY. SALT AND VERY LITTLE PEPPER. ADD THE MAYONNAISE. CAREFULLY." Serves 2 • 3 large eggs • 1 stick celery • 50 grams of onion (about a 4th of a medium sized onion) • ¼ teaspoon salt • 1 dash of pepper • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise Heat enough water to cover two eggs by at least an inch. When it reaches the boil, carefully lower the eggs into the water with a spoon. Boil for nine minutes. Remove the eggs and place them in cold water. When they are cool enough to work with, peel them. Break the celery stick in half. If the two halves remain connected by threads, gently pull the two pieces away from each other such that the strings pull out. Once they are separated, remove any more strings you can by digging them out with the tip of a knife and pulling. You don’t need to fuss about trying to remove every single fiber. But every bit that you do remove will make the salad a little easier to chew. Mince the celery and onion together. Chop the eggs as finely as possible without turning them into a paste and add them to a bowl. Add the minced celery and onions, salt and pepper. Gently mix with a scooping motion to avoid crushing the eggs. Taste to check seasonings. Gently fold in the mayo. Serve on toast.

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SPECIAL SUMMER DRINKS | SPONSORED BY DISCOUNT LIQUOR

SUMMER DRINK BY GAETANO MARANGELLI 24 | SHEPHERD EXPRESS

Photo by Michael Burmesch.

Summer Cocktails—you say it to yourself every year.

You’re going to make the most of the summer. You’re going to try new things. You’re going to go to new bars and restaurants. You’re going to take a vacation to a place you’ve never been before. You’re going to ask your cute neighbor over for a drink. And you’re going to make something else besides the same old summer cocktails you always make.

But every summer ends like the last.

You go to the same old bars. You go on a vacation to the same place you always go to. Your cute neighbor begins a new relationship with somebody who isn’t you. And all you mix from May through September are Gin and Tonics, Mojitos, and Margaritas. Changing what you’ve accustomed yourself to isn’t easy. But if you can’t change it this summer, then maybe you aren’t ever going to.

Your journey begins with one cocktail. Or maybe two. How about three?

Background photo by Dekdoyjaidee/Getty Images.

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A SUMMER COCKTAIL GUIDE

Photo by bhofack2/Getty Images.

QUEEN'S PARK STINGER DAVE CORNILS, BAR MANAGER BRYANT’S COCKTAIL LOUNGE, 1579 S. NINTH ST. “Summer is a great time for fresh mint—and while most people might mix their mint in a Mojito, the Queen’s Park Swizzle is my go-to,” says Cornils. Along with mint, all you need is rum, lime juice, rich simple syrup, and a healthy amount of Trinidad’s most famous export, Angostura bitters. “This classic cocktail originated at the Queen’s Park Hotel in Trinidad,” he continues. “A Demerara Rum from Trinidad or nearby Guyana is best for this drink, but El Dorado, Angostura, or any good, aged rum will suffice. “What sets this and other swizzle-style cocktails apart is the way they’re prepared—by using a swizzle stick to churn and chill the ingredients with crushed or cracked ice. (If you don’t have a proper swizzle stick, you can use a bar spoon as a substitute.) Swizzled cocktails only really work with crushed or cracked ice, which you can make at home with ice cubes from your freezer, a clean dry towel, and a kitchen mallet. “Swizzles are traditionally built in the glass in which they’re being served. Which is another reason why Queen’s Park Swizzle is such a great at-home cocktail. Nobody ever complains about there being too few dishes to wash!”

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INGREDIENTS • 2 oz. Aged Demerara Rum • 1 oz. Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice • 1 ⁄2 oz. Rich Simple Syrup • 10-12 Fresh Mint Leaves, plus a few more for garnish • Angostura Aromatic Bitters

METHOD • Place the mint leaves in a tall glass and gently muddle them, pushing them up the sides of the glass to fill it with minty aromatics. • Add the rum, lime, simple syrup, and a dash or two of Angostura bitters. • Fill the glass with crushed or cracked ice. • Use your swizzle stick (or bar spoon) to gently swizzle the ingredients—gently twirling the stick between the palms of your hands—until the glass begins to frost up. • If needed, top with more ice. • Complete the drink with a few more dashes of Angostura bitters as a float, along with a big bouquet of fresh mint as garnish.

Background photo by Dekdoyjaidee/Getty Images.

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THE SCARLET IBIS IRA KOPLOWITZ, CO-FOUNDER; AND BRANDON REYES, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER BITTERCUBE BAR & BIZARRE, 4828 W. LISBON AVE. “Here’s a recipe for a simple Daiquiri variation we call The Scarlet Ibis, named after one of the national birds of Trinidad and Tobago,” explains Reyes. “The Alchermes Liqueur adds tropical spice and floral aromatics to compliment a robust Trinidad Rum, as well as creating the striking color of the cocktails namesake.”

INGREDIENTS • 3⁄4 oz. Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice • 1 ⁄2 oz. Demerara or Turbinado Sugar Syrup • 11 ⁄4 oz. Scarlet Ibis Rum (or your favorite Trinidad Rum) • 3⁄4 oz. Heirloom Alchermes Liqueur • 1 Dropper Bittercube Blackstrap Bitters Glass: Coupe or Nick & Nora • Garnish: Black Cherry & Lime Flag

METHOD • Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker. • Add ice and shake with a fluid motion until chilled. • Strain into Coupe or Nick & Nora glass. • Garnish with a lime wheel wrapped and skewered around a black cherry.

Photo by Rimma_Bondarenko/Getty Images.

RAY-BUJITO JIM MEEHAN, ACCLAIMED MIXOLOGIST AND AUTHOR OF MEEHAN’S BARTENDER MANUAL AND THE PDT COCKTAIL BOOK: THE COMPLETE BARTENDER’S GUIDE. Meehan began his bartending career while he was a student at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. “I know this is a little bit of a curveball, but I love this drink,” he says. “It’s served at the LAX American Express Centurion Lounge, which I write the cocktail menu for. The classic Sevillian Rebujito—a Manzanilla and soda garnished with mint leaves—benefits greatly when mixed with a bracing, herbal tonic such as Dr. Brown’s Cel-Ray Soda.”

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Photo courtesy of Bittercube Bar & Bizarre.

INGREDIENTS • 3 oz. Dr. Brown’s Cel-Ray Soda • 2 oz. Manzanilla Sherry

METHOD • Build in a chilled Collins glass then fill with ice. • Garnish with a rib of celery

Gaetano Marangelli is a sommelier and playwright. He was the managing director of a wine import and distribution company in New York and beverage director for restaurants and retailers in New York and Chicago before moving to Wauwatosa.

Background photo by Dekdoyjaidee/Getty Images.

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Cream City Root Beer MILWAUKEE’S LONG HERITAGE OF SWEET, CARBONATED, NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES BY JAMIE LEE RAKE

Photo by bhofack2/Getty Images.

ilwaukee’s beer culture remains steadfast and vibrant—but what about root beer? Several local firms produce the beverage for sale in bottles and cans. Beer’s sweetened, carbonated and usually non-alcoholic cousin was popularized in the U.S. by pharmacist Charles Hires at Philadelphia’s 1876 Centennial celebration. Ingredients used back then, including wintergreen, vanilla, molasses and licorice, are still used in some root beers today. And, just as with beer proper, there’s no one way to make it. Milwaukee’s John Graf followed a parallel path to Hires in root beer production. Alongside regular beer, he started producing root beer in 1873. Eventually known as Grandpa Graf’s Root Beer, the soda, one among a variety of flavors the company made, was known for its creamy flavor, thick foamy head, and for circus tent-looking cans and bottles. Though the brand was sold numerous times before ceasing production in the 1990s, Grandpa Graf’s legacy lives on in the variety of root beers still calling Wisconsin home. 30 | SHEPHERD EXPRESS

BLACK BEAR Black Bear Root Beer harkens to the longgone era when locally produced soda brands were common. The last Wisconsin location of the brand, begun in 1920, was a facility in Oak Creek. The name and formulas for their line of sodas was purchased by Chicago’s Wit Beverage Company in 2017. Wit continues to market the brand in both regular and diet flavors for its Badger State origin and endeavors to make it competitive as it was when Black Bear was a wholly Milwaukee enterprise.

DANG! The flagship soda from Milwaukee's family-owned Imperial Flavors is Dang! That's Good Root Beer. The mildly carbonated refresher delivers old fashioned flavor, a point of comparison for drinkers of larger brands might be A&W. Aside from fully sweetened and diet varieties from its original recipe, Dang! has introduced a line of butterscotch root beer.

JOLLY GOOD Random Lake’s Jolly Good is remembered for the jokes it printed at the bottom of cans from the ‘70s through the ‘90s as well

as the caramel flavor of its regular and diet root beers. Those flavors were among over 50 made by parent company, Krier Foods, before Jolly Good was retired in 2007, a time when the national beverage companies seemed too big to challenge. But the example of the burgeoning interest in craft beer—signifying traditionally minded production runs and independent ownership—became the key to Jolly Good's 2014 comeback. Its current slender, curved bottom cans (looking like miniature tall boys) discontinued the jokes, but contain 12 ounces that will bring back memories for some and become a new favorite for others.

LAKEFRONT Since opening in 1987, Lakefront Brewery has become a Milwaukee institution for producing an array of locally themed craft beers including the durably popular Riverwest Stein, for its brewery tour and beer hall (1872 N. Commerce St.) and for serving one of the city’s best Friday fish frys. Lakefront is known for its seasonal beers but promises that its Golden Maple Root Beer will be available year-round.

As the name suggests, it’s made from sugar cane sweetened with Wisconsin maple syrup and is lighter and crisper than some other richer-bodied competitors—a pilsner among root beers?

POINT Stevens Point seems as far away from Milwaukee as Hogwarts, but the Portage County town merits mention in a local root beer roundup because of its Point Burger Bar restaurants in Milwaukee (10950 W. Good Hope Road), New Berlin (4900 S. Moorland Road) and Pewaukee (W229 N1400 Westwood Drive). Among the menu’s options is Point Premium Root Beer in regular and diet varieties. Both are vanilla-forward in taste with a foamy, lasting head comparable to the brewery’s familiar brand of beer.

cher discovered in Germany during his Army service. Sprecher’s commitment to the community is shown by its giveaway of root beer floats at State Fair Park during COVID-19 restrictions as well as the annual Traveling Beer Garden tours, selling Sprecher beverages from vintage firetrucks in Milwaukee County Parks with proceeds given to the park system.

SPRECHER

Root beer variations comprise a quarter of Sprecher’s 24 soda offerings and the star among them remains the first non-alcoholic product it offered: the original Root Beer (Fire-Brewed Craft Soda.) Its robust flavor and long-lasting head come courtesy of ingredients including raw honey and real vanilla. Sprecher has also gone in new directions with Lo-Cal Root Beer; Energy Root Beer; Zero Sugar Root Beer; Maple Root Beer and Caffeinated Root Beer.

If Jolly Good has the longest history among local root beers, Sprecher arguably has the highest profile. Founded in 1985, Milwaukee’s oldest craft brewery was inspired by the beer Randy Spre-

Jamie Lee Rake has written about food and music for the Shepherd Express since the 1990s.

Background by scaliger/Getty Images. Illustration by boudu9/Getty Images.

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Summer Festival Guide July-September 2021

The pandemic was still in the air when we went to press with the first version of this year’s Summer Festival Guide. Many annual events in the early season were cancelled and others were marked postponed, meaning a probable later start date than normal. We revisited the guide in light of the continually changing situation. The good news is that the summer of 2021 is shaping up to be closer to normal than last year.

Photo courtesy of Wisconsin State Fair.

THURSDAY BIKE NIGHT CONCERT SERIES

OUT OF THE BOX FEATURING CRACKING ART

Thursdays through September 16 Harley-Davidson Museum harley-davidson.com

Through August 1 Lakeshore State Park Family friendly performance and workshops on the Lake Michigan shore.

All bikes are welcome on the campus of the Harley-Davidson Museum for free live music, food and drinks. MILWAUKEE MAKERS MARKET May–September milwaukeemakersmarket.com

OLD FALLS VILLAGE DAYS May 29–Sept. 18 Old Falls Village Museum, Pilgrim Road and Hwy. Q, Menomonee Falls 262-250-3901 | oldfallsvillage.com

GREEN LAKE FESTIVAL OF MUSIC June 11–August 5 Live music at various locations. Visit greenlakefestival.org. CATHEDRAL SQUARE MARKET Saturdays starting June 12–October 9 BUDWEISER WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE June 16 through September 22. State Fair Park Wednesday Night Live is a free weekly summer concert series held at the Budweiser Pavilion on the Wisconsin State Fair grounds.

Event hours are 10 a.m-4 p.m. on May 16 at The Ivy House and June 20, July 11, August 22 and September 26 at Discovery World.

The historical museum’s grounds feature antique farming equipment and steam engines, hands-on pioneer activities and gas machinery demonstrations, old-fashioned children’s games, country market food vendors and live music. A beer garden is open Saturdays plus Old Falls Village Car Show (Sept. 18).

SUMMER SOUNDS ON FRIDAYS IN CEDARBURG

BRISTOL RENAISSANCE FAIRE

BEYOND VAN GOGH MILWAUKEE

July 10–September 6 | 10am–7pm Saturdays, Sundays & Labor Day renfair.com/bristol

July 9–September 19 Wisconsin Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave. vangoghmilwaukee.com

July 2–September 10 | 6:30–10 p.m. summersounds.net WASHINGTON PARK WEDNESDAYS

MUSICAL MONDAYS IN LAKE PARK

July 7–August 25 | 5–9 p.m. washingtonparkneighbors.com

Lake Park Summer Stage lakeparkfriends.org

BRADY STREET ART WALK

SKYLINE MUSIC SERIES

July 10 | 12–4 p.m. bradystreet.org

TBD Selig-Joseph-Folz Amphitheater in Kadish Park coa-yfc.org/skyline

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In an immersive presentation crafted for our times by audiovisual designers, Beyond Van Gogh uses cutting-edge projection technology to create an engaging journey into the world of a great artist. BASTILLE DAYS Canceled Cathedral Square Park, 520 E. Wells St. 414-271-1416 | easttown.com

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GATHERING ON THE GREEN

WHITEFISH BAY ART FEST

RAINBOW SUMMER

July 9–10 Rotary Park, Mequon, 4100 W. Highland Road 262-242-6187 | gatheringonthegreen.org

July 10–11 Downtown Whitefish Bay along Silver Spring Drive amdurproductions.com

Thursdays, July 15-September 16 Marcus Performing Arts Center After a 17-year hiatus, Rainbow Summer returns to the Peck Pavilion with a series of outdoor movie screenings, concerts and other performances.

This festival aims not only to entertain families but also to educate children with music, ballet, opera and art activities plus country star Trace Adkins and classic rock’s Cheap Trick.

Photo courtesy of Granville BID.

RIVERWEST SECRET GARDEN TOUR July 18 riverwestsecretgardentour.com

SISTER WATER BEER GARDEN July 10 St. Joseph Center, 29th St. at Orchard St., Milwaukee sssf.org The School Sisters of St. Francis support earth-friendly ministries with this drive-thru beer garden offering craft beer, root beer, and more. Live music on site 10 a.m.-1 p.m. as you pick up your pre-ordered beverages.

GRANVILLE BLUES FEST July 15, 16, 17 and 18 8633 W. Brown Deer Road granvillebusiness.org Granville’s annual event is evolving into a local mecca for the original American artform that is the blues with a lineup that includes including Toronzo Canon, The Cash Box Kings, Nu Blu Band, John Primer, Cheryl Youngblood and more.

Masks will be required at this year’s garden tour and participants will begin the neighborhood walk from different points to maintain distance. SOUTH MILWAUKEE HERITAGE DAYS July 18–25 smheritagedays.org WILD ONES: VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE RALLY Postponed Harley Davidson Museum, 400 W. Canal St. 877-436-8738 | harley-davidson.com FESTA ITALIANA Canceled Henry Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Drive 414-223-2808 | festaitaliana.com PORT FISH DAY Canceled Port Washington Lakefront portfishday.com MIDSUMMER FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS July 17–18 John Michael Kohler Arts Center jmkac.org This family friendly event, set amidst the gardens of the arts center, is the largest multi-arts festival in east-central Wisconsin. Visit the artists’ booths and enjoy live music, good food, art-making workshops and free admission to the John Michael Kohler Arts Center.

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Photo courtesy of St. John Armenian Church.

ARMENIAN FEST July 18 St. John the Baptist Armenian Orthodox Church, 7825 W. Layton Ave. 414-282-1670 | armenianfest.com What began in the 1930s as a summer picnic for Milwaukee’s Armenian community has grown into a popular attraction for Milwaukee festival goers seeking alternatives to hamburgers and bratwurst. Food includes kabobs, bureks, and unique Armenian dishes and flavors. SISTER WATER BEER GARDEN Photo courtesy of School Sisters of St. Francis.

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SPECIAL SUMMER FESTIVAL GUIDE | SPONSORED BY MILWAUKEE IRISH FEST

ANIMAL CRACKERS CONCERT SERIES

PRAIRIE DOG BLUES FEST

MILWAUKEE AIR AND WATER SHOW

July 21, August 4, August 18, September 1 Racine Zoo, 2131 N. Main St., Racine

July 30–31 St. Feriole Island, Prairie du Chien 608-326-0085 | prairiedogblues.com

ANIMAL CRACKERS JR. CONCERT SERIES

Lineup to be determined.

Postponed Milwaukee Lakefront from Bradford Beach to Veteran’s Park mkeairwatershow.com

July 23, August 20 Racine Zoo, 2131 N. Main St., Racine

GERMAN FEST

OZAUKEE COUNTY FAIR

Canceled Henry Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Drive 414-464-9444 | germanfest.com

July 28–August 1 W67 N866 Washington Ave., Cedarburg ozaukeecountyfair.com

WAUKESHA COUNTY FAIR July 21–25 County Fairgrounds, 1000 Northview Road, Waukesha 262-544-5922 | waukeshacountyfair.com EAA AIRVENTURE July 26–August 1 Wittman Regional Airport, 525 W. 20th Ave., Oshkosh 920-426-4800 | airventure.org Travel to Oshkosh for an international gathering of some 800,000+ aviation enthusiasts. Attend a workshop or catch a lecture from a notable flight pro, then take in the daily afternoon air show with top-flight pilots dazzling onlookers with aerial acrobatics. WASHINGTON COUNTY FAIR

MILWAUKEE BREWFEST July 31 McKinley Park, 1600 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive 414-321-5000 | milwaukeebrewfest.com

160 years old and billed as one of the last free fairs in the Midwest, it has all you’d hope for in a county fair, including a full midway, fair food, multiple stages of live entertainment, magic and kids’ shows, animal judging, truck and tractor pulls, lumberjack show, demolition derby and fireworks.

BRADY STREET FESTIVAL Canceled Brady Street 414-272-3978 | bradystreet.org

Photo courtesy of School Sisters of St. Francis.

MIDWEST FIRE FEST TBD Westside Park, Cambridge midwestfirefest.com

July 20–25 Washington County Fair Park, 3000 Pleasant Valley Road, West Bend 262-677-5060 | wcfairpark.com

RACINE STARVING ARTIST FAIR

BLACK ARTS FEST MKE

August 1 Lakefront Park on campus of Gateway Technical College racineartguild.com/safracine

Postponed Henry Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Drive blackartsfestmke.com

WISCONSIN STATE FAIR

PENINSULA MUSIC FESTIVAL

August 5–15 Wisconsin State Fair Park, 640 S. 84th St., West Allis 800-884-FAIR | wistatefair.com

August 3–21 Door Community Auditorium, 3926 WI-42, Fish Creek 920-854-4060 | musicfestival.com

Our great Wisconsin State Fair boasts 30 entertainment stages featuring local and national acts, a host of exhibits and enough food and shopping to keep you busy for days. Did we mention the cream puffs? Ants On-A-Stick? Almost anything on a stick!?

The 69th Peninsula Music Festival features nine symphonic concerts of major classical pieces.

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SISTER WATER BEER GARDEN August 14 St. Joseph Center, 29th St. at Orchard St., Milwaukee sssf.org The School Sisters of St. Francis support earth-friendly ministries with this drive-thru beer garden offering craft beer, root beer, and more. Live music on site 10 a.m.-1 p.m. CENTER STREET DAZE FESTIVAL

WAUKESHA ROTARY BLUESFEST August 13–14 Naga-Waukee Park, 651 Highway 83, Delafield 800-366-1961 | waukeshabluesfest.com

TBD East Center Street between Holton Street and Humboldt Boulevard 414-502-9545 centerstreetdazefestival.com

WISCONSIN STATE FAIR Photo courtesy of Wisconsin State Fair.

HANK AARON STATE TRAIL 5K RUN/WALK August 12–15 414-840-1710 | hankaaronstatetrail.org The 5K Run/Walk is a hybrid event this year with both in-person and virtual races available. MILWAUKEE DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL TBD Lakeshore State Park, 500 N. Harbor Drive 262-853-8018 milwaukeedragonboatfest.org

LUXEMBOURG FEST August 13–16 548 Park St., Belgium MORNING GLORY FINE CRAFT FAIR August 14–15 Plaza alongside Fiserv Forum 262-894-0038 morninggloryfinecraftfair.com Enjoy a premier contemporary fine craft fair in its new location outside the Fiserv Forum in Downtown Milwaukee. The 40+ year-old fair features 130+ juried fine craft artists exhibiting art to wear and art for the home in ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, painting, photography, wood, metal and mixed media.

MINERAL POINT HISTORICAL SOCIETY BLUES FEST August 20–21 Orchard Lawn, 234 Madison Street, Mineral Point mineralpointhistory.org Mineral Point Historical Society presents the second annual Mineral Point Blues Festival. Supporting unique Mineral Point history and Mineral Point Music Boosters through a fun event filled with local and regional musicians. Beer, wine, hard cider and food trucks will be onsite. No carry-ins. Bring a chair and enjoy the fun.

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MILWAUKEE IRISH FEST Photo courtesy of Milwaukee Irish Fest.

METRO JAM

MOWA ART AND CHALK FEST

August 20–21 Washington Park, S. 12th and Washington Streets, Manitowoc 414-852-5718 | metrojam.org

August 21–22 205 Veterans Ave., West Bend artchalkfest.com GRANVILLE BID 2021 CAR, TRUCK & BIKE SPECTACULAR August 22 8301 N. 76th St Join us in our seventh year celebrating antique cars, hotrods, classic sports cars, Corvettes, food vendors and a Battle of the Bands. Look for more info and print ad in Shepherd Express July issue. INDIAFEST MILWAUKEE TBD Humboldt Park, 3000 S. Howell Ave. 414-243-9397 | indiafestmilwaukee.org

Photo courtesy of Milwaukee Irish Fest.

IRISH FEST Aug. 20–22 Henry Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Drive 414-476-3378 | irishfest.com Irish Fest may limit the number of tickets sold at the gates and online to accommodate the potential capacity limit. Organizers advise people to get their tickets in advance for a guaranteed entry to North America’s largest Irish festival. 40 | SHEPHERD EXPRESS

MEXICAN FIESTA August 27–29 Henry Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Drive 414-383-7066 | mexicanfiesta.org Mexican Fiesta is much more than three days of tacos, tamales, tostadas, Mariachi music and dancing. It’s an education in Mexico’s rich culture and history. It encourages people of all ethnic backgrounds to share in the beauty of Mexico’s art, music, dances and crafts.

BEER BARONS’ WORLD OF BEER FESTIVAL August 28 Bavarian Bierhaus, 700 W. Lexington Blvd., Glendale wobfest.com WALK FOR WISHES August 28 Henry Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Drive 262-781-4445 | site.wish.org Gather your friends, family and coworkers to walk for wishes. Proceeds from the 5K or one-mile run/walk will benefit the Make-AWish Foundation of Wisconsin and grant the wishes of children with critical illnesses. WINE AND VINE, ETC. Canceled Clare Hall, 3470 S. Illinois Ave. 414-744-1160 | winenvineosf.com MILWAUKEE FRINGE FESTIVAL August 28 Marcus Center’s Wilson Theater, Todd Wehr Theater, Peck Pavilion and grounds 414-436-5302 | mkefringe.com Alongside the in-person festival, there will be opportunities for artists to participate virtually by supplying video performances.

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HARLEY-DAVIDSON MUSEUM CUSTOM BIKE SHOW Canceled Harley-Davidson Museum, 400 W. Canal St. 877-436-8738 | harley-davidson.com LABORFEST MILWAUKEE Canceled Henry Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Drive milwaukeelabor.org MUSIC AT THE ZOO September 3-5 Racine Zoo, 2131 N. Main St. Racine SUMMERFEST September 2-4, 9-11 and 16-18 Henry Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Drive 414-273-2680 | summerfest.com The world’s largest music festival is a bit scaled back this year but will offer an impressive list of headliners. In addition to national and local music, enjoy a nearly overwhelming variety of eats from Milwaukee’s best food vendors. Did we mention the beer? There’s beer, too!

Photo courtesy of Racine Zoo.

RACINE ZOO

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THIRD WARD ART FESTIVAL

OLD FASHIONED FEST

September 4-5 Broadway between St. Paul and Menomonee streets, Downtown Milwaukee 847-926-4300 | historicthirdward.org

September 10 Turner Hall shepherdexpress.com/shepherdevents

This free family friendly art festival fills the streets with live music, food and art in a neighborhood already bursting with galleries, theaters, restaurants and pubs. More than 140 juried artists, 36 from Wisconsin, will show work this year. There will be games and activities for kids. LABOR DAY WEEKEND OAK CREEK LIONSFEST September 3-6 American Legion Post 434, 9327 S. Shepard Ave. Bring the family for carnival games, helicopter rides, raffles, music, food, the craft beer garden, wine, soda and more! Get a deal on a wristband for the whole weekend or come one day at a time.

Toast that Milwaukee classic—the Old Fashioned. It will be a whiskey vs. brandy showdown you won’t want to miss. Sample classic and reimagined Old Fashioneds and at the end of the night, we’ll crown a winner. TOSAFEST TBD Hart Park, 7300 Chestnut St., Wauwatosa tosafest.org Tosafest is a community festival with live music, art, food and children’s activities including pony rides, a petting zoo and face painting. All proceeds go to area charities. SILVER CITY International Festival Postponed West National Avenue between 33rd and 35th streets This family friendly festival celebrates the cultural diversity of the Silver City neighborhood, one of Milwaukee’s most ethnically diverse. Stroll the street and enjoy the cuisine, music and art of countries spanning the globe, along with activities for kids.

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SPECIAL SUMMER FESTIVAL GUIDE | SPONSORED BY MILWAUKEE IRISH FEST

TOMATO ROMP

MAKER FAIRE MILWAUKEE

Postponed East North Avenue theeastside.org

September 24-26 Location TBD milwaukee.makerfaire.com

OKTOBERFEST CELEBRATION September 12 St. Joseph Center, 29th St. at Orchard St., Milwaukee sssf.org The School Sisters of St. Francis invite you to our beautiful southside campus for an Oktoberfest featuring craft beer, wine, food, live music and games. Proceeds support our sisters’ local and global ministries. BRIGGS AND AL’S RUN AND WALK FOR CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF WISCONSIN September 16 (tentative) 12th Street and Wisconsin Avenue to Henry Maier Festival Park 414-266-1520

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Part science fair, part county fair, Maker Faire entertains, informs and connects attendees in a family-friendly environment that celebrates technology, education, science, arts, crafts, sustainability and more. GREAT LAKES BREW FEST Postponed Racine Zoological Gardens, 200 Gold St., Racine 262-636-9312 | greatlakesbrewfest.com Featuring an unlimited sampling of more than 250 craft beers and sodas from nearly 100 brewers on the shore of Lake Michigan, this festival raises funds for the internationally acclaimed Racine Kilties Drum and Bugle Corps.

CEDARBURG WINE AND HARVEST FESTIVAL September 18-19 Downtown Cedarburg 262-377-3891 cedarburgfestival.org/wine-and-harvest This festival fills the historic town. Sample food and wine, much of it locally made, as you enjoy many family activities and live musical performances. Live music on the Gruber Law Office Main Stage on Saturday until 8:30 p.m. SCENIC SHORE 150 RIDE September 18-19 Lake Michigan Shoreline from Mequon to Sturgeon Bay 888-557-7177 | events.lls.org The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society sponsor a two-day, 150-mile, fully supported cycling event open to riders of all ages and abilities along the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline. The goal is a cure for blood cancer; please visit the website to register.

DOORS OPEN MILWAUKEE TBD, usually fourth weekend in September 414-277–7795 | doorsopenmilwaukee.org More than 150 buildings open their doors in this annual citywide celebration of history, architecture and neighborhoods organized by Historic Milwaukee. Expect performing arts events and children’s activities. The list of sites and programs will be posted on the event’s website in July. KEGEL’S INN OKTOBERFEST September 24-26 National Avenue between 58th and 60th streets Get a jump on Oktoberfest at this eighth annual event.

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SPECIAL PETS

Emotional Support Animals Enhance Mental Wellbeing BY CATHERINE JOZWIK

Photo by Olena Klymenok/Getty Images.

n recent years, the therapeutic benefits of pets have been promoted by scientists and mental health professionals. For example, the presence of a friendly dog or cat can be very calming, reducing blood pressure and improving mental well-being. For these reasons, pet therapy programs are increasingly being integrated into senior living communities and hospitals. Emotional support animals (ESAs) provide comfort to those with psychological or emotional conditions such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). “Emotional support animals’ official qualifications are that they reduce negative symptoms of a diagnosed psychiatric disorder,” said Garrett Wilk, a therapist with Shoreside Therapies in Whitefish Bay. Animals with calm, patient demeanors that are easily trainable, including miniature horses and dog breeds such as Labrador and golden retrievers, beagles, and corgis, tend to make the best emotional support animals. However, animals of many species, including cats, pigs, ferrets, rabbits, snakes, chickens, rats, guinea pigs and even monkeys, have served as ESAs. Unlike service or therapy animals, which are typically trained to help individuals perform certain tasks, no certification is needed for an animal to be designated as an ESA. An individual “simply needs a letter from a licensed mental health profes-

46 | SHEPHERD EXPRESS

sional, prescribing that the individual’s pet is an emotional support animal,” said Wilk.

IT’S THE LAW The Fair Housing Act (FHA) grants protections to those with emotional support animals. In 2017, Wis. Act 317 was passed to expand “the scope of the state’s open housing law to specifically prohibit discrimination against persons with disability-related needs for assistance animals,” according to a May 2018 newsletter by the Wisconsin Realtors Association (WRA). Under Wis. Stat. 106.50 (2r)(br), “if an individual has a disability and a disability-related need for an emotional support animal, it is discrimination for a person to refuse to rent or sell housing to the individual, cause the eviction of the individual from housing, require extra compensation from the individual as a condition of continued residence in housing or engage in the harassment of the individual because he or she keeps such an animal.” The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that public places, including state and local government agencies, businesses, and nonprofit organizations, reasonably accommodate service animals (places of worship are exempt). However, these protections do not apply to ESAs. According to www.disabilityrightswi.org, “emotional support animals are specifically not covered under the ADA.” Moreover, Wisconsin workplaces are not required to make modifications for employees with ESAs.

As the law does not require ESA owners to undergo training or a certification process for their pets, Wilk feels that many people view the effectiveness of ESAs with skepticism, as some owners claim ESA status for their pets as a matter of convenience—for example, to avoid paying pet deposits and fees to landlords. “I worry that people who legitimately have strong therapeutic reasons to have an animal and specially trained animals may be judged or delegitimized if people simply use the ESA label for convenience to thwart rules and regulations. I have had people, who didn’t want to do evidence-based therapy, reach out to me simply to get an ESA letter. I would not write an ESA letter for someone I am not currently seeing for a reasonable period of time,” he said. “The evidence on whether emotional support animals are effective is mixed, and requires more research to help clinicians understand how support is being given, and who might be a good fit for an emotional support animal. I would love to see more research on how and when animals can be used therapeutically.”

Catherine Jozwik is a lifelong Milwaukee resident and a freelance writer for a number of local and state publications, including the Shepherd Express, Mke Lifestyle Magazine and Point and Plover Magazine.

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CULTURE | SPONSORED BY THE MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM

When Art was for E very American JEWISH MUSEUM MILWAUKEE’S “BROTHER, CAN YOU SPARE A DIME” EXPLORES FEDERALLY FUNDED CREATIVITY IN THE GREAT DEPRESSION BY DAVID LUHRSSEN During the Great Depression, heroic images of everyday folk, the laborers and farmers in the country’s factories and fields, were spread across the bare interior walls of post offices and other public buildings. The muralists working from their scaffolds were employed by several federal agencies, including the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Ostensibly, the New Deal programs supporting visual and other artists had a pragmatic objective: living wages for destitute artists during the worst economic crisis in American history. But those projects also served the more idealistic goal of ennobling the American experience. The current exhibition at the Jewish Museum Milwaukee focuses on federally funded art from the Great Depression. “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime: Jewish Artists of the WPA” assembles some 70 works by 41 artists and includes oil and watercolor paintings, lithographs, serigraphs, woodblock prints and sculpture. Wisconsin’s Aaron Bohrod and Alfred Sessler are among the artists represented in the show. “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime” brings together for the first time pieces from several museums and collections, including the Racine Art Museum and UW-Milwaukee. 48 | SHEPHERD EXPRESS

Most WPA art reflected the prominent visual movement of the day, social realism, whose proponents sought to accurately depict immediate reality through compositions in simplified lines suggesting motion and strength. Avoiding genteel subjects (no still lifes here), social realists delivered messages on the value of everyday life in emotionally vivid form. Social realism was also the preferred visual genre of other nations, including the Soviet Union, where representations of workers in factories and farms circulated widely. However, American artists labored under fewer restrictions and were encouraged to incorporate recognizable aspects of the regions where they lived in their depictions of everyday life. According to the Jewish Museum’s curator, Molly Dubin, the artists were “tapping into Franklin D. Roosevelt’s idea, his focus on creating the ‘American scene,’—the truly American identity and all it encompassed.”

RAISING THE CULTURAL LEVEL The museum programming associated with “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime” puts WPA art into the larger context of the New Deal’s cultural agenda. As painters rendered images of American life, the Library of Congress’ John and Alan Lomax roamed the South recording blues and folk musicians. Other researchers took down the narratives of former slaves and other marginalized citizens. Writers were employed to produce guidebooks to cities and states, plays were mounted and art centers established to raise the country’s cultural level and make the arts accessible to everyone. The plight of working men (and occasionally women) at a time of massive unemployment, when brutal battles for organized labor raged outside factory gates, can be discerned in some images. “Many of the artists were immigrants who came in search of the American Dream and found themselves in one of the darkest times in American history,” Dubin says. While some foreign governments had long spent lavishly on the arts they favored, large scale federal funding of culture in the U.S. was among Roosevelt’s many innovations. The content was sometimes controversial, spurring Congressional hearings by the same sort of know-nothings who block progress today. “The Trump administration tried to squash the National Endowment for the Arts. Biden has promised increases to the federal arts budget—one of the largest ever in dollars to be spent,” Dubin says. “I’m hoping people coming to the exhibition will see the parallels between then and now and be encouraged to think about the role of government spending for the arts and the role of artists in our society.”

“BROTHER, CAN YOU SPARE A DIME: JEWISH ARTISTS OF THE WPA” RUNS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 5 AT JEWISH MUSEUM MILWAUKEE, 1360 N. PROSPECT AVE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT JEWISHMUSEUMMILWAUKEE.ORG.

David Luhrssen has written several books on 20th century popular culture including the forthcoming Great Depression on Film.

Top Left: The Miner, photo credit: Illinois State Museum. Top Right: Hooverville Depression Scene, photo credit: UWM Art Collection. Bottom: Sweat Shop, photo credit: Illinois State Museum. All images courtesy of Jewish Museum Milwaukee.

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CULTURE | SPONSORED BY THE MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM

FIRST STAGE

Will COVID Change How Performing Arts are Presented in Milwaukee? BY DAVID LUHRSSEN Rick Pendzich (center) and cast. Photo provided by First Stage. Photo by Paul Ruffolo.

t’s not surprising when creative people get creative. Confronted by the realization that COVID-19 meant more than postponement but spelled the cancellation of entire seasons of live performances, many groups turned to technology to keep their work in the public’s eye. Five Milwaukee artistic directors and performing arts programmers responded to the question: Will the pivot to virtual that occurred during the pandemic change the way you present performances in the future?

FIRST STAGE: JEFF FRANK At First Stage, our shift to virtual programming for the season has been edifying on multiple levels. While we all miss being together in the same room to create theater—and certainly miss having a live audience share that creation—there are some key things that we’ll carry forward with us into future seasons. First and foremost, our staff has demonstrated incredible resiliency and creativity through their efforts to stay connected to and serve our audiences. From creating a Video on Demand catalogue of our educational programming for school use, to offering virtual and hybrid classes through 50 | SHEPHERD EXPRESS

our Theater Academy, to virtual productions that blew away perceived limitations of the virtual format. I think about Escape from Peligro Island and our audiences using their phones to vote live on the choices of our hero—or the use of green screen technology to take our young cast all around Milwaukee in The Quest for Solomon’s Treasure—and I am simply amazed. We’ve also learned that our virtual programming offers access to a wider range of folks who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend First Stage programming. This idea of greater access is one of the reasons we envision continuing with some virtual programming into the future. Working virtually this year also made it feasible for us to work with artists throughout the country on “Amplify,” First Stage’s BIPOC Virtual Short Play Series—commissioning three new plays by BIPOC playwrights literally working from different coasts. Virtual rehearsals and meetings have opened up the possibilities. Moving forward we’ll be less worried about geographical limitations. There is work that we can do together in the virtual

realm without having to bring everyone physically together. We’re finding greater efficiencies because of the challenges the pandemic has brought. Finally, like many of our fellow theaters here in Milwaukee and beyond, we’ve taken advantage of this time to further examine our commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and justice—building a strategy for the necessary work that we need to do as an organization to truly serve the entirety of the Milwaukee community.

FLORENTINE OPERA: MAGGEY OPLINGER The pandemic forced us to innovate and explore, whether we were ready to or not. We learned so much from this year! Not all of it was digital. We learned how to iterate quickly, that doing everything new all the time is exhausting, that our team is AMAZING at what they do, and that opera can survive really difficult circumstances if we all work together and get creative and flexible. Yet going digital means going global we are a small “big” house. Competing against the Met, with their multiple-year investment into digital shows, doesn’t

Background illustration by Alek Koltukov/Getty Images.

FLORENTINE OPERA Photo provided by Florentine Opera.

seem like respectful stewardship of our Milwaukee dollars. Still, our Voyages series stands out as something new and uniquely Florentine. I would love to see more of those in the future if we have enough audience interest. With the help of generous donors like Herzfeld, UPAF Bright Minds, and We Energies, we were able to offer our school show virtually free of charge, to any school or family who wants it. It was a huge goal of ours to keep the arts in schools during this tough year, and not to let down the 15,000 faces we usually see in classrooms and gymnasiums. That was positively received, and we intend to continue offering a digital experience in that capacity. We also saw a lot of interest in our holiday program and recognize that some opera lovers can’t get to the theater. So we’ll be offering a digital version of that next year as well. As a company, we’re focused on what our audience is asking for. They want ‘more is more’ shows, with costumes, chorus and live experiences. We’re focusing on that for now. But our summer performances, also an experiment, were a huge hit! Look for more of those dressy picnic shows in the future.

NEXT ACT: DAVID CECSARINI In answer to your inquiry, I can unequivocally say, “I hope not.”

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CULTURE | SPONSORED BY THE MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM

NEXT ACT Chiké Johnson and Casey Hoekstra. Photo courtesy of Next Act. Photo by Timothy Moder.

RENAISSANCE THEATERWORKS Braden Moran and Leah Dutchin. Photo courtesy of Renaissance Theaterworks. Photo by Ross Zentner.

For the fall, we’re expecting to resume live performances for partial houses at least. The vaccination programs should have covered everyone well before September. But we’re also considering creating a video of the fall show, just in case we’re still stuck playing to limited capacity houses and we can’t fit everybody in.

connect with new audiences, even all over the globe. And that discussion is being conflated with the burgeoning diversity and inclusion movement. Now we can connect with everybody; access for all! But what’s the connection if the experience isn’t live, in the same room, with fellow human beings?

After that, November-December, we certainly hope to be back to mostly normal.

Not to mention—as you would know very well—to achieve the necessary production values of high-quality video, you have to dedicate yourself to an entirely different process: staging techniques, rehearsal schedule, equipment, expertise, time and, of course, a bunch more money. “Hybrid” production is really a misnomer. It’s really two separate productions, one onstage and one for the camera and editing room. The acting techniques are different, the sound as captured through microphones, is different. The look, with close-ups and editing, is much different. And the acting itself is devoid of a live connection to the audience—the theatre experience is stripped of its uniquely vital quality of community.

We’re in a tricky situation, where some patrons (not many) are enjoying the convenience of quasi-theatre in their own homes. A few have mentioned that it would be nice to continue the video creations even as we return to live performance. There are snowstorms to avoid, or people feeling under the weather or tired or uneasy about driving after dark or the all-important specter of parking! Or the younger trend of “I want to do this on my own schedule, not yours.” There seems to be a national discussion about how live performance sent out on video will revolutionize the ways we

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You also have the SAG-AFTRA Actors’ Equity situation to deal with. There’s no way the Screen Actors Guild will continue to allow Equity houses to produce film, once we’re back to live performance. They’ll want their cut of the action. Same with authors and publishers. We’re all running on special permissions from these entities to get through COVID. But that’ll come to an end soon. Going ahead, maybe the big guys with access to more resources and the audience to warrant that significant investment will continue the video projects alongside live plays. But it’s just not in Next Act’s capacity right now … I’ve got to believe that the appreciation of and desire for live performance has grown over the past year, and that new mindset will, hopefully, put the prospect of video theater to a gentle but definite demise. Or we’ll just switch the theater to a film studio.

RENAISSANCE THEATERWORKS: SUZAN FETE When in-person performances can begin again, Renaissance Theaterworks will

Background illustration by Alek Koltukov/Getty Images.

definitely continue to include virtual offerings in our programming. We have had a lot of positive feedback on our virtual shows. Our virtual “Br!NK New Play Festival” back in September was very well-attended. In addition, we tried something new with In the Box Entertainment—a series of three live, interactive virtual experiences that entertained audiences from the comfort of their homes. Our partnership was wildly successful! All In the Box shows included a mystery box mailed to the ticket holder prior to the show, which fueled their athome, interactive experience. We were proud to offer our audiences fresh and innovative programming, and we will continue to respond to the circumstances with a nimble and creative approach.

THEATRE GIGANTE: ISABELLE KRALJ I don't think it will affect the way I approach live theater when writing/creating, directing and staging. However, I have been wanting to work with video in our live theater productions for a long time and working virtually just might be the trigger that helps me realize that desire. I feel I will be more comfortable in using it as a tool for a Gigante live theatre piece.

During this pandemic, Gigante has presented three pieces virtually: A Prison Made of Light, Your Story and A Cosmic Fairy Tale a Day Keeps the Doctor Away. Our approach has been to come up with ideas specifically formulated and suited to this platform. We haven’t attempted to put on plays or our typical Gigante style theater pieces. Instead, we have stayed true to our aesthetic but transferred it to a screen, with the sole intent of creating it for the screen. This last project, A Cosmic Fairy Tale, was so enjoyable to work on, such an interesting process, and so different from when we create and present live theater—it was almost like creating a film—that I wouldn’t rule out creating something like this again: something created with a virtual platform, a screen experience, in mind.

David Luhrssen is Managing Editor of the Shepherd Express and was the paper’s Arts & Entertainment Editor from 1994 through 2016.

(Clockwise): Ron Scot Fry, Selena Milewski, Hannah Klapperich-Mueller, Ben Yela, and Edwin Olvera. Photo courtesy of Theatre Gigante. Photo by Dena Aronson.

THEATRE GIGANTE

Background illustration by Alek Koltukov/Getty Images.

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CULTURE | SPONSORED BY THE MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM

This9Monłh in Milwaukee things to do in July THURSDAY-SUNDAY

JULY 10

Lakeside at MAM Milwaukee Art Museum Throughout the summer, during museum hours, the public is invited to relax, enjoy snacks and refreshments and experience a variety of programming opportunities. Families will be able to take part in artmaking activities outdoors with the Kohl’s Art Studio. Outdoor seating for take-away orders from the East End will be available on the lawn or the m,useum’s patio area. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Brady Street Art Walk Although the return of the Brady Street Festival will wait until 2022, the Brady Street Art Walk is back this summer. The owners of Scout Gallery, Jeff and Dana Redmon, will curate the event featuring Milwaukee artists and musicians. Says Jeff Redmon, "Scout Gallery is focused on local art and having fun, so this partnership [with the Brady Street BID] is a perfect pairing … Milwaukee is loaded with talented artists and we are excited to exclusively feature Milwaukee art." The event runs from noon to 4 p.m.

FRIDAY, JULY 9 Valerie Lighthart EP Release with You Win!!!, Black Challenger and Dora Diamond Cactus Club It’s been quite some time since the stage of Bay View’s Cactus Club has been able to hum with excitement, and pop act Valerie Lighthart will be one of the first to light things up again. In celebration of the release of Pt. 1: The Goddess, Lighthart will perform alongside electro-pop newcomers You Win!!!, synthwave artist Black Challenger and burlesque performer / pop singer Dora Diamond. FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, JULY 9-10 Millers at Milwauke—Vintage Indy Car Event Milwaukee Mile Raceway at WI State Fair Park The 27th Millers at Milwaukee is one of the most impressive U.S. gatherings of preand post-World War II Indy champ cars, roadsters and laydowns. The Harry A. Miller Club was established to pay tribute to one of the greatest figures in the history of automobile racing. Up to 60 vintage race cars will take part, designed by Miller, Mercer, Kurtis, Duesenberg, Alfa Romeo and Bugatti. Tickets for non-members of the Harry A. Miller Club are $25 and children under 16 are $5.

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JULY 10 Lynden Sculpture Garden Home Music Day Enjoy live music on the incomparable grounds of the Lynden Sculpture Garden from noon-5 p.m. The diverse, continentspanning lineup (North and South America, Asia and Africa) includes the Golden Melody Band USA, Karen Milwaukee Music Band, the Burmese Traditional Umbrella Dance by Mother’s Love, the Congo Gospel Music Band and Samba da Vida MKE. Photo provided by Wisconsin Muslim Journal.

LYNDEN SCULPTURE GARDEN

Photo by beavera/Getty Images.

BY ALLEN HALAS, DAVID LUHRSSEN AND TYLER NELSON

SATURDAY, JULY 10 Boom Fest: An Amplified Artists Sessions Festival Village Park, Menomonee Falls The Amplified Artists Sessions provided a space for artists to perform throughout the pandemic, and with outdoor events looking feasible, have decided to celebrate live music once again with a lineup of skilled acts in Menomonee Falls. The first edition of Boom Fest will feature headliner singer/songwriter Zach Pietrini, as well as Betsy Ade, the Chris Haise Band and Listening Party. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House. Starts at 3 p.m.

Photo by MightyPics/Getty Images.

SATURDAY, JULY 17

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, JULY 23-24

SATURDAY, JULY 24

9th Annual Heal the Hood MKE Block Party Corner of Ninth Street and Ring Street Co-sponsored by the City of Milwaukee, the Heal the Hood MKE Block Party returns to Milwaukee’s near North Side. Part celebration, part community outreach, the event will not only feature live music from esteemed local DJ Homer Blow and other local acts, but also demonstrations from Milwaukee youth groups, COVID-19 resources for neighborhood residents, and a resource fair for those recovering from the economic impact of the pandemic. Starts at noon.

Riverwest 24 Bike Race This special edition of the famous RW24 will provide all the familiar direction, surprises, heckling, love and cheers from previous events, but instead of being a proper race, this event will be more of a holiday celebration. With safety in mind and something for every comfort level, the 2021 edition of the RW24 will be different, but the event has always been what the riders make it. The landscape of this race could still be changing, so check the website at riverwest24.com for updated details.

Ayre in the Square

Catalano Square The Friends of Catalano Square are presenting a truncated version of their Ayre in the Square concert series this summer, with two dates instead of their usual four. The July edition will feature four regional bands of various genres. These events are free to attend, featuring four local music acts of various genres at each concert. Take in a great afternoon of music in the heart of Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward. 4-8 p.m.

BAY VIEW To advertise on this page, contact BRIDGETTE at 414.292.3811 or bridgette@shepex.com

JULY 2021 | 55

LIFESTYLE OUT OF MY MIND

When Healłh Care Makes Us Sick BY PHILIP CHARD

Background by Amguy/Getty Images. Photo by Aleksandr Gromov/Getty Images.

THE AMERICAN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IS MAKING PEOPLE SICK—MENTALLY. I’m not just referring to folks lining up to see a psychiatrist, those who endure wait times bordering on malpractice. Not to blame the shrinks. Most work inside large systems that dictate how they ply their craft. The so-called “practice design” in which they labor too often prioritizes revenue over patient care. No, I’m mostly referencing people with medical issues requiring them to interface with our “system,” who then end up mentally and emotionally worse off because of it. The examples I’ve encountered are many, common and sometimes cruel. Consider this case in point. A female client diagnosed with a rare type of cancer ended up doing battle with far more than her disease. In addition to the mental and emotional toll of a bolt-out-ofthe-blue and potentially deadly diagnosis, she found herself waging a long-distance fire fight with her insurance company, one unwilling to cover much of the costs of a 56 | SHEPHERD EXPRESS

new, cutting-edge therapy. Her Sophie’s choice? Hire an attorney, incurring those legal costs, in an attempt to obtain approval from the underwriting overlords, acquiesce to their intransigence and go with the standard and less effective treatment, or undergo the most promising therapy and risk bankruptcy. “People don’t need the added stress of trying to choose between a longer and better life and financial ruin,” she told me.

PROFIT OVER PEOPLE? No, they don’t. Nor do they need the emotional doubling down effect, meaning being forced to handle the angst of an ominous medical diagnosis, painful treatment or chronic illness in tandem with the many stresses imposed by the very system that should provide comfort, support and reassurance. But because our health care system and its financial intermediaries, insurance companies, are designed to make money, too often, profits take precedent over people. Think I’m unfairly critical? Perhaps. But, according to the World Health Organiza-

tion, the U.S. spends more on health care than any other nation on Earth, yet the overall quality of our system is ranked 37th worldwide. Ahead of us are countries like Colombia, Morocco, Greece, Oman, Portugal, Costa Rica and dozens more. These rankings are based on several critical elements in a healthcare system, primarily the quality and responsiveness of care, ease of access, affordability, administrative efficiency, equity and treatment outcomes. So, let’s be clear. America is numero uno in health care spending, for which we receive service that, overall, ranks numero-to-helland-gone. It’s like paying for Dom Perignon and getting seltzer water. But, poor ranking aside, what doesn’t get quantified is the toll our system exacts on the mental health of its patients and, often, their loved ones. When hurting, burdened with ailments, battling disease, worried over nameless symptoms or just fighting to stay alive, the last thing someone needs is to rely on a complex, mechanistic, profit-focused and, too often, indifferent bureaucracy that, in addition to many of its patients, drives a fair share

of its own providers bonkers as well. To be clear, many healthcare professionals strive to infuse this system with compassion and competence, and even some hospital systems do the same, but too many leaders remain overly fixated on the bottom line. Numerous large systems, including those serving the Midwest, are not-for-profits that function an awful lot like for-profit entities.

CRAZY-MAKING EXPERIENCES I have worked with scores of clients thrust into the morass of America’s healthcare system who come out mentally mangled. Some of the crazy-making experiences they endure include: (a) completing endless forms, many of them repetitive (EMR my you-know-what), (b) deciphering the hieroglyphics of insurance coverage, which is a bit like comprehending airline fares, (c) interacting with burned out, understaffed personnel who are also victims of the system, (d) waging David versus Goliath combat with insurance companies, and (e) watching that small nest egg they built get sucked into the coffers of corporate medicine and big pharma. All this in search of timely, competent, empathic and affordable care. Do these mental health side effects happen to everyone who interfaces with our healthcare conglomerates? No. It is far more common among the poor, disadvantaged and financially strapped; those least able to handle it. After all, in a system so focused on profits, money and gold-plated insurance (like people in Congress get) will garner you a higher standard of care. The most oft-quoted maxim in medicine is, “First, do no harm.” For many patients and their families, when it comes to the mental health impacts of seeking medical care, plenty of harm is being done.

Philip Chard is a psychotherapist and author with a focus on lasting behavior change, emotional healing and adaptation to health challenges.

JULY 2021 | 57

LIFESTYLE CANNABIS

Republicans Strike Down Evers' $165 Million Legal Marijuana Plan BY JEAN-GABRIEL FERNANDEZ

t was inevitable, really, given Wisconsin’s Republican legislators: last month, the state’s budget committee struck 384 items from the budget proposal brought forth by Gov. Tony Evers, including marijuana legalization. In total, the Republican committee removed nearly $3.5 billion in revenue from the governor’s plan, punching an irreparable hole in the 20212023 state budget. Measures that the Republican lawmakers chose to strike from the budget include raising the minimum wage, investing in underserved communities, investing in education, allowing undocumented immigrants to get a driver’s license, allowing collective bargaining by public workers, as well as a slew of measures that would have reduced taxes on the poor, increased taxes on the wealthy and ended dark store policies that enable large corporations to dodge taxes. Evers’ proposal regarding marijuana, which was to legalize its adult use and regulate it like alcohol, is extremely popular: A 2019 survey by Marquette University found that 59% of Wisconsin voters support recreational marijuana and 83% support medical marijuana. This is in line with the results of the 2018 advisory referendum on marijuana across Wisconsin, where a bipartisan coalition of voters overwhelmingly approved the legalization of both recreational and medical marijuana for our state; yet another resolution that Republican lawmakers chose to sweep under the rug. But beyond the numerous moral, humanitarian and common-sense reasons to legalize marijuana in Wisconsin, it would have been a great boon for our state’s finances. Evers’ plan would have added an important new revenue source to Wisconsin’s portfolio, netting an estimated $165 million per year, as well as greatly decreasing the costs for law enforcement and the justice system to pursue small marijuana charges.

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FILLING UP THE STATE’S COFFERS To invest in local communities and subsidize businesses, the state government needs money. Money that, by Evers’ own plan, would have been reinvested into Wisconsin schools, underserved communities and smaller businesses. Not only did the governor’s plan include a tax increase among wealthier Wisconsinites and corporations, it also included accepting more federal dollars which our institutions are entitled to but Republicans chose to block. Now, by forcing the creation of a $3.4 billion budget gap, Republican lawmakers have to slash investments in our state and communities accordingly. For now, let us focus on the loss of money relating to marijuana exclusively: According to his “Budget in Brief” explanation, Evers plans to impose a 15% excise tax on all wholesale sales and an additional 10% excise tax on all retail sales of marijuana products, as well the usual sales tax on all recreational products. By basing expectations of future marijuana use on reported sales and consumption numbers in Colorado, the governor’s budget team came up with the expectation that Wisconsinites would spend on average enough to gather $19 per person annually. That projection implies that more than $65 million would come from wholesale and retail taxes each, with an additional $33 million in sales tax revenue.

FORTUNES SPENT ON POT As it currently stands, Wisconsinites are already spending a fortune on legal marijuana—the money is just not spent in Wisconsin. More than $81 million dollars were spent by out-of-state residents on weed in Illinois just in the first three months of 2021, according to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. That number is in constant expansion: Out-of-state customers, a large portion of whom come from Wisconsin to legally purchase marijuana across the state line, spent $8 million in January 2020, $16 million in July 2020, $23 million in December

2020, and $33 in March 2021. By refusing to legalize marijuana, Wisconsin is diverting tens of millions of dollars of monthly revenue to neighboring states, while residents still get their hands on pot. While Illinois is sucking up Wisconsin’s potential income, a potentially better state to compare us with is Nevada, which has the same tax framework for marijuana as what was suggested by Tony Evers. With almost precisely half of Wisconsin’s population, Nevada collected $105.2 million in cannabis tax revenue in 2020. PolitiFact found that expecting an annual increase in tax revenue equal to $165 million per year from the legalization of cannabis seemed plausible. Wisconsin residents are already spending that money, and they are already buying and consuming marijuana at rates comparable to what we would see in Wisconsin if the state legalized it. The only differences are that Wisconsinites are currently risking being punished for a harmless act, and the state is losing out on a potential $165 million per year in additional revenue. Revenue that Republican lawmakers want to ensure we never receive; revenue that could and should be reinvested in our schools, infrastructure and local businesses.

GOP WILL NEVER STOP STANDING IN THE WAY Every single Republican on the Joint Finance Committee voted against Evers’ proposal, while every single Democrat voted in favor of it. Republican senators Marklein, Stroebel, Kooyenga, Felzkowski, Bernier and Ballweg, as well as representatives Born, Loudenbeck, Katsma, Zimmerman, Rodriguez and Kurtz acted in unison to stop investing in our communities and the legalization of marijuana. It is nothing short of a coordinated campaign by a political faction to hurt our state’s future prospects, as led by Republican leadership on the federal and state level, starting with State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos.

“I am still trying to find a way to [legalize medical marijuana] so that people accept the fact that we are not going to legalize recreational marijuana,” Vos declared. Rather than doing what is morally right or following the overwhelming majority opinion among his constituents, he and every Republican member on the budget committee chose to let us know that they will never let progress happen on their watch. While Vos is certainly telling the truth about the fact that a Republican legislature will never allow recreational marijuana to be legalized in Wisconsin, he is lying through his teeth regarding his purported support for medical marijuana. As the Shepherd Express pointed out before, the only form of medical marijuana that Republican lawmakers support in Wisconsin is “the sort that is inefficient, impossible to grow at home, hard to access, expensive and serves the interests of the very same people who manufactured the opioids crisis in the U.S.” They want medical marijua-

na in pill form, non-psychoactive, impossible to grow at home and exclusively in the hands of the large healthcare corporations who finance the campaigns of the very same politicians currently standing in the way of progress. Vote after vote and survey after survey find that Wisconsinites, regardless of color, party or creed, support many of Evers’ budget proposals, in particular the legalization of marijuana. It means that hundreds of thousands of voters are voting for the legalization of marijuana, then voting for the Republican candidates who will do everything to make sure cannabis is never legalized. To these voters: Please take note of how your representatives are acting and adjust your own vote accordingly.

Jean-Gabriel Fernandez is a journalist and Sorbonne graduate living in Milwaukee.

Photo by Olena Andrii Zorii/Getty Images.

JULY 2021 | 59

LIFESTYLE DOMICILE

Style and Storage in

Small Spaces A LOCAL AUTHOR SHARES SECRETS TO ORGANIZING HIS LAKEFRONT CONDO WITH FLAIR. BY MARK HAGEN

wasn’t sure what to expect after being invited to the home of a popular Milwaukee writer. The delightful, mild-mannered author didn’t strike me as the owner of a chic condo, but his easy-going nature and happy attitude piqued my interest as to his abode. I pulled into the parking lot of Bay View Terrace on South Shore Drive and was quickly met by the writer (who wishes to be anonymous). Once I stepped inside the 1,200-square-foot condo, I knew I found a wonderfully unique spot that perfectly combined the homeowner’s style with his need for storage.

DIVERSE BUT SYMMETRIC The writer sold his house in Washington Heights in 1996, making the change to condo living. “I wasn’t looking for a condominium,” he says, “but I happened to get a tour of some of the units here and realized this was a viable option.” A collector of books, art, music and more, the author quickly understood the need to combine storage with his own style. “The spaces in my home have to function properly, but I also like being surrounded in a space of my own making,” he says. “Nearly every piece of furniture and every bit of décor is from a resale shop in Milwaukee. Many of my acquisitions were happenstance yet affordable, particularly the artwork, much of which is from Russia’s late Soviet period.” When asked about his decorating style, he describes it as diverse but symmetric. “It’s eclectic for sure,” he notes. “I’m not one to buy a matching set of anything. That’s not to say that things are 60 | SHEPHERD EXPRESS

All photos by Tyler Nelson.

in chaos. They are different but complement each other well. The key is to look for harmony in shape and color.” This can be seen throughout the home. Secondhand bedside lamps play particularly well off one another, for instance, and a framed vintage olive-oil ad lends delightful symmetry to the kitchen table beneath it. A variety of knick-knacks scattered throughout the home all work nicely together, whether they’re kitschy, classy or historical in nature.

MAKE WAY FOR CUSTOM SHELVES Taking advantage of space was key for housing the owner’s extraordinary book and CD collections. Upon moving in, custom bookcases, designed and created by a carpenter from Cudahy, were installed in nearly every room of the condo. The books are housed together by subject matter in particular rooms. For example, a delightfully cozy interior room acts as a mass-media library of sorts, featuring books on film, music and art. Another room features shelves of philosophy and theology. Many books line the shelves in alphabetical order, some two deep, but other bookshelves are organized by the country of subject matter (history books, for example) while still more are arranged by author or title. “I know where every single book is located,” says the homeowner. “It may seem like a complicated system to some, but it makes complete sense to me.” A few of the most striking pieces in the home are various Chinese apothecary cabinets. Featuring as many as two dozen small drawers, the cabinets were originally used to hold herbal medicines in Chinese apothecaries centuries ago. Today, they not only add a bit of warmth and height to the space, but they function well, too, making the gorgeous wooden cabinets a prime example of storage meeting style.

"IT MAY SEEM LIKE A COMPLICATED SYSTEM TO SOME, BUT IT MAKES COMPLETE SENSE TO ME." “I purchased a few of them from a shop in the Third Ward several years ago,” says the writer. “I love the detail and the history behind them, but it’s also fun that the drawers are great for organizing and storing my CD collections. The plastic cases fit perfectly in the tiny, narrow drawers.” When asked if he was done decking out his Bay View condo, the writer explains, “This is an evolution of 25 years of moving things from one spot to another, I think I have just about everything where like it…but don’t hold me to that!”

Mark Hagen is an award-winning gardener, former caterer and Milwaukee lover. His work has appeared in “Birds & Blooms” and “Home” and “Your Family” magazines JULY 2021 | 61

HEAR ME OUT DEAR RUTHIE | SPONSORED BY UW CREDIT UNION

FINDING

Mr. Right

(NOT) NOW

DEAR RUTHIE, SCACZCXZC

I met a really nice guy, but he admits to being a Trump supporter (I am not), and he doesn’t believe in PDA (which I love). He’s in the closet, and he thinks being Gay is wrong but says he has “urges.” Should I keep it casual and see what develops or just dump him and move on?

THANKS,

Sinking Ship DEAR SINKER, Sounds like you’ve got yourself a regular Prince Charming there, honey. Don’t let that stud muffin get away! But seriously, doll, I think you already know this isn’t Mr. Right. You’re naming off red flags, indicating this isn’t a match. Give this guy the heave-ho and find someone with values that better match your own. You deserve it, sugar booger! XXOO

Ruthie Have a question for Ruthie? Want to share an event with her? Contact Ruthie at dearruthie@shepex.com. Follow her on social media, too! Facebook: Dear Ruthie | Instagram: RuthieKeester | Twitter: @DearRuthie

62 | SHEPHERD EXPRESS

DEAR RUTHIE BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Ruthie's Social Calendar JULY 3 VIRTUAL FAMILY COFFEE VIA MILWAUKEE LGBT COMMUNITY CENTER: Enjoy a cup of joe from the comfort of your own home with the Community Center’s 50+ Older Adult Program. There’s nothing like making new friends (and reconnecting with old buddies) over coffee, so log on to this 10 a.m. virtual social club. See www.meet.google.com/npd-teyw-ydk to join the conversation. JULY 10 SISTER WATER BEER GARDEN AT ST. JOSEPH CENTER (29TH ST. AT ORCHARD ST.): The School Sisters of St. Francis are tossing back a few cold ones, and you’re invited! This drive-thru beer garden offers craft beer, root beer and whole lotta fun. Enjoy live music from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. as you pick up your box of beer, pint glasses, baked pretzels and other goodies. See www.sssf.org for details. JULY 10 B.A.B.E NIGHT AT THIS IS IT (418 E. WELLS ST.): BABE stands for Bad-Ass Bitch Experience, and you can only find it at Milwaukee’s longest running LGBTQ+ bar. The 10:30 p.m. drag show offers up the hottest music performed by the city’s hottest queens, so get there early to nab a sweet spot. JULY 15 THROUGH JULY 18 GRANVILLE BLUES FEST AT THE GRANVILLE CONNECTION (8633 W. BROWN DEER ROAD): Who has the blues? You do! This annual event is quickly evolving into a local mecca for blues music, so don’t miss out if you’re a fan. Relish the smooth sounds of several entertainers, including Toronzo Canon, The Cash Box Kings, John Primer and Cheryl Youngblood. Your free admission involves non-stop music, food, arts and good times. See www.granvillebusiness.org for details. JULY 17 MOBCRAFT WEIRDFEST BLOCK PARTY AT MOBCRAFT BEER (505 S. FIFTH ST.): Described as “a celebration of all things weird,” this wild, wacky street fest is always one for the books. Come dressed in any weird manner you choose, and get your freak on with unique beers, eats, music and other shenanigans. The party runs noon to 10 p.m. JULY 20 OUT IN THE KITCHEN AT DISCOVERY WORLD (500 N. HARBOR DRIVE): The Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce hosts this annual nosh-fest, featuring beverages and food from chamber members. Mix and mingle with likeminded business owners between 6 and 8 p.m. for $35. Sashay over to www.wislgbtchamber. com for early-bird discounts. JULY 23 FRIDAY NIGHT METRO DANCE PARTY AT MAD PLANET (533 E. CENTER ST.): The title says it all where this $5 bash is concerned. DJ Paul H takes control of the dance floor with a 9 p.m. toss-back to your favorite dance hits of yesteryear. JULY 24 FOOD-TRUCK FEST AT HENRY MAIER FESTIVAL PARK (200 N. HARBOR DRIVE): From sweet to savory and from ethnic to Americana, there’s a bite for everyone at this new festival. The $5 entry fee includes access to the children’s play area, golf challenge, shuffleboard, bags and other activities. Visit the trucks from noon to 5 p.m. JULY 30 DINING WITH THE DIVAS AT HAMBURGER MARY’S (730 S. FIFTH ST.): It’s time to eat, drink and be “Mary” at Hamburger Mary’s. I host two shows of drag-a-licious delight (7 and 9 p.m.), each sure to put a smile on your face and a spring in your step. Nab your table a bit early for appetizers, dinner and/or drinks with a reservation at www.hamburgermarys.com/mke. JULY 2021 | 63

HEAR ME OUT | SPONSORED BY UW CREDIT UNION

Summer LGBTQ Reading BY PAUL MASTERSON OUTWORDS BOOKS

ith a historic Pride Month to herald the onset of an unmasked summer now behind us, the remaining months can be spent enjoying Cream City’s many outdoor amenities. Of course, one can always opt for a quiet read whilst lolling on Bradford Beach or in the comfort of one’s air-conditioned abode. For male romance, reach for any of Andrew Grey’s titles (about 100 in all) for traditional tear jerking (and otherwise) stories with happy endings. Try the author’s recent release, Heavy Lifting, in which bodybuilder god-man Jack finds true love with Reg, a geek. Or perhaps, his bestseller Love Means … No Shame, where city savvy, party boy Geoff meets Amish boy Eli– rumspringa and love ensue. Set for release on August 1 is the seventh of Milwaukee author David Pederson’s Detective Heath Barrington Murder Mystery Series, Death Foretold. Set in the 1940s, Pederson weaves another gripping mystery involving spiritualists, a séance, and a list of suspects “a mile long.” Of course, Outwords Books’ owner Carl Szatmary, purveyor of fine LGBTQ literature since 1993, offered some fine suggestions across the spectrum of suitable summer reads. I specifically asked about his various book club selections. He mentioned the Men’s Book Club title for June, Shooting Midnight Cowboy by Glenn Frankel. Just like it sounds, it’s an insider’s glimpse into the personal stories behind the production of the 1969 landmark gay film. For July, his pick is “the most fun book out,” Leslie Jordan’s How Y’all Doin’, an extension of Jordan’s one man show and a guaranteed good read. Meanwhile, although the Women’s Club is currently on hiatus, Szatmary recommends lesbian readers should peruse 64 | SHEPHERD EXPRESS

Casey McQuiston’s One Last Stop, a wacky coming of age story that has just come out and is getting a lot of positive press (McQuiston authored Red White and Royal Blue, one of last year’s suggestions), and Alice Bechdel’s latest, The Secret to Superhuman Strength, a heartrending memoir about her love affair with exercise, set against the hilarious chronicle of fitness fans of our time. For Hollywood buffs, Szatmary suggests Elizabeth and Monty: The Untold Story of their Intimate Relationship by Charles Casillo, an exploration of the entwined friendship of two silver screen icons, Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift I asked Szatmary for bisexual themed work and while he acknowledged they’re hard to find, he immediately came up with a title: Perfect on Paper by Sophie Gonzales, adding “it’s a youthful rom-com, light and fluffy. a perfect beach read.” On a more serious note, he praised Black coming of age memoir, Punch Me Up to the Gods by Brian Broome, adding “it’s destined to be a classic.”

POWERFUL, UPLIFTING In the realm of gender queerdom, he recommends Can’t Take That Away by Steven Salvadore, young adult novel that goodreads.com calls “a powerful, uplifting anthem, a swoony romance, and an affirmation of self-identity that will ignite the activist in all of us.” Other titles on Szatmary’s list include Michael Nava’s Lies with Man, a suspense novel in which radical queers face radical evangelicals, and Mark Zubro’s Forever, a young adult murder mystery.

challenges and racial reckoning, Robert Jones Jr.’s debut novel The Prophets takes the romance genre to its loftiest heights. Set in the antebellum Mississippi, two male slaves pursue love. But be forewarned, stylistically demanding and with frequent bursts of violent content, it’s not an easy read, by any means. There’s plenty for the LGBTQ historian as well. My own recommended must-reads include Matthew Riemer’s We are Everywhere: Protest, Power and Pride in the History of Queer Liberation and, weighty both in size and content and a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice, Sarah Schulman’s new release, Let the Record Show: A Political History of ACT UP New York 1987-1993. The work has been praised not only as a significant account of the militant HIV/AIDS activist movement but also as a “tactician’s bible.” In these days of renewed social activism against bigotry, this book offers both historic insights and timely inspiration. And, by the way, join Szatmary for Outwords Books’ 28th Anniversary Celebration on July 10. He promises the Coffee Bar will be back up and running with a new ice cream menu. If you’re an avid reader south of the city, check out the LGBT Center of SE Wisconsin’s Queer Book Club. Information may be found on the group’s Facebook page.

Paul Masterson is an LGBTQ activist and writer and has served on the boards of the Milwaukee Gay Arts Center, Milwaukee Pride, GAMMA and other organizations.

If heavier literary lifting is your cuppa, in the spirit of these times of social

Photo by Michael Burmesch.

JULY 2021 | 65

ART FOR ART'S SAKE

From The City That Always Sweeps BY ART KUMBALEK

I’m Art Kumbalek and man oh manischewitz what a world, ain’a? So listen, I can’t believe it’s July already, the month we celebrate our nation’s stumbling democracy’s independence from those bastard limey colonialists on the fourth. Yes, plenty of us will be attempting to croon the Anthem that day, what with its words of “bombs bursting in air” and “ramparts,” ’tis thee. Hold on. Ramparts? I’ll bet you a buck two-eighty if you asked the majority of our country-men-and-women to define “ramparts,” they’d say it’s something you’d find in your gyro sandwich down by that Greek joint, I kid you not. It’s high time for a new national anthem to replace the “Banner”—something bouncier, peppier, something people can actually sing, especially since I recently read this: “Wisconsin Assembly votes to require national anthem at sporting events in publicly funded venues.” Jeez louise, probably even at your little kids’ soccer game at the county park. Good lord. So, I suggest we reconfigure “Elmer’s Tune” as a new “anthem,”—a popular song from the 1920s, you can hear a nice version by Glenn Miller & His Orchestra on YouTube so’s you know the melody—and let’s call it “America’s Tune.” (Don’t forget that F. Scott Key ripped off the melody to an English drinking song for our Anthem, so what the fock.) OK, got the melody? Here’s the lyrics, so let’s all sing along, a nice, bouncy key of G, the people’s key:

It’s not the season, the reason is plain as the moon; It’s just America’s Tune. What makes a lady of eighty go out on the loose? Why does a gander meander in search of a goose? What puts the kick in a chicken, the magic in June? It’s just America’s Tune. Listen, listen, there’s a lot you’re li’ble to be miss-in’; Sing it, swing it, any old way and any old time. The hurdy gurdies, the birdies, the cop on the beat [I’m thinking that last phrase may need to be tweaked along with some gender stuff here and there, you think?]; The candy maker, the banker, the man on the street; The city charmer, the farmer, the man in the moon— All sing America’s Tune. Now, there’s a sentiment to be shared in peaceful unison before whatever event you got, I’d say. Play ball! Oh, one more thing. I could soon be coming into a million bucks. I was unpacking some boxes from when I moved 20 years ago into my dinky apartment and rediscovered that in my possession is what actually appears to be a parchment-fragment of a daily diary belonging to the long-departed Greek philosopher who went by the handle of Plato, you betcha. New-found writings by these ancient guys goes for big dough these days since they’re not shoveling out any more of it. I had it translated by a guy I know, Greek, he knows from ramparts—hope it’s legitimate:

SUMMER IN THE COUNTDOWN YEAR 402 BEFORE THE BIRTH OF A GUY NAMED CHRIST

Why are the stars always winkin’ and blinkin’ above?

“I’m telling you, if I have to work one more gig with that old fart Socrates, I’m leaving the business and that’s a focking promise, I kid you not. So what’s the beef, you ask?

What makes a fellow start thinkin’ of fallin’ in love?

Here’s just the latest:

66 | SHEPHERD EXPRESS

Photo by Sckrepka/Getty Images.

“So we’re on our way to do a Dialogue up around old Mycenae, a real jerkwater crowd but the bread’s good—and the wine’s not half bad, either. Ba-ding! “But, seriously. It’s hotter than hell and I’m boiling my butt off, so I say, ‘Let’s take a break, Socks, I’m too focking hot.’ He asks, ‘What is hot?’ I say, ‘Listen pally, I got to take a load off. My dogs are aching and my head’s killing me.’ So then he asks, ‘But what is pain?’ I am so sick of that shish ke-knob’s stale, old schtick of all-the-time with the questions that I give him a good, swift sandal to the privates, and when he’s done barfing, I say, ‘OK Einstein, does that answer your question?’ I mean I’ve been carrying this guy for years. I wish the old fart would just retire but he can still bring a crowd through the arch, so he keeps getting booked. “So we’re at the gig in Mycenae. I open with my half of the show and I’m killing, literally killing. I start with some of my new boffo cave material, then did a couple perceptions and decided to go out with my ‘The Material World’ stuff with that great, new closer I just came up with—the one about the thirsty skunk, a duck and a giraffe who walk into a public house. But right before I get to the punchline, I pause, do a take to the crowd and just about crap my toga ’cause there’s that asshole Socrates with his...” So, I got to go and secure my case of Old Grand-Dad for the froth of July—talk about a bottle rocket that will give (80%) proof through the night, what the fock. And let us be gallant through the perilous fight with the third-world heat and humidity of our Mid-western July so that come Aug. 1, our patriotic digits and assorted body parts remain attached and functional, god bless America ’cause I’m Art Kumbalek, and I told you so.

Shepherd Express July 2021

Articles inside

From the City that Always Sweeps

Summer LGBTQ Reading

Style and Storage in Small Spaces

Republicans Strike Down Evers' $165 Million Legal Marijuana Plan — Cannabis

When Health Care Makes Us Sick

Will COVID Change How Performing Arts are Presented in Milwaukee?

This Month in Milwaukee 9 things to do in July

When Art was for Every American

Cream City Root Beer

Emotional Support Animals Enhance Mental Wellbeing — Pets

Planting Gardens with a Conscience

Jose's Blue Sombrero Spices Up Downtown Tosa Dining

Is Police Reform Possible in Milwaukee?

Noor Jawad is a Healer, Influencer and Supporter for Many — Hero of the Month

America's Most Important New Social Program is About to Begin —

Wisconsin Can Do More to Prevent Gun