Here in Milwaukee and its surrounding area, we have concert series in parks and beer gardens, band shells and Deer Districts. We may have overlooked a crucial area, though: that giant lake to the east.
While not in the actual lake itself, a new free concert series will make use of the terra firma directly next to it. ArtBlaze at the Beach will take place on four post-Summerfest Wednesdays — July 10 and Aug. 21 at Bradford Beach, and July 31 and Aug. 7 at South Shore Beach.
Before you start thinking that this will be fairly similar to the many concert series we’re lucky to have around here, I have three words for you: fluorescent cephalopod tentacles. These original works of art by Milwaukee’s FuzzPop Workshop measure more than 30 feet in length and will non-threateningly wave attendees over to the events, all of which start at 3:30 p.m.
“In the city of festivals, our public beaches have been historically underutilized as a site for celebration,” said Steph Salvia, executive director of Joy Engine, which will produce the series. “Yet when searching for a site that naturally brings people from all walks of life, including residents of the deep lake, our public beaches seem like an obvious choice.”
The star of the shows — aside from the tentacles, of course — is the entertainment lineup that will run from 3:30 to 10 p.m. Local artists like Trapper Schoepp, Wave Chapelle, Tigera and Gego y Nony have all been booked, and each event will also feature an array of other activities to keep everyone busy: food vendors, tie-dying with Spun Out Dyes, hands-on experiences from Arts @ Large and Artists Working in Education, dance lessons, yoga sessions and s’mores stations.
You can find the full schedule for ArtBlaze at the Beach below and more information on Joy Engine’s website.
ArtBlaze at the Beach schedule
Wednesday, July 10
Bradford Beach
- 3:30 p.m. — Trapper Schoepp
- 5 p.m. — Roxie Beane
- 6:30 p.m. — Hip-hop by Your Move MKE
- 7 p.m. — Wave Chapelle
- 8 p.m. — Live DJ sets by DJ D-On, DJ Shortstyle, and DJ E Rich with a complimentary
- “choose your DJ” silent disco for up to 200 people
Wednesday, July 31
South Shore Beach
- 3:30 p.m. — Lil Rev
- 4:45 p.m. — An open session with MKE Yoga Social
- 6:15 p.m. — Tigera
- 7:45 p.m. — Karlies Kelly “How to Salsa”
- 8:45 p.m. — De La Buena
Wednesday, Aug. 7
South Shore Beach
- 3:30 p.m. — The Kid Boogie Down with DJ Lukewarm
- 5 p.m. — Hale o Malo
- 6:30 p.m. — Undercover Organism
- 8:15 p.m. — Urban Empress
Wednesday, Aug. 21
Bradford Beach
- Ongoing — Join internationally acclaimed sand sculptor Ted Siebert in constructing a giant sea creature
- 3:30 p.m. — Girls Rock Showcase
- 4:45 p.m. — An open session with MKE Yoga Social
- 6 p.m. — DJ Kenny Perez
- 6:30 p.m. — Gego y Nony
- 7:45 p.m. — The Sparkle and Burn Fire Show
- 8:30 p.m. — DJ Shawna
