Every year, the Lake Park Friends put together one of the most diverse music lineups you’re likely to find at Milwaukee’s many summer concert series. On Thursday, they came through once again with a collection of alt-country, Zydeco, blues, soul, funk and Sudanese world music for their 2025 lineups.
As in years past, the concert series are split into two segments: Musical Mondays and the more family-focused Wonderful Wednesdays. Both will take place at the Lake Park Summer Stage near the playground, with music starting at 6:30 p.m.
“We’re proud to continue the tradition of free concerts in Lake Park, which began when the park opened more than 100 years ago,” Lake Park Friends board president Anne Hamilton said in a release. “We encourage lovers of all types of music to join us this summer, and for everyone to come and enjoy Lake Park all year round.”
The BYO aspect of the series continues in 2025, with organizers inviting attendees to bring their own chairs, blankets, food and beverages. Musa Ice Cream Truck will be on hand at all Wonderful Wednesday shows, and the Traveling Beer Garden will offer food and beverages from July 23 through Aug. 3.
Lake Park Musical Mondays lineup
- July 7 – Sinkane (aka Ahmed Gallab) and his high-energy six-piece band bring ambitious, dazzling sounds of a world of music — from funk to free jazz to pop — set to the foundational soul of the rhythms of his native Sudan.
- July 14 – Bonerama, a legendary New Orleans band featuring three trombones that plays a genre-bending gumbo covering the sound of everything from Crescent City horn bands, soul and gospel to music of The Beatles and Led Zeppelin.
- July 21 – Mississippi Heat, a storied Chicago blues band led by harmonica master and songwriter Pierre Lacocque. Their name and sound are a reflection of the harp man’s reverence for Mississippi’s blues culture and music.
- July 28 – Chloe Kimes, a Nashville musician with roots in northern Michigan and rising Americana artist actively defining the next generation of troubadours with an old-soul sensibility for storytelling in a spirited alt-country group.
- Aug. 4 – The Kentucky Gentlemen, led by Bourbon Country twins Derek and Brandon Campbell, are rewriting the rules of country music and have performed with The Black Opry and been recognized by GLADD as “New Voices in Country.”
- Aug. 11 – Dwayne Dopsie & The Zydeco Hellraisers hail from one of the most influential Zydeco families in the world and bring a high-octane version of this danceable artform to audiences around the world.
- Aug. 18 – Laura Rain & The Caesars are a proud product of the Motor City and pump out soul, R&B and funk originals worthy of the many greats hailing from Detroit, with fearless emotion and excitement.
- Aug. 25 – R&B Cadets, Milwaukee’s popular and longest-running super group, play their unique signature mix of danceable originals and obscure covers, fronted by some of the city’s most cherished voices: Paul Cebar, Robin Pluer and John Sieger.
Lake Park Wonderful Wednesdays lineup
- July 9 – Fox & Branch are an award-winning duo who perform a dynamic mix of old-time music, original songs and family folk tunes that appeal to children and adults alike.
- July 16 – Main Street Song & Dance Troupe, a group of talented teens ages 12 to 18, will perform “The Love Spectrum,” a musical exploration of the many forms of love, from true and unrequited to self-love and friendship.
- July 23 – Yid Vicious are an engaging group who bring the party to life with lively Yiddish folk dance music spanning generations, from the Old World to our world.
- July 30 – Little Miss Ann is an award-winning Chicago musician whose playlist spans different genres with fun, interactive educational songs that inspire kids to sing, jump, dance and let their own lights shine.
- Aug. 6 – Duke Otherwise is a playful wordsmith, spirited performer, skilled guitarist and captivating tap dancer from Madison who uses his distinct baritone to sing hilarious and imaginative songs that delight all ages.
- Aug. 13 – Susan Salidor is an award-winning Chicago children’s music composer, performer and author with the heart of a teacher, who writes music for children and those who love them.
