In case a two-year COVID break didn’t generate enough pent-up enthusiasm, the Riverwest neighborhood has the perfect reason to crank things up for this year’s Center Street Daze Festival: a 25th anniversary celebration.
That’s right, this year marks a quarter-century of the festival held on — you guessed it — Center Street between Humboldt and Holton from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. this Saturday, Aug. 13. There will be:
- People-powered vehicles in the Art Cart races at noon.
- Fuel-powered vehicles in the Unique Classic Car Club Show from 1:30-5:30 p.m.
- Hockey-stick-powered projectiles flying around the Carnival Games located at the playground on Pierce and Center streets from 3-6 p.m.
You’ll also get plenty of Milwaukee food, beverages and other products from 100+ vendors, and (mostly) Milwaukee music on eight different stages. The full lineup is below, along with a couple can’t-miss selections from two of our Radio Milwaukee tastemakers.
Staff picks from DJ Kenny Perez
Puerto Wiccan, 4:50 p.m. @ the 4th Dimension Stage
If you haven’t seen her videos for “Big Drip (feat. Illie)” and “New Me,” I suggest you prepare yourselves for a raw, in-your-face experience. This artist spent the pandemic preparing and impatiently waiting for her time. That time is now.
BLAX, 6 p.m. @ Company Brewing
Formerly known as Armstrong Ransome, this Milwaukee-based rapper is no stranger to the stage. I’m looking forward to hearing the live interpretation of his latest project, “Angeline." You can count on the show being packed with lyrical content that educates and stirs emotion.
Staff picks from Music Director Erin Wolf
The Majestics, 4 p.m. @ Club Timbuktu
The focus of Radio Milwaukee’s “Backspin” podcast, the Majestics broke boundaries with their 1982 single “Class A,” Milwaukee’s first rap song. Their B-side ballad, “Key To Love,” was covered a couple years back by Toronto jazz-fusion collective BADBADNOTGOOD. Catching the live energy of this band is always a treat. Do yourself a favor and bring your dancing shoes.
Brat Sounds, 3 p.m. @ Company Brewing
Brat Sounds (no, not like the sausage) are one of those groups that hang out under the radar for a while, then suddenly have a bunch of shows (and then a full album!). The fun-loving and frenetic pop-punk band are prepping a record, so get ready to hear some new songs — also, some great covers, which they’re pretty fond of including in their set. There’s a good chance you might be treated to a heartwarming rendition of Mister Rogers’ “It’s You I Like.”
Kendraplex & The Cosmic Impact Channel, 1 p.m. @ the Jazz Gallery
Kendra Amalie is one of Milwaukee’s most-interesting guitarists (and musicians), morphing from solo, psych-folk guitarist with a penchant for the mystic to the leader of rock-ier Chicago x MKE group Names Divine (for which she slings a 12-string acoustic guitar) to a veritable electronic explorer as Kendraplex. In “Two Rivers,” her latest release under the moniker, Amalie travels to winding and languid vs. crunchy and compacted spaces, taking the listener on a sonic journey of her own designs. Expand your musical mind with this set.
Music lineup
Uptowner
Noon – Funk Wagon
1 p.m. – Kush Trio
2 p.m. – Bristlehead
3 p.m. – Voot Warnings
4 p.m. – Alex Wilson Family
5 p.m. – Bellends
The Jazz Gallery
1 p.m. – Kendraplex & The Cosmic Impact Channel
2:30 p.m. – Urbanites
4 p.m. – Jesse Montijo & Star People
5:30 p.m. – The Dave Bayles Group
Company Brewing
1 p.m. – DPCD
2 p.m. – Fellow Kinsman
3 p.m. – Brat Sounds
4 p.m. – Gold Steps
5 p.m. – Steddy P (Kansas City)
6 p.m. – BLAX
Quarter’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Palace
1 p.m. – The Honolulu Millionaires
1:45 p.m. – O’Neill and Wean
2:30 p.m. – Anson Obvious Trio
3:15 p.m. – Floor Model
4 p.m. – Billy Dreamer
4:45 p.m. – Bellhead
5:30 p.m. – Secondhand Souls
6:15 p.m. – Highball Holiday
Club Timbuktu
4 p.m. – The Majestics
High Dive
Noon – Killa Kuttz (War Drum Crew)
1 p.m. – Kid Millions (Dope Folks Records)
2 p.m. – Opiated Black (The Get Down)
3 p.m. – Biggie (Love Tempo)
4 p.m. – Selector Max (Kingston BuRiAL)
5 p.m. – Mosh Wah (Luv Unlimited)
6 p.m. – David Arnevik (Love Tempo)
4th Dimension Stage
1 p.m. – DJ
2 p.m. – Krista Jane
2:35 p.m. – Dusty Pockets
3:10 p.m. – Samantha Kent
3:40 p.m. – DJ intermission
4:15 p.m. – B.u.
4:50 p.m. – Puerto Wiccan
5:25 p.m. – Bad Year
