Good Vibes
If you feel a pulsating vibration as you hold this issue in your hands, fear not. It’s just the surfeit of energy contained in these pages! We carefully curate every issue, aiming to bring to life the many aspects of our city. But sometimes the stars align and an issue comes together in a particularly powerful way. I think that is the case this month, and I hope that you agree.
February is when we announce our Unity Award honorees. Executive editor Chris Drosner heads up the task of selecting the winners, with the aid of a small panel of judges. This year, 2024 Unity honorees Felice Green and Dan Terrio helped out. “It was really hard,” reports Chris. “I mean, it’s tough every year, but this year seemed like a particularly strong group of nominees.” Hard work, yes; but also, very inspiring. “Every year, it’s great to be reminded of how much exceptional work is happening to make Milwaukee better,” he says.
Tell us who you’d pick to be a Betty this year!
Our culture editor, Evan Musil, recently celebrated his one-year anniversary at the magazine. He’s done a great job immersing himself in our local art scene, as evidenced by the feature package he put together (We ♥ the Arts). Evan moved here from Oklahoma City, and our arts community has impressed him in a number of ways. “I’m not only struck by the abundance of creative people and organizations but the collaborative spirit,” he says. “Everyone seems to recognize that this city is stronger working together than vying for space.”
I’d like to think that our magazine plays a meaningful role in our community. Amplifying all the great things happening here, and spotlighting the fascinating people making a difference, is a pleasure. And in turn, inspiring readers like you to get out there and support these individuals, organizations and businesses makes our work worthwhile. Thanks in advance for doing your part!
– Carole Nicksin, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher
carole@milwaukeemag.com, @CaroleNicksin
Features
- Better, Together: Meet the five winners of our Unity Awards, a group pulling in different directions toward the same goal: a more just, more equitable and better Milwaukee.
- Spring Arts Guide: From first-rate performances to exciting creatives, here’s why we love our city’s cultural scene. Plus, we share this season’s must-do events.
- MCs in MKE: Is Milwaukee the next big hotspot in rap? It’s hard to say, but we’ve got a growing group of talented artists trying to make it happen.
- The Big Story: After his first four years leading the critical Department of City Development, we check in on Lafayette Crump’s mission to grow the city across all neighborhoods.
Your 414
- Ta-Da: Garrett Waite finds magic in music and vice versa.
- People Places Things: Robert Longo’s MAM exhibition, an entrepreneurial mansion, a sweater showing and more
- Close Up: A UWM dance professor’s new project digs into identity.
- Ruth Arts: This Walker’s Point gallery is just one piece of a multimillion-dollar arts grant machine.
- Roundup: Avoid breaking hearts (and the bank) with these cheap, fun local dates.
- Anniversary: Fifty years after its founding, intimate casts and strong writing remain the heart of the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre.
The Dish
- Treat: Fat Tuesday means everybody eats pączki!
- Trend: Eating prime rib used to be the ultimate expression of indulgence. Has it lost its appeal?
- Review: With its return to Downer Avenue, Pizza Man is trying to claw its way back to the pizza apex.
- Spotlight: The intricate flavors and momo dumplings that exemplify Himalayan cuisine
Insider
- Beer: What’s to come of Molson Coors’ just-shuttered brewery on the edge of Downtown?
- Development: New life for a Menomonee Valley eyesore
- Tourism: Is the NFL Draft setting up Green Bay for RNC-style disappointment?
Explore
- Immerse: An attraction for gamers and lovers of the fantasy genre
- Bookstores: Spring Green, East Troy, Waterford and other Wisco smaller towns worth visiting just for their indie booksellers.
- Close Up: Meet the 95-year-old father and his son who have conquered The Birkie cross-country ski race
