Local artists will drift down the Milwaukee River playing music on a pontoon boat as part of the MKE River Round Up concert series, which will return this summer beginning June 14 and running through Aug. 23.
Concerts start at 5 p.m. at the Twisted Fisherman (1200 W. Canal St.), where the Funkclub Wagon pontoon will begin floating down the river for three hours of live music.
Kayaks are available for rent through Milwaukee Kayak Co. to follow the Funkclub Wagon. The boat stops at The Harp (113 E Juneau Ave) around 6:15 p.m. before returning to the Twisted Fisherman at 8 p.m., where the second band starts its set on land. Water-weary fans who still crave live music can follow the pontoon on foot using the Riverwalk.
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Jesse Voelker, owner of Funkclub, said he is excited for their new partnership with Joy Engine, a Milwaukee-based non-profit arts organization. The local groups are handpicked by Voelker. The acts range from Bluegrass to Nu-Jazz to Psychedelic Rock.
6/14: The MilBillies (Bluegrass) / Fox Crossing Stringband (Bluegrass)
6/21: Wonderfunk (Funk) / JV Squad (Funk)
6/28: De La Buena (Afro-Caribbean & Latin Jazz) / Los Mitoteros (Latin)
7/5: Bye / Raincheck date
7/12: Sweet Shieks (20s-30s Jazz) / Pay the Devil (Americana)
7/19: Heatbox (Beatboxing) / Pocket Change (Nu-Jazz)
7/26: Honest John (Folk & Blues) / Valley Fox (Americana)
8/2: The Hot and Dirty (Jazz) / Cream City Hotclub (Jazz)
8/9: The Stephen Hull Experience (Blues) / Alex Wilson Band (Blues)
8/16: Another One (Psychedelic rock) / Midnight Hound (Psychedelic rock)
8/23: FunkClub Wagon (Funk) / Garrett Waite Trio (Blues)
Tickets can be purchased at the Twisted Fisherman or online at Eventbrite. Tickets cost $20 for a personal kayak, $50 for a single kayak and $90 for a tandem. Kayak launch and rental tickets include a free beer from Indeed Brewing Company. This year the MKE River Round Up introduced a new pre-sale for companies looking to treat their employees. The Kayak 5-Pack is: buy 4 kayaks, get 1 free for $200.
The Funkclub Wagon’s Captain Andy Gasiorowski will retire after this summer. Gasiorowski serves as both captain and sound technician. “It will take a team effort to fill in his shoes,” Voelker said.
