Hit the return key. QWERTYFEST MKE is back.
Launched last year by co-founders Tea Krulos, a Milwaukee-based author and freelance journalist, and Molly Snyder, senior writer at OnMilwaukee, the festival is back again this summer to celebrate the typewriter and the QWERTY keyboard layout – invented in Milwaukee by Christopher Latham Sholes – that remain in use today on computers and mobile phone screens.
Sholes, who was an editor of the Milwaukee Sentinel and also served in the Wisconsin Legislature, created the modern typewriter keyboard, which he patented in 1873. The QWERTY name comes from the order of the first six keys on the top left letter row of the keyboard.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
Organizers have ambitious goals for this year’s QWERTYFEST MKE, which will run June 21-23. An opening night party at Turner Hall Ballroom (1040 Vel R. Phillips Ave.) will feature headliner Boston Typewriter Orchestra as well as other performances, interactive typing stations and a typewriter silent auction.
“Some of these are beautiful, classic machines, and others are junkers that have been transformed into unique pieces by local artists,” Krulos said of the typewriters that will be auctioned off.
There will also be presentations and workshops at Mitchell Street Arts (710 W. Historic Mitchell St.) along with tours, a Typewriter Brunch Open Jam at X-Ray Arcade (5036 S Packard Ave., Cudahy) and much more.
The festival focuses on fun activities with typewriters and keyboards but also incorporates Milwaukee history and innovation while showcasing work by local writers and artists.
“We were encouraged by the reception of QWERTYFEST MKE last year and decided to make it an annual event that celebrates Milwaukee history and innovation as well as giving a platform for local writers, artists, institutions and businesses,” said Krulos, a contributing writer at Milwaukee Magazine. “We’re happy with the balance of entertaining and informative activities we’ve assembled and we’re hoping this year really lays the groundwork for this to become a growing new entry in the City of Festivals. A Milwaukee invention changed the world. We think that’s worth celebrating.”
Organizers hope to secure grant funding and possibly a corporate sponsor for future festivals, but this year they’re crowdsourcing for support. Perks for donating include free QWERTYFEST tickets, merch, a subscription to QWERTY Quarterly, and more.
Donations can be made at www.indiegogo.com.
Here’s the QWERTYFEST MKE schedule:
Friday, June 21
Typewriter Ball: Featuring Boston Typewriter Orchestra, The Clackathon, DJ Swing Shift, Vendor Market, DarkFusion Systems Gaming Lounge, OnMilwaukee Typing Stations, Splendid Mailbox mailing station and The Quick Brown Fox Typing Contest.
Doors open at 5 p.m. | Turner Hall Ballroom, 1040 Vel R. Phillips Ave., Milwaukee
Saturday, June 22
QWERTYFEST at Mitchell Street Arts: Keynote by Richard Polt, author, The Typewriter Revolution. Full schedule TBA
10 a.m.-5 p.m.| Mitchell Street Arts, 710 W. Historic Mitchell St., Milwaukee
The Whisky Type Party: Special guest Carolyn Wynnack, creator of The Whisky Type website. Musical performance by Vox Starling.
Starts at 7 p.m.| Great Lakes Distiller, 616 W. Virginia Ave., Milwaukee
Sunday, June 23
The QWERTY Journey Tour: Take a QWERTYFEST tour to learn about the enduring legacy of Milwaukee inventors and purveyors of the written word.
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.| Forest Home Cemetery, 2405 W. Forest Home Ave., Milwaukee. Tour starts at the Halls of History building.
Typewriter Brunch Open Jam: Free event open to anyone who wants to bring their typewriter.
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.| X-Ray Arcade, 5036 S. Packard Ave., Cudahy
