The signs are starting to peek through the clouds. The days are getting shorter, the weather has been getting cooler and the calendar keeps creeping toward September. Let’s face it: summer won’t be around for much longer. But there’s time to make the most of the season while it’s still here. Many weekly concert series go into hibernation after this week. Jazz in the Park, Chill on the Hill, River Rhythms and more are all putting on their summer send-off shows. Here’s a round-up of these free, outdoor events. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy them while you still can.
Monday: Musical Mondays
Take a trip through time, as Dixieland band The New South Rampart Street Paraders fills the Lake Park Summer Stage, 2975 N. Lake Park Rd., with the vibrant sounds of New Orleans jazz music on Monday night. Lisa Edgar will join the six-piece group on vocals for the closing night of Musical Mondays.
Tuesday: Chill on the Hill
One of the most determined Milwaukee bands going today, Midnight Reruns (whose latest album Force of Nurture was the city’s best 2015 export) deliver foundation-rocking performances. The group should have no problem energizing the amenable Bay View audience. Singer-songwriter Claire Kelly kicks things off at Humboldt Park, 3000 S. Howell Ave.
Wednesday: River Rhythms
Pere Marquette Park, 900 N. Plankinton Ave., plays host to a night of both hootin’ and hollerin’ as local bluegrass band Pay the Devil brings its loose, quick-pickin’ style to the final night of River Rhythms. Even the most reserved concert-goer may be inclined to get up and dance—especially after a couple drinks.
Thursday: Jazz in the Park and Ayre in the Square
An avid fan of Prince, Stevie Wonder and Luther Allison, Charles Walker combines the strongest elements of his influences into an eclectic mix of neo-soul music. His band closes out the popular Cathedral Square Park, 825 N. Jefferson St., series, Jazz in the Park. The Third Ward also hosts a finale for its Ayre in the Square series, as The Whiskeybelles brandish their spitfire roots-country spirit in Catalano Square, 138 N. Broadway Ave.
For a full listing of the remaining music festivals this summer, check out the 2016 festival calendar.
Video of the Week
“There are two types of pain; one that hurts you and the other that changes you,” reads a closing quote on B-Free’s new empowering music video about overcoming an abusive relationship. The ‘90s throwback R&B singer, who served as director, chooses the latter on “No More,” the first single off her forthcoming album Ode 2 a Luv Affair, due out September 26. An album release party is set for Saturday, October 1 at Company Brewing.
This Week in Live Music
Monday, August 29: Musical Mondays featuring The New South Rampart Street Paraders and Lisa Edgar at Lake Park, 6:30 p.m. (FREE) – (2975 N. Lake Park Rd., LakeParkFriends.org)
Tuesday, August 30: Chill on the Hill featuring Midnight Reruns with Claire Kelly at Humboldt Park, 6 p.m. (FREE) – (3000 S. Howell Ave., bayviewneighborhood.org/chill_on_the_hill)
Wednesday, August 31: River Rhythms featuring Pay The Devil at Pere Marquette Park, 6:30 p.m. (FREE) – (900 N. Plankinton Ave., Westown.org)
Thursday, September 1: Guided by Voices with Broncho at Turner Hall Ballroom, 8 p.m. ($28 advance; $32 door) – (1032 N. 4th St., PabstTheater.org)
Also: Radar Eyes with Gallery Night and Richard Vain at Cactus Club, 9 p.m. ($8) – (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
And: Jazz in the Park featuring Charles Walker Band at Cathedral Square Park, 5 p.m. (FREE) – (825 N. Jefferson St., easttown.com/events/jazz-in-the-park)
And: Ayre in the Square featuring The WhiskeyBelles at Catalano Square, 6:30 p.m. (FREE) – (138 N. Broadway Ave., HistoricThirdWard.org/events/ayreinthesquare.php)
Friday, September 2: Bonnie Raitt with Richard Thompson Trio at The Riverside Theater, 8 p.m. ($49.50-$85)
Also: Guitar Wolf with Hans Condor and BLEED at Cactus Club, 9 p.m. ($12 advance; $15 door) – (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
And: Indonesian Junk with Hemmingbird, Faux Fiction and Mike from Mutts at Company Brewing, 10 p.m., $7 (735 E. Center St., CompanyBrewing.com)
And: Lil Yachty at The Rave, 8 p.m. (SOLD OUT) – (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Saturday, September 3: Gringo Star at Cactus Club, 9 p.m. ($8 advance; $10 door) – (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
Also: Sin Bad with Icky Bugs, The Ferns and Rrats at Landmark Lanes, 9 p.m. – (2220 N. Farwell Ave., LandmarkLanes.com)
And: Michael Swan with King Courteen, Detlef Schrempf and Abby Jeanne Rebel Love (and friends) at Company Brewing, 9 p.m. – (735 E. Center St., CompanyBrewing.com)
