1. Check out Mauricio Ramirez’s Selena Mural
ALLI WATTERS, DIGITAL AND CULTURE EDITOR
Last week I was at Zócalo Food Truck Park, eating an arepa and minding my own business when a colorful mural stopped me in my tracks. It was a depiction of Selena Quintanilla Pérez with the canvas being a black and gray building. Her likeness soared up to the sky with pink pants and a mic to sing into. Mauricio Ramirez, who we spoke to for our August issue, is the painter. It’s his second time making the singer larger than life in Milwaukee – the first was demolished – and it is once again an instant favorite and a worthy addition to our city’s many murals. Slightly related: I highly recommend the Anytime Arepas food truck. Make sure your Venezuelan sandwich includes the plantains because they are delicious.
2. See the Last Chill on the Hill Concert
ARCHER PARQUETTE, MANAGING EDITOR
Well folks, summer’s just about over. Now’s your last chance to enjoy what the warm weather months have to offer before the cruel cold settles over southeastern Wisconsin. One way to do that is by going to Chill on the Hill, Bay View’s popular summer concert series, which ends on Tuesday, Aug. 30. Head to Humboldt Park that evening to catch the last one. Food vendors start selling at 5 p.m., and the music kicks off at 6:30. The lineup includes Jalen Romell Acoustic, Tigera, Vincent Van Great and Amanda Huff. Lakefront Brewery also has a trailer on site, serving up drinks.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
3. Listen to Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’s New Podcast, “Archetypes”
BRIANNA SCHUBERT, ASSOCIATE DIGITAL EDITOR
I’m a huge podcast listener, leaning mostly toward podcasts hosted and/or produced by women. So, when I saw this new one hosted by none other than the Duchess of Sussex herself pop up on my Spotify recommendations, I was immediately interested. It did not disappoint! The podcast is about the labels that try to hold women back and how they affect our lives. In the first episode, “The Misconceptions of Ambition,” she chatted with Serena Williams about ambition, her career and her recent announcement about retiring from tennis. I thought their discussion on the double standard that women face around being labeled “ambitious” was interesting, and they shared lots of stories from their lives in the public eye (and behind closed doors) woven throughout. I’m looking forward to the next episode!
4. Have a beer at Perspective Brewing
CHRIS DROSNER, EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Perspective’s June opening in downtown West Allis (7508 W. Greenfield Ave.) was overshadowed somewhat by the (much) bigger Ope Brewing less than a mile away and a week earlier, but beer people ignore this spot at their own peril. Perspective’s brewers, brothers Ben and Dan Naus, have crafted a menu of solid takes on mostly classic styles. The standout beer in my flights was Manneken Sip witbier (think Blue Moon, but cleaner), with Crystal City (Mexican) Lager and the java-forward Mountain Time coffee porter also showing very well. There were no stinkers among my nine beers. That taproom experience is cozy and friendly – there’s a good chance that’s one of owners behind the bar, so chat them up if you’re so inclined – and there’s a comfortable patio out back.
5. Watch “The Sandman” on Netflix
ANN CHRISTENSON, SENIOR DINING EDITOR
If you’re an avid Netflix viewer, you’ve probably heard that one of the top shows on the streaming service right now is “The Sandman.” The show is based on the comic book series written by Neil Gaiman, and while I’m watching – and enjoying – the Netflix series so far, I’ve never read the comic. I don’t recall, as a kid, reading any comics. Nevertheless there’s something that pulls me in to this fantasy world. And some great actors are featured here, including Brit David Thewlis as villain John Dee. There’s also the Sandman himself – aka, Dream or Morpheus – played by Tom Sturridge, who really embodies the mysterious and dream-like character. I do take issue with one bit of casting: comedian Patton Oswalt as the raven helper to Dream. But I’ll refrain from saying more here. Check it out if you’re looking for something escapist!
