1. Watch Artists Paint Competitively at Art 64
EVAN MUSIL, ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR
I was reading about a recent exhibition at the SFMOMA exploring the intersection of art and sport – aesthetics of competition, endurance and persistent practice, and the museum as an arena. Art 64 is not about any of that. It’s 64 painters going head-to-head in a tournament-style bracket, and the winner gets a whopping $20,000. Artists get a shared theme and 60-to-90 minutes to live-paint to victory. That makes for an intense battle of the brushes. What makes one painting better than another? Is art actually a competition? Who’s to say? You, actually, since you vote for your favorites. It’s a heavy burden, one I felt last year as I strolled past the many creations lining Tosa Village, with their creators smiling at me, vying for my vote. Pro tip: Don’t overthink it. Just enjoy the silliness and the loads of creativity.
2. Grab a Bagel (or a Dozen) at Ruby’s New Brick-and-Mortar
BRIANNA SCHUBERT, DIGITAL EDITOR
It’s bagel time! That’s right, Ruby’s Bagels opened its brick-and-mortar location on North Avenue (551 this past weekend. There was a line down the street, and I was the proud patron of ticket #49. I ordered an everything bagel with green onion and ceddar cream cheese, and oh sweet goodness, it was a delight. The bagel was baked to perfection and the cream cheese was truly perfect. I must admit: it wasn’t my first bagel from this brand new storefront. That’s right. For the June issue (out now!) I shadowed owner Daniela “Ruby” Varela in the new kitchen to see how the sausage – ope, bagel – gets made. I also got an everything bagel fresh out of the oven, like still warm and steamy fresh out of the oven. Heavenly. You can read the story now in the print issue and online later this week.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
3. Read Crying in H Mart
ANN CHRISTENSON, DINING EDITOR
Waiting on my desk for me today was a copy of Crying In H Mart. In this 2021 memoir, musician Michelle Zauner writes about grief, family and reclaiming parts of her identity. Zauner is the vocalist/guitarist for Japanese Breakfast, an indie pop band I’ve been loving for the last few years. (They also released a great new album, For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women), earlier this year.) I’ve been wanting to read Zauner’s memoir since it came out – and coincidentally just looked at it at Boswell Book Company over the weekend. The little bird who left the book is none other than MilMag digital editor/bookworm Brianna Schubert. Thanks Brianna!
4. Get Gas Station Breakfast Pizza at Casey’s
ARCHER PARQUETTE, MANAGING EDITOR
I was staying with a friend last weekend when just this scenario played out, and in the face of my incredulous questions, I was informed that Casey’s chain of convenience stores apparently has delicious breakfast pizza. I was skeptical, but let me tell you, friend, that boy oh boy does Casey’s have some good breakfast pizza. They have three varieties – bacon, sausage and veggie. I had the bacon and sausage, and they were both addictively delicious. I can’t pretend this is some delicate artisan thing, but if you’re looking for a hearty, tasty, not particularly healthy breakfast, you gotta get one of these. Unfortunately, there aren’t any Casey’s in city limits, but you can find one in Lisbon, Racine, Cedarburg, West Bend. And be sure to grab one if you’re on a day trip to Madison.
5. Get Ready for Upcoming Juneteenth Events
Milwaukee’s Juneteenth Parade and Celebration is at 54 years and counting, but the festivities don’t just stick to June 19. A pageant crowns Miss/Mister Juneteenth on June 7, the Freedom Ball celebrates community leaders on June 13, and a weekly concert series at Rose Park keeps the fun going on Saturdays through August. – Evan Musil in the June issue
