1. Hike Along Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve
EVAN MUSIL, ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR
Visiting this lakeshore vista has been on my Wisconsin nature wish list for a while, and my partner and I finally took the trek last Saturday. The view from the bluffs was stunning. Lake Michigan has never looked more oceanic to me, with its clear shoreline waters receding into deep blues. Technique-wise, it was an easy hike – the trail mostly stays flat until you walk the sturdy wooden staircase down to the beach. But gosh, the walking wore me out. I’m gonna blame the chilly breeze and my winter hibernation. Watch out, Wisconsin parks – next time I’ll be at full strength.
2. Go to the Milwaukee Film Festival
CAROLE NICKSIN, EDITOR AND PUBLISHER
It’s the last few days of the Milwaukee Film Festival, and still plenty of great movies to see. I recommend two documentaries, Cycle and 25 Cats from Qatar. And for a drama, try the uplifting DJ Ahmet.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
3. Drink the Shmoopy Juice at Topsy Turvy Brewery
ARCHER PARQUETTE, MANAGING EDITOR
Last weekend, I had to lay low for a while. You know how it goes. Big Vinny and the boys got a little heated, Saucy Charles wanted his money back, etc. Anyways, I decided to spend some time in Lake Geneva. I could recommend several spots from the scenic town but one that stood out on my trip was Topsy Turvy Brewery. In a former Baptist church, the place has a cool atmosphere, a nice crowd, and of course the Shmoopy Juice. I ordered the sour beer immediately just because I wanted to see if I could say the name with a straight face to the bartender. (I could not.) And it was good! A robust sour with a healthy ABV. I plan to make a return visit someday, maybe sooner than later if Elegant Edward sics his goons on me.
4. Learn Something New at Women’s Entrepreneurship Week
BRIANNA SCHUBERT, DIGITAL EDITOR
Women’s Entrepreneurship Week is here! The annual conference runs through May 9, with workshops, speakers, panels and networking for the women entrepreneurs in our community. I’m excited to attend a few sessions this week; I’m most looking forward tomorrow (Tuesday) night’s session, “Together We Thrive: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs, Past, Present, & Future” at Denizen MKE from 5:30-8 p.m. It’s a celebration of the progress women entrepreneurs have made and a discussion about how to keep pushing the needle. And though I’m not technically an entrepreneur, I’m excited to learn from these incredible women! Find the full lineup, tickets and more information here.
5. Check Out Milwaukee Public Library’s Art Book Club
At the MPL’s Art Book Club, the culturally curious can dig into strikingly beautiful historic titles pulled from the library’s special collections. Past themes include costumes, architecture and tattoo inspiration. Look through mosaics at the next bimonthly meeting on May 5.
– Evan Musil in the May issue
