Musical Mondays is back at Lake Park this year with another diverse lineup of sonorous treasures.
The summer-long lineup a the Lake Park Summer Stage near the playground is organized by Lake Park Friends and continues a tradition of live music in the park dating back to the 19th century. (You can read a bit about the original bandstand here.)
The concerts, which take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and are sponsored by OnMilwaukee, are free and open to all. They are presented in cooperation with Milwaukee County Parks.
“We’re proud to continue the tradition of free concerts in Lake Park, which began when the park opened more than 100 years ago,” said Lake Park Friends Board President Anne Hamilton.
“We encourage lovers of all types of music to join us this summer, and for everyone to come and enjoy Lake Park all year round.”
Here is the Musical Mondays lineup, with descriptions courtesy of Lake Park Friends:
- July 7 – SINKANE. Sinkane (aka Ahmed Gallab) and his high-energy six-piece band bring ambitious, dazzling sounds of a world of music – from funk to free jazz to pop – set to the foundational soul of the rhythms of his native Sudan.
- July 14 – BONERAMA. A legendary New Orleans band featuring three trombones, Bonerama plays a genre-bending gumbo that covers the sound of everything from Crescent City horn bands, soul and gospel to music of The Beatles and Led Zeppelin.
- July 21 – MISSISSIPPI HEAT. A storied Chicago blues band led by harmonica master and songwriter Pierre Lacocque, Mississippi Heat’s name and sound are a reflection of the harp man’s reverence for Mississippi’s blues culture and music.
- July 28 – CHLOE KIMES. A Nashville musician with roots in northern Michigan, rising Americana artist Chloe Kimes is actively defining the next generaTon of troubadours with an old-soul sensibility for storytelling in a spirited alt-country group.
- Aug. 4 – THE KENTUCKY GENTLEMEN. With smooth harmonies and a sound that fuses country storytelling with R&B swagger and pop sensibility, The Kentucky Gentlemen, are led by Bourbon Country twins Derek and Brandon Campbell. The brothers are rewriTng the rules of country music and have performed with The Black Opry and been recognized by GLADD as “New Voices in Country.”
- Aug. 11 – DWAYNE DOPSIE AND THE ZYDECO HELLRAISERS. Hailing from one of the most influential Zydeco families in the world, Dwayne (Dopsie) Rubin has been bringing his own high-octane version of this danceable artform to audiences around the world since debuting his own band at age 19.
- Aug. 18 – LAURA RAIN AND THE CAESARS. A proud product of the Motor City, hard-driving singer Laura Rain and her hot band pump out soul, R&B and funk originals worthy of the many greats hailing from Detroit, with fearless emoTon and excitement.
- Aug. 25 – R&B CADETS. Milwaukee’s popular and longest running super group, the R&B Cadets play their unique signature mix of danceable originals and obscure covers, fronted by some of the city’s most cherished voices – Paul Cebar, Robin Pluer and John Sieger.
Lake Park Friends also announced the lineup of its free, family-focused Wonderful Wednesdays events, which take place on the Summer Stage from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- July 9 – FOX AND BRANCH. For nearly three decades, this award-winning duo has performed a dynamic mix of old-time music, original songs and family folk tunes that appeal to children and adults alike.
- July 16 – MAIN STREET SONG & DANCE TROUPE. A nonprofit show choir comprised of talented teens ages 12 to 18 will perform “The Love Spectrum,” a musical exploration of the many forms of love, from true and unrequited love to self-love and friendship.
- July 23 – YID VICIOUS. Engaging and delighting audiences for thirty years, this group brings the party to life with lively Yiddish folk dance music spanning generations from the Old World to our world.
- July 30 – LITTLE MISS ANN. Award-winning Chicago musician whose playlist spans different genres with fun, interactive educational songs that inspire kids to sing, jump, dance and let their own lights shine.
- Aug. 6 – DUKE OTHERWISE. Playful wordsmith, spirited performer, skilled guitarist and captivating tap dancer from Madison. Using his distinct baritone, he sings hilarious and imaginative songs that delight all ages.
- Aug. 13 – SUSAN SALIDOR. Award-winning Chicago children’s music composer, performer and author, with the heart of a teacher, who writes music for children and those who love them.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase in the park only from July 23 through Aug. 3 at Milwaukee County’s Traveling Beer Garden, near the Summer Stage.
Find more info and updates about both series and about Lake Park Friends here and here.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
