As part of Rainbow Summer, the Marcus Performing Arts Center (MPAC) and Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21, are partnering to bring Amanda Parer's internationally touring art installation “Lost” to the MPAC Outdoor Grounds.

The event runs from Monday, July 14, through Sunday, July 20. Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. nightly. Special Family Days are planned for Saturday, July 19, at 3 p.m., and Sunday, July 20, at 2 p.m. The fun also includes vendors, food trucks, activities and more.

A rainbow-colored piano will also be placed on the Outdoor Grounds each morning (weather permitting) to invite community members to play and make their own music.

All events are free and open to the public. Additional details on Rainbow Summer performers are below.

Created by internationally acclaimed Australian artist Amanda Parer, “Lost” will feature three large-scale illuminated flowers. The monumental inflatable flowers and leaves of “Lost” will have a footprint of more than 2,100 square feet and reach up to 16 feet in height.

“Rainbow Summer continues to be an open invitation for people of all ages to gather, experience something new, and enjoy summer in the heart of the city,” said Kevin Giglinto, MPAC President & CEO.

As part of Milwaukee Downtown’s public art initiatives, the large-scale flowers and leaves of “Lost” are made from printed nylon 210D and illuminated by internally placed LED lights.

Parer, whose work has been exhibited in nearly 300 cities worldwide, focuses her practice on creating large-scale illuminated art installations that explore the human relationship with the natural world. The monumental flora celebrated in “Lost” are either extinct or endangered botanical species from around the globe.

“Amanda Parer’s ‘Lost’ is exactly the kind of immersive, world-class public art that energizes our downtown spaces,” says Matt Dorner, incoming CEO of Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21.

Rainbow Summer Performance Schedule

Monday, July 14: Kids From Wisconsin
Tuesday, July 15: Brass Queens
Wednesday, July 16: Digable Planets
Thursday, July 17: Chicago Latin Groove
Friday, July 18: Fool House: The Ultimate 90s Party
Saturday, July 19: Family Day
Sunday, July 20: Milwaukee Police Band

Performances Monday through Friday will begin at 7 p.m.; Saturday’s Family Day activities begin at 3 p.m. and continue with performances at 3:15 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Sunday’s performance begins at 2 p.m.

Additional nightly activities Tuesday through Saturday include bubble playtime by Michelle Hackett from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., outdoor games, and food and drinks from Sazama’s River Edge Patio beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Applications are being accepted for the Rainbow Summer Festival Marketplace. Interested vendors should complete the online application form.

Rainbow Summer is generously supported by Community Partner MGIC and Family Day Partner Goodwill Industries. For additional information on sponsoring Rainbow Summer, please contact give@marcuscenter.org.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with Milwaukee Downtown to bring this visually stunning art installation and a vibrant lineup of free public performances to our outdoor grounds," says Giglinto.