In a December week that's feeling pretty darn October-ish, why not have a block party, right?
Gathering Place Brewing Company is hosting a Christmas block party, called Santasy, on Saturday, Dec. 18, from 4 until 10 p.m. outside its brewery and taproom at 811 E. Vienna Ave., in Riverwest.
Admission is free.
The street will be closed and there will be holiday music, food vendors and – just in case the more than 100 old-school illuminated Santas are enough to warm you up – fire pits.
If the forecast mid-30s are still too much for you in mid-December, you can always party inside the taproom, which was recently redecorated.
For the occasion, Gathering Place is bringing back its Storm and Stress schwarzbier, on draft and in 16-ounce four-packs.
The 5 percent ABV Storm and Stress is named in honor of Germany's 18th century Sturm und Drang arts movement.
They say, "This lager bends the norms of dark beer by finishing light and clean with a hint of roast featuring flavors of dark chocolate, coffee, plum and citrus zest."
While you're there, consider joining the Members' Society for special beers, special events and more. It also makes a hoppin' holiday gift.
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.
