A little more than a week remains in 2010 and here at OnMilwaukee.com, we're already casting a hopeful eye towards 2011. Here's a look at what the OnMilwaukee.com editorial staff is hoping for in the new year:
Tim Cuprisin
Media columnist
Pick: Milwaukee's changing radio dial
I'm expecting Arbitron's new portable people meter ratings system to make its mark on Milwaukee radio in 2011. It started measuring our listening habits earlier this year, and has already led to big changes at WTMJ-AM (620), which refocuses its morning and afternoon drive-times more on news than talk starting Jan. 3. But it could have an impact on other stations as well, with the format elsewhere ending the careers of some long-time big names, and speeding up the pace of radio to avoid losing listeners. Music stations could benefit from the change, while some personalities will have less time to talk.
Renee Lorenz
Reporter
Pick: The Brewcity Bruisers' new home
It's sad indeed that I've never been to a Brewcity Bruisers bout. I've always been terrible at planning ahead, which always made for bad luck when I tried to get people together to see the BCB. Last season, I invariably heard two things about the match-ups: First, that they are a one-of-a-kind, must-see experience; and second, that the line of cars trying to get to their old home base -- the Milwaukee County Sports Complex in Franklin -- was consistently insane.
Thankfully for both me and the Bruisers, the 2011 season has been moved to the U.S. Cellular Arena, affording them a bigger space and more people to fill it. More importantly for me and my group of procrastinators, it means no lines, no sold out notices and the opportunity to finally see Milwaukee's rockin' rollers.
Jeff Sherman
President
Picks: A laundry list of stuff
The ground breaking of The Moderne, the soon-to-be tallest building West of the Milwaukee River in Downtown Milwaukee. A big, bold agenda from Mayor Barrett. He's not campaigning anymore, so let's get stuff done. Observing how the Marriot hotel at Milwaukee St. and Wisconsin Ave. comes together. The announcement on the development and location of the Milwaukee Ballet's Harmony Initiative. The completion of the Peck Pavilion at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. A healthy Milwaukee Bucks squad and another, exciting playoff push. Could 2011 bring the ground breaking for a Downtown movie theater? Marcus? Please. Continued development, the opening of Benelux Grand Cafe and Market and hopefully another anchor retail tenant in the Historic Third Ward. And, of course, big things from OnMilwaukee.com.
Molly Snyder
Associate Editor
Pick: The opening of the Riverwest Public House and "The Chinese Mall"
The country's second cooperative tavern will open in Milwaukee -- on Locust Street in Riverwest -- in early 2011. Called The Riverwest Public House, the bar will feature discount drinks for members (membership is not required; costs $40 a year), live music and open space for community meetings. I can already hear the bar stool calling my name -- as long as they serve Guinness.
Also, the AmAsia Mall -- dubbed as Milwaukee's "Chinese Mall" -- was scheduled to open in the former Northridge Mall space in 2010 and, hopefully, will open its doors in 2011. As a big fan of Chinese candy and tsotskes -- particularly that waving cat -- I will make this a top destination when shopping for gifts. Or when I have a insatiable craving for White Rabbit Creamy Candy.
Bobby Tanzilo
Managing editor
Pick: Heidi Spencer's international debut
Talented Milwaukee singer and songwriter Heidi Spencer releases her Bella Union/Yep Roc debut, "Under Streetlight Glow" early in 2011 and I think the 10-song disc can propel her career to new heights. Here's what I wrote about it when I got a sneak peek at it in early October:
"Alibi" is a lazy, rootsy opener that showcases Spencer's emotive vocals. A darker, more mysterious vibe kicks in with the second -- and title -- track with its impassioned voice and atmospheric whistling. The mood continues through "Moth Met Spider, " "Go to France" and "Hibernation," which has what may be the the record's most alluring vocal performance. "Tried and True" and "Whiskey" close out "Under Streetlight Glow" with the same easy, melodic folk pop of "Alibi." Spencer has crafted an intimate record with a dusky, twilight feel that ought to propel her toward wider success.
Andy Tarnoff
Publisher
Pick: The race over the Hoan Bridge
It's true, I'm definitely looking forward to running in either the 10K or the half-marathon over the Hoan Bridge on July 10. Well, technically, I'm not looking forward to how hard the race will be, but that's a different story. What I'm excited about is the outside-the-box thinking by both Summerfest and City officials who are making this happen. It's the first time in decades that the iconic bridge (also, our logo) has been opened to this kind of event, and it illustrates a "hey, why not?" attitude that Milwaukee has sorely lacked. You already know I feel this way, since I started the publication you are reading right now, but Milwaukee needs to shed its defeatist, inferiority complex. This race, which spotlights the world's biggest music festival, is one of many steps in the right direction.
Andrew Wagner
Senior staff writer
Pick: The 2011 Brewers
Could 2011 really be the season the Brewers finally get over the hump? Adding Shaun Marcum and Zack Greinke has immediately turned the Brewers into a contender in the National League -- but will it work? The experts think so, with many national baseball observers picking the Brewers to return to the playoffs in 2011. Fans seem to agree, too, snapping up season ticket packages. On paper, everything looks great. General Manager Doug Melvin rectified his mistakes of the past two years and put a legitimate pitching staff with one of baseball's most fearsome offensive lineups but keeping everybody healthy is going to be key. Either way, Melvin needs to get some credit, but will the locals finally give it to him? At the very least, maybe we'll no longer have to hear about 1982.
Bob Purvis
Reporter
Pick: The new Juiceboxxx record
After putting out numerous mixtapes over the past few years Milwaukee's most frenetic live performer, Juiceboxxx, is set to deliver a proper full length. The lanky white rapper gets slept on locally, where he's been ripping up basements and rocking clubs since he was 15, but seems poised to blow up after touring the world and playing shows with everyone from old school rappers Public Enemy to garage rockers Jeff the Brotherhood. The legendary Chuck D called him "hip hop's Buddy Holly" and in interviews he's shared his ambitions to make a quintessentially American musical blend of rap, dance and rock music. Is he sincere? Is he masterfully poking fun at music cliches? Is he a beast of a rapper and producer trapped in the body of a 1950's farm boy? He's all those things and then some, and that's why if anyone from Milwaukee lands on the pop culture landscape in 2011, for our sake and the world's I hope it's Juiceboxxx.
