Between the Bars

Get Out: Irish Fest is now in progress

Milwaukee’s own Irish Fest is the largest event of its kind in North America, and it returned to the Summerfest Grounds on Thursday with a slew of activities to celebrate the festival's 31st year.

Each year, Irish Fest highlights a different aspect of Irish music and culture as a special focus for the festival. This year is dedicated to celebrating bluegrass music, which evolved out of the folk music traditions of 18th century Irish, Scottish, English and Welsh immigrants who settled in the Appalachia region of the United States. The bluegrass music showcase will feature a traveling exhibit put on by the International Blue Grass Museum.

August Events: Seize what's left of summer

Note: Between the Bars continually updates the many posts available here, though it's possible some details may have changed. Consider calling first if you have specific questions about the business or activity mentioned in this post.

I always say it and will say it again and again - summer flies by. Just as my soul shakes off the final winter hibernation shroud and gives a hearty, spine-cracking stretch toward the sun, August pops up on the calendar.

And I want to run away.

Abandon everything and run off to somewhere in the neighborhood of June 20th and not leave for six months or six years, whichever comes later.

With only a few more warm, sunny weeks left, it's time to seize the remaining summer days and enjoy the events taking place around Milwaukee this month.

Know Your Fair Food

It all started so innocently, didn't it? Some guy speared a hot dog with a stick, dipped it in corn batter, and deep-fried it to make a corn dog.

Now at the Wisconsin State Fair, a corn dog is just so, well, boring.

For many fair vendors it seems to have become a personal mission to come up with the next health hazard. They'll impale any foodstuff, dip it in batter, throw it into hot oil, and serve it up to flocks of adventurous fairgoers who, I presume, have already scheduled their angioplasty. In fact, there’s no shortage of crowds noshing on an exorbitant amount of grub, often deep fried, on a stick, or deep fried and on a stick.

And the list of artery-clogging food options keeps expanding. Each year dozens of new calorie-packed foods are added to the State Fair menu. Promising everything from deep-fried beer to cheesecake on a stick, there are plenty of options for those willing to ditch their diets and relish in a deep-fried, waist-expanding food feast.

Festing It Up: Gathering on the Green

The annual Gathering on the Green performance arts festival took place Friday and Saturday, July 13-14, at Rotary Park in Mequon, about 20 miles north of downtown Milwaukee. The weekend festival has been a part of the community for more than 15 years and is the result of a strong community initiative to promote the performing arts in southeastern Wisconsin.

On the bill this year, Under the Streetlamp, a vocal quartet comprising of the original Chicago cast members of the Tony Award-winning musical “Jersey Boys,” opened the multi-day event on Friday. Performances by several Milwaukee art groups, including the Gathering on the Green Orchestra, Florentine Opera, and Danceworks, shared the stage on Saturday night for “Music and the Movies.”

Gathering on the Green has been touted as the only one of its kind in the country to combine orchestra, ballet, opera and theatre elements over its two-day run. It continues to garner much attention as the region’s premier performing arts event, attracting more and more people each year.

The park opened at 5 p.m. on Friday for activities and picnicking. You better believe that most festival-goers arrived by five o’clock on the dot to claim their spot to watch the evening’s show. Eric and I, however, weren’t quite as punctual. We arrived at Rotary Park by about 6:30, paid $5 for general parking (preferred parking is $15), and then made the quick hike over to the festival grounds.

Top 15 ways to beat the heat!

Milwaukee will be under another heat advisory this coming week. Forecasters predict a high of 98 degrees on Monday and 100 degrees Tuesday.

Sure, there are things you can do to avoid being scorched, like running cold water on the inside of your wrist. Apparently, your wrist is a quick-cooling spot because your blood vessels are close to the surface of your skin and will cool your body temperature when it's in contact with cold water. (Thanks, Mom!) So, yeah. Just sit there. With cold water on your wrist. Watching the day wane. That sounds pretty lame to me!

I guess you could also sit in front of a fan all day long. Maybe work on your Darth Vader impression by talking into the whirling blades. "Luke, I am your father!" Even the geeky side of me doesn't find that remotely amusing.

Get Out: Lakefront fireworks are tonight!

Today, tens of thousands of people will converge at Milwaukee’s lakefront to be dazzled by the spectacular Independence Day fireworks show that’s performed one day early and hosted by U.S. Bank.

With temperatures in Milwaukee County expected to reach close to 100 degrees, it’s going to be as hot as a sparkler outside. An enormous, blazing torch of a sparkler. But that’s not going to deter locals from attending the event, especially those who have made the U.S. Bank Fireworks Show a yearly tradition.

Actually, folks have been staking out spots and laying down blankets in Veterans Park and along the lakefront since yesterday afternoon, even though the explosion of fireworks won’t erupt until roughly 9:30 tonight.

Your Guide: Independence Day 2012 fireworks and parades

Note: Between the Bars continually updates the many posts available here, though it's possible some details may have changed. Consider calling first if you have specific questions about the event or activity mentioned in this post.

One of the highlights of summer for me is the week of July 4.

Of course, it’s great to have an extra day off of work, but what makes the holiday extra special are the dazzling displays of pyrotechnics, lighting up the night sky all week long.

July Events: Whad'ya know, summer is hot.

Note: Between the Bars continually updates the many posts available here, though it's possible some details may have changed. Consider calling first if you have specific questions about the business or activity mentioned in this post.

I saw this cleverly enhanced comic on Facebook and found it fitting.

Southeastern Wisconsin is in the midst of a drought with no precipitation in the forecast for the foreseeable future. Beside the dry weather, we have also been dealing with heat and high dew points for several days, making Milwaukee feel like a sauna.

Festing It Up: Greek Fest

The welcome banner was in place, gently bouncing in the light wind. Dozens of white tents were assembled above cooking stations and dining areas and craft stands. The amusement rides were in place and in motion, flashing and zipping around. But most importantly, the yiayia (grandmothers) were cooking - and cooking, and cooking.

It was time, once again, for Greek Fest, put on by the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church and featuring a variety of ethnic foods and entertainment, including authentic dance performances and live music, carnival games and rides, a market and a cultural area. Now in its 47th year, its fourth year held at Wisconsin State Fair Park, the annual three-day festival is one of the biggest fundraisers for the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed church.

Eric and I went Saturday around 4 p.m., which, surprisingly, was the perfect time to go. We scored a primo parking spot just a few strides from the main entrance, paid $5 to park, and then were quickly ushered through the massive gate by a swam of people.

Upon entering, we were immediately drawn to the packed performance area where the Hellenic Dancers, a Greek dance troupe, decked out in traditional black, white and red regalia, performed authentic folk dances. The traditional performances are one of the popular aspects of the festival, but the biggest draw is undoubtedly the food.

Get Out: Dine downtown this week

Make some room in your belly - and in your schedule. Downtown Dining Week is dishing up another round of eats starting today and running through June 14.

With more than 40 participating restaurants, Downtown Dining Week will continue to offer affordable three-course menus at $10 for lunch and $20 or $30 for dinner for the unique opportunity to sample some of Downtown Milwaukee's best cuisine without breaking the bank. For all three price points, the three courses include your choice of appetizer, entree and dessert (beverage, tax and gratuity are not included).