Music - Nov. 20, 2009
Bondy returns to Milwaukee ... with backup
For a lot of Milwaukeeans, the A.A. Bondy awakening took place when the former Verbena frontman performed a solo opening set for Bon Iver last August at The Pabst Theater. Bondy appeared at Club Garibaldi this summer and returns to play a full-band show Tuesday, Nov. 24.
Tagged with: A.A. Bondy, Club Garibaldi, American Hearts, When the Devil's Loose, Ben Lester, Bon Iver, Macey Taylor, Paul Buchignani

Dining - Nov. 19, 2009
Rehearsal dinner proves Urbieta is ready for Beard
Last night, I experienced the second of two rehearsal dinners at Ristorante Bartolotta that Chef Juan Urbieta and his team -- which included the creme de la creme of kitchen staff from the Bartolotta restaurants -- used to perfect the menu they'll serve at the James Beard House in New York's Greenwich Village on Dec. 1.
Tagged with: Ristorante Bartolotta, James Beard House, Juan Urbieta, Andrew Ruiz, Drew Baker, Zach Baker

Arts & Entertainment - Nov. 17, 2009
"Pairings" shows Haggerty in a whole new light
As the Haggerty turns 25 -- it opened in an eye-catching building on the Marquette campus in 1984 -- the museum launches a special exhibition of works from its permanent collection that seeks to highlight its large body of work and also to spark conversations and revelations about the relationships -- expected and unexpected -- about some works.
Tagged with: Haggerty Museum, Marquette University, Pairings, Persian Visions

Music - Nov. 16, 2009
Gig roundup: Benson "poised and ready" for Turner
Although he's now on solo record No. 4, for many people Brendan Benson is still the guy who plays in Grammy-winning band The Raconteurs with Jack White. But don't let White's shadow eclipse Benson's shining talent. Dive into his latest disc, "My Old, Familiar Friend," and you won't struggle to find his adeptness at catchy melodies swathed in ringing guitars. See him this week at Turner Hall.
Tagged with: Saosin, Brendan Benson, Turner Hall, Cory Chisel, Megadeth, The Rave, Cascio Interstate Music, GuitarFest, Rob Zombie, Medeski, Martin & Wood, The Mad Planet, Skybox, Shank Hall, Savoy Brown, Paul Cebar, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Peaches, Amanda Blank

Kids & Family - Nov. 16, 2009
If you give a kid a play ...
Like many homes, ours chimes with the sound of countless readings of "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" -- by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond -- and its related books. It's not a text-heavy book, so I wondered how First Stage Milwaukee would make an entire show out of it.
Tagged with: First Stage Milwaukee, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, Maxwell Zupke, Jordan Ahnquist

Movies & TV - Nov. 11, 2009
Powerful "Food, Inc." won't likely whet your appetite
I can't imagine that too many people will say that watching "Food, Inc." was the visual equivalent of eating chocolate cheesecake, but just like eating your veggies is good for you, so is watching this expose on how our food is produced.
Tagged with: Food Inc., UWM, Still Walking, Hirokazu Kore-Eda, The Headless Woman, Lucrecia Martel

Dining - Nov. 11, 2009
Italian "tweats" at The Pasta Tree
Last night I tweeted from the first installment of The Pasta Tree's proposed 20-dinner series, "Discovering Italy One Region at a Time," which featured the northwestern region of Piemonte, where my roots lie.
Tagged with: pasta tree, piemonte, left bank

Dining - Nov. 10, 2009
The economy is taking a bite out of our dining scene
With the economic downturn it seemed safe to assume that there would be casualties among the restaurants of Milwaukee. But it seems like all of sudden lots of places are closing.
Tagged with: restaurant, dining

Music - Nov. 9, 2009
Gig roundup: Green River Ordinance gets grassroots support
It was a long way to go, but Fort Worth quintet Green River Ordinance got there in a short period of time. The band's name refers to the colloquial name for laws banning door-to-door sales. So it's ironic that a groundswell of support led to an opening slot for Bon Jovi in Dallas just a couple years after the band recorded its debut in its church basement.
Tagged with: Green River Ordinance, David Cook, The Script, Riverside, White Rabbits, The Dig, Glass Ghost, Turner Hall, Slightly Stoopid, Club Garibaldi, Monsters of Death, Shank Hall, The Rave, The Fiery Furnaces, Tommy Castro, Digital Leather

Music - Nov. 5, 2009
Transformed Mayer adds Bradley Center gig on March 1
Is it my imagination or is John Mayer looking more and more like an update of the circa-1986 Charlie Sexton these days? Mayer comes to the Bradley Center for a show on Monday, March 1 as part of the tour in support of his new disc, "Battle Studies," due out later this month.
Tagged with: John Mayer, Bradley Center, Michael Franti, Spearhead, Charlie Sexton, Battle Studies

Music - Nov. 5, 2009
The Exotics surf back with the "Lost Album"
The Milwaukee air must have been ripe with the scent of salt water back in 1994, because when surf rock revivalist The Exotics emerged that year, the band was an instant hit. Ten years after releasing its debut disc, the reunited quartet returns with the release of "Lost Album."
Tagged with: Exotics, Lost Album, Go Go Guitars, Don Nelson, Paul Wall, Jon Ziegler, Brandt Zacher, Lee's Liquor Lounge, LuLu, Garrison Keillor, Chicago Exotica

Music - Nov. 4, 2009
Varied experience leads Thompson to jazz "Reverie"
Milwaukee singer Julie Thompson is everywhere these days, doing regular gigs in the area. Thompson didn't grow up a jazz singer. She got her start in church, sang folk and later spent 10 years with a duo that made music for kids. Oh yes, she also sang with Foreigner.
Tagged with: Julie Thompson, Foreigner, Songs from the Heart, Reverie

Music - Nov. 3, 2009
Blue in the Face returns to celebrate Shank birthday
In 2006, Peter Jest convinced the band to do a reunion gig at Shank Hall. Now, the band reunites again at the legendary venue as part of a series celebrating Shank's 20th anniversary.
Tagged with: Blue in the Face, Shank Hall, Mike Benign, Paul Biemann, Joe Vent, Pat Basler, John Carr, Subcontinentals, Bob Jennings, Wooldridge Brothers, Ed Spangenberg, Andy Buck, Arms and Legs and Feet, Umbrella Man, Peter Jest

Music - Nov. 2, 2009
Classic Stones disc can still get yer ya-ya's out
The 40th anniversary box set of "Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out!: The Rolling Stones in Concert" (Abkco) -- one of the first great rock and roll live albums -- has a little something for everyone.
Tagged with: Rolling Stones, Ike & Tina Turner, BB King, Madison Square Garden, Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out, Lester Bangsyer ya

Travel & Visitors Guide - Nov. 2, 2009
Historical Society show traces City Hall restoration
Did you know that when it was completed in 1895, Milwaukee's City Hall was the third tallest building in the country? A new exhibition at Milwaukee County Historical Society highlights the restoration of what may be Milwaukee's most recognizable landmark. It opens tonight.
Tagged with: Milwaukee County Historical Society, Bob Teske, City Hall

Bars & Clubs - Oct. 29, 2009
Hooligan's owners buy Von Trier
After much talk about the future of Von Trier, 2235 N. Farwell Ave., John and Cindy Sidoff -- owners of Hooligan's, 2017 E. North Ave., told OnMilwaukee.com today that they have purchased the building from Mark Eckert.
Tagged with: Hooligans, Von Trier, East Side, John Sidoff, Mark Eckert, Diablos Rojos, Cindy Sidoff

Travel & Visitors Guide - Oct. 28, 2009
Happy to be of assistance, Mitchell International
Milwaukee County annouced today that September was the busiest month ever at Mitchell International Airport. I'm glad I could help.
Tagged with: Mitchell International Airport, AirTran, Midwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Barry Bateman

Dining - Oct. 28, 2009
Chef Profile: Ramses Alvarez of Juniper 61
Café LuLu and its younger sibling in Wauwatosa, Juniper 61, are so closely associated with owners Cam Roberts and Sarah Jonas that it might seem daunting to step in to helm the kitchens at these beloved eateries and try to make a mark. But that's just what Ramses Alvarez has done at Juniper 61.
Tagged with: Juniper 61, Ramses Alvarez, Cam Roberts, Sarah Jonas, Cafe LuLu

Dining - Oct. 27, 2009
Rapid review: Palermo Villa
Although it has changed a bit over the years -- especially notable was the addition of windows to the once dark as night dining room -- one thing remains the same at Palermo Villa -- great pizza!
Tagged with: Palermo Villa, Dean Cannestra, Libiamo, Nessun Dorma

Dining - Oct. 26, 2009
Open Table salutes Il Mito and Ristorante Bartolotta
Tosa takes the cake. Well, at least two Italian restaurants in Wauwatosa are the only two Wisconsin eateries on Open Table's 2009 list of Best Italian Restaurant Award winners.
Tagged with: Il Mito, Ristorante Bartolotta, Open Table, Best Italian Restaurants, Michael Feker