Get fit. Get full. Get your baseball fix. "Get Back." It's all here in this weekend's OnMilwaukee.com Recommends!
Milwaukee Ballet Open Division classes – It’s been almost a decade since I took ballet, but it’s always been one of those things I really enjoyed and wanted to get back to. The Milwaukee Ballet School and Academy offers a great line-up of classes no matter what your skill level with ballet is – and there are also pilates, stretch, core flow and dance fitness classes, if a straight barre workout isn’t your thing! I chose the "Continuing Ballet" option at Riverpoint Village, 8665 N. Port Washington Rd. It was a completely convenient time, right after work, and gave me an awesome workout like I hadn’t had in years. I was nervous about my skills after all this time but luckily the instructor, Catey Ott, was great and very non-judgmental. There was even live accompaniment. Milwaukee Ballet also offers classes at their headquarters on 5th and National, as well as their Towne Center location in Brookfield. You can purchase "class cards" for 1-6 classes, starting at $15 and going to $85 ("style classes" – the pilate and stretch ones – are less expensive). – Colleen Jurkiewicz
Mazzoni 2011 Bianco di Toscana – If you're bored of the affordable straight-up smooth-edged chardonnays on your wine shop's shelves, check out Mazzoni's straw-colored 75-25 blend of vermentino and chardonnay from vineyards around Montalcino, in Tuscany. While Montalcino and Mazzoni are both better known for their heavyweight champion brunellos, they have caressed these varietals into a fruity wine that balances its hefty dose of pear and apple with an elegant spiciness that notches up the experience. Serve it cool with chicken or seafood or even as an aperitivo with some salty snacks like chips or mixed nuts. But don't let the smooth acidity and fruitiness fool you, this bianco isn't a lightweight dessert wine – it packs a punch of 13 percent alcohol. – Bobby Tanzilo
Brewers vs. Marlins – Who's ready for baseball? Before Friday's game, the Brewers hadn't been at Miller Park since July 10 - so head over to The Keg to see some hardball. After all, the Packers report to training camp in five days. - Jim Owczarski
Paul McCartney & Wings – Wings Over America (MPL/Hear/Concord) – You're probably sick of hearing me talk about this triple-live LP from 1976, which was recorded on the same tour as a recently reissued concert film. Though, as has become the norm, this deluxe reissue comes in a few versions, including an insanely lavish one priced in the triple digits. I've got the basic three-disc version, which has the remastered triple-LP across two CDs and a DVD with an interesting hour-long-plus documentary, called "Wings Over the World," with amazing footage of McCartney when the horn parts were still played on horns and Macca still rocked the Rickenbacker bass. It's tempting to compare Wings onstage with McCartney and his band as they appeared this week in Milwaukee, and what's clear is that Wings were much better than many seem to have remembered and that 40 years on, McCartney is still kicking it. While there is some overlap in the setlists – "Maybe I'm Amazed," "Lady Madonna," etc. – "Wings Over America" also lets you see Macca performing the hits of the day ("Silly Love Songs," "Let 'Em In") and some tunes he might potentially never play live again ("Beware My Love," "Picasso's Last Words"). – Bobby Tanzilo
Balistreri's Bluemound Inn – Recently, we spontaneously had lunch at this old-school Italian restaurant (6501 W. Bluemound Rd.) and had a great experience from start to finish. The food was good – particularly the calamari, which was perfectly and very-peppery breaded – and the service was attentive. I got a second soda without asking and the timing of our appetizer and entrees presentation was perfect. But the best part of our experience was the patio. Even though it's overlooking the parking lot (and a McDonald's), there are so many large, blooming hanging plants it feel secluded and smelled good. I barely noticed the golden arches just yards away. – Molly Snyder
