Phew, another spring semester is almost over. That means no more books, group projects or roommates (that's unless you're enrolled summer school, but that's your own fault). More time to kick back, relax and enjoy a nice time at Bradford Beach or great performances at Bay View's Chill on the Hill, The Rep, The Oriental and The Pabst. This summer Milwaukee sees everything from "Phantom of the Opera" to The National. Here's a preview of the best events coming to the city:
To put it bluntly, winter sucks. These past couple years have been particularly painful. The long, blistering winters with ample amounts of snowfall, plus those darn varying temperatures. One day it feels like it's spring, the next day it's below freezing. But finally, it's all over. At least for a couple months.
One of the most exciting times in Milwaukee is when you can finally chill out on a porch or patio and enjoy the fresh air. But if that ever gets a little too mundane, there's endless amounts of festivals in all different neighborhoods of the city this summer:
Chill on the Hill
Tuesdays, 6 p.m.
May 26-Sept. 1
Humboldt Park, 3000 S. Howell Ave
While Jazz in the Park might be more popular (and crowded), Chill on the Hill, Bay View's weekly Tuesday night musical series, gives Milwaukee picnickers a wider range of genres, from jazz and bluegrass to alternative and Latin fusion. In its fifth year, Chill's attendance has been on the rise, last year averaging more than 1,000 people a night. Milwaukee's iconic Paul Cebar kicks off the first night with his New Orleans-influenced R&B.
Jazz in the Park
Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.
June 4-Sept. 24
Cathedral Square Park, 520 E. Wells St.
RiverSplash
June 5-7
Milwaukee River, between Kilbourn Avenue and Knapp Street, Old World Third and Water Streets
Last year's RiverSplash ended with a bang, literally. A gang-related shooting cut short Saturday night's activities of the annual festival. With more than 150,000 people over the free three-day event, crowds tended to get a little unruly after 10 p.m. And probably rightly so. The event is the first summer festival in a city typically known for three things: long, frigid winters, beer and summer festivals. However, RiverSplash adds another element: music. Water and Third Streets are filled with wide ranges of local music Friday and Saturday, covering classic rock cover bands to contemporary blues and alt-rock players.
River Rhythms
Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.
June 10-Aug. 26
Pere Marquette Park, 900 N. Plankinton Ave.
Bastille Days
July 9-12
Cathedral Square Park, 520 E. Wells St.
Kicking off with the "Storm of the Bastille," a 5k run through Downtown Milwaukee, Bastille Days turns the city into a miniature France for quatre jours (four days). A 43-foot kitschy replica of the Eiffel tower helps to enhance the Parisian vibe. The food from the more than 30 street vendors typically isn't authentic since it's difficult to prepare genuine French cuisine for a hungry mob of festival-goers, but something that's readily available is Cajun fare, notably delicious funnel cake-esque beignets.
PrideFest
June 12-14
Henry Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Dr.
Polish Fest
June 19-21
Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Dr.
East Side Summer Soulstice
June 20
North Avenue and Oakland
Summerfest
June 25-July 5
Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Dr.
The biggest, overblown and overrated festival in Milwaukee, Summerfest loves bringing commercially viable but musically deficient groups to the city and charging an arm and a leg. For some, $40-$50 is cheap to see typical bar white noise bands like Bon Jovi, Kid Rock and Kenny Chesney, but as always (except for Bob Dylan and Willy Nelson's show at the amphitheater), the better performances are cost efficient. The $15 admission is worthy for musicians like Lupe Fiasco, Buddy Guy and The Roots and maybe worth the gamble to see buzzed about but mediocre performers like Asher Roth.
German Fest
July 23-26
Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Dr.
Brady Street Festival, featuring Cheesefest
July 25
Lower East Side of Brady Street
Wisconsin State Fair
Aug. 6-16
Wisconsin State Fair Park, 640 S. 84th St.
Arab World Fest
Aug. 7-9
Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Dr.
This non-political, non-religious festival celebrates the cultural significance of the Arab world. From moving films like 2005's "Paradise Now" to music from Elias Haddad and Swasan Kizy. That's not even mentioning the spice-filled cuisine or the flavorful hookah. And for those who have never made the trek across the globe, there are camel rides!
Irish Fest
Aug. 13-16
Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Dr.