Holiday Artisan Market

Held at Discovery World, downtown from 10am until 4pm both Saturday and Sunday, the Artisan Market is FREE for all who want to partake.  With unique, handmade goods, this year’s fair will feature artist demos, live music, festive treats, and complimentary gift wrapping.  What a great venue for a chance at finding a one-of -a-kind gift, while supporting locally!

Holiday Gift Shopping

There are a plethora of great spots around town to pick up a perfect gift for that special someone.  You just need to know where to look.  Start at any of these neighborhood places, and I’m sure you’ll be thrilled with what you find.

The Home Market, Third Ward

Five Hearts Boutique, Third Ward

Blush Beauty Boutique, Third Ward

Uncommon Items, Brady Street

Harleys for Men, Shorewood

The Garden Room, Shorewood

Rohr Jewelers, Downtown

George Watts & Son, Downtown

Boutique Bebe, Eastside

Boswell Book Company, Eastside

 

 

 

Black Friday

In case you’re wondering when the local malls are available for your early shopping pleasure, here are the stats:

• Brookfield Square  – 5 a.m.
• Southridge  – 5 a.m.
• Bayshore Town Center  – 7 a.m.
• Mayfair Mall  – 5 a.m.
• The Shops of Grand Avenue  – 5 a.m.
• Johnson Creek Premium Outlets – Johnson Creek, Wisconsin – Head west about 45 minutes to Johnson Creek to take advantage of already discounted wares at an easy-access outlet mall, and ditch the hassle of city driving. Johnson Creek will open at midnight the morning of Friday, November 25.
• Gurnee Mills Outlet Mall – Gurnee, Illinois – At just about an hour’s driving time, you can be across the border at one of the best outlets in the Midwest. Gurnee Mills stores will open at 5 a.m. on Friday, November 25.

Finding the deals are up to you!

The Wednesday Before Thanksgiving…

is always the biggest going out night of the year!  Here are some local specials you may want to take advantage of:

Unwined Wine Tasting Event at Chic Lounge in the Third Ward.  The event begins at 6pm, and is $20.  You’ll be exposed to 6 diverse wine selections, sampling 4 and enjoying a full glass of your favorite.

Thanksgiving Eve at Whisky Bar on Cathedral Square.  The event begins at 9pm as DJ Steve Marxx gets you moving on the dance floor all night!  Drink specials galore!

Made in Milwaukee Rain Check Event at Turner Hall.  Since the weather wasn’t great the first time around the “Made In Milwaukee Festival,” originally held at Cathedral Square Park is hosting a make-up show on Wednesday beginning at 7pm. This is an ALL LOCAL Milwaukee event featuring over 40 Milwaukee musicians, artists, craftspeople and more for only $10.

Molly’s 3rd Annual Oyster Eating Contest at Molly Cool’s on Old World 3rd Street.  With a minimum of a $1o donation to the Hunger Task Force and a 6:30pm registration, you can eat all the oysters you wish, with Abita beer specials & giveaways all night!

Vino 100 in the Third Ward is hosting a FREE wine tasting from 6-8pm.  Four wines will be served for your tasting pleasure!

2011 Holiday Folk Fair

Tomorrow kicks off the 68th Anniversary Celebration for Holiday Folkfare International.  Held at the State Fair grounds, the festival explores the world of music, food, dance, and arts in over 50 different cultures.  All weekend the “All Nations Theater” will be packed with dancing and music entertainment.  Sendik’s is sponsoring the “World Market” which will be providing an assortment of time-honored recipes that have been passed down through generations.  The market will introduce you to distinct and extraordinary flavors that will certainly awaken your taste buds.  The “International Bazaar” will allow folkfare goers to purchase characteristic treasures from around the world, while the “Coffee House” presents a comforting atmosphere where you can relax with friends and family and listen to music of the world, while enjoying Italian biscotti or a homemade Scottish scone along with a cup of coffee, tea, or espresso drinks.  For a little bit of culture and history this weekend, enlighten yourself to a new experience.  Admission is $12 at the gate and $10 prior to the event.

Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival

Yes, Christmas decorations are already here and it’s not even Thanksgiving yet.  With that being said, I’m really looking forward to the upcoming holidays…the traditions, the food, and even the family!  This Thursday, November 17th, our city is kicking the holiday season off with the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival with the lighting of 500,000 + lights, 360 wreaths, 35 animated sculptures and 17 Moravian stars around the city.  Displays in Cathedral Square, Pere Marquette Park, and Zeidler Union Square will be up and running after the annual tree lighting at Red Arrow Park downtown (5pm).  The evening follows with a festive family fashion show, a holiday variety show featuring live music, dance acts, Mickey Mouse, Santa and fireworks following the lights reveal.  And of course you can stay nice and toasty all evening with free hot cocoa, coffee, and cookies.  After the show, free G4S Jingle Bus rides will be available to tour all the downtown sights.  What a fun Thursday evening!

Grand Avenue Mall

20 years ago, Grand Avenue used to be the “it place” for shopping in Milwaukee.  Every store front was filled with an artistic display and the food court was always packed with shoppers taking a break.  I remember coming downtown with my mother several times a year, but nothing was as great as our annual trip to the Milwaukee Christmas Parade, following an afternoon of shopping until we couldn’t anymore!  These days, the mall is a bit of a ghost town, as many of the stores are gone, while Mayfair and Bayshore Malls have inherited many of the customers.  Lately, there has been a bit of a buzz about a few new places taking up space and time in the mall.  With it’s kickoff just today, the Westown Indoor Market will now be open during the winter months, every first and third Wednesday, November through February.  Customers can enjoy Wisconsin grown greenhouse products, handcrafted art, apples, Wisconsin meat, cheese, and baked goods with live music in center court.  Secondly, Fred boutique will open a second store (opening Nov. 16th), which will operate for 6 weeks on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  It’s definitely not the same, but some of the new additions are exciting to say the least.

As a side note, Milwaukee’s 85th Annual Holiday Parade, brought to you by Johnson Controls, is
Saturday, November 19, 2011 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.!

 

Fashion Fridays!

One of my favorite boutiques in the city has two upcoming events that you shouldn’t miss if you’re at all into fashion!  This Friday, Lela will be presenting their Holiday Preview from 5 until 9pm, featuring Milwaukee designer, Shanel Regier, Linda Marcus Designs, and Lulu’s Petals.  You must RSVP by October 12th (tomorrow) to participate in the cutting edge fashion, the champagne, and the treats!

The other BIG event is taking place at the Milwaukee Art Museum on Friday, October 21st.  RunUp to the Runway is a full production runway show that features up and coming, Mount Mary College fashion students for a 9pm extravaganza.  During the show, Ra’Mon Lawrence of Project Runway will present his spring/summer 2012 collection.  Other local designers that will be featured include:  Miranda Levy, Mink by Amanda Ergen, Delanie Couture, Linda Marcus Designs, Judi Rath and Terry Crumble, as well as vintage looks from Tina Poppy for Violetville Vintage. The music will be bumping, the cocktails will be flowing, and the fashion will be exploding!  (Lela will also be at this event in their “lounge,” stop by for champagne at 5pm.)

ADMISSION FOR THE EVENT:
Front Row Seating $60
Reserved Seating $40/$25 Member
Standing Room $20/$15 Member

Jefferson Street Block Party

If you want to be “seen” tonight, check out the scene at the Info Release Party (between Mason & Wells, on Jefferson St).  Food, music, and delights will be provided by several East Town establishments.  I love Fever Marlene, who is playing live at 9pm, in addition to Slo-Fi, and Into Arcadia.  This quarterly event always attracts upwards of 1500 attendees, so dress to impress!

RedLine Milwaukee

Started by two local artists, RedLine calls itself an “urban laboratory that focuses on socially relevant topics.”  Housed in downtown Milwaukee on 4th street and McKinley, RedLine inspires its artists in a beautifully renovated 1916 building.  The 22,000 square foot building includes exhibition space, artist studios, a community print shop and paper making studio, a computer lab, and classrooms.  With at least four shows annually, RedLine presents established local, national, and international artists.

This upcoming Friday, marks the 2nd Annual RedLine Fashion Show Fundraiser, which begins at 6pm.  The fashion show itself will feature the clothing of Bruce Paul Goodman, Simon Oliver, U R Clothing, and Minoan Intimate Apparel.  RedLine will also be featuring a Recycled Runway Fashion Design Contest, as up and coming fashion designers will showcase their fashion forward garments, which were constructed over an eight week period out of recycled or repurposed items.  At $20 per person, which includes hors d’oeuvres and dessert (cash bar), all of the “green” raised will support RedLine’s core programs, which include RedLine’s socially relevant exhibition and other education programs.