Milwaukee’s very own and pianist for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra w Wynton Marsalis, Dan Nimmer chats w Van McNeil about life on the road, the upcoming hometown show at the Marcus Center’s Uihlein Hall Oct 4th, his first meeting w Wynton Marsails and lots, lots more.

CLICK ON THE PLAYER or CLICK HERE TO LISTEN:

Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra With Wynton Marsalis
October 4, 2011 | Uihlein Hall
Tickets on sale at http://www.MarcusCenter.org

Wisconsin State Fair Park Officials are pleased to announce that the 160th Wisconsin State Fair, presented by U.S. Cellular, ended on a high note this evening at 10pm.

Hundreds of thousands of loyal Fairgoers came out to celebrate during the Fair’s annual 11-day run and take advantage of family-friendly pricing, diverse entertainment and fair traditions. Mother Nature was “fairly” kind this year, offering a few hot, humid days and a couple days of light rain, but mostly beautiful blue skies and light breezes, providing Fairgoers the opportunity to enjoy all that the Fair has to offer.

“It was a tremendous Fair despite the tough start,” stated Chief Executive Officer of Wisconsin State Fair Park Rick Frenette. “We are appreciative of the collaboration and efforts of the State Patrol, West Allis Police Department, and Milwaukee Police Department to assure our Fairgoers that the Fair is a safe, fun experience for our guests. We look forward to continuing to work with them for the 2012 Wisconsin State Fair and beyond.”

“The attendance this year shows, that more than ever our Fairgoers are passionate about the Wisconsin State Fair, and they showed amazing support for us this year,” stated Patrice Harris, communications manager. “We are thrilled that each year they come out to enjoy the new things we have to offer and the traditions of the Fair – the agriculture, food, music, attractions, contests and activities.”

In addition to a four percent increase in attendance, initial revenue reports reflect a significant increase of 5.6%.

2011 ATTENDANCE 911,231

ADMISSION PROMOTIONS

AUGUST 4 HUNGER TASK FORCE DAY 45,133

149,500 pounds of food donated to Hunger Task Force

AUGUST 5 DISCOVERWISCONSIN.COM DAY 5,145

AUGUST 8 SPRECHER BREWING CO. $6 BEFORE 6PM 10,047

AUGUST 9 KOHL’S FAMILY VALUE DAY 27,559 Adults

13,073 Youth

AUGUST 11 U.S.CELLULAR $5 after 5pm 4,214

AUGUST 14 MILITARY & VETERANS RECOGNITION DAY

COURTESY OF BUDWEISER 2,162

FOOD STATISTICS

Wisconsin Bakers Association Original Cream Puffs 355,478

Artic Glacier Pounds of Ice 550,425

Real Wisconsin Cheese Grill Grilled Cheese Sandwiches 52,143

Joey’s Seafood & Grill Fish Tacos 1,480

Wisconsin Cranberry Growers Chocolate Covered Cranberries

On a Stick 7,800

Apollo Gyros Deep Fried Bacon Wrapped Hotdogs 4,763

WI Cattlemen’s Association Ribeye Sandwiches 16,400

Budweiser Pavilion Deep Fried Beer 7,065 orders

35,325 pieces

Cedar Crest Ice Cream Maple Bacon Sundaes 2,500

Mille’s Sausage Sandwiches 26,000

Brad & Harry’s Cheese Curds Pounds of Cheese used 5,700

AGRICULTURE EXHIBITORS

Open Exhibitors 701

Junior Exhibitors 1579

Miscellaneous Exhibitors (cheese, meat, dogs, etc.) 371

Textiles, Horticulture, Crafts & Culinary Exhibitors 567

Total Number of Exhibitors 3218

OTHER STATISTICS

Kids Quad Jump 14,388

Ribbons and Plaques Awarded over 28,000

The 2012 Wisconsin State Fair, presented by U.S. Cellular, will take place August 2 – 12, 2012. The Wisconsin State Fair offers an original experience to all that attend and is a phenomenal value with 30 FREE entertainment stages, thousands of animals, endless family activities, events, contests, vendors and culinary delights. For the most up-to-date information, please visit WiStateFair.com

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Enjoy an  up-close look of the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard and see the new South End redevelopment project on the Summerfest grounds.

Festival producer, Milwaukee World Festival, Inc., is currently renovating approximately 22-acres of the 75-acre site, Henry Maier Festival Park, located on the shores of Lake Michigan, with a 2-phased $25 million construction project. Phase One of the redevelopment project will feature a new 6,000 – 8,000 capacity outdoor stage/venue, the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard, a new South Gate and Box Office, as well as new food and beverage buildings and restrooms; all set to be completed for Summerfest 2011. Phase Two of the project will commence in fall of 2011, after the festival season, and include another new venue/stage as well as food and beverage buildings, restrooms and unique lakeshore amenities for festival-goers.

Summerfest fans can secure their place in Summerfest Music History with the new Summerfest Commemorative Paver Program. Perfect for fans, families, friends, organizations, special dedications or celebrating a special event or memory, each brick paver will be inscribed with a personal message or tribute and placed in a new area that has been created as part of the South End Renovation Project, Beat Street Plaza, located just inside the new South Gate.

Fans can purchase commemorative pavers by visiting Summerfest.com/paver or calling 1-855-FEST-PVR. Three different brick sizes and designs are available beginning at $75 ranging up to $200. Additionally, replica pavers are available for purchase with each order; perfect for displaying in the home, office or lobby. The replica paver is made of the same material and includes the exact message inscribed on the installed paver at Henry Maier Festival Park. All replicas include a plaque commemorating each purchaser’s place in Summerfest history along with an official “Certificate of Recognition” suitable for framing. Patrons may also purchase paver gift certificates by calling 1-855-FEST-PVR.

“We are excited to offer a new way for fans to get involved and literally become part of Summerfest history,” said Don Smiley, President and CEO, Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. “Beat Street Plaza will be a place for festival-goers and visitors from around the world to share in the memories, excitement and magic that Summerfest creates every year at Henry Maier Festival Park.”

The Summerfest Commemorative Paver Program falls on the heels of the completion of Phase One of the South End Redevelopment Project, which features a new 6,000 – 8,000 capacity outdoor stage/venue, the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard, a new South Gate and Box Office, as well as new food and beverage buildings and restrooms; all ready for Summerfest 2011. Phase Two of the project will commence in fall of 2011, after the festival season.

Summerfest 2011 will take place June 29 – July 3 and July 5 – 10, from Noon until Midnight daily. Summerfest will be closed Monday. The World’s Largest Music Festival and Milwaukee’s cornerstone summer celebration attracts the music industry’s hottest stars, emerging talent and local favorites. The Marcus Amphitheater and 10 additional stages, along with a diverse selection of food and beverage vendors, marketplaces and interactive exhibits, are set against the Lake Michigan and downtown backdrops, creating a festival experience like no other. Patrons can also enjoy Miller Lite, the Official Beer of Summerfest. For more details visit Summerfest.com

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Summerfest Announces The Cascio Interstate Music Groove Stage Headliners.

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Summerfest Announces Rock Stage Headliners.

Summerfest Announces Harley Davidson Roadhouse Stage Headliners.

Summerfest Announces U.S. Cellular Connection Stage.

Summerfest Announces Potawatomi Bingo Casino Stage.

Summerfest Announces M&I Bank Classic Rock Stage Headliners!

Summerfest Announces Miller Lite Oasis Headliners.

Summerfest Announces Briggs & Stratton Headliners.

Summerfest officials are excited to announce details of their partnership with Kohl’s Department Stores through its Kohl’s Cares® program to present the Kohl’s Captivation Station, a new area that will feature kid-friendly performances and educational experiences during Summerfest. Sponsored by Kohl’s Cares, Kohl’s philanthropic program that sells special merchandise and donates 100 percent of the net profits to children’s health and education initiatives nationwide, the Kohl’s Captivation Station is located on the south end of Henry Maier Festival Park and will be open from Noon – 8:00 pm, every day of Summerfest.

Children will be able to participate in hands-on musical experiences, mini-clinics, art projects and educational demonstrations each day. They’ll get to explore the different sounds of drums and guitars while learning tips from instructors during free clinics presented by Cascio Interstate Music, after which they can be a rock star for the day and show what they’ve learned. The Kohl’s Captivation Station is targeted for kids 12 and older but also offers programs for the whole family including the Kohl’s Color Wheels mobile unit, an art experience in partnership with the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Kohl’s Design It! Mobile Lab, an interactive experience with Discovery World where kids can learn more about design. New interactive games, art projects and activities are offered each day.

Throughout the festival, the Kohl’s Captivation Station will showcase entertaining performances from magicians, comic jugglers and bands including Radio Disney Beach Party, Marcus Monroe, Tony’s Creepy Crawly Zoo, Sir Pinkerton and the Magnificents, Comedy Sportz and more!

“As a family-focused retailer, Kohl’s is committed to kids health and education initiatives in the communities we serve,” said Julie Gardner, Kohl’s Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “We are pleased to bring this new program to Summerfest as an exciting opportunity for families to learn while having fun at one of Milwaukee’s premier summer events.”

In addition to the Kohl’s Captivation Station, Summerfest and Kohl’s are proud to announce that Sunday, July 3 is Kohl’s Family Day, where from Noon – 3:00 pm, the first 1,500 patrons who donate three (3) non-perishable food items for kids will receive one (1) FREE Summerfest admission ticket. All food items benefit Hunger Task Force.

Schedules for the Kohl’s Captivation Station and information about Kohl’s Family Day can be found at Henry Maier Festival Park during Summerfest and online at Summerfest.com. Since 2000, Kohl’s and the Kohl’s Cares program have combined to give approximately $38 million to support charitable initiatives in the metro-Milwaukee area. For more information on Kohl’s philanthropic efforts or to purchase Kohl’s Cares cause merchandise, visit www.Kohls.com/Cares

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For more Summerfest News, Interviews, Video Line-ups and more…CLICK HERE!

Are you, or do you know a deserving Wisconsin family that could benefit from a new house from “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition?”

WISN-12 announced that producers from the hit TV show are looking for a family in southeastern Wisconsin whose home deserves an Extreme Makeover.

The deadline for submitting nominations is Sunday, April 25th. 

According to the press release, to be eligible, a family must own a single family home and be able to show producers how a makeover will make a huge difference in their lives. 

Interested families should e-mail a short description of their family story to: Castingwisconsin@gmail.com.

Nominations can be submitted by the family or a member of their community. For more information on how to apply, visitors can go to the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition website at: http://abc.go.com/primetime/xtremehome/index?pn=apply.

I had the chance over the weekend to learn more about K12. I know what you’re saying…What the heck is K12?!?  Well, let me tell you…

K¹² is the leader in online learning for grades K through 12 for two fundamental reasons: we develop our own curriculum, widely regarded as the highest quality available online, and we are devoted to fulfilling the promise of education for every child. In that spirit, we invite you to discover who we are and how we inspire learning.

I had every intention of making it into work today, but “me vs the snow drifts” meant only one thing  – the snow drift WON.

My husband was up with me at 1:00 am to try and shovel me out of our alley. After an hour of shoveling the same drift over and over, he said it perfectly “we can’t shovel our entire way to Hales Corners from Bay View.”

True. So after a few phone calls with Kidd O’Shea (who’s stranded at a hotel in New Berlin) and talks with the boss it was decided to stay home.

In theory a snow day would sound awesome, except it’s 3:47 am and I can’t go back to sleep (this is my usual awake time).

So it’s time to put some coffee on, cuddle up with my dog (who’s refusing to go outside and pee) and watch my TV friends report the news and weather.

BTW, this photo is outside our front door, yes you can only see parts of the hand rail down the steps due to the HUGE drift in front of me.