Milwaukee, WI
Hugh Jackman ‘celebrates Milwaukee’ at ‘Song Sung Blue’ premiere
Hugh Jackman and Craig Brewer serve ‘Song Sung Blue’ custard at Kopp’s
Actor Hugh Jackman and writer/director Craig Brewer serve a special flavor of the day, Song Sung Blueberry, at Kopp’s Frozen Custard as part of the Milwaukee premiere.
A big Hollywood movie premiere with one of Hollywood’s biggest stars made its way to Milwaukee’s east side Dec. 2.
Hugh Jackman was at the Oriental Theatre, along with filmmaker Craig Brewer, for the Milwaukee premiere of their new movie “Song Sung Blue.” An Oscar contender from Focus Features out in theaters Christmas Day, “Blue” is based on a 2008 documentary, also called “Song Sung Blue,” about real-life Milwaukee couple Mike and Claire Sardina, who performed around town in a Neil Diamond and Patsy Cline tribute band Lightning & Thunder from the late 1980s through the mid-2000s.
Claire Sardina, played by Kate Hudson in the film, was also in attendance at the local premiere along with her daughter Rachel Cartwright, portrayed by Ella Anderson. They joined Jackman, Brewer and Fox6 Milwaukee’s Gino Salomone for a 12-minute introduction — where Jackman and Brewer surprised Sardina with an engraved bench, dedicated to Lightning & Thunder, that will have a permanent home at the Wisconsin State Fair, where the band often performed and even got married.
“This is one of the most amazing stories … that celebrates Milwaukee, that celebrates Neil Diamond and family and love,” Jackman said in his introduction about the documentary that inspired him to sign on to star in Brewer’s adaptation, before Brewer had even written the screenplay. “I thought this is the kind of movie I want to be in, this is the kind of movie we need, and tonight, of this four- or five-year journey, is the most important night so far.”
The packed theater was filled with several relatives and longtime friends of the Sardina family, who frequently burst into cheers, and also Greg Kohs, the director of the documentary, who received his own applause and compliments from Jackman and Sardina.
“Do you think that Lightning is here tonight …?” Claire Sardina called out to cheers, honoring her husband, portrayed by Jackman, who died in 2006. “I love you, honey. I love you.”
“This movie that you’re going to watch is so beautiful,” Rachel Cartwright told the audience, holding back tears.
“I can’t thank both of you enough for making this wonderful story,” she added, looking at Brewer and Jackman.
Crowds swarm the Oriental Theatre in the cold for the premiere
Around 5:45 p.m. invited guests shuffled into the Oriental lobby from the cold along snowy sidewalks on Farwell and North avenues as a musician covered Neil Diamond songs inside the theater — with Claire Sardina making a guest appearance with passionate vocals for the finale.
Dozens of fans without a ticket huddled outside under the theater marquee, wearing “Song Sung Blue” winter hats and cheering for social media videos, waiting for Jackman to arrive. Landmark Lanes next door hosted a party that continued after the movie ended, featuring Milwaukee cover band 5 Card Studs in the Moon Room.
After Jackman’s car pulled up to screams around 6:35 p.m., the Oscar-nominated actor, 57, stopped in front of video cameras, bright lights and camera flashes for smiling poses and media interviews on a “blue carpet.” Jackman also posed for photos with Brewer, Claire Sardina and Rachel Cartwright, who chatted with the star, with Jackman finally making his way to the theater after about 30 minutes.
Speaking to the Journal Sentinel’s Hannah Kirby on the blue carpet, Brewer credited Jackman for the Milwaukee premiere.
“I remember very early on Hugh telling me, ‘You’ve got to take this to Milwaukee. You’ve got to make sure you have a screening or a premiere in Milwaukee,’” Brewer said. “It’s a Milwaukee story. What I like most about it is that it’s also a Milwaukee story that I think a lot of people don’t even know about.”
“We want this to be kind of a legendary thing, like something that’s lore of Milwaukee, that Lightning & Thunder started here.”
The film includes other references to the Milwaukee music scene. Real-life late Milwaukee musician and Buddy Holly impersonator Mark Shurilla has a prominent role and is played by “The Sopranos” star Michael Imperioli. Veteran Milwaukee soul band the Esquires is also mentioned and portrayed in the film, and Lightning & Thunder’s most famous gig is recreated — an opening set for Pearl Jam in town, at Eddie Vedder’s request.
“Blue” also stars Fisher Stevens, Jim Belushi, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir and Hudson Hensley. The film currently has a fresh score of 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 17 reviews.
Reactions were similarly glowing inside the theater, with several Wisconsin references — including a Badger Bus hat cameo and a “Poto” reference to Potawatomi Casino Hotel, drawing woos. Claire Sardina and Rachel Cartwright also received applause when they appeared for brief cameos.
Milwaukee moviegoers that spoke to the Journal Sentinel were universal in their praise.
”I didn’t know that a movie about a Neil Diamond cover band from Wisconsin would be so funny and so emotional,” said Nicole Tymus from Waterford.
”I thought it was fantastic, very family-oriented, wholesome,” said Luke Vandeberg. “It pulled at the heartstrings.”
“It’s a great story about Milwaukee. You’ve got to love it,” said Bob Babisch, retired vice president of entertainment at Summerfest. It was at the Big Gig where Vedder saw a Lightning & Thunder set, prompting him to invite the band to open for Pearl Jam in the amphitheater the same day, when Vedder joined them on stage.
“They are a piece of Milwaukee,” Babisch said of the band, praising the film as “a great love story.”
“I’m at a loss of words, it’s a lot to take in,” said Tanya Holt, who said she cried a couple of times during the movie. Holt is Rachel Cartwright’s second cousin, and she said seeing the film brought back a lot of memories, good moments and difficult ones, for the family.
“It was a great movie,” Holt said.
Pre-premiere festivities included slinging Kopp’s custard, wearing a Cheesehead
Jackman and Brewer didn’t just fly in for the premiere. The two also appeared at the Greenfield Kopp’s location earlier in the afternoon Dec. 2 and served a special flavor of the day, “Song Sung Blueberry,” for the occasion. About 1,200 fans lined up, with Jackman staying for a little over an hour and serving free scoops of custard to about 500 fans.
“That Kopp’s custard is the bomb,” Jackman told the crowd at the Oriental Theatre, bending over with his hands on his knees for extra comedic effect. “I can’t go back to ice cream ever again.”
Jackman also posted a video on his Instagram Dec. 2 sitting at a window overlooking downtown Milwaukee — while wearing a Cheesehead.
“First time in Milwaukee and I am so excited,” Jackman said in the Instagram video. “And, I’m never taking cheese off my head again. I can’t believe I went 57 years without it.”
‘Song Sung Blue’ trailer stars Kate Hudson, Hugh Jackman
The trailer for “Song Sung Blue,” with Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman, shows the triumph and pain behind Neil Diamond tribute band Lightning & Thunder.
This story was updated to add new information.
The Journal Sentinel’s Hannah Kirby and Adrienne Davis contributed to this report.
Contact Piet Levy at (414) 223-5162 or plevy@journalsentinel.com. Follow him at facebook.com/PietLevyMJS.
July 3 drone show at McKinley Beach
Watch the first-ever July 3 drone show at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee County will again opt for drones over fireworks for its Independence Day festivities this summer.
The county had its first-ever Fourth of July drone show in 2025, with officials saying at the time that drones would be better for the environment, safer and less costly than fireworks.
The show costs about $150,000 less than fireworks, Milwaukee County officials told the Journal Sentinel this week.
“Milwaukee County is at its best when we come together to create memorable, inclusive experiences for everyone,” County Executive David Crowley said in an April news release. “This drone show is another example of how we’re investing in our parks, our neighborhoods and our shared sense of community pride.”
How did residents react to last year’s drone show?
Milwaukee County Parks Executive Director Guy Smith said in a news release last year the show is “an exciting and environmentally conscious way to celebrate our community.”
“Unlike traditional fireworks, drone shows reduce noise and air pollution while still delivering an unforgettable experience,” Smith said. “It’s about making memories and ensuring everyone feels welcome in these shared spaces.”
But the Journal Sentinel polled readers after last year’s show and a majority responded that they would prefer the county bring back fireworks.
This year’s show will debut pyrotechnic drone technology, adding spark effect for an “even more dynamic and visually stunning performance,” the news release says.
How long is the Milwaukee drone show?
The show is 45 minutes long and features 900 drones, county officials said. It is scheduled for 9:15 p.m. July 3 along the lakefront at McKinley Beach.
Milwaukee police audit shows Flock camera uses
The Milwaukee Police Department released a sample Flock camera audit showing outlier uses tied to serious crimes as scrutiny continues over officer misuse and community privacy concerns.
MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Police Department is giving the public a closer look at how officers use license plate reader cameras, part of an effort to be more transparent about how the technology affects community safety.
What we know:
For the first time, FOX6 got a look at a sample of audit results from the MPD involving the license plate reader system, also known as Flock.
The transparency effort comes after former officer Josue Ayala was charged with using the license plate readers to track someone he was dating and that person’s ex. Earlier this month, the department said a second officer was under investigation for possible misuse of the Flock camera system.
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On Thursday, May 28, FOX6 obtained MPD’s Flock audit report from April. It is something the department does every month.
In the report, MPD shared 24 “outlier uses” of the system. Those are possible red flags. The list is not all of them, but it gives a glimpse into how MPD uses the Flock system and how the department checks for misuse.
Of the 24 outlier uses, some plate numbers were associated with a wanted homicide suspect, a felony narcotics trafficking suspect and a suspect vehicle used in the abduction of a 5-year-old. According to the audit, that vehicle was located, the child was returned safely and a suspect was arrested.
The audit also listed a homicide investigation in which detectives developed plate numbers for both a suspect and victim, as well as a plate connected to a person wanted for second-degree sexual assault who was later arrested.
What they’re saying:
“Those audit logs are what was used to hold the officer accountable,” said Paris Lewbel, Flock Safety spokesperson.
Lewbel said Flock Safety is partnered with 220 law enforcement agencies in Wisconsin.
“We think it is important that communities are talking about their technology and how they use it,” Lewbel said.
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The company does not release how many cameras there are, but Lewbel said there have been fewer than 15 misuse cases across the country among the 140,000 users on the platform.
“Within the FLOCK system from day one, we built an immutable audit log in the system that allows law enforcement command staff and internal affairs in these cases to be able to see exactly what is being searched in the law enforcement system and FLOCK system specifically,” Lewbel said.
Dig deeper:
In Milwaukee, license plate readers have faced pushback from people who fear the data could be misused. Critics have called the system an invasion of privacy, saying it tracks innocent people as the debate over how the cameras are used continues.
FOX6 asked the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office on Thursday whether the second officer under investigation had been charged. The office replied, “not at this time.”
What you can do:
The full list of outliers from the audit is available on the FOX Local app.
The Source: FOX6 obtained the Milwaukee Police Department’s Flock audit report and utilized prior coverage.
Every week, Milwaukee With Kids answers a simple question for families across the area: What are we going to do this weekend? From indoor activities to outdoor adventures, we’ve got you covered. For the full weekend list, make sure to visit the Milwaukee With Kids website.
Featured event
Summer Reading Kickoff
Milwaukee Public Library | Central Branch
May 30 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Kick off a summer of learning with hands-on activities for kids and teens, special exhibits and early registration for the summer reading program. Special guests and partners include Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, Discovery World, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee Public Museum and Urban Ecology Center.
Up close with animals
Summer Exhibit: Powerful Pollinators
Milwaukee County Zoo
Through Oct. 4
Explore life-sized animatronic pollinators and discover how the Zoo helps protect them through native gardens, honeybee hives, and conservation initiatives. Entry fee: $4 after general zoo admission.
Raptor Encounter
Schlitz Audubon Nature Center | Bayside
May 30 | 1-2 p.m.
Come to the Great Hall to see two birds from the nature center’s raptor program. During this meet-and-greet experience, you can talk with raptor handlers about the specific skills, traits and adaptations that are unique to that bird. The program educates about raptor ecology, conservation and these birds’ important roles in the ecosystem, with an emphasis on hawks, owls, eagles and falcons, plus an American Crow. Free with membership or admission.
Strong body, strong mind
MKE REC Family Day of Play
Wick Playfield
May 30 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Families are invited to enjoy 10+ engaging activities, including an obstacle course, bubble bash, lava land, crafts, games and various types of sports equipment available for free play. The day also features delicious food available for purchase, raffle drawings for amazing prizes and live music filling the air. You’re welcome to bring a picnic lunch, but a limited number of tables and chairs will be available, so bring your own if you have them.
Moms Mental Health Initiative Summer Social
Wilson Park
May 30 | 9 a.m.-Noon
The fifth annual event doubles as a celebration of MMHI’s 10 years supporting the strength of the organization’s participants and the immeasurable power of togetherness. Funds raised from the silent auction, pluck-a-duck, raffle and donations will allow MMHI to continue offering hope and help to perinatal people struggling in Southeast Wisconsin and Dane County.
Music and movement
MSO Sensory-Friendly Concert: Musical Influencers
Bradley Symphony Center
May 31 | 2:30 p.m.
Good times and great music will be trending as onstage influencers from Pink Umbrella Theater introduce you to some of the most influential composers of all time. This special performance is designed for people of any age on the autism spectrum or with a sensory sensitivity and their families, but all are welcome!
Concert modifications include dimmed house lights remaining on during the performance, flexible seating, relaxed house rules, on-stage hosts, available sensory kits, noise-reduction headphones, quiet areas, concert social narratives and more. Patrons are encouraged to come early and enjoy an hour of special pre-concert activities.
Kid Boogie Down
The Cooperage
May 31 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Get your groove on as DJ Lukewarm introduces young audiences to genres ranging from classic disco and funk to modern hits synced with matching music videos. Plus, you’ll enjoy lots of kid-friendly fun: music, foggy bubbles, videos, temporary tattoos, a ring toss, snacks, cotton candy, and a vintage clothing and toy pop-up shop. Grab a four-pack of tickets for a $10+ discount.
Ferns, fossils and trees
FernGully: The Last Rainforest
Oriental Theatre
May 30-31 | Noon
Enjoy this family-friendly classic as Milwaukee Film wraps up its “Ani-May” movie series. When a sprite named Crysta shrinks a human boy named Zak down to her size, he vows to help the magical fairy folk stop a greedy logging company from destroying their home: the pristine rainforest known as FernGully. Zak and his new friends fight to defend FernGully from lumberjacks and the vengeful spirit they accidentally unleash after chopping down a magic tree.
Tree Climbing Festival
Riveredge Nature Center | Saukville
May 30 | 10 a.m.-Noon
Encounter the giants of the forest and explore trees from a new perspective as you climb into the canopy under the guidance of trained facilitators. Adults and children ages 7+ are invited to ascend to the top, swing from a branch or try a “bat hang.” Registration for this event includes 20 minutes of climb time, a scavenger hunt along the trails a naturalist-led hands-on nature investigation and access to picnic areas for lunch (please pack a lunch and be mindful of single-use plastic waste).
Family Fossil Hunting
Kenosha Public Museum
May 30 | 10 a.m.-Noon
Join Nick Wiersum from the Dinosaur Discovery Museum to explore the local fossils of Kenosha’s lakeshore. Meet at the museum to learn about the prehistoric life that called this area home and discuss how to locate fossils, then head out to the Simmon’s Island beach house to collect fossils of your own! The museum will provide you with any tools you will need, including a collection bag, fossil guide and magnifying glass.
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