Milwaukee, WI
The Best Things to Do in Milwaukee the Week of July 8
ARCHER PARQUETTE, MANAGING EDITOR
Being a miserable misanthropic grouch, I don’t like live music. All the people, the energy, the joy – blech. But the past few summers, I will admit that I’ve enjoyed Chill on the Hill, Bay View’s weekly live music event. Every Tuesday, the hill at Humboldt Park is overrun with food trucks and drink sellers, and it feels like the whole neighborhood shows up to hang out and enjoy the tunes. The band selection is super eclectic so if you care about what you’re going to hear check out the lineup beforehand. (This week, it’s “An Evening with HYFIN,” Milwaukee’s urban alternative radio station.) I’m mostly in it for the drinks, but even a grouch like me appreciates a little joy every once in a while.
EVAN MUSIL, ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR
For the last three months, I’ve been aware that Thelma means business, but I didn’t quite know the extent of the justice she serves. I missed the film when it showed during the Milwaukee Film Festival, but sold-out screenings basically guaranteed it would return as part of Milwaukee Film’s “Best of the Fest” series. It’s been showing at the Downer Theatre for the past few weeks, and I finally had the chance to catch it. In this charming caper, the 93-year-old Thelma falls for a phone scam and loses $10,000. Instead of shaking it off like her family suggests, however, she takes action – Mission: Impossible-style. What follows is a wild escapade that’s equal parts funny and sincere. The premise easily lends itself to laughs – and Thelma wielding a gun sure is a riot – but the film presents its nonagenarian characters with a lot of dignity and courage. Catch it in theaters while you can – it’s plenty fun with an audience.
CHRIS DROSNER, EXECUTIVE EDITOR
There’s a difference between being cheap and enjoying value. As an enthusiast of the latter, I’m a big fan of the store-brand stuff at Sendik’s. Most of the store’s private-label items I’ve tried have delivered good quality at a good price. But those chocolate bars? They’re the bomb. The interesting flavor combinations (in a mix of milk and dark chocolate) are executed well. The dark chocolate mint has little Girl Scout Thin Mint-like cookie bits that add an unexpected crunch, the peanut butter bar has a decadently creamy filling, and the s’mores bar has just a perfect of marshmallow creme. And, of course, they’re big – plenty enough for two servings, and they’re $2 and are occasionally on sale for just $1.25. #value!
BRIANNA SCHUBERT, ASSOCIATE DIGITAL EDITOR
Dining Editor Ann Christenson wrote about Joy Ice Cream Social in the June issue, and the Tosa ice cream spot just celebrated its first anniversary on the 4th of July! So I really had no excuse to not go try this spot out. And oh my goodness, it was a delight! The whole place is adorable, from it’s ice cream cone tiled floor inside to its blue roof outside. The ice cream was delicious too – I ordered a scoop of cookie dough in a waffle cone. Just perfect.