Author: Staff

Compiled data was released by VISIT Milwaukee from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism that indicated strong growth in city’s tourism market for 2017. The figures show that Milwaukee continues to be the state’s largest tourism market, accounting for 20 percent of total tourism economic impact for the region. In Milwaukee County: $2.0 Billion Direct visitor spending in 2017 3.1% Up Over 2016 $3.5 Billion Business sales related to tourism 3.2% Up Over 2016 32,150 Tourism supported full-time jobs 1.0% Up Over 2016 $1.1 Billion Total labor income from tourism 1.5% Up Over 2016 The numbers are estimates from The...

Based upon the wildly popular Judy Moody series of children’s books, the world premiere production of “Judy Moody & Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt” opened in Milwaukee on May 4. First Stage participated in a national collaboration with seven of the country’s leading children’s theaters. The play was co-commissioned by First Stage, Adventure Theatre MTC, Bay Area Children’s Theatre, The Rose Theatre, Oregon Children’s Theatre, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte and Orlando Repertory Theatre. It was adapted for the stage by Allison Gregory, based on the books Judy Moody and Judy Moody & Stink: The Mad, Mad,...

The Facts About Menthol Twenty LGBT and allied health organizations are applauding Milwaukee Pride for saying “no thanks” to Big Tobacco funding for this year’s PrideFest celebration. The decision builds on the Milwaukee Pride board’s decision last year to provide several tobacco-free spaces to promote the health of all PrideFest attendees. “The past several festival seasons have been ones full of progress, change and advancement. We’re proud to make a commitment to respectfully declining Big Tobacco sponsorship and support in an effort to continually educate and engage people about the health risks associated with smoking,” said Wes Shaver, President,...

Academy Award-winning writer John Ridley is adapting his “The American Way: Those Above And Those Below” comic series for the big screen after reaching a deal with independent studio Blumhouse Productions. According to Deadline, Ridley is attached to direct the project, based on his six-issue monthly mini-series published in 2017 by DC Entertainment’s Vertigo label. Blumhouse will fast track the film that explores racial themes by subverting the superhero genre. It worked on a similar project with Jordan Peele’s “Get Out,” and specializes in producing low-cost genre films. Ridley wrote the story with illustrator George Jeanty in what was...

Fans of Hello Kitty can look forward to exclusive goodies and limited-edition collectibles when it arrives for the first time to Wisconsin and parks at Mayfair Mall on May 12. Since the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck made its debut in October 2014 as part of Sanrio’s first food-related venture, the cafe on wheels has delighted thousands of fans from all over the country, drawing crowds of of Hello Kitty lovers at each stop. Hello Kitty is the beloved Japanese cartoon character produced by Sanrio. The product line is worth about $7 billion a year and remains a staple of...

The Milwaukee Common Council voted unanimously on May 8 to rename a portion of North Fourth Street as North Vel R. Phillips Avenue, honoring Milwaukee’s first African-American and first female Alderperson. Phillips died on April 17 at the age of 94. She led the open housing marches in Milwaukee during the 1960s, and was also the first black person elected to a state office in Wisconsin. Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs introduced the legislation, which was also unanimously recommended for passage by the Public Works Committee on April 25. “The legacy of Vel Phillips, her incredible courage and commitment, has...