Be MKE: It's feeling like summer, Potawatomi upgrades and what the Brewers' new bell is for

Who we are. Where we go. What we need to know.

So Wisconsin, we're just jumping right to summer, huh?

I'm DEFINITELY not complaining. But I also don't totally trust it — since, you know, we are talking about Wisconsin weather here.

If you're itching to get outside: Here's a recently updated list of 100 things to do across the state in the summer, from outdoor adventures to historical sites.

And with the area's festival season ramping up next month: A guide to when and where our summer festivals and fairs are happening this year.

Let’s talk business

Potawatomi Hotel & Casino is getting some major upgrades — and one of them involves members of the rock band KISS. The casino's $100 million renovation project will include the addition of Rock & Brews, a rock music-themed chain restaurant co-founded by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons; over 1,800 more slot machines; a full-service Starbucks; three new “quick service” food and beverage stations; a new room for high-limit gamblers; and more. The project is expected to be completed by spring 2023.

Milwaukee native Sharon Purifoy-Smoots has made history. And this isn't the first time. The 19-year Milwaukee Fire Department veteran has become the department's first Black female to be promoted to assistant chief. Back in 2020, she became the first Black female to be named deputy chief at the department. "I am glad that I am first,” she said at a media event. “But, I know my first is not going to mean much to me unless I am directly responsible in getting the second and the third and the fourth here."

Northwestern Mutual is investing $5 million into Legacy Redevelopment Corp. and Northwest Side Community Development Corp. to increase access to capital for Black and African American businesses. Both LRC and NWSCDC are Black-led, Milwaukee-based community development financial institutions. "Black and African American business owners, for a variety of reasons, have had limited access to traditional financial markets, and this latest investment will deepen our mission to make a bold and long-term impact that drives access and equity," Ray Manista, Northwestern Mutual's executive vice president and chief legal and compliance officer, said in a statement.

Out and about

Summerfest’s 2022 lineup just keeps getting bigger. On Monday, the Milwaukee music festival revealed more than 40 more headliners. This included Disturbed and Lamb of God (with Chevelle opening) filling the American Family Insurance Amphitheater's June 30 slot.

Country superstar Kenny Chesney's longgggg-awaited show at American Family Field is finally happening Saturday. This will be the first stadium concert in Milwaukee since Billy Joel played the ballpark in April 2019; Chesney's first Milwaukee concert since 2018; and the single largest concert in the city in three years in terms of crowd size. Here's everything you need to know ahead of Chesney's return.

Don’t go hangry

So this story made me v hungry. Lupi and Iris, a French-Italian restaurant, is set to open on the first floor of 7Seventy7, 777 N. Van Buren Street, on May 17. The veteran chef behind the project is Adam Siegel, who was named best chef in the Midwest in 2008 by the James Beard Foundation. Patrons can expect wood- and charcoal-grilled meats and seafood, dishes including some larger-format ones, pastas, a large wine selection and more. The 10,500-square-foot restaurant will offer several regular dining areas, two private dining rooms and a patio that will debut sometime in June.

These food stalls recently made their 3rd Street Market Hall debuts: Anytime Arepa, a familiar truck at Zócalo Food Park in Walker’s Point; Dawg City, which serves items like dogs, brats, sausages and more; and Kawa Ramen, which specializes in chicken ramen, three ways. Kawa operator Linjin Xiao will also open a Kawa sushi stall at the food hall in the future.

Here are the talkers

Guess where the Bucks will be playing two preseason games this fall. Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The league announced its partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism-Abu Dhabi in November to bring the NBA to the Arabian Gulf for the first time.

There's a new accessory at the end of the Brewers dugout: A gold bell. Why is it there? To commemorate heads-up baseball plays during the course of a game. Before it got to make its game time debut last week, shortstop Willy Adames rang it vigorously during batting practice ... and broke it. But it got fixed in time for the game, which the Brewers ended up winning 18-4 against the Cincinnati Reds.

The North American touring company of the musical "Cats" is performing at the Marcus Performing Arts Center, 929 N. Water St., through Sunday. And Milwaukee native Indalecio De Jesus Valentin plays one of the top felines: Old Deuteronomy. The "Cats" tour publicity proudly proclaims that Valentín is the first Latino actor to play Old Deuteronomy in a national production.

Be MKE,

Hannah

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To see what I'm up to around the city, follow me on Instagram @hannahhopekirby. Always keeping it pretty profesh over on Twitter @hannahhopekirby. Be MKE love or comments can be sent to hannah.kirby@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Be MKE: Feeling like summer, Potawatomi upgrades and new Brewers bell