Be MKE: Summerfest is here, a summer dining/drinking guide and new Brewers uniforms

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

Mic check one, two: Summerfest is here.

So, instead of delving into what I ate at Comet Cafe this weekend (see pic for details), here's a quick guide to just about everything you need to know about this year's Big Gig, which starts Thursday.

When it is: Noon to midnight June 23-25, June 30-July 2 and July 7-9.

Where it is: Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Drive.

How many acts are there? Around 800. Here's the lineup by date, time and stage. Whether you're into '80s rock and metal or TikTok-fueled breakouts, these are the best days to check out the fest, depending on which type of music you love.

What's new? This year's installment will feature many new foods, drinks, vendors and merchandise. Two new "Big Smile" Summerfest art sculptures that were designed by Milwaukee artists will be incorporated into a scavenger hunt activity during the festival.

The logistics: Here's parking and transportation info, how to get tickets, and the event's bag policy. 

I'll be reporting from the grounds on opening day, so be sure to follow along on the Journal Sentinel's Instagram and TikTok. Or say hello if you're there too!

Let’s talk business

What do you think of the Brewers' new City Connect uniforms? The powder-blue jerseys feature "Brew Crew" emblazoned on the front and a "MKE" hat with the city's area code, 414, hidden between the letters; a patch of a baseball-themed grill on the right sleeve; white-and-yellow trim; and dark blue player names and numbers with gold trim on the back. They're paired with white pants. The team will debut these alternate uniforms — which are part of a collab between Nike and Major League Baseball — Friday at home against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Port Milwaukee is in the midst of a major upgrade. With the DeLong Co.'s $35 million investment into the agricultural maritime export terminal — which will handle exports of Wisconsin-grown products — the amount of metric tons handled by the port will increase by up to 400,000 tons per year, according to Adam Tindall-Schlicht, port director.

After 11 years, The Loaded Slate, a popular pub near Fiserv Forum, has closed. It was known for its chalkboard tables, sports memorabilia, and as an industry hangout. The bar was the scene of a fatal shooting earlier this year.

Out and about

There are new public artworks to check out this summer in downtown Milwaukee thanks to the Sculpture Milwaukee nonprofit. Here's the first group of new sculptures and where to find them. This will be the sixth summer of Sculpture Milwaukee exhibits. For more info, visit sculpturemilwaukee.com.

Whether you love 'em or love to hate 'em, electric scooters could return to Milwaukee as early as August. The Department of Public Works has requested a third "pilot" study for electric scooters in the city, but left open the possibility of permanent implementation. The study passed the Common Council on Tuesday, it now goes to Mayor Cavalier Johnson for a signature.

Don’t go hangry

You're gonna want to bookmark this one: A 2022 guide to summer dining and drinking in Milwaukee. There's barbecue, seafood, my favorite pizza place (it has a ranch flight!), special occasion spots, cocktails, coffee drinks and more.

I've already been to this place at least four times for its lemonade. Andiamo Coffee and Tea recently opened next to its sibling, Lupi and Iris, on the ground-floor retail space at the 7Seventy7 Building, 777 N. Van Buren Street. In addition to that lemonade, Andiamo offers Stone Creek coffee and Rishi tea, hot or iced, Italian soda, breakfast pastries from Matilda Bakehouse and grab-and-go offerings. Its current soft-opening hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

AsianRican Foods, which serves up Asian and Puerto Rican dishes, has opened on the south side, 3300 W. Lincoln Avenue. Chef-owner Julie Valcarcel previously operated her business as a pop-up. The menu includes egg rolls; pepper steak; flanken-cut short ribs; shrimp, chicken and beef teriyaki; Puerto Rican rice; and fried rice. Starting Thursday, the restaurant’s hours will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Monday.

Here are the talkers

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin — which provides abortions in Milwaukee, Madison and Sheboygan — will not schedule abortion services after June 25 in anticipation of a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court that could overturn Roe v. Wade. Without Roe in effect, Wisconsin will revert to an 1849 law that prohibits doctors from performing abortions except in cases where the procedure is necessary to save the mother's life. Here's how doctors, nurses and staff who work in the Water Street clinic are preparing their personal and professional lives for change.

Milwaukee's 51st annual Juneteenth festival and parade took place on Sunday. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union Army soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, with the news that all slaves were free, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This year's local celebration drew thousands — including Gov. Tony Evers and Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, who is running for U.S. Senate — to North King Drive and the surrounding area.

Question: Which Wisconsin city got some "Jeopardy!" love last week? Answer: What is Milwaukee? "Milwaukee: News Clues" was a category of questions on last Wednesday's episode of the high-rated syndicated TV game show. Here are the questions — and answers, which five news personalities from WDJT-TV (Channel 58) announced.

Meet the actors playing Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brother Thanasis in the new Disney+ movie "Rise." Turns out, the origin story of real-life brothers Uche Agada and Ral Agada is almost as improbable as the Milwaukee Bucks stars' they portray. The inspirational sports drama will make its debut on the streaming service on Friday.

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: Summerfest, summer dining/drinking guide, new Brewers uniforms