Be MKE: This year's Summerfest lineup, our beer garden guide and Milwaukee's mayoral race

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

Growing up in southeastern Wisconsin, Summerfest was the highlight of every summer.

My mom took me for the first time in grade school to see one of my best friends perform with her dance team during the daytime.

Since then, the Big Gig has become a beloved tradition for me — as it is for many Wisconsinites.

In honor of this year's lineup dropping earlier this week, here are a few of my most memorable Summerfest moments:

• Bolting from rock band Milky Chance's show over to Sir Mix-a-Lot's stage to catch "Baby Got Back."

• Getting to the grounds at 10 a.m. for a 10 p.m. Maroon 5 show while I was a high schooler with my friends and their mom.

• Belting Lizzo's hits with an overflowing crowd at her headlining gig.

• Pat Monahan from Train grabbing my hand and singing "Marry Me."

• Dancing the night away with my family in the front row at Fitz and the Tantrums, one of my mom's all-time favorite bands.

• Hearing T-Pain's tracks blaring before gates opened on the first day of last year's fest, then seeing him bring those songs to life that night.

• Parachute's lead singer using my friend's head for balance just about every time he leaned into the crowd, then getting to meet the band afterwards.

• Escaping the infamously overcrowded 2013 Imagine Dragons concert and spending the rest of the night checking out local acts that were playing along the water.

• The absolute dream come true was when I got to help cover Summerfest for the first time as a JS features intern.

What are some of your favorite Summerfest memories? Lemme know.

Let’s talk business

The latest on the union-organizing campaign by Colectivo Coffee Roasters workers: The National Labor Relations Board issued a final decision that the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 494 was properly elected as the certified bargaining representative for Colectivo's employees. With the board's final decision, Colectivo's management should begin negotiating a labor contract with the union workers, said Local 494 Business Manager Dean A. Warsh.

On Friday, the Michels Family Foundation announced it was donating $15 million for rare cancers research at MCW Cancer Center, which is a collaboration between Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin and Children's Wisconsin. The gift — the largest ever to the center — is designed to accelerate research and advance treatments. Here's the story of Sophie Michels, the young woman who inspired the donation.

After 20 years, Jackson Grill on the south side has closed. A March 3 Facebook post initially said the steakhouse would be closed for repairs until March 31. "Regretfully, we will not be opening our doors from now on, due to high prices for meat, produce and energy bills, plus a lack of being able to find staff," co-founder Heidi Schmidt posted, going on to thank customers.

What isn’t canceled

Before we know it, beer garden season will be in full swing. While many in the Milwaukee area are planning to open in April or May, a couple have already made their debut. Here's a 2022 guide to beer gardens in our neck of the woods and a little beyond.

Milwaukee-area breweries are teaming up for a special cleanup on the trails along the Milwaukee River corridor April 2 and are offering volunteers a free pint at the following watering holes: Amorphic Beer, Black Husky Brewing, Company Brewing, Gathering Place Brewing Co., Lakefront Brewery, and Sprecher Brewery. Here's more info on this and other Earth Month events.

After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the nation's longest-running home and garden show is back at the Wisconsin State Fair Expo Hall. Milwaukee's Home and Garden Show, which is in its 96th year, features more than 350 vendors and exhibits. It runs through April 3. Ticket information and hours can be found here.

Bloody Mary fans, listen up. The 10th annual Milwaukee's Best Bloody contest — a fundraiser for the Wisconsin bleeding disorders community — returns to the Italian Community Center on April 24. "Milwaukee bartenders showcase their signature Bloody Mary recipes while guests enjoy beer chasers, appetizers and vote for their favorite bloody," a news release said. A variety of ticket and package options are available.

Don’t go hangry

Odd Duck, formerly of Bay View, will reopen in a new, larger home, in Walker's Point on Thursday. The restaurant, now located at 939 S. Second St., will still serve its finer-dining small plates with global flavors. While a lot will feel familiar, some elements are new, including the addition of a "raw" section to the menu and high-top tables in the lounge that will be open to diners dropping in without reservations.

Here are the talkers

We've been talking about Milwaukee's mayoral race for months, and now, we're in the homestretch. The race between Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson and former Ald. Bob Donovan will come to a head on April 5, election day. Early voting has begun and will last through April 2. From how to register to vote to other area races, here's what to know.

Jada Davis recently became the first Black woman to win the Miss Milwaukee pageant. Davis, who grew up on the north side, is a Marquette University law student. "I definitely want to show other young Black and brown girls, they can have both arts and education in their lives and be successful in each of those roles ... somebody has to be the first but there are barriers that need to continue to be broken," Davis told the Journal Sentinel. Davis advances to the Miss Wisconsin competition in Oshkosh in June.

Bonnie Oleson became the first female PA announcer in Bucks history last week. She took the mic for one game, Thursday night's matchup against the Wizards, in celebration of Women's History Month. Oleson is the PA announcer for the University of Wisconsin-Madison women’s volleyball, basketball and softball teams.

Milwaukee's SistaStrings performed on national TV for the first time last week. Monique Ross, who plays cello, and her sister Chauntee Ross, who plays violin, supported singer-songwriter Allison Russell on the strings and backing vocals in a rendition of "4th Day Prayer" on “Jimmy Kimmel Live."

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.

Contact Hannah Kirby at hannah.kirby@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HannahHopeKirby.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Be MKE: Summerfest lineup, beer garden guide, Milwaukee's mayoral race