Ode to Joy: The "Sound and Fury Sonnet Slam" was a delightful evening of readings—Shakespearean, original or otherwise—that were bawdy, uber-bawdy, romantic or downright funny. The event raised funds for the Optimist Theatre...

Web Kudos: The Shepherd's second annual Best of Milwaukee Web Awards, celebrating expressmilwaukee.com readers' picks for the best websites, blogs...

Free Counseling: Got a problem? Perhaps it can easily be resolved at Hamburger Mary's monthly Shrink-N-Drink. Clinical psychologist Julie Helmrich, Ph.D., who is astute, serious and realistic, as well as clever and funny, fielded handwritten...

Happy Anniversary: The inimitable Rip Tenor (aka Art Kumbalek) was honored by the Uptowner Bar and Charm School for his 25 years of yeoman's duty at the Shepherd Express. Fans poured in to pay respects and hear the Brewhaus Polka Kings...

Haitian Invasion: After two years of planning, Milwaukee hosted the multi-day “Haiti 2012 Dreams and Reality” conference (“Pays Rêvé, Pays Réel”) featuring that nation's artists, filmmakers and writers. The group was treated to a welcome dinner at...

Golden Glam: Oscar Night America, benefiting COA Youth & Family Centers, lived up to its No. 1 national ranking by USA Today as “the” place to watch the Academy Awards. Sanctioned by the Oscar committee, 350-plus guests were treated...

Buzzed About Art: The city's art world is abuzz with the priceless donation of Anthony Petullo's prestigious 312-piece outsider art collection to the Milwaukee Art Museum. At the President's Circle opening, MAM head Dan Keegan...

Funding Fun: SoundBites, a first-time 88Nine Radio Milwaukee fund-raiser, was top-notch. At the sold-out event in the Iron Horse Hotel, radio fans were treated to gourmet fare from nine top Milwaukee restaurants, while station DJs paired music...

Peter Party: MIPs (Milwaukee's Important People) poured into Peter McAvoy's retirement party at La Fuente to celebrate his 17-year stint at the Sixteenth Street Community Health Center. The man of the hour just retired as the director of the...

Surprise, Surprise: Both Present Music and the Shepherd Express turned 30 this year with a blowout celebration at Turner Hall Ballroom. A one-of-a-kind Present Music performance resulted from the company's fans voting online for their favorite...

Musical Marvels: Express Yourself Milwaukee (EYM), a youth arts and mentoring program, celebrated its new studio space on Lisbon with an open house and afternoon of performances. Showcased were the talented singers Diamond Lewis...

Earning a Nod: Kochanski's Concertina Beer Hall was packed with awardees, awarders and others for the announcement of 15 finalists in the 13th annual Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation (MANDI). The awards are...

A Votre Sante: More than 200 Francophiles, oenophiles and fromage fans poured into the InterContinental Milwaukee for the Alliance Francaise de Milwaukee's Fete de Beaujolais Nouveau 2011. Georges Duboeuf wines flowed while guests munched...

Ever Hoping: The Sojourner Family Peace Center held its 17th annual Evening of Hope fundraiser in a Bradley Center atrium. Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm described the organization's mission of hope and breaking...

Baskets and More: The Eisenhower Center celebrated its annual fun-filled “Baskets of Hope” dinner and auction at its facility, a work-training program with rehab services for people with developmental challenges. Radio's Jane Matenaer hosted the silent auction of 54 fantastic...

Comic Uproar: Boris and Doris and 2,500 other adoring fans poured into the Riverside to see comic genius Jon Stewart. The deafening roar of the crowd and standing ovations give hope that there are still levelheaded Wisconsinites...

Sharing Awards: Community Shares celebrated “Champions of Change” at its 22nd annual Commitment to Justice Awards at Potawatomi Casino. The evening began with a stellar reception in the beautiful Tribal Room. Greeting guests were board...

Water, Water, Everywhere: Fiery Latin music by D'CalleSon brought out energized salsa fans to LIVE @ the Lakefront. Salsa-ers included Barbara Fedran, with a host of partners, including Tom Dienhart, owner of Marine Land Pet Supply...

History Lovers: Historic Milwaukee honored the winners of its Doors Open Milwaukee photography contest at a reception in the exquisite David Barnett Gallery. The showcased graphics consisted of extraordinary Milwaukee doors, with 10 images winnowed by public vote from...

Too Many Galleries: B&D rushed around on Gallery Night, first hitting the Grand Avenue Club gallery for Colleen Kassner's “The Portrait Project: Faces of Resilience.” The yearlong project, funded by a grant from the Mary L. Nohl Fund, resulted in 20 marvelous portraits of...

Let Them Eat Toast: The kickoff ceremony at the Bastille Days' 30th anniversary opening night boasted the “biggest French French toast in history,” led by WMSE's Tom Crawford, along with East Town Executive Director Kate Borders. Throughout the night, les bons temps were rolling...

Art Champions: Three of the city's outstanding art supporters were honored by Milwaukee Public Theatre and the Milwaukee Mask & Puppet Theatre at a Turner Hall blowout. Receiving the Champions of the Arts awards were Brad Bernard, an artist, Mount Mary assistant professor and Community Arts & Funk Festival director, introduced by artist...

Park 'n Perform: The Milwaukee County Parks' full platter of seasonal activities includes its always-popular, free “Summer's Best” concert series, held at some 20 parks around the area. At the Boerner Botanical Gardens, along with about 3,500 music lovers, B&D checked out the Milwaukee Symphony...

And They're Off: The Kentucky Derby was celebrated in grand style with a hat contest at the Iron Horse Hotel. Greeting guests at the lobby entrance and hungrily eyeing the fruity-themed hats was Shamus, an equine from Milwaukee Coach & Carriage, there with the company's head...

Promise Keeping: AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin (ARCW) held its annual Make a Promise Gala. This year's event, titled "Don't Stop Believing," had a "Glee" theme. About a thousand attendees were in a spending mood, with the event raising a record...