Takin' the Blog for a Walk
Join Waukesha resident Brien Lee and his blog, Sir Fido, as they explore the city and report on the interesting things they find.
Email Brien at howlinblog@yahoo.com.
dig the "hairy" music
Was impressed by the Waukesha Civic Band Thursday in Cutler Park. What amazes me is 10 to 12 high school juniors each year are selected to join the professional musicians for the series. They have to be adept at sight reading because they practice the night's selections only one hour before each performance. Thus, we're told, a student in the Civic Band will do more sight reading in one night with them than in the rest of the year combined in school.
I am not house
I blogged about leaving my mark during the most recent Art Crawl, May 7th, on a blank white wall at Clinton Street Gallery. Almost didn't recognize the same wall last evening when out for Freeman Friday Night Live. It's been transformed into a thing of beauty.
How many markers have they gone through in the last two months? There is some real art there. What to do with the wall when it won't hold any more color? Make a photographic record then paint over it?
Waukesha hits The Spot
Four balloons floated over the Vernon Marsh after inflation in a small field just south of the city on 164, landing in Mukwonago. Pilots and crew from two of the balloons hit The Spot on Sunset afterward. Twas a beautiful morning for an outdoor breakfast.
4th on the 4th
Great weekend. Besides the Waterford parade I was in yesterday, I hot air crewed four times over this holiday weekend; twice yesterday alone. They were all excellent chases, but this last one last night was probably the best. An excellent launch field and calm winds. Fun couple. Got to meet their rottweilers and people friends, and see some of their toys.
Milwaukee Bears vs Cincinnati Tigers
It was Negro League retro night Saturday at Miller Park. My first game of the year followed a company tailgate party via ODW Logistics in Waukesha. Most everyone entered the parking lot together and, fortunately, secured a prime spot of pavement next to a lane, where we set up the grills and games, a dumpster and hot ash receptacle.
Didn't have any shade, but plenty of delicious food including brats, chicken and half-pound burgers. I was kept busy with one of the three grills, mainly focusing on the brats.
The next best thing.
Since the Spring City Skyfest hot air balloon rally ended three years ago at the Waukesha County Fair I've travelled the 30 miles to Hartord for the next best thing. Starting this weekend there will be a balloon fest that's half the distance.
I've copied the schedule for this weekend's events in Waterford. Waterford is a close 16 miles south of Waukesha on Hwy. 164. Looking forward to this weekend. Heard there might be a "shape" balloon attending.
Waterford Weekend
The weather wasn't perfect for the inaugural Waterford Hot Air Balloon Festival . . . but pretty darn close to it! Besides a little rain Saturday morning which kept most, but not all balloons grounded, the conditions were ideal.
I drove down from work Friday and helped set up and take down WindDancer for the evening "glow". Twenty or so balloons did take flight in a hare 'n hound competition. The lead, hare, balloon lands to place a target and all others, hounds, throw bean bag streamers to see how close they can come. The winner came within two feet of center and second place; six.
Good Vibrations felt at the fair
The oldest county fair in the state at 169 years is right here in Waukesha and less than a mile from my home. So the Beach Boys were formed in 1961 which would make them 50 years old. Like them or not, I had to see them... for the history if nothing else. Walking distance, or biking as the case may be; well-known and danceable tunes; great weather; only $5.00 to get in; plenty of good seating... what's not to like?
best party ever
It's likely not the best party ever, technically speaking, but come this Friday downtown Waukesha will be hopping with some of the best Freeman Friday Night Live sounds. The weather is guaranteed to be as good as the music is hot as El Rey and the Nightbeats opens on Broadway, Spring City Grass mows them down at Gaspar and Main in front of Martha Merrell's, Buffalo Al pours it out at the fountain near the Waukesha Antique Mall and Alexa Grey is the star of the Five Points. (There's four additional stages, but these are my favorites.)
