family fun - june 2010

Picks of the Month

Get the summer off with one of Milwaukee’s favorite family evenings, the Big Bang Fireworks show June 24 at the Summerfest grounds. The spectacular display, which marks the start of the world’s largest outdoor music festival, can be seen from many spots north of the Summerfest grounds along Lake Michigan. The action in the air starts at approximately 9:30 p.m.

MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO

10001 W. Bluemound Road. Just 10 minutes from downtown Milwaukee at Highway 45 and Interstate 94. Open 365 days a year. Ph. (414) 256-5412 or www.milwaukeezoo.org.

It’s always a good time to visit the Milwaukee County Zoo, one of the premier zoological parks in the country.

On Father’s Day June 20, all dads receive free admission.

Adventure Dinosaur! roars through Sept. 6. With the support of Lowe’s, more than 25 realistic dinosaurs are presented in an outdoor habitat.

Sunset Zoofaris, popular evenings with live music from 6-9 p.m., are scheduled for June 30, July 7, 14, 21 & 28 and Aug. 4.

Watch two of the most enjoyable residents of the zoo, Amur (Siberian) tiger cubs Tula and Nuri who were born last July. Check out this video.

On June 19 in conjunction with the Milwaukee Public Library, the zoo becomes one of only five zoos and four libraries in the country to participate in “The Language of Conservation” program. The program will involve a permanent poetry installation of more than 50 poems, creatively displayed throughout the animal exhibits as a way to blend the beauty of poetry with the importance of conservation. Pattiann Rogers, a longtime published poet and college professor, will serve as the zoo’s poet-in-residence, selecting the poetry to be displayed in the park.

BETTY BRINN CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

929 E. Wisconsin Ave. Ph. 414-291-0888 Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. www.bbcmkids.org

Programs include:

• Tot Time, ages 1 to 3 with parent or caregiver, 10:30 a.m. Tuedays, Wednesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays. Toddlers will enjoy sing-alongs, finger-play, stories, and art experiences. Adults learn how these experiences impact early childhood development.
  
  
  
• Pre-School Pop-in, ages 3-5, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. Pre-schoolers participate in music, movement and visual art activities that encourage early reading and introduce beginning math concepts. Adults learn about age-appropriate activities that stimulate a child's development.

Special events:

The Animal Hospital, the newest “trading place” business, is set now open.

Neighborhood Night June 17 means free admission from 5-8 p.m.

Dads receive free admission on Father’s Day, June 20. Special activities are sure to please.

Be sure to visit Kohl’s Healthy Kids: It’s Your Move, the newest exhibit area of the Museum, and learn vital health information.

THE MUSEUM CENTER
800 W. Wells St.

Includes Milwaukee Public Museum, one of the world's best natural history museums (Ph. 278-2700); and the Humphrey IMAX Dome Theater 414-319-IMAX. www.mpm.edu

Special exhibits:

The Puelicher Butterfly Wing allows visitors to stroll through a lush, tropical garden filled with butterflies, some willing to pause on fingers.

“Cabinets of Curiosity,” themed in honor of the museum’s 125th anniversary, illustrates the vast scope of museum holdings.

“Dead Sea Scrolls and the Bible: Ancient Artifacts, Timeless Treasures” opened in January and will continue through June 6. This only-in-Milwaukee exhibit will be of special interest to young adults.

The Humphrey IMAX Dome Theater in the Museum Center, the only IMAX theater in the state, doubles as a state-of-the-art digital planetarium.

Current and upcoming IMAX shows:

“MUMMIES: SECRETS OF THE PHARAOHS,” thru June 10; Part historic journey and part forensic adventure, follow researchers and explorers as they piece together the archaeological and genetic clues of Egyptian mummies.

“DINOSAURS ALIVE!,” opens June 11; Paleontologists uncover evidence that dinosaur descendants are still among us. Realistic and scientifically accurate computer generated animation brings dinosaurs back to life.

“UNDER THE SEA,” through Sept. 30; Encounter some of the most mysterious and stunning creatures of the sea.

“BATMAN BEGINS,” full-length feature, opens June 11.

“THE DARK KNIGHT,” full0length feature, opens June 16.

Current and upcoming shows at the Daniel M. Soref Planetarium in the IMAX :

“SECRETS OF THE DEAD SEA,” thru June 10; Ancient scrolls chronicle the passage of time by motions of the sun and moon, while rock and sand preserve a living record of a place as timeless as the star patterns above.

“BLACK HOLES:THE OTHER SIDE OF INFINITY,” opens June 11.

“GALILEO: THE POWER OF THE TELESCOPE,” opens June 11.

“INVADERS OF MARS,” opens June 11.

Call 414-319-4629 for IMAX planetarium show times and reservations.

DISCOVERY WORLD at PIER WISCONSIN

500 N. Harbor Dr. 765-9966. The newest addition to Milwaukee’s world-class lineup of museums and visitor attractions is the home of the 19th century re-creation of a Great Lakes sailing vessel, the Denis Sullivan. Until the ship is returns for the summer season, the Discovery World Museum offers saltwater and fresh water aquariums, interactive exhibits created by several of the city’s leading corporations and the HIVE, a virtual-reality chamber that puts visitors into 30 simulated environments.. Open to the public from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sun. www.discoveryworld.org.

Special June programs:

The S/V Denis Sullivan, Wisconsin’s flagship lake schooner, returns for the season with special 10th anniversary activities planned for May 29 and 30.

Save your tickets from all the festivals at the Summerfest grounds this summer for an admissions discount at Discovery World.

Dads admitted free on Father’s Day, June 20.

Continuing exhibits at Discovery World:

"City of Freshwater" focuses on Milwaukee’s leadership role in use of its water resources.

"Les Paul's House of Sound" is a tribute to the famed Wisconsin guitarist Les Paul.

Briggs & Stratton's "Milwaukee Muscle" exhibit allows visitors to design a vehicle of the future.

"Energy & Ingenuity: Harnessing the Power of You" developed by the Wisconsin Energy Foundation.

MISCELLANEOUS FUN

PLENTY of pro sports action throughout the summer. Brewers attracting thousands of fans each game. Even football action provided by Milwaukee Iron at the Bradley Center. See www.keymilwaukee.com/sports for all the details.

COMEDYSPORTZ at 420 S. 1st St. continues to provide improvisational comedy suitable for the whole family. Shows every week 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday.  Also 10 p.m. Friday amateur (18+) stand up session. Call 272-8888 for show times and reservations or visit www.comedysportz.com. Be sure to use our KeyMilwaukee.com coupon for extra savings.

NATURE OF DOGS, through June 12; Waukesha County Museum, 101 W. Main St., Waukesha. Fine art animal photographer Mary Ludington seeks to capture the true nature of dogs, their beauty, character and spirit. Sixty photographs capture the particular personalities of the different breeds. 262-521-2859.

PORT PIRATE FESTIVAL, June 4-6; Port Washington lakefront and downtown. Be a pirate for the weeked. Music, merriment and more.

MILWAUKEE HIGHLAND GAMES, June 5; Hart Park, 7300 Chestnut St., Wauwatosa. Axe throwing and longbow demos; dancing and piping competition; falconry and sheepdog demos; haggis taco eating contest and cultural tent. 9 a.m.-10 p.m.

STORY TIME IN THE GALLERIES (10:30 a.m. Sat.) SKETCHING IN THE GALLERIES (1-3 p.m. Sat.), June 5, 12, 19, 26; Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Dr. 224-3200.

MILLER LITE RIDE FOR THE ARTS, June 6; One of the nation’s largest recreational bike rides, starting and finishing at the Summerfest grounds, 200 N. Harbor Dr. Registration begins at 6 a.m. 276-7433.

U.S. BANK AIR & WATER SHOW, June 11-13; Milwaukee lakefront over Bradford Beach. U.S. Navy Blue Angels and other precision flying and airborne acrobatics.10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat. and Sun. Practice 3:30 p.m. Fri., followed by evening show. www.milwaukeeairshow.com

GATHERING WATERS FESTIVAL, June 12; Lakeshore State Park, Lake Michigan shoreline between Summerfest grounds and Discovery World. 11 a.m.-7p.m. 273-1173.

POLISH FEST, June 18-20; Henry W. Maier Festival Park (Summerfest grounds). See KeyMilwaukee.com Cover Feature.

LAKEFRONT FESTIVAL OF ARTS, June 18-20; Milwaukee Art Museum grounds, 700 N. Art Museum Dr. Award-winning juried art festival sponsored by Friends of Art to benefit Milwaukee Art Museum. 224-3856. See KeyMilwaukee.com feature.

GIRO D' GRAFTON, June 18-19; Downtown Grafton. Family-friendly event in Downtown Grafton’s Paramount Plaza from 6-9 p.m. Friday. Full day of family fun Saturday, including bicycle racing from 11:20 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Live entertainment, special activities including ice cream social. 262-377-2650 or www.celebrategrafton.com

SUMMERFEST, June 24-July 4; Henry Maier Festival Park (Summerfest grounds) on the lakefront. 42nd edition of the world’s largest outdoor music festival. 273-2680. See page 31.

GREEK FEST, June 25-27; Wisconsin State Fair Park, I-94W at 84th St. 461-9400.

STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL, June 26-27; Historic Cedarburg I-43 North, Exit 89, west on Highway C, right at Washington Ave. to the Historic District. 25th annual celebration. 888-894-4001, 262-377-9620. See KeyMilwaukee.com cover feature.