JULY 2005 - Special Events

Complete address of sites is listed with first mention. Area codes of phone numbers are 414 unless shown otherwise. Please confirm events when possible; listings are subject to change.

POTAWATOMI BINGO CASINO, 1721 W. Canal St. Located minutes from downtown, this two-story entertainment complex offers high-stakes bingo; craps, roulette, blackjack table games, and video and reel slot machines. 500-seat cabaret-style theater and 1,800-seat concert hall host some of the nation’s top performers. Dining options include international buffet, sports bar & grill, fine dining restaurant and snack bars. Open 24 hours a day. Call toll-free, 1-800-PAYS-BIG or visit www.paysbig.com

DOWNTOWN WALKING TOURS, through Oct. 15; Starting at Shops of Grand Avenue, 161 W. Wisconsin Ave. Downtown Tours by Historic Milwaukee meet 10:15 a.m. daily at statue inside the Plankinton Arcade (ground level, between TJ MAXX and Linens ‘n Things). Leisurely two-hour tours. 277-7795.

THE TOUR OF A LIFETIME, through Nov. 12; Ten Chimneys, S43 W31575 Depot Rd., Genesee Depot. Home of Broadway legends Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, with original furnishings. 262-968-4110.

TALIESIN, through fall. Spring Green, one hour west of Madison and 2.5 hours from Milwaukee. Tour the 600-acre estate of Frank Lloyd Wright. Special tours for families this year. 877-588-7900.

SUMMERFEST, through July 10; Henry Maier Festival Park (Summerfest grounds). World’s largest music festival includes musical entertainment on 12 different stages, food from Milwaukee’s restaurants, comedians, children’s play area, daily demonstrations and activities and shopping. 800-273-3378.

SUNSET ZOOFARI EVENINGS, July 6, 13, 20, 27; Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W. Bluemound Ave. After closing at 5 p.m., the zoo reopens and features live music and all the animals. Bring a picnic dinner or purchase food. 6-9 p.m. 256-5412.

30th ANNIVERSARY AT SUBURBAN MOTORS, July 8-9; 139

N. Main St., Thiensville, Wis. Fri. Get-Together; Sat. Block Party. Wisconsin’s #1 Harley-Davidson dealer. 262-242-2464.

GARFIELD AVENUE BLUES GOSPEL & ARTS FESTIVAL, July 9; Garfield Ave., 4th-;7th Sts. Great soul food and entertainment on four stages. Noon-sunset. 223-4444.

GATHERING ON THE GREEN, July 9; Rotary Park, 4000 W. Highland Rd., Mequon. Evening featuring Milwaukee’s performing arts groups. Park opens at 4 p.m. 262-236-0510.

SHOREWOOD CRITERIUM INTERNATIONAL CYCLING CLASSIC, July 14; Along N. Oakland Avenue in Shorewood. Men’s and women’s pro/am races begin at 4 p.m. with cyclists from throughout the world. 964-3484.

BASTILLE DAYS, July 14-17; East Town area. Celebrate French history and culture as the streets of Milwaukee are transformed into a mini French city, complete with an Eiffel Tower. Free festival features street entertainers, a marketplace, over 25 sidewalk cafes and the annual “Storm the Bastille” 5K run run/walk. 271-1416.

MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MARKET GRAND OPENING, July  15, Miilwaukee Public Market, 400 N. Water St. Featuring 23 year-round food vendors indoors and 19 seasonal farm stalls outside. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Outdoor marketopens July 15: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat. and Sun. through Nov. 13. Indoor marke opens in Sept: Tues. through Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun. 336-1111.

SOUTH SHORE FROLICS, July 15-17; South Shore Park, 2900 S. Shore Dr. Food, music and spectacular fireworks, nightly in one of the city’s largeset and oldest neighborhood festivals. 224-2947, 769-8886.

TONY HAWK’S BOOM BOOM HUCKJAM, July 16; Bradley Center, 1001 N. Fourth St. First national arena tour to headline skateboarders, BMXers and motocross riders. 7 p.m. 276-4545.

PORT FISH DAY, July 16; Port Washington. World’s largest one-day outdoor fish fry featuring parade, auto show, art and craft show, live entertainment and carniva. 262-284-0900.

TCF BANK MILWAUKEE AIR EXPO, July 16-17; Veterans Park, Milwaukee’s downtown lakefront.  Features the Navy Blue Angel flight demo team, U.S. Army Special Forces sky diving team. 815-444-1075.

MAXWELL STREET DAY, July 17; Fireman’s park, Cedarburg. 39th year for the popular flea market. Antiques, collectibles, crafts and produce. 262-377-9620.

U.S. BANK CHAMPIONSHIP, July 18-24; Brown Deer Golf Course, 7835 N. Green Bay Rd. PGA tour brings some of the best golfers in the world to Milwaukee. 540-3800 or www.usbankchampionship.com.

T.G.I.T., July 21; Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Dr. Wine tasting, free appetizers, live jazz, cash bar and prize drawing. 5:30-8 p.m. Free, general admission required for entrance to the gallery. 224-3200.

FESTA ITALIANA, July 21-24; Henry Maier Festival Park. City’s oldest lakefront ethnic festival. See the KEY Cover Feature, pages 8-9. 223-2808.

SPRECHERFEST, July 22-23; Heidelberg Park, 700 W. Lexington Blvd. (I-43 North to Silver Spring Dr./East Exit, south on Port Washington Rd.), Glendale. Wide selection of beers and gourmet sodas from Sprecher Brewing Co., plus live music and food. 964-7837.

EAA AIRVENTURE, July 26-Aug. 1; Wittman Regional Airport, Oshkosh. World’s largest sports aviation gathering attracts more than 750,000 people and 10,000 airplanes. 920-426-4800.

MILWAUKEE RALLY, July 28-31; Milwaukee Mile, Wisconsin State Fair Park, 8100 W. Greenfield Ave. Held by Harley-Davidson Dealers of Metropolitan Milwaukee.

GALLERY NIGHT AND DAY, July 29-30; Downtown Milwaukee. Gallery hopping Friday night and all day Saturday throughout downtown. Brady Street Artisan Food Festival, July 31; Brady Street area, east side.

GERMAN FEST, July 28-31; Henry Maier Festival Park. German cuisine, ethnic music and unique gifts. 464-9444.