Hi Volunteers!
Happy Black History Month! We have updated our webpage to highlight the significant contributions that the Black community has contributed to Milwaukee's history and is contributing now to our vibrant quality of life.
The Milwaukee Public Library, America's Black Holocaust Museum, the Bay View Community Center, Milwaukee Public Museum, The Milwaukee Rep, and Milwaukee Film are just a few of the organizations with interesting and engaging programming this month. Please participate in as many events as you can!
4.4 Update
Milwaukee's new Order 4.4 goes into effect on Friday. Thanks to the progress the city has seen with gating criteria, this order loosens some of the restrictions on gatherings.
Key Changes:
- Event venues and gathering places like museums and performance spaces can now have up to 25% capacity WITHOUT submitting a safety plan to the health department, up to 250 people maximum in the space
- For more than 250 people, you will need to submit a plan to the health department for the type of event (wedding, tradeshow, convention, meeting, etc)
- For less than 250 people, you can have 25% capacity without a safety plan
- Patrons can order from the bar if they maintain distancing and the line does not extend into the seating area
- Sports events and tournaments can have fans up to 250 people or 25% capacity
- These capacities are PER room, not per location. If you are a hotel that has multiple ballrooms, each ballroom is considered its own space.
Thank you to ALL who have taken safety measures over the past 11 months to bring us to this point! Click here to view the full order.
Vaccines
The City has set up a hotline and a website for those eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Please go to milwaukee.gov/covidvax or call 414-286-6800 if you are eligible. If you want to learn more about when you are eligible, please go to healthyMKE.com and sign up for their alerts. You can also connect with your local health department. We need to get as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible!
Partner Updates
- Downtown Dining Week is in full swing! Milwaukee Downtown, Bid #21 has partnered with restaurants in East Town, Westown and the Historic Third Ward for some tasty to-go and dine-in options. What is on your downtown dining list this week?
- The Pfister and Saint Kate - The Arts Hotel were recognized by U.S. News & World Reports as Top Hotels in Wisconsin, ranking #2 and #10 respectively. Congratulations!!
- The World Food Travel Association has recognized Milwaukee Food & City Tours as the Runner Up in the FoodTrekking Awards for 'Most Innovative Culinary Tourism Business Pivot' during the pandemic. Congratulations!!
- Black Arts MKE, whose signature performance of Black Nativity features an all-black, all local cast each year, has been awarded a grant from The Black Seed, a national strategic initiative focused on creating impact and "thrivability" for Black theater institutions. Black Arts MKE will also participate in a national Think Tank of up to 50 non-profit Black Theater institutional leaders from across the country in addition to receiving financial support.
- On Feb. 9, tune in on Facebook or Youtube to hear the president of the Milwaukee Preservation Alliance as he shares the history and ongoing work to save the Soldiers Home building.
- The Wisconsin State Fair is at it again with their Curbside Cream Puffs! This time, they are featuring strawberry and chocolate cream puffs just in time for Valentine's Day. Order in advance!
- The Milwaukee County Zoo animals are getting in on the Valentine's Day fun too. You can send a virtual Valentine video to a loved one from dozens of animal friends, from penguins to giraffes to hippos to hissing cockroaches. Learn more about how to send this creative "I love you" here.
- Panther Pub in Greendale is offering a "I Heart Greendale" prix fixe dinner and wine event (dine in only!) now through February 14. Click here for more details.
- Braise is also offering a Valentine's Day Dinner for two on Friday, February 12 and Saturday, February 13. Click here for more info.
- Lazy Susan is offering a Chinese New Year One Dish Wonder cooking class on Monday, February 8 at 6 p.m. and a Valentine's Day Date Night cooking class on Sunday, February 14 from 3-5 p.m. You can sign up for one or both events here.
- Maxie's is celebrating Mardi Gras all week long with a special Mardi Gras menu from February 10-16. Get your favorite cajun and creole dishes dine in or to go. Click here for more info.
- Lowlands Group is offering to-go and dine-in options for Valentine's Day at all of their locations in the area. You can click here for information on their "snackuterie," beverage bundles, and family meals and click here to make reservations for their winter experiences.
- The Harley-Davidson Museum is now offering an Annual Pass offers individual, family and VIP options including admission, merchandise, and dining discounts, plus free virtual perks. And, if you purchase this pass in 2021, you get this year and next year included. Click here to buy your pass today.
- Hawthorne Coffee Roasters is launching a new pop-up called Shift Change on February 13. The pop-up cocktail shop a Valentine's theme - it's called "This Menu Was Built for Lovers" - and the drink list includes Hawthorne's interpretations of classic cocktails plus original drinks. Learn more and reserve your spot here.
- Our friends at VIA CDC are celebrating Pho-bruary with Pho specials all month long! Click here for menus.
- The Milwaukee Bucks have announced they will begin to host fans at home games by the end of the month, up to 25% capacity. This is very exciting!
- Bradford Beach's hospitality offerings are getting a makeover and an expansion this summer with The Dock. A day at the beach with delicious cocktails and snacks sounds amazing right now!
Giving Fest
Giving Fest is in full swing with many events coming up in the next few weeks, including a cookie making class with the Milwaukee Public Market, a virtual tour of the Hunger Task Force, an axe-throwing master class with NorthSouth Club, a cheese and wine pairing class from The Village Cheese Shop, and a kid and dog-friendly cooking class with Cafe Hollander. Sign up for all of these events (and many more!) at Milwaukee365.com.
Summerfest
Summerfest announced its delay until September. Summerfest has made a responsible decision by delaying until we can be closer to herd immunity through vaccinations so that we can all enjoy a safe festival full of music, food, and thousands of fans. We wish this was the kick-off to summer, but instead, it will be the send-off to summer and we can't think of a better way to close down what will be a great summer in Milwaukee.
US News
Cheers to all of our partner properties featured in US News & World Report's Best Hotels in Wisconsin! We're lucky enough to have 10 of the top 25 right here in Milwaukee and southeast Wisconsin. Congrats to The American Club/Destination Kohler, Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, Kimpton Journeyman Hotel, The Iron Horse Hotel, The Westin Milwaukee, Milwaukee Marriott Downtown, Washington House Inn, Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, DoubleTree by Hilton MKE Downtown, and The Brewhouse Inn & Suites.
Incoming Visitors
- Wisconsin Juniors Volleyball Winter Classic (Mar. 5-6)
- Badger Region Volleyball Championships (Mar. 12-14, 19-21, 26-28)
- US Tournament of Dance (Mar. 26-30)
- American Society of Association Executives - ASAE (Apr. 19-20)
Take care and stay safe!
Tony
