The Milwaukee Theater District is pleased to announce “It’s Alive on the RiverWalk,” bringing live performances to Milwaukee’s amazing RiverWalk.


These busker-style activations will feature local musicians, artists and street performers, booked by the Pabst Theater Group with support from Milwaukee Theater District groups, Lakefront Brewery, Blue Bat Kitchen & Tequilaria and the RiverWalk District.
 

Milwaukee’s RiverWalk, originally founded by a group led by Gary Grunau, connects three downtown neighborhoods through an approximately 20-block pedestrian promenade on either side of the Milwaukee River, highlighting Milwaukee as one of the few cities with a river flowing through its downtown. “It’s Alive on the RiverWalk” seeks to both increase vibrancy and activity along Milwaukee’s RiverWalk and to raise further awareness of the live entertainment and music scene in our city.  
 

“Not only do the Milwaukee Theater District’s members deliver amazing performances nightly at their venues in Milwaukee, but each performance also attracts ticket buyers from near and far who are all ready to experience all of the beauty that Milwaukee has to offer. We are pleased to show off our one-of-a-kind RiverWalk via these buskers,” said Gary Witt, President & CEO of the Pabst Theater Group. 
 

“Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel supports local artists of all disciplines, with music being a large part of the immersive arts experience found inside our hotel,” said Dana Johnson, general manager of Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel, one of the sponsors of this activation. “We are excited to support this dynamic live music program along the gorgeous RiverWalk that will spotlight the amazing musicians who call Milwaukee home. Our guests will enjoy experiencing live musical performances both inside Saint Kate and just steps away on the RiverWalk.” 
 

Performances will be held on Wednesdays and Saturdays from July 19 – Sept. 16. The initiative will kick off on July 19 with a press conference at Pere Marquette Park including an inaugural performance (press conference details below). Additional performances will occur at the Milwaukee Public Market and the Riverside Theater. All other performances will take place at Lakefront Brewery’s new patio and at Blue Bat Kitchen & Tequilaria. Musicians and bands who would like to perform this summer during “It’s Alive on the RiverWalk” can sign up here.

 

“It’s Alive on the RiverWalk” July performances include:
 

July 19:
11 – 2 p.m.
Pere Marquette Park: Jacob Slade
Milwaukee Public Market: Dandy L Freling
Riverside Theater: Cullah
 

4 – 7 p.m.
Pere Marquette Park: Mathilda
Blue Bat Kitchen & Tequilaria: Hanna Simone
Riverside Theater: Ben Perlstein 


July 22:
3 – 7 p.m.
Lakefront Brewery: Blacktop
Location TBD: Maximiano


July 26:
Blue Bat Kitchen & Tequilaria: Caley Conway 


July 29:
3 – 7 p.m.
Lakefront Brewery: Micah Emrich
 

Additional performers and more information about these activations can be found at mketheaterdistrict.com/itsalive or by following @mketheaterdistrict on Instagram/Facebook.
 

“It’s Alive on the RiverWalk” is sponsored by Milwaukee RiverWalk District, VISIT Milwaukee, Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel, City Lights Brewing and Radio Milwaukee.


Download “It’s Alive on the RiverWalk” graphics here.
 

Press Conference Details
To mark the launch of “It’s Alive on the RiverWalk, presented by the Milwaukee Theater District,” a press conference will be held at Pere Marquette Park, Wednesday, July 19 at 10:45 a.m. 

When: 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, July 19

Where: Pere Marquette Park

Speakers: Hillary Gunn, Digital Content Coordinator for the Pabst Theater Group and Patrick Rath, President & CEO of the United Performing Arts Fund

Parking: Street parking is available near Pere Marquette Park.

Interview Opportunities:

  • Hillary Gunn, Digital Content Coordinator for the Pabst Theater Group
  • Patrick Rath, President & CEO of UPAF
  • Jacob Slade, musician

 
Please email Vania Jurkiewicz at vjurkiewicz@upaf.org if you plan to attend or have any additional questions.

About Milwaukee Theater District
Launched in 2022, the Milwaukee Theater District represents a group of venues and civic promoters who seek to drive increased awareness of the community’s world-class performing arts and live entertainment offerings. With no formal boundaries, the Milwaukee Theater District is a collaborative marketing effort that utilizes advocacy and cooperative marketing campaigns to drive visitation, stoke local pride, and enhance the city's reputation as a top-tier arts and cultural destination. The Milwaukee Theater District includes nine founding venues, four founding performing arts organizations, and three founding support groups, representing a wide array of programming and venue experiences. Learn more at mketheaterdistrict.com.