Between the Bars

Christmas Cookie Bake-A-Thon

The season’s spirit drives people to the mall, to midnight mass, to festive gatherings, and to the kitchen.

The latter is where you’ll find me today. I’ve been slaving away, baking dozens of Christmas cookies to deliver to family and friends this year. I'm also reserving two dozen to donated to a special cause.

Slice Of Ice

Note: This post was updated for 2009. Between the Bars continually updates the many posts available here, though it's possible some details, specials and offers may have changed. Consider calling first if you have specific questions for the event mentioned in the guide.

Downtown Milwaukee’s ice skating rink – Slice of Ice – at Red Arrow Park (920 N. Water Street) opens at 4:30 p.m. today for its 11th season.

Season's Greetings!

That's the view from outside my house right now.

Though winter doesn't officially begin until December 21, based on the several inches of snow we've already had dumped on us today, it's evident that Old Man Winter has reared his ugly head a few weeks early.

This blast of white stuff heralds in the official start of the Christmas season too, which I love. It gets me thinking of all of the things I enjoy most this time of year, including:

New Year's Eve 2010

Note: The content of this guide was updated for 2009. Between the Bars continually updates the many posts available here, though it's possible some details, specials and offers may have changed. Consider calling first if you have specific questions for the businesses, events or services mentioned in the guide. And remember, all offers are subject to availability.

I know it's not even Christmas yet, but I’m eager to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

I love the flowing champagne, the gussying up, the kissing at midnight, and the promise of a new beginning. But, before I even think about all of that, I have to figure out how to celebrate!

Here Comes Santa Claus...

Under bright November skies, thousands of people jammed the city for the 83rd annual Milwaukee Holiday Parade as it weaved its way through downtown last Saturday morning.

With the morning's weather holding steady at about 50 degrees, parade-watchers shed their winter coats and, instead of huddling together to stay warm, they had a good time singing and dancing in the streets.

While the fall-like temperatures definitely made the hour-plus long experience more bearable, the unseasonable weather was still a little disappointing, in my opinion. Considering this was a Christmas parade, the temperate, snow-less weather didn't help to welcome the Yuletide festivities. Alas, I guess I shouldn't complaint too much; we all know that by the time Christmas actually arrives, the weather will become significantly colder – this is only the beginning.

Regardless, the Holiday Parade went on to delight an estimated 50 to 100 thousand people, according to the Journal Sentinel, with over two-dozen marching bands, a brigade of floats, Macy’s Parade-style helium balloons (though half the size) and, of course, Santa Claus himself.

Holiday Magic Illuminated

Folks love to see the sparkle of holiday lights. At the 11th annual Holiday Lights Festival Kick-Off Extravaganza, downtown Milwaukee was transformed into a magical spot where the sparkles multiplied into thousands.

As the advent of a week filled with holiday celebrations, last Thursday began with the city/county tree-lighting at Red Arrow Park, officially marking the Christmas season.

Unfortunately, the tree-lighting ceremony was long over by the time I finally made it to Water Street. But much to my surprise, the park was still teeming with people, young and old, lingering over free samples of Starbucks coffee and hot chocolate, and mulling over the illuminated 35-foot Colorado blue spruce.

By now, the festivities moved on to Pere Marquette Park, about a block away on Old World Third Street, but I still had to wait for Eric to meet me downtown. Luckily, we still had plenty of time; the big switch-flip, which lights all of the parks and streets downtown, wasn’t scheduled until just before 6:30 p.m. So, to kill time I had the brilliant idea of cozying up to a cup of coffee in the nearby Starbucks. And apparently, everyone else attending the tree-lighting had the exact same idea.

Milwaukee Kicks Off the Holidays TONIGHT!

With a string of 50 degree days, it hardly even feels like November in southeastern Wisconsin. And the lack of snow and frosty air makes it hard to even think about the onset of the holidays. But with some very merry events happening in Milwaukee today and throughout the weekend, you just might find yourself getting into the yuletide spirit sooner than you thought.

To signal the start of the season, tonight is the official City/County Christmas Tree lighting and the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival Kick-Off Extravaganza, which will illuminate all of Downtown Milwaukee. This is the city’s oldest holiday tradition – over 10 years – and once again it’s the advent of a week filled with holiday celebrations.

Pumpkin Pickin'

Halloween falls on Saturday, so this is your last chance to carve that one of a kind jack-o-lantern!

Over the past two weeks, I’ve gone to two pumpkin carving parties – I don’t think I even went to that many as a child. But there’s something about going to a pumpkin patch and then spending all night carving that makes me feel like a kid again, or it could be that I finally realized that my pumpkin carving technique is about as advanced as a four-year-old.

Even though we didn’t make it to a pumpkin patch before the first party and had to buy dirty, bruised pumpkins from the wooden bin in front of Pick ‘n Save (not the best place to get a good pumpkin) we did end up going to a slightly more conventional “patch” last Saturday.

 

Halloween falls on Saturday, so this is your last chance to carve that one of a kind jack-o-lantern!

Over the past two weeks, I’ve gone to two pumpkin carving parties – I don’t think I even went to that many as a child. But there’s something about going to a pumpkin patch and then spending all night carving that makes me feel like a kid again, or it could be that I finally realized that my pumpkin carving technique is about as advanced as a four-year-old.

Even though we didn’t make it to a pumpkin patch before the first party and had to buy dirty, bruised pumpkins from the wooden bin in front of Pick ‘n Save (not the best place to get a good pumpkin) we did end up going to a slightly more conventional “patch” last Saturday.

 

All Hallows Eve Parties '09

Note: The content of this guide was updated for 2009. Between the Bars continually updates the many posts available here, though it's possible some details, specials and offers may have changed. Consider calling first if you have specific questions for the businesses, events or services mentioned in the guide.

I love Halloween – Love it! As a matter of fact, it runs a close second to Christmas in terms of my favorite holidays, which is why I tend to go all out.

I already have my costume planned – I just have to put some final touches on it – and my friends and I are eager to dress up and head out to North Avenue to rub elbows with the rest of the witches, vampires, freaks and skanks – It can be quite the spectacle!

Fall Gallery Night

Four times a year Milwaukee's galleries and art museums open their doors on Friday night and let throngs of art lovers unit in a synchronized effort to support local and regional art.

Presented by the East Town and Historic Third Ward Associations, Gallery Night and Day began 22 years ago as a small art event but has spent the last two decades growing into a citywide, two-day premier art affair that spans Friday evening and Saturday afternoon and takes on many shapes, forms and media.

It seemed that more people than ever were trolling Milwaukee’s arty areas to see the simple delights of superb art, even despite the cold, dreary weather. My friend Stephanie and I opted for the Friday Night experience and noticed that not only were galleries and museums holding receptions with artists on hand, they were serving free beer, wine and hors d'oeuvre, making this event a great alternative to a night that’s normally dedicated to barhopping. In all, this is one of the social highlights of the season, not just a standard art exhibition.