On a windy, 30 degree evening in mid-January The Milwaukee Scene brushed off the cobwebs and ventured out on the town to preview a selection of the menu at Durango. Just one day before their grand opening twenty of the Scene’s die hard foodies began the evening with cocktails from the full service bar. Beer, Scotch, Vodka all available to quench the thirst mixed and delivered by a professional and courteous staff.

The menu, served buffet style due to the size of our group, featured BBQ Ribs, Brisket, Buffalo Wings and Pulled Pork which we stuffed into palm sized buns made available to us.

The ribs were thick and meaty. I haven’t had ribs of this proportion in Milwaukee at any of my favorite Rib joints. They must have come from a woolly mammoth.

The sauce they used for the Ribs, Brisket and Pulled Pork was delicious. A dark, rich, smokey and thick sauce that was incredibly unique to my BBQ experience in Milwaukee and also perfectly complemented the meal.

The Buffalo wing sauce was thick and smokey and cooked to a “fall off the bone” perfection with a sweet taste and slight zing. The zing in my case was a bit spicy for my taste but as I went around the room to see if others found the wings a bit too spicy the reviews were mixed. Most thought it was perfect but a few shared my opinion.

The blue cheese infused Kentucky coleslaw was some of the best our guests had ever had. I would probably say the same but everyone polished it off before I could try a taste! I guess that’s an endorsement of sorts :)

I dont think you’ll find a better combination for smokehouse BBQ and cocktails in the downtown Milwaukee. YeeHaw!

Open for Lunch, Dinner, Drinks, Party Packs and Catering

Durango Bar and Grill
1007 N. Old World Third Street
Milwaukee, WI

http://www.TheDurangoGrill.com

1) Its a world-class beach. Ya, I said it. Sure, you wont be scuba diving or surfing but you also wont be spending $400.00 or more to get there. Head to Bradford Beach on any weekend - look left, look right and you’ve got it all. Volleyball, drinks, beautiful people, sports, fellowship and good times.

2) The people that head to Bradford are great. Most everyone ‘gets it’. Its a public space where you can be yourself if you can avoid being a complete douchebag. The place is top notch, run professionally and coordinated as well if not better than other beaches I’ve been to and I’ve been to beaches around the world including Pacific Beach, Curacao, Thailand and Cancun.

3) When you go to Bradford Beach you’re on vacation. I completely forget about work, politics, war, the deficit and just about everything else. We’re all there for the same reasons. The thought process is simple: am I playing in the next game of volleyball - yes or no? Am I thirsty? Do I need another cocktail - yes or no? Do I need a bite to eat? That’s about all there is to life once you’re at Bradford Beach.

4) Everything you need to bring is already there. The Tiki hut and the Pavilion serve beer and a wide selection of food. Come prepared to party. If you need volleyball lines or a volleyball, they are available to rent. Just bring your bad self to the beach and be prepared to enjoy the wide range of services that are available.

A couple things people need to remember to continue to make Bradford Beach the awesome destination it is:

- Its a public beach. Leave the beer bongs, glassware and douchbaggery at home.

- If you’re a pro volleyball player, there’s a place for you - its on the main courts by the pavilion. The rest of the courts are public “fun” courts. You may be awesome and feel entitled but it would go a long way to rotate in a team or two. If you’re that awesome, you’ll play again real soon. Show up early to grab a court (usually by 10:30am or 11am at the latest) and be prepared to share. Demand exceeds availability.

- No grills, no deep ditches, no dogs. These are hazards for the rest of the people that frequent the beach. Its just common sense. No one wants a coal burn or a broken ankle. Leave the beach the way it was when you arrived. This is true anywhere you respect and travel to.

- Pick up after yourself. Does this really need explaining? Cmon. Cans, food, plastic - you can put it in a trash bin or bring a plastic garbage bag.

Bradford Beach is a place where every walk of life is welcome and everyone gets along. There is a lot to appreciate. There is food, music, fun and for this brief period of time that we have to enjoy during our summer months its important that we focus on the things we all have in common and have a shared passion for.

See you at the beach!

http://www.bradfordbeachjam.com/

Discuss this topic here:

http://www.themilwaukeescene.com/forum/nightlife-events-and-activities/a-few-things-i%27ve-learned-about-bradford-beach/

Sona wastes no time getting to the point on his sophomore release African Juju. His first track It’s all About Money is a smooth, catchy, radio friendly blend of beat, message and melody which he follows with track after track of anthems.

The End is Coming Soon delivers a driving, funk inspired rhythm with melodic backing synth tracks adding a thick layer of depth. The music, beats, lyrics and message blend like fluid throughout the entire album. Afrikan Juju is reminiscent of albums where vocals are treated as an additional instrument as opposed to an overriding, in-your-face assault.

Universal themes of greed, faith, honor, pride, jealousy and poverty are packaged in this diverse mix of melody and message. Sona ties it all together with his unique Afro inspired styling.

Track Picks:

It’s All About Money
The Voice
Take Ma Time
Go

The first single Its All About Money is available for download through iTunes and amazon.com

African Juju hits the shelf June 25 of 2009 and The Milwaukee Scene was delighted to get a chance to preview this Milwaukee native’s work.

Sona on the Web:
http://www.myspace.com/sonathevoice
http://intercessionsrecords.com/sona.html

La Dolce Vita translates as “the sweet life” and is nestled between Starship and Starbucks just south of Brady Street on Farwell Avenue. It quietly opened its doors in early March 2009, but the food and our experience was nothing to keep quiet about.

Inspired by Moroccan, Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine, the dishes we sampled were tasty and unique. The Briwat ($5.95) and Calamari a la Plancha ($7.50) were immediate favorites. The Briwat resembles an eggroll that is stuffed with either beef or chicken and is served with a wonderful sauce on the side. We enjoyed it so much we had to add another 1/2 order.

The Calamari a la Plancha is unlike most calamari you will find in Milwaukee which is typically breaded, deep fried and served with a side of marinara. At La Dolce Vita calamari is done very differently and the taste is amazing! Another order of this would have hit the spot as well. I’ll be sure to order both when I return.

These are must try appetizers that are sure to please.

For our entree, each of us ordered a Panini. My favorite of the three we tried was the chicken Shawarma panini ($7.50). The vegetarian La dolce panini ($6.50) was excellent as well. Chicken is chicken and beef is beef but the sauces and marinades that accompany the dishes at La Dolce Vita is what makes the food something special.

The atmosphere is colorful and entertaining. Flat panel TV’s line the wall while Mediterranean and Arabic music plays softly in the background. Seating is available for around 30 or 35 people.

More than 3/4 of the menu is under $10.00 putting everything within reach and also making it possible to try many different items.

We washed down our lunches with a fruit smoothie, although wine, beer and mixed drinks are also available.

We’re looking forward to getting back to this unique and tasty establishment!

La Dolce Vita is located at 1673 North Farwell Avenue.
http://www.mydolce-vita.com/
414.277.7750

Kill Hannah

Eagles Club (The Rave) 8/21/2008
Milwaukee, WI

The show started in Kill Hannah’s signature manner; green lasers and white fluorescent lights mounted on every guitar cutting through the dark and hazy venue. It’s now known that the main event has finally taken to the stage and the wait is finally over. The energetic crowd is very diverse with a predominance of younger concert goers. The mood seemed to be relatively relaxed with the opening bands Innerpartysystem, The Medic Droid, & the White Tie Affair however the atmosphere electrified with the arrival of the headliners!

As always Matt Devine delivers an excellent performance to ensure that the entire crowd is involved and participating. Playing previous local favorites such as Kennedy & Unwanted (an anthem for the disenfranchised) the band also added a few of their newer releases such as Lips Like Morphine & Crazy Angel which were all crowd pleasers. Those who have followed the band since its advent definitely appreciated the decision to play Hummingbirds the Size of Bullets which was a song from the bands debut album “Here are the Young Moderns”. Interestingly enough, the song Welcome to Chicago Mother Fucker was one of the closing songs added to the show. A song rarely played outside of Chicago, it was decided that since they were close enough to their home town the great tune deserved to be played and was well received!

The Milwaukee show was the last stop before the bands anticipated farewell show at the Metro in Chicago which followed a few days later. This marked a well deserved break in their latest US tour “Hope for the Hopeless” which will start back up at the end of September in the UK (which is also the start of their European leg). Look for video updates from Sleep Never of the tour on their website and MySpace.

http://www.killhannah.com/
http://www.myspace.com/killhannah/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kill_Hannah

Band Members

• Mat Devine – Lead Vocals, Guitar
• Jonathan Radtke- Guitars, Background Vocals
• Dan Wiese- Guitars, Background Vocals
• Greg Corner- Bass Guitar
• Elias Mallin- Drums

Directed by Sona
Reviewed by Brian Dell

“I’m sick of that fake thug RnB rap scenario, all day on the radio
Same scenes in the video, monotonous material
Y’all don’t hear me though
These record labels sling our tapes like dope
You could be next in line to sign and still be writin’ rhymes and broke
You’d rather have a Lexus or justice?
A dream or some substance?
A Beamer or necklace or freedom?”
-Dead Prez, “Hip Hop”

“Behold Something Bigger Than Tupac.”
The title of this film alone is designed to pique the curiosities of its audience. Tupac Shakur is one of the defining figures of hip hop, a symbol and a legend to some, and the film argues the shooting not only killed Tupac but the entire genre as well. What, or in this case, who, could possibly be bigger than Tupac? Sona, the director and subject of this film, gives a simple enough answer to that question: it’s him.

This is one of the gutsiest statements I’ve ever known anyone to make with a straight face, and “Behold” spends the majority of its running time convincing you that it’s true. Immediately digging into the rapper Nas, and later baring its teeth at Sean “Puffy” Combs and others, the recurring message of the film is that hip hop used to be a meaningful, rich form of expression, but now, thanks to record labels eager to mass-produce the same indulgent stereotypes, hip hop has been diluted to watered-down immoral trash. Sona rejects all the entrenched ideas of degradation and consumerism, making a good case against the rappers who carelessly flaunt diamonds as bling in their videos, while others are fighting and dying to procure these flashy status symbols.

Easily, the highlight of the film is Sona’s relentless criticism of the low cultural standards to which we hold ourselves. He has an uncommonly forceful personality and seems fearless towards any doubt or threat which might come his way. Certain montages are skillfully edited, the voice overs sound clear and strong, and much of the original footage was shot in high-definition which is a cut above what most local filmmakers are capable or interested in achieving. These scenes look very detailed and improve the presentation considerably.

However, “Behold” is not without its flaws. While the voice overs are solid, the sound in most of the interviews is at best hard to hear, and at other times it is closer to impossible to understand. Another major issue comes from the repetition and length of the film- there are numerous times when shots from one part of the movie will be replayed exactly the same later on, or arguments will be repeated too often, making the feature-length running time seem perhaps twice as long as it needs to be. The film would also have benefited from more “natural” footage of Sona, showing him performing, in studio, or in everyday life. While viewers will come away with a clear knowledge of Sona’s views, they will have a hard time identifying his music or who he is outside of his “Voice” persona.

“Behold Something Bigger Than Tupac” is an interesting message film and a study on the cult of personality. This is the area where it achieves considerable success. Sona “The Voice” is a lot bolder than most Wisconsin filmmakers and his confidence really counts for something in that community. At the same time “Behold” leaves room for improvement with the next effort from this production team, who likely will be able to hone their efficiency and style on more polished future films. As long those projects have the sincerity and risky ideas that this one does, they’ll find an audience without any trouble at all.

Star Bar and Razor open their doors to the public Thursday August 21, 2008 and offer what is sure to be a unique nightlife experience to Milwaukee partygoers. Drenched in hot reds and deep blues the edgyness and sex appeal begins with the name but can be found in each deliberate design element.

Star Bar Lounge occupies approximately 1/3 of the overall space and features 2 flush mount multipurpose LCD TV’s, intimate seating and an LED enhanced bar. The space has just the right amount of bar space and dance floor space to make for a high energy and intimate experience all at the same time.

While walking through the space I find it to be a reminiscent blend of both Mantra and The Rock Shop with its own flair and appeal.

A huge sound system is about to go up that I’m confident will be put through its paces at Razor.

A third, sunken area, is custom designed for VIP patrons and features excellent access to the clubs amenities while providing unparalleled privacy.

All in all Star Bar and Razor are shaping up to be a great new addition to The Milwaukee Scene and we look forward to seeing the place in action.

Star Bar and The Razor Room can be found on Milwaukee Street just south of Wisconsin Avenue at:

631 N. Milwaukee Street
Milwaukee, WI

or online at:
http://www.therazorroom.com/

Its been 8 months at the time of this writing since Chubby’s Cheesesteaks opens its doors on North Avenues east side but I finally got a chance to stop down and enjoy one of my favorite sandwiches.

One surprising thing about downtown Milwaukee is how few cheesesteaks are available in a city that loves to eat and specifically eat anything with cheese in it!

A couple other shops exist outside downtown proper but if you want a convenient cheesesteak for lunch or after hours Chubby’s is the sweet spot.

The menu selection is incredibly vast. Perhaps i was naive about the evolution of the Philly Cheesesteak but it was surprising to find that the cheesesteak can be delivered with steak, chicken or even vegetarian! I’m going to have to stop back and try each of those selections. As for the Philly itself at Chubby’s I found it incredibly tasty!

Red and Green Peppers, fried onions, steak and cheese all prepared at ordering time make for a warm, fresh meal. The bread was soft and tasty but held together perfectly as I chowed down my meal.

One thing you HAVE to try when you make it to Chubby’s are the fries! They are both seasoned and breaded which makes for a unique french fry experience that I have had no where else. I would put them up against Saz’s fries any day.

Like all of my favorite places to frequent, Chubby’s is locally owned and operated. This isn’t terribly suprising in downtown Milwaukee, however this kind of fast, tasty food being conceived and delivered by long time Milwaukeeans adds extra meaning to the experience.

They deliver and they’re open late. Theres no reason not to get a tasty meal at Chubby’s Cheesesteak.

Chubby’s Cheesesteaks
2232 N. Oakland Avenue
Milwaukee, WI
414.287.9999
http://www.chubbyscheesesteaks.com

Join our Cheesesteak Discussion Thread:
http://www.themilwaukeescene.com/forum/index.php?topic=7589.0

Bootleggers, located at 1023 N. Old World 3rd St, is the latest entrant to the up and coming Old World 3rd Street scene. Long a staple for destinations such as Buck Bradley’s, Have a Nice Day Cafe, Buckhead Saloon and Cafe Vecchio Mondo; the recent addition of Bootleggers and its neighbor Tutto are sure to continue to add to the excitement of the street.

Two floors of indoor entertainment in addition to a third rooftop floor make for a great space to tip a few beers or throw massive weekend parties. Amongst the vast amount of party space and flat screen TV’s Bottleggers features a DJ Booth, a stage for live acts, pool tables, dart boards and sofa lounges - all certain to provide a wide array of entertainment possibilities.

Without much fan fare Bootleggers showcased its capabilities on the weekend of Riversplash 2008 treating customers to a friendly and social staff that seemed willing to socialize and accommodate our requests for tall drinks, information and photographs.

A beautifully designed space, Bootleggers is sure to please a wide audience so be sure to stop by and hang out.

Bootleggers
1023 N. Old World 3rd St
http://bootleggersmke.com/
http://www.myspace.com/bootleggersmke

With the smell of paint still fresh in the air Apartment 720 became the latest nightlife destination to add itself to Milwaukee’s lineup. Deep black walls with paisley white accents provide the backdrop for the high contrast club. One part night club, one part underground cellar, the multipurpose venue seems to be positioned to invite a wide variety of nightlife entertainment. If the acts lined up to christen the venue are any indication I’m sure that is exactly what is ahead.

DJ Delicious opened the night followed by guests of honor Dave Navarro and DJ Scribble. Exciting, high energy sets provided an intense focal point for the evening.

Staff wore traditional black outfits along with face paint. It wasnt clear (to me) what the costumes and makeup were supposed to represent but it certainly added to the special event feeling of the night.

Its difficult to tell from the pictures but one thing that really struck me besides the wall design was the excellent lighting. Very design oriented and creative - it added a great deal to the ambiance for me. It’s an element I think is overlooked at many venues.

Short (but strong) drinks were around $7.00 for top shelf mixers.

Be sure to check out this latest Milwaukee hot spot.

Apartment 720 is located at 720 N. Milwaukee Street between Wisconsin Avenue and Mason Street.