Grab a seat. . .you have 41 to choose from in Shorewood’s newest public art project, “Best Seats in the House.” This exciting event, following in the footsteps of last year’s successful “Butterflies in Flight,” will engage the entire community this summer. Beautifully decorated cedar benches, featuring the talents of local artists, will be on display throughout the Shorewood Business District along Oakland Ave. and Capitol Dr., and other landmark Shorewood locations including the library, Village Hall, Shorewood Police Department, Shorewood Fitness Center and Shorewood Post Office. Meet and greet the artists from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, June 5 at designated bench locations, when they will talk about their work and answer questions.

According to Barb Caprile, marketing director for the Shorewood Business Improvement District which is producing the event, “Public art projects enrich communities culturally and create a synergy among residents, community groups, businesses and artists. Shorewood’s 2010 project will showcase Shorewood’s shops, restaurants and beautiful business district and Village by attracting new visitors/customers to the area throughout the summer months.”

Many of the artists featured in this year’s event live in Shorewood, including Melinda Fishman, Donna Burdge, Don Berg, Amy Thomas, Leann Wooten, Dave and Mary Jo Thome, Jenny Steinman Heyden, Bruce Seeds, Cindy Shuelke and numerous students from both Atwater School and the Shorewood Intermediate School. The benches have been creatively decorated using paint, mosaic, ironwork and mixed media. Brochures listing each bench location and artist are available at each sponsoring business and Village Hall, or by visiting www.shorewoodwi.com. 
 
The Shorewood Foundation is the major underwriting sponsor of “Best Seats in the House.” The event will be on display from June 5-August 15 and a public auction will be held on Sunday, August 29 when the benches will be sold to benefit the Shorewood Foundation. Please call 414.962.7002 or e-mail barb@shorewoodwi.com for more information.

THURSDAY, JUNE 17 • 5-8:30 P.M.

Get ready for world-class cycling through the Shorewood Business District along North Oakland Ave. and adjacent residential streets.

On a new date in a new month, Shorewood’s 7th annual Criterium Cycling Classic, presented by the Shorewood Business Improvement District with title sponsors Tim Hart D.D.S./Jesse Smith D.D.S. and Jerry Pearce/Rainbow Jersey Bicycles, will welcome the summer season to the community. This year’s race on Thursday, June 17, will feature continuous cycling action (beginning at 5 p.m.) with international racers, a Kids’ Roll, and plenty of free family fun!

Ever see a pack of pro bicyclists racing arm-against-arm at speeds topping 35 miles per hour? Now’s your chance to watch from so close a vantage point that the energy and breeze of momentum will blow you away! This year’s race is being staged by Tour of America’s Dairyland  - and Shorewood is the very first race to kick off the series that runs from June 17-27. (Visit www.tourofamericasdairyland.com for a complete race schedule.)

The Shorewood women’s Pro/Am race starts at 5 p.m., followed by a Junior Bike Roll sponsored by Baskin Robbins 31 Flavors (at approximately 6:15 p.m.) for neighborhood children ages 3-7 with helmets. The men’s Pro/Am race starts about 6:45 p.m.

Make it a great summer afternoon and evening in Shorewood! Grab some great grub from North Star American Bistro at Olive St. and Oakland Ave. – or enjoy patio dining and special offers from many of Shorewood’s award-winning restaurants and pubs. Get a frosty brew at the beverage tent (also at Olive St. and Oakland Ave.), sponsored by The Establishment Salon. Then be sure to stay after the race to meet the racers after the awards ceremony about 8:15 p.m. at the start/finish line at Oakland Ave. and Marion St.

Corporate sponsors for the race include the Garden Room, Eastmore Real Estate, The Cornerstone, the Village of Shorewood Marketing Program, Harry’s Bar & Grill, Shorewood Family Chiropractic, Culver’s of Shorewood, Harleys: The Store for Men, Chiropractic Company, Allstate Insurance/Andrew McCabe Agency, Edward Jones/Mike O’Brien, Integrative Health Services, DAAR Engineering, Village Pub & Grill, Baskin Robbins 31 Flavors, North Star American Bistro, The Establishment, LaLonde Contractors, Caprile Marketing/Design, Friends of the Shorewood Library, The Plaisted Group, Starkmedia, Lakefront Brewery, Village of Shorewood Trustees, the Village of Shorewood, the Shorewood Police Department, the Shorewood Department of Public Works and the Shorewood School District.

Catch the complete Tour of America’s Dairyland Pro-Am bicycling series presented by Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board in 11 Wisconsin communitities: Shorewood, Thiensville, Grafton, Appleton, Elkhart Lake at Road America, Sheboygan, Waterloo, Greenbush, Fond du Lac, Milwaukee on Downer Avenue, and Waukesha.

Concerts to be held on three Thursday evenings at Hubbard Park: July 1, July 22, August 12

Enjoy a delightful summer evening under the stars in Shorewood’s handsome Hubbard Park along the Milwaukee River, as you listen to the cool sounds of some of the hottest musical groups in town! The Village of Shorewood is pleased to host a series of free outdoor concerts for its residents and guests - with a special invitation to Shorewood's newest residents! Bring a lawn chair or blanket and make a night of it on three Thursday evenings: July 1, July 22 and August 12. Picnic food and assorted beverages, including beer and wine, will be for sale from Hubbard Park Lodge (please, no carry-in alcohol; make your purchase in the park). Concerts will be held rain or shine (rain location inside Hubbard Park Lodge).

This new concert series is presented by North Shore Bank, the Shorewood Foundation and the Village of Shorewood Marketing Program. Other event sponsors include the Shorewood Men’s Club, Chiropractic Company, Culver’s of Shorewood, Edward Jones/Mike O’Brien, Hubbard Park Lodge and Shorewood Family Chiropractic. Make a night of it and bring the whole family! Hubbard Park opens at 5 p.m. and each concert starts at 6:30 p.m. Register to win VIP concert tickets, compliments of North Shore Bank. Visit either of North Shore Bank’s Shorewood locations (3970 N. Oakland Ave. or 4414 N. Oakland Ave.) to enter to win.

Enjoy this all-star musical line up:
July 1: Darele Bisquerra & Trio de Janeiro
Trio de Janeiro strolls the threshold between sand and sea. Be it BossaNova, Vintage Latin, CafeJazz, IslandSol or a splash of Swing, the music exudes a soothing energy. Explore the shore with Trio de Janeiro!

July 22: Streetlife with Warren Wiegratz
A unique blend of R&B, Smooth Jazz and contemporary styles, combining superb musicianship with an exciting stage presence. Recognized countless times with industry music awards, Streetlife is the house band for the Milwaukee Bucks!

August 12: MRS. FUN
Complex and sophisticated, MRS. FUN is a jazz/funk duo composed of keyboard player Connie Grauer and drummer Kim Zick. They have played with Robin Pluer, the Indigo Girls, k.d. lang and many more! Enjoy their electric mix of keyboards and drums in a non-stop action show! 

Hubbard Park, one of Shorewood’s – and Milwaukee’s – best-kept secrets, is located at 3565 N. Morris Blvd. (4 blocks south of Capitol Dr.). To avoid the Capitol Dr. construction, enter Hubbard Park from Menlo, Newton or Beverly off of Oakland Ave. Go west to Morris and then south to the Park entrance. The park is handicapped-accessible at the lower level turnaround.

For more information, call the Village Hall Customer Service Desk at 414.847.2700 or visit www.shorewoodtoday.com.