Halloween Masquerade !

Dust off those masks, pull out those costumes! It's time for the Villa Terrace's most spoooooky time of the year! Join us this Saturday for a night full of thrills. Live music, interactive trick or treating and of course a haunting face or two are just a few of things in store for our guests.

The night gets going at 8 pm and we look forward to seeing your best costume ideas brought to fruition! [There might or might not be prizes for those who succeed in impressing!]

To make sure you've got a spot for the night, go ahead and give us a call here at the museum this week and reserve one!

Quality time with Lake Michigan.

One of my new favorite past times at the Villa is scurrying to the terrace to see what color the lake is that day. I’m amazed by the hues of greens, blues and even brown that this beautiful body of water can evolve into. Perhaps an art project in the making, discovering the different shades of Lake Michigan? 

Autumn. Fall. Autumn. Fall. Autumn. Fall.

IMPORTANT: Mandatory request [yes, I am aware that is an oxymoron] that everyone comes to the Villa Terrace to see how beautiful the garden looks with all of the trees changing colors. I spent my lunch break down there today and could not believe how gorgeous it all looks! Do yourself a huge favor and grab your favorite person or two, [possibly sneak in a hot beverage] and take a garden stroll in this lovely autumn air.  

Let’s step up this blogging thing, yes? In a hope to get everyone more excited about the museums, I will do my best to keep writing and informing. After a rather nice staff meeting last night, a few tidbits to relate:

First off, the age-old question of when the summer plants will be going back to their winter home has been answered.. drum roll.... September 29, which I’ve just realized is tomorrow. [Golly, has summer flown by!] All this to say then, if you don’t stop over today, you will need to wait until next year [distance makes the heart grow fonder, eh?]

You have a bit more time to see the water fountain staircase in action, as that is not scheduled to close down until October 17^th [though, the rule to not walk down the staircase still stands, cold weather or not we are watching you!]

Fall isn’t just about taking away things from you though..  we have some great options for lovely times at the museums as well! You just need to decide whether to come get artsy at the Harvest Festival [Charles Allis] on Saturday, October 8 or spooky at the Midnight in the Garden [Villa Terrace] on October 29. ..or both?

In an artistic vein, the 100-year anniversary show is wrapping up at the Charles Allis. So, if you haven’t had a chance to check it out this whole year, come do so!

Additionally, our curators have been working on a new presentation of the Charles Allis’ extensive collection of Antoine-Louis Barye’s bronze animal sculptures. I have yet to see the French sculptor’s pieces in person, but from what I’ve heard, I am quite excited to do so! This should be opening up tomorrow if my source is correct.

Lastly, just to keep you on your toes... I’ve just heard of an AMAZING sounding show that will be coming to the Villa Terrace the beginning of next year. Stay tuned to find out more at a later date!

End of Summer Café.

It didn’t take long for me to feel all warm and fuzzy with the café community at the Villa Terrace. I soon learned the ‘regulars’ and it became a genuinely wonderful way to spend my Sunday mornings. Now that our last café of the summer season is fast approaching, it’s a bit hard to keep the melancholy feelings at bay.

Rain [cold] or shine [hot], the good people of Milwaukee and guests to our fair city poured in to the Villa. Coffee and pastry in hand, to listen to wonderful music and relax in one of the city’s most beautiful public spaces [yes, I know I am biased. But, everyone thinks so! I promise, they tell me!]

One gets use to the familiar faces and Sunday morning chats that the café affords. If for some unknown reason [procrastination?] you have not made it to the Sopra Mare at the Villa this summer, you are not out of luck just yet. You have one more café of the summer season to attend.

This upcoming Sunday, September 25 make your way to the Villa. To cap off our musical treats this summer, we have The World Wind Jazz Trio [saxophone, bass, and keyboard].

Don’t let regret sneak up on you this winter because you missed out on the end of summer’s fun! 

[Shamefully overdue account.]

The Charles Allis was full of hot dogs, ice cream and a painted face or two this past month. Children of all ages roamed into the museum to buy festival tickets and partake of the carnival like atmosphere. Dressed to the nines in our bow ties and hats, the events staff and several [amazing] volunteers created a fun-filled atmosphere reminiscent of everyone’s grade school festivals, cakewalk and all.

We had quite the crowd to come help us celebrate at the Allis. Whether you sat sipping a root beer float or taking one of Norman’s [world-famous] museum tours, you were bound to find something that held your interest on the beautiful Sunday. We also welcomed several new members into the CAVT membership family!

If you weren’t able to make the festive day, do take a look at some of the photos that were obtained.

[The Charles Allis was the proud owner of its house-made photo bobeche.]

Allis After Hours.

This month’s Allis After Hours was a quality use of a Thursday night! Though not the typical turn out [we’ll chalk it up to the heat and one’s inability to go out in it] the night was still characteristic of the Allis. There was the usual handful of wonderfully eclectic individuals all gathering to enjoy the museum and the music. The lower than normal attendance gave the opportunity for the monthly jazz night to become even more intimate. Jazz pianist, Jamie Johns entertained the crowd with requests and though a self-proclaimed non-singer was quick to oblige when his voice was needed.

As always, I met some new delightful people who continuously help me to understand and appreciate Milwaukee in a deeper sense. Whether it be learning about the history of a neighborhood or an art exhibit to check out, there’s always something new to hear about.  I am so thankful for my time spent at the museums and the way it allows me to interact with this beautiful city!

August the 18^th will be the next Allis After Hours and I expect to see all of your charming faces there!