Saturday, May 30, 2009

Bay View July 4th Music Street Festival

Rather than responding positively to the announcement that there will be a FREE music street festival in Bay View on the 4th of July, my first reaction was concern.

Given the trouble at the 2009 Dan Jansen Family Fest, as well as past incidents at RiverSplash and Juneteenth Day celebrations, the thought of a FREE festival based on music combined with beer makes me nervous.

Hopefully, my concerns are unwarranted. I'm reacting emotionally rather than rationally. There's no reason to assume that thugs will rule and violence will reign at the Red, White & Blue Ribbon festival.

I hope it turns out to be a wonderful neighborhood event that all can enjoy this 4th of July. I hope the festival will be a peaceful, happy gathering.

I also hope there will be plenty of security to maintain order and provide people with confidence that they'll be safe.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks will headline a free - that's right, free - street festival in Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood on July 4.

The festival, scheduled to start at 1 p.m. at S. Kinnickinnic Ave. and E. Potter St., is sponsored by the Pabst Theater and Pabst Blue Ribbon beer, which explains its name: Red, White & Blue Ribbon.

Malkmus, who made his mark in indie rock fronting the band Pavement, has taken his strong following along with him on his solo career. A full lineup for the festival is expected to be announced soon, according to the Pabst Theater.

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