…and a whole lot more.

Four-day passes are now available and get you into every Radio Summer Camp show from July 27 – July 30 (update: this now includes the Kick-Off show with Ted Leo and the Pharmacists on July 27th at Turner Hall Ballroom). This means that over the course of three days you get to see over 60 bands at 10 different venues for only $20. Pretty cool, huh?

You can browse the tabs at the top of this page for the full Radio Summer Camp schedule, Backyard BBQ details and all the great sponsors that make this festival possible.

During yesterday’s Girlina Show (every Thursday, Noon – 3PM), DJ Dori Zori sat down and talked with Lauryl and Evelyn from the Girls to the Front Festival, “a three day party dedicated to the legacy and persevering spirit of the riot grrrl movement!” As proud sponsors of this event, we here at WMSE highly encourage you to attend. The entire three day event is family friendly, filled with workshops and shows and, well, check out the complete event calendar here.

(Make special note of Sunday’s Community Potluck & Sunday Morning Dance Party at Cream City Collective. Breakfast hasn’t sounded so fun since the epic Saturday Morning cartoons runs of the ’80s!)

And in case you missed it, we’re offering up the entire interview segment as a downloadable MP3:

download: Girls to the Front MKE – Girlina Show interview MP3

Come back Monday and let us know what you attended, how it was, and how much fun you had!

Most things.

This year’s Food Slam silent auction features three items that seem way too good to be true. But they’re real. As real as rainbows and peat moss and Starsky & Hutch remakes. And they’re from three of Milwaukee’s most well-known concert venues. Prepare to have your precious minds blown, Milwaukee:

1. 365 DAYS OF PLANET ROCK
Riverwest’s funky classic, Mad Planet, has always been generous when it comes to Food Slam’s silent auction. But this year, they out-generoused themselves. Instead of donating one (1) year-long pass to attend any and every event Mad Planet throws, they’ve donated two (2). That means you and a friend/lover/police escort could potentially go to every single show there, together! We’re talking local bands, nationally touring acts, and even The Get Down!

+ + + + + + + + +

2. $100 x 4 = THANK THE RAVE
We don’t have a Math degree, but we’re pretty sure that four (4) $100 gift cards is pretty awesome. And according to our abacus, $100 x 4 = $400! That means, thanks to The Rave, you have a chance to buy $400 worth of concert tickets to the seemingly endless stream of shows happening at this legendary Milwaukee venue, without spending a single dime. Why do I get the feeling that this item’s going to have a serious bidding war around it?

+ + + + + + + + +

3. THE BEST DINNER PARTY YOU’LL EVER HAVE. EVER. I MEAN IT.
It’s not enough that the Pabst Theater Foundation raised the bar for concert-going experiences in Milwaukee on Earth. Now they want to redefine dinner parties for you. Want the details? Well, I’m just going to go ahead and paste the copy they sent us describing their donated Food Slam auction item, because I’m getting a little light-headed from the awesomeness:

DINNER BACKSTAGE @ THE RIVERSIDE… WHERE THE BANDS DINE!

Here’s a unique venue for a dinner party. Chef to the Stars Kevin Sloan will cater a dinner for four guests BACKSTAGE  in the Dining Room at the Riverside Theater. It usually requires a back- stage pass to experience this chef’s cuisine. The former restaurant owner who also worked at Sanford and Lake Park Bistro has created four-star meals for dozens of entertainers from The National to Neil Young. Mix and mingle with staff from WMSE and the Pabst Theater for an evening to remember.

You will win dinner for four people (4), and will be joined by staff from WMSE and the Pabst.

Sweet Mother Hubbard! You best believe if money trees weren’t too good to be true, I’d pick enough fiscal fruit to win all three of these items. Of course, I’d probably have to quit my day job so I could actually attend all the concerts I could get into for free. Then again, I’d also hypothetically have a money tree at this point, so let’s just say “job, schmob” and be done with it.

On to business, though. Specifically: the business of looking (and feeling) good. Food Slam will make your belly feel good. And full. But if you eat like I do, you’ll walk away with a tiny gut, food in your hair, and countless other blemishes due to never really learning how to eat like a gentleman. Luckily, the auction offers a few items for you to bid on… items that will help turn Goofus’s like me into Gallants you can take home to mother:

1. Our pals at The Establishment know the value of a good grooming. Which is why they’ve generously donated three very important grooming elements to the Food Slam this year, courtesy of their dynamic duo Molly & Annie. Molly will be offering a haircut and pure focus facial, and Annie will be offering a Brazilian wax. Plus, you’ll get to hang at The Establishment, which always feels like a party. A party where you walk out prettier.

+ + + + + + + + +

2. If you’re one of those girls (or guys) who feels a little naked without make-up on, you’ll want to aim your bidding money at Blush Beauty Inc.‘s generously donated make-up party… for you and three friends! Immediately, I imagined Gene Simmons bidding on this, because he understands the value of both the dollar, and a good make-up job. Plus, he has three friends who share his affinity for the painted face. But then I snapped back to reality, and envisioned my wife bidding, winning, and turning it into a Girlinas Day Out. Perhaps you should choose your four early, attend Food Slam together, and work together to dominate the bidding sheet!

+ + + + + + + + +

3. At this point, you’ve won a day of grooming at The Establishment, and a make-up party for you and three of your finest amigos. What on Earth could possibly top all that? How about a one-hour massage from some folks who know the spine better than the guy who invented it! (Note: I’m very aware the spine wasn’t invented.) Nowak & Lewis, who are big supporters of the South Shore Farmer’s Market, have graciously donated an hour of their time (and hands) to set you straight, literally. Of course you’ll have to drop your three friends and their fantastic make-up jobs off somewhere while you experience 60 minutes of sheer, vertebrae-aligning bliss, but it’ll be worth it.

+ + + + + + + + +

4. Of course, no conversation about grooming oneself back to decency would be complete without a trip to the gym. Or 365 trips to the gym, which is what the well-toned folks at Anytime Fitness have offered up for our silent auction. Place the winning bid, and you’ll own a year-long membership to one of their Milwaukee-area facilities. Which means you’ll need to buy some “welcome back” cards for your abs.

Sound good? It does to me. We’ll be back tomorrow with even MORE items you’ll be able to bid on in our auction. And keep an eye on the Food Slam blog to see which area eatery Erin features next!

Though Food Slam is equal parts food tasting and silent auction, sometimes, the food component carries over IN to the silent auction. Case in point: today’s featured auction items.

1. RISHI TEA’S BIG BUNDLE OF CHAI AWESOMENESS
Not to be confused with other famous teas like “Mister” and “Ice-,” Rishi Tea is Milwaukee’s very own environmentally responsible, socially conscious, award-winning tea company. Over the last few years, they’ve become a community-supporting force to be reckoned with, popping up as proud sponsors of everything from small film festivals to Global Union to us! So it should come as no surprise that they’re generosity continues with our Food Slam silent auction. This year, Rishi is donating a large glass pitcher, some chai concentrate (yum), a super-soft and beautiful chai t-shirt, 3 loose leaf chai teas (yum again) and a Rishi tote bag to carry it home in. If you’ve yet to experience the beverage magic that is Rishi, consider this your starter kit. And if you’re a proud Rishi Tea-junkie like I am, consider this the biggest score of your October 2 weekend.

2. MARTITA’S MIXERS GUILTLESS MARGARITA GIFT SET
I know what you’re thinking: “Why would anyone ever feel guilty about enjoying a Margarita?” Frankly, I don’t know. Or I didn’t, anyway, until I looked up how many calories are in one of those delicious bad boys. The answer? Click here. Terrifying! Cue the Superman theme song, though, because Martita’s Mixers is about to save your salted-glass day. This locally based company makes a Guiltless Margarita Mix is only 5 calories per 5 oz. serving. And when you add that to 1 oz. of Tequila (roughly 75 calories, according to Martita’s site), you get a delicious beverage that has almost 1/3 of the calories that the traditional one we looked up does! I can hear my waistline shrinking already! I can also hear you  getting excited about the fact that, at Food Slam, you could bid on their fantastic donated prize pack: two bottles of Martita’s Guiltless Margarita Mix, a bottle of Tequila, and four Margarita glasses!

3. CABOT CREAMERY COOPERATIVE = CHEESE!
Frankly, I don’t need to work too hard to get you all excited about this one. I mean, I’m lactose-intolerant and even I think this is pretty sweet. Plus, you’re supporting the 1,200 farm family-dairy cooperative that is Cabot Creamery Cooperative.  Which means you’re actually doing something good and responsible for the world by eating this cheese. What cheese, you ask? Well, check out this wild list of items our new friends at Cabot are donating to the Food Slam auction:

• 1-pound Cabot Vintage Choice Waxed cheddar cheese
• 1-pound Cabot Private Stock Waxed cheddar cheese
• 2-pound Cabot Sharp White cheddar cheese
• 1 (8-oz.) bar Cabot 50% Reduced-Fat White cheddar cheese
• 1 (8-oz.) bar Cabot Sharp White cheddar cheese
• 1 (8-oz.) bar Cabot Extra Sharp White cheddar cheese
• 1 (8-oz.) bar Cabot Seriously Sharp White cheddar cheese
• Wooden cutting board
• Embroidered apron

Word on the cheese street is you might be able to sample some of their sharp cheddar, and nab a brochure for all your holiday ordering needs. But let’s just keep that between us. Otherwise, those samples will be gone before you get there.

Let’s part ways here, ladies and gents. This is more than enough to keep you from using actual billable hours today. But check back this week for more Food Slam auction item previews, as well as a paragraph or two about the featured restaurants you’ll be sampling when you attend. And you will attend. (Note: that was a Jedi mind trick.)

Ride, Rise, Roar – David Byrne is has been making great and creative music for a few decades now, but unlike a great many aging musicians, he hasn’t lost a step. This film chronicles Byrne’s 2008-09 tour (you might have see the Milwaukee show) “that melded pop music and modern dance in innovative ways.”

Variety said, “At the start of “Ride, Rise, Roar,” as a white-suited David Byrne launches into an exuberant rendition of “Once in a Lifetime” backed by a perfectly attuned ensemble of similarly clad dancers, vocalists and musicians, it’s clear: This ain’t no party, this ain’t no disco, this ain’t no humdrum concert documentary.”

Soundtrack for a Revolution – Soundtrack for a Revolution, an aptly titled film that demonstrates how music is often intertwined with the world at large. Music didn’t just act as a passive companion piece to a revolution, it played a key role in inspiring protests during the 1950′s and ’60′s civil rights movement. We may never again see music wield such massive influence over an entire generation of progressive thinkers.

Cut with footage of that time, you’ll hear and see clips of the music that played so important a role, and you’ll also see and hear vibrant new renditions of enduring civil rights anthems by current artists including The Blind Boys of Alabama, Anthony Hamilton, Wyclef Jean, John Legend, Joss Stone, TV on the Radio and The Roots.

Who is Harry Nilsson (And Why is Everybody Talking About Him)? – Harry Nilsson is that kind of songwriter that everyone recognizes, but nobody knows. OK, maybe YOU, the Frontier Radio audiences is more knowledgeable than most and know exactly who is Harry Nilsson. But your are hardcore music fans, not just background music listeners.

Nilsson is loved by some of the world’s most important artists. From musicians like the Beatles and Brian Wilson to filmmakers the irk of Tarantino, pop culture icons of the last several decades have been immensely influenced by this enigmatic songwriter.

“This one really hit me between the eyes. As someone who grew up listening primarily to the music of the 50s, 60s and 70s, of course I knew of Harry Nilsson, but I really knew nothing about his life. I even didn’t realize that a few songs I love… were his songs.”— Ain’t It Cool News

Rejoice and Shout – We were going to try to put our own spin on this, but it was so perfectly laid out by Spinning Matters.

“Rejoice and Shout, the latest music documentary from director Don McGlynn is the most thoroughly researched and exhaustive film about African-American gospel music ever committed to film. In telling the story of gospel in America, it simultaneously mirrors the entire narrative of the African-American experience, beginning with slavery and ending with the election of the nation’s first black president.”- Spinning Platters

Right?

Mark My Words – Finally, we bring you Milwaukee and the spoken word crafters so often invisible to the general public, but who always, always pack a significant cultural and artistic punch.

Lemmy Tell You About Music, Man: Music Documentaries about Senor Kilmister, David Byrne & Other Great Music Makers

Like we said, we are absolutely thrilled to help present this series of fantastic music documentaries. The six films in the Lemmy Tell You About Music, Man series pretty well reflect our programming philosophy, meaning as a whole, the series features everything from Metal to Gospel. We’ll be telling you about all the films individually, but since we named the series after the dude – the metal god-devil – here’s a little bit about Lemmy.

Lemmy – A film that needs no subtitle. There’s Lemmy, and there’s everyone else. He’s about a singular musical figure as singular musical figures get.

A documentary as distinctive and uncompromising as the grizzled subject it details, Lemmy casts new light into the life and works of one of the longest and hardest-rocking lead singers in the history of heavy metal: Motörhead’s iconic Ian ‘Lemmy’ Kilmister. The biggest names in rock and roll (Slash, Ozzy Osbourne, Henry Rollins) all contribute to this definitive portrait of a rock god. Wired says, He looks like a biker, swears like a sailor and lives the only way he knows how: like a rock ‘n’ roll machine.

We’re right now planning and scheduling an interview with the directors of this film when the get into town. Let’s just say that if their film has even half the personality of its directors, or 1/8th the personality of the film’s subject, this is a film that you will never, ever forget. It will live and breathe in that space in the brain reserved for raunch and debauchery…the part of the brain that leads you to not follow stupid rules.

Seriously, you are going to love this film. An no, you don’t have to be a metal fan to dig into Lemmy. Just as last year you didn’t have to be a metal junkie to thoroughly enjoy Anvil: The Story of Anvil, this film, and the films protagonist, are perfect for the big screen.

Showtimes:
Ridge Cinema 2: Friday, October 1st – 7:15pm
Oriental Theater: Saturday, October 2nd – 7:30pm

We’re a mere few weeks away from our 9th Annual Food Slam event, and if you’re still on the fence about attending (we do have a few tickets left), allow me to woo you a bit with this bullet-pointed list. Because everyone loves bullet-pointed lists. Except numbers. They want you to love numbered lists.

• Food Slam is essentially an all-you-can-eat buffet for folks who don’t want the caloric burden of full-plate chow sessions. Each restaurant brings a small, tapas-sized portion for you to sample. Which means you could potentially sample it multiple times before it equals one full trip to a normal buffet.

• Have you ever been been in a conversation where people are talking about a hot new Milwaukee restaurant, but you’ve never been there so you feel like a clueless schmuck? Attending Food Slam will not only allow you to become familiar with some hot new (and old) Milwaukee restaurants, it will also give you a specific dish to talk about. Who’s the embarrassed schmuck now, other-people-in-the-conversation?

• Your entire $30 ticket is a tax write-off. Nothing appeals to recession-era American more.

• Your entire $30 ticket supports 91.7 FM WMSE. Bonus!

• There’s a rather hefty auction of items from area businesses and artist: art, music, gift cards, apparel, and cleverly assembled theme packs that tend to draw some serious bidding wars. Who doesn’t love a good bidding war?

• Did we mention that, if you win an auction item, that counts as a donation to us also? Double-play!

• When was the last time you got to eat and drink in an art museum?

• We have the best DJs on the airwaves, and three of them will be soundtracking the evening. Bootleggers are welcome.

• The event ends early. Which means you can come to Food Slam, eat a bunch of really great things, have a few drinks, win a few cool auction items, and still have an entire Friday night out ahead of you. Because everyone knows the nightlife here in Milwaukee doesn’t really get started until around 10 PM.

Seeing as how my highly-convincing list has you jonesing for a Food Slam ticket, I give you the online link (click here) to purchase one (or ten). You can also get them by mail or in person. (See here.) And while we do usually have tickets available at the door the night of the event, we’re not sure they’ll last that long. Better safe than sorry.

Tomorrow, I’ll start digging in to some of the restaurants who will be serving up plates of awesome at Food Slam, as well as some of the auction items we’ll be featuring. Check back, mis amigos!

(Note: Through Wednesday, I, dwellephant, will be filling in for Sonic Diet’s Editor and CEO, Erin Wolfe. Think of it less as a substitution, and more along the lines of, well, actually, I guess it is a substitution after all.)

First there was the album I was definitely looking forward to. Then th

Coffee, Bagels and Donuts – 9:30am

First Session Topics 10:20am to 11:10am
1. Getting Gigs. Learn the process bookers use to select bands. Learn what they’re looking for in a performer and the best methods for approaching venues for potential gigs.

Expert Panel:
Marc Solheim, Booking Agent; Turner Hall, Pabst Theater and Riverside Theater
Scott Ziel: Owner, Pursuit Live agency and Booking Agent; Summerfest

Moderated by: Ryan Schleicher, Promotions Director; WMSE

2. Basement Tapes. What does it take to record a good demo? How do you build the best basement studio for the least amount of money? What do you need to do Before you get to the professional studio? What happens during the recording process?

Expert Panel:
Billy Ciccarelli, Recording Engineer; WMSE

Moderated by: Dan Niedziejko, Drummer and home studio builder

3. I’m Sick! Musicians face special challenges in navigating the maze that is Health Care Policy. Learn about programs available to help musicians gain health care insurance, emergency health care and other low cost health care choices available.

Expert Panel:
Alex Maiolo, founder; Health Insurance Navigation Tool (via SKYPE)

Moderated by: Cody Christenson

Second Session Topics 11:20am to 12:10pm
1. Building Community Resources. Milwaukee Artists Resource Network is active in the arts community. MARN works to assist and advocate for all artists, providing FREE business of music classes, arts advocacy and an opportunities bulletin board. Learn more about how MARN can help you build your network and resources in Milwaukee.

Expert Panel:
Melissa Musante, Executive Director, Milwaukee Artists Resource Network

Moderated by: Tuc Kreuger

2. Equipment 101: It’s one thing to own your Les Paul; it’s totally another to keep it in good repair. Your vintage Marshall stack may sound great today, but is it going to sound great tomorrow? Learn some basic skills you can do to prevent expensive repairs and unnecessary damage to your gear.

Expert Panel:
Jeff Benske, Owner; Top Shelf Guitars and multi-vendor authorized repair expert
Jon Blick, Owner; Blick Engineering

Moderated by: Dan Niedziejko, Drummer and drum restorations

3. Sympathy for the Devil Record labels: What do they really do and can they do it for you. Learn more about the real function of a label and the pros and cons about signing to one.

Expert Panel:
Bruno Johnson, Owner; Okka Disk

Moderated by: Tom Crawford, Station Manager, WMSE

LUNCH BREAK: 12:20pm to 1:30pm

1:30pm to 1:40pm Information on Pablove. The mission of The Pablove Foundation is to fund pediatric cancer research and advances in treatment, educate and empower cancer families, and improve the quality of life for children living with cancer through hospital play, music and arts programs. This foundation was founded by Milwaukee native and Dangerbird Records founder Jeff Castelez.

Third Session Topics 1:45pm to 2:35pm
1. This is Where I Belong Find out how to make a passion for music into a lifelong career. From playing in a touring band to teaching music to others, learn about how to live your life in  music.

Expert Panel:
Scott Schoenbeck, bass player Dashboard Confessional
Erica Breitbarth, Choir teacher at Reagan High School, winner; Wheaton Conservatory of Music Concerto Competition and freelance Conductor/Director/Singer

Moderated by: TBA

2. Press Darlings! Being a professional musician means more than just writing catchy pop tunes. Learn about developing your band’s style, image and presentation. Also, developing your web presence, using social media and how to get the media to notice you.

Expert Panel:
Fred Gillich, Owner & Designer; Too Much Metal For One Hand
Ryan Matteson, Muzzle of Bees Blog & Podcast, and Director of Public Relations on Social Media for Pabst/Riverside/Turner Hall Ballroom

Moderated by: Ryan Schleicher, Promotions Director; WMSE

3. Jazzbos and Classical Hep Cats Jazz, that singularly American art form, is alive and well. The same is true for classical music int he modern world. Be a part of this discussion about current trends in Jazz and classical music. Also, discuss opportunities and resources in the Jazz community.

Expert Panel:
Steve Peplin, Musician, Composer and Teacher
Scott Tisdel, Musician, Milwakee Symphony Orchestra & Prometheus Trio

Moderated by: Chris Stawski, DJ “Dr. Sushi”; host of WMSE’s Free Jazz Barbeque

Fourth Session Topics 2:45pm to 3:35pm
1. Contracts, Band Agreements and the Legal Stuff There comes a time in the life of a band or musician that legal questions bubble up to the top. What percentage of songwriting credit does the drummer get? How can I tell if that contract is fair? What are my legal rights if someone rips off our songs. Learn all this and more.

Expert Panel:
CJ Krawczyk. Attorney at Law; Kravit, Hovel & Krawczyk s.c.

Moderated by: Jeff Schwartz

2. Selling Out As the world becomes smaller through technology and media outlets merge and converge, new outlets and opportunities for getting your music into the ears of listeners. Learn how to license your music for television programs, commercials, fashion shows, movies and more.

Expert Panel:
Darren Wilsey, Musician and Author; The Musicians Guide to Licensing Music
(via SKYPE) –  NOTE: Limited copies of Darren’s book will be available for sale at the check in desk and is always in stock at Boswell’s Books on N. Downer St.

Moderated by: Ryan Schleicher, Promotions Director WMSE

3. On the Road Again Going on tour requires more than jumping in the van. Whether you’re playing Budokon or CBGB’s; learn how to plan and execute a successful road tour without killing the bass player, crashing the van, losing money, getting sick and breaking up the band.

Expert Panel:
Pete Jest, Owner, Alternative Concert Group and Shank Hall
Jon Mueller, Owner Crouton Music and Musician, Collection of Colonies of Bees

Moderated by: Tom Crawford, Station Manager; WMSE