Downtown Milwaukee announces new events as an icebreaker to winter
New public art installation, an ice bar, and Broadway-themed ice skating offer families a great escape
MILWAUKEE (January 5, 2023) – Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 is embracing our city’s coolness. The organization is working with downtown partners to celebrate winter with interactive art experiences, Broadway-themed ice skating and more. Among the new offerings this winter are “Lightfield” by HYBYCOZO presented by Johnson Financial Group and an ice bar at Cathedral Square Park, as well as “Broadway Skates” at Red Arrow Park.
“Lightfield” by HYBYCOZO presented by Johnson Financial Group will open at Cathedral Square Park with two nights of festivities on Thursday, Jan. 19 and Friday, Jan. 20. Coordinated by Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 as part of their public art initiatives, “Lightfield” is an immersive installation featuring the work of the Ukrainian and Canadian artist duo, HYBYCOZO. The installation will feature eight geometric ground sculptures and 16 hanging lanterns suspended from the park’s trees. The installation will be available for public viewing through May 5, 2023.
Join City leaders and project organizers for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19. Attendees are then invited to enjoy an ice bar carved by Art Below Zero and hosted by Oak Barrel Public House, music sets by local DJs, and s’mores from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19 and Friday, Jan. 20. Attendees can also visit Taylor’s, 795 N. Jefferson St., for an afterparty both nights starting at 8 p.m.
The premiere of “Lightfield” by HYBYCOZO is also a kickoff to Gallery Night MKE, which will enliven 30 galleries, museums, boutiques, and restaurants throughout downtown on Friday, Jan. 20 and Saturday, Jan. 21. A complete list of participants can be found at www.gallerynightmke.com.
Musical theater-loving families can skate alongside professional figure skaters during “Broadway Skates” at Red Arrow Park’s “Slice of Ice” rink. The new event series, coordinated by the newly formed Milwaukee Theater District, will highlight upcoming Broadway shows at the Marcus Performing Arts Center with themed skating events, including HAIRSPRAY on Friday, Jan. 20 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Disney’s FROZEN on Saturday, Feb. 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“Broadway Skates” will feature professional figure skating performances by Ice Theatre MKE and Wisconsin Figure Skating Club, a larger-than-life “show globe” photo-op, ice sculptures, local DJs, specialty lighting and special giveaways available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Marcus Performing Arts Center will host HAIRSPRAY, February 7 – 12, 2023, and Disney’s FROZEN, April 6 – 16, 2023. More info is available at www.visitmilwaukee.org/mketheaterdistrict.
“Our latest roster of events demonstrates that Downtown Milwaukee is a year-round hot spot with entertainment for everyone, even during the chilly months,” said Beth Weirick, CEO of Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21. “Whether families decide to embrace the cold weather or stay cozy indoors, downtown has something for everyone.”
Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 will bundle other area happenings in a calendar listing at the organization’s website, www.milwaukeedowntown.com. Its “Winter in the City” page will include other family-friendly activities such as the Milwaukee Bucks’ Family Night Out and Monster Jam to magical live performances by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and sight-seeing with Historic Milwaukee’s Skywaukee Tours.
In addition, the page also highlights Downtown Milwaukee’s skywalk system – a 1.75-mile temperature-controlled network connecting hotels, attractions, restaurants and more – as well as a map of downtown’s public art – some contained within the skywalk system. For a complete list of winter activations, tours, and events in Downtown Milwaukee, visit www.milwaukeedowntown.com/bid-events/winter.
“Lightfield” by HYBYCOZO is presented by Johnson Financial Group and coordinated by Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21. Other sponsors include Herb Kohl Philanthropies, Madison Medical Affiliates, Events by Design, and Milwaukee County Parks. “Broadway Skates” is presented by Marcus Performing Arts Center, Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21, Events by Design, and Milwaukee County Parks.
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