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Sunday Sound-off: Should Summerfest go non-smoking?

Published June 28, 2009 at 11:17 a.m.

With the smoking ban just a year away, and public smoking at all all-time low approval rate, do you think Summerfest -- albeit outdoors -- should have no smoking or designated smoking areas? Sound-off, Milwaukee, about public puffing at the Big Gig.

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Shift switch: Root beer barrel worker for a day

Published July 5, 2009 at 4:01 p.m.

For the past 35 years, the root beer barrel has been as ubiquitous at local fairs and festivals as food on a stick. OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Molly Snyder Edler ducked into a barrel for a stint as a soda slinger during a busy day at Summerfest.

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The Chickadees tweet for Summerfest tots

Published July 3, 2009 at 5:45 p.m.

When I saw that local, family-friendly band The Chicakdees were playing again this year at Summerfest, my family and I -- which includes my 6-year-old sons -- decided to make a pilgrimage to check out the band at Summerfest's Children's Theater & Playzone.

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Spoon dished it out and we ate it all up

Published June 30, 2009 at 1:31 a.m.

When I interviewed Spoon just days before its Pabst Theater stop on its "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga" tour in 2007, all drummer Jim Eno wanted to talk about was Summerfest.

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Live blog: KISS at the Marcus Amphitheater

Published June 27, 2009 at 8:03 p.m.

As soon as the folks at Summerfest announced that KISS was headlining the first Saturday night at the Big Gig, we knew who we wanted to cover it for us. Our friend Kevin Brandt, better known as "KB" from the "Dave and Carole Morning Show" on WKLH (96.5 FM), is a longtime ally of the KISS Army, has seen a number of the group's shows and use Twitter to transmit updates throughout the show.

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Bon Jovi keeps the faith

Published June 26, 2009 at 1:41 a.m.

As mentioned in yesterday's preview, Bon Jovi should really be credited for much more than its ability to make dudes rock out with its anthems, women swoon with its odes to endless love and power ballad compilations rich with its nostalgic offerings.

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Shift switch: Summerfest bartender for a day

Published June 30, 2009 at 4:03 p.m.

With the Big Gig in full swing, we thought it would be fun to send senior editor Drew Olson into another "shift switch" assignment -- this time as a bartender at Summerfest. After spending 25 years in front of the various bars on the grounds, Olson stepped into a beer stand near the rock stage and poured beers for thirsty patrons. He left with sore legs and hips, a little tip money in his pocket and a new appreciation for the people who pour.

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McCurdy returns to Summerfest stage on June 24

Published May 12, 2010 at 1:05 p.m.

After a two-year hiatus, Milwaukee singer-songwriter Pat McCurdy returns to the Big Gig this year. McCurdy will perform in the 10 p.m. slot on June 24 -- the festival's opening night -- at the Briggs and Stratton Big Backyard. He will follow a set by Grammy-winning pop star Colbie Calliet.

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Battle determines four bands' Break in to the Big Gig

Published May 9, 2010 at 11:01 a.m.

Break in to the Big Gig, a local battle of the bands event organized by Up and Under bartender / promotions director Roy Henning, is approaching finals, the outcome of which determines who will be gearing up to play to the masses from a Summerfest stage this year.