A FEAST AWAITS
to press, what strikes me is the wide variety of voices on these pages, some familiar, others new. While they all seem to work together to form a cohesive whole, they are in no way homogeneous. Rather, they represent a variety of topics and opinions, offering fresh perspectives and plenty of entertainment.
I’m thrilled to present Chris Arnade’s photos and stories about North Siders who originally hail from the Southern states (“Great Migrants,” page 54). I became aware of Chris’ work several years ago, when he was documenting prostitutes and addicts in the South Bronx. The photos were arresting: at once brutal and compassionate. The portraits and profiles in this story, shot during a particularly chilly week in January, convey strength and stoicism, with a deep underlay of humanity. I was fortunate to join Chris one night at Caspar’s Lounge, where the vibe is friendly and the beer is cheap. Caspar’s is one of many locally owned businesses on the North Side, and is definitely worth a visit.
Many of you are familiar with Michael Perry, either from his books or his syndicated broadcast, “Tent Show Radio.” His “A Cheesehead Ripens” essay that starts on page 42 marks the first time he has written for Milwaukee Magazine, but we hope it’s not the last. Michael is a masterful storyteller, with a wit that’s Wisconsin through and through.
Bringing it back to the local scene, our cover story (“Table Talk,” page 44) features eight of the best Milwaukee chefs, who gathered around a table and responded to a barrage of questions with candor, humor and gobs of insight. While each had his or her own inside-the-kitchen point of view, they all were passionate about what they do, about Milwaukee, and about providing a great experience for their customers.
We continue to look for new ways to bring the magazine to life, and to interact with you, the reader. Our MilMag Live! @ The Back Room at Colectivo continues to pack the house. On March 6, we’re partnering with WUWM’s Project Milwaukee for a discussion about race in our city. I hope to see you there. And on April 19th, we’re partnering with Bartolotta’s to host our first ever Chef Event at Downtown Kitchen, where guests will have the opportunity to taste dishes prepared by the chefs in this month’s feature story. This promises to be a highlight of the spring season, and if you’re a food lover like me, you won’t want to miss it. For information on both events, visit our web site at milwaukeemag.com. carole@milwaukeemag.com @CaroleNicksin