February 14th is Valentine's Day and, though many consider it a "Hallmark" holiday, the celebration actually dates back to Roman times; a fertility festival called "Lupercalia." Times have certainly changed.  Today, Valentine's Day is celebrated by friends, family, and lovers, alike, and whether you need a treat for your kids or a romantic gift for your significant other, there are plenty of great, local choices in Oz.

Chocolate is the most common Valentine's Day gift, and Oz is home to several very fine chocolate shops!  Chocolate Chisel in Port Washington always has fresh, chocolate covered strawberries available for the occasion, as well as a wide variety of milk and dark chocolates to choose from.  A beautiful caramel apple from Amy's Candy Kitchen in downtown Cedarburg makes a wonderful Valentine's gift and, while you're in town, make it a gift from Cedarburg with something from Ashley's Confectionery, too!  If you're in the Grafton area, stop into Sweet Trio  or Handmade with Love for a delicious variety of chocolates, candy and caramel apples, or, if you're in the southern Ozaukee neck of the woods, Mequon has the Cocoa Tree Confectionary. 

Flowers is another Valentine's Day favorite and Oz has the goods!  In Saukville, try Lighthouse Florist; in Grafton, there's the Bloomin Olive.  Cedarburg has Rachel's Roses, while Mequon has La Terre at the Mequon Public Market.

Perhaps the lovely lady in your life has Jewelry in mind?  You can't go wrong with Armbruster Jewelers in Cedarburg or Sharbuno Jewelers in Port Washington; both family businesses who have been in their community for many years.  Wyndrose and Pagoda Fine Jewelry in Cedarburg are also local favorites.

Really, though, does anything say "love" better than Coffee? Check out Java House or Cedarburg Coffee Roastery in Cedarburg, Java Dock or Banjole's Brews in Port Washington or Colectivo in Grafton or Mequon.  Also in Mequon is the delightful Cafe 1505, which has treats, breakfast and lunch, and is also a full service coffee bar.

​Looking for a special Dinner out?  In Port Washington, Twisted Willow has a special dinner from the 9th through the 10th and the Moonlight Tavern has theirs just on the 14th or 17th, or hit up Beanies Mexican Restaurant for a Cupid Margarita!  Brandywine in Cedarburg is always a good bet on the 14th or you could try Brunch Cedarburg, who has a three course Valentine's Brunch from the 12th through the 16th. Another option is the Sweetheart Trio Tasting at Cedar Creek Winery on the 10th or 11th, where you can get a nice wine tasting paired with cheese, chocolate, and other snacks, no reservation required.  Shully's Cuisine in Thiensville is offering an amazing 7-Course Dinner on the 9th that looks hard to pass up.  Bistro de Renard and the Foxtown Annex both have Valentine's Day Dinner options on 14th.  No No's in Newburg or Messina Italian Restaurant​ in Saukville are other considerations.

What about the littles in your life?  Try Art of Joy's School's Out Valentine's Party on the 9th or the Valentine's Cooking Class for Kids at the Mequon Public Market.

For something really different, you might want to attend the Ozaukee Food Alliance's "For the Love of Meat" Raffle at Sahale Ale Works in Grafton.  Nothing says love like a meat raffle, am I right?  Finally, for you crafty types, there's a Valentine's Day themed Sip & Paint at Gallery 224 in Port or a Valentine's Day BOGO at Board & Brush in Mequon.

However you share the love, put some Oz into it!  Happy Valentine's Day, everyone.

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By Mary Boyle

​We've all been there: the panic that sets in when the clock is running out and you still haven't found the right gift, realized you forgot someone on your list, or just couldn't get a moment to get out and shop until the bitter end.  Heading to a big box store may seem like the most convenient option, but there are so many amazing local and independent businesses in Oz just waiting to help you!  Supporting local businesses and organizations is the gift that keeps on giving: the money you spend at these places not only stays in our community, but oftentimes helps to support important organizations that make Ozaukee and the greater Ozaukee area so unique and wonderful.  Read on, and find the perfect gifts for everyone on your list!

For the Foodies

Oz is home to some really great restaurants, and a special dinner out could be a lovely gift.  Try Fork & Tap, The Steerage, Plier's Full Circle Pub & Restaurant, or Twisted Willow in Port; Cedarburg has Brandywine, The Stilt House, The Anvil Pub or The Farmstead.  Messina's in Saukville is a good bet, or try No No's in Newburg.  The Stillery in Grafton is a good option, or head down to Mequon and check out The Highland House, the St. Paul Fish Company, or Cafe 1505. A CSA Subscription is another great idea!  For those looking to find unique products or spice up their entertaining, you simply must visit Frannie's Market in Cedarburg, where you'll find items for a fabulous charcuterie board and so much more!

For the Nature Lovers

Oz is home to two amazing nature preserves:  Riveredge in Newburg in the north and Mequon Nature Preserve in the south.  Memberships to both offer access to trails and programming, but also help support environmental restoration and education in Oz.  Besides memberships, Riveredge has a Visitor's Center full of great gifts for the Outdoorsy person in your life, including the syrup they make onsite each spring.

For the Art Lovers

The art community is strong in Oz, and there are a variety of places where original artwork of all kinds can be purchased.  In Cedarburg, try the Cedarburg Art Museum, Cedarburg Cultural Center, or the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts gift shops, but memberships to these organizations also make great gifts. In downtown Cedarburg, you can find local art in many of the gift shops, including Bohemia, the Pink Llama Gallery, and within the Shops of Cedar Creek Settlement.  In Grafton, look no further than the NSAA Arts Mill, where a wide variety of treasures await.  In Port Washington, try the Purple Turtle Artisan Collective or the brand new Mercantile Plaza.

For the Coffee Lovers

If there is one thing the Land of Oz has aplenty, it's good coffee shops.  Gift Certificates are great, of course, but most also offer t-shirts, mugs, and other fun items to show your coffee shop pride.  In Port, there's Java Dock Cafe or Banjole's Brews inside of Lakeside Music & Naturals; in Grafton, we have AM Coffee, NSeven, and Colectivo (also in Mequon); in Cedarburg, there's the Cedarburg Coffee Roastery and Java House.  There is no lack of caffeine in Oz, people.

For the Pet Lovers (and pets!!)

Oz is home to a bounty of wonderful, independent and local places to shop for the pet or pet lover in your life!  In Port Washington, check out One Wag on the corner of Franklin and Jackson St. downtown, which specializes in natural food and nutritional support for your pets.  In Saukville, there's Dawgs In Motion, which has day camp, training classes, a pool, a shop, grooming and more, or Pet Supply Port, which has been in Oz for over 25 years.  In Mequon, try the Feed Bag, which also offers a pool and grooming, as well as a selection for pets beyond dogs and cats.  In Cedarburg, try Landmark Supply, which has been serving the critters of Oz for over 150 years!

For the Beer & Wine Lovers 

Oz is home to a number of breweries, and there are a few winery options, as well.  In Cedarburg, there is the award-winning Cedar Creek Winery, Sunshine Winery and Chiselled Grape Winery, but Cedarburg has two breweries, as well: Rebellion Brewing and The Fermentorium.  In Port Washington, try Inventors Brewpub or Vines to Cellar.  In Grafton there's Sahale Ale Works, or check out Foxtown Brewing in Mequon.

​For those who love to wander through Gift Shops and be inspired...

Sometimes, you just want to wander around and see what might jump out at you, or have someone in the know who has the time to help you find the perfect gift.  If that's you, you could just start at one end of downtown Cedarburg and finish at the other (pay particular attention to Lillies, Weeds, Bohemia, From the Heart and the Cedar Creek Settlement), but Cedarburg isn't your only game!  In Port Washington, try Pear & Simple, Eclectic Avenue, Lakeside Music & Naturals (which has all types of goodies for the musicians in your life, too), Artisan Market (formerly The Shoppes of Port Washington), Port's Cozy Corner, or Locally Inspired.  In Grafton, you must check out Wild & Precious Boutique, and in Mequon you can't go wrong with Creatively Yours.  Finally, in Thiensville, try Frankie's - A Gift Shop.

For the Jewelry Lover

Armbruster Jewelers in Cedarburg has been around since 1884, so you really can't go wrong, there; however, if you're lakeside, check out Sharbuno Jewelers in Port Washington, another family business that has been serving Oz since 1950.  Mequon's East Towne Jewelers boasts over 30 years of business, which is certainly an accomplishment, as well.  Cedarburg has several more unique and boutique shops that may also serve you well, such as Pagoda Fine Jewelry, Wyndrose Fine Jewelry or Jewelry Works.

For the Outdoor Sports Enthusiast

Snowboarding, skiing, cycling, kayaking, skateboarding, and more! Check out Sherper's in Port Washington, or Cedar Creek Outdoors in Cedarburg, Extreme Ski & Bike in Thiensville, or ERIK'S in Grafton.  Surfing on Lake Michigan?  You bet!  Try the Board Shack in Port.

Candy and other Sweet Treats 

On the lookout for candy, the perfect chocolate Santa, or maybe just something to satisfy your holiday sweet tooth?  Oz has you covered!  In Port Washington, you must visit The Chocolate Chisel for some of the best hot chocolate and ice cream in Oz, as well as amazing chocolates.  In Grafton, Sweettrio or Handmade with Love is the place to go for candy, chocolates or caramel apples.  In Cedarburg, you have your choice of Amy's Candy Kitchen, which is known for their caramel apples, or Ashley's Confectionery, which is a great place to find vintage candy and M&M's by the color, as well as chocolates.  No trip to Cedarburg is complete without a stop at Boulangerie du Monde which is, in my humble opinion, the best bakery in the State of Wisconsin. In Mequon, you must visit the Cocoa Tree Confectionery (and, if you have a great sense of humor and aren't easily offended, follow them on Facebook for some weekly laughs;)! 

For the Kids (and Kids at Heart)

When you're shopping for children, to place to buy toys in Ozaukee County has been the Cedarburg Toy Co. for the past 12 years; however, owners Zach and Natasha Loos recently announced that this will be their final holiday season; they closed their doors due to low inventory this past weekend. Word on the street is that there are new owners to take over the business after the holiday season, which I certainly hope is the case.  Cedarburg would not be the same without this delightful little shop.  

If you have a gamer in your life, you'll definitely want to stop at Game N' Repair in Belgium, where you can find new toys and collectibles, game systems and games, or get almost anything repaired, including your mobile phones!

​The important thing to remember about gift giving, especially this time of year, is not to buy stuff just to buy stuff.  Slow down and try to really be present with people.  The gift of your time is one of the best things you can give.  As a theatre lover, I can strongly recommend the gift of a night out at one of the many area theatre companies, which you can find on our #EditorOfOzReviews page.  That being said, when you do want to give something, consider giving a gift that gives back to our community and buy local this holiday season.  

By Mary Boyle
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Once upon a time, most of the fresh food available for purchase at the grocery store or market was produced locally; the systems simply did not exist to transport fresh food economically, so fresh produce was mainly limited to what could be grown nearby. In Wisconsin, with our long, cold winters, this meant that farmers had to know how to extend the growing season, as well as how to store produce properly so that it could be utilized until spring finally arrived. What couldn’t survive fresh was preserved in a variety of ways, either by individuals, the farmers or, as time went on, companies that specialized in canning food. This was why, when my mother was a child in the 1950’s, getting an orange in the toe of your stocking on St. Nick’s at the beginning of a Wisconsin winter was a treasured treat. Were we able to beam ourselves back fifty years to a local grocery store, most of us would be shocked at how little choices were available for fresh produce, especially in the dead of winter.

The availability of cheap oil gradually changed our local food systems into a global one. More vehicles needed good roads, which went on to replace the trains that were once the only way for food to travel long distances (and only food that could survive the trip). Eventually, even airplanes became an economical option and, with speed like that, we can now find fresh raspberries and tomatoes grown in Mexico or South America in vast produce aisles in the middle of February in Wisconsin. The convenience and availability are so commonplace, we are no longer aware of what a luxury it is…or what the real costs are, not just in the quality of the food, which is often picked long before ripeness, so it travels well (or is even bred to be sturdier for travel), nor in the environmental cost caused by more vehicles on the roads and planes in the air burning more fossil fuels, but also in the gradual loss of local food systems.

The need for redeveloping a year-round market for local food has become more obvious as we witness the disruption in the supply chain caused by environmental, political, and economic upheavals: the farther our food and other products must travel, the more likely it is that the supply will be disrupted.  A community that solely relies on food produced outside its borders will not fare well should those outside systems be disturbed, be it from a pandemic, natural disaster or some other event we haven’t happened upon, yet.  Furthermore, we have already seen how the price of oil affects the cost of goods that must travel long distances to reach us; this isn’t really an issue when the product isn’t something we actually require, such as the latest smart phone or a particular brand of shoes, but it is not impossible to imagine a time when food that must be transported could become too costly.  

Ozaukee and the surrounding area is blessed to have a number of long-running and popular outdoor Farmers Markets between June and October, offering the opportunity to purchase food and other goods straight from the producer, which benefits the consumer because they’re able to know exactly where and how the food is produced, and benefits the producer because it allows them to get more profit for their goods than they can by selling it wholesale to grocery stores, restaurants or other wholesale buyers outside of the community the food is grown in.  The end of October has, in the past, meant the end of the local food season; but now, as demand for local food grows, indoor Farmers Market opportunities have also grown which, in turn, encourages producers to use methods to extend their season and goods, such as using cold frames and hoop houses, or preserving their harvest by freezing, canning, or dehydrating.

For several years, PortFish, Ltd., a local aquaponics outfit in Port Washington, ran the indoor Port Washington Winter Market out of the local Congregational Church, which was then taken over by Jennifer Sapiro and went on to be sponsored by Port Washington Main Street in 2018. During the 2017/18 season, they began to alternate the market between the American Legion/Inventors Brewpub and the church, and quickly learned that the new venue was a huge hit; the Winter Market has been happening there ever since, though it has been outdoors when possible, or order online and purchase pickup when it wasn’t, over the pandemic. This year, the Winter Market runs two Saturdays every month through March.

The Winter Market is no longer the only local food game in Port, however; the DreamPort Harvest Market, a venture by Dream Apple Farm (read the story here), is open every Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. with local food from their farm and other farms throughout Ozaukee and nearby communities.

Another local food option that became available thanks to the pandemic is the Ozaukee Area REKO Ring.  Founded by Venessa Quiñones in April of 2020, the REKO Ring allows local food producers to put their offerings into Facebook posts on the group's site where members can then place their orders.  Pick ups are on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays from 6-7 p.m. in Grafton at the Blain's Farm & Fleet parking lot. 

Now is also a great time to consider buying a CSA share (or, consider giving one as a gift for Christmas!).  CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture, which is when a person buys a share of the harvest before it is grown or produced so that the farmer has the funds upfront to begin planting, as well as a guaranteed customer. Appleland Farm Market and Willoway Farm (which also offers a fresh flower CSA) in Fredonia, Winterspring Farm (formerly Wellspring) in Newburg and Rare Earth Farm in Belgium are all excellent places to support.

Convenience and availability are hard to ignore, of course, so we are extremely lucky to have a dedicated, year-round grocery store that is committed to local food in Oz, which is the next best thing to buying direct from the farmer: the cooperative Outpost Natural Foods in Mequon.
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Ozaukee Living Local was born out of the local food movement in Ozaukee County to promote local growers and to connect the community with them; we continue to take this part of our mission very seriously. Did we miss someone? Let us know! Most importantly, please commit to buying as much local food as possible, as well as buying other products that are locally made. The money you spend on local food and goods stays local and contributes to the building and strengthening of our local economy – a process called relocalization – which makes our community more resilient, more connected, and less susceptible to the highs and lows of the global market. This is a mission we can all get behind.

Fall is here, and that means it's time to get your pumpkins and apples!  Luckily, finding a humble pumpkin patch, or a sweet-smelling orchard in Oz is not too difficult a task.

One of the best ways is to let the farmers come to you at one of the area's Farmers Markets: Port Washington on Saturday, Saukville on Sunday and Thiensville on Tuesday.  Of course, if you're looking for a farm to visit, we have those, too:

Cedarburg Creek Farm has just about every pumpkin hunting experience you could hope for: a kid's straw bale, a corn maze, and much more fall fun, close to home. Add in no admission fees and FREE Hay Wagon Rides, and they are THE place for affordable family fun.  Cedar Creek Farm is located at 649 Hwy. 60 in Cedarburg.

Appleland in Fredonia has apples, of course, and a stunning variety of them, at that, but they also have pumpkins to pick or already picked, and an assortment of jams, bakery, caramel apples, cider, and more in their market store.  Free wagon rides on the weekends.  Appleland is located at 4177 Highway 57 in Fredonia.  Join them for their Fall Festival on Saturday, September 23rd!

Buechler Farms offers a fun family fall experience on the weekends in October, beginning October 6th with their Fall Festival!  The farm is located at 587 South Royal Ave in Belgium.  Join them for a Breakfast with Minnie & Mickey on October 7th or Snow White & Cinderella Brunch on October 8th with the kids, then return for live music in the pavilion and barn with Whiskey Throttle and Star Six Nine.  Regular pumpkin season will continue every weekend in October, then return for Boo! At the Barn on October 28th.

Creekside Valley Farm opens for their season on Saturday, September 16th, with a pumpkin patch, hay maze, petting zoo, fall decor, pedal tractors, and more.  Find them at 13101 N Wauwatosa in Mequon, open daily from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Nieman Markets, located at 14335 N. Wauwatosa Rd. in Mequon, has apple picking, a corn maze, pumpkins, a petting zoo, a market, and more.  

Barthel's Fruit Farm is synonymous with apple picking.   Located at 12246 N Farmdale Rd. in Mequon, the barn has plenty of already picked pumpkins and gourds, or you can go to the field to pick your own, plus visit the Corn Maze!   Barthel's apples are also available at Outpost in Mequon.  Open 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily, Barthel's offers homemade bakery as well as a Beer Garden (weather permitting) from noon-6 Fridays through Sundays.  Join them for their Oktoberfest September 23-24!

If you're willing to venture a bit out of Oz, there are a few places worth the trip:

Spieker's Pumpkin Farm in Random Lake features a massive corn maze, hay rides, and an incredible variety of pumpkins and gourds, as well as a petting zoo, and more.  Find it at N1181 Hwy. 57 in Random Lake.

Meadowbrook Pumpkin Farm and Market in West Bend has quite the exotic petting zoo, and a haunted corn field, a totally unstaged and hair-raising adventure through 8 plus creepy houses and 3/4 miles of narrow trails in tall, dense corn, on narrow confined trails.  Not exactly family fun with young children, but possibly a great outing with your teenagers or adult friends.  Find Meadowbrook at  2970 Mile View Road in West Bend.

​Happy picking!!

Did you know that Father's Day did not become an official national holiday until 1972?!  In contrast, Mother's Day has been in official existance since 1914, though the first Father's Day in the country was actually celebrated before that.  According to the History Channel, Sonora Scott Dodd of Spokane, Washington is considered the founder of Father's Day after she successfully established it as a holiday in her state in 1910 in honor of her own father, a widow who raised her and her 5 siblings.

Eventually the holiday spread, but why such a long delay in being recognized nationally? Well, most likely it was because the idea wasn't considered commercially marketable; after all, men aren't as 'sentimental' as women and weren't, historically speaking, given gifts to demonstrate affection in the same way that women were.  In fact, it was the fathers, themselves, who slowed the spread, complaining of commercialism and, after all, it was "their money" that paid for the gifts.  My, how times have changed.

If you have a father to celebrate in your life on Father's Day, you'll want to do it locally, of course, and we can help you with that!  Read on for the more traditional, and not so traditional, gift-giving ideas for dad available in Oz.

For the Golfer

Let's face it, there are a good number of dads who like to golf. Luckily, there are a good number of places in Oz to do that and gift certificates or a tee time make a worthy present for the father who loves this particular hobby.  Ozaukee's own county courses, Hawthorne Hills and Mee-Kwon Park, are worthy spots, but you can also try Missing Links in Mequon, The Bog in Saukville, and Edgewater Golf Club or Fire Ridge Golf Club in Grafton.  Speaking of Fire Ridge, their Flannery's Restaurant offers a special Father's Day Breakfast with Dad from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 18th with a chance to win a foursome on the course!

Traditional golfing is great, but some dads go for Disc Golf and Oz has two great courses, including Tendick Park in Saukville and Stoney Creek Disc Golf Course in Fredonia.  Looking for a new disc for dad?  Try Cedarburg Toy Co.!

For the Outdoorsman

For the father who is into hunting, fishing, camping or kayaking, look no further than Sherper's in Port Washington!  From knives to boots and tents to decoys, Sherper's has what the outdoorsman in your life is looking for.  

For the Handyman or Gardener

A new tool or a gift certificate for dad to pick out his own is a great idea!  Try Drew's True Value in Port Washington, Hahn Ace Hardware in Mequon, the Grafton Ace Hardware, or Beyer's True Value in Cedarburg.  For the dad who can't get enough plants, try Heyden's Garden Center or Groth's Country Gardens in Cedarburg, Frenz Garden Center in Thiensville, or Gene Fransee & Son/Kletzien Garden Center in Port Washington

For the Craft Beer Aficionado

One thing Oz really has going on is a lot of local breweries, so take dad there or bring some to him, but keep it local!  Try Rebellion Brewing or The Fermentorium in Cedarburg, Sahale Ale Works in Grafton, Inventors Brewpub in Port Washington, or Foxtown Brewing in Mequon.  For the dad who is looking for a different drink, try The Shinery, The Cedarburg Winery or Handen Distillery in Cedarburg, or Vines to Cellar in Port Washington

For the Birder

For the birding dad in your life, a new birdfeeder, seed, or a gift certificate for those might be just the ticket.  Try Wild Birds Unlimited or The Feed Bag Pet Supply in Mequon, Landmark Feed, Seed & Supply in Cedarburg, or Saukville Feed Supplies or Pet Supply Port in Saukville. For an added gift, consider spending some time at Riveredge Nature Center, Mequon Nature Preserve, or one of the many Treasures of Oz natural areas to do some bird watching!

For the Father's Day Cookout

A Father's Day cookout is the tradition for many families. Looking for the perfect cut of meat for the grill?  Try Bernie's Fine Meats in Port Washington, The Creamy Pig in Cedarburg, Blau's Saukville Meats, Foxtown Heritage Meats in Mequon, or Schwai's Meat & Sausage in Fredonia.  For the perfect charcuterie board for the party, or ham & rolls for a Sunday Father's Day brunch, hit up Frannie's Market in Cedarburg.  Don't feel like hosting the event at your place?  The Port Washington Beer Garden at Upper Lake Park opens for the season with their Cheers to Dad event from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., featuring live music, food, and beer, of course!

Shopping for Father's Day Gifts

Sometimes you just need to wander around the right shop to find the perfect gift and Oz has several that appeal to the menfolk.  The Cedar Creek Apothecary, located in the Cedar Creek Settlement, is offering 20% off all male grooming products through Father's Day weekend.  While in Cedarburg, you might also try Weeds or The Irish Boutique for the Irish father in your life.  In Port Washington, Locally Inspired or Eclectic Avenue are good bets.

Whatever you decide to get the fathers in your life for Father's Day, shopping locally makes it a win-win.  That being said, don't underestimate the value of your time; sharing it with the people you love is one of the very best gifts you can give.  Happy Father's Day, dads of Oz!

One of the best parts of summertime in Ozaukee County is the plethora of outdoor concerts to attend.  From Summer Sounds to Gathering on the Green, there's something for everyone.  Here's the 2023 lineup:

Belgium Summer Nights LIVE  Beginning Friday, June 2nd from 6-9 p.m., Belgium's Community Park will feature live music and family fun for all.  Food and drinks are available for purchase, and sign up for a cornhole tournament!  Join them again on Friday, July 21st.

Summer Sounds in Cedarburg  The 20th Season of Summer Sounds kicks off Friday, June 16th, at Cedar Creek Park with Yam Haus and special guest, Bellends, and continues every Friday through August 18th.  Each concert begins 6:30 p.m. and there is plenty of food and drink available on site, as well as a playground for the kids nearby. Bring a blanket or chairs, find your spot, and plan on an evening of fun!

GALA in the Park: Bollywood Nights in Thiensville  On Saturday, June 3rd, GALA in the Park returns as part of its fundraising efforts to complete funding for the splash pad inside Village Park with a special evening of Indian-inspired food and entertainment.

Mequon Public Market 2023 Music Series The Mequon Public Market hosts concerts on their outdoor patio on mostly Friday evenings or in their indoor mezzanine on mostly Tuesday evenings from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Shully's River Sounds in Thiensville will have free concerts on the first Thursday of each month, except July, from 5:30-9 p.m., rain or shine, with some delicious food available, made (of course!) by Shully's.  June 8th is Random Maxx, August 3rd is Eddie Butts, and September 7th is Five Card Studs.  RSVP at https://www.shullyscuisine.com/specia​

Live at the Triangle in Saukville's Veteran's Park will return with 6 free concerts this summer on every other Wednesday evening from 7-9:30 p.m., beginning with Tangle Foot on June 14th and ending with Bad Habitz on August 23rd.  Food and beverages are available for purchase on site.

Gathering on the Green at Mequon's Rotary Park returns on Friday, July 15th with Ann Wilson of Heart and special guest Starship featuring Mickey Thomas.  On Saturday, July 16th, Rise & Shine in the Park, a Christian music concert, features CAIN with special guest Franki Moscato.

The Shipyard Bar in Port Washington has an impressive Summer Lineup of Live Music, beginning with their Outdoor Patio Grand Opening on June 17th with Tanglefoot and running through the ShadLads on September 3rd.

Climb the hill to the iconic St. Mary's church on Fridays from noon to 12:30 for the 7th Season of their St. John XXIII Summer Music Series: Music on the Hill!  The perfect accompaniment to your lunch break, with an eclectic mix of music from June 16th to August 18th.  

The Port Washington City Band Concerts happen four times over the summer, all at 6:30 p.m. in the bandshell at Veterans Park in Port.  Join them June 11th and 25th and July 16th and 23rd.

Cedarburg Art Museum Beer Garden will have live music and food trucks Thursday evenings from 5:30-8:30 p.m. beginning on June 8th with January Autumn and through September 14th with Roxie Beane, as well on Saturday afternoons from noon-4 p.m. with live music and artist booths beginning June 10th and running through September 9th.

the baaree  in Thiensville, the outdoor beer garden of the cheel Nepalese restaurant, which is in the process of being rebuilt after being destroyed by a fire, is located at 105 S. Main St. and has live music all summer long.  For up to date listings, see their facebook page.

While not necessarily concert series, there are a plethora of places in Oz to catch live music on a regular basis, including:

CEDARBURG
Art of Joy, Rebellion Brewing, Lime Cantina, Stagecoach Inn/Five20 Pub
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MEQUON
The Annex at Foxtown, the Mequon Public Market, 

PORT WASHINGTON
Singing Salmon Saloon, Beanies Mexican Restaurant

If you don't mind the drive, Sheboygan has the amazing Levitt AMP Sheboygan Music Series kicks off on Thursday, June 22nd at 6 p.m. with The Periodicals, followed at 7 p.m. by Tami Neilson.  Most performances are Thursday evenings beginning at 6 on Sheboygan's City Green; however, the Series also incorporates the Midsummer Festival of the Arts on Saturday and Sunday, July 15th and 16th, on the JMK Arts Center Festival Green.

Also not too far from Oz, the Homegrown Music Festival returns to Regner Park in West Bend for its 8th year on Sunday, July 9th from noon-9 p.m.  Parking is free, and a $10 donation is recommended.  New is the Regnar Rocks Concert Series, which already kicked off on May 25th with the MilBillies, but continues each 4th Thursday of the month from 5-9 p.m.: June 22nd  is Betsy Ade & the Well-Known Strangers with Special Guest Ben Mulwana; July 27th is The WhiskeyBelles with Special Guest Jay Matthes; August 24th is Pat McCurdy with Special Guest Party Marty & the Dirt Bags.  Food and beverages are available for purchase on site, no dogs or carry-ins are allowed. 

To stay informed about all of the great live music happening in and around Oz, make sure to stay tuned to the Ozaukee Living Local Events Page, and subscribe to our Weekend Newsletter​!  Notice something we missed?  Let us know at [email protected].

By Mary Boyle

When Kevin was growing up in a small Wisconsin town, there weren't many resources for kids like him.  Kids who were gay.  He took refuge in his school's theatre program and discovered he fit in better there.  Theatre people are very accepting.

Fast forward many years later and Kevin and his husband, Steve, were looking for a home.  Steve brought Kevin to a little place in Port Washington called Smith Bros. Coffee House where Kevin was introduced to the most delicious fish sandwich he'd ever eaten.  While that was an excellent selling point for a quaint lakeside community, what really caught Kevin's eye as they drove about town was the number of pride flags he saw.

"That flag means so much more for our community," explained Kevin, "it's like Batman's signal; you know you're going to be safe."

In June of 2021, Kevin and Steve moved to Port and Kevin immediately set to work trying to find his community within the community.  He reached out to Port Washington's Mayor and joined the Diversity & Inclusion Committee, where he met Karl.  Kevin didn't want kids growing up without resources, like he did, and Karl was on the same page.  By January of 2022, the two of them launched PW Pride, a group that would work as a place for Port's LGBTQ community to find resources; a group that could "educate, advocate and celebrate," as their mission states.

Wanting to build their group, the two found a willing partner in the WJ Niederkorn library and set up their first Coffee Connection events, which were well received.  Ideas for more events, like the Pride Picnic and Game Night, made it clear that PW Pride needed to be more than just a group.  From that point on, both Kevin and Karl set out to create a non profit which, they hope, will one day grow into the actual resource center that Kevin wished he'd had when he was growing up.

Gaining non-profit status is not cheap, so the group began their first fundraising campaign by asking local businesses to sell pride flags in their shops.  "This is more than just a fundraiser, though," said Kevin.  "This shows the community that our local businesses support the LGBTQ community.  We started with 7 stores and this year we have 10."

With the June Pride Month approaching, the group has a number of events for people of all ages lined up, beginning with a special Coffee Connection on Saturday, May 20th at the WJ Niederkorn Library featuring Planting Hope, an LGBTQ non-profit that is helping families grow "one plant at a time."  In June at the library, there will be a Movie Screening  of "Love, Simon," on Monday, June 5th and a Book Talk and Signing on "The History of Drag in Milwaukee" on Wednesday, June 14th.  On Friday, June 23rd at Sir James Pub in Port Washington there will be a PW Pride Karaoke Fundraiser for the over 21 crowd, but family-friendly events are also in the works, such as a Pride Pool Party at Pirate's Hollow and a Pride Picnic at Upper Lake Park later in June.

"We want to be a group that is accepted in the community and that gives back to the community, no different from the Kiwanis or Lions Club," Kevin stressed.  "To have our voices heard and be included would be enough for us.  I didn't have this growing up, so this is maybe my legacy: I gave somebody the space to come out and the resources they needed.  I want to know I did something."

To learn more about PW Pride and their upcoming events, go to their Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/pwpride53074