An A-Z visitors guide to Milwaukee Wisconsin. Sponsored by Key Magazine Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Newattractions add tofunat Festa Italiana FESTAITALIANA,Milwaukee’s first lakefront ethnic festival and the largest Italian event of its kind in America today, returns thismonthwith newattrac- tions aswell as long-time favorites that have brought crowds to the Summerfest grounds for 34 years. Presented by U.S. Cellular, the 2011 edition of Festa Italiana opens Thursday, July 21, and the fun doesn’t stop untilmidnight Sunday, July 24. The blend of great food, entertainment and cultural activities this year holds something for everyone: • Performing at theMarcusAmphitheaterwill be reality television star Buddy Valastro, the Cake Boss; TheMonkees Reunion Tour, and Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. • On other stages, top acts includeMilwaukee’s TonyAwardwinner Anthony Crivello, nowstar- ring in “The Phantomof the Opera” in Las Vegas; Steve Augeri, former Journey lead singer; Fran Cosmo, former Boston lead singer; BellaDonna – ATribute to StevieNicks; a chorus fromNaples, Italy, and a band fromSicily. •Newthis year is a fashion showfeaturing hot and trendy Italian designers. • The cultural focus for 2011 is on the Veneto region of Italy,with its capital of Venice.Appropriately, relaxing gondola rides return to the lagoon beside the Summerfest grounds. •At the PigglyWiggly Cucina Showcase, chef and authorMaria Liberati, called the “ItalianMartha Stewart,” appears for the first time. Celebrity chef Nick Stellino returns andwill be joined by local chefs fromsome of the city’s best restaurants. • The annual “Abbondanza in the Sky Fireworks Spectacular” presented byMilwaukee’s Bartolotta Fireworks is set to fill the night sky over Lake Michigan on Friday. • For children, the Piazza di LEGO offers a LEGO contestwith daily prizes and a daily Pinocchio Parade at 5:30 p.m. Plus, Kohl’s Design It! Lab offers kids a chance tomake VenetianMasks. •MilwaukeeArchbishop Jerome E. Listecki cele- brates SundayMass at 11 a.m. in theMarcus Amphitheater and leads the traditional procession through the Summerfest grounds. There is free admission for those attendingMass. Festa Italiana hours are from2 p.m. -midnight Thursday and 11:30 a.m.-midnight Friday, Saturday and Sunday.Admission is $13 at the gate, free for children under 12when accompanied by an adult. This year Festa alsowill provide free admission for all active dutymen andwomen in themilitarywith I.D. and one guest. Separate tickets required for theMarcus Amphitheater concerts include admission to Festa. Visitwww.festaitaliana.comfor infor- mation on the concert tickets, special admission pro- grams and a complete listing of daily activities. The Monkees Reunion Tour Buddy Valastro, the Cake Boss Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons