Music in the Park

In 2024, Lake Park Friends is proud to present the 26th season of Musical Mondays. Presenter Jeff Bentoff has arranged another fantastic and diverse roster of talented musicians to make Monday a day to look forward to in the summer. The 8 free Monday concerts will be held from July 8 to August 26.

Wonderful Wednesdays is a series of 7 free concerts geared for children and their families. These presentations will be held on Wednesdays from July 10 to August 21. 

For current updates, check the Lake Park Friends Facebook page: Lake Park Friends Facebook.

Please bring your own chairs, blankets, food and beverages. Musa Ice Cream Truck will be at Wonderful Wednesdays concerts. 

These concerts are FREE and open to the public.

These enjoyable concerts are presented in cooperation with Milwaukee County Parks, with a generous donation from the Coles Family Foundation and with support from Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, WMSE Radio 91.7FM, 88Nine Radio Milwaukee, OnMilwaukee, Milwaukee Record and member volunteers.

All concerts take place at the Lake Park Summer Stage, just south of the playground and tennis courts, near 2975 N. Lake Park Rd., which is the restroom building and Lake Park Friends office.

In the event of inclement weather, Monday concerts may move indoors to the Marcia Coles Community Room, which is in the lower level of the Lake Park Pavilion, beneath the Lake Park Bistro Restaurant (3133 E. Newberry Blvd.). Wednesday concerts will be canceled if there is inclement weather.

Musical Mondays

Musical Mondays concerts are from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

  • July 8: The Hungry Williams. Joined by a love of early swingin’ rock and roll, The Hungry Williams play upbeat music great for dancing or just listening. The band features singer Kelli Gonzalez, drummer and leader John Carr, and ace guitar, keys, bass and horn players.
  • July 15: Brian Lynch and Spheres of Influence. Led by the multiple Grammy© Award-winning trumpeter, his ensemble mixes jazz, Afro-Caribbean and more. Lynch, who grew up in Glendale, has worked with everyone from Art Blakey and Horace Silver to Eddie Palmieri and Chucho Valdes.
  • July 22: Wesli. Wesli is the stage name of Haitian / Canadian Wesley Louissaint, one of Haiti’s most revered and accomplished musicians. Bringing together Montreal and Haitian talents, Wesli’s music unites Haitian vodou and rara with roots, reggae, Afrobeat, electronic music and hip-hop flavors.
  • July 29: R&B Cadets. A celebrated Milwaukee band since the ‘80s, the Cadets are known for their signature, danceable sound featuring originals and obscure covers. The group reunites occasionally, while its front line of Paul Cebar, Robin Pluer and John Sieger lead their own popular ensembles.
  • Aug. 5: Mokoomba. Hailing from Zimbabwe, Mokoomba is one of Africa’s most exciting young bands and is setting dance floors ablaze with its unique mix of traditional Tonga and pan-African music cultures with dashes of rap, ska, soukous and Afro-Cuban music.
  • Aug. 12: JigJam. These Offaly- and Tipperary-born musicians started the first wave of the new Irish invasion of Americana. Bluegrass and American folk music have Irish roots, and now JigJam is here to take the music back and add its own mark. Foot-stomping and high-energy describe its shows.
  • Aug. 19: Fountain of Youth. Fountain of Youth is a project of several Milwaukee musicians representing the city’s next generation of jazz music. Led by guitarist Sam Catral, the band features vocalist Faith Hatch and will cover jazz standards perfect for a summer night in Lake Park.
  • Aug. 26: Gizzae. Gizzae is a musical tapestry woven from diverse experiences of its members, hailing from across the globe. With over 35 years of grooving, they’ve won Grammys and Chicago Music Awards and shared stages with Ziggy Marley, Rolling Stones and Toots & the Maytals.

Wonderful Wednesdays

Wonderful Wednesdays concerts are from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

  • July 10: Laura Doherty & The Heartbeats. Award-winning Chicago performer with an intense passion for creating sweet folk-inspired songs that explore the themes of friendship, family and childhood.
    Marvelous Michelle, Bubble Lady Extraordinaire will open our concert season by entertaining the crowd prior to this first show on opening night from 5:45 to 6:15 p.m.
  • July 17: The Last Bees. Positive, uplifting, nostalgia-inspired melodies, as sweet as honey, with vocals and instruments with an edge that stings like a bee.
  • July 24: Frogwater. Renowned for their virtuosity and exuberant live performances, the repertoire of this musical pair spans from Celtic to Delta blues, from classical to pop with a healthy dose of unique original material filling out the mix.
  • July 31: Susan Salidor. Award-winning Chicago children’s music composer, performer and author, with the heart of a teacher, whose original music is influenced by her professional experience in musical theatre, cabaret folk and in her work as a preschool music specialist.
  • Aug. 7: Duke Otherwise. Playful wordsmith, spirited performer, skilled guitarist and captivating tap-dancer from Madison. Using his distinct baritone, he sings his hilarious and imaginative songs that will delight all ages.
  • Aug. 14: Little Miss Ann. Award-winning Chicago musician whose playlist spans different genres with fun, interactive educational songs that will inspire kids to sing, jump, dance and let their own lights shine.
  • Aug. 21: Fox and Branch. For over two decades, this award-winning duo has performed a dynamic mix of old-time music, original songs and family folk tunes that appeal to children and adults, giving everyone a chance to actively participate.

Music in the Park Summer Stage Location

Lake Park

Lake Park Summer Stage

Music in the Park Location for Musical Mondays (July 10-August 28) and Wonderful Wednesdays (July 12-August 16)