Baby, it’s cold outside, but even in the depths of a Wisconsin winter overlaid with a polar vortex, it’s always warm in the Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory, 524 S. Layton Blvd. – which you and I call The Domes.
That’s especially in the tropical and desert domes, where you’ll sweat like a Teamster in February.
Things heat up in the floral show dome, too, this time of year as the annual garden train show kicks off on Saturday, Jan. 14 and runs until April 2.
But the real star of the show at The Domes this winter is the Thursday light show, which takes place every Thursday evening from Jan. 19 until March 30, from 6 to 9 p.m.
The shape and design of The Domes, in combination with the colored lights, creates a wondrous visual experience that kids and adults will love. The shows are set to pre-recorded music, too.
One Thursday each month will feature a special event as part of the program, too.
On Thursday, Jan. 26, from 6 to 9 p.m., a Bizarre Bazaar sets up in the lobby and artists, crafters and makers will hawk their interesting wares, alongside food vendors and musical entertainment.
On Thursday, Feb. 23, from 6 to 9 p.m., you’ll find Elvis at The Domes for Viva Las Vegas Night. An Elvis impersonator will wiggle his hips from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and guests are encouraged to dress like Presley, too. There will be Vegas-inspired carnival games, specialty drinks and Elvis’ beloved peanut butter and banana sandwiches for sale.
Finally, on Thursday, March 30, from 6 to 9 p.m., The Domes host a one-night gallery event. Local artists will be on hand showing and selling their work at mARTch MADNESS, which also includes a fashion show of costume designs inspired by The Domes. Kids (and adults) can color, and food and beverages (including wine) will be offered for sale.
Admission to the Domes is $7 for adults (18 and up) and $5 for Milwaukee County senior citizens with ID, differently abled visitors and students with ID, as well as kids ages 6-17. Kids 5 and under are admitted free. There is free parking in the lots out front and there is no extra charge for the Thursday night events.
For more information on The Domes, call (414) 257-5611 or visit county.milwaukee.gov/MitchellParkConserva10116.htm.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
