Despite the absolute fridgid temperatures, the first Thursday in June marks the beginning of one of Milwaukee’s most beloved weeky traditions: Jazz in the Park at Cathedral Sqaure.
It’s a great way to get out in an urban setting, kick up your feet, socialize with fellow Milwaukeans, and listen to some good music. When we lived downtown and before we had kids, Jenny and I would make as many of the Jazz in the Park events as possible.
We’d bring a light dinner, a bottle of wine, and hang out.
Starting Thursday however, those attending Jazz in the Park will have a little more room in their picnic baskets as you won’t be allowed to bring your own alcoholic beverages in anymore.
“For the first time, people will not be able to bring in their own alcohol to the event,” East Town Association Executive Director Kate Borders said.
Borders said the event isn’t going dry, but state law is forcing patrons to keep their personal stash corked.”We’ll be selling wine, beer and spirits on the grounds, and our prices will be extremely reasonable. People are going to feel that they are getting the same price here that would get if they bought it at a liquor store or a grocery store,” Borders said.
Just like a bar or restaurant, the event’s liquor license prohibits carry-ins.
Now this isn’t a new rule exactly. You’ve never actually been able to bring carry-ins, but the East Town Association who runs the event always choose to look the other way if people did so. Not anymore apparently.
As the event has increased in size and popularity, my perception is that it’s become less of a “Jazz in the Park” event for music and enjoying the ourdoors and more of a chance for 20 year olds to drink in public. Often, quite a lot. It’s one of the reasons we stopped going in fact even before we moved out of the downtown area 5+ years ago. It was less sit on the grass and enjoy and more crowded beer tent at the State Fair.
So some of that has probably forced the hand of an organization like the East Town Association who at the end of the day is on the hook for liability and insurance for the event. Also at play is the increased sponsorships by local wine companies and breweries who don’t want to pay a hefty fee to be able to sell their products at the event if everyone is allowed to bring in their own.
The real question is if the “wink wink” policy of carry-ins will continue, or if they’ll actually crack down as they’re saying. The people I’ve talked to about this seem pretty split down the middle. Some are cheering the move as a way to take the focus on alcohol while others are deriding the move and swearing they won’t attend anymore.
It will be interesting to see how it pans out for one of Milwaukee’s signature summertime events.
I live in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Milwaukee, WI with my wife Jen, our daughter Emerson, and son Carter.
My understanding is that the East Town Association put the new rule in effect and cited the fact that the MPD was going to be cracking down, hence they couldn’t allow it.
Turns out that wasn’t quite the case. Great quote from Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn:
“It’s the first time I’ve been thrown under a bus by a wine-drinking Brie-eater,” he said.
“Listen, I can’t tell you the Police Department is not going to enforce appropriate laws. I will tell you that when it comes to an event like this, we’re going to respond to conduct. We’re not doing anything pro-active.”
http://urbanmilwaukee.com/2009/01/23/east-town-shoots-itself-in-the-foot/
Yeah, after 19 years it all of a sudden East Town realizes it needs to follow the law. This is about money (or something worse). Of course I wonder if I’ll still be able to go to Elsa’s get a drink in a plastic cup and walk into the park? Technically that’s a no no as well but is East Town prepared tell the taverns who support this event that’s not allowed?
I used to be very involved with the East Town Assoc. and left after several people, one of whom is quoted in the article, basically came in and had to run it ‘their way’. Getting a face on a TV ad was of the utmost importance!
Anyways; of course this about money and anyone who says otherwise is full of it. The sponsors are PO’d because they see people bringing in huge amounts of product for free and the sponsors don’t sell squat. The whole “the police made us do it” thing is just CYA and shows you how smart the people in charge really are if they thought they could just hang the police dept. out to dry to cover up the real reason they’re doing this.
By the way, you’re absolutely correct about the crowds the last couple years. They should replace “Jazz” in the Park with “Get Drunk” in the park to better clarify what the actual focus of the event has turned into, and show how the ETA plans to make a ton of money off it. Presumably so they can make more commercials to fulfil the narcassim of it’s leader.
ANON,
Interesting perspective and if what you’re saying is true….that’s too bad, because Jazz in the Park is a great event (or at least it used to be. The fact that ego’s and irresponsible attendees ruin it for the masses, well, it just stinks!
Hopefully this event won’t go the way of River Splash 2008…..
ANON, I know Kate through a Milwaukee civic organization (not East Town) and that doesn’t sound anything like the person I’ve met, or how other people see her.
If you’re going to try to disparage someone, at least use your real name.
The fact is the event has gotten a bit out-of-control since 2006 (so far as I’ve noticed-I live just down the street). The event is still free. The East Town reps are promising to price point the alcohol in light of the new changes.
The only gripe I have is with the failure to mention Bill 248 which was passed and allows patrons to bring in their own alcohol. The East Town folks are simply choosing to adhere to their original plan of attack. No patron can be arrested for having alcohol on the premises, they would simply be asked to dispose of it.
Anyone choosing to boycott the event because they aren’t allowed to bring their own liquor isn’t interested in the jazz culture of Cream City. If the only interest in the event is consumption of all the alcohol you can keep down on Thursdays, invest in another Cream City faithful tradition… a pub/tavern/bar/club on every corner. The Jazz Estate seldom charges a cover but sells alcohol at reasonable prices. What’s wrong with East Town doing the same for JitP (as long as the prices are kept reasonable)?
It really is that simple.
I won’t touch the MPD part of the equation.
$5 16oz Miller (South Africa) and 140z Leine’s (Chip Falls) products. No true Milwaukee (Schlitz, Blatz & Pabst) beers represented. $6 shot glasses of wine. The promise to keep alcohol prices reasonable turned out to be more of a pipe dream.
I’ll continue to enjoy JitP… sans alcohol, though.
Attendance was decent and there were plenty drunk and obnoxious over 30s to take the place of drunk 20 year olds, Dan. I’m sure part of the attendance problem was due to the weather and first night of the event. I don’t believe it had much to do with the alcohol ban.
It would have been nice to see $3 beer and $4 wine… especially as Yield charges $1.50 pints of Pabst and $2.50 rail mixers every Monday and Thursday. I hope you pass these thoughts on to the appropriate people.
Thank you.