On a recent Wednesday at the Bruce Guadalupe Community School, 25 eighth-graders in Sarah Schindler’s language arts class sat attentively in a semi-circle. The students began to discuss character motivation, read from a script and act out scenes, guided by a visitor from Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Gradually, they morphed from subdued observers to lively participants in an exploration of the classic American novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

“There are lots of activities within the curriculum that allow students to empathize with the characters,” said Rep Education Coordinator Leda Hoffman, who created the curriculum. “And unless you can empathize with the characters you are reading about, reading isn’t very interesting or fun.”

From Milwaukee Public Schools:

Hundreds of music students from area schools will participate in a Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) music festival hosted at Lincoln Middle School of the Arts on Saturday, March 3, 2012. During the festival, which is free and open to the public, students will perform vocal and instrumental solos, duets, trios, and small ensembles before an adjudicator.

The 9th Annual Ice Sculpting Competition takes place tomorrow, Friday, January 20 during Winter Gallery Night and Day. Artists have eight hours to carve their creations out of a 300 pound block of ice!

Sculpting takes place at Catalano Square (where Broadway and Menomonee meet) from 10am to 6pm. Judging begins promptly at 6pm. Winners will be announced at 7pm at Club Charlies (320 E. Menomonee St.).

This year's theme is Summertime... and the Living is Easy. We hope the thought of summer will help keep the carvers warm and dry. The weather forecast indicates a temperature of 18 degrees and 2-5 inches of snow!  

We encourage you to stop by Catalano Square and watch the sculptors at work. It is amazing to watch a 300 pound block of ice be carved into a work of art!

Want to leave the driving to us? Take one of our Gallery Night Shuttles!