“I think people come for the music, but they also come for the people watching and the food and the entertainment,” says East Town Association Executive Director Kim Morris of Milwaukee’s Bastille Days. Her statement encapsulates the diverse array of offerings the event includes. Since its inception 34 years ago, this celebration of French language, cuisine and culture has grown from a modest festival outside the Pfister Hotel to a 10-block extravaganza with 30 food vendors, 100 market vendors, four stages, an acclaimed 5K run/walk and 200,000 guests—and the lineup and menu are never quite the same. Although repeat festivalgoers can rest assured that favorites like Robin Pluer, Madame Gigi’s Outrageous French Cancan Dancers, the Waiter/Waitress Race, Mardi Gras parades, and food and wine demonstrations will all be present, we turn our attention now to attractions brand new in 2015.
Aliments
On the foodie front, be sure to stop by Lake Park Bistro’s booth to wish them a happy 20th birthday. Six lucky raffle winners will enjoy a four-course meal from the acclaimed eatery served under a canopy in the middle of the park on the festival’s final day.
Of the selection of participating restaurants, Morris states, “We try to bring as many French food vendors as we possibly can, but obviously we have to have something for everyone. Not everyone’s going to want to eat escargot lollipops. So hopefully there is some food source that everybody would love.” Among this year’s new participating restaurants are establishments that fall into both categories. Wauwatosa’s award-winning Le Rêve Patisserie & Café specializes in traditional French bistro fare, including breakfast, lunch and dinner. Trocadero Gastrobar, originally a subsidiary of the Lowlands Group and now the domain of Red Lion Pub’s owners, likewise appeals to Francophile tastes with a house menu running from swordfish au poivre to ham-and-gruyere crepes; if you’re peckish, just try a cone of the famous sweet potato frites.
Stay on top of the news of the day
Subscribe to our free, daily e-newsletter to get Milwaukee's latest local news, restaurants, music, arts and entertainment and events delivered right to your inbox every weekday, plus a bonus Week in Review email on Saturdays.
Swim an English Channel of the palate to try Three Lions Pub’s hearty British fare; the house menu includes poutine, biscuits, bangers and more. Craving an American classic? Red Rock Saloon has you covered with a robust menu of Tex-Mex favorites, wings and barbecue.
Also new this year is Port Hotel Restaurant and Inn Owner/Executive Chef Joseph A. Zankl, who will demonstrate his expertise at 12:50 p.m. on Thursday, July 9 on the Madison Medical Affiliates Stage—as always, culinary demonstrations are followed by free samples. Zankl’s offering is crab cakes with beurre blanc sauce.
Return to this stage at 5:30 p.m. if you like a little ceremony with your suds. Mayor Tom Barrett will tap the festival’s namesake Bastille Brew, which was created by Milwaukee Brewing Company.
Divertissement
Bastille Days 2015 delivers a host of new music and entertainments. Three headliners at the Cathedral Square Stage promise an aural extravaganza. Grammy Award-winning Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience (last seen at the fest some 15 years ago) take the stage Friday, July 10 at 5:30 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.; stop by to hear hypnotic roots music with influences ranging from New Orleans funk to reggae and world blues. Making their first appearance, Austin, Texas, natives Mingo Fishtrap play Saturday, July 11 at 4 p.m. and 9:15 p.m., promising a horn-heavy blend of Memphis grooves and N’awlins funk. If genuine Cajun music is more your cup of sazerac, check out the Grammy-nominated Lost Bayou Ramblers out of Broussard, La., at 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 12.
Other exciting new musical performances include Milwaukee’s own Aluar Pearls, Nineteen Thirteen and Chicken Wire Empire, as well as Twin Cities’ denizens The Rockin’ Pinecones.
Bastille Days’ Kids Day, Saturday, July 11, features several new offerings as well. Professional breakdancers, Motion Disorderz Crew, will perform at 11 a.m. and 12:45 p.m., and West Bend High School Drumline will take the stage at 11:25 a.m. and 1:10 p.m.
Remember your trip to Milwaukee’s petite France with a keepsake photo in front of the 43-foot model Eiffel Tower where ConfiDENTAL Souvenir Photos will offer postcard-size portraits free of charge while supplies last, 5-10 p.m. on Friday, July 10 and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Kids Day.
Bastille Days runs July 9-12. To view a map and schedule of events, visit easttown.com.
