August is upon us and summer is here. Time to go outside and enjoy some of the events Milwaukee and the surrounding areas have to offer. Summer doesn’t last long in Wisconsin, so we should use this time to visit parks, hike some trails, see the botanical gardens, and take a moonlight stroll by the lakeshore. Camping would be a wonderful activity for adults and children as well.

There are plenty of festivals and county fairs to attend in Wisconsin during the summer. One such annual event which takes place August 7 through August 14 is Bronzeville Week. Bronzeville Week is a celebration of Milwaukee’s African-American cultural district. This is a celebration of culture, history, art, food and entertainment.

Bronzeville is a neighborhood with a rich cultural history. Bronzeville Week celebrates that history with music, art, and fun. Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs states that “Bronzeville Week is truly an event emphasizing fun, family, community, all while introducing people of all backgrounds to culture they may not be familiar with.” In the past, Bronzeville was host to music legends Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, and Nat “King” Cole.

There is no shortage of local artisans in the neighborhood, and during Bronzeville Week they open their doors and showcase the work of numerous talented artists. The neighborhood also is home to murals and sculptures. All of this is surrounded by historic and beautiful architecture.

This year the event includes a 5k walk/run titled HaRUNBee for Healthy Birth Outcomes, to bring awareness to infant mortality and to bring people together to address this issue. The walk/run can be done in person on August 7th, or virtually.

If you want to cool off, duck the humidity, and absorb some culture inside, visit Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, which is running until September 19th. This event is located at the Wisconsin Center and is set up so social distancing is easy to maintain, and you can take your time and enjoy this immersive experience.

Through the wonders of technology, you can walk through and be immersed in Van Gogh’s art and feel like you are standing in his paintings. Van Gogh’s words are set to a symphonic score which plays as you walk through the exhibit. It is an incredible sight to behold, and one that is fun and educational for both adults and children.