The Milwaukee Post

18 • Milwaukee County Post • June 20, 2014 Post Staff MILWAUKEE – The 52nd annual Lakefront Festival of Art will be held this weekend on the Milwaukee Art Museum grounds, 700 N. Art Museum Drive. The festival, which features more than 175 artists, opens on the grounds of the museum Friday and runs through Sunday. In addition to the variety of artists' booths, including jewelers, painters, sculp- tors, photographers and more, the LFOA offers family-friendly activities, such as live music, refreshments and the PNC Children's Experience, featuring drama performances and hands-on art projects designed especially for kids of all ages. For adult audiences, gourmet food will be available, as well as libations at both the Milwaukee Magazine Wine Garden, which sits beneath the world-famous Calatrava- designed Burke Brise Soleil, and the Blue Moon Beer sampling area. While enjoying refreshments, attendees can peruse a sculp- ture garden created by Hawks Landscape or bid on donated pieces of art at the silent auc- tion which closes Sunday. "Lakefront Festival of Art is one of the most popular events at the Museum each and every year," said Krista Renfrew, director of special events for the Milwaukee Art Museum. "With world-class art, the wine gar- den, the children's area, live entertainment, access to the museum's galleries, and Lakefront Late Night, there's something for everyone." Funds raised from the LFOA support the museum's exhibitions, including the sum- mer's feature exhibition, "Kandinsky: A Retrospective," which showcases 100 works of art from modern master Wassily Kandinsky. Access to "Kandinsky: A Retrospective" is included with LFOA admission. "Over the past 50 years, the proceeds from LFOA have helped the museum acquire more than 250 new works of art and supported countless exhibitions," said Daniel Keegan, director of the Milwaukee Art Museum. "We are deeply grateful to the Friends of Art for their continued efforts to support the Museum, and I am looking forward to this year's event." Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The cost is $10 in advance, $17 for adults, $14 for seniors and students, $10 for museum members and free for children ages 12 and under, veterans, active military and Wisconsin K-12 teachers with an ID. Tickets can be purchased online at lfoa.mam.org and at participating locations throughout southeastern Wisconsin. For those looking to explore the festival through- out the weekend, a $25 three-day pass will also be available at the festival gates and online. Lakefront Festival of Art returns this weekend Submitted photo Attendees at last year's Lakefront Festival of Art enjoyed beautiful weather. The 52nd annual event returns to the Milwaukee Art Museum grounds this weekend. By GREGG WANDSNEIDER Special to The Post WAUKESHA – It's been a while since we've heard the name Danny Gokey. It was four years ago when Gokey released his first album, "My Best Days," after making it as a finalist during the eighth season of "American Idol." On Monday, Gokey's newest musical project, "Hope In Front of Me," will be released on BMG records, a division of Sony Entertainment. A few days after that – June 27 – Gokey and his band will bring their soulful sounds to Fox River Christian Church in the Town of Waukesha. The con- cert will benefit Exploit No More, a local organization dedicated to prevention of and education about sex trafficking. So what has Gokey, 34, been up to? He has spent the last several months raising a family with his wife of two years, Leyicet. Together, they have one child and have another one on the way. They live in Nashville with their two big dogs. "We're happy with the opportunities that have been presented to us," Gokey said. One opportunity close to his heart is Sophia's Heart, a shelter for the homeless that Gokey said is in honor of his first wife of the same name. The shelter now has two locations, in Nashville and Milwaukee. Through his stories and songs during the concert and his newly released book, "Hope In Front of Me," Gokey hopes to share sto- ries of the positive changes that have taken root in people's lives because of this organ- ization. "I want to mix hope with entertain- ment," said Gokey, who uses the social media hashtag #hopeaholic. The title track from Gokey's sophomore album, "Hope in Front of Me," also is the lead single. According to his website, the song has defined his life and underscores his mission to reach out to others with hope and entertainment. "I want to deliver a message that feeds the soul, but makes you want to move and groove to the music. That's always the goal when I write. I'm a person of faith, so I always want my songs to have a strong mes- sage of hope," Gokey said on his website. Though he is not calling this a tour, in addition to the show in Waukesha, Gokey also will be playing at the House of Blues in Dallas on Friday and Houston on Saturday, and in Green Bay for two shows Saturday. "I have one foot in the church and one foot in the entertainment world," said Gokey, who performs in a variety of ven- ues, from churches to nightclubs. "I don't shy away from being a Christian," he added. Gokey grew up singing in a church with his family, including his five siblings, and also has been a worship leader. He said he feels good about coming back, so close to his hometown of Milwaukee, describing it as cultural and artsy. "Milwaukee has such a great food and music scene," he said. Gokey states that he has a "really great relationship" with Wisconsin Vision, who helped him develop a line of eyeware to give glasses to those who can't afford them. Gokey continues to give encouragement for those who are trying out for "American Idol," and pursuing a career in music. Though his music career flourished after "Idol," Gokey, who was a worship leader for eight years, said he spent years pursuing a music career before "it really happened." Gokey has some advice for people just beginning to pursue a career in music: "Follow your heart, but take your brain with you." Danny Gokey has new album, benefit concert set Submitted photo Danny Gokey's concert appearance at Fox River Christian Church in the Town of Waukesha coin- cides with the release of his second album, "Hope in Front of Me." At a glance What: Danny Gokey album release concert to benefit Exploit No More When: 7 p.m. June 27 Where: Fox River Christian Church, S46- W24130 Lawnsdale Road,Town of Waukesha Tickets: Through June 26, tickets are $20 for Artist's Circle, $10 for general admission. A VIP add-on ticket for early entry at 5:30 p.m. and a question-and-answer with Gokey is $10. Tickets at the door are $23 for the Artist Circle and $13 for general admission. Information: 544-6000 or www.itickets.com

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