The Milwaukee Post

June 20, 2014 • Milwaukee County Post • 19 By JODY L. MAYERS Special to The Post WAUKESHA – Warrant has been a straight up American rock band since 1984 with catchy songs, energetic shows and just the right amount of cocky atti- tude, said lead vocalist of the band Robert Mason. "There will be no staring at our shoes at a Warrant concert," he said during a telephone inter- view. The first-ever Rockesha fea- turing a wide variety of bands being held Saturday at the Waukesha Expo Center, 1000 Northview Road, is all about the '80s, including Warrant, said Rob Lyons, owner of Splat Entertainment and promoter of the event. "It's important that people realize just how much people are still attracted to this brand of music," Lyons said. "You may not be 100 percent familiar with all of the band names, but I guarantee you that you will remember 75 percent of the songs played," he said. "We actually have fans fly- ing in from all over the United States and Guam." Five bands will be included in the lineup: Warrant, Quiet Riot, Firehouse, Lita Ford and Eric Martin of Mr. Big. All told, they will provide seven hours of hits from the '80s and '90s Lyons said. "Our goals are pretty simple, to generate a big enough crowd so we can continue to do these types of events," he said. "It's is a great way to show off the Waukesha and Milwaukee area to music lovers from all over." Mason describes his role in the band Warrant as the loud- mouth in the center of it all, or the shiny hood ornament of the rock party bus. As vocalist for the band, Mason said their band has one agenda. "We want to entertain as many people as we can with our American rock 'n' roll shows," he said. Mason said the upcoming event is the area's chance to experience a full evening of in- your-face live energy, delivered by passionate musicians whose sole purpose that day is to make everyone enjoy signing along and rock out. "Rockesha is a unique oppor- tunity to experience performanc- es of hits by five different bands and songs that millions know by heart," he said. Lyons said gates for the event open at 2:30 p.m., and the actual show runs from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Mason said people who attend the event should plan to get there early and stay late. "People should also know how much we appreciate that they do that," Lyons said. Mason said every national band that has sold millions of records such as Warrant and has had worldwide success started as a local band. "From big cities to small towns, every band connect first with the audiences who come to their first smaller local shows," he said. "Without those people, it's just rehearsal. I always encourage and thank audiences for still being willing to stand in a crowd and enjoy themselves at a real live good old rock concert. It's just fun." The hair is back: Rockesha features '80s lineup Submitted photo Quiet Riot will appear at the first-ever Rockesha on Saturday at the Waukesha County Expo grounds. OUT& ABOUT The annual Polish Fest took center stage at the Henry W. Maier Festival Park last weekend. Photos by Dwayne Butler/Post Editor Top: Attendees at Polish Fest dance to the music of Maryland-based The Boys at the Harley-Davidson stage. Below: The Syrena Polish Costume Fashion Show showed off a variety of Polish attire. Left: Randy and Ashley Thull give a Polka dancing demonstration prior to offering lessons for attendees. Post Staff MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee Ballet School & Academy announced that Academy II student Kessia Andersen of Waukesha will receive a $10,000 scholarship from the national Dizzy Feet Foundation, which was started by "So You Think You Can Dance" producer and judge Nigel Lythgoe. The Milwaukee Ballet School & Academy is eligible to nom- inate students for the coveted scholarship because it is nation- ally accredited. "I'm so happy and grateful to represent Milwaukee Ballet School & Academy," said Andersen, 14, who began studying with Milwaukee Ballet School & Academy when she was 7. "Some of my dance idols have won this Dizzy Feet Foundation scholarship, so the honor is especially meaningful to me." Additionally, Milwaukee Ballet School & Academy student Sophia Laabs of Waukesha received the Milwaukee Ballet Friends' Schomer Lichtner Scholarship from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation. Given by Gail and Emil Fischer and named in honor of one of Milwaukee Ballet's greatest principal dancers, the scholar- ship goes to students who show strong potential for becoming a professional dancer. Another Milwaukee Ballet School & Academy student, Claire Buehler of Milwaukee, has been awarded the Peter Schetter Scholarship, a full tuition scholarship, for the 2014-15 school year. Both Andersen and Buehler competed in the prestigious Youth American Grand Prix international competition in the spring of this year. The YAGP is the world's largest student bal- let scholarship competition, awarding more than $250,000 annually in scholarships to leading dance schools worldwide. Milwaukee Ballet School & Academy students garner scholarships

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