Shepherd Express

The publication began in May 1982 under the name Crazy Shepherd, inspired by a line from Allen Ginsberg’s poem “Footnotes to Howl” (”Holy the crazy shepherds of rebellion”). It was launched by a group of students from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, including Jeff Hansen, Doug Hissom, and Joe Porubcan, who managed the paper from various rented apartments close to the university. After initially being published irregularly, Crazy Shepherd transitioned to a consistent monthly release. Many of its founders later pursued careers in journalism, such as Jim McCarter, who became the publisher of the Metro Times in Detroit; Bill Conroy, who took on the role of editor at the San Antonio Business Journal; and Bill Lueders, who serves as the news editor for Isthmus in Madison.

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This Week in MKE Music: June 26-July 2, 2025

1 day ago | shepherdexpress.com | Blaine Schultz

Summerfest chapter two, Reitman, Stanley Clarke, Tommy Stinson, Alex Wilson Family Band, Juanita & Juan—AKA Alice Bag and Kid Congo Powers and more—This Week in Milwaukee Music! Reitman @ WUWM (Chase Tower, 111 E. Wisconsin Ave.), 5-8 p.m. Last October, we chatted with the legendary Milwaukee DJ for our Sonic Rendezvous podcast.
Daniel Ollman’s Documentary Presents an Intimate Portrait of Milwaukee LGBTQ Activist-Pioneer Eldon Murray

3 days ago | shepherdexpress.com | Paul Masterson

For many, especially younger LGBTQs, Pride Month is that annual exercise of rainbow enhanced expression of identity and celebration of our community’s presence. Most have an inkling of why it happens in June, namely the Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969. It was on that day when yet another act of police harassment of patrons in a New York City gay bar finally incited an uprising. It would also raise an army of activists across the country to fight for LGBTQ civil rights.
For Brewers, All Runs Are Not Created Equal

4 days ago | shepherdexpress.com | Kyle Lobner

The Milwaukee Brewers had a big weekend on offense, but fans who skipped the late innings of games might not have noticed. The Crew took a 1-0 lead into the sixth inning on Friday and a 4-0 lead into the eighth inning on Saturday before combining to score 21 runs in the final innings of those two games. Those 21 tack-on runs included all eight driven in by Christian Yelich on Friday, tying a franchise record.
Rick Springfield and George Thorogood Turn Back the Clock at Summerfest

4 days ago | shepherdexpress.com | Blaine Schultz

Dressed in a sleeveless black shirt, black jeans and high tops, Rick Springfield looks like the prototype rock and roller who never ages. For his show Friday night at the Uline Stage, the 75-year-old attracted an overflow crowd for his “I Want My 80s Tour.” As the Dorian Gray of rock, you have to guess there is a painting of the real Springfield gathering cobwebs in some Australian attic.
Bryan Cherry Band at Miller Lite Jazz Oasis Stage

1 week ago | shepherdexpress.com | Blaine Schultz

Summerfest lived up to its name as Bryan Cherry and his band kicked off opening day 2025 with a 1 p.m. performance at the Miller Lite Oasis Stage under clear skies. Cherry’s soul-blues is built on the songwriter’s eye for lyrical detail. Throughout the set hints of balladry met low-burn mid-tempo grooves topped with rock numbers that found Cherry testifying intensely.
Saturday is Make Music Day in Milwaukee

1 week ago | shepherdexpress.com | Jamie Lee Rake

“Make Music Milwaukee truly celebrates accessibility, spontaneity, and creativity in a way that feels different from the city's bigger festivals. It brings music into our everyday spaces, breathes life into public areas, and invites everyone—whether performing or just listening—to be a part of it.
This Week in MKE Music: June 19-25, 2025

1 week ago | shepherdexpress.com | Blaine Schultz

Summerfest, Juneteenth Day, Make Music Day, Jeremiah Sammartano, The Swongos and more—This Week in Milwaukee Music! Summerfest @ Henry Maier Festival Park – through Saturday The Big Gig kicks off the first of three Thursday-Saturday weekends filled with live music. Shepherd Express previewed many of the acts. Check back for concert reviews as the Fest unfolds.
Ruckick Family Comedy Show

1 week ago | shepherdexpress.com | Jamie Lee Rake

Leah and Andrew Rudick could have had an actual sibling rivalry. Instead, as a sister and brother who often co-headline as touring stand-up comedians, they are more apt to cooperate than act as competitors. “We perform together pretty regularly,” says Andrew of the comic with whom he often shares stages and can't help but share parents.
Film Clips: June 19, 2025

1 week ago | shepherdexpress.com | David Luhrssen |Lisa Miller

(In Theaters June 20) In 2002, director Danny Boyle popularized zombies that ran and chased down their victims. Five years later, the franchise released 28 Weeks Later, and now, 23 years after the original, 28 Years Later. As before, the zombies are more lethal. One group of survivors remains safe by holing up on a small island, hundreds of feet from shore. Needing supplies, a male survivor decides to search the nearby mainland with his girlfriend’s 12-year-old son.
Tricklebee Café’s Song Circle

1 week ago | shepherdexpress.com | Jamie Lee Rake

If folk music is made up of songs by members of a community for that community, the song circles Emma Koeppel leads might be considered a form of community organizing. “Overall, I'd say I hold the hope that a song circle is a place where people can feel an embodied sense of community and be resourced and fed by that sense of togetherness.