2011 Summer Calendar: Local Fun

I adore summers in Milwaukee. 

Every weekend there is so much going on — festivals, ball games, concerts in the parks, lakefront arts and movies, the list goes on and on. Summers in Milwaukee more than make up for our never-ending winters. 

But back in Brookfield, there also is plenty of family-friendly summer fun. Print out this handy list of summer events, Brookfield style, and paint your neighborhood red. 

Note: this isn't comprehensive, so feel free to add more ideas in the comments and I can add them to the list, thanks! 

JUNE

12: Get inspired watching and High schools' graduations. 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. — at the Brookfield East High Field House, 3305 Lilly Road.

13: Read to Rover library program begins. Children can read aloud to certified therapy dogs and their owners once a week for 15 minutes. Sign up for scheduled times — at , 1900 N. Calhoun Road. 

13, 14: Bring your children to "Young at Heart," a musical revue of popular children's songs, from Inchworm and Neverland, to Hakuna Matata and Beauty and the Beast. 7:30 p.m. June 13; 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. June 14 — at Sunset Playhouse, 800 Elm Grove Road, Elm Grove. Ticket info here. 

15: The Civic Plaza concert series kicks off with a noon show by Bobby Way and an evening concert with Bobby Way and the Fabulous Wayouts. Bring your lawn chairs and lunch or buy subs or snacks on site. Noon and 7 p.m. — at Civic Plaza, 2000 N. Calhoun Road.

16: Magician Jim Mitchell performs. 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. — at Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N. Calhoun Road.

16: "Dearly Departed" continues its run through June 26 — at Sunset Playhouse, 800 Elm Grove Road, Elm Grove. Ticket info here. 

17:  "The Secret Last Mission of WWII" presented by Brookfield resident Lt Col. Henry Ratenski (USAF Retired). 7 p.m. — at Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N. Calhoun Road.  

18: Brookfield Farmers' Market. 7:30 a.m. to noon — at Civic Plaza, 2000 N. Calhoun Road. 

18: Make a craft to take home at Craft Saturday. 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. — at Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N. Calhoun Road.  

19: Dad gets in free for a Fathers' Day tour of the Dousman Stagecoach Inn Museum. 1 - 4 p.m. at the museum, 1075 Pilgrim Parkway. 

20: Passport to Brazil - learn about countries from natives. 2 p.m. — at Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N. Calhoun Road.  

22: Chicago storyteller/African drummer Oba-William King performs two shows, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. — at Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N. Calhoun Road. 

22: Watch the Pom Pons perform and listen to Ernest Collins' smooth jazz and adult contemporary stylings. 11:30 a.m. pom pons and noon concert — at Civic Plaza, 2000 N. Calhoun Road. 

23: Folk musicians Fox and Branch perform "Off We Go!" 10:30 a.m. — at Civic Plaza, 2000 N. Calhoun Road. 

24: Passport to India - learn about countries from natives. 2 p.m. — at Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N. Calhoun Road.  

24: Annual Family Camp Out in with an 8:45 p.m. "Dive In Movie" at Wirth Aquatic Center, 2585 North Pilgrim Road. 

24: Bring your lawn chairs and wine glasses as the Starry Nights concert series kicks off with Madisalsa (salsa) 6:30 p.m. — at the , 19805 W. Capitol Drive.

25: Brookfield Farmers' Market. 7:30 a.m. to noon — at Civic Plaza, 2000 N. Calhoun Road. 

25: New York City comedienne Jenna Carol delivers "Over It!" with original stand-up material and parody songs set to familiar tunes. 7:30 p.m. — at Sunset Playhouse, 800 Elm Grove Road, Elm Grove. Ticket info here.

27: Girls ages 5 to adult will enjoy "Cinderella Around the World," with games, crafts, snacks and fun. 2 p.m. — at Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N. Calhoun Road.  

29: Civic Plaza concert. Gary Cross performs country western and adult contemporary music. noon — at Civic Plaza, 2000 N. Calhoun Road.  

29: See live exotic animals during "Amazing Animals by Samantha." 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. — at Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N. Calhoun Road.  

30: Learn taekwondo with Master Lee. 10:30 a.m. (ages 4-6), 1:30 p.m. (ages 7-12) — at Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N. Calhoun Road.  

JULY 

1: Go to the Fire Department to decorate your bikes, trikes and strollers for the Independence Day parade. Firefighters will provide the decorations and check to make sure your bike helmets fit. 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. — at bay, 2100 N. Calhoun Road. 

1: Starry Nights outdoor concert features the Cream City Concert Band's patriotic music. 6:30p.m. — at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, 19805 W. Capitol Drive.

2: Brookfield Farmers' Market. 7:30 a.m. to noon — at Civic Plaza, 2000 N. Calhoun Road. 

4: Town of Brookfield Independence Day parade starts at 9 a.m. at Elmbrook Church, followed by family fun including a pie-eating contest, inflatables, games and ice cream. 9 a.m. to noon — at Marx Park, 700 S. Barker Road, Town of Brookfield.

4: City of Brookfield Independence Day parade starts at 10 a.m. near Brookfield Central High School, followed by family fun including the UW Badger 5th quarter band playing during an ice cream social — at Civic Plaza, 2000 N. Calhoun Road. Family Fun Fest starts at 6 p.m., with fireworks at 9:15 p.m. — at , W. Capitol Drive and N. Barker Road.

5: Check out a variety of trucks up close at "Touch a Truck." 7 - 7:30 p.m. — at back parking lot of Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N. Calhoun Road.  

6: Listen to tales by storyteller Jean-Andrew. 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. — at Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N. Calhoun Road. 

6: Civic Plaza concert: Vintage Vegas. noon — at Civic Plaza, 2000 N. Calhoun Road.  

7: See live creatures and animal artifacts with David Stokes. 1:30 p.m. — at Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N. Calhoun Road.

8: Bring your blanket and enjoy Puppet Story Theater. 10:30 a.m. — in the courtyard outside the Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N. Calhoun Road.

8: Starry Nights outdoor concert features Liam Ford Band's rockabilly. 6:30p.m. — at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, 19805 W. Capitol Drive.

9: Brookfield Farmers' Market. 7:30 a.m. to noon — at Civic Plaza, 2000 N. Calhoun Road. 

13: Learn about the science of bubbles with Karl Debelack's "Bubble-ology." 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. — at Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N. Calhoun Road.

13: Civic Plaza concert: keyboardist singer Marcell Guyton. noon — at Civic Plaza, 2000 N. Calhoun Road.  

13: Evening Civic Plaza concert: Piles of Rhythm featuring Channel 12's Mike Miller. 7 p.m. — at Civic Plaza, 2000 N. Calhoun Road.  

14: Try Hulu hoops, percussion instruments and limbo sticks at Michael Drake's "The Island Kids' Show." 10:30 a.m. — at Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N. Calhoun Road.

15: "Tour de Brookfield International Cycle Event," an all-day racing event with the men's pro race at 6 p.m. Country singer / songwriter Nora Collins performs from 3:30 to 5 p.m., followed by the 7-piece band CIA Caught in the Act — at Civic Plaza area, 2000 N. Calhoun Road.

15: Opening night for the Tony-Award winning musical, "The Drowsy Chaperone." Runs through Aug. 7 — at Sunset Playhouse, 800 Elm Grove Road, Elm Grove. Ticket info here. 

15: Starry Nights outdoor concert features Derek Byrne/Paddygrass's celtic bluegrass. 6:30p.m. — at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, 19805 W. Capitol Drive.

15, 16, 17: St. Dominic Days Festival. Golf outing, sheepshead tournament, 5K run/walk, fish fry, games, raffles, prizes, entertainment and car show. Bands include Eddie Butts Band, Siren, Mama Dig Down's Brass Band, Cold Sweat and The Brew City Horns, Alter Ego and Doo Wop Daddies. 5 to 11:30 p.m. Friday, 1 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5:30 p.m. Sunday — at , 18255 W. Capitol Drive. 

16: Brookfield Farmers' Market. 7:30 a.m. to noon — at Civic Plaza, 2000 N. Calhoun Road. 

17: The high-energy Hane Daiko Japanese "Jumping Drum" performs and Hanagasa dances in traditional Japanese clothing. 2 - 4:30 p.m. — at Civic Plaza, 2000 N. Calhoun Road. 

19: Passport to Venezuela, Columbia and Mexico - learn about countries from natives. 6 p.m. — at Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N. Calhoun Road.  

20: Civic Plaza concert. Vocal duo Dusk perform. noon — at Civic Plaza, 2000 N. Calhoun Road. 

22: Bring your blanket and enjoy Puppet Story Theater. 10:30 a.m. — in the courtyard outside the Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N. Calhoun Road.

22: Starry Nights outdoor concert features singer / songwriter Jenny Thiel. 6:30p.m. — at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, 19805 W. Capitol Drive.

23: Brookfield Farmers' Market. 7:30 a.m. to noon — at Civic Plaza, 2000 N. Calhoun Road. 

23, 24: Gus Macker 3-on-3 basketball tournament featuring a dunk contest and 3-point shootout. Bango and Rim Rockers will entertain. More information here. — at Crossroads Corporate Center, off Swenson Drive on Crossroads Circle.

23: Linda Eder concert featuring Broadway, pop, standards, country, and jazz. Ticket information here. 7 p.m. — at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, 19805 W. Capitol Drive.

25: Passport to Germany - learn about countries from natives. 2 p.m. — at Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N. Calhoun Road.  

27: Civic Plaza concert featuring R&B pianist / vocalist Al White. noon — at Civic Plaza, 2000 N. Calhoun Road.  

27: Play old-fashioned family games (no computers) with prizes. 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. — in courtyard of Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N. Calhoun Road. 

29: Bring your blanket and enjoy Puppet Story Theater. 10:30 a.m. — in the courtyard outside the Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N. Calhoun Road.

29: Final Starry Nights outdoor concert features the Wilson Center Big Band. 6:30 p.m. — at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, 19805 W. Capitol Drive.

30: Brookfield Farmers' Market. 7:30 a.m. to noon — at Civic Plaza, 2000 N. Calhoun Road. 

AUGUST

3: National Night Out featuring tours of the fire and , entertainment, volleyball, child fingerprinting and a flashlight walk against crime. 5 - 9 p.m. — at Civic Plaza, 2000 N. Calhoun Road. 

3: Civic Plaza concert features jazz by Jenny Thiel Trio. noon — at Civic Plaza, 2000 N. Calhoun Road. 

4: Bring your water toys and plan to get wet at the Town of Brookfield's Big Splash Day. noon to 2 p.m. — at Marx Park, 700 S. Barker Road, Town of Brookfield.

5: Bring your blanket and enjoy Puppet Story Theater. 10:30 a.m. — in the courtyard outside the Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N. Calhoun Road.

6: Brookfield Farmers' Market. 7:30 a.m. to noon — at Civic Plaza, 2000 N. Calhoun Road. 

8: Wauwatosa architect John Peine discusses the origins of legos and the basics of architecture. Then build your own "Lego City" creations. 2 and 3 p.m. — at the Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N. Calhoun Road.

10: Civic Plaza concert features polkas and ethnic favorites by The Happy Dutchmen Trio. noon — at Civic Plaza, 2000 N. Calhoun Road. 

13: Brookfield Farmers' Market. 7:30 a.m. to noon — at Civic Plaza, 2000 N. Calhoun Road. 

16: Cool off with an "Ice Cream Social" and enjoy bluegrass by the Burie family. 7 p.m. — in the courtyard of the Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N. Calhoun Road.

17: Final Civic Plaza concerts featuring Downtown Harrison at noon and  North Coast Orchestra at 7 p.m. — at Civic Plaza, 2000 N. Calhoun Road. 

20: Brookfield Farmers' Market. 7:30 a.m. to noon — at Civic Plaza, 2000 N. Calhoun Road. 

20: Town Truck Day. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. — at Marx Park, 700 S. Barker Road, Town of Brookfield.

21: Last day for Wirth pools. Open 1 - 8 p.m. before closing for season. — at Wirth Aquatic Center, 2585 North Pilgrim Road.

22: Passport to China - learn about countries from natives. 2 p.m. — at Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N. Calhoun Road.  

27: Brookfield Farmers' Market. 7:30 a.m. to noon — at Civic Plaza, 2000 N. Calhoun Road.