Lee Matz, Author at Milwaukee Independent

Photo Essay: Brady BID

Posted by Lee Matz | Jan 23, 2016 |

Merchants and residents of Brady Street came together to discuss issues concerning development of the area, and steps that can be taken to keep social and economic progress moving forward.

John Gurda shares his love of Milwaukee’s Polish history at packed Basilica of St. Josaphat

Posted by Lee Matz | Jan 8, 2016 |

The foremost historian on Milwaukee history, John Gurda, spoke to an audience of hundreds at the Basilica of St. Josaphat on January 7. The event was part of the Basilica’s annual New Year tradition, and highlighted Gurda’s new book, Milwaukee: City of Neighborhoods. “The book is based on a series of posters from the 1980s done for the city of Milwaukee by artist Jan Kotowicz,” Gurda explained. “We did twenty-seven neighborhoods originally, and I wrote short essays on the back of each one. So it was partly the desire to salvage and make new some of that material, which...

Christopher McIntyre Perceptions: The Spoken Word

Posted by Lee Matz | Jan 7, 2016 |

The Milwaukee artist known as C.M.P. has blended his creative focus with social justice and a deeply rooted Christian foundation. With his father a drug dealer and his mother an evangelist, Christopher McIntyre Perceptions lived in two very different worlds at the same time. His only outlet to find peace was the arts. His personal story and visionary work in the community has made an impact on marginalized youths who felt they had no voice. | Q&A with Christopher McIntyre Perceptions Milwaukee Independent: What is a spoken word artist and how has Milwaukee been supportive of this creative expression? Christopher McIntyre Perceptions:...

Riverwest Radio begins FM broadcasts

Posted by Lee Matz | Jan 1, 2016 |

Riverwest Radio officially started transmitting its signal on the FM spectrum at noon on New Year’s Day 2016. The launch party for WXRW-LP was held at its studio, located within Riverwest Film & Video on Center Street. The event was four years in the making, since station manger Xav Leplae established it in 2011. The non-profit radio station had been broadcasting exclusively through its website prior to securing its FCC license in late 2014. The online platform will continue alongside the radio channel in order reach all the station’s loyal listeners in the Riverwest area and beyond. Leplae said...

Mai Payia Vang: Where are the Hmong young professionals in Milwaukee?

Posted by Lee Matz | Dec 20, 2015 |

A look at the future of an ethnic business community in peril. Wisconsin has tried to position itself as an incubation hub for start-up businesses in recent years. Young professionals network through social media and in their active involvement with business and ethnic organizations. While groups like Newaukee and Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee support and nurture entrepreneurship, the Hmong people find themselves isolated from opportunities, even with their own ethnic community. Mai Payia Vang, owner of a Cricket Wireless store, shared her experience and perspective of why the future business prospects for ethnic Hmong in a city like...

Created by Carole, a retrospective

Posted by Lee Matz | Nov 8, 2015 |

An artistic retrospective of Carole Zalenski, who passed away at age 68 on July 7, was featured at the COMB gallery on November 8. “I’ve curated a gallery showing of art created from school to the later days of her life,” said her son, Bill Zalenski. His mother Carole had suffered from the affects of dementia for the past few years. The event was his way to honor the depth of her creativity before the illness took her health. On display were dozens of paintings, illustrations, and sculptures that Carole had produced. The gallery showing also helped raise awareness...