Events and engagements
Join us for fulfilling, inclusive cultural experiences, connecting our diverse communities through celebratory programming and thought-provoking forums.
Summer of soul: Opening Night featuring Bilal
July 2, 16, 30 & August 13, 27 | Marcus Performing Arts Center Grounds, 929 N. Water St.
Grammy Award-winning soul singer-songwriter, musician, and producer Bilal headlines opening night with his signature blend of jazz, funk, R&B, and experimental soul. Milwaukee native Shonn Hinton, a renowned guitarist and adult contemporary R&B vocalist, will open the evening. DJ Don Black will provide additional support with soulful sets and smooth transitions that set the tone for the season.
DIGABLE PLANETS
Wednesday, July 16 – DIGABLE PLANETS
The iconic 90s hip-hop trio Digable Planets—featuring Ishmael "Butterfly" Butler, Mariana "Ladybug Mecca" Vieira, and Craig "Doodlebug" Irving—brings their signature fusion of jazz, rap, and Afro-futurist cool to the Summer of Soul stage. Best known for their Grammy-winning hit “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat),” the group helped define the golden era of alternative hip-hop with lyrical depth and genre-defying soundscapes. Their live show promises lyrical flow, head-nodding grooves, and timeless vibes.
Opening the evening is a high-energy DJ set by Kid Cut Up, the internationally acclaimed Milwaukee native and touring DJ for music icons like P!NK. Known for his genre-blending remixes and turntable mastery, Kid Cut Up returns home to deliver an electrifying start to the night.
This performance is part of a unique collaboration between Marcus Performing Arts Center’s Rainbow Summer and Culture x Design’s Summer of Soul music series.
SOUL UNPLUGGED DOWNTOWN
Wednesday, July 30 – SOUL UNPLUGGED DOWNTOWN
Soul Unplugged is heading downtown! This year, poet and community organizer Kwabena Antoine Nixon brings his hit performance series Soul Unplugged to the Summer of Soul Outdoor Marketplace & Concert Series for one unforgettable night at the Peck Pavilion. More than just a performance, “Soul Unplugged Downtown" promises to be a vibrant celebration of music, culture, and community.
Relive the golden era of '90s R&B and hip-hop through electrifying performances by two live bands alongside a roster of DJs spinning timeless classics throughout the night.
Come for the music, stay for the vibe—complete with food trucks, local vendors, and the kind of energy only Milwaukee can bring. Powered by Be Inspired Works and Summer of Soul.
MADISON McFERRIN
Wednesday, August 13 – MADISON McFERRIN
Brooklyn-raised and now based in LA, vocalist Madison McFerrin brings her genre-defying sound to Milwaukee for an unforgettable evening of music. As the daughter of jazz icon Bobby McFerrin, Madison has forged her own identity with a unique fusion of soul, jazz, and electronic elements, providing audiences with an intimate and immersive alt-soul experience.
Before Madison performs, acclaimed R&B singer-songwriter and proud Wauwatosa native, Grace Weber, will grace the stage. Her powerful vocals and heartfelt songwriting have garnered her national acclaim while remaining deeply rooted in her community. The evening begins with DJ Gemni Gilly, who sets the atmosphere with her expertly crafted mixes.
SEPTETO CHARAMBO
Wednesday, August 27 – SEPTETO CHARAMBO
Closing out the Summer of Soul 2025 season is Septeto Charambó, a modern evolution of Milwaukee’s legendary salsa group, Conjunto Charambó. Reviving the city's vibrant legacy of Latin music, this powerhouse ensemble delivers high-energy salsa rhythms, brass brilliance, and Afro-Caribbean percussion that ignite the dance floor.
The live music starts with Gego y Nony, the dynamic duo known for electrifying performances that blend Reggaeton and Latin urban sounds with Milwaukee flavor. Bookending the night is DJ Kenny Perez of Radio Milwaukee, whose signature sets traverse genres and generations with a versatile mix of Latin-inspired music from across the diaspora.