Black Cat Alley

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Black Cat Alley

The Black Cat Alley is a world-class street art destination comprised of over a dozen murals by a va
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The Black Cat Alley will be a new arts destination comprised of outdoor large-scale murals, all in one two-block alley which will serve as an open gallery walkway. It will be located between Kenilworth Blvd and Ivanhoe, in the alley between the Oriental Theatre on Farwell Avenue and Colectivo Coffee on Prospect Avenue in the historic East Side neighborhood of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A dark and quiet

space, it is in urgent need of a makeover; in our vision, it will be a beautiful, cultural destination for the public. The alley will become an outdoor gallery, enhancing the local business community by drawing local visitors and tourists. A seven-day installation is planned for September 11-17, 2016, and it will be an exciting media event for the community to enjoy. Artists from around the world will join local Milwaukee professionals and students to create an amazing street art space.

06/19/2026

East Side Gallery Night returns on Friday, July 17! Join us from 5 to 10 PM as Milwaukee's East Side comes alive with local art, creativity, music, shopping, and dining. 🎨

From artist showcases and gallery pop-ups to community art and special offerings from neighborhood businesses, East Side Gallery Night is your chance to discover local talent, support small businesses, and experience the neighborhood in a new way.

This free, all-ages event invites you to explore the East Side at your own pace while enjoying creative experiences around every corner.

Here's what to expect:
🎨 Artist showcases and pop-ups throughout neighborhood businesses
🎨 A vendor market sponsored by Milwaukee Makers Market in Ivanhoe Plaza
🎨 Drink and dining specials at participating spots
🎨 A creative crowd exploring Milwaukee's East Side

Presented by the East Side BID and sponsored by Educators Credit Union and Milwaukee Record.

Stay tuned for participating businesses, artists, special events, and more!

06/16/2026

We are excited to welcome Up Up and Away, a new mural by artist and educator Arcadia Melster (AIM Creatively). 👋

Described by Arcadia as "a representation of perseverance through whimsy and glee," the mural reflects the dreams we pursue and the hard work required to reach them. The piece serves as a reminder that it is possible to follow our dreams, regardless of who we are or where we come from.

Up Up and Away is also a dedication to the people who have supported Arcadia throughout her artistic journey, including family, friends, and especially her son and daughter. As Arcadia shares, the mural honors those "who know to never give up on what you love to do."

Come see this uplifting new addition to Black Cat Alley and let it inspire you to keep reaching for what matters most. 🎈✨

🎨: “Up Up and Away” by Arcadia Melster (AIM Creatively)

06/13/2026

IT’S SUMMER SOULSTICE DAY. ☀️🎶🔥

The East Side is officially turning all the way up. Live music, packed streets, local vendors, cold drinks, great food, and nonstop energy all day long. And yes, it’s completely FREE to attend.

Check out the official festival map and start planning your route because things kick off at noon and keep rolling until midnight.

What to know:
→ There are FIVE stages this year, including the all-day DJ takeover in Black Cat Alley 🎧
→ Performances begin at 12 PM
→ Shop over 50 local vendors throughout the festival
→ Murray Ave vendors are half-day vendors open from 12 PM - 5:30 PM. All other vendors are open until 11 PM
→ Festival festivities span Kenilworth Pl, Ivanhoe Pl, Farwell Ave, Prospect Ave, Murray Ave, and the Kind Oasis Lot on Milwaukee’s East Side

🚨 Please note: North Ave will remain open to traffic, so be extra cautious when crossing the street, especially near the Murray Avenue Stage.

First performances:
🎵 New Land Black Cat Alley Stage | 12:00 PM – Italohound & Ginosociopath
🎵 Educators Credit Union Ivanhoe Stage | 1:00 PM – Los Mitoteros
🎵 WMSE Kenilworth Stage | 1:00 PM – Modern Tigers
🎵 Miller Lite Farwell Stage | 2:00 PM – School of Rock Shorewood
🎵 Smokin’ Murray Ave Stage | 2:00 PM – Keshena Armon Music Company

Huge thanks to our presenting sponsors, Miller Lite and Educators Credit Union, for helping make Summer Soulstice happen. 🙌

We’ll see you out there. 😎

06/10/2026

Late-night sets in Black Cat Alley are unmatched. 🌙🎧✨

Greyhound brought the energy last year with a packed dance floor, blurry phone photos, and the kind of Summer Soulstice moments you wish you could bottle up forever.

And guess what? Greyhound is BACK to close out the New Land Black Cat Alley Stage again this year with Asher Gray. See you in the Alley on Saturday. 🖤

06/04/2026

Trying to capture the energy of Summer Soulstice in one photo is impossible, but we keep trying anyway. ☀️🎶📸

Summer Soulstice is even better in person. Come experience it on Saturday, June 13th. 😉

06/02/2026

The New Land Black Cat Alley Stage at Summer Soulstice is turning the alley into one giant dance floor. 🖤🎧

Club Ritual is back with another absolutely stacked lineup, bringing nonstop energy to Black Cat Alley all day long on Saturday, June 13. From underground house and techno to disco, club, and q***r rave sounds, this year’s lineup is set to make the Alley the place to be during Summer Soulstice once again. 🔥

The day kicks off with Italohound & Ginosociopath at 12 PM, followed by Adrian More at 1:30 PM, Richard Galling at 3 PM, and Don Black at 4:30 PM. As the sun starts to set, R3algrl and Mowiah bring their Dance Your Heart Out collective to the Alley at 6 PM, followed by Digital.Maddie at 7:30 PM. Closing out the night are Asher Gray and Greyhound at 9 PM with a set built to keep the energy going to the very end. ✨

Huge thanks to Club Ritual for continuing to bring incredible artists, unforgettable energy, and a packed dance floor to Black Cat Alley year after year.

And thank you to our stage sponsors, New Land Enterprises and Red Bull, for helping bring the New Land Black Cat Alley Stage to life. 🙌

05/28/2026

POV: your camera roll after Summer Soulstice. 🎥☀️

Ready to make some new memories? Join us for Summer Soulstice on Saturday, June 13th! 🎶✨

05/26/2026

Black Cat Alley artist Jeremy Novy (Jeremy Novy Stencils) stopped by the East Side this week bearing gifts, including fresh stickers for the Alley and a little extra surprise for Milwaukee art lovers. 🖤🐟

As part of his Free Art Friday Milwaukee, Wisconsin edition, Jeremy hid mini original art pieces throughout the city, including one tucked beside The Backdrop Project in Black Cat Alley. 👀✨

If you were lucky enough to find one, you took home a piece of one of Milwaukee’s most iconic street artists. Thanks for spreading a little extra art around the city, Jeremy!

🎨: “Backdrop Project” by Naomi Dable (), Ashley Tulpa (.tulp), and Eileen Nelson ()

05/21/2026

Summer Soulstice is back in just a few weeks, and the The East Side is about to turn all the way up. 🔥🎶

From noon to midnight on Saturday, June 13th, we’re taking over the neighborhood with live music, local eats, cold drinks, and that can’t-miss first-festival-of-summer energy.

This year, we’ve got 5 stages and zero dull moments. Returning fan favorites? Of course. New artists to obsess over? Plenty.

And yes, the Black Cat Alley DJ takeover is back and ready to keep the party going. ☀️🎧✨

Bounce from stage to stage, follow the sound, grab something delicious, and stay out way later than you planned. It’s free, and it only happens once a year.

05/20/2026

Crowd packed, music up, and Don Black on deck. Catch him back in the alley for Summer Soulstice at 4:30 PM and get ready to move. 🎧🔥

Club Ritual () just keeps leveling up every year, bringing a full spectrum of underground dance music to the alley.

June 13. Be there. ☀️🎶

Address

Milwaukee, WI
53202

Website

http://blackcatMKE.com/

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