Each week our concierge, Lee Semke, creates a list of the five or so must-do events for the week. Here are his choices for this week.

1. The Black Keys

May 16, 2012 7:30 p.m. Bradley Center The Black Keys, with special guests Arctic Monkeys, will continue on their El Camino Tour by taking the stage to wow Milwaukee audiences. For more information and tickets click here. 

2. Currents 35: Tara Donovan

May 5, 2012 – Oct. 7, 2012 Milwaukee Art Museum New York-based Donovan is quickly becoming recognized as one of the most innovative artists of her generation. Her site-specific installations, made of common materials like Styrofoam and straw, intrigue the eyes and inspire the mind. More information available here.

The Weebles Coast-to-Coast Exhibit (One for the kids!)

May 7, 2012 – Sept. 16, 2012 Betty Brinn Children’s Museum Children ages 4-10 will love this interactive exhibit that takes visitors on a pretend road trip across the country alongside everyone’s favorite wobbling characters.  More information available here.

Rick Springfield

May 17, 18, & 19, 2012 8:00 p.m. Potawatomi Bingo and Casino If you always wanted to be “Jessie’s Girl,” now is your chance to see one of the biggest pop stars of the ’80s singing his most beloved hits. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

Brewers vs. Twins

May 18, 19, & 20, 2012 Miller Park Come cheer on the Brewers as they take on the Twins! For tickets and the game schedule, click here.

Ace Hood

May 19, 2012 7:30 p.m. Riverside Theater Tickets are $30 and $75 for VIP seating. Rising young hip-hop star Ace Hood and special guest Felecia to play the Riverside Theater. Click here for tickets and more information.

Vitrolum Republic

May 19, 2012 10:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. at Clear Lounge, in the lobby of the InterContinental! Come enjoy the diverse sounds of Milwaukee-based “gypsy-noir” band Vitrolum Republic. Their music intertwines elements of folk, blues, bluegrass, and gyspy tango.

Each week, Lee Semke, InterContinental’s concierge picks 5 or so must-do events. Here are this week’s picks.

1. Brewers vs. Reds

May 7-9, 2012 Miller Park Come cheer on the Brewers as they take on the Reds! Tickets & schedule.

2. Brewers vs. Cubs

May 11-13, 2012 Miller Park Come cheer on the Brewers as they take on their division rivals the Chicago Cubs! Tickets & schedule here. 

3. Peter Pan

May 10-13, 2012 Marcus Center for the Performing Arts Milwaukee Ballet Artistic Director Michael Pink’s most recently acclaimed work took five years to create through the collaboration of a renowned production team, resulting in an adventure beyond your wildest dreams. Featuring brilliant choreography, illuminating costumes, magical lighting tricks and a lively score. For tickets & showtimes click here. 

 4. Steve Winwood

May 11, 2012 7:30 p.m. Riverside Theater With special guest Bobby Long. Tickets are $45. A Rock & Roll LEGEND! Traffic, Blind Faith + solo. Can’t Find My Way Home, Dear Mr. Fantasy, Low Spark of High Heeled Boys, Gimme Some Lovin’, Presence of the Lord, Back in the High Life, Higher Love. For tickets and more info click here. 

5. Tony & Tina’s Wedding

May 11-13, 17-19, 2012 Turner Hall Ballroom Just like a real wedding…only funnier! You, the audience, play the part of the guests at Tony and Tina’s hilarious Italian wedding and bear witness to the vows, the toasts, the feasts, and all the delicious family drama! Ticket includes dinner by Buca di Beppo, champagne toast and wedding cake. Group discounts available. Tickets are $65 and $75. Click here for tickets & more info.

6. Chris Botti

May 12, 2012 8:30 p.m. Riverside Theater Tickets are $35. A passionate evening of instrumental storytelling. When performing his own interpretations of Sinatra, or String… Chris Botti sizzles! Click here for tickets and more information.

7. Mother’s Day at the Zoo

May 13, 2012 Milwaukee County Zoo Sponsored by Westbury Bank, all mothers will receive free admission today! Click here for more information.

The game of table tennis has evolved from playing in your parent’s basement to a true worldwide sport with major tournaments and millions of participants, including the Olympics.

To be a good player you need a combination of endurance and keen reflexes, making it a sport that anyone at any age or gender can achieve great success.

We asked our house pro Jim Zonoozi from Shorewood Table Tennis Club for some tips on how to improve your game.    

What advice can you give someone who is new to table tennis?

It takes time to master the game. Each player will have a different technique, depending who you ask. Some players prefer the penholder grip technique, while other use a more traditional shakehand grip. It might take you a few matches to figure out the best technique and your style.

However, one key piece of advice no matter your style is to never over swing. Stick to short quick movements, this will help you have better control over the ball and put you in the ready position quicker.

How should a player position themselves around the table?

The ball can come from any direction, angle, and have various spin, being in basic athletic position with your hands close to your shoulders will allow you to better manage the various types of shots that happen during a game.

Also, your core should be where you generate a majority of your power, twisting your torso and hitting through the ball to give you better ball control.

Footwork is another key around the table, utilizing quick and small movements to be ready for any type of shot.

What is the best way to work on timing?

It may take a few matches to achieve proper timing. My best advice is play against different types of players. They will help you develop a well-rounded game and be able to compete against various styles.

What are your FIVE tips to becoming a better table tennis player?  

1. Avoid faults on your serve. Your opponent loves free points; don’t make it easier for them.
2. Keep points alive, you don’t need to kill every shot.
3. Be patient and know when to attack.
4. Move your feet.
5. If you notice the ball has backspin, DON’T attack it. It’s best to chop it back and work to get the shot you want.

If you follow these simple tips, your game will rise to an intermediate level in no time.

Join us for table tennis every Thursday in our lobby and remember if you beat our pro you get a gift card to CLEAR.

See you Thursday.

In March, a team of collective Marcus foodservice and hospitality employees submitted an amazing tabletop design in this year’s WRA/NACE competition. We are proud to announce they have won two awards for their submission “Detection.”

The first award was for “Most Innovative” and the second was for “Best Use Of Theme.”

Drawing inspiration from Sherlock Holmes, the team wanted their piece to be a setting that was romantically mysterious ruse on the verge of being solved.

Congratulations to the entire team involved including:

• Emily Rizzo
• Kim Casey
• Louis Williams
• Maggie Fehring
• Nicole Frederickson
• Theresa Wolf
• Tony Bilot
  

Each week, Lee Semke, InterContinental concierge, chooses five or so favorite events happening in Milwaukee. Here are his choices this week.

1. Target Free First Thursday at Milwaukee Art Museum

May 3, 2012 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Milwaukee Art Museum Enjoy free admission to the Milwaukee Art Museum on the first Thursday of every month, thanks to Target! Open late. “Accidental Genius” exhibit closes this week so come check it out for free.

2. Aziz Ansari (Concierge Pick of the Week!)

May 4, 2012 6:00 p.m. Riverside Theater The breakout star of NBC’s Parks and Recreation brings his funny to the Riverside. Tickets are $32.50. Click here for more information and to buy tickets.

3. Brahms’ Third Symphony

May 5, 2012 8:00 p.m. Marcus Center for the Performing Arts Under the direction of Edo de Waart, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra will perform Brahms’ Symphony No. 3 in F major, as well as other selected works. Click here for online tickets and more information.

 4. BAAM! (Beer and a Movie): The Goonies

May 5, 2012 7:00 p.m. Turner Hall Ballroom $5 at the door. Happy hour begins at 5:30 pm. More info available here. 

5. Brewcity Bruisers Championship

May 5, 2012 7:00 p.m. U.S. Cellular Arena Get ready for some fast-paced, hard-hiting roller derby action as the season concludes. See their web site for more info.

6. Guy Torry Comedy Explosion

May 5, 2012 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. at Pabst Theater Come enjoy the laughs at this stand-up comedy show starring Guy Torry, who has been featured in several Hollywood movies including Pearl Harbor and Runaway Jury. Guest stars include Luenell and Red Grant of the Katt Williams Tour. Click here for more info. 

7. Cosmic Colors

April 30, 2012 – July 30, 2012 Milwaukee Public Museum Come take an adventure along the spectrum through the world of color and beyond! Discover why the sky is blue, why Mars is red, and the reason why many things are the color that they are. Tour the interior of a plant leaf, voyage through a human eye, then step into the invisible universe as you investigate x-rays by taking on a monstrous black hole. Explore the world of infrared in a roaring fire, and even discover what may have been the actual color of a dinosaur. More information and tickets are available online. 

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Philadelphia 76ers

April 25, 2012 7:00 p.m. Bradley Center Come cheer on the Bucks as they take on the 76ers! Click here for tickets and more information.

You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up

April 26-29, 2012 Marcus Center for the Performing Arts In YOU SAY TOMATO, I SAY SHUT UP, adapted from their hilarious and often moving memoir of the same title, comedians and real-life married couple Annabelle Gurwitch (Dinner and a Movie) and Jeff Kahn (Forty Year Old Virgin) take a humorous look back at their 13 years together as a couple. At points, their relationship seemed doomed by their opposing personalities. But after trials and tribulations they learned to navigate the conflicts that come with romance, money, and children by embracing each other’s differences, taking on parenting as a competitive sport, and dropping out of couple’s therapy. Their delightfully crazy lifestyle has managed to keep their relationship intact, up-ending every idea you ever had about living “happily ever after.”  Click here for ticket information.

Cinematic Titanic Featuring the Stars of Mystery Science Theater 3000

April 27, 2012 6:00 p.m. “Doomsday Machine” & April 28, 2012 6:00 p.m. “Astral Factor” Join the Stars of Mystery Science Theater 3000 LIVE for a wickedly hilarious film riffing extravaganza! Don’t miss the fun as the MST3K crew ravages some most wonderfully awful Sci-Fi & Horror movies of all time!! Sold-out last year so get your tickets now. http://www.pabsttheater.org/show/cinematictitanic2012

MSO Presents: Debussy’s La Mer

April 27 & 28, 2012 Marcus Center for the Performing Arts Enjoy Debussy’s rich musical interpretation of the sea, performed by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Edo de Waart. Call (414) or (800) 291-7605 for tickets. For more information & tickets click here. 

Milwaukee Mustangs vs. Utah Blaze

April 28, 2012 7:00 p.m. Bradley Center Missing the NFL and college football? Come cheer on the Mustangs of the Arena Football League and get your football fix! http://www.bradleycenter.com/teams/detail/mustangs

Festival City Symphony: Musical Grand Tour

April 29, 2012 3:00 p.m. Pabst Theater Join the Festival City Symphony as they take you and your family on a grand tour of Italy, Scotland, the U.S. and even Paradise. $14 for adults, $8 for children, students, and seniors. Call (414) 963-9067 for more information. Click here for more information.

Like we’ve said before, it pays to follow us on Twitter and now is one of those times. We are giving away three set of four ticket vouchers to see either Othello or Always… Patsy, at The Rep. The vouchers are only valid through Sunday May 6th.

Here’s how to enter…

1. Follow The InterContinenal Milwauwkee on Twitter (@InterConMKE)
2. Tweet: “Hey @InterConMKE I want to win a pair of tickets to see a show at the @MilwRep #InterConITK ”
3. Keep tweeting. Enter once a day through Friday April 27th at Noon CST.
4. We will select a random winners Friday afternoon and they will be notified via a Direct Message.

Good luck everybody.

Each week, the InterContinental Milwaukee’s head concierge, Lee Semke, recommends his top picks for events to do in Milwaukee. Here are his selections for this week.

1. Brewers vs. Dodgers (April 17-19) & Brewers vs. Rockies (April 20-22)

April 17-April 22 Miller Park Come cheer on the Brewers as they take on the Dodgers and Rockies! Residents of Ozaukee, Washington, Waukesha, Racine and Milwaukee counties can purchase half-price tickets for all but the reserved Miller Lite Beerpen in honor of the 5-County 5-Day Celebration. See the Brewer’s schedule here. 

2. Miranda Lambert

April 19, 2012 7:30 p.m. Bradley Center Two-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Miranda Lambert will bring her “On Fire” tour to Milwaukee, accompanied by Chris Young and Jerrod Niemann. Tickets are $34.75 and $49.75. Click here for tickets and more info.

3. Nick Lowe and His Band

April 19, 2012 7:00 p.m. Turner Hall With a special surprise guest. Tickets are $29.50. The Jesus of Cool Returns! Candlelit and cabaret seated at Turner! Somewhere in London a musician carries the keys to the musical kingdom. In Nick’s Technicolor sonic scope are all kinds of sounds, from rock to country to soul to pop. Nothing is off limits, as long as it has a groove and goodness based in reality.  Click here for more info & tickets.

3. Gallery Night and Day

April 20, 2012 5:00 p.m. – April 20, 2012, 9:00 p.m. at Downtown Milwaukee Gallery Night and Day is the premier art event in Milwaukee for both the experienced art connoisseur and amateur admirer. An evening of gallery-hopping and art-viewing begins Friday, April 20 and continues during the day on Saturday, April 21. This spring, the quarterly event showcases 62 venues throughout the downtown Milwaukee area. Admission is free to all venues during event hours. For more information, including venue event hours visit the website or pick up a brochure at any participating venue. More information here.

 4. Daniel Tosh: Tosh Tour Twenty Twelve

April 20, 2012 7:00 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. Milwaukee Theater The host of Comedy Central’s “Tosh.0″ is bringing his humor to Milwaukee. Tickets are $59.50 and $49.50 in advance and $64.50, $54.50 on the day. Tickets & more info here. 

5. MAM After Dark: Swing

April 20, 2012 5:00 p.m. – Midnight Milwaukee Art Museum Add some swing to your step at MAM After Dark: Swing. Dance the night away to live music and lessons by Cream City Swing. Put on your circle skirts and zoot suits and kick up your heels with Madison’s own The Doug Brown – Michelle DuVall Swing Band, playing some of today’s most swinging jazz. Sample gin-based mixed drinks courtesy of Bombay Sapphire. Happy Hour specials and snacks are also available, courtesy of Café Calatrava. Then take a more in-depth look at the works in the Accidental Genius: Art from the Anthony Petullo Collection with curator Margaret Andera, and meet artists from UWM and MIAD who use integrated and new media in their work. Free for Museum Members. More information here.

6. ABBAmania

April 20 & 21, 2012 7:30 p.m. Marcus Center for the Performing Arts The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Pops presents the sound of the seventies. ABBAmania, internationally-acclaimed ABBA tribute band, will perform the band’s most beloved hits accompanied by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Tickets and more info here. 

Which event are you planning on going to this weekend?