Live Music to be Part of 2012 Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Show

Live musical entertainment will be a featured attractions each day at the 50th annual Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Show at the Wisconsin Exposition Center at State Fair Park in West Allis, Thurs., Feb. 9, through Sun., Feb. 12.

Performing on the Renewal by Andersen Seminar and Demonstration Stage will be the following Milwaukee-area musicians:

Thurs., Feb. 9: Annie b., 4:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.: The 2011 Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) Female Vocalist of the Year and an award-winning video producer, Annie B. has quickly made a name for herself in the Milwaukee & Southeastern Wisconsin music scene. Annie started her career on the West Coast, moving to Los Angeles in 1999 and headlining at Los Angeles area clubs with her band for seven years. Garnering college and commercial radio airplay throughout the United States and appearing in national airplay charts, she and her band released two CDs. She relocated to Milwaukee in 2008, and has been since building on that momentum with her new band, Annie B. and the Vagabond Co. Her songs reflect notions learned throughout her journey as an artist: that life is short, so enjoy every moment; that the journey is really more important than the destination, giving hope to each listener that they will find their own inner peace. Notable appearances include Summerfest, Brady Street Festival, and Music Under Glass. She enjoys Milwaukee and all it has to offer, while making her own contributions to the local music and art scene.

Fri., Feb. 10: Joe Richter, 4:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.: At an early age and soon after seeing Billy Joel perform, Joe Richter was inspired to teach himself to play piano, guitar, and harmonica. Richter is currently performing as a solo artist, citing his influences as Van Morrison, Billy Joel, Marc Cohn, and Elvis Presley. His blend of acoustic folk/rock and pop led to recently finishing recording his first acoustic EP, which is due to release on Feb. 18.

Sat., Feb. 11: Peter D'Amore, 4:30 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.: A lively, acoustic loop-guitarist who recently finished writing, producing and recording a solo album, “Reclinal,” D’Amore’s performances features original materials from his two albums, plus songs, ranging from Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Dave Matthews, Neil Diamond, Coldplay, Journey, Rush, Motown, Blues Traveler, and many more. He is the son of Milwaukee’s own Rick D’Amore, who has played area clubs for more than 40 years, and they often do shows together.

Sun., Feb. 12: Julie Ruka, 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.: Performing her music and playing piano for thousands of people at a variety of events including corporate functions, nightclubs, private parties, weddings, and banquets, Ruka’s years as an entertainer have produced an endless musical repertoire and extensive stage experience.

Cosponsored by the Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council, Inc., and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the 2012 Show will provide Milwaukee/NARI, celebrating 50 year's as the area’s leading home improvement and remodeling industry resource, with the opportunity to have its members demonstrate for consumers “Celebrating 50 Years of Ideas for Your Home,” the theme for the Show.

More than 700 booth spaces covering the entire exposition center will feature providers of thousands of home improvement products and services, including kitchens, decks, cabinets, windows, bathrooms, siding, lighting, landscaping, media rooms, wall covering, rec rooms, roofing, fireplaces, and more.

During the Show, educational demonstrations and seminars by home improvement experts and media celebrities will be held, including presentations on the Renewal by Andersen Seminar Demonstration Stage by Doug Wilson of TLC's “Trading Spaces,” Melinda Myers, Gus Gnorski, Lis Friemoth, “The Garden Hoe”, and Tom Feiza, Mr. Fix-It. The Wisconsin Granite Depot Cooking Demonstration Stage will feature area chefs and national cooking celebrities, including Mad Dog & Merrill and Jyll Everman, Food Network Star Contestant.

In addition, the Show’s Outdoor Living Area will feature a Northwood’s theme comprised of a variety of landscaping and hardscaping surrounding a log cabin by Cabintek. There will also be special attractions, including an Interior Design Room Display contest between area college students presented by Benjamin Moore Paints and Pekel Construction & Remodeling, the Schlossmann’s Automotive Group vehicle display, the Kohl's Color Wheel Mobile Arts Display, the Milwaukee/NARI Foundation fundraising raffle, with a grand prize of a Sunroom Kit from Cabintek, daily live music, a caricature artist, and manufacturer displays.

Hours on Thurs., Feb. 9, Fri., Feb. 10, and Sat., Feb. 11, are 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sun., Feb. 12. Admission is $6 in advance, and $8 at the door. Tickets for seniors 60 and older are $6, with a special price of $4.00 at the door on Thurs., Feb. 9, for Senior Day presented by Callen Construction. Children 12 and younger and all military personnel with a military ID card will be admitted free.

For more information, visit www.milwaukeenari.org or call 414-771-4071.