Alverno Presents “Cedar Block: May The Schwartz Be With You”

Creative collective Cedar Block, led by Brent Gohde, returns to Alverno Presents with another dynamic, multidisciplinary expedition – this time it’s a nostalgic journey back to the Harry W. Schwartz Bookshop on Downer Avenue, which closed in 2009. Through stories, songs and art, we meet the various employees and customers whose paths as local innovators, artists and entrepreneurs have helped shape what Milwaukee culture is today. Cedar Block will perform “May The Schwartz Be With You” at Turner Hall on Saturday, April 20th at 8:00 p.m.

In 2012, the creative collective Cedar Block made their Alverno Presents debut with the critically acclaimed “Sexy Results: Cedar Block’s Dig for the Higgs & How the Quest Was Won.” Performing to a jam-packed Turner Hall Ballroom, Gohde and company set out to discover the purpose and meaning of the universe through art, story, song and film. “Milwaukee curators and art event planners take note,” wrote Mary Louise Schumacher in her Milwaukee Journal Sentinel review. “Cedar Block has set a standard for an art happening that was inspired, substantive and incredibly fun. Yes, it is possible to do all of those things at once.”

This year, Cedar Block is returning to Turner Hall with a brand new 21st century variety show in search of something elusive, yet central, to our existence – the meaning and purpose of community. "Cedar Block: May The Schwartz Be With You" finds Gohde and friends going back to his first post-graduate job—the well-known Milwaukee bookstore, Harry W. Schwartz on Downer Avenue. The diverse team of collaborators is a testament to the unique, inspired and devoted community of creatives who have long called Milwaukee home. They include Willy Dintenfass, Gene Evans, Bridget Griffith Evans, Joe Kirschling, India Lathon, MADEOFOAK, Lia Manley-DeRuiter, Ashley Morgan, Kara Mulrooney, Amy O'Neill, Kristopher Pollard, Chris Rosenau, Steve Schlei, Mark Waldoch and Jim Warchol.

“May the Schwartz Be With You” looks to this specific time and place as the center of the Milwaukee universe - both Gohde's, and ours. Through Cedar Block's trademark creative collaborations, Milwaukee artists and musicians will explore the history of this Downer Avenue icon, and map the paths of those who helped develop the culture that currently makes up who we are.
Single tickets are $15. Tickets may be purchased through the Alverno Presents Box Office at 414-382-6044 or on-line at http://alvernopresents.alverno.edu.

Alverno Presents
Alverno Presents, the performing arts series of Alverno College, is celebrating its 53rd year. The series has innovated beyond our history as the longest running, continuous arts presenter in the city, to our niche of presenting contemporary dance, world music and jazz and an array of performance events. Alverno Presents shares the school’s mission by ensuring broad access to and participation in learning, experiencing and developing the arts for the learning community of Alverno, and our community as a whole. For more information on Alverno Presents, special projects, media reviews and more, visit alvernopresents.alverno.edu, contact Alverno Presents Assistant Director Rory Trainor at 414-382-6151, or e-mail rory.trainor@alverno.edu.