APPLETON - After a COVID-19 cancellation last year,
Mile of Music
is back this week.
The free music festival in and around downtown Appleton starts at noon Thursday and runs through Sunday afternoon.
In between, there are more than 600 performances of solely original music scheduled by nearly 200 artists at about 40 venues.
We know you have questions about Mile of Music 8. We have answers. Let's get started.
Where can I find the Mile of Music schedule?
It's on
the Mile of Music website
but you might want to consider downloading the Mile of Music app. And keep in mind that the schedule is subject to change, so check it frequently.
Is Mile of Music really free?
Yup, the music is free everywhere. You're on your own to pay for beverages, of course.
For $100, you can become a
Mile of Music Music-Maker
. It gets you access to the exclusive First Songs Kickoff Concert on Wednesday night at Jones Park, plus merchandise and special access to the OuterEdge stage and a Music-Makers lounge at the festival headquarters.
What's changed this year from past Mile of Musics?
There will be more outdoor performances - about half of them, compared to about a quarter of the shows in previous Miles. During the festival's hours, there will always be at least one outdoor show.
That's an attempt to address the ongoing COVID challenges, according to Mike Van Thull, the festival's managing director.
"This way, attendees will always have the benefit of knowing they can attend music outdoors if they choose," he said.
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Indoor venues have been asked to lower their capacities slightly and some small venues from past years won't host events this year.
Some venues have changed, too. The Spats area, a popular spot in the restaurant's parking lot, moves across College Avenue to The Core parking lot, which will still be hosted by Spats.
There are new outdoor spaces at Rookies, Stone Arch Brewery and the public space next to Mondo! Plus, there'll be a new stage in the alley behind the Wooden Nickel and Jim's Place.
Houdini Plaza, which traditionally has been a major stage, will feature acoustic performances this year.
Is Cory Chisel performing this year?
The Mile of Music co-founder was scheduled to perform but
announced Friday on his Facebook page
that he had decided not to perform any live shows this summer because of the effects of the blood disorder he said he was diagnosed with in 2004.
"It guts me to be sidelined and face some of the realities that have affected the entire world this year," Chisel wrote: "This experience has deepened my compassion for those in our communities who are vulnerable."
Is Bike to the Beat back, too?
Yes,
the Saturday community-focused bike ride
that features Mile artists performing at stops along the course is returning.
There's a virtual version that participants can do on their own but there's also an in-person ride, with courses starting in Combined Locks and De Pere.
Can I volunteer at Mile of Music?
Yes, festival organizers are still
looking for volunteers
for this week's event, particularly with beverage sales, merchandise sales and stage setup.
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What's the weather forecast for the event?
As of Monday morning,
the forecast calls for highs in the low to mid-80s
each day, with morning showers possible Saturday morning and isolated storms possible Sunday.
But like the Mile of Music schedule, the weather is certainly subject to change.
Contact Larry Gallup at (920) 996-7216 or lgallup@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @LarryGallup.
