Newsletter
April 2, 2015
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FIRST FRIDAYS! first fridays logo

Tomorrow night, Downtown Racine will host its first, First Fridays of the season. Shop, dine and explore our vibrant downtown from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. 

 
While you are here, help us celebrate 10 years of First Fridays. Join us at Uncorkt, an original founding First Friday business, to get your evening of fun started!  At 5 p.m., you can visit with downtown business owners, old and new, have some birthday cake and see the unveiling of the winning 10th Anniversary First Fridays Logo! Dozens of independently owned downtown businesses collaborate to bring you First Fridays. Be sure to visit them all this Friday as the celebration begins! 

 

Take a horse drawn carriage ride with Racine's Black Tie Carriage Service or stroll throughout downtown and discover the fun your friendly downtown merchants have planned.  Below is a sneak peek of the endless fun that will be had tomorrow night!

 

First Fridays Shopping 
  • Stop in at Art Metals Studio and participate in their Diamond Challenge! Simply spot the diamond and be entered into a drawing to win a $100 gift certificate. After you take the challenge, stay for refreshments, snacks and a chat about the differences between the stones and how to tell them apart. You'll be on your way to being a Diamond expert!
  • Stop at the Carriage House to sample locally made cheeses and sausages at their tasting bar. Be sure to stroll their store to find specialty food products, last minute Easter Basket items or try a craft beer, cocktail or a glass of wine before you move on to your next First Friday destination. 
  • Easter Sunday is quickly approaching and Copacetic is your downtown hat headquarters for a beautiful sinamay straw, big brimmed hats. Their extensive inventory of hats and caps caters to both men and women. If you are planning a vacation over spring break, be sure to take along a hat for sun protection from Copacetic so you are ready to hit the beach or golf course as soon as you arrive! They also have many packable, washable hats that travel and wear well.  
  • Stop in at Dimple's Fine Imports, do a little shopping and be sure to register for their $100 gift certificate drawing.
  • Spring has sprung at Dover Flag & Map! The nice weather means it is time to put out a fresh new U.S. flag or choose from the assortment of colorful decorative banners. There are so many choices at Dover Flag & Map! Choose from an assortment of banners with vibrant designs including bright flowers, butterflies, loons or even horses. If you enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles, be sure to ask about the puzzle exchange/lending library.  
  • Spruce up your spring wardrobe with some custom accessories!  Let the gals at Funky Hannah's show you how easy it is to make your own earrings with the amazing array of beads in their shop!  There will be demonstrations on demand, beginning at 4 p.m.  Shop until 9 p.m. and learn more about their classes through the end of April!
  • Visit Lakeview Pharmacy to learn more about Pete's Perks. This reward program allows you to earn points on the items you already purchase. Stop in to find out more details about this rewards program and sign-up today.
  • Enjoy free admission at the Racine Art Museum from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The RAM 6th Annual International PEEPS Art Exhibition is back! One of the museum's most popular competitions, the show's popularity has drawn thousands of visitors to RAM to enjoy the riot of electric pastels brought together in creative PEEPS pieces. Vote for your favorite work of art to decide who will take home the coveted PEEPles Choice Award. No Family Hands-On Art Activity during this event.
  • Seebecks is celebrating their 1st Birthday! Join them on First Friday from 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. to enter your name for several giveaways from some of their favorite artists and vendors. No purchase necessary to enter.  Also this evening, purchase a Nora Fleming Pasta Bowl at 20% off and receive a free mini! Explore their wonderful art, gifts and jewelry while enjoying some light refreshments and a birthday dessert during this free event.
First Fridays Dining and Nightlife
  • Visit envi ultra lounge to be part of their Spring Artist Showcase opening reception. Meet featured artists Gary Weidner, Kristen Bartel, John Zehren, Robert Fleischman and Maureen Fritchen and enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Once you've finished all of your downtown shopping and the First Fridays festivities come to an end, make sure to stop back at envi to grab dinner or items from their late night menu. At 10 p.m. DJ K8 Elixer will get the party really started!
  • Dine at Henry & Wanda's to enjoy their tantalizing grilled salmon accompanied by hand mashed potatoes and asparagus drizzled with Hollandaise Sauce. Wet your whistle with their special Summer Lovin' Martini made with Bacardi Razz (Raspberry), lemonade and Raspberry Pucker. Then, stay for more fun featuring the music of the Flood Brothers Band starting at 8 p.m.
  • Good Friday is this week and Ivanhoe Pub and Eatery is your fish fry destination  from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Hungry after all that First Friday shopping? Ivanhoe also offers a late night menu starting at 10 p.m. 
  • Looking for a serene and intimate setting for dinner on First Fridays? Dine at Vero International Cuisine where they specialize fine food, great wines and outstanding desserts. In honor of 10 years of First Fridays fun, Vero is also featuring $1 off all draft and bottled beers.

HELP CELEBRATE RACINE

The deadline for submissions for this year's community art has been extended due to spring break. All artwork is due on Friday, April 10th before 4 p.m. But, we will welcome it early! Our offices are open all day on Good Friday, April 3rd, for your convenience.

This year's project is a civic beautification initiative entitled, "Celebrate Racine."  Artists, of all ages, are invited to submit two dimensional entries from the following visual art categories such as digital art, print making, painting and illustration and collage. Appropriate content might include: landmarks, architecture, history, nature traditions, innovations, attractions, landscapes and environment. 
UPCOMING EVENTS

The Racine Arts Council (RAC) presents "Sun, Sand, Soccer, and Lake Monster?" 

Walk-A-Book Art Exhibit 

Now through April 25th

Visit RAC to see the original artwork of the children's book, "Sun, Sand, Soccer, and Lake Monster?" This book was written by local author/artist Jeff Levonian and illustrated by 20 area artists. The original artwork is currently displayed at the RAC ArtSpace Gallery together with text, forming a unique walk-through story experience. This is an exhibition you will not want to miss! The exhibit is free and open to the public during RAC ArtSpace Gallery Hours: Friday & Saturday, Noon - 4:00.  The exhibit runs through April 25th. Each of the original artworks is available for purchase via an online auction.The auction runs through April 3rd at www.32auctions.com/racineartscouncilThe finished pieces include acrylic painting, watercolor, mixed media, stained glass and metal sculpture.


Gorman & Company's OPEN HOUSE

April 11th, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Looking to live in beautiful, affordable Downtown Racine? Gorman Properties invites you to see 3 of their awesome properties. If you make one of their Racine properties your new home,  you can save with their Spring Savings incentive valued at $50. Restrictions do apply. Learn more about these great properties located in vibrant Downtown Racine.

 

Thirsty Third Thursday's

April 16th at 6:30 p.m.

Are you excited? Spring has finally sprung and Downtown Racine's monthly bike crawl is back. The ride starts  Carriage House at 6:30 p.m. and ends at envi ultra lounge with live music. For more information, contact Carriage House Liquor Co. at 262-898-0279.

 

"Frozen Chosen " ...Sturgeon Spearing on Lake Winnebago

April 16th from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

SC Johnson's Golden Rondell Theater 

Each winter, a monstrous beast lures men to risk their lives on the unstable ice of a barren North American lake. These men brave sub-zero conditions and arm themselves with only a primitive spear. Beneath the ice lurks their prehistoric quarry, filled with the elusive, primitive lake sturgeon. Men have hunted with spears for centuries, but Lake Winnebago is the only lake on the planet where it still occurs. "The Frozen Chosen" introduces you to the obsessed men who are willing to wait days, years, even decades to throw their spears and brings you face-to-face with the monsters below. Wisconsin Documentarian and Producer of "The Frozen Chosen," Steve Boettcher, is a five-time Emmy-winning filmmaker. His current work includes producing and directing PBS's national series Pioneers of Television, now in its fourth season. His other television projects include productions for History Channel, Discovery Channel, BBC, CBS and NBC. A short presentation and Q&A session with Steve Boettcher will take place immediately following the screening. The film is 56 minutes long and is not rated. Learn more about this great community event.

 

Southeastern Wisconsin Performing Arts' 

"Tales and Tunes" and Angela Brown's Opera...From a Sistah's Point of View
April 17th at 6:30 p.m.
Racine Public Library 

The Friends of Racine Public Library, in partnership with the Racine Library and the Library Foundation, present a series of events that will take you on a journey into the world of opera. The program will feature arias from several operas based on fairy tales. Doors will open at 6:15; attendees are encouraged to dress as their favorite fairy tale characters but may also come as themselves.

 

Around the World Dinner and Wine Pairing 

April 24th at  6:30 p.m.

envi ultra lounge

Join envi ultra lounge each month for their dinner pairings. This month, you will tour the world that is full of great wines and fabulous food. Download this month's menu. Once you see it, you will want to call for your reservation today! Watch for more details on next month's dinner pairing featuring Sprecher Beers.

 

Vero International Cuisine's Wine Dinner
April 25th at 6:00 p.m.

Visit Vero International Cuisine for an exquisite evening featuring their five course Steak Au Poivre dinner prepared by their chef, Matthew Martin. Each course will be paired with award winning wines from Sturino Trotta.  Please call ahead to make a reservations at 262-260-8675.

 

"Don't Drink the Paint, Drink the Wine Event"

April 29th at 6 p.m. 

Vero International Cuisine

Join Vero International Cuisine for their upcoming painting event. The class will be led by the local artist, Laura Covelli, and participants will be painting a colorful spring picture. This event is $45 per participant and includes a 16" x 20" canvass, a glass of wine and an appetizer.  Please join us for a fun evening of painting and great wine!  Call ahead to make a reservation at 262-260-8675.

 

Color Run 
May 23rd 

Persian Park and Downtown Racine 

Feel the excitement? The Color Run Racine is almost here! Racine is part of the all new "Shine Tour." Runners and walkers on the 5k course will be covered with colored cornstarch and glitter. The Racine run starts and finishes at Pershing Park on the lakefront. Everyone gets a limited edition Shine Tour t-shirt, a gold finishers medal, a tricolor headband with blingin' silver stitching, a glitter pack, a classic color pack, new gold tattoos and more! Groups of four or more people are $45 per person until April 15. The individual rate is $49.50 until April 15. Save $5 per entry with the code TCRRACINE. Register now and save at www.thecolorrun.com/racine.

Downtown Racine is one of the Midwest's most unique and vibrant lakefront communities. Make downtown Racine your getaway destination for boating, dining, shopping, art and fun!

 

Our historic charm, boutiques, art galleries, international cuisine and museums are just a few of the reasons why Downtown Racine is the place to see. 

 

By experiencing our friendly downtown charisma, or attending one of our energetic events, you will see firsthand why Downtown Racine is the place to be!

 

DRC Logo

Downtown Racine is managed by the Downtown Racine Corporation