Quasi Cafe co-owner Brian Miracle
By Julie Lawrence
OMC Staff Writer
Published March 15, 2007 at 5:28 a.m.
http://www.onmilwaukee.com/dining/articles/quasicafe.html
For Brian Miracle, entertainment and food are the two most important things in life. Having started Quasi Theater -- which has since evolved into the successful Quasi Productions -- as a theater major at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee seven years ago, he's definitely got the entertainment aspect of his life under wraps.
It was only a matter of time then before he launched into his other love: food. Quasi Café, 1319 N. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr., opened quietly this week, with a big grand opening party set for Friday, March 16.
Miracle and business partner Kyle Leipold met as little kids in Neenah, Wis., met up again after college and now co-own the cozy, brightly painted coffee shop housed in the first floor of Bucketworks, a building comprised of art, theater, dance and other creative endeavors.
"I always loved the word 'quasi,'" says Miracle. "It means 'seemingly,' which makes it this all encompassing thing, so Quasi Café is very accurate right now because we're not technically a café, we're a kiosk inside Bucketworks."
The café offers Alterra coffee, espresso drinks and bakery as well as a variety of salads, specialty sandwiches and wraps priced between $5 and $6.
What makes the café unique is its placement in the arts building and Miracle's vision to marry the café with Buketworks' events. He's turned the west wall into windows that don't show outdoors, but rather give guests a great view of the stage in the large directly behind the café. He plans to incorporate a closed circuit of screens above the booths that allow people to watch the stage performances as well as check out what's happening in other parts of the building.
"I think it's really motivating," says Miracle. "You come in and get your coffee and sandwich on your lunch break, but you signed up for a sandwich and yoga. It's $15 for a half-hour yoga class and then you eat a healthy sandwich. Or maybe it's the week when we're doing Japanese films from the '50s and then on the big screen you'd have this video and you can watch it when you eat. There'll be art everywhere and it's just a massive getaway from the workday."
Artwork by local artist Hans Viets lines the walls and Miracle mentions that he's aiming his space to double as a gallery. In the vein of Starbucks' budding production endeavors, Quasi Café will team with Quasi Productions -- which works with writers, actors, choreographers and artists of multi media -- to facilitate a working promotion company of sorts.
"The new idea is that when you walk into a café you realize that it's also an agency and a production company. That's exciting. So when people are sitting here talking about stuff they can actually bring it to action.. We're going to put in cameras that people can pull down and use for teleconferences and interviews."
But first things first. Miracle and Leipold are gearing up for Quasi Café's grand opening party this Friday, March 16 from 7 p.m. to midnight with bands Elatia, The Plainsmen and E-Vive.
mkeonline.com
Jonathan West
THURSDAY, Nov. 9, 2006, 11:41 a.m.
http://www.mkeonline.com/people/blogs.asp?id=138&month=11&year=2006
FULL SPEED AHEAD, CHEKHOV
They do it because they can! Throw a bunch of actors together itching to do some interesting work, and lightning in a bottle might strike. That's what I think might happen when Quasi Productions presents Chekhov's "The Seagull" this weekend. Local notables Marcus Truschinski, Jonathan Wainwright, Molly Rhode, Laurie Birmingham and David Begel will perform this classic under the inspired directorial hand of mad-man actor Jason Economus. They promise a spare, intensely acted production, which will be more about the words and people than sets and props.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 9-11 at Calvary Presbyterian Church, 935 W. Wisconsin Ave. For more info, call (414) 305-1324.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee NEWS, July 31 - August 8, 2006
Milwaukee Sketch Fest
Undercurrents, WI - Aug. 1, 2006
The first Milwaukee Sketch and Improv Festival runs Aug. 11-12. Over two days, eight comedy groups will perform live sets, show short films and participate in what the organizers are calling an "Improv Rodeo." Alamo Basement, The Gentlemen's Hour, The Paris Business Review, Quasi Productions and Winkstar are among the groups with UWM connections that are performing.
Shepherd Express
Fri. June 2, 2006
Camp Calatrava @ Milwaukee Art Museum, 5:30 p.m.
by Caroline Goyette
June 01, 2006
Get ready, campers. The Milwaukee Art Museum kicks off the debut installment of First Fridays' Camp Calatrava tonight. To run monthly through August, the event channels the growth experiences of summer camp, providing unique music, entertainment and opportunities to meet new people. Friday's party, "Superheroes Go to Camp," features music by Crisgo Disco and collective Quasi Productions.
OpenAir Tours
GarysGetaways!
June 2, 2006
by Gary Knowles
Milwaukee/First Friday: Superheroes go to Camp: For the first time First Fridays will continue into the summer months. All superheroes are welcome at Camp Calatrava. Don't be shy; your identity is safe with us. We're all superheroes here in need of a high-flying, awe-inspiring good time. Camp leaders, Quasi Productions - a celebrated collective of local artisans and entertainers - will keep campers in line, actively engaged, and even test the "super strength" of each superhero in a ferocious tug of war. This event will be held outdoors, weather permitting. Milwaukee Art Museum. 5:30-9pm. 414/224-3200. (Milwaukee Co.)
http://www.madstage.com/html/links.html
Paint The Town
What's happening in Milwaukee's arts and entertainment scene
by Sarah Mankowski
Quasi-Theatre
So I was driving to work after my car passed its emissions test this morning – yay! – and listening to the guys from The Tile Company on WMSE 91.7 – the BEST radio station in the WORLD – talking about their presentation of Quasi~Theatre, which opens tonight at 9 p.m. at MOCT (240 E Pittsburgh St.) and runs through tomorrow – Sept. 3rd. I know I’ve been a little heavy on these guys, having gone to only one of their openings, which was somewhat mediocre, but the more they talked about it, the neater this show sounded. Quasi~Theatre is a non-profit theatre company with chapters in New York, Chicago, Milwaukee, and LA. The group has created a multimedia, interactive theatre show that takes place all around the bar (which is a great space, by the way.) The variety show includes about 20 segments of music, film, theatre and improvisation. I, however, am taking the night off in lieu of ordering in Chinese and watching movies, but please let me know how much I missed by not going . . .
NOVEMBER 16, 2004
PICKS
QUASI
The boys of QUASI smell delicious and they like to put squirrels (among other things) down their pants. The troupe has achieved a sublime comedic balance by blending the sensibilities of a skinny Midwestern kid (Ben Williams), a suave Italian from Jersey (Tony Hogrebe) and a cranky Connecticut Jew (Jason Klein). These guys are destined to become the centerpiece of Juvie Hall's sketch comedy evenings. Gene Frankel Theatre, 24 Bond St. (betw. Bowery & Lafayette Sts.), 212-868-4444; 8, $8.
www.planet99.com
Showdown at Aftermath
1034 N 4th St
Milwaukee
414-429-1400
Detail for Showdown at Aftermath: Apr 16 2004 8:00PM - Apr 17 2004 2:00AM
Showdown at Aftermath: April 16-17 Turner Hall Ballroom, 1034 N. 4th St., (2nd Floor) 8pm - Bar Time both nights, Gallery only open noon Saturday. An after-hours Gallery Night extravaganza celebrating UW-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts featuring visual art, film screenings, live dance, theater, and music surrounded by dancing, drinks and more. With feature performances from New Dancemakers, Quasi Theatre, and Heidi Spencer. Evening admission: $5. - Laura B, 03/29/2004
