Music fans enjoy a performance by a band at the weekly summer Indaba Nights concert series to the rear of the St. Ann Center-Bucyrus Campus property.
By Sheila Julson Thompson
Milwaukee summers move to the beat of live music, pulsating through the evenings. Free music abounds, from stages at festivals to parks to patios around the city.
The Indaba Nights music series, a free weekly event every Wednesday from 6:30-8:30 PM at the Indaba Band Shell, is among those music series, Accomplished Milwaukee musicians perform soul, reggae, jazz, and old school classics for audiences of 400 people or more — dancing, singing along, reconnecting with old friends and making new ones.
The 2025 Indaba Nights season kicked off its sixth full season on June 4 with Esquires II, featuring adult children of the famous Milwaukee group Esquires, a nationally charting group active from 1957 through 1976.
“We’re so tickled, because most people who came in said they couldn’t wait for Indaba Nights to begin!” said Gloria Miller, Special Events Director at St. Ann Center’s Bucyrus Campus. The bandshell is located behind the building at 2450 W. North Ave.
Since opening night, several storms forced a few reschedulings… and a new show was added, so this year’s series now extends into September. The newly announced finale is a special 1-hour performance by Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Principal Pops Conductor Byron Stripling, a trumpeter and soloist.
Artists performing at Indaba Nights all have a following and name recognition throughout Milwaukee, having played at esteemed local and regional concerts, fairs, and festivals. Gloria forged connections with many local entertainers through her tenure as Executive Director of African World Festival. Some, such as blues singer Jeannie Holliday, have been with Indaba Nights since its inaugural season. Other annual favorites include Mahogany Soul, and Christopher’s Project.
Christopher Pipkins, saxophonist and founder of Christopher’s Project (performing this year on August 27), said he enjoyed the different age groups that check out Indaba Nights, from older generations to younger music fans.
“It’s also one of the few music festivals in the inner city, so we’re bringing music to people that can’t always get to live music on the lakefront,” he said.
Shuga Blu vocalist Keshena Armon told the crowd she was especially excited to perform at the bandshell, because she’d lived in the area when her father was pastor at a nearby church; she recalled walking her dog through the area that later became the Bucyrus Campus.
Indaba Nights performers are paid with funds raised through the annual Indaba African Ball, which generates revenue to support all events and security at the bandshell, such as an annual pumpkin giveaway and Easter Egg hunt. The Ball, always held the first Saturday in February to kick off Black History Month in Milwaukee, has become a beloved community tradition itself, even more appreciated because it brings the music all summer long.
Building Community Through Music
Indaba Nights builds community and fellowship. Many attendees find it initially because of a particular performer they enjoy — but then return, week after week.
“One of the most unique things about Indaba Nights is that it’s a great place for people to hear live, old- school music – not something that’s synthesized,” said Gloria. “Many people that live in the community have said to me, ‘I use to play guitar, or I used to play trumpet,’ and this brings back a great memory for them.”
The buzz about Indaba Nights began by word-of-mouth within a three- to six-block radius of Bucyrus, she said, but today, people come from all over Milwaukee, even as far as Brown Deer and Germantown. People bring camp chairs or blankets to sit on the grassy hill over the site; some prefer the paved apron in front of the stage.
Food is available from vendors to purchase on site, but attendees may also bring a picnic basket or cooler (no open flame tailgate style cooking is allowed). Often, food trucks and other vendors set up on the street just outside the grounds.
Free parking is available within the fenced lot or on the street. The bandshell area is easily accessible via paved walkways. Wheelchair-accessible bathrooms are located on either side of the stage. People can also learn more about St. Ann Center’s work or sign up for a future tour of the building.
“I don’t think that anyone thought Indaba Nights would become what it is now,” Gloria reflected. “I happen to work with a great team.”
Note: When weather conditions are unfavorable, Gloria consults with the artists’ contacts to determine safety protocol and potential rescheduling. Updates are posted on the bandshell’s Facebook Page (and visible even for those without an account): www.facebook.com/indababandshell.
Gloria also maintains an email list to update people who don’t want to visit Facebook.
Updated 2025 Indaba Nights Lineup:
- August 27 – Christopher’s Project (jazz, R&B, pop) Attendees are asked to wear African or Afrocentric attire as part of the Community Day Celebration marking the 10th anniversary of the Bucyrus Campus.
- September 3 – Stone Jam Band (soft rock, jazz, top 40 R&B; rescheduled rain date)
- September 10 — Love, Peace & Soul Band (old school R&B; rescheduled rain date)
- September 17 – Jazz Flux (traditional jazz incorporating elements of hip hop, R&B, and pop; rescheduled rain date)
- September 24 — 6 -7 PM — MSO Principal Pops Conductor & trumpeter Byron Stripling (new show added!)
