Martinifest Story Tough to Swallow

Something about this story doesn't sit right with me.

The glistening white Santiago Calatrava addition has made the Milwaukee Art Museum one of the city's classiest social addresses. But a recent martini fete held there turned into an overcrowded, drunken affair. Some unruly guests accosted artworks, which have been taken off display for a checkup.

People threw up, passed out, were injured, got into altercations and climbed onto sculptures at Martinifest, a semi- formal event organized by Clear Channel Radio and held at the museum Feb. 11, according to several people who attended or worked at the event.

First, this event took place nearly three weeks ago. It was heavily promoted. The largest NEWS paper in the state devotes the lead story in the paper and countless column inches to the story today?

Second. This event was sponsored by Clear Channel, a multi-media company which owns a half dozen stations in the Milwaukee market, which compete directly against stations owned by the Journal Sentinel's parent company.

The story itself was long on outrage and short on facts.

Did people actually drink to the point of vomiting in the Art Museum? Was it crowded beyond capacity? Were any artworks damaged? Were the Art Museum operators duped into gettng into something different than they anticipated?

My gut tells me this has more to do with a Journal Communications v. Clear Channel grudge than actual lead story-worthy newsreporting.

It's true that I occasionally am on the Early Spin program on Clear Channel's NewsTalk1130 WISN. Before anyone tries to sniff out any conspiracy, you should also note that my site links to JSOnline, Charlie Sykes, Jeff Wagner and Jessica McBride all the time. I'm not pushing any agenda here. Just wondering aloud why a well known event which took place nearly three weeks ago merited such manufactured outrage.

As for who is at fault here? There is probably enough blame to go around.

But is anyone surprised that an event in Milwaukee with the moniker 'Martinifest' resulted in excess alcohol consumption and some obnoxious behavior? If you are, you've never been to Church festival.

I love the Calatrava addition. But I don't revere it. I think this has been blown out of proportion.

The lead story? Really?