This coming week, in events that get to your heart through your stomach.
Highlights
Wednesday, May 23
Welcome to the Bean Feed, the fundraiser for the Madison Labor Temple, 1602 S. Park St., 6-7:15 p.m., $5 donation. Call 256-5111 for more info.
Friday, May 25 - Monday, May 28
Moving on to the true food of Memorial Day weekend: Yes, just as turkey has come to epitomize Thanksgiving, so does the bratwurst usher in summer, particularly in Madison. The traditional World's Largest Brat Fest returns for its thirtieth year, once again with the goal of breaking its own record of 209,376 bratwursts served, set in 2010. The Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Energy Center Way, 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday. See Facebook and Twitter, and call 236-2041 for more info.
Saturday, May 26
The People's Bratfest returns for a second year with its celebration of sausages and local solidarity. Moving from the environs of the Capitol to the UW campus, this family-minded community inaugural edition with more locally sourced treats and entertainment. The menu includes: a variety of brats from Stoddard's and Regent Market, vegan brats from Field Roast, buns from Silly Yak, Oakhouse, and Pretzilla!, cookies and cheese curds purchased from the Dane County Farmers' Market, baklava from Athens Gyros, and soda from Sprecher. Bands, performers, and children's activities are lined up, too. Presented by the UW Library Mall, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. See Facebook, and call 658-5900 for more info.
Sunday, May 27
Lots and lots of bands populate the menu for Wurst Times, another second wave bratwurst-based party borne out of the state's ongoing political fervor. This premiere last year. More than 30 bands will perform on stages at the High Noon, the Brink Lounge, and the outdoor patio between the two. Brats from Hoesley's Meats will be served, as will veggie brats, and taps beers from Minhas. High Noon Saloon, 701 E. Washington Ave., 11 a.m.-8 p.m., $10 donation. Call 268-1122 for more info.
More events this week
Tuesday, May 22
Sun Prairie-West Farmers' Market, commencing for the 2012 growing season. DeForest Area Farmers' Market, commencing for the 2012 growing season. Veterans Memorial Park, North Main St, DeForest, 3-6 p.m. Call 846-2922 for more info.
Whole Foods Market, 3313 University Ave., 4:30-6 p.m., $10. Call 233-9566 for more info.
Wednesday, May 23
Rooftop Farmers, a weekly session for kids to explore gardening, raising animals, harvesting, and cooking. Madison Children's Museum, 100 N. Hamilton St., 3:30 p.m., free with $8 admission. Call 256-6445 for more info.
City Chickens 101 class, with instructor Alicia Rheal of Willy Street Co-op East, 1221 Williamson St., 6-8 p.m., $15 owners and $25 all others. Call 251-6776 for more info.
Thursday, May 24
Whole Foods Market, 3313 University Ave., 6-7:30 p.m., $25. Call 233-9566 for more info.
Friday, May 25
Burlington ChocolateFest, the 26th annual four-day community Nestlé in , 864 Maryland Ave., Burlington, 4 p.m.-midnight Friday, 10 a.m.-midnight Saturday, 10 a.m.-midnight Sunday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday. Call 262-763-3300 for more info.
Saturday, May 26
Free community meal prepared by volunteers. Wil-Mar Center, 953 Jenifer St., 11:15 a.m., free. Call 257-4576 for more info.
Salute Our Vets Community Celebration, an annual Memorial Day weekend festival in Veterans Memorial Park, 1215 Mills St., noon-midnight. Call 608-767-3844 for more info.
Solar Oven Cooking, a class for kids to "learn how to cook a tasty and nutritious meal using the sun's energy." Madison Children's MuseumSunday, May 27
Savory Sunday, with volunteers need to prepare and serve a fresh, hot meal for the hungry. Lutheran Campus Center, 325 N. Mills St., 11 a.m. Call 233-6967 for more info.
Whole Foods Market, 3313 University Ave., 2-3:30 p.m., $15. Call 233-9566 for more info.
Monday, May 28
CPACC Chicken Barbecue, an annual fundraiser for the , 2217 American Legion Dr., Cross Plains, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Call 843-3166 for more info.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Memorial Day, an annual parish festival hosted by Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 221-1521 for more info.
Tuesday, May 29
Whole Foods Market, 3313 University Ave., 4:30-6 p.m., $10. Call 233-9566 for more info.
Screening of East Side Club, 3735 Monona Dr., 4 p.m., $10 donation. Call 222-9131 for more info.
Screening of Sequoya Library, 4340 Tokay Blvd., 6 p.m., free. Call 257-5741 for more info.
Cooking with Herbs class, with instructor Jennifer Jones covering how to select and use both fresh and dried herbs in the kitchen. Willy Street Co-op West 6825 University Ave., 6-8 p.m., $15 owners and $25 all others. Call 284-7800 for more info.