This coming week, in events that get to your heart through your stomach.
Highlights
Tuesday, May 1 - Sunday, May 6
Although the grandpappy of the farmers' markets hereabouts, the Downtown Middleton Farmers' Market, in its third year of operation, commencing for the 2012 growing season by the rail tracks behind the Hubbard Avenue Diner and Middleton Library. Terrace Ave., between Parmenter St. and Middleton St., 3-6:30 p.m. Call 836-5559 for more info.
Starting Friday, May 4
Only in Wisconsin would a "beer week" actually last ten days. But as long as you're going to the trouble to pull together beer, beer lovers, brewers and more for Madison Craft Beer Week, why not stretch seven days to ten? The second annual dozens upon dozens of tastings, pairing dinners, and parties, with highlights to be found on each day. The most chaotic period over the ten day week might be on Sunday, May 6, when tickets sales begin for yet another beer festival, the Great Taste of the Midwest. Because face it, ten days is not enough.
Saturday, May 5 - Sunday, May 6
Rendezvous, or historical re-enactments of the fur trading era, are popular round these parts, having no actual Civil War battlegrounds nearby at which to stage re-enactments between the Blue and Gray."Taste foodways of the Fur Trade," announces the teaser for the 31st annual Bloody Lake Rendezvous, a two-day encampment in Woodford that's open to the public for demonstrations, competitions, and food tastings. Chipmunk jerky, anyone? Blackhawk Memorial Park, 2995 County Trunk Y, Woodford, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, $2 admission and free for kids under 12 and military personnel. Call 325-5034 for more info.
Sunday, May 6
The . Plus, the chefs contributing to the five-course meal read like a who's who of Madison food, including Tim and Elizabeth Dahl of Nostrano, Daniel Fox and Andrew Wilson of the Madison Club, Rob Grisham of Brasserie V, Nate Hamilton and Ian Stowell of Harvest, John Jerabek of Fresco, Charles Lazzareschi of Dayton Street Grille, and Patrick O'Halloran of Lombardino's. Concourse Hotel, 1 W. Dayton St., 5:30 p.m., $150 or $550 for four and $2,500 for a full table. Call 310-7836 for more info.
More events this week
Tuesday, May 1
Kitchen Chemist, a session for kids to make ice cream and learn about the science of freezing and melting. Madison Children's Museum, 100 N. Hamilton St., noon, free with $8 admission. Call 256-6445 for more info.
Wednesday, May 2
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.
Whole Foods Market, 3313 University Ave., 4:30-6 p.m., $10. Call 233-9566 for more info.
Mexican Fiesta hosted by Natural Path Health Center, 2940 Chapel Valley Rd., Fitchburg, 6-8 p.m., bring a dish to pass or $5 donation. Call 274-7044 for more info.
CSA Speaker Series, the first of four lectures in the , featuring a talk by "Food Sleuth" Melinda Hemmelgarn titled "F.A.R.M. Food, Art, Revolution, Media: Changing the Way We Eat by Changing the Way we Think about Food, Agriculture, and Health." UW Soils Building, Rm. 270, 1525 Observatory Dr., 6:30 p.m., free. Call 226-0300 for more info.
CHEW meeting, a monthly gathering hosted by titled "Finding the Roots of the American Food Industry Beneath the Cannery Floor." Goodman Community Center, 149 Waubesa St., 7:15 p.m., free. Call 241-1574 for more info.
Thursday, May 3
Canstruction Madison, the second annual (MOM), featuring food vendors, free ice cream, and teams of architects, students and engineers from local businesses and other organizations building structures and sculptures with donated canned and packaged food items to win trophies for color, creativity, and engineering, with all materials donated to the MOM Food Pantry. Keva Sports Center, 8312 Forsythia St., Middleton, 5-8 p.m., free. Please call 836-7338 for more info.
Vom Fass preparing a menu of veggie burgers with caramelized onions and roasted peppers, root vegetable fries/chips, and homemade pickles. Whole Foods Market, 3313 University Ave., 6:30-9 p.m., $30. Call 204-0300 for more info.
Saturday, May 5
El Día de los Niños and Latino Health Fair, an annual healthy living expo geared towards Latino children and their families, organized by the , featuring healthy snacks, health screenings, the Parade of Nations, children's activities, and more. Goodman Community Center, 149 Waubesa St., 10 a.m.-2 p.m., free. Call 246-2967 for more info.
Moms' Farm Picnic, a Mother's Day-themed family outing and benefit for , W7675 Hwy. 12, Fort Atkinson, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., $8 admission. Call 920-691-6742 for more info.
Grassroots Caravan Kick-Off, a celebration and fundraiser for Madison Food Not Bombs, a piñata, a bicycle repair clinic, live music, more. Evolution Arts Collective Gallery, 202 S. Dickinson St., 11 a.m.-midnight, $10-15 sliding scale donation. Call 262-9036 for more info.
Free community meal prepared by volunteers. Wil-Mar Center, 953 Jenifer St., 11:15 a.m., free. Call 257-4576 for more info.
Maifest, a traditional German seasonal Walk a Mile in Her Shoes benefit walk in support of , and Essen Haus, 514 E. Wilson St., 11 a.m.-midnight, $25 advance and $30 day-of registration for the run. Call 255-0539 for more info.
Spring Pow Wow, the 35th annual seasonal celebration hosted by Wunk Sheek, featuring food and vendors, Grand Entry processions at 1 and 7 p.m., dancing, and live music. UW Shell, 1430 Monroe St., 1-9 p.m., free. Call 715-846-3065 for more info.
Art of Note, a gala celebration and fundraiser for Full Compass, 9770 Silicon Prairie Pkwy., 6 p.m., $100 advance or $110 door. Call 263-3320 x.13 for more info.
Sunday, May 6
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.
CSA Pioneers Dinner, a benefit in support of the Graze, 1 S. Pinckney St., 6 p.m., $50. Call 226-0300 for more info.
Madison SOUP dinner, an ongoing series of micro-grant benefit meals hosted by Sector 67, 2100 Winnebago St., 6 p.m., $10. RSVP Peace Pies & Prophets, a fundraiser for and a pie auction. Madison Mennonite Church, 1501 Gilbert Rd., 6-8 p.m., free admission. Call 276-7680 for more info.
Monday, May 7
Stamp Out Hunger, an annual , 151 W. Corporate Dr., 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. from May 7-11, with donations left at mailboxes accepted on May 12. Call 244-3518 for more info.
Whole Foods Market, 3313 University Ave., 5:30-7p.m., $30. Call 233-9566 for more info.
Creative Container Gardening class, with instructor Erin Schneider covering the basics of growing a container garden, with an emphasis on design, plant selection, soil building, and organic techniques. Willy Street Co-op West, 6825 University Ave., 6-8 p.m., $15 owners and $25 all others. Call 284-7800 for more info.
Friendly Supper Club, a monthly dinner for people of all colors and ages. Northside Family Restaurant, 1201 N. Sherman Ave., 6:30 p.m. Call 249-5979 for more info.
Save the date
Saturday, May 12
Celebration of Leadership, the annual awards ceremony for the Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolen Dr., 5 p.m., $65 and $30 for middle/high school students. Please RSVP by May 7, and call 661-4141 for more info.
