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Isthmus' 2024 Madison summer music, theater and dance calendar
Locate the lawn chairs, break out the coolers…ready or not, summer is back. Here’s a roundup of outdoor concert series, schedule details for music festivals, and dance and theater performances in Madison, Dane County and further afield. Read more
May 24, 2024
Draft plan for northeast Madison calls for denser development, but drops residential rezonings
Madison planners are backing off of some proactive rezoning recommendations, but still encouraging some denser redevelopment in their new Northeast Area Plan draft. Read more
May 23, 2024
What to do in Madison this weekend: Lunar Moth album release, 'The Kite Runner' and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for May 23-26 includes a 10th anniversary concert for Gin, Chocolate and Bottle Rockets; fest season is in full swing with Brat Fest and Vegan Sausage Fest. Read more
May 23, 2024
Madison needs higher buildings, denser housing
Higher densities, supported by better transit, are what deliver progressive goals. Read more
May 22, 2024
West-side Madison group wants spending cuts, not a referendum
A west-side Madison group wants to ‘avoid higher taxes and a referendum’ by cutting city spending. Read more
May 21, 2024
Ballot drop boxes could return quickly if Wisconsin Supreme Court overturns 2022 decision
With the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s liberal majority appearing willing to overturn its 2022 decision, municipalities could reinstate absentee ballot drop boxes in time for the August primary. Read more
May 21, 2024
‘Hyper-partisan’ GOP Senate complicates Gov. Evers talent searches
The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature has made it a habit of firing Democrat Gov. Tony Evers’ appointees. His spokesperson says that is making it hard to find new cabinet secretaries. Read more
May 20, 2024
What to do in Madison this week: The Moonboot, 'Poetry and the Natural World' and more Isthmus Picks
Isthmus Picks for May 20-23 includes the opening of a new exhibit by Madison artist Xizhou Xie at Garver Canvas; a presentation of the 'State of the Lakes' report at the next Clean Lakes 101 program. Read more
May 20, 2024
Poet Laureate of the United States Ada Limón to read at Overture
A spring’s worth of poetry events jump-started by the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters culminates on May 23 with a reading by the poet laureate of the United States, Ada Limón. Read more
May 17, 2024
Isthmus' 2024 summer festival calendar
Locate those lawn chairs, picnic baskets and sunscreen…it's summer. Here’s our 2024 calendar covering festivals and annual special events in Madison, Dane County and around the state. Read more
May 16, 2024
What to do in Madison this weekend: Irish Fest Madison, Madison Bach Musicians and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for May 16-19 includes the return of WORTstock to Warner Park; a reunion show for Sunshine Allison. Read more
May 16, 2024
City of Madison budget crisis averted?
The city was estimating a large budget hole for 2025. But when the books were closed for 2023 it turned out the city was about $31 million in the black. You can thank inflation. Read more
May 15, 2024
Political parties target five Wisconsin Senate seats without incumbents
Due to redistricting, all 16-even numbered districts will be filled at the November 2024 election, but the odd-numbered districts, last elected in 2022, will be determined in November 2026. Read more
May 14, 2024
9:00 AM
Wisconsin boycott ban could hinder UW-Madison protesters’ divestment demands
The 2018 state statute prohibits state agencies or local governmental units from “refusing to deal with or terminating business relations with Israel — or entities that conduct business in Israel" if the intent is punative. Read more
May 13, 2024
9:30 AM
What to do in Madison this week: Jacob Kushner, 'Majeska Mondays' and more Isthmus Picks
Isthmus Picks for May 13-16 includes Forward Theater's Wisconsin Wrights readings of new plays; it's a good week for Americana fans with tour stops by Sarah Morris, Pokey LaFarge and Humbird. Read more
May 13, 2024
5:07 AM
Against the grain
Sylvie Rosenthal invites us into Lower Astronomy Studios, a woodworking studio she has maintained for more than nine years. Read more
May 10, 2024
10:00 AM
Madison’s Mercury Stardust and Basil Forest team up for a book club podcast
The book club’s discussions are supportive and compassionate and packed with Mercury Stardust’s iconic laugh. Read more
May 10, 2024
8:00 AM
Breese Stevens eyes new seats, new playing surface, to attract high-level sports
New turf, locker rooms and 500-1,000 more seats, among other improvements, could be headed to Breese Stevens Field ahead of a women’s pro soccer team beginning play. Read more
May 9, 2024
2:15 PM
Pro-Palestinian encampment continues as UW-Madison prepares for commencement
Lengthy negotiations between pro-Palestinian protesters and UW-Madison leaders have stalled, with commencement ceremonies scheduled for Friday and Saturday. Read more
May 9, 2024
11:20 AM
Frisbee Town U.S.A.
Madison’s college, club and pro teams have traditionally competed for and won national titles and the recreational scene here remains the envy of much larger cities. Read more
May 9, 2024
11:00 AM
What to do in Madison this weekend: Isthmus Dance Collective, Madison Night Market and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for May 9-12 includes a DELVE incubator showcase from Isthmus Dance Collective; an all-ages Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration at Madison Children's Museum. Read more
May 9, 2024
5:06 AM
Churches eye redevelopment as buildings age and membership dwindles
‘The status quo for these properties is simply not viable for many of [these churches]. So they will change,’ says Pres House executive director Mark Elsdon. Read more
May 8, 2024
11:00 AM
A spirited adventure
A steady stream of new liquid refreshments has been popping up in the grocery aisle, as well as on a few cafe menus. Read more
May 8, 2024
8:00 AM
Isthmus wins six Milwaukee Press Club awards
Isthmus wins statewide awards for best illustration, personal profile, newspaper design, critical review, public service story and business story. Read more
May 8, 2024
8:00 AM
In the May issue
Wisconsin is for the birds
By almost any measure, birdwatching in Wisconsin has never been more popular — with technology making it easier than ever to tell a nuthatch from a chickadee or to post colorful photos on social media sites. Read more
Dinner at Nonna’s
It seems reasonable to assume that at a spaghetti house, you should start with the spaghetti. Also: take the cannoli. Read more
Churches eye redevelopment as buildings age and membership dwindles
‘The status quo for these properties is simply not viable for many of [these churches]. So they will change,’ says Pres House executive director Mark Elsdon. Read more
Auntie Luke explains why constitutional referendums are so confusing
Auntie Luke Explains, a new series by T.L. Luke, demystifies complex topics through the use of comics. She begins this month with an explainer on constitutional amendments that go to statewide referendum. Read more
Behind the Isthmus cover — May 2024
Designer and animator Chris Bennett finds the fun in a Madison run for the May 2024 Isthmus cover. Read more
The Kite Runner
Tour of Broadway play based on Khaled Hosseini's novel, 8 pm on 5/24, 2 & 8 pm on 5/25 and 1 & 7 pm, 5/26, Capitol Theater. $79-$59. Read more
May 26, 2024
1:00 PM
Weekend of the Burnt Piano
Did one of four friends murder a fifth friend? New play by Sean Langenecker, 5/24-6/8, Broom Street Theater, at 8 pm Thursday-Saturday and 2 pm Sunday, plus 8 pm, 5/29. Read more
May 26, 2024
2:00 PM
The Kite Runner
Tour of Broadway play based on Khaled Hosseini's novel, 8 pm on 5/24, 2 & 8 pm on 5/25 and 1 & 7 pm, 5/26, Capitol Theater. $79-$59. Read more
May 26, 2024
7:00 PM
Memorial Day Ceremony
Madison Veterans Council and Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Henry Harnden Camp #2 commemoration: VFW Post 1318 Band 9:15 am, ceremony 10 am, 5/27, Forest Hill Cemetery-Union Rest. Read more
May 27, 2024
9:15 AM
Monona Memorial Day Parade
Ceremony at 9:30 am, 5/27, Monona Grove High School; parade at 10 am from MGHS to Sennett Middle School (along Monona Drive). VFW Post 7591 ceremonies follow at various locations; click through for info. Read more
May 27, 2024
9:30 AM