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courtesy Strictly Discs
So many records, so little time
Record Store Day celebrates local, independent stores…and the fun of in-person digging for elusive gems.
What's New
Mats Rudels
A collaborative and welcoming Kanopy Dance program
In 'Divine Mythologies,' quiet power speak for itself
Apr 18, 2026
Liam Beran
Centro to establish tech, workforce development hub with $3 million grant
The nonprofit has responded to the second Trump administration with a legal defense fund. But it’s also trying to build up resources to promote workforce development for the Latinx community.
Apr 17, 2026
Direct Action Everywhere, The Marty Project
How the tactic of ‘open rescue’ came to Wisconsin
Activists are planning another ‘open rescue’ of beagles at Ridglan Farms on April 19. These actions are a culmination of a decade of work.
Apr 16, 2026
Laila Smith
What to do in Madison this weekend: April 16-19, 2026
Weekend picks also include the New Breed Quintet with Ben Sidran and Mama Digdown's Brass Band at Isthmus 50 Fest; Two Crows Theatre returns with 'Chesapeake.'
Apr 16, 2026
courtesy Strictly Discs
So many records, so little time
Record Store Day celebrates local, independent stores…and the fun of in-person digging for elusive gems.
Apr 15, 2026
Ross Zentner
Forward Theater’s ‘Lady Disdain’ is a welcome defense of romance
The play delivers a witty defense of the romance genre, reveling in the tropes Shakespeare invented in Much Ado, even as it winkingly pokes fun at them.
Apr 14, 2026
Lauren Hafeman
TLC for caregivers
SPARK!, a free Arts for All Wisconsin program, provides cultural and artistic activities for people with memory loss and their caregivers.
Apr 14, 2026
Focal Flame Photography
Neighbors raise concerns over Olbrich Gardens expansion plans
Friends of Olbrich Park will hold a neighborhood meeting April 14 on proposed expansion plans for Olbrich Gardens.
Apr 13, 2026
Lizzy Larson
How Evers' plan to issue commutations works
Gov. Tony Evers is creating an advisory panel to recommend commutations, a ‘form of executive clemency that reduces an individual’s punishment — most often by shortening a prison sentence.’
Apr 13, 2026
Shawn Harper
What to do in Madison this week: April 13-16, 2026
This week's picks also include National Poetry Month readings by D.S. Waldman, Alison Thumel and Anada Werner at A Room of One's Own; 'Much Ado About Nothing' from University Theatre.
Apr 13, 2026
Submitted photo
Roberto Rivera helps others heal through the lens of hip-hop
Rivera works with school districts, community organizations and social service systems to help them re-imagine and re-configure their programs, putting healing, well-being and cultural sustainability at the center.
Apr 11, 2026
Liam Beran
Neutral sells Bakers Place for $37 million, pays mural artist
After selling its Bakers Place property, Madison developer Neutral is finally getting around to paying its bills.
Apr 11, 2026
Tommy Washbush
Isthmus to celebrate 50 with Ben Sidran, New Breed Quintet, Mama Digdown's
Isthmus 50 Fest takes over Atwood Music Hall on April 18 with a musical party, followed by an April 21 trivia night at the High Noon Saloon.
Apr 10, 2026
11:45 AM
Steven Simione
What to do in Madison this weekend: April 9-12, 2026
Weekend picks also include Monét X Change at Comedy on State; Forward Theater presents 'Lady Disdain,' a Shakespeare reinvention by Lauren Gunderson.
Apr 9, 2026
5:01 AM
Chali Pittman
Two Dane County incumbents booted, five newcomers to step in
All 37 Dane County Board seats were on the April 7 ballot, but just a third were competitive.
Apr 8, 2026
12:15 PM
Lauren Hafeman
Great Lakes artists celebrate natural resources threatened by Enbridge’s Line 5 reroute
'For the Love of Water,' a group exhibition running through April 18 at Arts + Lit Lab, features the work of six Great Lakes visual artists working to celebrate water and raise awareness of environmental issues.
Apr 8, 2026
12:00 PM
Chali Pittman
‘How the next generation is gonna win’
Huma Ahsan loses to incumbent Dane County Judge Ben Jones. But she takes comfort in bringing people of color into the political process.
Apr 8, 2026
11:45 AM
Two new members join Madison city council: school board incumbents survive challenges
Noah Lieberman and Ellen Zhang will join the city council; incumbents Nicki Vander Meulen and Blair Mosner Feltham will remain on the school board.
Apr 8, 2026
9:55 AM
Liam Beran
The Wisconsin GOP puts up little fight as Chris Taylor cruises to victory
Taylor didn’t just win in reliably blue counties; she won handily in red ones such as Jefferson and Ozaukee.
Apr 8, 2026
9:00 AM
Hard to find Capitol tax-cut negotiators
We’re not saying this will happen, but if there were a special session in the Wisconsin Legislature to spend the state’s surplus, who would be at the negotiating table?
Apr 6, 2026
1:30 PM
Spring 2026 Isthmus voter guide
Voters will decide races for state Supreme Court, one-third of the Dane County board and multiple Madison school board and city council races on April 7.
Apr 6, 2026
12:31 PM
Guía Isthmus para el votante - Primavera 2026
El 7 de abril los votantes decidirán las elecciones para la Corte Suprema de Justicia del estado, un tercio de la Mesa Directiva del condado de Dane y varias elecciones para la junta directiva escolar y el consejo municipal de Madison.
Apr 6, 2026
12:30 PM
courtesy Aesthetic Perfection
What to do in Madison this week: April 6-9, 2026
This week's picks also include opening night for the 2026 Wisconsin Film Festival; a fundraiser concert for Voces de la Frontera and 350 Wisconsin by Doors of Perception.
Apr 6, 2026
5:06 AM
Eric Tadsen
Welcome to arts heaven
Dean Robbins, who steered Isthmus’ cultural coverage for more than two decades, looks back on ‘arts-critic heaven.’
Apr 3, 2026
10:30 AM
In the April issue
50 years and counting
Isthmus was founded in 1976 by Vince O’Hern and the late Fred Milverstedt. The first issue was eight pages long and featured a shot from the movie ‘Taxi Driver’ on the cover. It’s changed a lot over five decades.
50 Moments in 50 years
Madison has undergone enormous change since Isthmus published its first issue in April 1976 and the paper has chronicled that evolution with care and affection. Here are some of the stories from the last half-century of Isthmus coverage.
Making the news
Former news editor Bill Lueders on living up to his charge to make sure that ‘news-minded people find the paper worth reading.’
Welcome to arts heaven
Dean Robbins, who steered Isthmus’ cultural coverage for more than two decades, looks back on ‘arts-critic heaven.’
The way we were
Revisit Madison's past with a collection of Isthmus file photos from the '70s, '80s and '90s.
Chesapeake
Two Crows Theatre Company: A political rival kidnaps and attempts to brainwash a political superdog, 4/16-26, at 7:30 pm Thursday-Friday, 2 and 7:30 pm Saturday, 2 pm Sunday.
Apr 19, 2026
2:00 PM
Growing New Roots: Women Writing about Home and Belonging
Wisconsin Academy talk by authors Alison Townsend and Catherine Jagoe, moderator Jessica Becker.
Apr 19, 2026
2:00 PM
Kanopy Dance Company
"Divine Mythologies," collaboration with Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble, 7 pm on 4/16-17, 4 and 7 pm on 4/18 and 2 pm, 4/19. $56.48 ($29.27 ages 18 & under).
Apr 19, 2026
2:00 PM
Lady Disdain
Forward Theater: World premiere of Lauren Gunderson's setting of "Much Ado About Nothing" in the world of audiobooks, 4/9-26, Playhouse, at 7:30 pm Wednesday-Saturday and 2 pm Sunday, plus 2 pm, 4/16, 18 & 25 and 7:30 pm, 4/21. $69-$54.
Apr 19, 2026
2:00 PM
