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Frank Cain
What to do in Madison this weekend: Make Music Madison, 'Sconnie Street' and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for June 19-22 also includes the annual Juneteenth celebration at Penn Park; Sessions at Garver finds a new home at Garver Feed Mill.
What's New
Wisconsin Humanities charts a way forward
One local nonprofit is forging ahead in the face of federal funding cuts. Wisconsin Humanities is taking a transparent approach, sharing plans about its 'hibernation' period.
Jun 20, 2025
Juneteenth isn’t going anywhere
On June 21, Madison will continue its 36 years of community gatherings honoring Juneteenth. Educator and documentarian Charles Taylor covers the history and celebration of this now federal holiday in a new book.
Jun 19, 2025
Tommy Washbush
Madison has a fear of heights
Madison’s first skyscraper, which prompted height restrictions, is going to be turned into a boutique hotel.
Jun 19, 2025
Frank Cain
What to do in Madison this weekend: Make Music Madison, 'Sconnie Street' and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for June 19-22 also includes the annual Juneteenth celebration at Penn Park; Sessions at Garver finds a new home at Garver Feed Mill.
Jun 19, 2025
Tommy Washbush
The Alexander Company out on Neighborhood House rebuild
The roughly $29 million project would have demolished the current, one-story facility and redeveloped the building into five floors, with a new community center and housing units, some affordable.
Jun 17, 2025
Tony for Wisconsin / Freepik
Capitol progress on tax cut, not K-12 aids
The eight-day Capitol dance, also known as budget negotiations, is well underway in Wisconsin.
Jun 17, 2025
Lizzy Larson
Gallery: Views from Madison's 'No Kings' protest
Photographer Lizzy Larson was on the scene Saturday in downtown Madison for the 'No Kings' protest.
Jun 16, 2025
Kyle Hilker/Shatter Imagery
What to do in Madison this week: Denise S. Robbins, Don't Mess With Cupid and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for June 16-19 also includes a social to meet the new MPL naturalist-in-residence, author Andrea Debbink; a tour stop by 'MJ the Musical' at Overture.
Jun 16, 2025
Amy Barrilleaux
Have walker, will protest
Those with accessibility challenges or who are wary of crowds found an alternative way to join the "No Kings' protests against the Trump administration's policies in Madison.
Jun 15, 2025
Lizzy Larson
‘A nationwide intervention’
The ‘No Kings’ protests across the country, including in Madison, were to “counter the idea that it's not just big city liberals who care” about the impacts of Trump policies, says Pamela Oliver, a professor emeritus at UW-Madison.
Jun 15, 2025
Kyle Nabilcy
Mishqui reaches new heights for Madison’s Peruvian scene
Mishqui started its impressive run in early 2022 on Monona Drive. Since then it’s added a downtown Madison and a Middleton location.
Jun 15, 2025
Dane County onboards new airport director and human services head
John Schlueter and Mark Papko will lead the Department of Human Services and Dane County Regional Airport, respectively.
Jun 13, 2025
Local government’s mixed record on meeting notices
Wisconsin’s open meeting law says agendas should be detailed and specific and reasonably inform the public of the specific items to be considered or placed before the public body. Some notices meet this bar and some don’t.
Jun 12, 2025
10:00 AM
courtesy River Alliance of Wisconsin
What to do in Madison this weekend: Marquette Waterfront Festival, MAMA Awards and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for June 12-15 also includes 'A Tribute to Clyde Stubblefield' opening the new Atwood Music Hall; record release shows by rocker Geoff Palmer and mockers Cribshitter.
Jun 12, 2025
5:04 AM
New Wisconsin legislators sponsor ‘wish list’ bills
Freshmen lawmakers act on campaign promises with flurry of new bills.
Jun 11, 2025
10:30 AM
Jason Joyce
King James
Terrell James is an organizer, promoter, hype man, creator and influencer. But to call him a grassroots leader might be most apt.
Jun 11, 2025
8:00 AM
Tommy Washbush
Office of rock
Don’t be misled by the location of Wilder Deitz’s School for Creative Music. He has turned a former therapy office near the Dane County airport into a collection of cozy practice spaces.
Jun 10, 2025
3:00 PM
Tommy Washbush / Freepik
After this year’s graduates leave Madison schools, what will be left?
Opportunities for middle class and low-income students are shrinking. The general excellence of our education system in Wisconsin and across the country is declining.
Jun 9, 2025
2:00 PM
Join the Isthmus staff for our Community Newsroom at Pinney Library
We’d love to hear what’s on your mind and answer any questions you might have about our coverage.
Jun 9, 2025
10:00 AM
Kyle Wege/Crimson Sun Studios
What to do in Madison this week: Madison Night Mares, 'Read(y) to Wear' and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for June 9-12 also includes a tour stop by I'm With Her at Overture; learn to identify dragonflies and damselflies with Wisconsin Dragonfly Society and UW Arboretum.
Jun 9, 2025
5:06 AM
Ask the assessor
Will appealing a property assessment result in an increased value? Are lower-value homes over-assessed? Higher-value homes under-assessed? Isthmus asked these questions and more to the city assessor.
Jun 7, 2025
8:00 AM
Courtesy Tyranena
A dozen biergartens not to miss
A biergarten is not a few tables on the sidewalk with a view of traffic. A biergarten is an atmospheric achievement.
Jun 7, 2025
8:00 AM
Zak Stowe
From Mozart to Motown
A new Madison-penned opera. One of the best-selling rock albums of all time. And Beethoven’s Fifth. Who could ask for more?
Jun 6, 2025
6:00 AM
Tommy Washbush
The cheese tour
You are in Green County — cheese country. You’ll find a surprising variety of cheese for sale as well as beer, pastries, meat sticks and clever gift-ables in homage to cows, cheese and Wisconsin.
Jun 6, 2025
6:00 AM
In the June issue
SummerTimes 2025
Don’t squander it! Isthmus wants you to enjoy your summer, because what else is summer for? South central Wisconsin is beckoning.
Pressure mounts on UW animal research
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals are claiming victory in forcing UW-Madison’s Food Research Institute to create a separate fund for corporate donors that don’t want to support research that uses animals.
The cheese tour
You are in Green County — cheese country. You’ll find a surprising variety of cheese for sale as well as beer, pastries, meat sticks and clever gift-ables in homage to cows, cheese and Wisconsin.
All the state’s a stage
Wisconsinites don’t have much time to enjoy their summer, so it makes sense that theater, like dining, moves outdoors. Here’s a roundup of plays presented al fresco throughout the state.
Lavender farms thrive near Madison, and midsummer’s the best time to visit
Visiting a lavender farm means vibrant color, soothing aromas, scenic beauty and maybe even a lavender latte.
Love's Labour's Lost
Shakespeare by Summit Players Theatre, 2:30 pm, 6/22, Blue Mound State Park, Blue Mounds; educational workshop at 1 pm. Free (with state park admission).
Jun 22, 2025
1:00 PM
MJ the Musical
Broadway tour, 6/17-22, at 7:30 pm Tuesday-Friday, 2 & 7:30 pm Saturday, 1 & 6:30 pm Sunday.
Jun 22, 2025
1:00 PM
Aqua Tofana
Are We Delicious? examines the life of Giulia Tofana, 8 pm on 6/12-14 & 20-21 and 2 pm, 6/22. $27 adv.
Jun 22, 2025
2:00 PM
Sconnie Street
"Garage opera" performances by Fresco Opera (all 2 pm): 6/21, 21 La Crescenta Circle; 6/22, 30 Millstone Road; 6/28, 2110 Vilas Ave.; 6/29, 5013 Hammersley Roadl. Free/donations.
Jun 22, 2025
2:00 PM
Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society Chamber Music Festival
7:30 pm Fridays-Saturdays and 2:30 pm Sundays, Hamel Music Center-Collins Hall. $47/concert. Click through for concert info.
Jun 22, 2025
2:30 PM
