Homepage
-
Allkindza / iStock
Save the bow for next year….
When decking the halls and opening gifts, recycle what you can. Read more
What's New
courtesy Ruin Dweller
What to do in Madison this week: Ruin Dweller record release, 'Guys on Ice' and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for Dec. 26-Jan. 2 also includes stand-up Jon Dore at Comedy on State; a fundraiser for Willma's Fund. Read more
Dec 26, 2024
Nicholas Kehoe
Say goodnight, 2024: A New Year's Eve roundup
Concerts, comedy, kids' activities, theater and more things to see and do on the final day of 2024. Read more
Dec 24, 2024
Bad words to avoid in 2025
We need a break from these overused words in the new year. Read more
Dec 24, 2024
What’s on these Wisconsin leaders’ holiday wish list?
State Democratic Party Chair Ben is hoping to be the first DNC chair from Wisconsin. U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson wants unredacted records from federal agencies on potential adverse effects of the COVID-19 vaccines. Read more
Dec 23, 2024
Allkindza / iStock
Save the bow for next year….
When decking the halls and opening gifts, recycle what you can. Read more
Dec 23, 2024
Justin Kibbel
What to do in Madison this week: Judy Collins, a 'Big Gay Holiday Market' and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for Dec. 19-26 also includes the final shows for 'The Nutcracker' from Madison Ballet and 'A Christmas Carol' from Children's Theater of Madison; more holiday-themed fun with Waylan St. Palan & the Magic Elves. Read more
Dec 19, 2024
Liam Beran
'I'm tired of people being sad. They need to be mad.'
Hundreds attended a Tuesday evening candlelit vigil near the Capitol to support those affected by the Abundant Life Christian School shooting. Read more
Dec 18, 2024
Freepik
Wisconsin tax bills trigger new school funding debate
Wisconsin taxpayers will see an increase of 5.7% over last December’s gross property tax bills in part due to the school referendums that passed this year. Read more
Dec 17, 2024
Bob Koch
What to do in Madison this week: BEEFUS, Laughing Liberally Madison and more Isthmus Picks
Isthmus Picks for Dec. 16-19 also includes a Mad-Pol KA holiday concert by Ewa Novel & Krystian Jaworz; a rock and metal triple bill at Red Rooster to benefit Toys for Tots. Read more
Dec 16, 2024
Robin Shepard
Big and dark and smoky brews are standouts from Wisconsin breweries this December
It’s the time of year when sweet, malty, rich, alcohol-warm beers seem just right. Beers from Brewing Projekt, Wisconsin Brewing Company, the Great Dane, Full Mile and Working Draft fit the bill. Read more
Dec 13, 2024
And the winners are…
Other than the top of the ticket, there’s reason for optimism in the next couple of years. Read more
Dec 13, 2024
Matthew Bodie
What to do in Madison this weekend: UCAN Quarterly, Wisconsin Chamber Choir and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for Dec. 12-15 also includes singer-songwriters Marian Runk and Emily Nott at ALL; Mercury Players debuts 'Scooby-Doo! And a Panto, Too!' Read more
Dec 12, 2024
10 reasons to support Isthmus
Exclusive stories. Comprehensive calendar. Quality writing. These are just some of the reasons to support the work of Isthmus. Read more
Dec 11, 2024
9:00 AM
Linda Falkenstein
One Dish: Longtable Beer Cafe’s Longtable burger
What the heck, enjoy ye cheeseburgers while ye may. This burger from Middleton is made with local grass-fed beef. Read more
Dec 11, 2024
8:00 AM
Robin Shepard
Small batches from Supermoon
Supermoon is a small operation that specializes in unique limited releases; that’s all part of the plan. The brewery has a well-earned reputation for excellent small-batch rustic farmhouse ales. Read more
Dec 10, 2024
8:00 AM
David Michael Miller
Players gone but Act 10 still roils Wisconsin Capitol
Republican leaders automatically appealed the ruling by a Dane County judge overturning much of Act 10. Read more
Dec 9, 2024
9:00 AM
'You Belong Here,' an exhibit of Latinx photographers, opens at the Chazen
The exhibit looks through the lenses of 14 Latinx photographers “to begin to answer the question ‘What does it mean to be Latinx in America?’ And it shows a variety of experiences,” says James Wehn, curator of works on paper at the Chazen. Read more
Dec 9, 2024
8:00 AM
Joe Navas
What to do in Madison this week: Jeffrey Foucault, 'You Belong Here' and more Isthmus Picks
Isthmus Picks for Dec. 9-12 also includes the annual MSCR Pottery Sale; a Monday indie showcase at Gamma Ray. Read more
Dec 9, 2024
5:07 AM
Photo by Gage Skidmore
The Democratic Party has a perception problem
A post-election survey found that people thought Democrats’ top priorities were abortion and transgender rights. Not so. It was the economy and inflation. Read more
Dec 8, 2024
9:00 AM
Courtesy Ferdy Goode
Ferdy Goode carries on the tradition of birchbark canoes
A naturally curious young man, Ferdy Goode gravitated toward bushcraft, the ability to live outdoors. Drop Ferdy into a boreal forest with an ax, knife, and some cord and he’ll figure it out. Read more
Dec 8, 2024
8:00 AM
Shawn Harper
From Norse myths to New York streets
There are more performances this weekend of Kanopy Dance’s sparkling Winter Fantasia Reimagined at Overture’s Promenade Hall. Read more
Dec 7, 2024
12:10 PM
Tommy Washbush
Trump’s ‘mass deportation’ could be coming to Madison. Are we ready?
In the first Donald Trump administration, ICE raids terrorized Dane County. Now he is back, with a campaign promise to launch a “mass deportation” of undocumented people. Read more
Dec 7, 2024
9:00 AM
Tommy Washbush
Are infrastructure funds for Madison safe under President-elect Trump?
Federal funding paved the way for Madison’s bus rapid transit system. It’s unclear how the president-elect will impact future infrastructure spending. Read more
Dec 6, 2024
12:00 PM
Tommy Washbush
50 Madison police complaints, one case of discipline
The city of Madison has launched a new police oversight board, but its director says it will not ‘be doing a lot of disciplinary investigations into active incidents.’ Read more
Dec 6, 2024
10:00 AM
In the December issue
One child, $463,000 per year
A Department of Corrections request would nearly double costs to incarcerate Wisconsin youth. Read more
Madison development spurs investments in public art
The city of Madison is growing and changing quickly. Advocates of public art say it's important to include art in development plans, saying it can transform a place and the people who occupy it. Read more
The year in Wisconsin books 2024
Wisconsin writers can’t seem to help themselves. They love setting their novels here and exploring the state’s rich history. Read more
Renovations on the Atwood Music Hall begin
After first seeing the inside of the building in 2020, Toffer Christensen bought the building in September 2023. Renovation financing for the Atwood Music Hall was finalized this fall. Read more
‘Our university does not respect us back’
UW-Madison track and field athletes — and their coaches — aren’t sure where they’ll be practicing this winter. Read more
Zoo Lights
Holiday light displays & activities, timed entry 5:30-8 pm Fridays-Sundays, 11/29-12/28, Vilas Zoo, plus 12/16-19, 23 & 26. Closed 12/24-25. $10 (free ages 3 & under). Advance tickets only. Read more
Dec 26, 2024
5:30 PM8:00 PM
Guys on Ice
Go Fish Productions touring musical, 7 pm on 12/26, 2 & 7 pm on 12/27-28, 4:30 pm on 12/29, 7 pm on 12/30 and 2 pm, 12/31, Barrymore Theatre. $40 ($36 adv.). Read more
Dec 26, 2024
7:00 PM
Scooby-Doo! And a Panto, Too!
Mercury Players Theatre: Scooby and co. need to solve the mystery of the Bartell phantom, 12/13-28, Bartell Theatre, at 7 pm Thursdays-Saturdays (2 pm on 12/28), and 2 pm, 12/22. $25 Read more
Dec 26, 2024
7:00 PM
Dec 26, 2024
7:30 PM
Guys on Ice
Go Fish Productions touring musical, 7 pm on 12/26, 2 & 7 pm on 12/27-28, 4:30 pm on 12/29, 7 pm on 12/30 and 2 pm, 12/31, Barrymore Theatre. $40 ($36 adv.). Read more
Dec 27, 2024
2:00 PM
