Local flavor is the taste that prevails in the pages of Isthmus from week to week, and this issue is no exception. Indeed, it may be the stereotype, as we deliver special reports on both philanthropy and music of the local variety, not to mention Local Flavor.
When it's capitalized, Local Flavor refers to our biweekly column in the food section of Isthmus. The feature was the handiwork of Terese Allen for a long time until she took a six-month leave in July to work on a new edition of Wisconsin Flavor, originally by Harva Hachten, for the Wisconsin Historical Society. Taking her place in the interim is Erika Janik, a UW journalism masters student whose day job is digital publications editor for the Historical Society. Her contribution to Local Flavor is an article on the Madison School District's 'Chef in the Classroom' program.
Local cookin' could be a euphemism for music made here. And the Madison Music Project devotes itself to that subject. You get More From Isthmus in the form of our Madison Music Project supplement in this issue. The business of MMP is the business of music as it emanates from Madison, Wis.
The heart of it is the band registry, a listing of the players on the scene that is as comprehensive as we can make it with the help of Madison players themselves. Need a band? Look there.
Our musicians roundtable, moderated by Isthmus feature editor (and local musician) Kenneth Burns, takes up the issue of stayin' alive playing music full-time. In 'Yes, They Play Weddings,' the assembled panelists, all making it their way doing nothing but music, discuss the hardships encountered and the tactics necessary to pull it off.
As if to illustrate, Tom Laskin, who edited this supplement, interviews members of Madison ur-band the Kissers in 'Kissin' on the Side.' Laskin himself is a veteran of the local music scene who has made the side step into music journalism. His article traces how various Kissers have built an enterprise that's spawned 10 bands composed of various members in combination with other musicians.
On the side, we have Al Ritchie penning 'Heavy Rotation,' 'Sign 'Em' and 'Jukebox Heroes,' all of which ask local music-makers which flavors they prefer. If you'd like to get a sample of local music, join Isthmus this Friday at the High Noon Saloon for Madison Music Project Live. It starts at 9 p.m., costs $5 and features Sean Michael Dargan, Adem Tesfaye, the Kissers and Mad Truckers Gone Mad. You'll get your fill of that local flavor.
