What to do in Madison this weekend: Aug. 13-16, 2026

Africa Fest, 'Trevor: The Musical' and more Isthmus Picks

by

Arts

  • NeuroArts Festival & Sound Garden: Aug. 12-15, Olbrich Gardens: Art Lit Lab's community curation project brings a series of free workshops and activities to Olbrich combining art with the outdoors. Take a stroll through the gardens while listening to Fresco Opera (6:30 p.m., Aug. 14), join a poetry reading among the flowers (3 p.m., Aug. 15), or experience composer JG Everest’s Sound Garden installation (1-8 p.m. on Aug. 14 and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Aug. 15) playing music specifically composed for Olbrich through spatial speakers throughout the grounds. Workshops focus on poetry writing, spatial sound and music, and weaving and meditation practice. Find more info and workshop registration at artlitlab.org.
  • The Last Revel + Harmonious Wail, Thursday, Aug. 13, San Damiano, Monona, 5 p.m.: The Concerts on the Shore series wraps up for the summer with a heck of a double bill. Opening is Harmonious Wail, a long-running Madison group blending Romani jazz and American roots music and built around Sims Delaney-Pothoff’s fleet fingered mandolin playing and Maggie Delaney-Pothoff’s indelible vocals and percussion. They are followed by The Last Revel, a trio grounded in folk/string band tradition who write and sing heartfelt story-songs featuring plenty of three-part harmony. Note: Parking is available at Monona Grove High School.
  • Oral History: What Is It and Why Is It Important? Thursday, Aug. 13, Yahara Bay Distillers, Fitchburg, 5:30 p.m.: With recording and digital editing tools widely available (if you have a smartphone, you’re already a long way there), making audio projects is easier than ever. During this Badger Talks workshop, UW-Madison Archives oral historian Troy Reeves offers tips on how to go about shepherding your own creative history. Space is limited, and an RSVP is required at eventbrite.com.
  • Madison Black Restaurant Week, through Aug. 16, various locations: For more than a decade Madison Black Restaurant Week has put the spotlight on Black-owned restaurants, food carts and other food makers. Participating restaurants offer special deals and dishes from Aug. 9-16, and patrons can vote on favorites through Aug. 17. For a full schedule of events, ticket info and list of participating restaurants, visit mbrw.madisonblackchamber.com.
  • Wence Martinez + Roberto Torres Mata, through Oct. 11, Overture Center-James Watrous Gallery; reception Aug. 13, 5:30-7:30 p.m.: Paired solo exhibitions drawing on craft and cultural traditions of Mexico are featured for late summer at the Wisconsin Academy’s gallery space. Weaver Wence Martinez, a native of Mexico who has operated a studio in Door County since the 1990s, offers tapestries employing geometric patterns in “In Motion.” For “ROOTED,” Roberto Torres Mata, who earned a UW-Madison master of fine arts degree in printmaking, experiments with natural materials in creating mixed media works considering family and heritage. The artists will speak during a reception from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Aug. 13.
  • Goodman Pool 20th Anniversary Celebration, Friday, Aug. 14, 325 W. Olin Ave., 3-7 p.m.: This event marking a milestone for Madison’s public pool has been derailed by weather a couple times, but (fingers crossed) the forecast looks better for this Friday afternoon. In addition to regular pool activities, expect games, music, food carts and prize drawings at 5, 6 and 7 p.m. (including various Madison Parks-related items and even tickets to the long sold out Big Thief show Friday night). For pool waiver and admission info, visit cityofmadison.com/parks/pool.
  • Dane Dances, Fridays, Aug. 7-28, Monona Terrace, 5:30-9:30 p.m.: The positive, celebratory and inclusive atmosphere that Dane Dances brings to Madison each summer is needed more than ever this August. And the volunteer-led series is more than delivering with a packed entertainment lineup including Klymaxx featuring Joyce Irby, one of the long-running group’s original lead singers, in a double bill with Slave (Aug. 21); Milwaukee salsa star Junior Rivera and disco inferno VO5 (Aug. 14; moving inside); and Orquesta SalSoul del Mad and Cold Sweat & the Brew City Horns (Aug. 28). Each week features a DJ and dance lessons at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., and food will be available. Find more info on the bands and volunteer opportunities at danedances.org.
  • Trevor: The Musical, Aug. 14-22, Overture-Playhouse: Before it became a musical, Trevor was an Academy Award-winning short film that inspired the creation of The Trevor Project, one of the nation's leading organizations supporting LGBTQ+ youth. In its Wisconsin premiere, Music Theatre of Madison brings the story to the stage, following 13-year-old Trevor Nelson, a theater-loving teen whose life is thrown into turmoil after a humiliating incident at school. Set in 1981, the coming-of-age musical balances humor and heart while exploring identity, acceptance and the courage it takes to be yourself. More than four decades later, Trevor's journey still resonates. Performances at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 14-15, 2 p.m. Aug. 16, and 7:30 p.m.. Aug. 20-22; tickets at overture.org.
  • Samtalä | Musicians in Dialogue, Aug. 14-15, Stoughton Opera House: This annual concert series (founded as Stoughton Chamber Music Festival) presents a program considering the future, titled “Unknowable.” It pairs music by Ryuichi Sakamoto, Alfred Schnittke, Robert Schumann and Josef Suk, played by a quintet, with poetry by Andrea Gibson, Mary Oliver and Katrin Talbot (and read by Talbot). Concerts take place at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 14 and 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 15; the series concludes Aug. 21-22 at Chorus Public House. Find tickets at aftontickets.com.
  • Agora Art Fair, Saturday, Aug, 15, Agora Fitchburg, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.: If it’s the Agora in August, there must be art. Fitchburg’s big art fair is certainly worth a visit, especially if you feel like you need a new art object in your life: painting, ceramics, fiber arts, jewelry, photography, sculpture, and glass are all represented. Even if you’re just strolling, there’s plenty more to do, with music, art-kite demos, a dozen food vendors and Cycropia Aerial Dance (1:15 p.m.). See the full lineup at agoraartfair.com.
  • Africa Fest, Aug 15-16, McPike Park: The African Association of Madison shares African traditions and cultural heritage with the community during the annual Africa Fest celebration, which kicks off its second quarter-century by expanding to two days. The weekend features entertainment (including Saturday headliner Hezdes & the Afro-Bongo Band, from The Congo, resident DJ Lyriks and many others), exhibits and vendors, delicious food, kids' activities, and more. The festival opens with Strides for Africa, a fundraiser run/walk for clean wells in Africa, with a kids' run at 10 a.m. and 5K at 10:30 a.m. Festival hours are 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on Aug. 15 and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Aug. 16. Find a full schedule at africanassociationofmadison.org.
  • Eken Park Festival, Saturday, Aug. 15, Eken Park, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.: This easygoing east-side neighborhood fest offers plenty of activities for the kids, including a kids' activity zone and parade at 4:15 p.m., community info booths and other vendors, and of course plenty of good music. Visiting and closing the day is rootsy rock powerhouse The Claudettes; they’re preceded by an all-star Madison lineup including BingBong, Seasaw, Cris Plata Band and Bear in the Forest. Watch for updates at facebook.com/ekenparkfest.
  • Gandy Dancer Festival, Saturday, Aug. 15, downtown Mazomanie, noon-8 p.m.: The annual Gandy Dancer Festival celebrates Mazomanie’s railroad history with historical exhibits, miniature train rides for kids, refreshments, and bluegrass music. This year’s lineup focuses on Wisconsin artists, with contemporary sounds by Milwaukee’s Chicken Wire Empire and scene veterans Art Stevenson & High Water; returning from the 2024 lineup are The MilBillies and Soggy Prairie. The concert is ticketed, but other activities are free. Find tickets at eventbrite.com.
  • Curd Fest, Saturday, Aug. 15, Breese Stevens Field, 1:30-6 p.m.: Curd Fest sounds like a joke idea that would happen in an old Chris Farley movie — a festival devoted to cheese curds? We say: BRING IT. A $10 VIP ticket grants visitors early admission and shorter lines until free general admission opens at 3 p.m. There will be fresh curds with squeak, fried curds, flavored curds, and a curd-eating contest. Two bands, RailHopper and Finding North, will accompany face painting, field games, a custom Bloody Mary bar, and also food trucks, for those who don’t see curds alone as a satisfying meal. Our only-in-Wisconsin pick of the week. If the weather doesn't cooperate, Aug. 16 is reserved as a rain date.
  • Watershed Reading Series, Saturday, Aug. 15, Arts + Literature Lab, 7 p.m.: Local poetry headlines this intimate reading from three local writers. Fabu Carter needs no introduction; her work, which ranges from Africa to Madison to the American south, is always inspirational. Araceli Esparza is a bilingual Chicana poeta and social justice speaker (and founder of Midwest Mujeres) and is always intent on making new connections between her experiences and the audience. Guy Thorvaldsen (an Isthmus contributor) is a former English instructor at Madison College, a journeyman carpenter, and an essayist of uncommon perception and sensitivity. Here, he’ll be reading his poetry. Register at artlitlab.org.
  • The Apologists, Saturday, Aug. 15, Gamma Ray, 8 p.m.: The Apologists are the twisted and beloved project of local cowpunk-grungers Boyce Johnson, Jim Merett, Marty Mulhern and Mark Penner. They can conjure up demented Dolly Parton covers, paddle into wacky surf instrumentals, and turn public domain Appalachian traditional tunes like “The Cuckoo” inside out. They’re known as one of the first live bands to hold down regular gigs at Mickey’s. So respect for that. The quartet’s 25th anniversary celebration will also feature fellow punk explorers The Gubers. Note: After a brief cancellation, this is making a last-minute move from the Crystal Corner to Gamma Ray
  • Magic Pride Festival, Sunday, Aug. 16, Warner Park, 1-6 p.m.: June Pride Month may get most of the attention, but Madison keeps the celebration going into August with the Magic Pride Festival. Hosted by OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center, the free event fills Warner Park with entertainment, vendors and info from community groups, food, and plenty of opportunities to connect. The stage show, hosted by Amethyst Von Trollenberg, features showcases of drag queens and kings, adaptive aerialists, a Pride Court showcase, and music by Perfect Harmony Chorus, DJ Femme Noir and others. Find the schedule at outreachmagicfestival.org.
  • The Crane Wives, Sunday, Aug. 16, The Sylvee, 8 p.m.: Indie-folk outfit The Crane Wives has not released an album since 2024’s Beyond Beyond Beyond, but the harmonies and gently offbeat songs of founders and vocalists Emilee Petersmark and Kate Pillsbury are always worth listening to. Singer/songwriter Brye, who often suggests a Chicago version of Billie Eilish, opens. Tickets at ticketmaster.com.

Find the individual Picks collected here, and as part of the full calendar of events.

Editor's Note: Schenk's Corners Block Party, an Isthmus Pick in our print edition, was canceled this week.