The coming week, with events that get to your heart through your stomach.
Tuesday, November 10
Mark the centennial of the state and university's official song at the "On, Wisconsin!" Day birthday celebration. The party features a sing-along with Mayor Dave and the UW Marching Band, official proclamations, and, of course, free cake. UW Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St., 1 p.m., free. Call 263-1896 for more info.
The The Seasonal Connection: From the Land to Your Plate, a talk by Wisconsin chef and storyteller Monique Hooker. The lecture will be followed by a reception catered by University Dining and Culinary Service, and will include a demonstration by the chef. UW Chamberlin Hall, 1150 University Ave., 4 p.m., free. Call 265-9930 for more info.
Wednesday, November 11
The are seeking donations of non-perishable food items for their annual Thanksgiving Basket program. The groups seek to feed some 1000 families every year, and needs help to achieve this goal. The items needed this year include gravy mix, pie crust mix, sweetened condensed milk, cranberry sauce, canned fruits and veggies, pumpkin pie filling, aluminum roasting pans, and frozen turkeys. Cash donations will also be accepted, and volunteers are needed for the sorting and distribution of the dinners on November 23 and 24. Goodman Community Center, 149 Waubesa St. Call the pantry coordinator at 241-1574 ext. 249 for more info on how to help.
Thursday, November 12
More than a dozen Madison restaurants have joined together for Dining Out for Life, a fundraiser for restaurants part of this fundraiser are: Samba Brazillian Grill and the Cabana Room, Bandung, Harvest, The Old Fashioned, all three Great Dane brewpubs, Vintage, Tutto Pasta Cucina, Chasers, both Maharaja locations, Buraka, and Daisy Café & Cupcakery. Call 800-724-4673 for more info.
There's also a fundraiser today for . It is one of the store's quarterly community service days, in which 5% of the day's net sales are donated to the partnering non-profit, with the money in this case going "towards providing HospiceCare Services to the uninsured and underinsured as well as fund grief services programs to help provide for healthy survivorship." Whole Foods, 3313 University Ave., 4-8 p.m. Call 233-9566 for more info.
Friday, November 13
Holiday fairs really get going this weekend at churches and schools throughout the region. One of the bigger events is A Renaissance Christmas, a three-day art fair and bazaar. The sale features a "Cranberry Corner," an ice cream shop, and cookies by the pound, but the eats don't stop there. The festivities also include several meals: a "Salad Luncheon" and "Festive Royal Feast" on Saturday, a "Harvest Meal" and "Colossal Chili Cook-off" on Saturday, and a Sunday brunch. Blessed Sacrament Church, 2116 Hollister Ave., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, and 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Sunday, meal tickets are $8 and $4 for children. Call 335-7645 for more info.
Another church-based crafts and baked goods bazaar today is accompanied by a turkey dinner, complete with the bird, stuffing, potatoes, cranberries, and homemade pies. Trinity United Methodist Church, 1123 Vilas Ave., 5-7 p.m., $10 with $4.50 for children 11 and under. Call 257-4591 for more info.
Saturday, November 14
The Dane County Farmers' Market kicks off the first portion of its indoor winter season today. More than 80 vendors have committed to stalls at the market, and while there will be less summertime fruits and veggies on hand, there will still be plenty of meats, cheeses, winter produce, baked goods, and other products for sale through the cold half of the year. Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolen Dr., 7:30 a.m.-noon. Call 261-4000 for more info.
Get a jump on the quintessential holiday for eating at a south side church's 25th annual Turkey Dinner, an all-you-can-eat affair with all of the regular fixings. St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 605 Spruce St., 4-7 p.m., $5 to $10. Call 256-8463 for more info.
Wisconsin Tamil Sangam is putting on a Muthamizh vizha celebration this evening, with a cultural show and South Indian dinner as part of the festivities. Middleton-Cross Plains Area Performing Arts Center, 2100 Bristol St., 4-9 p.m., $10 members and $12 non-members with reduced prices for children. Contact India House at 268-0240 for more info.
Seniors can also indulge in an early Thanksgiving Dinner this evening, with the meal set to live music by Jerry Strack, who will play standards and holiday favorites on the accordion. West Madison Senior Center, 602 Sawyer Terr., 5:30 p.m., $5.75 donation for ages 60+. RSVP and call for more info at 238-0196.
The "A Choral Feast" this evening, a program featuring the works of Britten, Gorecki, Palestrina, Poulenc and a new work composed by conductor Anthony Cao that is inspired by Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1021 Spaight St., 7:30 p.m., $10 donation. Call 257-5401 for more info.
Sunday, November 15
Q&A session today about community supported agriculture and the programs it offers. The farm, located in Brodhead, delivers its CSA shares in Madison, and will be signing up members for the 2010 season at this meeting. Mother Fool's Coffeehouse, 1101 Williamson St., 7 p.m. Call2 59-1301 for more info.
Monday, November 16
this evening, with a focus on the cuisine of Mali. The menu, prepared by Othelia Cassidy of The Crossing, 1127 University Ave., workshop at 4 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m.
