This coming week, in events that get to your heart through your stomach.
Tuesday, July 27
Ken's Picnic is a Wisconsin-based charity with a mission "to generate food donations for area food pantry organizations, including gluten-free items for those with special needs, and fresh produce grown locally in community gardens." It also working to provide pet food and other supplies to low-income families that need help in supporting their pet dogs and cats. The Organic Agriculture Field Day at the program includes looks at organic vegetable variety development, no-till vegetable farming with killed buckwheat mulch, sweet corn density, late blight and cucumber beetle management, fertility management with cover crops, and an indoor session VeggieCompass farm management software, which tracks costs and profits of individual crops. UW West Madison Agricultural Research Station, 8502 Mineral Point Rd., Verona, 1-5:30 p.m., free. Call 890-1503 to RSVP or for more info.
"Local mommy" Tara Verma is holding the latest session of her First Tastes: The Adventures of Baby Food Making class at Whole Foods Market, 3313 University Ave., 6-7:30 p.m., $15. Call 233-9566 for more info.
Thursday, July 29
Old Sugar Distillery, which formerly went by the name "Spirits of Madison," is opening up its east side facilities for regular tours and tastings on Thursdays and Fridays. The distillery released its inaugural creation, Old Sugar Factory Honey Liqueur, back in February, and is currently preparing for an August 14 grand opening and the impending debut of its Cane and Abe Freshwater Rum. This spirit is made from cane sugar grown in Louisiana and Hawai'i and aged in charred small American Oak barrels for several months. Old Sugar Distillery, 931 E. Main St., 4-10 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, free. Call 260-0812 for more info.
Tara Verma returns to Whole Foods Market, 3313 University Ave., 6-7:30 p.m., $15. Call 233-9566 for more info.
Friday, July 30
Fort Family Carnival Days in Fort Atkinson opens another weekend of summertime celebrations around south-central Wisconsin. This festival is centered on a sidewalk sale, but also features children's activities, an arts walk, a petting zoo, live music, and much more. Shoppers will find plenty of food too, including a brats and burgers stand, popcorn wagon, bake sale, and many other treats. Downtown Fort Atkinson, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Call 888-733-3678 for more info.
Saturday, July 31
Peruvian Independence Day Celebration today. The party begins with a potluck picnic, and continues with a series of music and dance performances by a variety of groups, including Capoeira Omulu Guanabara, Grupo Tinkuy, Alma Criolla, Tia Tanzer and Richard Hildner, Boliviamanta, and others. Attendees are asked to bring a dish to pass. Elver Park, 1236 McKenna Blvd., 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m., free. Call 262-2098 for more info.
Competition on the court will be intense today at the 10th annual Streetball & Block Party, a full-court five-on-five adult men's basketball tournament and summer celebration for the south side of Madison. Organized by firefighter and retired Madison school board president Johnny Winston, Jr. as a fundraiser for community groups, the festival also includes a youth drill and dance team competition, free bingo, children's activities, and live music. There will be plenty to eat too, with two vendors serving ribs, chicken, hot dogs, and plenty of beverages, with proceeds going to charity. Penn Park, 2101 Fisher St., noon-8 p.m., free. Call 347-9715 for more info.
The east side of Madison will likewise be celebrating the season today at the 28th annual Atwood Summerfest, a fundraiser for the festival includes two stages of live music, street performers, children's activities, and artists and crafters selling their work. Revelers will also find food carts and other vendors, not to mention plenty of restaurants around the hood. Proceeds from the party will go to benefit programs offered by the Center. 2000-2100 blocks of Atwood Ave., noon-7 p.m., free. Call 241-1574 for more info.
A similar convivial atmosphere, albeit lower-key, can be found today not to far across the isthmus at the second annual Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood Party. The celebration will feature grilled food along with salads and desserts, a wine tasting at Schoenstatt Family Festival. This annual gathering is organized and hosted by Sisters in the Apostolic Movement of Schoenstatt, a Roman Catholic Marian society that was founded in Germany in 1914 by Fr. Joseph Kentenich, who later lived in Wisconsin for more than a dozen years, establishing the first Schoenstatt Shrine in the United States in 1953. The fest will feature family activities, live music by the UW Marching Band and other performers, a "huge" garage sale, raffles and door prizes, and tours of the shrine. There will also be a bake sale, and an indoor cafe serving brats, hot dogs, bar-be-cue, ice cream, pie, and more. is holding its annual summer picnic today, offering an active itinerary for both current and interested members. The event begins with a bike ride on the Capitol City Trail, followed by a restoration service project at Lake Farm Park; there is also an opportunity to join in the gathering via a canoe/kayak trip via the Yahara River and Upper Mud Lake. A grill-out will follow, with a prairie walk closing out the day. Grill items and beverages for the picnic will be provided; attendees are asked to bring a side dish to pass. Lake Farm County Park, 4330 Libby Rd., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 222-9376 for more info.
Monday, August 2
The Friendly Supper Club returns with its monthly community dinner for people of all ages and races. Wong's Garden