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Revolutionary Monteverdi
Monteverdi was a Renaissance maverick, and the beginning of opera is accredited to him. Madison Bach Musicians will perform his groundbreaking sacred work ‘Vespers’ of 1610. Read more
May 5, 2024
Explainer: What are pro-Palestinian protesters at UW-Madison asking for?
Pro-Palestinian protesters and university leaders continued to meet through the weekend to negotiate protester demands. Read more
May 4, 2024
Reasons to run
Running is a big sport in Madison, with many excellent paths to explore and clubs to join, in addition to opportunities to compete. Read more
May 4, 2024
Springtime saisons, Cinco de Mayo lagers and other beers for May
Saisons are a wonderful springtime beer, but so are Mexican lagers, honey blonde ales and hazy IPAs, and area craft brewers are outdoing themselves. Read more
May 4, 2024
Change ‘for the long haul’
WPR director Sarah Ashworth says that the restructuring, a product of a two-year planning process, does not change the station’s mission which is still to 'inform and inspire and to build communities throughout Wisconsin and the world.' Read more
May 3, 2024
Dinner at Nonna’s
It seems reasonable to assume that at a spaghetti house, you should start with the spaghetti. Also: take the cannoli. Read more
May 3, 2024
Madison’s BRT enters the homestretch
A rapid transit project more than a decade in the making is coming close to reality as final stations are built and finishing touches are added along Metro’s Route A. Read more
May 2, 2024
Do Madison's restrictive covenants trump zoning?
Pushing back against proactive rezoning proposed by the city of Madison in its West Area Plan, homeowners in Madison’s Highlands neighborhood created agreements limiting what could be built and the minimum lot size on their properties Read more
May 2, 2024
If Madison builds a pedestrian mall, will they come?
City officials hope that closing the 400 through 600 blocks of State Street to vehicles in favor of pedestrians and bikes this summer will bring more visitors to the area. Read more
May 2, 2024
An intentional goodbye
Before Centro Hispano moved into its much expanded headquarters on Cypress Way, staffers bid adieu to the organization’s longtime home on Badger Road. Read more
May 2, 2024
Wisconsin is for the birds
By almost any measure, birdwatching in Wisconsin has never been more popular — with technology making it easier than ever to tell a nuthatch from a chickadee or to post colorful photos on social media sites. Read more
May 2, 2024
What to do in Madison this weekend: Mascot Theory album release, MSO's 'Fiesta Finale' and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for May 2-5 includes art exhibits opening in conjunction with MMoCA's biennial Gallery Night; a stage adaptation of 'The Diary of Anne Frank' presented by Children's Theater of Madison. Read more
May 2, 2024
Train whistles? Long waits at train crossings?
Some 300 residents attended a Zoom meeting co-hosted by east-side Ald. Marsha Rummel to discuss the potential impacts of passenger rail on city neighborhoods. Read more
May 1, 2024
5:15 PM
UW-Madison administrators make good on their threat to tear down pro-Palestinian encampment
Police arrest nearly three dozen protesters, including two UW-Madison professors, and tear down a pro-Palestinian encampment on UW-Madison’s Library Mall. Read more
May 1, 2024
1:40 PM
Madison tech scene reacts to FTC ban on noncompete clauses
The Federal Trade Commission’s move to strike down noncompete clauses in employment contracts seems sure to shake up the Madison tech scene, given that medical software giant Epic has enforced them for workers who leave the company. Read more
Apr 30, 2024
4:15 PM
Despite warnings, defiant pro-Palestinian supporters establish encampment on UW-Madison campus
With its new encampment on the UW-Madison Library Mall, pro-Palestinian protesters join students at campuses across the country in protesting the war in Gaza. Read more
Apr 29, 2024
8:30 PM
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers vetoes GOP bills at record rate
Since taking office in January 2019, Evers has vetoed 219 bills outright and seven others partially — vetoes denounced by Republicans who passed those bills. Read more
Apr 29, 2024
11:00 AM
What to do in Madison this week: MarchFourth, Amor Towles and more Isthmus Picks
Isthmus Picks for April 29-May 2 includes visits by veteran rock bands Los Straitjackets, Electric Six and The Supersuckers; Children's Theater of Madison's Young Playwrights Festival. Read more
Apr 29, 2024
5:06 AM
Madison Opera wraps up its season with a strong ‘Candide’
The energy-filled production radiates optimism and wit with Leonard Bernstein's Candide — an unexpected choice that proves successful. Read more
Apr 27, 2024
9:00 AM
Alvvays show up for Madison
The show was the Canadian indie-pop quintet’s fifth stop on their 18-city spring U.S. tour, and it marks their first concert in Madison since they performed for the post-COVID UW-Madison Homecoming show in 2022. Read more
Apr 26, 2024
11:30 AM
AJ Storr should have had a contract
Last week Bucky buckets lost AJ Storr, its leading scorer and only genuine NBA-caliber player, to Kansas, and it lost its veteran point guard and team leader, Chucky Hepburn, to the transfer portal. Read more
Apr 26, 2024
8:00 AM
Readers support indies on Independent Bookstore Day
Swag. Prosecco. A prize wheel. And best of all, books. On Independent Bookstore Day, shoppers can see how each bookstore has its own style. Read more
Apr 25, 2024
2:00 PM
What to do in Madison this weekend: Udder Chaos, Dayna Stephens and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for April 25-28 includes 'Candide' from Madison Opera; 'The Progressive hosts a commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Robert La Follette's presidential campaign. Read more
Apr 25, 2024
5:04 AM
End-of-life care facility for people experiencing homelessness opens on Monona Drive
Solace Friends, a Madison-area nonprofit, has opened a care facility for people with terminal illnesses who are unhoused or experiencing housing insecurity. Solace Home, a four-bedroom house at 4142 Monona Dr. is now accepting referrals. Read more
Apr 23, 2024
3:45 PM
In the April issue
You are entering…The Wisconsin Zone
This year 141 films were submitted for Wisconsin’s Own, with 40 making it into the festival. Isthmus talks to eight of the filmmakers. Read more
Desperately seeking choice
A number of third party candidates have emerged to address voter dissatisfaction in the all-but-certain presidential candidates. Votes for the 'uninstructed' camp are another sign of frustration. Read more
Ridglan Farms critics want their day in court
Denied a trial, animal rights activists are seeking a special prosecutor to go after dog breeding and research facility. Read more
Hank’s Burgers & Fish Fry takes indulgence to different areas
The focus is on what some call guilty pleasure food: hamburgers, cheesesteaks, fried chicken sandwiches, and Wisconsin fish fry. Read more
Behind the Isthmus cover: April 2024
The front cover this month honors the gardeners who tend to thousands of community garden plots around Dane County. And hey, April is National Gardening Month! Read more
People Brothers Band, Josh Harty Band, Nick Brown Band, Gospel Brunch
HNS birthday party. $15. Read more
May 5, 2024
1:00 PM8:00 PM
Sharon Kilfoy, TetraPAKMAN
"Foragings Forged in the Inferno" and "Time is Running Out," respectively, 5/6-8/9, Jackie Macaulay Gallery (reception 5-9 pm, 5/17). Hours: 9 am-5 pm Mon.-Fri. Read more
May 6, 2024Aug 9, 2024
J.K. Cheema
Discussing "The Black Attaché: Vignettes from a Life," new memoir, with Christopher Chambers. Free. Read more
May 6, 2024
6:00 PM
Your Fat Friend
Documentary about writer and activist Aubrey Gordon, plus Q&A facilitated by Gina Seraghini. $15. Read more
May 6, 2024
7:00 PM
RSVP for Glowsticks and Gershwin
Madison Opera fundraiser (for Opera in the Park), 6:30-9:30 pm, 5/16, Madison Opera Center, with music by Anthony & Leslie Cao, Sachie Ueshima, silent auction, food & drinks. $150. RSVP by 5/7. Read more
May 7, 2024