If you've ever had a mad urge to speak loudly in a library, you'll get a chance to yell, dance and even eat during Bookless, a benefit for the new central branch of the Madison Public Library, which was vacated late last year ahead of a two-year renovation.
On Saturday, Jan. 28, the empty building at 201 W. Mifflin St. will host exhibits by more than 80 area artists, as well as family art activities. In the evening, music by performers including Hello Death and Julian Lynch will be featured, along with DJs set in the basement stacks. Food and Great Dane beer will be served.
"Niki Johnson has collected thousands of leftover bookends from the space and will be constructing a large site-specific sculpture from them," says organizer Trent Miller. Chele Isaac will create an installation in the basement book-drop area that includes video, water and discarded magazine boxes.
"It's going to be a fantastic community event that offers people a chance to see the old space one last time, while supporting the new Madison Central Library," says Miller.
Daytime activities are free. At the evening festivities, admission is $12, $10 in advance. For more information, visit here.
[Editor's note: Julian Lynch is no longer scheduled to perform at this event. The lineup is Pushmi-Pullyu, Hello Death, Lovely Socialite and Lonesome Savages.]
