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Dessa, Fantastic Cat to headline 2024 Orton Park Festival
The Minneapolis singer, rapper and writer has recorded with the Minnesota Orchestra, written for The New York Times, and produced a podcast for the BBC, not to mention performing twice in the old Isthmus newsroom on State Street. Read more
May 31, 2024
Of-the-moment theater
'POTUS' provides a hilarious release from the presidential election tension that will only keep building as November 2024 inches closer. Read more
May 31, 2024
Nearly 10% of city staff could be cut to address $27 million deficit, warns Madison finance director
The city is holding a series of engagement meetings to spell out budget details before an expected property-tax referendum in November. Read more
May 30, 2024
What to do in Madison this weekend: Gamma Ray grand opening, 'POTUS' and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for May 30-June 2 includes LunART Festival concerts; a day of outdoor activities celebrating the 10th anniversary of Access Ability Wisconsin. Read more
May 30, 2024
Madison school district to hire outside investigator for Southside Elementary probe
In the face of pressure from current and former employees, the district has agreed to hire an outside investigator to look into complaints involving the top administrators at Southside Elementary. Read more
May 29, 2024
Build despite the F-35 noise
Dane County needs to produce about 7,000 housing units every year just to keep up with demand and we’re currently producing only 5,000. Read more
May 29, 2024
New Madison schools communications director promises transparency and accountability
MMSD has been without a communications director since the departure of Tim LeMonds amid public controversy last year. His replacement, Edell Fiedler, promises transparency and accountability. Read more
May 28, 2024
Polls explain U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson’s plea for abortion unity
Why U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson is calling for Republicans to set aside differences on abortion and focus on winning races in November. Read more
May 27, 2024
What to do in Madison this week: Madison Mallards opening day, GAS + Echo Rays and more Isthmus Picks
Isthmus Picks for May 27-30 includes a tour stop by the reunited Brainiac; the LunART Festival gets underway. Read more
May 27, 2024
Isthmus' 2024 Madison summer music, theater and dance calendar
Locate the lawn chairs, break out the coolers…ready or not, summer is back. Here’s a roundup of outdoor concert series, schedule details for music festivals, and dance and theater performances in Madison, Dane County and further afield. Read more
May 24, 2024
Draft plan for northeast Madison calls for denser development, but drops residential rezonings
Madison planners are backing off of some proactive rezoning recommendations, but still encouraging some denser redevelopment in their new Northeast Area Plan draft. Read more
May 23, 2024
What to do in Madison this weekend: Lunar Moth album release, 'The Kite Runner' and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for May 23-26 includes a 10th anniversary concert for Gin, Chocolate and Bottle Rockets; fest season is in full swing with Brat Fest and Vegan Sausage Fest. Read more
May 23, 2024
Madison needs higher buildings, denser housing
Higher densities, supported by better transit, are what deliver progressive goals. Read more
May 22, 2024
11:00 AM
West-side Madison group wants spending cuts, not a referendum
A west-side Madison group wants to ‘avoid higher taxes and a referendum’ by cutting city spending. Read more
May 21, 2024
5:20 PM
Ballot drop boxes could return quickly if Wisconsin Supreme Court overturns 2022 decision
With the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s liberal majority appearing willing to overturn its 2022 decision, municipalities could reinstate absentee ballot drop boxes in time for the August primary. Read more
May 21, 2024
10:00 AM
‘Hyper-partisan’ GOP Senate complicates Gov. Evers talent searches
The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature has made it a habit of firing Democrat Gov. Tony Evers’ appointees. His spokesperson says that is making it hard to find new cabinet secretaries. Read more
May 20, 2024
11:00 AM
What to do in Madison this week: The Moonboot, 'Poetry and the Natural World' and more Isthmus Picks
Isthmus Picks for May 20-23 includes the opening of a new exhibit by Madison artist Xizhou Xie at Garver Canvas; a presentation of the 'State of the Lakes' report at the next Clean Lakes 101 program. Read more
May 20, 2024
5:05 AM
Poet Laureate of the United States Ada Limón to read at Overture
A spring’s worth of poetry events jump-started by the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters culminates on May 23 with a reading by the poet laureate of the United States, Ada Limón. Read more
May 17, 2024
12:30 PM
Isthmus' 2024 summer festival calendar
Locate those lawn chairs, picnic baskets and sunscreen…it's summer. Here’s our 2024 calendar covering festivals and annual special events in Madison, Dane County and around the state. Read more
May 16, 2024
11:25 AM
What to do in Madison this weekend: Irish Fest Madison, Madison Bach Musicians and more Isthmus Picks
Picks for May 16-19 includes the return of WORTstock to Warner Park; a reunion show for Sunshine Allison. Read more
May 16, 2024
5:06 AM
City of Madison budget crisis averted?
The city was estimating a large budget hole for 2025. But when the books were closed for 2023 it turned out the city was about $31 million in the black. You can thank inflation. Read more
May 15, 2024
9:00 AM
Political parties target five Wisconsin Senate seats without incumbents
Due to redistricting, all 16-even numbered districts will be filled at the November 2024 election, but the odd-numbered districts, last elected in 2022, will be determined in November 2026. Read more
May 14, 2024
9:00 AM
Wisconsin boycott ban could hinder UW-Madison protesters’ divestment demands
The 2018 state statute prohibits state agencies or local governmental units from “refusing to deal with or terminating business relations with Israel — or entities that conduct business in Israel" if the intent is punative. Read more
May 13, 2024
9:30 AM
What to do in Madison this week: Jacob Kushner, 'Majeska Mondays' and more Isthmus Picks
Isthmus Picks for May 13-16 includes Forward Theater's Wisconsin Wrights readings of new plays; it's a good week for Americana fans with tour stops by Sarah Morris, Pokey LaFarge and Humbird. Read more
May 13, 2024
5:07 AM
In the May issue
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
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
Churches eye redevelopment as buildings age and membership dwindles
‘The status quo for these properties is simply not viable for many of [these churches]. So they will change,’ says Pres House executive director Mark Elsdon. Read more
Auntie Luke explains why constitutional referendums are so confusing
Auntie Luke Explains, a new series by T.L. Luke, demystifies complex topics through the use of comics. She begins this month with an explainer on constitutional amendments that go to statewide referendum. Read more
Behind the Isthmus cover — May 2024
Designer and animator Chris Bennett finds the fun in a Madison run for the May 2024 Isthmus cover. Read more
Mad Gluten Free Fest
Vendors (click through for participants), kids' activities. Read more
Jun 2, 2024
11:00 AM4:00 PM
LunART Festival
"Art & Motherhood" panel, 7:30 pm, 5/29, Arts + Lit Lab (free); chamber concerts, 7:30 pm, 5/31-6/1, Hamel Music Center ($35); Composers Hub concert, 2:30 pm, 6/2, ALL (free). Read more
Jun 2, 2024
2:00 PM
POTUS: Or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying To Keep Him Alive
Strollers Theatre and Xquisite Xploits tackle Selina Fillinger's farce, 5/30-6/15, Bartell Theatre, at 7:30 pm Thursday-Saturday (2 pm on 6/15) and 2 pm Sunday. $25. Read more
Jun 2, 2024
2:00 PM
Weekend of the Burnt Piano
Did one of four friends murder a fifth friend? New play by Sean Langenecker, 5/24-6/8, Broom Street Theater, at 8 pm Thursday-Saturday and 2 pm Sunday, plus 8 pm, 5/29. Read more
Jun 2, 2024
2:00 PM
Festa Italia
11 am-10 pm on 6/1 and 11 am-7 pm 6/2, McKee Farms Park, Fitchburg, with entertainment, Italian food & cultural displays, games and more. Click through for schedule. Read more
Jun 1, 2024Jun 2, 2024