The science behind making friends 🧪

Ways to meet people as an adult in Madison 👋

The only thing better than a good view is a good view with good company. | Photo by @quietpockets

Making new friends is hard, you’re not crazy. It’s scientifically proven that adults have a harder time making new friends than children — but why?

University of Maryland psychologist Marisa Franco says organic friendships require two ingredients:

Continuous unplanned interaction
Shared vulnerability

Both of these concepts commonly occur in children’s lives but can be rather hard to come by for full-time professionals, parents, and busy Madisonians. The fix? Create opportunities that foster these ingredients — that’s where we come in. We’re rounding up a few ways to meet people + make new friends in Madison.

❤️ Give a little, get a little

Dane Parks volunteer program | Check out the DCP events calendar to find other green thumbs + help with projects like habitat restoration, field research, and park advocacy.

Urban League of Greater Madison | Spend time networking in the ULGM community + volunteer to help mentor and tutor local students.

City of Madison engagement opportunities | Find an eclectic mix of locals through the City’s 15 unique programs from library programming to community park activations.

🏙️ Get out on the town

Trivia nights | Meet other brainiacs in the 608 + mingle over a shared love for local, general, or themed trivia.

Dance classes | Local venues such as The Brink Lounge offer a series of dance instructionals, many of which are no experience or partner required. A great place for a meet-cute, if you ask us.

Unique drinking spots | Strike up a conversation with a stranger over video games at I/O, fine art at Dark Horse, or espresso + world literature at Leopold’s.

They say it takes 50 hours to develop a casual friendship with someone and 200 for a close friendship — so take it slow, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Remember, you can always find plans in the 608 through our events page.

Know of a great local spot for mingling? Let us know.

Click here to have your event featured.

Today, Nov. 3

El Mercadito | Thursday, Nov. 3 | 4-7 p.m. | Centro Hispano, 810 W. Badger Rd., Madison | Free | Join the Centro community for tasty bites, live music, and community festivities. 🎉
Thursday Karaoke | Thursday, Nov. 3 | 6:30-11 p.m. | The Brink Lounge, 701 E. Washington Ave., Madison | Take the mic with friends + family or use this opportunity for a solo performance.

Friday, Nov. 4

Fall 2022 Exhibitions Reception | Friday, Nov. 4 | 5-9 p.m. | Overture Center, 201 State St., Madison | Free | Enjoy mingling + artists’ talks celebrating the Fall 2022 Overture Galleries. 🖼️
Geoffrey Asmus | Friday, Nov. 4-Saturday, Nov. 5 | 7:30 p.m. | Comedy on State, 202 State St., Madison | $18 | The winner of the “Funniest Person in Madison 2015” is bringing a set to State Street.

Saturday, Nov. 5

Hmong New Year | Saturday, Nov. 5-Sunday, Nov. 6 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Wy., Madison | $4 | Celebrate the rich festivities of the Hmong culture in honor of the upcoming new year.
Midwest Vintage Flea Fall ’22 | Saturday, Nov. 5-Sunday, Nov. 6 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Garver Feed Mill, 3241 Garver Green, Madison | Free | Shop this vintage clothing market for thousands of vintage + throwback pieces. 🛍️

Sunday, Nov. 6

Volunteer in the UW Lakeshore Nature Preserve | Sunday, Nov. 6 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Picnic Point entrance kiosk, 2000 University Bay Dr., Madison | Learn about the natural world + take care of this beloved campus area. 🌳
Wisconsin Badgers vs. Indiana Hoosiers | Sunday, Nov. 6 | 1 p.m. | UW Field House, 1450 Monroe St., Madison | $24 | Cheers on the 17-3 Badgers volleyball program as they take on the Hoosiers.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

72º | Mostly sunny | 10% chance of rain

Development

Madison is set to award nearly $9 million to three housing projects delivering low-income units to the downtown area. The builds will cost roughly $149 million + provide 499 units, 60% of which will be set aside with income restrictions. 🏗️ (Madison.com)

Open

Northstreet — a new restaurant collective located on Madison’s north side — opened this week. The Eken Park space at 557 North St. hosts three local businesses: Bloom Bake Shop, Cafe Domestique, and Youngblood Beer Co. 🍽️ (Channel 3000)

Community

A new mural depicting four prominent Madisonians — Wayne Strong, Earsie Green, Marcus Miles, and Al Studesville Jr. — is planned for 2300 S. Park St. + the city wants your feedback. Fill out this survey with thoughts for the artist and esteemed architect, Michael Ford. (Madison.com)

Edu

This week, the Madison School Board approved its 2022-23 budget. The new $597.9 million budget will make room for MMSD staff wage increases, full-day kindergarten, plus district-wide mental health initiatives. 🏫 (Cap Times)

Show

Overture Center is welcoming the SSM Health Fall Gospel Fest on Saturday, Nov. 12. Hear from local, regional, and world-renowned gospel artists during this annual celebration of musical empowerment.

Cause

Eat good + feel good by dining at Food Fight Restaurant Group eateries to support the Goodman Community Center. Now through Sunday, Nov. 20, participating restaurants will accept donations on behalf of the Goodman Thanksgiving Basket Drive.

Plan Ahead

Get that planner out. To make the most of the Autumn season, Madison Magazine is rounding up 32 events taking place around the Isthmus this November. 🗓️ (Madison Magazine)

Shop

Gear up for game day with the perfect (and on-trend) Wisconsin sweatshirt. It’s made by a Madison-based Etsy seller + comes in seven different colors. Bonus: The sweatshirt is made with a fleece blend to keep you warm during those chilly Wisconsin winters.*

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Make your voice heard 🗣️

Feedback hearing for upcoming metro service redesign

Network amendments map via Transportation Policy and Planning Board. | Map via City of Madison

The City of Madison is hosting a virtual public hearing on Wednesday, Nov. 9 regarding the metro service redesign. Let’s get in gear for the upcoming meeting + review changes coming to Madison’s transit system.

The Metro Transit network redesign is an overhaul to the current system which will offer more consistent service + better access to outlying areas around the city beginning in June 2023. This is the first phase of a four-step initiative to increase Madison’s quality of transport over the next two years.

Items to be reviewed during the meeting include:

The equity analysis summary + full report
Bus stops to close + new stops
Route Start/End Times
Route Name Updates

Those interested must register for the event.

Prefer to give feedback from afar? No sweat. Fill out this feedback form prior to the meeting to have your input reviewed during the hearing, or reach out to the City via phone (608 266-4466) or email.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Ryan.

Editor’s pick: We’re still looking for the best Thanksgiving tips + tricks in Madison — got anything in mind? (Think: Where to pre-order turkeys or full meals, who has the best pies, and what businesses will be open?) Let us know.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We dug up the history of Burnie’s Rock Shop.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Ally Geiger, Ryan Waldman, Dayten Rose, Josh Kranzberg, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Julie Brown | Advertise with us.

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