Champs on + off the field 🏆

What makes a good sports town?

If tailgating was a sport, we’d be world champs. | Photo by @secondcropcreative

Madison was ranked 215 out of 392 of the best sports cities in the nation by WalletHub. We might be biased, but that seems a little low. While the 608 is highly regarded as a top college sports town, the list was based on numerous factors including the presence of professional football + basketball teams. Let’s break down a few things that make Madison the No. 1 sports city in our eyes.

🍻 We’ll drink to that

One thing about Madisonians: If there’s an organized sporting event — from bar volleyball leagues to Badgers football — we’ll be tailgating.

Badger Bash | A stone’s throw away from Camp Randall, this family-friendly tailgate has been offering free gameday activities for 50+ years.
Red Zone | With 35 flat-screen TVs, this is the place to watch every Wisconsin sports event you can imagine.
Regent Street Tailgate | Bars aren’t the only places to pregame, Rocky Rococo hosts one of the largest tailgates on football Saturdays.
Pooley’s | Whether you’re watching the big game or participating in a local volleyball league, this is a sports fan’s haven.

🏙️ What’s in a name?

In the original ranking, experts noted how a sports city reflects on its teams and vice versa. With Badger gear aplenty + numerous businesses using our mascot’s namesake, it’s safe to say our pride runs deep and reflects all over town. We’re thinking about:

📝 For the record

If our tailgating dedication + copious amount of Badger representation in local businesses wasn’t enough, our sports teams aren’t too shabby either. Cheer on the locals:

UW Football | Ranked No. 3 in the Big Ten West.
Forward Madison FC | Ranked No. 1 in the USL League One for passing accuracy.
UW Volleyball | Ranked No. 3 overall by the NCAA with a 19-3 season.
UW Women’s Basketball | Started off the season with a W this week.

Click here to have your event featured.

Today, Nov. 10

Great Dames | Thursday, Nov. 10 | 6:30 p.m. | Overture Center, 201 State St., Madison | $140 | Watch Christine Pedi lovingly honor the great ladies of the stage + screen through song, satire, and spot-on impressions. 🎭
Shrek Rave | Thursday, Nov. 10 | Majestic Theatre, 115 King St., Madison | $17 | Stop by for a carefree night of dancing + fun during the event’s national tour.

Friday, Nov. 11

Friday Family Films | Friday, Nov. 11 | 5:30 p.m. | Goodman South Madison Library, 2222 S. Park St., Madison | Free | Bring the whole family for a screening of “Cool Runnings.” 🍿
Spoken Word Night | Friday, Nov. 11 | Cafe CODA, 1224 Williamson St., Madison | Free | Join Madison Public Library’s media projects bubblerarian, Rob Franklin, for a poetic night out.

Saturday, Nov. 12

The Hitterz Collective Hub Grand Opening | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 10 a.m. | 254 W. Gilman St., Madison | Check out Madison’s brand new dance collective on its opening day.
Hayride through Holiday Fantasy in Lights | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 7-10 p.m. | Olin Park, 1156 Olin-Turville Ct., Madison | $3 | See Olin Park all lit up for the holidays during a hay wagon ride. 💡

Sunday, Nov. 13

Drag Bingo | Sunday, Nov. 13 | 2-4 p.m. | The Rigby, 119 E. Main St., Madison | $5 | Enjoy bingo + bloody marys during this event sponsored by Delta Beer Lab. 🍾
WWE Sunday Stunner | Sunday, Nov. 13 | 7 p.m. | Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison | $20-$525 | Get rowdy watching the world’s premier + most explosive wrestling organization.

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 | Late showers | 72% chance of rain

Civic

The votes are in + it’s time to welcome (back) 608’s newly-elected officials. Gov. Tony Evers was re-elected for a second term, and Sen. Ron Johnson narrowly won a third term. See the full results of the 2022 election. (NBC 15)

Community

Due to errors in previous schedules, residents who receive trash + recycling collection on Mondays should download an updated version of their 2022 and 2023 collection schedules.

Sports

Calling all golf fans. Volunteer registration for the PGA Tour Champions AmFam Insurance Championship at University Ridge Golf Course is now open. ⛳ (In Business Madison)

Holiday

Veterans Day is right around the corner. Check out these Veteran-owned businesses in the Madison area so you can show your support + appreciation to our local heroes. (Madison Magazine)

Feel Good

A Madison police horse retired recently after a fulfilling career in law enforcement. Chevy will spend his retirement at a farm in Verona with a beautiful hilltop view. 🐴 (WKOW)

Announced

Working Draft Brewery announced its weekly Wednesday night trivia is back. Stop by weekly at 6:30 p.m. for fun Qs, local brews, and some friendly competition.
Exclusive birthday deals, shoutouts on our member wall, insider information from our team, discounts from our online shop — that’s just a few of the perks you get when you join the 608today Membership Program. Learn more + sign up for this new way to support local journalism. 💻

Shop

‘Tis the season to shop products from our online shop Six & Main. From apparel to accessories, there’s something special for everyone. Start filling your digital cart with goodies now. 🛍️

Learn

Going on vacation this winter and need to learn a new language fast? With Babbel, 608today readers could be speaking a new language in as little as three weeks. Bonus: Get 55% off your subscription for a limited time. 🛫 *

Listen

We already know that you love Madison, so you might love this too. Home Where You Belong is a weekly podcast that explores how to feel more at home in your living space and city, provides tools for deepening your relationships + connections with your community, and more. Listen online or wherever you get your podcasts. 🎧 *

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An array of sprayed displays 🎨

The story behind the Mother Fool’s graffiti wall

Next time you’re on Willy Street, stop by for a coffee + check out the current mural. | Photo by Mother Fool’s

Chock full of galleries, museums, and DIY studios, Madison’s dynamic art scene offers a little something for everybody. Check out a local installation that benefits artists + art lovers alike, Mother Fool’s Graffiti Mural Project.

The vegan coffee shop — located at 1101 Williamson St. — has a large brick wall facing the busy street. The owners saw this as an empty canvas —literally — and thus, the Graffiti Mural Project was born.

In 2001, Mother Fool’s + its customers approached Madison’s Plan Commission with an idea for a rotating mural wall. Local artist Don Wettach was a driving force in finding a place where he and other local graffiti artists could create freely.

Two decades later, the project is still going strong today. The murals change seasonally and serve as a showcase for graffiti artists who don’t often get opportunities like this to present their work. Artists can contact Mother Fool’s with any questions regarding obtaining a slot.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Ally.

Editor’s pick: We’re always looking for local influencers to follow on our Instagram. Let us know who we should check out. (don’t forget to follow us)

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We checked out where to get Thanksgiving essentials.

Connect with us.

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

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