Creativity bubbles over in the 608 🫧

The Bubbler

By the community, for the community. | Photo by @madisonbubbler

One of my favorite things about Madison is the abundance of creatives. Independent coffee shops like Lakeside Street, Michelangelo’s, and Mother Fools are almost always displaying the works of local artists that never cease to impress.

The Bubbler is a program under the Madison Public Library umbrella that allows Madisonians to keep their thumbs on the pulse of the 608 art scene.

💡 How it works

This art hub aims to connect artists with the community via workshops, community events, and exhibitions. 100+ artists are contracted by Madison Public Library to facilitate and lead creative projects at all nine of the library’s branches.

Two utility boxes wrapped in art by community members. — Find these on Troy Drive near Lakeview Library.

📍 Bubbler’s impact

Utility Box Project | Bubbler artist Kim Charles Kay led creative workshops to spruce up some otherwise drab utility boxes in the city. Keep your eyes peeled for these colorful community creations.
Mural Alley | Local teens joined forces with Bubbler in order to create five murals for walls that were once a blank canvas at the Madison East Shopping Center.
Beanie Masks | Ashley Lusietto facilitated this project where locals were encouraged to use everyday materials to create fun masks. The library distributed 100 DIY kits to local families via youth-focused community partners.

mural alley signage — Tucked between E. Washington Avenue and Hermina Street, you’ll find Mural Alley.

👋 Get involved

If your group or organization is looking for a place to learn about and utilize digital media resources, the Media Lab is the place for you. Reach out to find out more and request a workshop.

Do you prefer to get creative from the comfort of your home? Check out the Bubbler’s collection of hands-on projects and guides.

Calling all educators. Maker Kits are pre-prepped project tubs tailored to specific age groups, time allowances, and skill sets. Learn about how to access these along with more learning resources here.

Click here to have your event featured.

Today, Jan. 13

Cabin Fever | Friday, Jan. 13-Friday, Feb. 3 | 10 a.m.-7 p.m. | St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store, 1309 Williamson St., Madison | Free | Shop a wide array of specially curated tabletop games like Magic: The Gathering cards, Pokémon cards, and gaming accessories. 🎲
80s Rewind | Friday, Jan. 13 | 9 p.m. | Crucible, 3116 Commercial Ave., Madison | $5 | Dance your way into the weekend with DJ Nick Nice as he spins some of the very best of the 80s, all with video accompaniment.

Saturday, Jan. 14

Candlelit Snowshoe Hike | Saturday, Jan. 14 | 4:30-7:30 p.m. | Aldo Leopold Nature Center, 330 Femrite Dr., Madison | Free | Snowshoe or hike this candlelit trail before you enjoy a bonfire accompanied by Travelin’ Toms food truck.
Fiber Arts Community Workshop | Saturday, Jan. 14 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Overture Center, 201 State St., Madison | Free | Madison Contemporary Fiber Artists will help participants create a butterfly or another garden creature that will be displayed in Overture’s Playhouse Gallery. 🖼️

Sunday, Jan. 15

Verona Winter Market | Sunday, Jan. 15 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Badger Prairie Needs Network Kasieta Center, 1200 E. Verona Ave., Verona | Free | Stop by for live music, food trucks, and market vendors. 🛍️
Oakwood Chamber Players | Sunday, Jan. 15 | 2 p.m. | Arts + Literature Laboratory, 111. S. Livingston St., Madison | $20-$25 | Enjoy a performance by this six-piece, mixed string/wind ensemble that has been entertaining Madison for decades.

Monday, Jan. 16

Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration | Monday, Jan. 16 | 3-5 p.m. | Prairie Phoenix Academy, 220 Kroncke Dr., Sun Prairie | Free | Join Sun Prairie Black and African American leaders and students together as they share how MLK has guided their work and leadership.
Teen Craft and Game Night | Monday, Jan. 16 | 6-7 p.m. | Storytime Room, 5530 Lacy Rd., Fitchburg | Drop the kids off for an engaging night of crafts and games with their peers. 🎨

We have a calendar filled with events and 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

30º | Partly cloudy | 4% chance of rain
Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF reached its closest point to the sun last night. For your best odds of catching this once-in-600-lifetimes spectacle, watch northwestern dark skies during the Saturday, Jan. 21 new moon, or on the night of Wednesday, Feb. 1, when it’s closest to Earth. (Space.com)

Plan Ahead

Due to the observation of MLK Day, residents who normally have their trash collected on Mondays should plan to put out their trash and recycling on Tuesday, Jan. 17 by 6:30 a.m. ♻️

Civic

Barbara Vedder is being recommended by the Madison City Council’s Executive Committee to represent the 12th District in lieu of Ald. Syed Abbas’ resignation. Vedder, a previous City Council member, would only serve an interim term until voters elect a full-time Alder in April. 🗳️ (Madison.com)
A federal appeals court has rejected an advertising company’s lawsuit about the size of billboards in Madison. Adams Outdoor Advertising sued the City after being denied proposed changes to the height of some billboards. An official with Adams said they’re “currently evaluating next steps.” (WI State Journal)

Award

Dr. Charles Taylor and the late Wayne Strong have been announced as the 2023 honorees of the City’s Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award. They were chosen due to their values reflecting those of Martin Luther King Jr. and their dedication to serving their community. 🏆

Closed

Due to renovations, the City of Madison Clerk’s Office will be relocating temporarily. While fully closed on MLK Day, the office is reachable by phone only today and Tuesday, Jan. 17. Starting Wednesday, Jan. 18 you can find the temporary location in room 153 of the Madison Municipal Building.

Traffic

Today marks six months of the Beltline Flex Lane. While some drivers are still getting the hang of merging to and fro safely, the overall outcome has been positive. WisDOT has seen the 20-25 minute travel time cut in half for the 10-mile stretch of road since the Flex Lane has been implemented. (WKOW)

Sports

The UW women’s hockey team’s Outdoor Skate event has been changed to a meet and greet due to melting ice. Fans can stop by Vilas Park from 6-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 17 to meet Bucky and the team for photos, autographs, and concessions. (WKOW)
Four-star football recruit C.J. Williams has confirmed his transfer to UW from USC. The wide receiver saw action in 10 games this past season during his freshman year. 🏈 (BadgersWire)
Calling all soccer fans: The Forward Club will be open from 6 a.m.-1 p.m. every Saturday for the remainder of the Premier League Season to show Premier League matches. Bonus: These watch parties are free and open to all. Don’t miss out on drink specials + bites from the Forward Club bar. ⚽ *

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#DumpTheHate 🥟

#DumpTheHate with Pasture and Plenty

Hope you’re hungry. Each dumpling kit will yield around 40 dumplings. | Photo by @humbling_dumpling (Monique Lu)

Cancel your dinner plans for January 19. Pasture and Plenty, a local farm-to-table deli, is hosting its annual Dumpling Class in honor of the Lunar New Year and in support of the international #DumpTheHate campaign.

#DumpTheHate

Canadian food blogger and chef Jannell Lo created this campaign in order to channel her love for food toward fighting anti-Asian prejudice and violence.

Not only do #DumpTheHate events raise awareness, but they’re a great way to get to know your neighbors while learning a new skill.

Get involved

Price: $15+
When: Thursday, Jan. 19 | 6 p.m.
About: Monique Lu will teach you the art of dumpling making while sharing her experience growing up in Taiwan and celebrating the Lunar New Year. This is a live virtual event — participants will grab their dumpling kits in advance to follow along at home.
Cause: Proceeds will benefit Freedom, Inc., a local Black and Southeast Asian non-profit that works to support low-income communities.

Sign up or learn more here.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Ally.

Editor’s pick: These are a few of my favorite things. 🎶

Today’s newsletter is my love letter to Madison. Local artists, local food, and community events for a good cause are all reasons I love this city so much (in addition to all of the 608today readers, of course).

Missed our last newsletter? We mapped out 2023’s celestial events and where to view them locally.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Ally Geiger, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Ana Gibson | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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