09.27.2023

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Today’s Forecast

35º | Cloudy | 15% chance of sleet | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 4:39 p.m.

🎵 Don’t miss a beat

Give these Madison live music venues a listen

City Editor Ally recently saw Lil Wayne at the Sylvee. | Photo by 608today

Hear that? It’s the scintillating sound of Madison’s live music venues beckoning you to a performance you’ll never forget.

The concert scene is truly unmatched in our area — from bluegrass to jazz, there’s a stage for any type of tune. To get to know them all, you must do three things:

Put your hands in the air, wave ‘em like you just don’t care, then lay your eyes (and ears) on our guide.

Bars

The Annex, 1206 Regent St. | Capacity: 400
Adjoined to Red Zone, the stage has hosted acts such as Svdden Death, Afro Man, and Atilla.

The Rigby, 119 E. Main St. | Capacity 250
If you’re looking for local music acts, you’ll find them at The Rigby.

Crystal Corner, 1302 Williamson St. | Capacity: 200
If you want to book a show at Crystal Corner, email Bobby your desired dates, performance videos, and when and where you’ve played in Madison.

Moody vibes

Red Rooster, 2513 Seiferth Rd. | Capacity: 99
The food is great, and the music is even better. Inspired by the Knuckle Down Saloon, which closed during the pandemic, Red Rooster is Madison’s blues hub.

608 red rooster — The Red Rooster hosts a blues jam most Thursdays. | Photo by Red Rooster Madison

Cafe CODA, 1224 Williamson St. | Capacity: 99
Ya like jazz? You’ll love Cafe CODA, where musical performances meet community engagement.

North Street Cabaret, 610 North St. | Capacity: 99
Catch an upcoming Americana, jazz, or folk performance at this intimate venue “dedicated to the presentation of roots music.”

Variety venues

Barrymore, 2090 Atwood Ave. | Capacity: 970
Since 1929 this theater has been entertaining the SASY neighborhood with live music, comedy, films, plays, and community events.

608 barrymore — The Barrymore features a mix of Spanish colonial and Italian Renaissance styles. | Photo by 608today

Crucible, 3116 Commercial Ave. | Capacity: 325
Be sure to double-check the event schedule, the Crucible hosts a variety of live events from local electronic shows to monthly fetish parties.

More music

Asked

How would you rate Madison’s music scene on a scale of 1-10?

Let us know

Events

Wednesday, Sept. 27

Jumptown Swing Night | Wednesday, Sept. 27 | 8-10 p.m. | Cafe CODA, 1224 Williamson St., Madison | $10 | New to swing dancing? Take part in the 20-minute lesson before social dancing beings around 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 28

Blues Jam | Thursday, Sept. 28 | 8-11 p.m. | Red Rooster Madison, 2513 Seiferth Rd., Madison | Free | This week’s host is Madison blues legend James Earl Tate.

Friday, Sept. 29

Harvest Moon Night Hike | Friday, Sept. 29 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Festge Cty. Park, 4894 Scherbel Rd., Cross Plains | $0-$5 | Enjoy a post-hike campfire looking at stars and eating s’mores.
The Wisconsin Cheese Ball | Friday, Sept. 29 | 7-10 p.m. | Garver Feed Mill, 3241 Garver Green, Madison | $135 | For every ticket purchased, a wedge of Wisconsin Cheese will be donated to a local food bank.

Saturday, Sept. 30

40th Chili Cook-Off | Saturday, Sept. 30 | 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. | Ahuska Park, Monona | $25 | Spend your afternoon drinking beer and eating chili.
Madison Vegan Fest | Saturday, Sept. 30 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Lunney Lake Farm Park, 4330 Libby Rd., Madison | Free | Not into chili? Hop on the free shuttle and head to Vegan Fest.

Sunday, Oct. 1

Sips and Slices | Sunday, Oct. 1 | 3-6 p.m. | Garver Feed Mill, 3241 Garver Green, Madison | $50 | A pizza party taste-off featuring teams of local chefs and celebs.

Saturday, Oct. 7

Talking Spirits XXV: Forest Hill Cemetery Tours | Saturday, Oct. 7-Sunday, Oct. 8 | Forest Hill Cemetery, 1 Speedway Rd., Madison | $15 | A tradition of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum since 1998, Talking Spirits Cemetery Tours bring to life the interesting and often unknown stories of souls interred at Forest Hill Cemetery in Madison.*

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Sports

The Badgers’ Homecoming game against Rutgers on Saturday, Oct. 7 will stream exclusively on Peacock. Fans who won’t attend the 11 a.m. game can subscribe for $5.99 per month — students can get a discount. Canceling after the game still requires paying for the first month. (Channel 3000)

Edu

The Madison Metropolitan School District is seeking a permanent superintendent, following Lisa Kvistad’s interim tenure. Community input sessions will be held Monday, Oct. 2-Wednesday, Oct. 4. Amenities like refreshments, child care, and language interpretation services will be available. (Madison365)

Community

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS) invites locals to unite in support of victims and survivors on Sunday, Oct. 1 at the State Capitol. The event will include speeches from State Sen. Melissa Agard and the DAIS Executive Director. (NBC 15)

Development

After more than six years, UW-Madison’s Sellery and Wiite dorm halls are in the home stretch of the renovation process. The $130 million upgrades on the 1960s buildings include two-story student lounges, open-concept basements, and air conditioning. (Madison.com)

Eat

The Curderburger returns. Culver’s is bringing back the seasonal menu item for the third year from Monday, Oct. 2 to Tuesday, Oct. 31. Think: A classic Culver’s burger topped with a cheese curd disk. (WKOW)

Drink

Love whiskey? Join Vinovest’s exclusive whiskey investing community and own your own casks hassle-free. Sell casks for a profit, or opt to bottle them to drink.*

Food

🧀 (Don’t) curd your enthusiasm

A local’s guide to cheese curds in Madison

Cheese curds pair perfectly with your fish fry at Blue Moon. | Photo by 608today

When it comes to finding the best eats in any given city, listen to the locals.

After whipping up our own curds at home, we asked our readers and followers where they go for curds and ranch in Madison.

Here’s what you said:

The Old Fashioned — this on-the-square spot got the majority votes
Tavernakaya
Craftsman Table and Tap
The Great Dane — City Editor Ally’s favorite ranch in town
Villa Tap curds with honey mustard dipping sauce
Blue Moon Tavern (and all ranch dressing is gross so no comment)
Settle Down Tavern
Not Madison but Fork to Fire in Delevan has AMAZING cheese curds

Shop

Shop 9.27.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Fun Fact

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Award

It’s here — Allure’s 2023 Best of Beauty Award Winners list. Shop Best of Skin winners and Best of Hair winners to discover today’s breakthrough beauty technology.

Drink

Perfect for the -ber months: These stemless amber wine glasses that are dishwasher safe.

Home

Also perfect for the -ber months: This cozy thick knit blanket that’s buttery soft.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Ally

From the editor

I spend more time at comedy shows than music performances, but I was not going to pass up my chance to see Lil Wayne at the Sylvee earlier this year. It was surreal to see him in person, but the experience may be trumped next month when I see Chelsea Handler at the Orpheum.

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