Madisonians can listen in to a meeting between Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X
Civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X meet at a press conference. | Photo via Library of Congress
Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X met just once. It lasted only a few minutes. It was on March 26, 1964, in Washington, DC. They were both on Capitol Hill watching a Senate hearing on ending segregation in public places and racial discrimination in employment.
As King was wrapping up a press conference, Malcolm X approached. They shook hands. They exchanged greetings. Malcolm X said, “I’m throwing myself into the heart of the civil rights struggle.”
By mid-1968, they were both dead, assassinated for their beliefs.
But what if they have had the opportunity to have a deeper conversation?
The play, “The Meeting,” imagines just that. It is being shown at Madison College’s Mitby Theater on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Admission is free, but tickets are required.
We recently sat down with the show’s director, Milwaukee’s Denzel Taylor, to discuss the show.
Q: How did you get involved in this production? Why did you want to?
A: The idea of a conversation between two profound Black men of our history, I felt, offered a range of choice artistically and would be important for not just my own personal growth, but for the greater community. The show [in Milwaukee] was fantastic. Audiences responded positively and passionately at the work. So much so that I was asked to do the show again. I am excited for Madison audiences to see it.
Q: What do you hope audiences take from the play?
A: I hope audiences leave inspired to learn more about not just Dr. King and Malcolm X, but their fellow colleagues in the fight for civil rights. I hope audiences continue the conversation that I believe will be sparked and are further inspired to do their best for their own missions that will serve not just them, but their communities. Dr. King and Malcolm X understood that they themselves are not what’s great, but their missions motivated by visions of the future and their personal histories is what’s great. That is something we all have.
Ho-Chunk History: Past, Present & Future | Tuesday, Feb. 6 | 6-7 p.m. | Pope Farm Elementary School, 816 Schewe Rd., Middleton | Free | Learn the history of the Ho-Chunk people.
Wednesday, Feb. 7
Mental Wellness Series | Wednesday, Feb. 7 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Goodman South Madison Library, 2222 S. Park St., Madison | Free | Learn about mindfulness, building self-esteem, and more.
Daniel Grabois - Faculty Artist Series | Wednesday, Feb. 7 | 7:30 p.m. | UW-Madison, 1207 Seminole Hwy., Madison | $15 | Horn your way into this faculty concert.
Comedy on State & Ian’s Pizza Blood Drive| Thursday, Feb. 8 | Comedy on State, 202 State St., Madison | Free | Donate blood and get free admission to a comedy show and a free slice of pizza.
Friday, Feb. 9
Science! Themed Trivia | Friday, Feb. 9 | 7-9 p.m. | Delta Beer Lab, 167 E. Badger Rd., Madison | Free | Does sound travel faster in the air or in water? (Pssst...water)
PBS Wisconsin’s Garden & Landscape Expo | Friday, Feb. 9 | All day | Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Wy., Madison | $10-$18 | Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean we can’t think about spring.
Saturday, Feb. 10
Free Vision Screening | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Goodman South Madison Library, 2222 S. Park St., Madison | Free | Are you having trouble reading this?
The Wonders of Physics | Saturday, Feb. 10-Sunday, Feb. 11 | 1-2:15 p.m. | Chamberlin Hall, 1150 University Ave., Madison | Free | Physics is phun.
A state program that helped Wisconsinites in danger of being foreclosed on will soon end. The Wisconsin Help for Homeowners program will close applications on March 8. In two years, the program gave Wisconsinites close to $70 million to prevent foreclosure through mortgage, tax, and utility payments. (WKOW)
Closed
The moon has set on Harvest. A Madison institution for 20 years, the Harvest Restaurant, at 21 N. Pickney St., will not reopen, due, in part, to the pandemic and staff shortages. Owner Tami Lax has decided to prioritize her other restaurant, the Old Fashioned. (In Business)
Edu
The wind is taking UW-Madison students to a national competition on renewable energy. The team, WiscWind, will present at the CLEANPOWER conference defending their wind turbine design project against 12 other universities from across the country. They were selected to participate by the US Department of Energy.
Biz
This weekend’s Frozen Fest by the lake wasn’t even frozen. Wisconsin’s mild winter is wreaking havoc on businesses that rely on winter activities, like ice fishing, snowmobiling, and more. (Wisconsin State Journal)
Outdoors
This is wheely cool. Madison has been recertified as a platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. The designation recognizes the city for its commitment to safe transportation and better bicycling for residents of all ages and abilities.
Award
Fifteen UW-Madison community members were recognized as being among Wisconsin’s Most influential Black Leaders of 2023. Winners included Maia Pearson, of the Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education; Terrance Thompson, of the Parks Department; and Dane County Circuit Court judge Mario White. (Madison365)
Announced
Frenchie and Rizzo are eager to meet you. Rock hyraxes, they’re the newest residents at the Henry Vilas Zoo. While the rabbit-sized animals may resemble rodents, their closest living relatives are elephants. They’re on view now at the zoo’s primate building, sharing a habitat with lemurs. (Wisconsin State Journal)
Holiday
It’s time for your Christmas tree to bough out. The city’s Christmas tree collection is over. There will be no more guaranteed collection of trees this season. If you still have a Christmas tree in need of collection, it can be taken to a Streets Division drop-off site.
Eat
Mmmm... pie. The Wisconsin Bakers Association and Madison College are presenting the first Pie à la Madison event on Sunday, March 3. Local bakers will serve samples of their very best pies in advance of the celebration of Pi Day (on March 14). Tickets run $35-$50.
Finance
If you’ve been dreaming of a “one-card wallet,” it’s time to wake up and get your hands on this credit card. Not only does it offer 0% APR into 2025, but cardholders can also earn up to 5% cash back — with no annual fee to boot.*
Sports
🏅 Outstanding in their field
Madison women’s sports are on fire
UW-Madison has a dozen varsity sports for women including hockey. | Photo by 608today
Tomorrow is National Girls and Women in Sports Day, a day that honors the achievements of girls and women in sports and acknowledges the power of sports to unlock limitless potential.
Luckily, Madison is rich with sports opportunities to support and participate in.
This set of six colored wine glasses, which remind us of Estelle stemware, only more affordable. The multicolor stemware set is perfect for parties, Galentine’s Day, or girls’ night in.
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The first sporting event I went to after moving to Madison was a UW-Madison women’s hockey game. It was just about the best way to be introduced to sports here in Madison.
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