Who’s in the running

• Grampa’s vs Sugar River | Known for its thin-crust pizzas, Grampa’s was named the most romantic restaurant in Wisconsin by Yelp. Sugar River allows you to top your customized pies with a drizzle of Sriracha, ranch, balsamic reduction, or maple-rosemary syrup.
• Ian’s vs Glass Nickel | While both spots offer a variety of fun flavors, Ian’s is known for its giant late-night slices and Glass Nickel makes dough, sauce, and preps fresh veggies daily in-house.
• Greenbush Bar vs Salvatore’s | Greenbush Bar’s rich history and Sicilian-style pizza make it a Regent Street favorite. Salvatore’s prides itself in using old-world techniques like slow fermenting dough from locally derived wheat.
• Branch + Daughter vs Pizza Brutta | Pizza Brutta’s Neopolitan-style pies are made to order in an 800-degree wood oven. Branch + Daughter’s artisan pizzas are each finished with olive oil, Pecorino Romano, and spices.

How it works

How to participate

• Lakeside Dance Lab | Friday, March 8 | 6-7 p.m. | Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolen Dr., Madison | Free | Black Power Dance will lead this community dance party centering around Latin and Peruvian folk rhythms.
• Ricky Montgomery | Friday, March 8 | 8 p.m. | The Sylvee, Madison | $25-$115 | Known for his indie-pop hit “Mr. Loverman,” Montgomery is in town for “The Rick Tour: Another Rick in the Wall.”

• Sheehan Park Prairie Restoration Workday | Saturday, March 9 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Sheehan Park West, 1365 Linnerud Dr., Sun Prairie | Free | Some loppers and pruning saws will be provided to help with prairie restoration efforts.
• Bach Around The Clock All-Day Marathon | Saturday, March 9 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 1833 Regent St., Madison | Free | A day full of Bach performed by amateur and professional musicians of all ages.

• Irish Flag Raising Ceremony | Sunday, March 10 | 12-3 p.m. | Rex’s Innkeeper, 301 N. Century Ave., Waunakee | Cost of purchase | Join the Dane County Shamrock Club for its annual Irish celebration.
• Three Little Pigs Answer Beethoven Five | Sunday, March 10 | 2 p.m. | Overture Center, 201 State St., Madison | Free | Listen as a narrator unfolds the classic kids story, all set against the backdrop of Beethoven’s renowned composition performed by the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra.

• Wisconsin Veteran’s Museum presents: Book Talk with Shannon McKenna Schmidt | Monday, March 11 | 12-1 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Shannon McKenna Schmidt’s “The First Lady of WWII: Eleanor Roosevelt’s Daring Journey to the Frontlines and Back,” details a 25,000-mile mission the First Lady undertook.
• Dairyland Dancers | Monday, March 11 | 5-9 p.m. | Five Night Club, 5 Applegate Ct., Madison | All skill levels are welcome at this weekly line-dancing session.

• Diag Day | Tuesday, March 12 | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. | Various locations | Free | Students can take an ACT practice test at a local public library.
• Clean Lakes 101: Sewerage District Tour | Tuesday, March 12 | 4:15-5:15 p.m. | Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District, 1610 Moorland Rd., Madison | $5 | Take a behind-the-scenes look at Madison’s Nine Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant.

• It’s almost time to set the clocks forward. Daylight saving time begins on Sunday, March 10. Many states have made moves to address time change, but for now, enjoy the extra sunlight.

• $740 million. That’s how much Governor Tony Evers recently approved in new building projects for Universities of Wisconsin schools. Most notable in that sum is the $197 million for a new engineering building at UW-Madison. Construction is set to begin in early 2026. (Daily Cardinal)

• To better reach underrepresented communities, the Madison Fire Department launched a new internship program. Funded by the Wisconsin Partnership Program at UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, the two-year program will pay $17.50 an hour. Applications are open March 13-27.

• Say cheese. Michael Spycher of Mountain Dairy Fritzenhaus is taking a blue ribbon back to Bern, Switzerland. Spycher’s Hornbacher cheese won first place at the World Championship Cheese Contest which took place at the Monona Terrace this week.

• To empower women, Wisconsin Martial Arts and Fitness Center is offering free self-defense classes on Saturday, March 9. Open to all, classes will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. at both center locations, highlighting practical self-defense techniques.

• Girls on the Run of South Central Wisconsin is seeking volunteer coaches for its April-June season. The organization, focusing on girl empowerment through running, serves third- through eighth-grade participants in over 80 sites throughout the area.

• Do you know a Wisconsin public school educator that deserves recognition? The Wisconsin Education Association Council, UW Athletics, and WEA Member Benefits are asking for nominations for the Outstanding Educator Award.

• The Wisconsin men’s hockey team, currently ranked No. 4 in the nation, will participate in the fourth annual Kwik Trip faceoff taking place in Milwaukee the last weekend of December. They’ll battle it out at Fiserv Forum against UConn, Alaska-Fairbanks, and Ferris State. (Channel 3000)

• You’re invited to the world premiere of “Symphony No. 14 Revelation” by Dr. Bill Banfield, presented by the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, on Friday, March 22 at 7:30 p.m. Featuring performances from various guest artists (the Madison Youth Choirs, Festival Choir of Madison + more), this concert is a can’t-miss event. Snag tickets.*

• By all accounts, Sid Korn should be dead after cancer scares, a bout with alcoholism, and more. Instead, this Madisonian will celebrate his 80th birthday in April. Korn wants to leave the world better than he found it. One way is by recruiting others to the All of Us Research Program — see why.*

• The Academy Awards air this Sunday, March 10 at 6 p.m. Not sure how to watch? Access the broadcast with a free five-day trial of DIRECTV STREAM.*

Venues

• Barrymore Theatre, 2090 Atwood Ave.
• Bartell Theatre, 113 E. Mifflin St.
• Chazen Museum of Art, 800 University Ave.
• Flix Brewhouse, 85 E. Towne Way
• The Marquee at Union South, 1308 W. Dayton St.
• UW Cinematheque, 821 University Ave.
• UW Music Hall, 925 Bascom Mall

Tickets