Which Madison-area social media accounts are you following?
Lost? Follow us @608today | Photo by 608today team
You all follow us, so you must be cool, and we want to know which other Madisonians you follow online.
Think...
Photographers | While we like to take pics around Madison, we want to highlight locals with a true talent for capturing the city’s essence.
Fashion | Madison is full of fun thrift shops and trendy boutiques, and we’re always looking for style tips.
Foodies| There’s not enough time in the day (or money in our wallets) to try all of 608’s best eateries. We’ll watch enviously from our phones.
Artists|Digital or physical — Madison is full of creative geniuses. Who are your favorite 608 painters, sculptors, and/or digital artists currently on the scene?
Small businesses | Shopping local makes retail therapy sessions feel even better. Which small businesses do you think deserve a spotlight?
Local leaders | Fill us in on some civic leaders or nonprofits that are dedicated to making Madison a better place.
Musicians | Our playlists need a re-up before summer kicks off, and who better to listen to than some fellow Madisonians?
Comedians | What’s so funny? No seriously, which locals have been making you crack up in the 608 lately?
Influencers | Whether it be on TikTok, blogs, YouTube, or Instagram, we want to keep up with the local social media personalities.
🔗 We’ll go first
Photographers Allison Gallipeau wakes up early, so you don’t have to. Check out her Madison morning shots.
Foodies The Black Diner gives thorough written reviews of all of the Madison food she eats.
Artists You may recognize Audifax’s work from Mother Fool’s mural wall or her Garver Feed Mill exhibit.
Musicians Check out Lunar Moth at the Rigby on Thursday, April 4.
Comedians If you haven’t been to a Cheshire Cat Comedy show, you’re missing out.
Seed Starting | Monday, April 1 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Lakeview Library, 2845 N. Sherman Ave., Madison | Free | Sign up for this class that gives you a solid foundation for growing your own garden.
Tuesday, April 2
Chat with a Cop | Tuesday, April 2 | 12-1 p.m. | Central Library, 201 W. Mifflin St., Madison | Free | Come with questions or ideas for Capt. Michael Hanson about community policing.
Kaitlyn Bristowe | Tuesday, April 2 | 7 p.m. | Majestic Theatre, 115 King St., Madison | $50-$115 | Unapologetically herself, Bristowe visits Madison during her “Pour Decisions” tour, highlighting her tumultuous year with humor.
Wednesday, April 3
Third Space Open Days | Wednesday, April 3 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Ethical Trade Co, 3565 Tulane Ave., Madison | Free | Come to this communal space to work, read, knit, or whatever you’d like to help create a stronger community.
Madison’s Funniest Comic Competition | Wednesday, April 3 | 9 p.m. | Comedy on State, 202 State St., Madison | $10 | Laugh at some of the funniest locals during the preliminary round of this competition.
Thursday, April 4
Ladies Must Swing | Thursday, April 4 | 7-10 p.m. | Cafe CODA, 1224 Williamson St., Madison | $15 | Swing dance to a swing band made up entirely of women.
DreamCycle | Thursday, April 4 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Madison Circus Space, 2082 Winnebago St., Madison | $20-$25 | Come for an evening of aerialists, jugglers, acrobats, and clowns.
Friday, April 5
Native Spirit | Friday, April 5 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Wisconsin Masonic Center, 301 Wisconsin Ave., Madison | $35 | Witness the beauty of Indigenous dances, with opportunities to interact and take photos with the performers.
The Taylor Party | Friday, April 5 | 9 p.m. | The Sylvee, 25 S. Livingston St., Madison | $15-$35 | 18+ Swifties are invited to an evening of singing along to all of Taylor’s chart-topping tunes.
Tomorrow, April 2, is Election Day. Find sample ballots, polling places, and more voting resources on the city’s Election and Voting webpage. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Development
Renovations have begun on Hilldale’s former AMC theater. The 25,000-sqft space will soon house additional stores and restaurants, with completion slated for fall. Vogel Bros. Building Co. is handling renovations while WS Development and Eppstein Uhen Architects are partnering to cover design. (Wisconsin State Journal)
Biz
Madison is charging ahead in the lithium-ion battery market. Orbia Fluor and Energy Materials is opening a new 11,000-sqft facility near the Beltline and the Interstate 90 interchange. The company is one of the few in the US producing electrolytes used in a wide range of batteries. (Cap Times)
Award
The Madison Children’s Museum (MCM) won the 2024 Governor’s Tourism Award for Service Excellence. Gov. Evers thanked MCM, “for their leadership, dedication, and innovation that help support our state’s tourism industry and make Wisconsin a place that people from all over choose to visit.” (WisPolitics)
Edu
As students continue facing growing mental health challenges, $12 million in federal funding has been allocated to 40 education agencies across the state to meet those needs. Madison Metropolitan School District and Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District are two recipients of said funding.
Drink
Rooted in Sanity is now open at 2007 Atwood Ave., Madison’s first-ever kava lounge. Kava is a mildly psychoactive root and has been adopted by people as an alternative to alcohol and heralded for its relaxing qualities.
Opening
The former owner of The Weary Traveler Freehouse is opening a new coffee shop in Blue Mounds. Christopher Berg hopes that Obert-Alvin, named after his grandfathers, will open by late June. The business, located at 2969 Main St., will be part coffee shop, part event space, and part vacation rental. (Wisconsin State Journal)
Plan Ahead
For those who like vintage, you’re in luck. Midwest Vintage Flea is returning to Garver Feed Mill on April 20-21. Wisconsin’s largest vintage fashion trade show, there will be 45 vendors selling everything from jeans to jeggings, sweaters to sneakers.
Environment
Alliant Energy, as part of the One Million Trees Initiative, gave 12 Wisconsin communities grants to plant trees. Fitchburg, Poynette, and the Windsor-Token Creek Conservancy received funds. Alliant Energy’s David de Leon said, “Our commitment to improving the environment and supporting the communities we serve is unwavering.” (WisBusiness)
Wellness
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Culture
📝 Madison rules
Tell us you’re from Madison, without telling us you’re from Madison
Don’t get caught walking the wrong way at the farmers’ market. | Photo by 608today
In Madison, just like any other city, there are plenty of written rules that we all must abide by. Today, we’re thinking about the unwritten rules everyone in Madison should know.
To name a few:
If a fellow driver does you a favor in traffic, repay them with a smile and wave
Walk counter-clockwise at the farmers’ market
Anything past Wisconsin Dells is “up North,” and anything past Stevens Point is “way up North”
Always bring a few quarters or a deck of cards to the bar
If you own a snowblower, take care of your neighbor’s sidewalk
Bring blankets, not chairs, to Concerts on the Square
Your turn. Let us know what you think should be added to our list of unwritten Madison rules. Your submissions may be included in an upcoming newsletter.
I have a long weekend in Milwaukee coming up, and I’m always looking for good food recs. Buckley’s carrot cake is on my radar, but if anyone has any dessert suggestions in or around the Third Ward... let me know.
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