06.17.2024

Today’s Forecast

90º | 24% chance of rain | Sunrise 5:16 a.m. | Sunset 8:39 p.m.

🍿 Madi-cinema

Drive-Ins aren’t quite yet a thing of the past, Madison

Starlite 14 Drive-In in Richland Center plays first run movies. | Photo via Starlite 14

You don’t have to drive far to watch a drive-in movie. Though its been decades since their heyday, drive-in movie theaters are still here in Wisconsin, providing family-friendly fun — oftentimes with a tub of popcorn and a box of Juju Bees.

Opening credits

Historically speaking, Madison had two big drive-ins. One was Big Sky Drive-In on Mineral Point Road. The 1,100-car establishment opened May 27, 1954 with the Debbie Reynolds and Donald O’Connor movie “I Love Melvin.” It was built by the Middleton-Twentieth Century Drive-In Corporation, which also operated the local Orpheum, Strand, and Parkway Theatres. Big Sky closed in 1984.

The other was the Badger Outdoor Theatre on Stoughton Road. It opened with the Rita Hayworth film, “Down to Earth,” on September 4, 1948. With room for 600 cars, the theater ran until 1989. “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” was one of its last showings.

An old movie marquee for the Big Sky Drive-In Theatre in Wisconsin Dells.jpeg — Located in Wisconsin Dells, the Big Sky Drive-In Theatre plays double features on digital equipment. | Photo via Big Sky Drive-In Theatre

Showtime

In the late 1950s, there were nearly 80 drive-ins in Wisconsin. Now, there are only a handful. A few of them are close to Madison:

Big Sky Drive-In Theatre, N9199 Winnebago Rd., Wisconsin Dells
Through Thursday, June 20, the theater is showing “Inside Out 2,” “The Watchers,” “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” and “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.”

Goetz Sky-Vu Drive In, N1936 WI-69, Monroe
Upcoming openings at the theater include “Despicable Me 4" on Friday, July 5, “Twisters” on Friday, July 19, and “Deadpool & Wolverine” on Friday, Aug. 2.

Highway 18 Outdoor Theatre, W6423 US18, Jefferson
Wisconsin’s first digital cinema drive-in shows “Inside Out 2" and “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” this weekend.

Starlite 14 Drive-In, US. Hwy. 14 E., Richland Center
For the next two weekends, Starlite will present “Inside Out 2" and “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.”

Asked

The Johnny Depp film “Public Enemies” was filmed in what nearby town?

A. New Glarus
B. Monroe
C. Columbus
D. Baraboo

Lights, camera, action

Events

Monday, June 17

Jaxkson Street Band | Monday, June 17 | 6-9 p.m. | McKee Farms Park, 2930 Chapel Valley Rd., Fitchburg | Free | Monday can be for movin’ and groovin’ if you come listen to one of Chicago’s hottest blues bands.

Tuesday, June 18

Downtown Veteran Social | Tuesday, June 18 | 10-11:15 a.m. | Madison Senior Center, 330 West Mifflin St., Madison | Free | Local veterans are invited to come socialize with other veterans and their families.
Madison Marimba Quartet | Tuesday, June 18 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Rennebohm Park, 115 N. Eau Claire Ave., Madison | Free | You’ll marimba this free concert that includes a premiere of “Ladyfinger’s Rag.”

Wednesday, June 19

Song of the Soul | Wednesday, June 19 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Madison Marriott West Hotel, 1313 John Q. Hammons Dr., Middleton | $175 | If you have a song inside you, come to this day-long workshop for all ages and skill levels.
Summer in Tuscany | Wednesday, June 19 | 6:15-8:45 p.m. | The Deliciouser, 931 E Main St., Madison | $85 | Spend an evening in Tuscany (via your plate, anyway) with homemade ravioli, loin of beef, asparagus, and more.

Thursday, June 20

Drawing in the Galleries | Thursday, June 20 | 3 p.m. | Chazen Museum of Art, 750 University Ave., Madison | $20 | Do fine art in a fine art museum by drawing with a model in Chazen’s galleries (all ages and skill levels welcome).

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Wellness

🧠 Professional therapy, completely online

Laptop screen showing female, 30-something patient video chatting with her similarly-aged female therapist via BetterHelp.

Picture this: Professional therapy, done from the comfort of your home. | Image by BetterHelp

Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness — and BetterHelp makes starting therapy easy.

Whether you’re dealing with grief, work burnout, relationship problems, or you’re just feeling down, therapy is for you. Online therapy in the comfort of your own home? Even better.

Speaking of better, BetterHelp can custom-match you with one of their 30,000+ licensed therapists in as little as 24 hours. (No more waiting days, weeks, or even months to see someone.)

Get 25% off (exclusive to our readers)

News Notes

Sports

The Madison Night Mares softball team trounced the La Crosse Steam 19-1 in their inaugural home game Sunday night. Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway sang “The Star Spangled Banner” to start the game. The Night Mares play again tonight at 6:05 at Warner Park.

Development

Up to 600 new housing units will be built at the corner of South Park Street and West Badger Road, now that Madison’s public housing agency has asked the Alexander Company to develop the space. The public will be able to comment on project designs in early 2025. (Wisconsin State Journal)

Festival

Immerse yourself in different cultures Saturday, June 29-Sunday, June 30 at the Overture Center’s International Festival. There will be over 30 free performances by multicultural artists that call Dane County home.

Ranked

Madison is the No. 7 happiest city in the US, according to the Institute for Quality of Life’s 2024 Happy City Index. Madison ranks No. 167 (out of 250) worldwide for its commitment to happiness cultivation and growth.

Announced

The indie pop star Dayglow will perform on Tuesday, Oct. 22. Tickets go on sale this Friday, June 21 at 10 a.m.

Finance

Did you know you could finance your fixer-upper with home equity? You could get up to $50K with a HELOC — calculate your payment.*

Arts

🤡 Clowning around

Madison, the circus is in town

A plethora of acrobats take a bow at the Madison Circus Space.jpeg

Madison Circus Space frequently has performances and special events. | Photo via Madison Circus Space

If you’ve ever considered running away to join the circus, know that you won’t have to run very far. In Madison, it’s here all year long.

Several circus classes, camps, and clubs for all ages and skill levels offer Madisonians the chance to step right up:

Flying Trapese Madison | Offering recreational trapeze classes, the school provides high-flying excitement for all ages.
Madison Area Jugglers | This informal group has no restrictions or requirements, other than having fun throwing things around.
Madison Circus Space | MCS offers classes (aerial, tumbling, cyr wheel), clubs (handstand, hoops, and more), and events (like the upcoming Solstice Fire Show).
Madison Unicyclists | Promoting unicycling among youth, the organization has community and school programs, as well as summer camps.
Wild Rumpus Circus | With a main studio in Mazomanie, classes at Goodman Community Center, and space at Madison Circus Space, there are always classes, camps, or workshops happening.

The Buy

The Buy 6.17.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

These best-selling men’s swim trunks — they’re lined, quick drying, and come in any fun pattern you can dream up (we like the little sharks).

Answered

Where do you like to take visitors in the 608?

We recently asked where you like to take tourists who visit you in Madison. Your responses:

State Capitol: 32%
Festivals: 28%
Parks: 22%
Other: 18%
(Think: Farmers’ markets, Monona Terrace, Memorial Union)

No matter where you take them, it’s a good time.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Jonathan

From the editor

I would not be a good circus performer. I can sort of juggle. I am about as flexible as an iron rod and as strong as a noodle. That said, I think I could be a pretty good ringmaster. I wonder if there’s a chance to do some part time work this summer at Circus World.

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY