A preview tour of the Goodman Atwood Community Center View photos inside and outside the refurbished facility David Medaris on Thursday 08/28/2008 3:35 pm When the Goodman Atwood Community Center re-opens on Tuesday at the old Kupfer Iron Works Building on Waubesa Street, visitors can expect to find a work in progress. But what a piece of work it is. For the first time in memory, all of the center's programs -- including the Lussier Teen Center and the New Loft -- will be reunited under one roof. >More
Brett Favre fun for everyone in Madden NFL All-Play for the Nintendo Wii Zac Shipley on Thursday 08/28/2008 11:09 am, (8) Recommendations Brett Favre, a sure bet for the Football Hall of Fame and legendary quarterback for the Green Bay Packers was selected to be the athlete featured for the cover of Madden 2009. Of course we're all well aware by now how the tribute to the temporarily retired player panned out, but how is the game itself? >More
Bravo brings Top Chef: The Tour to Madison Winner Stephanie Izard and finalist Dale Levitsky operate biggest food cart on the Square Kyle Nabilcy on Wednesday 08/27/2008 6:44 pm, (2) Comments, (8) Recommendations Near the conclusion of the most recent season of the hit food show Top Chef in June, Bravo announced that a tour promoting the reality program would be making 23 stops in 19 cities throughout the summer. On Wednesday, Top Chef: The Tour hit Madison, and I was fortunate enough to be one of the attendees. >More
The Planski: Waiting for Barack at the Denver National Carnival Ben Manski on Wednesday 08/27/2008 4:40 pm, (6) Recommendations I don't know what to make of the scene here in Denver. There are too many scenes. Tens of thousands of riot police deployed throughout the Denver metro area, patrolling the Qdobas, McDonalds and strip malls for miles around, keeping an eye out for crusty punks with anarchist tendencies, seemingly oblivious to the Neo-Nazis leafleting parked cars with flyers promising solutions to the "Negro Problem." >More
Tammy Baldwin and Jim Doyle take the stage at DNC in Denver Watch speeches by and interviews with Wisconsin pols and delegates Kristian Knutsen on Wednesday 08/27/2008 2:33 pm, (3) Recommendations Tuesday was a big day for Wisconsin at the Democratic National Convention, with two prominent officeholders speaking formally before the assembled delegates and media in Denver. Governor Jim Doyle and U.S. Representative Tammy Baldwin each took the stage at the Pepsi Center to speak on the second day of the convention, which culminated in remarks by New York Senator and close presidential contender Hillary Rodham Clinton. >More
Hamann Charcuterie shop to open in Madison Supersausages will be available at Northside Town Center Linda Falkenstein on Wednesday 08/27/2008 12:29 pm, (11) Recommendations The locally produced sausages of Hamann Charcuterie have up until now been the purview of Northsiders or other foragers savvy enough to be shopping the Northside Farmers' Market on Sunday mornings. Nicholas Bruns, maker of top-drawer sausages -- like the divinely spiced bratwurst that don't ooze grease when you bite into them -- has been selling since May of this year at the Northside Farmers' Market only, but is planning to open a shop at the Northside Town Center (a.k.a. Sherman Plaza) in the next couple of months. >More
Alternative takes on the DNC in Denver: Hillary Day Jason Joyce on Wednesday 08/27/2008 11:40 am Day two of the Democratic National Convention was Hillary Clinton Day, according to the network television outlets that restricted their coverage to what happened inside Denver’s Pepsi Center immediately before, during and after she addressed the delegates. >More
Day three at the DNC, the Big Ten Network, Chicago at APT, and more in Madison Miscellany A daily survey of Madison blogs, press releases, and other online updates on Wednesday 08/27/2008 12:00 am Wisconsin politicians and delegates continue to speak up at the DNC in Denver, the World Stem Cell Summit approaches, three UW students killed in early morning car crash, a farewell to Marc Eisen, interviews with Murder By Death, the jukebox at the Malt House, Poetry Slam Inc. issues statement on NPS 2008, Chicago builds presence at APT, Charter picks up Big Ten Network programming, and much more can be found in this latest round-up of online social media in Madison and Dane County. >More
DNC watch parties bring Obama nomination to Madison Kristian Knutsen on Tuesday 08/26/2008 1:14 pm, (5) Recommendations More than 75,000 people crowding into Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver will get the opportunity to watch Barack Obama accept the presidential nomination at the apogee of the Democratic National Convention on Thursday night. As many millions more will be watching the candidate's speech on television, though, the campaign is seizing on its supporters excitement for the occasion and facilitating convention watch parties throughout the nation. Madison supporters certainly won't be missing out on the excitement. >More
Brews and movies at the Capital Brewery Bier Garten Strange Brew hits the screen in Middleton Robin Shepard on Tuesday 08/26/2008 12:18 pm, (8) Recommendations If you're feeling that we're on the downhill side of summer, a warm evening in a local beer garden is a great way to make the most of those waning days. Taking that one step further, how about dinner, beer and a movie at Capital Brewery? About a half-dozen times from May through September, movies are shown on Saturday nights in the Middleton brewery’s beer garden. >More
Win tickets to The Dandy Warhols at the Barrymore on Tuesday 08/26/2008 10:47 am, (1) Recommendation The Isthmus Guest List is back with another round of free tickets to amazing concerts, shows and more fun events around Madison. This week's contests include tickets to: The John Masino Band and LUBE at The Club Tavern; Lorenzo’s Music at The Frequency; Tender Meat at the Project Lodge; The Mighty Short Bus, Cherry Pie, and Bad Medicine at The Bean; The Derek Trucks Band, Great Big Sea, Christian Finnegan, and Chris Trapper at the Majestic; The Dandy Warhols, Abigail Washburn & the Sparrow Quartet, and Suzanne Westenhoefer at the Barrymore; and more. >More
Baldwin and Doyle at the DNC, the MMSD fall referendum, and more in Madison Miscellany A daily survey of Madison blogs, press releases, and other online updates on Tuesday 08/26/2008 12:00 am Tammy Baldwin and Jim Doyle speak at the Democratic National Convention, Cieslewicz offers warning about tough 2009 city budget, a statement from CAST in favor of the fall referendum for the MMSD, students set to return to UW for fall semester, memories of the Orton Park Festival, and much more can be found in this latest round-up of online social media in Madison and Dane County. >More
University Square Food Court opens at UW-Madison Mallification of the campus continues Linda Falkenstein on Monday 08/25/2008 6:05 pm, (10) Recommendations Soooo, the new University Square food court is open. The highly designed area is not on the ground floor, but a flight up, with large windows overlooking Vilas Hall. The eating area is furnished with bright green, IKEA-style plastic chairs, retro mid-20th century modern lighting, flat screen televisions, and four fast food franchises: Sbarro, Quiznos, Nori Japan and Stir Fry 88. >More
Goofy fun at Trek Urban Assault Ride David Medaris on Monday 08/25/2008 3:34 pm, (6) Recommendations It's true that the Trek Urban Assault Ride could be called a bike race. Some of the two-person teams participating in the event on Sunday were vying for prestige at the front of the field, along with prizes such as New Belgium bikes. But even more than a race, the ride is perhaps best described as an amusing spectacle. >More
On the Agenda: Free land for the city, learning about Family Care and a public safety update from Chief Wray Vikki Kratz on Monday 08/25/2008 1:06 pm, (1) Recommendation The committee will vote on a plan to reject the Army's offer of free land on Park Street for a homeless shelter. Instead, the city wants to buy the land from the federal government, then use it for private development. The city will also take land on Nakoosa Trail, currently owned by the Water Utility and appraised at more than $400,000, and give it to Porchlight for a shelter. >More
Blaska's Blog: Only the finest ingredients David Blaska on Monday 08/25/2008 11:00 am Now that Blaska's Blog has won the silver medal in Isthmus’ "Madison’s Favorites" poll, Blaska's Blog world headquarters is being inundated with requests for tours of our production facilities. Schools, senior citizen centers, fraternal organizations, better government groups, Tony Galli of TV-27, the Federal Trade Commission and the morbidly curious are lined up to see how this popular blog is manufactured. >More
The Week: August 25-28, 2008 on Monday 08/25/2008 6:00 am, (1) Recommendation Live large over this final full week of summer, as the season departs with a strong roster of live music by Lee "Scratch" Perry, Beaten by Them, Jana Hunter, Chuchito Valdés at Jazz at Five, Jsan & the Analogue Sons, Walls of Jericho, and Joe and Vicki Price. >More
Wisco pols hit the DNC, Safety 24/7 on campus, the Main Depot, and more in Madison Miscellany A daily survey of Madison blogs, press releases, and other online updates on Monday 08/25/2008 12:00 am, (1) Recommendation Tammy Baldwin and Mark Pocan speak up at the Democratic National Convention, another arrest account from the Witness Against War vigil at Fort McCoy, late summer speed traps, the UW launches new student safety website, Caden Biosciences shutters, the family photos of the last local owner of the State Journal, eating at the Main Depot, a report from the Urban Assault Ride, Bret Bielema gives first presser of the season, and much more can be found in this latest round-up of online social media in Madison and Dane County. >More
Jazz and jam reunite at the Midwest Gypsy Swing Fest in Fitchburg Tea Krulos on Sunday 08/24/2008 10:21 am, (9) Recommendations The fifth annual Midwest Gypsy Swing Fest, held on Friday and Saturday at a farm in Fitchburg, felt more like a family picnic of talented jazz musicians than a festival. They played at Art in the Barn, with plastic chairs and bales of hay set up for seating. There were no aggressive sponsors, and the bathroom was located through the horse stall, next to a horse named Ringo. >More
Weekend bike rides, The Treats, Wexford Ridge gardening, and more in Madison Miscellany A daily survey of Madison blogs, press releases, and other online updates on Sunday 08/24/2008 12:00 am, (1) Recommendation Weekend bike rides, a live show by The Treats, the summer garden program at Wexford Ridge Neighborhood Center, the Mallards alumni game, and much more can be found in this latest round-up of online social media in Madison and Dane County. >More
The Planski: ¡John Wiley, presente! Ben Manski on Saturday 08/23/2008 10:43 am, (1) Comment, (4) Recommendations They say no good deed ever goes unpunished. And so I say to former UW-Madison Chancellor John Wiley, though I know he will grit his teeth to hear it, "Thank you." >More
Brian Solomon, the MMSD referendum, Inka Heritage, Bridges on the Green, and more in Madison Miscellany A daily survey of Madison blogs, press releases, and other online updates on Saturday 08/23/2008 12:00 am, (2) Recommendations Brian Solomon considers basic government services, city budget cuts and the Madison schools referendum, the UW Marching Band sets up on campus, Matt Tegenkamp a memorable meal at Inka Heritage, Friday night fish fry at Bridges on the Green, finishes 13th in 5,000 meters finals at Beijing Olympics, and much more can be found in this latest round-up of online social media in Madison and Dane County. >More
The Planski: En route to the launch of the U.S.S. Obama Ben Manski on Friday 08/22/2008 8:42 pm, (4) Recommendations Driving down to O’Hare early morning, bound for Denver, my wife and I had the radio on, listening for campaign news. “This is it, this is the moment” Pause. The suspense builds. “The announcement is coming.” >More
Helping teens become job ready: Ben Hunter leads culinary school at Goodman Community Center An interview witht the center's teen employment program coordinator April Williamson on Friday 08/22/2008 1:00 pm, (10) Recommendations The east side's Goodman Community Center, formerly the Atwood Community Center, has long been responding to the needs of Madison's youth population, as well as the community at large. One current focus of the center's varied teen services is a growing employment program based on the culinary arts, agriculture and entrepreneurship. Ben Hunter, the center's teen employment program coordinator and director of food systems, is working with the Goodman staff to refine and expand these programs in conjunction with the center's imminent move to a new, larger space located at 149 Waubesa Street. >More
Wilmington on DVD: Truth is stranger than fiction Mike Wilmington on Friday 08/22/2008 12:00 pm, (1) Comment, (2) Recommendations Recount, a recent HBO original, is one of the best and most revealing of all dramatic movies about American electoral politics -- except, of course, it's not fictional. The performances here are something else -- especially Tom Wilkinson's smooth-talking Texas sharpie James Baker, a near-perfect impersonation, and Laura Dern's priceless Katherine Harris, a bizarre figure, with quasi-vamp makeup and wildly flickering smile, right out of a classic '30s screwball comedy. >More
The Week[end]: August 22-24, 2008 on Friday 08/22/2008 10:00 am, (1) Recommendation Summer may be ending lazily but this weekend sure isn’t quiet, with a final burst of festivals clogging the calendar. The Middleton Good Neighbor Festival, the Orton Park Festival, the Midwest Gypsy Swing Festival, Reverence Fest, the Wisconsin Pottery Association Show & Sale, the Token Creek Chamber Music Festival, and Pillow-Palooza are all hopping the next few days. The fun also includes productions of Henry IV: The Making of a King and A Midsummer's Night Dream at APT and Shiny Things at BST, along with live music by Scandy, Vermillion Lies, Tea Leaf Green, Sonny Landreth, and John Wiese. >More
UW-Madison rankings, Ian's Pizza, and more in Madison Miscellany A daily survey of Madison blogs, press releases, and other online updates on Friday 08/22/2008 12:00 am, (1) Recommendation UW-Madison moves up in the U.S. News college rankings, the Greater Madison Pagan Unity Council goes on hiatus, another report on the Outstanding in the Field meal at Fountain Prairie Farm, a day of meals at all three Ian's Pizzas, an analysis of the Amethyst Initiative to lower the drinking age, Madison native Lindsay Tarpley and the U.S. Women's Soccer team wins gold in Beijing, and much more can be found in this latest round-up of online social media in Madison and Dane County. >More
MadTracks -- 'Will You Go With Me?' by Cribshitter Tom Laskin on Thursday 08/21/2008 3:12 pm, (9) Recommendations Forget the withering snarkiness. Forget the blasts of noisy chaos that break up the track listing on Cry a Little Rainbow, the epic 30-cut album on which "Will You Go With Me?" appears. Forget the tuba that throws down the bottom end on many the band's tunes. Forget the leonine mask the drummer dons both live and on the album's cover, transforming a cute quartet of collegiate types into the house band for The Shining. That's only part of the Cribshitter experience. >More
League of Women Voters of Dane County releases 2008 fall primary voters' guide Kristian Knutsen on Thursday 08/21/2008 1:00 pm, (3) Recommendations The League of Women Voters of Dane County has published the latest edition of Candidates' Answers, an independent and nonpartisan voters guide to the office seekers in the primary and general elections every spring and fall. Unlike previous cycles, though, this particular set of questions-and-answers offered to all candidates is being published online rather than in print. >More
Madnet CyberCafe brings video gaming action back to State Street Zac Shipley on Thursday 08/21/2008 11:38 am, (20) Recommendations "I wanted an affordable, but cool place to come play games" says Jonathan Cain. He hopes Madnet CyberCafe will be that place. The bi-level store front located at the intersection of State, Gilman, and Broom streets will play host to casual players and tournament pros alike when opens its doors in early September. Walking in the front door, one is greeted by a pair of 52 inch televisions equipped with Xbox360 systems and a selection of games. Beyond that are a few stations equipped with high end gaming PCs. But a trip downstairs reveals the heart of the operation. >More
Madison Snaps -- August 21, 2008 Kristian Knutsen on Thursday 08/21/2008 10:00 am, (4) Recommendations Today's image is titled "Patrick and Linda -- Rehearsing for Orton" and was photographed by Nataraj Hauser. >More
"For the first time since 1995, a Madison team will play in the Wisconsin Soccer Association Major League" Mad. Soccer Central
A look at the individual records that were broken in the Mallards 2008 season Madison Mallards
"The University of Wisconsin-Madison campus community is mourning the deaths of three of its students in a Midvale Boulevard car accident early today" UW Comm.
"Motorists should exercise a heightened awareness in and around school zones and residential neighborhoods" Dane County Sheriff
"Campus bus riders will encounter some changes next week on Route 80 and a new late afternoon express Route 84 to Lot 60 and Eagle Heights has been added" UW Comm.
A Madison delegate describes his experiences on day three of the DNC in Denver Stan Davis @ WisPolitics
"Chef Tory Miller of L'Etoile in Madison prepared a delicious meal including a 'surprise course'" at Fountain Prairie Farm for latest Wisconsin meal Outstanding in the Field
"I found another reason why The Malt House is one of the best taverns in town" John Bennninghouse
Eef Barzelay and Lion V. Fish made for an amusing early August show at Cafe Montmartre Kiki Schueler
"The start of the university's fall semester means one thing to a very musical Madison family: the annual Karp Family Concert" Katie Vaughn @ Mad. Mag.
Wild Rice Lager from Minocqua Brewing Company is "light enough for the sessionability, but with good assertive flavor that is not overpowering" Mad. Beer Review
Less than 20% of the Madison employees making over $120,000 per year are women Brenda Konkel
Announcing a new partnership between The Janesville Gazette and WISC Kyle Geissler
A Madison delegate describes his experiences on day two of the DNC in Denver Stan Davis @ WisPolitics
"A pair of Hillary Clinton-backing Wisconsin delegates turned to sports analogies to describe their reactions to her Tuesday night convention address" Mike Clark and Matt Schramm @ WisPolitics
Reading The Orphan's Tales: In the Night Garden by Catherynne Valente MADreads
"U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin of Madison returned to a speaking role at a Democratic National Convention Tuesday evening to discuss health care reform" Andy Szal @ WisPolitics
Watch and read Wisconsin Representative Tammy Baldwin's remarks on Tuesday at the Democratic National Convention in Denver DNCC
"Doyle promotes Obama's clean energy job plan" during speech at DNC on Tuesday Andy Szal @ WisPolitics
Watch and read Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle's remarks on Tuesday at the Democratic National Convention in Denver DNCC
Seeking suspect in early Tuesday morning residential burglary in Bluff Acres on the far east side MPD
Two Stoughton men arrested in a hit-and-run on Monday night in Rutland that left them and occupants in another car with serious injuries Dane County Sheriff
Wisconsin men's soccer coach comments on team's final preparations for 2008 season opener Jeff Rohrman @ UW Ath. Dept.
Madison city budget for 2009 "looks to be toughest in decades" Dave Cieslewicz
A new UW Medical School student gets oriented to Madison Holly Holbrooks
A statement from CAST on the fall referendum for the Madison school district Thomas J. Mertz @ AMPS
"Wisconsin's Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton and U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore shared their views on Clinton, Obama and the convention" in Denver Megan Orear @ DC
"When I think of last weekend's Orton Park Festival, I remember these balloons, floating gently like a dream" "Madison Guy"
"I wanted to throw my two cents in on the speed trap set up yesterday" on Fish Hatchery Road Kristin Czubkowski @ TCT
"Incoming Chancellor Biddy Martin will address the University of Wisconsin-Madison community for the first time at the Chancellor's Convocation for New Students" UW Comm.
"Fall move-in to cause traffic changes" around dorms on the UW campus UW Comm.
Lt. Gov Barbara Lawton criticizes McCain's respect for women at DNC in Denver Greg Bump @ WisPolitics
Officers arrest two in a street fight that spilled out of a East Johnson Street house on Saturday MPD
"We all had a great time at the Great Taste and truly knew nary-a-worry that day or the next" Kent Palmer @ Mad. Mag.
"The Madison Metropolitan School Board approved placing a three-year recurring referendum on the November ballot and enacted tax mitigation policies Monday" Thomas J. Mertz @ AMPS
Madison adopts multiple changes in its Snow Emergency policy Brenda Konkel
"Police Chief Noble Wray promised to tell us what the 30 officers were going to be doing the day after we voted for them last November" Brenda Konkel
"As the 1990s advanced it became obvious that the best interests of my constituents and the people of Wisconsin were secondary to those whose checkbooks were aimed at legislators" Paul Soglin
Hot summer hibachi in downtown Madison Grilled street food gets a snazzy new name Linda Falkenstein on Wednesday 07/16/2008 2:02 pm, (15) Recommendations All of a sudden, it's hibachi. There's the new food cart called Hibachi Hut on the UW Library Mall. And the old standby food cart Wei's Food to Go on the Capitol Square -- formerly Viet Foods to Go -- has once again changed its name to Hibachi Grill and adjusted its menu accordingly. Why the sudden interest? Is it that Americans' food imaginations turn to grilled meats from June-August? >MoreFringe Foods: The Madison Mallards version of the Luther Burger Go whole doughnut with the Glazer Bacon Cheeseburger at the Duck Pond Kyle Nabilcy on Tuesday 07/15/2008 1:27 pm, (4) Comments, (47) Recommendations Men of prodigious appetites often become known for their favorite foodstuffs. Elvis Presley had his fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches. John Madden enjoys a good turducken when the season is right. "Joliet" Jake Blues famously ordered "four fried chickens and a Coke." And now, Luther Vandross has, as part of his legacy, the Luther Burger. >More
MadTracks -- 'Spaceships' by Patchwork Tom Laskin on Wednesday 07/16/2008 7:22 pm, (22) Recommendations Sometimes Patchwork leader Jeremiah Nelson sounds so much like Madison expat Carl Johns it's unnerving. His high, reedy voice bleeds sweetness, and you wonder whether it might wear out its welcome on more urgent material. However, it's the ideal instrument for "Spaceships," a bittersweet slice of back-porch folk-rock that also plays footsie with '60s psychedelia in a dreamy coda. >MoreCollecting MadVideos -- A trailer for Drown Out the Daylights DVD from Crustacean Records Kristian Knutsen on Tuesday 07/15/2008 4:12 pm, (18) Recommendations Last summer on the final day of August, the Madison-based rock label Crustacean Records hosted a showcase at the High Noon Saloon featuring performances by the bands Screamin' Cyn Cyn & the Pons, Ouija Radio, The Gusto, Droids Attack and Things Fall Apart. Several months later in the middle of last December, the label presented John Kruth & the Destructone Orchestra, Drunk Drivers, Awesome Snakes, The Skintones and Mad Trucker Gone Mad for another special show at the east side venue. All ten bands' performances at both concerts were shot live for a new DVD being released by the label. >More
On the Agenda: Mayor Dave orders hefty budget cuts for Madison in 2009 Vikki Kratz on Monday 07/14/2008 1:19 pm, (6) Recommendations The CSC discusses Mayor Dave Cieslewicz's operating budget guidelines for 2009 on Wednesday. Based on the memo Cieslewicz sent out, it's going to be another tough year. The mayor is asking departments to trim their budgets by at least 5%. If the city were to simply keep operations as is, he notes, it would require an "unacceptably high increase" of 10% in taxes on the average home. >MoreMayor Dave's weekly whereabouts: See ya, George Jason Joyce on Monday 07/14/2008 11:39 am, (8) Recommendations Mayor Dave's weekly whereabouts would not be possible were it not for an email that arrives each Friday afternoon, courtesy of mayoral spokesman George Twigg. As has been widely chronicled, Twigg leaves his job, and Madison, this week. He'll be missed. >More
Tegenkamp runs fastest 1500 meters ever on Wisconsin soil Olympian defeats Riley, Solinsky before 1,000 fans at McClimon Track Jason Joyce on Tuesday 07/15/2008 11:22 pm, (26) Recommendations Matt Tegenkamp, the former UW-Madison distance runner who has qualified to compete in the 5,000 meters at the Olympics next month, ran the fastest 1500 meter race ever on Wisconsin soil Tuesday night, beating training partners Jonathon Riley, Chris Solinsky and Sean Quigley in front of approximately 1,000 cheering fans at the McClimon Track. >MoreNorthwoods League All-Star Game live blog: South wins, 8-4, behind Vaughn, Jansen Record attendance, Mallard Matt Jansen impresses early, Cory Vaughn is Jason Joyce on Monday 07/14/2008 7:52 pm, (17) Recommendations The South division jumped out to an early lead and managed to weather a brief rally from the North to win the 2008 Northwoods League All-Star Game, 8-4, at Warner Park in Madison Monday night. Particularly notable efforts came from Madison Mallard Matt Jansen, who struck out the North’s first three batters, and LaCrosse Logger Cory Vaughn, who finished 2-for-3 with two doubles and secured the game’s “Star of Stars” award. >More
Do you know about a new local website, an interesting blog post about life in town or just a general tip about life and/or happenings in and around Madison and Dane County? If so, we'd love to hear about it. Just send us a message!
LINKS
Blaska's Blog: A nice walk, unspoiled David Blaska on Wednesday 07/16/2008 11:58 am, (4) Comments, (12) Recommendations Not once did my wife and I dart to the other side of the street to avoid the specter of a panhandler stinking of gin or shouting the C word. This portion of the Marquette Neighborhood, it can be said, is not "troubled." >MoreBlaska's Blog: Get in their belly David Blaska on Friday 07/11/2008 10:02 am, (3) Comments, (9) Recommendations The drawback to being the conservative Jonah in the belly of Madison's bestial Left is that the resultant indigestion produces truly odious results. >More
Frozen Codebase discusses new WFTDA roller derby video game Zac Shipley on Thursday 07/17/2008 12:22 pm, (32) Recommendations The Fast Forward Skate Center at Verona Road and the Beltline has been the home to the Mad Rollin' Dolls roller derby league for five years now. There the Dairyland Dolls take on a visiting squad from Baltimore in hardcore derby action this weekend, the latest in a summer of bouts culminating in the Women's Flat Track Derby Association Eastern Regionals in Madison this October. But who said you shouldn’t be able to play along at home? >MoreCollecting MadVideos -- Activision debuts trailer for Singularity from Raven Software at E3 Kristian Knutsen on Wednesday 07/16/2008 12:25 pm, (2) Comments, (16) Recommendations It's Christmas in July for gamers, as the video game industry holds the annual E3 Media and Business Summit this week in Los Angeles. Developers showcase and promote their latest releases to retailers and gaming media at the tradeshow, as well as announce upcoming games still in the production pipeline, an event that's become wildly successful at building buzz in this growing universe of entertainment culture. One new title drawing attention is Singularity, the latest big game that can call Madison its birthplace. >More
Reclaiming Madison gaming camaraderie with Soul Calibur tournaments Zac Shipley on Tuesday 07/01/2008 4:12 pm, (32) Recommendations At the dawn of interactive entertainment, videogames were played in parlors called "arcades." Home equipment was prohibitively expensive, but for a few quarters one could play any variety of space shooters, puzzlers and sports simulations at the arcades. Home gaming has long been affordable and convenient, but something is missing from the arcade days: competition. Online gaming has brought players together worldwide, but the local camaraderie has been missing. >MoreR.I.P. SOLVE: Murder of Madison East alum Brendan Scanlon spurs tributes David Medaris on Tuesday 07/01/2008 12:08 pm, (11) Comments, (37) Recommendations The outpouring of SOLVE and R.I.P. SOLVE graffiti in Madison is one measure of the esteem in which Madison East High School alumnus Brendan Scanlon was -- and still is -- held by his friends and admirers in the street-art community. The 24-year-old artist, known as SOLVE, was stabbed to death in Chicago in the early morning hours of Saturday, June 14. A suspect was arrested and has been charged with first-degree murder in the case. But you can't murder an artists legacy. >More
Poets reflect on National Poetry Slam 2008 in Madison Comptetition unlikely to return for encore in 2009 Katya Szabados on Wednesday 08/20/2008 12:38 pm, (11) Recommendations The poets long ago left for home, the venues are back to hosting live music, and organizers have returned to their day-to-day lives following National Poetry Slam 2008, which was held in Madison in early August. While SlamCharlotte took home their second consecutive national title, and Urbana Poetry Slam won the inaugural Group Piece title, the competition and accompanying Lyrics on the Lake festival were likewise successes for the host city and its arts community. >MoreNational Poetry Slam 2008 enriches Madison: The week in review Kyle Myhre on Tuesday 08/12/2008 2:16 pm, (12) Recommendations At any National Poetry Slam, you're bound to see some stuff that disappoints you, but you'll also see a whole lot of stuff that inspires you. This year's gathering in Madison was no different. >MoreSlamCharlotte repeats as champion at National Poetry Slam 2008 in Madison A week of spoken word concludes at Overture Center on Saturday Katya Szabados on Sunday 08/10/2008 2:24 pm, (20) Recommendations A mere four teams among the 76 total competing at the National Poetry Slam this week took the stage at Overture Hall on Saturday to compete in the final round. This crowning bout pitted last year's champions SlamCharlotte against three other powerhouses of competitive spoken word: Austin Poetry Slam, Boston Cantab, and louderARTS from New York City. It was the culmination of so much work on the part of so many, and the audience was ready for a great show. >MoreAustin, Boston, Charlotte, and New York teams win semifinal bouts at National Poetry Slam 2008 Defending champion to face perennial powers at Saturday finals in Madison Erica Pelzek on Saturday 08/09/2008 1:24 pm, (22) Recommendations Four finalist spots were up for grabs at the National Poetry Slam semifinals on Friday at the Overture Center, where 20 contenders battled with words after a week’s worth of bouts and last-minute practicing throughout downtown Madison. One highlight bout pitted defending the 2007 champion team from Charlotte against those from Baltimore, Chicago, Oakland, and St. Paul, which brought the talents
