July 28

Today and Tomorrow, the Four Lakes Traditional Music Collective presents the 3rd Annual Sugar Maple Fest. The festival includes traditional music including rural blues, folk, Cajun, Appalachia and bluegrass; workshops; kid's activities; camping; and more. There is a entry charge and this is at Lake Farm County Park in southeast Madison from 4 to 10 today and noon to 10 tomorrow. For more information, check sugarmaplefest.org or call 227-8685.

Tonight, Prolefeed Studios and Just Coffee present the inaugural installment of Eye Twitch, a periodic presentation of documentary films and discussion. Tonight’s screenings include “Muslim 101", “Psalm 5", and "War is Sell: The Remix". This is at 9:30 in Just Coffee’s new home, 1133 East Wilson Street. Contact Brian Standing at prolefeed_studios@yahoo.com or 358-6567 for more information.

Tomorrow, Community Car hosts the 3rd Annual Community Car Picnic to celebrate car sharing in the Madison community. Attendees can learn about Community Car, eat food and drink root beer floats. To cut down on waste, bring your own place settings. Bring a dish to pass if you wish. This is at the Hoyt Park Shelter, 3902 Regent Street, from noon to 3. Check communitycar.com or call 204-0000 for details.

Sunday, there is a Colombian Independence Day Celebration. This features music and dance by Estampa Colombiana, Juvenato & others, along with food and visitors from all over Wisconsin. This is at Lakeview Park in Middleton from 10 to 8. Call 217-6132 or check colombianosenwisconsin.com for more information.

Sunday, the Wisconsin Center for Book and Paper Arts hosts “Turn Rags into Riches”. The workshop teaches participants how to cut and prepare fabric to make paper. The Center is Wisconsin's only non profit book and paper co-op studio. This is at the Coop, 515 South Paterson, from 1 to 5. For information, call the Center at 284-8394.

July 27

Thursday, July 27

Tonight and this weekend, the Young Shakespeare Players perform Shakespeare's romantic play The Winter's Tale. Performances are each evening at 6 through Saturday and a Sunday matinee at 1. All performances are free and open to the public. This is at 1806 Westlawn Avenue. For more information, call 236-9791 or check www.ysp.org.

Tonight, Brenda Konkel and Austin King host the next session of Progressive Dane's learning series. This session is ““School Board 101”, “City Council 101” and “County Board 101” with Bill Keys, John Hendrick Chuck Erickson, Judy Olson and Mike Verveer. Each session includes a talk by an elected official, followed by a question and answer session. This is free and open to the public and is in the main conference room at the Social Justice Center, 1202 Williamson Street, at 7. Contact PD Staff Organizer Laura Newman at office@prodane.org or 257-4985 for details.

Tonight, UW-Madison African Studies Program and UW Cinematheque hosts the next film in the series entitled “Journeys in Recent African Cinema: Fighting for the Future”. This week's film is “Yesterday” by Darrell Roodt about a young devoted Zulu mother who learns she is HIV+ and struggles to care for her family. This is in the Parliamentary Room in Vilas Hall, 821 University Avenue, at 7:30 with a discussion following. Call the UW-Madison African Studies Program at 262-2380 for more information.

This weekend, Organic Valley hosts the Third-Annual Fair celebrating Wisconsin’s farmers and rural heritage. The free two-day event features a tent village of local merchants, artisans, food vendors and non-profit organizations; educational workshops; farm-related kids' activities; farm animals; local musicians; and a "generation organic" event highlighting organic farmers beginning careers in organic farming. This is Saturday and Sunday beginning at 10 At Organic Valley’s grounds in La Farge. Check www.organicvalley.coop/kickapoo or call 625-2666 for details and directions.

July 26

Wednesday evening the Community Adoption Center holds a free discussion for people who are interested in adopting a child. This is at the Northstar Counseling Center in the Fifty-five Oaks Office Center, 700 Rayovac Drive at 6:30. Call 833-5881 for details or to register.

Briarpatch seeks volunteers to work with teens in crises, either by answering the crises line, providing emergency shelter, or acting as family counselors. Some positions may require training. Call 251-6211 for details.

The Respite Center is a safe place for kids, ages birth to fourteen, whose families are under stress or in crisis. Volunteers are needed to play with kids four hours a week. Training is required. Call 244-5730 for details.

WORT is looking for volunteers. With a whole host of opportunities itfs easy, fun and rewarding to put in as much or as little time and energy as desired. Specifically they are looking for receptionists and Insurgent Radio Kiosk readers for Wednesday. Call Glenn at 256-2001 for details.

Today through August thirteenth the Olbrich Botanical Gardens presents "Blooming Butterflies." It is a display of a variety of different kinds of butterflies from Wisconsin and the Southern United States in every stage of life. This is at 3330 Atwood Avenue. Call 246-4550 for details.

Through September the Williamson Street Art Center presents "Fabrications". It is a celebration of Madisonfs one hundred and fifty years in cloth. These are "Fabric Collages" by Sharon Kilfoy made from artifacts collected from the "Community" and "sewn at sewing bees in Madison". It is at 1020 Williamson Street. Call 256-8878 for details.

July 25

Tuesday afternoon there is the next in a series of South Madison farmerfs markets. Aside from fresh produce, flowers and baked goods there are monthly musical, culinary and cultural events. This is at 2:00 near the Labor Temple, 1602 South Park Street. Call 358-5834 for details. It is also on Thursday near the Villager Mall.

Tuesday evening the group,Madison Area Peace Coalition holds their general meeting. Thatfs at 6:30 in the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center, 953 Jenifer Street. Call 242-9232 for details.

Tuesday evening there is the next in a series of University Summer Forums concerning Race and Media. The sessions include "Race and Diversity" and others. The facilitator is Mark Anthony Rolo and the presenters include Ray Allen, Katie Sai and others. This is through August tenth on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:00 in 1100 Granger Hall, 975 University Avenue. Call 262-1464 for details.

July 24

Monday evening the North and Eastside Senior Coalition has the next in its free summer concert series. This time there is jazz by the group Tony CasteŒneda and His Latin Jazz Sextet". It starts at 6:15 in Warner Park. Call 243-5252 for details. There is food and limited transportation for older adults available.

Monday evening Olbrich Botanical Gardens features "Yoga in the Gardens" classes for people of all ages and abilies. Rick Camillo is the instructor. This is at 6:15 in 3330 Atwood Avenue. Call 246-6550 for details. There are also classes on Thursday mornings.

Monday evening on WORTfs Access Hour host Luke Haukeness showcases women in hip hop who are coming onto the scene or making changes in their work. There will be lots of music with a bit of commentary about the songs and artists. Thatfs at 700. Call 256-2001 for details.

July 21

Tomorrow morning, the UW Arboretum hosts an Ecological Restoration Work Party entitled “Core Area and Curtis Prairie”. Volunteers will help restore and learn about prairies and savannas. Tools and training are provided. This meets at the front steps of the Visitor Center at 9 and runs until noon. For more information call 265-5214 or email mlfarrior@wisc.edu.

Tomorrow, Hybridfest 2006 shows off 10 current hybrid and electrical cars on the market. Attendees can test drive hybrid vehicles, meet auto dealers, and view interactive exhibits. The general part of the exhibit is free and open to the public. This is at the Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, from 9 to 5. Call Bill Robbins at 837-6920 or check www.hybridfest.com for more information.

Tomorrow afternoon, The Madison Muslim Dawa Circle hosts an Open Invitation to learn about Islam. The new East Madison Masjid hosts 5 daily prayers, a Friday Jumah Prayer, community outreach programs. This is at the East Madison Masjid, 2617 East Washington Avenue, from 3 to 8. For more information, call 242-9937.

Sunday A Room of One's Own Feminist Bookstore hosts author Lori Soderlind. She will read from her new book “Chasing Montana”, when she visits Madison next month. Her book is about her life partially spoken through metaphor of her grandparents' life in Rapelje, Montana, the ill-fated frontier town they helped settle in the early 1900s. This is at A Room of One's Own, 307 West Johnson Street, at 2. Call the Bookstore at 257-7888 for details.

Tomorrow night, Fair Elections Wisconsin and the Peregrine Forum host the film “Invisible Ballots” by Citizens for Election Reform. The documentary focuses on the problems of electronic voting, with follow up discussion following the screening. Donation are appreciated. This is at 7 at Escape Java Joint, 916 Williamson Street. Call #442-8399 for information.

July 20

This afternoon, the Wisconsin Humanities Council hosts a group walk and discussion based on a shared reading. The event asks the question how, individually and collectively, do we experience and interact with the non-human bits of the world that we are in contact with every day, but all too often tune out. This week's book is "The Ecology of Magic" by David Abram. This begins in front of the Wisconsin Humanities Council, 222 South Bedford Street, at noon and runs until 1. Email Jessica Becker of the Wisconsin Humanities Council at jebecker2@wisc.edu for details.

Tonight, UW-Madison African Studies Program and UW Cinematheque hosts the next film in the series entitled “Journeys in Recent African Cinema: Fighting for the Future”. This week's film is “Tasuma, the Fighter” “tah-SOO-mah” by Daniel Kollo Sanou “KOW-low SAH-new” about a war veteran who tries to get a grain mill for the women of his village with his army pension, only to be frustrated by colonial bureaucracy. This is in the Parliamentary Room in Vilas Hall, 821 University Avenue, at 7:30 with a discussion following. Call the UW-Madison African Studies Program at 262-2380 for more information.

There are many volunteer opportunities open for the Grassroots Radio Conference in Madison from Thursday, July 27 to July 30. Most are 3 hour shifts. Check grassrootsradio.info or call Nathan Moore at 256-2001 for information or to volunteer.

Wednesday on WORT’s A Public Affair host Esty Dinur talks with Erik Assadourian, Research Associate and "Vital Signs 2006-2007" Project Director. They will speak about the state of the world as presented in this latest publication from "WorldWatch Institute". Call 256-2001 for details.

Wednesdaayv afternoon the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center holds a drop-in group for caregivers. It provides a supportive environment for those experiencing a time of crisis or increased distress. This is at 3:00 at 5395 East Cheryl Parkway in Fitchburg. Call 276-4660 for details. It is on the first and third Wednesday monthly.

Wednesday afternoon as part of the Madison Children’s Museum "Light and Shadow week" there is a week of experimenting with different types of homemade shadow puppets each day. Today the project is making Thaumatropes, a Victorian optical toy that combines two images into one. This is at 4:00 in 100 State Street. Call 256-6445 for details.

Wednesday evening the Madison Area Peace Coalition and others hold a teach-in and film showing entitled, "The Case for Impeachment Against George W. Bush. The thirty-minute documentary film is "How to Impeach a President". This is at 7:00 in room 2650 of the Humanities building. Call 442-8822 for details.

Thursday at noon on WORT’s A Public Affair host Barbara Golden speaks with reporter Alan Borsuk of the "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel" They will speak on his series of articles about the Milwaukee public schools. Call 256-2001 for details.

The Homeshare Program" at "Independent Living Incorporated" matches older adults with working people or students who are in need of low cost housing and are able to provide some assistance around the house. Call 274-6900 and ask for "Homeshare" for details.

July 18

Tuesday afternoon there is the next in a series of South Madison farmer’s markets. Aside from fresh produce, flowers and baked goods there are monthly musical, culinary and cultural events. This is at 2:00 near the Labor Temple, 1602 South Park Street. Call 358-5834 for details. It is also on Thursday near the Villager Mall.

Tuesday evening the Madison Area Peace Coalition and others hold a meeting of people who wish to respond to the August twenty-sixth rally by the "National Socialist Movement" (otherwise known as the American Nazi Party"). This is at 7:00 in the Memorial Union. Call 715-490-6762 for details. See Today in the Union for the room location.

Tuesday there is the first in a series of University Summer Forums concerning Race and Media. The sessions include "Race and Diversity" and others. The facilitator is Mark Anthony Rolo and the presenters include Ray Allen and Katie Sai and others. This is through August tenth on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:00 in 1100 Granger Hall, 975 University Avenue. Call 262-1464 for details.

Tuesday g the University of Wisconsin Arboretum Center hosts author, Richard Louv. He will discuss his recent book "Last Child in the Woods" about why children need to be exposed to nature for healthy development. That’s at 7:00. Call 263-7888 for details.
This evening the Rainbow Bookstore holds a conversational Spanish hour. It is free and open to those interested in learning Spanish at whatever level of ability they need. This is in 426 West Gilman Street each Tuesday at 7:00. Call 257-6050 for details.

July 17

Monday evening the North and Eastside Senior Coalition has the next in its free summer concert series. This time there is Dixieland music by "Ron Sacia and the Fat Daddy’s". It starts at 6:15 in Warner Park. Call 243-5252 for details. There is food and limited transportation for older adults available.

Mondays evening the group Madison Women for Peace and Code Pink hold a meeting. This is in the Social Justice Center, 1202 Williamson Street at 6:30. Call 274-5922 for details. This is on the first and third Monday of every month.

Monday evening on WORT’s Access Hour host Sorrel Weakland presents a pre-recorded show about the Spanish Civil War. It will air during the week of the seventieth anniversary of the start of the war. That’s at 7:00. Call 256-2001 for details.

The Madison Opera is in need of volunteers for its Opera in the Park on Saturday, July twenty-second. Volunteers are needed to be ushers, greeters, set-up and take-down people, parking assistants, and more. Free "Opera in the Park" t-shirts are available for all volunteers. Call 238-8085 for details.

Through September the Williamson Street Art Center presents "Fabrications". It is a celebration of Madison’s one hundred and fifty years in cloth. These are "Fabric Collages" by Sharon Kilfoy made from artifacts collected from the "Community" and "sewn at sewing bees in Madison". It is at 1020 Williamson Street. Call 256-8878 for details.

The Respite Center is a safe place for kids, ages birth to fourteen, whose families are under stress or in crisis. Volunteers are needed to play with kids four hours a week. Training is required. Call Molly at 244-5730 for details.

July 15

Tomorrow, Food Not Bombs has free food at Lisa Link Peace Park on State Street. Those who want to help cook, can drop by Lothlorien Co-op at244 West Lakelawn Place around 11. For more information, call 646-567-0761.

Tomorrow, the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center and Urban Open Space Foundation hosts the new festival “La Fête de Marquette”. This Bastille Day celebration features performers from around the world; food, arts, and crafts inspired by French culture; as well as info tables and kids’ activities. This is in Central Park, 201 South Ingersoll Street, from noon to 11 pm. For more information, check www.uosf.org.

Tomorrow evening, Madison Hours hosts its Monthly Potluck. Madison HOURS promotes local trade through local currency. Bring a dish to pass. This is at the Social Justice Center, 1202 Williamson Street, from 6 to 8. Check madisonhours.org for details.

Sunday afternoon, Amnesty International holds its weekly meeting at the Memorial Union at 4:30. Check “Today in the Union” for the location. For more information, email tislam@wisc.edu.

July 13

This evening, the Industrial Workers of the World hold their Madison General Membership Branch monthly potluck and meeting. Pizza and drinks are provided but bring whatever else you wish to share. This is in the MTI Building, 821 Williamson Street, at 6:30. For more details, call 255-1800.

Tonight, UW-Madison African Studies Program and UW Cinematheque hosts the next film in the series entitled “Journeys in Recent African Cinema: Fighting for the Future”. This week's film is “The Hero” by Zeze Gamboa about an army veteran who tries to get a prosthetic leg in war-torn Angola. This is in the Parliamentary Room in Vilas Hall, 821 University Avenue, at 7:30 with a discussion following. Call the UW-Madison African Studies Program at 262-2380 for more information.

Madison Opera is in need of over 100 volunteers for its 5th Annual Opera in the Park held Saturday, July 22 at 8 pm in west side's Garner Park. They are needed as ushers, greeters, set-up and take-down, parking, and more. Free "Opera in the Park" t-shirts are available for all volunteers. To help, call Jeff at the Madison Opera office at 238-8085 or by email at volunteer@madisonopera.org.

July 7

Today, Mercury Free Wisconsin meets to discuss upcoming events. The first event is the 8th Annual Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant held in Madison from August 6 to 11. The second is the reconciliation between the Wisconsin DNR and the EPA’s Clean Air Mercury Rule. Snacks are provided and this is on the 2nd floor of Madison’s main library, 201 West Mifflin Street, from noon to 3.

Tonight, Madison’s Nicotine Anonymous Group holds its weekly meeting. The group advocates a 12-step program to help those with nicotine dependence quit cigarettes and other tobacco products. This meets every Friday at Asbury United Methodist Church, 6101 University Avenue Room 300 from 5:30 to 6:30.

Tomorrow morning, the UW Arboretum hosts an Ecological Restoration Work Party entitled “Core Area and Curtis Prairie”. Volunteers will help restore and learn about prairies and savannas. Tools and training are provided. This meets at the front steps of the Visitor Center at 9 and runs until noon. For more information call 265-5214 or email mlfarrior@wisc.edu.

Tomorrow evening, the Socialist Potluck meets to discuss the New Students for a Democratic Society with Paul Buhle. Bring a dish or drink to share. The Socialist Potluck is an opportunity for socialists to gather and share ideas. This is at the Wilmar Center, 953 Jenifer Street, at 5:30. For more details, call 241-3576.
Sunday morning, Madison Hours and Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin hold their monthly Pancake Breakfast. All pancakes are organic and vegan with nuts or fruits. The breakfast also features oven-roasted potatoes, organic fair trade coffee, orange juice, and live music. Madison HOURS promotes local trade through local currency and the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin is a bicycle advocacy organization working to make Wisconsin a better place to bicycle. This is at the Wilmar Center, 953 Jenifer Street from 8:30 to 11. Check madisonhours.org or call 259-9050 for more information.

July 6

This evening, the Mess Hall Press hosts their art opening. The Mess Hall Press is a Screen Printing and Graphic Design studio for high school students located in the Lussier Teen Center. Over 30 screen printed posters will be on hand, as well as free snacks and punch. This is at the Overture Center for the Arts, 211 State Street from 5 to 7. For details, call Scott Pauli at 256-3581.

Every Thursday from 3 to 7, Free Wheel hosts an open bike shop. Participants can learn about bikes and how to restore, fix, alter, or beautify their bikes by themselves. This is at Free Wheel, 1818 South Park Street. For more information, call 256-FREE.

July 5

Wednesday afternoon the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center holds a drop-in group for caregivers. It provides a supportive environment for those experiencing a time of crisis or increased distress. This is at 3:00 at 5395 East Cheryl Parkway in Fitchburg. Call 276-4660 for details. It is on the first and third Wednesday monthly.

Thursday at noon on WORT’s A Public Affair guest host Barbara Golden speaks with George Martin, peace activist and neighborhood organizer in Milwaukee. They will talk about the media and its influence on how people perceive events. Call 256-2001 for details.

Briarpatch seeks volunteers to work with teens in crises, either by
answering the crises line, providing emergency shelter, or acting as family counselors. Some positions may require training. Call 251-6211 for details.

The Home Chore Volunteer Program seeks volunteers to help older people by doing household chores, such as yard work, that may be difficult for them, making living at home impossible. Call 223-3100 for more information, or, to volunteer.

The Respite Center is a safe place for kids, ages birth to fourteen, whose families are under stress or in crisis. Volunteers are needed to play with kids four hours a week. Training is required. Call Molly at 244-5730 for details.

WORT is looking for volunteers. With a whole host of opportunities it’s easy, fun and rewarding to put in as much or as little time and energy as desired. Specifically they are looking for receptionists and Insurgent Radio Kiosk readers. Call Glenn at 256-2001 for details.

July 4

Tuesday afternoon there is the next in a series of South Madison farmer’s markets. Aside from fresh produce, flowers and baked goods there are monthly musical, culinary and cultural events. This is at 2:00 near the Labor Temple, 1602 South Park Street. Call 358-5834 for details. It is also on Thursday near the Villager Mall.

Tuesday night WORT hosts July’s First Tuesdays Reggae" benefit. It is at the Cardinal Bar and Dancehall and features Supa Ranks and His Rock-Stone High-Power; Tropical Riddims Sound System. This is in 418 East Wilson Street at 8:00. Call 256-2001 for details.

The Community Law Project provides free legal services to low-income Dane County residents. They can provide legal assistance in landlord and tenant disputes, Public benefit, or un-paid wages disputes. They are at 2300 South Park Street. Call 260-8221 for details.

Free Wheel Community Bicycle is a non-commercial, neighborhood-learning center run by a volunteer collective. They share skills, workspace and donated or salvaged materials for use by community members, low-income people and youth. They focus on bike repair and education and advocate the use of environmentally sustainable, self-reliant transportation. Their meetings and bike workshops are at 1818 South Park Street, unit eight. Call 256-3733 for details
.
Many Madison Seniors are not able to keep their lawns trim and tidy themselves. The Madison Coalitions of Older Adults Home Chore Volunteer Program is looking for people to help do this on either a one-time or on-going basis. Volunteers are asked to call 243-5252 and ask for Nicole.

The Dane County Humane Society is in need of donations to their "Caring for Canines" Fund". Sponsorship, adoption and fostering opportunities are also available. For details call 838-0413.

July 3

Monday evening there is a Madison Women for Peace and Code Pink meeting. This is at 630. Call 274-5922 for details. They meet on the first and third Monday each month.

Monday evening the "Friendly Supper Club" holds its monthly interracial dinner. It is at the World Buffet Restaurant, 2451 West Broadway at 6:30. Call 249-5979 for details.

Monday evening Olbrich Botanical Gardens features "Yoga in the Gardens" classes for people of all ages and abilies. Rick Camillo is the instructor. This is at 6:15 in 3330 Atwood Avenue. Call 246-6550 for details. There are also classes on Thursday mornings. Call 246-4550 for details.

Monday evening on WORT’s Access Hour host Jacob Riyeff presents a show on Baba Allauddin Khan Saheb, reportedly one of the greatest players of the classical Indian instrument, the "Sarode". He taught Ravi Shanker. The skill and prowess of Allauddin Khan are not generally known in the United States. This is at 7:00. Call 256-2001 for details.

Mothers United For Moral Support is an international support and matching organization for families and other caregivers of children with rare disorders or special needs. Call Julie Gordon at 1-920-336-5333 for details.

"The Homeshare Program" at "Independent Living Incorporated" matches older adults with working people or students who are in need of low cost housing and are able to provide some assistance around the house. Call 274-6900 and ask for "Homeshare" for details.