September 21

At noon, Thomas Dubois, UW-Madison professor of Scandinavian Studies, speaks on “The Cultural Traditions of the Swedish-Speaking Finns”. Dubois teaches, writes, and researches on a variety of Nordic topics, particularly Finnish folklore and literature, Sámi culture and lyric songs in Northern Europe. This is at the Memorial Union, 800 Langdon Street, at noon. Check “Today in the Union” for the room location or call 262-5590 for details.

This afternoon, the 27-Hour Fast for Peace and in Support of the Declaration of Peace begins at Senator Kohl's Office, 14 West Mifflin at 2. Names of U.S. and Iraqi war dead will be read, along with other reflections, songs, and readings. The fast will reconvene at 9:00 at Grace Episcopal Church, 116 West Washington Avenue and return to vigil at Senator Kohl's office for Friday. All are welcome to join in any portion of the Fast. For more information, call 846-7924 or check wnpj.org.

Tonight, the Madison Downtown Workers Union holds a fall kickoff meeting. This includes free pizza and worker solidarity. The Union has launched a campaign to organize the 400 or so businesses in the downtown area. This is on the 2nd floor of 254 West Gilman Street at 7. Email madisonworkers@yahoo.com to learn more.

Tonight, the Mifflin Street Community Cooperative hosts Movies on the Mural, a night screening of short comedy films, including films by Wis-kino, and ending with Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. This is free and open to the public. This begins at sunset at the Coop at 32 North Bassett Street. Check mifflincoop.com for details.

Tomorrow, Anna Senarslan, a Fulbright scholar and Dana-Allen Dissertator Fellow at the Institute for Research in the Humanities, speaks on “Following Threads on the Silk Road: The Tapestry of Central Asian Music”. She has recently returned from Baku, Azerbaijan where she conducted research on women ashugs (ash-SHOOGS) or minstrel poets and storytellers performing in the tradition of Azerbaijan. This is at the Memorial Union, 800 Langdon Street, at noon. Check “Today in the Union” for the room location or check www.union.wisc.edu/worldmusic for details. (forward slash)

This weekend, the Broom Street Theater opens the show “Just Sit Right Back and You'll Hear a Tale”, a story of myth-representations and myth-opportunities. In the play, two kids take a field trip to the Paul Bunyan Museum. While one child loves the tale, the other thinks it is ridiculous. The first learns lessons of success and the other grows up to watch too much tv. This is at the Broom Street Theater, 1119 Williamson Street, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 8 through October 29. For more information, check broomstreet.org or call the Theater's information line at 244-8338.

Beginning in October, OutReach hosts a six-week group discussion on sexual health for gender diverse people. The six week group will cover a wide variety of topics related to gender self-expression, body imagery, discrimination issues, health care barriers and resources, and the sexual decision-making process. Sessions will be two hours in length and meet once a week on Saturday at 1pm. Food will be provided. These are at Outreach, 600 Williamson Street. For information, leave a message for Renee at 255-8582 or madcityrenee@tds.net or programs@outreachinc.com.