October 20

Tonight, Linton Kwesi Johnson speaks on the Library Mall as part of the Wisconsin Book Festival. Johnson is regarded as the world's first reggae poet, who fuses reggae with anti-racist, revolutionary politics. This is on Library Mall from 7 to 8:30. Check wisconsinbookfestival.org for more details.

Tonight, Action in Sudan holds a benefit concert featuring Sean Michael Dargan, Pale Young Gentlemen, and Sleeping in the Aviary. There is a ticket charge and suggested donation. Proceeds will be donated to a recent UW-Madison graduate who is building a girl’s school in southern Sudan. This is at Cafe Monmartre, 127 East Mifflin Street, at 9. For further information, contact Caroline Ackley at ceackley@wisc.edu or 919-332-8799.

Tomorrow, the Edgerton Book Festival begins with keynote speaker Helen Thomas. She is the award-winning Washington Press Corps reporter who has covered every Presidential Administration from John F. Kennedy to George W. Bush. The book fair features over 30 authors. This is at the Tri-County Community Center, 112 Swift Street, at 9. For more information call (608)884-4408 or visit edgertonbookfestival.com.

Tomorrow, the Madison Area Peace Coalition hosts a peace vigil to Bring the Troops Home Now and End the War in Iraq. Participants are asked to bring signs and drums if possible. This is at the intersection of Odana and Gammon Roads near West Towne Mall, from 11 to noon. For more information, call Helena White at 249-2097 or check www.madpeace.org.

Tomorrow afternoon, Rainbow Bookstore Cooperative hosts activist and scholar Steve Macek as part of the Wisconsin Book Festival. Macek writes frequently about the politics of the media for newspapers and magazines and is an activist in the anti-war and media reform movements. This is at the Bookstore, 426 West Gilman Street, from 2 to 3:30. For more information, check rainbowbookstore.org.

Sunday afternoon, Rainbow Bookstore Cooperative hosts Latin American historians Steve Stern and Florencia Mallon as part of the Wisconsin Book Festival. Their presentation Memories of Revolution and Dictatorship: Chilean Communities from Allende to Pinochet explores the varied perspectives of Chileans about the Pinochet coup and reign. This is at the Bookstore, 426 West Gilman Street, from 2 to 3:30. For more information, check rainbowbookstore.org.

Sunday evening, the second annual “O-Live! O-Live!” art show and silent auction holds its opening reception. Proceeds benefit Augusta Victoria Hospital, located in the West Bank of Israel. The hospital caters primarily to Palestinians. This is at the Casbah Restaurant, 113 East Main Street, from 6 to 8. For more information and a donation form, visit www.oliveolive.org.