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MICROTONES by Ben Munson, swatch correspondent
Madison Mayor Paul Soglin’s favorite color is taupe.
I know because my daughter’s summer camp visited his office recently and asked him questions. My daughter asked him if he speaks Spanish. He doesn’t. But someone else asked him what his favorite color is and then one of the counselors got a picture of my daughter doing the Macaulay-Culkin-putting-on-Brut reaction as Soglin explained what taupe is.
If you’re unfamiliar with taupe, it’s the color of bureaucracy and high-rise condos. It’s the color of dried boogers. It’s kind of grayish.
Is Soglin’s affinity for taupe, the ideal jumpsuit color for an overly militarized police force, reflective of his more brutal policies? Maybe. Wanting to preserve an unobstructed view of the taupe pavement might explain the rationale behind his rather cruel proposal to ban homeless people from sleeping on sidewalks between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Really, taupe is just an interestingly specific choice for a favorite color. Anyone should be allowed to pick any favorite color he or she wants, but it’s fair for others to read something into the choice. Someone who likes yellow might be happy. Someone who likes blue might be a tad glum, and so on.
Someone who likes taupe, the color of ink jet printers and uncooked shrimp, might be losing touch.
New this week:
We’re excited to announce that we’re presenting the Culture Stage at the Willy Street Fair on Sunday, Sept. 17, featuring a headlining set from the East Side’s own Mr. Jackson, plus Hiwot Adilow, Sound Out Loud, Asumaya, the TV Dinner DJs, and Yid Vicious.
The Madison edition of International Go Topless Day is about to explode, reports Emily Mills.
Chris Lay blessed us with the 2017 edition of his roundup of the Great Taste of the Midwest’s most ludicrous beer names.
Henry Solotaroff-Webber interviewed Madison-based artist Douglas Bosley, whose show Unexplored Map runs through August 27 at Overture’s Watrous Gallery.
On the podcast, Isthmus reporter Allison Geyer discussed the complex and colorful kerfuffle over live music at The Edgewater.
Good Madison events announced recently include Kamasi Washington, Peaking Lights, and more.
This week’s Madison calendar: Golf Clap at Memorial Union Terrace, a revamped Madison New Music Festival at multiple venues, Zed Kenzo and CRASHprez at the High Noon Saloon, Sweet Spirit at the Frequency, Ra’Shaun and Rich Robbins at the Terrace, The Quickies at the High Noon, Main Street Meats at the Barrymore, an arcade tournament with solid music at the High Noon, Birthing Hips at Mickey’s Tavern, and more.
