Culture

Madison’s broader landscape of art, literature, and more.

A photo shows a paperback copy of Wallace Stegner’s “Crossing To Safety” held up in the foreground, with a residential Madison street and the shore of Lake Mendota visible in the background.

Depression-era Madison, meet Madison’s depressing housing market

By Jesse Raub ● Microtones ● June 2, 2023 June 2, 2023

Wallace Stegner’s “Crossing To Safety” tells an eerily familiar story about money and ambition in our city.

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A photo shows artist Mars Patterson sitting on the sidewalk in front of the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. Behind them are signs, flowers, and other materials displayed as part of a protest. One sign reads "Truth burns up error—Sojourner Truth." Another reads "True resistance begins with people confronting pain... and wanting to do something to change it. —bell hooks." The glass exterior of the museum lobby is also visible in the background.

Artists’ Night keeps up the push for equity in Madison’s art world

By Hannah Keziah Agustin ● Culture ● May 30, 2023 May 30, 2023

The counter-programming to MMoCA’s Gallery Night returns June 2 and 3 in multiple venues around the city.

A photo shows a yellow prairie warbler with black stripes perched in a tree.

15 minutes of birding fame fly by

By Emily Mills ● Microtones ● May 26, 2023 May 24, 2023

We got a lifer over here!

A misty photo of the mountains is overlaid with text of a modified quote, in imitation of inspirational-quote memes: "'The mountains are calling and I must go [be really racist]' —John Muir." Text in the bottom left-hand corner reads "EnviroQuote.com."

Reckoning with the racist legacy of Wisconsin’s conservation heroes

By Sam Harrington ● Microtones ● April 28, 2023 April 26, 2023

What our trite celebrations of Earth Day tend to erase.

A photo shows the two members of Woodman/Earhart performing on a small stage, facing each other over keyboards and other music equipment. Behind them is a projection of abstract lights and circles.

Support Communication’s crucial fundraising effort

By Scott Gordon ● Culture ● April 25, 2023 April 25, 2023

We’re asking you to help the Madison venue and arts incubator secure its future.

A more lived-in Madison for Chloe Benjamin, and for her characters

By Jesse Raub ● Culture ● April 24, 2023 April 24, 2023

The novelist discusses her changing relationship with her adopted city, on and off the page.

In search of complexity, without the booze

By Christina Lieffring ● Microtones ● April 21, 2023 April 21, 2023

The limits of alcohol and the improvement of NA options.

Chop (Joe Pickett) lifts his foot while Steele (Nick Prueher) holds a wicker basket on the ground to be stomped in a local news morning show studio. Two news anchors to their right watch their activity. A sign reading “Chop & Steele Give Thank’s 4 Strength’s” Pickett rests against a wall displaying the TV station behind them.

Nick Prueher of Found Footage Festival stomps baskets and lawsuits in “Chop & Steele”

By Lewis Peterson ● Film ● April 14, 2023 April 14, 2023

The archivist comedian shares his insights on his career beginnings with Joe Pickett and new documentary premiering at the Wisconsin Film Festival on April 18.

Two photos are shown side-by-side. On the left side, author Andrew Hanson poses with friend Hayley Sperling in the parking lot in front of Burrito Drive, holding a paper bag full of food, and both wear exaggerated frowns. On the right, an overhead photo of a table shows burritos, tater tots, quesadillas, and small containers of salsa spread out for a meal.

Burrito Drive was there for us when we were drunk and lazy

By Andrew Hanson ● Microtones ● April 14, 2023 April 12, 2023

Goodnight, sweet prince.

A theoretical scenario involving Tom Monfils is animated by Dano Johnson of Collection Agency Films. Still courtesy of Monfilm, LLC.

Trying to reconcile the irreconcilable in “Beyond Human Nature”

By Edwanike Harbour ● Film ● April 10, 2023 April 12, 2023

Michael Neelsen, co-founder of StoryFirst Media, talks with us about his new true-crime documentary, which premieres at the Wisconsin Film Festival on April 15.