Isthmus: Jan 26 - Feb 1, 2017 by Isthmus

JAN. 26–FEB. 1, 2017

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VOL. 42 NO. 4

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MADISON, WI

Madison activists mobilize for a new reality

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15 CALL TO ACTION

4 SNAPSHOT

MADISON ACTIVISTS MOBILIZE FOR A NEW REALITY THE ISTHMUS TEAM was out in full force this weekend, covering the massive Women’s March in Washington and the proportionately massive march in Madison. To get a feel for the crowds in Madison, don’t miss Dylan Brogan’s fabulous time-lapse video on Isthmus.com. We’ve packaged much of that reporting into our cover story this week. We’re also introducing a new feature by Baltimore-based Baynard Woods, who is syndicating a column called “Democracy in Crisis” for alternative newsweeklies around the country. We don’t usually run national columns, but are making an exception here because of the unusually high stakes in Washington right now. Here is an excerpt of how Woods intends to approach his coverage: “DEMOCRACY IN CRISIS” is a new column designed to take the prefix “alt” back from the racists and hold the Trump regime accountable. I will be reporting inside the Beltway, while not being of that world. I am based in Baltimore, where I covered the Baltimore Uprising for Baltimore City Paper. Baltimore is like a lot of cities around the country, struggling to make things work for all of its residents and gazing with fear and mistrust at the new federal government as it begins to reshape urban policy that will impact all of us. Keeping close tabs on Washington and bringing news of its powerbrokers and political machinations to alt-weeklies around the country is the first step in checking the power of those in government. Papers like ours have never had “access” at a national level and have never had to worry about losing it. We have always reported as outsiders, and “Democracy in Crisis” will continue that tradition, cultivating sources in the agencies and committees where policies will become reality, making liberal use of Freedom of Information Act requests to get beyond the lies that the administration seems intent on using as a modus operandi. The column will expose any creeping authoritarianism and norm-violations and call them out with outrage when warranted, and gallows humor when possible.

A BIG RELIEF

Homeless folks find a place of their own at Rethke Terrace.

6-8 NEWS

ADMISSIONS TEST

Madison school officials weigh adding Isthmus Montessori to the district.

10 TECH

VIRTUALLY REAL

Local company creates computer landscapes of proposed buildings.

12 OPINION

HEAR ME OUT

Michael Cummins explains his conservative views.

15 COVER STORY

WELCOME TO THE NEW REGIME Madisonians mobilize to confront President Donald Trump.

23 RECREATION

THE WALLS ARE CLOSING IN 25-28 FOOD & DRINK

RAMENATE

Morris Ramen brings noodles, buns and more to former Red Sushi space.

31 SPORTS

THE TRUTH

Green Bay was never really in it during the NFC Championship Game against Atlanta.

32-34 MUSIC

END OF AN ERA

Q&A with PHOX’s Monica Martin.

34 STAGE

CAPTURING WAR

Time Stands Still features two journalists returning from Iraq.

36-37 SCREENS

HERZOG IN 3-D

Cave of Forgotten Dreams is a visual feast.

44 EMPHASIS

SCENT OF A WIZARD

At the Wayward Apple, the candles smell like Harry Potter. Really.

IN EVERY ISSUE

LAUREN JUSTICE

THERESA SCARBROUGH

A dozen free actvities to cure cabin fever.

8 MADISON MATRIX 8 WEEK IN REVIEW 12 THIS MODERN WORLD 13 FEEDBACK 13 OFF THE SQUARE

38 ISTHMUS PICKS 45 CLASSIFIEDS 45 P.S. MUELLER 45 CROSSWORD 47 SAVAGE LOVE

PUBLISHER Jeff Haupt ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Craig Bartlett BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Mark Tauscher EDITOR Judith Davidoff NEWS EDITOR Joe Tarr ASSOCIATE EDITOR Michana Buchman FEATURES EDITOR Linda Falkenstein ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Catherine Capellaro STAFF WRITERS Dylan Brogan, Allison Geyer CALENDAR EDITOR Bob Koch ART DIRECTOR Carolyn Fath STAFF ARTISTS Todd Hubler, David Michael Miller, Tommy Washbush

ISTHMUS is published weekly by Red Card Media, 100 State Street, Suite 301, Madison, WI 53703 • Edit@isthmus.com • Phone (608) 251-5627 • Fax (608) 251-2165 Periodicals postage paid at Madison, WI (ISSN 1081-4043) • POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 100 State Street, Suite 301, Madison, WI 53703 • © 2017 Red Card Media, LLC. All rights reserved.

Sunday, Jan. 29, Monona Terrace, 2-5 pm Worried about what the Trump administration will do to immigrant communities and religious minorities? Here’s a chance to get involved. A group of community and religious leaders have organized “United We Stand,” a gathering to provide information on the legal rights of immigrants. Speakers include Mayor Paul Soglin, representatives from Latino and Muslim civil rights groups, the ACLU and faith groups.

Allemande left Saturday, Jan. 28, Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center, 6:15 pm

Do-si-do and star thru, buckaroos, at the Cabin Fever Square Dance and potluck. The meal is followed by dancing at 7 pm, with music by Grandpa’s Elixir string band. And, you don’t even have to know how to dance! It’s $7/person, $20/four; cheaper than therapy.

Do our struggles define us? Wednesday, Feb. 1, UW Memorial UnionShannon Hall, 7:30 pm

Columbia University Medical Center professor Andrew Solomon is a writer and lecturer, LGBT rights advocate and activist for those suffering from depression. At this Wisconsin Union Directorate Distinguished Lecture Series event, he’ll speak on “How Our Identities Emerge From Our Struggles: A Talk About Love.” The lecture will be followed by a Q&A session and reception.

You can never have enough Sunday, Jan. 29, Art In Gallery, 2-6 pm

Gear and Beer Fest Wisconsin is a musical instruments and equipment gear swap organized by local musicians. From custommodded amplifiers to effects pedals to project guitars to simple cables and connectors, if you’re in a band — or planning to start one — this is a must-do activity. Just take it easy on the beer or risk coming home with more fix-it projects than you can handle.

FIND MORE ISTHMUS PICKS ON PAGE 38

JANUARY 26–FEBRUARY 1, 2017 ISTHMUS.COM

CONTRIBUTORS John W. Barker, Kenneth Burns, Dave Cieslewicz, Nathan J. Comp, Aaron R. Conklin, Ruth Conniff, Michael Cummins, Marc Eisen, Erik Gunn, Mike Ivey, Bob Jacobson, Seth Jovaag, Stu Levitan, Bill Lueders, Liz Merfeld, Andy Moore, Bruce Murphy, Kyle Nabilcy, Kate Newton, Joel Patenaude, Jenny Peek, Michael Popke, Steven Potter, Adam Powell, Katie Reiser, Jay Rath, Gwendolyn Rice, Dean Robbins, Robin Shepard, Sandy Tabachnick, Denise Thornton, Candice Wagener, Tom Whitcomb, Rosemary Zurlo-Cuva ADVERTISING PRODUCTION MANAGER Todd Hubler ADVERTISING MANAGER Chad Hopper ADVERTISING ASSISTANT Laura Miller ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Lindsey Bushart, Lauren Isely, Rebecca Jaworski WEB ANALYST Jeri Casper CIRCULATION MANAGER Tim Henrekin MARKETING DIRECTOR Chris Winterhack EVENT DIRECTORS Kathleen Andreoni, Courtney Lovas CONTROLLER Halle Mulford OFFICE MANAGER Julie Butler SYSTEMS MANAGER Thom Jones ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Carla Dawkins

United for all

n SNAPSHOT

Housing finally

Ward Harding is “not a big believer in happiness,” but he is satisfied living at Rethke Terrace, a Housing First development on Madison’s east side.

ISTHMUS.COM JANUARY 26–FEBRUARY 1, 2017

BY ALLISON GEYER n PHOTOGRAPH BY SARAH MAUGHAN

Ward Harding remembers back when things were normal. He had a good job and a steady income. A nice three-bedroom home. Friendly neighbors. A wife and two daughters. He worked hard, cherished his family, always tried do “the right thing.” But that didn’t stop tragedy from entering his life. “I had a pretty good life, up until…,” he pauses, searching for the words, “incidents started happening.” It began with a car accident that killed his mother. Then he lost two brothers — one died of scarlet fever, one was hit by a truck. Then his father passed away. Next, his wife was diagnosed with schizophrenia. She later died, leaving him with two daughters to raise and no family to help. He was determined to put his girls through college, and he did. “Both graduated,” he says, with pride. “But I was left with no money. I had to sacrifice.” Harding, 86, was homeless for more than 30 years while he continued to work and support his daughters. “Going from a good life, you don’t know what homelessness is,” he says. He slept in cars, stayed in veterans shelters (he calls them “dumping grounds”) and often camped “out in the raw.” He even spent a few nights in a pet shop (owned by an acquaintance), sleeping next to “the birds and the monkeys and all that,” he

recalls with a chuckle. But last year, he moved into a brand-new studio apartment at Rethke Terrace, a supportive housing complex on Madison’s east side. For the first time in decades, Harding has a home of his own. “I’m not a big believer in happiness, but I’m satisfied here,” he says, seated in the sunlit community room on a mid-January afternoon. “This is a good concept. And there are some good people here.” Rethke Terrace is Madison’s biggest and most ambitious step toward embracing “Housing First,” a model that aims to solve chronic homelessness by providing housing to those who need it, followed by supportive services. The $8 million, 60-unit complex opened late last summer. It was a collaborative effort, with $1.1 million in support from the city, $950,000 from Dane County and $5.4 million in federal tax credits. Heartland Housing Inc., of Chicago, and its affiliate Heartland Health Outreach, provide on-site services for residents. Harding offers a tour of his new home, showing off the weight room, the computer lab, the administrative offices where support staff is hard at work. He opens the door of the cozy library, to reveal a neighbor seated in a plush armchair, engrossed in a book. Out back, there’s a garden that in warmer months yields fresh produce for

Housing First concept first tried: 1988 IN LOS ANGELES Long-term retention rate: UP TO 98 PERCENT Amount a chronic homeless person costs a community, according to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness: $30,000-$50,000 Annual cost for individuals in permanent housing with supportive services: $20,000 Madison’s next Housing First project: MADISON FAMILY SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, A 45-UNIT COMPLEX AT 7933 TREE LANE

the residents. Harding says there will be a chicken coop next year. “Whoever designed this place was smart,” he says with a smile. But beyond the comfort and security, some residents have found community and friendships in their new homes. Harding has formed a special bond with one of his neighbors, Becky Castile. She came to Rethke in September 2016 after a fire destroyed her apartment complex, forcing her to live in her truck for eight months. It wasn’t the first time. Castile, 56, has struggled with chronic homelessness, exacerbated by bouts of depression, anxiety and addiction, for her whole life. “We’re nothing but outcasts,” she says of the homeless community. She finds strength through her faith in God — and the unconditional love of her therapy dog, a tiny Chihuahua named C.W., short for Cottonwood. Seated with Harding in the community room, Castile says she’s thankful for her new home, but she worries about the people still out on the streets. “We need about 10 more of these,” she says of her new home. Although Castile knows the housing is permanent, she sometimes fears she could be back out on the streets. But every day, things are getting better. “It’s a big relief to come here after being out there,” she says, holding C.W. close. “It’s almost like we can rest now.” n

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TWO LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU!

■ NEWS

Charter debate Madison superintendent uncertain of Montessori proposal BY JENNY PEEK

Liana Lamont has two rambunctious young boys. The older one, not unlike other boys FEB. 28 Composting & Soil Composition his age, has a hard time sitting still. When MARCH 7 Native Plants for Gardens & Pollinators he was 5, Lamont enrolled him in kinderMARCH 14 Landscape Design garten at Lapham Elementary. But it soon MARCH 21 Vegetable Garden Planning & Techniques became clear that it was not an ideal spot MARCH 28 Vegetable Families, Pests & Diseases for him. APRIL 4 Wisconsin Wildlife in the Home Garden APRIL 6 Organic Landscape Maintenance “There was a lot of emphasis on stillness, APRIL 11 Growing Berries on uniformity and conformity,” Lamont told APRIL 25 Annuals & Perennials the Madison school board at a Jan. 9 public hearing. “Everybody does the same activity at the same time.... It just wasn’t a fit.” REGISTER ONLINE “We decided it was time to pull out www.dane.uwex.edu when our teacher said, ‘We think it’s time to get your doctor involved,’” Lamont said. “There were Traditional American Indian storytelling in a lot of [labels] being used, American Indian Studies American Indian Studies Presents the 20th Annualby translation. and the response to behavior issues was indigenous languages followed Presents the the 20th Presents 20th Annual Annual punishment. We didn’t want to start putPresents the 20th Annual Evening of Storytelling Evening of Storytelling ting him in boxes, we didn’t want him to be Presents the 20th Annual Traditional American Indian storytelling inin Presents the 20th Annual Traditional American Indian storytelling Traditional American storytelling inleft behind.” indigenous languages followed by Indian indigenous languages followed bytranslation. translation. indigenous languages followed by translation. Hoping for a better experience, the famTraditional American Indian storytelling in ily enrolled him at Isthmus Montessori American Indian storytelling in indigenousTraditional languages followed by translation. indigenous languages followed translation.in Academy (IMA) on Madison’s north side. Traditional American Indianbystorytelling indigenous languages followed by translation. Lamont says her son has blossomed at his new school. “The grace and the courtesy that is central to the Montessori method have led to significant behavioral changes,” Lamont told the Feb. 3, 2017 7-9PM board. “We are not alone in having energetic, H.F.3,DeLuca Forum Feb. 2017 7-9PM smart kids that don’t fit perfectly in the rigid Wisconsin Institute for Discovery 330 N. Orchard H.F. DeLuca Forum public school curriculum.” She concluded Wisconsin forof Discovery Sponsored byInstitute the Departments Comparative Literature & Folklore Studies, Anthropology, English, and American Indian Studies. This event is made possible by 330 N. Linguistics, Orchard by urging board members to make Isthmus funding from the Anonymous Fund and Kemper K. Knapp Bequest. Feb. 3, 2017 7-9PM Sponsored by the Departments Comparative Literature & Folklore Studies, Anthropology, This event is 7-9PM free andofopen to public Feb. 3, Linguistics, 2017 English, and American Indian Studies. This•event is made possible by PM Montessori a public option so that “other funding from Anonymous Fund and Kemper K. Knapp Bequest. Feb. 3,the2017 7-9PM H.F. Forum H.F.Feb. DeLuca families can benefit from this flexible but This event is Forum free and open to public Feb. 3, 2017 7-9PM 3,DeLuca 2017 7-9PM Wisconsin InstituteInstitute for Discoveryfor Discovery H.F. DeLuca Forum Wisconsin rigorous method.” 330H.F. N. DeLuca Orchard H.F. DeLuca Forum Forum for Discovery Wisconsin Institute 330 N. Orchard Wisconsin Institute for Discovery Co-founders Melissa Droessler and CarWisconsin Institute for Discovery Sponsored by N. the Departments of Comparative Literature & Folklore Studies, Anthropology, 330 Orchard English, and American Indian Studies. This event is made possible by 330Linguistics, N. Orchard 330 N. Orchard funding from the Anonymous Fund and Kemper Knapp Bequest. Literature & Folklore Studies, Sponsored by the Departments ofK.Comparative rie Anthropology, Marlette have been working to make Sponsored by the Departments of Comparative Literature & Folklore Studies, Anthropology, Sponsored by the Departments of Comparative Literature & Folklore Studies, Anthropology, English, Linguistics, and American Indian Studies. event is by made possible by Sponsored by theThis Departments offree Comparative Literature &Studies. FolkloreThis Studies, eventLinguistics, is and open toIndian public English, Linguistics, American Indian Studies. This event isThis made possible English, and and American eventAnthropology, is made possible by IMA the district’s next charter school and English, Linguistics,funding and American Indian Studies. This event is made possible by funding from the Anonymous Fund and Kemper K. Knapp Bequest. funding from the Anonymous Fund and Kemper K. Knapp Bequest. from the Anonymous Fund and Kemper K. Knapp Bequest. funding from the Anonymous Fund and Kemper K. Knapp Bequest. fi rst public Montessori school. If accepted, This event is free andand openopen to public This event is free to public This event ispublic free and open to public This event is free and open to the school would be tuition-free and open to anyone in the district. The two have gone through the district’s rigorous charter application process and the Madison school board is expected to vote on it at its Jan. 30 meeting. But a significant roadblock has emerged. Superintendent Jennifer Cheatham announced Jan. 23 at the district’s operations work group meeting that she does not currently favor adding Isthmus Montessori to the district. “I could not support moving forward with approving the proposal as is,” Cheatham told the board. “I believe that every line needs to meet expectations for us to set the school up for success.” In order to ensure that charter schools succeed within the district, a rubric was created to evaluate new charter school proposals. When an administration committee reviewed IMA’s November 2016 proposal, they found it met expectations in all but Insulated footwear footwear four categories. including: Hunting Hunting Boots Boots If the board decides to go against CheathSnow Boots, Slippers Slippers am’s recommendation and approves IMA, and More... More... she suggests they require the school to provide new materials that address the areas

American Indian Studies Presents the 20th Annual

ISTHMUS MONTESSORI ACADEMY

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American Indian Studies American Indian Studies American Indian Studies Evening of Storytelling American Indian Studies Evening of Evening of Storytelling Evening of Storytelling

Storytelling Evening of Storytelling

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Children at Isthmus Montessori Academy are educated under a model that emphasizes independence, community and respect for a child’s natural development.

that failed to meet expectations, as well as defer opening the school until the 2018-2019 school year. “While there are only [four] areas that didn’t meet expectations, they are big areas,” Cheatham said to the board. “They are budget, they are enrollment, they are goal setting, and they are such fundamental areas for school success.” Montessori schools emphasize independence, community and respect for a child’s natural psychological, physical and social development. The concept, which stresses self-directed learning, was developed more than a century ago. The school is projected to have 223 students, from pre-K through ninth grade, in the 2017-18 school year. Its budget for that year is projected to be just under $1.4 million. It’s expected to run a surplus until the 2019-20 school year. School employees — required to meet the district’s criteria for hire — would become district employees, including the academy’s principal, who would manage the day-today operations of the school. Founders of Isthmus Montessori, which is currently incorporated as a nonprofit, would be joined by family members of enrolling students, teachers and the community to form a new nonprofit governance council to govern the charter school in accordance with Madison policies, as well as local, state and federal laws and regulations. School leaders have been working with the Madison school district since it opened in 2012 in hopes of joining the district. For that to happen, the board now has to consider Cheatham’s recommendation

alongside the outpouring of public support they heard at prior public meetings. For Droessler, who was optimistic going into Monday’s meeting, Cheatham’s decision was a blow. “It’s not easy for them to say no — I know that because they see the people coming in — and it’s not easy for them to say yes,” Droessler says. “It’s easy for them to waffle through a non-decision, and we would appreciate the bravery to say no. And they should be brave enough to say yes, but one of the two needs to happen.” Before Cheatham announced her decision, board members had been questioning whether the evaluation process was too difficult. “We set up charter applicants for a kind of Catch-22,” board member Ed Hughes said at the Jan. 23 meeting. “The fault lies not with IMA or any charter proposal, it’s the unrealistic premises we ask them to operate under.” Board president James Howard questions whether the board should require that all categories in the “rubric” meet expectations, or just a majority. “I’d be really concerned if I looked at the rubric and there were a lot of ‘does not meet expectations,’” he says. Otherwise, he adds, “it just seems to me to be something that’s workable.” Droessler and Marlette hope to prove that the district could benefit by offering a Montessori option. “There’s all this concern that we can’t be trusted and we wouldn’t do the right thing, but we can be trusted, we can do the right thing,” Marlette says as she pulls Droessler in for a hug. The board will soon decide whether they get that chance. ■

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■ MADISON MATRIX

■ WEEK IN REVIEW THURSDAY, JAN. 19

BIG CITY

Despite their rocky past, President Donald Trump says he’s “starting to really, really love” House Speaker Paul Ryan, prompting ABC News political director Rick Klein to call their relationship “a new bromance.”

■ The Madison school district’s

new “Personalized Pathways” program proves popular, drawing 518 applicants, the Wisconsin State Journal reports. The initiative aims to improve college and careerreadiness among high school students.

Gov. Scott Walker wants to require parents who receive food stamps to work at least 80 hours per month in order to keep their benefits. His proposal contradicts federal law.

WINNING

FRIDAY, JAN. 20 ■ Eleven of the state’s wealthi-

est citizens are projected to receive $22 million in taxes credits in 2017, the Legislative Fiscal Bureau reports. That’s nearly 10 percent of the Manufacturing and Agriculture Tax Credit passed by Republicans in 2011. Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce — the state’s largest business lobby — says the tax credit “benefits small businesses and middle-class workers — that is a fact.”

LOSING

While some agencies are scrubbing climate change information WISCONSIN from their websites, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT the state Department of Military Affairs Division of Emergency Management posts an extensive report on how the warming planet will impact Wisconsin.

MONDAY, JAN. 23

Instead of attending Trump’s inauguration, U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Madison) spends the day volunteering at a food pantry in Verona. Pocan says the goal of his boycott is to get Trump to stop tweeting. Good luck with that!

SMALL TOWN

■ On the 44th anniversary of

Roe v. Wade, state Rep. Chris Taylor (D-Madison) and Sen. Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee) introduce a resolution urging their Republican colleagues not to restrict abortion access.

■ A group of former

inmates at the state’s youth prison complex file a federal lawsuit alleging horrific and abusive conditions at Lincoln Hills School for Boys and Copper Lake School For Girls. The lawsuit details excessive use of solitary confinement and frequent use of pepper spray on teen inmates who broke minor rules, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

TUESDAY, JAN. 24 ■ The Assembly’s Labor

Committee considers a bill that would ban

local governments from requiring contractors to reach agreements with labor unions to work on taxpayer-funded projects. The bill, from Rep. Rob Hutton (R-Brookfield), is the latest step in reducing the power of unions in the state. WEDNESDAY, JAN. 25 ■ U.S. Department of

Transportation taps the UW-Madison’s Traffic Operations and Safety Laboratory for a new program to test driverless cars, UW officials announce. The lab is in the process of partnering with a company to acquire high-tech vehicles.

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JANUARY 26–FEBRUARY 1, 2017 ISTHMUS.COM

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The view is spectacular!

Arch Virtual created this virtual view from on top of the proposed Spark building, looking down East Washington Avenue.

Arch Virtual creates preconstruction building tours NATHAN J. COMP

The view of Wisconsin’s Capitol from the ninthfloor meeting room inside the Spark building, on the 800 block of East Washington Avenue, is remarkable for two reasons. First, the building’s height, proximity and unobstructed views of the Capitol and Lake Monona make it second to none insofar as skyline views from public spaces go. Second, the 800 block of East Washington Avenue is a vacant lot. There is no building, no ninth floor, no meeting-room view. But despite the lack of a building, there’s still a sense of vertigo in the virtual reality view — through Oculus Rift goggles — from on top of the nine-story building that will one day exist. (See a video of the project at Isthmus.com.) “It’s a very realistic experience,” says Jon Brouchoud, co-founder of the Madison-based Arch Virtual. “We can now create animated virtual environments so you can tour a building before it’s built.” In 2006, Brouchoud and his wife, Kandy Brouchoud, launched Arch Virtual, one of a growing number of local tech companies cashing in on rapid advancements in, and uses for, virtual reality. The economies of scale made possible by smart phone development have paved the way for

virtual reality to leap from the pages of fiction to practical use in the modern world. And Madison is at the forefront. “Whether anybody knows it, Madison is already established as a leader in VR development,” he says. “We’ve done projects in countries like Oman, India, U.K. and Australia.” Video games have been the primary use for consumer virtual reality products, but more companies like Arch Virtual are finding other uses for the technology. Architects by trade, the Brouchouds began using VR to help clients visualize their designs. “We transitioned to it almost exclusively three years ago,” he says. “Architecture remains our core concentration, but we’ve branched out into other industries, like automotive and manufacturing.” UW-Madison has pioneered some of the most cutting-edge developments in VR technology at its Living Environments Laboratory within the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery. The technology has been widely used to improve the quality of home health care and is increasingly being used in the therapeutic realm, as well. UW-Health now offers virtual reality therapy to help treat post-traumatic stress and help people overcome certain phobias. “Virtual reality therapy is the use of computerproduced situations to make you believe and feel as

THE CENTER FOR THE HUMANITIES AND WISCONSIN UNION DIRECTORATE DISTINGUISHED LECTURE SERIES PRESENT

though you are actually in a different place and situation,” according to its website. During the therapy, patients can confront a feared object or even relive a traumatic experience from the comfort of their doctor’s office, the idea being they “will gradually be able to deal with the emotional and physical distress.” The Spark Building is the much-anticipated innovation hub, a joint venture of American Family Insurance and StartingBlock, a technology business incubator. But for Brouchoud, it’s just the latest in a series of virtually animated environments his company has created for facilities around the world. In 2014, Arch Virtual created a similar virtual tour of the Sacramento Kings’ new arena as construction got underway.

“We’re using the technology to solve real-world problems,” he says. In December, Madison’s Plan Commission took a virtual tour of the Spark Building during the permitting process. Using photographs of neighboring buildings and reference points, Arch Virtual created the neighborhood context. Then, working with the project’s architects, they turned the twodimensional blueprints into the virtual environment. “The question now is, what happens next?” Brouchoud says. “We’re established, but we’re not necessarily a fullscale company. That’s where a community like Madison can help companies like ours turn the corner.” n

Can We Personalize Vitamin D Supplementation?

THE CENTER FOR THE HUMANITIES PRESENTS

The recommended amount of vitamin D does not achieve ideal blood vitamin D levels in all people. More detailed blood vitamin D testing may determine how to optimize vitamin D dosing in each individual. To further study this possibility, the University of Wisconsin Osteoporosis Research Program is conducting a six-month research study evaluating a new approach that may optimize blood vitamin D levels.

If you are…

TIMOTHY GREENFIELD-SANDERS

ISTHMUS.COM JANUARY 26–FEBRUARY 1, 2017

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• a postmenopausal woman of European Ancestry • willing to not change the amount of vitamin D supplementation that you are taking for the duration of the study • willing to use sunscreen when you’re in the sun for more than 15 minutes

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WHAT WE KNOW, WHAT WE MISSED, ANDREW SOLOMON study includes: WHAT’SThe NEXT:

All study procedures, testing, and study • Blood testing supplements are provided at no charge. MAKING SENSE OF THE 2016 ELECTION • Body composition evaluation Study participants will receive a total of with ALTA CHARO, CRAMER, LUCAS GRAVES, $85 for completing 3 clinic visits. • Vitamin D supplementation EMERGE FROM OUR KATHERINE

Writer and Professor of Clinical Psychology, Columbia University Medical Center

HOW OUR IDENTITIES SERGIO GONZALEZ, ERIK OLIN WRIGHT STRUGGLES: A TALK ABOUT LOVE Moderated by STEVE PAULSON

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NOVEMBER 29, 5:30 PM

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To find out more about how you may be able to participate, call:

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Stair Trek: Core to Cosmos Grand Opening! Wed., 2/1•5–8 p.m. Free Admission! Celebrate the opening of Stair Trek: Core to Cosmos, a journey through the Earth and sky in our five-story stairway. Stop on each floor of the museum as you trek, to punch your passport and enjoy activities inspired by each layer of the Earth: underground, forest, sky, and outer space.

WE’RE TAKING STAIRS TO A NEW LEVEL Design to Move: Stair Trek is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Richard B. Anderson Family Foundation, Diane Ballweg, the Pyle Foundation, Endres Mfg. Company Foundation, and Jim Berbee & Karen Walsh.

100 N. HAMILTON ST. | MADISONCHILDRENSMUSEUM.ORG

JANUARY 26–FEBRUARY 1, 2017 ISTHMUS.COM

Visit the Bear Clinic where Meriter doctors will give your child’s favorite stuffed animal a head-to-toe check-up!

! T I B I H X NEW E

n OPINION

Why I believe what I believe A Madison conservative tries to clear up some misconceptions BY MICHAEL CUMMINS Michael Cummins is a Madison-based business analyst.

ISTHMUS.COM JANUARY 26–FEBRUARY 1, 2017

Donald Trump’s election proved that pitting Americans against each other can be a wildly rewarding political strategy. With a masterful divider now at the helm, civility will surely deteriorate even further over the next four years. As a libertarian-leaning conservative living on the isthmus, I am used to being the odd man out, politically. It’s never really been a problem, in terms of keeping up neighborly relations. But intense polarization, coupled with the widespread misidentification of President Trump as a conservative, has me feeling a little defensive lately. Some people have misconceptions about why I believe what I believe. These misconceptions do not reflect well on my character. So please indulge me while I clear a few of them up. Though I oppose most aspects of the welfare state, I genuinely care about poor people. Charity is a moral obligation. Like many conservatives, I voluntarily hand over a portion of my income to organizations that help the needy. I am grateful to be in a position to do so. I also give quite a bit involuntarily, through the taxes I am forced to pay. I have considerably less enthusiasm for this portion of my giving. For one thing, the systems through which government redistributes wealth are inefficient. Sometimes, they’re even counterproductive. But my main gripe about government-forced charity is that it really isn’t “giving” at all. Americans are, by nature, among the most generous people in the world. Witness the outpouring of donations any time there is a mass disaster. But when it comes to giving a routine hand-up, we have largely ceded our moral duty to the state. If, at some point, the government becomes unable to maintain its “safety net,” will we have it in us to rekindle the mutual aid associations of yesteryear? Or have we been conditioned to believe that

only government, through its massive bureaucracies, can bear such responsibility? Speaking of massive bureaucracies, I sometimes oppose federal action because, and only because, it encroaches on powers reserved for state and local governments. We conservatives take constitutional federalism — the vertical separation of powers between levels of government — very seriously. As the U.S. Supreme Court put it, in a unanimous decision from 2011, federalism “secures to the citizens the liberties that derive from the diffusion of sovereign power.” Congressional conservatives who opposed the 2012 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act were savaged by feminist groups. The dominant media narrative at the time held that insensitivity toward domestic violence was the only possible reason for opposing the legislation. But, as many of the holdouts correctly insisted, the text of the Constitution claims only a few enumerated “police powers” — authority over matters of law and order — for the federal government. Policing domestic violence is not among them.

Of course, supposedly conservative lawmakers can be terribly hypocritical when it comes to issues of local control. But my point is that constitutional federalism is a perfectly legitimate reason to oppose an otherwise worthy federal law. There are other reasons one might oppose an ostensibly laudable government intervention. So my sensitivity to a problem cannot always be judged by whether I want the government to fix it. I would not patronize a bakery that refuses to service same-sex weddings. And I agree that there is a social DAVID MICHAEL MILLER benefit when government steps in to sanction bakery owners who engage in such discriminatory behavior. But there is also a cost. These interventions debase the property rights of bakery owners. Conservatives like me care an awful lot about property rights. I am actually undecided on the bakery issue. But if I were to conclude that government should leave demurring bakers alone, it would not be because I support same-sex marriage any less fervently than progressives do. It would be because I care more than they do about property rights. Progressives, on the whole, strike me as quite cavalier in their cost/benefit analyses of such issues. Though

THIS MODERN WORLD

they profess to value personal freedom, they seem to take no account of its diminution when government intervenes to coerce behavior. Progressives see the benefits of society-by-design, but are apparently blind to its costs. Finally, to address a particularly irksome accusation, I do not hate government. In fact, I love it. Hobbes was correct that life in its absence would be “nasty, brutish, and short.” But it’s true what they say about too much of a good thing. At some point in its growth, government inevitably starts violating rights instead of protecting them. I understand why people attack the motives of their political opponents. It’s easier and more emotionally gratifying than engaging through reason. But aside from being an affront to civility, attacking motives is a groundless stratagem. Most everyone I know, be they right or left, is motivated by what they perceive to be the best interests of their city, state, country and world. We would do well to keep that in mind when dealing with those on the opposite side of the political divide. n

BY TOM TOMORROW

Participants are needed for a study at UW-Madison looking at whether the cautious use of sleep medication reduces depressive symptoms in people with depression and insomnia. To be eligible, you must be currently experiencing depression and insomnia, be 18-65 years old, and have access to regular care with a primary care provider. Participants will receive up to $400 to $450.

■ FEEDBACK

Safe spaces

Secret spaces

I frequent the Overture Center and was surprised last fall when they instituted searches of some patrons (“Safety Concerns,” 1/12/2017). There are many reasons to stop this practice: The searches are not useful. Only bags and purses are searched, which means the vast majority of searches are of women and those in wheelchairs. I feel ashamed watching these searches while men walk in freely. ■ There is no evidence it’s needed. Of the 85 public mass shootings since 1982, none were in a performing arts theater. ■ It’s inconvenient. I recently watched several disabled patrons slowly travel by three locked doors on a cold and snowy night to get to the door with security. Then they waited in line for screening. ■ It’s an expensive and ongoing budget drain. Is this the best way to spend our arts dollars? ■ It sends a message that the Overture Center is an unsafe place, which isn’t true. It used to be you were welcomed on entry to the Overture. Now you are told you are under suspicion. We do not live in a city of security screenings. In 2001 and 2011 screenings were implemented in the Capitol, and they were promptly removed. The City County Building removed its screeners too. Don’t fix a problem the Overture Center doesn’t have. Just as with our other public buildings, the costs to its valued space and goodwill are too high. Janet Murphy (via email)

I write to you on behalf of Teatro Décimo Piso, the theater group of the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at UW-Madison. We were thrilled to see and read the recent article detailing and revealing the history of past theater spaces in Madison (“Madison’s Lost Theaters,” 1/12/2017). The section on Bascom 272 in particular caught our attention. The article suggested that this space would someday be reawakened when needed, and in fact it was. This past March, our group revived the theater space to present a three-act piece called Tararí by Spanish playwright Valentín Andrés Álvarez. Due to our limited funding, we often must find innovative ways to stage our pieces, and this “secret” theater space provided the ideal solution for our production. We knew right away that this space would inspire our work when we were able to enter the historic backstage area to see the time-worn mechanisms. The history of this university theater space still lives on. We hope to again stage a new production in March of this year, keeping the tradition of this unique space alive. Marin Laufenberg Ph.D. candidate in Latin American literature Department of Spanish and Portuguese UW-Madison (via email)

Come Share Stories of a Lifetime

S p eaker S eries

An Inspiring Lecture Series for Women Christina Baker Kline #1 New York Times Bestselling author of “Orphan Train” and advocate for at-risk adolescents and aged-out foster care youth

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Leigh Anne Tuohy Champion of cheerful giving and inspirational matriarch of the #1 New York Times best-seller and Academy Award nominated film, “The Blind Side”

Monday, May 22, 2017

Share comments with Isthmus via email, edit@isthmus.com, and via Forum.isthmus.com, Facebook and Twitter, or write letters to Isthmus, 100 State St., Suite 301, Madison WI 53703. All comments are subject to editing. The views expressed here are solely those of the contributors. These opinions do not necessarily represent those of Isthmus Publishing Company.

OFF THE SQUARE

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Reyna Grande Award-winning author, inspirational educator, and former undocumented Hispanic immigrant

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Monday, June 12, 2017

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JANUARY 26–FEBRUARY 1, 2017 ISTHMUS.COM

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■ COVER STORY

DYL A N B RO GA N

Madison Police estimate 75,000 to 100,000 people converged on the Capitol.

HEAR THEM ROAR

Women’s March on Madison rallies resistance to Trump BY ALLISON GEYER

demonstrations have also triggered a contentious debate about race, with many African American activists calling for more effort to bring diversity and inclusion into the movement and more emphasis on the distinct needs of black women. Levingston, an artist, activist and doctoral candidate at UW-Madison, knew she that she might face criticism from other black feminists for agreeing to speak at the Women’s March on Madison. Much of the conversation about race and the “whitewashing” of feminism has been at the national level, but it’s a concern among local activists as well.

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JANUARY 26–FEBRUARY 1, 2017 ISTHMUS.COM

AGASHUS LEVINGSTON DIDN’T VOTE FOR

Donald Trump, nor does she think he will be a good president. But in a way, she thinks his ascent to the nation’s highest office could be “the best thing” that could have happened for the country. “Communities need a common enemy if people are going to band together the way they should,” she says. “I am less afraid knowing that people are mobilizing to address all the issues.”

Energy and solidarity were evident Jan. 21 at the Women’s March on Madison. Police estimate 75,000 to 100,000 people walked through State Street to the Capitol Square. The rally was part of a worldwide movement in response to the inauguration of President Donald Trump. More than 2 million activists in all 50 states and at least 16 foreign countries gathered in opposition to the new administration and to support marginalized communities that many say are at risk in this new era of far-right leadership. For many progressives, the post-election activism has created a spark of energy and optimism during dark political times. But the

n COVER STORY

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ISTHMUS.COM JANUARY 26–FEBRUARY 1, 2017

union.wisc.edu/wheelhouse

A WISCONSIN UNION EXPERIENCE

The week before the march, Levingston got an email from a person who wanted to know how Levingston could take part in the Women’s March on Madison “when it’s an affront to black women.” “There’s a simple answer,” Levingston tells Isthmus. “I’m a hybrid. I have always lived in two worlds.” Levingston is referring to intersectionality, or the idea that overlapping social categories like race, class and gender all factor into a person’s identity, experience and privilege. The term was coined nearly three decades ago, but it’s become a feminist buzzword in recent years, and it was the subject of Levingston’s speech on Saturday afternoon. “I knew that it wouldn’t benefit me and it wouldn’t benefit other women for me to show up just talking about black women’s agendas,” she says. “But what would benefit was to speak for all women present. People are more likely to hear your agenda when you have made it clear that you are there for them, too.”

An emotional Sagashus Levingston prepares to speak to thousands of people at the Capitol.

OTHERS AT THE EVENT WERE CONCERNED ABOUT the nascent movement being inclusive. Lexi Tarter, a University of Minnesota student, felt some “trepidation” about attending Saturday’s Madison march, which was to be her first major political demonstration. Overcoming her claustrophobia was hard enough, but she had seen the “contradictory” dialogue surrounding the movement on Facebook. “I wanted to make sure this was inclusive,” says Tarter, 23, holding a sign with pro-women slogans, written in Spanish. While the crowd was mostly white, those who marched on Saturday championed a wide variety of progressive causes — there were chants of “Black Lives Matter,” rainbow flags representing the LGBT community, signs promoting public education, health care, immigrants, indigenous rights and water sovereignty. Many marchers wore knitted, pink, cat-eared “pussy hats” — a response to Trump’s “grab ’em by the pussy” comments that have become a symbol of the movement. “A friend of mine who’s in the tea party actually made me this [pussy] hat,” says Jessica Lopez, a 34-year-old from Milwaukee who came to Madison for the rally. “She was happy to help me out, despite our political differences. I think our leaders could learn a thing or two from us.” The marchers’ signs were creative, with many riffing on recent headlines — Trump’s alleged penchant for “golden showers,” his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, his comments about grabbing women “by the pussy.” Lynn Judnic, of Kewaskum, carried a banner listing a number of carefully chosen words to describe the new president, including one of her own invention: “pigotry.” “That’s what I think of his morals and values,” says Judnic, 65, who came to the rally with her daughter and granddaughter. Many demonstrators spoke of feeling frustrated and despondent — and even depressed — after Trump won the election. Kyla Harper, a 30-year-old information technology worker, says there have been days when she can’t even look at the news. A transgender woman, she fears the influence of Vice President Mike Pence, who is known for his

L AU R EN JU ST ICE

hardline anti-LGBT policies. “I’ve been feeling hopeless and helpless,” she says. “But being here and just seeing the sheer number of people coming together, I feel more positive. I feel like we have a chance.” Male allies made a strong showing on Saturday as well. They pushed strollers, wore pussy hats and chanted “her body, her choice!” Zeke Vainer and Austin Burrows, both students at Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota, were marching in honor of their mothers. Vainer’s mom runs an agency that helps survivors of domestic violence. Trump is reportedly considering

DY L A N B RO GA N

cuts to the federal Violence Against Women grant program — a decision that Vainer says would be “incredibly damaging” to the work his mother does. Burrows’ mom works for an organization that promotes women in government. “We thought we’d come and show support for the cause,” he says, adding: “My mom is pretty inspiring.”

IT TOOK THE MASSIVE CROWD HOURS TO MOVE entirely from Library Mall to the Capitol Square. There was no sign of any counter-demonstration from Trump supporters, though one marcher reported seeing a group of men chanting the president’s name before disappearing inside a smoke shop on State Street. On the State Street side of the Capitol, progressive speakers and musicians addressed the crowd. Grisel Tapia Claudio, of Voces de la Frontera, spoke of the Trump administration’s potential impact on Latina women. “He’s said he’ll eliminate deferred action for childhood arrivals, which allowed almost 800,000 young people to continue their education, support their families and contribute to the economy by working legally,” she says. “If he sends our young people back to the shadows, the effect on millions of families will be devastating.” Katie Vieira, an English professor at UWMadison, brought her 8-year-old daughter to the rally. She remembers being pregnant and listening to former President Barack Obama’s speeches. His message made Vieira feel like she was “bringing a child into a world that was fundamentally better” than the one she was born into, she says. “With Trump, we’re going backwards.” Vieira says the energy channeled into Saturday’s demonstrations is a good start. But she urges people to keep the momentum going forward with calls to their legislators and continued activism over the next four years. “I was asleep,” she says. “And now I’m awake.” n

Madison women joined an estimated half-million protesters from around the country.

DESTINATION: D.C.

CAT H ER IN E CA P EL L A RO

Hundreds of local women road-trip to resist and march BY CATHERINE CAPELLARO

E BOARD THE BUS AT THE DUTCH MILL

THER ESA SCAR B RO U G H

ist from Seattle. Where immigrant families were celebrated rather than reviled. Where Black Lives Matter. A space where the word “pussy” was reclaimed from the president’s uncouth remarks, made into a whimsical hat, plopped onto thousands upon thousands of heads, and made into a symbol of power and resistance. Smith recognizes that this diffuse focus was overwhelming to some people. “I think a lot of criticism of the women’s march was that there were so many issues,” she says. “But I think that was the point, especially if you think about the intersection of racism and sexism.” Some on the trip, including Michelle Kaltenberg, were taking part in their first public protest. “We decided to come two or three days after the election,” says Kaltenberg, a former village president in Johnson Creek, who was making the trip with her 16-year-old daughter, Clariese. “I was disappointed in the results and the fact that [Trump] treats women the way that he does. I started reading a lot about intersectional feminism and got really interested, and decided it was something I wanted to do.” Kaltenberg de-

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JANUARY 26–FEBRUARY 1, 2017 ISTHMUS.COM

Park & Ride at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 20, Inauguration Day. As the sky darkens and we pull onto the freeway, someone passes around a bag of pussy hats. Each carries a small handwritten tag: “Handmade by a Wisconsin knitter. Please donate to a women’s shelter when you are finished. And thank you for standing up for justice and human rights.” Sarah Smith hands out chocolate chip cookies baked by a friend and maps of the route for the Women’s March on Washington. She makes a few announcements before settling into the front seat next to her mother, Sue, who drove three hours from Eau Claire to join her on the bus. Donald Trump’s victory hit Smith hard. “In the days after the election, I just felt downtrodden and didn’t know what we were going to do,” says Smith, a 24-year-old employee at Epic Systems. But her despair didn’t last for long. Smith had helped organize four busloads of people for the trip to Washington for the

Women’s March on Jan. 21, the day after the inauguration. Wei Li Werner, a senior at East High School, is making the trip to register her numerous concerns about the incoming president. “Where do I even start?” asks Werner. “Hearing Betsy DeVos, [Trump’s pick for] secretary of education, she has no idea what she’s doing. It’s really scary.” The Madisonians joined an estimated half million people who converged on the capital with a shared sense of purpose but for a wide variety of reasons. They hoped to create a space where a Kansas grandmother concerned about climate change could march next to a transgender activ-

n COVER STORY scribes herself as a “fiscal conservative who leans Democrat on social issues.” She feels alone among the many Trump supporters in her community. At pit stops, hundreds of women and girls, wearing pink hats, sweats and pajamas, pour out from the buses. Restroom labels don’t matter. Phones are charged, water bottles filled. Teeth brushed. Snacks bought. As we drive off into the dense fog, seven hours into our 17-hour ride, MSNBC is already reporting that the protest crowd will significantly exceed the inauguration numbers. I drift to sleep to the sounds of women talking politics.

We take a Metro back to the vast parking lots of RFK Stadium, threading our way through diesel fumes, searching for the buses that read “Madison, Wisconsin.”

BACK ON THE BUS, SHOES ARE KICKED OFF AND

TRAFFIC OUTSIDE WASHINGTON IS THICK.

ISTHMUS.COM JANUARY 26–FEBRUARY 1, 2017

When we reach RFK Stadium at 10 a.m., rows of buses already stretch out across the immense parking lot. Each has a sign in the window: Georgia, New Jersey, Missouri, Florida. Media reports the D.C. Metro is overwhelmed. My buddy, Amy Bethel, and I set off on foot toward the U.S. Capitol, 1.6 miles away. Individuals and families of every shade trot together through the neighborhoods carrying signs. After a mile, we notice a military police tank. The officers are highfiving the protesters. Residents have posted signs, some with quotes from Martin Luther King Jr. (“Let no man pull you so low as to hate him”). People wave from windows and stoops. The marchers begin to spill into the streets, while police and National Guard attempt to steer them out of traffic. An hour later we can see the dome of the Capitol. People are streaming in from every direction. Nature calls. I breathe a sigh of relief as I spot dozens of portable toilets. But many are locked behind a fence topped with a “No Entry” sign. “Those are for the inauguration; we can’t let you in there,” says a security officer. “What will you do if we go through here?” one woman asks. “I’ll have to arrest you,” he replies. Given that there were zero arrests for more than a half million protesters, I assume

CATHER INE CA P EL L A RO

Fiona Wolfe (left) and Wei Li Werner, both East High seniors, on the 36-hour journey. no one was willing to go to jail for the right to use an inaugural porta-potty. Special flags made for Trump’s inauguration still flutter in front of the Capitol, where the new president had been sworn in 24 hours prior. The rest of the day is spent in jubilant, cooperative throngs. With such a huge crowd, cell phone towers are overwhelmed, so messages filter through the crowd, like a massive game of “telephone.” Several people shout that the march has been canceled. Too many people are jammed along the march route, on streets surrounding the Capitol and the National Mall, to move anywhere. We know that just blocks away, Madonna, Alicia Keys, Angela Davis, America Ferrera and Gloria Steinem are rallying the crowd. We are shoulder to shoulder, accepting that this slow shuffling is “the march.” Eventually, we run into some familiar faces from the bus. “There are so many more people here than we expected,” says Erin Johansen. “It’s energizing. It’s diverse. So great to see all the women and men, the

different ages and races. It’s a great day. And it’s not the end. It’s the beginning.” Stuck at the intersection of Independence Avenue and 3rd, the crowd tightens up around a mother with a stroller to allow her to kneel down on the pavement to change her baby’s diaper. Finally, after more than two hours of gridlock, we move, making our way through the mall and into the streets, past Washington’s Trump Tower, where people deposit protest signs. A statue of Ben Franklin is adorned with a small cardboard sign reading: “This is not normal.” We never get very close to the stage, but complete the march route as the sun sets pink and birds flock above the White House lawn. The lights of Trump’s new home glow in the dusk. A row of signs, a quarter mile long, is propped against the chain-link fence that divides him from the marchers: “We will not be silent,” “Pussies Against Patriarchy,” “Keep your tiny hands off the First Amendment”... and on and on.

the phones come out. The buzz begins as the reports pour in about the huge turnout in Madison, in Chicago, on every continent. Kaltenberg says the experience was “completely overwhelming and insane.” But also a little frustrating. “We just kept chanting ‘march, march, march.’ We needed to have the physicality and the symbolism of movement. When they finally said, yes, we are going to march, that was super-cool. My favorite part was being in the midst of everybody with their signs and their chants and the movement and the togetherness.” Lucy Smith, a 17-year-old African American student at Madison College, had never been to a march before and didn’t know what to expect. “It was a lot,” says Smith (no relation to Sarah). “You’ve got the personal and you’ve got the national movement coming together.” As the bus pulls out of the lot for another long night of interstate travel, Smith and I talk about what’s next. The Madison Facebook group, which had been designed to get people to Washington and back, will now become an action center. “I think it definitely has to start on the local level. All of these women have to go back and decide that they want to do something,” says Smith. “A lot of women exchanged numbers, emails; they have these connections all across the U.S.” Smith, like many of her fellow marchers, could not hear or see much of the official action on the stage. It turned out that really didn’t matter. “My favorite part was probably when we were all stuck together and nobody could hear anything,” says Smith. “But this group of women was together and they were talking and they were eating and sharing food. You have this moment with some random strangers — that’s special.” n

T H ER ESA S CA R B RO U G H

THEY AREN’T MARCHING Conservatives say give Trump a chance

BY DYLAN BROGAN

Eileen Bruskewitz thinks protests against Trump are a “tremendous overreaction.”

CA ROLY N FATH

ILEEN BRUSKEWITZ ISN’T SURPRISED

by the massive turnout at the Women’s March on Madison. The former conservative member of the Dane County Board calls the protest “par for the course” in lefty Madison. “There’s a mentality that it’s doomsday and our country is going to hell because Trump got elected. I think that’s a tremendous overreaction,” says Bruskewitz, who voted for the president. “People live in their own echo chambers, and we’ve got a big one in Madison.” Bruskewitz is stunned that Trump is vilified for being “anti-woman.” She points to Trump’s campaign manager Kellyanne Conway — the first woman to run a successful presidential campaign — as an example of the president’s support for women. “He’s got really great women that he’s appointed to his cabinet. His companies have certainly allowed women to rise way up in the ranks. He turns to his daughter [Ivanka Trump] for advice. The idea of

Trump being anti-woman is disproven by the facts” says Bruskewitz. “When I think of what Bill Clinton did in office and what [protesters] latch onto over what Trump has said, they hardly compare.” As an elected official, Bruskewitz says she tried to bring a business perspective to many of the issues facing Dane County. She hopes Trump does the same in Washington. “I don’t agree with him on everything, but that’s one of the reasons why I don’t think [Trump’s] going to be as bad as some people think,” says Bruskewitz. Local rabble-rouser David Blaska — whose Twitter profile states “annoying liberals since 1949” — did not vote for Trump (or Hillary Clinton). He likens the women’s marches seen around the country to a “coping mechanism” for dealing with a new political reality. “I think it’s fine if [the march] makes people feel empowered. Ultimately, it probably isn’t going to change anything. Maybe it tells Trump to be more presidential,” says Blaska. “Personally, I resolve to do what I can on things I can change. That ain’t November 8. Have I given you enough bullshit?” Scott Grabins, chair of the Republican Party of Dane County, is flummoxed by the “sense that no one has ever had to deal with losing an election before.”

“As conservatives, we’ve had a president the last eight years that we felt didn’t represent our views. Yet, you didn’t see the same magnitude of protests,” says Grabins. “President Trump and the Republicans are under the gun right now.... Let’s wait to see what happens in the next 100 days and go from there.” Organizers of the Women’s March on Madison say the demonstration was called to show “support for the community members who have been marginalized by the recent U.S. election.” But Grabins rejects that premise. “A large number of women supported Republicans and supported Trump. There isn’t an anti-woman policy going into place,” says Grabins. “As a whole, I don’t see large groups of people that we are trying to marginalize.” U.S. Rep Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) is looking forward to Trump “shaking things up.” He wished the president didn’t respond to “every famous screwball on Twitter” but doesn’t view Trump as a divisive leader. “Barack Obama was always pushing the race card. He kept bringing Al Sharpton to the White House. You won’t see Trump doing that,” says Grothman. “[Trump] clearly likes everybody, and I think that’s going to come across.” n

THE DARKNESS OF NOON

DEMOCRACY IN CRISIS

A scuffle in the streets near Trump’s inauguration

BY BAYNARD WOODS the corner at 12th Street and Massachusetts Avenue in Washington, D.C., gripping their batons and big canisters of pepper spray, faces obscured behind shields, as nearly 100 activists who have been arrested are cordoned off behind them, waiting to be processed. Protesters line the other side of the street. More and more arrive, chanting, yelling: “Let them go!” A trail of pink smoke cuts through the air. There is the sound of a sting ball grenade, and several officers open up with long orange streams of pepper spray. Many people reported that rubber bullets were also fired.

Now they tackle a woman on the street, and use tall Clydesdale horses to menace anyone getting too close to the tackled protester. “The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country. Their victories have not been your victories; their triumphs have not been your triumphs; and while they celebrated in our nation’s capital, there was little to celebrate for struggling families all across our land.”

BEFORE THE MELEE BEGAN ON JAN. 20, THE streets of D.C. were weirdly empty, a ghost town, nothing like what we had seen in previous years, especially at Obama’s record-setting first inauguration. “We’re not seeing big crowds,” said Lacy MacAuley, an organizer for DisruptJ20 (a

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OZENS OF POLICE OFFICERS BLOCK OFF

“Because, today...we are transferring power from Washington, D.C., and giving it back to you, the American People.” Earlier, a woman who said she lived in the neighborhood, was standing at the battle lines screaming at both sides, her body wrapped in an American flag, her face burned by pepper spray, now caked with milk of magnesia. “Why are you doing this?” she wailed. “For too long, a small group in our nation’s Capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost. Washington flourished — but the people did not share in its wealth.” Holding their billy clubs in both hands at throat level, officers run at people. (Dalton Bennett, a Washington Post reporter, was thrown to the ground).

n COVER STORY collection of groups that came together for the inauguration protests) and a D.C. resident. “We haven’t seen any area where we the protesters don’t outnumber Trump supporters.” The ever-growing fracas in Northwest D.C. around 12th and 13th streets began small enough. I was wandering around at the makeshift headquarters for DisruptJ20. I saw a group of five young people wearing all black start to walk away with purpose. I followed them. They pulled on their masks, but suddenly appeared lost. “Where are they?” they asked. I started to scan the street and saw it, the mass of protesters in similar black shirts they were looking for. We all ran towards them. By the time I reached them, they too were running, chased by police on cycles — motor and bike — swerving almost as if to mow them down. A protester threw a trash can into the street. It rolled into a motorbike, forcing it to stop. A sign from in front of a store went flying through the air. Other officers came in from the other side. The group was cornered. That’s when officers unloaded with the pepper spray

M A R IA M ACH IN E

and the batons — for the first time that day. “What truly matters is not which party controls our government, but whether our government is controlled by the people. January 20, 2017, will be remembered as the day the people became the rulers of this nation again. The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer.” Suddenly, a man appears walking through the crowd, and the mood changes, briefly. “I am the president of America,” the man

says. He is wearing a boot on his head and he has a long gray beard and Rasputin eyes. “I am also an amateur hostage negotiator.” His name is Vermin Supreme and he actually did run for president, as he has since 2004 (he promised a free pony for every American). A little later, the air again filled with pepper spray and what seemed like a gas, he gets right in front of the police line and squawks out the National Anthem through a bullhorn.

THEIR 100-DAY PLAN

“Sting ball” grenades sound around the corner, where the heat of the action has moved. Lines of riot police face the protesters, some of whom throw bricks and concrete. “Officers did not deploy tear gas and did deploy pepper spray and other armaments,” D.C.’s Interim Police Chief Peter Newsham later claims. “A full accounting of the control devices deployed will be made available when we have it.” “The time for empty talk is over. Now arrives the hour of action.” The same multinational corporations Trump railed against in the campaign, had their windows smashed — Starbucks, Bank of America. “So to all Americans, in every city near and far, small and large, from mountain to mountain, and from ocean to ocean, hear these words: You will never be ignored again.” The day ends with a burning limousine in the streets. “Your courage and goodness and love will forever guide us along the way.” n Brandon Soderberg contributed reporting for this article.

Madison activists move beyond despair to concrete action BY JUDITH DAVIDOFF

ISTHMUS.COM JANUARY 26–FEBRUARY 1, 2017

OOKING AROUND THE ROOM AT THE PEOPLE

huddled around a half-dozen tables, John Kalson felt perhaps a bit less anxious. “This is what democracy looks like,” he said. “More than the marches. More than the demonstrations. More than the Facebook posts.” Kalson, who volunteers with Agrace and Habitat for Humanity, among other groups, was taking photos at the community meeting hosted by Leading Locally Madison, designed to launch 100 days of civic activism here; the effort is intended to run parallel to President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office. “It’s a good way for people to alleviate anxieties,” Kalson said. “To start taking action.” More than 250 showed up to the early Saturday morning meeting at 100state, the coworking tech space on West Washington Avenue. Ultimately about a dozen workgroups spread out around the sixth floor, forming action plans on such topics as housing, voting rights, women’s rights and diversity. Ald. Maurice Cheeks called the first meeting of Leading Locally right after Trump clinched the presidency in early November. “The first event was an opportunity to come together and just be around other people,” he said in an earlier interview. “People were in despair coming out of the election.” Cheeks said he organized the meeting to remind people they still had “agency” to shape their own future.

On Saturday, Cheeks was pleased to see the mood upbeat and energetic. “We’re not here to sulk,” he said. “We are here to take action. So the mood I think you see, that I’m feeling, is determination.... People are committed to acting on the agency that they have to shape their community.” Cheeks pulled out his cell phone to check one of the quotes that he keeps at the ready. “The best way to not feel hopeless is to get out and do something.” Source: Barack Obama. Carrie Bohman, a West High social studies teacher since 2004, was part of the housing group. She said she has seen a big uptick in transient and homeless families since 2010. “It breaks your heart,” she says. “How can you learn if you’re so worried about where you’re going to hang your hat at night?” The housing group talked about a wide range of issues, including tax policy, lack of affordable housing, Section 8 waiting lists and the impact of online criminal records on securing an apartment. At one point, though, someone in the group tried to narrow the discussion, reminding everyone of the task at hand. “We are not going to change tax policy in the next 100 days,” said one woman. “What about the bed bug issue or mold?” another asked. “Can we do something in 100 days to pressure landlords to make repairs or do maintenance?” The day wrapped up with a volunteer from each group sharing the group’s action

plans. The idea is for members to stay in touch and meet up again in a month. The whole gang will reconvene in 100 days. The voting groups offered a clear goal: Increase voter participation in Dane County by 10 percent over the last election. The group “Diversifying Madison” announced it had changed its name to “Desegregating Dane.” Its facilitator said the mostly white group was committed to working on its “own stuff,” including trying to understand why different communities are not more connected in Madison. They also planned to volunteer as “worker bees” in organizations led by people of color — “Making sure we are listening, not telling.” The workshop on leadership produced likely future candidates. Half the people in the group indicated they wanted to run for office, said the facilitator. To aid them, the group also created a mentorship program to connect political newbies with elected officials. “I just got more work to do,” said Cheeks, smiling. U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, a Democrat from Dane County, wrapped up the session. “As dark as it can seem...here is the secret weapon you’ve got. It’s you.” He pointed out how congressional Republicans were forced to drop their controversial changes to the Office of Congressional Ethics because the plan provoked such a public outcry. “You all jumped on it,” he said. “They didn’t even put the rule on the floor for a vote.” n

Ald. Maurice Cheeks: “The mood I think you see, that I’m feeling, is determination.”

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winters; others just suffer through them. But this winter’s been a problem for both camps, with little in the way of good snow for outdoor enthusiasts and plenty of cold spells and icy conditions. If you’re counting the days ’til spring, these activities might offer a respite. And they don’t cost a dime, so you can put all your money toward a spring break trip somewhere warm.

Boots are a good idea regardless Pull on your parka and watch for returning migratory birds, identify animal tracks, learn how frozen water sources still support life in the winter and search for the first signs of spring with weekly walks on Sunday afternoons at 1 p.m. at the UW Arboretum. No registration is necessary; meet at the Visitor Center.

Fighting Bob, a brass badger and more Perhaps you’ve rushed in to the Capitol building to use the restroom during the Farmers’ Market or Concerts on the Square, but when’s the last time you took a close look inside this beautiful building? Tours of the Wisconsin Capitol are given multiple times daily (almost every hour on weekdays and Saturdays) and leave from the information desk. Details and a full schedule of tour times is available at legis.wisconsin.gov/about/visit.

Because, stuff Make something with your own two hands with the Makers, Crafters and Doers series at the American Family Dream Bank. Every weekend this winter, the Dream Bank hosts a different DIY workshop, with all instruction and materials provided. Highlights include a Wisconsin-themed wood sign project on Jan. 29 and a pendant-making workshop on CONT INU ED ON PAG E 30

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The hottest bowl in town Morris Ramen brings noodles to the next level BY ALLISON GEYER

MORRIS RAMEN

The Japanese concept of wabi-sabi refers to an aesthetic and worldview that’s all about embracing the beauty of imperfection. Think of it as the opposite of opulence; an approach that favors the simple, the austere, the natural — and the flawed. It’s a fitting vibe for Morris Ramen, the new ramen shop that opened mid-December at 106 King St., the former home of Red Sushi. Co-owned by former Restaurant Muramoto chef Matt Morris, his wife and former 43 North chef Francesca Hong and Madison restaurateur Shinji Muramoto, the cozy little eatery is the latest addition to Madison’s growing ramen scene. During its first month in business, Morris Ramen has proven popular — a bartender tells me they’ve even been running a wait during the lunch hour. And it’s easy to see why. It’s new, it’s novel, impressive people are involved. Plus, what could be better during the freezing Wisconsin winter than a big, steaming bowl of noodles in a spicy-savory broth? In renovating the space, Morris and Hong transformed the sleek look of the former sushi bar into a warm, inviting izakaya setting with space for about 40 diners. The lighted wood paneling on the walls and ceiling is elegant and minimalistic, and handmade light fixtures resembling bird’s nests bring in a touch of nature. The tables are so close that you might bump elbows with a neighbor, but it actually gives a pleasant, communal feel to the place. The menu is small, but focused. There are four types of ramen, plus a rotating chef’s special ramen. I tried the Morris ramen, as it seems to be the restaurant’s flagship bowl. It comes with chashu (slowbraised) pork belly, ajitama (marinated softboiled egg) and menma (fermented bamboo shoots). I loved the flavor and richness of the egg, but the pork belly seemed a bit waterlogged. The noodles themselves are outstanding, cooked to a perfect al-dente.

106 King St. 608-416-5547, morrisramen.com 11 am-2 pm and 5-10 pm Mon.-Fri., 5-10 pm Sat. $3-$13

There’s also a miso ramen, made with fermented soybeans. It’s a bit lighter than the pork broth, with hints of ginger and a satisfying nuttiness. On a return visit, I tried the spicy ramen, which comes with chashu chicken. The texture of the meat was on point, and the flavor was subtle, but the broth was not really “spicy” as advertised. From the “not ramen” section of the menu, I loved the satsuma fries, which are like sweet potato, but denser and more crunchy than other Add ingredients to versions I’ve tried. They come your heart’s content. with gochujang aioli, which LAURA ZASTROW has the unique and almost Those ingredients come standard, but diners indescribable flavor of red chili, fermented can also add toppings. The proteins are self-exsoybeans and rice. Be warned, it’s addictive. planatory (pork, chicken, beef), but the vegetarI also tried the donburi (rice bowl) with beef ian options are listed in Japanese, which makes short rib (the best protein on the menu). It for some fun pre-dinner Googling. There’s nori was okay, but let’s be real: You’re here for (seaweed), moyashi (bean sprouts), kikurage the ramen. (mushroom), aburaage (tofu pocket) and aji The kitchen also does steamed buns — tama. Friendly servers are also happy to explain large enough to share, but they fell a little and make recommendations. short. The buns themselves were under I added mushrooms to my Morris ramen and steamed. Pork belly was overpowered by pickwas pleased with the subtle flavor and crunchy les, although a squash bun was more creative. texture they added to the dish. The broth, which Don’t skip dessert. A hidden gem (it’s not takes several days to prepare, is rich and comlisted on the menu) is a homemade ice cream plex without being too heavy or oily. I loved the sandwich made of chocolate chip cookie bars tonkotsu flavor, but some might find it a bit too and orange-vanilla ice cream. It’s charming smoky. I flavored the dish with a “spicy bomb” and delicious — a description that applies to throughout the meal — highly recommended! the overall Morris Ramen experience. n

Eats events Saturday, Jan. 28

Chef Joel Olson teaches kids to roll, stretch and cut ramen noodles from scratch. Students will also learn to make slow-cooked broth with roast pork and eggs (vegetarian option available). Enroll ($50) by emailing hemmachef@gmail.com. At St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 605 Spruce St., 12:30-3.30 pm.

ChiliOcracy Sunday, Jan. 29

This benefit for WORT 89.9 FM is the only chili cook-off in need of campaign finance reform. Enter as an “Average Joe” ($10) to cast one vote for your favorite entry. Enter as a “Lobbyist” ($20) to have your vote count fivefold and receive a “deluxe spoon.” On the ballot: Harmony Bar & Grill, That BBQ Joint, Green Owl Cafe, Baldwin Street Grille, the Wisco, True Coffee Cafe, 100 Mile Sauce, Mickey’s Tavern, Next Door Brewing and Mid Town Pub. At the Harmony Bar & Grill, 2201 Atwood Ave., 3-6 pm.

Doughnut Pizza (Yep) Monday, Jan. 30

Your chance to try a pizza made out of pillowy doughnut dough. Selection includes smoked mushroom and onion with béchamel sauce, ham and pineapple and classic pepperoni, all locally sourced. Tiramisu doughnuts will also be available for dessert. At Dough Baby Bakery, 511 State St., 5-8 pm.

JANUARY 26–FEBRUARY 1, 2017 ISTHMUS.COM

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Who wrote the book on cheese? Wisconsin figures heavily in the new Oxford Companion BY JANE BURNS

Cheese lovers just got a new bible. The Oxford Companion to Cheese (Oxford University Press) provides details ranging from the technical to the trivial and is, predictably, well-stocked with Wisconsin references. Of the book’s 325 worldwide contributors, at least 10 have state connections, primarily with the Center for Dairy Research on the UW-Madison campus. That doesn’t mean the book is all science. There are also entries for “cheesehead,” for “Monty Python” because of the British series’ famed “Cheese Shop” sketch and even Cheez Whiz. The 244 cheeses that merit mention range from pljevlja of Montenegro to Pleasant Ridge Reserve of Dodgeville. Cheese people of note cut a wide swath from Roman general Pliny the Elder to Myron Olson of Monroe’s Chalet Cheese Cooperative, the sole U.S. manufacturer of limburger. “This is like the new Encyclopedia Britannica of cheese,” says Jeanne Carpenter, who is the cheesemaker liaison for Metcalfe’s Markets and is founder and director of Wisconsin Cheese Originals. “We now have this reference book where you can look up words like ‘acidification,’ and a person with a degree in dairy science has written about it.” Cheese curiosity has advanced to a point where an 849-page book that sells for $60 and includes words like “acidification” can target a general audience. Carpenter has seen the hunger for more information grow for the past five years with the sold-out classes she teaches. She’s added a series of more technical “cheese geek” classes this year, and some that are months away have already sold out. “People want to go down a rabbit hole of one style of cheese, they want to know why a cheddar tastes like a cheddar,” she says, adding that other classes take closer looks at topics such as sheep or goat cheeses or cheese grading. Carpenter wrote 11 entries in the book, including the one on Wisconsin, as well as

specific cheeses (brick, limburger, curds, Pleasant Ridge Reserve) and cheesemakers (Carr Valley, Cedar Grove). Pat Polowsky, a former Center for Dairy Research staffer now in graduate school at the University of Vermont, also sees the Oxford guide as a welcome entry into the cheese library. “It definitely fills a gap,” says Polowsky, who penned two entries. “It had to be written so anyone off the street could pick it up and make sense of it.” Polowsky knows people are in search of cheese details. He created a site, the Cheese Science Toolkit (cheesescience.org), that provides entertaining answers to many cheese questions for (and from) cheesemakers, cheesemongers and even consumers. Oxford guides have been go-to books for other food topics. This one differs a bit by the sheer amount of contributors. Beyond scientists it includes well-known cheese writers such as Gordon Edgar, Janet Fletcher, Laura Werlin and former Isthmus editor and writer Tenaya Darlington. It was edited by Catherine Donnelly, a professor of nutrition and food science at the University of Vermont. ■

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Self-service wine pours at Toot + Kate’s

In high demand Alt Brew’s Kickback Kölsch Kickback is not a kölsch, according to German beer purity laws; however, there’s still plenty of kölsch character. “We wanted to make a very light ale,” says Alt Brew owner Trevor Easton. Kickback’s gluten-free recipe of sorghum and rice does give the beer a light sweetness. But it’s the spiciness of hops that is its most noticeable quality. This isn’t a highly hopped beer, but the use of Mt. Hood, Simcoe and Centennial add to its crisp, sharp profile. With its light body and clean balance, Kickback has become one of Easton’s favorite base beers for infusing other flavors, which he often does on Fridays in the taproom. One of Easton’s favorites for Kickback is to fill his HopRocket with whole-leaf Columbus hops, which amplify the resiny and bitter characteristics of the hops already there. Kickback pairs well with lightly grilled chicken or a fish fry. The light nature of the Kölsch makes it an excellent palate cleanser and pre-meal beer, too. I really like the level of hop character in Kickback; it keeps it clean and balanced. It’s hard to tell the difference between traditional recipes and gluten-free Kickback. It finishes at 5.5 percent ABV and sells for $6/pint and $18/ growler (refill) at the Wright Street taproom.

ISTHMUS.COM JANUARY 26–FEBRUARY 1, 2017

— ROBIN SHEPARD

A self-service wine bar? Its time has come. Kate Biechler shares ownership of Toot + Kate’s, 109 S. Main St., Verona, with her husband, Ryan, and sister, Megan “Toot” Clark. “People are hungry for some nightlife in that area,” says Biechler. While it’s not the only self-service wine in the Madison area — Festival Food’s “Mezz” area also features the technology — it is the only one in a dedicated bar, rather than a supermarket. Toot + Kate’s enomatic wine system, which looks a little bit like a high-tech vending machine, houses 16 wines. The eight whites and eight reds are arranged from sweetest to driest white, and then from lightest-bodied to heaviestbodied red. Each bottle is hooked up to a

tap containing a nitrogen system (to eliminate oxidation) and to a computer that controls the pours. Wines stay fresh for up to 21 days; the system helps eliminate waste. Patrons are given a wine card loaded with $100 after leaving an ID or credit card. They then pick a wine, put a glass under the spout and insert the card. Lastly, there’s a button to push for the size of the pour: a 2.5-ounce taste, a 5-ounce glass or a 7-ounce quartino. At the end of the night, patrons settle the tab by handing in the wine card. Not into wine? Toot + Kate’s has a fullservice bar, craft beers, champagne and sangria (seasonally). Cheese plates, olives and chocolate are also on the menu, along with pairing sugges-

tions. Customers are welcome to bring in their own food, too, as long as it doesn’t compete with anything on the menu. Customers sometimes order takeout from nearby Avantis Italian Restaurant and have it delivered. Nine Vines moscato has been Toot + Kate’s top-selling wine to date. Currently, featured wines include local Wollersheim riesling, Migration Pinot Noir and Tortoise Creek red zinfandel. The shop hosts live music regularly and is available for private parties. — CANDICE WAGENER

Making a raclette The Swiss cheese scrape comes to Madison BY LINDA FALKENSTEIN

So “raclette” is the name of the cheese, a semi-hard cow’s milk version that melts well. “Raclette” is also the name of the dish — melted cheese, scraped off the block and usually served on crusty bread or potatoes. Comfort food for the winter, the dish is suddenly of the moment in Madison. Monthly raclette service at Porter, the new Gilbert Altschul venture at the depot on West Washington, started in late December. Now Fromagination will be featuring raclette daily during the noon hour. “Raclette is rooted in Swiss tradition, and it’s always been in the back of my mind to do,

once I had the right venue for it,” says Altschul. He was also inspired by the raclette cheese produced by Emmi Roth of Monroe. Often raclette is made under a broiler, says Altschul, but he took a different route: “I built my own [cheese] stand and bought a Searzall for my blowtorch.” Porter’s first raclette service, with about 40 tickets, sold out in 48 hours. The next event is slated for Feb. 23. Tickets, $15, get patrons “as much cheese as they want, plus a plate with roasted vegetables and some prosciutto,” says Altschul. James Juedes, a sommelier and co-owner of the forthcoming Casseta Kitchen, is choosing wines for the events, which Altschul wants to keep accessible for experimentation, with

ERIC TADSEN

At Porter, the cheese is melted over roasted vegetables, prosciutto and bread.

smaller pours available. More info is on Porter’s Facebook page. In lieu of its traditional fondue lunches in February, Fromagination will be offering raclette from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Saturday, beginning Feb. 1, with bread, cornichons and other pickled vegetables for $7.50; with a side salad, $10. n

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Feb. 19. Both of these workshops run from noon to 2 p.m. and are taught by local artists. Registration information and details are available at dreamfearlessly.com/dreambank. Two words: short sleeves The Bolz Conservatory at Olbrich Gardens offers a tropical vacation without the plane ticket. Filled with exotic flowers, plants, birds, a waterfall and fish-filled pond, visitors are enveloped in the sights, sounds and smells of a jungly paradise. With a relative humidity of 60 percent and a temperature range of 65-80 degrees, you’ll want to leave your wool sweater in the lobby. Admission to the Bolz Conservatory is free for everyone on Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon. (It’s $2, otherwise.)

UW-Madison’s 27th Annual Writers’ Institute—March 24-26

Agents, Contest, Success Panel, Master Classes with Larry Brooks + others.

19th Annual Write-by-the-Lake Writer’s Workshop & Retreat—June 26-30

14 sections: Children’s Picture Books, Memoir, Creative Nonfiction, Short Stories & Other Fiction, Poetry, Master Class/Full Novels. Keynote: Author Ann Garvin—she got her start here! Experience premier, nationally recognized events when you’re part of the UW-Madison writing community. We’re also just plain friendly and helpful.

For info: Christine DeSmet, christine.desmet@wisc.edu, 608-262-3447

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ISTHMUS.COM JANUARY 26–FEBRUARY 1, 2017

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Nice weather for penguins Cold weather might make you want to hibernate, but many of the animals at the Henry Vilas Zoo are out and about all winter long. Some — like the polar bears and penguins — even seem especially happy to have some snow on the ground. Plenty of indoor exhibits allow you to warm up throughout your visit, and the tropical air of the aviary is an especially nice treat on a cold day. The Henry Vilas Zoo is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bend and stretch Instead of going out for lunch, go inward. With a focus on stress relief, Lunchtime Yoga at Monona Terrace offers a perfect respite in the middle of the workday. Held Mondays and Thursdays through March 9, this class gives participants the chance to work on flexibility, balance and strength. These techniques will help you get through the rest of your day...and the rest of winter. This class is for yogis of all levels; just wear comfy clothes and bring a yoga mat. Sing along Kiddos bouncing off the walls? Every Saturday through April, the Overture Center offers performances on its Rotunda Stage exclusively for kids age 9 and under and their families. On Feb. 11, Yid Vicious heats things up with super-danceable Yiddish music. Madison’s beloved band the Gomers provide live accompaniment to “kid-powered” karaoke on March 4. Whether you perform or just watch, this is guaranteed to be a fun-filled, kid-driven musical extravaganza. Kids in the Rotunda performances are held at 9:30 and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. each Saturday (1 p.m. performances are sign languageinterpreted).

Try broomball at Winter Carnival.

Turkey bowling is a thing A few area festivals dare you to embrace winter instead of trying to escape it. Quirky activities abound at the Hoofers’ Winter Carnival at the UW Memorial Union on Feb. 4. Turkey bowling (which uses a frozen turkey in lieu of a bowling ball), curling with humans as pucks and ice golf are on this year’s line-up. If there’s no snow, they’ll make some For more traditional winter festivities, there’s the Madison Winter Festival Feb. 18-19. This year marks the festival’s relocation from its previous home on the Capitol Square to Elver Park, in connection with a new snowmaking initiative at the park. Ice skating, hockey, snow carving, ice castle building, fat tire biking, snowboarding and snowshoeing events are scheduled. The Edgewater Hotel and Clean Lakes Alliance will again host the Frozen Assets Festival Feb. 3-5. Sleigh rides, a snowshoe run and an ice science lab are among the activities planned. Ring of fire The Lakeshore Nature Preserve stays open all winter long, and iconic Picnic Point is a perfect place for a winter bonfire. Fire rings may be reserved in advance (or just take your chances), and firewood is provided. Bring your friends, a thermos of hot cocoa and some marshmallows to toast. The preserve is open 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Sector67’s iron pour will melt a heart or two.

Reuse, recycle The eighth annual Pour’n Yer Heart Out community iron pour happens on Saturday, Feb. 11 in Sector67’s parking lot, located at 2100 Winnebago St. Two thousand pounds of old bath tubs, radiators and other pieces of junk will be melted down, poured into molds and made into art. The spectacle of glowing molten iron (it gets to temperatures over 2,600 degrees) will be complemented by music and food carts. More information at felionstudios.com/events. ■

n SPORTS

Alternative facts The Packers didn’t implode in the NFC championship BY MICHAEL POPKE

Well, it was fun while it lasted. From the Atlanta Falcons’ 80-yard opening drive in Jan. 22’s NFC Championship Game, it seemed almost certain the Green Bay Packers’ eight-game winning streak was over. What wasn’t clear right away was how embarrassing that ending would be for this organization and its fans. The Falcons dominated the Packers in a 44-21 victory — Green Bay’s third-worst defeat in the team’s 81-year playoff history. Let’s be realistic: Nobody outside of Green Bay’s locker room expected the Packers to advance this far after starting the season at 4-6. And no team in NFL history with that record after the first 10 games of the season ever advanced to the Super Bowl. Injuries decimated the Packers this season, and the team listed 15 guys on its injury report coming into the Atlanta game, compared to only three for the Falcons. Wide receiver Jordy Nelson played with broken ribs, plus quarterback Aaron Rodgers and other players were bit by the flu bug earlier in the week. Green Bay ran the table and won its final six regular-season games to make the playoffs, but as announcer Joe Buck declared at some point during

Sunday’s long and trying afternoon, “We haven’t seen the Green Bay Packers play like this since November.” Now comes the offseason of the players’ discontent, during which they will have time to process how they self-destructed in the NFC Championship Game for the second time in three years. Green Bay was outplayed in every aspect of the game, especially on the defensive side of the ball, as Atlanta racked up nearly 500 total yards. Head coach Mike McCarthy likely won’t be sitting in the same hot seat he was at mid-season, although he’s now 1-3 in NFC Championship Games. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers is another story; if he has a job when training camp opens in late July, the Packers faithful will see red along with green and gold. Atlanta enters Super Bowl LI on Feb. 5 as threepoint underdogs against the New England Patriots, which will play in their 10th Super Bowl despite “Deflategate” quarterback Tom Brady sitting out the first four games of this season. But if Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan (27 of 38 for 392 yards against Green Bay) continues to connect with wide receiver Julio Jones (who caught nine passes for 180 yards), the Falcons will finally win their first Super Bowl. n

Jordy Nelson’s presence helped, but didn’t save the Pack against the Falcons.

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A PHOX farewell Q&A with lead singer Monica Martin BY AARON R. CONKLIN

It’s goodbye for now for PHOX, the indiefolk sextet that rose out of the left fields of Baraboo two-plus years ago to take the world by storm with their self-titled debut. Last October, the band released a statement that it was going on extended hiatus, but not before playing a victory-lap tour that brings them to the Capitol Theater on Feb. 3. Isthmus caught up with lead singer Monica Martin as she killed some time strolling around a mall. You guys have been like a meteor over the past two years. What do you think about when you look back on all of it? Oh, man. Fast. It was a lot. It was really intense a lot of the time. There was a lot of time when you’re waiting, touring, driving. But it’s mostly joy. It was so cool. It’s just gratefulness. We’re all very grateful. When you started, did any of you think it would go like this? No, not at all. I think that my experience was especially strange — I didn’t even want to do music necessarily. I now have the great blessing of seeing how it could be my dream. I don’t think when we were making demos in our house any of us thought that so much great action would come out of it. What started happening is that people started championing us and putting us in touch with other cool opportunities, and we

were in the right place to go with it. It’s been cool and strange. Pick out a high point, if you can. Playing the first Eaux Claires Festival felt really good, maybe like a pinnacle moment. We were there in Wisconsin, we were right by the studio where we made the record. There were so many people there celebrating us. It was crazy. We put a lot of extra work into making that show special. It just felt really meaningful. [Martin tears up a little.] Anything below a four or above a six, and I’m crying. It’s hard for me. When bands go on hiatus, there’s often talk about how the lead singer or songwriter is going to go on to do big things. Given how involved the band members are in various multimedia projects, it kind of feels like you’re all going on to do big things. I got really sick of the narrative — I know why it’s there — of the lead singer leaving the band. I’ve heard that whole thing. Everyone in the band is so talented and has multiple skills; it’s exciting to think about the possibilities. And everyone’s talking about the things they’ll be working on. For me, I’m still writing songs. I want to put out another record myself. I just love singing. Do you feel pressure about that? If I feel pressure, it’s because I perpetually feel scared. I think I do battle a little bit with the narrative we were talking about. A part of it is unnecessary fear that people are going to create

DAVID MICHAEL MILLER

a fantasy narrative or pick the low-hanging-fruit narrative about what happens when bands dismantle. It really doesn’t make a difference to me, and I feel like it’s really juvenile, but I would prefer to be understood. I wish I didn’t have to explain that these things happen really organically. [The hiatus] is something that I’m really trying to embrace, and it’s exciting. I would like to employ a little less thought and worry about what people might think. How are you viewing this upcoming show, knowing it’s the last one for the foreseeable future?

I feel like we’re all approaching it with really big sentiment. We’ve been rehearsing all week. We’re throwing in a song or two we haven’t ended up playing as much. It feels really good. I think we’re going to play some of our favorites, and it’s corny, but we’re going to play two covers we really love — one of a classic from the ’70s and then we’re going to do an R&B song from the ’90s — we’ll leave them as a surprise. We’re going to celebrate each other. It’s really funny — I would probably describe myself as a cynic, but saying that we’re going to go and celebrate our time together feels really real. n

Rockin’ resistance Drive-By Truckers rail against Trump

ISTHMUS.COM JANUARY 26–FEBRUARY 1, 2017

BY TOM WHITCOMB

Patterson Hood is angry. The generally avuncular frontman of Southern rock titans Drive-By Truckers is unfailingly polite, but it’s obvious there is something on the 52-year-old musician’s mind. For one, he’s concerned about President Donald Trump’s nomination of Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions to the position of U.S. attorney general. “I can tell you firsthand what a piece of shit he is,” says Hood, an Alabama native who now lives in Portland, Oregon. “He sucks. He sucked for Alabama. I grew up watching Southerners vote against their best interests. It’s like all the people in Middle America who went out and voted for Trump — do they think he gives a fuck about them? Do they think that billionaire on his gold-painted plane gives a fuck about some steelworker?” It’s brash, but Hood’s worn his political opinions on his sleeve for a long time. So the audience for the Truckers’ show at the Majestic on Jan. 31 should expect an earful. Songs

Patterson Hood, center, is an Alabama native defying stereotypes about Southern rock.

like “Ronnie and Neil” and “Puttin’ People on the Moon” are prime examples, but American Band — the band’s 11th studio album, released last year — ditches the band’s usual allegorical storytelling for an album that is very much of its time. Recorded at the legendary Sound Emporium in Nashville, American Band is as stark as rock

albums get, with songs that directly reference contentious topics like the 2015 mass shooting at a community college in Oregon (“Guns of Umpqua” ) or police officers killing unarmed black men (“What It Means”). “What It Means” may be the most important song of Hood’s career. As Hood

tells the story, in 1995, Edward Wright, a 20-year-old factory worker with a cognitive disability, ran naked into the streets of Athens, Georgia, where Hood once lived. “His mother was worried for him, and called 911 to bring her son back. And he got shot seven times,” says Hood. After police shootings in Ferguson, Missouri, and elsewhere, Hood says he needed to write about that incident to get it off his chest. “I just kind of felt a calling to write about it,” he says. “Hip-hop artists were writing about it and talking about it, but I didn’t really hear anyone who looked like us doing it.” That’s true. There aren’t a lot of middleaged, white, Southern men who tape the words “Black Lives Matter” to their amps, as Hood has done. But these are extraordinary times, says Hood. “It’s a shitty time for America, a shitty time for the world,” he says. “But we’re in a good place in the band. We’re able to channel our energy and our angst into something that hopefully can at least provide a little bit of comfort to somebody.” n

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Columns for posterity

Ma Geiger writes weekly columns for papers in Mount Horeb and Middleton.

The Geiger Counter is a collection of accessible essays BY JANE BURNS

Matt Geiger is terrified most of the time. And he’s fine with that. That’s just life, says the weekly newspaper editor and columnist, and all you can do is sit back and be amused. Geiger’s wry observations form the bulk of the essays in The Geiger Counter: Raised by Wolves & Other Stories (Henschelhaus Publishing), a collection of 44 columns. “The book is about being okay with not fully comprehending what is going on around you,” Geiger says. “I always have that suspicion when people are dead certain about something, they are trying to sell me snake oil. If everyone could be so certain, wouldn’t the world be fixed by now?” Musings of a one-time philosophy major aside, Geiger’s essays are accessible to anyone looking for greater meaning or just a goofy story. His sister performed with a circus, and he eventually went to work in a zoo. He wanted to become a monk for a variety of reasons, including wanting to wear the same clothes every day. As a child he tried to order a monkey in the mail, and his daughter once ate dog food. “I get two responses to the book,” Geiger says. “I hear, ‘I love how you wrote stories

about nothing’ or ‘You’ve had such an exciting life.’ And I think, ‘They read the exact same book.’” Geiger, 37, lives in Mount Horeb and is editor of the Mount Horeb Mail, Middleton Times-Tribune and the News-Sickle-Arrow, which cover Black Earth, Cross Plains, Arena and Mazomanie. Some stories take place in other areas he’s lived — he grew up in New England and also lived in Florida and Alabama. The Geiger Counter bookends his life in all those places. In the first essay, he’s a boy feeling protected by his dad despite a murderer being on the loose. In the last, he is sitting in an emergency room with a sick daughter witnessing the horrible things that life can throw at anyone, including little Hadley (who recovered from her infection and fever just fine). “That’s part of growing up,” he says. “It’s not irrational to be afraid of everything after being alive for several decades.” Geiger’s boss suggested he try his hand at column writing. Readers responded when he wrote personally instead of ranting about things like four-way stops on Parmenter Street. That helped him find his path to becoming the writer he had always wanted to be, complete with “the worst manuscript ever” living on a floppy disc that Geiger vows will never see the

MATTHEW JEFKO

light of day. It does, he says, serve as a reminder that his writing has improved. “I would probably be an insufferable writer if I weren’t a newspaper columnist, especially in a small community because you get that feedback,” he says. “When I go to Miller’s [grocery store] I hear things like, ‘Hey, my daughter’s name was spelled wrong in the volleyball story.’ That keeps you honest.” ■

Matt Geiger will discuss The Geiger Counter: Raised by Wolves & Other Stories at 7 p.m. Feb. 9 at Mystery to Me, 1863 Monroe St., and 2 p.m. Feb. 26 at Arcadia Books, 102 E. Jefferson St., Spring Green.

■ STAGE

Reporting from the war zone The characters in Time Stands Still wrestle with violent realities

ISTHMUS.COM JANUARY 26–FEBRUARY 1, 2017

BY GWENDOLYN RICE

Donald Margulies’ play Time Stands Still is a relevant meditation on violence and the feelings of the transfixed viewer. In Madison Theatre Guild’s nuanced and smartly rendered production, running through Jan. 28 at the Bartell Theatre, four characters experience outrage and helplessness as they are confronted with violent realities in war zones in the Middle East. Their ability to connect or disconnect with those images and the people behind them will drive one couple together and tear another apart. As the play opens, James (Mikhael Farah), a hip 30-something journalist, brings his longtime girlfriend, Sarah, back to their apartment to recover from injuries she received as a photographer in a volatile part of Iraq. The victim of a roadside bomb that killed her “fixer,” Sarah (Autumn Shiley) limps around on crutches, one side of her face riddled with shrapnel, as she chafes at the time it will take for her physical recovery. Shaken by his own horrific memories as a foreign correspondent, James nurses her back to health and tries to assuage his

guilt about coming home from his assignment early after suffering a mental breakdown. The couple are welcomed back to the U.S. by Sarah’s old friend and photo editor Richard (Mark Snowden) and his new love Mandy (Emmaline Friederichs), a supremely uncynical and naïve woman half his age. Over the course of Sarah’s convalescence, the characters take stock of their lives and the responsibility they each bear to expose the horrors of war to the masses. Farah and Shiley are outstanding as a couple at a crossroads, personally and professionally. They talk over each other and comfort each other with a well-worn familiarity. Both actors cover a broad emotional range in their roles and are adept at painting pictures of war for the audience that are evocative and visceral. As Richard, Snowden walks a difficult line: He cares deeply for Sarah and James, but the economic realities of running a magazine mean he commodifies the suffering that his friends record. Tired of contemplating larger questions about responsibility and morality, he retreats into his relationship with Mandy, whose world is uncluttered with such moral conundrums. Conscious of his midlife crisis and trying to em-

DAN MYERS

Autum Shiley plays an injured photographer haunted by images from Iraq.

brace a life of simple pleasures, Snowden plays Richard convincingly as a tired pragmatist. Friederichs brings a surprising amount of life to the throw-away role of Mandy, whose sim-

plistic worldview stands in stark contrast to the three media colleagues. Her connection to her infant daughter at the end of the play is particularly moving, especially because it is an emotional experience the others cannot understand. The play veers off track momentarily at the top of the second act with a hypermeta conversation complaining about the complacent liberals who go to see bad theater about political oppression and pat themselves on the back for being so wellinformed, but it quickly comes back to more character-driven dialogue. The conflicts and emotional arcs in each scene are deftly directed by John Siewert, but his blocking on the wide set (a convincingly cool Brooklyn apartment) is overly complicated. It’s exhausting watching actors in motion almost constantly, and particularly incongruous for Sarah, who is supposed to be recovering from severe injuries. These days, it’s all too common to see images of world conflicts daily on the news and wonder how best to respond. Perhaps seeing this excellent production is a good first step. ■

NS MADISO ST HOTTEE NT V E W E N

WISCONSIN UNION THEATER

INFLGIANT ATAB LE

2 1 &U

THE SELDOMS

CAS H

BAR S

dancing

Jan. 27 & 28, 2017

MAARJA NUUT photo booths

Northern Estonian Fiddler Feb. 4, 2017

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GABRIELA MONTERO, PIANO Feb. 11, 2017

SATURDAY, JANUARY 28 7:00-10:00pm Monona Terrace 21 & UP: $15 ADVANCE/$18 DAY OF EVENT

UNIONTHEATER.WISC.EDU 608.265.ARTS TM

@Isthmus Madison’s Twitter source for news,

February 2-4 & 9-11, 2017 Margaret H’Doubler Performance Space 1050 University Avenue, Madison, WI Campus Arts Box Office $20 general public $15 students & seniors www.uniontheater.wisc.edu 608.265.ARTS UW-Madison Dance Dept presents

events, dining, drinking, recreation, move your body

move the world

sports, and more... university of wisconsin-madison dance department

The Anonymous Fund

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JANUARY 26–FEBRUARY 1, 2017 ISTHMUS.COM

music, movies, theater,

The presentation of PowerGoes by The Seldoms was made possible by the New England Foundation for the Arts’ National Dance Project, with lead funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, with additional support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

PHOTO BY MAUREEN JANSON HEINTZ

One John Nolen Dr., Madison, WI 53703 • PH: 608.261.4000 • TTY: 771 or 800.947.3529 communityevents.mononaterrace.com

n SCREENS

Film events

Ancestral art

All Quiet on the Western Front: The patriotism of a group of young idealists during the first World War is crushed by combat. Verona Library, Jan. 26, 5:30 pm.

Cave of Forgotten Dreams is 3-D gem

Ae Dil Hai Mushkil: A fiercely independent girl and preppy boy bounce off each other after meeting in New York. UW Union South-Marquee, Jan. 26, 6 pm.

BY CATHERINE CAPELLARO

Cave of Forgotten Dreams transports its audience into another world, on an intimate visit to France’s Chauvet Cave, where only a handful of modern humans have ever been. It’s one of the most significant 3-D films to ever hit the screen. I was lucky enough to see it in New York City when it opened in 2010, and the images and feeling of gliding through the caves still haunt me. Our tour guide is the German auteur Werner Herzog, elder statesman of documentary, whose extensive catalogue of more than 50 offbeat (and occasionally soporific) films is not for everyone. But even if you enter the UW Cinematheque screening on Jan. 28 a Herzog skeptic, you’ll see why he inspires passionate devotion. The story behind the story is priceless. Inspired by a New Yorker article, Herzog convinces the authorities he needs to visit the cave in southern France; the site is strictly protected to avoid degradation of the art. Once he sees the wonders within, he decides 3-D is the only way for audiences to experience what it feels like to be inside the cave. After extensive negotiation, Herzog is allowed to bring three people in, and they are limited to four-hour shoots for six days.

Dial M for Murder: Director Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film about an unfaithful wife (Grace Kelly) and plotting husband (Ray Milland). UW Cinematheque 3-D screening, Jan. 26, 7 pm. 13th: Documentary about the relationship of the current prison system to racial inequality. Fountain of Life Covenant Church, Jan. 26, 7 pm (with Justified Anger discussion; RSVP: eventbrite. com/e/30908407880); also, UW South Madison Partnership, Feb. 2, 6 pm (with Justified Art! & GSAFE discussion). Donnie Darko: After surviving a freak accident, Donnie (Jake Gyllenhaal) uncovers secrets of the universe that give him a tempting power to alter time and destiny. UW Union South-Marquee, Jan. 26 (9:30 pm) and Jan. 28 (11 pm). Inferno: A millionaire left to die in the desert (Robert Ryan) plots his revenge, provided he can make it out alive. UW Cinematheque 3-D screening, Jan. 27, 6 pm.

Werner Herzog provides a rare look at some of humankind’s earliest artworks.

They have to don special suits and shoes, and they build custom equipment to minimize the impact on the treasures. The result is mesmerizing. The complex etchings and paintings, created more than 32,000 years ago, jump off the screen. Cave lions, panthers, hyenas, horses and wooly rhinos gallop across the undulating surfaces. There are sten-

ciled handprints and a child’s footprints. A partial “Venus” shows a vulva and legs, which may or may not be connected to a nearby bison head. Cave of Forgotten Dreams is a masterwork that could only have been created by Herzog. When you see it, you’ll understand why the soft-spoken filmmaker was so determined to share the experience. n

BY SEAN REICHARD

ISTHMUS.COM JANUARY 26–FEBRUARY 1, 2017

Gravity: Two astronauts (George Clooney, Sandra Bullock) are thrown into open space by an explosion while repairing the Hubble Space Telescope. UW Cinematheque 3D screening, Jan. 27, 8 pm. The Handmaiden: The new assistant to a Japanese heiress is really a swindler. UW Union South-Marquee, Jan. 27 (8:30 pm), Jan. 28 (8 pm) and Jan. 29 (6 pm).

Cave of Forgotten Dreams: Werner Herzog documentary about Chauvet Cave paintings. UW Cinematheque 3-D screening, Jan. 28, 3:30 pm. See review, opposite.

A Door County couple releases a lighthearted thriller

Perfect Insider: Anime Club screening (RSVP: 246-4548). Hawthorne Library, Jan. 27, 7 pm.

September Storm: Search for sunken gold in the Mediterranean. UW Cinematheque 3-D screening, Jan. 28, 1 pm.

DIY sci-fi The Emissary, a film made by Door County residents Holly and Tim Erskine, is a lighthearted thriller involving dairy, nature, mindfulness, Big Energy and a Polish spaceman — the titular emissary — who’s racing to find a rogue generator before it explodes, taking all of the county with it. Door County’s natural splendors are fully on display, including the shores of Lake Michigan in Newport State Park. But the film was also inspired by the couple’s love for sci-fi. Both Tim and Holly are scienceminded; Tim’s a mechanical engineer and an inventor with more than 60 patents — including one for the top-selling IV catheter in the U.S. — while Holly teaches chemistry. The pair moved to Door County from Utah in 2007. The Emissary (99 minutes) grew out of a 22-minute short film, The Curse of the Tainted Cheese Curds, released in 2010. It took approximately five years to make; most of the work involved post-production matters like sound mixing and computer animation. According to Holly (who also appears in The Emissary), the effort involved in the

Arrival: A languages professor (Amy Adams) must try and interpret an alien language. UW Union South-Marquee, Jan. 27 (6 pm), Jan. 28 (5:30 pm) and Jan. 29 (3 pm).

The film features (from left) Kay Allmand, Mark Moede and filmmaker Holly Erskine.

movie’s computer-animated sequences “is a story unto itself.” When they began the project, they approached the studio that created the special effects for Life of Pi, asking what it would

cost to animate nine seconds of water. “They came back with around 80k, so we gasped for a while and then decided we could do it ourselves,” says Holly. The Erskines built a custom studio in their home to create the animation and ensure the movie would be released in 5.1 Surround Sound, the optimal setup for home cinemas. They also built a model spaceship, which is tucked away in the couple’s garage; after the shooting it ended up as beer and cat food storage. The Emissary premiered at the 2015 Green Bay Film Festival and was screened in Madison at the Threshold on Atwood Avenue on Jan. 13. It is slated to appear at the Door County Film Festival Feb. 17. The filmmakers are seeking additional screenings in Madison, Milwaukee and Chicago. They are also pursuing making The Emissary available as part of on- demand video services. It is available on DVD through The Emissary website and at several retail locations in Door County. These days, Holly is also writing a novelization of The Emissary. She says she is working on it as fast as she can, but isn’t making any promises about when it will be finished. The book will feature cover art and illustrations from Door County artist Ram Rojas. n

House of Wax: A wax sculptor (Vincent Price) presumed killed in a fire reappears with a new exhibit. UW Cinematheque 3-D screening, Jan. 28, 5:30 pm. 3D Rarities: Restored shorts. UW Cinematheque 3-D screening, Jan. 28, 8 pm. Kiss Me Kate: Musical adaptation of The Taming of the Shrew. UW Cinematheque 3-D screening, Jan. 29, 11 am. The True Cost: Slavefree Madison screening of documentary about how the fashion industry affects people and the Earth. Fitchburg Library, Jan. 29, 1:30 pm. Star Wars: Episode VII-The Force Awakens: Director J.J. Abrams creates an intelligent addition to the Star Wars canon. UW Cinematheque 3-D screening, Jan. 29, 2 pm. Groundhog Day: A TV newsman (Bill Murray) lives the same day over and over until he gets it right. Neighborhood House, Feb. 2, 6 pm. Traffic: Stories of the war on drugs from both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, and both sides of the law, are woven together in this film from director Steven Soderbergh. Central Library, Feb. 2, 6 pm. How to Tell You’re a Douchebag: A blogger who has self-styled himself as a Casanova encounters a woman who challenges his attitudes. UW Union South-Marquee, Feb. 2, 7 pm. American Honey: Writer-director Andrea Arnold’s tale of a teenager who runs away with a traveling magazine sales crew. UW Union SouthMarquee, Feb. 2, 9 pm.

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LA LA LAND BEST PICTURE OSCAR NOMINEE - CC & DESCRIPTIVE NARRATION Fri: (1:35, 4:10), 6:55, 9:40; Sat: (11:00 AM, 1:35, 4:10), 6:55, 9:40; Sun: (11:00 AM, 1:35, 4:10), 6:55; Mon to Thu: (1:35, 4:10), 6:55

MOONLIGHT BEST PICTURE OSCAR NOMINEE - CC & DESCRIPTIVE NARRATION Fri: (1:40), 6:55; Sat & Sun: (11:15 AM, 1:40), 6:55; Mon to Thu: (1:40), 6:55

THE EAGLE HUNTRESS Fri & Sat: (4:30), 9:20; Sun to Thu: (4:30 PM) HIDDEN FIGURES BEST PICTURE OSCAR NOMINEE - CC & DESCRIPTIVE NARRATION Fri: (1:40, 4:25), 7:05, 9:45; Sat: (11:10 AM, 1:40, 4:25), 7:05, 9:45; Sun: (11:10 AM, 1:40, 4:25), 7:05; Mon to Thu: (1:40, 4:25), 7:05

LION BEST PICTURE OSCAR NOMINEE - CC & DESCRIPTIVE NARRATION Fri: (1:35, 4:05), 6:50, 9:30; Sat: (11:05 AM, 1:35, 4:05), 6:50, 9:30; Sun: (11:05 AM, 1:35, 4:05), 6:50; Mon to Thu: (1:35, 4:05), 6:50

20TH CENTURY WOMEN OSCAR NOMINATED - CC & DESCRIPTIVE NARRATION Fri: (1:25, 4:15), 7:00, 9:25; Sat: (11:00 AM, 1:25, 4:15), 7:00, 9:25; Sun: (11:00 AM, 1:25, 4:15), 7:00; Mon to Thu: (1:25, 4:15), 7:00

ARRIVAL BEST PICTURE OSCAR NOMINEE - CC & DESCRIPTIVE NARRATION Fri & Sat: 6:45, 9:35; Sun to Thu: 6:45 PM MANCHESTER BY THE SEA BEST PICTURE OSCAR NOMINEE CC & DESCRIPTIVE NARRATION Fri: (1:45 PM); Sat & Sun: (11:00 AM, 1:45); Mon to Thu: (1:45 PM)

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Amenity Fees Vary With Schedule - ( ) = Mats. www.sundancecinemas.com/choose LOCATED AT HILLDALE MALL 608.316.6900 www.sundancecinemas.com Gift Cards Available at Box Office

Showtimes subject to change. Visit website to confirm Closed captioning and descriptive narrative available for select films

Showtimes for January 27 - February 2

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JANUARY 26–FEBRUARY 1, 2017 ISTHMUS.COM

The Central Gods in the Chrysalis 31 Fin Zipper / Moonchyld

tart asses s New cl or 22nd. st Feb. 21

The People Brothers Band The Big Wu

tue jan

wed feb

Hosted by Madison Youth Choirs in partnership with Madison Metropolitan School District.

Even you can make a Stained Glass panel!

BEAR'S DEN

fri jan

sun jan

608-238-SING (7464)|madisonyouthchoirs.org

Pursue Your Dreams

701A E. Washington Ave. 268-1122 www.high-noon.com thu jan

Youth. Community. Music Education.

Postmodern Jukebox Sunday, Jan. 29, Orpheum Theater, 8 pm Imagine hits from the likes of Miley Cyrus, Radiohead, Beyoncé and OutKast turned into soul, swing or doowop tunes. Postmodern Jukebox, the wildly popular brainchild of composer/ arranger Scott Bradlee, pulls together talented performers for imaginative mashups that transcend genre and period. It’s swanky and surreal. Case in point: PMJ’s cover of Lorde’s “Royals” sung by “Sad Clown With the Golden Voice.” We guarantee you haven’t seen or heard anything quite like it.

thu jan 26 MU S I C

Bear’s Den

picks

ISTHMUS.COM JANUARY 26–FEBRUARY 1, 2017

Bos Meadery: Hoot’n Annie, string band, free, 6:30 pm. Brink Lounge: Madison Jazz Orchestra, 7:30 pm. Cardinal Bar: DJ Chamo, Latin, 10 pm. The Frequency: That 1 Guy, 9 pm. Ivory Room: Nicky Jordan, Connor Brennan, free, 9 pm. Mason Lounge: Major Vistas, jazz/improv, 8:45 pm. Ohio Tavern: Mal-O-Dua, French/Hawaiian, 6:30 pm. Orpheum Theater: Led Zeppelin 2, 7 pm. Tip Top Tavern: Sam Ness, Auburntown, free, 9 pm. Twist: Darren Sterud & the NBD Trio, jazz, 5 pm. Wisconsin Historical Museum: Chris Vallillo, “Oh Freedom! Songs of the Civil Rights Movement,” 6:30 pm.

South Pacific: Musical by Verona Area Community Theater, 7:30 pm, 1/26-28, Verona Area High School Performing Arts Center. $16. vact.org. Time Stands Still: Madison Theatre Guild, 7:30 pm on 1/26-27 and 2 pm, 1/28, Bartell Theatre. $20. 661-9696. The Full Treatment: Dark comedy, 1/13-2/4, Broom Street Theater, at 8 pm Thursdays-Saturdays. $11. 244-8338.

T HE ATER & DANCE

COM EDY

Daumier Lithographs: Characters & Caricatures: 12/23-2/19, Chazen Museum of Art (lecture by Andrew Stevens 5:30 pm, 1/26). 263-2246.

fri jan 27 MUS I C

Phantom of the Opera Thursday, Jan. 26, Overture Hall, 2 & 7:30 pm

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s epic musical about the masked figure who haunts the Paris Opera House has played on Broadway for 28 years, and its popularity shows no signs of abating. The Chicago Sun Times called this touring production “extraordinarily opulent.” ALSO: Friday (8 pm), Saturday (2 & 8 pm), Sunday (1 & 6 pm), and Tuesday-Thursday (7:30 pm), Jan. 27-Feb. 2. Through Feb. 5.

Bryan Miller

Outside Mullingar

Thursday, Jan. 26, Comedy Club on State, 8:30 pm After quitting his job as a newspaper editor to take a swing at standup, Miller, in his first year, was a finalist in Acme’s Funniest Person in the Twin Cities comedy competition. Then he was spotted by Craig Ferguson himself, which netted a performance on Ferguson’s show in 2012. Since then, Miller has opened many times for the NPR comedy variety show Wits, and he has toured extensively, enrapturing audiences with tales about his weird wife, his concept for a “vegetarian compromise” restaurant, and prescription-strength jump ropes. With Robert Baril.

Thursday, Jan. 26, Overture Center Playhouse, 7:30 pm

ART EXHIBITS & EV ENTS

Thursday, Jan. 26, High Noon Saloon, 8 pm

Like their English countrymen in Mumford & Sons, Bear’s Den specializes in a brand of folk rock that makes you want to stomp your feet. But unlike Mumford, Bear’s Den makes music that’s contemporary, combining clear indie rock influences with a campfire folk sound. Their most recent album, Red Earth & Pouring Rain, was released in 2016. With Gill Landry of scene staples Old Crow Medicine Show.

PICK OF THE WEEK

Forward Theatre Company will bring a little piece of Ireland to Madison with John Patrick Shanley’s Tony-nominated play. It’s a quirky love story focused on two aging, introverted misfits — a rural cattle farmer and the woman who lives next door — and their struggle to find happiness by overcoming family rivalries and a bitter land feud. ALSO: Friday-Saturday (7:30 pm) and Sunday (2 pm), Jan. 27-29. Through Feb. 12.

Re-Riding History: From the Southern Plains to the Matanzas Bay: Works retracing the forced relocation of 72 American Indians in the 1800s, 1/26-2/26, Edgewood College-The Stream Gallery (reception 5-7:30 pm, 1/26). Related exhibits by John Hitchcock (screen prints) and of Ho-Chunk baskets also open 1/26. 663-3252. Felipe Hernandez: Wire art, reception 7 pm, 1/26, Yellow Rose Gallery. artonstate.com. Holy Mountain: Icons from Mount Athos and Photographs by Frank Horlbeck: 1/27-3/26, Chazen Museum of Art (lecture by Thomas Dale 5:30 pm (Elvehjem L140) & reception 6:45-8 pm, 1/26). 263-2246.

Wax Tailor Friday, Jan. 27, Majestic Theatre, 9 pm

Wax Tailor is a mad scientist. The French beatsmith has spent a career crafting trippy, undulating beats that toe the line between downtempo electronica and hip-hop. (Well, as much hip-hop as dense choral and orchestral arrangements or performances with the National Symphonic Orchestra of Colombia will allow.) This isn’t some dude with a laptop, folks — this is an artist. With L’Orange.

Ladyscissors + Venus in Furs Friday, Jan. 27, Tip Top Tavern, 10 pm

This twin bill of local rockers should likely cause the tables to be bumped to make way for an impromptu dance floor in Tip Top Tavern’s cozy confines. Ladyscissors brings jangly, spiky garage pop, and features Stephanie Rearick leading the band from behind the drum kit. Venus in Furs plays surf-tinged punk rock custom-made for jumping around to.

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■ ISTHMUS PICKS : JAN 27 - 29

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T H EAT ER & DA N C E

Brazilian Carnaval Kickoff Friday, Jan. 27, Cardinal Bar, 5:30 pm

The Cardinal Bar will transition to new ownership following this weekend, so it’s a good time to celebrate at the Bird in its current incarnation — and say thank you to longtime owner Ricardo Gonzalez for his steadfast support of the local activist and music communities. The party starts at happy hour with Dave Irwin and friends, and continues until bartime with performers including Madison Choro Ensemble, Ótimo Brazilian Dance (pictured), Grupo Balança, Samba Novistas, Los Chechos and Dr. Beatz. Arts + Literature Lab: Goran Ivanovic Trio, 8 pm.

Mon-Fri 4-6pm 1/2 Price Margaritas Every Monday & Tuesday, ALL DAY!

Brink Lounge: Jackie Bradley (CD release), 7:30 pm; Dan Law & the Mannish Boys, blues, 9 pm. Brocach Irish Pub-Monroe Street: The Currach, free, 6 pm Fridays. Chief’s Tavern: Cool Front with Jon French, 6:30 pm. Club Tavern, Middleton: Best Practice, free, 9 pm. Delaney’s: Bob Kerwin & Doug Brown, free, 6 pm. Frequency: Huey Mack, Keag, Knick Symo, 8:30 pm.

Louisianne’s, Middleton: Johnny Chimes, New Orleans piano, free, 6:30 pm Fridays-Saturdays. Liquid: Davilla, 10 pm.

Tom Segura: 8 pm, 1/27, Barrymore. Sold out. 241-8633.

Harmony Bar: Coyote, Left Field, 9:45 pm. High Noon Saloon: Sean Michael Dargan & Dan Kennedy, Girls Are Go, 5:30 pm; People Brothers Band, The Big Wu, 9:30 pm. Hody Bar, Middleton: Your Mom, free, 9 pm. Hop Haus Brewing, Verona: Squirrel Gravy, free, 7 pm. Ivory Room: Josh Dupont, Peter Hernet, Lindsay Everly, dueling pianos, 8 pm. Lakeside Street Coffee House: Madison Classical Guitar Society Showcase, free, 7 pm.

Olbrich Gardens: DJs Surf ‘n Turf, 7 pm. Orpheum Theater: The Cadillac Three, 8 pm. Overture Center-Capitol Theater: Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, works by Mozart, Castelnuovo-Tedesco & Bruckner, with Ana Vidovic, guitar, 7:30 pm. Red Rock Saloon: Shotgun Jane, country/rock, 10 pm. ISTHMUS.COM JANUARY 26–FEBRUARY 1, 2017

Roy Wood Jr. Friday, Jan. 27, Comedy Club on State, 8 & 10:30 pm You may have seen Wood on The Daily Show as a regular correspondent, or maybe on one of his regular appearances on Conan. Now you have a chance to see what Entertainment Weekly calls his “charismatic crankiness” live. Wood uses his acidic wit to dissect common issues, and his routine on how to apply cell phone company “customer retention” services to girlfriends will have even the grumpiest audience members rolling in the aisle. With Tony Baker, Dan Bacula. ALSO: Saturday, Jan. 28, 8 & 10:30 pm.

Gray’s Tied House, Verona: Back2Back, 6 pm.

Mickey’s: The Vipers, Seeking Machines, 10:30 pm.

CO MEDY

Bos Meadery: Lonesome Willie Jones & His Dime Store Posse, country, free/donations, 6:30 pm.

Madison Country Day School, Waunakee: MCDS Jazz Showcase, tribute to 20th century voices, 6:30 pm.

Rex’s Innkeeper, Waunakee: Back 40, 8:30 pm.

EAST WASH.

Friday, Jan. 27, UW Memorial UnionFredric March Play Circle, 8 pm Lyndon Baines Johnson may not be the first person one thinks of as an inspiration for choreography, but Chicago troupe the Seldoms are going to change that. “Power Goes” uses dance theater to consider the LBJ presidency in the context of both 1960s history and current-day fights for equality and social change. ALSO: Saturday, Jan. 28, 8 pm.

Babe’s Restaurant: Richard Shaten, 8:30 pm Fridays.

Essen Haus: Steve Meisner, polka, free, 8:30 pm.

Happy Hour

The Seldoms

Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Middleton: John Widdicombe & Cliff Frederiksen, jazz, 6 pm. Tuvalu Coffee, Verona: Broken Wheel, free, 7 pm.

1344 E. Washington Ave. Madison, WI • 608.819.8002

Up North Pub: Derek Reynolds, free, 8 pm.

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VFW-Cottage Grove Road: Universal Sound, classic rock, 7:30 pm.

UW Union South-The Sett: The Lemon Twigs, Savoy Motel, Opa Yeti, free, 9 pm.

Wil-Mar Center: Stephen Lee Rich, Tom Kastle, 8 pm.

Movie Hell: Movie commentary by Guy Fien, Anthony Siraguse, Cynthia Marie, guest James Cortlett, 8 pm, 1/27, Fountain. 250-1998.

DA N C I N G Folk Ball Festival: Annual performances, workshops, jam sessions & dancing, 1/27-29, UW Union South. Donations encouraged. Schedule: facebook.com/ Madison-Folk-Ball-825492254169523. 241-3655.

S PEC TATO R S PO RTS UW Wrestling: vs. Penn State, 7 pm, 1/27, Field House. $5. 262-1440. UW Women’s Hockey: vs. Minnesota State, 7 pm on 1/27 and 3 pm, 1/28, LaBahn Arena. $5. 262-1440. Mad City Pond Hockey Championships: 1/27-29, Esser Pond, Middleton. madcitypondhockey.com. 698-0073.

S PEC I A L I N T ERESTS Dream Home Showcase: Madison Area Builders Association showcase with exhibits & seminars, 1/2729, Alliant Energy Center. $5. maba.org. 288-1133.

SEARCH THE FULL CALENDAR OF EVENTS AT ISTHMUS.COM

sat jan 28 MU SI C 1855 Saloon, Cottage Grove: Robert J, free, 7 pm. Bos Meadery: Durango McMurphy, donations, 7 pm. Brink Lounge: Samba Novistas, 9 pm. Cardinal Bar: DJ Chamo, Latin, 8 pm. Cargo Bike Shop: Casey Day, family concert, free, 9 am Saturdays. Club Tavern, Middleton: Madison County, 9 pm. Come Back In: Old Tin Can String Band, free, 9 pm. Crystal Corner Bar: Blythe Gamble & the Rollin’ Dice, 9:30 pm. Essen Haus: Steve Meisner, polka, free, 8:30 pm. The Frequency: Fall II Rise, Left of Reason, One Time Hero, Disappearance, 8 pm. Harmony: The Lower 5th, Gin Mill Hollow, 9:45 pm. Hody Bar, Middleton: The Dots, free, 9 pm. Ivory Room: Michael Massey, Andy Schneider, Connor Brennan, dueling pianos, 8 pm. Liliana’s: Cliff Frederiksen & Kevin Frederiksen, 6:30 pm. Liquid: DJay Mando, 10 pm. Luther Memorial Church: St. Olaf Choir, 7:30 pm. Mickey’s: The Garza, Twitchard, free, 10:30 pm. Rex’s Innkeeper, Waunakee: Back 40, 8:30 pm. Sconnie Bar: Dirty Walter & the Fellas, free, 9 pm. Steinway & Sons: UW Music Teachers National Association Graduate Students, classical, free, 7 pm. Tip Top Tavern: Emerald Grove, free, 10 pm. Tricia’s Country Corners, McFarland: Undercover, classic rock, 9 pm. Tuvalu Coffee, Verona: Common Chord, free, 7 pm. UW Memorial Union-Der Rathskeller: Post Animal, Post Social, Melkweed, free, 9 pm. UW Union South-The Sett: Pat McCurdy, free, 9 pm.

T HE AT ER & DA N C E

BARRYMORE

COME DY Monkey Business Institute: Improv: all ages, 5:30 pm; and 8 pm & 10:30 pm Saturdays, Glass Nickel-Atwood. $12-$5. 658-5153.

FUN D RAI S ERS Shoe the Zoo: Snowshoe lessons, 11 am & 1 pm, 1/28, Vilas Park. $20 (half donated to zoo). RSVP: fontanasports.com. 662-9711. Fun on Ice: River Food Pantry fundraiser, 1-3 pm, 1/28, East Side Club, with music by The Fancy Pears, UW Marching Band, Bucky Badger visit, raffle, food presents & drink. Donations. riverfoodpantry.org. 442-8815. Loud in the Library: Mardis Gras themed fundraiser, 7-10 pm, 1/28, Monona Library, with live music by the Dixie Sizzlers, raffle, food & more. $25 ($20 adv). mymonona.com/1122. 222-6127. Freeze for Peace: Colombia Support Network & Madison-Rafah Sister City Project run/walk fundraiser, noon, 1/28, Vilas Park shelter (registration 11 am). $25 ($35/both). RSVP: freezeforPeace.itsyourrace.com.

Bounce: Inflatables, DJs Surf ‘n’ Turf, cash bar, 7-10 pm, 1/28, Monona Terrace. $18 (ages 21+ only). RSVP: eventbrite.com/e/30354768931. 261-4000.

Tickets: $38 adv, $45 d.o.s. / Gold Circle VIP: $115 advance (incl. Early Entry & Preferred Seating, meet and greet w/ John). All tickets for the Dec. 16 show will be honored. General Admission – All Seated Show.

The 6th Annual End Of The World Tour

DAN CI N G Cabin Fever Square Dance: Potluck 6:15 pm, dance 7 pm, 1/28, Wil-Mar Center, with music by Grandpa’s Elixir. $7. facebook.com/grandpaselixir.

KI D S & FAM ILY Kids in the Rotunda: Free performance by Black Star Drum Line, 9:30 am, 11 am & 1 pm, 1/28, Overture Center-Rotunda Stage. 258-4141. Polar Dash: All ages invited to pull plush bears on a sled, 10 am-noon, 1/28, UnityPoint Health-Meriter Monona Clinic, plus indoor activities. Free. 417-3000. University Houses Preschool Open House: 3-5 pm, 1/28, 6033 Odana Rd. Free. 238-3955.

POL I T I CS & ACTIV ISM

CHRISTOPHER TITUS with special guest RACHEL BRADLEY

General Admission - Seated Show Tickets: $28 / VIP tickets: $38 (incl. early entry and preferred seating) The Barrymore Theatre presents

Fight for Economic Justice in Trump’s America: Student Labor Action Coalition rally for $15 minimum wage, 2 pm, 1/28, outside Gordon Commons. facebook.com/events/1812385985698596.

SUN. FEB. 12 - 1:00PM The 16th Annual

UNITED WAY

BLUEGRASS BENEFIT

Cork ‘N Bottle String Band Madfiddle & Highway 151 The Soggy Prairie Boys Sparetime Bluegrass Old Tin Can String Band Dave Landau $10 Adults • $5 Children 5-12 • Children Under 5 Free Maximum Family Cost $20 • Tickets on sale by phone, online or at door only

SAT. FEB. 25 - 8:00PM

Confirmed Entertainment presents

D.R.A.M. Sunday, Jan. 29, Majestic Theatre, 8 pm

In all that he does, singer/rapper D.R.A.M. exudes contagious joy. His influence first hit the mainstream airwaves in 2015 when his single “Cha Cha” was the basis for Drake’s “Hotline Bling.” These days, the Virginia native has a lot more to be happy about: The success of his double-platinum single “Broccoli” and his terrific 2016 album Big Baby D.R.A.M. have propelled him from the underground to Top 40. Show up early for supporting sets by fellow names-toknow River Tiber and Nebu Kiniza.

➡

A PARODY OF LOVE, FRIENDSHIP AND SHOES

$30 adv, $35 dos

Written by KERRY IPEMA & TJ DAWE Tickets on sale at Sugar Shack, Star Liquor, MadCity Music, B-Side, Frugal Muse, Strictly Discs, the Barrymore, online at barrymorelive.com or call & charge at (608) 241-8633.

JANUARY 26–FEBRUARY 1, 2017 ISTHMUS.COM

SP ECI A L EV EN TS

JOHN WATERS

UW Men’s Tennis: vs. Valparaiso, noon, 1/28; vs. South Dakota State, 5 pm, 1/28, Nielsen Stadium. 262-1440.

Saturday, Jan. 28, Majestic Theatre, 9 pm

Robin Lee: “2016 (a retrospect),” photographs, writing & performances, 3-10 pm, 1/28, Starkweather Club, 72 N. Bryan St. Donations. 444-9052.

Get Ready for Valentine’s Day!

FRI. FEB. 10 - 8:00PM

Fire Ball 9: The Nine Muses

A RT EX H I B I TS & E VE N TS

a Date with

S PECTATOR SP ORTS

MUS I C

Dance Wisconsin: “A Choreographer’s Showcase II,” 7:30 pm, 1/28, Overture Center. $25. 258-4141.

2090 Atwood Ave. (608) 241-8864

FRI. FEB. 3 - 8:00PM

sun jan 29

Expect a stimulating spectacle at this annual event featuring burlesque performers, aerialists, drag artists and more. Locals Cycropia Aerial Dance, Mercury Stardust and Jake Posateri (burlesque), Pyro and Penumbra (fire spinning/dance group) and Vertigo Bellydance are joined by out-oftown performers, including emcee Miss Tamale from Chicago. A dance party with DJ Boyfrrriend follows the performances.

THEATRE

n ISTHMUS PICKS : JAN 29 - FEB 2 L ECT URE S & SEM INARS

Crystal Corner Bar: Bing Bong, rock, free, 9 pm. Harmony Bar: David Landau, 5:30 pm Mondays. High Noon Saloon: Tuesday Night Squad, 7 pm. Malt House: Lonesome Willie Jones & His Dime Store Posse, free, 7:30 pm. Up North Pub: Craig Baumann, soul, free, 7 pm.

COM EDY JT Habersaat, Kristin Ryan, Anthony Siraguse: 7:30 pm, 1/30, Argus Bar Grille. Free. 256-4141.

Schubertiade Sunday, Jan. 29, UW Humanities-Mills Hall, 3 pm

This annual concert by Mead Witter School of Music faculty and students celebrates the life and music of Romantic composer Franz Schubert, along with the spirit of musical collaboration embodied in the school’s many performances throughout the school year. Special guest Emily Birsan (pictured), a soprano and UW alumna acclaimed on stages worldwide, will sing Schubert’s Epistle to Josef von Spaun, among other works. Brink Lounge: Go Play God, Lucas Cates Band, No. 27, Kirstie Kraus, Daniel Anderson & Katie Gaynor, Adam Beck & Amber Dawn, Holly Anderson benefit, 2 pm. The Frequency: Tom Kastle (album release), Emily Mills, Chelsea Shephard, Daithi Wolfe, Kevin Clark, Emily Morrison-Weeks, Kierstyn Torres, Stephen Lee Rich, 7 pm. Java Cat: Nick Matthews, free, 9 am Sundays; Jeff Larsen, free, 1 pm.

Black Joy with Issa Rae Sunday, Jan. 29, Union South-Varsity Hall, 6 pm

From her viral web series “Awkward Black Girl” to her acclaimed HBO show Insecure to her bestselling memoir The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, Issa Rae has vaulted from internet darling to Hollywood celebrity in just a few years. In this event hosted by the milennial social club Intellectual Ratchet, she’ll talk about “black joy” and how to create a successful YouTube video.

mon jan 30

P OLITICS & ACTIV ISM No Child Behind Bars: Living Resistance from the U.S. to Palestine: Friends of Sabeel-North America speaking tour by activists Ahed Tamimi, Amanda Weatherspoon, Nadya Tannous & Alix Shabazz, 7 pm, 1/30, Urban League. madisonrafah.org. Our Wisconsin Revolution: Meeting of democraticpopulist group, 6 pm, 1/30, Central Library. ourwisconsinrev.com.

tue jan 31 M USIC

Alchemy Cafe: Boo Bradley, blues, free, 10 pm. Bandung: Louka, 7 pm. High Noon: Mr. Jackson, Tippy, Dividing Line, 8 pm. Malt House: The North Westerns, free, 7:30 pm.

CO MEDY

Madison’s Funniest Comic Wednesday, Feb. 1, Comedy Club on State, 9 pm

It’s where the city’s best and brightest compete for the crown and banner of “Madison’s Funniest Comic.” In an arduous six-week competition, dozens upon dozens of aspiring funny folk are whittled down until just one remains. The first of two preliminary rounds kicks off the contest with a night’s worth of stellar jokes and hot takes. The competition is based on both judge and audience votes, so be a part of making somebody’s dream come true (or killing it mercilessly — not everyone can be funny) every Wednesday until the finals on March 8.

Liliana’s: Cliff Frederiksen, free, 10:30 am.

Mark Speltz: Discussing “North of Dixie: Civil Rights Photography Beyond the South,” his new book, 7 pm, 2/1, Middleton Library. 831-5564.

Liquid: Rich The Kid, Knick Symo, DJay Mando, Jordan Marsh, 9 pm.

L EC T URES & S EMI N A RS

Orpheum: Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox, 8 pm.

Twenty One Pilots

Sequoya Library: Craig Mason Combo, free, 1:30 pm.

Tuesday, Jan. 31, Alliant Center-Coliseum, 7 pm

Tip Top Tavern: Open Mic, 9 pm Sundays. Tricia’s Country Corners, McFarland: Frank James & Jackie Marie, 3 pm Sundays. UW Memorial Union: Jesse McCartney, sold out, 8 pm.

Cherry Glazerr

B OO KS / S P O K EN WORD

Monday, Jan. 30,Memorial Union-Rathskeller, 8 pm

Jerry Apps: Discussing “Never Curse the Rain: A Farm Boy’s Reflections on Water,” 2 pm, 1/29, Midvale Community Lutheran Church. 283-9332. Winter Festival of Poetry: “Under The Willow,” readings by Judith Zukerman, Jo Scheder, Kathy Miner, Marilyn Annucci, Jacki Martindale, Lori Lipsky, 2 pm, 1/29, Fountain. 242-7340.

SP EC I A L I N T ER E STS

Los Angeles has become a hotbed for pop acts in recent years, but few have enjoyed a quicker rise than Cherry Glazerr. The coed trio specializes in a lo-fi, fuzzy indie pop sound that quickly won them attention from tastemaking label Secretly Canadian, which released their album Apocalipstick this year. With fellow Angelenos Slow Hollows.

Gear & Beer Fest: Local sellers with music/band equipment, 2-6 pm, 1/29, Art In. Free admission. facebook.com/events/223502488095145.

A RT EX H I B I TS & E VE N TS Ruthanne Bessman: “In the Fold,” origami, 1/22-3/5, UW Nancy Nicholas Hall-Mecklenburg Reading Room (reception 1-3 pm, 1/29). 262-8815.

ISTHMUS.COM JANUARY 26–FEBRUARY 1, 2017

MUS I C

B O O KS

MUS I C

Mickey’s Tavern: Open Mic, 10 pm Sundays.

wed feb 1

Rumi O’Brien: “Crossing Mountains and Other Adventures,” story quilts, 1/22-3/5, UW Nancy Nicholas Hall-Ruth Davis Design Gallery (reception 1-3 pm, 1/29). 262-8815.

FU N D RA I S ER S Country Breakfast: Choral Boosters annual fundraiser, 9:30 am-1 pm, 1/29, Middleton High School, with music by student performers, silent auction. $10 ($5 ages 10 & under). 239-2808. Chiliocracy: Chili cookoff benefit for WORT-FM, 3-6 pm, 1/29, Harmony Bar. $20/$10 to vote. 249-4333. Charity Disc Golf Tournament: Second Harvest Foodbank benefit, noon, 1/29, Yahara Hills Disc Golf Course (registration 11 am). $20. 261-9295.

Dinosaur Pile-Up Monday, Jan. 30, The Frequency, 7:30 pm The first thing you notice about Dinosaur Pile-Up is the name, which is undeniably hilarious. The talented English alt-rockers are ’90s throwbacks, taking sonic cues from groups like Foo Fighters, Weezer and Pavement, and have shared stages with beloved indie stars like Brand New and the Pixies. That’s a solid pedigree for a band whose name was inspired by the Jack Black remake of King Kong. With Faux Fiction, Township.

From seemingly nowhere (okay, Columbus, Ohio), Twenty One Pilots has spent the past year becoming one of the biggest bands on the planet. The alt-rock/hip-hop hybrid had a huge 2016, scoring major hits with the songs “Ride” and “Heathens,” and embarking on the massive Emotional Roadshow World Tour, which visits the Coliseum for a sold-out show. With Jon Bellion, Judah & the Lion.

Culinary History Enthusiasts of Wisconsin (CHEW): Meeting, with talk “Colby: The Comeback Kid” by Jeanne Carpenter, 7:15 pm, 2/1, Goodman Community Center. 836-1368. How Our Identities Emerge From Our Struggles: A Talk About Love: Wisconsin Union Directorate’s Distinguished Lecture Series talk by activist/writer Andrew Solomon, 7:30 pm, 2/1, UW Memorial Union-Shannon Hall. 890-4439.

thu feb 2 MUS I C

Drive-By Truckers

Chief’s Tavern: Hoot’n Annie, string band, free, 8:30 pm.

Tuesday, Jan. 31, Majestic Theatre, 7:30 pm Anchored by the perceptive, piercing songwriting of Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley, DriveBy Truckers have long been one of America’s best rock bands. They assume the mantle as perhaps the best with their 11th studio album, the 2016 release American Band, a directly political statement from a group that’s never shied from making a point. Their records are great, but they built their rep with intense live shows, so each visit is a cause for celebration. With Kyle Craft. See story, page 32.

The Frequency: Keon Andre, Distant Cuzins, Convincing Jane, Late Harvest, DJ 40 Rounds, 9 pm. High Noon: Kind Country, Armchair Boogie, 8:30 pm. Mickey’s: Mal-O-Dua, French swing/Hawaiian, 5:30 pm. Twist Bar and Grill: Madison Red & the Band That Time Forgot, jazz, free, 5 pm. UW Memorial Union-Fredric March Play Circle: Musical Theatre Open Mic with Four Seasons Theatre, free, 7 pm.

T H EAT ER & DA N C E

Come Back In: WheelHouse, free, 5 pm Tuesdays.

UW Dance Department: “Neither East Nor West,” faculty concerts, 8 pm on 2/2-3 & 9-10 and 2:30 pm, 2/4 & 11, Lathrop Hall H’Doubler Space. $20. 265-2787.

Free House Pub, Middleton: The Westerlies, Irish, free, 7:30 pm Tuesdays.

CO MEDY

Alchemy Cafe: Ted Keys Trio, free, 10 pm Tuesdays.

Frequency: Rainbow Kitten Surprise, sold out, 8 pm. High Noon Saloon: The Central, Gods in the Chrysalis, Fin Zipper, Moonchyld, 8 pm. Louisianne’s, Middleton: Johnny Chimes, New Orleans piano, free, 6 pm Tuesdays-Wednesdays. Mason Lounge: Five Points Jazz Collective, free, 9 pm Tuesdays. Up North Pub: Pat Ferguson, free, 8 pm.

Chad Daniels, Halli Borgfjord, Martin Henn: 8:30 pm on 2/2 and 8 & 10:30 pm, 2/3-4, Comedy Club on State. $15-$10. 256-0099.

B O O KS / S PO K EN WO RD Meredith Russo: Discussing “If I Was Your Girl,” her book, 6 pm, 2/2, Middleton Library. 827-7402. Poetry Open Mic: 6:30 pm, 2/2, Central Library. 266-6350.

SAT, JAN 28 H 9PM H $7

Government Zero

418 E. Wilson St. 608.257.BIRD cardinalbar.com

THANK YOU

MA D I SON ! THURSDAY 1/26

MADISON PUNK ROCK with special Guests

Valerie B.

& The Boyz Soul/Funk/R&B

FRI. FEB. 3 Studebaker John

SAT. FEB. 4 The Jimmys

2513 Seiferth Rd. 222-7800 KnuckleDownSaloon.com

YLAB, Night Rod, and TBA FRI JAN 27 . 9PM . $5

DOORS AT 8

WED OCT 5 . 7:00PM

THE LAST COLLEGE NIGHT $13 advance

con sabor latino LATIN | REGGAETON | TOP 40 | R&B

1212 REGENT ST. 608-251-6766

THEREDZONEMADISON.COM

FRIDAY 1/27

CARNAVAL SEASON KICKOFF

...and Salute to the Cardinal

featuring

Dave Irwin & Friends Madison Choro Ensemble Ótimo Dance Company Grupo Balança / Samba Novistas Los Chechos / Dr. Beatz 5:30pm Happy Hour / 8pm Show ($5 cover) ___________________________________

Presented by The Handphibians

SATURDAY 1/28 • 9AM - 3PM

art, oriental rugs, cardinal ‘bilia, paintings, historical pictures, and much more! - Cash Bar -

A PLAY BY JOHN PATRICK SHANLEY JANUARY 26 – FEBRUARY 12, 2017 Get tickets at FORWARDTHEATER.COM or 608-258-4141

LAST DANCE AT THE BIRD DOORS 8PM | MUSIC FOR ALL

Visit www.facebook.com/cardinalbar.madison for info about our last week

JANUARY 26–FEBRUARY 1, 2017 ISTHMUS.COM

OUTSIDE MULLINGAR

■ EMPHASIS

DU CK

SO U P

CINEMA

Embrace your inner nerd Wayward Apple Gifts has fun, geeky stuff BY ERICA KRUG

Safety Last

Presentation underwritten with a generous gift from Robert N. Doornek

SERIES SPONSOR

ISTHMUS.COM JANUARY 26–FEBRUARY 1, 2017

SAT, FEB 18 | 2 PM & 7 PM

JAN 25 – FEB 5

The Phantom of the Opera

FEB 12

Boyz II Men

FEB 18

Duck Soup Cinema: Safety Last

FEB 24

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo

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