Through September 24
Centro Mercadito
If you haven’t yet been to the weekly Centro Mercadito, time’s running out! The Sunday Centro Mercadito is Latin America’s answer to our farmers market. You’ll enjoy cooking demonstrations, live entertainment, yummy food, stuff for the kids to do, produce to purchase and more. The official address is 810 West Badger Road, but the market is held in the back lot, off Hughes Place, between S. Park St. and Cypress Wy. Visit the website for details.
August 1 through August 29
Movies on the Water
Here’s your chance to finally catch some of those movies you’ve always wanted to see but couldn’t quite find the time. August will be an amazing month for Movies on the Water.
- August 1: “The Big Lebowski,” a hilarious 1998 comedy starring Jeff Bridges.
- August 8: “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” Need we say more?
- August 15: “Miracle,” the 2004 sports drama based on the true story of Herb Brooks and the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team. Kurt Russell stars.
- August 22: Brush up on your ‘70s trivia and then stay for the screening of “Almost Famous.” This 2000 comedy-drama stars Kate Hudson, who plays a young Rolling Stone journalist.
- August 29: “Dead Poets Society,” one of the late Robin Williams’ most popular films.
Presented by The Edgewater and Lakefront Brewery, the films are part of the Facts and a Flick series, so brush up on your trivia for the contest at 7 p.m. The movie will be screened afterward, at sunset. Visit The Edgewater online for clues to each night’s trivia theme and additional details.
August 3 through August 6
Gilbert & Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore
Opera lovers – catch H.M.S Pinafore, the hilariously comedy by Gilbert & Sullivan at UW-Madison Music Hall. You’ll have four chances this month (August 6 performance is a matinee). Get information online at madisonsavoyards.org.
2017 Reebok CrossFit Games
Are you the Fittest on Earth™? There’s only one way to find out and that’s to take the grueling tests in the CrossFit Games. It’s the first year for the games here in Madison and we can look forward to them staying put for the next three years, at least. Get tickets online at ticketmaster.com.
August 4 and 5
Sugar Maple Music Festival
What a fun event! Bring the family to the Sugar Maple Music Festival, a two-day outdoor event that features many different musical styles. Enjoy music from Madison artists as well as those from other parts of Dane County, the state and the country. Learn more online at sugarmaplefest.org.
August 4 through August 25
Dane Dances!
Whether you cut the rug, boogie down, bust a move or get your groove on, Dane Dances! is where you want to be this month. You’ll find your favorite music, from funk, R&B, jazz, reggae, Latin and hip-hop so you can dance like nobody’s watching. Learn more before you go at danedances.org.
August 6
Yum Yum Fest 2017
We can’t figure out why anyone would want to “celebrate” the end of summer but we’re glad they’re holding a party. The annual Yum Yum Fest is here and you can not only do your part to benefit Community Action Coalition Double Dollars Program and The River Food Pantry, but enjoy food and drink from 24 of Madison’s most celebrated restaurants and lots of good music. It’s all happening at Breese Stevens Field and admission is just $10. Buy tickets online and get more information at yumyumfest.org.
August 9 through September 6
Jazz at Five
We look forward to this one all year and this year seems to be particularly exciting. The Paydon Quartet kicks off the season on August 9. Other artists appearing this year include the cool jazz sounds of Madison’s KinFolk, some Afro-Cuban vibes from Chuchito Valdes and New Orleans jazz played by another local group, Almost in Time. You can view the entire lineup and get the where and when online at jazzatfive.org.
August 11
Pack ‘n the Park
Grab the family and head to McKee Farms Park in Fitchburg for a night of family fun. There will be food, games and a movie. It happens from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. and admission is free. The park is located at 2930 Chapel Valley Rd.
August 12
Great Taste of the Midwest
For the 31st year, Madisonites are invited to enjoy the Madison Homebrewers and Tasters Guild’s very cool beer festival. More than 150 craft brewers will be on hand, pouring more than 1,000 different beers. Hot fun in the summertime at Olin Park! Get the details online at greattaste.org.
August 13
Summer Serenades: Sunday Concerts on the Terrace
Classical AND rock/pop favorites? That’s what you’ll enjoy when you spend the evening with theLucia String Quartet Lucia String Quartet will be performing their stylings of fresh spin on rock/pop favorites and performs classical pieces with finely crafted finesse. Head to the Terrace at Memorial Union (800 Langdon St. in Madison) and get there by 5 p.m. Learn more online at union.wisc.edu.
August 17
Zoovies: The Hunger Games
Yay! More outdoor movies this month. This time, it’s “The Hunger Games,” starring Jennifer Lawrence. Admission is $5 at the gate and the movie starts at dusk but the gates open at 7 p.m. Don’t forget a chair or blanket to sit on. The Henry Vilas Zoo is located at 702 S. Randall Ave.
Summer Fest & Community Pig Roast at Fitchburg Farmers Market
Live music, yummy food and room for the kids to run around – what more could you ask for on a summer day in Madison? It happens from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Agora at Fitchburg Center (5511 E. Cheryl Pkwy. in Fitchburg). The cost is $12 per plate or to-go container.
August 19
Agora Art Fair
Fitchburg is exploding with things to do this month and the Agora Art Fair is a can’t-miss. Join thousands of others to enjoy regional and local artists’ ceramics, glass, paintings, photography, jewelry, metalwork and more. Sip a brew from the beer garden as you listen to live music. There will be food as well – in fact, check out the menu online at agoraartfair.com. The fair runs from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at 5500 E. Cheryl Pkwy. in Fitchburg.
August 23
Fat Tire Tour de Fat
What happens when you mix beer, bikes and a 33 city tour? Tour de Fat -- a party “ . . .with high-flying acts focusing on fun, music, dance and the American craft beer icon, Fat Tire.” Proceeds benefit local non-profits, so there’s even more incentive for you to come up with a fabulous costume and get your hiney to Orpheum Theater. Madisonorpheum.com has all the details.
August 24
Be a Kid Again
One of the zoo’s most popular events, Be A Kid Again is your chance, at least this year, to prove how nerdy you are. For adults only (age 21 and over), you’ll enjoy a Curious George-themed slip and slide, arts and crafts, a costume contest (come dressed as your favorite literary character), pizza and “boozy slush puppies.” Just when you think you can’t stand any more fun, find a place to park yourself for the screening of “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” By the way, if you bring three new kids’ books you’ll get a free slice of pizza. All proceeds from the event go back to helping the animals at the zoo. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door and that includes one free drink. Get details online at vilaszoo.org.
August 24 through August 27
Orton Park Festival
This is going to be one amazing party! For the past 52 years, the Orton Park Festival has been entertaining Madisonites with one of the longest-running outdoor music festivals in the country. Sure, you’ll enjoy a variety of great music, but vendors from local restaurants will be serving up some yummy food, there will be games for the kids, a jazz brunch, an auction, a trapeze performance and more. Admission is free and organizers want to remind you that “We are very dependent on beverage sales to keep this festival free, so we ask you to refrain from bringing carry-ins.” Oh, and they request you leave the pooch at home, too.
Learn more at marquette-neighborhood.org.
August 25 and 26
Mad Gael Music Fest 2017
You don’t have to be from the old country to enjoy the “dance, culture and Gaelic games” offered up at this year’s Mad Gael Music Fest. Catch the celtgrass sounds of We Banjos 3 and Jigjam and the amazing sounds of the Screaming Orphans, four sisters from County Donegal. Get the entire lineup by visiting madgaelmusicfest.com.
August 25 through August 27
Middleton Good Neighbor Festival
The theme of this year’s Middleton Good Neighbor Festival is “The Year of the Volunteer,” and you’re invited to join in the celebration. Enjoy food, rides and games, a parade, live entertainment, a 5K run/walk and more. View the entire schedule of events at goodneighborfestival.com.
August 26
Wisconsin Pottery Association Show and Sale
Sure, you can attend the Wisconsin Pottery Show and Sale to purchase gorgeous items, but you can also bring one of your own pieces and have it professionally evaluated. Both vintage and contemporary ceramics will be offered, including dinnerware, tile and figurines. The show takes place downtown at the Alliant Energy Center and you can learn more online at wisconsinpottery.org.
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