It’s a brand new year and Madison is kicking it off in style with a ton of fun things to do.
January 3 through January 8
Jersey Boys
More than 22 million theatergoers have seen Jersey Boys and now you have a chance to add to that number. Enjoy the Tony®, Grammy® and Olivier Award-winning Best Musical telling the true story of The Four Seasons. You’ll hear some of their biggest hits, like “Oh, What a Night,” “Sherry,” and “Big Girls Don’t Cry.” It’s happening on stage at Overture Center for the Arts in downtown Madison and you can purchase tickets online.
January 6 through January 8
Madison Home Expo
If you plan on making renovations to your home in 2017 you won’t want to miss the 19th annual Madison Home Expo. Here you’ll find information on the latest products and ideas, displays, exhibits, maintenance tips and more. Get all the details online at homeshowcenter.com.
January 6 and January 14
USHL Madison Capitols Games
Cheer on our hometown Capitols as they take on the Green Bay Gamblers on January 6 and the Muskegon Lumberjacks on January 14. The game against Green Bay is a Guaranteed Win Night, by the way so if they should lose (fat chance) everyone in attendance will receive ticket vouchers for the Wisconsin Cheese Cup game in March. Get ticket information online by clicking here and here.
January 8
Jazz at the Opera Center
Those fans of Charlie Parker who are anticipating the upcoming production of ‘Charley Parker’s Yardbird’ by Daniel Schnyder will not want to miss this afternoon of jazz at the Margaret C. Winston Madison Opera Center in downtown Madison. Light hors d'oeuvres will be served; a cash bar will be available. Seating is limited – in fact, reserved cabaret seating is sold out. Learn more online here.
Victoria
“Victoria” is the highly anticipated eight-part drama series following the life and times of Queen Victoria (premiering January 15 on Masterpiece/PBS) starring Jenna Coleman. Madison residents have a chance to view the advanced screening at Monona Terrace’s Lecture Hall on January 8. Although admission is free, tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis so get them now by clicking here.
January 9
International Festival
Enjoy cuisine and entertainment from across the globe at Overture Center’s International Festival. This even runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and you can get the details online at overture.org.
January 12
UW Men’s Basketball
Come on out and cheer on our Badgers as they take on Ohio State at Kohl Center. Game time is 6 p.m. and you can learn more online, here.
Patti LaBelle in Concert
Disco fans remember Patti LaBelle from her early 1970s iconic disco tune, "Lady Marmalade," but did you know that the song also launched Ms. LaBelle and her band to the cover of Rolling Stone magazine – the first African-American vocal group to get there?
The ensuing decades have seen an evolution of Ms. LaBelle’s music and a thriving solo career as well as acting gigs here and there. Patti LaBelle appears at Overture Center where tickets are available online.
January 14
2017 Brazen Dropouts Bike Swap
Here’s your chance to buy and/or sell bike stuff from more than 100 vendors. Look for everything from frames and forks to biking attire and pedals. . .even complete bikes. There will be prize drawings, complimentary coffee and more. Held at the Alliant Energy Center, you can get details on Facebook.
January 14 and 15
Beyond the Score: Scherazade
Beyond the Score®: Scheherazade is a musical journey set to music and theatre, starring American Players Theatre actors as well as the Madison Symphony Orchestra. Buy tickets online at madisonsymphony.org.
January 20
Groove & Glide
Have some fun skating at one or both Grove & Glide events this month. The first is at Tenney Park (402 N. Thornton Ave.) on January 20 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Learn more about that one, here. The second is being held at Elver Park (1250 McKenna Blvd.) on January 27. Learn more about that one, here.
January 20 to 22
2017 Mad City Pond Hockey Championships
Esser Pond in Middleton (1825 Demming Wy.) is the site for the 2017 Pond Hockey Championships. Team fees will benefit Pancreatic Cancer research through the UW Carbone Cancer Center, and admission to the public is free. You’ll find a warming tent, food and more. Get details about his event at madcitypondhockey.com.
January 21
Isthmus Beer & Cheese Fest
Here’s a fun way to spend a bleak and brisk winter’s day – and your general admission ticket gets you unlimited sampling and an Isthmus Beer & Cheese Fest tasting glass. It happens at the Alliant Energy Center and you can buy tickets now at isthmustickets.com.
January 21, 2017
Candlelight Snowshoeing
Head to Monona where you can snowshoe to the lights of hundreds of candles that will line the trails of Aldo Leopold Nature Center, Woodland Park and Edna Taylor Conservancy. Afterward, organizers promise a roaring bonfire, hot chocolate, popcorn and s’mores. Admission, parking and the shuttle ride are all free of charge. Get details online at aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org.
January 22 to 27
Restaurant Week
Madison’s winter Restaurant Week event promises to be a stunner. A prix-fixe menu starting at $25 is still on the agenda and some are offering a reduced menu option for a $15 lunch. Reservations at your restaurants of choice are recommended. To learn more, visit Madison Magazine online.
January 25 to February 5
The Phantom of the Opera
If you’ve never witnessed the absolutely breathtaking Phantom of the Opera, make 2017 the year you finally do. For details, including performance times and ticket information, visit Overture Center’s website.
Posted by Jolenta Averill on