Events

Things to do in Madison this week

Local events in Madison, Wisconsin Oct. 10-16

Hi there!

I'm working on a guide to local Halloween events. You can see the beginning of it under the "Upcoming Halloween-y Events" heading. We'll have even more next week!

— Sam

Wisconsin Science Festival
Monday-Sunday | In-person + virtual
The Wisconsin Science Festival features dozens of events throughout the state for people of all ages. Activities include hands-on science experiments, live Q&A sessions with scientists, demonstrations, and performances.

Book Swap at State Line Distillery
Tuesday | 7 p.m. | Free, RSVP required
Is your bookshelf overflowing with books you will never read? Bring them to State Line Distillery and swap with other lit-loving folks!

Madison Senior Center Health & Resource Fair
Tuesday | 9-11:30 a.m. | Free
Local agencies and businesses present that serve seniors will be on-hand to share information and resources. Health screenings for depression & stress, memory, blood pressure, hearing and vision.

Jonathan Van Ness: Imaginary Living Room Olympian Tour
Thursday | 7 p.m. | The Orpheum| $45+
Jonathan Van Ness is a hairstylist turned personality, writer, comedian, and entertainer who rose to stardom as part of the Queer Eye makeover team.

Alvvays, Slow Pulp 🟠
Thursday | 7 p.m. | Memorial Union Terrace | Free
Slow Pulp and Alvvays combine for an extremely unexpected but entirely welcome homecoming event at UW-Madison. Read more from Tone Madison →

Spooky & Gay Cabaret
Thursday | 7 p.m. | Crucible | $15
Spooky & Gay Cabaret is a queer horror variety show, featuring scary stories, songs and standup. Like Goosebumps - only gayer!

Wisconsin Book Festival
Thursday-Sunday | In-person + virtual
The Wisconsin Book Festival presents free author events that celebrate books and spark conversations. Notable guests this year include acclaimed authors Andy Weir, Alan Moore and Thrity Umrigar.

Billy Woods, ShrapKnel at Memorial Union Rathskeller 🟠
Friday | 7 p.m. | Memorial Union Rathskeller | Free
NYC's rap scene has always been influential, but even in that storied history, Billy Woods and ShrapKnel are talented enough to stand out. Read more from Tone Madison →

Science on the Square/Madison Night Market Fusion
Friday | Downtown Madison | 4-8 p.m. | Free
The Science on the Square event is again fusing with the Madison Night Market to create a way to explore hands-on science activities while also supporting local businesses and vendors.

Moth Madison Grandslam Championship
Friday | The Barrymore | 7:30 p.m. | $31.50
Past winners compete for the title of GrandSLAM Champion. Hosted by Wisconsin Poet Laureate Dasha Kelly Hamilton.

ROCKTOBER With WORT-FM
Friday | 8 p.m. | Harmony Bar & Grill
Fundraiser for WORT with performances from DJ PC Allen, The Broken Boards and Heavy Looks.

Take Out (2004) screening
Saturday | 7 p.m. | UW Cinematheque | Free
For all its constant pressures of time, chronicling the vicissitudes in a day in the life of a Chinese takeout deliveryman, Sean Baker and Shih-Ching Tsou's microbudget masterpiece Take Out (2004) possesses a timeless empathy. Read more from Tone Madison →

Kids in the Rotunda: Mad Science
Saturday | Two shows: 9:30 a.m. (also livestreamed) & 1 p.m. | Free
Audience participation is strongly encouraged in this science demonstration show for children. The show is not scary – just fun!

The Colors of Fall Arboretum Garden Tour
Saturday | 1-3 p.m. | UW Arboretum | Free
A stroll highlighting sensational seasonal colors and exploring the science behind this natural phenomenon.

The Pit And The Pendulum (1991) screening
Sunday | The Chazen | 2 p.m. | Free 🟠
The loosely Edgar Allan Poe-adapted The Pit And The Pendulum (1991) graphically depicts the horrors of the Spanish Inquisition. Read more from Tone Madison →

HEARTBREAK HORRORSHOW! Stories and More of Disasters in Dating
Sunday | 6 p.m. |The Rigby | $15
HEARTBREAK HORRORSHOW “celebrates” the disasterland that is dating, with stories that will make you cringe because of how much you can (unfortunately) relate!