Things to do in Madison, WI: Nov. 29-Dec. 5

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We took a break from our newsletter work on Thursday and Friday for the holiday. Did you miss us? We missed you.

For the rest of the holiday season, you'll see us spotlighting events that give you opportunities to shop local. It's more important than ever to support our local businesses.

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- Sam

Monday, Nov. 29

• Gin Mill Hollow at the Up North Bar. 6 p.m. No cover charge.
• Delta Rae with Thunder Lilly at the Majestic. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. $25 advance, $27 at door.
• Team Trivia at the Sett. 7-9 p.m. Free.

Tuesday, Nov. 30

• Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting: Portillo's Hot Dogs at 7320 West Towne Way. 10 a.m.
• Drive-in Chanukah Ceremony with Chabad of Madison at Hilldale. Menorah lighting, chocolate gelt dropped from firetruck, and more. A radio station will broadcast the event and attendees must remain inside their cars. 4:30 p.m.
• Understanding the Crisis in Afghanistan with Prof. Pevehouse at Memorial Union. 6 p.m. Free.

Wednesday, Dec. 1

• UW Jazz Orchestra Showcase at Cafe Coda. $10. 7 p.m.
• Identifying Features (2020) screening at MMoCA. From IMDb: “A mother travels across Mexico in search for her son whom authorities say died while trying to cross the borders into the United States.” Part of Spotlight Cinema Series. 7 p.m. $7 per screening. Free for MMoCA members and anyone 18 and younger.
• Nerd Nite at High Noon Saloon. Presentations: “Ribbing you the wrong way: Why so many museum mounts of whales & dinosaurs are wrong, and why you might care;” “What If Finding Nemo Were Real?”; and “Azucar!: Cuba’s rise and fall in the world stage.” 8 p.m. Free.
• Festival Choir of Madison Christmas Concert at Asbury United Methodist Church. 8 p.m. $20.
• Holiday Happy Hour by Madison Downtowners at the Tinsmith. “Dress to impress.” 5-8 p.m.
• D’funk & The Grease Monkeys with Xander Amin. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. $5.
• Willy Porter with Brett Newski and The No Tomorrow at the Majestic. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. $20 advance, $22.50 at door.

Thursday, Dec. 2

• Dane Arts Holiday Pop Up at StartingBlock. Several local artists and entrepreneurs. 4:30-7:30 p.m. Free.
• Chelsea Handler at the Orpheum. Doors at 5:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $49.50.
• The Nielson Trust featuring Rick Nelson of Cheap Trick at the Majestic. Doors 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m. $20 advance, $25 at door.
• San Holo at the Sylvee. Doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $25.
• Fireside Chat with John & Tashia Morgridge, who just committed $175 million to support the UW School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences. 7 p.m. Virtual. Free.

Friday, Dec. 3

• Holiday Glow on Monroe. 4-8 p.m. Music, Santa, and deals at Monroe Street businesses.
• Bright Moments: Adem Tesfaye Band at Cafe Coda. 6 p.m. $5.
• Lindsey Stirling Christmas Program at the Sylvee. Doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $59.50.
• Kat and the Hurricane Presents: DJ Milbot, Cullah, Kat & Hurricane at Bos Meadery. Monthly variety show with prize drawings. 7-10 p.m. Sliding cover.
• "HOME FOR THE HOLI-DAZE III"  at Dark Horse ArtBar. Featuring art from Donald Topp, David Mueller, and Luckystar Studio. 7 p.m.-12 a.m.
• Disq with Ganser. Doors at 7:30, show at 8 p.m. $15 advance, $20 at door.
• Christmas with John Berry at the Barrymore. 8 p.m. Tickets start at $45.
• Little Women (2019) screening at Union South. From IMDb: “Jo March reflects back and forth on her life, telling the beloved story of the March sisters - four young women, each determined to live life on her own terms.” 9 p.m. Free.
• Fubar! A Demented Comedy Game Show. Take an American quiz show, add the frivolity of a British panel show, and the pyrotechnics of a Japanese game show, and you've got Fubar. 10:30 p.m. $5.

Saturday, Dec. 4

• Holiday Market by Dane County Farmers’ Market at Monona Terrace. 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Fair Trade Holiday Festival at Monona Terrace. All vendors have been vetted to ensure their products are ethically and humanely produced. 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
• 22nd Annual HolidayFest Arts & Crafts Fair at Warner Park Community Recreation Center. Over 80 crafters from the Midwest will be selling their handmade goods. $1 entry fee. 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Pawliday Photos at Petphoria. Receive free professional pet photos with any purchase in Petphoria. Santa will NOT be at the event. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Community Carol Sing with Madison Symphony Orchestra at Overture. 11 a.m. Free.
• Badger Soles at Alliant Energy Center. Buy, sell, and trade sneakers, clothing, and more. From sneakers and designer clothing to sports cards and vintage. 150+ vendors. 1-6 p.m.
• Christmas Bar Crawl. 4 p.m.-12 a.m. $20 includes 2 drinks and waived cover charges. Must bring a toy to donate for Toys For Tots.
• Little Women (2019) screening at Union South. From IMDb: “Jo March reflects back and forth on her life, telling the beloved story of the March sisters - four young women, each determined to live life on her own terms.” 6 p.m. Free.
• Charlie Berens at the Orpheum. Doors 6:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $150.
• Watermelon Collie, MQBS, & Sex, Fear at Communication. Doors at 7:15 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. No alcohol served. $8.
• Watershed Reading IRL with author Chris Stedman at Communication. Book “asks whether virtual spaces might offer new sites of experimentation and play and satisfy our longing for meaning and community.” 7 p.m. Free.
• Billy Idol and Steve Stevens at the Barrymore. 8 p.m. Tickets start at $42.
• Leather + Lace at Crucible. 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 5

• First Sunday Brunch Live Jazz with Luke Leavitt at Cafe Coda. 12-1:30 p.m.
• Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit with Strand of Oaks at the Sylvee. Doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $59.50.
• Sweet Josephine at the Bur Oak. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. $15 advance, $20 at door.
• Janet Evra's An Evening in Paris at Cafe Coda. 7 p.m. $15.

Some things to look forward to…

• State of the Museum at the Chazen on Dec. 9. Director Amy Gilman presents her third annual State of the Museum.
• An Evening with David Sedaris at Overture on Dec. 11. David Sedaris returns to the road following the release of his most deeply personal and darkly hilarious collection, Calypso.
• Exhibition Celebration/Reception + Artist Talk for “Santiago Cucullu: you still make me tremble” on Dec. 11.
• Eastside Winter Market presented by Communication + Garver Events. Dec 11 and 12.

Did you find something interesting in this post?

If nothing caught your eye this week, email me at contact@madisonminutes.com. I might have a few more suggestions for you. Be sure to include some of your interests or hobbies! I need something to work with. 😊

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📜 Our events guidelines:

• We prioritize events that are some combination of the following: free/low cost, organized by locals, and of interest to the general public.
• Since we’re a small team, we are not able to offer feedback on when/if events will be included.
• We request at least a week’s heads up on upcoming events.