Summer in Madison brings the surrounding populations en masse to State Street, Capitol Square and the Union Terrace. Permeating all three is an abundance of musical and creative offerings that makes summertime in downtown Madison a unique and worthwhile experience.
The Terrace
Central to Madison's summer atmosphere lies the Memorial Union Terrace, where people of all ages gather to have a beer or brat and socialize with family and friends any night of the week.
\It's a time when the community really likes to come down and watch the sunset,"" said Wisconsin Union Directorate music advisor Natasha Kassulke. ""We're always seen as a venue for watching the sunset and it's a great meeting place for people, for friends and couples and families. ... We look for a variety of music that appeals to the community and also the students,"" she said.
The WUD Music Committee is kicking off the Terrace's summer schedule with their Terrace Fest on Saturday, June 11. In addition to free sailboat rides and other events throughout the day, internationally acclaimed Senegalese songstress Maria de Barros will entertain the night masses with her unique vocals and international music.
The Terrace will hold several outdoor shows each week, with Madison favorite The Cork 'n Bottle String band playing an early show every Thursday and The Profits serving as the house band for open mic night every Wednesday.
Headlining shows Thursday through Saturday each week is a vast collection of talented artists ranging in style with rock, hip-hop, reggae, bluegrass, funk, jazz, ska, alt-country and jam all represented. The Terrace closes out its summer season with a blues festival August 19 and 20. For a complete summer schedule visit the union's website at
www.union.wisc.edu.
The Capitol Square
The picturesque grounds of Wisconsin's State Capitol play host to several magnanimous cultural events throughout the summer that are not to be missed.
Every Wednesday at 7 p.m., from June 29 through August 3, the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra performs free to the public on the steps of the State Capitol while a packed landscape of tablecloths, picnic baskets and people cover the square to enjoy sumptuous boxed dinners from area restaurants or equally tasty fare and bottles of wine brought from home.
The WCO hosts a number of renowned performers that are featured each week. This year's guests include the Manhattan Rhythm Kings, Tracey Silverman on electric violin and Huw Edwards as a guest conductor, among others.
For a complete schedule, dinner menu and travel information, visit the WCO website at www.wcoconcerts.org/concertsonthesquare2005.htm.
To break up the summer month, July 9 and 10 features the Art Fair On the Square organized by the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. Billed as one of the country's premiere art festivals, 200,000 people flock to exhibits from 500 nationwide artists that converge onto the square. State Street
Between the excitement of the Capitol and the Union Terrace, State Street stands as a formidable creative force in its own right that binds downtown together. Nothing spells summer in Madison like a warm night stroll along the sidewalks of State Street populated with caf??-goers and outdoor diners, and flavored with the creative musical stylings of its many street performers.
Playing the saxophone, trumpet, steel guitar, violin, acoustic guitar, cello and banjo, the musicians of State Street are a valued addition to its appeal. Performing for their own enjoyment, or as a way to make a few dollars, the unique and varied musicians add an ambiance that few cities can claim to duplicate.
""What would normally be looked at as a commercial district, [the street musician] gives it a more colorful appeal,"" said Exclusive Company employee Eamon Doyle. The Exclusive Company (508 State St.) and B-Side Records (436 State St.) are at the center of musical life on State Street, whether its to offer the newest summer releases or to observe the musical street life the warm weather brings.
""For people that are into being outside and hearing music and understanding the culture of Madison, music is a big part of that,"" said Doyle. ""Having people playing music for free on the street, I think that that attracts people downtown and really gets people-especially people that like music-down here.""
So take some time this summer to stroll the isthmus area. There's plenty to see and do in this not-so-sleepy college town.
