Arts - The Daily Cardinal

ARTS

Oscars Review: Who deserves Best Picture?

By Liset Zacker | Mar. 14

Ahead of Sunday’s show, The Daily Cardinal reviewed the 10 films nominated for Best Picture at the 2026 Oscars.

ARTS

YouTuber Andrew Callahan brings Channel 5, ‘All Gas, No Breaks’ energy to Madison

By Jacob Szczap | Mar. 12

Andrew Callaghan, Gonzo journalist of the YouTube generation, stopped in Madison on Friday night as a part of his 22-city live tour, hosting an entertaining evening at the Orpheum Theatre that included screenings of exclusive documentary footage, a Q&A session, a crowd-sourced talent show and a locally-sourced rap battle.

PHOTOS: The First Look at the 2026 Wisconsin Film Festival

ARTS

Wisconsin Film Festival hosts preview this year’s offerings

By Cole Zich | Mar. 12

Attendees will experience locally and internationally produced films in various local venues.

ARTS

Student groups, local bands unite for house show fundraiser for Sudan

By Jacob Szczap and Peter Fishman | Mar. 9

In conjunction with local bands, the Young Democratic Socialists of America and Anarchist League organized a fundraiser for Sudan at Madison house show venue, the Mousetrap.

PODCAST

Does AI belong in Art?

By Matthew Brady , Matt Titus , Jackson Baker and Ted Hyngstrom | Mar. 9

Hosts Jackson Baker and Matthew Brady discuss AI's place in the art scene and the history of "prompt artists" from Damien Hirst to Anthony Warhol.

ARTS

University Theatre’s ‘cullud wattah’ explores Flint water crisis, human resilience

By Eloise Slipper | Mar. 5

In Mitchell Theatre, a swarm of plastic bottles filled with dirty water has invaded the stage. “cullud wattah,” the University Theatre production running through March 8, transports audiences to a household in Flint, Michigan, where three generations of women desperately seek control over their own lives amidst the crushing effects of the Flint water crisis.

Chris Walker, Keil Alibocas and Najja Codrington

ARTS

Celebrate Black History Month under the ‘Moonshine’

By Britta Sevcik | Mar. 5

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Dance Department performed “Moonshine,” a multimedia celebration of Black History Month, on Feb. 27.

PODCAST

Are sports art?

By Matthew Brady , Matt Titus , Yadiel Chavez and Jackson Baker | Mar. 2

In light of Alysa Liu's Olympic success for Team USA, hosts Jackson Baker and Matthew Brady are joined by Daily Cardinal Sports Editor Yadiel Chavez to answer a question : are sports art?

ARTS

Concert ticket prices are out of hand. Artists should do something about it

By Gabriella Hartlaub | Feb. 26

With sky high prices for recent performers like Noah Kahan and Harry Styles, fans are being priced out of experiences.

WSUM turns 15 Feb. 22 and continues to grow with plans to add more programming in the future.

ARTS

WSUM named best station in the nation

By Alexa Cattouse | Feb. 25

The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s student-run radio station received a total of five awards, including best college station in the country, at this year’s Intercollegiate Broadcasting System conference.

PODCAST

Not my Ringo: How bad is the Beatles biopic casting?

By Matthew Brady , Matt Titus and Jackson Baker | Feb. 23

Hosts Jackson Baker and Matthew Brady debate controversial casting choices the upcoming Beatles biopic and some little known Beatles history in Wisconsin.

ARTS

‘The ‘Burbs’ is a faithful reboot with its own soul

By Andrew Holton | Feb. 19

When I was younger, my dad owned “Big,” “Money Pit” and “Forrest Gump” on DVD. These movies served as my introduction to Tom Hanks. Naturally, I was intrigued when I saw Peacock planned to reboot “The ‘Burbs,” another Hanks classic, into a TV series.

0132 - Skye Alyssa Friedman, Emily Koch, Darron Hayes, Max Santopietro and Gabby Beredo in the National Tour of KIMBERLY AKIMBO, photo by Joan Marcus.jpg

ARTS

‘Kimberly Akimbo’ where age is just a number

By Britta Sevcik | Feb. 19

The curtain rises, and the stage is set. Students skate across the stage, sharing their high school struggles and disdain for their small-town lives.

ARTS

Why Madison? Students react to Harry Styles’ local listening party

By Olivia Ruetten | Feb. 16

Madison is among just 40 cities in the world, and two in the U.S., chosen to host advance listening parties for Styles’ new album “Kiss All the Time. Disco Occasionally”

Harry Potter and the Death Hallows Pt. 2 in concert

ARTS

MSO’s ‘Harry Potter’ transports audiences to wizarding world

By Cameron Schneider | Feb. 12

Madison Symphony Orchestra’s live score of “The Deathly Hallows: Pt. 2” is nothing short of magic.

ARTS

Marvel benches usual action in favor of acting in ‘Wonder Man’

By Andrew Holton | Feb. 12

In the year of Doom, the Disney+ exclusive introduces a new supe while a fan-favorite makes a return.

ARTS

‘Ironbound’ follows one woman’s journey for love and the American Dream

By Eloise Slipper | Feb. 5

Forward Theater’s latest production places a spotlight — or rather, a streetlight — on the experience of American immigrants, with Martyna Majok’s dark comedy “Ironbound” set to run from Jan. 29 to Feb. 15 at Overture Center.

PODCAST

Daily Cardinal Arts Radar: Welcome Ryan!

By Matt Titus , Lydia Picotte and Ryan Kim | Feb. 2

This week Daily Cardinal Arts Editor Lydia Picotte introduces the desk's new editor Ryan Kim and the pair discuss his favorite media.

ARTS

68th Annual Grammy Awards: Nominations and Predictions

By Kaelana Faessler | Jan. 30

Who will take home music’s biggest awards?

ARTS

How Madison’s ‘Hamilton’ stacks up against other tour stops

By Alaina Walsh | Jan. 29

After seeing “Hamilton” in six cities — New York, London, Chicago, Denver, Salt Lake City and now Madison — the stop at Overture Center stood out as a polished but hesitant performance, with miscasting and underwhelming major scenes softening the show’s usual impact.